The morning after my tattoo success was a 'rest' day, a recovery from our sim training. I decided to use it to practice my shooting, despite the physical part of our initiation being over I wanted to improve all of my weaknesses, I needed to prove to myself as well as everyone else that I was the best in Dauntless. Which was my intention, I wasn't a hundred percent sure where the decision had come from, but I now had an overarching goal for my other smaller ones, and it had made me more determined than ever. I knew the roof wasn't the only training area for shooting, but I liked the space, and it was likely deserted due to everyone else having moved on. So I made my way up the stairs and out onto the open roof. As I had suspected, I was completely alone. Grinning, I opened the gun closet and began to go through the therapeutic process of setting up the guns. Once I'd made sure they were all clean and loaded, then selecting one off the table, I rolled my shoulders back, relaxing my body and stalked over to a target. From the minute I began to move to the target I had made the conscious decision to summon my inner Eric, I pictured him moving towards his target and lining up the shot and made sure to even mimic his scowl. Eric was by far the best shot I'd seen yet at Dauntless, and I wondered if maybe it wasn't just about pulling the trigger and aiming, thus my impersonation of the intimidating leader. I kept my arms in position, not locked or tense, but I made sure to be aware of them. They were my arms and a part of my body. If I could learn to be more in touch with my own movements, then I could feel and respond to the gun better. I looked at where I wanted to shoot and pulled the trigger. Stupidly forgetting about the kickback, it slammed into my shoulder on the rebound. Hissing I managed to flick on the safety before clutching at the forming bruise, "Ow, Fuck. Okay, don't do that again. Stupid." I tended to be very blunt with myself when I was alone, I'd have probably been mad if someone else said to me what I did, but I brushed it off quickly and readjusted my grip on the gun. Again, it had been too
long since I'd practised, before War Games that's for sure.Lining up the shot I pulled the trigger and this time managed to see where it landed, skimmed the shoulder, not bad. Repositioning I fired again, and again. I began to flick on and off the safety, pointing the gun down in between shots as though I'd just picked it up and when I aimed was taking out another target. I stayed at the same station for a good few hours until my target was riddled with holes. A glance at the sky showed midday, which I figured meant time for a change.Swapping out my hole-riddled target, I set up the replacement and made sure the cartridge in my gun was full, shoving another into my pocket to practice a quick change, my mind bringing up the way Eric had effortlessly clicked out his empty one and set in the next. I started at the table and swung the gun into position. I stalked forward, flicking the safety off and rounding on the first target.I took a moment to aim before firing, lowering the gun, flicking the safety on, seeing where it landed, then pulling the gun up and moving to the next target. My up-down practice was slightly different from the ones Eric had made me run all those weeks ago, I didn't walk in a straight line, figuring it would be easier to get shot if I did, and I wanted to make my practice more realistic.Unfortunately the targets were all still in a line so I still had a blindspot I wasn't covering,unfortunately for me, it was exactly where the door to the roof was and for a second time Ericcaught me unaware, but this time he wasn't alone.I didn't know how long they had been standing there before he spoke, "That's quite the improvement Initiate." Recognising his voice, I flicked on the safety before quickly spinning to
see him and the group behind, my breath was labored having been at it for several hours now.
"Well, it better be It's been more than 5 weeks after all." I cheekily threw his words from before back at him. He smirked and took a step forward."Squad." He addressed the group behind him, "Grab a gun and a station." I took that as my cue to leave and while they moved to grab the guns I'd taken the time to clean and layout on the table, I went to put mine back in the 'closet'. A tattooed arm stopped me, and Eric's voice dropped in volume to address me, "Where are you going, Initiate?"
"Ah-" I gestured to the door, "I thought the roof would be empty because of... stage two..." I trailed off as his smirk never left his face. Instead of responding, he spun me by the shoulders and pressed a hand on my lower back to guide me forward to the nearest target. "Watch. Learn." Was all he said before stepping back and calling all attention to him once more. "Johnson." A blond man stepped forward at his name and, seeming to know what Eric wanted, stepping up with a handgun, he pointed it at the leader before my eyes could widen. Eric had pulled the arm with the gun forward and had Johnson in a
submission hold, next came Eric's gravelly voice explaining the action.
