Eric Coulter - Fresh meat
In which Eric gives you a piece of important advice when helping you throw knives
Masterlist
"Do we have the first jumper or am I looking at a bunch of chickens?," You hear a man shout, the authority lingering in his tone, "Do I have to send you all to a farm instead?".
Pushing your way through the tall people in front of you, your eyes immediately fall on the dark clothed guy who is standing on the ledge, his arms behind his back as he studies you all, a bored look on his face.
His hair is dark blonde and you spot two piercings above one of his eyes and you find yourself wondering if it hurt to pierce them, but then again, this Dauntless leader does not strike you as a guy who feels much pain. Heck, he doesn't even look like he knows what pain is.
You spot two other leaders as well, but since they don't say anything, you figure the man on the ledge is the one who had introduced himself as Eric a few moments ago (you had been in the back when he welcomed the group, and so you hadn't gotten a full view).
You glance around and notice that most of the other initiates are wearing dark clothes which lets you know that they are Dauntless born. You spot a girl dress in the boring, grey outfit the Abnegation has to wear, and then your eyes linger upon two Candor people whom you recognize.
You're pretty sure the Candor girl's name is Christina.
She looks at you for a second, and she gives a nod to you and you nod back. It's not like you really know her, but still, it feels nice to at least have some fellow Candor people here with you.
"Someone's gotta jump" You hear Eric call and he looks slightly disappointed.
You gulp and take a step forward causing the Dauntless leader to quickly eye you up and down, taking in your dark jeans and white, simple blouse. He grins as he likes what he sees, but only for a second before he sends you a bored look again, "Well, are you going to jump, Candor? I don't have all day."
You quickly glance down at your jeans, mentally cursing yourself for not wearing something that isn't so solid.
"These jeans are tight" You mumble as you walk over to the ledge and look down. All you see is one, big, dark hole.
"Take them off then" Eric says simply, a bored look on his face still.
"I would, but I'm sure the other initiates would enjoy the view too much" You mutter and you see him raise a brow. You can't help it though, it is the Candor in you talking and as a Candor, you don't care if your comment comes off as vulgar.
The Dauntless leader takes a deep breath before jumping down from his spot and approaches you, his blue eyes staring at you with a cold look.
"Jump," His voice is quiet and you are pretty sure you are the only one who can hear him now, "Or I will throw you down myself, Candor, and I can't promise I will aim."
You don't say anything this time. You can hear in his voice that he is not joking and so you quickly climb up. You glance down and although you are a bit nervous, you figure it will be over before you know it.
So with that reassurance in the back of your mind, you jump and you think you can hear the other initiates cheer from above as you feel your body fly through the air. You let out a happy squeak as your body hit a net, and then you laugh as you roll over.
Of course, it isn't a deathtrap.
After all, you are all here to become new members of their factions, not to get killed. Or..well..that can be debate since you have heard that the training is very rough.
You roll over just in time to spot Eric's figure retreat up there and then you see the Abnegation girl appear on the ledge and you know you have to move unless you want to look like a flat toad.
You quickly roll to the side and the next second, you feel hands on you, pulling you off the net. You quickly look at your helper. It is a brown haired young man and you figure he is another leader as well or at least someone who has some authority here.
He is handsome, and unlike that bull above you, you have a feeling that this guy is not like Eric.
"What's your name?" He looks at you with a neutral expression.
"Cassandra" You answer and he tilts his head for a second, "Mind if we call you Cassie?".
You shake your head, not really sure why since your name isn't hard to pronounce, but you don't mind too much though. That is what your friends back in Candor called you anyway.
"Good," The guy says before turning to the crowd of Dauntless people who are gathered behind him, "First jumper, Cassie. Welcome to Dauntless."
You only nod before you walk over to a group nearby and for the next five minutes or so, you stand there and watch the rest of the initiates jump.
You watch as Christina walks over to you after Four has called her name and with a huge grin, she places herself next to you and gives you a smile, "Cassandra, right?".
You nod, "Yeah. Christina, am I right?.
"Yup," She smiles, "Nice to have another fellow Candor with me in this hot mess."
"I know, right, I was thinking the same." You tell her with a grin.
You watch as Eric falls down. He quickly gets out of the net and sends you all a bored look before he disappears.
"I don't think he is one we should mess with" Christian mumbles and you can't help but chuckle quietly.
