the heartless [e.c]

6 | capture the flag - 1

part one

OVER THE NEXT few days we were taught how to shoot a gun and throw a knife. Four said I did well enough to enter the top five in our group. He also said I should keep that information to myself as long I could.

We would have a two day break before we entered the next stage of initiation. Tomorrow Harmony wanted to get tattoos early in the morning , so right now I was trying my best to get some sleep.

My mind kept wandering about my parents back in Erudite. Was my Mother still aloud to speak about us or did my Father forbid her from doing so ? It wouldn't surprise me if he did. He liked to be in control , I think Ashley acts more like him than my Mother.

Ashley was only a few beds away from me. I wonder if she would ever forgive me , if we would ever be able to start over. I think I could forgive her , for constantly pushing me into her shadow or intentionally putting me down so she could be in the spotlight. But only if she was willing to try. I'm not sure if she would be.

Suddenly a loud bang was ringing throughout the dorm room. It sounded like someone one was hitting a piece of metal , and that's exactly what it was. Eric had a long pipe in his hand , banging it against the metal door frame. He had a smirk on his face as he watched people startle awake. Four was standing next to him , looking tired and annoyed.

"Initiates ," Eric yelled. "Get dressed and make your way to the train platform. You have five minutes !"

With that the two left. I immediately began to change into my training clothes , plus a jacket since it was late at night. I hadn't been asleep yet , so within two minutes I was ready to go. Harmony was still in bed and Oliver was slowly putting on his shoes. I was itching to see what we were doing so I didn't wait for them.

Eric and Four were standing on the platform already , neither one were talking to each other. I never really spoke to Four , so I decided to approach Eric.

"Am I aloud to ask what we're doing here ?" He looked up from the box he was digging in , briefly shifting his eyes over to Four.

"Capture the flag ," he says. "A game we play as a tradition in Dauntless."

I frown , "I don't think I've ever played."

Eric turns slightly to face me , "It's simple. We split into two teams , each one hiding a flag. Whoever finds the other team's flag first , wins."

"Sounds simple enough ," I say and Eric smirks.

"That's why we have these ," he pulls out a high tech looking gun from the box in front of him. "The bullets mimic the real pain of a gunshot. It'll only last a few seconds , the pain , it makes the game more interesting."

Eric spoke quickly as he showed me the gun. I could tell he was excited , "That definitely makes it more interesting." I laugh.

We shared a smile before Four cleared his throat loudly , waving Eric towards him as more initiates began to show up. They both stood in front of the crowd. I kept my eyes on Eric as they explained the rules of the game.

•

WE STOOD ON the train , waiting for our destination and for teams to be chosen. Eric told Four to choose first , he seemed to be a bit cocky since his team won last year.

Four's eyes landed on mine instantly and I silently hoped he wouldn't call my name , but that didn't happen. A few moments later I was standing next to him , with a red flag in my hand.

The two went back and forth , Ashley ended up on Eric's team. She stood on the left of him while putting on her best game face. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a bit jealous.

Harmony also ended up on Eric's team , giving Oliver and I a sad look as she jumped off the train.

"Our team doesn't look too promising ," Oliver said as we waited for our turn to jump. "I mean look at us ; Four choose all of the people at the bottom ... well except you."

"Maybe he has some kind a strategy ," I say. Oliver mumbles something unintelligible and I'm about to ask him what he said , but Four tells us it's time to jump.

And so we do. One by one , letting the game begin.

•

WORD COUNT : 772