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Chapter VII

It was the first day of the fights and there was a tense atmosphere in the training room. Jamie had enjoyed his lie in this morning, especially after having a later night and hanging out with his friends. He had studied the fighters in the cage the night before, especially watching their defensive stances. Jamie was nervous but felt prepared. Eric and Four were stood in the middle looking at all the initiates, Eric giving them all a cold stare.

"Today you begin your fights and you will be ranked." Four started. "The winner of each fight will gain significant points, which will change your rank, those that lose, lose points." Four continued.
"And those that remain in the red get to work at the wall." Eric smirked. "Don't worry, you'll get your tour of the wall soon enough."
"The rules are that when you have had enough and concede, then the fight is over." Four said."
"But we don't want quitters in Dauntless, you will lose more points if you concede." Four looked at Eric and whispered.
"That's not part of the rules."
"It is now." Eric smirked.
"Shame they weren't the rules when we fought." Eric glared and Four.
"First jumper step into the ring." Jamie swallowed, his heart racing, he didn't make eye contact with Eric and walked into the ring with his back straight, even if he didn't feel confident at least he could look it. "Last jumper, into the ring." Four looked at Eric.
"That's an uneven fight."
"Well best they both learn then." Eric replied coolly. Oh, how little faith Four had in his brother. Derek walked into the ring and looked Jamie up and down then turned to his friends.
"This will be easy." His friends laughed. Jamie got himself into a defensive position and Derek did the same.
"Begin." Eric said sounding bored.

Jamie and Derek were staring at each other, Jamie studying his opponent, who was stronger than him like Four said it wasn't a fair match. Derek swung at Jamie and he dodged it easily, taking note that Derek used right foot to lean on while striking. Go for the left foot Jamie thought. Derek went to swing again and Jamie kicked is foot, resulting in Derek stumbling. "Think that's funny Stiff?" He spat. He then charged Jamie and he tried to dodge but Derek caught him and was on top of him and began punching in his face. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the look of disappointment in Eric's eyes. Punch after punch rained down and it fucking hurt. Jamie could taste blood and his vision went blurry but he wouldn't tap out.

"I think he's had enough." Four said, ready to end the fight.
"Didn't see him tap." Eric spat. "Continue."
"He will kill him."
"Let him."
"Max won't be happy."
"I want fucking soldiers not cowards." Eric stared at Four. Four turned and continued to watch the fight.

Jamie noticed that Derek's punches were not hurting as much, and his face stung like hell. He couldn't see very well out of his right eye and his cheek hurt. Shit I need to get him off me otherwise I am toast. Jamie tried to shove him off, but he was too heavy. Shit shit shit. The only other thought was the element of surprise, Jamie felt blood in his mouth and kept it there. Derek was about to punch again when Jamie spat a mouthful of blood onto Derek.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Derek asked in disgust, stopping his assault. Now's my chance Jamie thought, his head spinning, his face hurting. He shoved again and Derek fell off and Jamie got up and began kicking Derek in the face and anywhere he could. He kicked Derek in the face and he howled in pain. "Stop, stop." Derek replied. Jamie continued his assault and he felt someone grab him from behind.
"I said enough." Eric replied. Jamie was so focused on what he was doing he never heard Eric say anything. He relaxed in his grip and allowed himself to be dragged off the mat. Go to the infirmary and get yourself cleaned up, two of you take Derek.
"I'm okay." Jamie replied. Eric glared at him and then said a simple. "Okay."

The fights continued and Jamie sat there, watching as much as he could. He was hurting. Eric glanced over at him a few times to make sure he was still alive. He looked like shit. His right eye was bruised, his cheeks were cut and he had a cut on his lip. Jamie had taken Eric by surprise when he counter-attacked and Eric was secretly proud. The fight was over and Four called time.
"Get yourself something to eat and be back in thirty." Jamie walked out and was shoved by Derek's friends.
"You are dead." Kat spat at him, Cole following close behind. Jamie felt too weak to react and just let them go. Unknown to them Eric witnessed the altercation and heard the threat. There was nothing worse than sore losers.

Jamie stood back and let everyone pass. "I really think you should get checked out." Four said.
"I said I'm fine."
"You can barely walk in a straight line."
"I'm fine."
"Don't make me drag you there, initiate. We do bravery not stupidity." Eric barked.
"Okay I'm going." Jamie mumbled.

Jamie walked into the infirmary and the nurse looked at him. "God, I hate these fights." She said looking at his face. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay, I didn't want to come."
"Well I'm glad you did. Looks like you took several punches to the face, and head. I'm worried that you might have concussion, plus that eye looks sore. Come with me." The nurse walked into a sterile room. "Lay down and I'll be back in a second." Everything in the room was black, the walls, floor, bedding. Jamie lay down in the hard bed and sighed. He almost fucked up his first fight, the training he did with Eric was not enough. He got lucky today and only won by playing dirty. Jamie leant his head back, feeling tired and was about to shut his eyes when the nurse came in. "Open those eyes, I don't want you sleeping." She handed Jamie an ice pack and he held it to his face. "That should help with the swelling. I can remember my fights and the beatings I took." She smiled. "I am glad I do not have to fight anymore." The nurse was a short muscular lady, with pink spikey hair. She had snake bites in her lip and cherry blossom tattoo peaking out of her tunic.
"So is that why you went into medicine?" Jamie asked, he had to admit the icepack felt good.
"Yes, the fighting was never my thing, however I can put up a good fight when needed." She grinned. "I've got other people to tend to, and more are coming in from the fights. I'll check up on you and stay awake." She smiled. Jamie rested his head on the pillow staring at the light.

