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Chapter 28
"I can't believe they postponed training because of your injury. I never thought they would do that," Lucas says and his brother agrees with him. A day had passed and I had decided to visit my friends while they were training. All the initiates were in the training room and my friends had given up their practice to talk to me. Annie was the first by my side and she gave me a hug, what hurt slightly, but I faked a smile. I thanked her for saving my life and she blushed. It must have been a real close call if no one makes a joke about it. She and Rob informed me about what had happened precisely. Apparently Andrew was the first one to reach me and he laid me on the truck. Annie had used her jacket to stop the bleeding and Rob had informed the others. They quickly ran to the truck and jumped on. Mattheus then drove at top speed to the Dauntless compound.
"Annie thinks the factionless were surprised that one of them shot you and that's why they let us go so easily in the end," Rob mentioned and Annie nods. She does have a point: "I thought their guns weren't loaded. I had overpowered one guy and his gun wasn't loaded. I figured that they didn't want to shoot, just overpower us and get the food. I guess I was wrong."
"That's the funny thing, we aren't sure about that," Annie mentions and she starts talking quieter. Rob eyes the other initiates, the Dauntless born. They had acknowledged me, but they held their distance. Annie continues: "You were shot from behind, but there wasn't a factionless man standing there and because that was weird, I asked the person who retracted the bullet from you about the wound. She told me that the bullet seemed to have been fired from a higher distance, not from the height that we were standing on."
"Annie told me about her suspicion and I asked Four about the attack. Don't worry, I pretended that I was in shock and needed someone to talk to. During our conversation Four mentioned that he had wondered where the bullet had come from and that he'd gone back to investigate. He checked out the buildings that could have hide someone, but there was nothing there. And he also agreed with Annie's suspicion," Rob explained. Wow, my friends haven't been sitting still. I was amazed by Annie and Rob's observations and I found myself agreeing with them. I am pretty sure that those guns were not armed with bullets.
"We haven't talked about it with the others, but we thought you should know," Annie continued and I looked at her confused. Her tone was suddenly different. What is she trying to say? She leans her head closer to me and whispers in my ear: "We think someone else was there and that they aimed at you deliberately."
Annie doesn't realize the full meaning of what she is saying, but with everything that has happened, it wouldn't be completely out of the blue. Tabassum had warned me that Divergents tend to die suspicious death. I nod to Annie, not knowing what I should say to comfort her or how I should even react to something like that, pretending I didn't know that already.
"Don't worry about it you guy's. I'm sure we will figure out what really happened," I ended up saying. After that Annie and Rob went back to training. They had been fighting each other. I observe them while listing to the twins tell me about their work with Eric in the control room. Annie and Rob were fighting harder than usual. They seem to be really taken their fight serious. They usually keep talking to each other during their fights, it's kind of funny. Now they are completely focused on one and other. It's like they are actually trying to hurt the other, well maybe not the other, but maybe the person they think the other resembles.
"Andy, are you even listening?" Victor makes me break my train of thoughts and I look at him guilty. He sighs and his brother reaps what he had said: "Who do you think will end up leaving Dauntless? Everyone has started training harder since we started working for Dauntless."
"I guess no one wants to leave and the people ranked below ten will leave us. Everyone wants to climb up the ladder," Victor adds and I think it over. I am ranked eleventh now. That means that Sarah, Luissa, Andrew and Rob are behind me. I'm not sure how Annie is ranked currently. I haven't seen Sarah improve much during her stay here in Dauntless. She is smart and analytical, but she is not Dauntless material. She should have stayed in Erudite, she would have been great there. The same goes for Luissa and Andrew. They practice, but I don't see any major improvements. Rob seems to be motivated to try harder, I really hope he makes it. I started this with him. It would be nice to end it together. Michael, Lucas and Victor are sure of their spot in Dauntless and so are Skander, Tyra and Kane. Kim, Marnie, Marc and Sigrid are in the middle. They should watch out.
And then there is me. I have been climbing up the ranking since the start of the simulations. I am aiming for top five, but that will be hard. Michael, Skander, Tyran Lucas and Kane are tough initiates. I will have to really impress the others if I want to end up among them.
"I think we can say goodbye to Luissa and Andrew, but I can't judge the rest. Annie and Rob seem to really want to improve and they have gotten a lot better since we arrived here. I think it's even fair to say that they improved the most. In my opinion they disserve a spot in Dauntless. You guy's and Michael are ranked good, so I don't think you should fear anything. But then there is Skander, Tyra and Kane. They are really impressive, so I don't see them leaving. I can't really judge," I answer honestly. Marnie, Kim, Sarah and Marc should really improve quickly, because else they will leave us.
