#factionbeforeblood

“Excuse me?” Newt asked. “Everything has gone to plan Mr. Newton. Although we expected more of you to give up along the way.” She looked at her companion and removed the hood from his head. It was as if Thomas’ eyes wanted to retreat back into their sockets. It was Gally. Every Glader’s breath in the room was sucked back and shortened.   Heat and anger filled his cheeks and he clenched and balled his fists. “What’s he doing here!” Minho shouted. “You’re safe now,” the woman responded as if she hadn’t heard him. “Please, be at ease.” “At ease?” Minho barked. “Who are you, telling us to be at ease? We wanna see the police, the mayor, the president—somebody!” Thomas was worried what Minho might do, then again, the thought of the woman getting punched in the face was close to comforting. Thomas kept his focus on Gally, trying to find eye contact. The kid looked strange, like he was in a daze as tears unwillingly dripped down his cheeks. The woman went on to say what a contribution the group made to the advancement of the world, and how their work was greatly appreciated. What was said was not clear in Thomas’ mind, all he heard was a muted hum of his own heartbeat quickening as his eyes stayed glued on Gally.  “They … can control me … I don’t—” Gally’s eyes bulged, a hand went to his throat as if he were choking. “I … have … to …” He almost looked as if he was being controlled. Gally reached to his right back pocket and pulled out something shiny and silver. It was a dagger. Everything that followed went by in a blur. The dagger came hurling towards Thomas. He heard it pierce skin, so he patted himself down, checking his body, but he was not the one hit. Chuck, his dear young friend, had taken the hit. Blood oozed from the wound, and Chuck moaned and groaned in pain. A waterfall’s worth of tears filled Thomas’ eyes and pressure came in to his head. All he could feel was hate.

WICKED took Chuck from me. Gally killed Chuck. WICKED. Gally. They killed Chuck. This refrain kept echoing in Thomas'head.

“Someone get help! Chuck please don’t die, stay with me please Chuck, come on buddy, you’re strong. Please!” Thomas said, but Chuck still wouldn’t answer. His eyes started to blink shut. “Thom…Thomas,” he could barely make out the name. “Thomas… Find my mom. Tell her I…” With that, without even finishing his last sentence, he died.

With a ragging outcry, Thomas lurched out at Gally, jumping out on top of him straddling his body. Thomas felt the death of Chuck, and Alby, and even Ben, who he didn’t even like. He felt every unexplained inquiry he’s ever known, since the Box, since the maze, and every barely lingering and faded memory all in one moment. He used that angst to fuel each punch, left and right and right and left. He squeezed down on Gally’s throat until he was purple in the face. He didn’t care, it was Gally’s fault Chuck was dead. Whatever part Gally was playing in this, it didn’t matter, he had to be gone.

“Stop you’re killing him! Tom– Thomas!! You’re killing him!” “IT’S HIS FAULT CHUCK’S DEAD. HE KILLED HIM!” “Please Thoma—” Newt and Minho rushed to Thomas’ side and pried his hands off of Gally. Thomas fell back onto the cold floor and wept. Minho walked over to the woman and spat in her face as she trembled with fear. In that moment a team of rescuers burst into the room. They were dressed in all black, with pockets running down the sides of their uniform jackets, they each had a band of identification with a symbol of a flame. They charged into the room and barricaded down the doors leading to the outside. One of the rescuers in front shot the blonde woman in the head and she fell to the ground. The rest of the group surrounded the Gladers and started pulling them outside. All of a sudden there were gunshots coming from helicopters labeled WCKD that surrounded the building, the rescuers pulled the teens onto their own helicopters that were on standby. Thomas stumbled back trying to keep his eyes on Teresa making sure she was not falling behind.

“Buckle up and rest up kids, we’ve got a long journey ahead of us.” said one of the masked rescuers, when they boarded the aircraft.

Newt nudged Thomas, “Whats next Tommmy?” He replied, “I don’t know man,  I don’t know, let’s just try and rest. Newt and the rest of the gang nodded in agreement. Thomas looked at the logos engraved into the roof of the helicopter as it took off. A hand holding another as if it was lifting up, was engraved in gray, an eye engraved in blue, a fire engraved in black, a tree engraved in orange, and a pair of scales that was black and white. Thomas didn’t know what those meant, but for now it was time for his first night’s sleep in what felt like a life time. 

Beatrice Prior

Beatrice Prior sat in the audience of the Choosing Ceremony without a single expression on her face. She thought of what faction she should choose. She looked to her left slightly at her brother Caleb who was fidgeting with his thumbs. Beatrice wondered what he would choose, would he choose abnegation–The faction of her birth? Would she? He told her that morning to “think of the family” what did that mean? Was he going to defer? Beatrice blinked and shook those thoughts out of her head. Her heart pounded as Jeanine read the name of each candidate off of her list.

“Bryan Pratt” Jeanine called.

Beatrice knew that her name would be soon or even next. She knew her responsibility to her parents, especially with the level of scrutiny that her family was under, with her parents being apart of the government. But this was her choice, it was the biggest moment she would ever undergo and this was her time not to be selfless but to actually choose for herself.

“Caleb Prior” Jeanine called.

Caleb chose Erudite, his mother and father looked with shock, how would this affect their family’s reputation? Their own son, Beatrice’s own brother, siding with the woman who attacked their faction with countless accusations.

Beatrice tensed up at hearing her brother’s name called; she would be next.

“Beatrice Prior”

Beatrice looked around as if she did not even recognize her own name. She looked around the sea of colored clothing of all the other attendees sitting under their faction’s section. All of the eyes in the room shifted to her as she stood up to approach the stage. She walked down the steps of the bleachers towards the platform and with each step she could feel the weight of her decision weighing down on her.

In front of her were 5 bowls, representing the five factions, on a tray in front of the bowls rested a silver knife and a cloth. Beatrice picked up the knife and made a slit within the palm of her hand and squeezed it so that blood would start to ooze out. She held it in the air as she tried to decide which faction would she choose.

Watching the red of her blood start to seep over the lines of her cut, Beatrice flashed back to her time with Tori in the testing room, where her results were inconclusive. She remembered her results for abnegation, erudite and dauntless. She remembered her Caleb’s advice to “think of the family”. She heard Jeanine’s words echo in her ears about how this would be our individual decision.

Beatrice took a deep breath in, held her hand over the abnegation bowl, and quickly shifted it to dauntless. Her blood sizzled in the bowl of burning coal.

Her family looked on with shock and disbelief. Caleb gave her a nod in salute to her choice and wished her well with his eyes. Her fellow dauntless cheered and roared in excitement.

“A stiff transfer? Wow, that’s something you don’t see everyday!” some loud mouthed kid from Dauntless exclaimed.

Beatrice took one final look at her parents still seated in the Abnegation sector, one glance at her brother with his new faction, and took a seat in Dauntless.

Thomas

The rising sunlight started to peer through the dusted helicopter windows. Thomas blinked open his eyes as the sun seeped through the bottom of his lashes. He turned to look at Theresa, who was still sleeping along with the rest of the gang, and he sighed. Everyone looked to him for leadership, but little did he know what would be in store for him now. The blades of the helicopter slowed as it descended towards the ground. Murmurs of “Dude, where are we? and Thomas, what’s happening?” filtered throughout the belly of the aircraft. The rescuers in black lead each of the gladers off the helicopter and transported them by train to a large building. Thomas looked at the outside again, wondering about what those strange symbols meant that he kept seeing everywhere.

“Ay mate, why is everyone here dressed in different colors?” Newt questioned the rescuers dressed in black.

No one answered. Honestly, Thomas didn’t know the answer. Maybe the colors of the symbols had to do with their clothing…Thomas thought to himself.

“Alright initiates, welcome to Chicago. Due to your maze trials, you will be entered into Dauntless as initiates. Do what you’re told and live by the rules. Forget what you knew before. You’re Dauntless now.”

All eyes shifted to Thomas.

Chicago? Dauntless? Initiates? We were just in a maze and now we are being trapped again? Are we safe now? Is this how life is outside of the maze? What about WCKD? What role did they play in this? Series of questions filled Thomas’ mind, but all he had to do now was be brave and wait.

Beatrice Prior

“Welcome to your new factions. You will be trained in the faction of your choosing. This year unlike any other we will have guests from outside the wall be entered as initiates in dauntless."Jeanine said, as murmurs scattered throughout the building. No one had ever gone or came from outside of the wall in centuries. "No questions at this time please, you will not question our methods, everything we do is for the greater good of our society. These new comers will join Dauntless as initiates and will be placed under the same process as you. Thank you for your time and congratulations on your choice. Good Luck to you all. Dismissed.”

Suddenly, a group of teenage boys around Beatrice’s age were pushed into the ceremony room. They mingled into the Dauntless line as they ran out the building, down the stairs and out into the city square. Beatrice looked at the boys, strong, and filthy with raggedy clothes as if they had been through a war. The Dauntless born climbed up the building supports leading to the train dock. Beatrice had seen them do this before in her earlier years, so she ran up the sides, ran to catch the train, and jumped on.

Thomas

Of course, another blonde authority figure, this is all too familiar… Thomas thought to himself. The rest of the gladers all filed into the clump with the other dauntless and they ran outside. Frypan hesitated from running with the group and shouted, “Minho, Thomas, where are we going!?” Thomas answered, “Just run with the group, heck I don’t know.” The boys and Theresa ran with the crowd, climbed up the metal support standards for the train, chased it, and ran on.

“Thomas…” Teresa whispered and gave him a worried look. Tightly packed in the train Thomas looked back at her and took her hand reassuringly and whispered back, “Everything’s going to be okay, I don’t think that they will hurt us.” She nodded, and they both looked forward.

Thomas noticed a small blonde girl sitting on the floor of the train, out of breath, dressed in gray clothing. She sat next to a dark skinned girl who appeared to be her friend. Her friend was dressed in black and white. I’ve got to know what these clothes mean. Thomas thought to himself. The girl in gray looked up at him, cracked a half smile and Thomas did the same.

“Thomas! These shanks are jumping!” Cried a voice from one of the gladers. Thomas looked outside and it was true, the rest of the dauntlesswere running and jumping out of the train and onto the gravel roofs of brick buildings.

“Alright everybody pair up, get ready to jump.” Thomas said. He took Teresa’s hand, ran to the back of the train, and on the count of three, they ran, jumped, and tumbled onto the roof.

After catching his breath and making sure the his friends were okay, they joined the rest of the dauntless that were surrounding a man.

“Alright listen up. I’m Eric. I’m one of your leaders. If you want to enter Dauntless this is the way in. And if you don’t got the guts to jump, then you don’t belong in Dauntless.”

Thomas’ eyes shifted to the boy to his right, dressed in blue, as he asked, “Is there water at the bottom or something?”

Eric replied, “I guess you’ll find out…or not. Somebody’s gotta go first. Who’s it gonna be?”

Thomas looked around in the group of kids, he certainly did not want to be first. Then again he looked at the scrawny blond girl, dressed in gray, something about her, made him curious. Was it that she was the only one dressed in such plain attire? Was it her unassuming presence that still seemed powerful…? He didn’t know, but he kept a close distance to her.

Then she did something that shocked him.

“Me.” She replied to Eric’s taunt.

All of the gladers along with the dauntless looked at each other left and right with open jaws. The rest of the kids in the clump dispersed, making a pathway for her to walk through.

She walked up to the ledge of the building, peered over the side to see the bottom, got on the ledge, and jumped.

Beatrice Prior

Beatrice looked over the building as some of the dauntless mocked her plain abnegation clothing.

“Be Brave”

She jumped.

Before Beatrice knew it she had hit a mesh net. She caught her breath and was picked up by a muscular dauntless leader, tall, incredibly handsome, and about two years her elder.

“What, you get pushed?”

“No” Beatrice replied still catching her breath.

“Whats your name?”

“B—” Beatrice stammered as she looked into his eyes. They were fierce, yet he also presented calm and kind.

“What is that a hard one? You can pick a new one if you want but make it good, You don’t get to pick again.” the leader said.

“Okay, uh–My name’s Tris.”

“First Jumper: Tris,” The boy announced to the other dauntless standing by as they cheered for her.

“Welcome to Dauntless.”

Tris looked around at the Dauntless compound.

A manly shriek came from the sky as another boy fell from the building. It was the boy from the train. The one that had noticed her.

Another leader welcomed into Dauntless and rushed him out of the way so that the next jumper could go.

“Hi, I’m Thomas.” the boy said with a nervous tone.

“Hey, I’m Tris.”

Thomas cracked another smile.

“So where are you transferring from, I don’t recognize your faction’s clothes.”

“Faction..uh..oh yeah right. Me and my crew are uh…apart of the new program I guess…transfers from beyond the wall.”

“Huh, Interesting” Tris replied. “No one has gone in or out from the wall in centuries.”

She saw the expression on the boy’s face change. Nudging him she said, “But hey we’re all new here, A stiff– first jumper. and an outsider–second! Not too shabby my friend.”

Stiff? Man, I thought our glader slang was weird. And friend. I like the sound of that. Thomas thought.

“Ha, so uh… do you think you could explain this faction thing to me?

"Sur–” Tris attempted to reply but was cut off by the leader boy who helped her off the net.

By this time the rest of the imitates had joined the group and surrounded Tris and Thomas.

Thomas

“Dauntless-born go with Lauren, Transfers, stay with me. Most of the time I work in intelligence but during your training, I’ll be your instructor. My name’s Four.

"Four? Like the number?” The girl in black and white interrupted.

“Exactly like the number.” Four responded.

Thomas could tell this was not a dude to mess with.  

“What happened, 1 though 3 were taken?” the girl said sarcastically.

Four pivoted and walked forcefully towards the girl.

“What your name?” he said.

“Christina.” she replied with attitude.

“Well, Christina, first thing you will learn from me, If you want to survive here, keep your mouth shut. Do you understand me?” She nodded yes.

“Good.”

Thomas took a step back as if he was trying to make himself smaller and blend into the group, which was difficult considering his tall and broad stature.

Four then told the group to follow him. The dauntless compound reminded Thomas of the rustic unkept walls of the maze. The group walked down a long staircase of iron steps and their boots echoed against the steel walls. Thomas and Tris lead the line of initiates down a long tunnel into a high ceiling room that Four introduced as ‘The Pit’. “Its the center of life here at dauntless.” he said. Dauntless covered the floor of The Pit like ants.

Next, Four let the group into their sleeping quarters.

“You’ll be sleeping here for the next ten months.”

“Girls or boys?” a boy dressed in blue said.

“Both.” Four replied. Slight cheers came from the male initiates. The gladers cheered the most though, for it’d been a long time since they seen girls in that setting.

“Yo, this is sick. Teresa isn’t the only hot piece in here.” Minho said with a laugh.

“You guys are pigs.” Christina said while shoving Minho.

“If you like this, you’re gonna love the bathroom.” Four replied with a smirk.

Thomas looked at the open and exposed toilets and showers that were organized in rows, it was a definite improvement from the maze, but still.

“Alright, this concludes this crappy tour. Shower. Get changed. Bring your clothes to the fire pile. Dinner’s in an hour.”

“You hear that mate, shower and clothes and dinner. An actual meal. Don’t mind if I do, ay.” Newt said. Thomas looked around at the rest of the initiates and thought to himself that maybe, just maybe everything would be okay now. Everyone called ‘dibs’ on a bed and so he took the next one available. Tris called the bunk to the right of him and Minho to the left.

Frypan was the first to strip and turn on the shower water. He was so thrilled to feel hot water again. Gradually, Thomas made his way over to the showers, the warm water almost felt unnatural to him since it had been so long. He looked at the floor as a pool of water and blood ran into the drain. He felt sick to his stomach, was that Chuck’s blood. Was that all he had left? It was too late now, that last piece of him was gone.

Laid on the top of his bed was a jacket and pants with a dark red shirt. He changed, keeping his head down, trying not to make eye contact with the rest of the kids.

“Hey Tris.”

“Hey.”

“So uh the factions…this whole society and systeming… what’s the deal with the colors.Basically explain everything please.”

“Uh, okay. Society is divided into five faction, which is why you see large groups of people dressed in similar clothing. Each faction places value on a specific virtue. We spend our whole lives trying to focus on that specific value. There is abnegation, my former faction, who focuses on being selfless and helping others. We wear gray, well they wear gray in order to mask themselves and not draw attention to themselves. They are trusted with running the government because of this attitude, my parents are on the board. Amity values peace, they also take care of our farming and food supply for all of the factions. Erudite values knowledge, they wear blue. My brother deferred there. The leader of Erudite is that blond woman you saw at the end of the closing ceremony. Candor values honesty…everything is very black and white there. And this is Dauntless. We value bravery over everything. Through the rumors I’ve heard, you guys are equivalent to  dauntless-born because of your "trials” whatever that means… Anyway, at sixteen everyone must go to that building you were dropped off at today in order to take an aptitude test. A hallucinogen is given to each candidate, and the results of the test are used in order to determine which faction you should be in. But, it is up to you to decide which faction you belong in. Unless well…you’re you…I don’t really know how you guys and girl really fit in…because you are transfers from the outside you’ll still be trained with those of us who deferred. I don’t know if this is helpful but, that’s all I can think of. Sorry.“

"Wow…that’s uh…alotta information Tris, thank you for that. I think that I get it. I’ll fill in the rest of the gladers.”

“Gladers?”

“Yeah uh that’s kind of what we were called where we were from… and hat’s another really long story with a lot of incomplete answers…”

“Oh, uh tha–thats okay. So who are your friends?”

Thomas pointed to each of his friends, gave a brief description, and thanked Tris again for catching him up to speed.

“Come on you bloody shank stop your flirting, hurry up, I’m hungry.” Newt yelled to Thomas. Thomas jogged to the cafeteria along with Tris and Christina.

Tris

The rest of the initiates flooded into the lunch tables and began eating. Tris looked around the cafeteria wondering where she would sit. The rest of Thomas’ friends had already taken a table hostage and were digging in. Thomas stayed behind with her and Christina to chat, so there was not a lot of available seating.  

“Maybe we should sit here?” Tris said as she gestured to a table. She spotted Four sitting by himself at the end of the table. Why didn’t anyone want to sit with him…is he that intimidating? Hey, pull it together girl. You’re dauntless now.

Christina sat next to Tris and Thomas sat across the table on the other side next to two other faction transfers. Thomas dug into his food with out a single blink as if he hadn’t eaten in ages. Everyone else soon followed. Tris eyed the hamburgers that were there, in abnegation there were no hamburgers. Even from this small thing Tris realized how different this faction really was.

“Have you never seen a hamburger before?” Christina mocked.

“Pfft–no I’ve seen one I’ve just never eaten one.” Trish shyly replied.

“Abnegation eat plain food. A plant based diet with no sauces and a minimum of seasoning.” The boy seated next to Thomas said.

“Who’s textbook did you swallow?” Christina said with a laugh and flirty smile.

