Hey guys! Here's chapter 2 for you.
I do want to say something/clear something up in case you're wondering this. My family is NOT like the family in this story. None of what happened in the last chapter has happened to me or anyone one of my siblings. My family isn't perfect, but none of this has happened. Just wanted to clear that up.
Anyway, I thought that I wasn't going to update anymore before the conference. But I've got this chapter running through my head. I wanted to get it out before I forget about it or the idea gets away from me.
Here's chapter 2!
Disclaimer: I do not own Divergent. That belongs to Veronica Roth. I also do not own the songs that I use in here. For King & Country and Mandisa own the songs. I just own Adira and my characters.
Chapter 2
Today is choosing day! I'm so excited to finally choose Dauntless and get away from my family. I just have to make it to the choosing ceremony and then I'm free of them.
As I start to get out of bed, another song started to pop into my head. It's called Priceless by For King & Country.
Mirror, mirror, mirror on the wall
Tellin' those lies, pointing out your flaws
That isn't who you are
That isn't who you are
It might be hard to hear, but let me tell you dear
If you could see what I can see, I know you would believe
That isn't who you are
There's more to who you are
So when it's late, you're wide awake
Too much to take
Don't you dare to forget that in the pain
You can be brave, hear me say
I see you dressed in white
Every wrong made right
I see a rose in bloom
At the sight of you (oh so priceless)
Irreplaceable, unmistakable, incomparable
Darling, it's beautiful
I see it all in you (oh so priceless)
No matter what you've heard, this is what you're worth
More than all the money or the diamonds and pearls
Oh this is who you are
Yea this is who you are
So when it's late, you're wide awake
Too much to take
Don't you dare to forget that in the pain
You can be brave, hear me say
I see you dressed in white
Every wrong made right
I see a rose in bloom
At the sight of you (oh so priceless)
Irreplaceable, unmistakable, incomparable
Darling, it's beautiful
I see it all in you (oh so priceless)
Sisters, we can start again
Give honor till the end
Brothers, we can start again
Give honor till the end
Yea, we can start again
I see you dressed in white
Every wrong made right
I see a rose in bloom
At the sight of you
I see you dressed in white
Every wrong made right
I see a rose in bloom
At the sight of you (oh so priceless)
(You're) irreplaceable, unmistakable, incomparable
Darling, it's beautiful
I see it all in you (oh so priceless)
I see you dressed in white
Every wrong made right
I see a rose in bloom
At the sight of you
{x3}
I see you dressed in white
Every wrong made right
Oh so priceless
Whenever I hear that song, I just cry. With everything that's happened in my life, it just brings me peace and I can just give everything to God and trust that He's going to take care of whatever I'm going through. It's amazing.
I get started on making breakfast. It's eggs, bacon, and pancakes.
I accidently burned a batch of pancakes. My mom came down. She smelled the burnt pancakes.
"What did you burn this time?!" she yelled at me.
"I accidently burned a batch of pancakes," I explained.
Slap! My cheeked burned and stung really bad this time compared to yesterday when I called her mother.
"I don't care if it was an accident. You know that you're supposed to make it perfect every time. You know better. You're supposed to be paying attention to the food at all times just like you were supposed to be paying to Emily that day. You failed. You failed that day and you failed again. You can't do anything right."
That hurt me very bad. I clenched my fists. If I could hit her or say something to her, I would. But I know better than to say anything to her. I'll just make the situation worse.
All I say is, "Yes 'mam."
"Good, now fix this mess and start the batch over."
"Yes 'mam."
She walked off.
As I started the batch over, Priceless starts to run in my head again.
I start to quietly hum the song. I'm glad that my family isn't here to hear me. I'd get punished again.
"I just have to make to the ceremony." I think.
"Breakfast is ready!" I yell.
My siblings come running down the stairs.
"Finally!" Emily says, "I'm starving!"
The family gobbles their food down. I'm only left one egg, one piece of bacon, and one pancake.
"Don't forget to choose Abnegation,' my mother reminds me.
"Yes 'mam."
