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Summary: Trinity and Noah Chang remember nothing before the age of six. No one seems to remember them until the age of six. Trinity and Noah are part of an experiment conducted by Erudite on Factionless children, to see if Factionless children can integrate and live happily in factions. Taken in by one of the several doctors conducting the experiment they never got close to figuring out the truth. Neither felt quite right in Erudite. They are starting to realize they are more alike than they ever realize and less like their 'mother' then they realized. The problem is that they are questioning things about whom they are and are starting to differ from Jeannie Matthew's plan for them. Trinity has secretly discovered the truth and is appalled by the truth. Both twins will be leaving Erudite and Jeannie's plans in the dust. They are going to burn their old life, all of the lies, to the ground and raise from the ashes….
WARNING: Teen: Swearing
"Maverick By Nature"
Chapter 1 "The Aptitude Test"
Trinity POV
I was Erudite-born, at least that is what I am told but sometimes I'm not so sure about that. My mother says she was only sixteen when she had my twin brother and me. My mother says she was just a young Erudite girl, who got curious about sex and had unprotected sex and got pregnant. My father is mystery; my mom's says he died in a lab explosion before I was born. She also says that he was an Erudite but think that is a lie. Don't ask how that would have happened because I don't know. But now my mother is a doctor. She is quite loyal to Jeannie Matthews and often calls her a brilliant genius. It's as if she worships Jeannine as a God. And that is so wrong.
Our home was a typical Erudite home. We studied and studied and studied. My favorite thing to this day to learn about is psychology, biology and human anatomy. I learned human anatomy because well my mom is a doctor, of course that would interest me. I also have this tendency to be attracted to things against the norm of Erudite. I discovered Tai Chi, it's a martial art that helps with stress and teaches self-defense. It helps me out a lot. Our mother hasn't been around much so she didn't really have that much influence on us. Half the time she couldn't even control us. We just don't respect her because she doesn't respect us. I once caught her going throw my room while I we were supposed to be at school, I came home sick, and I never yelled so much or so loud in my whole life. Ever since then things haven't been the same. I only respect her to a certain degree.
In Erudite, I felt like home and school were the same thing pretty much. I had psychology, faction history, human anatomy, literature & language, sociology, advanced math and a well-being class. Most sixteen year olds stops taking gym but I stayed in because I quite enjoy it. Gasp. I know an Erudite that likes gym. It never felt natural in Erudite. It all felt like a lie.
Despite Noah and I being twins weren't anything alike. According to studies fraternal twins are no more alike then normal siblings. Noah loved to show-off while I was happier be modest. Noah loved to question everything, I rather not. Noah fallowed the rules set out for us, I didn't. I wasn't just personality that made us different. Noah was tall and thin. I was average all around. Noah had unruly dark brown hair, small dark brown eyes and porcelain-like skin. I had blonde hair, blue eyes and warm fair skin. People ask if we are dating when we are together, we both get insulted then gag. It used to make us really mad now we make a joke out of it. I must apparently look like my father because Noah looks like my mother.
My mother when she is around talks non-stop about Jeannie Matthew's, about how amazing she is. She talks about Jeannie's inventions and all the good things she has done. The more she talks about Jeannie the less I like her. Jeannie is evil, she is like a mad scientist She is going against original Erudite manifesto because she is using her intelligent for her own gain, she should be kicked out of Erudite. I felt this way before I fought out about the different experiments. Noah didn't know this but Noah and I were an experiment. We were Factionless children kidnapped from the street and taken to Erudite. The experiment has the code name 'Assimilation'. Erudite is taking Factionless children and trying to immerge them with different Factions. Jeannie is the main person behind this. She's also the person that made the different serums for the different Factions. Serums that have accidently killed people, or maybe not so accidently. Everyone in Erudite is so obsessed with Divergents, wanting to do experiments and figure them out. Then I found out that 'mom' is one of the doctors conducting the experiment. I hate them both. I hate all of Erudite.
The first thing my brother and I learned was the manifesto, like all Erudite children. We can say it word for word on command now. Memorize, repeat, correct, repeat, and then start all over again. The thing is no one can pull a fast one on me that way. I know what is exactly in the manifesto.
We submit the following statements as truth:
'Ignorance' is defined not as stupidity but as lack of knowledge. Lack of knowledge inevitably leads to lack of understanding.
Lack of understanding leads to a disconnect among people with differences.
Disconnection among people with differences leads to conflict.
Knowledge is the only logical solution to the problem of conflict.