“Nice to meet you too, I’m Will. Erudite.” Christina smiled again after learning his name. Tris looked back at her food, trying to just get through the meal.

Christina interjected again saying,“ I’m surprised abnegation even eat at all.–Too selfish right? No wonder you left.” Christina chuckled.

“You gotta be pretty confident to be friends with a Candor…” Will said with his mouth full.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You have no filter, you say the first thing that comes to into your head.” Will proclaimed.

“You mean like you’re an idiot?” Another boy at the table said jokingly.

“Nice one Al.” said Christina.

Tris tried to remain quiet and observant trying to stay in the moment and remember all of the names that she had learned today.

“Hey, at least we’re honest.” Christina declared.

“Erudite can tell the truth ‘cause we have the facts.” Will snapped back. Tris replied with an “Oooo he got you” and was interrupted with from a voice to her right. It was Four.

“I don’t want to hear about your old factions. You’re dauntless now.” Four said with a firm voice. Tris really couldn’t figure out this guy, one minute he was lifting her off a net and sarcastically making a joke, then he was exercising his authority so strong he resembled Eric.

Tris finally spoke up asking, “Where you a transfer too?…Or Dauntless-born?”

Four was taken a back, as if he was surprised that she had asked. He looked at her, and shook her head saying, “Are you kidding?”

“No.”

Will took a long long sip of his drink he just had to add to the awkwardness.

“What makes you think you can talk to me?” Four reluctantly responded.

Tris stammered for words and then finally spoke up.

“Maybe it’s because you’re so approachable.” She said with an eye roll. Thomas snickered at this, and finally looked up from his plate. After a long pause Four said, “Careful.” and took a long swig of his water. Four was then pulled away from his meal after one of his fellow dauntless leaders came bringing some news to his attention.

“You my friend, have a death wish.” Christina said with a pat on Tris’ shoulder.

“You know he was first in his class? They tried to recruit him for Dauntless leadership twice but he said no.” Will said cautiously.

“That was uh, really cool Tris.” Thomas said in a low voice.

“Thanks…OH guys, this is Thomas, he is uh from the outside, those are his friends over there, and they are joining us here at Dauntless as initiates in the new program. Dispersed welcomes and cheers emanated from the table.

"Sounds like just another person to try and knock you guys down on the ranking list. ” A boy named Peter chimed in as he nudged his companions Molly and Peter. Ignoring Peter, Thomas introduced himself.

“Where you from? How is it on the outside? And don’t lie (I’m a Candor at heart) and I will know.” Christina said.

“Oh uh, its a long story…I’d rather not talk about it, but isn’t that what we’re all here for? Choosing something new, and moving on…” Thomas said nervously, desperately trying to change the subject. “Uhh..I’ll drink to that!” Tris said, seeing Thomas needed an out, raised her glass and gave a toast to beingdauntless.

All of a sudden, the room became silent as a dark tall man walked into the room.

“Hello, I’m Max. I am one of the dauntless leaders. You have chosen to join the warrior faction, tasked with the defense of this city, and all of its inhabitants. We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, and the courage that drives one person to stand up for another. Respect that. Do us proud.” The dauntless-born started banging their cups, and cheering as they celebrated their faction and the days to come. The dauntless born lifted up the initiates so that they were surfing the crowd and cheered them on.

These kids are kinda crazy. But this was my choice.  Despite the test results and the trials to come…I’m finally free. Goodbye Abnegation. Hello Dauntless.

Thomas

Thomas snuck out from under the excitement and gathered his friends around him in the corner of the room. “Heyguys” he said. “So that was pretty crazy right.” “Yeah um, could you tell us what the bloody heck is going on here?” Newt said annoyed. Thomas tried his best to relate what Tris had told him to his friends.

“So what, hold up. We are in a strange city. Behind yet another wall. Being placed under more trials and 'training’ so that we can prove yet again more points to some authority that couldn’t give two klunks about us? Nah man. Shuck it. I say we run. Who’s with me?” Minho said.

“Slim it Minho! Look around. You were in the maze way longer than I was. Was there food, a proper bed, clothes, and better yet girls? I don’t think so. Lets say we do run. Where would we go? At least here we do what they tell us, we advance in the training and do some actual good of being able to protect a city of people. Do I trust these Dauntless people yet? Not. But when you think of our odds this seems pretty good to me. Did I mention the 3 meals a day part?” Thomas clapped back.  

“Alright alright. I got it dude, I just don’t like being the greenies here, I’ll cool it.” Minho said releasing his defenses.

“Alright is every one in agreement? Say aye.” The rest of the group chimed in.

“And another thing, we are no longer in the glade, we are Dauntless now.” Teresa pulled Thomas by the hand to the side so that they were in private saying, “Are you sure about this Tom? We don’t know anything about these people.”

“I know, but for now I needed the guys to believe in something. We’ve all spent too much time not believing in anything, now we have something new.”

“And what’s that?”

“Hope. Hope Teresa. Hope is the only driving force we’ve had. Hope is what got us to keep trying new methods to get us out of the maze. Hope is what’s going to get us through whatever these Dauntless leaders have us doing, hope in a bright and peaceful future… I know I asked the guys before, but I need to ask you. Are you with me?”

“I’m with you Thomas.” she replied reassuring him.

Thomas nodded in agreement. “Now, what we have to do is be brave.”

Teresa nodded, squeezed his palm and left to return back to the dorm. Thomas stood in the middle of the floor looking at the now empty cafeteria. He sighed with relief and began walking back towards the dorm.

You did it Thomas. You came into a new place and led a group of trapped people out of a maze. You hoped. You believed. You did it. You are brave. You are now dauntless. Said a woman’s voice in his head.

“Lexi.” Ivy came from behind, slinging her arm over my shoulder. “You made second place this week. You simply have to drink two shots. It´s tradition!” Rolling my eyes at their obnoxious behavior I looked across the room, meeting Dante´s amused gaze. He was watching me, not paying attention to his friend who was talking to him, occasionally sipping on his beer. The first few buttons of his shirt undone you could just see the outline of his hard chest, taunting me with images of the night before and I couldn’t wait to repeat that specific experience.

After leaving the training room he had taken me to his flat, continuing where we´d stopped inside the shower before falling into bed, dreamless sleep overtaking me immediately wrapped in his arms.

 I only threw him an exasperated look. Sighing deeply, I picked up the glass downing the two in rapid succession. Grimacing at the burn I gestured for the bartender to hand me a beer, knowing they all would leave me be as long as I had a drink in my hand.

Ivy and Avery cheered loudly, throwing their arms into the air as they danced around looking a lot like little monkeys, the shots they downed already taking effect.

 It was one of those stupid dauntless traditions that we had to drink the number of shots that we had achieved in rankings and that every single week.

They had been announced today and after two weeks of initiation, I made second place, not having lost any fights while simultaneously being a good shooter and great climber. Only Marc had been better, his opponents more skilled and therefore harder to defeat.

Not that I cared, it was still the beginning and I would get him somehow.

Ivy made fifth, Avery eighth and Owen came in right behind me.

Why everyone made such a huge fuss about the rankings so early in initiation I had no idea, but everyone had insisted we´d go celebrating.

Even my lovely instructor.

 So here I was, wearing a too tight dress and too high heels not even wanting to get drunk since then Dante would refuse to touch later.

And I had plans.

Nude plans.

 Putting them to action, I grabbed the wrists of both giggling girls dragging them onto the stuffed dancefloor, where I let go. Starting to sway my hips to the beat I turned my head, once again catching Dante´s gaze, his eyes visibly darker as he tightly gripped the neck of his bottle.

Laughing at his expression, I faced Avery who was crouched down, not worried about flashing the guys around her as she started to twerk. Or at least that´s what she tried to do.

 Shaking my head at her terrible dance skills, I lifted my hair up, reveling in the feeling of air meeting my overheated skin as I moved to the beat. Letting the strands flow through my fingers I closed my eyes, losing myself in the music.

That was until two rough hands sneaked around my waist, pulling my back into a broad chest. Opening my eyes my gaze was instantly drawn to brown ones that didn’t look overly happy.

Biting my lip, I thought about teasing him a little but I took mercy on his poor soul, trying to suppress my grin as I skillfully wormed my way out of the arms of a strange dauntless, throwing him a little wink before disappearing into the crowd.

 In less than a minute I had wormed my way through the throngs of dauntless and was outside the club, taking a deep breath of the fresh cool air as I slowly walked towards the entrance of a hallway, my hand trailing over the cold stone. It was dark, only the solar-powered lamps illuminating my way, my heels clacking loudly on the floor.

 Not hearing the hurried steps following me, the hard body that collided with mine before I was pushed up against the wall startled me even though I had anticipated it.

Longed for it.

Running my hands through his hair I smirked at Dante, wrapping my legs around his waist.

“You´re such a little tease.”

 Tilting my head, I quickly pressed my lips to his before pulling back again, proving him right. Groaning, Dante followed my movements, his lips glued to mine but he stopped short, his gaze drilling into mine.

“How many drinks have you had?”

 Rolling my eyes in a playful manner I pressed two fingers into his cheek while scrunching up my face, pulling a grimace at him. The shots I took unwillingly may have loosened me up a little but I had no problem with his touch. Sober or not, I always craved it.

Dante raised one eyebrow, contemplating if I really wasn´t drunk.

Swiftly capturing my hand, he led it to his mouth nibbling on the tip of my finger. The gentle movement sent tingles right into my core and I moaned, pressing harder against him, my lace panties creating delicious friction against his black jeans.

In return Dante tightened his grip on my thigh, his fingers digging into my flesh as he pushed me higher up the wall, our breathing speeding up.

 What is was about this position I had no idea, but like he did last night it didn’t take Dante long to free his shaft and thrust into me, my underwear merely pushed aside his pants still sitting on the curve of his waist as he united us once again.

Moaning in delight, I pulled his mouth towards mine kissing him passionately, his tongue worming its way between my lips as Dante stilled, waiting for me to adjust to his length.

 Only when I started to suck his tongue into my mouth did he move, his hips gyrating in circles as he pushed deeper until he bottomed out and I thought I couldn’t stand it anymore. Clenching my knees around his waist I tried to push myself up and away from him, eliciting a throaty groan while my dress rode up all the way to my hips.

After only a few times repeating the movement that created so much friction inside me, I felt the burn in my thighs, not used to the strenuous position I was in. So, I urged him on, my knees shaking with the exertion as Dante only laughed at me, his breathless chuckles swallowed by my greedy mouth.

And then, he finally started moving, the same way as the day before. Slowly at first but gradually speeding up until each hard thrust pushed me up further before he pulled me down again, each and every shove heightening the sensations that surged through me until I was clinging to his back, my fingernails digging into his skin.

 As Dante started hitting that special spot inside me only he seemed to find I tilted my head back moaning in delight, not able to stifle the noises that left my throat. My exposed neck gave him the perfect opportunity to launch back onto the hickey he´d left, the sucking sensation on the sensible skin almost painful.

 Letting myself fall forward I embraced him, threading my fingers into his hair to pull him closer. Dante´s face was buried in my neck, his ragged breath loud in my ear as my lips closed around his earlobe, my teeth grazing it not-so-gently.

His bucking hips beneath me caused me to spiral out of control, the loud moan resonating through the empty hallway as I was shattered once again with the smallest of his movements. Thrusting again once, twice Dante came but I quickly stifled the noises he made with my mouth, swallowing his moans as I heard steps coming our way.

 We both froze in our compromising position, my head laying against his chest. My hair acted as a curtain, luckily hiding my glowing face as Dante frantically tried to pull my dress back down to at least maintain a fraction of my dignity.

The voices grew louder and when the clearly intoxicated members coming down the hallway spotted us, my legs still slung around his waist, they started laughing.

 “Yo man, why don´t ya two lovelies get a room!" One of them shouted while the other´s hollered in agreement, congratulating Dante that he´d been able to get it on in a hallway. I only shook my head against his chest, embarrassed that we´d been caught while still being thankful it had been no one we knew.

That wouldn’t go over well with dad…

 Dante waited until they were gone before raising my chin with his finger. Brushing the hair out of my face he beamed at me with a mischievous expression before he captured my lips in a passionate kiss.

Breathless he pulled back, still grinning like a Cheshire cat.

 “I just love fucking you against walls.”

It was Wednesday and we had the afternoon off, Dante and Theo being both needed in some sort of meeting to talk about the progress we made and what they could improve.

But I was glad.

My fight the day before hadn´t been easy, Alex being a skilled opponent who had the speed as well as the force to land quick, powerful punches in rapid succession wherever he wanted to.

And man, did I feel those.

 My whole left side was a mixture of purple and yellow, where three of his combo punches had hit me full force the second I got distracted by Kitty walking up to Dante.

She had shamelessly flirted with him, twirling the hair around her finger like the little slut she was.

 But in the end, even after the distraction, I had been able to subdue Alex by placing a high kick right to his temple, knocking him unconscious immediately, shooting Dante a dirty look as I walked down the mats.

The little shithead didn’t even have the decency to hide his grin, my display of jealousy obviously amusing him profoundly.

I would have hit him right then and there but firstly I didn’t want to draw too much attention to the both of us and secondly, my ribs were killing me.

Even today after a dose of healing serum I had snitched from dad´s secret stash, not in the mood to deal with the infirmary staff and their pointless questions it hurt breathing.

 I was just leisurely walking through the pit towards Dante´s flat after spending my free afternoon in an alcove close to the chasm reveling in the solitude it offered while doodling around in my notebook.

The alone time I enjoined, that had been denied to me over the course of the first initiation weeks had lifted my spirits and now that I was meeting Dante at his´ to watch a movie, there almost was a skip in my step, my lips nearly curled up into an annoying smile.

If it was his sheer presence or the amount of orgasms I had since last Friday I had no idea but I felt something I hadn’t in a long time.

Something I was almost tempted to call happiness.

 Lost in my thoughts, I came to an abrupt halt when I heard someone call my name. Turning my head I was faced by an alarmed looking Tris that had Sam in her arms, hurrying towards me. Taking a few hesitant steps forwards, I almost didn’t want to know what had her so flustered.

 “Thank god, Lexi that I found you! I have to go to the control room. It´s kind of an emergency.” She handed me an overly joyous Sam along with an overnight bag, before turning to hurry away. But I grabbed her arm, pulling her back.

Seeing my inquiring expression, Tris sighed, turning towards me so no one else would be able to hear her. “They think they finally found a lead.”

 My eyes widened as I stared at her. The factionless that had abducted me and Sam had disappeared from the face of the earth after, not leaving one single trace behind in the four years the whole city was searching for them.

If the guys from the control room really found something it must be big.

 Tris threw me a meaningful look before bending down, pressing a kiss to little Sam´s head and mine she hurried away leaving me with a date and a toddler.

Oh well, Dante could go one night without getting laid.

Knocking on the door while simultaneously holding up a child that didn’t want to be up and handling a heavy bag wasn’t easy at all, but I managed without dropping either of them. With difficulties, but I managed.

Luckily it didn’t take Dante long to open the door.

Unluckily he was as good as naked.

 Staring at him with wide eyes I quickly covered Sam´s with my hand while he hastily pulled the towel back up that had slipped dangerously low, already exposing most of his pelvis. Dante held the door open with one hand while securing the towel with his other and I just shot him a dirty look.

Brushing past him, I hurried inside the flat not wanting anyone to see me standing in front of my instructors flat while he was naked.

It could give them the wrong expression.

Or worse, the right one.

 “One minute. I´m just going to get… ahm… dressed.” Dante pointed at his towel, before practically running into his bedroom, his cheeks turning into an adorable shade of pink.

Sniggering at his humiliation I set Sam down on the couch, starting the TV. Rummaging through the bag while nodding along to everything my little ankle biter said,  I soon found what I was searching for.

Pulling out the DVD-case I held it victoriously into the air just in time with Dante coming out of the bedroom.

Seeing it, he let out a deep groan. “We´re not watching a princess movie, are we?!”

 “No, stupid!” Sam chirped up from the couch, frowning at him. “We´re watching the King.”

 I bit my lip to refrain myself from laughing out loud at Dante´s shocked expression because he had just been insulted by a little girl. Shaking my head incredulous, I tried to look stern towards Sam, who started pouting at me.

Watching her for a few seconds I simply turned, walking towards the kitchen where Dante was standing against the island, wearing sweatpants and a loose shirt, I leaned against him.

Slinging an arm around my waist in return, Dante sighed before bending down, giving me a quick kiss.

 I didn’t want Sam to witness this, simply because I knew exactly how much she liked to talk so I drew back soon, shooting him an apologetic look.

“You could have at least told me you were bringing someone.”

 Shrugging my shoulders at him I grabbed the popcorn, stuffing it into the microwave that I tried to figure out. Waiting for it to finish I turned back to find a tired-looking Dante and I urged him to tell me what was wrong.

 "Nothing." He assured me with a small smile, grabbing my hand he played with my fingers. "Just long ass boring meetings and now I´m going to unwind with a child's movie." Seeing my raised eyebrow, he laughed, pulling me into his arms. "As long as you´re here I´m fine with whatever we do. But a little stress relief would have been great if you know what I mean."

 Dante winked at me, letting me know he was joking but it was already too late. If he wanted that kind of fun he could have it.

Grabbing his already half-hard length through his pants, I slowly started massaging him, moving my hand up and down while applying pressure.

He froze in shock not having expected it, mouth hanging open as he let out a low, throaty groan pressing further into my hand. Biting my lip, I watched him, not being able to prevent the smirk that was creeping onto my face at seeing him in such bliss.

Always being cautious Sam wasn’t seeing any of us getting handsy, I continued until the microwaved beeped, signaling the popcorn was done.

Pressing a kiss to the point where his jaw met his neck, I let go of Dante before I walked over to the sink where I quickly washed my hands. Grabbing the popcorn, I hurried over to the couch, flogging down beside Sam.

Dante stayed back in the kitchen, still too dazed by his pleasure to realize what I had done. But when he did and his face fell, his expression more than just incredulous I couldn’t hold the laugh any longer that was bubbling up in my chest.

 Falling back onto the couch I clutched my stomach that started to hurt from laughing so hard while trying to hold back my tears. I silently shock for several moments, gasping for breath. Little hands started to touch my face and Sam leaned over me, obviously checking for any injuries.

Not finding anything, she only shrugged her shoulders looking up at Dante.

“I think she´s broken.” Sam told him dryly before turning back to the TV. “Are you coming? I wanna watch The King.”

 Her words send me into another fit of laughter, knowing full well he wouldn’t be able to go anywhere soon. He was in a hard place.

Literally

 “Yeah… just give me a minute!” Dante called over his back, shortly before I heard him opening the tap. When the water started flowing, I shot up watching closely how he was seemingly busy doing something inside the sink.

Biting my lip, I now felt somehow bad he had to resort quenching his arousal with cold water but he really had it coming.

I mentally made a note to tell him to clean his sink.

