Death Wish

Part 15

Eric Pov

Eric was obviously not a particularly kind man. Anyone in Dauntless could see that. He kept to himself, did his work, and enjoyed his time alone at the end of the day.

However, when Eric had challenged the Candor, he just couldn't force himself to finish her off. He remebered the fight as though it was yesteray. How she played dead, her strong pumch to his jaw, and then slamming her to the floor in a fit of anger. She'd been totally stunned and unable to breathe almost about yet, he couldn't finish her off.

Eric had never balked at a task before no matter how cruel. He had followed execution orders and had led raids against factionless with out a second thought. Yet he took pity on some transfer.

He didn't understand what that Candor was doing to him but whatever it was, he wasn't sure if he liked it.

Not to say she wasn't a good initiate in the least. She excelled in fighting, knife throwing, and physical training. She may have struggled with shooting but that just took practice.

He would even admit that her move to act like she was unconscious, during their sparring match, had been a clever tactic.

After that fight and much thought, Eric decided it was a good idea to distance himself from the initiate. But he couldn't shake the strange feelings that lingered.

His friends, well actually it was really just friend, had been more than happy to bring up the fight at any moment just to gain a peeved reaction from Eric. Said friend was a ginger man named Ajax who'd been a part of his initiate class. Ajax was his size, maybe a little shorter, but just as wide and muscular.

The difference was in their personalities.

Ajax was like his better half from Abnegation. Where Eric was cold, desolate, and ruthless, Ajax was warm hearted, talkative, and kind. Not to say Ajax couldn't rip people's heads off at a moment's notice though. He was still a massive feat of brute strength and build but he was just nice about it.

At the moment, Eric was attending the transition party for the initiates who were going to be going into phase two of training. The Fear Sims. He stand at the edge of the party, not interested in joining in on the festivities, but still had a good view of the scene that he surveyed with his natural hawk like intensity.

Ajax had been the one to drag him down to this party. It wasn't necessarily boring but Eric would much rather have been doing something else.

Ajax also brought along his girlfriend, Abby, who he had been with for about a month now which was pretty long for someone like Ajax. Eric would have to say the same for himself in that regard. Women came and went for him.

It wasn't that he was looking for a women, just that they seemed to be looking for him. And even though he tried every now and again with a nice girl, it never seemed to work out. Eric wasn't broken up over it by any means but it just meant that his walls were just as high as ever.

Eric was starting to enjoy himself as he spoke amicably with Ajax and Abby who, to his surprise, had a good sense of humor. A couple jack and cokes helped him feel more social as well.

Abby was going on and on about some drama between the female security guards, that was surprisingly interesting since she was a good story taller, when from the corner of his vision, Eric spotted a familiar transfer from Candor. He watched curiously as Ferris took a seat at the bar. He found his eyes trailing down her tight dress that showed off her long toned legs. It was unusual for her not to be flanked by the redhead or that one kid, Mathius or something. She almost looked uncomfortable being by herself around all those people. But as soon as Eric thought that, a male figure took a seat next to her.

Eric quickly recognized the male to be that basterd Xanthus

Eric didn't really like anyone aside from Ajax and he certainly didn't like Xanthus. Xanthus had been in his training class and was a little more than a punk. He spent most his time working on the wall. Eric watched closely as they talked casually and Ferris laughed at something he said, flashing a pretty smile. Xanthus even lifted her chin to see the very bruises Eric had given her.

He didn't like him touching her.

"Earth to Eric? You still with us?" Ajax asked, grinning with his arm around Abby.

"I'm listening," He said shortly. "I'm just ready to get the initiate training over with," Eric added without hesitation as he tore his eyes away from the Candor.

"Goodnes, remember when we were in training?" Ajax asked causing Eric to partially grin.

"Yeah, you were scrawny," Eric replied making Abby giggle.

"That's right, and you were a jerk back then, oh wait, you still are," Ajax said, making Eric chuckle softly with a small smirk. Ajax was one of the few people who could speak to him like that.

Ajax started retelling some story from their training but Eric was only half listening. He turned back to watch the Candor. She looked happy.

That was until Xanthus said something that made her expression turn to confusion and then total disinterest. Eric didn't fail to notice that Xanthus had a hand on her knee that inched up her lower thigh.

His fists subconsciously balled up as he watched.

Suddenly the Candor got up to leave but Xanthus caught her arm. The girl turned and splashed her drink right in his face before turning away once more and walking off.

She eventually left the party all together and Eric felt compelled to follow her. He mumbled something about going to the bathroom before leaving Ajax and Abby.

Eric quickly closed the distance between him and her but didn't directly engage. He tailed her down the hall that led to the Chasm only to find the Candor peering down at the churning water below. She didn't even seem to notice his approach.

"Not thinking about jumping are you Candor?"