A/N: Firstly I would just like to point out that this is an Eric/OC Fan Fiction that is slightly AU in terms of adding another character and potentially having a different ending for actual character in the book. This will also be an appropriate mixture of the books and the movies because honestly I didn't like how the books were written. Not to say that the storyline and the world that Veronica Roth created wasn't amazing, I'm just not a fan of the writing.
Secondly, yes I know Eric isn't everyone's favorite Character and hes done some pretty messed up shit. But to me he has so much potential to do good. It's the same way I felt about Draco in Harry Potter and Zuko in Avatar the Last Airbender. They were the type of characters that not only needed redemption but kind of deserved to have that option (Luckily Zuko made the right choice).
Thirdly, this takes place a year before Tris transfers to Dauntless and I apologize now if I mess a few things up I'm literally getting all my information off the wiki because I'm letting my friend borrow my book. This is also not edited.
Lastly, Enjoy and Comment!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Divergent Trilogy and any of its characters they are owned by Veronica Roth.
Chapter Song- Full Moon by The Black Ghosts
It was raining on the day of the Choosing Ceremony, when I transferred from Erudite. Droplets of water pelted against the window as I gazed back at the building I grew up in. Knowing I would never return should have made me lament but I wasn't, I felt indifferent. All the apartments for Erudite were the same there was nothing unique about the sleek furniture or the blue color scheme. Nothing made it feel like home to me, and that was one of the first signs in knowing I didn't belong.
My mother hadn't noticed my impartial expression as she talked adamantly to whoever was on the other line. Normally I would be listening just as intently but my mind was elsewhere. Her assistant Ester was sitting across from us waiting patiently for my mother's conversation to end so she could discuss the rest of today's schedule after the Choosing Ceremony. Her eyes flicked towards me every so often, they were cold and calculating, she must have noticed my disinterest in my mother's conversation. Ester had caught me snooping on numerous occasions into my mothers work due to my natural curiosity. She could tell whenever I was lying about it, Ester was a born Candor after all and her suspicions were never wrong it was probably one of the reasons why my mother hired her.
My eyes never left Esters as I turned my ear towards my mother to listen in.
"Continue the tests, the serum needs to be one hundred percent accurate towards those with conclusive results." There was a slight pause. "Take as much time as you need Devin." She hung up the phone.
The Simulation Serum was the drug used to conduct the aptitude tests. My mother had been the one to design the serum. It created illusions that determine ones predominant characteristics towards each faction but why were they still administrating tests? Were they perfecting the serum? I wondered.
"Ester, fill me in on today's schedule." My mother ordered and obediently her Assistant rambled on about the events taking place after the Choosing Ceremony. She scrolled through the tablet with the thick rimmed glasses, which she probably didn't need, they were slipping off the bridge of her nose.
"Your last meeting of the day is at five with the faction leaders from Dauntless." Just as she finished my head popped up at that last one. It wasn't everyday that my mother would personally meet with those from Dauntless. She usually let someone lower on the totem pole deal with Dauntless, her sights were usually on Abnegation.
"Why are you meeting with Dauntless?" I couldn't stop myself from asking. My mother's blue eyes slid from the tablet in front of her and mirrored mine.
"Erudite have always been close allies with Dauntless. We need their protection just as they need our technological advancements. It's what keeps our society moving." She spoke smoothly and it took every ounce of will I had not to roll my eyes at her cheap answer.
I felt like a child again being told the importance of the five factions and each role we play in to ensure our future.
"You should use that line the next time you speak for Erudite at the Choosing Ceremony. It will make those with lesser intellect feel just as important." I spoke sharply and my mother just clicked her tongue with disapproval.
"Sarcasm is unbecoming of you Danielle." She scolded.
"Does printing out false accusations about another faction with no underlying facts fall under the same category?" I push and my mother turns to me unexpectedly with a look of bewilderment on her face.
It wasn't always often when I challenged my mother like that, especially in front of other people. When I did, it always caught her by surprise and I sometimes wondered if she knew something was off. Erudite's were expected to question people's actions for a better understanding but to say it to someone like Jeanine Matthews was indecent.