 Looking over his shoulder, Dante saw me watching him and shot me his dirtiest look, turning off the water and wiping his hands on the kitchen towel. Grabbing something to drink and other snacks he soon came over, joining us on the couch.

 Smiling at Sam, Dante crouched down in front of her. “My name is Dante and what is yours?”

 Suddenly becoming shy, which wasn’t anything like her Sam snuggled into my side, eying him an apprehensively. “I´m Sam.”

 “Ah, so you´re Sam.” Nodding, Dante scrutinized her closely. “I have heard so much about you. Lexi here simply can´t stop talking about you.”

 “Lexi´s talking to you?” Sam pouted, looking up at me with big eyes. “She never talks to me.”

 Glaring at Dante, I gestured for him to fix it. I didn’t ever want Sam to think that I wouldn’t talk to her. That would kill me.

 “Not with her words, little Sammy.” Dante smiled before taking a seat on the couch to my other side, leaning forwards to see her. “But I still know that you mean a lot to her. Do you know how I do that?”

 Returning Dante´s expectant look with a hesitant one Sam shook her head. “No.”

 “It´s because I see the way she looks at you, I know what she feels. And just from looking at her I know she loves you very much, right Lexi?”

 Turning my head towards Dante, I observed him for a few seconds trying to swallow the lump in my throat. Caressing Sam´s head, I nodded my agreement, smiling at her.

Content with what Dante had told her, Sam tucked her legs in, leaning against me as she expectantly turned towards the TV.

Mirroring her position, I snuggled up against Dante who had one arm slung over my shoulders, the other one holding the remote.

 Running his nose along my head, he pressed a kiss to my hair as he started the movie, before letting go of the remote and grabbing my hand. Sighing in content I pressed my lips against Dante´s shoulder blade, the hand whose fingers weren´t intertwined with his resting on Sam´s head, fingers tangled in her hair.

Soon the movie started and as all the animals gathered to honor the king of the lions I knew this was where I wanted to be.

Where I needed to be.

I had finally found my place.

We were lying in bed completely spent from our strenuous activity and still very much naked. Tris had come an hour after the movie ended to collect Sam, only asking me who the hell I thought would delete the footage of me coming here when she saw my shocked expression. Dante started laughing at that, but I´m sure he wouldn’t be so amused when the leaders a.k.a. the men of my family found out.

Luckily Sam promised to keep this little meeting under wraps or `our little secret´ like Dante called it before he bid her farewell.

Closing the door behind them he didn’t waste a second in scooping me up and carrying me into his bedroom where he showed me and I quote “What happens when you wake up the beast”.

 Now he was lying by my side, propped up on his elbow as he watched me and even though I had my eyes closed I could feel his gaze on my skin. Turning my head, I faced him, opening my eyes just to meet his indecipherable gaze.

Dante only smiled when I raised one eyebrow, tugging the sheet away from my hip he ran his fingers over the ink that adorned the skin right over my left hipbone.

“I haven’t seen this one before but after meeting her I understand why you wanted her name tattooed on you.”

 His thumb caressed the letters, the cursive writing of Sam´s name and I only smiled at him, too tired as to try to explain that she wasn't the only reason I had chosen this specific tattoo. Instead, I turned towards him, slinging my leg over his and laying my head on his shoulder I snuggled deeper into his embrace.

When Dante pulled me closer in return I sighed in content, pressing my nose against his pecks while he started to play with my hair.

“Sleep now, Lexi.”

 I only managed to nod weakly as sleep started to overtake me, the words he spoke next getting lost as my mind drifted to places far away, knowing he would keep me safe.

Our instructors had all the initiates gathered in the pit where they handed out the required gear we would need for the patrol we had to join.

Dad was standing in front, hands clasped behind his back as his voice echoed through the stone, his instructions clear and demanding as always.

We were to split up into three groups of eight to support the patrol groups in raiding different warehouses where there had been increased sightings of factionless and right now dad was briefing us about the safety aspects we were to follow.

How we always had to stay close to one member, never walking off on our owns and clear every room to prevent an ambush.

Basic stuff like that.

 Instead of listening to him I turned towards Avery who was talking feverishly, furrowing my brow when she stopped speaking like a dear in headlights. I swayed my gaze between her and Ivy wanting to know why they suddenly got quiet after talking so animatedly.

 “Ivy got laid last night.” Avery burst out, quickly covering her mouth the moment she realized what she just said.

“Avery!” Ivy hissed, swatting her arm as she turned towards me. Deeply confused I watched them, signaling that I wasn’t really shocked by her admission. Dauntless wasn’t known for its chastity and I wasn’t one to judge, especially since I got laid almost every single day last week.

And that by my instructor.

Rolling my eyes at them in a playful manner, I lined up behind Owen who seemed to just ignore them, their antics and their drama, so I did the same.

It took the line painfully long to move forward and when I finally received my vest and the long firearm, the only thing I wanted is to finally move out.

 Theo started reading the names and the respective numbers of the squat we would join, mine being second. Following Ivy, I made my way towards the group I was assigned to when someone grabbed my arm, holding me back.

Throwing Dante a confused look I signaled him that I had to go but he shook his head, telling me no.

“You´re not going with them. They´re all idiots.”

 I only raised one eyebrow in semi-amusement, trying to get to where I was supposed to go but Dante steered me away, instead telling one of the transfers to take my place. I don’t know if I was annoyed, amused or touched by his protectiveness, maybe all three.

But most of all I was relieved that we finally got going.

 Following my instructor or more like being manhandled by him, I joined the third group. We would check out a building near candor that was known to have housed factionless before, so there was a slight chance of finding something. We all got ushered towards the garages where the trucks were already waiting for us, ready to head out.

The ride was bumpy and uncomfortable, being squeezed together between so many people and when we finally came to a halt I all but jumped out, pushing through the people to get them to stop touching me.

It was insanely cramped with all the equipment we carried and the first thing I did was stretching my aching thighs from sitting like that for over 45 minutes.

We had stopped in front of a large brick building and I squinted my eyes. Positioning the gun that had hung over my shoulder, I had a strange feeling of familiarity as I took the shattered, but with cardboard covered windows of the warehouse in.

But since there were so many buildings similar to this in the whole damn city I just shook it off, turning back towards my squat where the highest-ranking patrol officer once again briefed the roughly twenty-five of us.

“Alright, no solo-runs, no goofing around and if I find one of you playing with the gun I´m going to show you what it feels like being shot. Understood?”

When everyone murmured in agreement the strict looking soldier nodded once, signaling us all to get into position. I lined up right behind Dante, pressing myself against the wall like everyone else.

On the count of three, one of the experienced patrol officers kicked the heavy steel door open and we flowed into the building like the special forces in the old action movies used to, always watching for danger.

 While four members stayed back to guard the entrance the rest of us split up into two groups, the larger one searching through the ground floor while I followed Dante and several others down into the basement.

The visible rusty pipes and the concrete floor caused a strange feeling of foreboding to bubble inside my chest, my heart rate only increasing when I spotted the familiar steel doors all along the dimly lit hallway.

This had to be a joke.

 Tightening the grip on my gun I walked forwards watching how they opened each door, aiming for every possible target inside as they did so. They proceeded like that and we advanced until I exactly knew where we were.

Dante gestured for me to follow him, to concentrated on the task at hand to notice the way my breathing speed up as my throat tightened with every step I took or how the gun threatened to slide out of my sweaty hands.

With reluctant steps, I walked behind him trying to control my breathing and I managed until we reached that one door I didn't want him to open. But he did.

 Pushing the handle down, Dante stemmed his shoulder into the steel door that seemed to be stuck, finally managing to open it after several attempts. Pointing his gun inside he cleared the room, where still the rag lay, I used to cover myself with every night until my father finally found me.

 I quietly stumbled backward with weak knees, until my back touched the opposite wall and I whipped my head around. Starring down the corridor I squinted my eyes, my heart skipping a beat as I thought to see something move in the darkness, not sure if there really had been any movement or if my mind was fucking with me.

Feeling the pull in my chest I took a hesitant step forward, then another and another until I was almost running down the hallway.

I heard someone call my name, most likely Dante but I paid him no mind as I darted around corners, the exact route burned into my memory like their mark had been burned into my back, my gun hanging forgotten over my shoulders.

 Not slowing down for a second I burst through another door, my breathing ragged as I abruptly stopped shirt in the middle of the room. Swiveling around I clenched my fists, almost seeing the man surrounding me in this very same room, that was now completely empty.

Or so I thought.

 From the corner of my eye, I saw something shiny, reflecting the dimmed light that shone inside from the hallway. I could hear shouts coming closer, footsteps thundering through the abandoned basement but I blocked them out, walking forward as if in trance until I was right in front of it.

Crouching down I picked the shiny object up, all air leaving my body when I realized what it was.

 Not even looking up when someone stormed into the room I stayed in my position on the floor, slowly turning the coin in my hand.

Seeing the symbol of the eagle engraved into the shiny metal I was instantly thrown back to the day I found it in one of the erudite archives and dad told me to take it with me even though it had been a rare found, being a coin from before the war. How it was my present for Sam on his seventh birthday or that he always carried it with, claiming it was his lucky charm.

I almost smiled at the memory.

 That was until I realized there had been no speck of dust on it.

No spot of rust.

Even though this room was full of debris, wet and cold the coin looked as if it had been polished only recently.

And suddenly I could feel their presence all around me, how they leered at us, at me while we were at their mercy, the way their voices rang through the room while we withered in pain once again being tortured.

One of them had been here.

 “Lexi! What the fuck are you doing here?!” Still frozen by the terror I felt, I wasn’t able to turn and face Ben who was coming to a halt in front of me, breathing harshly because he had run after me. “You weren´t supposed to be here for a reason!”

 Two gently hands gripped me beneath my arms, heaving me up again and I felt Dante pulling my stiff form against his warm one. “I had no idea, Lexi. I´m sorry.”

His words were quiet, spoken directly into my ear so Ben who watched me furious and concerned at the same time wouldn’t hear it.

 “Get her the fuck out of here!” Ben´s voice was hard, his eyes fire blazing as he took my obvious disheveled state in. The way my breathing was ragged as my mind was still trying to fight the terror that threatened to overtake my whole body.

I didn’t even fully comprehend the way Dante carried me out of the room, I just closed my eyes hoping for it to be just another nightmare.

“Are you feeling better, Lex?”

 I was leaning against the brick wall a few feet away from the trucks, head tilted back as I tried to compose myself. Dante was pacing around with a deeply regretful expression while his hair was sticking out in every direction, his hands running through it constantly. Giving him a weak smile, I extended my hand and he complied to my quiet request immediately, taking it before stepping closer to me.

After downing a whole bottle of water and being in the fresh air my mind was clearer and I was finally able to think again, already feeling ashamed of my open display of weakness.

Surprisingly it bothered me less that Dante had seen me like that, than the other dauntless who all watched him carry me out.

 Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled Dante closer, his sheer presence being able to calm me down again. My lips met his in a soft kiss that had nothing sexual about it, but it reassured me what I already knew.

That he was always there for me.

Caressing the side of his face, the stubble feeling deliciously beneath my fingertips I looked deeply into his eyes, opening my mouth.

 But for the second time this day I saw something sparkle from the corner of my eye, reflecting the sunlight and I reacted instantly, pushing Dante to the ground before ducking away myself.

Just in time for the gunshot that rang through the air, colliding with the wall where not even a second ago both of our heads had been.

Rolling away and out of the line of fire, I grabbed one of the guns lying on the ground, trying to dodge the bullets that flew around me while I took aim.

Pulling the trigger, I had never been happier to have a semi-automatic weapon that didn’t need manual reloading as I fired at least ten times, shattering the windows, where I was sure the shooter had been. But soon my clip was empty and I turned around, frantically searching for Dante.

 He was lying on the ground, clutching his leg and not trying to get up. Hurrying over to him, I pulled him behind a container, just in case someone else was taking aim.

Dante cursed loudly, the movements obviously hurting him and I felt my heart sink when I realized his hands were bloody.

Swatting them away, I feverishly searched for the source of bleeding praying it wasn’t some place vital but he captured my wrists with one hand, forcing me to look into his eyes while raising my head with the other.

"Calm down, Lexi. The asshole just grazed my leg, it´s nothing.”

 Letting out a breath in relief I slumped against the container, calming my racing heart as the tension left my body.

He was okay.

But the relief was short-lived, the rage that let my whole being burn up in anger wasn’t anything I could subdue.

Gritting my jaw, I scrambled up, snatching the second gun. Ignoring Dante´s shouts for me to come back I stormed back into the alleyway emptying the second magazine aiming at the windows, before throwing the firearm away, gripping the gutter.

 Pulling myself up, I climbed as fast as I could, being all too aware that I was out in the open, an easy target as long as I wasn´t inside the building. Seeing movement from the corner of my eye I raised my head, looking right into the face of one of the men I hated with all my heart, one that plagued my reoccurring nightmares.

The factionless that injected Sam with the death serum.

 The slender, but still muscular man that was known for his cunningness smirked down at me and in that moment, I knew it.

They were toying with me.

And I was going to kill them all.

Slowly and painfully.

 He drew his head back into the room and it took me a few seconds but then I was there, swinging myself through the shattered window right where he had disappeared to.

But he was already gone.

 Blinded by all-consuming rage I drew the handgun that was strapped to my hip, storming through the threshold that lacked the door into the hallway and after the sound of his retreating steps. Running around corners and through countless rooms that were parched with parcels I wasn’t prepared for the blow I took when I stormed out of another abandoned office room into another hallway.

I didn't know what it was that hit my head, but pain burst hot like iron behind my temples and I fell backward, everything going black.

 I was out before I hit the floor.

I know.. I know… You hate me.. :D I´m really sorry but it´s necessary for the development of Lexi´s story… I will try to not leave you with a cliffhanger too long but I have a few things to do. Still, Lexi is always calling for me :D

But choosing as the last one and having to wait for weeks was something he couldn't understand.

Eric wasn’t a patient man so he had been aggravated from the very beginning.

And when she started with her perfect little plan, that she had figured out under so much duress and explained how she would be able to tell her brother what they two of them had done, Eric had to suppress the exasperation he felt. He didn’t want to scold her but she didn’t have one clue as what to do.

Even though he now had to admit it was a little amusing that she was so clueless, it had annoyed him.

A smirk threatened to curl his lips up while he thought about her shocked expression but when Wayne mustered him with a strange look Eric carefully composed his face, showing the leader mask, his best friend knew too well.

 “I´ve been busy.” His reply was curt, not wanting to give Wayne the chance to sense that something was wrong. Seeing his child had rattled Eric to the core, for once showing his weak side as his erudite-like mind tried to figure out how to keep both, Amy and the little one save.

After all, he was a leader, always a target not just to factionless rebels but also to inner faction threats that wanted to bring him down, just because they didn't agree with his methods.

And now Amy would walk around with a huge target on her back, just like his unborn child calling for those fuckers to hurt them. How easy would it be to wound or to abduct them?

The perfect leverage, to make the young leader do everything they wanted. To make him their puppet that would strangle itself with the strings in the end.

Eric knew he had to let Max know they needed 24/7 surveillance and their best soldiers in standby since her dickhead of brother wouldn’t think of it, wouldn’t think of protecting his own sister.

He needed to know where she was at all times.

His little stiff.

 "Yeah, clearly," Wayne responded dryly, eying him up as if searching for clues. “And why did your secretary tell me you had an appointment with a gynecologist? I seriously hope you´re not hiding from me that you´re secretly a woman. That would be gross.”

 "Fuck you, Wayne." Eric gritted his teeth, annoyed that the damn nosy bitch couldn't keep her mouth shut and his best friend didn’t know when to draw the line. He fiddled with the cap of the bottle avoiding his gaze, harshly scolding him. “It´s none of your business.”

 “Come on!” Whining, Wayne slumped down on the table, scowling like a toddler. “I´m your best friend! I even followed you out of erudite so cut the crap and tell me what the hell is going on. You haven’t been yourself lately and I´m taking the chance of sounding like a sappy tree hugger but I´m worried.”

 Eric contemplated for a moment, deciding it would be best to tell his best friend of his predicament now before he found out otherwise but someone interrupted him, yelling his name.

“Eric!”

Before he could even turn around to face the person that called him a hand came out of nowhere, slapping the bottle from his hand. It flew against the wall, shattering into thousand pieces.

Whipping his head around, to rip the person who had dared to disrespect him in such a way Eric wasn’t prepared for the fist that met his jaw with so much force, it sent him to the floor.

Not hesitating for a second, Eric lessened the impact with a backwards roll standing back up immediately, hands in a defensive position ready to kill whoever attacked him.

 Raising his gaze, the young leader came face to face with an outrageous Four, all muscles tensed like a snake about to strike.

Eric knew instantly what had happened.

The little stiff must have come out sooner than he anticipated. He appreciated that she came out clean but a little heads up would have been great. At least then number boy wouldn’t have been able to catch him off guard for everyone to see.

 "What the hell, man?" Wayne shouted, looking ready to intervene, but Eric subtly shook his head stopping him. This was his fight. "Four, what are you doing?"

 But Four ignored him completely, as he and Eric sized each other up, the rest of the members and all the noise around them fading into distance.

Number boy tensed up, eyes blazing and as he opened his mouth the leader knew exactly what pitiful accusations he would throw at him.

"How dare you lay hand on my sister?!"

 The gasps and whispers that arose, leaving no doubt that the whole compound would hear of this before the day would be over, were oblivious to them both, eyes glued to only each other.

 "Lay hand on her?” Eric mocked, lips curling into a cruel smirk. ”I just gave her what she asked for, as long and as hard as she asked for. I didn't force her to anything. Let's rather say she was more than compliant."

 Images of pale thighs wrapped around his head flashed by in front of his eyes and he almost missed the second punch that was thrown at him. By reflex he narrowly avoided what would have been the biggest humiliation of his life and when Four´s hand flew by his face, he grabbed his wrist pulling him closer.

Planting two quick hits on his abdomen Eric pushed him away again, eyes narrowed as he flexed his aching jaw.  But Four wasn’t that easy to relent and he knew that.

 When he came again at the young leader, Eric tried to land another punch, this time aimed at Four´s head but he merely blocked it. Unfazed by the power it held he rammed his shoulder into the young leader’s guts, knocking the wind out of him.

From somewhere beside him he thought to hear his little stiff but his mind was too occupied to check if she really was there. She could watch him beating Four´s ass into next week, though.

 Eric hit the ground, for a moment to wind up to move as Four straddled him, knees caging his arms to his body, rendering him unable to do anything against Four´s fists that started flying into Eric´s unprotected face, his head slamming back against the concrete.

 He retaliated not even a second later, sending his knee into number boy´s back, using his pain induced stiffness to roll them over. Not bothering to brush away the blood that dripped from a cut above his eyebrow into his eyes, Eric started showering him with punches fueled by rage but Four did his best to block them, forearms protecting his face.

