Summary: Pazia has grown up in Erudite. That is where her father is...that is where her past is. But that doesn't matter, what matters is where her future is. Pazia thought for sure, 100% she was going to stay in Erudite...her aptitude test told her differently. Then she has to choose. Will she stay? Will she leave? Erudite is cold and clinical and Dauntless? Well, the only way to describe Dauntless is wild and fierce, like a raging fire that cannot be stopped. Pazia made her choice, and now she has left the ice and jumped straight into the fire. The only thing now to do...is be free.
A/N: All outfits are on my profile. This story is set after Four and Eric became Dauntless but the year before Tris became Dauntless.
A/N: Disclaimer: I don't own the Divergent world. I only own Pazia. (Pronounced: Pah-ze-ah.)
Rating: M
Word Count: 6, 062
Reviews are always appreciated!
This is an edited and joined version of what were previously Chapters 1 and 2. I have added details and taken away small things. I delved deeper into my character, added better descriptions and added a few things. I would advise reading this as the things that have been changed/added are important.
Don't be a scared little Abnegation! I expect a fearless Dauntless review!
Chapter One
I take a deep breath and smooth down my royal blue pencil skirt as I stare at myself in the mirror.
I run my eyes over my deep, dark blue eyes, my straight nose, my average lips and focus on my midnight black hair. It is such a dark black, like ink. On good days it will be silky and in the light a blue sheen emerges. On a bad day...well we all have those days. I doubt I need to say anymore.
Today is the day.
I have to go take my aptitude test. Right now I belong to the Erudite faction, but this test is designed to see if I will stay here. I nod at my reflection and notice my hair doesn't budge from the professionally done sophisticated up-do. I did it myself. When I was 5, my mother died. I didn't have anyone to teach me so I taught myself.
I turn and leave. I go downstairs and my father is sitting in a chair reading a book. He barely glances up at me before his attention is once again captured by what he is reading. I don't let it bother me. Why should I? This is the normal for Erudite. I get a plate of pancakes and sit down. I reach into my bag and pull out a book of my own.
I finish my food and grab my bag. I head to the door but my father's voice stops me.
"Good luck today, Pazia." He reaches out to hug me but I cannot hide my flinch. He slowly pulls back, a hurt look on his face. My father has a horrible personality when he gets tired after researching all the time. Sometimes he takes his anger out on me. He always apologizes after but I can't let myself believe him. One time is all it took for me to loose all of my trust for him. As a result, I don't have much trust for anyone else.
If you cannot trust the person that takes care of you, how are you to trust anyone else?
I give my father a nod before I turn and leave. I keep a calm look on my face but on the inside I am raging and crying. In Erudite, emotions are frowned on. I had to learn how to be strong. Even more so when my best friend left. He is a year older than me. He used to be in Amity before he transferred to Dauntless last year.
Jethro was my best and only friend. I called him Jett. A part of me wonders if he even remembers me. I haven't seen him since he was racing out the door with the other Dauntless. I robotically climb onto the bus as I remember Jett.
He was tall and when we were younger I called him Bean Pole. He hated it. He had black hair and eyes so dark they were almost black. I miss him so much sometimes. I have thought about going to Dauntless just so I could see him again, but I know that I belong in Erudite. I am smart and detached from the world. I am no Amity. I don't believe in peace and I am not very happy go lucky.
I can be selfless but often times I look at the world as a give and take world. Unfortunately there are more that take than give, myself being one of them. I could go to Candor. Or maybe not. I don't talk a lot and when I do it is usually to lie. (How are you doing? - Perfectly fine, thank you.)
If I started telling the truth, I don't think very many people would like me.
That leaves Dauntless. The dauntless are wild, fierce and have a 'fuck with me and I fuck with you,' attitude that I cannot help but admire. They are loud, crazy and loyal to one another. They remind me of Amity in an ironic way.