Therefore, we propose that in order to eliminate conflict, we must eliminate the disconnect among those with differences by correcting the lack of understanding that arises from ignorance with knowledge.
The areas in which people must be educated are:
1. Sociology
So that the individual understands how society at large functions.
2. Psychology
So that the individual understands how a person functions within that society.
2. Mathematics
So that the individual is prepared for further study in science, engineering, medicine, and technology.
3. Science
So that the individual better understands how the world operates. So that the individual's study in other areas is supplemented. So that as many individuals as possible area prepared to enter the fields devoted to innovation and progress.
4. Communication
So that the individual knows how to speak and write clearly and effectively.
5. History
So that the individual understands the mistakes and successes that have led us to this point. So that the individual learns to emulate those successes and avoid those mistakes.
Leaders must not be chosen based on charisma, popularity, or ease of communication, all of which are misleading and have little to do with the efficacy of a political leader. An objective standard must be used in order to determine who is best fit to lead. That standard will be an intelligence test, administered to all adults when the present leader reaches fifty-five or begins to decline is function in a demonstrable way.
Those who, after rigorous studying, do not meet a minimum intelligence requirement will be exiled from the faction so they can be made useful. This is not an act of elitism but rather one of practicality: Those who are not intelligent enough to engage in the roles assigned to us—roles that require a considerable mental capacity—are better suited to menial work than to faction work. Menial work is required for the survival of society, and is therefore just as important as faction work.
Information must always be made available to all faction members at all times. The withholding of information is punishable by reprimand, imprisonment, and, eventually, exile. Every question that can be answered must be answered or at least engaged. Illogical thought processes must be challenged when they arise. Wrong answers must be corrected. Correct answers must be affirmed. If an answer to a question is unclear, it must be put to debate. All debates require evidence. Any controversial thought or idea must be supplemented by evidence in order to reduce the potential for conflict.
Intelligence must be used for the benefit, and not to the detriment, of society. Those who use intelligence for their own personal gain or to the detriment of others have not properly borne the responsibility of their gift, and are not welcome in our faction.
It bears repeating: Intelligence is a gift, not a right. It must not be wielded not as a weapon but as a tool for the betterment of others.
No matter how hard I try, I can't perfectly fit that manifesto. I'm not Erudite smart. Intelligence isn't what makes a leader. A leader should be charismatic, intelligent, honest and courageous. I wish I could say my thoughts but I can't. I don't doubt my faction's willingness and ability to kill me for such things.
Today is the day of my aptitude test. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I've never belonged in Erudite, clearly not after I discovered. There is too much pressure and expectations of me academically in Erudite. I'm not really that book smart outside of psychology and sciences like human anatomy and biology. People don't understand why I am spiritual, it's illogical, or why I am physically active, mind before body. When someone isn't understood, they feel as if they are on the outside of society. And that is what I felt like in Erudite.
I sat among the other Erudite students. They are all reading books. I'm not, I don't like to read textbooks I rather read literature. I love literature I can escape into worlds of adventure, heartbreak, friendship, and a connection to higher being that is in whatever story whether it be the Christian god, many gods or some sort of spiritual being. This type of creativity is frowned upon in Erudite. Noah on the other hand is reading a sociology textbook. BORING.
Noah and I get called up at the same time. I accidently step on his huge feet making him knock into some Candor kids. They say some sly remarks. As we walk away I did something that surprised even me. I turned around and flipped off after one boy called my brother some not very nice times I don't care to repeat.
"You have a really big mouth, better close it before you catch flies," I retort to the Candor boy loudly. As I walk awake I can feel the group of Candor boys' eyes on me, on my backside particularly. I can see anger in Noah's face. I grin, Noah is about to explode. Noah is usually very calm but when get gets angry, he gets really angry.
"Take your perverted eyes off my sister!" booms Noah. His face red with anger. I try to keep a straight face. The Candor boys recoil. Noah clenches his fist. I actually thought he was going to punch them but then Noah pulls me in front of him and kept on walking. Yeah, so Noah's a bit over-protective. Half the time it's just the two of us and since we don't have a dad someone has to play the protector role.
Noah and I turn into a hallway and burst into laughter. The person leading us looks at us as if we are insane. Maybe we are. Would an insane person know if they were insane? I'm thinking not.
"That look on their faces was priceless," says Noah pulling himself together. I'm still laughing like a fool.
"It was fun. But God Noah no need to get so protective," I reply. Nothing more, nothing less. Noah rolls his eyes. I walk into room five and Noah into room four. There had been at least ten groups before us, I was surprised this two rooms are already open. I suppose that people were starting to finish up now though.