"I wouldn't expect a sixteen year old who hasn't even gone through her initiation to understand." My mother bit back. "But enough of this, we should be arriving at the Hub soon."
She turned back towards her tablet and continued working as if our conversation hadn't even occurred. That's how it always was with her, you were either worthy of her time or not at all.
I returned to my window as I watched our descent towards the Hub and the rain continued to fall.
Just as my mother predicted we arrived to our destination. Ester scrambled for an umbrella while my mother waited impatiently for the driver to open the door for her. I pushed open my door, with the rain barely sprinkling into the car, while opening an umbrella to guard myself from the drizzling rain. My heels clicked against the pavement as I stepped out. I stared up at the building that stood with over one hundred floors, one of the last remanding buildings still in good condition. It's where the Choosing Ceremony takes place every year and where I will be transferred from Erudite to Dauntless.
Thunder shook the sky and Dauntless came running from where the train had just stopped. Wearing combat boots and individualized with tattoos and piercings they ran through the rain with absolutely no care. I stared in envy as they jumped and laughed with one another, high off adrenaline. Ester muttered something along the lines of animals under her breath while my mother ushered us into the building.
People stared as Jeanine Matthews walked by, head straight forward, ignoring everyone she passed without a second glance. Her face set with determination as she plowed through the crowd of people that parted at her entrance. Ester struggled to keep up with her long strides but followed after my mother like a puppy. I stayed behind with the other Erudite's as we waited for parents and other guests to take their seats.
I pulled at the hem of shirt and smoothed out my blonde hair that was held tightly in a ponytail, fidgeting endlessly as we waited impatiently for them to let the rest of us inside.
"Nervous?" Someone spoke from behind me.
"Should I be?" I retorted as I turned to look at the person speaking. My gaze landed on Jackson, a fellow Erudite, and my biggest rival during school. His father worked in a facility that researched the positive and negative side effects of the serum. If I was to stay in Erudite he would be my biggest competition during the initiation.
"That depends on whether you stay in Erudite or not." Jackson shrugged his lean shoulders.
"But considering who your mother is I wouldn't be surprised if you pull top rank like she did." He pointed out and I crossed my arms defensively.
"What makes you think I'm choosing Erudite?" I questioned.
"Just a safe assumption." Jackson explained reassuringly and we stared at each other in a thoughtful silence.
"Candor?" I inquired and he raised his eyebrows at me in surprise.
"Good observation," he complimented. "Are you sure you're not choosing Erudite?" I smiled inquisitively up at him.
"You'll have to wait and see." The doors to the main hall opened wide and the sixteen year olds from every faction shuffled inside to see what future they belong to.
We separated into five sections, on the far right Abnegation, then Amity, Erudite, Candor, and lastly Dauntless. The soon to be initiates sat farther back while the families of each teenager sat towards the middle.
I spotted my mother right up front as I took my seat next to Jackson. She was speaking Johanna Reye, one of the leaders from Amity. She glanced over in my direction and pointed me out to Johanna. I swallowed the lump in the back of my throat and leaned back in my chair to hide myself from their piercing gaze.
"Afraid you're going to disappoint?" Jackson asked with a smug smirk on his face.
"I was about to ask you the same thing." I replied, my eyes flicked towards where his father stood, they looked alike, tall with a scrawny profile, both of them wore glasses but after this I'm sure Jackson won't need them anymore.
"He knows."
"Pardon?"
"He knows my results were Candor." Jackson clarified.
"You mean you told him?" I questioned but Jackson just shook his head.
"No, he knew." He chuckled to himself. "He knew before I did. I guess Erudite's have a sense for that sort of thing."
No one knew what my results were.
"You know I'm surprised, I always thought you were going to follow in your mothers footsteps and be Erudite's next faction leader." Jackson remarked and I nodded my head in agreement, stealing a glimpse of my mother before the Ceremony started. She was nowhere to be found.
