I can taste the grit of sand in my mouth. Cautiously opening my left eye, only the deadly brightness greets me. All I can see is white. It's a moment before I push myself up from the position I was in, lying face down on this desert. Everywhere I look, an endless forest of sand dunes stand, painted with the comely sky above it. I don't remember how I got here, but my first thought is Tobias. It must be my instinct, after all we've been through, strolling through hell and back with this war waging, he always having my back. The war. I remember the last bullet I saw exit a chamber. I stood in Jeanine's office, amongst the disregarded paper left loosely around the once prim room. Tori stood in front of me, her face masked with dirt and crimson, you'd never guess she just drew tattoos on people, but I knew her as so much more. Once Tori had claimed Jeanine's life I could see the relief in her eyes, a weight of redemption for her brother's sacrifice come billowing off her shoulders, yet you could hear a pin drop in the disheveled room.

A silhouette shadowed the sterile lights from the Erudite headquarters' hallways. They always managed to be able to give the feel of overt cleanliness with disregard of casualties' amongst the beige halls. His striking features might have awestruck any other amity girl, but I wasn't high on some peace serum; I memorized the way he clenched his jaw before taking a breath and firing a gun. I knew how his muscles relaxed when he stopped thinking about his father or any other careless worries. I know he doesn't acknowledge his undermining strength. Not endurance of physical, but mental. He chooses not to see what he really is, what he is denying himself of being: selfless, brave, smart, compassionate, and intelligent. We were taught these things make up an individual who does not belong in our world, one so fragile. But it is this that teaches us that these traits combine to make us who we are. He taught me that, whether he'll admit to this cunningness or not. And that's the day he second guessed his trust for me. I don't think we were the same after that, even after he discovered the video and broadcasted it to all of the factions.

But now where was he, when I am alone covered in dust and lying helpless in the middle of now where with only the blazing sun as my companion? As I'm still sitting with my right arm propping me up, I notice a small shadow just beyond the closest wall of sand. Lurching myself forward I stumble toward the only dim part of this desert. I can feel through my shaky knees that's it has been a while since I've had a drink of water. The desire is so great I can almost taste the cool wetness cascading down my dry throat, creating an oasis. A few more lingering steps and I see a small tree. Only it has no branches and is surrounding itself with spikes, as if to threaten predators, except I'm the only one in this hell hole. Its lime green skin reminds me of something we learned in Secondary School; I believe it was called a cactus and was said to hold water inside itself, and the thorns to keep away unwanted thieves.

With this revelation I use my slate combat boots to kick down one of the extending arms. How I ended up with these fashion accessories in the middle of the desert is a mystery. After the second try, the creature detaches one of its arms and the hot sand becomes a poor sample of mud. I quickly grasp my clammy hands around the sacrifice and sip from the rough snapped off edge. It doesn't hold much water, and it taste somewhat like chemicals but it's lukewarm liquid slides down my throat with ease. Wiping of the moisture on my lips, I decide my best option for survival is to find shelter.

I've been wandering through this abundance of sand for what seems like hours. The imprints of my shoes leave an obvious trail, but what does it matter if I'm the only one here. I glance toward the sky, recalling where the sun was when I rehydrated myself and realize it is now just above the next dune I plan to conquer. It might look easy to climb a pile of dust, but it isn't till you try it, that you realize you're screwed unless you climb meticulously. This is my 6th mountain of sand, but I still can't seem to get a hold of it, as I go sliding backwards once again. I am quick to plant my left foot into the ground, before I get to much progress lost. However, the wind isn't much helpful when it's blowing grit into your eyes, only making this expedition so much more fun. Only this isn't just some trip or vacation, I was kidnapped and discarded like a piece of trash in the vast ocean of dust and sand. The question is who and why.

My first thought goes to Peter. He's already proved his cruelty and negligence by hanging my limp body over the chasm. He even paid me a devilish smile as the water licked my ankles and I flirted with death. The same night that Tobias was my savior and let me break down my high barriers to show him although I look tough as nails, I'm as fragile as glass. Still though even with Peter saving my life in Erudite, I wouldn't put this act past him. What better way to die then alone, slow, and suffering as your throat becomes so hardened that only a faint whisper is heard. Or starving and begging death just to rescue me from this torture chamber, and release me into an eternity of peace, if I deserve that much. What better way to die. Asking yourself: How many hours do I have left? Will starvation claim me? Or today will the dehydration cause me to slip into nothingness? Although it could be as simple as falling on the damn sand and breaking my neck, if that's even possible.

I finally reach the peak of my summit and see salvation. Ahead of me is a luscious forest with a tree line stretching beyond both sides of my vision. I fall to my knees and close my eyes while bowing my head. I haven't prayed in a long time. I haven't asked for forgiveness or help with the war and now I only say thank you before picking myself up and sprinting toward the underbrush that may be hosting dinner for tonight.

Brushing one leg past another I reach the internal covenant of the foliage and find fruit dangling from low hanging trees, almost craving my touch. How could I refuse? I slip off one of the purple rounded refreshments, taking a bite quickly as if this was my last meal. The soft fuss surrounding the fruit slides against my tongue and I swallow hard. Hungry for more I take another taste and leave it in my mouth, gathering four more from the tree. Balancing them with my arm I take the juicy nourishment out from my mouth and sigh from a reprieve of a growling stomach. This is when I remember that I still need somewhere to sleep tonight, as the sun is just whispering over the leaves and a chill is beginning to cradle me. I scour around the nearby trunks to find a sturdy base with a giant green leaf reaching out from it. I decide that this will be my camp until I can do better. Hopefully tomorrow will be more promising and I will be able to find more life among this forest. As I lie my head down on the hardened dirt I grimace with the thought of Tobias' not being by my side. Unable to fight away the nightmares ever so reoccurring. Although I can almost guarantee myself a new one tonight as here I lay with only the echoing voices of birds screaming me lullabies as I drift off and my body grows limp.

Author's Note:

Hope you liked the first chapter. I tried to create something no one has ever seen before, like a penguin in a circus so to speak. If you wish please leave a review about what you thought about the story. Even if it's a harsh criticism, I would love to know what you thought. I only ask that you leave honest replies. Other than that, if you were kind enough to read this Author's Note, I thank you for the time you spent reading my story. Have a swell and snazzy day. (Disclaimer: I do not and never will own Divergent, however Veronica Roth is an amazing author I thank her for writing such an amazing trilogy)

Razben