The wall of mirrors don't bother me. I do notice how strange I look. I have my mother's round face, average height and hourglass build but besides those few things, I don't look like my 'mother', well given she isn't my mother that shouldn't surprise me. I have high cheekbones, a small nose and have some muscle tone, mostly in my legs and arms. My skin was medium fair, Noah says it looks like I have a light golden tan all the time. My honey blonde hair reached the middle of my back. My eyes are bright blue. It was strange to compare myself to my 'mother' like that. I knew I that she wasn't my mother and I was nothing like her but we do look alike somewhat. I wonder if we are somehow related, like an aunt or cousin.
I noticed a Dauntless woman. Mid-thirties I suppose maybe a bit younger or older. She has dark small angular eyes. She reminds me of my mother in that aspect. She has straight black hair streaked with gray if you look close enough.
I notice a walk with red eyes on the back of her neck.
"Are you going to stand there all day?" asked the woman a tad irritably. I glare at her. If I wanted to be talked to like that I would have stayed outside with the Candors.
"Hmm maybe I will just take my time now," I said sing-songy. I lazily walk over. I see the woman's frown smirk for a second, the corner of her eyes crinkle slightly.
"Erudites," said the woman rolling her eyes. I shrugged. I was quite bit different from the others.
"Hey don't clump me with all the rest of the nerds. I'm not like that," I reply. I sit down in the chair without me asked. I batted my eyelashes innocently. I should be nervous or creep out by the white room and the dentist like chair but I'm not.
"I can see that," said the woman. She started attaching the electrodes to me.
"I'm Tori," introduced the woman. Tori was a cool name. I wonder if it is short for something. I don't ask.
"Trinity," I replied. I hold back the urge to tell this woman everything. Where was that from? I usually don't trust people.
"Interesting tattoo," I said. I was trying to distract myself from the wires. They made me nervous.
"Observant. It's a hawk," said Tori.
"Symbolizes the sun and connection with one's spirit," I interrupt. I know a lot about symbols. They are in literature all over the place.
"My mother has a dragon tattoo on her back. She told me it symbolizes strength, wisdom, and cunning. She got it when she fourteen," I said. Everything has a meaning.
"Drink this," said Tori. I took the vile of clear liquid, I know what it is already. My eyes soon feel heavy and I dose off.
I'm in the school cafeteria again. I notice it feels cold. Something is nagging me to pay attention to detail but I ignore it. I see a knife and piece of cheese.
"Choose," said a woman's voice. I take the knife without a though. I don't think about how useful the cheese might be. The knife feels like the right choice.
I hear a growling dog. I look at the dog. The red eyes. The mouth foaming. This dog was rabid. It didn't take a genius to figure that one out, not when you grow up in Amity. I remember that with an aggressive dog it is best to submit. But this wasn't aggressive but rabid. I take the knife in my hand twisting it hand. I had no choice. The dog lunged. I swung the knife but missed. The dog bite my shin and calf. I scream out. I swing again. The dog backed off.
A little girl in a white dress appears out of nowhere. I'm confused as of where she came. I didn't have much time to question it.
"PUPPY!" she cries. The dog prepares to launch then does. The little girl runs. The dog tensed and then launched. My heart begins to beat faster. I leap up chasing after the dog and the little girl. I muster all the power I could find in my legs and darted. I have only seconds before the dog attacked the girl. I launched myself at the dog. I swung the knife. I hit the dog this time. I swung as second time and third time. The third time was a life ending hit. I didn't want to animal to suffer more than I have already caused.
The next thing I knew I was in a bus. The dog was gone. The girl was gone. What the heck? This isn't real, is it? A man next to me is reading the newspaper. I may as well go along with it.
"Do you know this guy?" asked the man. I look over at the paper to read "Brutal Murder Apprehended". Lovely, everyone just loves to hear about a murderer. I look at the picture of the man and then to the man talking to me. I realize it is the same man. Shit, I'm in trouble. I just know it.
"Well do you?" asked the man angrily.
"Yes, that man is you," I tell him. Soon there a gun to my head. I don't flinch. I call the man's bluff. I already had a plan in my head. He pushes me towards the door and opens it.
"Jump," ordered the man. I realizes I still had the knife. Why didn't I realize that before? Just before it looked like I was going to jump I yank my arms away and thrust my elbow into his solar plexus. I broke free. I went for the knee. The first way I could think of that would immobilize him.
Then I woke up back in the testing room. The bright lights making my eyes hurt. My stomach started to twist in painful, unusual ways. The room began to sway and swirl. This is the worst thing I've ever experienced.