"I swore you and I were going to battle it out for that number one spot during initiation." I pause. "At least before yesterday happened."
"I suppose that will be a relief for Grace." He nodded toward a red head who kept tossing us nervous looks, silently praying we would transfer factions.
She had always struggled to keep up with Jackson and I during school. While he and I had a friendly competition she took it more seriously than either of us did. It was probably the fact that both our parents beat hers during the initiation.
"I doubt it." I disagreed before continuing. "Some transfer is probably going to get it."
"Look at us," Jackson began. "Worrying about initiation for a faction we will no longer be a part of."
"I'm more worried about everyone's reaction." I muttered, mostly to myself.
"Why?" Jackson asked and a smile slowly formed on his face. "Were your results Abnegation?" I glanced at him sideways before we both started chuckling.
"Over my mother's dead body."
"I certainly hope not." I jumped at the sound of her voice ringing in my ear. That stern authoritative tone that I always obeyed to as a child, she stood over me with her hands behind her back and a neutral expression on her face.
"Yes?" I asked politely, standing up to match her height and smoothing out my skirt in the process. My mask instantly went up in an instant.
"I wanted to remind you that whatever faction you choose should reflect on your aptitude results and not on where you think you belong." She eyed me warily.
"I know how this works mother." I reply dully.
"I'm just warning you." My mother countered. "You're too useful to end up factionless." I blinked in surprise as she held my elbow affectionately before turning around and heading back to her seat. I watched her leave in bewilderment before settling down next to Jackson again.
The Ceremony had begun.
Dauntless was hosting this year and then a man with dreadlocks and several piercings stepped up onto the stage. He introduced himself as Max, I made a mental note to remember his face. He was one of the Dauntless leaders and the first name he called was from Erudite.
"Jackson Andrews."
Jackson stood up confidently and walked down to the five metal bowls each containing a substance that represents each of the factions.
Grey Stone for Abnegation, Earth for Amity, Water for Erudite, Glass for Candor, and Lit Coals for Dauntless. Max handed him the knife, he slit his palm and released his own blood. Candor. I guessed right.
He continued calling names as I waited with baited breath. My heart pounded whenever someone was transferred into Dauntless and they stomped and cheered, the loudest out of any faction. It was a surprise when Melody Green, Amity born, had chosen Dauntless. She was small and lanky, I had trouble seeing how she ended up choosing Dauntless. The shocked gasps that came from Amity were overpowered by the roar from Dauntless. Another Erudite had chosen Dauntless besides myself, Martin Lawrence, I wasn't shocking he chose Dauntless what he lacked intellectually he earned in size. I could see him doing well in that faction.
"Danielle Matthews." They called next and I stood up.
I felt them all staring at my back as I walked down the steps. They watched and wondered what faction Jeanine Matthews daughter was going to choose.
Max handed me the knife and I gazed at my own blue eyes in the reflection. With steady fingers I cut across the palm of my hand. I stared at the water in Erudite and thought about staying in a place I was accustomed to, somewhere I know I'd do well and pass with flying colors. But I knew I wouldn't be safe in Erudite. Not when I was living under the same faction as my mother. Not when she believed I was a threat to the system.
Not when I was Divergent.
I held my hand over the lit coal and watched as it ignited at the drop of my blood. Dauntless cheered wildly as I went to stand by the other transfers. I didn't even look at my mother.
The Ceremony ended and the Dauntless hopped to their feet, the first to leave. Running up the stairs the transfers followed behind them. I struggled to keep up in my skirt and heels but I managed.
We pushed through the doors of the hubs entrance into the pouring rain. Us transfers watched as they spun around and danced without a care and for the first time I actually felt the rain on my skin. I laughed and stared up at the sky soaking in the idea of no longer being Jeanine Matthews perfect daughter, I was me. Pulling the hair tie out of its high pony tail, I let my blonde locks go free.
"C'mon transfers we're leaving." Max barked as he strutted out of the hub.
We ran, following the Dauntless born through the drizzling rain. They didn't slow down and wait for us to catch up, they were practically racing one another. That's when I spotted it, the train speeding down an open track and we were running towards it.