Amity is all about loving and loyalty. Dauntless is about doing what you want. I can see the similarities between the two. It reminds me of the yin-yang symbol. The black symbolizing the Yin energy, while the white symbolizes the Yang energy. Yin is the passive energy of silence, slow and relaxed movements, and deep darkness, and is the predominant energy of sleep, resting, relaxing and replenishing. Yang is the active energy and is symbolized by bright lights, strong sounds and bright colors. It is the prominent energy for such times as working in a busy office or enjoying a good party.
They are the opposite sides of the same coin. Amity brings peace through love and Dauntless brings peace through violence. The contrast has fascinated me ever since I was a little girl.
"Excuse me?" I look up to see an Abnegation girl standing in front of me. She is average height, light brown hair and strong dark eyes.
"Yes?" I ask, forcing my voice to come off as cool and detached; clinical.
"Are you going to have your aptitude test today?" I look sharply at her. Abnegation is not for the curious.
"I am, and I am guessing you still have a year or two to go. If you want my advice, stifle your curiosity until you are able to get out of Abnegation and into Erudite. Or just learn how to hide it better." She stares at me bewildered and I raise an eyebrow. She flushes and holds out her hand.
"My name is Beatrice, what's yours?" I look at her hand before slowly grasping it. It is unusual for Abnegation to be so comfortable with human contact. They usual hold themselves apart from things like this.
"Pazia. Good luck on keeping your secret a secret." She smiles and waves as I get off of the bus and walk briskly into the Hub. I join the other 16 year-olds that are waiting for their tests. It turns out I got here early so I pull out a book and start to read. I occasionally make notes. I get so drawn into my book, I jump when my name is called.
"Pazia Reynolds?" A Candor lady calls for me. I hastily put away my book and walk calmly into the room. I slow down when I reach it.
The walls are lined with mirrors and I glance at my reflection. My dark blue eyes are detached, only a small hint of curiosity (are these two way mirrors or just that, mirrors?) showing before I am moving to the large metal chair in the center of the room. I sit in it and lay back, shivering a little as the cool metal bites into my skin. She attaches the nodes to my head and hands me a small glass with blue liquid in it.
I look at it before I take it and swallow it in one gulp. The Candor lady takes the glass from me with an amused look on her face.
"You look like you have had practice." I don't bother to answer her remark about my skill in drinking. Candor are honest to a fault, sometimes even brutally so. Instead of responding, I just close my eyes and wait for the test to begin. I wait and wait before I open my eyes, frustrated. I have a hard time controlling my shock.
The Candor lady is gone. Instead, there is two bowls. In one bowl, there is berries that I recognize as poison nightshade and in the other is a first aid kit.
I look at the two unable to decide which one to pick. I reach out and pick up both at the same time. The room melts away and I am in an infirmary. I hate these rooms, they always creep me out. I walk down the hall and all the doors fade until one remains. I reach out to open it and notice my hand is trembling. I clench it into a fist and when I open the door, there is no more tremors.
Inside, there is an injured lady laying in bed. Now I understand why I have the first aid kit. I walk over to her and she opens her eyes.
"Where am I? Is he okay?" I sit down beside her.
"Is who okay?" I ask calmly and she pales.
"My son. He...fell down and got hurt." My heart hardens and ice spreads through my veins. That was always the excuse my father used when he lost control and hurt me. I look at the berries but my Erudite brain tells me to get the whole story first. I start to bandage her ask I ask her about her son.
"How old is he?" She flinches and it isn't because I was too harsh. As a Erudite, I am practiced at controlling myself and my emotions.
"He is 5." I freeze. I was 5 the day I lost my mother. That was also the day father finally lost control. I force myself to keep working. I need the whole story. I need the whole story. I need the whole story. No matter how much I chant that to myself, I get the urge to feed her the berries. I wonder what that urge falls to? Stupid Erudite brain. Always curious.
"So what happened to him to cause him to fall?" The lady's lip wobble and a tear rolls down her face.
"I didn't mean to!" She cries out. "He wasn't supposed to fall down the stairs!" She bursts out crying and I shut my feelings down.
