He took a key from his pocket and opened the door, letting me enter first. Without knowing exactly what would happen, I stepped into the dark room because the light was off. Then Eric entered and turned on the light, letting me see his large, immaculately clean room again, bringing me peace of mind.

"Do you have a nurse? Wouldn't surprise me." I grimaced, analyzing what he had exactly. I doubt Max has those kinds of benefits.

He closed the door behind him and walked to the kitchen. "Come, sit." he pointed to the long chairs behind the kitchen island. "Here." he handed me a perfectly sealed cardboard bag with something inside.

"What's this?" I asked, opening the bag.

"It's your dress, it's been washed," he calmly replied, turning his back to me as he opened a cupboard door.

"Oh, thank you." I smiled nervously, realizing I forgot his sweater. In fact, I usually sleep wearing it. "Sorry, I forgot to give you the sweater; I'll give it to you tomorrow. I took it to the dry cleaner, and, ugh, it slipped my mind that I had to give it to you."

He turned to me, smiling. "Don't worry, I've noticed you often use it as pajamas. Keep it, it suits you," he shrugged without any issue.

"How..." I asked, confused and embarrassed, "have you seen me sleeping?"

"Since Freya respects people's privacy, she refused to install cameras in the rooms, so Max occasionally makes us give tours." he replied as he took out a first aid kit from the cupboard.

"Do you do it often?" I asked, watching as he opened the refrigerator and seemingly retrieved medication.

"Four does it more often, he can't live without his new girlfriend, Andrea, right?"

"Do you know about..." I trailed off, leaving the words hanging in the air, thinking about exactly what to say.

"Four and his forbidden romance? Yes," he said, opening the first aid kit and taking out several items.

"Do you cover for him?" I asked in a murmur as I watched him approach, taking my left arm.

"I don't care what he does, but just as he knows about his forbidden affair, he knows that I disguised your fight with Jade by 'accidentally' erasing the recordings. Take it as a collective benefit, it didn't harm him, and he doesn't harm me. Simple."

"It burns you inside, doesn't it?" I asked with a smile. "You can't stand the idea of a snob knowing something that could harm you."

"You have no idea. Now, don't move. I'm going to inject you."

"What are you going to inject me with?" I asked as I watched him take the syringe and administer some medication.

"It'll stop hurting and heal faster. We're two days away from week five, the fights will begin, and it's not convenient for you to have that wound." he replied, taking my arm.

He inserted the needle into my arm carefully, a torturous delicacy, a painful prick that made me bite my lip and suppress a groan as I felt the liquid enter my system.

"It's true." I murmured as Eric withdrew the needle.

"It's a new serum from Erudite, consider yourself lucky. Few have access to this medication, and in 5 days, you'll be good as new." he disassembled the syringe and threw it in the trash bin.

"Why so fast? Is it reliable?" I asked with distrust.

He shrugged. "It's Erudite technology; they're getting more advanced every day. They're still conducting studies, but if I didn't have a reaction, you don't have to worry."

"If the healing is faster, when do I need to remove the stitches?" I asked again.

"In two days, before the fights, but you come to me, not to the infirmary." he commented as he closed the first aid kit and put it away. "They can't know about certain preferences," he turned and placed his hands on the kitchen island, facing me.

I smiled, biting my lower lip. "So, do I have a preference?"

He rolled his eyes, lowering his head to hide his smile. "That simulation isn't for initiates. Once the positions are assigned, advanced training follows." he shrugged. "The wound will only prevent you from fighting, nothing else."

"How much did I score?" I asked, tilting my head.

He raised one corner of his lip, his eyes tracing over my body, especially my neckline, which stood out more with the blouse. He half-closed his eyes, locking gazes with mine. "9, you can do better," he shrugged. "But when both cuts pass, I'll take you. I've put you in danger several times; I'll let you rest." he discreetly bit his lip.

"What an angel." I commented ironically, laughing, followed by his light chuckle. "Can I ask you something?" I raised an eyebrow.

He hardened his face, lifting his chin, nodding slowly.

"Why are you doing this? You're helping me become a leader, making my training harder to improve every day. You could have gone to Jade, who also sought leadership, or even to Hall, and of all of them, you chose to help a former—"

He interrupted with a smile, releasing a nasal laugh, diverting his gaze to the window. "I've been in Dauntless for 4 years, and only once did an initiate become a leader just because he was Max's nephew. He wanted good leaders and asked me for one." he shrugged. "But I want to make sure you won't be useless like several others I know."

"I guess thanks." I frowned.

"You're welcome." he shrugged. "Now go to sleep, it's late."

