Innocence Lost

Chapter 12 (Candor or Dauntless)

Mature Content

I woke up the next morning extremely sore.  Going up against Eric does that and I've done it twice this week. Everyone else was moving in slow motion, exhausted from lack of sleep.  To top things off we had our next fights today.   Before heading to breakfast I brushed my teeth and quickly changed into my training gear.

When we got to the training room after breakfast Eric was in the middle of the room, standing straight with his arms folded in front of him.  He did not look happy.  Who could blame him, he lost to Four yet again. It was understandable.  He still made us run laps, despite the long night we had.  After running he tortured us with the usual routine of non stop sit ups and push ups. We were all incredibly sore by the time Four showed face.

"Initiates, here are the matches for your next fight" Eric points to the board.

"Your last fight will be at the end of the week, which will conclude stage one of initiation. Tomorrow is visiting day, we will go over some ground rules in the morning" Eric continued.

Amanda was leaning on me "I'm too tired to move" she cried.

"Come on, lets see who we are fighting" I urged her.

Aurora vs Lucy
Hector vs Brendan
Kate vs Jesse
Evan vs Caroline
James vs Allen
Val vs Brendan
Amanda vs Thomas
Tyler vs Lori
Rain vs Caroline
Chris vs Aiden

Damon not fighting

Fucking Eric has me fighting Jesse. Figured he would want to be in dick mode today. The guy must seriously hate me. The feelings mutual, asshole. I glare over at him as he's talking to Lauren.  He catches my stare and I can see a smirk appearing on his lips. I would so love to see his ass kicked one day, preferably by Four or myself.

Jesse walks over to me offering words of encouragement.

"We can do this Kate.  Give it your all, don't hold back on me" he said.

"Oh I won't" I say smirking.

This meant he had no plans to take it easy on me. I'm fucked. I've seen Jesse fight, he's really good. I doubt he will be as rough with me though.

"Aurora and Lucy, in the ring" Eric shouted.

As soon as Aurora stepped in Lucy threw the first punch right at her nose. Blood suddenly came gushing out as she bent over. Eric shook his head in frustration. If it were up to him he would have thrown Aurora out a long time ago. He looks over at Lucy nodding his head for her to finish it. Lucy jumps into a roundhouse, hitting Aurora right in the face again. That was it. Aurora is done, there's no way she can pass stage 1. Four and Rain drag her limp body off the mat and take her to the infirmary.

"Next up, Hector and Brenden" Eric continued in his usual loving tone. Nothing happens the first couple of minutes, someone is holding back. We all know Eric's about to blow.

"Do you think this is a leisure activity?" Eric shouts as they circle each other "Should we break for naptime? Fight each other, I don't have all day initiates!"

Geez, the guy needs to get laid or something. Maybe Red isn't giving him what he wants. I'm getting nervous as I watch Hector and Brendan fight. How am I expected to fight my best friend? I need to win or it's over for me.