"Yeah, wouldn't want to lose our favorite servant, now would we?" Emily says with a bitter and sarcastic tone.
I stay silent and go take my food to my spot in the kitchen.
I eat silently.
I prayed again silently.
'Lord, I thank you for this food that I'm about to eat. I thank you that you brought that song to my remembrance this morning. It gave me the strength to make it through this morning. I just ask that you give me that same courage and strength today when I choose. I can't stay here anymore. I know that. I just need some courage and strength to leave Abnegation today. In Jesus' name, Amen!"
I just felt courage, strength, and peace flood over me.
"I can do this," I think.
Soon, it's time to leave for the choosing ceremony. My family goes with me to make sure that I choose Abnegation. They are going to be severely disappointed when they see me choose Dauntless. I can't wait to see the looks on their faces. Abnegation is going to be losing two people today. Tzofiya and me.
When we get on the bus, a Candor man comes up to my family and wants a seat.
My family gives me a look that says, "Give the man your seat, now."
I reluctantly give the Candor man my seat.
"Thank you," the man says.
"You're welcome," I reply.
The rest of the ride to the choosing ceremony is in silence.
The song What Scars are For and free both by Mandisa start running through my head.
What Scars Are For
These scars aren't pretty
But they're a part of me
And will not ever fade away
These marks tell a story
Of me down in the valley
And how you reached in with your grace
And healed me
They remind me of your faithfulness
And all you brought me through
They teach me that my brokenness
Is something you can use
They show me where I've been and
That I'm not there anymore
That's what scars, that's what scars are for
What scars are for
Erase, rewind
Wish I could every time
The hurt, the pain cuts so deep
But when I'm weak you're strong
And in your power, I can carry on
And my scars say that you won't ever leave
They remind me of your faithfulness
And all you brought me through
They teach me that my brokenness
Is something you can use
They show me where I've been and
That I'm not there anymore
That's what scars, that's what scars are for
I see it on the cross
The nails you took for me
Scars can change the world
Scars can set me free
They remind me of your faithfulness
And all you brought me through
They teach me that my brokenness
Is something you can use
They show me where I've been and
That I'm not there anymore
That's what scars, that's what scars are for
They show that's what scars are for
What scars are for
What scars are for
Free
F-r-e-e
Free
F-r-e-e
Free
Gonna tell the world what he did for me
Don't worry
Don't cry
That's a voice I hear inside
But it's hard for me to see
Tomorrow's but a dream
'Cause today's reality is right in front of me
They say I'll never change
They say you can never change it
What you are is what you'll always be
They say that I should give up
Once you're down you'll never get up
But that's not the truth for me
No!
Who the son sets free
Best believe is free indeed
Gonna take it to the streets
My Lord delivered me
Gonna dance and shout and scream
I'm free!
F-r-e-e
Free
F-r-e-e
Free
Gonna tell the world what he did for me
I've tried and tried and tried
To make this mountain step aside
Or to climb it on my own
What you did was more than help
Did what I couldn't do myself
You said that I was not alone
When I thought I'd never make it
You came along and changed it
Made a way somehow and brought me through
As I was just about to give up
You took my hand said, "Baby, get up"
Now here I stand because of you
Who the Son sets free
Best believe is free indeed
Gonna take it to the streets
My Lord delivered me
Who the Son sets free
Best believe is free indeed
F-r-e-e
Free
F-r-e-e
Free
Gonna tell the world what He did for m
If you need a friend 'til the very end
To be there by your side
To get you through the hard times
The dark times of your life
To bring you into the dawn
He's the One you're looking for
The Savior, your Deliverer
Who the Son sets free
Best believe is free indeed
Gonna take it to the streets
My Lord delivered me
Who the Son sets free
Best believe is free indeed
Gonna dance and shout and scream
I'm free!
F-r-e-e
Free
F-r-e-e
Free
F-r-e-e
Free
Gonna tell the world what He did for me
F-r-e-e
Free
F-r-e-e
Free
F-r-e-e
Free
Gonna tell the world what He did for me
These songs helped to keep me calm on the ride to the choosing ceremony. I was counting the minutes until I got to choose my faction.
