I was beginning to get used to waking up early at Dauntless but not 2am early, 2am was an hour that should never be seen on a clock. However, Four decided to wake us up with a metal pipe clashing against the railings on the stairs. My eyes opened to the bright white lights in the room and I squinted while stretching my arms above my head.
"Get ready, we're heading out." He bellowed across the room. Everyone moaned and slowly got out of bed, I also did the same. I pulled a jacket over the top I was already wearing and changed my bottoms for thick leggings as it would be cold outside. I pulled my boots on over some thick black socks and began to walk out of the room, alongside a few others. Apollo hadn't really spoken to me since the incident a few days back and neither had Eric, it was like everyone was avoiding me. However, I was the one to tell Eric to leave me alone so perhaps he was just doing as I'd wished.
We met our familiar leaders, Four and Eric, in the pit. I glanced at Eric, locking eyes with him for a brief second before looking away. The past few days after the Candor incident had been a blur- there was a bit of knife throwing, a lot of running and a ton of punching. My knuckles were beginning to scab where I'd constantly punched the bags we had. "We'll be heading out on the train, we're going to have a little bit of fun tonight." Four chuckles and Eric followed with a small smile. Both leaders picked up a duffle bag each and began to walk towards the lower exit of Dauntless, the trainline. We all followed behind them, getting to the awaiting train and all getting on the carriages. I stayed close to both the leaders as I wanted to hear everything that was happening. Once everyone was on the train and it had started moving, Eric spoke.
"Tonight we'll be playing capture the flag." He bent down and unzipped his duffle bag. Someone laughed to the side of me. Eric picked up one of the guns and aimed it right at me.
He shot my knee.
Excruciating pain shot through my leg and fell to the floor. "Looks harmless but packs the pain of a real gunshot wound. Only lasting a few seconds but it's enough to stop anyone in their tracks." Eric continues, I pull the dart out of my leg and throw it to his feet, pushing myself back up off the floor. He connects his eyes with mine and his smile fades when he sees my expression. "Four, you get first pick." He mutters.
"I'll take Cass, I'm pretty sure she doesn't want to see your face anymore." Four chuckles and I nod to him, sticking my middle finger up to Eric. He looked sad, as if he still wanted me on his team. He was being so selfish about not getting his way, I believed he wanted to get me back for saying he should stay away from me.
Four and Eric picked their last few people and our team started to get ready to get off the train. One by one we jumped off, Four and I jumped last.
We were walking for a while before anyone piped up, to my surprise it was Four. "So what happened between you and Eric? Last I heard he defended you at Candor then you stopped speaking to each other." He asked me. Four was a nice guy, unlike the guy Eric was turning into. Eric had told me he wasn't what people thought he was but slowly, he was proving everyone to be correct.
"Nothing happened, he did defend me but it's Eric. You should know what he's like, he doesn't really care much about anyone bar himself." I shrug and sigh to myself.
"I don't know, he probably has feelings somewhere inside him." Four chuckles, he made me laugh. I feel his arm stop me and he silences the group around us. "That's their flag up there in the tower." Four points to the luminous green flag hanging out of their tower. I was just hoping our flag hadn't been found yet.
"Four, what's your bet Eric's defending the flag?" I whisper to him.
"He's definitely defending it, every year he does." Four answers, whispering back to me.
"Okay, I think I have a plan." I giggle. "Stay back here until I shout for you guys, I'll make sure to shoot Eric before the signal." I confirm, Four gives me a questionable look. "Don't worry, It'll work." I reassure him and nod to the group, taking off behind a building.
Turning the corner to a partially fallen building, I hear clothes rustling. It was obvious there was a few people there from the sound of constant breathing. I took a risk, walking out into plain sight. Obviously it was dark so nobody saw me until I hit a light in the road. "Guys?" I call out. "Is anyone there?" I call again, I was playing lost.
I heard people moving around me.
"Don't shoot." I heard a low voice, it was close to me and I knew it almost instantly. I could feel his breath on the back of my neck. "What are you doing here alone?" His voice sends shivers down my spine. I turn around so that I face him, intertwining one of my hands with his.
"Eric? I'm so glad I found you, they left me on my own. They played a sick joke on me." I whimpered, pushing my head into his chest. He smelt amazing, manly and fresh. I couldn't let myself get distracted.
"Stay with me Cassia." Eric whispers, dropping his gun on the group and cupping my cheek with his free hand. He brings my face closer to his and I feel his breath on me, closer than ever before. "Stay with me forever."
Before he can react, I pull my gun to his knee and shoot. He lets go of me in pain and yelps out.
"Now!" I shout out, letting hell commence, our team piles in on Eric's. Four comes past me, stopping at me and laughing at Eric. "Get Apollo to get their flag, he can take out whoever's up there." I shout to Four, him nodding in response and darting off. Eric pushes himself against the building behind him, throwing the dart away on the floor but sitting there wincing. I drop my gun on the floor and sit down next to him, my back pushed up against the building wall. "Eric, what if I was to say I wanted to be with you." I sigh to myself, finally admitting defeat to him.
"I'd say you're a crazy girl." He laughs and I follow. "I want to be with you too, Cassia." He takes a hold of my hand, intertwining our fingers together. "But I have to know something." He states, my ears pricking up. "Where did all your scars and bruises come from? The ones on your arms." He asks me, sheepishly.
I had to pause for a minute. Was it wise telling him? Could I trust him?
"My mother died when I was very small, forcing my dad to take care of my two brothers and I on his own. My oldest brother got away with anything, he was the strongest so father adored the ground he walked on. That's Sam, the one you defended me against in Candor. Connor didn't get off as easy, we stuck together as much as we could because we knew Father wouldn't hurt us together. Then Connor left for Amity last year. I'd never felt so alone in my life before, my father took everything out on me. He beat me Eric, he put out cigarette butts on me." I confess, I couldn't stop the tears flowing from my eyes. "When Jack found out that my father abused me he obviously couldn't do much, my father earned Candor a respectable amount of money at the time. However, Jack took me in as if I were his own daughter. If I needed to get out of our apartment, Jack would always let me sleep at his." I continue, smiling at the thought of Jack.
"Cassia, you don't deserve to ever be treated disrespectfully by anyone." Eric turns his head to face mine and I turn mine to his. "You're the strongest girl I've ever met." He adds, bringing his hand to my cheek and wiping away the tears.
Eric cupped my cheek and brought my face closer to his, he was staring at my lips and I at his. I wanted to kiss him, I wanted to experience everything with him. He's the only person ever to take an interest in me romantically and I wanted to cherish that. Our noses were touching, my lips close to his but not yet touching. He begins to pull me closer when loud cheers erupt in front of us and we both snap our head in the direction. Apollo had gotten their flag and was waving it proudly, everyone below cheering. I pushed myself up off the ground and offered Eric a hand, him giving me a questioning look.
"Maybe next time." I chirp, winking at him. He moans at me and grabs my hand, pushing himself off the floor too.
"You know that's not fair, you can't do that to a guy!" He defends, laughing. I giggle back but shake my head at him, causing another moan. "Casssiaaaa!"
We walked to the train, most people not jumping on and going a different way. I was told it was a zipline of some sort but I felt a bit sick as it was. I pulled myself onto the train, Eric following close behind me and I found a place to stand. The train was quite empty, only me, Eric, Four and two other boys.
"Good game Eric." Four extends his arm, Eric proceeding to shake it. "Oh and good plan, Cassia. You won us the game." He smiles at me, Eric turning to face me.
"You planned it?" He questions. "I'm so going to get you girl." He remarks, licking his lips which causes me to giggle.