Waiting Four You

Chapter 19 (Tobias)

After putting on her blindfold, Tris returns to her original defensive position, but one thing I notice that's different from my fight with her is that she protects her face more. The slightly lowered guard must have been to distract me into thinking that I would have an easy opening.

Christina starts to circle Tris, and Tris follows somehow as if she can see without seeing. Thinking that she'll have the upper hand, Christina makes a quick jab for the side, but Tris blocks it with one hand simultaneously lashing out with the other to hit the sensitive flesh of Christina's breasts.

"How?" I hear an initiate ask, I Will I think.

Before I know it, the fight is over and Christina is on the floor. This seems like it was one of Tris's faster fights, but I'm not sure if that's because of the opponent or the blindfold.

Having heard her friend hit the floor, Tris rips off the blindfold and helps Christina back to her feet.

"How on Earth did you do that?" Christina asks her.

Wanting to know that answer myself, I listen closely.

"I just listen. When the blindfold is on, it's like everything I hear is louder, and I can hear your footsteps and breaths and even the slight wind that comes from you swinging your arm for a hit."

The room is completely silent after her explanation. Apparently the multitude of eyes on her makes Tris nervous as she shrugs before continuing, "I don't fully understand it, it's almost like seeing without seeing."

With that she exits the training room before I even get the chance to dismiss everyone.

At dinner it seems that the only thing the initates can talk about is Tris's blindfolded fight. Even some of the Dauntless members have managed to hear about it to the point that Zeke brings it up as soon as he plops himself down across from me.

"Where did she learn to do that?" Zeke asks without preamble.

"Apparently your brother tried to use it to give her a disadvantage when they were training, but it backfired on him. The blindfold seems to strengthen Tris instead."

Zeke pauses for a moment. "How are you doing?"

I know exactly what he's talking about, but I really don't want to talk about it, especially in the cafeteria. Sighing, I say, "I'm fine, Zeke. Really."

At least he knows when to leave me alone because he changes the subject. "How do you think your fight with her would have went if she were blindfolded?"

From there we just talk about initiation and who I think will be in the top five. He doesn't really seem to understand how the rankings work because if he really knew, then he wouldn't be asking me that until at least the middle of stage two.

I go to bed early because tonight is Capture The Flag, and to think straight, I need the extra rest. Last year, Lauren was the other team captain, but for some reason unbeknownst to me, Eric somehow weaseled his way into that spot. I just hope that he doesn't choose Tris.