A/N: Sorry about the long wait for post. Our household was taken over by sickness and I have been struggling to get this edited. I am also in the middle of re-writing the last bit of chapters and that is changing previous ones. So please be patient I am working to make sure that the story is a good one!
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Disclaimer: I still own nothing but own madcap plot and OC's.
Chapter 56 - How Dauntless Are you?
Kat
Waking up curled in Eric's arms, feeling his deep breathing behind me and against my back, should have been the best feeling in the world. Unfortunately from the moment my eyes opened I knew today was going to be a sucky day.
My skin was on fire. It felt like the air was made of large grit sandpaper and was intent on stripping me in the most painful way. I have had snaps of pain here and there. Some lasting much longer than I let on but they faded eventually or at least dulled. I was getting used to hiding those and it had helped that there were things going on that kept my mind focused on other things.
Being with Eric was definitely one of those things. It was this weird contradiction that I couldn't explain. His touch during those times hurt but not having him there or touching me hurt much more. So I always tried my damndest to hide it. I smiled widely and laughed louder, even while inside I was screaming.
That was how I started our morning and eventually it did pass slightly. The start of the bad day wasn't just because of the pain, but when Peter joined us for breakfast. Eric had glared and snarled at him before he and Zach disappeared into the bedroom where there was strained voices and talking. Finally, Zach came out and started breakfast while Peter and I sat looking at each other awkwardly on opposite couches.
Eric came out and stood in front of Peter, arms crossed and a cold look in his eyes. "I think you know any physical contact with her besides the occasional hug is out of the question. You make any moves for anything else…." He trailed off in his soft menacing tone.
Peter didn't even flinch. In fact he rolled his eyes and sighed. "Not that it was going to happen anyways, but noted and understood."
Eric accepted the answer but grudgingly. I already knew I was going to be having a talk with Peter later on during the day. Over breakfast and while I was in pain was not the time to do it.
It was an off day. It was also the day rankings would be announced. I can only guess my rank would be a good one, judging from the slight smug smile Eric and Chase shared when it was brought up. Zach had glared them to silence when he saw they might be about to launch into some kind of bragging. At least he respected my need to find out with the other initiates.
Eric and Chase would be leaving to attend meetings about the conclusion of stage one and the next stage. They also said that there would need to be a set up and check of equipment being delivered from Erudite. There was a tension at this I didn't really understand.
All I know was that Zach was practically ordered to keep close to me today when they thought I couldn't hear as I was grabbing my jacket and finishing getting dressed.
Eric made a big show of kissing me before I left. Maybe it wasn't all for Peter because when I pulled away he had this look in his eye. Once again if I could read his mind I bet he was saying something like 'remember who you belong to'. His smug smirk caused me to narrow my eyes at him, making it even wider.
"I'll try to get away for lunch at least. It will have to be in the dining hall though." He said with a sigh as he pulled me close to his chest. I sighed into it and nodded.
"I know Lynn, Mar and Uri all really wanted to go see a movie and hang out. I haven't done much of that with them lately." Guilt hits me at that and Eric pushes me away a little with a frown on his face as he studies me.
He is silent for a little while and then kisses my forehead. "Then I will try and not steal you away tonight. Only tonight." He growls a little at the end.
With a small chuckle I raise up on my toes and smack his lips. "Thanks. I appreciate it."
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It was still early when we hit the Pit. Zach veered off to go to his office for something but said he would meet us in the dining hall. It was awkwardly silent as I grabbed some coffee and sat beside Peter. I was still struggling with the pain I was feeling and also not wanting to take that out on someone, even if that someone happened to be Peter Hayes.
He gave a sigh beside me and looked at me. "Are you seriously going to keep me wondering when you are going to snap on me?"
My lips twitch a little and I shake my head. "I hadn't planned on snapping on you at all. In fact that is why I haven't been talking. I don't like losing my shit out of anger."
He snorts at me and takes a sip of his coffee. "Could have fooled me. You and your sister have some tempers on you."
I shrug but don't deny that. "Doesn't mean that I like saying or doing something out of anger."
He nods a little bit. "Look. I am sorry I sprung that shit on you. I hadn't planned on doing it. But listening to him go on and harping on me but then started in on my mom again; I just had this thought pop into my head and I acted before I thought. I guess...I just knew out of anyone you would get it. Might even be the only fucking person here willing to help me even."