"It's okay." I smile comfortingly at her and she sniffles as I reach my decision. I crush the berries and mix them with a cup of water. The water turns a bright red and I hand it to her.
"What is this?" She asks, slowly taking the cup.
"It will help with the pain." I tell her, the flawless lie slipping smoothly off my tongue and she nods.
"Thank you." I watch coldly as she swallows the poison and chokes. Foam fizzes at her mouth and a look of betrayal fixes itself on her face before the room fades away. I stand up.
I am in wheat field. Once again there is two bowls. In one bowl is a bow and arrow, in the other is a paper. I pick up both again. The second I do, a giant boar burst out of the field and charges toward me. I look at the paper and read the words.
"I am not an enemy, I am a friend." The boar calms down and snuffles at me. This large animal is calm now but I spot the barb sticking out of its side. I could take it out and risk having myself killed or eliminate the threat. The answer is obvious.
I have always been a survivor. I smile gently before raising my bow. Despite never having picked one up before, I miraculously seem to be able to use it and proceed in shooting the boar. It collapses with a grunt and the room fades. I briefly wonder what that action fit into. Dauntless? Erudite? Or both?
I am outside and there is a factionless standing in front of me. His worn and patched clothing is gray from the dirt and he looks starved. He looks like he tried to shave and failed spectacularly, splotches of blood staining the patchy shave. He reaches out pleadingly.
"Do you have any food for me? Please. My family and I haven't eaten in two days." I shake my head, the bag on my shoulder giving lie to my gesture. Somehow, I know the bag is filled with food but I get a horrible feeling when the man asks me for the food. I may need the food. I am a survivor. I can't give it away.
"Please!" He calls out. "Can you tell me where to get food?" I hesitate, wanting to tell but a bad feeling makes me shake my head and walk away.
When I open my eyes, the Candor lady is gone and instead there is an Abnegation lady. She smiles softly at me and unhooks the nodes from my head.
"Congratulations. You are Dauntless." I stare at her with shock. I thought for sure- I cut myself off. In Dauntless, curiosity is looked down upon.
"Are you sure?" My voice cracks and I clear it, unwilling to show a weakness. "I am not Erudite?" I ask, fear and (strangely) hope blooming in my chest. She pauses, a strange look on her face.
"The aptitude test never lies." She murmurs and sends me out the door. I leave in a daze. I tune out the Amity kids playing games, the Dauntless hooting and hollering, the Erudite reading, the Candor debating and the Abnegation just sitting. I walk out the door and the air wakes me up. Slowly, a smile spreads across my face. I can go to Dauntless. I don't have to live in fear of my father.
That means I can finally be free.
XXX
Three days late, I walk into the Hub and take a seat beside where my father will sit in the Erudite section. I look around for him before shaking my head and turning to the front. This year an Amity leader is giving the speech. For as long as I can remember the speech has always been the same.
"Welcome-" He greets us warmly, a content glimmer in his eyes. "Welcome to the Choosing Ceremony. Welcome to the day we honor the democratic philosophy of our ancestors, which tells us that every man has the right to choose his own way in this world. Our dependents are now sixteen. They stand on the precipice of adulthood, and it is now up to them to decide what kind of people they will be. Decades ago our ancestors realized that it is not political ideology, religious belief, race, or nationalism that is to blame for a warring world. Rather, they determined that it was the fault of human personality—of humankind's inclination toward evil, in whatever form that is. "
I have to suppress my urge to roll my eyes. I have done extensive research into our history and I know that is a weak excuse. No matter the age, era or place, humanities evil will always show. It is a weed that we can never be rid of and it will slowly choke us to death. In the end, evil will always out. This is something I know intimately.