Marcus was leading the choosing ceremony today. It was Abnegation's turn to hold the ceremony.
I found Tzofiya in front of me in line to go into the auditorium.
"Hey," she said, "You okay?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Same. I'm nervous."
"It's okay. We know what we're going to choose."
"Yeah, but I'm leaving my family behind. Now you on the other hand have every reason to leave."
"True."
Marcus was going on about how the factions were made and what each faction was the cause of the war that happened a long time ago.
Soon Tzofiya was called. She looked back at me and smiled. I smiled back. She took one last look at her family and went up. She took the knife, cut her hand, and went up to the five bowls. She went in front of the Dauntless bowl and let a drop of blood fall.
The Dauntless cheered so loud. I've never heard them that loud.
Then it was my turn.
I walked up, took the knife, and walked to the bowls. All sort of thoughts were running through my head. Was I going to stay or would I leave? I knew that I needed to leave. But was it worth leaving? I was about to leave everything that I ever knew behind. Was I willing to take that risk? I knew my answer at that moment. I was going to leave. It didn't matter if my family tried to get me back. I was leaving and never returning.
I walked to the Dauntless bowl and let a drop of blood fall.
The Dauntless shouted and screamed so loud. My ears started to hurt.
I walked to my new faction and stand next to Tzofiya. She smiled really big at me.
"For a moment there, I thought that you might have reconsidered."
"Nope, not for a second."
We both laughed and smiled. This was going to be awesome and so much fun.
I'm no longer Abnegation. I am Divergent. I am Dauntless.
As I am about to exit, my family comes and surrounds me.
"Get out of the way," I said sternly.
My dad came towards me, grabbed my sleeve, and whispered to me, "You may think that you've won by leaving, but we will get you back one way or another. You are our slave. We will get you back and have you as such. I'm not even sure why you were allowed to choose. You should have just stayed home."
I tugged my sleeve away.
"Try all you want," I say, "But I'm leaving. I'm not returning. I'm Dauntless now. I've chosen my faction. I don't belong to you anymore. I made my choice. Soon, it will be Judd's turn and in a few years, Emily. Spend the time that you have left with them wisely. Don't do to them what you've done to me."
I walked away.
Tzofiya came up and asked me, "You okay? What happened?"
"I'm okay. Family tried to scare me. It didn't work."
"What? Are they still trying to control you?"
"Yep. They said that they're going to try to get me back. I'd better train hard to that I can fight back."
"Yep. Dauntless should give you the tools that you need."
"I hope so."
"Me too. Dauntless wouldn't be the same without you."
I laugh.
"True. We'll both have to work our hardest to pass initiation."
"Yep!"
We followed the group mixed of transfers and Dauntless born.
A young man in Dauntless clothes came running up to us.
"Hey, my name is Bryan. Welcome to Dauntless. What's your names?"
"Hello, my name is Adira and this is Tzofiya. It's nice to meet you."
"Same. Let's run together and get on the train."
Some Candor transfer overheard us and said, "Wait, what? We're jumping onto a running train?!"
Bryan said, "Yep! Get on successfully or be factionless."
Bryan, Tzofiya, and I all grabbed hands and jumped onto the train.
"That was awesome!" I exclaimed.
"Yeah!" Tzofiya agreed.
"That is only the beginning," Bryan said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"You'll see. For now, enjoy the ride."
We sat in silence for the rest of the way to Dauntless headquarters.
Soon Bryan said, "Get ready. It's time to jump."
The same Candor transfer from earlier said, "We have to jump again?!"
Bryan shrugged saying, "Yeah, that's part of what we do here in Dauntless. If you don't like it, you shouldn't have transferred. You should have stayed in Candor."
Ouch. That was the truth. But that would still hurt for anyone to hear.
Tzofiya and I grabbed hands and jumped onto the roof.
Someone screamed. An Amity girl didn't make it to the roof. She fell and was sprawled onto the concrete ground below.
"Don't cry," I tell myself, "Just brush it off and move on. This is what happens here."
Tzofiya and I make it towards the front of the crowd.
