AN: Thanks for the reviews everyone! (A guest reviewer mentioned that this sounds like Nikita. I don't know what Nikita is, so if this is similar at all, it is by coincidence.) Anyway, this had to be one of the best chapters to write! I hope you all enjoy this interpretation of the book's events :)
Chapter 8
"How do you feel?" Christina asked the next day.
Tris had been lying still in bed for five minutes after the morning alarm had gone off. She had slept badly, having be plagued with nightmares, most of them involving Peter attacking her.
"Sti-," she started to say, and then thought better of it, not after what Peter had taunted her with the day before. "Sore."
"I would think so," Christina replied. "How about you take your time getting ready, take some of those painkillers you got from the infirmary last night, and I'll bring you some breakfast."
"I don't know," Tris said slowly. "I don't want people to think I'm weak, or giving up."
"Oh, for goodness sake, you turned up to training right after being beat up," Christina said dramatically. "You're coming to class today. You're not weak, Tris Prior."
"Then I'd like a bagel and some orange juice," Tris said with a grateful smile.
Twenty minutes later Christina returned, as Tris was gently stretching out her tender limbs.
"You'll never guess what's happened!" Christina exclaimed, setting Tris's food down on the dresser.
"I don't suppose I will," Tris replied with a grin. "Tell me."
"Joan left! She pulled out last night and has gone home, for good," Christina shared animatedly.
"Really?" Tris said, genuinely surprised. "That's awful."
"I guess she decided she wasn't keen on being beaten to a pulp for a living," Christina said wryly.
"So I guess she took a dose of that serum they mention, and they slotted her back into her old life, as if nothing had happened," Tris mused.
"I guess so," Christina agreed. "Come on, eat your food, and let's get to the training room."
They made their way to level 9, Tris trying her best to walk normally, wincing with most movements.
"How long before the painkillers kick in?" Christina asked sympathetically.
"Hopefully no more than five minutes," Tris replied. "I'm starting to feel better, getting the blood flowing."
"Good, it'd suck if you had to have your first weekend here ruined," Christina remarked. "I can't wait to just relax for even a little while."
Tris just nodded, trying to gather herself for their coming training session.
"Hey, I forgot to find out what Four said to you after we all left yesterday!" Christina exclaimed. "You were asleep already when I got back from dinner."
"He just wanted to lecture me on taking the time to heal when injured," Tris replied evenly. "He seems to get a kick out of telling me all that I'm doing wrong."
"Yeah, he's a real tyrant," Christina grumbled.
Not always, Tris added silently. And even then, he's not really tyrannical. Just…fierce, or something.
In their final fight session for the week, Tris was paired with Myra, a fact that greatly relieved her.
Will didn't have to fight, thanks to there being nine recruits, instead of ten, with Joan gone.
"We don't train on the weekend," Four said at the beginning of the session. "I would strongly encourage you to try to spend at least an hour each day in the gym though. Today, we're hand-to-hand fighting again. Monday will be our last session of doing this. Your ranks will be announced in the evening after dinner. These will be posted on the noticeboard on the same floor as your dorms. They will also be sent to you on your cells."
The session passed by fairly uneventfully, everyone still subdued from the day before, especially with the departure of Joan, and Four's warnings fresh in their minds.
Peter of course could not resist whispering, "Stiff," a few times with a nasty look at Tris as he passed her around the mat during the morning.
Tris took care to prepare for Myra, willing herself to forget her injuries.
Their fight did not last long, Tris determined to do something to hopefully redeem herself in the rankings. Rankings were essential to succeeding and graduating to be a Dauntless agent, and Tris desperately wanted to achieve that goal.
"Before you head off to lunch," Four added at the end of their session, "We're not doing target practice this afternoon. We're doing something a little more practical."
He seemed to have a lightness in his tone, indicating that what was to come was a good surprise, not a bad one.
"So, meet on level 15 directly after lunch," Four instructed.
There was much speculation among the recruits about what they would be doing after lunch.
"We probably have to fight lions," Al said pessimistically.
"It's not as bad as all that," Christina said breezily. "Cheer up, it's almost the weekend!"
"We should all definitely do something fun tomorrow," Will agreed. "Let's check out the movie rooms, find something to watch."
They made casual plans to meet after lunch, leaving the morning to do things like check in with their parents, keeping their covers stories afloat. Plus, most of them really were looking forward to having some time to speak to their families. Most hadn't left behind a lot of friends, Dauntless picking recruits who didn't have many relationships to hold them to their old lives.
"How are you feeling, Tris?" Al asked considerately.
"Not too bad really," Tris replied with honest ease. "Actually, pretty good, you know."
