A/N: I am not the owner of the Divergent series, though I do claim the characters I've created. Please comment to let me know what you think.

Chapter Two

"First jumper, Linden!"

The small audience cheered loudly, and a laugh bubbled in Linden's throat when she even saw a some of the full members of Dauntless that had come to watch pump their fists. She approached the group, smiling from ear to ear, and was heartily greeted by them with big smiles, clapping of their hands, and encouraging pats on the back.

"Good job, girl!" a girl, rocking green contact lenses and pink stripes in her blonde hair, said before pulling Linden into a side hug. Linden laughed, feeling more exhilarated and more alive than she'd even had in her whole life.

The girl released her but stayed on the same spot beside her as they all eagerly waited for the next initiate to enter the compound through the hole in the roof.

"Second jumper, Wes!"

The group of onlookers cheered once again, seeming to have raised in volume. Linden could only assume it was because the guy who'd jumped was already considered as one of them based on that he was dressed in black from head to toe.

Wes started to make his way over to them, and at a closer range, Linden realized it was the boy with pretty, blue eyes. Her smile brightened, and when their eyes met she made a funny face at him. Chuckling, he hooked his arm around her neck and turned them toward the others.

She silently watched them, smiling still, as they engaged in an animated conversation with Wes. The way they communicated and cracked jokes made Linden realize they didn't just know one another, and "friends" wasn't a strong enough of a word to describe the dynamic. They were family.

"Dauntless-born, go with Lauren. Transfers, stay with me," the guy who'd announced the order everyone'd jumped instructed them sharply, but on the same time managing to sound bored. "Go."

"This way," Lauren said, turning around, and heading toward the dark corridor on their left, the Dauntless-born scrambling after her. The only one who lingered was Wes. He had dropped his arm from Linden's shoulders by the time the last initiate had jumped, but had stayed glued at her side.

Linden quirked an eyebrow at him. "Go on," she mouthed. Wes backed up a couple of steps and held his hands up in surrender as he shot her a boyish smile. Then he turned and jogged to catch up with the others.

"Most of the time I work in Intelligence," the guy continued. "But during your training, I'll be your instructor. My name's Four."

A ripple of snickers went through the group. Linden appeared to be the only one who felt laughing at the instructor wasn't going to earn you any favors. Even the redhead, who'd she learned was named Becca, giggled behind her hand. Linden rolled her eyes at their inappropriate behavior, once again disappointed in her fellow initiates.

"Something's funny to you?" Four asked, and the undertone of warning in his voice held was more than enough for everyone to sober up. "First lesson you learn from me if you wanna survive here, is keep your mouth shut." He gave the group a brisk nod and ordered them to follow him.

Four gave them a quick tour of the compound before they reached their destination, namely the dormitory, complete with showers and toilets all out in the open on one side of the room.

"You're going to be sleeping here for the next ten weeks," Four informed them. "Get changed!"

Linden glanced around the room, noting that there was a neat pile of a change of clothes on the foot of every bed, and approached the bed closest to where she was standing. She picked up the garments and held them up to her body to determine if they'd be a good fit or not. Satisfied, she removed her light blue button down blouse, exposing her boring nude bra, before swiftly pulling the fitted black tank top over her head.

The pants were a little loose in the waist but during the tour, Four had pointed in the direction of a few shops they were free to check out, and informed them they had each received their own amount of points, which were theirs to do with as they pleased.

After they'd all finished changing into their new clothes, and burned their old ones, they walked closely together, following the sound of loud voices and rock music playing in the background, until they reached the cafeteria.

Intimidating Dauntless men and women filled the tables, shuffling food into their mouths and engaging in loud conversations, trying to hear one another over the clatter and all the other disruptive noise that filled the room.

Linden contemplated whether she should join Wes at his table where he sat with the other Dauntless-born, or find somewhere to sit with the rest of the transfers. Wes must have sensed someone was watching him because all of a sudden, his head shot up and his eyes searched the cafeteria before they spotted her across the room. She made up her mind when he broke into a smile and waved her over.

Linden had almost reached them when Wes shot up to his feet and addressed his table. "Ladies and gentlemen," he spoke dramatically, and winked at Linden from the corner of his eye, hooking an arm around her neck in the same manner he had earlier. "Let me present to you… the one, and only… former Erudite… First Jumper, Linden!"

The table laughed and playfully bowed their heads in Linden's direction. Wes sat down again on the wooden bench and pulled her down next to him.

"Welcome to Dauntless, Linden."