Invergent

Chapter Twenty

Elise's Perspective:

My eyes slowly open and I see a nice lady in black, professional-looking clothes. I didn't stay knocked out for long, she tells me. They had to give me minor surgery, but the knife didn't hit any bone, so I should regain most or all function in my hand, she says. I hit my head pretty hard and might have a minor concussion, she tells me. And lastly, she tells me to take it easy. That last part feels more like a cruel joke than anything else. Take it easy? Like Erin would ever allow me to do that.

I get up and walk to the cafeteria as best I can. "You should eat something, I think they'll be serving dinner soon." I walk into the half-empty cafeteria and stumble to the table I normally sit at. I lean my head against my good hand and try to drown out the world.

"You look like crap," Lynn so kindly says as she sits down in her usual spot.

"What did Three do to you?" Uriah asks, as he sits down on my left side. I pull the zipper of the jacket the lady so generously gave me and let out a heavy breath.

"I haven't seen Three today. Erin, on the other hand..." I pull my right hand out of my lap and into the daylight. It's wrapped up so much you can't tell my fingers apart from one another.

"Whoa!" Marlene shouts, "What happened?"

"Knife straight through the hand. I'm just glad none of my ribs are broken, though." I wince as I shift uncomfortably in my seat. Day two of my experiment and everything has gone downhill. I'm not even sure I'm capable of shooting guns anymore, which was the one thing I was good at. Operation: Prove the Test Has No Meaning is officially failing. I bet if I was in Erudite right now, I'd be safe and sound, curled up in a cozy chair, reading a book.

"I'll go get you something to make you feel better!" Jason frantically exclaims.

"Like what?" Uriah raises an eyebrow. "A time machine?"

I laugh, quickly wincing when I feel the sharp pain of my ribs protest. Jason runs off and I try my best to look happy. I have a feeling pity doesn't get you far in the Dauntless compound.

"I think Jason just became your doormat." Lynn rolls her eyes, more at Jason than at me. I scrunch my face up like I just tasted something sour. I hate thinking about him like that. More recently, I hate thinking about him at all.

"Here you go! One hot chocolate with extra whipped cream." I gasp, looking up at Jason, suddenly super grateful he is—as Lynn would say—my door mat.

"Thank you!" I grab the mug with my good hand. "You have no idea just how much I love hot chocolate," I excitedly shout, doing a little happy dance that probably looks much more stiff and awkward than it does in my head.

Jason laughs, "I'm glad I could make you happy."

I sit there and drink the hot chocolate, listening to everyone laughing and telling stories. In Amity, they would have all surrounded me, trying to make sure I was okay. I kinda like that they're not all focused on me, though. It makes me feel like I'm truly okay. It's just a step back, not the end.

I go straight to the dorms after dinner, too exhausted to hang out with my friends. When I get there, I notice Parker sitting on his bed looking pissed. Looks like I wasn't the only one battered today. Parkers a strong guy but even he doesn't stand a chance against Edward. Polly and Dru stand next to Parkers bed as they all talk loudly. I cover my face with my pillow and smother out the rest of the world. 

The next morning, I wake up in more pain than yesterday. I pray that Three lets me fight one of the weaker people, like Mia. Although, even she might be able to beat me in my weakened state. All I have for breakfast is a cup of coffee. I'm too nervous to eat anything solid.

I make it a point to get to the training room early so Erin has no reason to punish me further. I hate Erin! And who could blame me? If I was strong enough to take him in a fight, I would, right here and now.

I enter the training room to see that Three's the only one here. I sigh a breath of relief and lean against the wall, waiting for the others.

"You're early," he grumbles, writing names on the chalkboard.

"Are you writing who's fighting who?" I ask hopefully.

"Yeah." He turns and his eyes instantly fall to my right hand. He looks...shocked? I thought Erin would have told him what happened. They are training us together.

"Please give me Mia," I beg, not caring how desperate and pathetic I look.

"Erin was quite adamant you get Edwin because you didn't show up to fighting yesterday. What happened to your hand? Did you get in another fight with a punching bag?" I have to suppress my eyeroll.

"Erin stabbed me."

"He—"

"It's fine. Maybe I'll get lucky and Edwin will knock me out cold with a single punch." I grin dorkily.

"I don't think you know the meaning of the word fine." There is no expression in his voice.

"Yeah, well..." I shrug, "keep the peace."

"Use your knees and elbows."

"What?"

"Let him knock you to the ground. You look weaker than you are, it's easy to underestimate you. You can use that to your advantage."

I pause for a moment, "Are you ever not so serious?"

"What do you mean?" I can feel the chill all the way from the other side of the room.

"I mean when you're not an instructor, do you have fun? Are you capable of a smile?"

He just stares at me and I feel myself shrink under his gaze. Then, to my complete surprise, he laughs, shaking his head. "Believe it or not, but I am capable."

Before I can respond, more initiates begin filling the room. I take a seat and wait for the fighting to begin. First up are McKell and Will. She wins the match and I roll my eyes. It's like everything is just handed to her. I drown out the next couple fights, repeating the advice Three gave me in my head. Not just the advice from today, but yesterday too.

When Three calls my name, I stand up with a shaky breath. Alright, this is it. I walk over to the mat and stand in the middle, Edwin facing me. As soon as it starts, he goes to punch me in the face, but I fall quickly on my back before he can make contact. He looks at me, confused, and then he leans over me to try and pin me down. I bend my knees into my chest and quickly kick up, hitting his jaw. This sends him flying back. I get up quickly to deal the next blow, but stand there shocked when I notice Edwin lying unconscious.

I won.

I'm dreaming.

There is no way I just beat Edwin.

Someone pinch me.

I look up at Three, who's failing miserably to hide his shock. Erin opens and closes his mouth a few times, and I decide now is the perfect opportunity to try and look intimidating. I straighten my posture and pretend that I won on purpose. That my kick intentionally hit his jaw when I really aimed for his chest. I take a deep breath in and let it out, stepping outside the white circle, feeling both guilt and pride consume me.