You suddenly spot the stiff from earlier. She sees you as well and gives you a small smile, which you return just as the brown haired guy starts talking, introducing himself as Four, and when Christina makes a small, sarcastic remark regarding his name, you can't help but let out a quiet laughter.
Four quickly glances at you after he has put Christina in her place and he gives you a stern look before sighing," Are we done having fun?".
You immediately nod, not really wanting to be scowled at in front of everyone during your first day here.
You can feel him look at you for a few seconds before he says loudly, "Alright, Dauntless born go with Lauren. Transfers stay with me".
For the next hour, Four gives you all a tour of your new home. The Pit, the Chasm, the tattoo store, the infirmary, the dining area, and the huge, training room. You can't help but eye the shooting range, already looking forward to trying that part.
That night when you crawl into your new bed, you can't help but wonder how your parents and younger brother are doing. Are they upset with you for your choice? Or do they miss you?
If anything, you miss them and you hope they know that no matter what, they will always be your family.
***
Groaning to yourself, you watch as the knife hits the chest of the dummy. You have been in Dauntless for a week now and since you know the board will be up tomorrow, you really want to do well at today's training.
You glance at the dagger which is buried in the dummy's chest and although you didn't miss, you have to admit that you had actually been aiming at the face area, but as you glance around and watch Christina struggle with hitting her target, a dozen of knives laying on the ground beneath it, you can't help but smile to yourself.
At least you aren't the worst around here, you think to yourself as you watch Four help the stiff. Her name is Tris, you believe, and she too has a few knives laying around her target as well.
You turn around and grab another knife from the table and once your feet are standing steady, you move your arm back while holding the knife in your dominant hand. Your eyes are glued to the eye area on your target and you take a deep breath, trying your best to shut out the noises around you.
Then you throw and with a slightly disappointed look, you watch as the knife flies past your target and lands on the ground a few meters behind it.
Gulping, you quickly glance around, hoping that no one noticed that, but unfortunately, a set of piercing blue eyes meet yours and you let out a quiet curse before grabbing another knife.
Well, if he is watching, then you might as well give him a show.
But again, you miss. And again. And when the third knife falls down on the floor, you can't help but let out a frustrated sound. You grab another knife and steady yourself again, your legs slightly parted as you glare angrily at the target, wondering if perhaps Four placed it too far away or if it's just you who simply suck at this.
At least you are doing well when it comes to fighting.
You had even beaten both Christina and Tris the other day, and two boys you don't know the name of. In the end, some tall guy had managed to steal your victory, but at least you had managed to get in a few, good punches before you went down.
You lean your shoulder and arm a bit back, ready to throw when all of the sudden a cold voice says from behind you, "If we ever need someone to clean the ground with knives, I know just the perfect candidate for that".
You slowly turn your head, your mouth slightly open as you send him a glare. Can leaders talk to the initiates like that?
"I hit once" You hiss, annoyed, causing Eric to give you a fake smile, "Oh, that's right. Congratulations, you are a true Dauntless now, doll".
"What's with the sarcasm?" You snap and you notice that Four glances at you and Eric, a worried look on his face, as if he knows that you are playing with fire right now. Just then, another initiate calls his name and Four quickly turns his back to you and walks over to the other transfer to help them out.
You turn your attention back to Eric, who for some weird reason is still standing next to you and you are almost tempted to ask if he doesn't have anything else to do besides being a pain in the ass at the moment.
"Throw" He says simply.
You send him a small glare, narrowing your eyes, but nonetheless, do you turn your focus back at the target. You look at it, taking a deep breath, and just when you push your arm forward, ready to aim again, Eric loudly fakes a sneeze, causing you to jump in surprise, and you both watch as the knife lands on the ground a few meters in front of you, not even halfway to the target.
"You did that on purpose!" You say furiously as you turn to glare at him, your chest heaving from the anger you are trying to control.
How dare he?! You know he did that fake noise on purpose just to mess this up for you.
"What, I was merely sneezing," He scoffs, giving you a slight innocent look, "Am I not allowed to sneeze, initiate?".
"You are sabotaging me and you know it!," You let out a frustrated groan before grabbing another knife," If you are just going to stand here and make sure I mess up, you can go away and bother someone else, but if you are staying, then help me instead or I might just aim this next dagger at you-"
You dont get to finish the sentence because Eric grabs your arm harshly and pulls you closer to him, his expression cold as he glares down at you, "Did you just threaten me, initiate?".