I bit my lip in thought and nodded and took a breath. "Some of the things he was saying...or...implying…."
Peter's face went hard and he shook his head. "Not something I care to talk about, Stiff. No offense or anything but I don't see it as your business and despite your helping me out back there I don't know you enough to want to talk about it."
I sigh but nod. "I get it. We all have shit we can't or won't talk about, or even admit to ourselves."
He gives a grunt of agreement and we don't talk anymore about it. Although by his reaction I can guess that my forming theory is also right. He wanted to show his mother that just because you came from Abnegation didn't mean you couldn't be more. He wanted to shut his father up and he wanted to stop any rumors that might have followed him from Candor.
Zach joined us with Tris coming in shortly after. She looked between the two of us surprised but then came to sit closest to me after grabbing herself coffee and breakfast.
"I looked for you in the dorm. Was going to see if you wanted to grab breakfast." Tris mumbled a little tiredly.
I raised an eyebrow at her and the side of my mouth twitched up. "You looked for me in the dorm?"
Her eyes got a little wide and she swallowed her bite of toast. 'Umm...yeah you know, when I got up."
My lips tilted up into a full smile. Obviously I wasn't the only person that hadn't been in the dorm all night. But bringing that to attention could be bad and she still hadn't told me about Four yet so, I would be good.
"Yeah. I was with Peter." I said simply with a shrug.
Her eyes flicked to him, as he smirked and scooted closer but refrained from touching me more than that. I wanted to laugh at the situation in general but just looked into my cup and continued to drink.
"So what do you want to do for our off day?" Tris asked to try and relieve the quiet tension.
I shrugged in thought. "I know Uri said something about going to watch a movie later in the afternoon. I wanted to go get all my stuff cleaned. So that means a stop by the laundry facilities to drop everything off. I don't know...I guess we can just decide as we go." I frown at the thought of that and see Tris mimicking me.
"What is wrong with winging it?" Peter asked from beside me and looking at the two of us.
I shrug but it is Tris who answers. "There isn't anything wrong with it, just something we are going to have to get used to. Almost every minute of our days for twenty years was a planned thing."
I nod in agreement and still frowning. "Even when I was secretly training it was all planned. I had to plan for everything because I needed to be able to keep up with everything I was supposed to do but also what I needed to do for here."
Tris gave a small nod and I looked to her. She smirked a little and shrugged. "Probably no where near what you did, Kat. But at the end I got some training in."
I smile at her and feel a little of my resentment towards Four melt a little. Peter huffs a little and shakes his head. "No wonder all stiffs are so uptight. You never have any time to yourselves?"
"Not until just before bedtime and by then you are so damn tired all you want is to sleep." I reply and take a drink but will the subject to be changed. I can see it is making Tris uncomfortable and like we are criticizing the faction.
Luckily that happens in the form of my friends stumbling in to join us finally.
Not going to train or doing something of that nature, even with my pain levels, is much harder than I thought it would be. It is amusing that I see my sister struggling with right alongside Lynn and I.
Two hours into our day off and we cave then convince Zeke to take us to the training room and be there for us practicing with knifes. It makes the time pass quickly and before I know it, lunch time has rolled around. Training wasn't a mistake really but by the time I was sliding into the table I was feeling exhausted already.
Of course Lynn was eyeing me like a hawk. She had been giving me eyes all day so far letting me know she wanted to talk about all that had happened so far. The table was packed and while there was our regular crew there were also all the leaders and trainers.
I wisely kept away from sitting right beside Eric but he didn't let me get far. I was sandwiched in between Chase and Lynn directly opposite him. Tris was still sitting with us while Peter was near Zeke and Zach.
Conversation was ranging between talk about the last stage of training to Uri trying to get hints about the next stage. There was a tenseness about the ranks and I could tell all of the initiates were thinking about them but not sure if they should talk about them or not with the leaders and trainers around.
Honestly I didn't want to talk about them right now or think about them. Talk couldn't change them and it would just cause stress.
I looked to Lynn and remembered a conversation we had and something we had come up with while drunk but then had broadened it while sober. It was a fun bit and I thought might help to distract the others.
"Hey Lynn, did you ever give Mar and Uri the rundown on that game we came up with?" I started out knowing she most likely hadn't because we had said we would tell them together.
Lynn smirked at me because she knew what I was doing in trying to distract the others. She also knew it was going to have at least Zeke and Uri right away just by saying the word game.
