The Letter

Disclaimer: I don't own Divergent.

Summary: Before he left, Caleb left a letter to his parents on his bed explaining why he left. This is the letter and their reactions.

The Letter

Andrew scowled as he stalked up to Caleb's room after the Choosing Ceremony.

How could his son do this? His perfect, Abnegation son, an Erudite.

He opened the door, determined to find all the books that were sure to be hidden around the room. But when he opened it, he saw the stack of books sitting in a neat pile on the bed.

There was a letter on top.

Andrew frowned. Why would his son leave a letter?

Determined not to let it affect him, he picked it up and read it.

Dear Dad,

By the time you read this, I've probably already left Abnegation for Erudite. Dad, I know you're probably furious at me right now and I apologize for any grief it has caused you.

I know you think I was 'the perfect Abnegation child' as Marcus always called me. But I'm not, Dad. I hid it well because I knew you'd be disappointed in me if you ever found out the truth. But I always knew that the truth would be told the day of my choosing ceremony.

Jeanine Matthews helped me learn to hide it. She discovered my tendancies when I started Upper school. Don't blame yourself, Dad. I played my part well and hid the books very well. I kept them under the loose floorboard in the back right corner of my room.

My leaving you is not meant as a betrayal of you or Abnegation. I wanted to tell you, but I just couldn't find the words to admit that I was leaving for the faction you hate most. I'm leaving you this letter as a replacement for the words I couldn't find the courage to tell you.

I'm not selfless like you and Mom. Nor am I brave like Beatrice, who if I know her as well as I think I do, has probably joined dauntless. I couldn't join Abnegation. As much as I hated leaving you guys, I hated the idea of pretending to be someone I'm not any longer even more.

Dad, I want to help change Erudite. They weren't always the way they are, now. Once upon a time, they sought knowledge to fix the disconnect between people. The factions are changing for the worse and I fear that my actions won't be enough.

I love you, Dad. No matter what. They might say faction before blood but I suspect that might be part of the problem in our society. You'll always be my Dad. No matter about faction or distance.

Forever and always your son,

Caleb

PS: I didn't know what to do with the books so I left them with this note. Tell Mom I love her, too.

Andrew's hand went to his lips. He felt tears rolling down his face. His son wasn't perfect, he never was, but he was still his son.

"Andrew, are you alright?" Natalie asked. "What are you reading?"

Andrew looked up at his wife. "Caleb left us a letter."

She read it and smiled at him. "He knows you well, doesn't he? He loves you, Andrew. You can't fault him for choosing where he belongs."

"I know." Andrew whispers.

THE END