New Horizons
I do not own the Divergent books, or the products mentioned.
Chapter One
I am awaked from my restless slumber with the ear-splitting sound of old hinges creaking. My blood runs cold and my body stiffens. The dull thud of foot steps coming closer cause my heart beat to quicken. I silently hope that they won't realize that I am awake and leave the dusty aired room without bothering with me. My hopes are quickly crushed, the torn up blanket is ripped from my body. My skin prickles with goose bumps as it is exposed to the freezing air. Instinctively I curl my body into a ball fearing what will happen to me. The skin on my back starts to burn as the resounding crack is heard throughout the empty space. Tears begin to gather in my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall because I know that's what they like to see. My body is jerked up, my dull eyes meet those of the man who has torchered me, "Listen to me you little bitch. Today we have people coming over and you need to make sure that you are not heard. We wouldn't want anyone to take you from us, now would we?" Sickly stale breath mixed with alcohol is breathed onto my face, I don't respond. A hand hits my face, "Answer me! You worthless piece of shit!" With the sting of the hit still felt in my cheek I nod my head. I'm thrown back down on to the hard ground as he goes to the corner of the room to retrieve a bucket from the corner. "You are the most ungrateful child I have ever met, I give you a place to stay and food to eat. I even clean out your bathroom for you!," He swings the bucket that is grasped firmly in his hand, "And all you do is sit there and complain about it!" He stomps to the door and slams it shut, the click of the gears tell me that it's locked.
I sit on the dirty floor and breathe a sigh of relief. Usually the beating are much harsher, he must be in a good mood today. My sickly thin body is racked with shivers as the wind howls outside. I have no idea what day it is or how long I've been up here, all I know is that the people who 'care' for me are monsters. When I was eight years old my family was killed, somehow I was the only one to live. I was put up for adoption because none fo my other relatives could take me in. A man and woman with what seemed like friendly smiles on their faces came and adopted me, their names where Michael and Jenna. At first I was showered with love and affection, but suddenly one day their happy smiles turned into nasty sneers. They yelled and screamed at me how useless I was, and how I should have died with my family. Soon after I was awoken in the night and forced to sleep in the most terrifying place ro an eight year old girl, the attic. I have stayed up here continuously, never let out, for what my guess is many years. When I was first moved up here I asked where I would use the bathroom and to my disbelief they threw a bucket at me. "There you little bitch, use that! And if I hear one word of complaining out of your mouth I will not hesitate to get the belt out." Is all they told me. In my time up here they have beat me with everything you can think of, but what I believe is truly the best thing to have happened to me is that included books. When they are done they just toss the books aside and leave me alone in the dimly lit room. I started collect these books and have taught myself what I have been deprived of by not going to school.
I lay down, being careful of my beaten body, and just stare up at the ceiling. My mind starts to drift where it usually does in my countless hours of imprisonment, what the outside world is like. I haven't had a real human interaction in a long while and quite frankly am a bit afraid of what would happen to be if I did. Michael and Jenna and told me that they keep me up here to protect me from the danger of the outside world, stories of little girls being raped and killed or being used as slaves were told to me. I have grown old enough that I now know that is untrue, but still those stories are always in the back of my mind. I am afraid that if I somehow am able to leave this place what will happen to me.
My musings are broken off by the sound of voices down stairs. It must be the company that Michael said I must be silent for. The voices seemed to be raised in their volume than what normal conversation would use. "We do not have anyone else in this house! Why do you have a search warrant there is no need!...No, don't go up to the attic there is only old boxes up there!" What I recognise as Jenna's voice seems to be arguing with someone. "Well, if it is only boxes there shouldn't be a problem." Responds a voice that I have never heard before. Footsteps rush up the stair leading to the room that I am locked in. I push myself into the corner out of fear of what is coming. The footsteps stop and everything is quite except the muffled voices of people whispering. Suddenly the silence is broken, along with the door that leads to my cage. People in black clothing rush in, I squeak out in fear and back up into the corner trying to hide. One of the men look at me and then shouts, "Commander! Come here, we found her!" They found her? What does that even mean? A man wearing a blue tee-shirt walks in, he comes towards me while putting his hand out. On instinct I flinch away hoping he doesn't hurt me they could be like the monsters that have torchered me.
The man turns around and says, "She is in very bad shape. Not enough food or water and has many injuries. Go get the paramedics up here. And arrest Machel and Jenna Smith for holding Beatrice Prior here and abusing her." All the men turn and rush out of the room and I'm left with the man. Who is he and how does he know my name? "I'm Max, commander of the police force. We won't hurt you we just want to help." His hand touches my shoulder and I flinch back shaking my head. I don't want him to touch me, what will they do to me. "Hey, calm down it's ok. You see those people," He gestures to the people in white coming in the room, he grabs ahold of me, "They will help you and so will I." I start to thrash to get out of his grip. "Let me go! Your going to hurt me!" I start to scream. Suddenly a woman appears at my side, a sharp pain causes me to look at my arm, a needle is sticking out of it.What is happening? My world starts to go fuzzy, and then I'm immersed in pitch dark blackness.