"Eric?"
Starled, Eric instinctively pulls his fist back to punch the person that grabbed his arm but stops himself when he sees Callie standing before him. "Callie?"
"Eric, what are you doing out here?"
He puts his arm around her guiding her away from the infirmary door. Ignoring her question he says "Callie, you should be resting."
She turns and puts a hand on his chest stopping him. "I was resting until you snuck out of the apartment. What are you doing?"
"I was... tending to a problem."
Callie looks from Eric to the infirmary door then back to Eric. She frowns. "Eric... I want you to stay away from Peter."
"Callie, he needs to pay for what he did." He says putting a hand gently on her shoulder.
"He already did at both of our hands. Leave him be."
"It's not enough."
"Not enough? What will you have? Death? For what? Getting inappropriate?" Callie says with a small amount of irritation in her voice.
"Callie, I know he did a little bit more than just get inappropriate. A busted nose and a black eye aren't enough."
Callie shakes her head in annoyance. "Eric, just to be clear you don't really know what he did. You weren't there and you're not the one he wronged... Listen, I know he's an a-hole and all but he doesn't deserve to die."
Eric frowns. "Callie, I'm just trying to protect you."
"Protect me?" Callie is offended and steps back. "What happened to that big speech you gave me earlier? Was it all just bullshit? I bet you wouldn't be so eager to jump in and help if I were Dauntless-born. Admit it, you don't think I can handle myself!"
"I didnt say that but you're not full strength right now." Eric sighs as he steps forward and gently brushes a hand over her bruised cheek.
"Eric, I'm quite capable of defending myself."
"Callie, have you looked in the mirror lately?"
"What the hell does that mean? All of the initiates have cuts and bruises."
"Yeah but you don't need to. You have me... Come on, don't be mad." He tries to pull her to him.
Annoyed now pushes him away. "Eric, I don't need your help!"
"I didn't say you did but you're with me now. That comes with some perks."
"I want to get into Dauntless because I earned it. Not because I'm screwing the instructor."
"Callie..."
"No. Stop... Just... Just... Stay away from Peter." Fed up with Eric she turns to leave.
He grabs her arm. "Callie, I'm trying to be nice here but don't forget I am a leader of Dauntless. If I feel an initiate needs to learn a lesson then that's my choice. Not yours."
She shakes her head in disbelief that he would play the leader card and her eyes start to water. "Of course Sir. My mistake."
"Callie..." He reaches out for her and she jerks back.
"With your permission I'd like to go back to the dorm room now please."
"Don't be like that. You're welcome at my apartment."
"I don't want to confuse things sir. I'd like to go back with the other iniaites."
He sighs. "Alright. We can talk about this more tomorrow. I'll walk you back."
"Thank you sir but I can find my own way back." She turns and rushes off.
Eric stands confused wondering what just happens. He looks at the infirmary door for a moment then heads back to his apartment.
Sorry for the short chapter. I wasn't sure how to write it. Let me know what you think!
I already know what the next chapter's going to be and it's partially written. Should have it up tomorrow night. It's going to be some version of the knife throwing scene.
Thanks for reading! -MS