"It is most definitely not over yet," Lucas agrees and he and his brother go back to training. They switch partners with Rob and Annie. They seem pleased to fight against someone else. Annie's eyes cross mine. I smile at her and she smiles back, but her smile doesn't reach her eyes. Maybe that attack made her realize what she really signed up for.
This initiation is getting more and more interesting.
"You really think that Annie and Rob have improved the most?" Four asks me and I notice he is standing behind me. When did he get here? His eyes are focused on Annie, who is currently fighting Victor.
"Yes, I really believe that. During my first days here I was sure they would end up leaving after stage one of initiation, but now I really believe they have improved the most. I would not pick a fight with Annie, that's for sure," I answer and Four pushes my wheelchair forward. He pushes me around the training center. What does he want? I wait until he makes the first move. I let my eyes wonder around the room. Kim and Marnie were practicing their punches and so were the brother and sister duo of our group, Tyra and Kane. My eyes meet Andrew and he nods to me. I nod back. He is running around the room with Sarah and Luissa. Skander joins them and runs alongside Sarah. She seems to be the only one of our group actually trying to be friends with the Dauntless born. Maybe we should try harder to become friends.
"How is the wound?" Four asks me after a few minutes. Here we go. Maybe he will tell me what Annie and Rob have already told me. I raise my shoulders: "It's healing fine. Katelyn thinks it would help me to get out of the medic center. She is probably right, but I am not liking the wheelchair thing."
"Yeah, I can imagine that. You were lucky," Four mentioned and I don't feel like hearing again how it was serious and that I should be more careful next time: "God, not this again. I have heard enough about how lucky I was from everyone else already."
"Well you were…," Four starts, but I cut him off quickly: "Look if you are going to give me the whole speech about being reckless and that is should watch my back better, don't bother. Eric already took care of that."
"Eric visited you?"Four sounded astonished at that piece of information. I wasn't entirely sure that I was happy that I had told him that Eric had visited me during my stay in the medic center. Then again, it can't hurt that he knows right: "Yeah, he was bored and needed someone to bug."
Four doesn't react to my answer and I figure he let the subject go. He pushes me out of the training center and I feel Rob's eyes on my back. I ignore it. Four closes the door to the training center and we are alone in the dark corridor.
"I contacted Erudite to see how your sister is doing," Four starts the conversation again and I immediately sit straight. He can tell that I am suddenly nervous and that I need to know how she is doing. I can feel my heart beat quicker and not in a good way Eric sometimes makes it speed up. I feel cold and uncomfortable.
"She is staying with Michael's father. He took her in after his son asked him to look after her. She is doing fine, but she asked if she would be allowed to see you considering the current circumstances," Four informed me. My heart stops for a second. Marie is fine and safe, away from Jeanine. She wants to see me. I am never going to get permission for that, not after how I talked back to Max and I still doubt that Eric would take me.
"I told her we would visit shortly once you are back on your feet," Four says and I can't stop my mouth from falling open en saying: "What? You are kidding me!"
"Would you rather not go. That is fine by me," Four answers me and he stands up straighter. I find myself apologizing quickly and asking why he would do that: "I am not cruel. The Dauntless are brave, but that doesn't mean you can't be there for your family and you have a younger sister, who is on her own now."
"Way to make me feel horrible for choosing Dauntless," I can't stop myself from saying bitterly. Four only raises and eyebrow at me and I bite my tongue before I say anything else that might anger Four: "Thank you. Really, I appreciate it."
"If there is anything else you need, you know where to find me," Four says and he has this look in his eyes that makes me feel uncomfortable. Like he is aiming at me being Divergent. My mouth is suddenly dry and I swallow hard. I nod and thank Four again for looking into my sister. I was so glad I was going to see her again, but at the same time I didn't want Four to accompany me.
I join my friends for lunch and I end up staying with them the whole day. It was nice and relaxing and they helped me take my mind away from my wound. It shouldn't take long anymore before I will be able to stand on my feet again, I hope.
"Don't worry, I'll try and bring her back to the medic center in one piece. And if that doesn't work out, at least she will be in the right spot to get patched back together. That seems to be her thing," Michael jokes and he pushes my wheelchair forward. I haven't talked to him individual all day, so I expect him to have some kind of information or to talk about what Marie and Rob think, that is if he knows about that.
