(Chapter 6 - Four and Tris meet)
"They should be here any minute."
I glance to my right at Lauren, who peers up towards the hole of light at the top of the cavern. "But who knows how long it will take for the first one to jump," she says.
I nod slightly, focusing on the center of the net we stand around. Two years ago, I was the last person in my initiate class to jump. I had been frozen with fear, barely able to close my eyes and tilt forward off the ledge. Gravity had done the rest.
My flashback is broken when I see someone fall through the hole. She races through the air with hair and loose clothing tumbling around her as she falls. With a snap, she hits the net, and she rebounds with a loud gasp.
She's wearing gray. A former Abnegation. Impossible.
My eyes widen at the thought that she might recognize me, but chances are pretty low. I never got out much in Abnegation.
She slowly unravels her body to lay on her back, cradled by the swaying net. I hear her breathing deeply, and then she laughs, amazed at the space she just fell through. As she begins to collect herself, she looks at her surroundings, and I instinctively extend my hand into the net towards her.
She recognizes the perimeter of the net and climbs towards the edge. I grab her outstretched hand and pull her towards me.
As she swings her body off the net, she stumbles and collapses into my arms. She's small, and thin, and I catch her easily. She seems too small to be an initiate, but as I help her on her feet and steady her by her arms, I am struck by the force in her eyes.
She examines my face, and I stare carefully back at her, searching for signs of recognition. But I see none.
"Thank you," she says, and I let her go, and she looks towards the crowd of Dauntless waiting for her.
"Can't believe it," Lauren says from behind her. "A Stiff, the first to jump? Unheard of."
"There's a reason why she left them, Lauren," I say. "What's your name?"
She hesitates. "Um…"
Good. She wants to start over too.
"Think about it," I say. You don't get to pick again." I try to stifle a smile. She reminds me of me two years ago. I wonder who she is.
After a moment, she says, "Tris."
Tris.
"Tris," Lauren repeats, grinning. "Make the announcement, Four."
Keeping my eyes on her, I shout over my shoulder, "First jumper – Tris!"
The Dauntless below us cheer and pump their fists. But the noise is cut as another initiate comes screaming through the hole and falls into the net behind me. There is laughter, but then more cheering.
I return to Tris, and I gently place my hand on her back, guiding her towards the crowd. "Welcome to Dauntless."
