Transparent: A Divergent FanFiction (Book One) ©

Chapter 21

                Todd marched into the ring, red-faced and angry as he bounced on his feet. Though he looked determined to win, I honestly doubted it would amount to anything. Banks, clad in a sleeveless shirt that revealed a fresh tattoo on his bicep, seemed completely at ease.

                As per usual, Banks appeared beyond bored as he stretched his arms, which again I was surprised to see, were strong and defined. Whatever he’d done when he was back in erudite couldn’t have been the norm. Like me, he was hiding something. It was in his demeanor, the way he rarely spoke, everything he did was discrepant with the image of an average erudite citizen.

               My secret was unsafe, life threatening, and I had the feeling that what he withheld from us could also be dangerous. I’d have to keep an eye on him and be ready to act if it ever came to it. He took the same position he had when he’d fought Pam; with his feet shoulder-width apart and his hands clasped behind his back, waiting.

                I glanced at Amar and saw him frown slightly, and Max and the other dauntless man shared a confused look. Dan’s brow furrowed, and I saw Grace bite her lip as she looked at the ring; I wasn’t the only one worried about the outcome of this fight. I swallowed and steeled myself, vowing not to move from my spot lest I get negative attention from Max and his companion.

                Todd raised his fists, and I expected the fight to be a replica of the previous one; with Todd hitting Banks until he grew tired of it and retaliated in a horrific way. This was not the case. The moment Todd threw out his fist, Banks twisted, catching Todd by his wrist and using the momentum to hurl him to the side.

                Todd staggered a few feet, and flushed angrily when he saw that Banks was again standing in his usual unruffled position. Todd let out a growl and stooped down, charging at Banks with his arms out. It was painful to watch; Banks had seen and had time to shift away, then bring his leg out and kick him hard in the stomach. The whoosh of air that escaped Todd’s lips was audible, and as he fell to his knees I knew the fight was about to come to an end.

                Banks looked down at Todd with the same expression he’d used when Grace had been hanging off the lip of the building; a mixture of amusement and systematic observation, cold and unfeeling. He let out a sigh, as if he were completely uninterested with the whole affair, and then reached down and grabbed a fistful of Todd’s hair. He yanked, causing Todd to yowl in pain, and then with his other hand punched him in the jaw. Todd tried to shove him away, but Banks didn’t react, he just hit him again.

                It took me a second, but I soon realized what Banks was doing; his process was eerily logical. For every time Todd struggled or lashed out, Banks would strike him and then calmly wait and observe him. Treating him like an animal, he was wordlessly training Todd to fear him. I felt bile rise in my throat at the scene. For every sad attempt Todd made, he was punished with a blow.

                Max and the other dauntless man, who’d previously appeared perplexed, now stood with cold grins of satisfaction on their faces; they understood what he was doing, and they approved. I groaned internally, because I realized I’d have another problem to contend with; how could I follow orders from people I didn’t respect? I was already headstrong, and with leaders like the men before me I was sure I’d end up in trouble sooner or later if I wasn’t careful.

                It was only when Todd was groveling and whimpering like a wounded animal, begging for mercy, that Banks released him, letting him slump onto the floor. I thought it was over, I thought I wouldn’t have to stand idly by while the beat-down continued, but I was wrong. Banks was not a man of mercy.