the heartless [e.c]

3 | contact

AFTER TRAINING FOR a couple days I had my first fight against Harmony and I realized Eric was right , I was weak. Tiring her out wasn't enough to win the fight and although I was better during sparring , she was able to beat me.

Four told me that Eric mentioned I was overthinking the whole thing. That's why I lost ; because Harmony didn't analyze my every move , like I had did her. She just did what felt right.

Today was going to be my second fight , but right now I was sitting at breakfast with Harmony. We were mid conversation when somebody took a seat next to me. "You don't mind if I take this seat , do you ?" He said.

Harmony and I both shook our heads no. "Good ," he continued. "I don't think I could stand sitting with them another day."

He gave a pointed look towards Ashley and another girl named Elle. "Those two are gonna annoy me to death."

"My name is Oliver ," he say. "Ash is your sister isn't she ?"

"Ash ?" I question. The two of us haven't spoke much since we've been here. She must've been given the nickname , "And yes she is. I'm Stevie and this is Harmony."

The two muttered their greetings before he continued. "Yeah , she started to make everyone call her Ash , you know because Dauntless is represented by fire and that creates ..."

"Anyways she tells everyone you're not related , but I caught a glimpse of your last name and knew. The hair is a dead giveaway too ," Oliver smiles proudly at his observation.

"Did you come over here to tell us all that ? Or are you like a spy or something ," Harmony says. She eyes him suspiciously.

He laughs , "No. I came over here because I'm tired of being surrounded by fake people and you guys seem genuine."

"Thanks ," I smile and decide to change the
subject. "How are your fights going ?"

Oliver rolls his eyes and launches into the story of fighting someone twice his size. It was over exaggerated , but he had Harmony and I crying from laughter. During the story I looked over at Ashley's table to see her glaring at us.

I smiled at her , then returned to listening to the story.

•

ASHLEY RAN TOWARDS me as soon as I entered the training room. "Hey little sister ," she said loudly. "Looks like we'll be going against each other today."

"What ?" I said as I pushed past her. The board confirmed her words - our names where right next to each other. I turned around to see her devilish smile , then looked for the person I knew was responsible for this.

Eric.

He was only a few feet away me. Standing with his eyes already on me , like he was already expecting me to come over. "Excuse me ," I said to my sister , bumping her shoulder as I made my way toward him.

When I was almost to him I began to panic. What was I even gonna say ? It was too late to think of anything. I stood in front of him flustered and he knew it.

"Yes ?" Eric smirked. All I could manage to get out was , "Why ?"

"Why what ?" I rolled my eyes at his response. He knew what I was talking about. "Why would you put me up against my sister ? Are you trying to embarrass me ?"

"Now why would I want to embarrass you ?" He asked me.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know ... maybe because you hate me ?"

Eric came a step closer towards me. "I want you to get stronger , to prove yourself to her. And this is how you're going to do it."

He began to walk away. "I don't hate you Stevie ," he added over his shoulder.

•

I DIDN'T LIKE the way Eric made me feel before the fight , but there wasn't time to think about it. Ashley and I were about to start our fight and I was a nervous wreck.

"She's good , but she gets cocky and that makes her sloppy ," Oliver was telling me. "If you can catch her off guard I'm sure you can win."

Harmony was nodding in agreement. "During her last fight she almost never guarded the left side of her face. So keep that in mind during the fight."

I was in the infirmary during Ashley's last fight , so I was soaking up every bit of information the two could provide me. "Thank you guys , it really does mean a lot."

"Alright girls , let's go !" Four called for us.

Harmony gave my hand a squeeze , "You'll do fine. Just remember what we told you." I nod , walking towards the fighting mat. Oliver mouthed a 'good luck' to me.

We stood in front of each other. Ashley had the biggest smirk on her face , I don't even remember Four blowing the whistle to start. We made circles around the mat , both of us waiting for the other to strike first.

"Guess I'll have to beat you at something once again ," Ashley began to taunt. "Mom and dad were right , you'll never be out of my shadow."

The whole training room now knew. There was no more denying for Ashley and explaining for me. The word was out.

I don't remember throwing the first punch , but the contact sent shivers throughout my body.

•

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