The young leader only got one good punch in, his opponents nose starting to gush blood immediately before Four placed his elbow in Eric´s guts. Pushing him off, he scrambled away to gather his wits and catch his breath.

 Eric did the same. Pushing himself up he wiped from under his eye, only managing to smear the blood all over his face. But he couldn’t ponder long about the fact that it most likely will leave a scar since number boy whose nose looked suspiciously crooked decided he didn't have enough yet.

Ducking away from under his next punch, Eric´s fist just only brushed Four´s ribs still with enough force to cause a bruise later but not leaving a lasting damage like he had hoped.

 They circled each other, striking over and over again as both tried to inflict as much pain as they possibly could, their blows too powerful as that anyone would have dared to intervene and risk being knocked out cold.

Or worse.

Their fight, so close in skill, speed and force went on for several painful minutes, leaving Eric´s whole body aching. It was the first real fight the both of them had since initiation. Back then the young leader had taunted and mocked him to such an extent that Four showed his real face.

Wasn´t a pretty one.

He had to spend almost a week in the infirmary and Eric wasn’t one to whine, but that had hurt.

 The young leader was pleased that he had no doubt improved his technique, his nemesis not being able to knock him out easily. Still, he knew it was a far shot to say he´d be winning anytime soon even though he would never admit it. He would rather die than losing to Four while the whole faction was watching.

It would mean he had failed as a leader and should take the next trip to the chasm.

 Both of them were to focused on beating each other, anticipating every possible move that they didn’t even hear their superior´s entrance, even less the words he spoke or the way everyone instantly quieted down. They only snapped out of it, when suddenly there were people detaining them, Wayne and Peter dragging a beaten Eric away while talking intently, Uriah, Will and Zeke doing the same with Four.

 But Eric didn’t listen to his best friend as he watched the little redhead stumble towards her brother, face tear-stained and hands wringing furiously.

With narrowed eyes, he observed how her asshole of brother that had been glaring at him the whole time now channeled his anger towards her, looking disgusted that she even thought about touching him now that she had been defiled with Eric´s touch.

 Placing his hand on Wayne´s chest without looking away from Amy, Eric slowly pushed him away and Wayne reluctantly let go, knowing there was nothing that would keep him here.

With slow steady steps the young leader walked forwards, his eyes trailed on the woman carrying his child, that was desperately begging her brother to understand.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he insulted her in the worst way possible.

 Eric only heard `Father was right´ and `whore´, enough to make the anger boil again hot in his chest as he registered what the bastard just said to his sister. Clenching his fists, Eric was so close to strangling him but before he could execute his very accurate plan of murder Amy stumbled back as if taking a blow, almost falling to the ground.

Eric caught her shaking form keeping her upright, the little stiff almost limp in his arms as she sobbed heartbreakingly into his chest.

Scooping her up, the young leader threw Four his most livid glare promising him a slow and excruciating death.

"I suggest you´ll leave right this instant if you don't want me to kill you in the most painful way possible. Since you are apparently ´no brother of hers´ there is nothing that will hold me back.” Looking down at the woman in his arms, he tightened his grip as he once again heard the strangled sobs leaving her throat. ”So get the fuck out of my sight!"

 His annoying friends started to pull him out of the pit, while his more than infuriating girlfriend had her hands placed on his chest to keep him in line. All of them were shitting their pants, wanting to get away from the glares Eric was throwing them. They did their best to get Four away from the young leader before he could draw his weapon shoot him.

Certainly a most satisfying solution.

It wasn’t as if anyone could say something against it. After all, Eric was the leader.

He was the embodiment of the system.

 Realizing that practically half of the faction was staring at him, his best friend included Eric threw all of them dirty looks, meeting Wayne´s raised eyebrow with a meaningful look that basically told him everything he needed to know before striding out of the pit with quick steps.

 Amy had her head buried in his chest not once looking up as the young leader carried her through the hallways. He assumed her state was mostly caused by her brother´s words that hurt her in the most painful way, deliberately targeting her insecurities to use them against her.

Nothing that Eric wouldn’t do, but he would never talk to his sister that he claimed to love in such a fashion.

Real dick move.

 Noticing that Amy grew quieter, only hiccupping occasionally Eric pressed his lips to her forehead, inhaling deeply.

Her sweet scent as always soothing his mind that lay in turmoil.

With his hand that was slung around her torso, Eric drew circles on the exposed skin of her stomach, where her t-shirt had ridden up a little.

Feeling the strange need to comfort her, Eric heard himself mutter words he never thought would ever leave his mouth.

"We are your family now"

After changing a sleeping Amy out of her uncomfortable looking clothes into one of his too tight shirts, Eric laid her down on his bed tugging her in before quietly leaving the room.

Not wanting to wake her up, being aware she cried herself to sleep Eric used the second bathroom in his flat.

In front of the mirror, he cleaned the cut on his forehead, before injecting himself with a dose of healing serum he had stashed in his medicine cabinet for exact these situations.

He hated going to the infirmary so it made sense to him to have a little stash at his disposal whenever he needed it.

 Stripping out of his clothes, Eric stepped into the shower the almost scolding water soothing the ache of his tense muscles and forming bruises. He seriously hoped that the serum would cause the very purple bruise on his jaw to disappear until tomorrow morning. He didn’t need a visible reminder that fueled his desire to skin Four alive more than he already wanted to.

Finished in the bathroom, Eric dressed in the only casual clothes he owned: sweatpants and a loose fitting shirt.

 Back in the kitchen, he grabbed himself another beer since he never came around to finish his first one. Taking a seat on a stool in front of the island, occasionally sipping his beer Eric got lost in his thoughts.

What his little stiff would do now that she had experienced the wrath of her brother, how he would handle his insubordination in initiation, Eric was sure to come or how the hell he should take care of a child.

The only positive thing about the situation was that Amy used to be a stiff so Eric was sure she´d be more than capable of handling the child herself when he was away doing leadership business.

Maybe the only advantage of associating with stiffs in the first place.

 Still, Eric couldn’t deny that he was worried about her, not just his child. He knew that she could take more than it seemed but her mind was still fragile, cracked by countless years of abuse and Eric vowed that if any of the stress caused by her brother harmed the baby, he would kill him with bare hands.

 Distracted by his thoughts, Eric neither noticed the time passing by nor the young woman who shyly came tapping out of his bedroom. Startled by a noise he lifted his head from where he had buried it in his hands, gaze trailing over the redhead that stood there, nervously wringing with the hemline of his shirt.

 Amy looked tired, her eyes red from crying as she avoided his questioning gaze. She answered his question if everything was alright that she just was thirsty and had a headache, no doubt from crying herself to sleep.

Flicking his eyes over her bare legs, Eric got up to pour her a glass of orange juice, something he knew she drank with every meal no matter what she was eating. Placing it on the counter, he came to a halt behind her fingers placed on her temples.

Eric knew it was an effective way to get rid of a headache since he had no idea what kind of headache pill he could give her without harming the baby.

Sighing in content at the relief he brought her Amy rested her head against his pecs, closing her eyes for a moment. Eric watched her head tilted, he was glad to get her to relax a little after this shitty day.

 After a minute he slowly stepped back, leaving Amy to down the whole glass in a few gulps. Looking up at him, she asked how he knew what she liked to drink. The question made Eric more than just mildly uncomfortable since he didn’t want her to know he´d basically been watching her since the day she appeared on the roof looking like an angel from heaven send down to earth for his personal punishment.

So he deflected.

 But seeing her face fall with disappointment, Eric had to roll his eyes at his own behavior as he, after all, confessed that she indeed had captured his attention long ago. And the worst thing was that he couldn't stop.

Soon he had told her that he memorized all her six fears, what they were and how impressed he had been by her performance.

And even though he had vowed to himself to never let anyone have that kind of leverage over him, the moment Eric saw her eyes lighting up with happiness he knew exposing his softer side had been worth it.

Still, he had enough serious conversations for one night and he started teasing her with his words as well as his not so subtle touches.

 To make her laugh he brought up her most embarrassing fear, making her quickly cover his mouth with her hands which were preventing him from reaching his goal. To kiss every single inch of her skin.

 Capturing her wrists in one of his big hands, Eric pinned her against the wall continuing to trail his moist lips over the sensitive skin of her neck while Amy seemingly endless ranted on about how Clowns were creepy only making Eric chuckle.

He didn’t really know what to say to her. Here he was, doing his best to seduce her, while his little stiff seemed hell-bent to explain some psychological shit to him. As if he hadn't heard enough of that from his father every time he saw him, which luckily hadn’t been much.

Eric knew he needed to up his game.

 Pretending to pay attention to her little rant, Eric´s hand stealthily trailed beneath her shirt, caressing the bare skin of her hip. Snickering to himself when he heard her breath hitch Eric decided to play innocent as he looked up, his lips ghosting over hers.

Right in that moment, he remembered the cruel words he spoke about her and something he had seldom felt before sharply twisted his guts.

Regret.

 And so he did something he never did.

He apologized.

 But his little one seemed not too bothered about it because before he knew what happened, her mouth was pressed against his in a searing kiss, her tongue sneaking through his lips clashing with his.

"Shut the fuck up and kiss me."

 Startled by her demand Eric froze for a second before a sly smirk curled up his lips. Grabbing the hem of the shirt, he pulled it over her head, diving right back into their kiss.

“My pleasure.”

With that he picked her up, hands gripping her bare thighs as he carried a squealing Amy into his bedroom, kicking the door shut behind them before ridding himself of his clothes in one motion.

 Instead of throwing her onto the bed like he had done the first time he had her in here, Eric sat down so that his little stiff straddled him, hands trailing over her side making her squirm. But it was effective. Now her bare chest was pressed against his, as their tongues intertwined battling for dominance, her hips rocking against his bulge.

Amy was the first to pull back, biting her lip she seemed to contemplate something. Letting herself sliding from his lap she slapped Eric´s hands away that grabbed for her, making him furrow his brow.

“What are you doing?”

 But she only shushed him, now kneeling in front of him looking up with big eyes as her hand tentatively came to a stop at his boxers, fingers just dipping inside caressing the happy trail that lead down south.

Getting an idea where this was going, Eric incredulously raised his hips letting the little vixen proceed in pulling down his underwear not believing his luck or that this was really happening.

Facing his manhood at eye level Amy bit her lip, scrutinizing it closely from every angle possible before she hesitantly touched it with one finger, trailing it up and down.

Eric groaned at the slight friction, grabbing her hand in his bigger one to wrap it around his member fully, showing her exactly how to stroke. But Amy pulled her hand back, tsking at him, forbidding him to touch.

Exhaling deeply, Eric let himself fall down on his bed thighs spread widely, hands crossed behind his head just enjoying her hesitant touches that grew more confident with each second.

 Amy had established a satisfying pace, both hands wrapped around his shaft when suddenly something hot and wet touched the head of his member, making his head snap up in surprise.

Looking down Eric was faced with the most erotic sight he had ever had the pleasure to witness.

There she sat, his little redhead, hair framing her angelic face eyes innocently watching him while her pouty lips were wrapped around the top of his member.

When she moved her tongue he instinctively clenched his hips to prevent himself from cumming right there and then. Grunting he flogged down again, one hand tangling in Amy´s hair while he fisted the blanket above his head with his other.

She slowly started to bob her head, careful to not touch his sensitive skin with her teeth, taking him deeper each time she swirled her tongue around until Eric knew he couldn't hold back any longer. With the hand in her hair, he pulled her back, almost laughing when she started pouting at him.

“Don´t worry princess. You´ll soon get what you want.”

 With that he pulled her up by her hips, ripping her underwear off when she came to stand in front of him. Amy gasped in response to Eric´s hands on her butt, roughly massaging her cheeks while he pulled her closer forcing her to straddle him again.

Hovering directly over him, Eric smirked now that he had her exactly where he wanted her.

 Gripping himself with one hand, he positioned his length directly under her entrance hissing in pleasure when he felt her velvety hotness engulf him. Amy slowly sank down but stopped after a few inches, breathing ragged she tried to get her bearings.

But Eric wasn’t known for his patience.

 Gripping the hair at her nape, he pulled her head back with enough force to make her obey him, but still careful not to hurt her, exposing her neck that would soon be full of love marks while simultaneously pushing her hips down, forcing her to take all of him at once.

Amy shrieked at the sudden fullness, back arching, not knowing if she wanted to escape being impaled or to get more of the delicious friction. But when Eric who was gently biting along her neck leaving his marks of ownership on her flawless skin, slowly lifted her up again just to pull her back down she slowly started gyrating her hips in response.

Fueled by her gentle movement Eric quickened his pace, lifting her up before pulling her back down over and over again.

 Establishing a rhythm, Amy rocked her hips meeting him thrust for thrust moaning loudly every time he hit an especially sensitive spot deep inside her, she kissed him passionately. Eric was still gripping her hair, soon forcing her to arch her back making her even tighter for him than she already was.

Moving against each other, in sync with each other, it didn't take long for Amy to arrive at the brink of something big, Eric right behind her as he rocked them into bliss, bodies rubbing against each other.

With one last upwards thrust Amy shattered, a high pitched moan leaving her open mouth as she convulsed around his hard shaft, triggering Eric´s release. Pulling her head back even further, he bit down heightening the sensations that rocked her to the core as he spilled himself into her with a grunt and a few more uncoordinated thrusts, riding out his own orgasm.

 Trying to catch his breath Eric slumped back into the mattress, his little stiff collapsing completely spent in a boneless heap on top of him. Closing his eyes, it didn’t take long for the image of the little redhead kneeling in front of him to flash vividly behind his eyes and despite the great climax he just experienced, Eric felt himself growing hard again.

As did Amy.

 With wide eyes she looked up at him, almost scared of his answer, she squeaked. “Again?”

 “Again.” Smirking dirty, Eric grabbed her, gently situating her in the middle of his bed. Crawling on top of her, he positioned himself again, watching her beautiful face closely.

Hissing in pain, as he touched the sensitive area Eric almost wished to have not interfered and saved the dauntless man´s ass, to let him be taught a lesson by those damn rebels.

But being as it is Eric was the responsible leader and therefore had the obligation to protect every single member of his faction.

Even if they were idiots and didn’t deserve to be called dauntless.

 The only advantage of getting injured was that Amy had been the nurse to treat him after Eric had successfully frightened the other one away. That one just didn’t look competent enough to get her fingers onto his body.

But the sheer feeling of Amy´s soft hands on his body after the night they had shared almost made him lose it.

It took Eric all of his self-control to not grab her slim waist and have his way with her right there on the examination table. Especially when she bowed down mid-examination to retrieve a new pack of gaze, exposing her well-rounded behind. Not even her horrifyingly ugly scrubs did anything to prevent the raging boner, Eric had difficulties to hide from her.

 Still, when she had turned around after being finished with him, exposing her back, the young leader couldn’t resist riling her up a little, like she always managed to do with him.

But the moan he had lured out of her, brought images of her on the kitchen island back testing his resistance further.

The only way to contain himself and not give the rest of the packed infirmary a peep-show was to leave, so Eric stormed out of the room masking the loss of will power with a sarcastic remark like he always did.

 The young leader would never give Amy that sort of leverage over him, to know how she affected him, how easy it would be for her to convince him to do anything she wanted. There would never be a woman to rule over or manipulate him in any way, not like his calculating mother did to his father, even though that bastard wasn’t any better.

Eric prided himself in being too smart for that.

Even if it was hard at times.

When he saw her with other men even if they were just talking…

 So to not test his barely existing restraint any further Eric stayed the hell away from the infirmary or anything really that had anything to do with the redheaded vixen.

And that meant changing the bandage himself, which took him way longer, then it had taken Amy. It was because Eric couldn’t really reach behind his own back, but with a lot of cursing and imagining the slaughter of every annoying member to calm himself down, Eric had finally managed to get the bandage into the right place.

 Assessing his work in the mirror Eric knew not facing the redheaded nurse had been worth the struggle. If number boy ever found out, his biggest enemy had defiled his saint of sister there would be hell to pay – not just for Eric but for everyone in the compound.

But even if the young leader would have to fight his archrival, which by the way wouldn’t be a big sacrifice at all, that one night had been worth it.

And that was the problem.

 Before Eric had taken Amy home from the bar he had been sure that this would be a hit it and quit it kind of lay, that his little infatuating with the stiff would fade after he had thrown her out of his apartment.

But for once in his life, Eric had been wrong.

 Instead of sending Amy on her way with a half-assed lie or just blatantly rude, like he usually did with one of his rare lays, the redhead had spent the night in his bed cuddling.

 What the hell was wrong with him that he cuddled the stiff and even dared feeling good doing so?!

Her sheer presence made it feel, as if the tension of countless hours at work just up and disappeared, leaving him sleeping like a damn baby for once.

So much so, that the leader who always had one hand under his pillow, laying atop of his gun for his own safety, didn’t even wake up when the less than subtle woman stealthily left his flat in the morning.

How Amy who seemed to have to left feet managed that was still puzzling him.

 That he had seriously enjoyed her company freaked Eric out to such an extent, that he tried everything to get her out of his head. Eric kept his distance and avoided everything that had something to do with Fours sister because at this point every temptation could possibly lead to something the leader wasn’t prepared for.

Or just not willing to admit or try ever.

 And for a few weeks, he managed to lie to himself just fine.

 That was until he found himself in a conference room after news got out, that the nosy fuckers in the erudite lab had mixed up a bunch of flu shots with the birth control shots, condemning a bunch of unlucky idiots to be bound to their open-legged dauntless females forever.

When Eric first heard news of it, he snorted, feeling not in the least sorry for them. Most dauntless, no matter if male or female behaved like a dog in heat, getting it on in the not so abandoned hallways or rutting on the dancefloor itself.

If these boneheads knocked up the compound sluts, they must have been lucky to not get an STD while doing so.

 Head full of disdain for that kind of members, Eric swiveled in his chair playing with a pen, listening half-heartedly to Max and Maggs talking about the issue at him, while he himself just waited for the infirmary staff to finally arrive, so he could go back to exercise a little more.

That´s all he did those days to distract himself.

Train until he could barely walk anymore, work until his head hurt from staring at the screen for so long and drink himself to sleep at night.

Standing up in the morning and repeat.

 Tapping the pen on the mahogany table Eric halted his motions when the door opened and a young woman stumbled into the room.

The one he wanted to avoid at all costs.

Amy straightened up, fumbling with the papers in her hands, shooting a worried look over to Max and Maggs before her eyes fixated the young leader.

When she froze for a second Eric raised his eyebrows in question, smirking when Amy blushed deeply. The young leader was more than pleased that he obviously wasn’t the only one affected by the presence of the other.

But when she pressed the folder to her abdomen to protect herself from his watchful eyes, Amy unconsciously pushed up her breasts, that were somehow even more appealing than they had been before. The way they threatened to escape the confinements of her bra, even though they were completely covered by her shirt caused the need for Eric to adjust himself under the table, carefully so the other leaders wouldn’t notice his state of arousal.

