#insidedivergent

His gaze was intense as usual, but his face wore a blank expression, he stood up and walked to my bedside. I try to wet my mouth but can’t; I see a glass of water and try to reach for it but immediately wince from the movement, the blank expression on Eric’s face turns into a scowl.

He brings the glass to my lips and I look at him and then back to the glass, gingerly taking a sip.

“It’s good you’re awake,” he says, placing the glass back to the table.

“I need you to tell me what you remember about your attack last night.” He grabbed his tablet ready to take down a report.

I look up to the ceiling trying to conjure up the memories, though I couldn’t find many.

“I-” I started to say but my voice cracked, so I cleared my throat and tried again.

“I was celebrating with the rest of my class, and my friend Adam wanted to dance with me, but there was no music,” I frown.

Eric’s grasp visibly tightened on the tablet but his face remained impassive.

“He said he knew where the music was, he wanted me to help him find it,” I inform him.

I pause for a moment, trying to get my breath.

“Then, it starts growing fuzzy…” I grimace again from the pain radiating in my head.

“Just relay the information to the best of your ability,” he replied.

“Okay, I remember being hit with something,” I recall and my hand reaches to the side of my head and I gasped as I felt stitches.

“Then, I woke up on the ground and my hands were tied up” I looked down at my wrists at the visible burns from the rope, I clench my teeth as well as my fists.

“They hit me a lot, I don’t remember what they did, but I do remember being drug across the tunnel floor and being rolled off the bridge,” my voice trembles.

“I remember wanting the pain to be over…” I finish.

This made Eric look at me his nostrils flare slightly, he then taps a few buttons on his tablet, then sits it on the chair where he was sitting, he crossed his arms against his chest and look down his nose at me.

“Your report has been sent to Max, we are conducting an investigation,” he informs me, his tone dull and flat.

I can see him clenching and unclenching his jaw, he looked like this was the last place he wanted to be.

“Why are you here?” I blurt out.

“I’m doing my job as a Leader, we take attacks on our members very seriously,” he replies.

“Well, you’ve done your job now, so you can leave now” I tell him and his eyes narrow.

“Injured or not, you’re still an initiate and you will respect me.” He grits out between his teeth.

“Yes sir,” I spit the words out.

He then resumes his normal demeanor.

“Now, we’ve all agreed it is too dangerous for you to go to the regular dorms...so you have two options,” he announces.

“The first, is you stay with me until you are well enough to defend yourself or you can stay in the Cooler until we catch the guy who did this.”

I blink slowly, in all my reading and watching, I’ve never heard of the cooler.

“The Cooler?” I repeat his words “Yes, that’s where we put our initiates who get into scuffles, it’s a way to allow each of them to cool down. It’s a primitive solution...but it seems to work,” he retorts.

“So basically a jail cell? You want me to stay in a jail cell for however long it takes to find the guys that did this? Why am I being punished?” I ask him.

“I assure you this is for your safety, and if you stopped running your mouth and stop to think about this logically you’d understand the benefits,” he reasoned. “Typical nose” you mutter under your breath.

Eric’s head snapped in your direction.

I freeze and immediately recognize my error.

“I mean, if it means the difference between staying with you and staying in a jail cell...I choose you.” I tell him as I accept my fate.

He stood there staring blankly at me for a moment, like he was shocked that I actually said yes, but he quickly righted himself.

“Wise choice, I’ll have one of the female leaders collect your things and bring them to my place.” He nods curtly before walking out the door only to quickly walk back in.

Eric was quickly becoming a nightmare, a very ‘wake-up-with-my-hands-between-my-legs’ nightmare. Not only was he invading my dreams, but my waking thoughts as well. I found myself becoming distracted by everything about him, from the way he bit his lip or thinking about the cologne he wore. I would imagine him slowly backing me into the wall, and taking my hands in his and pinning them up above my head before he slowly ran his fingernails down my arms and caressing the side of my breasts before grabbing my hips and taking me right there against the wall.

Tris, Christina and I had all decided to change our looks. First we had all decided to get tattoos. Christina and Tris were anxious to shed the image of their former factions, whereas I wanted to free myself from the cage I had become imprisoned, each day I woke up only to do the same things I had done yesterday and the day before. I browsed around the shop and saw Tris talking with Tori. With extensive knowledge of the books and films, I knew what they were talking about, so I let them be. I scanned the tattoo images to find one that stuck out. My eyes settled on the image of a  caged bird and I knew that was the one I was meant to have; it was the embodiment of how I felt when I sat in my tiny little office chair in my stifling cubicle. I wished every day to be set free from the cage.