"Eric! What's going on over there?" You hear Four shouts from somewhere.
"Mind your own business, I'm just helping this pathetic Candor transfer know her place here" Eric replies, his eyes locked with yours.
"If you say so.." You hear Four trails off and you can hear in his voice that he is not convinced.
How can he be when Eric's fingers are harshly digging into your arm and he is practically looking at you as if he is ready to murder?
You gulp, "Of course I wasn't. I was just thinking, you're a leader, you're supposed to help me, aren't you-"
"Giving orders now, are we?" Eric interrupts, his voice quiet and dangerous and you immediately shake your head. Your heart is beating like crazy and you are pretty sure Eric can hear it.
"Scared?" He asks and you can see it in his eyes that he is clearly enjoying this. You can't help but think back to what Christina had said the first day here when she joined you after the jump.
She had been right. Eric is not someone you want to mess with.
"Yes" You answer and you watch him give you a satisfied look because he knows you arent lying.
"Alright" He says and the touch on you softens, his hand still on your arm, but his grip is not hurting you anymore.
"I'll help you" He tells you and as you allow him to turn you around, towards the target, you can't help but feel slightly confused still. What is going on? Is he really being honest now or is he up to something?
You have always been good at reading body language, you have Candor blood running through your veins after all, but somehow you find yourself struggling to read this coldhearted Dauntless leader.
"Steady legs, arm back. Remember to turn your body slightly when throwing, not just your arm or wrist. You get more force when you use your whole body" Eric teaches you, one hand on your lower back while the other one is twisting your arm and elbow, correcting your stance.
Suddenly you hear him practically spit something out of his mouth and so you turn your face to look at him, one eyebrow raised.
"You should really cut that long hair of yours" He mumbles and you can't help but chuckle as you watch him quickly feel his own mouth with his tongue, trying to get rid of the feeling of your ponytail that apparently just tickled his mouth.
"I asked for help hitting my target, not to go bald" You tell him dryly before your eyes go round again, afraid that your comment has triggered his mood swings again.
But all he does is simply stare at you, a thoughtful look plastered on his face.
"What?" You ask quietly.
"I was only picturing you bald," Eric responds, shaking his head, "Yeah, don't cut it, I need something pretty to look at down here, doll".
What? Did he just compliment you?
However, you don't get much time to think about his words as he goes on, "The distance between your legs right now is perfect. Now, take a deep breath and focus, and remember to use your whole body. Imagen someone holding your beloved family at gunpoint" Eric says and you look at him with a weird look.
"That's a bit dark, isn't it? Besides, I don't think I would stand a chance if he had a gun" You point out.
"Throw" Eric says, ignoring your comment as he nods to you, and this time, you throw with your whole body and you both watch as the knife flies through the air and plants itself straight in the neck of the dummy.
"Not bad" Eric whistles quietly.
You let out a small breathe. You agree, it isn't a bad throw, but once again, you had been aiming for the face. You don't bother to let him know that small detail.
"What were you thinking about?" He asks casually as he watches you grab another knife.
You glance at him quickly, not sure why he wants to know, but somehow you have a feeling he already knows the answer and since he knows it is not in your nature to lie, you get a feeling he just wants to hear you admit it out loud.
"You" You tell him, blushing slightly, praying that he won't let you hang from the Chasm like he had done to poor Christina earlier this week.
But, instead of scowling at you, you can't help but notice the faint twist in the corner of his lips, as if he is doing his best not to smile.
"Well, you hit the target, so I suppose it worked" He shrugs.
He glances at you, his hand suddenly back on the lower part of your back once again, causing you to give him a puzzled look. Is he going to help you a second time?
He leans closer to you and you gulp nervously, hoping he isn't going to bite your face off.
"You're going to fit right in here, doll" He says quietly, his fingers stroking your back lightly as if he doesn't really want you to notice the intimate touch, "Just try your best to stay in my good book, okay? I have a feeling the two of us can be very good...friends".
With that, he pushes himself away from you and walks away, not even looking back at your shocked figure.
"What the hell was that?" You suddenly hear Christina say next to you a moment after.
You glance at her, not sure what to say because it is not like you have any idea what just happened here either, but as you watch Eric angrily shout at a poor girl before harshly pushing her against the target, commanding her to take its place while he will throw a few daggers her way, you know one thing for sure: you're definitely going to do your best to stay in his good book.