The others looked sceptically at her, she did look a little worse for wear. However, the combination of painkillers, getting the blood flowing, winning a fight – even against Myra – and the adrenaline linked with their coming surprise training session, had Tris feeling pretty good.
As they made their way to level 15, it appeared as though Eric's recruits were going to level 15 too.
They stepped out onto level 15, into a foyer area.
Four and Eric were both standing there. Behind them was the rest of the level, seemingly completely blocked off, the entrance through a single doorway.
It took a few minutes for all of the recruits to assemble, and Four and Eric waited still and silent.
"Attention," Eric barked sharply. "Legacies, and newbies, you will be training together today."
Christina and Tris exchanged a meaningful glance and eye roll at this description. Eric's recruits were obviously the 'legacies' and they were the 'newbies'.
"We will be engaging in a session of capture the flag, laser tag style," Four informed them. "We will break up into two teams – with Eric and me as your leaders. You will be picked one by one."
"Before we begin, you will be outfitted in special vests, and given laser guns," Eric continued. "Your vest records when you are hit by another recruit. You as an individual will receive a score from today, and each team will get a cumulative score."
"Today is a test to see how well you can apply your target practice in a field like situation. Each team has a base, where their flag is kept. The objective is to steal the opposing team's flag and get it back to your base," Four explained. "If you receive several hits, a hit that would for example, kill you, or wound you seriously, your vest will stop your moment, and you will be out for a minute or so."
"We will be playing across two levels, this level, and level 16," Eric added. "These two floors are designed specifically for this style of training. There are many and varied objected to hide behind, to shield yourself from enemy fire. There are two flights of stairs that are to be used to travel between the two levels – there are no elevators in play."
"Before play starts officially, you and your team will decide on a base, and put your flag securely there. If you are wise, you will also use this time to strategise," Four said unsmilingly. "A siren will sound three times in quick succession, signally we have started play. We will now pick our teams. Eric and I will first pick from my recruits, then his recruits."
"Peter," Eric said quickly, and unsurprisingly.
Peter sauntered to stand on Eric's side of the room.
"Tris," Four said clearly, surprising everyone, including Tris.
So, either he wants to teach me another lesson, or maybe he wants to keep an eye on me, Tris mused, moving to stand with Four.
"Edward."
"Will."
"Molly."
"Christina."
"Al."
"Drew."
And so on it went.
"And I guess that leaves Myra with me," Eric said in a bored tone.
The legacies were then picked, Tris noticing with interest that Four picked Uriah. Also among their team members they had a pretty girl called Marlene. She was vivacious, excited energy flowed from her.
As they put on their vests Uriah said teasingly to Tris, "So, I guess we'll get to see what you're made of. All we know now is that you bruise pretty easily."
"Four picked her first, so she must be good for something," Marlene pointed out, her words sounding a little less than complimentary.
Their words made Tris realise that this was her chance to stand out, to prove herself. She was a pretty good shot, she was smart, she was fast and fit, and people tended to underestimate her. She was determined to do well, better than well. It was time to stop thinking, to stop questioning, and just do. No one would question her place in Dauntless anymore.
Four led his team into level 15, with Eric taking his team to level 16, to start from there.
The room was dimly lit, their vests stood out, designed to do so in the lighting.
The expansive area had various formations all through it, at varying levels, as Eric had mentioned, with plenty of options for hiding their flag.
"I guess Four has a thing for runts," Uriah jabbed, looking around at their team.
"I guess that makes you a runt too," Will retorted.
Tris looked around. Four had picked the slightest of the recruits. She knew however, that Will, Christina and Uriah (judging from his quick wit), were all smart. She decided Four was going for brains over brawn. Eric had obviously picked the strongest looking team.
"Shut it," Christina ordered. "Let's make a plan. There's no time to waste."
"Four, are you going to give us any help at all?" Marlene asked, smiling beguilingly at him.
"I'll give help where it's necessary, Marlene," Four said shortly. "I'd like to see you lot show some direction for starters."
This prompted the entire team to talk at once, shouting their ideas over the top of each other.
Their time wasting irritated Tris, and it occurred to her that they didn't have their flag yet.
She walked away from her rowdy peers and stood next to Four.
"Can I have the flag?" she asked quietly.
He looked at her with a smile, and handed to her.
"Cart before the horse, hey?" he said, sounding more like a friend than her instructor.
Tris nodded, too focused on her goal to spend time figuring out which version of Four she was with.
Just do, she thought.
Tris looked around the room, and quickly picked out the highest spot on the floor.
