Deviation: Abnegation
Author: Sidnea Blackstone
Disclaimer: I am not as brilliant as Veronica Roth so it is safe to say that I do not own any part of the Divergent universe. I do, however, own a very easily dented romantic's heart that was shattered by the ending of Allegiant and demanded that I borrow the characters and try and make it feel better.
Summary: Deviation is, as the title infers, completely AU from the very beginning chapter. During her Aptitude Test, Beatrice encounter's Four, a surly Dauntless instructor, for the first time and when her results are inconclusive he warns her to stay in Abnegation. Which of her three aptitudes will Beatrice choose and how will that one choice affect not only her future, but Four's as well?
Chapter One- TRIS
I stand when it is my turn to enter one of the testing cubicles and nervously grasp the wide cuffs of my grey Abnegation jacket. Fidgeting is not permitted in Abnegation because it is a sign that you are focusing on self instead of others. I bunch the material in my fists letting the grey fabric absorb the wetness that my nerves have caused because it is less noticeable than wiping them on my skirt. I am about to step away from the table when I feel Caleb's hand on my elbow stopping my movement to allow a tall Candor girl to go before me. Sighing, I glance up at my brother's stern face. It is the fourth time he has reprimanded me for un-Abnegation like behavior this morning it does not, however, have the effect Caleb wants and I know that he can see the glint of rebelliousness in my eyes.
"Beatrice," he sighs looking disappointed but he says nothing else as he releases my arm and gestures for me to precede him.
It is that familiar look, that predictable sound of dissatisfaction that tell me Abnegation is not the faction for me. I couldn't even make it to my Aptitude test without being reminded continually of my failures to conform to Abnegation standards. Taking a shuddering breath I step into the hall and turn to watch as a Candor boy steps into a room with barely concealed contempt for the Abnegation volunteer that will administer his test.
My eyes narrow and my fists clench again this time in impudent anger. Earlier, as our factions waited to enter the school that same boy began bullying some of the younger Abnegation students taunting and jeering and even shoving one boy. Caleb had to hold me in my spot to keep me from intervening. That was the third infraction and possibly the most condemning because Abnegation is a peaceful faction and it is considered improper to allow one's self to be drawn into undignified fisticuffs, but the increasingly more blatant harassment of Abnegation makes my stomach burn with disgust.
"Beatrice," Caleb hisses putting a hand to my shoulder to get me moving down the hall to the last of the testing rooms. I guess I am not moving fast enough for him because, as we approach the open doors occupied by a severe looking Erudite woman and an intense Dauntless man,
Caleb steps past me and greets the woman disappearing into the room and leaving me to stand staring up at the glaring Dauntless.
I don't know if he is trying to intimidate me but strangely I am not frightened by his surly attitude. I imagine he is just naturally approachable, but then I meet his dark blue gaze and I think, 'as approachable as a bed of nails'. The thought makes me want to smile, but I bite my lips between my teeth to keep them in a tight line. It must not work because his dark blue eyes narrow.
"Do I amuse you," he asks crossing muscled arms over his chest and lifting his chin daring me to voice my thoughts but I am smarter than that, at least for the moment. He would not like it if he knew he radiated such a benign aura as approachability so I drop my gaze away from his and murmur, "Of course not."
"Hmmm," he grunts and then moves from the doorway and gestures me inside. I peek up at his face as I pass and his features are pinched as if my Abnegation instilled response bothers him but he doesn't fling any of the barbs at me that most of the other faction's members have been lately. When he closes the door behind me I find the strangeness of the room exhilarating and frightening at once. I glance at the mirrored walls and quickly look away when I realize he is watching me with his dark eyes. "Get in the chair."
His voice is commanding and I obey it instantly. It is strange that I should do so without the aggravation or shame I feel when I am being instructed to act like a good little Abnegation. I wonder how I could find obeying the Dauntless more natural, almost instinctual, than obeying my own brother, father or mother. I chafe with every rule of Abnegation life that I have followed since my birth.
It is awkward climbing into the semi-reclining chair and I feel my cheeks flush when I finally settle into the seat and find that my skirt has bunched up exposing my ankles. I tug the material until I am decently covered and watch as the Dauntless man hits a couple keys on the computer's keyboard before him without looking at me.
"My name is Four and I will be administering your test," he tells me and I try to swallow my questions but I must not have succeeded in stifling the sound because his eyes jump to mine and he demands, "You have something to say?"
I know Dauntless names tend to be less formal than Abnegation names but Four hardly seems like a real name by any standards and I want to tell him that but I don't. So, instead, I just shake my head and fold my hands together in my lap. He snorts and shakes his head; he must think I am too afraid to speak and that makes my spine stiffen.
I watch as he flips a switch on the box beneath the computer keyboard and find my eyes drawn to his tanned arms. They are corded with muscle and I swallow hard against a strange fluttering feeling in my stomach. I overt my eyes but the room is one large mirror and I find my eyes studying his double and for a moment it is some other girl sitting in the chair her eyes large and oddly expectant as they are glued to him.
When he squats in front of me and adjusts the foot rest so that it fits my slight frame better I am surprised and my eyes fly to the man at my feet and cannot stop my question this time, "What's your tattoo of," I ask and I think he is probably as shocked as I am that I asked.
"What makes you think you can talk to me," he inquires as he cocks his head to the side and I try, I really do try not to say it but it is out of my mouth before I even form the words in my head.
"It must be because you are so approachable," I suggest and it is strange because I didn't think he could be less approachable but he looks almost shocked at the sarcastic comment and then his face darkens. He stands again stepping closer to the chair using his height and closeness to his advantage. I am mocking him and he knows it. "Careful," he mutters as he attaches wires to my temple. "Sit back," he tells me and he puts a hand to my shoulder to press me backwards until I am reclined in the chair. "Drink this," he instructs, handing me a strange little glass with an oddly colored liquid inside.
"What is it," I ask but he ignores my question and gestures for me to drink.
Taking a deep breath I sniff the liquid and then tip the glass to my lips. I wrinkle my nose and force myself to swallow it down because it tastes metallic and it coats my mouth with bitterness. I am not conscious of closing my eyes but I must have fallen asleep because when I open them again I am alone in the room. My Aptitude Test has begun.