"In the field when someone's gun is near your face, grab the hand, then the arm, keeping it straight and using your body weight near the shoulder joint push down." He released Johnson and then went through it again before telling them to partner up. A man with a short spiky mohawk turned to me and before I could protest had his own gun pointed at my face, I reacted before I realised it and felt a flash of pride zip through me, that was what Eric and Kev had been telling me to do, react. I let out a laugh and let the guy up he grinned in response. I pulled my gun to eye level, ensuring the safety was still on and found
myself in the same arm wrenching position. The rest of the afternoon continued like that, Eric demonstrating a technique and explaining why you might find yourself in that situation and then getting us to practice while he stalked around the room, critiquing everyone. For some reason, I had assumed that after initiation, all training just sort of ceased, but I now knew that wasn't true, and I felt a little silly for thinking it. Observing Eric, I realised that this was probably a main part of his job, while Four was an instructor to the
initiates, Eric was a leader and trained everyone that needed to actually survive on the streets,not just to pass through initiation.It was actually fun overall but mostly interesting. I was partnered with many different people, Eric claiming it was important not to rely on one type of opponent as you never would be able to predict until the situation called for it. Which was true. I learn a few of their names and gave my own in response, it was actually a relaxing atmosphere, even Eric had a touch of interest in what he was seeing, as though he actually cared about these people's progress, I'd only ever seen him look interested one time during our physical training and that was after I'd landed Thaddeus in the hospital. By the time the sun was setting, I was thoroughly exhausted but brimming with new knowledge and therefore excitement, I was no erudite but the confidence that came with the skills I had acquired today definitely took a weight from my shoulders, it had been close combat learning while the other opponent was holding a gun, eerily similar to when they had a knife, but actuallybharder to defend in most cases as they could still pull the trigger with their arm behind their back, you had to be constantly aware of where the gun was pointing. Eric called time and stood in front of the worn-out group, "Alright we'll be up here for the rest of the week. You're dismissed." He stalked out before the rest of the group, and everyone went to return their gear before following him. I walked with them through the halls before turning to head down one, which would lead me to the chasm, and a hand on my shoulder stopped me. I turned my head, it was Mohawk guy Mackie if I remembered correctly.
"Hey Persie, congrats on the win with Eric in war games. I'm looking forward to seeing which path you choose." Another girl gave a sound of agreement before pulling him along. I gave a slightly stunned nod in thanks, watching them walk away. I am looking forward to seeing which path you choose. He'd said it like it was definite I would pass. I pressed my back to the stonewall, feeling the cold seep into my skin, and I let out a loud laugh. Man, I loved it here.
I was very exhausted and I had practice tomorrow so really I should have walked straight to the barracks to get some sleep but my feet lead me somewhere else and I found myself in a very familiar spot, once again looking over into rushing waters hundreds of feet below. I breathed an easy breath and let the cold seem into me from the air that pilled through the gaps in the rock ceiling. No moon was out tonight, but the stars peeked through. I tilted my head back and nearly laughed again at how easy it was to breathe, I wasn't under any illusion I'd conquered my fear of this spot, but for tonight, I felt free from it My good mood hadn't left me in the morning, and I swung my legs on the bench, waiting for Four to call me into the little room of hellish nightmares.
"Persie."
I stood up with a slight skip in my step and, without prompting, sat in the dentist-like chair and leaned back. Eric and Four seemed to freeze, which only caused my grin to widen, unable to
hide my own pride at my achievement. I wiggled my eyebrows at Eric, "Look!"
He gave a deep chuckle, coming over with the syringe in hand, "I see getting that tattoo conquered your fear."
"Well-" I drew out, wincing as he brought the needle close to my neck, "I wouldn't say conquered."
