Death Wish

Part 9

Eric took me out of the pit with his hand firmly grasping (Patrick:Firmly grasp it) my arm as he escorted me out. My feet followed instinctively even though the rest of my body was still on fight mode. I could still see Frankfurt's unconscious body lying on the floor in my mind and anger prickled my skin.

Slowly, I began regain my composure as my breaths deepened and my heart rate slowed. The anger slowly seeped out of my veins with every step.

I glanced up at Eric, whose face was an impassive , wondered if he was upset.

I didn't ponder for long before my thoughts turned back to that article in the newspaper. I hadn't given my parents much thought since I'd left and I guess they hadn't either. But I hadn't anticipated them going public with their opinion of me.

I didn't belong with Candor. I didn't belong with my family. And by the sound of it, they certainly didn't want me back.

I was knocked out of my thoughts when Eric took a sudden turn down one of identical grey paneled halls and brought me into a large office where Max was found sitting behind a desk. He glanced at us in an almost bored manner before setting the paper in his hand down and clearing his throat.

"So, Ferris, I have just received got word that you have beaten one of your fellow transfers to a pulp. Care to explain?" Max asked, dismally, retaining a blank expression. He probably dealt with this kind of thing so often that it was boring.

"I was provoked," I claimed, looking him straight in the eyes.

Max nodded. "I figured. What happened?" Max asked, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned back in his comfy looking swivel chair.

"He made false claims about me and my family. So I defended myself," I answered easily and felt Eric's eyes boring into me as he stood to the side. It was as if he was evaluating my every move and word.

"Does this have to do with that article in the paper?" He asked with minute interest.

So he'd read it too? Great.

Now everyone in the city probably knows my parents think I'm nothing but a worthless screw up that doesn't belong.

I only nodded in response.

"I see, you care for your parents very- No. Actually, I don't sir," I interrupted causing Max to raise an eyebrow. Whether it be from interrupting him or the plain disdain in my words, I wasn't sure.

"I was defending myself. Not them," I explained shortly.

Max studied me carefully, probably deciding whether or not to lecture me on interrupting superiors or to punish me for beating up a fellow initiate.

He sighed looking down.

"I'm not going to question your relationship with your family. Quite frankly it's none of my business. But I am going to give you one warning Ferris. One. Do yourself a favor and don't get into any more fights. I mean it," Max advised and gestured for me to leave.

I nodded, suddenly relieved I wasn't being punished and Eric ushered me out of the room. But I didn't allow Max's kind ruling to blind me. One more slip up and I might not have a faction anymore, and my parent's might be proved right that I do belong with the Factionless.

I strode out into the hallway, Eric following, and it was quiet for a moment as I realized I had no idea how to get back to the dorm area and Eric was the only one I could ask for directions. I suddenly felt more nervous asking him for stupid directions than getting lectured by the Dauntless president.

"So what's the deal with your parents?" Eric asked casually like it wasn't a very personal question. And, as if I didn't just mangle someone else for bothering me about my family.

"No offense, but like Max said, it's not really your business," I replied shortly as he began walking. I fell into step with him, assuming he was walking me back to my quarters.

"Correction: It's actually everyone's business now that it's in papers," He countered and I couldn't deny his point.

I sighed. "They're Candor, they don't know what sugar coating. Never did," I said quietly with a far away look. "They always knew I wasn't going to be a Candor and so did I. There's a reason I left."

"Just have some family issues huh?" He asked with a tone I couldn't quite place as we continued walking.

"Don't we all?" I asked and his expression turned dark, any friendliness had evaporated. It was like he had just put on a mask.

"Some more than others," He said lowly and my brows furrowed at his tone. Did I said something wrong?

We walked in silence the rest of the way. A part of me was still reeling at the fight. The sudden moment of dragging Frankfurt up from his seat and then beating him replayed over and over in my mind.

I spotted Rency and Ryan walking back into the quarters as we grew nearer and I offered Eric a short farwell. He only nodded in response before walking off. His expression remained unreadable.

Even if I found him insanely attractive, tonight was not the night for flirting. My energy had been spent beating Frankfurt into the asphalt.

I quickly approached my friends and Rency instantly hugged me. I didn't really react to it very well and awkwardly resorted to patting the back of her shoulders.

"Are you ok ferris?" Rency asked, looking me over as though I was hurt.

I nodded. "Yeah I'm fine I just lost my composure," I said with a shrug even though my parent's words had hurt the most.

"Lost your composure? You knocked out the number one ranked initiate like it was nothing!" Ryan exclaimed as we walked into the quarters.

"Someone had to do it," I said with a small grin.

Several eyes starred as I entered, some were curious and others were surprised to see me not in hand cuffs for assault. Some even looked mad. Especially Lily who glared at me with murderous intent.

I ignored them all.

"Well, I support your actions whole heartedly," Rency assured, smiling broadly.

I chuckled "Thanks. What's really funny is that Max only gave me warning, he wasn't even mad" I told them.

Deitrich and Matius walked up a few minutes later and I quickly noticed a purplish bruise forming on the underside of Deitrich's jaw. I must have given him that when I elbowed him.

I winced at the sight. "Sorry bout' that," I said, gesturing to my jaw.

He offered a faint grin. "I'll live," He replied kindly. "No worries."

"You sure?" I asked, feeling genuinely guilty.

He nodded in affirmation. "Yeah, it's no big deal," Deitrich replied. "Franky deserved it."

I snorted gently. At least most everyone was one my side about what Frankfurt said.

Matius leaned in quickly. "You good?" He asked me quietly.

I shrugged. "I'm fine."

I wasn't fine. Not yet. But I would be.

Matius offered a small smile that I returned. He gave my shoulder a quick pat before walking off to his shared bunk with Ryan. Rency spoke with me quietly for the rest of the evening, doing her best to keep my mind off of what Frankfurt and my family had said.

It was nice to have good friends.

Not long after, I turned in for the night but ended up tossing and turning for almost an hour before finding sleep. There were too many thoughts plaguing my mind. Thoughts of my family. Candor. Eric. And even my sister.

Did she have any say in the article? I didn't want to know. Did my parents actually think about me? Were these their only thoughts?

What would they think of my progress in Dauntless? Why did I still even care?

By the time I feel asleep, I barely even remembered that the second round of fights were tomorrow.