the heartless [e.c]

8 | lost

OLIVER ENDED UP finding the flag. He had to wrestle it away from another initiate. They both spent the night in the infirmary, which is where I was going now. I had to get stitches after my fall during capture the flag. My leg was cut by a piece of glass whenever Ashley had shot me. She was a sore loser. Calling Oliver and I names whenever we were around.

Since we had a two day break before we continued on to the next stage of initiation , I hadn't seen Eric very much since that night , which was both good and bad.

I didn't know how to act around him ever since Ashley had spoke about him to me. I felt so awkward around him , but I knew I couldn't avoid him forever. I had to see him again tomorrow morning for training.

Th hallways were completely empty as I walked. I noticed the walls were painted differently too. Slowly I came to a stop. "Wait a minute ..."

I looked at my surroundings , realizing I wasn't at or near the infirmary. I was in a part of the Dauntless compound I had never been in before. It looked more put together. I kept walking until I reached a flight of stairs. I really should be going to get my wound cared for , but my curiosity was getting the best of me.

The stairs led to a long hallway with multiples doors on each side. There was a large window at the end of the hallway. We never got to go outside unless we went for a run , so I opened it to breath in the fresh air. The breeze was nice and so was the view. I think I could stay there forever and I would've , if I wasn't interrupted.

"What are you doing up here ?" I jumped at the sound of Eric's voice. Immediately I shut the window and began to walk away , apologizing as I did so.

"I'm sorry I was just walking and didn't realize where I was ," I rambled. "I'll just be going now."

Before I got too far Eric spoke , "If you want to go outside , you can always go onto the roof."

•

WE WALKED TO the roof in silence. He led me up a few flights of stair before turning to a door , reaching into his pocket and retrieving a key. It only takes a few seconds for him to unlock the door. He goes out first , holding the door open for me as I follow.

I mumble a 'thanks' to him , still feeling a bit awkward , and walk towards the edge of the roof. You could see the whole city from up here. The sun was turning orange as it began to set. It was quite beautiful.

I take a seat and let my legs dangle over the ledge. My cut hurt as I moved my leg and I wince. "Are you okay ?"

Eric finally broke the silence. I nod , "Just a cut on my leg. I was heading to the infirmary for more bandages , but I got lost on the way somehow."

It was silent again after that. Eric walked around the roof as I sat in thought. My mind kept wandering about the rest of my family in Eridite , what they were doing right now. But I already knew the answer to that. They were probably sitting at the dining room table having a discussion about some book they recently finished. It was something we did often as a family.

I didn't miss it. I didn't miss them. I tried to convince myself I did , but I just didn't.

"Why did you push me ?" I suddenly ask. "Whenever we had to jump off the roof that day. I wasn't going to jump , but you pushed me. Why ?"

Eric shrugged , "I don't know."

Nice answer , I think. He stood there for a second before looking at his wrist , "I think we should head back now. It's almost time for dinner."

I nod , following him all the way to the cafeteria and standing in line behind him as we filled our trays. I didn't notice before but his arms were fully exposed , showing a maze like tattoo on his bicep. I made a mental note to ask him about it later.

He goes to sit down as I make my way towards Oliver and Harmony. It felt like I haven't spoke to them in days. They were already waving me over and when I sat down they immediately began to interrogate me , "Where have you been ?"

"We went looking for you in the infirmary , but the nurse said you never made it ," Harmony says while Oliver nods with a mout full of food. His face was bruised from capture the flag. "We searched all throughout the Pit."

"I got lost ," I say with a shrug. "Eric helped me get back to the cafeteria. I'll go to the infirmary tomorrow."

They shared a look. "Eric helped you ?" Oliver says. "Why do I find that hard to believe."

I roll my eyes. "He's not that bad ," I say. "Sure , he's a little intimidating but once you start to ... why are you guys looking at me like that ?"

Harmony put her fork down , "Well Ash has been saying some stuff about you and Eric and , you know , you do seem to always find a way to be around him."

Oliver nods as she speak , "And it's just a little suspicious."

My mouth hung open. I didn't know what Ashley had been saying about us - Eric and I , but I would've counted on them to tell me. "Do you really believe what she says ? I mean come on , she hates me !"

"We're not saying she's right , Stevie ," Oliver says. He wouldn't meet my eyes. "We're just saying you used to be at the bottom."

I couldn't believe what they were thinking. "Nice guys ," I stand up , "Real nice."

•

WORD COUNT : 994