Born to be Dauntless

Chapter 18

I didn't hesitate to walk to the plateau. The others wished Mike good luck and looked at me like I was some sort of monster.

In all fairness, I did shoot their friend...

Mike followed me to the plateau and we faced each other. He was determined to win, that's for sure.

We both readied our fists and I got ready to fight him. I wanted to win. I'm not gonna lose. If I lose they'll think I let him win, which would make me a coward. He's not gonna win. I was ready. I opened my eyes and looked Mike straight in the eyes.

Mike shuffled a bit awkward like I scared him but he quickly got back into fighting position.

I knew that this fight was in my advantage. I helped them train so I knew how he thought and fought. I knew his weaknesses and his strengths.

And I left no trace of myself.

Even though I showed them some moves, I'd always been careful. I never sparred with them so they couldn't know my techniques.

Mike saw my previous fight. Shit. He still knows how I fight. He hasn't stopped talking about it since my last fight.

That was days ago and I'd been training. I can do this.

"Fight!"

I thought Mike would go for a more subtle way if drawing me out, so I was taken by surprise when he immediately attacked. He swung his fist at my shoulder and he got a hit, but barely.

He seemed pleased by his success and immediately got his foot ready to kick the outside of my knee. But this time I was prepared and I grabbed his leg before he could hit me. I pulled his leg, which made him unsteady for a second. OPENING! TAKE IT! I quickly punched him on his nose but there wasn't a lot of force behind it so it didn't bleed.

We ended up in the same position we started in. Should I attack first? 

No, not smart. He's stronger so even if I would get a hit, it won't have the same effect. And he would be able to find an opening when I attack. It would be best to counter his attacks. That way I'll be able to use his own force against him.

I carefully watched his posture and feet. Suddenly his right hand twitched a bit and I knew he was going in for a punch. I was right. He was aiming for my shoulder again but I easily dodged him. Because he used a lot of force behind his punch, he ended up shooting forward until I was right next to his rib cage. I'd already pulled back my fist and hit him, full force, in his side. I heard the air escaping his lungs and he stumbled back, gasping for air.

I didn't let him recover and I immediately dove in for a punch in his gut. He arched over and I threw my knee in his face. When I pulled my knee back, it was covered in Mike's blood. Probably from his nose... Maybe his teeth... Mike stumbled a bit but eventually fell to his knees and blacked out.

I looked up to find a terrified Daniel and a fuming Liz looking at me.

"Rogue, take him away from here. Next fight: Liz vs Daniel!"

I have to do it alone? But Mike is so heavy!

I tried to lift him up but it didn't work. I didn't want Eric to have to take measures so I grabbed him under his armpits and began to drag him away. Cheesus he is heavy. One meter, two meters, three meters. He should stay away from the muffins here. Five meters, six meters, seven meters. Maybe I should train more. Fourteen meters, fifteen meters, sixteen meters. How far is it?

"Hey Rogue!" I heard the always excited Mason call out. He was walking with some of the other Dauntless born initiates and they all sighed when they saw me. Did I do something wrong?