A/N: This is for NaNoWriMo 2017.
Prologue
In ancient times, the Pillars of Life created the world. They created night and day, soil and water, wind and fire, and every living thing. The Earth was roamed by creatures big and small, and everything had its rightful place.
In the realm above, the Pillars created a beautiful city called Cer. It was there were they sat at the table, and watched over their creation. The plants thrived, the animals were plentiful, and peace governed the realm below. They called it Earth. But as deities go, they soon got bored with all the peacefulness or at least some of them did. Those who wanted to create something new, something that would resemble them, decided to sculpt creatures out of soil, water, fire, and air. The Pillars entrusted the design and creation of these new creatures to the most talented of Cerians, whom they called Architects. There were always four Architects, each of them governed by one of the four primordial elements.
The Architects created little creatures, they called humans that resembled the Pillars, yet were mortal and far less powerful. Presenting the new creations, the Architects bestowed special powers over some of them, secretly hoping to spike conflict, discord, and jealousy among their puppets. The High Council of Pillars looked upon the little people, and decided to give them more than just magical power. They gave each of them critical thought and thirst for knowledge. The Pillars new that the Architects might try to cause war among their creation, and therefore decided to give them all equal chances to win. However, since they couldn't remove the magical advantage of some of them, the High Council decided that only through a bath in the Pond of Knowledgethose individuals could unlock their magical gift.
Breathing life into the miniature figures, the Pillars sent the tiny people to Earth, where they emerged from their shells, and took their first breath as living beings. To them, Earth was a strange place that they couldn't understand, yet they knew it was home.
Throughout history, the first humans multiplied time and time again, populating all of their inherited Earth, creating wonders of their own through science and technology, and soon the few details they knew about magic were forgotten.
It was only for a handful of loyal disciples that the origin of mankind was written down for the ages. But the smarter mankind became, the less interested they were in magic and worshipping their heavenly creators. The Architects pleaded with the High Council to send an apocalypse down to Earth to destroy the ungrateful children of their first men, but were turned down ingloriously. The High Council, foreseeing such a situation, wrote down a Codex for all Cerians to follow, especially when it came to Earth. From all the creations, the humans turned out to be the most interesting ones, and the High Council decided to not intervene in their evolution unless absolutely necessary. Enraged by the blatant disrespect of their creation, and the pacifistic views of the High Council, the Architects engineered intricate ideas that they planted inside key members of the human society, to create weapons so great they would kill them all. The Architects used a loophole to their advantage, and almost completely destroyed one of Life's greatest achievements. Horrible wars were fought, millions of people perished, pain and suffering governed the Earth, and nothing seemed to ever give those who survived their hope back.
Inheriting a world in decline, a land with fewer resources than ever before, the remaining humans gathered into small tribes and sought refuge in what once were cities and towns. Cut off from each other, over the next two centuries each town and city looked for ways to ensure their people's survival. Some failed, while others thrived. It was only a matter of finding a right balance.
The nuclear war they survived left them little choice but to isolate themselves until the surrounding area was viable again. Using the smartest among them, the people created a new society based on factions. Each individual had their faction contributed in their own way. While it wasn't prohibited to visit, and learn from one another, there were those who thought that each individual should stay where they belonged, and there only. But there were those among these people who were blessed by the Heaven above, who understood that unity is more important than factions, and everyone had the right to be who they chose to be.
These individuals each received a beautiful gift, but like every gift it caused jealousy and suspicion among those who couldn't understand its true meaning. The Gifted were hunted down, killed or experimented on, so much that today they were fewer in numbers than ever, and there was no one left to teach the new generation about the old ways, and the importance of their gifts.
"Mom?" I asked, as my mother sat on my bed, resting against my headboard. She only made a humming sound, and I continued. "Will someone come, and take me away?"
"Oh, no, Beatrice. Of course, not," mom told me reassuringly. I looked up at her, and almost believed her, if it wasn't for that flicker in her eyes whenever I asked that question. "Don't worry, sweetheart. You will be alright. I promise." Mom kissed my forehead, and turned off the light.
