My hair is long, touching my waist, but I always opted to have it up in a high pony tail, to keep it out of my face. This is especially true when entering and exiting the train. You don't want to miss the platform because your hair is in your face. So that was why mine was always that way. But today it is down, casting a veil of black over my shoulders and back. I wore a tight black T shirt and spandex pants, tight enough and movable enough for whatever the test might be. It's best to be prepared for anything since we aren't actually aloud to prepare for the aptitude tests, which were today. But really, how bad could it be? No one ever dies, so it couldn't be that bad. We aren't allowed to talk about it, but no one ever comes out traumatised. Maybe they just asked us a series of questions, maybe it was a physical test. Though, the later seemed improbable by the size of the testing rooms.
Soon, I was standing out on top of the pit awaiting the arrival of the train. I wasn't the only one, all of those who were under the age of 16 were out here waiting. Soon, a horn sounded and the crowd began to push towards the edge of the building. The train slowed, but it wasn't going to stop. Being as daring as I am, I closed my eyes and held my hand out, feeling the train brush against my fingertips and jumped blindly. For a moment, it was pure exhilarating adrenaline, then the floor of the train came into contact with my feet and I rolled into a seated position against the wall. My friends cheered and began trying the same, but I never cared to watch them. I was always one of the first aboard, purely because I didn't want the burden of seeing those who missed the train and plummeted a hundred feet to the earth below and their deaths. It wasn't something I wanted dwelling in my mind. Thankfully, that didn't happen today. I heard the usual whoops and cheers as people tried different ways of jumping on. Getting off is the best though.
Wind brushed through my hair, whipping it around and again making me thankful that it wasn't in my face. Most of the more experienced jumpers were still standing, a single hand against a wall for support as turbulent winds hit them. The younger ones, or those who were over that rush, stayed seated on the wall.

The train honked again a bit later, signalling the approach of the school. The train began to slow again, not stopping, as the dauntless prepared for their departure. I stood to the back of the cart, the rest of my mates making a path for me. As the time arrived, I ran forward, did a round off and back flipped off the cart. I landed on my feet, before diving to the right to stop my ankles and feet from jarring. I stood and turned to watch the rest jump off. It was the easiest and most people showed off then. It was safest too, and it is very rare for a fatal incident when getting off. The odd few, though, trip on the cart and get sucked under the train. A quick and painless death for most.
I headed off towards the school, not waiting for the others, playing lightly with my tongue piercing. It was addictive. In total, I have 15 piercings; two in my belly button, 5 in each ear, one in my tongue, one in my lip, on the top, left side and one in my nose on the right. As well as that, I have six tattoos. An anchor on my left thumb, a spider on my right hand, the dauntless symbol on my hip, flames next to my belly button, a mother daughter Tattoo on my foot to symbolise my late mother and a bow on my ring finger. Most I got because they were pretty. The flames show my fear of burning to death, which I overcame and the anchor, of drowning. Pretty simple really.

Classes were cut in half for the day in order for them to still be attended while allotting time after lunch for the aptitude tests. I was so eager the day sort of rushed by and the next thing I knew, I was sitting outside the ten rooms used sorely for this purpose. 8 Abnegation volunteers sat behind those doors as well as an Erudite volunteer and a Dauntless volunteer to test those from Abnegation so that they didn't breach the rule that none shall be tested by a volunteer of their own faction.

I should explain the factions to you before we continue. That is kind of important to the story.
A long time ago, there was a Great War and many lives were lost. To create peace, it was decided that factions will be made that focus on the opposite attribute they held at fault for the war. For example, Dauntless saw cowardice was at fault and so, the strive to achieve fearlessness and courage; Erudite saw ignorance at fault and so, sought to possess endless knowledge; Amity blamed aggression and combat that by living in peace and equalism; those who blamed Duplicity created Candor who correct it by being bluntly honest; finally Abnegation blamed selfishness and so eradicate it by being selfless.

So there you have it! Now back to the story...

Names were being called in reverse alphabetical order, meaning I was going to be in the very first group.
An Abnegation volunteer steps up to read the first round of names. My name was the very first. "From Dauntless: Zania Young and Ryan Yip"
I stood up from my seat proudly, pushing Ryan away playfully who had punched me eagerly. I didn't even bother listening to the other names. I walked into room one, making eye contact with the Abnegation man before me.
"I'm-"
"I don't need to know. Let us just get this over with." I snapped, leaving the man to glare at me openly, looking around the room separated and lined with mirrors. They reflected me from every angle. Showed without spare, every contour of my body, Biden underneath the tight fabric of my clothes. The ceiling was blindingly white and the lights reflected off of it painfully in my eyes. A metal machine sat in the centre of the room with many wires situated around. A reclined chair, much like that of a dentists, sat beside it, almost invitingly. All in all, it looked like it was made for observation or, if I let my mind wander to such horrifying things, torture.