He must've been laying there for a couple of hours, the nurse popping in and out to check on him, by then Jamie got fed up and decided he was going to leave. He got up off the bed and walked out, finally free. The nurse had given him some painkillers to take and he had, hoping his headache would shift soon. He got to the infirmary doors and banged into something hard. He looked up and saw Eric. "Sorry." He mumbled, feeling still a bit woozy.
"So, you've been discharged?" Eric questioned, raising his eyebrows.
"Yeah." Jamie tried to lie.
"So if I ask the cute little nurse, she will say she let you go." Jamie stood in silence, he just wanted to get out of here and into his bed to sleep. "Didn't think so."
"It's pointless being here, there's nothing they can do. Plus, I'm feeling fine." Jamie wobbled a bit.
"Yeah I can see." Eric rolled his eyes. "Fine if you won't stay here then you're coming with me." Eric grabbed Jamie by the arm and marched him back to his apartment, taking the back route as not to be seen. Jamie struggled with keeping up with Eric. "Don't make me carry you." Eric threatened. Jamie picked up the speed which seemed to satisfy Eric.

They walked into his apartment, which was spotless and Jamie headed straight to the couch. "You did well in your fight." Eric stated while pouring himself a whiskey.
"I don't think I did." Jamie admitted. "He got some good punches in; it shouldn't have happened."
"You were put against someone three times your size and you never tapped out. Four wants to mother you all but when you're out there you won't have a mummy to help you." Eric said, sitting down next to Jamie. "And even if you did fight dirty, you'll have to out there."
"Thanks." Jamie leant his head back on the couch.
Eric showed concern. "How are you feeling?"
"Head feels like crap, my face is still sore." Jamie sighed.
"You do look like shit."
"Thanks." Jamie smiled.
"If you want you can lay in my bed, I'll check on you in a bit." Jamie blushed.
"I'm not coming in with you." He laughed. "Like I said if you win all three fights then you'll get lucky." He winked. Jamie went bright red and Eric laughed again. "Go, get some rest." Eric got up and opened the door to his room. The room had a double bed, wardrobe, chester drawers and a full-sized mirror. The furniture was black and the carpet and walls a very dark grey. The bedding was black cotton sheets, black pillow cases and a thick duvet. "Make yourself comfortable." Eric said, it was the first time he invited someone to sleep in his bed and he was trying to hide how awkward he felt. He never invited someone into his apartment that he wasn't going to fuck, apart from Ryan and most recently Jamie. "There's some pyjamas if you like, or you can sleep in your boxers." Eric winked again, Jamie blushed and Eric grabbed him some loose black trousers and a black vest. "I'll let you have your privacy. "God I'm getting soft Eric thought to himself. Jamie had put on the pyjamas Eric gave him and got into bed. It was soft and smelt like him, a mix of whiskey, cigarettes and aftershave. He didn't have much time to take in his surrounds as he fell asleep quite quickly.

Eric was catching up on paperwork when Ryan barged in. "Hey, whatcha up to?" Ryan said excitedly."
"Shut up, Jamie is asleep." Eric told him off.
Ryan beamed. "Oh yeah."
"It's not like that."
"I haven't said anything."
"He took a beating in his fight and he's here resting."
"What's wrong with the dorms?"
"Heard some initiates threaten him and he is in no fit state to fight back."
"Doesn't usually bother you." Eric stared at him, giving Ryan evils. "Eric's got a crush." He teased. Eric stuck his middle finger up.
"What do you want?"
"Wanted to know if you wanted to party, but as lover boy is here, I'll leave you to it." He winked.
"I'm taking my spare key off you." Eric threatened.
"Over my dead body." Ryan laughed. "Well, I'll catch you later. Ryan left with a massive grin on his face. Eric was on his fourth glass of whiskey and lost count on how many cigarettes he had. He got up to check on Jamie. He quietly opened the door and stood watching him. The room was dark and he could see the slight movement of the blanket rising and falling, good he's still breathing Eric smiled to himself. When did I start getting feelings for someone, he asked himself? Eric decided to give Jamie thirty more minutes before waking him up and making sure he ate something.

The threat that the initiate bitch gave Jamie didn't sit right with him and he tried to convince himself he wouldn't be bothered if anything were to happen, but he knew it was a lie. He cared for the stiff, not sure why, but feelings are feelings. Eric took a swig of his whiskey and lit cigarette.