I showed the other tattoo artist the one I wanted and sat in the chair. He placed the patch over my wrist as I saw Eric walking past. He glanced my way and did a double take when he saw me getting a tattoo, he walked in with a devious smirk on his face.

“Hello Initiate,” he jeered. “Aw hello to you too...Cupcake,” I sneer back.

“See you’re getting some ink, couldn’t handle a big one,” he mocked, pouting his lips.

“Trust me, I can handle a big one…” I tease back.

The tattoo artist chuckled as he peeled the pad away from my wrist, I looked down and it and smiled, nodding in approval. I gave him my points card to pay for it, where he left Eric and me behind while he went to swipe it.

“So, you ready for the final test this week?” he asks folding his arms behind his back.

“Yes, as a matter fact I am,” I told him with confidence. He grinned smugly. “We’ll see about that, you’ve been slacking off during training,” he said. “Not been getting a lot of sleep,” I shrug as the artist comes back with my card.

Eric hovered while I was given after care instructions, to which I thanked the artist for.

“Enjoy what little time you have here Initiate, I’m looking forward to escorting you out the door myself.” Eric sneers before walking away.

“What’d he want?” Christina asked as we walked towards the salon. “Oh you know, he was just telling me he didn’t get enough hugs in his childhood” I giggle along with the girls as we head toward the hair salon.

The buzz of the clippers sent chills down my spine; it was too late turn back now, as the barber shaved one side of my hair, I felt like a snake shedding it’s skin, the hair fell like ashes from the wings of a phoenix. He shaved three solid lines through the buzzed hair, and if I parted it in the middle it would hide it. After I got my haircut I got three cartilage piercings, and with each stab of the gun, I felt each link of the invisible chain holding me to my old life breaking and the bond loosening.

Christina had convinced me to buy some new clothes to complete my new Dauntless look, after finally telling her I would, she had told me that she and Tris would be waiting in the dorm to see my new wardrobe. I chuckle to myself as I rounded the corner, something large slammed into me causing me to fall to the ground, I growled and looked to see who it is and it was Peter.

“Can you watch where you’re going?” I spat at him.

“I’d watch my tone if I were you...Outsider,” he sneered.

My heart skipped a beat. “What did you call me?” I quickly stood up.

“You heard me...OUTSIDER,” he spat through clench teeth.

My reaction was instantaneous, I swung at him, landing a right hook to his cheek sending him flat against the wall, he quickly recovered and reared back to hit me when Eric rounded the corner.

“What’s going on here initiates?” He asks with an eyebrow raised.

“Nothing Eric, I was just helping Aeryn with her bags, isn’t that right?” Peter stuttered out. “Yeah” I mumble. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?” He asks Peter with a bored expression on his face. Peter quickly nods before turning on his heel and leaving me alone with Eric.

I bent down to pick up the clothes that are still on the floor, amongst them some underwear I had purchased. As I reach to grab a sheer black thong, Eric’s hand grabs it from me. I roll my eyes and stand with the bags in my hands. Eric pursed his lips as he appraised the small piece of clothing when his eyes look back at me they appeared to have grown darker. “Nice,” he says with an amused expression.

I groan and snatch the panties away from him.

“You may want to save all that for the final fight tomorrow,” he says.

“I’m not worried,” I scoff. “Maybe you should be,” Eric smirks before walking away.

What was that supposed to mean? Maybe I should be? Does he really think I can’t take care of myself?

That night I lie awake with Eric’s words echoing through my head. I don’t know why, but the thought of Eric underestimating me made me more determined to prove him wrong and I finally fell asleep with a smirk on my lips thinking of how I can show him up.

When I awoke the next morning I took a shower and mentally prepared myself for what the day would entail. I French-braided my hair into a side braid, slipped on a pair of black leggings, sports bra and a tank top. I heard the familiar clang of metal as the Leaders entered the door, effectively waking everyone up. I saw Eric frown at my empty bed. His eyes glance around the room before locking with mine, I feel the corner of my mouth curl up into a smirk, I blow him a kiss and his jaw ticks.

“10 minutes!” He roared before storming away.

Four just looks around aimlessly before finally leaving.

At the table, I remain quiet as I focus on keeping that anger inside my gut while everyone else around me was engaged in lively conversation. After breakfast we all gathered in the gym, Eric and Four were standing next to the board.

“Today is the final fight before we start our next stage. There will be no conceding, the person left standing will be the winner.” Eric informs us.

