I run against the wind, the cool breeze whipping my long hair behind me. The loud wail of the approaching train sounds and the corners of my lips rise in anticipation. "Keep up!" I call back, twisting my head slightly to look at the other group of Dauntless kids ready for their Choosing Ceremony. All prepared to stay true to their faction, to come back to their home and jump off buildings like they usually do. Like I usually do. But soon I'll have to change.
"Shut up, Nat!" my friend Joanne calls, pumping her arms to get closer. I've always been one of the fastest at Dauntless, but it's only because I love the rush of adrenaline I get every time I push myself harder. I see the train approaching and I quickly time it out in my head, then dash towards the perfect position to jump on. The flash of black passes me and I lunge forward, my hand wrapping around the dark pole. Using all my strength, I pull the rest of my body up, safely landing inside the train. Joanne falls in after me, the other Dauntless flooding the car behind her.
"You're probably going to be on top during initiation," she tells me, knowing all too well how fearless I can be. I just shrug, acting as if I don't care for her sake. I can't lead her on. Not when I've already made my choice.
I look out the window at the Dauntless compound for one last time, knowing what lies behind the walls. The chasm, the pit, all the places I love too much. The tattoo parlor that I've visited countless times with my friend. The bedroom I shared with Joanne where she pierced my ears for me. And the training room that I've walked past so many times and wondered when it would be my turn to stand in their and show off my skills. I now know that the answer is never.
The compound is out of sight and soon enough I see the familiar, tall Hub rising in the distance. All the other Dauntless start to stand up, getting ready to jump as I watch the kids file into the building. Slowly the train car empties and I'm left alone to jump. My last time jumping off the Dauntless train, my last act of bravery. My final moment of selfishness. I want to savor it, to enjoy it, to drag it on and on until I'm sick of it. But I can't. I have to act fast so I don't miss my stop, and there's no time to say goodbye. I quickly bend my knees and fling myself out of the car, tucking my head as I hit the ground and roll. I stand up and smile lightly at Joanne, who seems confused as to why I was last off. She brushes it off and turns towards the building, staying at my side.
We pile into the Hub, racing to the twentieth floor as fast as possible. When we get to the top, we find our place in the alphabetical line at the back with the other 16 year olds. I look ahead and see my parents in Dauntless black smiling at me, proud of their girl growing up. I don't even want to think about their faces, how destroyed they'll be, when I choose.
I don't even realize it when the first name is called, starting with the end of the alphabet and working it's way up. Most of the teens choose their faction, but a few brave souls go with the place they're meant to be. The first boy to transfer is an Erudite named Andrew, who switches to Abnegation. Maybe I'll get to know him sometime, considering very few every transfer there—we might even be the only two Abnegation transfers this year for all I Dauntless cheer when a Candor boy transfers to our side, while the Amity smile gratefully when a girl joins their faction.
Joanne is called up and turns her head back to me, smiling excitedly, before heading to the front of the room where Marcus stands with a knife in his hand. She easily slices her hand, whipping it out over the steaming coals and smiling proudly. The Dauntless applaud once again, happy to keep such an enthusiastic Dauntless with them.
"Natalie Martin," I hear, the words echoing in my head. I must've missed the last few names leading up to mine; it seems as if I'm called to quickly. I take a deep breath and walk down the path leading towards the circle of bowls, all with different items filling them. I can feel my friends and family smiling proudly at me, their looks burning into my back and making me shiver. They know me too well; I'm the brave, energetic girl who's Dauntless to the core.
Marcus hands me the knife and I slowly cut my hand, a clean line of red rising to the surface. I think about the aptitude test, what the woman had told me. You are Divergent. I still don't understand it. I don't know why it makes this so difficult. Sodangerous. "I'm sorry," I murmur almost inaudibly as I place my hand shakily over the gray stones, my blood sliding into the metal bowl. I have to choose the safest way out. I am not brave anymore. I am selfless.