I don't think. I just jump. The wind pierces my skin as I fall down. I have no control over myself as I free fall down. I can't scream. I can't laugh. I can't breathe. Something catches me suddenly. The breath I held in as I fell is released. This is it. I'm home, where I belong.
Arms are extended from every direction of the net I lay in. I grab the first one I see to get me out. They pull roughly, jolting me from the net. I stumble forward and fall on the ground. "Initiate, over here!" a deep male's voice calls to me. I look over from where I came. Four, who transferred to Dauntless a few years ago, stands, arms crossed, staring right at me. I lift myself up and walk over to him.
"Dauntless born?" I nod silently. "Have we met?" He asks. This time I shake my head. Not to many people have. "What's your name then?" I speak my name boldly. "Jess." "I stand patiently as I see someone else fly down from where I jumped. "Third jumper, Jess!" He announces then sends me a look that I can't read, before he turns back to the open net. The crowd of Dauntless around us erupt in cheers.
Eventually, when what I assume to be everyone, including the new transfers, has come down Four speaks again. "Transfers, come with me." He begins walking through the doors. I watch as the group of transfers rush to catch up with his fast pace. The Dauntless life style will take some getting use to for them... It will take some getting use to for me. "Dauntless-borns, you're lucky enough to get stuck with me. I hope you don't need a tour." Lauren says to my group. They all laugh. I take this time to examine who stayed in Dauntless. Lynn, Uriah, Taylor, Marlene, Alex, Jacob and Jorden are the only other Dauntless-born initiates this year, it appears.
Lauren begins to walk towards the dining hall. We walk in silence down the pitch black hallway that I walk through everyday. The rest of the initiates ignore me, as always. All the other Dauntless kids I went to school with and I had an unspoken agreement: I don't talk to them, they don't talk to me. I like it best that way. Suddenly the people in front of me stop. I nearly slam into Alex, who is walking in front of me.
"Now before we go to dinner, there's a few points I need to cover. Number one is, there is to be no communicating with your families. Initiation is designed to make you independent and that's not going to happen if you go crying to them every time you have a problem. At meals, you are not to sit with them." I nod along with the other initiates. I knew of this rule and it would have been the same even if I chose a different faction. But my results were Dauntless, and I know that truly I belong here.
"Number two: Training begins at 8 tomorrow morning. I don't want you even a minute late." Again, we all nod in response. "And lastly, no leaving the compound without a full Dauntless member. This isn't my rule, but I am required to enforce it. So, I hope none of you will run into any of these problems, if so you'll find yourself facing the consequences. Now, you can go eat. Pick up your stuff after dinner. That will be your only chance." With that, Lauren steps out of the way, allowing us to enter the dining hall.
I view the dining hall with new eyes as I walk in. The comfort of being able to sit with my mom and little sister is gone. I made a promise with myself before the Choosing Ceremony though; If I were to stay here, I'd challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone. So that's what I'm going to do. I scan the room for a place to sit. There is an empty spot with the other initiates. That's where I decide to begin conquering my fears. I hold my head up and walk to where they sit. I'm greeted by stares. "Hey Jess!" Uriah's friendly smile welcomes me. I give him a small quick smile before sitting down.
They carry on with a conversation. "Do you think the Stiff will last?" Alex begins. "I'm surprised she even got on the train, let alone jumped first." Lynn grumbles. Their conversation goes on about the transfers, while I eat my hamburger. I listen, but don't join in, as usual. "Jess, have you heard anything about initiation?" Uriah asks, attempting to invite me in the conversation. I shake my head. "No, sorry. I think Eric might be overseeing it though. I heard he did last year." I mumble off.
"That would just be great." Taylor laughs back sarcastically. "Does anyone want any cake? I'm going to get some." Uriah stands up. Soon the whole table is requesting Uriah to bring some. "Fine," he sighs, "It won't be my fault if I drop it though!" My fellow initiates laugh. I let out a small laugh as well. I know I can fit in. This will be a new start for me.
AN: Hey! Thanks for reading! This was just an idea I had: a fanfic about a dauntless born who isn't as wild as some of the others. There will be some Eric/Jess in later chapters. Their relationship will develop slowly. And of course, I don't own Divergent.
As always, please review and follow! Thank you all so much! :)
-Em