As Emery woke up, she couldn't control herself to not shoot up again- she hurt everywhere. Places she never realised could hurt so much ached and felt like there were open gashes, when in fact they were purple bruises. Even her eyes hurt, like they had been knocked out of her skull.
Get up slowly, she thought to herself.
She looked at the clock- 6;00AM. At this time, on any usual day, she would have already been out to train, or have been to see Al, however, today she was stuck in there.
Al was hopefully coming out today, which was a glimmer of goodness in all the shit and muck she had gotten herself in.
She desperately wanted to be ready when he did. Emery knew she wasn't really supposed to be leaving till lunch, but why wait?
Emery hopped off her bed, and as soon as her legs hit the ground they hurt. She almost crumbled to the floor, shooting pains as if she were standing on nails.
She groaned, trying to keep it as quiet as possible. She limped out of the ward and into the dark corridors. It was hard to see, and with a slight black eye it wasn't much better.
As she continued to limp down the corridors, she froze to the sound of a sudden door opening.
Shit. Shit.
If anyone saw she was out they would stick her straight back in, no, she couldn't stay there. It was depressing with its groans and moans and head injuries and broken bones.
She scuttled about for a moment trying to see if there was somewhere she could hide or duck behind or run.
"Emery?" Four asked, this must have been the higher ranked dauntless corridor. She swivelled around and gave a small smile through gritted teeth as he came running toward her.
"Oh hey Four" Emery said; trying to act normal and coy. Yes I am supposed to be here. What? They told you I wasn't supposed to be out till later today? What...? Never heard that in my life.
Never. What liars.
She stood still so he wouldn't notice the limp. She felt a little exposed as her legs had nothing on them, the bandages were still fresh so she was just wearing a king t shirt and underwear.
"Why are you here Emery, you're supposed to be in medical?" Four stole a glance at her exposed legs, he swallowed a lump, trying to act like it didn't bother him; or that it wasn't the only thing he was thinking about.
"I know, I know, I'm sorry it's just like horrifically boring over there and I feel fine". Emery said scoffing; lying, badly at that as she buckled a little as her knee gave way.
Definitely didn't notice.
"You can't even stand", he commented, placing a hand on her shoulder to steady her.
Fuck he noticed.
"I don't think it's a good idea Emery, I think you should go back to medical, you're not supposed to leave without permission. And they may not have checked you all over, something might be broken"
"What, no!" Emery said wincing as she held her hip in pain.
"Emery please go back"
"No, I can't-" She planned a whole speech to plead Four to let her stay out, but she was cut off.
"I've signed her out, told the nurses she's under my supervision now" Eric said from behind them. It made Emery jump a little. Dark corridors did well to keep figures a secret.
Eric had obviously been listening in to their conversation and had come out of a near-by doorway. Four glared at him.
"I don't care, she's not fit enough, I'll take a look at her tomorrow but she's definitely not up to it today", Four stated, the two men approached each other slowly, like lions fighting over w piece of meat. Emery held her stomach as she felt it flutter a little.
Wow I've got to get my shit together, she thought.
Eric took a step forward threateningly.
"I think the Stiff can speak for herself don't you think Four?"
"Last time she spoke for herself she wound up in medical". Four spat.
Emery couldn't help but hide a snicker as Eric looked as if Four had struck him across the face. "one thing is letting her out early, but letting her be under your supervision is beyond stupid."
You could tell Eric wanted to scream, to make Fours face black and blue like he did to Al. They were always close to that line, Four and Eric, something unspoken and hidden, but something that was furious and bubbling.
"That's not your choice"
"Neither is it yours, if she is staying with you then I want her to stay with me every other night also", Eric scoffed. "It's pretty reasonable considering what you've done to her over the past few days. I understand we need to be harsh, but not childish", Four carried on, Emery couldn't help but smile now.
Four was, like the rest of Dauntless, daunting and cold and harsh; cased in an attractive wrapping. Emery had seen that caring side glimmer ever so often, but seeing him speak to Eric like that caused that flutter in her stomach to just double and triple in size.
" I want to ensure her safety and make sure you're not practising your knife throwing on her" Four finished as he got closer to Eric.
Eric opened his mouth to say something but before he could, nervous this was going to turn into a real fight, Emery butted in.
"It's not any of your decision where I stay, I am perfectly fine staying in my dorm with the rest of the Initiates, I don't need your help".
"Fine, but I can't let you do that with your injuries, you will have to stay with me while you're getting your strength back" Eric was talking to Emery but his eyes were fixed on Four, as if he were trying to antagonize him. Prove something. Provoke him.
"Both" Four corrected, looking back at Eric. "you'll have to stay with both of us until you get your strength back. Me one night, Eric the other"
"Why?"
