I lay on my stomach as I watched a small trail of ants walk across the frame of my cot. It was late at night and the only light came from the deep blue wall lights which allowed me to see them. I wasn't able to sleep that night because what Will had told me earlier today (or yesterday) was repeatedly echoing in my head.
"I don't know that much about them. All I know is that I wouldn't want to be one," he told me.
"Why?" my heart was racing fast in my chest and my hands instantly became sweaty.
"They fit into more than one faction so they are seen as a threat. Most serums don't even work on them."
"What do you mean most serums?" I had asked him.
"Their aware during the aptitude test and Dauntless fear simulations. They can even manipulate their surroundings in those types of states. From what I learned their loose cannons and unpredictable. But what I think is, if they heard all about that the government sees them as a threat they would try to fit in as much as possible."
My stomach churned and I looked over at my sister's sleeping form. She was sleeping on her side with her arm resting on her arm and it was extended into the isle between the cots. Her other arm was on top her body and her hair was everywhere and the hair pony tail she had it in was practically nonexistent.
Unpredictable Abby has defiantly been that lately. She stabbed Peter in the hand, she kissed a guy first, she's rising through the ranks pretty fairly hell she even chose the faction I tested as. My sister took in a deep breath and turned and rolled onto her opposite; so her back was facing me, and curled in to a ball. I looked back at the little trail of ants on my bunk. The lights came on and I looked up to see Four with his usual bar by the door. Four looked at me and frowned.
"What didn't you sleep?" he asked me in a half condescending way.
"No sir," Four nodded.
"Just do your best, I'll make sure you don't fight today." I liked Four, he was an asshole most of the time but he could have his nice guy moments. Unlike his worse half.
"Thank you sir but that's not necessary." He nodded then began his wake up call.
"We're running outdoor gear! Breakfast after run!" he called. I got out of my cot and pulled off my sleep shirt and pulled on my sports bra followed by a long sleeved shirt. I pulled on my yoga pants and grabbed my boots and sock as I made went to the bathroom. I set my stuff by the sink and grabbed my toothbrush. The cold concrete nipped at my bare toes and I closed my eyes. I didn't realize how tired I was so this run may be harder than the other ones. I rinsed my tooth brush and poured my sweet mint tooth paste onto my brush.
"Morning," Christina said groggily. She was still in her t-shirt and pants-less and also bare footed.
"Morning," I said with my mouth full of tooth paste. Christina started brushing her teeth next to me. I leaned over to spit in the sink and I noticed that she glanced at me. In fact, every couple seconds she would glance my way. I looked at her and she glanced at me again but this time she tried to give me an innocent smile. I spat out my tooth paste. "Everything okay?" I asked her.
"Yeah," she was lying. I knew because she stopped looking at me and kept her eyes on her reflection as she brushed her teeth. I kept an eye on her as I started brushing my teeth again. "So I saw you and Will talking yesterday." I froze. She saw us talking! Does she know I was asking him about Divergence? "Are you guys… a thing?" I looked at Chris with my tooth brush still in my mouth.
"What?" I asked around my tooth brush. Chris pulled her's out of her mouth and spit.
"Are you and Will dating?" I couldn't help but laugh. Was she really that clueless? They flirted nonstop and she had no idea that he was just as interested in her as she was in him. "What?" I took my tooth brush out of my mouth and spat.
"God no!" I told her while still laughing.
"What's so funny?" she asked me. I shook my head.
"Chris I don't date." Christina rolled her eyes and face palmed.
"Right the no touching thing. I forgot," she dropped her hand from her face. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay," I smiled and turned back to the mirror. "plus I just don't trust guys. There all a bunch of assholes"
"Who are a bunch of assholes?" Will asked as he came into the bathroom.
"Men," Christina clarified. Will looked at us with a confused expression.
"Thanks I guess," he looked between us.
"Well you and Al are the only exceptions," I told him "your tolerable assholes."
"Thanks!" Will said with a half shocked half unamused look. I laughed then rinsed my mouth out.
"I'll be in the pit." I grabbed my boots and socks and made my way out to the pit. When I got out into the hall the concrete was cooler than it was in the dorm it was almost uncomfortable. I let a hand drag against the wall and I let my mind drift. I loved how calm it was in the mornings here. I appreciated it highly since I wasn't really a morning person. It gave me that feeling that Dauntless valued a good night's sleep over bright cheery early mornings. I let out a yawn once again remembering that I didn't sleep at all.
I'll just close my eyes every second I can get. I came out into the pit and it was quiet. There were a few people out and in the middle of the pit was Four. He was by the rock in the middle of the pit and waiting for us to get out.