A young woman dressed in the Dauntless clothes was facing towards us and said, "Welcome to Dauntless. My name is Six. I am one of the leaders here at Dauntless. There is only one way to the Dauntless compound. You have to jump down from here into this hole beside me."
The Candor from earlier, I think someone said her name was Kira, asked, "Six, what like the number?"
"Yes," Six replied.
"What, were one through five taken?" Kira asked.
Six got in Kira's face.
"What's your name?" Six asked.
"K-Kira," she said with fear and trembling.
"Well, Kira, if I wanted the smart mouth comments, I would have joined your faction. The first rule that you're going to learn from me is to keep your mouth shut, understand?"
Kira nodded.
"Good. Now who will be our first jumper?"
"I will," Tzofiya and I said at the same time.
"Go ahead."
"Wait, which one?" I asked.
"Both of you."
We grabbed hands and jumped. We fell into a net.
We laughed so hard as we came out of the net.
A man in Dauntless clothing came to us and asked, "Names?"
"I'm Adira and this is Tzofiya," I said.
"Make the announcement, Four," someone behind him said.
"Wait, another number person? That's weird. I wonder how they got those names here," I thought
"First jumpers, Adira and Tzofiya. Welcome to Dauntless. We've never had two people jump at the same time. That's a first. Congratulations."
We did it. We are Dauntless now.
We were told to stand over to the side.
We stayed there until everyone had jumped down. Even Six jumped down into the net.
Four and Six stood at the front of us and Four said, "My name is Four. This is Six. We are two of the leaders of Dauntless. Behind me are Chris and Will. They are also leaders of Dauntless. We will be your instructors. Six and I will be doing the transfers. Chris and Will will be doing the Dauntless born. If you are Dauntless born, follow Chris and Will. You guys don't need a tour of the place."
As Bryan went to leave, he looked back at us and said, "Good luck."
I said to him, "Thanks, you too."
He smiled at me and left.
Four and Six got our attentions and said, "Follow me."
They lead us to the place that they called the Chasm. They told us that this was the point between bravery and stupidity. Many people had jumped and killed themselves. They told us that it will happen again. Who would jump? Who would think that it would be better to die? I hope that I don't do that.
They proceeded to show us to the dorms.
"This is where you'll be sleeping."
"Boys or girls?" an Erudite girl asked.
"Both," Six said with a smirk.
"What?!" I thought.
Four quieted us down and told us to get changed into our Dauntless clothes and to go burn our old faction clothes. We were told that we wouldn't be needed them anymore.
I was glad to burn my old faction clothes. I wanted nothing to remember my old faction, my family, nothing. Abnegation was just full of awful memories that I just wanted to bury and never think of again.
Tzofiya on the other hand, pulled off a piece of her old shirt to have something to remember her family. I don't blame her. She deserves to do just that. She had really no reason to leave except that she felt like she didn't belong there in Abnegation.
After we burned our clothes, we went to the cafeteria to get something to eat. We were trying to find a table when Bryan waved us over. I'm guessing that he was sitting at a table with the Dauntless born, because I didn't see any transfers over there at least that I remembered.
"Hey," he said.
"Hi," I replied.
Tzofiya said, "So, why'd you have us over?"
"I wanted you guys to sit with us. Plus, you guys look like you belong here. I'm not sure why."
I smiled and chuckled.
"Thanks. Do you really think that we can pass initiation? I heard that it's really hard to get into Dauntless," I said.
"I believe that you can. There's just a feeling and a knowing that I have that you belong here and that you'll pass initiation. It is hard. But it's not as hard as it was a long time ago."
"What changed?" Tzofiya asked.
"Chris, Four, Six, and Will are what changed."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"That's something you'll have to find out on your own or as you progress through initiation or as you around Dauntless. They have changed Dauntless for the good. I'm glad that they are our leaders."
This was a lot to think about. What was Dauntless before we got here? Would we notice the changes? How does being Divergent play into all of this?
We eat the rest of our dinner in almost complete silence.
All of a sudden, people started to slam their cups on the tables, clapping their hands, and just making a lot of racket.
