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Chapter 5

I enter the dining hall this morning to comments from the initiates about something that happened in the dorm. Apparently Peter spray painted the word Stiff all over Tris' bed. That guy has a real nasty streak, especially when it comes to Tris. I'm not sure if there is anything I can do about it, but if it continues I may have to.

XXX

I walk into the training room and Eric is waiting with the pairings for today's fights. I scan the list and see that he has paired Tris with Peter. Peter? What the hell is he thinking?

"What are you thinking pairing Peter with Tris? She is nowhere near his skill level!" I say to Eric.

He snickers coldly, "I guess we will see a Stiff cry then, won't we?"

He glares at me and I realize that he is trying to read my thoughts through my expression. I don't think he realizes that I am battling feelings for this girl, but he knows that I can't help but defend defenseless people. This pairing is just as much to make a point to me as it is to break her. I can only hope that she is strong enough to not let him break her down. She is strong; there is no doubt about that. I just hope she can withstand what is to come.

The initiates enter the room. Tris is walking in with Al when she comes to a stop mid step. Her face reflects the horror and terror that she must be feeling. Peter is over a foot taller than she is. She knows this isn't going to be good. Peter enters the room and her face takes on a new determination. He sees the pairing and starts making comments to his friends and looking over toward Tris. Then I notice him make eye contact with Eric. What is that all about? Is this a conspiracy to get rid of her, or worse, kill her?

The first fight is pretty uneventful. Edward easily bests Molly. She picks herself off of the mat and goes to sit down.

Next are Peter and Tris.

Tris makes her way to the center of the ring looking determined.

"You okay there, Stiff?" he says. "You look like you're about to cry. I might go easy on you if you cry."

I stand by the door with my arms folded and glare at him. His behavior angers me, Dauntless are not supposed to enjoy tormenting those who are weaker than we are. This is just another way that the Dauntless ideals have changed. I notice that Tris is looking over Peters shoulder toward me. I avert my eyes, but the expression does not leave my face. This match-up angers me and I feel no need to hide my anger.

Peter brings his hands up to his face and bends his knees, ready to spring.

"Come on, Stiff," he pushes. "Just one little tear. Maybe some begging."

Tris attacks first by trying to kick him in the side. He easily grabs her foot and yanks it out from under her. Tris smacks into the floor hard but rushes to get up quickly.

"Stop playing with her," snaps Eric. "I don't have all day."

Peter's face quickly changes from a look of mischief to a predatory look. He punches Tris's jaw, causing her to sway. She is clearly losing her ability to see clearly. He moves to her before she's able to regain her balance, and kicks her hard in the stomach and she falls to the ground. Tris tries to push herself up, but Peter quickly moves to her and grabs her hair with one hand. He punches her in the nose with his free hand and blood pours down her face instantly. I am beginning to become physically ill watching the carnage.

She attempts get him off of her by slapping his arms, but she is no match for his strength and size. He punches her again, this time in the ribs, and shoves her to the ground.

Somehow she manages to drag herself to her feet. Peter moves around her and hits her from the side, and she almost falls over again.

Tris tries to fight back by punching Peter in the stomach, her fist makes contact but has no affect on him. Peter barely even groans. Instead, he smacks her ear with the flat of his palm. He snickers. It is clear he is really enjoying himself.

I look over at Eric and he is obviously enjoying this as well. How anyone can enjoy watching such a mismatched pairing I don't understand.

Peter go in for another attack.

Fury rages in me and I can't take it anymore. I shove the door open and storm out into the hall. I can't just stand there and watch Peter beat the living daylight out of Tris, but I am powerless to do much. What am I going to do? I can't leave Eric in charge alone, he will let this continue until Peter kills her. But I can't stand to watch Tris get hurt without feeling the need to protect her.

Protect her? What am I thinking? I can't be having these feelings right now!

From inside the training room, I hear a screech that makes my heart jump to my throat.

I rush back through the doors to see Peter kicking Tris, who is lying lifeless on the floor. His foot slams into her side again and again. That's it! I am not going to stand by and watch this anymore!

"Enough!" I yell.

Peter looks around at me, his foot readying for another blow. A triumphant look on his face, he is pleased with himself, isn't that nice. I will be sure to wipe that look off of his face the first opportunity I get.

Eric sits with a smirk on his face. He knew I couldn't just sit and watch this without intervening.

I look at both Peter and Eric in disgust, and then walk over to Tris. I feel for a pulse and make sure she is still breathing. She is damaged but her pulse is strong and she is breathing. I gently slide my arms under her neck and legs and lift her to carry her off to the infirmary. Christina is crying into Will's chest and I realize that he was talking about her yesterday, not Tris. Despite my rage, I have a small feeling of hope. That is one less thing I have to worry about when thinking about my feelings for her.

I rush her into the infirmary. The nurse has me lay her on a bed and starts asking me how this happened. The nurse is a 35 year old woman with piercings on her face and tattoos up both arms.

"She was improperly matched during initiation this morning," I say.

I turn to leave when the nurse calls back to me.

"You should stay in case she wakes. She will want to see a familiar face."

"I'm just her instructor, we aren't friends. Her friends will be around to see her soon."

"I am no expert," the nurse says, "but the look on your face when you brought her in tells me there is more than an instructor-initiate relationship here." She continues to look at me knowingly.

I sit down next to Tris' bed and hold her hand while she sleeps. In spite of her bruises and blood soaked clothes, she looks peaceful and strong. I look at her and come to some very important conclusions. There is nothing I want more in this world than to protect this girl from all harm. I feel it every time I make contact with her, and I find some way to touch her frequently. I have known it since the first time I saw her come out of the net on Choosing Day. But what can I do about this? I have no idea if she is feeling the same way as I am. I do notice her glancing in my direction frequently, but that doesn't really mean anything. Maybe it is time for me to find out somehow.

She doesn't wake while I sit with her. Soon I hear her friends coming into the lobby and asking about her. I take this as my cue to disappear out another door.