 Max took pity on her frightened state and addressed her kindly, the experience of years in leadership shining through. In true stiff fashion Amy stumbled over her words obviously freaked out by the sheer presence of Eric, who found the whole ordeal amusing, and Maggs until Max started to joke about the young leader, causing her to crack a smile and loosen up, while Eric leaned back into his chair, disgruntled by the mockery.

 After taking a deep breath Amy pulled herself together and started to inform the leaders of how the whole incident was able to occur, using mostly technical terms. Only now Eric realized she was smarter than he had given her credit for.

Not that he had thought the former stiff was stupid in any way but she had always been quiet, meek even, so hearing her speaking as if she was born to stand in front of the leaders, Eric found himself enthralled by her again.

Especially when she stepped forward, setting down a box full of vitals and he got a good look at her cleavage, while she bowed over to hand Max a paper.

Catching her superior do the same thing only with her backside Eric scowled at the lanky looking man, making the wimp immediately direct his eyes anywhere but at his inferior.

 Eric was seriously mad at Amy.

Just when his infatuation had dwindled down a little, or so he thought, the redhead had to come here and destroy all the hard work he mustered at forgetting her.

Eric even tried to get his mind off her by picking up another woman one evening. But when he had her in his flat bowed over the armrest of his couch, her ass right in front of him Eric felt no desire to continue the quick fuck and threw her out of his flat, sending her on her way with no explanation.

He had been able to hear her complaints through the closed door and was tempted for a moment to show her that she was biting off more than she could chew. But all those mind games and work had tired him out, so the only thing he did was nursing a scotch before going to sleep.

And now with the woman that somehow had been able to wiggle her way into his mind right in front of him, Eric knew he had done the right thing.

 Maggs rant pulled him out of his thoughts and Eric listened closely to her enumerate every single thing that could go wrong with being pregnant and raising children in dauntless, agreeing in silence while Amy got paler with each sentence.

Eric fretted at that.

Figures, his little stiff would want children but until her dearest brother would let anyone touch her in that way it could take her ages to get to this point.

Not that he wanted any other fucker to touch what was his.

Just the thought made his blood boil and the pen in his hand almost snapped from the force he gripped it with.

 "Maybe we could make the compound child-safe?" Amy asked meekly, trying to stand up to Maggs, but Eric saw that she didn´t even consider it herself, making the young leader snort in amusement.

 "Right, upholster foil on the railings and safety nets that double as hammocks for drunken fools. We´re dauntless for a reason. They will just have to look after their little brats."

And Eric meant what he said. If those people couldn’t look after their children, they shouldn’t have reproduced.

Simple as that.

 But the junior leader´s declaration made Max chuckle in delight at his inferior´s ignorance because he knew what it was like to have children of his own.

"Just wait, until you have kids, son. I´m sure you´ll order every available piece of foam erudite could produce."

 "As if," Eric muttered under his breath, knowing that if he ever had children, which he doubted because the only woman he was remotely interested in was the sister of the man he hated most, they would never even get into the position that they needed foam to save them.

No child of Eric would ever get into the danger of hurting themselves around the compound.

He would make sure of it.

 It was silent for a moment when everyone in the room waited for the nurse to go on but she was obviously lost in her own thoughts. But a nudge by Keith that left Amy embarrassed, she went on informing them about the mishap, handing Max a piece of paper where every woman that got the wrong shot was listed, just like the ones that were confirmed pregnant.

When she went on telling the leaders that there were 12 of them her superior started to hiss at her, something Eric didn’t quite grasp because he was too busy watching Amy closely as her gaze seemed to be glued to Max, who had stilled beside the young leader.

 His gaze flickered from the paper to the young woman obviously contemplating something and the words leaving the senior leader´s mouth made the blood froze in Eric´s veins.

"You are one of them?"

 Not trusting his own hearing, Eric´s head flew to Amy who only looked down at her own hands. Guilt written all over her face.

"What?!" Eric ripped the paper out of Max's hands, eyes frantically flitting over the page until it came to a stop on her name.

Amy Eaton, followed by her apartment number.

Eric´s head snapped up so fast it would have given anyone whiplash. Glaring at the young woman in front of him, Eric knew exactly why she didn’t dare raise her eyes. Because she would find grey, cold eyes staring back into her innermost soul.

 "I am, Sir.", was all she managed to choke out, fiddling with the sleeves of her sweater, not even looking up when Eric finally spoke, his voice as cold as the shiver that ran down her spine.

"How long?"

Inhaling deeply Amy responded but still avoided his gaze.

"Roughly six weeks, I´d guess. But I haven´t known for long."

 Enraged, Eric jumped up, making the chair drag noisily over the floor as it almost tipped over and for the first time since she handed the paper to Max, Amy looked up.

Her frightful grey eyes met Eric´s furry blazing ones and he saw her shriveling back. Amy hadn´t seen such murderous anger since she left home for good two years ago.

What she didn’t know was that his anger wasn’t aimed at her. At least not solely.

But how was he supposed to act if the woman who had him in shackles got herself knocked up.

Eric hoped for everyone in this damn compound that it was his.

Otherwise, there would be hell to pay.

 Amy stumbled backwards when he stormed towards her but Eric gripped her arm, pulling her into his chest before dragging the young dauntless out of the room.

"If you´d excuse us." Eric snarled at his fellow leaders, not giving a shit if he was respectful or not, they would understand afterwards.

 His hand still around her arm in a vice-like grip Eric dragged the helpless woman through the corridors, not bothering with her cries for him to let her go.

Amy would get what she wished for soon enough.

 Stopping in an abandoned hallway, far enough away from the conference room Eric slammed the young woman against the wall, shielding her with his hands to lessen the impact and make sure she wouldn’t get hurt.

He may be an asshole but he would never hurt a child or a pregnant woman.

To be honest he only did it to intimidate and cage her in his arms, quenching every escape attempt in the dust.

Leaning his hot body against hers Eric scrutinized Amy closely, enjoying the way his height made her tower over her.

Amy´s eyes were tightly shut, her beautiful face contorted as if she was still waiting for the impact of the wall but Eric hands behind her head and on her back had observed the power of the push. She hadn´t even really felt anything but was still frantically clutching the combat vest he always wore.

 The young leader knew she must be scared out of her mind with him so furious, but he also was aware of that Amy wouldn’t dare lie to him if she was conscious of the consequences that awaited her, should she dare to do so.

Knowing himself that intimidation was his strongest suit and utmost help in getting what he wanted, Eric spoke, his voice as cold as the heart of his mother.

"Is it mine?"

 Amy whipped her head up to glare at him, but instantly shriveled back again, face showing fear when she met his furious stare.

"Yes… of course it is! I haven't slept with anyone, other than you, for more than one and a half years. I´m not like that."

Amy started to tear up at his unsaid accusation and it bothered Eric to no end seeing her like that. But even though her admission that the baby was indeed his calmed Eric down immediately, the fact that she hadn´t come to see him the second she found out made him furious once again.

"How long have you known?"

 "Only two days. Please, Eric, you have to believe me. It´s only been two days and nobody knows."

Amy stumbled over her voice, hands still gripping him, eyes lowered to the space between them that was almost nonexistent because Eric´s muscular body was still pressed against hers. But even with her head hung low Eric knew she was holding back tears.

"Nobody knows?"

 When Amy realized that Eric had slightly calmed down, she let out a deep breath to collect herself and when she spoke again her voice was steady.

"No, I mean no one except Belle and she was the one who made me do the test."

 Eric didn’t speak for a long moment, contemplating if he should really lay his feelings down in front of the sister of his greatest foe, but if she planned on carrying the child- no, his child- the young leader knew he needed all the answers he could get.

Even if it meant to give her ammunition against him.

The long silence must have been deafening for Amy but when Eric finally spoke he carefully hid the true feelings in his voice, his face a carefully composed mask. But instead of coming out cold, the words he spoke sounded strained even to his own ears, telling the perceptive woman everything she needed to know.

 "Would you have ever told me? If I wouldn't have been at the meeting, would you have come to me and told me that you´re carrying my child? Not that I wouldn't have found out in the end anyways."

Eric´s face showed no emotion, the façade he held up almost flawless, but when Amy looked into his eyes, piercing his soul she was met by his innermost feelings, he desperately tried to hide.

Pain.

Hurt that she hadn’t told him.

Agony that she believed her brother instead of making up her own mind.

Desperation at the thought she could have hidden away his own child.

Maybe the only one he would ever have.

 Almost as if she could read his mind Amy´s face contorted, mirroring his anguish before she unexpectedly wrapped her arms around his abdomen, burying her face in his broad chest.

Eric froze at the sudden act of affection but not even a second later he reciprocated her movements, slinging his way bigger arms around her slim waist and pulling her against him, holding her tightly.

 "I wouldn't have wanted to… honestly, I´d been petrified. But you are the father, so of course, I would have. No matter how much my brother hates you or how any of us may have wished that the circumstances would have been different from what they are now, I could never keep you away from your you want to be part of its life...

I am so sorry that you had to hear it like that. That´s not how I wanted to tell you."

 Even though her voice was muffled by his shirt Eric heard how her voice cracked in the middle of a sentence, knowing she had started to cry.

Wanting to give her a little comfort, at least as much as someone like him could give someone like her, Eric grabbed her shoulders, gently pushing her away from him.

When the young leader raised his hands and brushed the tears away with his thumb, Amy looked up at him almost adoringly, only starting to cry harder.

In a fruitless attempt to compose herself Amy tried blinking the tears away rapidly, her face thoughtful. Eric could tell by looking at his stiff that something bothered her.

And he knew exactly what she was thinking when Amy asked him a question he rather left unanswered.

"Did you ever want children?"

 Eric exhaled deeply, carefully choosing his next few words. It was something he had thought about, sure, but in his mind, it were always the other ones that would have children and a family one day. Never himself.

So he told her just that.

"Honestly, no. I never wanted one. Apart from the fact that being a leader is more than just a full-time job and I don't really have much time to spare, I never thought I´d be able to live in a steady relationship. I have never been one to love, or to be loved in return."

But when Amy´s face fell and Eric knew he had just destroyed every hope her kind heart may have still held, the young leader simply had to scatter some of her worries even if he couldn’t promise her anything.

Not with the position he held and surely not with the big brother who would be out to have his head when news got out that he was the father.

 "Didn't mean I´d never try." Eric whispered into her ear, reveling in the way her face lit up, while he pulled her to him. Pressing a kiss on her forehead Eric sighed deeply, knowing duty was calling for him once more and he had to wrap up the meeting with the other leaders and that the hallways were equipped with cameras everywhere.

They had both been lucky that Four wasn´t in the control room today, but out on an errand run for Bud.

 "I have to go back. Otherwise, Max will send out a search group, most lightly briefed to retrieve your body."

But Eric being the notorious leader he is left her with one last threat, disguised as a promise.

"And don't you think anyone or anything will ever be able to keep me away from my child."

 Knowing, neither the young woman nor her brother or anyone of her little ridiculous friends would never be able to do so anyway, Eric strode away not once turning around, but aware of her eyes that followed him all the way until he rounded the corner.

 Amy would be his and not one human being in this goddamn city would be able to stop the determined leader.

That was a promise.

Groaning, Eric reveled in the feeling of finally being able to get out of his restricting leader uniform. Kicking his boots away Eric threw his vest onto the couch, for once not bothering with cleaning up behind him. His day had been tiring enough with the awful meeting and finding out he would become a father had just about topped everything else.

What were a few scattered garments in comparison?

 Leaving a trail of clothes Eric made his way to the shower, stripping out of his boxers before stepping into the hot water and under the huge showerhead.

Being leader had its peaks. Even if it was just a huge shower.

If he would ever get his little stiff into it, he would be glad for all the space.

The instant soothing of his tense muscles, caused by sitting all day long caused Eric to exhale deeply. He enjoyed the feeling for a moment before grabbing the body wash. The young leader started to lather it up in his hands, rubbing it all over his broad chest the exact same way he wished for Amy to do it.

His mind wasn´t focused on his actions, no. It was far away.

Presumably a few floors down from where he was now and with a certain redhead.

 As Eric let his hands roam over his defined body he had so carefully crafted, he asked himself how he would be able to handle a pregnant woman or a newborn child and his job simultaneously.

Because being a leader wasn´t a 9 to 5 job, no it was 24/7 52 weeks a year for the rest of his life.

And from experience that meant getting up at 4 am to sort stuff out when a patrol went wrong, sitting in boring meetings all day because erudite fucked up or the stiffs wanted to be even more selfless, causing distress to all the other factions. It was sorting out fights in the pit that were caused by drugs, alcohol and cheating dauntless, making initiates factionless because they weren´t cut out for this and all the way being hated by the whole faction because he had to act a certain way.

 And even though Max, who had guessed his newfound fatherhood the second he dragged the former abnegation out of the room and assured Eric he could take time off if needed or just cut hours down, the young leader had yet to figure out how he would handle everything at once.

But Eric knew two things for sure.

Firstly, there would be no other man touching what´s his, no matter if it was his woman or his child.

And secondly, no matter how hard it would be Eric would make it fit somehow.

The young leader always kept his promises.

 Thinking about everything that went down today Eric´s mind couldn’t help but project the image of Amy being pushed against the wall, his bulky form pressed against her petite one as her breast heaved upwards with every labored breath she took.

Her body had already started to transform and Eric was loving it.

His body did too.

 Groaning, Eric grabbed his almost painfully hard erection, slowly pumping a few times. But those images of Amy sprawled open on the mahogany conference table, calling out his name as he was thrusting into her, made his movements fasten until his hand was gliding over his thick shaft rapidly. With the memory of Amy unraveling beneath his expert touch, like she had done not even 20 feet away from where he was now Eric came. Gripping the head of his member he spilled himself onto the tiles with a loud grunt.

 Breathing heavily the leader leaned his head against the wall for a moment, reveling in the afterglow, knowing it would have been so much better with his stiff present.

After he had successfully calmed his breathing once again Eric pulled himself together, shutting off the water.

 Slinging a towel around his hips the only thing Eric asked himself now was if pregnant women really were as horny as everyone always claimed them to be. With his lips curled into a devilish smirk, Eric turned off the light in the bathroom on his way to the living room, shutting the door behind him.

He really hoped so, because the only man who would ever touch Amy again without dying the most painful death was Eric himself.

And as far as he was concerned, the leader just couldn´t wait to have her again.

 But I was too tired and my mind was too foggy, to give a single shit about his prissy behavior, so I closed my eyes again, pulling the sheet over my head.

Freddy only sighed, annoyed at my childish display, before he tried to pull away the blanket.

 “Come on, you have to get up!” Freddie stated exasperated, when I only tightened my grip, not giving it up. When he finally let it go, I sighed in content, knowing I could get another hour of blissful sleep or so.

 In fact, Freddy had just interrupted the best sleep, I´ve had in weeks and it certainly wasn’t because he had tired me out last night, not in the slightest, but the effects of the little pill, that didn’t just let me enjoy the evening, but also granted me one night of dreamless sleep.

The only disadvantage was, that I felt like shit in the morning. But it was something, I was already used to, so it wasn’t a huge price to pay for one night of rest.

 “Well, it´s your ranking and if you want to miss training, be my guest.”

I heard steps leading away from the bedroom, so knowing, Freddy would finally leave me alone, I snuggled deeper into the pillow, completely relaxed, despite the pounding in my head.

That was until the meaning of his words got through the fog, that clouded my mind and my eyes opened instantly. Throwing the blanket off me, I sat up, looking over to his nightstand, to see, that it was already 5 past eight.

I was so screwed.

 Scrambling away, I fell off the bed, frantically searching for my underwear in the process, but only being able to find my bra. I knew, I had no other choice, so I pulled the dress over my head, leaving the panties for Freddy, to add them to his large collection.

Going commando wasn’t something I liked, but it was necessary to get to training and get thrown out on my ass.

 Running out of his bedroom, Freddy leaned against his kitchen island, still undressed and still smoking, as if he had no care in the world. My heels lay somewhere in front of his couch, where we stumbled onto last night, and I snatched them, hurrying towards the door, still barefoot.

With my hand on the doorknob, I stopped, when Freddy decided to speak up.

 “It was nice seeing you, too. Whenever you need me, you know where to find me, princess.”

 I could practically see his face, even without turning around, while the nickname, my father always used, sounded so wrong coming out of his mouth. That strange mixture of amusement, annoyance, but also nonchalance, made me roll my eyes at his narcissistic disposition.

Without sparing him another glance, I ripped the door open and hurried into the hallway.

.

.

.

Running through the compound with my heels in hand, I arrived in the dorms in no time, changing my clothes at lightning speed. I had never dressed so fast in my whole life. Throwing my shoes into the trunk, before peeling off my dress and I frantically putt on my training gear, all too aware of the time running away.

After popping a headache pill, I downed almost a whole bottle of water, on my way towards the training room, zigzagging through the crowd, that started to form, the closer I came towards the pit.

 Sliding to a stop in front of the training room, I threw the metal door open, which wasn’t my brightest moment. Instead of arriving sneaky, like I had planned, the banging of the door made all heads turn towards me.

But what was strange was, that the people standing in front of the punching bags, were all transfers, even though we were supposed to be here.

 “And where do you come from?” A snooty voice asked, making my head spin around. Blade, the instructor for the transfers, was standing behind me, looking down with hard eyes, an angry look crossing his face, when I didn’t start talking.

I knew he had issues with me not answering him, but I couldn’t really change that now, could I?

 So I stared at him, before turning my gaze towards the transfers. Fed up, by my defiance, that wasn't really one, he went to take a step forward when someone behind him spoke up.

 “Lexi? What are you doing here?” Ben came towards us, arms crossed, wearing a confused expression. When I ruefully shrugged my shoulders, he sighed, before telling Blade to watch the transfers, before turning to me.

“You overslept, didn’t you?”

 Guiltily, I bowed my head, suddenly interested in my shoelaces, that weren’t tied correctly, making my cousin sigh. “Come on.”

Grabbing my elbow, Ben led me out of the training room and towards the smaller one, that was reserved for knife throwing. When I questioned him wordlessly, Ben started to explain.

 “Theo isn’t here this morning, which is your luck, but he and Dante agree, that all of you have had enough stamina training for one week, so you´ll practice knife throwing this morning and fighting techniques later.”

 Hearing, that we would start fighting, I perked up. Training all week had been demanding, but rather boring because all we did was running and strength training, the real fun starting next week.

Opening the door, Ben ushered me in, this time a little more low-key, and I immediately spotted my fellow initiates, that were indeed throwing knives at the targets.

 There were two settings: one, with real knives, which stayed embedded into the target, if you did it right, or the second one, for smaller kids. they would throw with dull blades and the target would light up, showing where it was hit and what the score was.

We, the initiates, of course, trained with real knives.

 Spotting us, Dante came over, coming to a halt in front of my cousin, hands folded behind his back, without even sparing me a glance.

