Eric Coulter X Reader - Tumblr Posts - Page 2

Knowledge pt.10

check here for the orther parts!

Summary:

The story begins the same for everyone, on the day of the ceremony, one of the most important for all the kids who take part in it every year, and Michelle will not miss the opportunity to leave behind a faction that she did not feel belonged to her.

On her journey, however, she will encounter someone who will make her initiation feel like hell.

Pairing: Eric Coulter x reader

Word Count: 5.5k

Michelle struggled to piece together the hazy fragments of the previous night while the pain in her head intensified. Her disoriented state made it difficult to grasp the reality of her situation. When she finally dragged herself out of bed and ventured to the cafeteria, the noise and chaos only exacerbated her discomfort.

Her eyes scanned the bustling room for Sunny, hoping for a familiar face amidst the clamor. She found Sunny at a table, surrounded by others she vaguely recognized. As Michelle approached, she prepared herself for the disapproval she anticipated. Instead, Sunny greeted her with a knowing smile, which only deepened Michelle's confusion.

The table’s occupants included Four, who appeared absorbed in a conversation with a girl about something related to the Wall. Bowie, with his tired eyes and somber expression, sat beside him. To Michelle’s surprise, a familiar face she couldn’t quite place joined her at the table.

“Good morning! The sun is shining, and I heard you finally woke up,” the guy said cheerfully, giving Michelle a friendly pat on the shoulder.

“Don’t torment her,” Tyson said, taking a seat to her left and offering a polite greeting to his companions. “Rough night, huh? Where did you disappear to after a certain point, darling?”

Michelle was about to respond when Sunny interrupted. “So, you came to the party? I didn’t see you.”

“Yes, that might be my fault, sweetheart,” he said, leaning in closer and throwing an arm around Michelle’s shoulders. “I found our dear friend here trying to sneak away without even stepping foot into the party. Drink water, lots of it. It’ll help with the headache.”

Sunny’s smirk widened as she watched Michelle, who now felt an uncomfortable sense of self-consciousness. The combination of her headache and the attention made her increasingly uneasy. “What?” she croaked, her voice still rough from sleep.

“I wanted to fill you in on what you missed last night,” the guy continued. “We thought you had either hidden away in the dorms or, worse, in the gym. But it seems you had an equally interesting evening.”

At those words, the guy to her right, who had been chewing on his eggs, turned to her. As he realized what Sunny was referring to, he almost choked on his food, unable to suppress his laughter.

Michelle glanced between Sunny and the others, her confusion growing. “What? What’s going on?” she demanded, her voice rising in frustration.

Sunny’s grin was now almost playful. “Oh, just some fun details about the party and your eventful evening,” she said cryptically.

Michelle’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she tried to piece together what had transpired. As the fragments of memory began to surface, she hoped that the information she’d missed could help her make sense of the bewildering situation she found herself in.

Tyson's chuckle only added to Michelle's growing sense of dread. "Well, let’s just say whoever you spent the night with left a mark," he said with a smirk. As Michelle’s confusion deepened, Tyson pointed to a spot on her neck, which seemed to radiate an inexplicable sensitivity. "Your prince charming left a nice hickey here and here."

"And you told me there wasn’t anyone interesting, yet…" Sunny teased, her tone light but her gaze scrutinizing. "Anyway, nice to meet you, Sunny," she added, turning to the two men beside her.

"Tyson."

"Axl," the man who had been with her the night before replied. Michelle’s memory of him began to crystallize, but it was still clouded by the haze of her recollections.

At that moment, her focus shifted from introductions to the sudden awareness of the marks on her neck. Her hands flew to the area, and she tried to piece together what had happened after their intense kissing session. The realization that the previous night had been more real than she had initially thought hit her with an unsettling force. 

She scanned the cafeteria discreetly, hoping to spot the person in question, but he was nowhere to be seen. The tension in her chest tightened.

"Looking for someone?" Four’s voice cut through her thoughts, causing her to jump. The table fell silent, and Michelle’s gaze met his. The intensity in his ocean-blue eyes made her feel as though he was piercing through her defenses, seeing every hidden thought and fear.

Four knew. And he was judging her.

"Uh, I’d say that’s exactly it. Our Michelle is looking for her knight from last night," the girl’s playful comment did little to ease the tension. "Everything okay?"

Four’s penetrating stare felt like an accusation. It was as if he believed she had committed a grave mistake. "I warned you. Now it’s up to you," he said cryptically before standing and leaving the cafeteria with what Michelle assumed was Lauren.

The weight of Four’s words sank in like a crushing wave. Michelle’s heart raced. "What’s he talking about?"

Sunny’s expression shifted to one of concern as the atmosphere in the room grew dense, almost suffocating. It felt as though the air had been sucked out of the cafeteria with Four’s departure, leaving Michelle gasping for breath.

"Nothing. He was referring to nothing," Michelle said quickly, trying to mask her worry. She grabbed a serving of scrambled eggs and placed them on her plate, attempting to divert attention. "What did you want to tell me?"

Sunny’s confused and worried expression vanished almost instantly, replaced by a look of keen interest. Her eyes sparkled as she leaned forward, resting on her elbows. “Don’t you notice anyone missing here at the table?”

Michelle looked around, her gaze searching for the missing individuals, but she didn’t spot anyone out of the ordinary. When she turned back to Sunny, the latter rolled her eyes with a hint of impatience. “Tina and Max.”

Michelle glanced around again, realizing with a start that Tina and Max were indeed absent. They weren’t sitting at any of the nearby tables, nor did she recall seeing them in the dorms.

