A/N So I know Veronica Roth writes in the present tense but I just cannot do that so this is written in the past tense. Please enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters and never will :'(
I looked up at the board behind Eric and felt a smile creep through my lips in unbelievable joy. Beside me both Christina and Will were jumping up and down, wide grins throughout. I stepped up beside them and got enveloped into a tight hug by both of them.
"We did it!" yelled Christina amongst the shouts and cheers of every other Dauntless member in the room. Dauntless members. I was one of them now. I wasn't factionless; I wasn't job less. I belonged. Will carefully let go and smiled at Christina, who smiled back, her eyes bright with a hidden glean. I bit back a chuckle and started walking backwards, leaving them alone. Suddenly I felt another arm around my shoulders and I spun on the balls of my feet, prepared to attack, only to find Tobias smiling down at me.
"Congratulations," he murmured, a genuine smile radiating through his features.
"Thanks," I grinned, barely able to hear him over the almighty yells of everybody else.
"Think it would be okay to hug?" he asked, half joking and half serious as he glanced at my friends.
"I don't care!" I admitted, wrapping my arms around his neck as I pulled him close for a kiss. He chuckled beneath it, his breath warm as it ghosted over my face. I felt a tug at my waist and it took me a few seconds to realise it was his deft hands. Carefully I moved back and glanced sharply at my friends, who looked between Tobias and I with a mix of shock and awe.
"I'll leave you to explain," chuckled Tobias lightly in my ear as he slowly slid back into the heaving masses of drunk and partying Dauntless.
"Tris!" exclaimed Christina as soon as Tobias had left, "You and Four?" she asked quickly.
"Are you a couple?" added Uriah instantly, stepping up behind her. I smiled, curbing the overwhelming grin that threatened as I shrugged.
"I guess," I said slowly. Christina shook her head slowly in disbelief.
"Wow!" she murmured and I nodded enthusiastically.
"You're telling me!" I giggled, causing an eruption of giggles from her too. She yanked me into her arms and we hugged madly, giggles and squeals mashing together into one sound. Uriah glanced at Will and shrugged. Girls made no sense.
I awoke to a loud banging against the door and a dark voice yelling. I recognised it, but couldn't quite place it.
"Four! Four!" shouted the man, his voice like a knife in the still night air. It came to me quickly; Eric.
"Tobias! Tobias!" I said, shaking his bare shoulders harshly.
"Tris?" he mumbled, sitting up dazedly and glancing at me sleepily.
"Four!" yelled Eric again and Tobias stumbled out of bed and cursed as he scrambled for a t-shirt. He found an oversized army-green one and pulled it on quickly before yanking open the door. I moved away from the harsh light of the corridor instantly and leaned against the cold headboard gently.
"Eric," stated Tobias, his gaze flickering over the man with disinterest.
"Four," growled the other leader as he kicked the door wide open and flooded the room with light. I bit back a yelp but it was too late. He'd noticed me.
"Tris," he smirked as he grabbed at my wrists and pulled me off the bed.
"Hey!" yelped Tobias, jumping forwards only to find his own wrists restrained. I considered attacking Eric and escaping before remembering the cold threat in his eyes, the adamant way he'd ordered Al to stand in front of the target. I gulped and kept my arms still. Not such a good idea.
"Move!" he ordered as he pushed me forwards harshly. I stumbled before quickly regaining my balance and glaring at him. I followed Tobias' steady movements out of his room and slowly felt my pulse weaken. I was with him. I would be safe. Everything would be okay. My breath evened out and I felt my arms relax at my sides as we were marched into the dinner hall. In the centre was a horseshoe made up of the Dauntless leaders, all of whom stood with perfect poise and a fearless gaze in their eyes. They were stood waiting. Waiting for us.
We were lead into the centre and they closed the horseshoe into a circle behind us, their haunting eyes all staring down at us. It was unnerving and I found myself unsure which stare I should focus on.
"Four. Tris," said one man, stepping forwards. He was tall, with long, slender limbs and long black hair that hung close to his ears. I wasn't sure if I liked him; his features were cold and heavy yet his voice was smooth, soft even. Tobias stiffened beside me and I took that as a warning. I shouldn't like him.
"Nice to finally meet you," he continued, holding out his hand for me. I looked at in disdain before travelling up to meet his eyes. They practically glowed a melted chocolate colour and it looked entirely out of place amongst his harsh face. He retracted his hand with a raised eyebrow.
"I would've expected more respect for your leader," he said, moving back slightly to circle around us. I glanced up at Tobias. He was the leader. Like the leader leader of Dauntless. He called every single shot. I was tempted to gulp but stopped myself; it was invaluable that I didn't appear intimidated by him.
"Anyway, we have more important matters on our hands. Now I am sure that the two of you know what Divergent is, correct?" he asked, glancing between us. Tobias gave me a sideward look that I understood immediately. Our secret must remain just that; a secret. Tobias shook his head carefully.
"I don't know what you're on about," he frowned.
"Of course you don't," sighed the leader, "That's a shame really, seeing as you are one,"
"A… a Divergent?" I asked, feigning confusion, "But what is that?"
"It means you are a freak, Tris, a person who is no better than a person who is factionless," he said, his warm eyes changing to a menacing shade of almost-black. "Do you know what happens to those who are Divergent?" he continued slowly. Tobias and I shared a long look. We both knew exactly what happened. They ended up under a train or deep in the chasm. They ended up dead.
"You do know!" grinned the leader, letting out a loud cackle. Suddenly I felt a sting in the side of my neck and I spun, my eyes settling on the edge of a syringe being pulled out. I spun back around and found Tobias already keeling toward the floor. I wanted to scream but found my throat constricted as black dizziness swam before my eyes and my head began to pound. The last thing I saw and heard was the cackle of our leader, our protector as I passed out.