Bewildered, I looked at my instructor, who was usually such a nice person, noticing that he seemed agitated, but hid it well. Only his body language gave him away. He squared his shoulders as if he was angry, his fists were clenched.

 “What can I help you with, Ben?” Dante asked politely, still looking straight forward. If it was, because he had no desire to deal with me, or to pay respect to his leader, I had no idea.

 “Lexi overslept and I brought her here, so you can straighten her out.” Ben stated, making my head whip towards him. Who does he think he was, to talk about me like that.

I don’t need straightening out, I just overslept.

As if he had never done that.

In fact, I could recall at least three different occasions. So he should stop acting all high and mighty.

 “Don´t worry, I will.” Dante reassured him, throwing me a sideway glance while doing so. “Is that everything?”

 Shooting me a rueful look, Ben nodded his head at the other man, before retreating, back straight, to go, oversee his bunch of initiates, that, with their instructor, apparently needed aid more than I did.

I pondered between wishing Ben stayed, or sending him to hell because Dante was acting so strange towards me.

 Only when my cousin was out of the room, Dante turned around, finally looking into my face. But instead of the warm, inviting expression he always sported, his eyes were hard and his posture rather cold. While he straightened up to his full size, arms folded over his chest, which only accentuated his muscles, he mustered me from head to toe, taking in my disheveled state.

Knowing this stance was supposed to intimidate me, I stayed right where I was, only raising my eyebrow at his act, which made him scowl a little.

I didn’t back down, even though I knew, it would only get me into deeper shit, but I wasn’t one to let other´s walk all over me.

At least not anymore.

 “You are…” Dante started to speak, before demonstrative looking at the watch on his wrist, “over thirty minutes late. So you overslept?”

 When I gave him a look, that screamed “Didn’t Ben just say that?”, he shifted, raising his eyebrows at my disrespectful behavior. I normally wouldn’t egg a person of higher ranking on any more than I usually did, I learned my lesson with dad, but I couldn’t understand, why he acted as if I was just one of his subordinates, all of sudden.

 “Well, if you don’t think it´s worth to get up for training, we should do something about that, don’t you think?”

 Noticing my bewildered expression, Dante stepped closer, until we were only separated by a few inches. His stance screamed of authority, as he tilted his head, observing me for a moment before going on sarcastically.

 “I mean, if taking pills and spending the night with second class patrol officers is more important, than succeeding in the faction, you choose, then maybe you really don´t belong here.”

 Taking a step back, I stared at him, feeling, as if he´d just hit me. Eyes flickering over his face, I tried to see if he was joking, but there was no trace of amusement to detect.

So I took another step away from him, not wanting to be closer to him anymore.

 Observing me the whole time, Dante sighed deeply, before looking over to the rest of the dauntless born, where several had stopped throwing and started to gossip, shooting the two of us curious glances. But when they saw him looking, they hurriedly turned back again, continuing to practice.

Ivy shot me a worried look, but I turned away towards my instructor again, who was running a hand through his hair, visibly conflicted about something.

But when our eyes met, his were cold again.

 “That´s what you´re going to do. You will make up for the time you missed after training. Because you´re 30 minutes late, it´s going to an hour.”

I´ve already expected that, so it wasn’t really bad, but when I went to join the others, Dante grabbed my upper arm, stopping me.

 “That´s not all. I want you to give me five rounds around the compound. Now. And I will check the feed later, so don’t even think about skipping.”

 Incredulous, because that would literally take me hours, I could only gape at him, but Dante was unyielding. Clenching my fists, to prevent myself from doing something utterly stupid, I ripped my arm away, not wanting him to touch any part of my body, when all I did wish to do, was hit him.

The temptation was too big.

 “When you´re done, report back to me. If there´s still time before lunch break, you can join the others.”

Dante curtly dismissed me.

Acting as if I´d cared, I mock-saluted him, before storming past him.

 In front of the door the door, I turned around one last time, so see him watching me with an indecipherable expression on his face. Shooting him my most murderous glare, I threw the heavy door open, cursing him, as I made my way out of the compound, to get on with my punishment.

Like predicted, it took me hours to round the compound five damn times, so when I arrived again in the training room, out of breath and completely soaked with sweat, the dauntless born were just wrapping up their training. I stayed in the doorway, until Dante spotted me and nodded, dismissing me for the break.

Without granting him another glance, I left.

If he wants to act like an asshole, he shouldn’t expect me, to tolerate his behavior or him.

 In the mess hall, I skipped food completely, only grabbing a bottle of orange juice, too nauseous to get anything solid down.

I plopped down at our usual table, chugging the whole bottle of juice, before laying my head onto the surface. The cool metal felt heavenly on my heated skin.

 After a few minutes, the others arrived. Setting down their trays, they joining me, chattering mindlessly.

 “You alright?” Came Owens voice from somewhere to my left. Raising my head a few inches, I shot him a look that told him everything he had to know.

“Okay…” He muttered, getting the hint, that I wanted to be left alone.

 Avery, on the other hand, didn’t.

 A plate was pushed against my arm, that lay beside my head on the table. Not wanting to deal with their bullshit, I shoved it away again, not even looking up.

 "Lexi, you have to eat something." She insisted, pushing it forward again, even though Ivy told her to leave me alone. Fed up with their patronizing ways, I jumped up, sweeping the whole damn tray off the table.

As it landed on the floor, clattering loudly, everyone turned around in search of the commotion, but I only glared at the idiots in front of me, that didn’t seem to understand, that I wanted nothing to do with them.

 “Whoah. Calm down!” Avery stated with wide eyes, hands raised in surrender, but I had already stepped over the bench, storming out of the mess hall.

 Who do they think they are?!

They´re not family and they are certainly not friends, so they could shove their pity up their ass and take care of someone, that actually likes them.

Fuming, I strode through the compound, searching for a place, where I could calm down a little, so I made my way back towards the training room, knowing just the right room to do so.

 "Hey, Lex…" Jon started to speak when I passed by, but I ignored him, knowing I was so close to hitting someone. I know, he watched me practically running away, just like my amazing instructor had in the mess hall, thinking I wouldn’t notice it, but right now, I cared about nothing.

 Picturing his damn brown eyes, that followed my every movement, I stopped, taking a few deep breaths, what was supposed to help me, but it didn’t.

At all.

It only made me angrier.

Punching the cave wall, with all the force I could muster, making a loud cracking sound resonate through the abandoned hallway. Cradling my hand to my chest, I hissed as I touched my bloody knuckles.

 That may have been stupid, considering we would be fighting later, but not even the pain could divert my attention from the guy, that aggravated me to no end.

 Dante wasn’t as sly as he thought he was, so though luck trying to keep an eye on me from now on because I don’t plan on making it easy for him.

I mean, second class patrol officer?!

 Why did he even care, who I fucked or what I used, to finally wind down, after a shitty day?

It wasn’t any of his business and he should stop watching me all the damn time. Dante had no idea, how hard it was, to survive in a faction that prided itself in being strong when everyone around you, percepts you as the weak one.

The failure.

The anomaly in a family, that rules the whole faction.

 If Dante thinks, I don’t belong here, I´m going to show him, who the fuck he was dealing with.

  I spend the rest of our break in the backroom of the training room, sitting against a wall, trying to reign my murderous thoughts in, before I would have to get back.

I tried to meditate and to let my mind be calmed by soothing thoughts or some shit like that, but the truth was, that nothing calmed me as fast, as imagining, how exactly I could hurt the people, that had fucked me over.

Knowing my father, I must have inherited that from him, even though the good intentions are a trait from mom.

 Closing my eyes, I tried to push down the nauseous, I had been feeling all day, knowing the next six hours would be hell for me.

But I would push through it like I always did.

 Hearing a distant door open, I got up, slipping into the training room, to join the rest of the initiates, that had gathered in front of the ring. Stepping closer, I kept my distance to Avery, Ivy, and Owen, who all watched me wearily. I finally came to a stop a few feet away from the rest of the dauntless born.

 Raising my glance towards the ring, I saw my older brother and Dante standing there, observing us. When Theo looked at me with inquisitive eyes, I crossed my arms, my expression giving nothing away. His then turned to concerned and finally, after having guessed, that I fucked up, it became stern, as he watched me with narrowed eyes.

 “We are going to demonstrate the basic defense and attack moves, just to be sure, before you´re going to partner up. We will both check your stances, to improve it, so watch closely.”

Theo spoke, swaying his gaze over his initiates, before turning towards Dante. With a nod, they both took in their fighting stances.

 Feet shoulder-wide apart, hands raised to protect face and abdomen, they started to go through the motions of basic punches, kicks and how to block or divert them in the less painful ways.

Having those things learned with five years and perfected under the criticizing gazes of my father, uncle and the leader duo, years ago, it was pretty boring for me to watch the two of them, now that I couldn’t even enjoy the flexing of Dante´s muscles, because I was even too mad for that.

 Over the shoulder of my brother, said instructor met my gaze for only a second, but it was enough for Theo, to find a flaw in his stance and he planted his fist in the other man´s gut.

Dante let out a grunt, flexing his abdominal muscles.

Even though my brother hadn’t used his full force his punches were still powerful. Dante´s face showed his slight discomfort, which caused me to suppress a smug grin.

After all, he had deserved it.

 Seeing the struggle at containing my gleeful expression, Dante shot me a dirty look, before they ordered us, to team up with another person.

Knowing, I would get who´s left, I didn’t even bother to approach anyone, but waited, until one of Marc´s friends, Jackson, came towards me.

Following him, we took our stances somewhere, where we would have enough space to train, without getting into somebody’s way.

 I didn’t really like Jackson, but my luck could have been worse. I mean, he a jerk and insufferable, but at least he wasn't a leering asshole like Riley, who I like to call Marc´s right-hand man. He always did their dirty work in hiding, what they fucked up, and believe me, with them it´s never something pleasant.

 Seeing me eying him up, Jackson smirked, taunting me.

“Don´t worry. I will go easy on you.”

 He hadn’t even finished speaking, before my fist landed in his guts, catching him off guard and effectively knocking the wind out of him. When Jackson doubled over, clutching his stomach in pain, I shook my hand out, pondering over the fact, that it had been stupid to punch a wall.

 “Or not…” He muttered, straightening up again, grimacing in pain, before resuming his stance. ”I had no idea, you could hit that hard.”

 Smirking, I beckoned him forward and Jackson followed my invitation, throwing himself at me with all his strength. I deflected his punch, by leading his hand upwards and used his momentum against him, hitting exact the same spot again, I had before.

 “Damn!” Was all I heard when he had once again caught his breath. Coming at me a third time with the same tactic, Jackson didn’t seem to understand, that his advance was way too cave man like.

 I´ve had fought my whole life against men, that were double my weight and/or towered over my petite self, so his style would get him nowhere with me.

Ducking, I avoided his punches, before sweeping his feet from under him. Jackson landed on his back with a loud thud, groaning when his head hit the floor.

 "You´re supposed to be training basic moves. Not the ninja shit Amar taught you." Theo scolded, but for me, it was clear to see, that he was suppressing a grin, at the less than expressive skills of Jackson.

 Watching me for a moment, Theo stepped closer and bowed down slightly, before talking lowly.

“And what was that about you, being late for training?”

Shooting him an annoyed look, that told him to stop talking about it, my brother raised his eyebrows at my sudden attitude, but he just had to touch the sore subject.

 Not wanting to start a fight with him, I turned towards Jackson, who had gotten up and waited impatiently for me to continue. Back in fighting stance, I could feel my brother’s eyes on my form and he tapped my shoulders, to straightening me out.

 “Make sure to keep the tension in your abdomen." Theo told me, making me roll my eyes. As if I hadn't known that, since I started fighting. He observed us for a few more minutes, correcting Jackson's stance multiple times before he went on.

 “And no more being late. You deserved your punishment.” Speaking over his shoulder, I watched my brother´s retreating back for a moment, unbelieving, that he thought my punishment was warranted and that he thought the whole ordeal was funny.

  Distracted, I wasn't able to do anything against the fist, that came flying towards my face before it was too late. The force, his fist hit my cheek with, made me fall backward and the back of my head hit the hard floor. Pain spread through my skull, burning hot like iron, my eyesight was for a short moment, non-existent.

 Groaning in anguish, I rolled around, touching the sore spot on the back of my head and for a second, I was back in the alleyway, blood rushing out of my wound, while my best friend somehow tried to get to me.

 So when hands started touching me, I pushed them away with all the force I could muster in my foggy state, moving away shakily, until someone grabbed my head, making me focus on a familiar face.

Blinking rapidly, my eyesight slowly cleared and I recognized Dante, who´s mouth was moving, but what he tried to tell me, took me a moment to register.

 “Lexi? Are you alright?!”

Nodding my head in reassurance, I closed my eyes for a moment, when the movement caused another jolt of pain before I started trying to get up. Pushing his hands away, I felt dizzy and my head hurt, but I was too stubborn to sit around any longer.

So when my brother came and asked me the same questions, before ordering me to take a break, I only waved him aside, standing up with shaky legs.

Facing Jackson once again, I saw that most initiates had stopped to watch my display of weakness, but now they hurried to get their own training on.

 Waving off Jackson's half-hearted apology, even though I knew, he was secretly glad, he had gotten a good hit in, we practiced more defense tactics, but this time less vigorously.

 After the basic moves, we switched to kicks and more demanding maneuvers, which was more to my liking. But my headache from this morning paired with the hit I just took, made it hard for me to concentrate and chugging a whole bottle of water, in an attempt to lessen my pain, only made my empty stomach churn in discomfort. I was constantly rubbing my temples, in search of relief, but instead of getting better, the headache only got worse, especially when I started training with the punching bag.

 I was beyond relieved, when the clock turned six, signaling for us, that training was over. That was until I remembered, I had another hour to go.

Figures, that it had to be today.

 Theo had left two hours ago, having to deal with some leader business, but I saw him shooting me a worried look before he was out of the door. I just hoped, he wouldn't tell dad about my shitty day, or I would earn myself another punishment.

That I was sure off.

 Reluctantly, I made my way towards Dante, after the last initiate had left the room, leaving only the two of us. He was standing in the middle of the room, scrolling through his phone, oblivious to my presence and I caught myself wondering, at what or who he was smiling like that.

Only the clearing of my throat made him look up, a little startled that he wasn’t alone. I scowled at that.

If my instructor didn’t care, that I was here, then I could just as well go to the dorm, pop a sleeping pill and forget this horrible day, before doing absolutely nothing tomorrow.

 “Let´s get started, won´t we?” Dante asked rhetorically, but his smile slowly faded, when I fretted at him, not in the mood for jokes. “Right… just get running. That will be the easiest thing to do.”

 Raising my eyebrows at his lack of creativity, I slowly turned and walked away from him, shooting him one last look, before starting to run.

The perimeter of the training room was nothing compared to that of the compound, but in my exhausted state, it was enough to bring me to the brink of exhaustion.

 After 15 minutes, my legs started to burn from the exertion.

After 30 minutes, every step was sending a jostle of pain into my head, making me lose focus, so I tripped several times.

After 45 minutes, my leg muscles started to shake and I could feel a cramp forming in my calf, while I started to get dizzy.

 Just when Dante, who had been switching between watching me and scrolling through his phone, or making short errands, called time, my legs buckled beneath me, sending me to the floor in a heap of limbs.

Almost not being able to catch myself, before my head hit the floor a second time today, I tried to focus and breathe through the pain, when black spots appeared in my vision.

 “Fuck!” Was the only thing I heard before someone fell to his knees beside me. Gentle hands turned me around, careful of my hurting head, and when I tiredly opened my eyes, I was met by a concerned looking Dante, who brushed the sweat-soaked hair out of my face.

One hand on my back, he supported my weight, but I was too weak, to get up yet, so I only rested my head against his shoulder with closed eyes, trying to calm my labored breathing, as he pulled me towards him.

 “Why didn’t you stop, when you knew it was too much for you?!” Dante asked harshly, shifting my weight in his arms. Too tired to open my eyes, I shrugged, making him sigh deeply in return.

 “Have you eaten anything, yet?” When I stiffened, guilty, Dante froze, before grabbing my chin, to make me look at him. My eyes met his and I was met by aggravation. No doubt directed at my behavior, but Dante refrained from saying anything, for which I was thankful.

 “You´ve got to be kidding me.” Muttering angrily, Dante tightened his grip on my back, before putting his other arm beneath my knees, lifting me up, as if I weighed nothing.

Deciphering my silent question, as if he had done it a thousand times, Dante answered me.

“We´re going to get you something to eat and a shower. You stink.”

He added the last sentence jokingly, making my lips slightly curl upwards, while I leaned my head against his broad shoulder, closing my eyes and letting him carry me, without questioning him further.

Because I trusted him.

The shifting of my weight jolted me out of my slumber and when I tiredly opened my eyes, I saw Dante, who tried laying me down on the couch, without interrupting my sleep.

When he saw, that I was awake again, he smiled ruefully, taking a step back.

 “You can sleep a little, I´ll fix us something to eat.”

 I seriously considered his offer, but I heaved myself up, knowing I needed to shower badly. The little nap, even though it couldn’t have been more than 15 minutes, had given me enough energy to do at least that, so I manage to stand up from the couch on my own.

Turning my head towards Dante, who observed me with a guilty expression, I motioned for him, to get me a headache pill.

 A little reluctantly, he complied, walking towards the kitchen, taking out a container with medicine, before handing me one with a glass of water.

Greedily, I downed it all, feeling the relief instantly.

 “Do you want to take a shower, while I cook?” Dante asked, taking out all the ingredients, he would need. “Then come on.”

 He gestured for me to go ahead, after I accepted, leading me towards the bathroom with a hand on the lower of my back. Dante followed me in, handing me two towels and shampoo, before turning to leave.

 “I´m going to put clothes for you in front of the door.” With that, he was gone, leaving me in the bathroom, where I had puked my guts out, only two weeks ago.

Thinking about that morning, I had the feeling, that it had been months, since I was last here, even though it wasn't.

Strange, how your time perception can screw you over.

It felt like an eternity, since I had met Dante, but it only felt like weeks since I had last seen my best friend.

 Pondering, how my mind could play such tricks on me, I stripped down, stepping into the scalding shower. Letting the hot water wash away the pain in my muscles, I inhaled the scent of Dante´s shampoo deeply, while I lathered my hair with it.

However great it felt, to be finally clean again, I didn’t linger in here because my legs threatened to give out again.

 When I dried myself with the towel, slinging the second one around my head, I was genuinely happy, as I thought about staying in bed the whole day tomorrow. It was Sunday, the only training free day in dauntless and tomorrow, I would be lazy.

 Covering myself with the other towel, I opened the door, glimpsing through the gap, to make sure, Dante wasn’t anywhere in sight. Snatching up the clothes, I closed it again, before locking it for good measures.

