A Different Divergent: Everyday Love

34

Chapter 34

True to his word, Tobias had two deluxe leather recliners brought to the training room, one for each end. I'm sitting in luxurious comfort, sipping my cold bottle of ginger ale to calm my somewhat upset stomach as Tobias, Brody, Ana, and I watch the transfers toss knife after knife at the targets, only to have them bounce off the wall again and again. I keep close watch on the 12 initiates before me, and I've yet to see anyone except Hector actually hit the target, which I guess makes sense. He's probably been throwing knives since he was a kid. After scrutinizing the others, I notice that none of them are holding themselves correctly in regard to the target.

"Four," I quietly say motioning him to come closer. He kneels beside me, obviously worried.

"Are you all right?" he asks. My eyes fly to Ana who is intently staring at us. She and Brody don't know our secret yet but I can tell that she's curious about our tardiness and the reason why I'm sitting down sipping ginger ale. A flicker of recollection flames in her eyes, and I imagine her remembering me sitting through a great deal of her own training in this very room when I was pregnant with Teags. We definitely aren't going to be able to keep this secret much longer. Too many people know or suspect.

"I'm fine," I murmur. I clear my throat before I continue. "Hector is the only one who's standing correctly." He looks over at the trainees and notices the variations in their positions.

"You are absolutely correct," he says with pride. "As usual."

"Everyone stop," Tobias calls out as he straightens to his full height. One by one the transfers turn and every eye falls on us. By the looks on their faces they had no idea Tobias and I were observing today. "I want all eyes on Hector." He frowns at being singled out, and it looks like he's biting back a snide comment. "He's the only one who's hit the target this morning. By all rights each one of you should have hit your target at least once by now. Hector, would you please demonstrate the proper stance and technique again for the others?"

"Yes, Four," he says, standing a little taller. He obviously wasn't expecting a compliment. I watch as Hector lines himself up with his target. He takes a deep breath, transfers a knife to his dominant hand, then as he releases his breath he releases the knife, sending it sailing toward the center of the target. If I didn't know better I would think Tobias taught him how to throw because he did almost the exact some ritual Tobias does every time he releases a knife.

"Thank you, Hector," Tobias says. "Everyone else, let's try it again." Weapons training has always been my favorite part of initiation. The fear simulations were terrifying, physically draining, and emotionally debilitating. And who looks forward to fighting until you can no longer physically take it. No, the weapons made me feel strong, alive. They still do. I don't even have to be wielding one during practice to feel the adrenaline surging throughout the room. It's contagious.

Brody, Ana, Tobias, and I watch for another half hour and the only two who haven't stuck the target are Maeve and Oliver. And not only have they not stuck it, they haven't even hit it. Maeve is lacking muscle mass quite like I did during my initiation so I understand her struggle. I lived it. But, on the other hand, Oliver's performance today is lackluster at best. It's a good thing Eric's no longer with us. He'd probably try to have Tobias throw knives at him just like he did will Al. The more I'm around Al's doppelganger the more he creeps me out. He's too much like Al to not be related to him somehow. The hair on the back of my neck stands up as I feel eyes on me. I turn my head and find him staring at me. Tobias grunts and I realize he's noticed the unwanted attention, too.

"Eyes on your target, initiate," he growls causing all the other's to turn around and stare at him. "All of you." I reach out and grab his hand when they turn their focus back to the task at hand.