Snapping back to the present, I begin to make my way through the crowd in the Pit. I feel out-of-place, and inquiring glances meet my eyes even though I am dressed in my Dauntless clothes. Is it that obvious that I don't belong here? Has Erudite changed me that much? Steeling myself, I walk to the elevator door at the far end of the Pit, not meeting anyone's eyes. Trying to walk tall, I disappear behind the doors as they slide shut.
The silence in the elevator is deafening, and I completely zone out as I make an effort to regather myself. The loud DING signaling my arrival at the hospital floor startles the shit out of me. Mentally, I try to calm my racing heart as the doors slide open into the sterile, grey environment. A familiar figure turns around at the sound of the elevator doors.
"Adelaide!" Max greets me warmly, embracing me in a big hug. I grin.
"That's DOCTOR Adelaide to you, sir," I retort, stepping back from his hug and surveying my surroundings. The reception area is sleek and tasteful, done in varying shades of charcoal grey and black. A large desk spans half of the room, wrapping in a semi-circle around the pretty receptionist tap-tapping away on the keyboard with her raptor claws. The overstuffed chairs look comfortable, and it dawns on me just how exhausted I am.
"Would you like a tour?" Max inquires, startling me out of my daze. I nod, and we walk over to the huge double doors to the right of the desk. We step into a hallway, also done in shades of charcoal and black, and start down the long tiled floor. The tour seems to fly by. Operating theaters, exam rooms, wards. Pretty much the standard for any hospital, and it seems well-equipped. We come to a halt in front of a towering steel door. "This," Max says, "is where we keep your supplies. The orderlies and I have taken the liberty of ordering everything I think you will need, but you may want to take inventory and see if you need anything that I may have missed."
I push open the door into the largest supply room I have ever seen. Boxes of gloves, bandages, syringes, gauze, medicine, and various other equipment line the large room. Glancing around, I notice a checklist hanging by the door. I eagerly grab the clipboard and begin comparing the list to everything on the shelves, counting each and every box. I have no idea how much time passes; I don't even notice that Max has disappeared, until I hear a sharp rap on the door.
"Yes?" I say irritably, as I have just lost count of the pill packets I was inventorying. The door pushes open.
"Adelaide," Max starts, "I want to introduce you to one of Dauntless' leaders. He will be accompanying you on any external missions you may have, for your safety and extra security." I feel my lips press into a line, indignation rushing through me. I don't need "extra protection." I can take care of myself. I open my mouth to speak, but before I can say anything, he walks through the door.
He is tall, at least 6'4", and has rippling muscles, bulging against his tight black Dauntless jacket. His hair is still that flaxen blonde, close cropped on the sides and longer on top. He has tattoos covering his neck in blocks, and the studs in his ears and over his eyebrow glimmer at me menacingly. At first, his eyes are steely and cold, but as his gaze meets mine a light of recognition warms them, and he looks how I feel. Startled.
"Eric," I say, almost a whisper. His eyes flash, but he says nothing. Max looks between us for a moment, and then speaks.
"Eric, this is Dr. Bousquet. She is going to be Dauntless' primary care provider, as well as resident specialist and surgeon."
Eric's eyes have gone steely again. He nods tersely at me, then says to Max, "I need to get back to the initiates." And with that, he turns on his heel and is gone.
What the fuck?