Stage Two Rankings
I want to do extended sketches of scenes that I find interesting throughout the Divergent series. I will cite the location in the book whenever I can. Please review after reading. I find your feedback to be very motivating and helpful.
This sketch takes place in book one of the Divergent Series, near the end of chapter 21, when Eric presents the initiates with their second stage rankings.
Eric couldn't help but watch her. She stands alone from the pack as they align themselves against her. 'How could someone, Tris, a Stiff from Abnegation get the number one spot on rankings?' they are wondering. He'd wondered that many times himself. How could Four be ranked ahead of him? 'But it worked out well in the end. It will again,' Eric thought to himself.
Movement across the room draws his attention. Eric sees Peter glowering at the Tris. Some unexplained apprehension blooms within him.
"I will not be outranked by a Stiff," Peter hisses.
Eric watches as Peter slams Tris against the wall. In his mind he sees himself slamming Four with a fist when he found out Four placed First. It does not calm him. For once he is not excited by the unexpected violence.
Before Eric can step in he sees Will grab Peter, dragging him away from Tris. He hears the exchange between Will and Peter and watches as Peter storms away.
He glances around the room watching the expressions of those who witnessed the exchange as he exits the room. He had an appointment to attend with Max, otherwise he wondered whether he would stay and watch. The initiate fascinated him. Sometimes he wanted to destroy her, but most of the time, recently, he found himself just watching her.
She enticed him. An initiate never challenges him, and survives the initiation process. But he had called her on her bluffs and she had risen to the occasions, never crying, or begging. But at the end of the day she was a Stiff and he was an Erudite.
He grits his teeth as he sees Four walking in.