This has been sitting on my laptop forever and it just so happens to fit perfectly with what's going on with this compilation. Weird, huh?
oooo
Max had the audacity to laugh in his face.
"Regretting your decision already?" He chuckled, slapping his thigh with mirth. "The little girl too much for you to handle?"
Eric clenched his jaw, trying with all his might not to punch the man in the face.
"She's mouthy and frustrating. Insubordinate. And hell bent on making my life miserable." Eric complained, thinking back to yesterday's physical training review where the girl had "accidentally", yet repeatedly, kneed him in the groin to escape the various holds he'd trapped her in. He had never laid down any specific rules for the sparring match and he thoroughly regretted it as he walked with a slight limp to Max's office the next day.
He had been looking forward to their first meeting as trainer and trainee, thinking he had been so close to victory, to watching Tris Prior give up, but he should have known better. Though she would never claim to match his strength, the girl was a fighter. That was the reason she had been selected for Leadership in the first place and Eric was furious with himself for underestimating her.
"Eric, my boy," Max still grinned, not seeming to notice the way Eric glared at the endearment. Though younger by more than a decade, Eric was twice the size of the man before him and had surely proved his worth many times over. He did not appreciate the slight of his position. "I'm afraid I don't have a suitable replacement for her training."
"Veronica showed an interest in Prior before the girl even passed initiation."
"Veronica is bed-ridden with a broken leg. Perhaps Four-".
"No," Eric hissed, his voive dropping several octaves. Max did mot seem the least bit perturbed by Erics sudden change in attitude, but rather, met his eyes with a self satisfied smirk. "There's no reason to play games, old man. Deny my request then. I can't promise the Stiff will be in one piece next time you see her."
He stood suddenly, knocking over the chair in his haste to leave.
He did not stop to pick it up, but paused momentarily in the doorway to hear Max's parting words.
"Let us hope you've not met your match, Eric."