Inferno

Chapter 9: The Sheer

A/N: I freaking love this chapter. I love Griff and Bell's relationship....I love the way that they're just ready to murder at all times. We stan. Thoughts, comments, feedback?

Today was the day and no amount of nerves or excitement was going to help Bellamy and her mental state. She awoke completely focused, completely ready for the task that lay ahead. All she had to do was tread carefully, which was a little easier said than done.

Four was already up when she awoke, finding him sitting at a table in the Mess Hall and waiting for her. "Well you're up early," she said in a light tone, taking a seat across from him.

He narrowed his gaze at her. "Well when my baby sister decides to do something stupid, I like to be present."

"Tender," she said, placing a hand over her heart. "Aren't you supposed to be prepping for the tests later today?"

Four let out a deep sigh. "I am," he paused. "But someone decided to stress me out of my mind by planning on climbing the Sheer when I can't be present. So I'm here now as moral support, of course."

A crooked grin spread across her lips. "I knew you loved me."

"Don't be cocky." He said in a stern tone.

Bellamy mock-saluted at him. "Never."

All at once, Four seemed to sober, staring at her intently. "I mean it, Kitty. You need to be careful, take your time. It's not a race. He's more likely to slip than you are. If you just focus and take your time, I have full faith in you. And use your legs, too."

At those words, Bellamy sucked in a breath. This was real and it was happening. Four wasn't going to be there, but she knew that he was going to be with her every step of the way.

"I'll remember those things." She promised in a serious tone. Noting that he still looked uneasy, Bellamy tilted her head. "Are you okay?"

An uneasy smile crossed Four's features. "Just great, thanks. Now eat up. You're going to need your strength."

"You got it. And tell Tris good luck for me?"

Four seemed pale as Bellamy crossed from the table towards the food tables. Bellamy didn't notice; her mind was completely focused. By the time she got back to the table, Four was already gone, presumably to set up for the initiate tests later.

It was quiet this morning. She knew that she needed to eat something or she would feel more queasy than she already was. Forcing a few bites of egg into her mouth, Bellamy stretched out her neck.

A few moments into her meal, her eyes set on the doorway, where Griff came walking through, looking just as focused as she was. Their eyes met and almost imperceptibly, the two nodded in respect at one another.

If she wasn't going to back out, neither was he. She had to admit, Griff had balls. But that wasn't saying much, since she was a woman and seemed to have more balls than most of Dauntless anyway.

Griff made his way over to the table as other members of Dauntless trickled in. At this point, Bellamy was already done with her food. But she wasn't about to let a chance to talk with Griff go by. Not when they'd be competing in a few mere short hours.

"Sleep well?" She asked innocently, noting the bags under his eyes.

"Just fine," He scowled at her, rolling his eyes. "You already ate?"

"Yep." Bellamy said, leg bouncing up and down under the table incessantly. "You sure you don't want to back out now?"

His eyes flashed with the familiar fire of all of their previous fights. "No way in hell."