I sat on the bench against the wall as I watched the others get called before me, I knew Eric would want my fight to be the last. He seems determined to make an example of me.

“Peter versus Aeryn” Eric announced with a smug tone.

I smile as I stand, I saw Peter with a smirk on his face as we entered the ring I rolled my neck back and forth and swung my arms warming up.

“Are you trying to intimidate me? Seriously? Cause it looks like you are having a seizure,” he sneers, making me chuckle sinisterly.

“Begin!” Four shouts.

Peter immediately charges at me, lifting me up and slamming me on the ground. I growl loudly at the pain as stars dance in my vision and I push my thumbs into his eyes which causes him to yelp in pain. I do a flip backwards and am brought back on my feet. We circle each other, I look at his feet and make a note that he stomps before he attacks. When I look back up, I am greeted with a right hook to the face causing my head to whip to the left, I wipe the back of my hand across my bloody mouth and proceed to hold my hands up to guard my face while delivering a swift kick to his ribs; he groans but grabs my ankle and shoves his elbow between my knee causing me scream in pain and I fall to the floor holding my injured knee.

I hear him snicker  before kicking me in the ribs, I then use his own move on him by grabbing his ankle and twisting it. He grunts again, but before I could get back the my feet, he grabs my braid and begins pounding his right elbow into my ribs, each blow leaving me a bit breathless, I can already feel my vision began to blur from the exertion. I bring my knee to his stomach and jerk him up right before striking him across the temple with my elbow, his body crumpling to the floor.

“Winner, Aeryn!” Four announced.

I push a loose piece of hair out of my face and smile, panting for breath. I look at Eric who has an odd expression on his face, it was if he didn’t know how to react to the fact that I actually won the fight that he was so sure I would lose. I smiled then winked at him, making the shocked expression change into one of anger.

“That’s it…” He murmurs. “Ranking’s will be posted later...now GET OUT!” He yelled.

As I walked past Eric, he gave me a sharp nudge with his shoulder, to which I just snickered, I could feel his piercing gaze on me as I left the gym.

Later that evening…

I rummaged through my chest trying to find a top to wear to tonight’s ranking. I found a black leather vest, a pair of tight black jeans and some black pumps to go with it. I shook my hair loose of the braid and finger-combed through the rest of my hair. The outfit clung to my every curve, the plunging neckline of the vest revealing the generous swell of my breasts. I applied a deep plum lipstick and left to join Christina and Tris.

We entered the pit and were immediately given a beer each. I saw Max standing on a boulder along with Eric and Four. Eric scanned the crowd and locked eyes with me, his eyes hungrily traveled over my body, he licked his lips before imprisoning his bottom lip between his front teeth, his eyes glimmered with lust, I feel my cheeks grow warm and I put my hand on my hip and batted my eyelashes at him before slowly licking my lips and smirking as he eyes follow the movement of my tongue. I felt a thrill of excitement course through me at the very fact that Eric had such an emotional response.

“Congratulations to the Initiates who passed this stage, if your name is below the red line you must go back to the dorms pack your belongings and you will be escorted from the compound.” Max said before pressing a remote so the rest of us could see the names that showed up.

1.Tris

2.Aeryn

3.Adam

4.Peter

5.Christina

Cries of joy and sorrow decorated the air, I raced towards my friends my feet hardly touching the ground and hugged Christina and Tris, and Adam, many emotions ran through me, excitement, relief, and pure joy, but the smile quickly faded from my face as I saw several others with their heads hung low as the Dauntless guards escorted them to collect their belongings. I was nudged by Christina and I quickly plastered a smile on my face and we all held our beers up high and toasted our victory. We had the rest of the night ahead of us to party. We didn’t have training for a few days so we can take advantage of our free time.

We were a few round of drinks in when Adam wrapped his arms around my waist.

“Let’s dance,” he slurred.

“There’s no music” I giggled throwing my arms around his neck.

“Follow me, I know where there’s music,” he whispered in my ear.

I felt light and fuzzy the alcohol obviously taking affect, I snorted and nodded and Adam grabbed my hand and lead me away from the Pit, I stumble against the wall feeling weak, the walls spinning.

“Adam, I think I’ve had too much to drink” I murmur leaning my head against the cold hard rock, I look around and Adam was gone.

“Adam?” I call, “Come on let’s find the music,” he calls, sounding far away. “Okay,” I can’t help but chuckle.

I feel along the side of the tunnel trying to follow the sound of Adam’s voice, I heard footsteps and I let out another giggle.

