So hi. This is my first fan fic. I normally don't write these things, so I thought I'd give it a try. I encourage you to tell me what you think about it. Criticize my every word if you'd like. Anyways, I hope you enjoy.
-ashleemac14
The flames crackled, breaking the silence of the night. I was the only one awake at this time usually. All the others had gone back to their apartments, so I began to think. I seldom allowed myself to be swallowed up by my mind. It was a dangerous place sometimes. The city was clueless to what it used to be. Ever since it became Chicago, they stopped teaching about the factions and that part of our history. It was just that history and it didn't need to be repeated. That's what our leaders thought and that's all that mattered. I, personally, liked them. They provided structure in the city before it's destruction. The city would have been just fine if the outside had never meddled. I decided, that if it were still a thing, I would've joined Dauntless. I would've been, what they would call back then, Divergent, because I possess to many attributes to be just one. Either that, or I'd be born factionless and stay that way.
I laid back on the log, where I was sitting, and I stared out into the night sky. It was darker than most nights. The stars were faint and the moon was too shy to show itself. It was easier to think like this, without distractions. The days were filled with the hustle and bustle that the city brought with it. There was nowhere that wasn't already filled with people. Soon people would start appearing here as well. We gathered here on occasion to play a little game, one that the city wouldn't enjoy. I called it Candor or Dauntless. That's the true name for it, not that sissy truth or dare game. You can't refuse once you choose, like the watered-down version the city now plays. It was too much to handle for them and to be quite honest, it's not a game for the weak. I stared down at the boxes I had stolen from the labs before I got here. They were both filled with serums, one with truth and the other with fear. Once you were injected with your chosen fate, you had no other choice. You had to comply, unless you could fight it off.
There was group of people approaching and making their presence known to me. The last thing they wanted to end up dead because they snuck upon me. We had to keep our eyes out for those that did sneak around, that usually meant that they didn't belong. If they didn't belong there, who was I to make them stay? I felt the cold metal against my warm skin as I thought about it. I had almost forgotten that I had even had it. As I got up to greet tonight's players, I concealed it again. I kept it concealed, not only for the occasional nosy city member, but for the group as well. I knew I wasn't like the rest , because I could fight the simulations the serums gave you. They didn't need the access to that information. I was ready to shoot anyone, if it's what it came down to.
I tossed some lumber into the fire and watched the sparks jump into the air. I looked around the circle and saw that everyone who was usually here had showed up. One person stuck out though, he seemed new. I would keep my eye on him, maybe make him go first and prove himself. He didn't look like a threat from the outside, but I knew not to judge the book by it's cover. That would be stupid of me.
"Alright, lets get started." I shouted out to the crowd. A hush rushed over the people like a ripple in a pond. They were all staring at me, wanting to hear the rules I had repeated time and time again. "The rules are simple. Pick your fate, take your serum, and face it to the fullest." I started and then I went over to the new arrival, "You. Pick your fate."
I handed over an orange serum, as well as a blue one. I waited for him to decide and as you would expect, he chose to be Dauntless. He chose to be brave and face his greatest fears head on for his first time. I felt a little sorry for him, though I was not sure why. I had seen plenty of others fight their way out of their fears or be engulfed with them. I felt nothing for them, so why had it changed for this boy?
I gathered myself and my thoughts, before I stuck the needle into his neck. I felt his muscles in his neck tense up. He was trying to appear strong in front of everyone. He didn't know that his outer image would soon dissipate to falling to his knees in fear. It was his choice and now he would face it. Poor guy. As I walked back over to my log, my arm was gripped tightly. The boy's dark green eyes widened. The hold he had on my arm sent electricity up through my veins and kept me paralyzed in my place. It scared me that I was this close to someone I didn't know. I could see the fear in his eyes and that was too personal. For me, anyway. I wanted to help him, but that would be against the rules. I finally brought myself to look at him and I wished I didn't. He was terrified and I could practically see his heart beating out of his chest. If he wanted out, he needed to pace his breathing slower and control his heartbeat. He needed to realize it wasn't real, but he couldn't. He probably wasn't like me. He was probably a regular guy. I couldn't take it, this needed to stop. I pried myself free from his hand.
"No!"he screamed out at the top of his lungs. It was coated with pain and suffering. He dropped to his knees and he came to.
I bent down and offered my hand to him. I pulled him up, all his strength drained from the simulation. I looked over him, making sure he was alright. His face was wet with the tears he was shedding for whatever fears he just faced. I should have saved him when he latched on to me. I should have broken the rules for him. Though now, I was intrigued to figure out what brought him to these tears. I had never seen anyone react the way he had before. Though, most of the others were more experienced. They knew.
"If you want to leave, you can. I won't let them judge you for it. I will understand." I leaned into him, whispering these words into his ear. He pulled away from me, wiping his face with the sleeves of his shirt. He was shaking his head no. He was pulling himself together, gaining back the strength he lost. I liked that. He passed. He could come back anytime.