The past day-and-a-half have flown by in a flurry of bullets, punches, kicks, and sweat. Although the misfits have only been practicing what Tobias and I taught them for two-and-a-half days, I have noticed some minor improvement with everyone except for Zoey and Olivia but for markedly different reasons. Zoey is small and frail and doesn't have a lot of control over the handgun or power behind her punches or kicks but Olivia just plain doesn't give a shit, and I'm still trying to figure out what she's doing here. The remainder of the transfers are progressing as expected except for Grant and Brody, they are at a completely different level than everyone else. I look forward to a bout between the two sometime in the future. It will be close.
We gained another initiate after Tori, Will, Harrison, Tobias, and I talked about Murphy's breakdown during weapons training on Tuesday. Tori and Will wanted her kicked out immediately but the rest of us thought she deserved a second chance after listening to Dr. Shaw's assessment of her condition. I had Zander call her for a consultation since we trust her. After a long, heated discussion, the others agreed to Tobias taking responsibility for Murphy's training. Although she still sleeps with the Dauntless-born, she does her training with the transfers. She works a couple hours on target practice then talks to Dr. Shaw for the remainder of the morning and rejoins us after lunch for fight training. The psychiatrist thinks this transition period might be easier for her if she spends it with new faces.
Tobias and I have been going straight home after we pick up the kids from daycare and practically passing out. I had no idea that spending the majority of my day in the training room watching initiates train could be so exhausting. We've been pretty useless. We basically feed the kids, spend a little quality time together as a family, and then go to bed. Sex hasn't even crossed our minds since the night Tyler's bad dream interrupted us. Thankfully, he hasn't had a repeat nightmare, and Tessa is finally feeling better. She's even sleeping through the night again. I'm not sure I could have continued getting up every three hours and still function during the day.
Tobias and I each grab a couple slices of sausage, green pepper, and onion pizza in the cafeteria and head up to his old apartment, which is still vacant so we can eat and have a little alone time. I'm sure he has something else in mind but after I eat the cheesy deliciousness, I promptly fall asleep in his arms. He wakes me what feels like two minutes later telling me it's time to go.
"I let you sleep as long as I could," he says from the living room as I use the bathroom. "We have to get back to the training room. Are you alright with me making the pairs?"
"Sure," I say, shutting off the lights and stepping out into the hallway. He takes me by surprise when he pushes me up against the wall and kisses me passionately.
"Mmm," I murmur. "You taste good." He must have brushed his teeth. We let our tongues slowly dance until he groans and pushes away from me.
"What I wouldn't give to take you back in that room, rip off all your clothes, and make you scream my name … four or five times," he says with his mouth pressed up against my ear and every inch of his body pressed against me, sending a shiver through my suddenly heated body.
"Don't tease, baby," I say, suddenly feeling weak in the knees.
"Tonight? If we're not too tired?" I enthusiastically nod my head at him.
We're the last ones to make it to the training room but it's still a couple minutes before 1:30. I feel a sense of pride knowing that the misfits are listening to us. Tobias heads towards the faded black punching bags, and the transfers follow closely behind him silently. The air suddenly chances becoming dense with equal parts apprehension, fear, and excitement as we await the first practice fights to begin. My eyes scan the transfers who are standing on either side of the big green chalkboard that hangs on the wall to the left of the fighting ring, nervously watching Tobias as he writes the names of the fight pairs.
Olivia – Zoey
Ana – Bethany
Sadie – Sam
Faith – Alec
Grant – Jesse
Kevin – Brody
Murphy
"Since there is now an odd number of you, one of you will always sit out since no one person will be made to fight twice in a single day," I say. "Murphy, you get the reprieve today." I could be mistaken but I think I see relief in her eyes.
"I'd like to go over some rules with you so listen carefully," Tobias says. "You are not allowed to strike your opponent whether it's with your fists, feet, knees, or elbows in the neck, spine, genitals/groin area, sternum/breast area, or in a joint such as the elbow or knee."
"The fight is over when your opponent is unable to continue, if you concede to the fact that you are no longer able to continue, or if Four or I stop the fight," I say. "Remember, we aren't teaching you this to be brutal. You are taught this to prepare your bodies for battle. Olivia and Zoey, you're up first."
