Death Wish

Part 20

I sat up abruptly, my breaths rapid.

"Four fears huh?" I asked curiously as I tried to calm my accelerated heart rate.

Four nodded "Four then and four now. I don't think they go away though," Four explained and I nodded in understanding. I curiously wondered what all my fears were. I already had three for sure.

Fear of ants, fear of doctors (Specifically at the dentist and them holding evil metal tools of doom), and fear of intimacy. I don't think I was scared of the third one really. Just not ready for it was more accurate. I mean it didn't seem so bad with Eric although I think I knew exactly why my brain used him for the fear sim.

"Alright, good work Ferris. Tomorrow go ahead and come back here at 8 so we can practice on your fear simulations," He insisted.

I nodded. "I'll be here," I replied and went to leave. I paused just before I came to the door. "Thank you."

I walked down the halls and saw that it was only half past eight. I decided to just head back to the iniate's quarters. An early sleep wouldn't hurt.

I traveled down the looming but identical concrete walls that were darkly lit. My mind was still lingering on Four's fears. I still couldn't fathom that Marcus Eaton, the head of Abnegation, was nothing but an abusive asshole.

I wasn't paying attention as I rounded a corner and found myself in a head on collision with something that felt like a wall. Only issue was that this wall was moving.

"What are you doing out here initiate?" A familiar deep voice asked. I looked up to see Eric's face and quickly regained my cool.

"I could uh, ask you the same question," I replied smoothly. My eyes flitted down to his lips and a flash back of how they felt on my neck in the fear sim came to mind.

"I live down the hall. Answer the question," Eric ordered, his suspicion evident.

"I was just getting extra help on the fear sims, there was a fear I didn't understand and I wanted help," I claimed innocently. It was a good lie. Further proof that I was never suited for Candor.

"You finished your fear sim in 4 minutes. It's impressive, very impressive," Eric claimed, making me quirk a brow as my heart started fluttering in my chest again.

"Is it a crime to be excelling here in Dauntless," I retorted, continuing to stay in character.

"I never said it was bad. I just don't see why you would need extra help considering your time." Eric inquired further now with his hands crossed over his chest. I had a creeping feeling that he was suspecting me as well.

"I just had to ask Four about a certain fear that I didn't understand, " I reiterated without hesitation sounding as honest as possible.

He stared down at me, still not convinced and I rolled my eyes.

"So fine. I actually took up Xanthus on the whitch coven offer and am getting back from my first seance," I added sarcastically, doing my best to act normal. I typically resorted to sarcasm anyway.

"What did you get for your aptitude test?" Eric asked, disregarding my which coven story, and I responded soundly.

"Dauntless."

Eric seemed to think for a moment. Pondering over whether or not I was telling the truth. The other good thing about being an ex Candor is knowing all the traits of someone who is truthful. I looked Eric full in the eyes, with no hesitation or fidgeting.

"OK Candor, be ready for your fear Sims tomorrow," Eric said before turning to leave.

I nodded and watched as he left but stayed rooted to the ground for a moment. I hadn't realized how quickly my heart was racing and how my hands had gone clammy.

My feet finally came to their senses and began walking but my mind was still racing.

Why did I have to be Divergent?

Eric Pov

Eric almost alway knew when someone was lying to him. But that Candor made it impossible. He knew how unlikely it was for a normal person to get through the fear sims that easily yet she'd been so forthcoming. It could have been but mere luck or skill but a seed of doubt had planted itself in the back of Eric's mind.

He decided to do his own research on her as he entered his apartment that was sparse and basic. There was an old but comfortable black couch in the living room with a small table in front it. To the right of the couch was a large set of shelves with an array of books upon it. In the kitchen were your typical appliances with a sink, fridge, stove, and oven that he didn't use all that often. His room was just as monochromatic, with black bed sheets and a black night stand. Along with a wooden desk to the left of his bed that had dispersed sheets all over it. All surrounded by grey concrete walls.

He sat down at his desk, opened his PC, and typing up the name Ferris Maguire on his transfer initate post. Sure enough, her file came up in just a few seconds and was astutely unremarkable

She had two parents who were honorary members of the Candor board of Directors and an older sister who was still in Candor. He recalled that article in the news paper with her parents interview.

He continued digging through her file and saw that she did in fact score Dauntless on her aptitude test apparently. He couldn't disagree that she deserved to be in Dauntless. She was brave, mostly level headed, and a good fighter. Even if she fought dirty and had a heck of a temper.

He continued reading down her file and saw that she was actually quite the trouble maker in Candor. But almost all of the crimes were linked to dishonesty. Even about small issues.

In the the specific case, she had stolen a ring from a girl at age 8 and lied about it. A mostly harmless offense that cost her two weeks of detention and a trip to the principles. Eric scoffed at the comical punishment.

Another was when she lied about her whereabouts to a security officer after being pulled over driving. She was even suspended from highschool for a week due to getting into a fight. Apprently she instigated the fight after being being picked on by a boy and girl named Jonathan and Samantha. All of these things that wouldn't have even been reprimanded much at all in Dauntless but were considered genuine misconduct in Candor.

The list went on and on. Ferris got caught for lying about grades, lying about being sick to miss school, even lying about her age to some clerk at a grocery store. Each lie, no matter their severity, or lack there of, was input as a literal misdemeanor.

She was apparently one tick away from getting a criminal record.

Eric huffed through his nose. Candor was ridiculous. They held the truth above all else to an almost insane degree.

It was no surprise that their absurd rules and culture drove Ferris to leave. Eric wouldn't last one day among all those loud mouths that didn't know their head from their ass.

He shut his computer after he finished going through the rest of her file.

He rubbed his face as he laid down in bed, relieved that Ferris didn't appear to be on of those Divergents.

At least not yet.