Tobias POV
Rapidly, I grabbed Eric's shoulder, spinning him around. "I think you should leave," I demanded in a menacing voice. His eyes were wide with triumph. There was only one thing that look could mean.
"Got something to hide, Stiff?" He mocked, his eyes filled with gloating suspicion.
"No, I just don't want a former Erudite leech in my apartment any more," I replied. I couldn't stop my fist from shaking from anger and worry. Eric ripped my hand off his shoulder while looking at me defiantly as he walked silently to the bathroom door. Each step he took seemed incredibly slow, tormenting the fast beat of my heart. I had to do something, I had to stop him but I didn't know what to do. I hoped to God Tris had hid.
He had his door on the brass handle now. My breaths were short and deep. I couldn't stop him if I had nothing to hide and I couldn't kill him either; no weapons in the room.
The door was just about to open, it's creak loud and resistant. My breath was caught in my throat. "Hide in the laundry basket Tris, hurry! Hurry! You're small enough!" I wanted to shout. I could feel Eric's icy expectation creeping through out the room. I didn't even want to know what he would do if he found out. Tris would probably face humiliation, either she would have to start the initiation all over again (in case of my tampering) but I knew Eric wouldn't be that kind so she would become fractionless. Worst of all, she would face hate from the other initiates. I could imagine Peter all smug and gloating; the thought made me clench my knuckles tighter. And me, I couldn't care less. I had to do something, for Tris' sake, but what?
Just then, I heard footsteps stop at my door. Someone else stood at the door frame, silently surveying the current situation. It was Max. Eric had stopped dead in his tracks, turning to him as his hand fell from the half opened door. I swore I could have seen wisp of Tris' hair as she darted from eyesight . He wore a surprised, annoyed expression, the opposite of mine. Eric was the first to talk.
"Max, what are you doing here?" he asked. Max stood motionless at the door, staring suspiciously at my broken lock.
"I decided to come and see what the hold up was. When I send someone on an errand I usually expect them to reply immediately." He looked bored and serious like the Dauntless he was suppose to be. "Four, I hope Eric told you my proposition. Are you going to reject it like a coward or accept it?" He asked in a dull, expectant tone.
"Yes, Eric has. Not in the nicest way but he made it clear what you were offering me. I want to take your offer," I replied with confidence. I could have cared less about Dauntless, I could have cared less about Max or Eric or my father. But I did care about the innocent lives that would be affected. I did care about people like Tori, Zeke, Natalie Prior and Tris. I couldn't let them be affected because of fear I should have overcome when I had become Dauntless.
Max looked a little shocked but his solid position barely showed it. He looked at me with new respect, respect I hated and didn't want. I wouldn't become like him or any of them. I would turn Dauntless back to it's original morals and stop what ever chaos was brewing, even if did mean staying away from Tris.
Eric on the other hand wasn't so pleased. His nostrils flared with anger and his eyes were wide with ferocity. If looks could kill, my whole apartment would have been incinerated.
"Ok, well I will need you to start in some days, after you've done your paperwork," Max replied calmly.
"Max, you can't seriously be considering him for that position can you? He can't do it, he'll ruin Dauntless!" Eric bellowed. Max turned to him, his eyes dangerously narrowed.
"Do you doubt my decisions, Eric?" He asked in a deadly silent voice. Eric didn't back down.
"He can't lead us. He will turn this whole faction into some kind of... pansy cake home!" It was true, no one could say 'pansy cake' without sounding stupid; not even Eric.
Max chuckled softly. "Pansy cake? I would have expected better from a high ranker," he commented before turning back to the broken exit. Eric was even more terrifying now. He looked like he would burst into hot, hateful flames.
"He's got an initiate in his bathroom. He's been in an illegal relationship with her," he shouted in one last attempt to convince Max of my inability. It worked.
"What?" he asked.
"Four has been favouring a female initiate. I have no doubt this affected her scores." It was my turn to be mad. My heart started beating rapidly again, making my breaths short and deep.
"Four, is this true?" Max asked, walking slowly passed me to the bathroom. I knew he wouldn't wait for an answer. He grabbed the handle and swiftly pulled the groaning door open. My whole body froze and a sick feeling spread through my insides.