"They divided into factions that sought to eradicate those qualities they believed responsible for the world's disarray. Those who blamed aggression formed Amity. Those who blamed ignorance became the Erudite. Those who blamed duplicity created Candor. Those who blamed selfishness made Abnegation. And those who blamed cowardice were the Dauntless. Working together, these five factions have lived in peace for many years, each contributing to a different sector of society. Abnegation has fulfilled our need for selfless leaders in government; Candor has provided us with trustworthy and sound leaders in law; Erudite has supplied us with intelligent teachers and researchers; Amity has given us understanding counselors and caretakers; and Dauntless provides us with protection from threats both within and without. But the reach of each faction is not limited to these areas. We give one another far more than can be adequately summarized. In our factions, we find meaning, we find purpose, we find life. Apart from them, we would not survive. Therefore this day marks a happy occasion—the day on which we receive our new initiates, who will work with us toward a better society and a better world."
I numbly get up to join the other initiates as he finishes his speech. We get called up in alphabetical order. There are a lot of us this year.
"Smith, Abigail." I allow myself to tune out as they file up there one by one. Until-
"Reynolds, Pazia." I roll my eyes as he pronounces my name Pay-zia instead of Pah-zia. He hands me a silver knife and and stare down at it. I will have slice my palm. I do so with a slight hiss of pain before I turn to the bowls. My Erudite shows in the way I analyze each choice.
There is a bowl with soft, rich looking soil that is for Amity. I shake my head and move on. I am not peaceful and loving. Because of my past, I am cold and closed off. Perfect for Erudite.
There is a bowl of glass for Candor. I don't bother shaking my head. Because of my father, I am well versed in the art of lying and manipulation. Again, perfect for Erudite. I smile a little bitterly, knowing I am trying to persuade myself into choosing my home faction.
The bowl for Abnegation holds grey rocks. I am not selfless. The simulation proved that beyond anything I could have said. I am a survivor. I will do what it takes to survive and if that means sacrificing another, then I will do it.
I turn to the last two bowls.
The bowl for Erudite holds clear water and the bowl for Dauntless holds fiery coals. I hesitate, the dagger stinging my palm. I don't bother looking up as the five factions start to mummer and shift in their seats. This is the third longest Choosing there has ever been. I know. I looked it up in a fit of curiosity when I was 7. 2 more minutes and this will be the second longest Choosing. The clock slowly counts down in my head and I don't know which to choose.
Erudite.
Or Dauntless.
One will hold me captive.
And one will set me free.
Behind me a door slams open and I turn around.
It is my father. His gaze is pleading as he reaches out a hand. The murmuring crowd grows louder but I tune them out. He looks so sad and he takes a step forward. I immediately flinch before freezing and holding myself still. In that moment, it is what pushes me over the edge.
I don't want to be scared.
Not anymore.
With a defiant glare, I thrust my hand over the coals and a look of defeat crosses his face. His whole body sags and I feel numb. I must be Dauntless. I have shown bravery in the face of fear. I nod one last time to my father, the cold good-bye having an air of finality to it.
I hand the knife back to the bewildered man before dismissing my father from my gaze. I walk over to the Dauntless faction and they greet me with cheers and hollers and I feel a reserved smile spreading across my face. I sit down and wait for the rest of the initiates to choose where they go. I zone out and startle as the Dauntless start moving. I hastily get up and follow them. They speed up and start racing each other down the stairs.
I start to follow before stopping. I need to get something. I go to a small side room and quickly slip on an Abnegation dress. It is loose and boxy. The small package tied to the inside swings gently and I press a soft hand to it. Abnegation clothing will help me sneak the package in, unlike my close fitting Erudite pencil skirt and blouse. I kick off my Erudite heels and slip on a pair of Abnegation flats. That done, I head down the hall and take a short cut. I burst out the door at the same time the rest of them do.
I look around and see the sheer glee on their faces and a pang of longing hits me. I have no clear explanation why I did what I did next other than a need to be that free. I open my mouth and shout with them, a wild feeling welling up inside me. A wide grin spread across my face and I whoop with breathless exhilaration as we race to the train tracks. I pause for a moment as the Dauntless swing up effortlessly.
With a grin, I follow. The pain from the cut in my hand doesn't even register, that is how high my pain threshold is. I guess not everything my father did was pointless.
I reach the top and a hand waves at me to help. I watch for a second before grabbing the hand and hauling the girl up.
