To Fall | Eric Coulter *DISCONTINUED*

21: Dauntless Tradition

Tobias led us the way out of the building. I realize that we were heading to where the traintrack is located as we made our way to the highest floor by feet.

My breathing gets heavier with every step I take. I clutch the handrail, pushing myself upwards. Why do we have so much stories in this damned building?!

I look up as Eric does otherwise a floor away from me. Taking notice of the tired initiates, he yells from above, "this is just your warm up!"

I glance at Christine, we were both heavily breathing. "Warm up for what?!" She exclaimed, I giggled at this.

Reaching the very top, everyone was exhausted enough to take a break. Sadly, we weren't given any; I could already hear the train even if it was out of sight. It was as if Eric timed it perfectly to its arrival in this specific area.

As the train approached us, I get a huge wave of nostalgia. I immediately remember my first time jumping in this exact train. I'm surprised by the amount of anxiety that has lifted of my chest ever since.

Without any hesitation, I jumped my way in the train. It was way more easier than before. It's so bizzare, the act of improving when you don't even realize it.

I stand aside by the door as I catch my breath. I look out and immediately see Olan running outside.

I look around and notice that everyone else was already inside the train. My heart started to race again, my hands feeling a little moist.

I suck in the insides of my cheek as I hesitantly reach out for his hand. A memory flashed through my mind, this was how I met Olan. Here, in this very train, when he offered me his hand.

Before he could make a move, I notice Olan running rather awkwardly. It seemed like he was limping, and if I'm not mistaken, his hand was hovering over his right side; as if he was injured.

Our eyes meet, then his gaze shifts to the hand outstretched just for him. He then increased his speed. And for a few seconds, I was almost certain he was going to grab my hand with all his might. But he didn't.

He was able to grab the handle beside the doorframe before stumbling his way into the train. He clutched his right side once more before limping his way to the corner of the cable.

I stood still, watching him intently as he breathed heavily. I didn't notice that the hand I offered to him was already balled into a fist before Christine pointed it out.

"Hey, Mel, you alright there?"

I look to my right, seeing Christine and Eddie seated on the floor. I nodded, taking one last glance at Olan then joining them afterwards.

I unconsciously stare at my hand. Turns out Olan and I aren't in good terms, and this was his way of expressing it.

I don't understand, what did I ever do to him? If only he knew, I fought Eric for him. I defended him from Eric. Was this what people meant when they say, "love hurts"? I just don't understand.

I turn to Christine, asking her, "Is Olan okay? He seems to be injured, I think."

Christine turned, "hm?" She hummed, her gaze flickering to Olan's direction. I watch as she furrows her brows, "Hey, Eddie-"

She then turns to Eddie, then Eddie turns to Olan's direction. I watch the two intently, I notice Eddie clench his jaw before blankly saying, "I don't know. Something must've happened to him."

I narrowed my eyes in suspicion, Eddie didn't sound like himself. In fact, he was one of the last people Olan has talked to, maybe.

"Don't lie to me." I said, Eddie looks at me, his face alert. "What are you saying, Mel?"

I tilted my head. "I saw you talking to Olan earlier today. What was it that he wanted to talk about?"

Eddie frowned, "it's none of your business, nosey. And if he even wanted to talk to me about something, I would keep it only between the two of us. A person like you would know that, Mel."

My lip twitched, I wasn't so sure about this. I know what I saw, they were having a conversation in hushed voices. It seemed like they were almost trying to hide something.  I cannot be blinded by Eddie, I wonder what they were talking about; it could be anything, really. Needless to say, there's also a chance that Eddie's right, maybe I don't have anything to do with their small talk, and I'm just invading their privacy. Or maybe-

"Okay initiates," Tobias announces as he makes his way the middle of the cable. "First of all, I would like to congratulate you all for making it this far."

Cheers erupt before Tobias continued, "And as for tonight, we are going to do a Dauntless tradition. We will be celebrating by playing a small game." I swallow, games in Dauntless are never really games, they're just rankless competitions.

"It's called Capture the Flag, and everyone will have their weapons." Four motions his head towards Eric, he pulls out a gun out of a bag.

My eyes widen at this. We just finished  the first stage, and before we get into the second we try to shoot each other to death by a silly little game? I swear when I mean it, Dauntless is going to be the death of me.

Eric held the gun tightly with one hand. My heart stopped when he pointed it to Eddie, who was frightened to death. I don't think I've ever seen him show this much emotion before.

Eric smirked before turning to the very back of the room, shooting the wall. He was teasing him. A small dart landed beside Olan, I sat there, shocked when Olan didn't flinch the slightest. My brow furrowed at this as the glare on his face remained the same.

"Neurostim dart; stimulates the pain of a real gunshot wound, only lasts a couple minutes. Two teams- Four and I are the captains."