Looking at the items in my hand, I snorted, when I realized, it was a pair of boxer shorts and a sweatshirt. Pulling them on, I had to fold the shorts several times, to prevent them from falling off my hips. The sweater on the other hand, was delightfully big, so much so, that I could almost loose myself inside it, but it also made it look as if I was wearing nothing underneath it.

Knowing, there was nothing I could do about that, I folded my dirty clothes, hiding my underwear inside my t-shirt, before stuffing that into my pants.

You could never now.

And I sure as hell didn’t want my instructor to find my dirty panties.

 Laying the bundle of clothes on the ground in the bathroom, I made my way back towards the kitchen, untangling my unruly locks with my fingers because Mr. Great-hair didn't seem to have a brush.

 I felt his eyes on my exposed legs when I finally stepped into the kitchen, but because Dante had seen so much more of me already, I didn’t really mind. Sitting down at the kitchen island, I observed him, as he turned something around, that looked like a steak. The delicious smell made my stomach growl in protest, so loud, that Dante turned around at me with raised eyebrows, while I blushed, embarrassed.

 “Only a minute.” He assured me, seasoning the meat in the pan. Not knowing what to do with myself, I grabbed one of the daggers, he had lying around, testing, how they felt in my hand.

 "You´ve missed an enlightening training session this morning." Glimpsing over his shoulder, Dante started to speak, before holding up a piece of toast, asking, if I want a piece of it, but turned around, when I scowled at his pitiful attempt at humor.

“You surely could have used the practice.”

 I decided to show him, how much I could have used that practice.

 The throwing dagger landed with a thud, nailing the piece of toast in his hand to the wall with such force, that it stayed there. In the process, I had missed the tip of Dante´s ring finger by a hair's breadth, just like I had intended.

 Dante froze, his hand still in midair, slowly turning around with raised eyebrows. Swaying his gaze from me to the toast, he started to chuckle lightly, before pulling the knife out of the wall, where it left a sizeable hole.

 "Or not. Because of you, I won't get my security deposit back."

Sighing, Dante turned towards me, but my smug grin had been replaced by a dubious expression.

There was no such thing as a security deposit in dauntless.

And if it was, I doubted anyone would get it back. Most members were just rambunctious donkeys, that liked to set shit on fire.

No wonder, there was at least one flat on fire, every month triggering the sprinklers and setting dad into a frenzy until he got his hands on the neck of the responsible idiot.

“But I guess, that´s what I get for being an asshole this morning.”

Tilting my head, I waited for him to go on, but Dante was busy, loading my plate with a gigantic piece of meat and lots of potatoes.

 Placing the plate in front of me, Dante sat down on my side, smiling, before ordering me to start eating. Rolling my eyes, I complied hesitantly, but started moaning, when the first piece of meat touched my taste buds.

With huge eyes, I looked over at Dante, who was chuckling at my display of indulgence, but I didn’t care. My starved body was demanding more of this deliciousness.

Who would have thought, he was such a great cook?

 Unlike me, who was eating like a pig, Dante savored each bite, chewing slowly. But it also could have been caused by the fact, that he was watching me the whole time, trying to contain his smile, but failing to do so.

 After a few minutes of comfortable silence, only our cutlery rattling on the plates, Dante's voice made me turn my head towards him. He looked slightly pained and guilty when he finally addressed me and I watched him wearily, wiping my mouth with a paper towel.

 “I may have been out of line this morning and I most certainly shouldn’t have pushed you like that, but you´re destroying your future if you don't stop taking that shit.”

His words resembled dad´s so much, I had to close my eyes for a moment and when I opened them again, I was no longer hungry. Pushing the half-empty plate away from me, I went to get up and away from this confrontation, but strong hands prevented me from getting away.

Instead, Dante pulled me towards him, so I came to stand between his legs, his hands on either side of my hip, leaving me no option, then to look at him.

 Raising my eyes, I prepared myself for an angry, disappointed expression, like the one dad always wore, but when I met his eyes, Dante only mustered me warmly, brushing the wet hair out of my face.

“And I want you to understand, that I have to treat you like any other initiate, even when you are so far from being one.  Just… please don’t do something stupid like that again, okay? You are such a skilled, beautiful, strong, young woman. Don’t throw that away, just because you´re pissed at someone. Lexi, you are so much more than your past.”

 Shrugging my shoulders, to hide how much his words had hit home, I leaned my head against his chest, not wanting to think about anything, he just told me. Because as Dante pulled me even closer and I slung my arms around his back, I knew, this would shatter me.

No one was able to get to me like he was and if I wasn't careful, it would destroy me from the inside out.

He would destroy me.

Like water, that entered the small cracks in the concrete, just to blow it apart, when it would freeze in winter.

 Even the toughest shell could be broken apart, with the smallest of things. Like a diamond.

And I had just found mine.

 The question was, would he built me up again, stronger than I was before, after shattering me or would he leave me by myself, to pick up every single piece by myself, watching how the shards pierced my skin.

Over the duration of that time, the young leader noticed little quirks about her, like her obsession with orange juice, how she completely lost it, when Uriah dressed up as a clown, to prank her once, or how, eventhough she seemed exhausted, Amy always found time for her overbearing amity friend, or the loud-mouthed candor from the year prior.

 Eric had no idea, why she chose such a low position in the infirmary, although she had been so high in ranking. It was either Four´s bad attitude towards the leadership positions, or some sort of twisted helper syndrome, that prevented the young woman from seeking out a superior position within the faction, instead of tending to suicidal idiots.

 Like he guessed, Amy didn’t remember their encounter in the hallway, or she choose not to acknowledge it, instead going right back to avoiding Eric as much as possible, like she had done in initiation.

But that was exactly, what Eric had predicted.

 Even if she would have remembered their heated kiss, she would have never taken Eric up on his indecent offer, to spend the night with him. If not for her brother´s hatred towards the young leader, the morals, abnegation had forced onto her, would have prevented her from doing so.

So, the only time, Eric felt her gaze raking over his bulky form, was, when the little one was drunk, which didn’t happen often with her brother lurking in the shadows.

 Another factor that contributed to the fact, that Eric didn’t get her sooner into is bed, was, that shortly after initiation, James, a guy Eric detested, managed to convince Amy to go out with him. The former candor was a year younger than him and her brother and part of the first initiation class, Eric had overseen.

 He was a cocky little fucker, that tried to undermine Eric´s authority on every step along the way, which didn’t do his already bad ranking any good.

7th. How lame.

 James had been so annoying Eric was tempted to just throw him out. But Max was keeping a close eye on his prodigy and his work, so Eric had no choice but to play nice.

But after watching the smug asshole undressing his little stiff with his eyes, even while she was still an initiate, while playing the perfect gentleman, eventhough he was anything but, Eric deeply regretted not showing his worst side to him.

 Instead of getting better, the situation only got worse for Eric, when he had to watch the two turtle doves for the next six months, without being able to do anything.

It was the time, he had to work 24/7 for months, to ensure Jeanine Matthews wouldn’t overthrow the abnegation council, to take over the government and start a civil war.

Unbeknownst to all the members, it was a fragile time, where one wrong move could cause the death of thousands of innocent civilians.

But eventhough Eric was working non-stop, he still saw them together, which worsened his bad mood so much, not even Maggs could tolerate him any longer.

That the little fucker watched other woman with hungry eyes, while all Amy did was stare at him lovingly, almost made him loose his shit, several times.

 So Eric was relieved, when he finally showed his true colors and left her for some other bitch, that was known to be an easy lay.  But when he went to the infirmary, to get stitched up, after a pretty bad cut he got while sharpening his knives and found her sniveling around, with red, puffy eyes, Eric was murderous.

James would get what he deserves, for hurting his stiff like that.

 Knowing, the former candor detested him and still hadn’t learned to keep his mouth shut, Eric ambushed him and his friends in the training room, shortly after he broke with Amy.

They were using the punching bags, while joking around, making Eric’s blood boil, as he heard them making crude comments about James and his conquests. Which the little redhead was a part of.

Taking off his shirt, Eric chose the bag next to James, starting to pummel it, while showing off his fine physique, when said asshole clicked his tongue and shot him a disgusted look, making Eric freeze mid-movement.

Turning around, he regarded the former candor with his iciest glare, but dense as he was, he didn’t notice what kind of danger he was getting into, so when Eric asked him, if he had a problem, James told him, Eric was his problem.

 What followed wasn’t something nice, just like the calculating leader had planned it.

Okay, to be true, the whole incident was rather nasty.

 So much so, as that it needed all three of his friends and two other dauntless, that were doing their daily exercises, to get Eric off James, before he could kill him.

 Still, the damage was done and the wounded dauntless was rushed to the infirmary, while Eric later learned, that Amy hadn’t been seen anywhere near him, after she was assured, she wasn’t needed there, to treat him.  

Just that little fact, that she didn’t insist to aid to him, managed, to make the stoic leader break into a satisfied grin, when he later nursed his bruised knuckles in the confinements of his own four walls, while images of the little redhead hushed through his thoughts.

 But eventhough Amy never showed any signs of being attracted to him while she was sober, Eric knew, it was there. While she chose not to acknowledge the obvious pull between the two of them, her subconsciousness was all too aware of it.

Every time, Eric would step into the same room, he noticed her stiffen or stand up straighter, never turning her back towards him, while eyeing him up inconspicuous.

It was like she was the prey and he was the predator, waiting for one wrong move from her, to pounce.

 And that´s just what he did.

.

.

.

Eric was nursing a whiskey on the rocks, after a long day at the office, while Wayne was chatting about some girl he took home last night, beside him. But Eric wasn’t really listening to his best friend.

The red haired vixen on the other side of the room, dancing and laughing, as if she had no care in the world, was too damn distracting.

Especially when she was swaying her hips like that.

 Amy and her friends had been here long before Eric arrived, judging from the empty bottles on their table and by listening to their loud bantering, it soon was known, that it must have been the blonde´s 20th birthday.

And they celebrated it dauntless style.

 Apart from Eric, who had joined Wayne at the bar, all the other leaders were huddled into a boot, discussing something with hushed voices. But the youngest leader had done enough for today, so he stayed away from them, not wanting to discuss any business.

Either way, he would have been too distracted to understand even one word of what they were saying.

 “Are you even listening to me?” Wayne demanded Eric´s attention, making him turn his head slightly towards his best friend.

 “Sure. Your female friend was a great lay.” Taking another swing, Eric glanced at Wayne, before looking away again. It seemed, as if Amy had found a tequila bottle and was hell-bend to keep it to herself, while her blonde best friend tried to steal it away. “As if you hadn’t known before.”

 “Fuck you.” Wayne stated, punching him hard in the shoulder. “And stop gawking at Four´s sister. That will only get you into trouble.”

 Rolling his eyes, Eric ignored his advice and went right back to observe Amy, but she wasn’t on the dancefloor anymore. Swaying his gaze over the throngs of intoxicated dauntless, it took him a moment, until he spotted her, just as she climbed onto the bar, bottle still in hand.

She stood up straight, walking over the bar in her murder heels.

 “Damn…” Wayne muttered, his eyes raking over her now sensually dancing form, while Amy sung loudly, her angelic sounding voice contradicting her sinful hip movements.

But one glare managed to shut him up, Wayne’s hands raised in surrender.

 Drowning the rest of his drink, Eric slammed the glass onto the bar, before standing up, ready to get her down, from where every fucker in this bar could see her dancing like this, but Wayne grabbed his arm.

“What are you doing, dude?”

 “I´m going to get her down there, before she breaks her neck.” Eric snarled, annoyed at being interrupted, ripping his arm away, before proceeding.

With a few, long strides, he was in front of her, arms crossed, while he looked at Amy with raised eyebrows. He was half glad and half pissed, that none of her friends seemed to acknowledge the fact, that the former stiff was dancing on the bar, or that Eric was near her.

All of them were either busy with booze, or with making out with each other.

 “And what do you think, you´re doing up there?” Eric asked in a stern voice, causing Amy to swirl around, almost losing her balance in the process, her heels slippery on the bar, that was wet from countless drinks spilled onto it. She looked at him, gaze unfocussed, before going right back to swaying her hips slightly to the rhythm.

Directly in front of him.

 “What does it look like?! I´m dancing, silly!” Amy giggled, her arms flailing through the air, threatening to knock anybody in close proximity out with the bottle in her hand. Knowing, if she would fall onto it, Amy would hurt herself pretty bad and because it was a hazard for other drunk members, Eric snatched the tequila bottle out of her hand, just as she went to take another swing.

“Hey!” The now angry redhead exclaimed, pouting at the unimpressed leader. “That´s my bottle!”

 “Not anymore. Now get down here, before you break something.”

 “Don´t be such a sourpuss!” Amy scowled at her leader, hands on her hips, trying to intimidate him with her glare, that only managed to make her even cuter. Eric only sighed, fed up with her sassiness, just as she proceeded, walking over the bar, while mocking her leader. “I´m not going to fall, I´m not stup…. AHHH!”

 Just as Amy started to speak, she went to take another step, but didn’t see the lemon slice in front of her. Like Eric had predicted, she stepped right onto it with her 4-inch heels and slipped, arms flailing widely, as she slowly fell backwards.

 Acting on impulse, Eric didn’t waste a second before jumping forward, slinging his arms around her hips and pulling her into his chest, before she could fall and hit her head on the edge on the counter behind the bar.

Such a fall could end deadly.

 Holding her steadily, Eric held her for a moment, before slowly lowering her to the ground, her body sliding alongside his, creating a wonderful friction. Amy clung to his shirt, obviously shaken from the incident. He pulled her against him, before tilting his head towards hers, his nose slightly grazing the shell of her ear, until his mouth was right beside it.

 “Who´s the silly one now?” Eric breathed, before pulling back slightly, grinning at her smugly, while Amy just stared at him wide-eyed, her hands still grabbing his collar.

 “You… you saved me…” Amy stuttered, gazing at the young leader adoringly, her eyes flitting over his face rapidly, stopping at the curve of his full lips for a moment, before she looked up into his eyes again. “You really saved me.”

Eric rolled his eyes at her exaggeration, but secretly enjoyed the feeling of her delicate fingers running through the short hair on his nape, caressing it.

But he had to keep his façade up, so Eric spoke with raised eyebrows, his voice accusatory.

 “You think I would have let you fall? I´m not that much of an asshole.”

 At this, Amy started to giggle, pressing herself against him, while her hands started to roam all over him. When her hand started to wander down his abdomen, he caught it, like so long ago in the hallway, making her look up sharply. When their gazes met, she ripped her hand away, just to grab his neck and pulled him down into a searing kiss.

 Caught off guard, it took Eric a moment to respond, but then he pulled her even closer, one hand on the low of her back, the other one in her neck, while their lips moved in sync.

As if they had done it a thousand times.

 Eric was the first to pull back, knowing there were to many prying eyes, that could report back to her brother and their fun would end, before it had begun.

Maybe with a bullet in Eric´s skull.

 Looking at the small woman in his arms, Eric smirked at the pout, that adorned her face. She wasn’t happy about him stopping her assault, but it was necessary.

“Not here.” Eric muttered, closely watching her flushed face for any reaction. Biting her lip seductively, Amy stood on the tip of her toes, her nose inches away from his.

 “Then take me to your apartment.”

 Eric scrutinized her for a moment, to see if this was really, what she wanted and when he saw the determination in her eyes, he nodded curtly, before his lips contorted into his trademark smirk.

 Grabbing her hand, he pulled her through the people, out of the bar, always keeping behind himself, careful to not draw too much attention onto them. From the corner of his eye, Eric caught Wayne’s questioning glance, that soon turned into an exasperated one, when he saw the girl clinging onto his back.  

With a small salute, they were out of the bar and on their way.

Towards a night, that would change their whole lives.

.

.

.

Falling through the door, Eric and Amy were a mess of tangled limbs, clashing tongues and teeth, both fighting for dominance, while Eric carried her over to the counter, hands under her butt, kicking the door shut behind him. One of her arms was slung around his neck, while the other one had wandered underneath his shirt, caressing his defined abs, two hallways ago.

 Heaving her onto the kitchen island, she was fast to pull off his shirt, running her hands over the hot skin of his chest, while Eric started to nibble up her neck, until he lightly bit her earlobe.

 Amy started to moan throatily, as Eric sucked on her pulse point, making the blood rush to the skin. Brushing the long hair from her neck, Eric examined the hickey that covered her ivory skin, satisfied with himself.

 But Amy didn’t like the interruption, of his mouth away from her body, however short it was and pulled his face back toward hers, looking deeply into his eyes, before biting his lip.

Eric grinned at the familiar action, placing both of his hands on either sides of her head, tilting it back to deepen their kiss.

Right now, he was an addict and she was his next fix.

 When his tongue was allowed entrance, Eric explored greedily, while his hands wandered down, ridding her of her shirt, while simultaneously stepping out of his combat boots.

With shaky hands, Amy grabbed his belt, unbuckling it, while Eric placed his burning hands on her bare hips in return, making her shiver, because they were such a huge contrast against the frosty temperature inside his apartment.

Before she knew it, or how he´d done it, Amy was completely bare, only her plain underwear still covering her most intimate parts.

Her intoxicated state preventing her from feeling any embarrassment.

 But when Eric snapped her bra open with one hand, flinging it through the room, Amy felt the need to cover herself up, even with all the alcohol she had flowing in her blood stream.

However, before she could, Eric caught her wrists in one of his hands.

 “Don’t.” He muttered, slowly guiding her backwards, so she was lying with her back on the island, while pinning both her hands over her head. With another deep kiss, Eric´s free hand cupped one of her breasts, causing a low moan to escape her throat, when he pressed his erection against her center.

 “You like that, hmm?” He mused, chuckling against her neck, when she only grunted in response. Letting go of her wrists, Eric trailed his fingers down her arm, making her squirm away from the ticklish sensation, while she started to giggle.

Still bowed over her, the young leader started to trail kisses down her neck, through the valley of her breasts, down her stomach, while Amy was writhing underneath his open mouthed kisses, the cold air making her feel every inch his mouth had touched, making goosebumps appear everywhere.

 Arriving at the last piece of clothing, that separated the young leader from his destination, Eric looked up, meeting Amy´s light grey eyes. Her face was flushed, the locket on her chest moving with her labored breath. she was obviously riled up and deeply aroused by all the attention, her body received from his gentle mouth.

Biting her lip, she Eric watched in anticipation, as he slowly pulled down her panties, his fingers trailing along her legs all the way down. When he finally had the last piece of clothing off her, Eric grabbed one of Amy´s legs, pressing his fingernail along her heel firmly, chuckling sinister, when she started to squeak, no doubt being ticklish.

 Proceeding with making his way down, Eric ran his nose along her ankle, over her calve, until he arrived at her thigh, where he once again started press open mouthed kisses onto her burning skin, parting her legs on his way.

Slinging his arms under her thighs, Eric was facing his target head on for the first time and he was determined to attend to it, like he would with an enemy.

