The next morning, Vincent is in a bad mood.

"Tough luck for Alyssa," I mutter to Katrina and Frank, looking at the blackboard on which Ila has written down the names for today's list of fights. "Vincent's going to take his anger out on her. It's the first time I've seen him that worked up about something."

VINCENT .VS. ALYSSA
LISA .VS. BONNIE
FRANK .VS. KATRINA
MARKUS .VS. ROBERT

"I'm sure you can handle Robert, right?" Katrina says. "That guy lost to two girls. You've only lost to one."

Frank looks nervous. "I don't want to fight you, Katrina."

Katrina smiles at him, looking flattered. "Oh, Frank. You're cute, but I think I can handle myself."

Last night, Freeman had sent us all back to our dormitories as soon as the train dropped us off back at the Dauntless compound. The game of Capture the Flag had left several members of the opposing team extremely unhappy - most of all, Freeman. Berkeley had been pleased and was very proud of Brooklyn, boasting to Freeman about how his little sister got the better of him, which caused Freeman to set his jaw in a most menacing way.

Brett had been upset and not at all a good sport about the loss. Apparently, he'd managed to knock Katrina out while she'd been helping Miles up from when Frank shot him and knocked him back down the stairs. Still, I'd overheard Brett repeating the word 'Stiff' to Brooklyn on the train - and her sighing in response.

Miles had approached me before the Dauntless-born and faction transfers separated.

"Maybe I was wrong about you, initiate. You did good out there. Brooklyn told me. Perhaps, if you survive Stage One, we might even be friends, eh?" he'd said.

Even Lisa had to admit begrudging respect for my recent victory.

"You can be a jerk at times, but you really pulled through for our team," she'd said. "And Bonnie told me about how you tried to comfort her on our first night here about...about Chris. I'm sorry if either of us are a bit touchy towards you. We're not very nice towards Candor, back when we were in Erudite. Still, it was nice of you to have tried to speak with Bonnie that night. I guess perhaps you're not a total jerk after all. Don't get used to compliments like that, though."

Our team's victory's definitely earned me some points with the other initiates. Rafael came up to my table with Katrina and Frank earlier today to congratulate me on a job well done. Titus and Kathleen gave me a slice of cake, supposedly out of gratitude. And Berkeley told me he doesn't mind anymore if me and Brooklyn want to continue hanging out.

All in all, it's been a great turn of events since last night. I'm hoping my good fortune carries over into today, that I may be able to win a fight for once. Beating up Robert won't be as satisfying as beating up Vincent - and I already know Vincent would beat me. But perhaps Robert and I will constitute for a fairer battle. We've both been equally bad in both our fights, after all.

Vincent and Alyssa's fight is easily the most intense battle we've ever had so far in Stage One. Both of them are fuming over their loss last night, and both of them are equally skilled and evenly matched. They fight for a good fifteen minutes, until finally, Alyssa is thrown backwards by one of Vincent's meaty fists and hits her head against the wall.

Next up are the two Noses and friends, pitted against each other. Lisa looks hesitant, but Bonnie doesn't. Ila gives the signal for them to begin and within two minutes, Bonnie has knocked her friend flat on her back. Though Bonnie had been in tears almost every single minute since first arriving here, she's turning out to be a lot more of a Dauntless than Lisa is. Come to think of it, she's proving to be almost just as good as Alyssa or Vincent. Heck, she and Vincent have won every fight they've been in. Keep this up, and Bonnie could end up being ranked second, despite her tears and despite her height. Still, I get a feeling Ila will pair Bonnie up with either Alyssa or Katrina. Perhaps Bonnie won't be as unbeatable when paired up with someone who's almost as fast and as nimble as her.

Katrina and Frank are up next. The result is easy to predict. Frank goes down and Katrina helps him to a seat. The big guy's lost every battle so far - the final battle tomorrow is going to be his last chance of redemption; of saving himself from being cut.

It's also going to be the last chance for either me or Robert, depending which one of us wins this next round.

"In the ring!" Ila calls.

Robert and I get in position. He bounces on the balls of his feet, fists raised, glaring over at me. He's not as cocky or happy-go-lucky as he was with Katrina and Alyssa. There is no small talk or confident conversation. This time, he's determined not to lose. The only thing standing in his way is me. He needs to win at least one round, otherwise, he's at risk of being cut, just like Frank. I need to win too, or I'll be in that position instead.

"Not going to hit on me?" I taunt.

He snorts. "Sorry. I'm not into that. Besides, I hear you're already 'Stiff' for Brooklyn."

The brief moment of hesitation I show is enough for him to launch an attack that catches me off guard. I stagger back, clutching my temple, winded, as he leaps up and kicks me in the chest, knocking me backwards.

"Go, Robert! Knock him down!" Vincent yells out to his friend.

I feel Robert's fist connect with my jawbone and I reel back, stunned. I can't let Robert win this match. I can't. Not after last night. I can't be cut from initiation. I won't be factionless.

Brooklyn's face swims before my eyes. The life I could have here in Dauntless flashes before me in visions. Robert looms over me, his fist swinging in my direction. Reaching out, I catch it before he can hit me and in his surprise, I slam a fist into his gut.

He chokes, the breath knocked out of him, and I swing a right cross at him, and jab at his throat, causing him to cough and splutter in pain.

"Come on, Robert!" Vincent yells.

"Go Markus!" Katrina cheers in retaliation.

Robert swings at me again but I step back and his fist sails through the air, connecting with nothing. As he stumbles and staggers drunkenly, I grab his arm and twist it back over his shoulder. He cries out in pain and I slam an elbow into his trachea. He squeaks and I kick him swiftly in the shins, as well as sweeping his feet out from under him. His knees buckle and he collapses onto the ground, groaning. Weakly, he raises his hands limply. "N...N...No more...I...I y-yield..."

I turn to glance at Katrina. She looks at me and nods. Turning back to face Robert, I shake my head. "You're not yielding."

I lean down and punch him in the face. Blood sprays out of his mouth. His eyes flutter shut. He's hurt. Badly. But at least, he's safe from Freeman.

I know Katrina approves.

I smile to myself as Ila signals for me to get him out of the ring, as well as telling us that we can now go for lunch.

I beat Robert. My first fight won.

Perhaps...just perhaps...I won't get cut. I might make it through this.