So I decided to write an AU where the Dauntless don't kill everyone and the war never happens. It takes place 7 years after Divergent, so...yeah. Here goes nothing.
I'm nervous. There are butterflies in my stomach and my hands are shaking so hard, I'm surprised that no one has noticed yet. But then again, the Erudite aren't exactly known for their attentiveness for the needs of others. That's the Abnegation's job. My eyes shift to the other sixteen year old's. They all look so calm. They probably don't have families that need them to stay. The probably don't have to leave. The Erudite side of my brain objects, arguing that I have no way of knowing what anyone else is thinking. The other side of my brain tells it to shut up. I cringe at the Erudite side. This is why I have to leave. I don't want to turn into a calculating, emotionless robot. I want to burn brightly. I want a choice. Then I hear some unintelligible words that I decipher as my name, and my heart stops. My feet move forward and I don't remember telling them to and all I can think is choose. If I leave, I'll be free, but my family will break. But if I stay, I will break; something inside me will shatter. I take the knife and slide the blade across my palm, and my I barely register the pain. I glance over at my little brother, Henry, his eyes urging me to hurry up and pick Erudite, and my parents, sitting as far away from each other as physically possible, both look at me expectantly. If I leave, they will loose the only thing that still binds them together. For as long as I can remember, I have been the only thing keeping my family intact. My parents barely speak, and my brother didn't understand what was happening, but I did. It took me a while to realize that they hadn't just drifted apart, they had never been together in the first place. If I leave, they will break loose, and Henry will be left alone. But I cant. I'm selfish. After what seems like lifetimes, but can't have been more then a few seconds, I extend my hand and I can hear my blood sizzle as it hits the coals. I am free. I am Dauntless.
I avoid eye contact with anyone in my faction. I know that if I see Henry's face I will break, and now is the time to be strong. I'm so wrapped up in my thoughts, I only realize the Choosing Ceremony is over when the Dauntless start to run. I'm tall for my age, but even I can't see past the moving mass of bodies. Then we hit the stairs and I don't care where were going anymore, as long as its away from here. I did it. I'm finally free. When we reach the train, I am ready. I've seen the Dauntless do this before, and I've studied their movements. I can do this. When the train gets close, I jog beside it, then, timing myself with the speed of the train, I grab the handle and throw myself inside. It wasn't graceful, but I did it. There will be time for practice later. I'm brought back to the harsh truth of initiation when I hear the sob of a small girl. She was to late and missed her chance. I watch as the train speeds up and leaves her behind. I'm not finished yet. I sit down and lean against the wall of the train compartment. It will take us no less then 45 minutes to reach the Dauntless compound. I have time to think.