"Not surprised your ready first," Four commented. As we waited for the others I pulled on my socks and boots. As I was lacing up my combat boots a half asleep Eric shuffled his way over to Four. Eric looked like he literally just rolled out of bed. His pants were half done up and he has his shirt and boots in one hand. His hair was sticking up in weird places and I never even noticed because it was so straight/flatish that I would have never guessed it was naturally curly.
"What am I doing awake?" he asked him out of annoyance and he rubbed one of his eyes. I smiled lightly because how c…. AND ENDING THOUGH PROCESS RIGHT THERE!
"I have errands to take care of again," Four told. Eric dropped his hand and glared at Four.
"And why didn't you tell me this yesterday?" Four stood there calmly like Eric's anger never bothered him. I guess being in the same initiate class takes the fear out of people.
"I just got Max's orders today." He told him. Eric glared at him for a second then finally nodded.
"Okay go," Four walked started to off then he stopped
"Zed isn't fighting today she's still sore from her last two fights. So she's an easy target."
"Just go," Eric snapped and pinched the bridge of his nose. Four left with out another word. Eric looked over at me and with his calm exterior."What are you doing here so early anyways?" he asked me. I looked up at him and shrugged.
"I was already awake so," shrugged as I started lacing up my other boot. I stood up and gave Eric a fake happy- to-see-the-world-smile.
"Christ you're a morning person," he grumbled as he pulled on his t-shirt. I frowned instantly.
"I would shoot myself in the head if that was true," I told him. Eric raised an eyebrow at me. "I smiled out of habit; everyone in Amity is a morning person. It's pretty exhausting."
"I'm suddenly glad I didn't pick to go there when I was sixteen," he said. People started walking into the room and casting quick looks between us. I looked back at Eric and he had his leader thing about him again. "Make sure you keep up," he told me. He walked away from me and someone spoke up behind me.
"Do I want to ask?" I could hear Peter's cocky condescending smirk in his voice.
"Go eat a dick Peter," Peter came around and I could see that cocky condescending smirk on his face. God how much I wanted to smack that smirk off his face.
"Ah that's no way to talk to me is it?" he smiled. I took a quick glance at Eric as he was fixing his pants. "What concerned that your boyfriend won't come to your rescue you?" I glared at Peter.
"Just out of curiosity why do you think I have such low standers?" Peter started laughing. My jaw tightened "What's so funny?" I asked him.
"Sorry," he said, "It's just funny thinking that you have high standers since not even a Blind dying ninety year old factionless man would even give you a second look." He started laughing again. My hand tightened into a fist as he continued laughing.
You're not going to hit him. My anger started to stir in the pit of my stomach and I could feel my nails digging hard into my meaty palms. Hit him and he'll just do something worse later.
"A guy must be a eunuch, be desperate or incredibly drunk if he wants to screw you." That was it my rage was on full awake mode. Without even thinking I punched Peter hard in the face breaking his nose. Peter let out a quick yell and grabbed his nose.
"Enough!" Eric yelled before Peter could even glare at me. I glanced over at Eric and he still didn't even have his boots on. My jaw tightened and I sent Peter a quick glare before I walked off. I walked over to my friends as they were coming into the pit.
"What's wrong?" Al asked as I was coming up to them.
"Nothing," I said through my teeth. I looked at my fist and saw a small trickle of blood on it. I wiped my hand off on my pants then I gave my friends one of my best fake smiles. "So, ready for some training today!"
God I do sound like a morning person! Shoot me now!
"Okay, gather up were running!" Eric called I looked over to see him tying up his boots. Eric stood up "We'll be doing one mile lap around the usual course. Those who fall behind will lose points." Eric gave me a quick glare as he said the next part. "It should be easy so I doubt any of you should fall behind." I glared over at Peter as he started laughing with his friends.
God if he makes it into dauntless I'll push him into the chasm.
"Okay let's go!" Eric yelled as he started running. I started running with my friends. We ran through the pit and down the corridors of Dauntless till we reach the training room. We ran through it and out the back door onto our running course outside the compound. Will was holding a good pace closer to the middle of the group with Christina and Al. Abby, Tris and I were closer to the back of the group (but not to the point where we would be considered left behind) We rounded a building and people started slowing down. We were in the middle of the group and keeping a good pace for about a quarter of a mile. My broken ribs started to sting again and I began to slow down.
Just take it easy, I thought, keep a good enough pace where you don't lose points and you don't allow the pain to worsen. I took in a sharp breath and let it out smoothly. I caught my sister giving me a quick glance as she jogged beside me.