Zoey, who is a good five inches shorter than Olivia confidently marches to the middle of the ring, which just recently had a new thick mat installed, with her head held high. Olivia hesitates by the other transfers, nervously gawking at her opponent like she's staring down an Amazon warrior instead of a petite little transfer from Erudite. This should be interesting.
"Olivia," Tobias growls, causing her to jump. "We don't have all day. Get in the ring." She inches out onto the mat and stands there looking terrified. Zoey takes a step toward her, and she recoils like a shrinking violet. Zoey's face twists with irritation and disgust.
"Hands up, girls," I instruct. They both put their hands up in the defensive manner they were taught yesterday. Every time Zoey lunges at Olivia, she dances out of the way. I have to admit that she has good footwork. Finally, Zoey's fist connects with Olivia's jaw, knocking her off her feet. She quickly scrambles back up, which surprises me and throws a couple punches Zoey's way but they don't land because she's scrappy and fast.
I look over the initiates who have their eyes glued to the ring. I'm starting to see the faction lines blurring. Sadie and Ana are huddled close, whispering about what's going on in front of them, calling out from time to time in support of Zoey. Bethany and Sam have really taken to Alec. They are sitting against the wall, Alec in the center hanging on every word the girls say. Kevin and Murphy have struck up an unlikely friendship based on their mutual broken hearts. His girlfriend of one-and-a-half-years is still back in Erudite. She doesn't pick until next year. He said he'd wait for her but the night before the Choosing Ceremony, she told him that she would more than likely never leave her faction and told him to be happy. I think he'll be good for Murphy, at least that's what I'm hoping. The others are sticking close to who they know best. Brody and Faith worry me. I think they could be wonderful Dauntless members but they seem to be holding themselves back, not embracing this new life. Grant and Jesse are side-by-side rooting heavily for Olivia. They are thick as thieves, and when I asked Christina if she knew them in Candor, she told me she knew who they were but never had any real interactions with them. She also mentioned that they remind her of Peter, Drew, and Molly, too but with one exception, she thinks Olivia is their equivalent of him.
I return my attention to the fight going on in front of me, surprised that it's lasted this long. They've both landed some hard punches but if I were to score this fight, it would hands down go to Zoey. They continue circling around each other, throwing an occasional punch when suddenly Zoey lands a basic one-two punch, which knocks Olivia out. She falls to the mat like a felled tree, and Zoey kneels down beside her, frantically patting her cheek, trying to get her to wake up.
"Grant, Jesse, take Olivia to the infirmary and come right back," Tobias says when she starts to show some sign of life. He walks over to the chalkboard and circles Zoey's name, indicating that she's the winner. "Up next, Ana and Bethany." Sadie and Zoey give Ana a high five before she heads to the middle of the ring where Bethany is already waiting for her.
"You ready for this, Beth?" Ana asks.
"Not in the least," she murmurs with a nervous chuckle. Their fight starts off much like the first one did. They circle around each other, throwing an occasional punch, groaning, wincing, and moaning the entire time. I move to stand beside Tobias, and he looks down at me. He narrows his eyes then disappears out the door. I wonder what that's about. A minute later he comes back carrying a chair.
"Sit," he says. "You look exhausted."
"I'm fine," I say. He looks at me sternly and eyes the chair. "Fine." I sit down and instantly feel better. "Thanks." We watch the ring for 20 more minutes until Ana holds her hands up and says stop.
"I can't take anymore," she says, breathing heavily. I'm surprised she lasted as long as she did against Bethany who is just a bigger girl than she is. It was really good for a first bout.
After circling Bethany's name Tobias says, "Sadie, Sam, your next." The banging door captures all of our attention, and we watch as Grant and Jesse walk back into the training room just in time for the next fight. I momentarily wonder what took them so long but my thoughts are interrupted when Sam knocks Sadie unconscious with her first punch. Tobias and I look at each other. "That's the quickest fight I've ever seen." Sadie stirs long before Olivia did.
"Do you need to go to the infirmary, Sadie?" I ask. She's looking around extremely confused.
"Wha … what happened?" she stammers. I get up and stand before her.
