Danger is Near

Chapter 12

"Ok then. Let's get started" Four said tensely.

He began to run towards the sunlight where there was some sort of massive garage door.

"Wait! What are we doing?" an initiate yelled out.

"We're going for a run. Follow me, keep at my pace and stay behind me." Four stated as he turned around jogging backwards, so we could hear him properly.

He turned back around and continued running, at quite a fast pace, I must say.

"Oh, and don't worry about collapsing or anything like that. We will be having a break half way through the run, where you can have some water" Four added. Again turning around so we could hear him properly.

As he turned around again he exited the big garage door. Out into the outside world.

It had been about ten minutes into our run. I was so exhausted, I hope the break is coming up soon.

I guess it was good he changed his pace throughout though, because there was no way any of us would be able to run flat stick the entire time. Actually, it was probably possible for Tess to do that. She was right behind Four the entire time. Some other people slowed down but no, Tess just kept going.

"What the actual fuck, how is she doing that!?" Christina said to me, her breathing was really ragged and heavy. But then again so was mine.

"I know! I hope we stop soon" I whined.

And almost just after I said this Four slowly came to a halt. We were still in Dauntless territory but we were just on the outside of the compound.

"Ok, let's take a break. There's water taps over there" he said, pointing over to three taps coming out of a wall. A lot of people rushed over to them, but me... no. I just sat down. My legs felt like jelly.

"Anything but long distance running!" I exasperatedly commented.

"Yeah. I hate long distance too" Peter said.

I looked over at Four. He was just standing there watching all of us. He didn't even go to get a drink.

Thinking about water I realised how thirsty I was. So I got up and walked over to the taps.

The water tasted so heavenly as it ran down my throat.

As I walked back over to where everyone was resting I noticed a girl vomiting. I recognised her as one of the girls putting make-up on earlier. Her friends were standing by her side, reaching to grab her hair.

I then unconsciously looked over to Four and he was looking at the poor girl. But there was no sympathy in his look. All I could see was worthlessness.

He didn't go over to ask if she was ok. He just watched, judging her.

I glared at him. Everyone was silent, and all the attention was on her. She had stopped spewing but she looked terrible. Her face was a dangerous pale tone.

Finally he walked over to her.

"Will you be able to run back?" he asked.

She looked back at him with worry in her eyes. She knew that if she didn't, she would most likely be ranked below the red line.

"I'll try" she said weakly.

"Good. But if you feel the need to walk, just walk" Four said with sympathy. Strange. I thought.

"I'll make the pace on the way back slower" he shouted out to everyone.

"Five more minutes before we head back" he then finished, walking off.

We finally arrived. We were back in the Training Arena. We were all huffing and puffing. I was exhausted, I could hardly breathe and my legs were so sore.

"Five minute break and then we begin with the punching bags" Four said loudly, as he began dragging punching bags out of a little compartment.

Our whole group stood together. Some of us talking and some of us with our arms over our heads.

Just as I was standing there listening to what Amy, Peter and a few others were saying I saw someone walk into the Arena. It was Eric. Oh, great. I wander what he has to say now.

He was wearing a tightly fitted tee and long black jeans with combat boots. He had a sheet of paper in his hand. Huh. That's strange... I dwelled.

Before I could point him out to everyone else Christina piped up. "Guys, look who's here...".

Everyones heads turned towards where Christina was looking.

He walked a little closer to us and stopped.

Four looked up from what he was doing.

"Don't look so concerned Four. I just need to steal a few people" Eric said egotistically.

He looked down at the sheet of paper and spoke out again.

"Al, Amy, Christina, Edward, Eliza, Emma, Jem, Matisse, Peter, Tess, Tris, Will".

We all looked at him stunned.

"What? You didn't think we would let you get away that easily..." he said with smugness. "Follow me".

We all looked to Four and he nodded at us, letting us know we were allowed to leave.

In a way I was glad, but then again, I was not.

We followed Eric down the dark hallways of Dauntless. We began to climb stairs eventually. The lights in the stairwell seemed to flicker on and off, which made the whole experience even freakier.

We arrived in a large, wide hallway. Which I assumed was where all the leaders' offices were.

"This must be where all the offices of the leaders are" Tess whispered to someone beside her.

Eric spun around and glared at her. "Did I say you could speak?" he rudely questioned.

After glaring at Tess for a few more seconds he turned back around and continued walking.

I was so glad I didn't speak up like Tess did.

We approached a big, black mahogany door. This area was quite fancy, for Dauntless. I was quite surprised.

Eric turned around and reported "You will all wait out here patiently. I will come and get you, one by one. Max will have a chat with you and your punishment will be assigned. Then you will head straight back to your training".

And with that, he turned and entered, closing the door behind him.