"Thanks!" She says breathlessly and I give her Amity garb a brief glance before turning away as I feel the vibration of the train under my feet. A circle of light slowly grows brighter as the train barrels towards us at high speeds.
The Dauntless born start to whoop with excitement and glee as they take off running before the train reaches us. My eyes widen before I throw my curiosity (at what age did they learn to do this?) to the wind and race after them. My muscles stretch and release in a way that I have never experienced but I feel I could get addicted to.
My breath comes faster but I refuse to fall behind as I stubbornly stick to the Dauntless born initiates heels. Suddenly, the rumbling roar grows louder and the train roars past me. I falter a second before running faster than before. Ahead, I see the Dauntless swinging into the train effortlessly and I analyze them.
There is a handle sticking out of the side of the the train. They run, jump, grab the handle and use their own momentum to swing their bodies into the train. I nod mentally, I can do that. A Dauntless initiate sticks their head out the train and whoops before turning his head. His laughter cuts off abruptly as his eyes widen at the sight of me. He ducks inside before popping back out, more colored heads accompanying him. They laugh in shock, cheering me on. I race faster, ignoring the helping hands they give.
I will do this on my own.
I take a deep breath and jump, grabbing the handle (ignoring the cut on my hand: what sorts of diseases can someone get from exposing a cut to rusty metal?) and swinging myself inside. I slam into the first boy, tumbling the ground in a tangle of limbs. I quickly pull back, holding myself away from them. I look around. Aside from the five initiates, there is more full Dauntless members. They watch me with surprise before the initiate I landed on steps forward. He runs a hand through his slightly long blond and blue-tipped hair, his brown eyes warmly amused.
"I thought we only got two Stiffs?" He asks and I watch him for a second. He raises an eyebrow in challenge, the other Dauntless watching us. I nod stiffly and raise my skirt. Underneath are my Erudite clothes. I make sure to lift up the small bag and hide it in the folds of the dress.
"You did." I respond and there is a pause before he grins and holds out his hand. The full Dauntless snicker approvingly among themselves but I focus on my fellow initiate.
"Brave, very brave. My name is Alezander. Introduce yourself." I take his hand and shake it. He grins, slinging an arm over my shoulder and pointing at the others. I stiffen, a not-that-old fear rearing its ugly head but I stubbornly tamp it down.
"My name is Pazia." I tell them and I sit down, using that as an excuse to duck out from under Alezander- jeez, what a long name- and lean against the door. Alezander sits down beside me, his brown eyes alight with the happiness of living dangerously.
"I'm Josh." Another guy with purple and brown hair with green eyes introduces himself. He looks well muscled but there is a sweeter air about him.
"I'm Sasha." A girl with pink streaks in her hair introduces herself. Unlike Josh, she seems hard as nails and I approve. I smile brighter at her, a feeling of kinship stirring in me.
"Izzy." I nod at the blonde and black head girl. She seems a bit more closed off but there is a resemblance to Josh in her green eyes.
"And last, I am Dean." I smile at the green and black headed guy. His grey eyes glint mischievously and I can tell he is the prankster of the group.
"Nice to meet you guys." I politely tell them, remembering my upbringing. Izzy snorts and I look challengingly at her. She eyes me before approval lights up her eyes and she smiles.
"Not to be mean or anything-" She drawls, clearly not caring. "-but you are too polite. You are gonna stick out like a sore thumb." She tells me, the casual way she is leaning against Josh re-affirming my thoughts of a sibling connection. I roll my eyes, before flinching a little. It used to be I would get punished for showing a sign of 'disrespect,' but here it gains me approval.
"I would stick out like a sore thumb anyways. What's it to you?" I snap rudely before smiling coldly. "How was that? Better or still too polite?" The tilt of my head suggests arrogance and she laughs, full and loud. I stare in fascination for a second, never having heard anyone laugh like their whole heart and soul is in it. I look away, a tight feeling in my throat as I wish I could one day laugh like that.