“Are they the ones from last night?” Axl asked, nodding toward Sunny. Sunny confirmed with a nod.

But Michelle’s focus was abruptly shifted when the cafeteria fell silent. The sound of boots confidently marching across the room cut through the low hum of conversation, drawing everyone’s attention.

She turned to see Eric walking in, and what she saw made her breath catch in her throat. Eric Coulter was sporting a black eye and a split lip; his usually neat blonde hair was now disheveled, and dark circles marked his eyes. The sight of him was more intimidating than usual, not in the way that stirred strange sensations within her but in a way that demanded respect and silence.

He exuded a deadly aura.

“Yes, exactly them. Michelle, hey!” Sunny snapped her fingers in front of Michelle’s face, pulling her out of her stunned silence. “That was a spoiler, by the way.”

“What happened?” Michelle asked in a whisper, trying to stay discreet amid the tension in the cafeteria.

“Last night, after you left, your companion started a fight with one of the guys because, apparently, the guy looked at him the wrong way,” Tyson explained, his tone light but serious.

Axl chuckled. “He was completely hammered. You could smell the alcohol on him from a mile away.”

“So basically, after Eric came back, he and Four tried to break up the fight because things were getting out of hand. But Max? Max wasn’t satisfied with just getting beaten up; he lunged at Eric when Eric tried to pull him away, and that led to a full-blown fight between the two,” Sunny continued, her voice low.

“Max didn’t stand a chance. He was knocked out within the first minute, and if it hadn’t been for Eric’s friends holding him back, Max would’ve ended up dead on the Pit floor,” Sunny said, casting a quick glance at Bowie, who still looked troubled. “They ended up kicking Max out of the faction, making him factionless. Tina tried to stay behind, begging the leaders to let him stay, but it was no use.”

“It was entertaining, I’ll admit,” Axl said with a smirk. “But I’ve got to head out. Inspections in twenty minutes.” He gave Tyson a friendly pat on the shoulder and left, his seat now vacant.

Sunny took the opportunity to move closer to Michelle, sliding into the seat Axl had vacated. She rested her head on Michelle’s shoulder, her demeanor a mix of comfort and curiosity.

“So now they’re both factionless,” Tyson said, his gaze shifting from Eric to the two girls. “One thing I’ve learned since I’ve been here, long before Eric arrived, is that you shouldn’t get involved with him.”

Michelle fiddled with her food, her thoughts swirling. She felt a mixture of confusion and curiosity. “I don’t like him.”

“Nobody likes Eric, sweetheart,” Tyson quipped with a hint of humor.

“But you’re his friend,” Michelle said abruptly, her tone carrying an edge of seriousness.

Tyson seemed to consider her words for a moment before responding with a gentle smile. “Nobody is friends with Eric. We tolerate each other. He’s useful to have around and not stupid—he’s just hotheaded and a lot worse in many ways. His company can be pleasant, but no one considers him a true friend,” he said, glancing over at Eric. “No one has any real relationships with him. Not even Mia. That girl has been chasing after him since she arrived. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day we find her at the bottom of the chasm.”

Michelle followed Tyson’s gaze, observing Eric with a new sense of wariness. The faint bruises on his face only added to his intimidating presence.

“I don’t understand,” Sunny said, shaking her head as she looked at Tyson. “How does he have all this power? Why?”

Tyson sighed, a subtle hint of something deeper in his expression. “Eric is a soldier, and soldiers are liked by those in power,” he said, his words carrying a weight that Michelle and Sunny couldn’t fully grasp.

The days drifted by, leading up to the second phase of initiation, a module Four had warned would be the toughest. Michelle found herself lost in thought, unable to escape the disquiet that had settled over her.

No matter where she was—whether clutching a photograph of Anne in her dorm, standing on the faction's rooftop in the rain, or working out in the gym at night—Eric's absence was a constant weight on her mind. He hadn’t so much as glanced her way since that night, and perhaps that was for the best. Four and Tyson were right: Eric was dangerous. His cruel game of intimidation and the near-violent incident with Max had shown her just how perilous his influence could be.

Eric’s demeanor had shifted noticeably. The mocking smirks and casual arrogance had faded, replaced by a rigid, authoritarian presence. As the start of the second module approached, he seemed increasingly distant, spending less time within the faction.

Despite her efforts to avoid him, Michelle couldn’t help but search for Eric whenever she had the chance. Sunny, ever observant, noticed Michelle’s growing preoccupation.

One evening, as Michelle prepared to head to the gym, Sunny stopped her at the door.

“Would you tell me if something was bothering you?” Sunny’s voice was soft, almost hesitant. Michelle glanced at her, her concern evident, and nodded, pretending not to notice the full weight of Sunny’s gaze.

The corridors had grown colder with the onset of winter, and Michelle wrapped her jacket tighter around herself. It had been a while since she’d had a moment alone, a chance to lose herself in silence.

Upon reaching the gym doors, Michelle heard the muffled sounds of someone training. Peering inside, she saw Lauren, engrossed in her workout on one of the punching bags. Lauren’s expression hardened as she caught sight of Michelle, and without a word, she turned her back, focusing on a bag on the far side of the room. It was evident that the once-cordial relationship between them had soured.

Confused and feeling uncertain, Michelle decided to focus on her own workout, leaving Lauren to her space. But as Michelle pounded the bag, she felt Lauren’s gaze fixed on her back. The distraction was unwelcome, particularly with the stress of the upcoming initiation, Tyson’s warnings, and Eric’s unsettling behavior weighing heavily on her.