“Adam wait up,” I giggle. “I’m not Adam,” the voice says.

I frown and, before I’m able to comprehend what’s going on, the flash of something metal catches my eye and I’m struck with something cold and hard, my world dissolving into blackness.

The sound of trickling water rouses me from the darkness. I groan as I open my eyes trying to blink away the thick substance that coats my eyelashes. I’m able to see two masked men standing over me, one on each side. I will my vision to clear, my hands are tied in front of me, and I open my mouth to speak but I’m struck across the face with a gloved hand. I hold my stinging cheek as tears of anger burn my eyes, I raise my hand to hit but my arms feel like jelly.

“You’re a coward,” I slurred, which earns me another hit across the opposite cheek by the one on the left, the one on the right toys with the buttons of my vest, and my stomach twists in realization of what is going through his mind. When he gets on his knees and begins to unbutton the vest, I see my opportunity and I bring my knee up to hit his cheek, causing him to fall back. I roll away from the one on the right and get to my knees and manage to stand. I only made it a few inches before a hand jerks my ankle, causing me to face-plant on the concrete. I hear a sickening crunch of bone as excruciating pain fills my face, tears sting my eyes as I screech and struggle against the man, they grow frustrated and both take turns delivering blow after blow to my face, till I am nothing but a quivering lump of flesh.

The one I had kicked deciding to repay me by kicking me in the ribs, causing what little breath I had to leave my body.

My throat had swelled up from all the screaming and whimpering I had done. I was hanging on to consciousness by a thread when I felt a rope being wrapped around my torso, in turn, pinning my arms at my side, then I feel the roughness of the floor dig at my tender flesh as they started dragging me towards the chasm.

“This is it,” I thought to myself.

I hear the sound of rushing of water and find comfort in the cool breeze that flows through. I feel two pairs of hands begin to roll me towards the edge of the bridge. I knew in my fuzzy mind what they intend to do with me, and in my weakened state, I have no other choice but to accept my fate. As the last of my body began to fall over the bridge, I prepare myself for the sensation of falling the drop of my stomach as I plummet to my death. But it doesn’t come, my feet are swinging through the air and the rope around me tightens. I force my eyes to open to see that I’m being hung over the bridge.

The ropes begin to squeeze my bruised body caused weak whimpers to leave my chapped lips. It is then that I then hear their retreating footsteps.

“So they’re going to leave me here to die,” I thought.

I chuckle weakly at my thoughts before coughs wrack my body, effectively causing the ropes to squeeze tighter. My only option is to wait for death. It shouldn’t take long. I can feel my lungs begin to ache for oxygen, and I can’t help but shake and begin to convulse as I feel myself being surrounded by a warm light. “Aeryn,” I hear a voice call. I smile as my body finally relaxes and a warm light envelops me while a pair of strong arms wraps themselves around me. I force a weak grin on to my face as I see the angel who rescued me.

“You’re safe, I’m here now,” the deep voice said.

Was this a dream? How I can I get back home? Do I even want to go back home?

This world was full of adventure and excitement, the only thing I had back home was a job I hated, nof friends, no family, no one to miss me, but, here I could create a new life, I could be the person I always wanted to be,

So, I made the decision to give it my all, that included messing with Eric, he enjoyed messing with people, he even took bets on who would survive initiation, and the fact that he had bet against me only spurred my desire to give Eric’s attitude right back to him.

“Earth to Aeryn” I hear Christina say

“Huh?” I grunt

I look around and find myself back in the cafeteria, Tris, Christina, Peter, and a few others were staring at me with amused expressions.

“What?” I ask looking around.

“Are you okay? You look like you didn’t get much sleep last night” Tris asks

Her Abnegation roots showing, I smiled at her thoughtfulness.

I’m fine, I was just in a strange place and couldn’t sleep, just feeling a little homesick was all” I lie.

“Right” Peter said sarcastically.

I scoff and roll my eyes, Peter was just like his character in the movie. I pick up some egg and toss it at him.

“Good Morning to you Pete” I mock sweetly

He narrows his eyes and gives me a vicious smile.

I pout my lower lip at him and start giggling. “What’s so funny?” he snaps “You look so cute when you’re trying to intimidate someone” I say and smile as his cheeks flush before he shoves away from the table.

“So are you guys ready for the first day of training?” I ask grabbing a forkful of food.

“I don’t know” Tris shrugs but Christina nods enthusiastically.