                 **************************

"You should rest, don't you think?" Tiana asked, frowning as she watched me.

"Tomorrow is the fight, I can't rest." I replied, taking a deep breath and stopping kicking the rubber dummy.

After talking to Eric, I returned to the room, slept, and both Tiana and Andrea woke me up with concern the next day because not only had I been absent all afternoon and night, but I also woke up with a bandage on my shoulder.

We went to breakfast while I explained why I had the bandage, then we went to training, and without any discomfort in my shoulder, I could perform the exercises except for lifting it, so I opted to work on my legs, and Four agreed.

We were on the ten-minute break; the weapons training continued, and I kept hitting the rubber dummy until Tiana arrived.

"With that shoulder and your stubbornness, you'll only end up bleeding halfway through the fight." she informed me with annoyance.

"Not if I find a way to evade his blows." I replied, my gaze shifting to the dummy. I took a few jumps to prepare myself and then kicked it, causing it to wobble.

"You're stubborn." she scoffed.

I laughed. "Yes, I am," I turned to look at her and approached, smiling and shaking my head.

The entrance of Eric and Max caught my attention; they walked with authority as the leaders of the faction. I subtly raised the corner of my lip when I made eye contact with Eric, who similarly lifted his lips slightly while shaking his head.

"God, you look like a lovesick teenager with him." Tiana laughed, turning to look at Eric and then at me.

I averted my gaze. "That's not true." I murmured, rolling my eyes.

"Yes, you do. I can't believe you're still infatuated after he subjected you to a simulation that nearly killed you." she scoffed.

"But it didn't happen." I shrugged.

"Changing the subject, you know what caught my attention yesterday?" she crossed her legs.

"The file under your bed." she raised an eyebrow, looking at me inquisitively. I bit my lip, averting my gaze. "Why?"

I took a deep breath, playing with my fingers. I had completely forgotten that I had an illegal file under my bed, forgotten that I left it vulnerable to prying eyes, including my redheaded friend.

"I plan to go to Amity, confront my father, and force him to tell me the truth," I said, lifting my gaze and looking at her with determination.

"When? That man will slap you again, or worse, once he sees you again. You have to forget about him." she insisted.

"I can't just sit back and do nothing; I have to know the truth."

"Fine, if Eric and his stupid tests don't kill you, your father will," she crossed her arms.

"You have so little faith in me." I scoffed.

"Come closer." Eric raised his voice.

Max, Eric, and Four stood on one side of the ring. Tiana got up and gestured for us to approach. With a nod, we walked alongside the others scattered around the room. Ian approached us and stood by my side, touching my back affectionately.

"How are you?" he smiled, showing his teeth.

I smiled, trying not to feel uncomfortable, not only because of Ian's touch, who looked at me with tenderness, but also because of the intense gaze I felt from Eric. A quick glance confirmed that Eric's eyes were fixed on Ian, which confused me even more. It not only stirred up my feelings but also raised my expectations towards the leader nicknamed "Sadistic."

"I'm fine, thank you."I smiled and turned to face the front.

"Warriors, future Dauntless." Max spoke. "Tomorrow is the final fight, a fight that will determine your role in this faction. Make me proud and fight with courage, prove yourselves worthy of the warrior faction. For today, weapons training is suspended."

The buzz rose, and several people applauded. Meanwhile, a huge burden settled on my shoulders because the need to prove myself is tomorrow, and I can't afford to fail. People began to leave with joy, and gradually the crowd dispersed, with Eric among them, following Max, who seemed to be chatting non-stop.

"Girls, let's go to Tori's, she'll finance tattoos exclusively designed by me. It'll be fun." Ian said, standing in front of Tiana and me with a smile.

Jim approached, putting his arm around the redhead's shoulder with a smile. "That guy draws really well; he has some great designs," he said, supporting with a smile.

"That would be great," Tiana smiled, accepting.

Andrea approached with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "We needed a break, didn't we?" she sighed.

"Yeah," Tiana laughed. "Let's go with Ian; we'll get free tattoos," the redhead invited the brunette.

"Free ?"

"Yes, even Raphael," he turned to look at me, pointing. "Your friend, he'll bring the alcohol. It'll be like a pre-party before the first stage cut."

"That sounds good, count me in." Andrea nodded.

"And what about you, Grace?" Ian turned to me with a smile.

I smiled. "Go ahead, I'll catch up. I want to keep training a bit more."

"But you'll come, right?" Ian asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I promise I will."

