Chapter 4

Eric POV

I'm standing here waiting very impatiently for Four to bring my initiates to the training room. It doesn't take that long to get up people, move it or lose it. Ah, finally there they are. They all come in, and look directly at me, I guess still remembering how I was the first day. Good, I made an impression. Four walks over to me so we can start them up.

"You know they're terrified of you, right?"

"Good, they should be. You tell them yet?"
"What, that half of them are going to end up factionless? No, I figured you would want that pleasure."

"Oh, you know me so well. Alright everybody listen up! Today, you will be learning how to fight. For right now, you won't be fighting each other, we'll have you start on those punching bags over there. However, before we begin, I have an announcement to make, now that I realize that Four neglected to do so. You see this board?" most of them nod, the rest just stare at me, wide eyed. They'll be the first ones gone.

"This board, is how you will be ranked. Those numbers, are your rankings. The red line there, is something that you do not want to be close to."

"Wait, why are we being ranked?"
"Glad you asked, kid. This year, there's a new rule. We only want a certain amount of new members, so some of you will be factionless by the end of initiation. The best will stay, the ones who made the wrong decision, those that do not belong in Dauntless, will be kicked out."

"Wait, what? Why weren't we told that?" it's a Candor girl. Of course. The Candor never do know when to keep their mouths shut.

"Why should it matter? Would you have chosen differently, had you known? In that case, you don't belong here. Anyone with that frame of mind can just go ahead and walk on out of here."

They all look around at each other, most of them looking even more nervous now, especially that little Stiff. She and her friends are going to be close to the line. Then again, there's one that still doesn't look nervous. She might make it, I don't know, I haven't seen what she can do yet.

"Ok, so here's what's going to happen. We will demonstrate a few hits, and let you get started on the bags. We will be walking around, checking on you."

After demonstration, we let them have at the punching bags, and I must say, this is pathetic. There are only a few that are actually making the bag move at all, and the rest of them are just tapping it, not making an impact. Edward is doing good, as well is that stupid Candor kid, Peter. I can't stand him. Haven't even had to spend a full day with him yet, but I already don't like him. I've seen how he treats the others, putting them down because he's afraid of not being on top. He doesn't belong here.

As I look around, I stop at that one girl again. Everyone else is just hitting, just copying Four and me, but she is doing some different things. I see her stop, then keep hitting, trying something new each time. She's thinking, constantly. I'm surprised she left Erudite, as smart as she seems to be. Then again, battle tactics are an important part of being Dauntless. She's moving faster than the rest of them too. They are all feeling things out, moving a little slower, but she's already figured out staying on her toes, where to jab, how to do it as quickly as possible so that you can block a blow, or make another hit. This will definitely be her strong section.

"Hey Four, what's her name?"

"Which one?"

"The one between the Candor and the Stiff."

"Wait, do you know any of their names?"

"Yeah, Edward. Oh yeah, and Peter. I've heard enough about Peter to learn his name pretty quickly, and enough about how well Edward did to figure him out, but they aren't who I was asking about. Who is she?" I point at the girl again. She doesn't see, she's too focused, but the Candor girl beside her looks up, eyes wide, I guess expecting me to come over there and strangle her friend or something.

"That's Jamie. Transferred from Erudite. Why do you ask?"

"I noticed the way she was going at the bag. Everyone else is just doing what we showed them, but she's trying out new things. Everytime she does something, she catches on to something else. She's smart."

"Been watching her pretty close?"

"Well, it's not like the rest of them are doing anything. Well, Edward and Peter aren't half bad, but we already know Edward will pass, and maybe we can fail Peter out at some point."

"If only. Hang on, I've got to go help Tris. She's killing me. Looks like she's never even seen a punching bag."

"She hasn't. She's a Stiff."

He glares at me when I say that. He's from Abnegation as well, so he still bristles at the term "Stiff", but less than he used to.

"Alright, you help her out, I'll keep a watch on everyone else."

He nods and walks off to help her. There's more than one reason he wants to help her, but I'm not going to say anything. I may hate him, but I have to admit, he can take me in a fight any day.

For the rest of the class, I just stand here, watching some of the most pathetic people in the world sling their arms at a bag. Still just those three catching my attention, although Tris is a little better off than she was.

I dismiss the class a few minutes early, mostly because I was tired of watching them all, but I know they worked hard today, I guess they deserve a break. See, I can be nice when I want to be.

As they walk out the door, I'm still watching Edward and Jamie. I couldn't care less about Peter. When Jamie walks past me, she doesn't look at me, but she doesn't keep her eyes down. It's almost like she's trying to show her confidence, but if she looks anyone in the eye, she'll lose it. Something about her is different than the others. She'll do very well here.