"Because I'm your leader now, and I was given that position for a reason. l make the rules, I know best". Eric finished abruptly, practically spitting at Emery, before walking out of the corridor and into the dorm to give the wakeup call.
***
After Eric had left, there had been silence between Four and Emery.
Four just didn't know what to say, how to say that he didn't just want Emery to not stay with Eric because he didn't like him; but because he wanted to be around her. Every minute. Something he had been thinking about for a while.
She was always on his mind.
When they entered the mess hall, she could feel her friends eyes on her.
Oh god. She thought.
No, this doesn't look weird.
She saw Will smirk a little and nudge Christina.
Not weird at all.
Christina raised her eyebrows.
Ok it looks weird.
***
They sat in the same spot for breakfast as always, Christina, Will, Uriah and Emery, it had been like that since the first day Emery had sat down with Eric and Four having the only free seats. Now the two men just joined the empty chairs beside them. Not saying anything, just glancing up and eating.
But today unwelcome visitors arrived; Peter, Molly and Brock came to sit down next to them. Emery didn't have anything against Brock personally, he just had bad taste in friends it seemed.
And he has given me a purple jaw, a split lip and a hell of a headache, but whose counting? She thought.
Emery continued eating, but could tell all eyes were on her. She simply pretended not to notice them and just continued eating.
"Hey, you know I dig girls with scars," Peter said, breaking the silence.
Get a grip, never in a million years.
"It's hot".
Brilliant. A beating and compliment from Peter, what a shitty day it's set out to be.
Emery almost gagged, while Eric snickered.
"I'm really not in the mood Peter".
"Oh what? You a sore loser?" He teased
"No just sore", she corrected
"It was a great fight the other day by the way, bravo," Peter sarcastically said, he was irritated she had beaten him. "Not so much against Brock though".
Resentful.
"I'm really sorry about that Emery, I didn't-" Brock started.
"Don't worry about it, you did what you had to do to win; fair play, no hard feelings. I was going for blood too. Unfortunately it's the way it works round here", she smiled at him, but she could tell that didn't rest his thoughts.
He was looking at all her bruises on her arms and neck. She quickly rolled down her sleeves to give him peace of mind.
"I know but-" Brock started again
"So I was thinking last night Emery, that we should talk about that date," Peter said cutting him off.
Cue biggest eye roll ever to be given.
"I already told you, Peter, I am not in the mood".
"I know, but don't you think-"
"Back off Peter" Four said butting in.
Emery swallowed. It was a nice gesture, but it wouldn't help.
Peter was like a child, and a catty housewife all at once. He loved pushing peoples buttons; and he thrived on drama.
"Oh I'm sorry, didn't mean to step on any toes", Peter said, narrowing his eyes at Four. "Still isn't that like illegal or something during Dauntless training, you know you two being an item," Peter said.
Jesus.
Eric looked up from his food, angry.
Jesus.
Emery knew he didn't like the sound of where Peter was going.
Actually would it be so bad if Eric spun Peter across this floor? My day would certainly get better. Emery deliberated in her brain.
"Peter stop", she said.
"Well, if it is I don't think you'll mind me stepping in and keeping her company for a little while do you?" Peter asked.
Emery glanced over a little nervously at Eric who was holding a fork forcefully down to the table. Trying to stop himself from jamming it in Peters neck.
"I'll make this an easy answer for you Peter, seeing that you clearly don't have a brain to process this information", she began. "I would rather swallow this knife before even considering going on a date with you, and if you ask me again it will be going in your eye". She hissed as she excused herself from the table.
She didn't think she could handle Peters smart retaliation. Emery gritted her teeth as she heard muttering from the table as she left, hearing Uriah get up and follow.
"You OK?" He asked. Emery gave him a small smile.
"I'm never ok when Peter is around", Uriah smiled a little. "I want to be a fly on the wall when someone finally knocks that boy out so hard he sees the devil".
***
Emery and Uriah waited in the Pit for everyone, the scores were changed overnight. Ranking for transfers and combined were being shown this morning.
TRANSFERS:
1.Emery
2.Peter
Good thing to shove in Peters face other than my fist.
Uriah was second out of the Dauntless born, Brock being first.
COMBINED:
1.Brock
2.Uriah
3.Jane
4.Emery
Emery allowed herself to small, to feel proud of herself. Yet it was bitter sweet, she dared to look at where Al was.
He was 12th on the transfer board but had moved down to 24th in overall.
Emery gritted her teeth as she ached with guilt. It wouldn't be a nice welcome back for him, and this was just the beginning. Fighting with his injuries was going to be difficult.
She couldn't help but think it was her fault.
It was Eric who threw the punches but, she felt stupid for not seeing his jealously sooner? If she had perhaps Al wouldn't be falling in the ranks.