Those Who Wander
Chapter One
Madison's POV

Heels or flats?

Such an easy question- for you maybe. But not for me.

"You should wear the heels, darling," My mom said as she pulled my hair back in a 'professional bun' as she calls it. "The heels make you look more business-like."

Business-like. Ha.

If it were a normal day –which it isn't- I would follow my mother's request full-heartedly with out a question. If it were a normal day, I would be going to the lab at school to study the anatomy of the frog. But unfortunately today is not a 'normal day' by no means.

Today is the day of the Choosing Ceremony. The day I get to choose what faction I would like to be apart of and become like.

"I think I am going to stick with the flats," I mutter softly before slipping the shoes on my feet. My mom shakes her head slightly at the choice that I made before leaves the room without a word.

I walk over to my bed and take a seat on the neatly spread comforter. I sigh before looking around at my room- a room I have grown up in. I look in the corner at my lab coat that had my name stitched in was hanging on a hook, and my desk that had books upon books stacked up covering up anything else that I happen to have on my desk. My room was so Erudite.

But the question was I truly Erudite? No. I have always felt out of place here. I never wanted to learn more. Never wanted to know about the anatomy of a frog, or a fish, or a squirrel. Why did it matter? Who cares?

"Madison, we better hurry!" My mom called from down stairs. "We don't want to be late."

I pushed myself off of the bed before bringing my hands down to smoothen my pencil skirt. On the way out my room, I stopped in the mirror to check to see if my outfit- a blouse and a pencil skirt- still looked good.

"Hurry! Hurry!" My mom said as she saw me walking down the stairs at a slow pace.

I quickened up the pace, slightly, just for her. And soon we were in the crowds of the other Erudites and a mixture of people of other factions.

I looked at the others that were from different factions. There was an old Amity lady- wearing her yellow shirt and red pants- that meets my eyes and gave me a friendly smile. My lips twitch in response but do not fully smile.

Am I Amity? Nice? Friendly? And the answer is no. I could not see myself being Amity. They are just too… I do not know. Friendly.

I scan over the crowd of people that we walked with, seeing an Abnegation and almost laughed. I could never, ever be in Abnegation. Just the thought alone would make my parents cringe. Erudite does not like Abnegation.

I felt a strong hand grip on my forearm startling me back to reality. I turn my head to see the familiar brown hair, blue eyes, and wide smile. He wore his navy blue dress pants with a white button up shirt and a blue tie.

I couldn't help but smile back. "Tyler," I laughed. "You scared me!"

Tyler laughed at me, like he always does. But that is what best friends do. "Well don't be so scare all the time." I rolled my eyes. "Are you excited? It's the big day!" He said putting emphasis on 'big day'.

"I am not really excited…" I mutter softy, so no one can hear. Tyler could have heard me though- he very well might have. But he did not act like it. He acted as if I said nothing by keeping his eyes straight forward at the crowd that was in from of us. And we walked the rest of the way in silence.

When arriving at the building of the Choosing Ceremony, my nerves started to set in. I could not get up on stage and say 'I don't know'. That is not how this works. I have to choose I have no choice.

I looked around nervously as we waited to get into the building.

Amity. Abnegation. Erudite. Candor. Dauntless.

The names jumbled up into my head. I could not decide.

I watched as the train showed up, exactly on time, and the Dauntless came jumping out of the train cars. As each and everyone jump- some landing on their feet, others did a safety roll- I couldn't help but wonder if they knew how crazy they were.

Could I possibly be Dauntless? No, I was scarred of anything and everything. And I could not and would not jump off of a train.

I felt Tyler tug on my hand being me out of my daydream yet again as the crowd of people started to move inside.

The noisy room seemed so chaotic yet organized. Each and every faction had there own designated section. Tyler's family and my family walked over to the swarm of blue before we take our seats. I take a seat right next to Tyler.

I take a look around at the crowded room and my eyes land on a Candor, who seems to be my age. He was dressed in a black suit with white lining- usual Candor attire. His dark brown hair was shortly cut. And even from far away, I can still hear his voice clearly.

"Candor never shut their mouths," Tyler complains when he sees that my eyes are on the Candor. I nodded softly, knowing that it was very true.

Last but not least, would I be Candor? And your finally answer would be no. I could not stay honest. I could not talk constantly.

And I know what you are thinking. Why don't you listen to your test results? I would, but my test results were no help.

My test results- from the test that I took yesterday- were inconclusive. I could be Dauntless, Erudite, or Candor. But how is this possible? I do not know.

And the idea of being 'Divergent' was terrifying.

The ceremony began as the leaders of each faction came up. And before long, they started calling up names. One after another, person after person, I become more and more nervous.

Soon, Tyler was called up. I watched as my childhood best friend walked up to the stage and took the knife in his hand and cut his hand. Tyler positioned his hand over the faction bowl of his choice.

"Tyler Lee, Erudite." The Erudite section applaud him for his choice and I see from the corner of my eye, his parents were smiling.

A few people later, a few choices later, it was my turn. I stood up from my chair in a panic. I took a deep breath, before smoothing my skirt. I took my first step, making progress. I walked down the stairs of the faction sections and towards the stage. I climbed the few stairs that lead up to the stage, almost loosing my balance because my flat nearly came off. I could just imagine my mom closing her eyes and shaking her head from my near fall.

I walked to the center of the stage where five large bowls and a knife sat. One bowl had gray stones indicating Abnegation. Another had water for Erudite. Earth for Amity, lit coals for Dauntless, and glass for Candor.

The choices in front of me are the choices that will affect my life.

I take the knife in my hand and slowly cut the palm of my hand- cringing slightly. I let out a breath that I did not know I was even holding in.

I held up my bloody hand and my mind begins racing a million miles per minute. I close my eyes as I drag my hand over the faction bowl.

I have no idea why I am going to do this. Why am I doing this?! I felt like I was screaming in my head.

I clinched my hand to let the blood fall in the bowl before reopening my eyes.

"Madison Luck…" A slight pause. "Dauntless."