"Look at me," I say and she does what I ask. I look into her eyes and see something I don't like. Her pupils are dilated. "Bethany, Zoey, will you walk Sadie to the infirmary? Then come right back please."
"Okay, Tris," Bethany says.
"Come on, Sadie," Zoey says.
"I'm fine," Sadie says, swaying a bit.
"Trust me," I say. "You need to have a doctor look at you. Your pupils are dilated. That's a sign of a concussion."
"O-Okay," she says, looking worried now.
"Get going," Tobias sternly says. "Faith, Alec, get in the ring." While he circles Sam's name, he says, "I don't want to have to tell you all again." I watch Bethany and Zoey help Sadie out of the room as I sit back down. Faith and Alec finally make their way into the ring. Before she crosses onto the mat, Brody squeezes her shoulder in a show of support. Alec stands in the center of the ring looking much like a fish out of water. This fight should be interesting.
"It's Alec, right?" Faith asks and he nods. "Try not to think of me as a girl. Think of me as just another initiate. Okay?" They both maintain a defensive stance then slowly circle each other. Faith gets several solid punches in then attacks his midsection with her knee when he finally takes her advice and starts fighting back. So far this seems like the most evenly matched bout. They go at each other for nearly 20 minutes before we see Faith start to take the upper hand. I think it's his lack of stamina that's going to be his downfall but I honestly don't see him conceding the match, she's going to have to knock him down.
"Faith, take him down," Brody calls out after we've watch them scrambling all over the mat for another 15 minutes. She rears back and hits him in his exposed left jaw, knocking him to the mat. He's not out but he's certainly dazed.
"That's it," Tobias calls out. "I think you've both had enough." He circles Faith's name on the board.
"That was a good match," Faith says, holding her hand out to Alec, helping him to his feet. "Once you started hitting me, that is." They smile at each other and start laughing, then wince and hold their ribs.
"Up next, Grant and Jesse," I say. I watch as Faith and Alec each grab a bottle of ice water as Grant and Jesse enter the ring, whispering to each other. I look at Tobias, and he has the same skeptical look on his face that I know I'm wearing. After they've circled each other for a minute or two I yell out, "Anytime now, boys." Neither one can hide their disdain for me but Jesse throws his first punch, hitting Grant in the midsection. It didn't look like there was a lot of power behind it. I think Zoey throws a meaner punch. They spar for a few minutes before Grant knocks Jesse out cold. By the look on his face, he didn't mean to. The look actually reminds me of Al when he knocked out Will. This kid is all over the place or maybe my first impression was wrong. Grant enlists Alec's help to drag his unconscious friend to the infirmary without having to be told. Yeah, maybe I've misjudged him.
"And for our final fight of the day, Kevin and Brody," Tobias says after he circles Grant's name. I look at the clock and find it's not even 4:30 yet. Part of me hopes that this fight is a quick one because Tobias and I made the decision to let them go immediately following the last fight. I sit watching Brody dominate the bout when I receive an email from Zander.
"Olivia will be released after a couple more hours. She has no serious injury," I read off the message. "Sadie has to stay overnight for observation. She has a mild concussion. He says he'll let us know in the morning if she'll be late. He also recommends she doesn't fight during the next wave of practice matches. Jesse just arrived and will be held for a few hours for monitoring but he has no head injury."
"Sadie's condition sounds troublesome," he says. "Maybe we should stop in and check on her before supper."
"Sounds like a plan," I say. I turn my attention back to the ring and really can't believe Kevin is still standing. He's not as strong as Brody but he's just as determined to win this fight as his opponent. They keep dancing then tangling then dancing in a consistent pattern. Hhm, I think I know what Kevin is trying to do. Brody seems to rely on his brute strength, and I think Kevin's trying to tire him out. If this works, I think Tobias and I will have underestimated him. After 10 additional minutes, Brody figures out what Kevin's doing and shuts him down with a single punch to his right jaw. He stumbles back and falls to the floor. He puts his hands up in surrender and says he's done.
"Grant, Brody, please take Kevin to the infirmary to be checked out," Tobias says. "Everyone else, you are free to go for the day. Be back here at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning."