I unconsciously tilted my head away before finding his hang cupping the other side of my neck, keeping me from moving any further. He pressed the metal in, and I sucked a painful breath through my teeth. It's just Eric. It's just Eric. My eyes adjusted slowly, and I found myself lying on rocky ground. Pushing myself to my feet, I swept my gaze but was unable to distinguish much. I stepped forward and heard a sickening crunch underfoot. Gingerly lifting my foot, I closed my eyes in a semblance of praying. Please don't be bones, please don't be b- A strange blue light began to grow and grow behind my closed eyelids and before I could stop myself my eyes opened to see hundreds of stark white skulls making up the ground beneath my feet, lifeless eye sockets fixed on my own. "Oh! Come on!"
I took a panicked step back and heard the same sound. Slamming my eyes shut, I let out a frustrated scream. I was genuinely frightened of the sight before me and closing my eyes did little to help, but a bigger part of me was more annoyed, What the fuck was I doing here? Wherever here was. I opened my eyes again and sucked in a breath before pushing it out and charging forwards, I had to get out, wherever here was it was clearly not safe. I winced at the cracking of the skulls beneath my feet and it was actually difficult terrain to navigate with their smooth delicate heads being the only place to land my feet, still, I moved on, keeping my eyes open I crossed more and more land, the skulls seemed to go one forever but I
knew they had to stop somewhere. Pretty quickly the actual scary sight of the bonnes under the
moonlight, in the cold darkness of the night lost its effect, I focused more on keeping my balance
and moving forward to actually taking notice of their dead gaze. They were skulls, I didn't give a
fuck what they thought anyway. My balance was lost as vertigo hit and I fell into darkness. I came to blinking slowly at the rock above me. I didn't immediately jump from the chair, despite the fear of panic that seized me, I did hunch forward and stay perched on the edge gripping my
knees tight, but otherwise, I remained on it.
"Impressive." The comment came from Four causing me to look up at him, at first I thought he was referring to my still occupied seat but he continued "2 minutes. That's pretty quick."
"What?" I was a little thrown but my mind did a reboot and I realised he was talking about the sim "Oh, yeah, I wasn't actually very afraid that time, just skulls, creepy as shit but probs only cause I found one after-" I cut myself off abruptly and clamped my mouth shut. Goddamn, my Candor childhood.
"You found a skull?" Eric said sharply.
I hurried to reassure them, "Yes but Kevin said it was the river... from people who jumped. So it's fine nothing to worry about."
Unfortunately, that didn't seem to placate either of them, Eric's frown deepened, "You know Kevin?"
"Ah yes?" I couldn't help my confusion, there were probably loads of Kevins, I knew one of them.
Four clarified, "From the trench?"
Well that was entirely undescriptive. I jumped off the chair having had enough of it, "Well I'm not sure what you mean by trench, but if you're referring to the fact his house is miles underground
then, yep, that Kevin. Tall, kinda creepy, actually a sweetheart, takes weird old money as payment..."
"How do you know that?" Eric's voice was sharp and hard.
"Um-" I searched desperately for something to say that wouldn't get Kevin or Neil in trouble,
"-Because?" Welp, I had nothing, instead, I bolted to the door, wrenched it open and disappeared through it as quickly as I could, ignoring the calls after me. I was definitely going to have to ask Kevin about that, they didn't seem too happy that I knew him, I wonder why.
Unfortunately, my route to Kevin as I was intent on bothering him with some questions was interrupted by a familiar towering figure and another Dauntless-born. Thaddeus and the other
stood blocking my way through the hall and I stood opposite them, neither of us moved until I let out an annoyed sigh, "You gonna stand there all day?"
Thaddeus's face broke into a smirk which sent an uncomfortable feeling through me. Trust yourself. He stepped forward but before he could move again I turned on my heels and walked quickly back the way I'd come. "Running away Persie?" His call followed me but I ignored it, I wasn't afraid of fighting him and I knew whatever happened neither of us would talk, but I wasn't too keen on doing it with another person involved, I didn't know how to defend myself against more than one person, and that definitely needed to change.Instead of heading to Kevin, I found myself back at the room of nightmares, catching Eric just as
he seemed to be finished packing up. As soon as he saw me he straightened and crossed his arms giving me a glare that almost made me want to hang my head. "Planning on explaining how you know Kevin?"
"Planning on telling me why it matters?" I snarked back.
