Hi there! This is my first attempt at writing pretty much anything, so I hope you enjoy it. Let me just explain how my story fits in: it's set 1 year after Tris becomes a member of Dauntless and she and Tobias are teaching transfer initiates together. My story follows one of the initiates as he passes through initiation and beyond. Once again, hope you enjoy, and without further ado, let's begin!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Divergent series. Veronica Roth does, and therefore it is her intellectual property, not mine.

Chapter 1: Choosing

Yet another test paper sits before me in the huge hall that is part of Upper Levels. All I've been doing the last couple of weeks are tests after tests after tests. I'm reaching the end of my school year, my final school year. In the afternoon, I'll have my aptitude test and then I'll choose the faction where I will live for the rest of my life. My parents are Erudite. I suppose that makes me Erudite too.

But I don't fit in.

My whole life, I've failed everyone around me. I see it in my parents' eyes when they read each of my school reports. "Doesn't grasp many concepts", "Unable to understand as quick as other students", "Surprised he is an Erudite". I've never passed a school test and I doubt I will pass the one sitting in front of me now. I'm not unintelligent, far from it in fact. I just never tried. To me, there was never any real incentive to do well or to study into the early hours of morning. Sure, I've been upset when I see the look of disappointment in my parents' eyes, but I didn't change. Maybe that's just the way I am.

"Time is up, students. Put your pens down and wait in silence while I collect your tests." our teacher say monotonously, looking bored.

I haven't finished my test, I've skipped several questions and fumbled through the rest. I find myself not caring. What does it matter if I pass these tests when I'm just going to leave the school and choose my own way in life anyway?

I file out the hall with the other students listening to them consult each other on their answers. The Erudites are simply sharing what each of them know anyway while the Candor argue hotly. The Amity seem to have already forgotten about the test and are laughing and joking with each other. I'm thankful for my height as I look to the edge of the crowd where the Abnegation simply walk, their eyes downcast, not saying a word. As always. The Dauntless have ran ahead, laughing and teasing each other over their friends' wrong answers.

I walk out alone. I don't seek solidarity but as the Erudite who can't even pass a school test, I haven't made many friends.

I make my way towards the cafeteria for lunch and when I get there, I sit at my table in the corner, alone again. I try not to think about the aptitude test coming up. It is the first time I've felt nervous for a test. They say that nothing can prepare you for the test, but I know, whatever my result will be, it won't be Erudite. The question is, which one will it be? I've never felt outspoken the way I see the Candor students acting, never failing to speak their mind. I doubt I could be Amity either; I've not had any friends my whole life. I could be Abnegation. I'm quiet and don't try to draw attention to myself but I don't think I could forget myself like they do. That only leaves Dauntless. I glance over to a table where the Dauntless are flinging food at each other and shouting instead of talking. I know that I am not loud or raucous but it always makes me smile a little when I see the Dauntless. Their carelessness and bravery have always made me think that, of all the factions, they are the only ones who are free.

As lunch finishes, a teacher enters and announces that all students taking the aptitude test are to wait behind. As all the younger students leave, we wait. And wait. Soon people are called away in groups to take their test. And in no time, I hear my name called:

"Alexander Matthews."

I stand shakily and follow the others until we are all directed into separate rooms. I walk into my room and see a large chair with armrests set up in a reclined position with a machine on the table next to it. The room has a huge mirror covering one of the walls. I frown at my reflection. I am not broad or skinny. I'd describe myself as lanky, as if I am stretched out each morning. My brown hair falls over my face, always untidy but my blue eyes are piercing, holding my gaze.

"Come in and sit down." A young woman dressed in a tight black top and black jeans gestures to the chair in the centre of the room. She busies herself with the equipment whilst I take my place and when she turns her back to me, I see a tattoo on the back of her neck. It is a black and white hawk, with a red eye.

"My name is Tori, and I'll be administering your test." She tells me.

"Are you Dauntless?" I ask her. I thought Abnegation oversaw the tests.

The corners of her mouth rise slightly. "Nothing escapes you, eh, Nose?" The insult refers to Erudites but I know that isn't me.

She hands me a vial of clear liquid and says, "Drink this."

"What is it? What will happen?"

"Can't tell you that. Just trust me."

I raise the vial to my lips and pour the contents into my mouth and my eyes close.

P/B

When they open, I find myself sitting in the cafeteria again, except nobody else is around me. I suddenly notice two baskets in front of me, one containing a hunk of cheese, and the other a long knife.

A voice behind me says, "Choose."

I look over my shoulder but see nobody there.

"Why?" I ask. I feel as if there must be a significant reason for me to choose between two things which are so far apart.

"Choose," she repeats.

I look at the items again and reach for the knife. It seems like it could be more useful.

As soon as it is in my hand, the baskets disappear and I feel a surge of power at the feeling of the knife in my hand.

Suddenly, I hear a growl and whip around to see a dog a few yards away looking ready to charge at me. I tense up, realizing that I chose the weapon and now I have to use it. I have to.

The dog leaps towards me and I don't think. I slash out and cut across its nose and the dog jumps back, surprised by my will to fight. Confidence surges through me and I run towards the dog, on the attack.

Just as I reach the dog, I hear a little girl's voice behind me cry, "Puppy!"

I spin on the spot and see the girl running, arms outstretched, to the dog. Guilt passes through me and I try to hide the knife behind me but am acutely aware of the blood dripping to the floor.

The dog switches its attention to the girl and crouches low, growling, ready to pounce. I cry out a warning to the girl but she doesn't see me, doesn't hear me. Just when the dog jumps towards the child I do too, sheltering her with my body. I cry out as I feel the dog's teeth sink into my shoulder. But then the girl and the dog are gone and a door lies in the wall across from me. A thought pierces my mind, as if far away. This feels like a dream.

