I don't know how to feel. There is something there; something I can't comprehend. I want her to be safe, and I want her to be happy.

But at this moment, she doesn't look happy. And I can't guarantee her safety. Eric has made sure of that. Everyone is on a level playing field, where each and every one of them have to fight to remain in Dauntless. I can't help her now. As much as I hate to admit it, she's on her own.

I sigh, averting my gaze. I can't look at her with such indifference; it makes me feel sick to my stomach. After everything that's happened between us over the last few days, I can't pretend to be a stranger to her anymore. I don't want to.

I turn my back to the initiates and busy myself in neatly rearranging the chalk pieces sat at the base of the board. It's been almost five minutes; and not everyone has returned yet. My hands tense at my sides involuntarily.

I tell Eric I need to use the bathroom quickly; after all, the nine o'clock cut off does not apply to me. I exit the gym swiftly, not looking back as I dash into the communal bathroom located just outside of the gym.

I need a second to catch my breath.

I look at my reflection in one of the mirrors situated above the sink. Every instinct within me reprimands me for doing so, screaming at me to look away. I guess it doesn't matter how long I've been away from Abnegation. My upbringing will always be a part of me, whether I like it or not. The dark circles beneath my eyes look darker than I remember them to be. My cheekbones look much more prominent on my face, too. It's easy to see that maybe I haven't been looking after myself as well as I should have.

I take a deep breath, splashing cold water from the tap on my face. Pull yourself together, Tobias.

I take another moment before leaving the bathroom. I pause at the entrance to the gym, taking one last deep breath before heading inside. You can do this, I tell myself, you're strong enough.

When I enter, I notice that Eric has already divided the initiates back into their teams. Nobody speaks; they all sit side by side, in complete silence. It's almost unsettling.

I quickly count the amount in each team. Eric's team now has one less than mine, when yesterday both teams were equal. Someone didn't make it back in time.

Without saying anything, I walk over to my team. None of them look at me. None of them except for her. There's a defiance in her expression, determination to prove herself. She seems stronger than she had been before. But I suppose that's what fear can do to a person. Fear of failure will surely make one more determined to succeed. Especially when there is so much to lose.

Very slightly, I allow the corners of my lips to raise into a smile. So slightly, that I'm sure nobody sees. Except for her. Her expression softens in response.

Eric speaks then. There's a maliciousness to his tone. "As you can see, we have already lost one member. A dauntless born, at that. Maybe now you'll get it into your thick skulls that this is serious." He pauses for a moment, but still, nobody dares to speak.

His expression is one of amusement. It makes me want to punch him again.

"So, enough of the formalities," he says, gesturing to me. "Four, since your team now has one more person than mine, you can choose someone to go first."

I don't look away from Eric as I say her name. "Tris."

Eric's smile widens. He nods approvingly. "I see," he says, "getting the weak ones out first, are we? Good tactic, Four."

I press my lips together, my hands balling into fists at my sides. It takes every fibre of self control within me to stop myself from answering back to him. I can't tell whether he's trying to get a reaction out of me, or if he simply still believes that Tris is weak.

Either way, it makes my blood boil.

"So, slight change of rules from yesterday" Eric continues, seemingly unbothered by my lack of response. "Tris will pick someone from my team to answer a truth or dare, and then that person shall ask Tris afterwards. Then a different person is picked, and the same continues. This way, everyone will get a chance to prove themselves."

I nod. This makes more sense than the same people choosing one another, as what happened before. I turn to Tris. "Go ahead."

Tris takes a deep breath. "Peter, truth or dare?"

Peters expression hardens. "Dare. Do your worst." His voice is laced with venom.

Tris smiles. "Very well. Peter, I dare you to…"