After a few minutes, Lauren cleared her throat. “I know Four warned you, but please be careful with Eric. He’s not someone you want to get involved with.”

Michelle stopped abruptly and turned to face Lauren, her confusion evident. “What do you mean?”

Lauren sighed, rubbing her face in frustration. “Four saw you the other night when Eric was following you. He decided to investigate and told me about it. I just want you to be aware.”

“It was a mistake,” Michelle interjected, her voice firm as she tried to deflect the concern.

“What do you mean?” Lauren asked, her tone a mixture of curiosity and concern.

Michelle hesitated, then admitted, “I wasn’t thinking straight. I just wanted to understand him better. It’s not like I wanted to get involved with Eric.”

Lauren’s expression softened, though worry remained. “Understanding him isn’t worth risking yourself. Eric’s reputation isn’t just because he’s a jerk or a bully. There’s something darker, more dangerous about him.”

Michelle sighed as she slipped on her jacket, acknowledging that her plans for a workout had been derailed. Instead, she headed towards the roof, where she could be alone with her thoughts. The idea of explaining her actions to Lauren felt too personal, too intimate. She wasn’t ready to share the details of what had happened, even though Lauren’s support was unwavering.

Despite her intent to be alone, Lauren was not easily deterred. She grabbed her belongings and followed Michelle up to the rooftop. "If you know, why did you do it?" Lauren’s voice carried a mixture of concern and frustration.

Michelle hesitated, struggling with her thoughts. Eric had made the first move, but if she were honest, the alcohol had played its part, blurring her judgment and amplifying the electric charge between them. But acknowledging that felt like making excuses.

When Michelle remained silent, Lauren grabbed her wrist, only to have Michelle shrug her off. “Michelle… it’s for your own good.”

“I already said it was a mistake,” Michelle retorted, her voice sharp as she leaned against the rooftop railing. “It won’t happen again.”

Lauren’s expression softened, and she stepped back slightly but remained nearby. “I hope so. You have potential; it would be a shame to waste it on someone like him.” They fell into a contemplative silence, gazing out at the city and the distant outlines of the other factions, savoring the quiet of the night.

“Ready for tomorrow?” Lauren’s question cut through the silence, sending a shiver down Michelle’s spine. The mention of the second phase of initiation triggered a wave of déjà vu. Michelle turned to Lauren with a pained expression.

“For— for the second phase?” Lauren asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty at Michelle’s reaction.

Michelle swallowed hard, her eyes brimming with tears as the weight of her emotions hit her. She took deep breaths, trying to steady herself before responding.

“No, how could I be?” The words felt heavy, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. The thought of her last moments with her best friend brought a pang to her heart. She wondered about Anne—where she was now, how she was faring, and what she was doing.

Michelle and Lauren spent the remainder of the night on the rooftop, waiting in silence for the first light of dawn. The conversations and warnings from Four, Lauren, and Tyson felt like pieces of a larger puzzle that Michelle struggled to piece together. She knew she had to stay clear of Eric, despite the dangerous allure he presented. It was clear that her safety was at stake, and she needed to tread carefully.

As dawn broke, all the initiates were summoned to a sterile room. The space was stark and unwelcoming, with chairs lined up against the walls, each one designated for an initiate. Two doors stood at the far end of the room, marking the beginning of what promised to be a grueling day. Michelle took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever lay ahead, knowing that the challenges of the second phase were about to unfold.

Four entered the room after them, his authoritative presence commanding attention as the initiates settled into their seats. “Welcome to the second module, the mental phase. It’s a departure from the physical trials you’ve faced so far, and it will test you in ways you don’t expect. This is the most exhausting part of the initiation, even though it’s not physical.”

He moved to stand in front of one of the two doors. “We have divided you into two groups to expedite the process.”

At that moment, the door across the room swung open to reveal Eric. “You will confront your deepest fears in the shortest time possible. You will be scored as in the first module, and those who fall below the red line will be eliminated.”

Eric’s gaze swept over the room with an intimidating intensity. “Only a few of you will make it into the faction. Another ten will be excluded. There is no room for error.”

Four positioned himself in front of the remaining door, pulling out two slips of paper from his pocket. He handed one to Eric, who read it aloud.

“Sunny.”

“Marcus,” Eric followed, calling out a boy Michelle recognized as one of the Dauntless-born, who entered the room after the blonde.

An uneasy silence settled over the room as the initiates awaited their turns. Some paced nervously, while others closed their eyes, trying to find calm. Michelle found herself caught between these two reactions, struggling to mask her own anxiety. She glanced at the clock on the wall, willing time to move faster.

Sunny emerged less than ten minutes later, her face etched with a look of near terror. Michelle started to approach her friend, but Sunny walked past her as if she were invisible, exiting the room without a word.

“Angela,” Four called out next.

Michelle’s concern for Sunny deepened, wondering what could have caused her friend to look so haunted. She felt a strong urge to follow her but decided against it, choosing instead to wait for her own turn and to find Sunny later.

After another fifteen minutes, the second door opened, revealing Marcus, who was assisted out by two Dauntless members. He looked as if he had seen a ghost—pale as porcelain, cheeks wet with tears, eyes red and vacant, and hands trembling uncontrollably.

“Connor,” Four called.

The boy rose with encouragement from his friends, and Michelle leaned her head back against the wall, staring up at the ceiling to calm her nerves.

As time dragged on, Michelle pondered what her own fears might be, how she would confront them, and what she might see. The constant opening and closing of the doors, along with the shifting emotions of the initiates, did little to ease her anxiety.