"Have a good night," I say. He transfers the winner's names to the permanent file then we head to the infirmary.
"How do you think they did for their first fight?" he asks.
"I think they all did well with two exceptions," I say. "Do you think Sam got in a lucky punch with Sadie?"
"Honestly, it happened so fast I'm not sure my eyes were on the ring," he says. "What about Olivia?" He says her name with disgust. Since I pointed it out, he too has noticed her constant ogling.
"I'm trying to figure out why she picked Dauntless," I say. "She seems better suited for Amity."
"I've been thinking the same thing," he says, laughing at my statement.
"I know we're not going to share the simulation data anymore with Erudite but should we expect the initiates aptitude test results for their files?"
"Yeah, they should be here within the week," he says.
"I can't wait to see what faction she got because I'm certain it wasn't Dauntless," I say. "If she doesn't start trying, I say we eliminate her even though we aren't making automatic cuts. Her lack of effort is annoying." Not to mention the way she undresses my husband with her eyes every time she sees him. I want her gone. As we're entering the infirmary, Zander is coming out.
"Hey guys," he says. "How are you?"
"We're good," I say. "Just checking on our initiates."
"They'll all be released soon enough, except for Sadie," he says. "She took a nasty punch."
"That she did. It was a bit of a shock," I say.
He looks at his watch and says, "I better go. I'm meeting Stella, and I don't want to be late."
"We'll see you later," Tobias says.
"Bye, Zander," I say. When we reach the waiting room, we ask the new intake nurse which room Sadie is in. We're surprised to see Ana and Zoey already sitting on the bed with her when we reach her room. I knock on the doorjamb, and their mouths drop open when they see us standing here.
"Tris, Four, come in," Sadie says.
"We wanted to check and see how you're doing," Tobias says. "Dr. Parrish said you took quite a hit. How are you feeling?"
"Embarrassed mostly for being knocked out on the first punch," she says, her cheeks slowly turning pink before our eyes.
"It was a lucky shot," Zoey says. "You'll be fine the next time."
"She's right," Ana says.
"Other than embarrassed how are you feeling?" I ask.
"I have a headache, and I'm tired but the doctor said I shouldn't sleep," she says. "Other than that I feel fine."
"That's good," Tobias says.
"We'll go now," I say. "We just wanted to check on you. We'll see you three tomorrow. Have a good night." We leave the infirmary and head straight to the daycare center to pick up the kids. When we arrive, Zander, Stella, and Zane are getting ready to leave.
"We meet again," Zander says with a chuckle.
"I was just getting ready to call you," Stella says. "We're off tomorrow and taking the kids to the park. Zane asked if Tyler could come along." Zane looks up at us with expectant eyes.
"I'm sure he would love that," I say.
"How about we take him overnight. It's been ages since they had a sleepover," she says. "As a matter of fact we could take Tessa, too, and give you guys a night off."
"I don't know, she's been sick," I say, looking up at Tobias.
"It's fine with me if you're okay with it," he says. I think about it for a moment.
"Okay," I say. "How about we bring them over after supper?"
"It will be nice having them over. You all are like members of our family. We'll see you later."
"Okay," I say.
"Come on, Zane," Zander says. "Tyler and Tessa are coming over later."
"Yeah!" he says. "Bye, Four. Bye, Mrs. Four."
"Bye, Zane," we say at the same time. After waving goodbye to our friends, we go through the door and are immediately greeted by one of the teachers.
"Tyler's in the playroom and Tessa's napping," she says. "I'll go get her." She goes into the quiet baby room and comes back out with a still sleeping Tessa cradled in her arms. I gently take my baby girl and put her up to my shoulder, rubbing light circles on her back wanting to keep her asleep. Tobias brings Tyler out of the playroom. Before we leave the Pit, we decide to eat at home tonight.
"Can we have tacos?" Tyler asks when we're about half way up the path.
"That sounds really good, and we have some taco meat already prepared in the freezer," Tobias says. "That will make for a quick supper. You know Zane and his family are going to the park tomorrow." We haven't told Tyler that he's going with them yet. He looks up at Tobias with a wounded look on his face.
"When can I go to pawk?" he pouts.
