Prologue
Silvery flakes drifted down, glittering in the bright light of the harvest moon. The blackbird cawed and waved its black feathery wings in warning. Silvery flakes continued to drift down, creating a silvery white blanket across the wounded earth. The blackbird cawed again receiving the attention of a young girl. She had wide hazel eyes and dark brown hair. It cascaded down her back in waterfalls of neat curls.
A loud thud pulled me from my thoughts. I looked behind me to find my parents. They were trying to be quiet and spy on me, but the plant falling over warned me of their presence. Ever since I could talk, I'd make up stories about adventures that I wanted to go on. Everyone always stays in the factions. I don't want to. I want to see what's out there. Go on adventures. But I can't. Uncle Matt and Aunt Rose told me a story once. It was about a girl that went exploring outside the walls enclosing the five factions. She climbed mountains, swam across rivers, fought armies. I know it was never done, but that doesn't ruin my hope. My hope that one day I'll be able to venture out and explore the unknown world that obviously surrounds us. Neither of my parents like the idea of me going. They want me to stay in one of the factions that I qualify for. They're thinking I'll be Divergent being as how I am so unique. My gut is telling me something totally different.
"Sweetie, are you daydreaming again?" My dad asked hesitantly.
I rolled my eyes and told them the honest truth. "Of course I am! I always am. Every night, I sit out here under the stars and daydream about anything."
My mom stroked my hair and caressed my face. "You'll do fine tomorrow."
I don't care about that! "I know I will. Can I go to bed now?"
My parents looked at each other before turning back to me and nodding. I kissed them both good night before tucking myself in and falling into a dreamless sleep. When I woke up, I honestly wasn't ready to take the aptitude test.
The rooms where the tests are taken, used specifically only for the administration of the aptitude tests, have mirrored walls and are very bright-lit. In the center of the room was a chair that looks like a dentist's chair. The woman with short black hair and gray eyes led me to the seat. She attached electrodes to my head. Then she handed me a liquidy syrupy serum to drink. It connected me to the simulations. I closed my eyes and soon was in the simulation. That didn't last very long. After about a minute I was pushed out, but I couldn't open my eyes. No matter how much I tried. All I saw was darkness. But I heard everything. The woman gave an audible gasp. I heard footsteps running towards me. The electrodes were removed from my head and the chair was reclined so I was in a laying position. Everything inside my head was dark. I couldn't think of anything; picture anything. It was just darkness. After what seemed like eternity, I was finally able to rouse into consciousness.
"What the hell was that?!" I screeched.
The woman sighed in relief. "I thought I lost you for a second there. Unfortunately, I have some news onto why that happened."
"Well?" I dragged.
"Not only did your mind resist the serum, but you don't qualify for any of the factions." I started to see black dots dance across my vision. "This is the first time this has every happened. Usually people are Divergent. This is a rare case. One that I believe won't ever happen again."
"What do I tell my parents?" I asked almost frantically.
"The truth. Tell them the truth and just pick any faction you want. Don't tell anyone else. Just pick your favorite factions and say those were your results." Her voice sounded encouraging yet doubtful at the same time.
What am I going to do? I found it hard to stand. My head was spinning with the conversations that I might end up having with my parents. Would they be embarrassed? Would they think I was condemned? Surely they'd disown me. I'm not like them. I don't have a faction. Sure I could join the factionless but then I'd be a disgrace. I mean, they'd probably say I was. Dauntless would definitely throw me out after learning that I don't qualify for any of the factions. What am I going to do? "Have a nice day." I said, sort of dazed and made my way to the train tracks.
I won't ride them. I'll take my time getting back to the compound. Besides, I need to think about what I'm going to do. What faction will I choose? This will be the biggest decision of my life. One that will change my future and the way I think. Will I stay with Dauntless and be like my idol parents? Stay the famous little kid that everyone knows? I'm the dark, defiant, smart mouth, clever child that all the other kids want to be. Half of that being because of my parents. About a year after I was born, the two of them had saved the compound and hundreds of peoples, kids included. How? I have no idea. No one's ever gone into detail about what happened. Some say it was too gruesome. Others say it's not their place to tell me. Neither of my parents say it was important. If it wasn't important then why is everyone making such a big deal out of it? That's what doesn't make sense. Honestly, I don't think I'll ever find out why the both of them are big and famous.