"Are we supposed to jump on that?" A Candor transfer asked from behind me, Melody answered for all of us with a slight whimper as we watched the Dauntless born hop onto the train with ease.
Martin pushed ahead, breathing heavily with his arms pumping through the air he struggled to pull himself onto the rail. He stumbled back almost running into me but I pushed him forward giving him a boost onto the train. I was next, ignoring the pain in my calves I jumped forward and gripped my hand onto the railing. Hooking my high heeled foot around the corner of the open door, I pushed and landed face first onto the train floor. I breathed a sigh of relief and watched as the other transfers climbed on board from behind me.
"Well done." Someone said sarcastically, I sat up.
"You try jumping onto a train in heels." I groaned as I pulled the blue heels off my feet.
I looked up to see a Dauntless born staring down at me in amusement as I dusted myself off. He wore all black like the rest of them and had tattoos peeking out from underneath his clothing. He was an initiate like myself, but more prepared and certainly more skilled in the area of fighting. He held down his gloved hand.
"I'm Travis," He greeted. "Dauntless born."
"I'm Danielle," I replied. "Former Erudite."
We shook hands.
"I noticed. You're a long way from home Erudite are you should you can handle it here?" Travis asked with an infuriating smirk on his face.
"I wouldn't be here if I thought I couldn't." I snapped back and he held up his hands defensively.
"Alright," He smiled wider. "Are you sure that she can handle it though?" He gestured behind me.
I turned my head and saw that Amity girl, Melody on the floor of the train with her hands wrapped around her knee. That's when I saw what was leaking between her fingers, blood. I looked away, part of me wanted to ignore her heavy whimpering and just let her deal with her own mess. We were initiates now and we had to look out for ourselves, especially being pit up against Dauntless born. Then I thought back to what that Abnegation born said to me after my aptitude test, when my results came back inconclusive. When she told me I was Divergent. That compassion can go a long way as long as we keep giving it, nothing can take it away, I remembered.
"Goddamn it." I muttered and stood up from my spot on the train.
I sat down next to her a ripped a strip of fabric off of my own skirt then began tying it around her wounded knee.
"Thank you." She said softly her brown eyes quickly drying up.
"Don't mention it." I responded. "You'll have to go to the infirmary once we get to wherever Dauntless Headquarters is located." I explained quickly and I stood up to stand with the rest of the transfers. Melody followed quietly behind me just as the Dauntless born began jumping onto the roof of a building, landing on their feet perfectly.
"Are these people crazy?" Another Candor asked as he stuck his head out the train to stare at them in disbelief.
"You can stay here if you want." Martin sneered and jumped off the train onto the roof, rolling awkwardly onto his back.
"After you." The same Candor offered me the next jump.
I rolled my eyes, took a step back, and started running towards the open door. I was flying and I was falling, fast. I took a plunge into the dirt and scraped my knees real good against the rocks that lay beneath me. Brushing myself off I watched as the other Transfers followed behind all except one Candor who stayed aboard the train long enough to realize he made a mistake and was now factionless. He jumped, missing the roof by a foot and falling to the streets below. I didn't want to believe it but I heard the sound of his bone breaking once he hit the pavement.
"There's always that one." Max says as he leaned over to look at the damage done to the Candor transfer. He looked back at us and moved towards the giant hole that lay on top of the roof. "Welcome Initiates, I'm Max one of the leaders of Dauntless here to greet you personally before I hand you off to the trainers." He began as he walked close to the edge of the hole. "But first, to get into Dauntless, you have to jump." Max pointed over his shoulder towards the gaping hole that they were forcing us to plunge into. "Who's first?"
No one volunteered even Martin was staying silent this time around. I bit my cheek and stepped forward.
"Ah Ms. Matthews, a pleasure to have you transfer to Dauntless. Your mother must be really proud." He spoke sardonically but I ignored him and climbed up onto the edge. I turned around and faced the other initiates with a small smirk, closed my eyes, and fell into the unknown.