“What about you?” Christina

“Yeah, I can’t wait to see Cupcake” I joke with a smile. “You do realize that calling Eric “Cupcake” is a death wish right?” Adam an initiate from Candor said. “Aw he’s just a big teddy bear” I croon.

I hadn’t noticed that the rest of the table had grown quiet and everyone was staring down at there food. I turn my head and see Mr. Teddybear himself standing there with a tray.

“Oh I’m gonna have fun with you today” he growls with a smile I gulp and can feel a shiver pass through me which causes him to smirk, I wanted to wipe that smirk from his face.

“I look forward to it...Sir” I say batting my eyelashes.

He snarls his upper lip and walks away muttering to himself.

“Definite death wish” Adam tells me, I chuckle.

I stood in front of the orange punching bag trying to make it move, I heard deep chuckling and saw Eric laughing at me, I sneered my lips and threw another punch but the bag remained still. My frustration grew and Eric taunted me more.

I had reached my limit with Eric teasing me, I narrow my eyes at him and scream out before landing a hard punch to the punching bag, the bag swayed back and forth, I stood there panting for breath and I saw the other people staring at me including Eric, his brow was quirked up and I saw a brief flash of emotion cross his face before the blank expression came back.

“What was that initiate?” he asks in a bored tone.

“What did it look like?” I snap at him.

His bored expression changed to an angry expression, he walked closer to me, the heavy thud of his boots echoing through the silent room.

“What was that?” he asks

I took a deep breath before answering. “I was just doing as I was instructed” I told him. “Do it again” he demands

I deliver another punch and it barely moved the bag.

“Show me your stance” he instructed.

I take my stance and feel Eric behind me, his powerful arm came around my waist and he placed his hand against my abdomen burning me through the thin material of my t-shirt.

“You need to clench your abs as you throw the punch” he instructs as he applies some pressure to my abs, I nod and bit my lip as an involuntarily shiver runs through me, I can hear  the smirk in his voice as he continues. “Your thumbs shouldn’t be on the inside, you’ll break them” he grabs my hands in his and positions my thumbs to the outside, I look up at him  he’s staring at me. “Now punch” he said quickly letting go of my hands.

I punched at the bag and it swayed harder this time, I smiled to myself and turned around to see that Eric is helping another initiate it was Peter, I noticed that he had stopped punching the bag and started talking to Eric, they both looked at me and then continued.

I hadn’t noticed Tris speaking to me.

“Aeryn, you okay?” she asks “Yeah, I’m just a little winded” I said and it was true.

“Looks like we need to work on your stamina Initiate” Eric jeered. “Trust me Cupcake, I’ve got stamina you wouldn’t believe” I sneer back with a wink “If you want to survive here in Dauntless you’re going to have to learn to shut your mouth and do as your told” he growls coming to stand in front of me. “Cupcake, you can tell me what to do any time” I sass.

Before I knew what happened, Eric had me thrown through the air and pinned me against the mat.

“Are you going to shut your mouth or am I going to have to do it for you?” he grits out between his teeth. “I’d like to see you try” I growl at him.

Eric holds my face in one of his hands before crashing his lips down onto mine his tongue thrusting into my mouth, I grip his hair and return his kiss. His hips grind into mine and I can feel his erection, his lips leave mine just so he could nip down my neck before biting my neck causing me to moan loudly.

I bolt upright in my bunk sweating profusely and my heart thudding against my chest I look around see that everyone is asleep.

I change into my most comfiest clothes, hot pink booty shorts, and a white v-neck shirt without a bra, I pile my hair into a messy bun on top of my hair, grabbed my favorite wine and glass and settled in to watch my movie.

I watch Tris climb up the beam to catch the train and feel the thrill of excitement when she catches the train, as it comes to part where she and Christina jump I notice a light begin to flash on my remote control, I grab the remote and look at the button marked “interactive experience”, I were eager to experience everything this had to offer so I press the button and suddenly I were surrounded by the initiates I were watching on screen.

I suddenly find myself standing on the same roof as the initiates, I stand there for a moment trying to get my bears. I looked around and saw Peter, Tris, and Christina. My eyes widen in shock.

"You" I heard a deep familiar voice say.

I looked and sure enough, it was Eric was standing on the ledge staring right at me. I swallowed hard and pointed to myself. He gave a curt nod.

"You're our first volunteer" he smiled condescendingly. "What?" was all that I could swear out. "Are you hard of hearing?" He sneered "No" I murmur

He motions for me to come forward with his finger. I pull the hem of my white t-shirt down over my pink shorts, my mind reeled trying to come to grips with my situation and trying to come up with a believable excuse as to why I'm not wearing faction clothing.