"Nope, it was great. I think you just might fit in." Feeling brash and bold, I clutch my chest. I widen my dark blue eyes with mock-shock and stare at her.
"Oh no! A compliment from a Dauntless?!" I pretend to fall over and the resulting burst of laughter, not only from these five but the full Dauntless members watching, warms me. I watch them laugh and feel myself thawing, just a little.
"So why'd you transfer out?" Alezander asks and my face hardens. In a second, my guards slam back down and I am a closed off Erudite once more.
"Does it matter?" I ask coldly, meeting their gazes head on in a bizarre mix of Erudite and Dauntless. They exchange shocked glances before turning back to me.
"Yeah." Sasha meets my gaze head on, her steel shining through and I nod slowly. Dauntless is not like Erudite. Dauntless cannot be like Erudite. I take a deep breath and decide to share my biggest secret.
"Alright. You know those articles that are printed about Marcus abusing his son?" They share bewildered glances but a Dauntless member stiffens. I scan him quickly but he doesn't seem like the type to be abused so I rule that out and settle on the next option. He must know someone who was abused. He is sitting but he looks to be average height, he has dark skin and long hair that is in a knot on the back of his head. He has dark brown eyes and is really muscled, like the rest of Dauntless. And if I had to guess, I would say he was around 20 years old. I will have to keep an eye on him.
"What about Marcus?" Dean asks, and I turn back to them.
"He wasn't the only one." I state simply and pull my shirt up a little, revealing the smallest bit of my stomach and pulling my skirt away from my skin a little. There is a small scar on my hip, only about four inches long and it is thin but two years later it is still an angry red. After he hurt me bad enough, that was the last time he ever scarred me. But bruises hurt just as bad. There is a horrified silence as I drop my shirt. I smile bitterly, a sad edge to it. "As you can see, I already have my battle scars." They exchange glances and I huff. "I don't want your pity." I snap angrily. "What I want is empathy and I can't get that here, then all I want is for you guys to fuck off!" I snarl and that does it.
Looks of respect are coming from all around as Josh snickers.
"I wonder why you didn't go to Candor, Miss Honest." He snickers and I roll my eyes twisting my lips at him.
"So, who wants to make a deal?" Dean asks, and we all turn to him. Once again, my Erudite rears its head as I look at him with curiosity. The other initiates are watching him but with careless grins and casual grace. One day I will be like that. Strong. Confident. A panther, content in my strength and power.
"What kind of deal?" I ask, eyeing them warily and Alezander chucks me under my chin playfully.
"Careful, your Erudite is showing." He teases before turning to his friend. "Spill man!" Alezander exclaims and Dean grins and looks at all of us.
"Let's make it a goal for the 6 of us to make it to the end. We protect each other, help each other and then after we are officially Dauntless, we come into this train car and ride it together. Who's with me?" He holds out his fist and they slap it with their hands. They turn and look at me. I hesitate. It is hard for me to trust but that was then and this is now. Determined, I slap his fist too.
"I have to warn you guys, I don't know how much help to you I am going to be." Alezander smirks and shakes his head, tossing an arm over my shoulder.
"We will still help you. Agreed?" He looks around and they all nod in agreement. I smile and settle down as we ride the train. Content that I made the right choice.
"Alright! We are close!" Josh shout and we all get up. He slaps the panel and the train door slides open. Ahead, I can see a building. A faint smile curls on my lips. I always have had destructive tendencies. At least now I can exercise them and not be looked at like I am crazy.
"Let me guess, we have to jump off the train." I state dryly and they snicker. Anticipation lights up their eyes as they all crowds around the door.
"Don't worry, I will go first." Alezander tells me and I nod, unconcerned. Excitement is unfurling in my belly and lighting my blood on fire.
"Let's do a 3 person jump off." Josh says with a grin and I look at him confused.
"What's that?"
"That is where 3 of us hold hands and jump off at the same time." My eyes widen and an unbidden smile crosses my lips. I definitely won't be looked at like I am crazy here. My laugh is torn away from me by the wind. I grab Sasha and Izzy's hands, their matching excitement spurring me to new heights.