                ***************************

Sweat dripped down my face, my whole body was hot, and the adrenaline didn't stop as I continued to hit the sandbag to the point where it swayed dramatically, making me stop. The rope holding it looked fragile, so I took a step back, regulating my breathing.

I lost track of time when everyone else left, and comfort invaded me. I felt free to train without needing to talk to someone questioning my ideals. I didn't want to go to the pit; I didn't plan on going. It seemed like a waste of time on such important dates. I also didn't want to see Raphael's face until he calmed down. His attempt to opine on my life and things he doesn't fully understand annoys me.

"Go to the other one, let an idiot get the sandbag dropped on him," a raspy voice behind me made me turn on my own axis.

Hall's silhouette stood about 4 meters away from me. It was the first time I heard his voice, or at least the first time I was aware it was his voice. He was tall, as tall as Four, with black hair, brown eyes, and from what I could perceive now, very well-defined muscles after almost five weeks. Was he always like this, or does he inject steroids?

"I just hope to remember which one." I commented, stepping away from the sandbag.

I heard a nasal laugh from him. "You're nervous about tomorrow's fight, huh?" he smiled.

He had a water bottle in his hand. "Here." he tossed it to me.

I raised my hands and caught it. "Thanks," I smiled. It was strange for Hall to come talk to me a day before we were going to fight; we had never exchanged words. "I'm not nervous, I just want to push my body to the limit." I-said as I inspected the water. Does it have poison?

"Even more?" he raised both eyebrows in surprise. "You'll only end up tearing a muscle, not to mention your shoulder is injured," he narrowed his eyes, looking at me curiously. "Rest, eat well, and I assure you that by tomorrow you'll be as good as new." he suggested, shrugging.

"Why are you giving me advice? I thought we were on different sides." I frowned.

"Different sides?" he laughed. "Why?"

"It's very obvious, don't you think? You're Jade's partner, and she, with all due respect, is a problematic bitch," he shrugged.

"We weren't anything formal," he shrugged again. "I cut off all kinds of relationship with her. She's just... Ugh, stressful," he rolled his eyes. "She's at war with everyone; you're not the only enemy she has."

"I didn't know, although it doesn't surprise me," I admitted.

"Exactly, you didn't know, and that's why I know that tomorrow's fight doesn't matter. Dauntless will have a good leader if you do things right, of course."

"Mike is still missing, and the second stage," I informed, tilting my head.

He took a few steps forward, licking his lower lip with a smirk. "Have you seen Mike? He's first because he was born in Dauntless," he shrugged, getting closer. "I'll tell you something, Grace. If I win tomorrow, I'll be the leader, Mike will be second, and you'll be third. But if you win, Mike will be the leader, you'll be second, and I'll be third," his eyes were intense, gleaming with excitement as if he had knowledge of the dark side of life. "They won't allow you to be the leader if you win, and I'm not saying it because of Eric; I'm saying it because of Max and his cronies."

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked, confused.

"If you want to be a leader, you have to do more than win; you have to put on a show for Max and his people. Mike's parents won't allow a woman to beat him in the rankings, and it sounds totally sexist, I know, but their masculinity is so fragile and instigating that you'll have no choice but to make Max love and defend you," he crossed his arms behind his back.

"I don't understand, overnight we're suddenly friends, and you're trying to help me for tomorrow, what do you gain?" I asked.

"We're not friends. I assure you, tomorrow I'll do everything to knock you out and become the leader. If you give Max the show he wants, you'll be the leader, which I don't want, and I'm sure you don't want Mike to be the leader either. There are areas where Eric has no authority; don't put all the burden on him. Let him see that you're capable," Hall replied.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise as I turned my gaze away from Hall, sighing to make a grimace.

"I always thought the faction system was strict and transparent. I'm as naive as my original faction," I scoffed.

"Stop being naive; you have the second stage to mature. Here, we work under the table; there's no way to refuse and come out alive," he said with a compassionate expression. "And you don't have to worry about the second stage; being in the first place after the cut, you won't drop."

"Why are you so sure? You know more about Dauntless than any initiate here," I frowned.

"I tend to be very observant. I know this isn't a bed of roses, and I also know that people like you usually face their fears very well; you just have to channel your pain with anger and cunning," Hall remarked.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"While others watched with amusement as your father slapped you, I saw a strong woman with potential," he explained.

"Wait, what's the connection?" I inquired.

"We'll have to postpone this conversation; I'm afraid you're being looked for," he shrugged, glancing behind me.

I turned my head to see who was looking for me. Eric had entered the training room, still watching us with curiosity. He stopped a few meters away, crossing his arms and assuming a comfortable position.