Disclaimer: I do not own Divergent, any of the characters or any of the dialogue that comes directly from the text.
Chapter 7
It's the second round of combat trials and as I make my way to the training room I can't help but think about the look Tris gave me after I pulled Christina back over the railing. The curiosity that was evident in her big round eyes is what keeps pulling me back to that image.
I walk into the training room and immediately scan the fight schedule. I had let Four make the schedule for day one, but decided to take over round two. Tris will be fighting Peter second, after Molly and Edward. When I made the schedule I thought it was a good plan. I could have put Tris against Myra, the mousy Erudite girl…and maybe I should have. But they are too well matched, I want to see what Tris can do against a tougher opponent.
It's obvious that Tris and Peter don't get along. Even I can see that Peter is a complete ass. Some people think emotions make you week, but I disagree.
Anger. Hate. Pain.
When it comes to battle, these emotions make you strong. I'm curious if Tris will allow her hate and her anger to take over when fighting Peter.
I search the room for Tris, interested to see how she is taking the news. She's standing with Christina and Al. Her cheeks are red…but she doesn't look scared. The resolve I noticed the first day has returned and I can't help but feel a little bit proud. Maybe I did make the right choice putting her up against Peter.
I try to focus on Molly and Edward as they fight but my gaze once again wanders over to Tris. She is starting to look nervous. I feel a gnawing in the pit of my stomach and I look over at Peter who has a smug smile on his face…shit…what did I do?
I end the fight as Molly hits the ground, only semi-conscious.
While Molly peels herself off the ground, I watch Tris maker her way to the center of the arena.
"You okay there Stiff?" Peter says to her. "You look like you're about to cry. I might go easy on you if you cry."
God he really is an ass. But that's okay, he's playing right into my plan. Keep going Peter, piss her off.
Peter moves his hands up to his face, elbows bent. His knees are bent too, like he's ready to spring.
"Come on, Stiff," he says, his eyes glinting. "Just one little tear. Maybe some begging."
I watch as Tris lifts her leg and tries to kick Peter in the side, but he is too fast and catches her foot, knocking her off balance. She falls on her back and I try not to flinch. She's only down for a moment before she is scrambling to her feet.
That's right. Get up, keep going.
Peter hits her hard in the face and I can see her blinking rapidly as she sways a little before moving out of reach. Within seconds he's on her, kicking her in the stomach and knocking her to the ground.
Get up, get up, GET UP. I will her.
I realize I've been holding my breath and force myself to inhale slow and steady.
Tris tries to push herself up off the ground, but Peter is already there, grabbing her hair with one hand and punching her in the nose with the other.
It takes everything in me not to flinch. Should I stop the fight? Has she had enough?
She waves her hands, slapping Peter's arms but he punches her again, this time in the ribs. I notice the amount of blood on her face and I scratch at the back of my neck, a little too hard, trying to distract myself from the sudden urge to intervene.
I blink and she is down again, scraping her hands on the ground.
Just stay down, if you stay down, I'll call it. I'll end this.
She coughs and manages to drag herself to her feet.
She is unsteady and covered in blood but somehow she doesn't show any sign of stopping. My fists are clenched and I realize how badly I want to punch Peter right now.
But this is my doing…I put them against each other for this exact reason. To see how Tris would fair. I hoped that she would give it everything she has and she hasn't disappointed me.
Peter hits her again but she does not fall this time, instead, she punches him and is unfortunately rewarded with a palm to the ear.
I hear footsteps in the distance and look over just in time to see Four leaving the room.
That's interesting, I wonder what's up with him?
Turning back to the arena I watch as Tris' knees give out and she falls, cheek to the ground. Peter is on her instantly kicking at her side repeatedly and I can't take it anymore.
"ENOUGH!" I shout and Peter freezes, the room goes quiet.
Before I realize what I'm doing, I've made my way to the centre of the arena and find myself scooping Tris up into my arms. Our gaze meets briefly before her eyes roll back and her body goes limp.
The room is still and silent as I look up at faces that surround me.
"Go eat. We will resume the fights in an hour, if you aren't here you will receive a score of zero," I shout harshly before making my way out of the training room with Tris in my arms.
I bit more veering off from the original text…more to come! Thank you for reading! As always, comments and feedback are welcomed! 3
-MWB