It was built up above many of the other climbing, and varying semi levels, with a high panel that would be good to hide behind. Hopefully, there would be a secure hiding spot for the flag up there.
Tris moved off, eager to find out.
She moved quickly, knowing that the siren would sound at any time, and Eric's team would be after them.
Her team mates did not notice her departure.
Four of course had, and Tris realised that he had decided to follow her.
He wasn't stopping her, so she just kept going.
They weaved through the obstacles in the room, Tris moving lightly on her feet.
They moved from semi level, to semi level, picking their way up to the top platform.
Once there, Tris stopped, and surveyed the area from their new spot.
"What are you doing?" Four asked quietly.
"High ground," Tris answered. "This way, they have to come to us. Some people can guard the flag, with the advantage of the high ground. There's a good panel here to hide behind too."
"Are you planning on informing your team mates?" Four asked in amusement.
"I'm kind of enjoying the fact that they're still arguing," Tris replied with a grin.
Tris looked around, looking for the best place to hide their flag.
She noticed a vent, high up in the wall, and an idea struck her.
"Boost me up," she said suddenly.
"What? Where?" Four asked, looking surprised.
"Up there. If you boost me onto the highest panel next to the wall, I should be able to tie the flag into that vent," Tris explained. "Come on, quick! The siren will go off soon, and we need to be ready."
"Fine," Four agreed quickly. "But be careful, the ledge on top of that panel looks narrow."
Four boosted Tris up, and she scrambled to get a holding and heave herself up onto the ledge.
Once up, she edged her way along, as fast as possible, and reached the wall quickly.
She tied the flag around the vent quickly, and then grinned down at Four in triumph.
She thought she he was looking at her, impressed. She didn't have time to decide though, for the siren sounded, three loud blasts, coming from a speaker right next to the vent.
Right next to Tris's ear.
The noise startled her badly, and she lost her footing on the narrow ledge, slipping and falling.
She waited the ground with a sickening thud, but it never came.
Four had caught her, strong arms securing her to his chest.
She opened her eyes, chest heaving with quick breaths and looked at him.
He was staring at her too, an unreadable expression on his face.
She smiled sheepishly at him, and he set her down, her body sliding a little down his at he did so. She could feel his toned body underneath his uniform.
"At least it's in a good spot," Tris said, shrugging.
"At least I caught you and your neck isn't broken," Four retorted, but not stingingly. "Look, the others have been startled out of their stupidity by the siren. Why don't you call them up here?"
Tris stuck her head up over one of the panels and whistled.
Her team mates looked up, and she beckoned to them.
They came at a run, knowing that Eric's team could be anywhere.
They arrived, short of breath, and a little pissed off.
"What are you two doing up here?" Christina asked crossly.
"Hiding the flag, and finding a great position to defend it from," Four told her coolly. "You should thank Tris. Without her, you'd all be screwed."
The others looked a Tris with a mixture of respect and irritation.
"Half of us should guard the flag, the others should try to find the other flag," Tris suggested, ignoring their looks.
"Who died and made you in charge?" Drew said rudely.
"Nice to see you're volunteering to guard the flag," Four said authoritatively. "Will, Marlene, you stay with him too. Tris has picked a spot with good panels to hide behind, and your opponents will have to come to you, making it easier for you to shoot them."
Tris looked at Four, grateful that he was backing her up. With his help, she was on her way to convincing her team members that she was capable, that she was Dauntless material. It appeared that Four believed that she was. Maybe he always had, and he was just waiting for her to believe it. Regardless, he seemed to be on her side.
"The rest of you, you're with me. We're going after Eric's team, and their flag," Four commanded. "Let's get out from here, before they can make their way through and see us coming down."
They followed Four's lead, running from concealing panel to panel, laser gun poised and ready to aim if necessary.
"Will they have made their base on level 16?" Christina asked, once they were on the base level of the floor.
"They have to," Uriah supplied.
"That's right," Four affirmed.
"So, which stairwell should we try to access it from?" Tris asked.
"I think- ," Christina began, but Tris cut her off, answering her question herself.
"We should use the door furthest from where our flag is," Tris decided.
Christina was looking at Tris like she wasn't sure who the commanding girl in front of her was. Gone was the weak girl of the last couple of days. Tris just hoped Christina could deal with the change, because Tris liked the feeling of power she was experiencing. She had control over herself, which allowed her to exert control over the situation.
"Right," Four agreed. "We can't know which stairwell they'll be coming down, but we should go to the other end of the floor. If we're attacked, we want them to at least think they're looking in the right spot."
They ran for the other end of the room, and approached the stairwell in a few minutes.
