Глава 4. I walk into the training room the next morning to find Eric leaning against the wall waiting for me

I walk into the training room the next morning to find Eric leaning against the wall waiting for me. I glance around the room and notice the pairings have already been written on the board. I don't know why, but my eyes searched up and down the pairings for Tris's name only to find that it's missing. I don't ask Eric about his decisions. Whatever his intentions are for delaying Tris's fight, I'm not sure I want to know. I fix my eyes on the spot in the arena where I precisely stood for my first fight, remembering the rush of fear and adrenaline that coursed through me. Hard to believe that two years have already gone by.

I snap out of my daze when the initiates start to pile in the door.

" Since there are an odd number of you, one of you won't be fighting today, " I say, glancing at Tris for a brief moment.

I do a quick survey of the room and my eyes rest momentarily on Peter, Molly, and Drew. Peter carries an air of arrogance that I don't like. All three do, but Peter especially. He vaguely resembles Eric in his attitude and stature. There is no doubt that he will pass the first stage of initiation with flying colours, but the second and third require more than just brute strength, which by the looks of it, is all he has to offer.

Will and Al are the first pairing to fight. They stand facing each other in opposite sides of the arena. With their hands up by their faces to protect themselves, they start shuffling in a circle. Al is half a foot taller than Will, and twice as broad. I'm almost positive that Al will come out as the first winner, unless Will can pull something extraordinary and prove me wrong.

Al punches Will hard in the jaw, and I see Eric smirking in my peripherals. Will stumbles from the force of Al's blow. With one hand covering his face, he deters Al's second punch with his free hand. Al's size causes him to move slower than most, but what he lacks in speed, he makes up for in strength. Will manages to recover fairly quickly as he hooks a foot around one of Al's legs and yanks back, knocking Al to the ground. Al scrambles to his feet. Will and Al face each other for a few seconds, more hesitant than they were before. They both glance at me as if hoping I would call off the fight. However, I simply stand with my arms crossed and remain silent. Eric would not allow me to do so anyways, because ultimately, Eric's authority is greater than my own. They continue to circle each other for a few more seconds.

" Do you think this is a leisure activity? " Eric shouts, clearly unsatisfied with the lack of action present in the arena. " Should we break for nap time? Fight each other! "

" But..." Al starts. " Is it scored of something? When does the fight end? "

" It ends when one of you is unable to continue, " says Eric.

" According to Dauntless rules, " I interject, " one of you could also concede."

Eric narrows his eyes at me. " According to the old rules, " he corrects me. " In the new rules, no one concedes."

" A brave man acknowledges the strengths of others." I reply.

" A brave man never surrenders." he shoots back.

I stare at him and wonder how two completely different people with such different views can reside in the same faction. Isn't the purpose of the factions to unite those who share the same beliefs? Dauntless sought to eradicate cowardice, but how is that possible when the simple meaning of word differs from person to person?

I know any further efforts of rebuttal are futile. Eric is a Dauntless leader, and what Eric says, goes. I sigh and turn my attention back to the arena.

" This is ridiculous, " Al says, shaking his head. " What's the point of beating him up? We're in the same faction! "

" Oh, you think it's going to be that easy? " Will teases. " Go on. Try to hit me, slowpoke."

Will is determined, I can see that. He might actually have a chance if he can evade any future punches to the head.

Al throws a fist in Will's direction, and Will ducks. He dodges another punch, slips around Al, and kicks him hard in the back. Al staggers forward, then turns around to face Will. He charges at him, grabs his arm, and punches him hard in the jaw. Will's eyes roll back into his head and he crumples in a pile on the floor. Al's eyes widen in shock as he crouches down and gently taps Will's cheek. I know he didn't mean to knock Will out cold, but what choice did he have? Will lies unresponsive to Al's prodding for a few seconds, then he opens his eyes and blinks a few times, clearly confused.

" Get him up, " Eric says. He stares greedily at Will's crumpled body.

I turn to the chalkboard and circle Al's name, marking his victory.

" Next up - Molly and Christina! " Eric announces. Al pulls Will's arm across his shoulders and drags him out of the arena to clear up the space for the next pair.

I saunter over to Al and take Will off his shoulder. Although I feel uneasy leaving the initiates with Eric, someone has to take Will to the infirmary. I sling Will's arm across my shoulder, wrap my arm around his waist, and guide him out of the room. With one last look, I shut the door and leave the fighting behind. At least until tomorrow.