Eric

The Knob

A/N

I have written about five drafts of the bar scenes, but couldn't a way to keep Eric from going out of character or making it seem as if I was just trying to drag along the story. I'm sorry if you we're looking forward to that. But there is a lot ahead and I will fit something in.

•••

"Can we please go back?" Whined Zoelton like a small child, exaggerating 'please'. "No, no initiate is going to fail initiation because of me."

The bar owner 'Marvin' had dragged us out of the bar after having two drinks. I growned following Kaiden, Livia and Zoeltons lead, but I was secretly glad to not have to burn my throat anymore.

"You four go back to wherever you belong. And don't come back until I see you all with a job." He scolded. After dragging us all out to the end of the huge dome, where everything was, he pushed us up the ramp to the dormitory hall, the one right beside the chasm. He walked away loudly.

"What a bunch of crap." Zoelton yells angrily. "Alright, let's go back to the dorms." He suggests, or commands. Livia and Kaiden nod in agreement. I start to walk with them, but as they make a turn into the dorm I stop and wait for them to realize so I can tell them what I am doing. "Hey Eric, common. Were probably gonna play a cliché game." I ponder at the word 'cliché'. Must be inaccurate. "I just think I'm going to walk for a while." I said. But I actually don't know what I'm doing. Zoelton thinks for a minute, staring hard at me. "Just stay out of trouble, - like the opposite of me. I intend to stay aquentenced with you." He said sounding true. "Okay." I said.

I turned to walk as I heard their low mumbling back to their beds. Honestly I couldn't care less if they were talking about me. I liked them, but there are other people. And if I succeed like I had planned to, no one will stop to think about being 'aqantenced' with me.

•••

After wondering a short while, I find myself in front of a set of stairs. Obviously leading up to a roof of some sort. I climb the stairs slowly, but still catch my breath when I finally reach the top. The realization that I need to get much more fit is like something punching me in the gut. It's not like I'm over weight, but I don't exactly have a six pack either. I guess I look like I'm cheating considering I have a strong build. I didn't come scrawny like the other teenagers, my growth spurt came when I was only fourteen. But I might've grown a lot taller, still.

Boxing in the the medium sized roof was a tiny ledge, about two feet. As if that could keep someone clumsy from falling off. But not me, I'm not clumsy.

I place both my hands on the ledge gripping the edge. I start to swear lightly, it drips down my neck. I'm not afraid of heights, I'm afraid of the future, of if i'll ever be able to return to where I've roamed before, to this spot. I've decided this is my favourite spot.

I look to the right and realize something I am surprised I didn't see before. Something like a grappling hook and some sort of a small suit with buckles and straps. I follow where the trail leads and end looking up to a metal bar, then a some sort of metal rope leading far, down, far, down, far, down...

A zip line! I've only ever read about them. I've always loved to read about them. The machine was so simply, yet so strong and mobile. Desired. That is how I intend to be.

Quickly I swipe the belt suit and strap it over and under my waist, and under my chest. It was way to loose so I had to tighten it, taking five minutes to figure out how. Now if what I read was correct, all I how to do is hook the back to a chain on the rope. I feel along the back of the hard textured fabric and easily find the metal loop. I grab onto tightly, but it already starts to slip from my fingers. I grab the metal hook attached to the rope and attach the two. I walk slowly to the ledge. I put one foot on the ledge.

A small warm hand grabs my shoulder and I probably did jump almost off the ledge.

"You shouldn't do that." Came a feminine voice. I straighten out my mouth and swallow. I am still recovering.

(A/N this gif is basically him right now http://38.media.tumblr.com/26e8029337fea570ffcc5cff690d3be6/tumblr_n43nhjoxNi1r115zeo7_250.gif )

"I can take care of myself. I'm sure I'd be fine." I snap back. "With no one to catch you?" The girl responds. She looks about a year younger.

I am confused for a second,ten I remember that you have to stop eventually. I wish you never had to stop...

"I- I'd figure it out." I say annoyed. after I finish speaking I turn around to see the girl who I was speaking to. She had short red hair and grey eyes. She seemed to be laughing at how scare I still looked.

"Unless... you were playing to jump, with style. I didn't want to interrupt anything." She said smirking. "No, you see, I'm more of a cliché kind of guy. Take the chasm so my body is preserved and people notice within 24 hours." I said nervously laughing a bit. She grabbed my hand and helped my down from the ledge. I stood their expressionless as she began to undress me from the belt suit, as I call it.

"Seems like you really got this suicide thing planed out. And initiation hasn't even started. You've got a long few weeks ahead of you." "I'll have you know I'm going to be ranked first." "Will you?" She asked as she finally finished taking the belt off and putting everything away, looking up. It was more like a statement.

"Yes." I said. "Then I guess you should meet the other leaders. If, you know your going to become one. Being top ranked and all." She smirked at me.

I changed the topic. "You seem a little young to be out here this late." I stated grinning. "Don't get cocky. If sixteen is an adult then I'm almost there. And besides, I know people." "I'll also have you know that I have a late birthday. I'm still 15." "Lucky you." She said.

She stood up from the ledge we ended up sitting on. "Where are you going?" I asked. "I told you, I know people. I'm going to a cake tasting and fizzy drink party. And since your going to be a leader, you might as well come too." I got up right away and started to walk with her. I walked quickly to catch up to her. She seemed to be amused by the way I was walking so this mimicked me only making it harder for me to follow her. "Fizzy drinks?" I yelled after her, excited. She seemed to slow down after a bit. "Nope." She said. I stopped in my tracks and frowned. She stopped and looked behind her. She rolled her eyes. "Still coming?" she asked. "I guess." I said. I had nothing better to do at ten thirty at night. And she was pretty.

•••

We arrive at apartment 1009. It's the same in all apartment sanctuaries among the factions, any apartment ranging from 1000-10150 usually inhabits high ranked leaders. The girls casually walks beside me just as we reach the door.

"Well." She said. "What?" I asked. She paused for a moment. "Open the door." She said smugly laughing. "Fine." I playfully gave her a dirty glare.

I open the door and the metal knob is suprisly warm. A tall, big, dark skinned man greeted us at the door. I recognize him almost instantly. M-

"Hello Max." Greets the girl. She seems to be firmilliar with him. "Hey Iris,-" Iris! Now I know her name. I cant believe I haven't even bothered to ask. Being on of the top faction leaders, he seems to be very casual with her. "This is-" "Eric." Max re-interrupts Iris. How did he know my name?

"Glad you could come Iris," Max turned to me. "You too Eric." "I'm sorry if I'm a bother. Not being invited and all." I said. "You joking? This is Iris's party. You didn't tell him did you?" He grinned at her. "But mind you, I let her use my apartment." "Wasn't planning on taking any credit. In fact, I didn't want any." She said, clearly annoyed. "Oops, my bad." Said Max, finally moving out of the way for us to come in.

"So, how'd you manage all this?" I laugh at her. "I think you got the wrong idea. It's my birthday party smart ass." "Whoa." I said putting my hands up. "Well happy birthday then. Wait, your just turning fifteen?" I said surprised. "Okay I kind of got..." "Kinda what?" I asked narrowing my eyes. "Never mind but I promise you, ask anyone and they will confirm I'm turning sixteen." "Alright," I said. "I'll take your word for it that your actually older than me by a few months, but I'll find out why your not initiate." She elbowed me. "You wish. Common, lets go."

•••

A/N Hope you enjoyed this new chapter. My fandom instagram is 'thebaefaction' if you were interested.