He took a few steps closer in silence and I watched him approach warily. "Because-" He hissed the words "I said it does." His hand reached up and grabbed my jaw tilting it back, reminiscent of
before he injects me with the serum, my eyes fluttered shut against my will and I stuttered out a reply.
"Cockroaches- he um..." It was difficult to think when Eric was so close. He gave humm in response apparently satisfied, waiting a beat longer before he swiped his thumb over my check then he pulled back, still standing rather close, I pulled my eyes open and tried not to flush in
embarrassment his eyes swept up my face following the red and I knew I was unsuccessful.
Clearing my throat I asked him what I had come to ask, "Do you know anyone who can teach me to fight?" He raised an eyebrow and I cursed myself for sounding stupid, "-I mean more that
one person at... once."
"Four is your trainer." His response was clipped. I couldn't help the clench in my jaw and my eyes sliding to glare at the wall, "We're on stage two, I don't think he'll help."
"That is his job, so long as it is during training hours. Find him in security." With those parting words he stepped past me and left. Fuck. So now I had to ask Four for help in regards to training not required because that idea went so well last time. I tried to not be so pessimistic,Eric had said Four was supposed to help me, besides I was basically asking him to do what I'd
been taught already but just with another attacker.
ooOOooOOoo
"No." He had turned his back to me after looking to see who I was, which pissed me off at first, but now I was just trying desperately not to make a scene inside the security room with my
instructor.
"May I ask why?" I managed to grit out some resemblance of respect.
"Lauren is still on patrol in the city, and I won't ask anyone else to give up their time to train an initiate-" He turned back to look at me "-We've finished stage one, focus on stage two otherwise
you won't need to know how to fight at all."
I snapped my jaw shut not trusting myself to speak and simply turned on my heels leaving the room and ditching dinner to sulk in the barracks. I knew he'd say that. I had fucking known it.
The main frustrating thing was I couldn't just ask my friends to help because they were as clueless as myself in fighting multiple and it would only result in us having to fight for real with
no critical feedback, we'd all land in the hospital. I sat with my back to the wall sideways on my bed and I silently watched as all the initiates trickled in. I recognised one of the Dauntless-born girls as Thaddeus's buddy and sure enough, he trailed in after her, sending me a smirk. I decided to focus on analysing her, I knew they would attack me sooner or later, whether physically or simply trying to shatter my confidence with words, which I doubted considering Thaddeus' last revenge attempt had been murder.
She was built, only just shorter than Thaddeus, tall for a girl and she had defined muscles already, but that was the case for a lot of the Dauntless-born, her hair was a purple so dark it almost looked black, it was longer than my own. I took note of that, it would be a good way to play dirty. I'd seen her around before and she always wore it down. I reached up to my own hair and began to braid it into two separate plats, better safe than sorry. There wasn't much else to go on besides she was physically much bigger than myself, remembering advice from our fights I knew I'd have to make my hits count and try to use my ability over them. Kali popped herself
next to me and Delphi sat on the other side, holding out a napkin filled with food. I smiled
"Thanks Delphi."
Kali followed my gaze to Thaddeus, "He bothered you again?"
"Not yet."
She frowned but ultimately there was little we could do, I couldn't very well go complain to Four that I was feeling threatened, and I didn't even entertain the idea with Eric, the thought of appearing weak caused my stomach to turn far more than Thaddeuses stupid smirk had. I knew logically Thaddeus wouldn't attack me while I slept, not with all the other beds occupied around me, even if he simply slit my throat, there was sure to be an investigation and we had cameras in the barracks. No, the little display with his friend today showed his intention, because there were no cameras in the lower hallways of Dauntless, and due to my silence after his murder attempt, he now knew I wouldn't tell. It was my pride holding my tongue I didn't know enough about Dauntless' justice system, for all I knew Dauntless didn't care about initiates killing each other, maybe it wasn't a big deal to anyone. Annoyed at that train of thought, I decided I would ask Kevin to give me a few tips on fighting multiple people, hopefully, he had some, it would be difficult to practice with only him, but I could ask my friends to demonstrate later on. Deciding that's what I was going to do, I kicked my friends to their own beds and went to sleep.