My mind changed the subject. I never thought of this. What will Toby think? He's my best friend. I have to tell him the truth. Toby Eaton is Tris and Tobias's kid. He has black hair and ice blue eyes. He's brave, clever, charming, powerful, outright hilarious, and my partner in crime. He is also one year younger, but that doesn't matter to either of us. The two of us have gotten into so much trouble throughout the years that our parents even tried to separate us for a while. You can see how well that worked out. We're inseparable. We've always done everything together. Except this. People have suggested that we date, but we think of each other as siblings. He's the brother I've never had and I'm the sister he's never had. We'll protect each other no matter what. Even if one of us were to be blamed for killing someone. We'll have each other's back. He shares my creative thoughts too. We like to go into detail about what we do. In school, if we had to write about a death, we'd put in the most gruesome details you could ever imagine. The teacher's face when he had read them was beyond hilarious.
Nugget. My lovely dog. She's really old now so she can't do much. But when the two of us were younger we got into a lot of trouble. She may be a dog, but she'll always be my best friend. Well, my second one. Nugget's been with me my whole life. One time, I had taken everything out of the apartment while my mom and dad were shopping. Nugget had helped me drag the stuff out being as she doesn't have opposable thumbs. I'd gotten into so much trouble. All of the stuff from the apartment was put into a storage closet by the dining hall. Not only did I get to have some laughs, but I also made them go find the stuff, convincing them that I'd forgotten where I put it. It took them five hours to find and put back everything. It was totally worth it though.
My only true friend, that was human, was Toby. Although everyone wanted to be my friend, I just didn't like people. I am an antisocial, angst-ridden teenager who can't confront her own inner demons and takes it out verbally on other people instead. Not that anyone minds. The adults think I'm the sweetest person to ever set foot on earth. I am definitely not. The kids on the other hand can't get past the fact of who I am and think I'm so awesome. Only babies can get through my antisocialness. I absolutely love babies. They are adorable and too cute for their own good. No one understands how I do what I do. My parents, I mean. They're confused at how I can be all pissed and mean one second, but be caring and loving as soon as there's a baby adjacent to me. It's fine with me, but sometimes it bothers them. Neither of them know how I became what I am today. Maybe it's because I liked to spend time with myself and teach myself things. Or maybe it's because of my creative imagination. It could make me mental for all I know.
Five months ago I had found out that Rose was pregnant with Matt's child. I was beyond ecstatic. None of us have seen them for about a month, but I plan on visiting with Toby soon. For the first several months, they were worried about the health of the baby and its condition because they've never grown up with pregnant people around. Now that nothing bad can really happen their more than happy. Well, stuff can still happen, but it's mostly unlikely.
I was nearly to the Dauntless compound when I was suddenly ambushed by swarms of black vehicles. My heart skipped a beat when the leader of the factions stepped out of one of the black vehicles. She had long flame red hair that was now in a pony tail, her sea green eyes shooting daggers. Lilith Jones was her name. I was happy to see her. Until she talked. "You must leave. Go live outside the gates."
I shook my head to clear my thoughts. "I'm sorry, what? Did you just say I have to leave?"
"Yes, you are a hazard to the factions and the people in them. You're mind rejects the serum. Who's to say you won't use that against us? You must go."
I held back tears that were threatening to escape. "Can I at least go get some of my things?"
"You may, but you are not allowed to talk to anyone. Guards will escort you. Then you will be dropped off right outside the gates. You are never to come back. Ever."
I nodded stiffly. So my decision wasn't that hard. I'm being kicked out because I am different. What does that show people? I can't believe this is happening. I'm not even allowed to say goodbye.
Lilith wasn't joking when she said that I was being escorted to the Dauntless compound. It wasn't fun either. It was humiliating. But I held my head high. The ride to the compound was silent. I probably held my breath for the longest time. This couldn't be real. It just couldn't be. Realization hit me like a tidal wave as soon as I stepped into the glass building. This was it. The last time I would ever see this place. I took my time walking down into the Pit. Drinking in every detail. The cracks and crevices in the walls. Everything. Even down to the tiniest speck of dust. Everyone stopped and stared. Some had fear written all over their features. Others had pity and sympathy. I continued to hold my head high and keep my mouth shut. My parents had tears in their eyes when they saw me walk into the apartment being followed by the guards. The guards let me have my space when I got to my room. So I took the freedom and decided to write a note. 'Call me at Post outside gate. I'll explain everything. Send Toby.' This was the best thing I could give them. I quickly packed a small back pack and headed out, letting my hand slide the note across the counter as I passed by. Thankfully, none of the guards noticed, too caught up in their duties. Fortunately, my parents saw. I didn't get to see if they got to the note and read it as I was leaving because before I knew it, I was out the door.