I waited for her to leave my room, until I got out of my bed, knelt down in front of it, and pulled out a large dusty book I found a few weeks earlier in an old tunnel underneath the city. I could barely read it, but I could tell already it was important. I wanted to know everything it said, but I heard someone walking down our hallway. I quickly hid the book underneath my bed again, climbed into bed, pulled the sheets up, and pretended I was asleep. I could tell it was dad from the cologne that wafted into my room, and tickled my nostrils. He took a few steps toward my bed, and I felt his lips touch my forehead.
"Sleep tight, baby girl," he whispered, before leaving my room. I smiled to myself, and finally allowed slumber to claim me.
Chapter 1: Firefly leads the way
Ten years later.
I woke early that morning. It was the day I would take a very important test. Perhaps the most important test of my life. The Aptitude Test, designed by Erudite, the faction of the smart people, was meant to tell the tested person to which faction he or she belonged. Those who took the test didn't speak of it much. The only thing I knew was that they would inject me with something, a serum of some sort.
I really don't understand why this test was even necessary. Everyone was allowed to explore a year in advance every faction, even spend several days in one to see how things worked inside each of the five factions. But my parents told me that Erudite insisted this test would reduce the chances of failure. To them, failing wasn't even an option. I really don't get it. How could a test tell me something my own heart and mind couldn't? If I myself don't know who I am, then how could a test?
I shake my head, trying to get rid of these thoughts. I've already spend more than a half hour lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, and wondering what this test will tell me. As I slip out from under my blanket, I stand on the hardwood floor, and shiver slightly. I really need to keep my slippers close by in the morning. I put them on, go to my closet, and look for something to wear. My mind, though, is racing back to the test. Whatever the test says, I know where I want to go, and what I want to do. My parents made sure ever since I was little to learn all about the five factions of our city, how they work, what role they play in our society, and what each would expect me to do if I choose to join.
Erudite, the smart ones, are all about science, innovation, and knowledge. The more an Erudite knew, the more respected he was. They wanted to know everything to an extent that it bordered on intruding into people's privacy. If it were up to them, they would put cameras in everyone's room to study us. My father used to be like that. He was born in that faction but when his time came to choose, he chose Abnegation.
Abnegation, the selfless ones, are the people who look out for others less fortunate. They help the factionless, those who chose to either not live in a faction or just didn't meet up with the requirements of the faction they chose. It was Abnegation who brought these people clothes, and food, and tried to integrate them into society through social programs. The other factions looked at Abnegation with suspicion, especially Erudite, being jealous. Abnegation was the faction that governed the city from the early days on. Not seeking wealth or power for themselves, they were the perfect candidates. But in the last two hundred years the City Council decided to include the other factions as well, and they all agreed on a voting system. Each faction was represented by three ambassadors. However, to Erudite a mere three seats on the council wasn't enough, and they always pushed for their ideas to be voted into legality. They believed that the best way for the city to thrive was for each faction to concentrate on their task, without getting involved in the others. Abnegation saw things differently, but proceeded with caution, since they weren't often too popular for the periods of austerity they imposed. It was always necessary, but to the people in the city they were just a nuisance, and at times endangered to be overthrown.
One of Abnegation's most loyal allies was Amity, the faction of the kind. The Amity people were simple people who worked the land, and provided the city with food. Rather isolated compared to the others, they lived peaceful lives, and understood the importance to ration your food, especially when they were hit by natural calamities. Erudite did a wonderful job finding ways to protect crops and create medicine to cure livestock, but sometimes all the advancements of science couldn't guarantee a plentiful harvest.
Candor, the faction of the honest, were in charge of the law. They would study it, perfect it, and they were sought out for advice when someone committed a crime. They were judge and jury in most cases, the other factions were only called when something extraordinary happened. Used to a certain lifestyle, Candor wasn't particularly happy with measures the council imposed on its citizens. They were therefore inclined to side with Erudite, despite not having the best of opinion about them.