The man, who had since stopped glaring at me, instructed for me to be seated onto the chair without any wish of comfort. I rolled my eyes and took the seat, reclining back to stare at the ceiling. In my peripheral vision, I could see the man, clad in the uniform Abnegation grey, walking around me, attaching electrodes to my temples and his own, as well as preparing a syringe and needle with a strange looking liquid that was more than likely adapted by the Erudite. They invented almost all of the new inventions we use today, for they have the knowledge. The man gently moved my head to the side, no matter how much he wanted to rip it across, because that was what the Abnegation are like. Selfless beings. Slowly, he pushed the needle into my neck, injecting the liquid into my veins. I didn't ask why, I just let it happen. I slipped unconscious.

I found myself standing back in the cafeteria, although not a moment had passed. All the tables were gone, replaced by a single one before me. Two baskets sat atop of the table, each containing different things. On the left, a block of cheese and on the right, a large knife.
"Choose." A familiar robotic voice echoed through the room, instructing me. Both choices may have different courses, but I felt drawn to the knife. It was a haven for Dauntless kids like myself. It gave me safety and comfort. So without a second thought, I wrapped my hand around the handle of the knife and pulled it out to the ready.
The table disappeared and I was left alone. That was until I heard very faint pattering of feet. I turned just as the beast bared its teeth and let out a low, deep guttural growl from the back of its throat. I breathe in the smell of the dog's foul breath and try not the think of what it just ate. It had no whites in its eyes, just and endless pit of black. But it didn't scare me. I continued to breathe steady and stare at the beast directly in the eyes to antagonise it, try and evoke a response, before launching the knife, embedding it right between the eyes. The dog whimpered one last time before falling to the ground, motionless and limp. It was dead.

I expected for there to be another stage, but that was it. I opened my eyes and blinked several times, finding myself back in the aptitude testing room. The Abnegation man sat behind the desk, tapping on a screen as he took the electrodes out of his head. He did the same to me while saying a single word.
"Dauntless"
To say I was relieved would be an understatement. I sighed and laughed a bit as a warm wave of relief washed over my body. I was giddy and happy, completely excited that everyone was wrong. It was simple and I was exactly where I wanted to be. I am Dauntless.

I walk from the room proudly, a small smirk present on my face and the Dauntless cheer, for I am the first to exit. Followed soon by an Erudite boy that I paid no mind too. I decided to stay back and wait for the rest of my faction, seeing as the train doesn't come till a bit later. After about 30 minutes, 12 of my faction had been and gone through the simulation and so, decided to race each other up the metal structure outside the school. We mostly did it to show off to the other factions, but being bored shitless can lead to a challenge like this. First up was a girl named Aria White and a boy named Deric Whinnum. Deric was a sturdy boy with a lot of muscle who often showed up a lot of our faction with his already developed skills in hand to hand combat. But a lot of it was luck and also his intimidation by his large frame. Aria, however, was tall, skinny and light, giving her the advantage in this situation. We had marked a spot about a third of the way up the structure, since no one had made it to the top in two years, not since one of our new faction leaders by the name of Eric had achieved it in a record 9 minutes and 43 seconds. But today, I planned I reach the top and smash his record. It was my last day here after all and I wasn't going to leave this unfinished.
Deric and Aria began, Deric gaining the lead because Aria decided to step back and get a run up. She launched and giving cover almost a half of the structures height, before getting tired. Deric was worse off, however. Having to lug his massive frame and weight up such a steep structure definitely used a lot of energy and just as he passed the halfway mark, he fell and landed in the awaiting arms of other Dauntless boys who acted as a net. Aria won.
I was next.
I stood at the bottom of the structure, side by side with a boy named Jason Vorn. He was thinner than Deric, but still muscly, enough to give him an advantage over me, but it would be superfluous. I was thin and had amazing core muscles and upper body strength which was constantly underestimated. As soon as Ryan yelled go, we were off. I took hold of an out stretching beam and pulled myself up and onto it, giving me already a large gap to Jason. I jumped against the wall, my fingers griping tightly to a small ledge. I swung to my left where there was a larger beam and hooked my legs around it, letting my arms go so that I was upside down. I glanced at Ryan who was watching his watch closely. I pulled myself up, just reaching half way. I took in a deep breath. I leaped out, just catching a ledge by the tips of my fingers. My left hand slipped and fell down beside me, leaving me hanging by the tips if my right hand. I grunted and pulled my left hand back up, followed by my right hand as I began to climb up small crooks and ledges along the structure, using just my arms. I reached the three quarter mark, hearing the growing crowd of Dauntless cheering, with Ryan's voice echoing up with "5 minutes 42!"
I pushed myself harder. I pulled my body up to another ledge, my arms beginning to tire greatly. I felt the pull of each muscle, my core muscles contracted tightly to support my body. Another beam stretched out and I swung my legs up to it, but missed the first time and nearly loosened my trip on a crook. I swung again, this time wrapping my legs around securely. I pulled my body up to a sitting position on the beam. I was very tired and breathing quite heavily. I could hear a loud ringing in my ears and he muffled vices of my faction calling my name. I want to give up. The pain is too great in my arms, my legs and my stomach. I was about ready to climb back down, but something stopped me. I looked to my left, seeing an Abnegation girl staring at me in awe. I couldn't really explain her other than her typical Abnegation looks, but the twinkle in her eyes urged me on. She had a faint smile on her lips, a curious and awestricken look upon her face.