By now, only a few initiates remained in the room, including Michelle—just one other girl and the remaining five boys, none of whom she knew well.

This time, both doors opened simultaneously, allowing the last two initiates to exit, visibly shaken. Michelle strangely hoped to be called next to end the torturous wait, but her name was not called again.

Two hours had passed since she last moved, her muscles aching from sitting in the hard wooden chair. Michelle glanced at the clock and, within five minutes, saw the door to Eric’s room open once more. This time, the boy who entered did not come out. Michelle looked up as Eric, still focused on the slip of paper in his hand, called her name.

“Michelle.”

Before she could react, he turned back into the room.

With great caution, Michelle stood up and entered the room with slow, deliberate steps, closing the door behind her. The room was stark and clinical, its white walls reminiscent of a laboratory. At the center was an armchair with the same apparatus she had seen during the Aptitude Test.

Eric was hunched over a computer next to the chair. The tension between them was palpable, a heavy silence hanging in the air. Michelle bit the inside of her cheek and moved forward, reluctantly taking a seat in the uncomfortable chair, ready to endure whatever came next.

The silence, usually something Michelle cherished, felt oppressive and unnerving now. She wished for any sound, even an insult, to break the suffocating quiet.

“It’s just like the Aptitude Test,” Eric said coldly, his fingers cold as they connected the wires to her temples, sending a series of small electric shocks through her skin.

He picked up a syringe from the table, giving it a slight shake. “Instead of drinking, we’ll inject the serum this time.” He grasped her wrist to steady her arm, and Michelle had to look away as the needle pierced her skin.

“Fear of needles? Pathetic,” he murmured as he withdrew the needle.

The serum felt cold, almost icy, and left a numbing sensation in her arm. But that feeling quickly faded as Michelle’s vision blurred, her consciousness slipping away under the serum’s effects.

When she opened her eyes again, her heart skipped a beat. She was disoriented, unsure of where she was. Struggling to stand, her legs trembled beneath her.

The room around her was cloaked in darkness so complete that she could barely make out her surroundings. A rustling sound behind her made her jump, and she let out a small scream. Instinctively, she moved backward and bumped into what she assumed was a desk.

Michelle tried to steady her breathing, her heart pounding with fear. The darkness seemed alive, and another noise from a corner of the room made her hyperventilate. There was something, or someone, with her in the room.

Desperate, she began to search the desk, her hands scrambling over every surface until she felt something round and short. She fumbled for a switch, and the flashlight flickered on weakly.

The light revealed an office-like setting, but its weak beam was almost useless. Michelle tried to adjust the switch, but it was no use. “Damn it!” she shouted in frustration.

Stepping out of the office, she found herself in a long, dark corridor. Her heart raced, each echo of her footsteps amplified in the oppressive silence. The corridor stretched out endlessly, and she could feel the weight of her isolation pressing down on her.

She had to move forward, driven by a mix of fear and determination. Each step felt heavier than the last, her anxiety mounting as she tried to make sense of her surroundings and figure out what awaited her next.

Taking a step forward, Michelle heard the rustling noise from behind her again. When she turned around, the sound was still there, more insistent. Panic surged through her, and she began to run down the corridor, the flashlight’s beam dimming with each passing moment.

Tears brimmed at the corners of her eyes as she spotted a control panel at the end of the corridor. Desperate to reach it, she sprinted faster, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The rustling noise grew louder, more ominous, as the light from her flashlight flickered and then went out, leaving her in suffocating darkness.

Each footfall felt like a mile as she ran, the control panel seeming to retreat with every step she took. Her heart raced, pounding in her ears, drowning out everything else.

In the pitch black, she extended her hand, feeling her way along the wall. She braced herself for a collision but kept reaching forward, fingers trembling as they searched for the control panel. Just as she felt something brush against her shoulder, the lights flared on, momentarily blinding her.

Michelle collapsed to the floor, curling up into a tight ball, trying to find solace in the fetal position. The harsh, bright lights made her eyes water as she clung to the ground, overwhelmed by the ordeal.

A hand suddenly grabbed her arm, jolting her from her disorientation. She flinched, her body tensing as she was dragged across the cold tile floor. The hand was firm yet gentle, guiding her away from the control panel and the nightmarish rustling sound that still echoed faintly in her mind.

She struggled against the grip, but when she looked up to see her attacker, she was surprised to see the silhouette of her mother. “Mom?”

The woman glanced briefly at her before continuing through what Michelle recognized as the central headquarters of the Candids. Strangely, the place was deserted.

When they reached a door, her mother shoved her inside, making her fall to the ground in front of a group of people. As Michelle looked up to see who they were, she only recognized a few of her mother’s colleagues.

Eric, watching the scene unfold on the screen that showed what was happening inside Michelle's mind, was immediately intrigued to see Jeanine Matthews among the people.

He glanced at Michelle in the chair before turning his attention back to the screen, curious to know if this was some sort of memory and whether it was connected to why Jeanine seemed so interested in her.

A man with red hair, dressed in a suit and tie, nodded to the woman behind him. She took a seat next to a woman Michelle recognized as Jeanine Matthews.

Michelle stood up, carefully adjusting her clothes and surveying the people before her.

“Ellie Black, don’t worry,” the man said, offering her a smile as she approached. “We just need you to answer a few questions for us, okay?”

Her mother glared at her for not responding, and Jeanine stepped in, noticing the young girl’s defensiveness. “Calm down, we don’t want to hurt you. We just need you to tell us everything you know about your father.”