The last of the five factions is Dauntless. The Dauntless are a particular breed of crazy people or so they like to present themselves. They are fearless, daring, and just a hint of nuts. But you know you can rely on them to protect you. Despite not having visitors from other cities, the Dauntless train daily to be able to defend us all. Some two hundred years ago, the founders of our society built a fence all around the cityto ensure that the citizens would be protected. Dauntless act like a police force, making sure no one inside causes trouble either. Working together with Candor, Dauntless apprehends troublemakers and criminals and brings them to Candor where they will be judged according to their crime.
"Beatrice, hurry, we're gonna be late," I hear my brother's voice coming from across the hall. I check the time, and see that it is almost 8.30 am. We still have a little bit to walk until we get to our school, where the test will be administered, and where we'll have school later. I let my brother know I'm almost done, pull some clothes on, rush into the bathroom to wash my face, brush my teeth, and comb my hair, and within ten minutes I'm ready to go.
My brother, being almost a year older than I am, scolds me for being late, but stops once he sees how nervous I am. He puts his arms around my shoulder, kisses my left temple, and tells me that it'll be fine. The test will be over in no time, and I will know which faction to choose.
"I still don't understand why we have to go through this test," I tell him frustrated.
"Beatrice, we've been through this before. It will help you choose," he says exasperated.
"What if I don't want to choose the faction the test tells me to?" I ask him, genuinely curious about what would happen then.
"You have the right to choose whatever faction you think will be good for you. The test is there to tell you were you would fit in best, though."
"What if I have already made up my mind?"
"Then hopefully the test will reflect that," Caleb replies, becoming more and more annoyed.
"If I already know what I'll choose, why do I still have to take the test?" That was something that always befuddled me. I know what I want. Why do I have to go through this tedious test?
"You ask too many questions. That's the way it is," he says, and starts walking faster, leaving me behind. I stop for a moment, and look at my brother's retrieving back, when I suddenly have a strange feeling.
I remain rooted to the spot, trying to figure out what it is. Am I this nervous? No. Am I sick? I don't feel sick. What is this strange feeling?
A breeze of air hits me in the face, and I close my eyes, trying to avoid dust to irritate them. I start coughing, and the more I try to breathe, the harder it gets. I turn around, hoping to be able to take a deep breath, but the wind seems to be everywhere at once, stopping me from even opening my eyes.
"Tris!" I hear someone calling my name.
"Caleb?" I call, but it is impossible for me to see if it's him. Where did this damned wind come from.
"Tris!" I hear the voice again. Someone is calling my name, but I can make out who it is.
The wind intensifies, and to avoid being hit too hard, I crouch down, and wrap my arms over my head, trying to keep dust and sand out of my eyes, mouth and nose. I silently pray to the heaven that this unearthly storm will fade soon.
"Tris!" The voice calls out for me again, but this time it sounded much closer. I lift my head slightly, trying to open my eyes, but the wind speed is still too high to even begin to outline something. "Tris!" The voice is coming closer, and I inwardly shake. What is this? Is this a joke? A trick? Does someone want to scare me? "Tris!" The voice is right in front of me now. I reach out my hand, grabbing the air, trying to find that person who keeps calling me over and over again. "Tris!" There! The voice is right beside me, to my right. I turn my head, almost causing me to fall over. I pry my eyes open, trying to see who it is that keeps calling me, but as they flutter open, the wind dissipates, and I am in an alley close by to the school. How did I get here? Did the wind bring me here? No. I didn't move an inch from where I was standing. How did I get here? "Tris!" I hear the voice again. It is moving. It is trying to get away.
"Wait!" I shout out, starting to move from my spot, setting one foot in front of the other, until I find myself running. I run after a ghost. There is no one here but me. Not even factionless are rummaging through the garbage or kids playing hide and seek. I am all alone with the ghost who keeps calling my name.