"Oh. A game! Do tell!" Uri cooed as predicted.
Lynn and I shared a look and laughed at his predictable reaction. I also saw that we had everyone else's attention as well.
"Ugn." Peter actually groaned. "Did you come up with this while you were drunk, stiff? Cause if you did I am afraid of what shit is going to be in this game. Sober you is hard enough to handle." He muttered and while I could tell it was somewhat playful he was also being serious.
I glared when I saw several slight nods of agreement.
Lynn full on laughs. "It was sort of proposed while drunk but we only remembered the general idea. So we have had to make do with sober moments to fill in the blanks."
"Oh good lord." Tris mutters.
"Hey. You don't have to play but I am telling you it is awesome. Much better than that stupid game Candor or Dauntless. That is just fucking ridiculous and pointless." I saw with a scowl.
Zeke scoffs. "Obviously you have never had the pleasure of playing so you can't be the judge of that. Why don't you tell us about this oh so epic game and the real judges can make that determination."
"Honestly anything would be better than that game." Eric muttered darkly causing several of the dauntless members to snicker.
Lynn and I look at each other and she gives me an 'after you motion'. So with a nod I start out.
"Ok so the name of the game is 'How Dauntless Are you?'." I start out but am automatically by 'oohs' and 'aahs'.
"Well, I am already liking the name." Max joins in the conversation with a smile. "Go ahead, now even I am interested."
My eyes get wide and I blush a little then look to Lynn, who bites her lips to keep from laughing and shakes her head.
"Bitch." I mutter then sigh. "Ok, well I guess we should tell you why we came up with the game. Because like I said I was ranting that the game Candor or Dauntless was rather pointless and just didn't feel very...Dauntless like. So we were thinking of what we liked about the game and how we could use it in something else."
Lynn nodded after taking a drink of her soda. "It is all basically rubbish except for the dare part obviously. So we based it around dares or challenges. No truth bullshit unless that is part of the challenge you bid to complete."
I nod and look around at the confused looks. "In pre-war times they had these game shows on tv that I got the idea from. For How Dauntless Are You, there would be two teams that go against each other. Each team will send an individual up to go against the other team's person. So the game itself is both a team effort and individual. It is also completely possible for an individual to totally kick ass in the game but the team lose by the way."
Lynn looks thoughtful for a moment and then nods. "Yeah I guess you are right about that. So the game goes like this. Say Kat and I are facing off against each other. Someone, a person that isn't playing, will tell us that they are holding an sealed envelope with a unknown challenge in it. These challenges could be anything from….go hang off the chasm bridge to go sit on someone's face and fart on it. The players don't know but the judges will."
I break out laughing at the example and Uri's face because it is something his brother did and still does. Uri shakes his head. "Not funny. No one wants a mouthful of Zeke farts, trust me."
Laughter rumbles up and down the table. "I had wondered how that was even an example." Chase says with a smirk and reached out to high five Zeke.
I shake my head at them and pick up. "So say Lynn and I are up against each other and we both want to be able to do that challenge. Because getting the challenge and completing it will get my team points. It will also give me bragging rights but more importantly get us a marker."
"A marker? Like in poker?" Chase asks and perks up with a smile.
Lynn and I grin at each other and smile. "Almost. Points would be too easy and lame if you ask me." Lynn replies. "So we came up with a better idea. Dauntless live for daring acts, why not put daring acts as the currency. A marker would be that persons IOU for a challenge. The winner of that IOU could call in the marker at anytime. We were thinking that the markers could have a severity of the type of challenge they could be used for. Like say..running around in the Pit in just your undies might rate as low while say, riding on top of the train would be a bit higher."
I paused and took a bite of my food and drink while I let everyone process this. Eric's eyes were looking very calculating and even Four was looking deep in thought.
"It could work." Eric mutters. "Who would be in charge of the markers though because that could just end up in shit and chaos if left up to the players? And who determines the challenges because there are some that even I wouldn't want initiates to be doing." He said this last and gave me a look that said he meant more me.
"I agree." Four said and then paused. The whole table went still for a moment while Four and Eric turned their heads towards each other.
"Un-fucking-believable." Zeke breathes out.
The two enemies hold eyes for what seems like centuries. If I didn't know better I would say some kind of silent communication goes on between them. In fact, as they turn around, I think it has.
The table literally has been holding it's breath and then Four speaks again. "If initiates are going to play this I think trainers should be the judges." He shrugs. "Also it would give us the chance to see what the game is about and if it works."