"You okay?" Abby asked as I started falling back a little more.
"Running and broken ribs still don't mix." I said between each breath.
"At least we aren't doing six miles like last time," she smiled. I scuffed out of amusement. I looked back at the group in front of us about to tell Abby that I couldn't agree with her more; but Peter looked back at us then slowed down till he was right next to us.
"What's wrong Softie? Can't keep up?" Peter's voice irritated me so I sped up till I was running ahead of him. I made it to the middle of the group but I still closer to the back. I smiled (even though my ribs wanted to murder me) as I tried to keep that pace ahead of him. Peter then suddenly ran passed me taking his place closer to the front of the group. My jaw tightened and I glared at him as he decided to run backwards and taunt me. "Why so slow Softie!" he yelled "Still have a boo boo from when mean old Eric pushed you?" I started running at my full speed and went ahead of Peter again but this time I didn't stop. Peter started running too trying to best me. We ran past the rest of our fellow initiates. Eric had been a good couple feet ahead of everyone but we were catching up fast. Eric looked back at us just as we started to pass him.
See I can keep a good pace! I thought as I could hear him stop. I kept running trying to keep ahead of Peter. But each breath grew increasingly painful and I wanted to stop but that would mean giving up to Peter. That was not going to happen! I made a turn in following the usual route. I looked back for a second and saw that Peter had cut down an alley trying to get in front of me.
"MOTHERFUCKER!" I made my next turn down a crossing alley way and ran down the dirty path. I kept running down the alley till I saw Peter come across the one I was going down. I turned sharply down the alley and started running after him. Peter looked back at me then ahead. He tried running faster but I was gaining on him. Peter ran to one of the waist height rusted silver trash cans and knocked it into my path. He kept running as the trash can spilled over into the middle of the alley way blocking my path. I picked up my pace a little and leapt over the trash can. As I ran faster so did my breathing and every breath became agonizingly painful. I closed my eyes tightly and gritted my teeth together. Christ I wanted to stop!
Just breathe Zed! Pain is just weakness leaving the body! Just push past it and RUN! I opened my eyes to see Peter leave the alley way. I followed him running out of the alley and we were heading straight back to the training room. DON'T LET HIM GET THERE FIRST! I yelled at myself I started pushing my top speed trying to pass Peter. I bit my lip hard as I ran after him. I pushed my feet to go faster gaining on him. Once through those doors you can stop, I told myself. Peter looked back at me and tried forcing his limit. I ran faster till I was shoulder to shoulder with him. Yes yes YES! You got him! I was pushing my speed a little faster but still shoulder to shoulder with him.
"Not bad softie!" he said as he let out a breath "but not good enough." The next thing I knew, I was feeling his hands burning their way on me. Then, I felt the ground make hard contact with me. The already agonizing pain that was going through my body erupted as I hit the ground. I let out a sharp scream and I grabbed my broken ribs. I curled into a ball on my side and both gritted my teeth and bit my lip to stop myself from screaming out in pain again. Tears started rolling down my cheeks with each breath I tried to force into my lungs. I bit harder into my lip till I tasted my own blood. God, I just wanted to lay there screaming and crying but if I was caught by Eric; hello Factionless life and the death of my sister. I whimpered and I pushed myself up onto my hands and knees. My ribs started screaming at me to just lay back down and don't even breathe. I looked up again and my rage started roaring to life again. Peter was watching me with his cocky condescending smirk plastered on his face. He was leaning against the door frame with a water bottle in his hand. "I'd hurry up if I were you!" he called "I think your boyfriend is about to round the corner!"
"Jump in to the chasm you fucking prick!" I yelled.
I knew he would have done something worse! I just fucking knew it! I hugged my upper torso trying to hold back my yelling and biting more into my bottom lip. I whimpered and more of my tears rolled down my cheeks. Christ I still didn't want to move but I had too. I forced myself to sit up then to my feet. I gripped my ribs tightly and I started walking back to the training room. Every step freaking hurt my ribs and it made me even more pissed off. Peter watched me as I entered the training room.
"You should watch where you're going next time Softie," my hands clenched into fists.
Breath you punched him already today, I walked over to the small set of bleachers and sat down holding onto my ribs. God I was so tired and in so much fucking pain that it wasn't even funny. I dropped my head in my hands trying to stop myself from crying and trying to force back more screams of pain. I looked up just as I heard more people run into the training room. My fellow initiates started getting water while our leader looked back at the half of the group the fell behind.
"Who was first?!" Edward asked.
"I was!" Peter gloated. "Softie had no chance."