"Tris!" I hear the voice much clearer than before. It is right here, right where I am standing now. I look around frantically, trying to get a glimpse of the creature that seemingly was send to haunt me.
"Who are you? What do you want from me?" I yell out. I've had it with this ghost.
I turn around, wanting to go back to the school, hoping I am in not too much trouble, when a creaking sound to my left makes me snap my head in that direction. A large rusted metal door slowly opens. There is no one here but me and my ghost, and I wonder what all this means. If I leave now, I might never know what lies beyond that door. If I stay, I might face an unknown danger.
Curiosity wins over, and apprehensively I step into the darkened room that lies beyond the rusted metal door. Immediately, a stench of stale water, dust, and something rotting hits me hard, and I gag a few times, trying my hardest not to heave. I look around, trying to figure out why a ghost would want me to enter this building. It is clearly abandoned, and looks as if it might fall down any moment.
"Tris!" I hear the voice again. It's somewhere to my right, and I suddenly spot a small light, like a firefly, moving frantically ahead. I chase after it, wondering if it called my name. As the thought forms in my head, I laugh to myself. How could a firefly call me? It doesn't even have a voice. On the other hand, nothing that has happened in the past ten or so minutes is normal, so why not a talking bug?
I am right behind the firefly, walking calmly after it. I take turns to the left, then turns to the right, so many I wonder if this is a building or a maze. It look like a warehouse to me, large metal boxes fill the room, but you could tell by the thick layer of dust that it hasn't been used in years or even decades. I don't pay much attention to the path I took, figuring I can follow my own footsteps back out.
The firefly stops in front of a wooden door, flying around it in circles. I think it wants me to open it, but I'm not sure that's a wise idea. The room I'm in right now is dark enough to barely make out things. What if what lies beyond is more darkness?
"Tris!" the voice calls again.
"I know I'm going to regret this," I say out loud, although no one is here to hear me. Well, no one but the firefly.
I reach for the doorknob, and slowly pry the door open. As I suspected, the room behind the door is just as dark as the one I'm in right now, but a curious sound catches my attention. What is that? I take a step into the room, willing my ears to hear better, wishing my mind could tell me what it is I'm even hearing. As I step inside fully, the door closes behind me, and I shriek. I turn around, trying to open the door again, but it won't move. I try pulling at it harder, but it doesn't open. I start hitting it with the palms of my hands, screaming for someone, anyone to get me out of here, but no one is coming. And who did I expect to come? No one knows where I am. I don't know where I am.
"Tris!" the voice calls me again. I turn around irritated, and realize the room I'm in, isn't an actual room, but a staircase. I wonder if I will find something going up, but just as I set my foot on a stair to go upwards, the firefly moves frantically in front of my face, and then flies toward the stairs that lead a level below. That's so not creepy!
I look at the stairs that lead up, a soft light shining through a window, and then down where it's dark, and frankly scary. I am not one to scare that easily, but I have to admit, being here all alone with a firefly for a companion, I must be completely nuts to go where it wants me to go. I hang my head, and sigh. I'm going down.
I take one step after the other, further down to where the noise is coming from. What is this? It almost sounds like water. Is there a burst pipe? A river? I know it's not the sewer water. That was averted a long time ago. Why do I even want to know? Damn my curiosity! I stop, and look up. The path to the ground level seems so much darker going up than it actually was coming down. And I couldn't have walked for that long to be so far away from the light on the level above, where I initially wanted to go. What is going on here?
"Tris!" I hear the voice again, and as I look down an eerie green light appears at the bottom. I don't know what this is, but I don't like it. I start to regret my decision to come down here, and decide to just return to the surface. My plan, however, starts crumbling the moment the stairs start moving dangerously. I look up frightened, watching as chunks of concrete are plummeting toward me. Pieces of the staircase fall to the ground, burying me down here, alive. My only choice is to go down.
