Right? --A Fourtris/Tris Pedrad Story

Chapter 18

Tris
Ten days later...
Last day of combat training before actual fights begin.
I'm totally screwed. I can barely do anything. I'm basically just relying on striking first and kicking, but that only goes so far. Tobias has been trying to help me the best he can, but I'm hopeless.

"Keep tension here." His hand brushes my side just like what I did to him. I nod and adjust to his/my recomme-ndation. He nods and flashes me a quick smile. I really hope he's picking fights instead of Eric. Eric will try to get me killed or factionless. Probably both.

"Lunch!" Eric calls and everyone zooms out. I stay. I don't have time to eat. I have to train. I need to find a better strategy. "You coming?" Four asks, but I shake my head and grunt in response. "Can't. I need to find a way to win." I knee the bag hard. He walks towards me slowly, like he's observing me.

"Try to sweep their feet or kick their knees so they fall. Then you can kick them harder." I nod. That seems good. I'll have to test it when everyone else gets back. "Let's practice, " he says and I see him get into a stance. I don't want to fight him. I shake my head. "Why not? Pretend I didn't apologize and you don't care."

He doesn't understand that I still cared. I always have cared about him as a friend. He's my second best friend. I know his fears, his past, and we tell each other almost everything. "I still cared, but pretended I didn't, " I reply quietly. He laughs. "Because I'm so likable, " he says, sarcasm dripping from each word. "Like a bed of nails, " I retort, getting into my matching stance.
The next morning...
I am totally screwed. No strategy is working well enough to actually win.

We all sit at breakfast, eating in silence. "Good luck, guys, " I say, slightly bitter. "You'll do fine. Four is probably picking anyway," Marlene replies, trying to be comforting. "Not to burst your bubble or anything, but Eric thinks he's in total control and will probably take advantage of that," Lynn pipes in and I nod. That's probably true. I wouldn't doubt it.
*-*-*PAGEBREAK*-*-*
"Today we will begin real fights," Tobias says, turning to a board with names on it. Thank God. I'm against an amity transfer. This should be pretty easy. "Actually, change of plans." Why does he ruin everything? "I will select fights, " Eric corrects. Fuck. I'm screwed. I might as well drop out before I get my ass kicked.

"First and last jumper." That's me. I slowly creep onto the platform. "You nervous, shortie?" Peter teases from the side. "You a douchebag, candor?" I retort. "Wow. You swear like a sailor. You sure you're a girl?" "100%." I turn to face my opponent.

Her. Molly. She has dark hair that does a little past her shoulders and bangs cover her whole forehead. She's almost as tall as Tobias and pretty strongly built. I thought I might actually have a chance about a minute or two ago.

"How long do we fight for?" Molly questions. "You will fight until one of you can't continue, " Eric says harshly. "Or until one of you concedes, " Tobias adds. "A brave man never concedes." "Lucky for you, that wasn't how it worked when we fought, " Tobias retorts. I really want to applaud him for standing up to Eric, but he hates me enough already.

"Begin!" Eric hours and I raise my left arm in defense, tensing the other in the sling. I still need to be alert and be able to use it if I have to. Our eyes meet and she smiles as Eric does. Menacingly. She's not giving any mercy.

I kick her hard in the ribs and she stumbled, not quite falling. She grits her teeth and tries to punch my head, but I duck. I kick her kneecap back and she actually falls this time. This time, I lose my balance and stumble, letting her gain the opportunity to right herself. Ughh.

She grabs my sling's strap and yanks me towards her. The pressure of the back of the sling on my shoulder causes me to grit my teeth and squeeze my eyes closed. She throws me to the ground and I land on my shoulder. I yelp out in pain and open my eyes.