Six, Four, Chris, and Will were standing on a ledge. They got our attention and asked for the initiates to stand.
We did.
They gave a speech on how they were glad that we were here. They quoted some of the Dauntless manifesto. They told us to be brave and to do our very best. Tzofiya and I smiled really big at each other. The next thing we knew, we were being lifted up and tossed into the air.
We had done it. We are Dauntless.
I wonder what will be in store for us. What should we be expecting in Dauntless? I guess that we'll have to wait and see. I can't wait to see what will happen for us.
Tomorrow we will start initiation. We were told to get some rest. We were told that we would be working with guns and knives tomorrow. I wonder what that will be like.
Tzofiya and I chose beds next to each other. We were exhausted from all of the excitement from changing factions. As I tried to go to sleep, I wondered back to my family. I wondered who would be taking my place. Would they even pick someone? What is my family doing? What are they thinking?
Soon, I fall asleep.
Sometime later, we are woken up by being told that we had ten minutes to get to the train track. What will we be doing? Is this a part of initiation? We rush to get dressed and get to the train track.
When we get to the train track, we jump into the train.
Four, Six, Chris, and Will are standing in front of us will boxes behind them. They proceed to tell us that we are going to be playing Capture the Flag. This should be fun and interesting.
"What's in the box?" an Erudite girl named Elsa asks.
"Paint ball guns. If you get hit, you're out. Team who gets the flag first wins. Six and I will be captains of one team and Chris and Will will be captains of the other team. Chris, you pick first."
"Okay," Chris said, "I pick Paul."
"Adira," Four says.
"Mia," Will says.
"Tzofiya," Six says.
"Luke," Chris says.
"Bryan," Four says.
The choosing went for about 10 minutes before the two teams were decided on. Six and Four's team was getting off first.
We went to the Farris wheel. Six and Four told us how they had come here for Six's initiation and how they had won. I start to wonder if we could do the same or if we could do something similar. I looked at Tzofiya and I knew that she was thinking along the same lines. Six and Four told us to come up with a plan with 1) where to hide the flag and 2) how to get the other team's flag. Four and Six walked over to a sitting area while the group started yelling and arguing with who was going to do what and where to hid the flag. Tzofiya, Bryan, and I walked over to where Four and Six were. Four and Six looked up at us.
"Not going to fight it out with the rest of the initiates?" Four asked us.
"No," I replied, "With the way that they're acting, nothing will get done and the other team will come, find the flag, and win the game."
Four and Six shared a look with each other and they started to smirk at us.
"Well, then," Four said, "What do you suggest that we do?"
"Something similar or the exact same thing that you guys did. It worked for you guys and whatever our team is doing, isn't going to get us anywhere," Tzofiya said.
"Well then. Let's get to it," Six said.
We went back to the group. Four and Six got our team's attention. They told them the plan. We set it in motion.
We decided that Four and Six would go and protect the flag. Tzofiya, Bryan, and I were going to go look for the other team's flag. The other initiates were going to go the defensive side.
We ran into Paul, Mia, and Luke who were protecting the flag. I hit Mia, Tzofiya hit Luke, and Paul hit Bryan. One of the other initiates on our team hit Paul. Tzofiya and I ran together, got the tower where the flag was, and grabbed the flag together. We won the game!
"We got the flag!" Tzofiya yelled.
Everyone was shouting and screaming. That was a lot of fun. I can see why the Dauntless are so happy and free. This life style is so much fun. I'm so satisfied and happy with my choice to transfer to Dauntless. I couldn't be happier and so free. I can't wait to see what else is in store for me here in Dauntless.
Four, Six, Chris, and Will said to get back to the train. It was time to go back home and get some sleep before the next part of initiation.
Home, this is now my home. My fellow initiates are my family now.
I can't wait to see what the guns and knives are like tomorrow.
I enter the dorms tired and drained. As soon as I hit the pillow, I'm out.
That's a wrap! Chapter 2 is complete. I hope that you guys liked this one. I think that I'm pretty happy with it. Let me know what you guys think about it. Please review, follow, and favorite! See you next time!