FEARLESS

FINAL PHYSICAL

Emery looked at the board that glistened over the Pit. Molly's name had been removed, she drew in a breath. Emery wondered what Eric did to her.

From how mad he was, she didn't suspect that murder was out of the picture. Her eyes squeezed shut as her body ached and head throbbed, she didn't know how she was going to make it through this test; but she wanted to get it over and done with. She wanted to be able to curl up in her bed tonight and not think about anything, cry if she wanted to. She didn't like doing it in front of other people.

Emery spotted Eric come in and her heart missed a beat. His face was red and his nostrils were flared, immediately catching her eye through the cluster of initiates that were awaiting the final physical.

Eric made his way over to her, latching his hand onto her arm gently and pulling her away from the crowd of people. "Go to bed Emery", he ordered.

"I have the final-"

"No you don't, I've made an exception for you, now go to bed" he instructed. Emery pursued her lip. What happened last night was terrible, and she knew it was going to bother and scare her for a while; but she didn't like how people were now treating her differently- like she was made of glass and was going to smash any minute.

"No". She replied.

"No?" Eric growled, his eyebrow flickering upward. "I am not going to argue with you about this, you're injured and what happened last night was... difficult. You can do the final test another time, I'll walk you to my apartment, and you will stay there".

"I don't want to argue about this either Eric, I'm doing this final physical. I may be in pain but I want to get it over and done with", she explained. His jaw clenched with irritation but his eyes twinkled with admiration.

"If you do this today, no considerations about your injuries will be made. You will be judged on how you perform completely, do you understand that?" Eric explained.

"Yes, I do".

Eric just looked at her. "You're stubborn", he paused looking and studying her wounds. "And I think you're making a mistake".

"Don't believe im up for the challenge?"

"I think you're the best in the class Stiff, even the best I've seen in a long time. But everyone gets injured, and everyone suffers from injury. Even a badass warrior like you".

Emery allowed a small smile to grace her face.

"I'll do just fine".

***

Knife throwing was first, shooting second.

Agility, climbing, fitness came third, forth and fifth.

Emery was doing very well, adrenaline was taking over her body, and she ignored the blistering pain of her injuries. She could ignore it if she kept her mind on the test, and when she was occupied.

It was only when she stopped he began feeling the pain.

When that happened. She took a deep breath, gritted her teeth, stretching out her sore and bruised bones and muscles, and talked to herself in her head.

This is what she had asked for, so she needed to do it. To succeed, but just that but thrive. Her injuries were bad, but her competitive nature was strong.

Fighting was the last, and that was most difficult. The pain was already in her body. But she tried to think of it as , sparring with someone is gonna fight anyway- and she has always took it on the chin and faced it.

To complete all of the tests too, her time was excellent. Initiates weren't allowed to share their time with others, but Emery believed she had done well. Thinking that way soothed her mind a little.

She sat on a bench, waiting for Christina, Al and Will to finish theirs.
Emery ran her hands through her hair and looked at the floor. The pain was worse when she had nothing to distract herself with. Her head felt dizzy and swollen and she felt sick.

She was going to be sick.

Emery got up quickly and ran to the nearest bin and spewed up everything. Her stomach was in spasm, she threw up breakfast, liquids, everything until it was just the yellow bile that lined her stomach.

She spat as the disgusting taste of it filled her mouth.

"Christ" she mumbled under her breath. Her skin felt like it was on fire.

"Em?" A voice asked. She looked up and shot a small smile to Al who had finished his test, he was watching her with sad eyes. "You ok?"

"Fucking dandy". She retorted. "How did your test go?"

Al bit his lip. "It was fine; you?"

"I dunno, I think I did well, but my heads throbbing and spinning so maybe I'm imagining it" Emery let out a little laugh. Al stayed silent.
"What's wrong with you Al? You been quiet all day, we should be celebrating!" Emery stated, throwing her arms up in the air. "Getting beaten to pulp and sore muscles are over for the time being", she frowned as his face still didn't change. "Jesus Christ put a smile on your face, stop raining on the parade!"

"I'm sorry". Al said quietly, it was serious and sad and had a strange ring to it. Emery shook her head and smiled.

"Don't be sorry, just cheer up a bit yeah?" Al nodded his head slowly, not looking her in the eye.

"Yeah".

***

"Initiates!" Max's voice boomed over the pit as we all looked up at him, Eric and Four. "Congratulations, all have you have completed the final physical examination".

People broke out into hoots and hollers.

"Your final results are being documented, studied and judged and will be released in two days time. And remember, if you are to be below the red line, your days at Dauntless are over". Max said seriously. "In the meantime, enjoy your days off, as you will not get many, and visiting day will be tomorrow; where each of you will be able to see your families".

Everyone cheered, hugged each other and was just, happy. The stress was over for a few days, the gruelling hours of early mornings and Kate nights filled with running, punches and injuries were taking a breather for now.

"I don't know about you, but I'm excited to see my family" Christina said as they walked back to the dormitory.

"Are you kidding of course in excited", will agreed. Emery just smiled. She was unsure if she would get a visitor tomorrow.
She hoped she would.