Chapter 20

                                    

                                          
Tris
Today is the last day of fighting and stage two. We get our stage two ranks tomorrow and all I'm gonna say is that I'm not doing too well. I'm not sure I'll make it. At least they agreed to give me the day after the field trip off of fights. 
                          
Uriah seems really fidgety. "You okay?" Marlene asks and he shrugs. "You all should know who you're fighting," he replies. There are only two people I haven't fought, Marlene and Uriah. I'm fighting one of them and I'm not looking forward to it. Only one more fight. Just one. 
                          
"Marlene and Will, " Eric calls and they both step up onto the platform. Marlene is much better at fighting than I thought she was. I'd say that's her best quality in initiation. Will isn't too good at fighting. He's better at shooting. 
                          
Their fight is relatively quick when she knees him where the sun doesn't shine and then knocks him out. It only lasted seven minutes when it usually lasts around twelve. Marlene walks back towards us with a pep in her step. I would too if I win a fight. When I win, I more like limp away and grit my teeth. 
*-*-*
"Lynn and Myra." Shit. That means... I turn to Uriah and his face is emotionless. "We have to fight, " he mutters and I nod. He shakes his head. "We can't fight." "We don't have a choice. Don't you be going easy on me either." I add the last part to try and lighten the mood. 
                          
This fight is even shorter. Barely over five minutes. Myra is slow and weak, the worst combinations if you want to make it in Dauntless. Lynn easily knocks her down and kicks her head. It seemed a little too easy. Lynn walks down and a transfer guy takes Myra to the infirmary. I think his name was Edward. 
*-*-*
"Pedrads!" Wow. Eric was even too lazy to say both our actual names. I'm honestly not surprised. Uriah and I take a quick glance at each other before starting to walk together.
                          
I feel like my lunch might make a reappearance. I don't have a problem with fighting him, but the fact that this could change our ranks. My arm throbs painfully. I forgot to take the pain medicine I'm supposed to take every few hours. 
                          
We both stand across from each other, not wanting to do this. I know he won't target my shoulder and that's the problem. He's supposed to use my weaknesses, but he won't want to. "Begin," Tobias says calmly. We turn away from him and to each other. "No mercy, " I silently mouth to him. He shakes his head. I don't know if he agrees or disagrees. Too late now. 
                          
He throws a quick punch, but I duck and grab it. I twist it, but without my other arm to help myself stabilize, he slips out easily. When he pulls his arm away, he hits my shoulder and my breath hitches. Maybe he is using my weakness. But when our eyes meet, I can tell it wasn't on purpose. 
                          
I fake a punch to his throat and actually kick his side. He stumbles less than I do. This is really throwing off my balance. As I sway, trying not to fall, he kicks me back and my back smacks the ground. Luckily I was able to shift so I landed more on my left than right side. 
                          
He looks down at me with pity. Uriah disguises him letting me up with a failed kick. He's trying to help me. I nod tightly to acknowledge him. I look to Tobias and Eric. Eric is oblivious. Tobias has his lips pursed like he ate a sour candy. He sees me looking at him and the corners of his mouth twitch. My eyes return to Uriah. 
                          
He steps towards me and I knee him in the stomach before he can get any closer. I know I won't rank well, if I even make it at all, so why not just have him win? If I won, that will bring his down because, I'm sure, I'm ranked low. It would bring me up, but at his expense. 
                          
I step forward, but he stomps onto my foot and I try to pull back. When I stumble to release myself, he elbows me and steps off my foot. I fall back and land with a thud. He looms over me with a sorry expression. I nod, yelping him to just get it over with.