Today, Eric insisted on having the initiates throwing knives.

He's still pretty upset about losing Capture The Flag yesterday, so maybe that's why he has them do it.

I glance over at Tris. She's doing pretty well. I almost grin when one of her knives hits the target's head, but then I hear Eric's voice.

I turn towards it and see Eric going off on Al, the Candor transfer, for apparently not hitting the target at all.

"Go get them." Eric gestures toward the target in front of Al.

Al looks nervous, afraid even. "While they're throwing?"

"What? Are you scared?"

"Of getting stabbed by an airborne knife yes."

That was not what Eric wanted to hear.

"Stop!" He shouts over the sounds of knives piercing wood. The initiates obey.

"Stand in front of the target." He points to the target but it still glaring at Al.

He hesitates, but eventually begins to approach the target.

"If I see you flinch, you're out." He says. "One thing you will learn here is that order is not optional."  

"Stop. Anyone can stand in front of a target, it doesn't prove anything." A female voice says. I follow it to the Stiff's defiant face. Correction, Tris's defiant face. How can she be so stupid as to dispute Eric's orders?

"Then I guess you wouldn't mind taking his place."

Immediately I tense up.

He's going to make her stand in Al's place. Stop being such a Stiff! I want to scream at her. You don't know what Eric's capable of!

But I say none of this.

She walks in front of the target and right away I know what I have to do.

"The same rules apply."

I pick up a few knives and stare her in the eyes, trying to come across as intimidating.  She has to know that this is no game.

The first knife I throw punctures the target about three inches from her leg.

"Oh come on Four.  You can do better than that." Eric says.

I bite my lip a bit.  He's right.  I'm holding back on her.

So I throw the knife again, and it punctures the part of the target right above her head.  She keeps glancing around like she's scared.

Maybe she is.

I throw one again and it lands next to her arm.  Again and I nick her ear.

She backs off the target and touches her nicked ear.  Then she glances at me.

"Points for bravery Stiff, but not as much as you just lost for opening your mouth." Eric says, obvious angry at her.  "You better watch yourself.  We train soldiers not rebels."  He then looks to the initiates.  "We're done for the day get out."

I immediately feel guilty, but know that it was for the best.  You're starting to sound like-

"You alright?" I ask.

"You cut me." Tris says once the initiates start trickling out of the training room.

"I meant to." I say, starting to put my various throwing knives away. 

"You meant to?"

"You think he would have let you down without a scratch?  You'd still be standing there if I hadn't hit you."

"So am I supposed to thank you?"

"You're supposed to be smart." I hope I'm not coming off to harsh.  "If I wanted to hurt you, I would've."

She just gives a small nod and leaves the room.