I start running faster than I even thought possible, I follow the staircase without giving it a second thought. I run close to the wall, hoping the pieces of large chunks of concrete will miss me miraculously, and they do. I don't dwell too much on it, though, wanting to get the hell out of here.
The more I run, the closer I get to the light. Whatever that light is, it can't be worse than what's happening here. I reach the bottom of the stairs, pieces of concrete falling next to me, dust and fine pebbles hit me over the head, and cover my shoulders. But all that, the danger I am in, is pushed back as I lay my eyes on the source of the light. A large door-like entrance, with its edges flickering a softer green and blue, a sort of gateway to another place. That's when I hear it again. Water. Yes, definitely water. It sounds like a waterfall.
A large piece of stairs falls right next to me, making me yelp out in surprise. As intrigued as I am about the wonders that may lie ahead of me, as cautious I am. But between being crushed by a crumbling down building, and entering a room that might hold more dangerous for me, I choose the latter. Whatever I do from now on, there's no going back.
I step through the door, just as I hear a roaring sound behind me. I turn around, already safe on the other side, and watch as the spot I just stood in is covered with what remained of the staircase. I can't help the sigh of relief that leaves my mouth, and take a moment to thank heaven I'm still alive.
After calming a bit, my heart rate decreased to a normal speed, I turn my gaze to what the mysterious gateway took me to. I gasp in awe as I take the sight before me in. I don't know where I am, but I'm definitely not in the city anymore. Right a few feet below me is a large body of water. It is warm and humid, and natural light streams in from the ceiling above. In fact, there is no ceiling, it's just a large hole in the ground. The whole room in cylinder shaped, and from water level about fifty feet tall, and at least just as much wide. From up above, water is cascading down into the pond below, which explains the rushing sound I heard while coming down here, wherever here is. I notice a stairway to my left that leads directly to the water. Looking to my right there is only wall, so the only other way I can take now is to my left. I cautiously climb down the stairs, not wanting to slip and fall, when I notice someone in the water.
"Hello?" I shout, making sure whoever it is hears me. The person turns around, and I gasp in surprise. "Susan?" I ask.
"Tris?" she asks flabbergasted. I rush down the last few stairs until I reach the bottom, still staring at my best friend just swimming in the pond as if nothing.
"How'd you get here?" I ask. I knew she was visiting her mother's sister in Amity this week, but would have been back tomorrow for the Choosing Ceremony, since her brother is about to choose.
"I don't know really. I was walking with my aunt through the orchards, when someone suddenly called my name. I thought it was my aunt, but I realized that it was a male voice. I asked who it was, but he didn't answer, instead he kept calling. The strangest thing, though, my aunt just disappeared. I know you'd say I'm stupid, but I followed the voice, until I got here," she says, as she swims towards me.
"You aren't stupider than me. The same happened to me," I tell her as she gets out, a confused expression on her face.
We tell each other in detail exactly how we got here, realizing that our journeys to this place were similar from the beginning. Both gateways that led us here were now closed. We checked. There was no other way in or out. It was impossible to climb out, and I doubted anyone could find us. It was up to us to get out somehow.
As I looked around to inspect the room, I realized something. Water was coming in, but the water level didn't rise, which meant, the water was draining out somewhere below. Maybe wherever the water went had a big enough hole for Susan and me to swim through. Sensing Susan's insecurity, I offer to check it out alone. She is hesitant, but ultimately accepts my reasoning. I undress, and as I step into the water I realize how warm it is. It's not hot like in a bath tub, but just right. But as I swim a little around I feel this strange feeling again, as if something is about to happen. I remain still, just floating, waiting for something, anything really, to happen. When nothing happens, I dive to take a look at what lies beneath the surface. Thankfully, the sunlight shines bright enough to allow me to see the ground. The pond is much deeper than I thought, and I wonder momentarily if we will even be able to hold our breath for this long. Looking around for an escape, I see deep down a tunnel like structure, and see how the current intensifies there. This means, that's where the excess water is flowing out. I resurface, telling Susan that I found something, but wanted to check it out before we even attempt to dive, and try to escape through there.