"Stay sitting. I'll be right back. For once this isn't going to be a lie," said Tori mumbling towards the end.
I lean back in the chair trying not move. Even closing my eyes made me sick. I tried not to cry but I was panicking. Why was I sick? What was my results?
An Erudite man came back in Tori. It looked like Alexander Franks, a doctor that works with my mother. Well, a distorted version. At least, I could hear right. I couldn't see right but at least I wasn't visually and audible impaired at the moment.
"She'll stabilize in a few minutes. She might have an intolerance to serum. It's happened in some of the case studies. It's nothing to worry about," said Alexander. That calmed me slightly but the world was still very freaky.
"Her test results was Erudite," told Tori. The look on Tori's face told me she was holding back something. Maybe it's just my vision.
Knock. Knock. Knock. A woman stuck her head into the room.
"Sorry to disturb you but we have a medical emergency in room four," said the lady. Room four. Noah. Was he having the same problem? I tried to sit up more but Tori pushed me back down.
"Let me guess, the other part of the duo," said Alexander.
"Results?" asked Alexander as he left.
"D-," I heard the woman say before the door shut.
"Stay there, don't make me strap you down," said Tori. I nodded. I just stared up at the ceiling until everything started to become still.
I sat up in the chair more. I didn't get up though. I didn't trust myself not to fall. Everything started to clear up. Thank God for that. That was horrible to experience.
"You are hiding something," I say. I wanted to know all of the truth. This test would help me choose tomorrow.
"You mustn't tell anyone this," says Tori. I nodded. Oh dear? This isn't good.
"Um okay," I said.
"Your test were inconclusive," said Tori.
Divergent. The first thing that comes to mind. I know a lot of about them. They fascinate my 'mother'. She thinks they could be valuable to society once they are experimented on that is. The way they think she admires and knows that it would better society. Bad idea to tell mom, I'd become a test dummy.
"Usually each simulating eliminates one faction. But in your case it only eliminated three," said Tori. Oh joy. But some reason I'm not surprised.
"Oh," I said. Filling in the space. I wanted to know more.
"By choosing the knife that eliminates Amity and by attacking the man rules out Abnegation. Well, the simulation should have progressed in a linear fashion, but well I had to change it because you skipped the Candor simulation because you became aware it wasn't real," said Tori.
"So I'm a freak of nature," I blurt out. Tori rolls her eyes. I know that isn't true but I say it anyways.
"This is our problem. My choosing the knife, attacking the dog and killing the dog showed aptitude for Dauntless. By telling the truth on the bus, you show an aptitude for Candor. You showed you're intelligent but you aren't compatible with Erudite's beliefs," said Tori.
"So I'm a Candor and Dauntless Divergent," I sigh. I am in so much danger.
"I don't have to tell you how dangerous it is," said Tori. She didn't. I knew very well.
"Things can be different if Erudite leaderships is taken out. If you restore one faction the others will follow," I told Tori. This is treason what I'm doing. But I do it anyways.
"Matthews is planning a war on Amdegation and is going to use Dauntless. There is a mind control serum. I found out by accident. Erudite is also kidnaping Factionless children and doing experiments on them," I whisper to Tori. I can least say if I die that I tried to warn others.
"You must be careful. If what you are saying is true things and you take this up to whoever will be your leadership you will change things," says Tori. I start to get up. I felt weak in the knees. I stumble a bit but managed to find my footing.
"You're free to go," says Tori. I pushed the door open. I tremble as I enter the hallway. I find Noah standing there looking just as nervous and torn. I don't ask. Too dangerous to do at the school. Noah and I walk together without a word.
We live in a very tall apartment complex on the twentieth floor. It's a very large apartment. We have four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a living room and study. The living room and the kitchen are the first rooms you encounter and they are very well-light because of the wall of windows, creates an amazing view of the street below and the inner city. We eat leftovers for dinner. Mother is late coming home as usual. Noah reads textbooks and I secretly read a literature book called the 'Chronicles of Narnia', if anyone caught me I'd say I was reading it to study religion. How did I get Candor?
"How was your test?" I ask. Taking a huge risk and breaking several rules. I just had to know.
NOAH'S POV
I couldn't believe how sick I got after the simulation. I had an allergic reaction. They told me that it's not that rare but isn't that common either. Trinity doesn't say anything but I can tell she got sick too. She could barely walk when we met the hallway.