Chase smirks over at me and winks. "I wouldn't mind running the game. You are all aware that there will be no drinking in it though, right?"
There are a few groans but I couldn't care less. I am actually ok with this. I shrug with a grimace remembering my night of drinking. "I think I am more than ok with that stipulation. I don't care to worship at the altar of porcelain again anytime soon."
There is much laughter and joking at this. Most of it at my expense as Peter relays how I was saying to him that the chasm was good when I woke up and other little tidbits. It isn't mean at all and the entire conversation produces the result that I was looking for. Distracting everyone from what will be waiting for us later tonight.
By the end of the lunch the trainers, leaders and my friends had all gotten involved in hashing out the details of the game. Eric and Four had these little gleams in their eyes that kind of sent shivers down my spine and not the good kind.
It was the kind of look that said they had ideas and plans and they weren't going to be ones we liked at all. As we were talking and laughing about the game I noticed that there were other tables that looked to be listening in and then bits of conversation buzzed around the room.
Max looked to me with a smirk as he noticed what I was looking at. "So you are noticing the buzz of the hive huh? I have always said not much goes on in Dauntless that won't get around eventually but you mention things like dare or challenge and it is like they all have radars for it. I am sure that by the time you have actually run a game, the whole of Dauntless will be watching and waiting. Just ready to start their own versions of it."
Zeke smirks and rubs his hands together. "Oh yeah. I am already looking forward to some special challenges. Ones that involve…"
"Zeke!" Four barks out with a scowl. "Save it." Then he frowns and looks between Tris and I. "Actually you know what...we make that a rule for the initiates. No kind of sexual challenges. No sexual markers either."
I hadn't thought of that and I guess neither had Four, Eric, Chase or Zach because at the mention of it their faces darkened. "Agreed." Their voices combined forcefully.
Max casts some kind of look to Eric, who clears his throat and with clenched fists he eyes the table up and down coldly. "I have no desire to see a bunch of initiates descend into an orgy, especially when this will be considered part of training. No sexual anything."
Zeke's face falls but then he looks at them. "Wait. That's just for the initiates right? Not for members or when the initiates become members?"
Lips thin and fists clench but Four grits out a "Yes." to Zeke who smiles his blinding smile again.
"Excellent." Is all he says when he takes a bite of his cake.
In all the game lines up quickly.
Two teams will face off against each other. The number of people will depend on how many want to play and if there are an odd or even amount. If there is an odd amount someone will have to sit out unless someone else can be added.
There will be a set amount of points the teams will reach to win the game. If there are more than one round to go, the players will face off against a new person each round so they aren't facing the same person every time.
The judges will be non-players. For the case of the first game it will be the trainers. Somehow they were able to work it out that it is going to be Eric and Four that are the judges. Their job will be to present each challenge but also will be the ones to make up this trial set of challenges. The challenges will be put in an envelope and sealed up then when it comes time for the players to bid on them it will be randomly selected so even those two won't know exactly the challenge is.
They will also make sure that the challenges are completed, tally and keep track of the points for each team and finally hold the markers until the challenge has been determined as completed.
On Chase's suggestion if a player bids on a challenge and wins but either can't complete it or backs out, they lose a point and the other team has the option to take up the challenge and win a free point.
Tris had sat listening and adding things here or there but at the end she added something that floored a few people, including me.
"What about adding a marker that is kind of like….a special one. One that trumps all others. If you are using markers as wagers as I understand it then there should be one that they can lay down to bet the lower ones. But it is so big that the player only has one of them." Tris said in a contemplative tone.
"Like what Trissy?" Uri asked with a smile.
"Well. What about a marker for a challenge of choice but one they cannot refuse at all. That could be the marker. That whatever the challenge, they cannot refuse and it can be at anytime with no expiration date." Tris said with a shrug.
"That would be a big one." Lynn says with a nod and I smile at Tris with a nod of my own.
So that is added to the marker possibilities.
"Well, this was all very interesting. I can't wait to hear about the results of this game." Max smirks over at Four and Eric then stands. "But it is time to get back to business."
He stands and heads off with others following. Eric gives me a look while Chase mutters a catch you later near my ear.
"So about that movie." Mar says with a smile. "I was thinking we could watch The Notebook."
"No!" Comes the resounding denial from Lynn, Uri, me and Peter; who I had to tell everyone that he would of course be coming to hang out since he is my boyfriend.