"Do you want to go tomorrow?" I ask.
His eyes light up and he says, "You take me to pawk?"
"Zander and Stella are going to take you to the park," I say. "And you're going to stay overnight tonight with Zane. Does that sound fun?"
"Yeah!" he says then his face falls. "You be with me?"
"No, Mommy and Daddy have to work," Tobias says. "We're sorry."
"When I leave?"
"We're going to take you and Tessa to Zane's after supper." He frowns when he hears Tessa is going along but surprisingly he doesn't complain.
The minute we get home Tobias takes the taco meat out of the freezer and starts fixing our supper. I sit down with Tessa who is now wide awake and ready for her supper also. Tyler gets a picture book all about shapes, colors, and counting off the book shelf and sits at my feet looking at it. I hear him say red circle, blue triangle, and green rectangle over and over, and I swell with pride. He didn't even know his shapes or colors when he came to live with us. What a difference a few short months have made. When Tobias finishes making the tacos, he calls us to supper. He lifts Tyler up into his booster seat, and I sit next to him. I eat while Tessa nurses because the couple slices of pizza at lunch didn't hold me over, and Peanut and I are both starving.
"You better slow down," Tobias says and I look at Tyler who is frowning. He doesn't seem like he's eating too fast. I question Tobias with my eyes and he says with a grin, "I was talking to you, love." Oh!
"Sorry. I didn't realize I was eating that fast," I say. "Help remind me that pizza is not enough. Peanut is not very happy with me at the moment. I swear she's throwing a temper tantrum. She feels like she's stomping her feet. It's the only way I know how to describe it."
"You got it," he says. "Do you want anything else?"
"Pudding," I say, knowing there is leftover pudding in the refrigerator.
"Chocolate or tapioca?" he asks.
"Both," I say. I took a chance last night and mixed them and I loved it. I gave Tyler a small bite, and he made the funniest face when he tried it and refused any more, and Tobias wouldn't even take a bite, commenting under his breath about the unappetizing color.
"Coming right up," he says with a turned up nose.
"Can I have chocolate?" Tyler asks.
"Sure, buddy," he says. He clears our dishes and puts them in the dishwasher then pours us each up a bowl of pudding. I savor each bite wondering if I only like this combination because I'm pregnant or because it's really good. I decide not to dwell on it but to just enjoy it. When I'm done, I hand Tessa to Tobias so he can spend a little time with her before we go. I pack her diaper bag and a small overnight bag then text Stella that we're on our way. It doesn't take too long to get to their apartment. The minute the door opens Tyler runs off with Zane. I hand Tessa over to Stella after giving her a few kisses and receiving a wide gorgeous smile in reply.
"She just ate and will want another bottle around midnight but then she should sleep all night," I say then I call out, "Tyler, Mommy and Daddy are leaving." He comes into the living room and straight to me. I give him a hug and a kiss then watch as Tobias says his goodbyes. "You be good for Zander and Stella. Have fun and be careful at the park tomorrow. We love you."
"I love you, Mommy," he says giving me a second hug then he kisses my belly. "Bye, baby."
"You're a sweet boy, Tyler Aaron," I say. He smiles and returns to Zane's room.
"I don't rate," Tobias mutters as he follows after Tyler to say goodnight.
"If you need anything from us, just let me know," I say.
"We will," Stella says. "Go. Have a good night."
"Thanks," I say as Tobias comes back into the living room from Zane's room. He holds his hand out to me, and I take it then he helps me get up off the couch.
When we're in the hallway Tobias turns to me and asks, "What would you like to do tonight?"
"I think there's a can of whipped cream in the refrigerator with our name on it," I say with a seductive smile. His eyes darken as he gazes down at me then shifts slightly like he remembers something.
"I think I have an even better idea of how to spend our evening," he says, a sly grin unfurling on his lips. "We'll need some paper, a pen, and a bowl." I furrow my brows at him trying to figure out what he's up to when it comes to me. I stop in my tracks, halting him. He looks down at me, confusion evident in his sparkling eyes as a grin splits my face.
"Naughty Candor or Dauntless?"
"That's right, love. Naughty Candor or Dauntless."