Tris moved to go in first, but Four put a hand on her arm, stopping her.
"Let me," he said. "I'll go first. All of you, follow me down. I'll try ward off enemy fire, if there is any. If any of us are hit, and immobilised, continue on. We'll meet up again, the area isn't that big."
They entered the stairwell behind Four, guns at the ready. Four moved stealthily up the flight of internal stairs, the others shadowing his movements.
They encountered no one in the stairwell, and made their way quickly out onto level 16, diving for cover.
"Where to now?" Christina asked in a low voice.
Four looked at Tris, waiting for her to answer.
"Let's go further in, and see what we find. We need to get to somewhere near the middle, so we can see where to best place to go from there is," Tris decided.
With that, Tris began moving forward, making her way between concealing panels and obstacles.
A minute or so later they came under fire, Tris first noticing their opponents when a laser beam hit the panel right next to her.
She ducked, calling, "Enemy fire!"
She and her team mates took cover, and returned fire.
Tris fired rapidly, ducking around her panel, trying to shoot at the members of the other team.
Suddenly, a queer sensation filled her, and her vest gave a little shudder, and she realised she'd taken a hit.
"Get behind me," Four muttered, making a quick move to stand in front of her, having seen her hit. "I'll cover you."
"I can handle myself," Tris insisted.
"We don't need you immobilised now," Four retorted. "Just do what I say."
She let him, and took the opportunity to survey their surroundings.
"We need to make a run for the highest point on this level," Tris said, her voice low and close to Four's ear. "There's no way we can beat them otherwise."
"Right," Four agreed. "Christina, Uriah, here!"
The four of them headed off, Four and Uriah covering the girls, immobilising their opponents as they did. There were only two of them.
"Must have been scouts," Uriah suggested.
They raced to the high ground, encountering no one.
"Boost me," Tris commanded Four once again.
He hesitated, then said, "Uriah, you spot Tris while I lift her. Christina, you're on look out duty."
Once up, Tris quickly scanned the floor, spotting the enemy base way off in a far corner of the food.
"There, I'm pretty sure I can see a guard, and their flag, way off in the farthest corner," she said.
"Just one guard?" Christina mused. "And backed into a corner?"
"Stupid," Uriah muttered.
"Don't be so sure," Four said warningly. "Eric may be a brute, but he's still a highly ranked agent. We were in the same recruit class."
"What was he ranked?" Christina asked curiously, as they paused for a minute, after letting Tris down.
"He was second," Four answered.
"And you were first, weren't you?" Tris guessed. "That's why he doesn't like you, and is always trying to best you."
"Yes," Four said simply. "Let's get going. Eric won't have left the flag unguarded. Quite the opposite. If he's chosen to leave in a corner, then it's very heavily guarded, starting from quite a way out. We'll need to take down each member of the other team to get a chance at their flag. I'm guessing only a couple of them have gone after our flag. They think they're all bigger and stronger, and will overpower us easily."
They moved out, making quickly for the far corner, still taking care to cover each other, and hide behind convenient panels.
As they got close, they started to receive enemy fire, growing steadily as they returned it.
Tris kept pressing forward ahead of the others, getting a better position, and making a couple of shots that immobilised two of the other team.
Four took out another, and they moved closer.
"We need to get these others down now, before they're able to move again," Tris commanded.
She rushed forward, taking Edward out with a shot to the centre of his vest, stopping him in his tracks.
Suddenly, a girl was before her, a legacy, and Tris had nowhere to duck.
She was shot twice in the chest area of her vest, and could not move.
Four cursed and took the other girl out with a couple of quick shots.
He stood next to Tris, covered by a panel.
"Uriah, Christina, go on ahead, there must only be one or two left. Take them out and get the flag," Four instructed.
"You need to go too!" Tris insisted.
"No, I need to stay here, and make sure none of the rest of them get to move again and try to protect their flag," Four retorted. "And I have to see that nothing else happens to you."
Tris huffed, but did not protest. He was right, and she knew it.
As soon as any of the other team moved, Four hit them again, dead centre of the chest, stopping them immediately.
Tris felt a little jolt go through her, and realised she could move again.
"Come on," she said, grabbing Four by the arm. "They must be at the flag now."
They reached the corner just in time to see Christina hoist the flag above her head.
They had won, and the lighting level returned to a normal brightness.
Tris had done everything to ensure their win, and had been denied being the one to actually grab the flag. Now she would just be the immobilised girl who got left behind and missed the finish.
AN: So, what did you think? :) Thanks for reading!
(I'm posting pretty much every 5 days, but if I get ten reviews on any chapter, I'll post as soon as the 10th review is up :))