Tomorrow, was my worst enemy at that moment. What would happen if Trin and I choose different factions? Who would be there to protect her from guys like those Candor boys? She doesn't realize how beautiful she is and how perverted boys are. I want to wrap myself in a hug around my sister and never let her go. She means the world to me. I mean most of the time it's just the two of us. Mom is always busy and we never knew dad. Which brings up a totally different topic. Mom says our dad died but I doubt it, I think he is alive somewhere in a different faction or in the mass of the factionless. So having no dad meant I had to protect my sister. If didn't, no one did. I also have a theory that not having a father or a father figure has a huge effect on both boys and girls but in different ways.
I'm also worried about what I was going to do. Where did I belong? I didn't know, the test only tells you so much. I don't think anyone knows at sixteen. They say the brain does fully develop until twenty years of age. That should be when we choose our faction. But that's not my choice.
Trin asks me the dreaded question. She's taking a huge risk by asking and I can see it in her eyes that she knows it. She's also nervous. What was her test results? No, I couldn't ask. But I wanted to know.
"Erudite," I say lying. My results was actually Dauntless. That sure surprised me.
"You?" I ask. Trin hesitates. I wonder for a second if she got a different faction too. No, that's impossible, right? I hope not. I want her choice to be easy. This is a nightmare.
"Candor," Trin replies. My mouth drops open. No way did my sister get a different faction. But I can see it though. But she said it almost too quickly. She is hiding something.
"It doesn't matter what you choose I'm still your brother," I say. A small, nervous smile creeps across Trin's face. She has the most amazing smile. She could light up the world with that smile of hers. The same thing about her laugh, you cannot be mad or sad around her when she is laughing.
"Thanks. I feel the same way. This is so hard," says Trin. I could hear the pain and worry in her voice. I wished I could have taken it all away from her. But I can't. It's impossible.
I looked over at the clock. It was nearing nine thirty. We should get to bed. Tomorrow was a big day. I instantly pushed away the thought of tomorrow. I wouldn't sleep if I thought about tomorrow. I cursed my life at that moment.
"Trin, we need to go to bed," I told her. Trin nodded. She didn't fight it because she looked exhausted.
Our bedrooms are across from each other. Both painted blue with full sized bed with blue bedding, a closet, a nightstand, a bookshelf, a desk, and an alarm clock. Both of our rooms are equally messy. Trin's is more of an organized mess; she always knew where to find what she was looking for me. Mine is a general mess but I don't really care. As soon as I hit my bed I was out.
It was super late, I didn't look at my clock because I didn't want to know. I heard my door creek open. I open my eyes. Even in the dark room I can still make out my sister. I move over in my bed. I know she is nervous when she comes into my room in the middle of the night. We've always been this close. I don't know what I'll do if she chooses a different faction than me. She joined me in my bed, not in that we you perverted freaks. She snuggles into my chest. I have no choice but to wrap my arms around her. I could tell from her shaky breathing that she has been crying. That forces me to become more aware.
"Don't cry," I whisper. I hate it when she cries. It was the worst sound in the world. Woman crying in general bothers me, let alone my sister. Woman shouldn't have to suffer. Maybe I felt this way because of what happened to my aunt and cousin, murdered in their sleep.
"I'm scared," Trin admits. Her voice trembling. Why was she so scared?
"It will be okay," I say trying to reassure her. Even though I didn't know if that was true or not.
"I need to tell you something but you can't tell a soul," says Trin, her voice trembling with what I could read was fear. I'm confused now.
"I promise," I say. I would lie for her if I had to. She's the only person in the world I'd lie for. She means too much for me not to protect her.
"I'm a Divergent. I'm Dauntless and Candor," says Trin. My heart stops. No, this can't be happening. She is in danger and this time I can't protect her. I can't protect her from the world. I go from denial, to anger, to fear in a matter of seconds. Is this what a girl feel like on the period? Focus, Noah, focus man.
"I'm sorry I lied earlier but I got Dauntless," I tell Trin. No one says a word for a long time. I think she is angry for me for lying.
"I love you," whispers Trin. Her breathing calmed and she fell asleep in my arms.
"I love you too," I whisper back even though she was asleep.
I wished life could have stayed in that moment forever. Innocent, free, young, and happy. But nothing lasts forever.
Author's Note: Thank you for reading. I really hope you enjoy this story. Let me know if I missed any mistakes, I'm very sure I caught them all but you never know. Please review I love feedback. I used to have this story up on a different account but I removed that sorry to migrate it to here. I will be changing a few things if you haven't noticed. Also, my story might bounce slightly between present and past tense; all first person stories do that to a degree. But thanks for taking the time to read.