Chapter 13

Another day of training with Four and Eric is what awaits Tris today. The weapon of choice? Knives. By Tris's keen observation skills, and thanks to her special admiration of Four, she realizes how accurately he throws. He hits the target every time. She watches his form closely until she feels comfortable to practice on her own, without a knife. When she actually throw the knife for the first time, she is the first of the initiates to hit the board. It certainly did get Peter to shut his mouth thankfully.

Al isn't having a great time with the knives however, and is the only initiate who hasn't hit the target. This is deemed unacceptable by Eric, who then decides to be a jerk in hopes of intimidating Al. Al eventually admits that he has a fear of knives being thrown at him, and since Eric is a huge jerk, he commands Al to step in front of the target while Four throws knives. Al will be allowed to leave once he stops flinching as the knife is thrown. Eric is abusing his power and I am wondering how he even got the power he has in the first place. He didn't earn it with his character, that's for sure.

Tris can't believe how much of a tyrant Eric is acting like, and she speaks up. She tells Eric off and I was cheering her on in my head. I am glad that she has finally taken action upon her thoughts of Eric. It's about time that someone did. Of course her words aren't free, and come with consequences. She must take Al's place. If she flinches, Al is put in front of the target once again. She takes her place and Four is standing ready with a knife in his hand. I can't believe that he is about to willingly throw a knife at Tris. I thought her cared about her. The first two throws Tris is fine, but the third nicks her ear. To my surprise, Eric is the one who calls it quits. When he touches Tris's shoulder I got a sick feeling in my stomach. There is something seriously wrong with him, but I can't put my finger on what it is yet.

Once out of the training room, Tris confronts Four. She is pretty angry with the fact that he hit her on purpose. Four responds with mysterious remarks as always. The way he talks is difficult to decode, but I think that is a sign of the fact that he thinks before he speaks. That is one quality I really do admire.  He has the ability to hurt Tris, and he makes that painstakingly clear, but he makes the bold decision not to. Looks like maybe he does like her after all.

"If I wanted to hurt you, don't you think I would have already?"