A/N: Sorry about the shortness of this chapter! When I catch up on my writing I'll post more, I've been so busy! Enjoy this chapter, and thanks for reading! (Oh, and if you have any suggestions, feel free to PM me or write them in the reviews!)
Disclaimer: I don't own any Divergent content, all rights go to Veronica Roth.
Early the next morning, in the training room, I start paring up initiates for the second round of fights. As I take a sip of my coffee, Eric walks up behind me, and puts his hands on my waist.
"Hey, Stiff." He whispers, and it takes all I have to hold in my gag. He likes to grab me sometimes because he knows how strange it feels to me, being from Abnegation and all. I'm not afraid of Eric or what he does, but I just really, really hate him.
"Hey, Eric." I whisper back, playing along. "If you don't want a bloody nose from a Stiff, I suggest you get your dirty hands off of me."
"Oh, but we are having so much fun, aren't we?" I try to pull away but he holds me tighter. "I just want you to pair the Stiff with Peter. There's no way he'll stand a chance." He says, finally letting go. I turn around and look at him with hatred, at his grinning, pierced face.
"I was going to anyway. And I do recall beating your ass during our initiation, so yes, he does have a chance." He rolls his eyes at me, hardly covering his anger. During our initiation, I was one of the weakest ones. And Eric used every chance he had to tease me, torture me. So I asked Amar to pair me with him during my last fight. I don't know if it was actual skill that led me to my victory, or just anger and hatred, but it's the only fight I'm proud of winning. I write "The Stiff" vs. Peter In chalk on the board, and begin using the punching bags while I wait for the initiates to come, thinking of Eric while I beat the leather sacks.
When the initiates start to file in, I notice Tobias' eyes tighten and his back straightens. I don't know if it's in determination or fear, but I'm fully confident in him, even if he isn't. Molly and Edward take the mat, circling each other for a few times before Molly lunges at him. He quickly steps aside and a well-aimed kick makes her stumble. They go on like this for a few minutes until Edward bashes her jaw with a punch and she drops like a stone. Next up is Tobias and Peter. Peter reminds me of Eric, the same cocky attitude, the same way of taunting.
"Come on Stiff, you know fighting is against your Abnegation goody-goody values." I swallow the urge to go up and fight him myself, as Tobias takes his fighting stance; one arm to protect the head and one arm to protect the ribs, just like I taught him. I hope he notices how Peter looks at his target before he strikes; it's his only give away. "Oh, big boy now, Stiff! You really think you can..." His sentence is cut off by Tobias making a sharp kick to his side. He wasn't expecting it and buckles over in pain, but he quickly recovers and makes a dive for Tobias' torso. It would have knocked him down, hard, if he didn't see it coming, and he quickly steps aside, causing him to stumble. Peter looks at him with a more determined look and Eric purses his lips, I'm sure he wanted to see the stiff bleed; he didn't realize how amazing he actually is. They begin to circle each other again, both of them slick with sweat, and Peter makes a nasty blow to Tobias' chin. He cries out, more in anger and frustration than in pain, and grabs his torso, sweeping him to the ground. And with one strong kick to the head, he is out, cold. I let a breath out, not realizing I was so tense, and walk over to him. I support him from one side and Tobias supports his other side, and we drag him to the infirmary.
Once he's checked in and hospitalized, I turn to Tobias. "That was an excellent fight." I say, trying to sound professional.
"That was stupid, why did I have to knock him out? Why couldn't it be, I don't know, scored or something? Are we supposed to be cruel?" He snaps, and I glance around to notice that we are in a blind spot, away from the cameras.
"Yes." As long as Eric is in charge, yes, we have to be cruel." I lean in closer to him. "I'm trying to change it, but as long as these new rules are in place, you have to, only until after initiation." I say, my voice quiet, even though no one is around to overhear us. He looks down on me, with anger and confusion. I notice the black bruise forming on his chin and touch my fingertips to it before I realize what I'm doing. He flinches slightly; it doesn't look or feel broken.
"He looks at his target before he hits, that punch was just me not paying attention." He says. I smile at him, slightly. He is smarter than he thinks he is.
"We have to get back to the training room before Eric decides to dangle another initiate." I say, finally thinking about the job I have again. I don't know how he distracted me so easily. I shake my head and we both walk to the training room.