She nods uneasy, but doesn't stop me. She knows I'm stubborn, and it might be our only way out. I take a deep breath, and dive. Knowing my destination, I waste no time, and reach the drain immediately. I look through it, and it is dark, so dark I can't see a thing. It looks large enough for a person to swim through, but as I stare into nothingness I wonder if this is such a good idea. Just as I want to turn around, a bright green light shines at the end of the tunnel, making me wonder if it might be another gateway. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, but now I at least had enough light to see where I was going. I push myself into the tunnel and swim quickly toward the light. As I approach it, I realize the tunnel was widening, and soon there was a large opening ahead of me. I push myself harder, feeling myself getting dizzy from the lack of oxygen, and surface into a cave.
The first thing I do is take huge breaths to calm my aching lungs. Once satisfied, I look around to see where I am. The cave seems small, but looking upward I can see daylight streaming in. I allow myself another moment to rest, before I dive again, and return to the cylinder-shaped room. I am much quicker now that I know the way, and as I resurface I feel as if something large just breathed on me. Opening my eyes to see if there wasn't some sort of water monster, I only see Susan at the shore, jumping up and down in delight.
"Oh, God, Tris! I thought you drowned," she says, relieved that I made it back.
"Please. As if some silly pond could take me," I say mockingly. She rolls her eyes, and I swim toward her.
"And?" she asks, full of anticipation.
"I found an exit. We need to take our stuff. Put our clothes in my bag, please," I ask her and she nods. I am glad now that dad bought me the water resistant school bag that he wanted instead of the cheaper one I wanted. Back then, I hoped to run around in the rain and ruin my notebooks. At least that way I had the perfect excuse for not having my homework. Now, I'm glad he didn't listen to me. At least when we get out we will be able to put on dry clothes.
Susan hands me the bag, and I put it around my neck, strapping it tight around my body. I wait for my friend to enter the water, and I tell her what to expect. We both take a deep breath, her hand in mine, and we dive together toward the exit. I swim as fast as I can, not wanting her to panic. Thankfully, she is a trooper, and we soon resurface in the cave.
I allow us both to catch our breath after the deep dive, and once we're both ready we swim to the shore, climb out of the water, and put our clothes on. Much more slippery than the pond room, Susan and I are extra careful to not slip on the wet rocky cave floor as we make our way toward the exit. We can already see daylight, and are thankful that we found our way out, no matter where we end up. Whatever this place is, it's certainly not normal.
I go ahead, too curious to wait any longer to find out where we are, when I realize just as I step outside that we are in Abnegation. How the hell did we end up here?
"Is this the meadow?" Susan asks, coming out behind me. I only nod. Susan, Robert, her brother, Caleb and I used to play here when we were younger so it's very familiar to us. "How did we get here?" she asks.
"Beats me," I say stunned. This whole day is so weird. So, why not come out here?
We walk silently toward the houses, both thinking of what happened today. At least, I am. We approach the first houses, when I realize I should be in school. What the heck am I going to tell my parents? They'll never believe me in a million years what I just went through. I can hardly believe it, and I was there the whole time. I don't have time to crack my skull over what to say and what to do, because my father, Mr. Black, Susan's father, and Marcus, our leader, come straight toward us. At first they don't notice us, engulfed in their conversation, and for a second I think we can hide, but just as quickly as I had the idea, Mr. Black looks forward and sees us.
"Girls, what are you doing here? You should be in school," he asks befuddled
"Uhm," I stutter.
"Beatrice, why is your hair wet? What happened?" he asks, a stern look on his face. He might have asked 'what happened', but what he meant was 'what did you do now'. Marcus just gives a disapproving look, and tells our dads he will let them handle this, and wait for them at the Abnegation Council Buidling.