"They seem to be targeting you individually," Michael says as we walk past the chasm. He stops and crunches in front of me so that we are on each other's eye levels. He continues: "I heard from Tabassum two days ago. He heard about the attack and that one Dauntless initiate got shot. Apparently the factionless don't get violent when it comes to initiates. They still see us as children. It's an unspoken rule that they don't open fire on us, unless we start shooting at them first."
"But that wasn't the case. In fact none of them were even aiming their guns at us once the fight broke lose," I interrupt and Michael nods: "Tabassum asked around and he found the men that were planning on stealing your cargo. None of them fired at you because none of their guns were armed. They are apparently short on bullets currently."
"I knew it," I say, but Michael continues: "They think someone else orchestrated the attack somehow. There was apparently an explosion and they can't figure out how it went off. It's a mystery to them. They think someone is targeting you individually, because only one bullet was fired from one of the buildings surrounding the fight."
"You think it is Jeanine?" I ask and Michael's expression is all the confirmation that I need. Maybe I need to suck up to Jeanine instead of trying to push her away. I always try to keep her away from me and Marie, but apparently that isn't working. Maybe I need to keep her close, to make it harder for her to attack me. We are family after all, maybe I can use that to my advantage. I don't tell Michael about that piece of information though.
"Annie and Rob also think that someone was trying to take me out," I tell Michael and he seems alarmed: "They are starting to notice things they shouldn't. If they don't watch out, they are going to get involved with our problems and that puts them in harm's way. We have to put them on a different track."
"Or take their minds of it. I can convince Annie to come work in the medic center. Four has also mentioned it to her, but she hasn't stopped by yet. You should take to Rob. We need to pull them apart, so that they can get over what happened and forget about it," I suggest and Michael agrees: "I'll do that tomorrow. I'll tell Annie that you want to speak to her, so that she will visit you tomorrow. You can talk to her then."
"Good, so what do we do about Jeanine?" I ask and Michael shakes his head: "I don't know. This is becoming more and more dangerous, if they are openly attacking you. Tabassum told me he would try to figure out who was behind the shooting, but he can't guarantee anything."
"That is understandable. I'm going to see Marie one of these days. Relax, Four is taking me," I add when I see Michaels eyes widen at that piece of information. I won't make that mistake again. Michael doesn't understand though: "I asked Four to find out where my sister is staying and if she is alright. Thank you by the way, for asking your father to look after her."
"No problem. With Jeanine lurking at you, it wouldn't surprise me if she tried to get her hands on your sister. My dad will make sure she is fine," Michael smiles and I smile back at him. Who would have thought that after all those years in Erudite that we would become friends who would actually watch each other's back? It's strange how things can change so radically over a short period of time.
Somehow that also includes Eric. We have been getting along better and I'm still not sure how I feel about that. I don't mind it, but what are his intentions? Can I trust him or is he the traitor working for Erudite? Maybe it is Four? I secretly hope it is Four and that Eric is just a blockhead and nothing more.
I am not sure why I hope that.
"Andy, there you are. You have been gone the whole day. Are you alright?" Katelyn asks me when I get back at the medic center with Michael. I smile at her and assure her that I am fine, but that another dose of painkillers wouldn't hurt: "I don't understand how you are still able to stand on your feet. You haven't had any painkillers since this morning."
"Don't underestimate her. She is a though one," Michael says and he squeezes my shoulder. It sent a jolt to my lower section and I grid my teeth to not moan in pain. Katelyn and Michael can tell though: "See, though as nails. I'll see you tomorrow pansycake."
"Whatever prick!" I answer and watch Michael leave the center. Katelyn helps me back into bed and she doses me up with a new doses of painkillers: "There you go, that should send you off to dreamland quickly. How did it go today?"
"Fine, I barely noticed the pain and it pains me to say that you might have been right about me getting out of here. I think I am going to ask tomorrow for a job I could do, maybe control room or something," I answer and pull the covers back. Katelyn sits down on my bed and nods: "That's a great idea. We should ask Four about it…"
"Ask Four what?" Eric's voice sounds from the entrance of the medic center. He looks extremely tired and also slightly frustrated. I wonder what happened. I sit up and answer before Katelyn can. Eric did sort of offer me a job: "I am bored, do you have job for me tomorrow?"
"I heard you were good at moving boxes?" Eric tells me as he walks over to me. Katelyn stands up from my bed. I can tell she isn't comfortable with Eric being here. I wonder why that is. I pretend to laugh: "And I heard you were suppose to be a good leader or something."
"Watch it initiate," Eric warns me and his joking attitude is completely gone. Okay, maybe that wasn't the smartest thing to say to Eric. I turn to Katelyn: "Could you bring me something drink? I am extremely thirsty from my day of not laying in bed all day."