I walk through the door and find myself on a bus. Across from me a man stands reading a newspaper, a scowl on his face.

"Do you know this guy?" He snaps at me, pointing at a picture of a man on the front page, the title of the article reading, Brutal Murderer Finally Apprehended! I sink away from the man, realizing that this is dangerous, he is clearly vehement over the story.

I shake my head hurriedly, "No, I've never seen him before." As soon as I say it, I get the feeling that I do recognize him, but I've no idea how.

"You're lying," he says. "You're lying!"

"No, I'm not," I say defensively.

"If you know him, you could save me. You could save me!"

I suddenly feel angry. Who is this guy to decide that he wouldn't be angry at me, when ten seconds ago, he was looking ready to kill me? I don't care about telling the truth or not any more; this man is just annoying me.

I pull myself up straight and realize I am much taller than the man. "Look, I already told you," I stare into his eyes. "I don't know that man!"

P/B

I wake with sweat on my brow, and slowly remember where I am, what's going on.

"Well done, you did well." Tori tells me with a sparkle in her eyes. "Your result was crystal clear."

"What was it?" I ask, my throat tightening around the words.

"Your instinct towards choosing the knife means you obviously feel a need to protect yourself. A trait found in most Dauntless – although attacking the dog isn't much fun." She tells me knowingly. "Putting yourself between the dog and the girl can be seen as a selfless act, but I think we can cancel out Abnegation. And don't worry about the man on the bus – only the Candor tell the truth on that one. The final result of your test is Dauntless," she tells me, smiling.

I sit back, pushing out the breath I didn't realize I was holding.

"You'll need to go back to the cafeteria, until everyone is finished, then you can head home. You've got a tough decision ahead of you, but maybe I'll be seeing you soon." She says, dismissing me.

I nod and leave the room.

Once all the tests are finished, a teacher dismisses us from school and I get up with everyone else to leave.

P/B

The school isn't very far from Erudite headquarters so I walk to and from school. When I walk into my family's apartment, my parents are already home.

"How was your day, Alexander?" my mother asks me. She doesn't really care, but she asks me every day. Just another formality. I see my parents exchange a worried look.

"Fine, thanks," I mumble and head into my room.

"Dinner will be ready soon!" my mother calls after me. I fling myself onto my bed and breathe deeply. My room is fairly simple. A bookshelf containing books I've never read sits in one corner under the window and my closet, bed and desk are the only other furniture. I get up, pull my desk chair over to the door and wedge it under the door handle.

I open my window wide and climb out onto the ledge. I discovered my passion for heights and climbing when I was eleven and had stormed into my room after another argument over my failing test results. Since then, I've climbed most of the abandoned buildings in the Erudite area of the city. Thanks to my regular, 'secret' exercise, I am actually pretty strong. Everyone else my age was probably studying in their homes or doing their homework.

Our apartment is only three floors from the ground making it easy for me to climb down there and leave without my family knowing. This time though, I press myself to the wall and walk along the small ledge to the balcony which is outside the living area. I jump over the railing and stand on the balcony, my back against the wall. I lean over to look through the glass door into the apartment.

"I'm worried we'll lose him tomorrow," I hear my mum telling my dad. I frown; its the first time I've heard any real affection in her voice.

"It's his choice. You know, he's never fit in here. Maybe it's for the best for him to leave and find happiness himself." my father replies.

"Have you forgotten, your sister is Jenine Matthews!" my mum shouts, suddenly frantic. "If Alexander leaves this faction for another, think of the shame that will leave on us, every time we see her!"

"I don't care about Jenine or her messed up views!" my father is provoked to anger. "Alex has a right to choose himself, and we cannot stand in his way! That's all I have to say on the matter."

My back slides down the wall and I crouch there, guilt seeming to make me ache inside. Not once did I stop to think that joining Dauntless would mean abandoning my own family. I can't stay here, I think. I don't fit in. And yet the guilt stays there, refusing to be moved.

P/B

The next day, my parents and I are walking into the Hub, amongst hundreds of other families. My parents are holding hands, walking a bit behind me. We finally reach the Choosing Ceremony room and I am told where to stand by a man with a clipboard at the entrance. I turn to my parents, trying to think of what to say.

"Son, no matter what you choose, we won't be angry at you." my father tells me, matter-of-factly. "We know that you've never felt in place here so we will understand your decision." My mother looks away. "Remember we love you, and just want for you to be happy."

"Thanks, Dad. I love you too." And he pulls me in for a hug. I notice my mum walking away to find her seat and the guilt is there again.

When the ceremony begins, Jenine herself walks onto the podium as it is Erudite's turn to conduct the ceremony. She gives a short speech explaining why the factions were set up and what each one represents. I am not listening. I vaguely notice people's names being called out and them making their decision, some breaking their family's hearts...

"Alexander Matthews," her clear voice rips me out of my reverie.

I am suddenly aware of my heart pounding in my chest as I walk towards the five bowls and Jenine holding the knife for me, smiling proudly at me, believing I will live up to her expectations. Well, I never have before, I think as I accept the knife with a nod.

I look at the bowl full of water, now stained with others' blood. It seems to call for me, beckoning me towards my familiar and quiet life. I see myself doing some unimportant job for the rest of my life, unnoticed by anyone, alone and , I hear the fire in the bowl to my left crackle as if mocking me, daring me. I slide the knife along my palm, not even feeling it. I look again at the still water, calling me back to my worthless life.

I defy it.

My hand is above the coals and the sizzle of my blood hitting them is the sound of my freedom.

So there you have it! Please let me know what you thought and if you have any ideas. I do have an end goal in sight but getting there may prove the problem. Thanks again and look out for the next chapter. Bye!

~Crysics~