It didn't take long to get outside the gate. Although it did seem as if the driver was speeding, wanting me out of the vehicle as soon as I could be. The walk to the Post took me three days. I didn't stop walking until I reached the front door. To say I was exhausted was the understatement of the century. I was beyond that. I've been awake and walking none stop for the past three days. I'm surprised that I didn't pass out on the doorstep when I arrived. The door opened as soon as I raised my hand, about to knock. Rose and Violet were standing there, eyes red and puffy. They both hugged me tightly before letting me walk through the door.
"You didn't stop walking for three days, Viki." Matt said from behind me.
I spun around and stumbled, being caught by Matt. "Yeah, I know. I wasn't going to stop until I reached here. I couldn't. I wouldn't. They kicked me out. All because I didn't get any results in the aptitude tests."
"Oh, Vik. I'm so sorry. What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to pursue my dreams."
His eyes widened. "You're really going out there all by yourself?"
"Nope. Toby is coming with me."
Matt sighed with defeat knowing he couldn't win this. He's tried, but has never succeeded. Matt was just about to say something when a knock on the door interrupted. Violet opened it. Toby was standing there looking as flustered and flushed as ever.
Pandora POV
My baby girl is already so grown up. She's already sixteen. Yet she acts as if she's twenty. Today was the aptitude tests. I wanted to believe she would do fine, but in my heart I knew something was going to go wrong. Even Peter knew something was going to go wrong. Right now, I was sitting on the corner of the bathroom sink. I just found out that I was pregnant. After taking four tests I'm pretty sure it's positive. Peter's going to be ecstatic. I hope Viki is too. It would mean the world to me if she was happy for her father and I. Unfortunately the world doesn't work that way. Neither do Viki's thoughts. I'd always thought she'd end up like either Peter or me. What she turned out to be left me shocked. I don't know what happened. Not that it's a bad thing. I love her just the way she is, but she's not like any person I've ever met before. She's so creative. It amazes me that this one girl could have so much imagination. I heard the apartment door open and shut softly. Peter was probably just as worried as me about Viki taking her aptitude test. I wrapped the pee sticks in toilet paper before throwing them away in the garbage. When I walked out of the bathroom, Peter was leaning against the counter drinking coffee, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. I guess he heard me because he turned to look my way. He raised an eyebrow at the growing smile that appeared on my face barely seconds ago.
"I have fantastic news."
"Go on." He dragged and gestured with his hands to continue.
"I'm pregnant."
Peter POV
Pandora is pregnant and my daughter was kicked out of all the factions. The phone conversation was heartbreaking. She was planning on going to see what was out beyond the Post with Toby Eaton. Don't get me wrong. I love the kid, but I don't want my daughter going out into the world with him. Victoria was bawling during our phone conversation. So was Pandora. I was holding it all in. Lilith had kicked her out because she didn't qualify for any of the factions. Then she allowed Victoria to walk through the compound with the guards flanking her. The humiliation in that was horrible. Not only did everyone fear for Victoria's life, but they started rumors that she had killed someone and was going to get was she deserved. Who the hell came up with that? Don't get me wrong, Victoria would probably kill someone for the joy of it, but who would come up with that? Victoria would kill someone but she wouldn't get caught. Like ever. She'd hide it so well that not even Toby would find out. Although I'm sure she would tell him because they tell each other everything. Literally. There isn't one detail that about each other that the other didn't know about. Even bra sizes, et cetera. To be honest it's kind of creepy, but whatever. It's not my place to interfere with that. My daughter will rise up against all odds and find something beyond the Post that will change everyone's lives forever. Little did she know, she already did.
If you haven't noticed, maybe you don't have to but, you should probably read the story Moments Worth Living For, before you read this. That is why it's a sequel.