"Go to fucking hell!" my voice cracked as I dropped my head in my hands again. I took in a couple of breaths trying to force the pain away. I heard a pair of boot approach me and then someone' finger lifted up my chin. I looked up to meet the pale blue eyes of Eric.
"You okay?" he asked me. A couple tears rolled down my cheeks.
Does it look like I'm fucking okay?! I wanted to yell.
"I'm fine Sir," I decided to stick with the good solider routine. Eric scowled lightly.
"How much pain are you in?" he asked me. My lip quivered lightly and decided to lie.
"Not much I'm just a wimp." Eric shook his head.
"I'm pretty sure you didn't cry when your ribs got broken in the first place," He commented.
"I'm pretty sure you're the one who broke them," I grabbed my ribs and ripped my face out of his hand. Eric stood up and held out a hand to me.
"Come on let get you to the infirmary, again." I looked over just as Abby was running into the training room.
Is this all just a ploy to get to her? I looked back at Eric as he was waiting for me to react.
"I'm fine I don't need to see a medic," I told him. I tried to stand up but my ribs exploded into pain again. I whimpered and sat back down as more tears started flowing down my face.
Christ stop crying you look so weak and pathetic right now! But my fucking god it hurts so damn much!
"If your fine then we must be in Candor right now," Eric said out of announce. I glared at him but I doubt he even took me one percent seriously since I was crying like a fucking baby. Eric knelt down in front of me. "If you actually want to be fine come with me to the medic. Erudite just came up with an experimental drug to heal bones ten times faster than normal." I looked from his light blue eyes to over to Abby. "Your sister will be fine." He said as he stood back up. He held out his hands again. I looked at his hand then back at him. I groaned then tried to push myself off the bleacher. The pain shot across my side and I gasped in pain causing more tears to roll down my cheeks. "Okay come on," he said then threw one of my arms around his neck and one of his arms going under my knees and the other to support my back. He picked me up bridle style and the contact with his chest and my ribs caused a bit more pain then me trying to stand up on my own. "Everyone break for breakfast while I take Twin One to the infirmary!" he called. I looked over at my friends and saw concern over their faces.
"What happened?" My sister ran over to us.
"I'm taking her to the infirmary come if you want," Eric said and started walking with me in his arms. Abby ran ahead and held the door open. The three of us made our way to the infirmary. Every move Eric made had me nearly screaming in pain. The fact he was also touching me didn't help either. It wasn't as bad if his bare skin was touching mine. Eric had a lot of bare skin showing but thankfully I was covered. Once we got to the infirmary Eric sat me down on one of the beds and went to get a medic. I wrapped my arms around myself trying not to cry out or just cry period. Abby placed her hand on my back.
"What happened?" she asked me. I looked up at her as more tears soaked my face causing me to have a headache.
"I'll give you one guess," I said half sarcastically. Abby frowned and then sent over a glare over at Eric.
"No the other one," I told her. Abby looked back at me; it was obvious she was more than just pissed off.
"What did he do?" her voice sounded almost lethal. Just as I was about to tell her Eric had come back with a medic. The medic was just as tall as Eric but he had dark brown hair and eyes and a tattoo going up the side of his neck and one of a snake wrapping its way down his left arm. He wore combat boots with black skinny jeans tucked into his boots and a black short sleeved shirt that had the words 'I look fucking good today' across the front. The shirt was tight fitting on him and he was built more like Four than Eric. He looked like he would be the same age or a little younger than both Four and Eric. He also happened to be really attractive.
"Can you tell me what the problem is?" he asked as he gave me a half smile.
"I think one of my ribs got refactored." I looked down breaking all eye contact with him.
"Okay well I'm going to give you the test drug," he told me. "Now this hasn't been tested yet but it should heal you pretty quickly." I nodded and I ran a hand through the back of my hair. I looked up at him just as he was filling a syringe with a greenish liquid. He gave me a quick smile and I looked immediately back down. "So you two are the Amity twins." I looked up as he gave my sister a quick glance.
Yup Amity all over again, I looked back down at my hands in my lap.
"So which one of you is dating my cousin?" he asked. I looked up again and he was smiling at me. "Is it you?" he asked.
"That would be me," Abby said as she was raising an eyebrow at the guy.
"Stop flirting with my initiates," I looked up at Eric and I noticed how tense he looked and how he was glaring this guy down. I frowned lightly, does Eric hate everyone here?
"So are you seeing anyone?" he asked me. I blushed hard and shook my head. I looked up quickly to see him smiling. "Are you shy or something?" He asked me with a… flirty smile? Eric snorted at the question. I shook my head. He scowled lightly. "Mute?"
