24 hours. Strange how just one day can seem so far away yet be so close. In 24 hours I get to choose do I stay here in Abnegation with him or risk everything even becoming factionless just to escape him. Ahead of me I see the other children from my faction all dressed in the same grey clothes their hair all cut and styled the same way I think about how we are all made to feel the same way yet I know I am different. As I think about this I see her, a young girl maybe a few years younger than me and the look in her greyish-blue eyes stops me in my tracks. Thankfully she not looking at me I follow her gaze and see the Dauntless kids jumping from the train. I'm trust back to my Aptitude test when my evaluator told me I was Abnegation but said it was strange because for a few moments they thought I was going to be Dauntless. I wonder if this girl will choose Dauntless when her Choosing Day arrives I see her enter the classroom for 14 year olds I guess I'll find out in 2 years if she does, if I'm still alive that is.
I arrive home as normal thankful to be alone and hope he's had a good day at work not that it would matter to him I don't know if tonight I'll be given a reprieve since tomorrow I will have to be seen in public. I know how much his outward appearance means to him if I was to show up at my Choosing with bruises it would raise questions so hopefully it will be a quiet night. I start making tea at least it will be one less thing to set him off when I hear the door open I say nothing focusing on making the food when he enters the kitchen, "Tobias" he growls I almost sigh with relief looks like he had a good day. "Father," I reply "How was work?" "Never mind that what did you get?" I can hear the hint anger in his voice. "Abnegation Father. Why would I get anything else?" I hope this is the answer he wants I see his eyes narrow as he looks at me. "Just you remember that tomorrow I won't have my son disgracing me in public. You know what will happen if you do." With that parting shot he leaves the room and a release the breath I was holding. My mind is already wondering if he could really still get to me if I left Abnegation? Am I brave enough to find out?
I wake the next morning with my stomach in knots today is the day I get up quietly and get dressed in my usual grey clothes I focus on not letting my hands shake as I go down stairs and start making breakfast above me I hear Marcus getting ready at least today he can't do anything to me other than make threats. I am just placing his plate on the table when he enters. "Morning Father I trust you slept well." I say as he takes his seat "Is there anything else I can get you for your breakfast?" "No" he replies, "Just get yourself ready for today I can't have you showing me up now can I?" "No Father." I reply and head to my room to gather my things I catch a glance at the clock on my way past only a few more hours till my future is sealed.
We set off for the Choosing as we leave I see other families setting off with their children ready to attend the Choosing and I know that most if not all will stay here. Abnegation has the lowest transfer rate among all the factions and most leaving will go to Amity or Candor, it's almost unheard of to switch to Erudite and I have never heard of a transfer to Dauntless. We finally arrive at the hall since I am the first to arrive I hold the door open as members of the other factions arrive. Being Abnegation means being selfless so as I hold the door open for the next 20 minutes I continue to think about my choice should I, can I leave all that I have known and if I do where do I go? After the last person has entered the door I wait while the other members of Abnegation enter then we all head for the stairs. No lift for us and there is still a queue for it any way. We enter the auditorium we are the last to arrive as usual silently we arrange ourselves at the outside near the wall so we are not in the way all of us who are 16 turn to our parents and ask to be excused so we may take out place near the front of the stage. "I'll see you soon." Marcus declares with just a hint of menace in his voice he still believes I won't dare defy him maybe he's right. "Yes Father" I reply. It's the only answer I can give. I stand at my spot just outside the ring of eager teenagers my mind racing and my stomach in knots but I know that my face shows none of the turmoil I feel. I pay no attention as one by one people are called to the stage to choose their faction, when suddenly I hear my name bile rises in my throat NO I think it's too soon I can't decide but my feet obediently carry me forward, my hand reaches out for the knife I thank the person handing it to me and I draw the blade against my palm. My mind doesn't register the pain as I walk to the centre of the stage. I see the five metal bowls each one representing my choices, the bowl for Abnegation at the end next to it Dauntless I step towards it raising my hand but before I hold my hand out I remember the look on the young girls face the look of longing when she saw the kids from Dauntless jump from the train I get the feeling she will switch to them in a few years and I wonder if I can as brave as her. Still thinking about her greyish-blue eyes I hold my hand out and let my blood fall. The room goes silent the only sound I hear is Marcus saying a disbelieving "No" I look up to see my hand over the Dauntless bowl my blood burning on the coals I look out to the crowd when suddenly the crowd from Dauntless let out a cheer I smile and walk over to them feeling free. As I reach them I no longer here Marcus almost shouting his objection they pound on my shoulder welcoming me and a few minutes later when the last person has chosen we run through the doors. Run down the stairs just for the sake of running. Run towards freedom and I don't look back.