If Eric was intrigued before, now he was thoroughly confused. The way they were speaking to Michelle seemed almost condescending, as if addressing a small child. A sudden realization struck him—this was indeed a memory, likely a traumatic one. The woman he assumed was her mother was able to drag her around effortlessly because, in this memory, Michelle was very young.

Michelle’s demeanor—hugging herself and looking distrustfully at the strangers—reinforced the idea. Even Jeanine appeared different, seeming younger.

“Do you know anything about his disappearance, Ellie?” asked the red-haired man.

Michelle remained silent.

“Answer!” her mother hissed, her face twisted in anger.

Jeanine approached her, gently stroking Michelle’s face with a tender expression. “If you tell us what you know, we might be able to find him. Bring him back to you,” the red-haired man cleared his throat slightly, and Jeanine silenced him with a sharp look. “Please be a good girl, Ellie.”

Michelle’s eyes welled with tears, but she remained silent, not even nodding. Jeanine’s smile faltered, and she stepped back, signaling the two men who moved in to restrain Michelle by her arms.

“No! No! Mom!” Michelle cried out as a third man retrieved a long syringe from a briefcase and injected the transparent liquid into her neck while she struggled desperately.

The onlookers watched impassively, as if waiting for something. Michelle’s discomfort quickly escalated into pain, causing her to sob uncontrollably.

“Another dose,” ordered the red-haired man.

“No... no,” Michelle pleaded through her sobs, but the third man prepared another syringe.

Eric watched as Michelle writhed in pain, restrained by the two men. He was puzzled by the unfolding scene, trying to understand what her fear could be until his gaze fell upon the syringe on the table beside him.

As Michelle’s cries grew more desperate, Eric could see that this wasn’t just a fear simulation—it was a vivid replay of a traumatic memory. He observed her face twisted in anguish, her body trembling uncontrollably as the second dose of the mysterious liquid was administered. The entire scene seemed to revolve around a deep, unresolved fear from her past, one that was being painfully relived.

Eric’s attention shifted back to the screen, trying to discern the details of Michelle’s memory. The sterile office environment, the authoritative figures, and her mother’s plea—all pointed to a significant and distressing event in her childhood. He noted how Michelle’s entire demeanor, her frantic movements, and her pleas were indicative of a child in intense fear.

The red-haired man, standing with an air of cold authority, spoke up again. “Ellie, if you don’t cooperate, this will only get worse. You know how this works.”

Michelle’s body was trembling violently, her tears flowing freely. Her mother’s expression was a mix of frustration and resignation. Jeanine Matthews, observing from a distance, seemed to hold an air of detached concern, as if this was a necessary, albeit uncomfortable, part of a broader plan.

Eric’s thoughts raced. The injections, the coercive techniques, the specific mention of her father’s disappearance—everything was piecing together into a disturbing picture. It was clear that Michelle was reliving a moment of profound fear and helplessness, a memory tied to her father’s unexplained disappearance.

As Michelle’s screams of agony grew softer, a determined look began to form on her tear-streaked face. With a painful effort, she managed to stop her sobbing, focusing all her energy on resisting the injections and the overwhelming fear. Her body shook with the effort, but her eyes were now filled with a steely resolve.

With a sudden burst of strength, Michelle broke free from one of the guards holding her. She staggered away, her legs weak but her willpower fierce. Her mother’s face, once stern and commanding, now reflected confusion and concern. The red-haired man’s eyes widened slightly, clearly surprised by Michelle’s unexpected resistance.

The room’s atmosphere shifted, the oppressive fear momentarily giving way to a glimmer of hope. Michelle’s focus sharpened, and despite the pain from the injections, she managed to grab hold of a nearby object—a metal lamp left on a desk. Using it as an improvised weapon, she swung it at the nearest guard.

The impact wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to create a momentary distraction. The guard staggered back, giving Michelle a precious opportunity to make a break for it. She darted towards the door, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. The dimly lit room was now a blur of shadows and uncertainty, but Michelle’s determination guided her steps.

Michelle jolted upright from the chair, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she collapsed into the corner of the room. Eric, initially taken aback by her sudden movement, quickly refocused on the computer, entering the simulation data with a practiced efficiency.

Without turning his gaze, he spoke, his tone carrying a hint of detached admiration. “You took longer than expected, but you’ve set a new record.”

Michelle finally looked up, her eyes meeting Eric’s. What he saw in her gaze shocked him—an icy coldness he had never seen before. It was not the usual apathy he had come to expect from her, but something far more chilling. The intensity in her eyes reminded him of that night, the night when the stakes had been so high.

For a moment, Eric felt a wave of unease wash over him, even tho he masked it. The coldness in Michelle's eyes seemed to strip away any pretense of normalcy, revealing an undercurrent of something darker. The silence between them stretched, heavy with unspoken understanding.

Eric’s eyes flickered briefly over the data on his screen before he turned his full attention back to her. “You’ve done well,” he said, but his voice lacked warmth. “Now, let’s see how you handle the aftermath.”

Michelle, still reeling from the intensity of her simulation struggled to compose herself. The experience had been more than just a test; it had uncovered fears and memories she had long tried to suppress. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart and regain control.

Eric’s eyes remained fixed on her, his expression unreadable. There was a tension in the room, a silent acknowledgment of the personal and emotional boundaries that had been crossed. Despite his coldness, Michelle sensed a faint trace of something else—curiosity, perhaps, or a reluctant respect for her perseverance.

Michelle rose slowly, her movements stiff and strained. She left the room without uttering a single word, her silence heavy with unresolved emotions. Eric watched her go, a deep conflict stirring within him. He clenched his fists, the weight of what he had just witnessed pressing down on him.

