By the first week of initiation, I was physically and emotionally done with everything. I used Marcus as my inspiration to stay above the ranks that Max sent. When I had to shoot a gun and hit a target, I pretended it was Marcus. I knew it sounded weird, but after all the abuse he put us through, it felt good. Surprisingly enough I stayed in the top 3, with Jacob, he bounce back with a broken nose and a black eye. He also had it out for me. He 'accidently' tried to shoot me when we were taught how to use a gun. Tobias was ready to throw him out of dauntless. Max, who also seemed angry, gave him another chance. Max himself was a whole other story. He is the creepiest son of a bitch you will ever know. I hated being in the same room as him. I always tried to make sure Tobias was in sight in case I needed him. Today was find your place on the screen and get ready to for capture the flag. It was dauntless initiate's verses transfers.
I was with Olivia and Connor at the moment. We were waiting for the rest of the initiates to arrive. Despite what I told Connor earlier in the week. He made obvious gestures to try to hold my hand, and each time he got shot down. After the fifth time he just gave up.
"So we're so going to win tonight Connor. It's okay if you want to cry about it with us tomorrow at breakfast." Olivia broke the awkwardness between Connor and I. The corners of Connors mouth twitched into a smile.
"We'll see about that." He chuckles and winks at us both. "Tomorrow is visitor's day. So maybe a raincheck for you girls to cry on my shoulder when you lose." He smirks. In all the hype of the week I forgot about visitor's day. It's when the initiate's parents come to see them for the last time pretty much. For those like myself, it's just a regular day. I'm sure I could just hide out in Tobias' and Tris' room.
Olivia opened her mouth to say something; but the masses of initiates started pouring into the room. Connor hugged us both goodbye and walked over to his group. Olivia and I stayed where we were. Max, my brother and two dauntless born instructors, one I remembered was Ashley from initiation. The other I hadn't met yet.
Max got everyone quiet and started going over the rules. There were to be two separate games. What we all thought was us against dauntless born turned out to just be the transfers against the transfers. Tobias and Max were to be the captains.
"I'll choose first. Then Four. We'll then in our groups decided where to put the flag and we'll begin. One more thing. We'll put your gun usage to the test. Each will be given a gun and a bulletproof vest. Any questions?" Max looked at all of us. I closed my eyes and hoped that Max would pick Jacob and I could safely be on Tobias' team. Then again Tobias might not let me be on his team because I am his sister. Either way I'm screwed.
"Lizzie." Max called me out first and smiled at me. Crap. I looked over at Tobias hoping he saw that creepy smirk as well, thankfully he did. Though there was nothing he can do. Tobias picked the boy from Amity who I learned his name was David. Max then picked my favorite person in the world, Jacob. By the end of that Olivia was on my brother's team. Lucky her.
Max handed us our guns and vests and lead us outside. I kept my distance from Jacob and Max as well as the other two boys. This afternoon Tobias and Max kicked four people out. Only the top 8 were to make it to the second round and there were 12 of us then. I wonder what the cutoff will be for the official initiation.
"We'll hide ours in the watch tower. Lizzie is a good fighter, I want her to stick around there. Jacob, you and your friend will go look for the flag. You guys are better at offense. I'll stay midway to help protect the flag and to get any of the other 5 people get past you." Max said quietly to us and walked to the tower. I felt a lump in my throat, being alone near max was frightening. I rather be stuck with Jacob or the other boy whose name was Asher, he was Jacob's best friend. Max handed me the flag and sent me up the tower, "Come back down when you're done hiding it." I snatched out of his hand and ran into the tower to get away from them. I hiked all the way to the top and tied the small flag to a railing. I relished a few moments of isolation before heading back down. In the distance I heard two horns, signaling the start of the game. The other two boys were gone in search of Tobias' team flag. I pulled the gun up closer to me in case I needed to use it. Max looked over at me and smirked before walking away to the halfway point in case the others pass Jacob and his friend.
Thankfully I was alone most of the night, Max never came back towards me with his creepy smile. I knew deep down that sick man was thinking terrible things about me and probably undressing me with his eyes, even though I didn't want to believe. I'm afraid to tell Tobias because I'm afraid of what he would do. All I had to do was get through this last week and I can avoid Max as much as I can. I'll be with Tobias and Tris, Olivia and Connor, I hope he would make it past initiation, he probably will, I heard he's been holding his own.
I heard footsteps to my right and I immediately and saw Olivia. I ran and gave her a hug.
"I hate this game, I hate Max! He's so creepy!" I tell her.
"Have you talked to Four?" She asked, both of us abandoning the game to talk.
"No, he wouldn't confront him and I don't want that to ruin my chances of getting in. He is the leader after all…" I sigh. This next week couldn't come and end any sooner.
"If Max does anything, tell Four. He's your brother and he does have power here. I'm sure the other people are not as pervy as he is." Olivia states.
"I plan on telling four once I get into dauntless." I tell her and she shakes her head.
"I don't like that Lizzie. Max could hurt you..." She started and I cut her off.
"Just trust me. I can defend myself." I nod. In the distance I heard a horn go off and I saw Max run back to our base followed by Jacob and Asher screaming and waving a small orange flag.
"WE WON!" Jacob shouted. I saw Max walk towards Olivia and I so I waved goodbye and headed off. I was done here now that that the game was over.
"Lizzie. Where are you going?" Max called after me. I knew I needed to turn around and be nice so I did.
"Back to our room. I'm really tired." I lied easily and left with my best friend. The less time around Max the better it was for my sanity.
We got back to our room fairly quickly. It was nice to have the room all to ourselves while everyone went and enjoyed the night. We tried to ignore Max and the next week of initiation so Olivia told me about her family. Her mother and father were teachers. They taught at the school all children are required to attend. She has an older brother who is in Candor and a younger sister who is only 12. She ventured from her family to life in Erudite and then to the boy in dauntless she thinks she'll ask out once she makes it into dauntless. I loved how she was so full of hope. I wish I had her optimism for the next week, despite being in high standing right now, I feel like this next week is going to test me more than the physical test. I'm also afraid of Max learning my deepest fears, he could use that to his advantage.