Katelyn eyes Eric, but leaves after I give her a pleading look. I turn to Eric and raise an eyebrow at him: "What did you do to her?"
"She was in initiation with me," Eric says and stops next to my bed. I continue: "And you scared her for life?"
"Let it go initiate. You said something about a job?" Eric continues and I wonder what he did. Maybe I should ask Katelyn about it? I nod and sigh: "I am bored so put me to work."
"I think we can hook you up in the control room," Eric thinks out load and he doesn't point out my bossy attitude. Now that I can see him closer and I can't help but notice the bags under his eyes. He must have slept badly last night. Maybe he had to work? I wonder if that phone call from Max from last night has something to do with it? Eric seems to be thinking in himself and I flick his head to snap him out of it: "What is wrong?"
"Nothing and stop doing that initiate," Eric sounded angry for some reason. Why? He does it all the time and he has never before gotten angry over me doing it to him. What happened last night? I feel myself get angry at Eric being rude, but I manage to bite my tongue. Eric notices and he sighs: "Don't be so damn annoying."
"Why, I only have you to annoy," I joke in hopes that it will put Eric in better spirits. I see his lips turn up slightly, but it disappears quickly again. Eric doesn't say anything, so I point out the obvious: "You're tired."
"That's a very keen observation," Eric sighs and he leans his hands on my bed. He lets his head hang low. He really is tired. I bite my tongue from lashing out at the man. I lift my hand and debate if I should touch him. He looks like he could use some comfort. I lay my hand gently at the back of his head and see his shoulders tense for a second. I lower my voice: "No need to be a dick about it."
Eric doesn't respond, but he lifts his head making my hand slide threw his hair. I let my fingers go through his hair aimlessly and wait from some kind of reaction from the man. He does after a minute: "Watch your back in the compound."
"I figured already," I say and lower my voice like Eric did. I am amazed that he is warning me. I wonder what he knows, but I decided against asking him. He looks like he is on the verge of some kind of breakdown or anger attack or something that would help him express his emotions. I want to pull my hand back, but Eric graphs my wrist and my hand stops against his cheek. I lock my eyes with Eric's and I let my hand cup the man's cheek. He leans into it and closes his eyes. His hand doesn't let go of my wrist. I lean closer to the man and lay my head against his. He doesn't move away. His free hand finds its way into my hair at the back of my neck. I relax in its warmth.
"You should go to sleep," I whisper and Eric's smirks appears slightly again. He opens his eyes and replies: "Yes boss."
"You should get used to calling me that. You know I am going to be your boss one day," I joke and lean back again. Eric pulls his hand away from my hair and the other one pulls my hand away from his cheek, but after I feel a slight brush of his lips against the inside of my hand: "Don't hope to much, it might just be the other way around."
"That doesn't sound to horrible as I might have thought at first," I admit and Eric's smirk turns into a slight smile. He lets go of my hand and stands up straight. He is about to say something when someone calls him from outside the medic center: "Eric are you coming? What are you doing here anyway?"
It is Lauren. I haven't seen her in ages. What is she doing here? Is she going somewhere with Eric? She did say something about going to someplace. They do work together, I think. I suddenly remember the times I saw her before. She was always hanging on Eric's arm. What is she to him?
"Oh, hallo Andy. How are you doing?" Lauren asks me and I smile at her politely. I might not know what is going on, but that doesn't mean I should take it out on her: "Fine, thanks for asking."
"Not to be totally rude, but we should get going Eric. We are already late. Sorry Andy, I'll come visit you tomorrow," Lauren says and she pulls Eric with her. I see Eric's face harden and he hides his discomfort from a few seconds ago. I don't say goodbye to Eric and neither does he. As they walk out of the medic center, Lauren graphs Eric's arm and she pulls him along with her, but I notice the man's muscles tense when she touches him.
"You should watch out for him," Katelyn appears suddenly and I realize that she had taken her time with the glass. Did she stay away on purpose or did she see something? She hands me the glass with water and I drink it. She continues: "Eric is bad news, no matter what he makes you believe."
"What do you mean," I ask innocently, but Katelyn's hardened face makes me drop my act. She continues: "You are a smart girl Andy, don't get caught up in whatever Eric is involved. He is bad news."
"You don't seem to be a fan of him," I point out and Katelyn takes the glass back: "There weren't a lot of people who were happy that Eric was appointed a leader, that has it's reason. Now, you should go to sleep."
I don't object and Katelyn walks away. She turns out the lights and I lay down. I know that Eric is bad news, but he doesn't seem to be that bad, I think.
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