As I make my way back to the dorms, I accidentally bump into a woman about Marcus's age. "Sorry." The woman glances at me, startled to see me standing there. "Oh, it's...it's alright, dear. Tell me, do you by any chance know where I could find Cassandra? Cassandra Reyes?"

I smile as it dawns on me that she must be Cassandra's mom. "Oh, hi, Mrs. Reyes. Yes, she told me that she'd be here in a little while. Apparently she's not done getting ready yet. Do you want me to go look for her?"

She claps her hands, and I recall how she seemed to be praying the day of the Choosing Ceremony. "Please, if it's not too much too ask." I shake my head. "No, it's fine. Nice to meet you, by the way. I'm Cassandra's...friend," I stammer.

Mrs. Reyes then does the weirdest thing - she actually leans forward and hugs me! I guess it must be Amity custom, but I feel odd nevertheless. "It's nice to meet you. Tell me, how is my daughter doing?" I back away and turn towards the hallway leading to the dorms.

"Why don't you let her tell you in person? I'll be right back." I exit the Pit, smiling from ear to ear. Cassandra will be so happy to see her mom after all this time, and...

As I get closer to the dorm, I hear voices speaking in loud, angry tones. I slow down and look inside the room.

It's Eric and Cassandra. What are they doing? Eric is too close for comfort to Cassandra, and I see that he's holding a knife at her throat. "I came here for you. I transferred to be with you. I'm Dauntless now. So I won't ask you again. You will be my girlfriend, whether you want to or not."

He presses the blade to her skin, and I hear Cassandra gasp. "Unless you and your little friends feel like taking a trip to the chasm, you'll do as I say."

"I don't care whether you're Dauntless, Erudite, Candor, Abnegation, or Amity. You could be factionless for all I care. I will never love you."

Eric laughs and slaps her, causing Cassandra yelp in pain. "Does that matter?"

I unsheathe the small dagger in my pocket without a second thought.

"Let go of her. Now," I warn. As much as I feel like slitting his throat, I do not want to fight him. Not today.

Eric lets out a sound I can only identify as a growl. "You shouldn't be here." I glare at him.

"Neither should you."

And,without further ado, I throw the knife as hard as I can, effectively embedding it in his arm. "Son of a-!" Eric falls to the ground, and drops his knife. He tries to grab it, but Cassandra kicks it away and runs to me. Tears are streaming down her face, and she's breathing heavily.

"Cassandra is mine. I warned you!" I place an arm around Cassandra as her tears soak my shirt.

"No, she's not. She's my girlfriend, she hates you, and I'll do anything it takes to keep her out of harm's reach. Even if that means killing you. Now, beat it!" Eric crawls out of the room on all fours like the animal he is, and I slam the door shut.