Mar frowns while Tris looks confused. "Ok what am I missing?" She asks and shares Mar's frown but because she sees her upset.
Lynn sighs and closes her eyes. "Mar you have seen that movie a million times. I am sorry but I just cannot handle the level of gagging romance, angst and good lord could that ending be any more like being kicked in the balls! So I am sorry..but no."
I nod slowly. "I have to agree. I haven't seen the movie but read the book and I just don't think the kind of movie we are going for today."
Mar tilts her head and thinks about it then agree. "I got ya. Well how about The Hangover?"
As surprised as I am about her choice for a moment it makes sense she would pick up what is needed and choose that. Mar has always been sensitive and a peacemaker.
"Sounds good!" Uri smiles at her while we all agree.
Tris and I link arms as we head off to the Pit after lunch where we will go to the theatre that shows movies. It is honestly just a big cavern type place that has different rooms with a huge projector screen that was adapted to be able to use the projector connected to the archive network.
You pay points to rent the room and select the movie you would like. We all chipped in and picked that movie and the second one as well. A further purchase of some snacks and we were set for the evening until dinner.
As I sunk into the chair with Peter on one side and Lynn on the other I cringed at the pain racking my body. I vaguely wondered if anyone would notice if I just made myself pass out during the movie but figured that would probably be noticed right away and then questions would be asked.
With a sigh I hunkered in and tried to enjoy the day as much as possible.
"Omg that was….that was…." Tris has wide eyes as we walk out of the theatre and into the Pit.
"Hilarious." Uri supplies with a laugh.
Tris shakes her head and I laugh. "Pretty Awful?"
She looks over to me and nods. "I mean did you see that craziness? And that poor baby."
Lynn laughs and shakes her head. "It wasn't a real baby Tris."
"I know that but still it was just awful. I mean some of it was pretty funny." She conceded with a shrug as we continued on to the dining hall.
Dinner much more serious for all the initiates than lunch. There were no trainers or leaders around to keep them from speculating about rankings. The Dauntless born were just as worried as the transfers. Because she spent the day with us I think Tris felt she needed to spend dinner with Chris, Will and Al.
She was still being weird for her around Al. He is just weird regardless so I didn't see him acting any different really even when I was trying to watch him. I looked around for Edward and Mayra and didn't see them.
I tried not to show too much how much what I knew was coming up was upsetting me but with my pain already being so bad and the stress of rankings I am just worn out.
"What's wrong, Stiff?" Peter whispered from beside me.
I shrugged and shook my head.
"Don't give me that shit. If something is wrong and I didn't try and help…." He huffs and stops. "Just tell me what it is please."
I sigh and look at him. "I can barely stay awake I am so exhausted. The pain isn't helping either."
I admit and am shocked to see real worry in his eyes for a moment. Then they close off and he goes back to his normal looks.
Lynn had been paying close attention and leaned in. "We go see my sister."
It was a gritted command and one I saw I wasn't going to get out of it. Not when she looked over to where Zach was sitting close to us. I knew if I didn't agree and go she was going to make sure I went one way or another.
"Fine." I grumbled with a nod.
Lynn and I went to the clinic right after dinner. I didn't even have to explain myself fully to Shauna. She knew if I was there it was bad. I still refused to take anything to hard.
"Rankings are being posted." I say by way of being able to leave quickly. She had wanted to keep me for a few hours.
Shauna nodded and looked to Lynn. "Make sure she gets to the dorm. Kat, it might not be hard pain meds but you are already past the point where you are going to be able to function. Get right in bed when you get to the dorms."
She isn't wrong about my ability to function. I have been fighting so hard against the pain and myself all day that by sheer exhaustion alone I feel myself slipping. Lynn has to let me lean on her to get me to the dorm.
When I get there, I almost collapse onto the bed. I don't get to settle before Tris is beside me worriedly asking me if I am ok. I can here Lynn and her talking and the rumble of Peter's voice. I feel myself being moved as if I am being undressed and covered. But that is the last I can determine before I let sleep take me away from the pain.
Something is wrong. Someone is near but I can't tell who. I can't get my body to respond and I hear something.
A struggle going on around me?
I try to wake myself up and fight back when I feel the hands on me but then something is pressed against my face and lose the ability for even my weak attempt at fighting.
I hear a hiss against my ear. Something menacing about me getting what I deserve before the total blackness takes me over.
