Four rubbed his hands over his face to try to wake himself up. He had been staring at this computer screen all night, having traded his day shift for Zeke's night shift so Zeke could take his latest conquest on a date. He was waiting for Jared to come relieve him so he could grab a quick breakfast and head to sleep. In two days, the new initiates would be coming in and he wanted to be fresh so he could scare the shit out of them. He always enjoyed the first day with the transfers; their eyes wide open to life at Dauntless.
Jared finally walked into the room carrying two cups of coffee. "Sorry I'm late man, there was a ruckus in the Pit. Some girl was screaming at Zeke, must have been a good night for him. Here's some coffee." Four couldn't help but smirk at his best friend, knowing he would get the full story later at lunch. "No problem, keep an eye on Sector 4, the factionless look like they are grouping up. We may have to send someone over there later." "Better watch out for Abnegation if we do, those Stiffs will probably want to throw them a party." Jared sat down in Four's vacated seat focusing on the monitor he pointed out. As he walked out of the room, his mind was in another place. "Oh Four, Tori wanted me to tell you to stop by the tattoo parlor before you went to the cafeteria. She said something about checking your tattoo for infection. Did you get another one?" Four just nodded, "Yeah she slipped in one spot. Thanks man." He sighed at having to wait a little longer on getting his breakfast, at least Jared had brought him coffee. He was going to have to get another tattoo now in case Jared brought it up later since he knew that wasn't what Tori wanted him for.
He quietly slipped into the parlor and found her at the back cleaning her tools. "Hey you said you wanted to check my tattoo for infection?" She looked up at him wide eyed and gestured toward the back room. Four pushed through the curtain and Tori immediately followed. He moved back as far as he could, this room was quite cozy. "I just wanted to let you know that I am administering tests again and I'll keep an eye out for any special friends and leave you their names. I don't know how much longer we can keep this up." "Well it's been going pretty well so we just have to keep carefully monitoring them and make sure Eric doesn't take notice of any of them if they come to us." "That's what I thought. I'll make sure to get back to you ASAP."
Four walked out and grabbed her tools, "We really need to find a different code. I'm starting to run out of room." He smiled as she led him to the chair farthest in the back. "What do you want this time?" "Just add to the one I already have, some more flames or something." Tori sat down and quickly got to work. "Oh yeah, and you better slip up in one spot. Make it count." Four closed his eyes as Tori added to her masterpiece on his back, cringing when her needle went in a little too far at the base of his shoulder blade. "All done, looks like you are infection free." Tori gave him a pat on the back as he got up to leave. He turned back before he headed to breakfast, "Be careful tomorrow. Stay focused on what you need to do." With that Four walked out, determined to get some food and much needed sleep. As he walked down the corridor, he had a flashback to the first day he met Tori and how it changed his life.
He shuffled into the testing area, determined to keep his head down. He didn't want to give his father any evidence toward…no not today. He would not think about him today. As he waited he looked around at all the other factions as inconspicuously as he could. The Erudite had their noses buried in books, every now and then looking up to discuss some new concept with others sitting near them. The Candor were having debates that became heated at points but ended in laughter. The Amnity weren't sitting at their assigned tables; instead they pushed them out of the area and were sitting in a circle playing some hand slapping game. The Dauntless were the loudest, sitting on tables, practicing fighting stances, linking hands to see who was strongest. And then there was Abnegation, sitting silently in the corner on the edge of their seats as if prepared to give it up at any second to people in need. Four couldn't imagine continuing life in his faction, for more reasons than one.
Soon someone came out of the testing area and shouted for everyone to quiet down, of course the Dauntless were the last ones. Were they always so obnoxious? "Your tests will begin soon. Please listen for your names as we call them and step forward to a door along this hallway. Remember you are not to discuss your test results with anyone, including family. As always good luck and we will see you tomorrow for the Choosing Ceremony."
She begins to call names and I sat quietly. I heard my name called and stepped up to an open door. As I pushed my way through it I saw it was lined with mirrors and my eyes immediately snapped to the ground. A woman was setting up a station next to a chair. "Welcome, my name is Tori. Please have a seat," was all she said without even looking up at me. I shuffled my way over and sat in the chair. She immediately handed me a vial, "Drink this," she said. "What's it for?" "It is going to allow the computer to access your brain. The computer will give you a series of situations in which you are going to have to make a choice. It will eliminate each faction until you are left with one. Now drink." I swallowed it in one gulp and turned to hand her back the vial and noticed she was missing.
The first thing in front of me was two stone pillars. One had cheese and one had a knife. "Choose," a voice said. I began to ask why but thought better of it. I was trying to figure out what situation would require me to make a choice between cheese and a knife when both disappeared and I heard a snarling behind me. I turned and saw a dog enter the room, foaming at the mouth. I now realized what those items would be used for. As I didn't have either I thought about lying down and holding out my hand for the dog. When I did, the dog immediately began licking my hand and as I looked up I noticed it was no longer vicious. I just began to breathe again when I heard a little girl yell "puppy" and the dog turned and launched itself at her. I jumped up and stepped in the way of the dog. As the dog's mouth closed around my shoulder, it all disappeared and I was back on the table in front of Tori. She was looking at me strangely as she hurridly typed on the computer. "Why didn't you choose something from the pillar?" "I wasn't sure what it was for and I was trying to figure out which would be the best to take. Why?" "No reason but your result is Abnegation, not much of a surprise. You can exit the way you came in. And remember; don't share your results with anyone." I couldn't stand. Abnegation. I would never escape. Tori gave me a hard look, "Are you not happy with your results? You can talk with me, we are safe in here." I looked at her hesitantly but I had no reason to doubt her, lying was a selfish thing to do, except she wasn't Abnegation, so maybe she had no problem lying. "I was just hoping for a change. I'm not sure I'm cut out for selfless giving." "Well in the end it is your choice. But remember, if you choose to switch, make sure people don't know it was your choice. That can get you in trouble." With that she turned away from me, leaving me with a million questions but knowing my time was up I stepped out of the room. I slowly walked home, not wanting to face what was waiting for me through those doors.
Four shook his head to remove the memory and stepped into the cafeteria to find Zeke huddled in the corner. "Hey man, heard you put on quite the show this morning." "Shhh I'm trying to hide out from that crazy bitch. Do you know she threw me out of my own apartment?! She locked me out for an hour before I finally was able to get back in." "Well maybe this is finally the sign you needed to stop going after the crazy ones." With that we began a banter back and forth until I finished eating. "Well I'm going to head back up to my room, I had a long night, although not quite as long as yours it seems like." Four laughed as he made his way out of the cafeteria through the Pit, glancing around at the place that he has called home for 2 years.