After a moment, Eric stood up, determination set in his features. He left the room swiftly, his mind racing as he made his way to contact Jeanine Matthews.

Knowledge pt.11

check here for the orther parts!

Summary:

The story begins the same for everyone, on the day of the ceremony, one of the most important for all the kids who take part in it every year, and Michelle will not miss the opportunity to leave behind a faction that she did not feel belonged to her.

On her journey, however, she will encounter someone who will make her initiation feel like hell.

Pairing: Eric Coulter x reader

Word Count: 3.4k

Michelle stared at the scoreboard, her eyes locked on the names and points for what felt like an eternity. A strange mix of relief and anger welled up inside her as she saw her name in second place, just below a boy she didn’t even know.

With the second phase of the program underway, the rankings had shifted dramatically, weeding out those who were emotionally weak. Despite her performance in the simulations being far from exceptional, Michelle had managed to hold onto her second-place spot with pride.

But the frustration—no, the jealousy—stemmed from her inability to surpass Chris. She didn’t even know who he was, just that he was from the other group.

Her name, written in bold red at the top of the leaderboard, guaranteed her a secure position in the faction. Yet for Michelle, that wasn’t enough. She had grown so distracted by the personal struggles weighing her down lately that she’d forgotten her original goal. Her personal goal.

She was good, but not the best. And that bothered her more than it should have.

As she sank onto her bed with her back against the wall, Michelle glanced around at her new companions. Since the recruits and the children of the dauntless had joined, she hadn't spoken to any of them. Only Andy and Connor seemed to be making friends with the new group.

Across the room, Michelle noticed Bowie sitting on his bed, chatting with one of the remaining girls. A girl she hadn't had the chance to talk to and probably never would. Making friends within the faction wasn't her concern, especially during initiation.

She was just grateful to have Sunny in that moment. Friendship was enough for her, and she was fortunate to have someone like Sunny after Anne. Watching the girl read a book while leaning against her, Michelle realized how lucky she was to have found such a vibrant presence.

She wouldn't have died from lacking friends; that wasn’t her life's goal. But having someone willing to help or stand by her during the darkest moments was invaluable. Despite her new recruit status, Sunny didn't care about Michelle’s whereabouts or actions. All that mattered was that Michelle knew she could rely on Sunny as a beacon of support during the tough times.

And so, in the past few days since the start of the second module, both girls, too exhausted to keep up with their routines, had started spending hours together in the quarters or in the Pit, savoring the tranquility.

Sunny didn’t mention her simulation, and Michelle, despite her curiosity about how Sunny had managed only ten minutes, didn't press for details. She could understand; she wouldn’t have wanted to talk about what she would be forced to relive over the next four days.

The second module, fortunately or unfortunately for them, lasted only a week. For the two friends, it was considered a stroke of luck; both were well above the red line, with Sunny now in fourth place. Thanks to her excellent performance, they could already consider themselves official members of the faction.

“What job would you like to have?” Sunny asked abruptly, lowering her book and closing it on her chest. She lifted her gaze to look at Michelle. “Since there's not much time left and you’re so high up, you could choose a good position, you know.”

Michelle thought for a moment before shrugging. She didn’t have a clear idea of what she wanted to do, but Tyson’s offer was quite tempting. She wasn’t aiming to be at the top of the rankings solely to secure a good job; it wasn’t really her priority. Instead, it was more about personal satisfaction and proving to someone who would never find out that she was worth it.

“Hmm. I don’t know,” she admitted.

Sunny rolled onto her stomach, resting her chin on her hands. “I’d like to work at the Wall.”

“Why’s that?” Michelle asked, not knowing much about that position. She had heard people mention it occasionally and understood it involved protecting the city from what lay beyond the walls.

“Well, I like the idea of getting out of this place now and then. I like it here, but the thought of spending most of my life cooped up between these stone walls, without much time outside, gives me the chills,” Sunny said, making a nearly comical face.

Michelle smiled slightly, turning her gaze back to their peers scattered around the room. “...I don’t know. Tyson offered me a position at the shop.”

“The tattoo place?” Sunny asked, surprised. “That makes sense, given your passion for creating designs I’ll never understand. But don’t you think it might be a bit of a waste for you to end up in a place like that?”

Michelle continued to stare ahead as Sunny cleared her throat. “Don’t take it the wrong way; it’s just that, well, I think you’d have better opportunities elsewhere.”

“We’ll see what they offer me,” Michelle replied simply before excusing herself to take a shower, now that most of the initiates had either wandered the halls or gone to bed.

As soon as she closed the small shower area door, she turned on the faucet, shivering as the icy water hit her skin. She loved cold showers; they made her feel more real, more alive, but the water in this dorm was particularly frigid.

It was so cold that she had to grit her teeth for a few seconds before adjusting to the temperature.

In the background, she heard some voices exchanging goodbyes, a few beds creaking, and the door of their quarters closing, indicating that whoever had left had probably returned.

When she stepped out of the shower, she paused to look at herself in the mirror. Her pale skin and prominent dark circles stared back at her, but so did the muscles that were becoming increasingly visible on her frame.

Michelle felt a surge of pride in her progress. Just a few weeks ago, she would never have imagined being in second place; for a long time, she questioned if leaving her secure future in her old faction had been the right decision. But now, gazing at a stronger, better version of herself in the mirror, she realized that she had made the right choice.

Yet, she knew there was still room for improvement.

With newfound determination, she quickly changed clothes and gently said goodbye to a sleeping Sunny before heading to the faction's rooftop. Fortunately, she encountered no one in the cold corridors, remaining as hidden as possible when she heard voices nearby.