"No," I said quietly and quickly. The guy just smiled.
"I'm Zack by the way." He set the syringe down along with the small vial.
"Zed," Zack smiled and nodded.
"That's a nice strong Dauntless name." I smiled lightly and looked up at Zack fully. "Can you lift your sleeve for me?"
"Yeah sure," I pulled up my sleeve over onto my bicep and he took my arm. I flinched as I felt his warm soft hands touch my bare skin.
"It's okay," he smiled "This shouldn't hurt at all," he told me.
"It's not the needle," looked away, "I'm not a big fan of being touched."
Yup and here comes the why the hell would I want to be with a chick that I can't touch look. I looked up just as he injected the serum into my arm. He looked up at me and smiled.
"Personally I'm not a big fan of needles." he set the empty syringe down and aimed his smile at me. "If my mom was here she would say maybe you just need to find the right person."
HOLY SHIT DOES HE NOT CARE?! Eric cleared his throat and the three of us looked at him.
"I'd like her to get some rest while she's here. When you feel well enough return to training." Eric left without another word. Abby wore a confused looked as she turned back to me.
"You going to be okay if I leave for breakfast?" she asked cautiously.
"Yeah I'm feeling better already," it wasn't a lie either. The pain was dulling down fast and I was feeling extremely exhausted both from lack of sleep and the run… and the crying… and the shit tons of pain. Abby nodded and gave me a quick hug.
"Love you as much as the ever expanding universe," she told me.
"Love you as much as the ever expanding universe." Abby let go of me and left giving me a quick smile.
"Well," Zack spoke up. "I'm going to get food as well I'll be right back with some for you too. If you need anything there are a few other medics running around here." Zack gave me a quick smile then left me alone too. So there I was just sitting there feeling sleep calling my name.
Eric did say get some rest, I thought. I looked back at the door then my arm where Zack at touched me. I could still feel his hand on me. They had been warm and smooth yet strong hands that almost reminded me of Eric's but they were different somehow. I touched the place Zack's hands had been. Kind maybe? I don't know. I leaned my head back against the raised bed and closed my eyes.
Aw sleep the only touch I'll ever truly except till death touches me herself, Morbid but true. I woke up, with what felt like two second later; as my pain started returning. Well it mainly felt more like a massive discomfort than actual pain. I opened my eyes and tried to sit up. I groaned lightly as my ribs begged me not too.
"I thought you would be half a sleep right now." I looked up to see my medic walking in with two plates of food.
"I was," I told him and I brought my knees into my chest. I winced at the action but it wasn't bad as it used to be. Zack set the plates down on the hospital bed table and moved it tell it was set in front of me. "I hope you don't mind company." He said and sat at the foot end of the bed.
"Not at all." I smiled.
"I forgot to ask what you wanted so I just got pancakes and a couple pieces of fruit," he told me.
"Bacon?" I raised an eye brow at him.
"A couple of pieces," he told me and pushed my plate to me. I looked down at my food to see my breakfast smiling at me. I smiled and looked at him. "I don't know how that happened," he shrugged. "It must think you're pretty," I smiled shyly and blushed. "So what rank are you at right now?" he asked as he bit into a piece of toast.
"I'm just barley over the line," I told him as I took a strawberry and bit into it.
"Not bad," he nodded. "You'll get better but the second stage is pretty rough though and that's where it really matters."
"What is the second stage?" I asked him.
"I'm not supposed to say but they put you through your fears." I picked up a piece of bacon and started nibbling on it.
Right Will mentioned something called a fear sim. Great of Four or Eric notice that Abby is aware she's dead… Christ! How the hell do you even know when someone is aware anyways?!
"So are you feeling any pain?" he asked me and gave me… okay it still looks like a flirty smile.
"Just a little discomfort," I told him. Zack nodded
"Not surprised Erudite designed it to also be painless," Zack nodded then shrugged. "But you never know." I let out a small yawn and rubbed my eyes. I was still hungry but I think I was tired even more. "I'll let you finish your breakfast and then you get some sleep. Zack got up and left me alone. I looked at my once smiling pancake and blushed lightly.
Pretty wow! I'm used to everyone called Abby that or mom saying I was pretty. I finished my pancakes then laid back and closed my eyes. Sleep came for me quickly and I welcomed her embrace.
Oh! Zack could this be a love interest for Zed? Well you have to find out on your own.
So I've been going back trying to fix my mistakes (yes especially the Fallows). Next time if you catch a Fallow tell me what chapter so I can go back and fix it.