She believed in me and that was all I needed.

I called out in pain as I pushed myself up into my feet, knowing my time was fading away. I could see the top of the structure from where I stood. I was cutting it close. I gathered all of my Dauntless courage and bravery and jumped, reaching out for the ledge.
I was suspended in the air for what felt like eternity. The ledge was coming closer and closer. The earth was silent and that girl's eyes were wide with fear and worry. I stretched out, my fingers spread as wide as they would go. I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the ledge to fall into my grasp. But it didn't.

One time, I was climbing the rock wall in the pit at the Dauntless compound and I fell. It was like all the air was pushed from my lungs, especially at impact. I hit the ground hard and i was dizzy.

That's what it feels like now. My eyes flashed open, the ledge slipping just past my grasp, but I wasn't going to fall. No, it could be fatal. Instead, I screamed and pushed my right arm further, grasping the ledge by the tips of my fingers. I screamed as I slammed against the structure, a bump in the metal sticking into my abdomen. It would definitely bruise. Dauntless kids and others who came to watch gasped and yelled out in horror. I puffed out all the air I had left and breathed in deeply, yelling as I pulled myself up over the edge, first with my stomach resting on the edge. I still had to get my legs up, but my body was numb. I had next to no strength left. I could barely hear the crowd calling my name, and it was no longer just the Dauntless. The girl in the window was still there, she too, calling my name. With a yell of determination, I pulled the rest of my body up, the crowd going wild.

I, Zania Young, have made it.
I did what most can't do.
I made it too the top.
I am Dauntless.

I stood to my feet, tired beyond belief, but I did. I pumped my fist into the air, revelling in the chants of happiness and excitement from my peers. They will congratulate me for days. They will remember me.
As long as I beat the time.
Ryan stepped up on the base of the structure, a megaphone in hand, facing the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen," He called, drawing everyone's attention immediately. He held a small slip of paper in his hand. When did this become so formal? "Zania Young!"
Once again screams and chants erupted, everyone feeling the excitement and anticipation running through them like adrenaline. "Zania set out today to beat the previous Dauntless record of 9 minutes and 43 seconds by our very own faction leader, Eric!"
People from Dauntless cooed out variations of 'oohs' and 'ahs'. It was a strange feeling, knowing that right now, I was being compared to Eric. He made this look easy. "Zania's performance today proved her bravery and courage, both characteristics of Dauntless personality!" Ryan continued, as if he had done this plenty of times before. But as far as I knew, he wasn't the one who did Eric's speech. "The time to beat was 9 minutes and 43 seconds. Zania did it in..." Ryan began, dragging on the suspense as he crowd falls deadly silent. I suddenly noticed in the distant a boy, leaning against a building at the edge of the school. I couldn't make him out though. "9 minutes..." Again he pauses for effect. My palms are sweating, my breathing laboured as nerves wrack my body. Goosebumps appear on my tan skin. "And 12 seconds, Zania beat the record!"
I screamed at the top of my lunges along with everyone else. Happy tears mixed with my unnoticed painful ones as I fell to my knees with glee. I looked over to the girl in the window and smiled, silently thanking her. She seemed confused, but clapped anyway. "I ask that everyone, no matter the faction, join in a Dauntless tradition of a leap of faith performed by the climber. They jump off the top as those down here make a human net to catch them. Gather in a circle and hold your arms out, taking one in each hand to create a web."
If the nerves gave me goosebumps before, what I saw before me made chills fall over my spine. Everyone, from all factions moved together as one. More tears fell silently down my face at this sign of friendship and communal harmony. It binds us together and makes us look I breakable.
I sucked in a breath and jumped, spreading out like I was flying. I felt free and as I fell into the entanglement of arms, I felt comforted and loved.
The man by the building had left.
The girl in the window had left.
And I felt at peace.

Later that night, I sat in the dining hall with other member of my faction, celebrating my great feat. Members clapped me on the back and tossed me in the air while fellow faction fledglings like myself cheered and called out the record time in glee. It was an eventful night.