The Anomaly

by Chloe Watton

Eric decides to play a game of truth or dare to prove who belongs in Dauntless and who doesn't. But as always, Eric's rules are about as bad as they can get. If you pick truth, you're seen as a coward and are forced to stand in front of the target while Four throws knifes. If you flinch, you're out. If you refuse to do a dare given to you, you're out. Set during initiation.

12. Chapter 12

Four's POV

"I dare you to fight Tris."

Christina shakes her head. "No way!"

Eric twists the metal hoop in his eyebrow carelessly, his expression smug. He raises an eyebrow at Christina. "Need I remind you that you forgot to wear a jacket? If you refuse the dare, you're one step closer to getting cut."

Christina chews nervously on her bottom lip, her eyes darting between Eric and Tris. She runs a shaky hand through her tangled hair. "I don't care. I'm not going to fight my best friend because of a stupid game."

Eric clicks his tongue. "Dauntless never refuse to fight under any circumstances," he whispers, shrugging his shoulders. "That just proves that you don't really belong, Candor."

Christina lowers her gaze. "Only a coward would fight their best friend."

Eric shakes his head. "That's where you're wrong. A true soldier never backs down no matter what."

Christina scoffs. "A true soldier fights for what they believe in," she mumbles under her breath, "and I don't believe in two friends fighting until one cannot continue."

Eric's eyes narrow. "Are you challenging me, Candor?"

Christina shrugs. "No. I'm just stating my opinion."

Tris clears her throat. "I'll do it."

Christina's eyes widen involuntarily. "What? Are you crazy?"

Tris tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ear and gives Christina a sheepish smile. "Maybe." She gives a careless shrug. "But I don't care. I won't let you get cut because of me."

Christina opens her mouth to protest, but Tris interrupts her. She turns to Eric, her stormy eyes wide. "We'll fight after you and Four, right?"

Eric nods. He turns his attention back to Christina, his expression hard. "Your turn, Candor."

Christina glares at Eric. "Fine. Marlene, Candor or Dauntless?"

Marlene smiles goofily. "Dauntless!"

Christina nods. "I dare you to tell us who you've fantasised about in Dauntless."

The blood rushes to Marlene's cheeks. "What, everyone?" she squeaks.

Christina nods. "Yep, everyone."

Marlene's eyes widen involuntarily. "Um, okay. Uriah, obviously." She gives him a sheepish smile. "Four, Peter, Will and… Zeke."

My stomach drops. Marlene has fantasised about me?

Uriah gives her a horrified look. "You've fantasised about my brother?"

Marlene nods, avoiding his gaze. "I'm sorry, Uri."

Uriah shakes his head. "But... but when?"

Marlene purses her lips and shakes her head softly. "Not now, Uriah."

Uriah narrows his eyes, his hands balled into fists at his sides. He takes a deep breath. "Fine."

Eric smirks. "Well, that was interesting," he says, his eyes darting between Uriah and Marlene, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "It's your turn, Marlene."

Marlene shakes her head violently. "No! I'm not playing this stupid game anymore."

Eric raises an eyebrow. "If you quit, you're out," he warns.

Marlene narrows her eyes. "I don't care."

And with that, she storms from the room, her chair clattering against the hard stone of the training room floor.

Eric's smirk widens to a full-faced grin, his expression amused. "One down, four to go."