Eric punches me in the face and my head lolls to the side. I struggle against the ropes he used to tie my hands and feet, but it's no use. "Who's gonna be with Cassandra now?"

He sneers and punches me again. "I warned you." He takes out his knife, and it shines so brightly that it blinds me for a moment. He draws back, then comes at me full force, the blade drawing closer by the minute and aimed straight at my heart.

I wake up just before Eric stabs to death. Wide awake, I lie in bed for a few minutes, no longer wanting to sleep. I quietly slip out of the dorm, my footsteps drowned out by the snores of my fellow initiates. I wander over to the chasm, and lean on the railing, no longer preoccupied with falling to my death.

The sound of the roaring water calms me, and I'm so focused on the chasm that I don't hear Cassandra walk up to me. "Can't sleep?" Even in a simple t-shirt and pants, she looks...beautiful. "No, not really."

She's silent for a moment. "What are you worried about? Matt likes you, praises you every chance he gets. You're one of the best initiates this year. I know you'll beat your opponent up in half a minute and stroll out of there like nothing happened."

I chuckle. "I wouldn't be so sure." Cassandra shakes her head. "You're just modest. Typical Stiff." Normally, the nickname would sting, but coming from Cassandra, it doesn't sound like an insult. "I was wondering... Could you train me?"

I'm taken aback. Train her? In the middle of the night? "I know it sounds crazy. I shouldn't have asked. I'm sorry. I know I'm a lost cause-" I reach out, grab her hand,and against my better judgement, lead her to the gym. "Don't say that ever again."