I slowly walk towards Eric and his eyes narrow as I draw closer, his eyes drift up and down my body and settled in my chest for a fleeting moment.

My breasts were not small by any means, I had an hourglass figure. But I never received any complaints from the guys I dated. I liked to keep healthy but I never obsessed over dieting.

"I don't have all day Initiate" he mocked. I narrowed my eyes in response, a flicker of amusement flash across his features before he resumed his bored face.

He nudged me with his shoulder as he goes to stand with the other initiates. I scoff and roll my eyes.

“I need time to process this, I'll jump and once everyone is asleep I'll find a place to go and think”. I think to myself.

The wind blows my shirt up to reveal my shorts and I heard wolf whistling behind me. I shiver against the cold air took one final deep breath and jumped.

I couldn't stop the shriek of laughter that came as I fell through the air knowing I would be greeted with a net, yeah the jumping part was scary but she knew that there would be a net waiting. I landed on it with another shriek of laughter which quickly died down as the metal hit my bare skin my shirt having ridden up during the fall as well as the back.

I let out a yelp as Four helps me off of the net and sits me on my feet.

“Name?” he barks “Aeryn Johnson,” I say “First jumper Aeryn, Welcome to Dauntless,” he said.

Once all the initiates had jumped Eric appeared out of the hidden door, I made note of the door so I could go back up there to think.

“Dauntless-born go with Lauren, Initiates come with me” Four instructed

We were given Dauntless issued clothing to change into, after we changed we were instructed to throw our clothes into the fire, and told to go to the cafeteria. I grabbed a tray of food and walked around looking about for a place to sit when I saw Christina motion for me to join them, Tris nodded with a shy smile, I sat down in front of them. “Hi I'm Christina” the black haired girl extended her hand. “Aeryn,” I said. “This is my friend Tris,” she said “Nice to meet you,” Tris says “So what faction are you from?” Christina asked “Christina” Tris admonished “What?” Christina scoffs “I'm from Candor” I lie easily “Oh really, that's where I'm from” she grinned “I know” I nod “How could you know that?” she asked “Because you were wearing Candor clothing” I reply “Oh yeah, you're very observant you sure you're not from Erudite” she jokes I giggle.

We ate and talked about our new faction.

I noticed Peter giving me a strange look, I never liked the character Peter it was quite strange to be sitting at the same table with him.

“So Aeryn, where are you really from?” he blurts out giving me polite smile but beneath that polite smile but I could tell there was suspicion in his eyes. “I'm from Candor Peter” I repeat with a sweet smile. “I don't remember seeing you on the train or the choosing ceremony for that matter,” he says “I don't remember seeing you either...Peter” I tell him

All except Peter laugh at my response, Peter's cheeks flush and he takes a bite of his hamburger, and as quickly as the laughter appeared it died down. I looked around the table as everyone focused on the tray of food in front of them.

I felt a pair of eyes on me I turn around and see Eric standing behind us.

“So, Four, shall we make bets as to who makes it?” Eric asks Four who just clenched his jaw and continues eating. “Come on, Four it’ll be fun” Eric mocks before looking at me.

I lifted my chin and met his stare with a stare of my own he smirks.

“First Jumper” he nods at me “Aeryn” I correct him “On your feet Initiate” his voice booms across the room.

Everyone stops eating and watches as I stand to my feet in front of him.

I lift my chin in defiance and smirk, he narrows his eyes and his jaw clenches.

“What's your name Initiate?” he asks “Aeryn Johnson” I state “Well Aeryn Johnson, this isn't your old faction, in Dauntless you will show respect your leaders...and that means...me” he takes a step closer. “Is that clear?” he asks “Crystal” I reply

He sizes me up with his eyes before pinning me with his gaze and a smirk forms on his full lips.

“I'm gonna have fun breaking you” he chuckles “I'm gonna have fun seeing you try...Cupcake” I retort I hear something that sounds like a growl come from him before he takes another full step so that we are nose to nose, he leans down and I feel his hot breath on my neck, I have to fight not to shiver.

“You're gonna wish I killed you” he whispered before quickly leaning away. I look at him and I open my mouth to respond but he cuts me off. “Alright Dinner is over, lights out in an hour training starts at 5, I suggest you get some sleep you're going to need it...especially you” he points to me “Why?” I question He pats his flat stomach and snickers. “Trust me I've never had complaints...” I wink at him.

As I walk past him it takes all my strength not to laugh out loud and the expression on his face, he snarls his lip up before walking off.