"What about me?" Alezander asks, pouting a little and I shrug.
"You said you would go first." I remind him and I smirk as he huffs and Izzy laughs. The building comes up and Zander takes a flying leap. Seconds later, Josh, Dean and and the other Dauntless jump. I look at the girls and we launch ourselves out. We hang in the air for the longest moment and I whoop before colliding with Zander as we fall to the ground.
"Oops." I roll over and smile at the laughter and heckling the others are giving him. I sit up and laugh with them, loving the acceptance I am getting as they ruffle my hair, lifting me to my feet and slapping my shoulder.
"Oops?" He asks incredulously, holding out a hand for me. "I think you broke my freakin' rib!" I snicker at him before adopting an innocent look as I help haul him to his feet.
"If it makes you feel any better, I am not hurt at all." Izzy, Sasha, Josh, Dean and I break out laughing at his offended face. He shakes his head as we walk over to the rest of the group but I can tell he isn't really angry when he slings an arm over my shoulder.
"You always were a sloppy jumper!" Dean jokes and they shove back and forth, wrestling each other into headlocks. I look at the girls, and we start laughing again as we join the group. The issue resolved, the two boys join us as we fall silent and look up at the man. He looks to be older, is tall, has dark skin and confident eyes. It is the man from the train.
"Alright! Listen up, initiates!" He points over the side of the building. "I am Amar. Several stories below us is the members' entrance to our compound. If you can't muster the will to jump off, you don't belong here. Our initiates have the privilege of going first. Who is brave enough to be the first to join Dauntless?" He asks with a mocking grin.
"Holy shit." I mutter with shock and Sasha snickers. Izzy looks pale and Josh squeezes her hand.
"There must be something at the bottom?" A Candor boy calls in disbelief. The man gives him a disdainful glance.
"Are you volunteering to jump first?" The boy pales and backs away. I bite my lip and raise my head. I can do this. I have never been afraid of heights. Only of falling with nothing there to catch me. My Erudite brain tells me though, there must be something at the bottom. This isn't just a test of bravery.
It is a test of trust.
I walk forward and without pausing, turn so I am facing the group. I smirk, flash a thumbs up and launch myself off backwards. I let out a whoop as I fall faster and faster and another whoop of pure exhilaration is torn out of me. I hit something that molds itself around me. It is a net. I laugh and lay there, adrenaline rushing through me. Someone tugs on the net and I take the hint, rolling to the side.
"That was awesome! When can I do it again?" I ask, bouncing on the heels of my feet. That jump has lowered all boundaries and made me feel...amazing and free. The guy looks faintly amused. He has dark brown hair and deep blue eyes set in a masculine and sensual face. His build is lean but I can clearly see the muscles rippling in his arms.
"What is your name?" He asks. I open my mouth but shut it again, hesitation rippling through me. Understanding shoots through his eyes and he leans in. "You can choose whatever name you want. It will be the last time though, so choose wisely." I nod, pondering it. I like my name but it signifies the smaller, weaker side of myself. I want a name that sounds bold and yes- even arrogant. I remember the fond nick-name Jett gave me and a small smile crosses my face.
"Paz-" I hesitate before nodding firmly, rolling the name in my mouth and approving. "My name is Paz." The guys looks at me before turning and shouting: "First Jumper - Paz!" There is cheering and whooping erupting from the gathered Dauntless. Breathless, I walk to the side and wait. The next jumper is Zander.
"Four." He nods at the guy before grinning at me.
"How's it going, little 'Zia?" He asks and tosses an arm over my shoulder. I roll my eyes and nudge him with my shoulder.
"First, it's Paz now and I'm fine, Second Jumper Zander." I taunt and he barks out a laugh as we watch the next jumper. It is Sasha.
"Sup guys?" She calls, strutting over to us. I laugh and bump fists with her.
"I am finally doing just perfect!" I tell them as I grin, truly meaning the words.
"Welcome to Dauntless!" Zander says grandly and I laugh, finally feeling weightless and free.