Despite the thrill of possibly being discovered, she soon found herself alone on the deserted rooftop, accompanied only by the moon and stars above. She looked out at the night sky, noting the full moon, before starting a steady-paced run around the rooftop’s perimeter.

The cold air filled her lungs like a sharp blade, and the wind made her skin feel as if it were being sliced with tiny cuts, freezing her face. But as she continued to circle the vast roof and increased her speed, the burning of her muscles made her forget just how damn cold it was.

Eric stepped out, fully aware of what he might find. He wasn’t even sure why he had come up here. It seemed like a pointless, meaningless pursuit, yet it was something he couldn’t resist.

For days, he had been deliberately ignoring Michelle. To be honest, he couldn’t have cared less about what she was doing or where she was. But when Lauren had stopped by his apartment to inform him that Michelle wasn’t in her bed, curiosity had taken hold.

Unable to sleep, his mind fixated on the girl. 

At first, he thought she might be in the gym, but she wasn’t there. He checked the chasm, and again, came up empty. He wandered through the faction, searching for any sign of her, already concocting excuses for why he was looking for her instead of Lauren.

Finally deciding to give up the search, he took a break on the rooftop, one of his favorite spots. And there she was. He wasn’t surprised to find her running instead of sitting on the edge watching the city. He had observed her long enough to know that she wasn’t the type to sit idly if she could be doing something else.

He watched her for a while, surprised that she hadn’t noticed his presence. Breathing in the frigid night air, he was taken aback when he did something that surprised even himself; it was as if his feet had a mind of their own, drawn to her figure.

Eric started jogging slowly behind her, warming up a bit before matching her pace.

It was then that Michelle became aware of his presence. She heard footsteps, too slow to be her own, just a few meters behind her. At first, she dismissed them, not feeling threatened. But when the footsteps quickened and drew closer, and she caught a glimpse of blonde hair and a sharply defined jaw out of the corner of her eye, she slowed down to a halt.

Inside, she felt a burn she wasn’t familiar with. Was it anger? Fear?

Tension?

She watched him intently as she came to a complete stop. Eric, having caught up, stopped a few meters away. He turned to face her with his usual icy expression and a raised eyebrow. “Already tired, initiate?” he said. “If you’re already exhausted, maybe this isn’t the place for you.”

Michelle stared at him impassively, taking in his casual outfit—a completely black tracksuit—before resuming her run and easily pulling ahead, creating a considerable distance between them.

Eric, despite his attempt to be irritated, couldn’t hide a smirk as Michelle resumed running, clearly ignoring him. He easily caught up to her and maintained the same pace for a few meters before deciding to increase the distance and see how she would respond.

He wanted to test her, and, oddly enough, he wasn’t surprised when she matched his increased speed and, shortly after, overtook him. In no time at all, Michelle’s casual nighttime run had turned into a full-fledged race to determine who was the fastest between the two.

Michelle had no idea how long they had been running, completely unaware of the passing minutes, until she began to slow down, feeling her leg muscles giving way with each step.

It might have been an exaggeration, but she could have sworn she felt her muscles disintegrating. Her pace gradually came to a halt, and she bent over, resting her hands on her knees before collapsing onto her back.

Eric completed another lap before stopping in front of her, looking down at her with a mixture of amusement and scrutiny. “Hmm, is this all you’ve got?” he taunted, observing her visible exhaustion, before catching his own breath.

“Could ask you the same thing,” Michelle replied in a monotone, curling up in her sweatshirt on the ground, trying to keep her gaze fixed on the stars to avoid meeting Eric’s eyes.

Nevertheless, she could see Eric’s expression hardening regardless. “Don’t forget who you’re talking to, initiate. Just because it’s nighttime and outside of training hours doesn’t mean you can address me however you like. Understood?”

Michelle playfully raised her hands as if to shield herself, and to her surprise, Eric sat down next to her on the gravel, less than two meters away. He followed her gaze and started observing the stars with her, shivering slightly from a particularly cold gust of wind.

Michelle couldn’t say how long they sat there together, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the flashes that crossed her mind whenever she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. She could have sworn she still felt his lips on her skin.

“Do you like the stars?” His question caught her off guard. She turned to look at him abruptly, as if he had just insulted her. She was met with an indifferent gaze that seemed to look right through her, as if she didn’t exist. “Is that such a difficult question?”

Michelle huffed at his curt tone and shrugged. “A little,” she replied softly, returning her gaze to the starry sky and nudging a few pebbles with her shoe.

She lowered her head, shifting her gaze to the gravel beneath her and picking up a few small stones with her fingertips, tossing them a few meters away.

But a question bubbled up spontaneously. “Why?”

Eric planted his palms on the ground behind him, leaning back to get a better view of the sky above them. He lifted an arm, pointing at something. “That’s the constellation Pegasus.”

Michelle tried to follow the direction he was pointing, furrowing her brow in an attempt to locate it. She didn’t even register Eric’s sigh before she felt his hand close around her bicep, pulling her toward him and closing the distance between their bodies.

She felt her heart race as her knee brushed against his. “That one. Can you see it now?” he said, almost impatiently.

This time Michelle saw it. A quadrilateral of stars shimmered above them, outlining the constellation of Pegasus. But as Eric continued talking, explaining the astronomical details, she realized she wasn’t really focused on that.

Michelle lowered her gaze, trying to hide the flush creeping up her cheeks. She felt foolish. It was absurd that Eric’s mere touch could provoke such inner turmoil.