He wouldn’t stop, until Amy was lying beneath him, screaming his name and pleading for him to stop.

 Tugging lightly on her pubic hair, Eric was pleased to find it neatly trimmed, but not waxed, like so many of the dauntless were. And not just the woman.

Looking at it, Eric grinned at the thought, that the young woman in front of him, was indeed a natural redhead, while she started to squirm, feeling his warm breath on her wetness.

 Pressing Amy down with one hand on her stomach, he pushed his nose into her center, inhaling deeply, before sticking his tongue out and tasting her for the first time.

Something he had wanted to do, since the first time he saw her on the roof, when she had first arrived at dauntless.

 Just this little action had her on edge, Amy´s hand flying down and burying themselves into his gel covered hair, destroying Eric´s neat style with her harsh tugging.

The leader, knowing, how close she was, probed her entrance with his fingers, angry, he wouldn’t be the first one to enter her.

But he would still be the one, she would never forget.

 Pushing two of his fingers into her, while sucking her nub into his mouth simultaneously, Amy convulsed, back arching, as an orgasm washed over her, like it never had before.

 Only barely letting her ride her orgasm out on his fingers, Eric wasted no time in snatching her from the counter and carrying her into his bedroom, stepping out of his boxers along the way.

 He carefully threw the still dazed woman onto his bed, before climbing on after, with predator like movements.

When Eric was once again face to face with Amy, who looked up at him adoringly, he gave her another breathtaking kiss, the force behind it almost bruising, their naked bodies pressed together.

 Holding himself up on his elbows, Eric watched Amy´s flushed face closely, reveling at the image.

Closed eyes, labored breath and red hair splayed out on his pillow.

Pecking her shortly, one hand on her face, the leader nudged her legs apart, settling in between them, when she did it willingly. With her knees splayed open, Eric lined himself up at her entrance.

 Looking into the eyes, that held the same colour as his, Eric slowly entered her, groaning at the tightness, while Amy only gasped, the hands, that had been caressing his face, now clutching his shoulder.

Working himself inside her, every thrust deeper, than the one before, it wasn’t long, until Eric bottomed out, his pelvis flush against her core. As she moaned throatily, he stopped for a moment, looking down at where the both of them were joined, before putting up the pace.

 His thrusts were getting deeper and faster and Eric was determined, that eventhough how drunk she was, Amy may not remember much in the morning, but she wouldn’t forget this either, for the whole next week.

 With the way, he was stroking inside her, rapid and relentlessly, it was only a matter of mere minutes, before Amy was once again on the brink of release, that would shatter her world and Eric wasn’t far behind.

 She was trashing underneath him, body taut like a bow, when Eric moved one of his hands between them, pinching her clit, while thrusting hard.

For the second time this evening, Amy burst, moaning his name, back arching, making her breasts rub hard against Eric chest, who now grabbed both of her legs, pushing them up against her belly.

Hammering on, while Amy left scratches all over his back, the leader was chasing his own release now.

With a low, throaty moan, he spilled himself inside her, his head buried in her neck, her long hair tickling his nose.

 Catching his breath, Eric let himself fall onto the side, when his arms gave out, to not crush the petite woman underneath him. Amy, too was breathing harshly, when she turned around and snuggled against his side, sighing in content.

 At first, Eric was tempted to scoot away, never having had the urge to sleep beside a one-night stand. But when Amy started to lightly trace his chest and playing with his hair, Eric found himself strangely satisfied with the action, while he mused over the fact, that the way she sighed his name had felt better than any woman screaming, ever had.

 So he slung his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer, so she could rest her head on his shoulder and before either of them could mutter another word, they had both fallen asleep.

Completely sated and content with each other and their actions, none of them even guessing, what influence that one night had, on the rest of their lives.

.

.

.

Groaning, Eric woke up, stretching in his bed, glimmers of the last night flashing through his head, making his sleepy grin turn into a self-satisfied one.

He had, after all, just had some of the best sex in his live and that with the girl, he had wanted for over two years.

 Turning around in his bed, Eric wasn’t really surprised to see Amy gone.

On the contrary.

He had expected it.

 But even if his little stiff wanted to deny ever having slept with him, what he guessed with her being gone in the morning meant, she couldn’t.

 Cocky, as he was, Eric didn’t think much of her disappearance. Still too sated, to get angry or to overthink things, he made his way into the kitchen, grinning at the memories, while he brewed himself some much needed coffee.

 One was especially amusing. While they made their way towards Eric´s flat last night, Amy had been walking too slow for his liking, so he carried her, slung over his shoulder.

But didn’t think, Amy cared much about that.

Not if he took into account, how she had felt up his ass, while hanging head over, at one point even biting him so hard, Eric almost dropped her.

The little vixen only giggled at him, just stopping her assault, when he spanked her firmly.

Something he would very much like to repeat.

 Grabbing a mug, Eric sipped the hot beverage, black, just like he loved it, when something metallic on the floor, close to his dining table, grabbed Eric’s attention. Putting down his coffee, he went over.

Squatting down, Eric grabbed the silver chain and observed the plain locket, that just yesterday adorned Amy´s naked form, while she was writhing under his expertise touch.

 Opening it carefully, it held a picture of a woman with dark hair. Squinting his eyes, it took him a moment, until Eric recognized her as Amy´s mother. The older woman had looked exactly the same, when she had made an appearance in her daughter´s fear landscape, two years ago.

 Holding it closely, Eric asked himself, how Amy got hand onto it, because neither jewelry, nor pictures were allowed in stiff land.

Strange.

However, this would give him the perfect opportunity, to talk to her and taunt her a little, without coming off needy.

 That wasn’t something Eric did.

 So he quickly went into his bedroom, getting dressed in his usual attire, before setting out for the mess hall, to bring her back her necklace.

The rest of the initiates filed into the training room where Eric and Four stood.

“There are two stages of training. The first is physical. Push your bodies to the breaking point and you’ll master the methods of combat. The second is mental. Again, breaking point. You’ll face your worst fears and conquer them, unless they get you first. You’ll be trained separately from the Dauntless-born, but you’ll be ranked together. Newcomers, your aptitude is Dauntless, but because you  are transfers you will be trained with the rest of the deferred initiates. After initiations, rankings will determine what jobs you move into. Leadership, guarding the fence, or keeping the factionless from killing each other.” Four instructed.

“The rankings will also determine who gets cut.” Eric said with a sly smile. Cut? What did he mean cut? Would we be factionless if we didn’t make it? Tris thought to herself. Worried eyes shifted to each other and back at Eric as the initiates processed his statement. “At the end of each stage of training, the lowest-ranking initiates will be leaving us.” Eric continued. “Do do what?” Frypan asked puzzled. “There’s no going home to your families so you’d live factionless.” Eric responded.  That hit Tris like a ton of bricks. Factionless. That’s the worst of all. She thought. “Why didn’t we know that?” Will questioned with his voice shaking at the thought of being factionless.“ "It’s a new rule."Eric added. "A new rule? Somebody should have told us that.” Christina said incredulously. “Why. Would you have chosen differently? Out of fear? I mean if that’s the case, you might as well get out now. If you’re really one of us it won’t matter to you that you might fail. Now, you chose us. Now, we get to choose you.” Eric responded, rendering the room silent. Oh no, I’m going to be factionless. Look at everyone here, everyone has a drive to be here something that makes them strictly dauntless. I’m so many other things. What if I’m not dauntless enough…

Troubling thoughts filled Tris’ mind and her knees locked in place, she couldn’t move.

“Hello?” Thomas said as he waved his hand in front of Tris’ face. “Helllooo?”

“Ahem, sorry, yes Tom, I’m good, ready to go so uh lets head into the training room.”

Thomas nodded and the two walked off to catch up with the others at the fighting mat.

Minho

First on the mat was Minho and Molly. “I ain’t fighting no chick.” Minho said. “I think your underestimating me.” Molly responded back. Molly and Minho crouched low like two boxers in a ring. Molly threw the the first punch into Minho’s jaw. Oh no she didn’t. Come here you little —- before  he could finish this thought. Molly swiped his left support leg and Minho fell hard onto his back. He popped back up like an armadillo, and punched Molly right in the gut. She grunted in pain as she fell on her side. “Finish her.” Eric commanded. Even though Minho had a tough exterior, he did actually care about people. Seeing her in the fetus position, Minho stomped on her head knocking her out.

“That’s better Minho. Not bad. Not bad at all.” “Newt. Christina. On the mat.” Eric commanded again. “Come on buddy you can do it.” Minho said as he encouraged his friend. Newt and Christina squared up in the ring as they faced off. Christina left Newt with a bleeding nose and his blood splatter painted the area in which they fought.

Tris

“Take Newt to the infirmary. Next up. Thomas facing off with Tris.” Eric called out. Thomas? he’d been so sincere and nice to me. I’d never win. He towers over me. Tris thought. Thomas looked at her with sad eyes as he hesitated to take a stance on the mat. Tris looked at him and shook her head slightly. This would not end well. Its a means to an end she thought.

Thomas and Tris faced each other, each in a low squat position as they tried to see who would make the first move. Thomas stepped forward. Tris step backwards. Which each step forward Tris kept coming backwards until her bare foot hit the cold hard floors of the training area.

“AGAIN!” Eric shouted.

Tris stepped back on the mat. Various chants of “Come on Tris.” and “Lets go newbie.” circulated through the other dauntless bystandards. Tris took a step forward and right jabbed Thomas in the shoulder. He stumbled backwards. Thomas recovered and punched Tris in the stomach, she took the punch and grabbed on to his shoulders and wouldn’t let go. She jumped onto the front of his body, tackling him and brining him to the ground. Her small hands tried to take a grip around his neck but he was too strong. Thomas pushed her hands off of him and pinned her to the ground with a kick to her side. Tris felt weak. Eric made a snoring noise as if the fight was boring him as he said “That’s enough. Stiff you tried, not hard enough. As for you newbie…Thomas is it? Dang. You might actually show some promise. Don’t let that go to your head though, or I’ll beat the pride out of you personally.” “Noted.” Thomas said rubbing his injured ribs.

Whatever criticizing comment Eric had to give, Tris barely heard it. Her eyelids fluttered as she started to pass out.

Thomas

Thomas felt sick to his stomach as watched Tris’ eyes flutter shut. I had to do it. I had to. Thomas tried to make himself believe. Four started speaking before Eric could announce another pairing. “Alright, that’s enough for the day. Take five. Take Meet back in The Pit for further instruction. Dismissed.” Thomas ran to the cafeteria to grab a water bottle. He sprinted down the winding halls of the dauntless compound until he reached the infirmary.

“I need to speak to somebody. I need to see her now. Tris. She would have come in a couple minutes ago. Is she here? Is she okay?” Thomas said as he banged on the door to the infirmary.

“Thomas…” Said a whimpering voice behind him.  "Hey, hey…what’s going on?“ Tris asked as she turned the corner showing her face.

Thomas ran to her and held her by the shoulders as he said, "Tris, oh my god, are you okay? I’m so sorry, are you hurt?

"I–I’m fine. You don’t need to apologize. It’s apart of our training.” Tris replied.

“Okay, then… hey uh Tris, I just been thinking about this whole being dauntless thing. I just don’t get it. They’re training us like robotic soldiers just made to follow such daring commands.  If we fail, we’ll become factionless. Whatever the heck that means, and be left to starve and be on our own in this place we don’t even know. I was talking with the rest of the guys, and what if we’re not what what they expect us to be. How can any of us just be one thing, one quality?. I’m freaking out here, Tris.”

“Dude, why are you confiding in me, I was abnegation, the most unassuming of everyone here. I have a higher chance of being factionless than you.”

“What do you mean higher chance?”

“Never mind that.” Thomas could tell Tris was starting to close off to him, but he needed answers.

“Look Tris–” He said as he placed an endearing hand on her arm. “I just– What if I’m not what they are expecting. Is there somewhere else we can go…If we’re…not dauntless enough?

"Thomas!!” Tris said shushing him. You either fit. If anyone even senses for a minute that you’re different, they will hunt you down and kill you.“

"Wow Tris. Alright…alright. I will try to do everything I can to make sure me and the guys fit in as much as possible.”

“Not try Thomas, you will.” Thomas nodded, and the pair ran to The Pit.  

Tris

“Listen Up. You know what this is?” Eric said as he pointed to the ranking board behind him. “It’s your life. We grade you everyday. If you’re still in the red by the end of the week then you’re out.” There he goes again…‘you’re out’…'you’re cut…I’m never gonna make it. “Alright. Rest up and grab lunch. Be back in the training room at 1300 hours.”

After grabbing a bite to eat with her friends, Tris headed back into the dorms with Christina, Will, and Al.

“I’m never gonna take it Christina.” Tris said.

“Yes you are.”

“I’m the weakest one here.”

“Then you’ll be most improved.” Christina replied with a smile.

“You’re Candor, you’re not supposed to lie.” Tris said with a slight grin.

“I was Candor, and I’m not lying.” Christina replied confidently.

“If they cut me, I think my parents would take me back.” Al said trying to add a positive note to the conversation.

“No, it doesn’t work like that. Even if they wanted to, their faction wouldn’t allow it.” Will said, shutting down Al’s hope.

“Even if my parents would take me back… I wouldn’t belong there anymore.” Tris said with a frown. I wouldn’t fit in anywhere if I fail. She thought.

“Alright this is getting depressing.” Christina shouted with a giggle trying to lighten the mood. Al nodded in agreement.

I wish I could tell them…about my divergence… I hate lying to them.

“You know what we should do?” Christina said excitedly. “Get tattoos.”

Tris shook her head, but went along anyway, she needed a distraction from her thoughts.

Christina said, “Alright boys, turn around boys, we gotta get cute.”

“Whaaaat? You don’t think our uniforms are fashion forward? Tris joked.

"Girl, please. Hand me one of the spare tees.” Christina said as Tris threw her t-shirt to her. Christina took Tris’ shirt and ripped it so that it became a cropped top. “Look at that. Good as new.” Tris held up the shirt to her body and looked at the ground. “What’s wrong? You can totally rock that girl especially with that body. Come on go change. We’re dauntless remember.” Tris smiled. “You seem to choose whether you’re dauntless or candor at will huh?” Tris tried on the shirt and pulled up her hair into a high bun. She toyed around with the loose strands that framed her face.

“Can we turn around yet?” Al and Will said in unison.

“Yeah.” Tris replied.

“Let’s go.” Christina said, ready by the door.

“Hold up, shouldn’t we invite the new guys?”

“I mean if you want to Tris, but’m not waiting up…see you at the parlor.”

Thomas

“Wait a minute. Dude, this is the second secretive meeting you’ve called since we got here. What’s going on?” Frypan asked. Thomas turned the corner of the hallway in both directions to see if anyone was coming. Seeing that there was no one on their way, Thomas began explaining his conversation with Tris. After explaining the the expectations of the dauntless leaders and the cautions that came with staying here in Chicago.  

“So let’s be frank, huh, shuckface. You mean to tell us that every bloody person within these walls all has to act like  the place of their choosing. If they act like any of the opposing factions and people catch wind of it. Ya die? Is that right essentially?”

“If you want to put it that way Newt, yes.”

“That’s seriously jacked mate.”

“I know, but it’s the way things are out here in the real world. Not everything can be as cut and dry as it was in the maze alright?” Thomas said, trying to bring his group together. “Come on Teresa, back me up here.” Teresa looked at the ground.

“No offense Tom but what do you really know about the maze. You weren’t even there a week. Who even made this guy leader?” Winston said.

“Winston, man, dude, what do you mean, I thought we were in this together?”

“I know man, I’m sorry its  just you add something even more strange about this place everyday… it’s a lot to take in.” Winston said with a sigh.

“I know…let’s just agree to blend in as much as possible a—”

Tris turned the corner and stopped Thomas mid sentence, she scratched the back of her neck awkwardly as she invited the former gladers out to get tattoos and hang out with some of the other dauntless. Thomas, still stuck on his unfinished sentence, didn’t answer right away. “Sure Tris, we’d love to come.” Teresa said.  Thomas hesitated while his friends walked in front of him, his mind still racing about the current information. Slim it Thomas, try to relax, you need a break. Thomas thought to himself as he attempted to clear his mind. The group headed down to the recreation area and split up.

Tris

Hip hop music filled the area of the dauntless recreation center. Red strobe lights and dark colors created the night life aesthetic of dauntless. Tris spotted the tattoo Parlor and told Thomas and the gang that they shouldn’t wait up for her, and that she would only be a few minutes.

Tris looked around for Christina and Will, she found them lost in each other’s eyes near the waiting area for the parlor. Instead of walking over, she wandered the center looking and ease dropping in different conversations that where occurring. She found Four, talking with some other dauntless leaders. When he saw her he took a step towards her and Tris quickly ducked into the tattoo shop. There she found Tori.

“Hey you remember me right? I was wondering if we could talk about –”

“I just do tattoos.” Tori said dismissing her.

“Okay.” Tris pivoted and went towards the wall where the tattoo samples where displayed on glass plates.

After eyeing some different tattoos, Tris picked one off the tray and brought it to Tori.

“Uh, I’ll take this one.”

Three birds. One for each family member I left behind. 

Tris sat back in the chair as Tori did the tattoo. This reminded Tris of when Tori administered her testing serum.

“Can I just ask you–"Tris started.

"You made a mistake choosing dauntless. They’ll find out about you…”

“Who? Who will?” Tris quickly interjected.

“The people you’re a threat to.”

“Who? Dauntless?”

“No, society. If you don’t fit into a category they can’t control you.”

Tris shook her head not understanding what Tori meant by this. “I don’t get it.” she said.

She affirmed herself to Tori saying, “I’m dauntless. I’m going to be dauntless. I chose dauntless.”

“For your sake,” Tori said,“ I hope so.”

Tori finished the tattoo and Tris was on her way.

She spotted Christina and Will still flirting with one another on the sidelines. A Candor and an Erudite, interesting. She thought to herself. She looked at Thomas mingling with some of the other dauntless born, they seemed to be getting along well. She sighed with satisfaction that everyone was settling in to Dauntless. Everyone except me she thought.

She snuck away back to the dorms, put on her training uniform and headed to the gym. Four watched her leave, as he had been looking her way all evening, and he followed her at a close distance.

Four

Where is she going? To train? Now? Oh I like her. Alright Four… go after her. See what’s she’s up to–how you can help.

Four walked at a slow pace as he crept into the training room. There he saw Tris, throwing her body into every single punch. She grunted and winced at the pain in her wrists. He knew what she was doing wrong, but he admired her determination and she made a soft spot in his heart. Tris steadied the punching bag when she heard Four’s footsteps enter the room.

“Hey.” Tris said.

Four heard her, turned and walked out. Why didn’t you stay you idiot. You could have helped her. No. You have to let her figure things out on her own. This is Dauntless. Four was right. He thought that he should intervene, but for now he kept observing Tris’ progress and offering as little tips as possible.