"Dad, I," I keep mumbling, not sure what exactly to say. 'I went through a supernatural portal that took me to a underground pond' doesn't sound that good. Next to me, Susan shivers, and when she sneezes, her dad decides to take her to the hospital to get checked out. He and Mrs. Black are very obsessed with their kids not getting sick. They would do anything to prevent that. It doesn't surprise me he is overreacting. I give my friend a sympathetic look, and mouth 'see you later'. She nods her head, and walks with her dad in the opposite direction from where we came from.
My dad is still staring at me, and I just hang my head. There is nothing I could say, or do, that would get me out of trouble.
"Let's go home. We'll discuss this at night when mom's home," he tells me.
We walk home in silence, and I feel a heavy burden on my shoulders. I hate disappointing dad, and he really seemed upset when he first saw me. He unlocks the door, and ushers me inside, asking me to clean myself up, and start dinner. I look at him curiously, not understanding why I should start with dinner so early. I only nod my head, and go upstairs. I hear the front door close, and know he is gone.
As I enter my room, I get rid of my clothes, putting them in the hamper, and look at my clock on my nightstand. What? It says five pm. When did it turn so late? It was just morning when I left with Caleb. And even the time Susan and I spend in the pond room, and earlier myself alone in the warehouse couldn't have been more than two hours, three tops. But my alarm clock says it's nearly five pm. I was gone for over eight hours. How is that possible?
I go into the bathroom, take a quick shower, and rush back into my room to get dressed. I hurry downstairs to start making dinner, when mom enters the house.
"We need to talk," she says seriously, and I swallow hard past the lump in my throat. I've been in trouble before, but this seems even worse than anything that ever happened. We go to my room, and the moment the door is closed, mom turns to look at me, a serious expression on her face. "I need you to tell me the truth. You know you can trust me with everything," she says, and I tilt my head a little to the side, not quite understanding where she's coming from. I know I can trust her, but what does that have to do with anything? I nod my head, since she is still expecting my answer, and I wait for her to continue. "Where were you today?" I open my mouth, but mom quickly adds, "and don't lie." She gives me a stern look, and I nod my head again.
I didn't want to tell mom what happened, because frankly I don't know what happened. But mom was always sort of my accomplice when I did shit. And boy, did I do shit!
I start by telling mom about the strange wind, and the voice, and the firefly. I tell her how I just moved without actually moving into an alley, and how I went into an warehouse that started to crumble down, as I descendent a staircase into the basement, where a strange portal took me to a underground pond. I tell her that I found Susan Black there, and something similar happened to her. I tell my mom how I found an exit, and how we came out in Abnegation.
Mom remains quiet the whole time, listening intently. I almost expected her to say I was daydreaming everything, but she remains completely still, as if she is made out of stone.
"Mom, say something," I say, desperate for her input. Does she believe me? Does she think I'm crazy? Am I crazy?
"Did you feel something?" she suddenly asks. What? What does she mean? My confused look must tell her I didn't understand what she meant, so she explains. "Did you feel anything during this whole event?" she asks, but I don't know what she means. I think back at all that happened to me. Yes. I felt strange. I nod my head.
"I don't know exactly how to describe it, nut I felt strange, like deep down I knew something was about to happen, but I couldn't pin-point it." She nods her head, as if she actually understood what I felt. I watch her as she stands up, and paces in front of me. Or maybe, she actually understands what I felt.
"That's all? Just the feeling that something is about to happen?" she asks, and stares at me. "Nothing else?" she insists. I try to understand what she means, but I'm virtually left out of her train of thought. I try to think of anything else, but there isn't. Unless…
"I felt like something was breathing on me when I was in the water," I say, and mom's eyes widen.
"So, it happened. It really happened," she mumbles. I don't understand what she means, but the way she talks, and acts freaks me out.
"Mom," I say a little unsure. Her eyes lock with mine, and she stares at me, a small smile forming on her beautiful face.
"You received the gift," she says, and I just stare blankly at her.
A/N: What do you think?