He was always so cold, so distant, yet at that moment, his proximity made her feel vulnerable, as if having feelings for him was a mistake she should never have made.

She struggled to concentrate on the sky, on the stars he was describing, but her mind kept drifting back to the sensation of his knee against hers, his hand gripping her arm with a steady firmness.

How could she allow herself to feel something for Eric? He wasn’t the type to let emotions take over, and certainly not for someone like her.

Michelle started to feel her eyelids growing heavy; her eyes became heavy-lidded and the world around her blurred. The cold night air lulled her into the arms of Morpheus, gently guiding her into a deep and peaceful sleep.

Perhaps she should thank her exhaustion for carrying her into such a profound slumber because, if she had been aware that she had leaned against the young leader next to her, she might have had a heart attack, metaphorically digging her own grave.

Eric stiffened as he felt her body rest against his, not as a burden but as a soft cushion. He remained still for a few seconds, still gazing at the stars while weighing the events of the past few hours. Michelle was someone, and as much as he hated to admit it, she needed control.

He sighed, irritated, before slowly rising and supporting her head to ensure she didn’t fall abruptly to the ground. He wrapped his arms around her back and knees, lifting her effortlessly.

She was, after all, just a slender girl, shorter than him and decidedly more fragile-looking compared to some of his comrades. Yet, he had seen how she could be one of the deadliest in the ring with the right training.

The girl's head fell against his jaw, her breath against his neck sending a shiver down his spine, which he chose to ignore, knowing all too well where it would lead if he gave it any attention.

When he reached the Pit, for a brief moment, a strange thought crossed his mind. What if he had taken her to his own quarters instead?

But the thought vanished before he could even fully grasp it, as he carried her into his quarters, taking care to avoid waking any of the other initiates.

Early that day, when Eric arrived at the Erudite headquarters, he felt an all-too-familiar sense of alienation, a feeling that had haunted him since childhood and reminded him of his outsider status among them. Despite his remarkable intellect—a quality Jeanine Matthews considered nearly wasted—today's meeting wasn’t about his abilities. Instead, they had gathered to discuss Michelle’s first simulation.

Jeanine had specifically requested that Michelle be closely monitored for personal reasons. She had made it clear that she wanted to be informed of any significant developments in Michelle’s progress, which was why Jeanine was now intently observing the second phase of Michelle’s simulation.

As the video ended, Jeanine stared at the screen for a few moments before leaning back in her chair. Eric stood in the center of the room, awaiting her response.

"Impressive. Truly impressive," Jeanine murmured, her eyes still on the screen. "Only two fears. That’s remarkable. In my entire career, I’ve never encountered someone with such a low fear level."

"My concern, or rather curiosity, lies with the second fear," Eric responded. "After some analysis, I’ve concluded it’s related to her fear of needles."

Jeanine nodded, rising from her chair and walking around the desk. As she neared Eric, a faint smile touched her lips. "But you didn’t come here just to discuss that, did you? You’re perceptive, Eric. I’ve always said it was a loss for us when you left, but as they say: curiosity killed the cat."

Eric remained silent, his expression unreadable, waiting for Jeanine to continue. She clicked her tongue and leaned against the desk. "The reason I asked you to monitor her is somewhat connected to what you saw during her simulation. That episode isn’t entirely true, but it’s not entirely false either. It’s based on very real events, though distorted by the fear-based simulation."

"I’m not sure if you know who he was—you were very young when he disappeared—but Michelle’s father, Alex Black, was an exceptional person. He was born among the Erudite as well. He was a dear friend of mine in our youth, and we remained close as we advanced in our careers. He worked with me to track down every Divergent in Chicago. He was part of our cause, and like all of us, he was at risk. His disappearance occurred years ago, when Ellie—excuse me, Michelle—was just a child."

"We never discovered exactly what happened to him. The most plausible explanation is that he was killed by the Factionless or by hidden Divergents among us. Initially, we thought Alex might have orchestrated his own disappearance, perhaps due to a change of heart or a growing attachment to a Divergent. It was a popular theory because Alex was always cautious and well-loved. There was no clear reason for anyone to want him dead."

"So, we speculated that if he had faked his death, he might have wanted to say goodbye to his daughter, to reveal the truth. But young Ellie was always a peculiar child. She rarely spoke, and when she did, her emotions seemed to come all at once. The man you saw in the simulation, the red-haired one, is Mike, the former faction leader of the Candor. His methods were controversial, especially among us. He became fixated on the idea that Alex was a Divergent, that he discovered this later in life, and by extension, believed Ellie might be one as well." Jeanine paused, a hint of a smile on her lips. "But these are just foolish theories. We mourn Alex’s disappearance every day. May his soul rest in peace."

"I still don’t understand what my initiate has to do with all this if you already have your answer," Eric asked, his voice steady, though his curiosity was evident.

Jeanine smiled, tilting her head slightly. "Alex had a brilliant mind, and he was searching for something—a tool we’ve been seeking for years. None of the people I’ve hired to study this object have been able to locate it, except for him. He confided in me that he had found it, more or less, and just needed a few more days to finalize his calculations. His mind didn’t work with numbers or formulas; it worked with—"

"—patterns," Eric interjected, causing Jeanine’s eyes to narrow slightly. "Michelle draws patterns. To an untrained eye, they might look like random lines, but after seeing them a few times, they start to resemble actual maps."

Jeanine stood up and walked toward him. “This is promising. It seems our suspicions were correct. I need you to keep a close eye on her. If any new information comes to light, I will inform you personally. In the meantime, make sure nothing happens to her. She is likely the key to finding what we’re looking for.”