The door was wide enough for all of us to see into it. My white sink hung under the glass cabinet and I could catch the sight of my anxious face in it. Max stepped past the paint-peeled door into the average bathroom. There wasn't enough space for him to walk round, only to look. His eyes searched the whole room. Every corner, every space for clues of any living thing. My hand shook slightly though I tried to hide it as he looked straight at my face after raking his pupils through my bathroom. The glare was so intense I thought I would wither in pain if he didn't stop.
"Four... I'll see you tomorrow in my office. You'll need to do some of your paperwork and we'll have to plan an announcement." He softly walked past the bathroom door to the broken one at the end of my apartment. "And Eric, get some damn sleep. You're seeing things," he commented before disappearing into the hall way.
I didn't even bother holding in my breath of relief. My heart beat abnormally and my nails unhinged from my palms. I would need some gauze.
Eric, however, was flaming. He shook with rage as he ran to me, a knife in his flying hand. I dodged just in time. The knife buried into the grey wall behind me, barley missing my hair by an inch.
Eric ran swiftly towards me, his hand grabbing my shirting and throwing me to the ground. He jumped on top of me, preparing a lethal blow to my jaw. Luckily I blocked it with my arms despite the hard pound of his knuckles against them. I lifted my feet to his stomach, pushing him off. Eric rolled uncontrollably into the nearest wall, his thick skull bashing against the brick leaving a dent. 'That'll cost me' I thought as I stood up wearily. My lower back hurt from the collision with the solid floor. Eric stumbled up on his feet, refusing to show signs of pain. I could tell the hit to his head had done some damage but he wouldn't give up. He ran to me again, successfully delivering a fatal blow to my ribs.
The pain was shattering as the sickly crack of my rib sounded in my ears. As he got ready to punch me again, I managed to side kick his neck with incredibly force. Eric went flying cross the room, landing painfully on his back. I walked over to him as he gasped for air with shuddering shoulders. Despite my instantly aching side, I stepped on his neck, feeling the force of his Adam's apple under my shoe. I pressed harder and harder despite his fierce scowl. I didn't notice the hidden knife in his belt.
Briskly, he brought the sharp egded weapon against tht back of my foot, harshly slashing my tendon. The pain was immediate as I fell like a cut tree. The unforgettable pain of my slashed tendon throbbed continuously as blood trickled to the cool floor.
Eric got up, swaying as he walked over to me. His knife laced between his finger, dripping with scarlet drops of blood. My blood. "You should have stayed in Abnegation Stiff," he bellow in a raspy voice before kneeling beside me. His face was as red as the blood that dropped from his knife tip. He pressed it against my neck with uncomfortable force. I could feel blood side down onto my shirt. Eric lifted it slightly just to bring it to my chest. Slowly, he pierced my shirt and the layer of skin under. It was like a deep pinch and it felt wrong, like it didn't belong there.
"I would say it was a pleasure knowing you, but it's bad to lie to the dead," he smiled creepily as the knife pushed further, cutting through the life I had held on to.
AN: HELLO FELLOW DAUNTLESS!
I understand it has been quiet a while since I last updated but writer's block is a terrible disease that with the right treatment (reading other fanfiction, skimming through comments, eating really good food and reading buzzfeed) can be cured.
I am so flattered by the lovely comments I have been receiving and the advice. You all keep me going. I love the funny ones especially and the motivation it gives me. Thanks ;)
I want to give special thanks to some of my readers:
Kristieb- your idea inspired the Max intervention so thanks a lot
Booknrd187- sorry Tris didn't get to punch Eric in the face in this chapter (hint hint)
First Runner- don't worry, she does
Gabergirl- Thanks, I love using cliff hangers and thanks for being patient
leesh2000- welcome to fanfic and I'm glad you like my story
I have been receiving questions on Dauntless Truth or dare and I just wanted to notify that I will include a game in my book and I'll make it as interesting as possible.
So I just wanted to thank the followers of this fanfic again and the commenters. I will be updating as regularly as possible but bare with me here, writer's disease comes back once in a while. I will also be updating the Warlock Child very soon (I hope) and will be wanting more comments and suggestions so please don't forget!
Also, for Twihards, I am planning a Twilight fanfiction story that is still being "debated" on. I just don't get the whole Twilight vs Harry Potter thing. They're not alike (really) and we're all fandoms here. No competition. It's all good! But I do want suggestions and opinions on this so don't hesitate to tell me what you think.
PEACE OUT NERDS ;P