The Dauntless exit first, with blood pumping through every vein in our body. The transfers- especially the one Abnegation girl- run unsteady down the steps, and if I weren't clothed in black from head to toe, I would look like a transfer myself.
Someone shoves into me from behind, and I go forward, stumbling a bit, but manage to catch my balance. My legs burn as I run faster, determined to climb onto the platform before the train leaves. Once I reached the pillars that hold up the rail road, I begin to climb after a pink haired Dauntless Born. It takes a while; I'm not exactly the strongest Dauntless.
I push myself up onto the platform, grunting and using all my strength. Someone puts a hand in front I my face, and I grab onto it. They pull me up, and as I turn to thank them, nobody is there.
"Ugh!" I look down and see the Abnegation girl. It looks like she's dangling. I reach down.
"Grab my hand!" I yell and she looks up at me, confusion written over her face. But nonetheless, she grabs my hand, and I pull her up, straining my muscles. As scrawny as she is, it's not exactly easy helping her.
She lets out a shaky yet relieved breath as she stands next me. Strands of black curly hair frame her face, insisting they escaped from her bun. She dusts herself off and stands up straight. "If I had known I was signing up for death, I would've poured my blood on the dirt," She says.
"Welcome to Dauntless," I joke. "I'm Alyssa,"
She looks behind me before saying, "Miranda." She looks to the side when the ground rumbles beneath our feet. "What's that?" Miranda asks shakily.
"It's the train," I tell her, cracking my knuckles.
"We have to jump onto it?!"
"Don't worry," I laugh. "Just follow me and grab the handle. Then I'll pull you in. It's a little easier then it looks," Some tension disappears from her face.
"Start running!" Someone yells as the train is a few yards away.
All at once, everyone breaks out into a sprint, and Miranda tries to follow them, but I put a hand in front of her to stop her. She shoots me a questionly look.
"If we run with them, we might get shoved off the platform. Plus, they all go for the front cars, the last one has less people," I explain. I wait a few seconds before the third car passes us and I yell, "Run!"
Using all my strength, I run like my life depends on it (which it sort of does it you think about it) and I force myself not to look back. As much as I hope Miranda makes it through, I can't risk becoming Factionless for her.
But after I use the handle and swing myself unto the last car, I see Miranda reaching for the handle. Just as the platform ends and theirs nothing beneath her feet, Miranda fingers curl around the handle, and she shrieks and the wind slaps her face.
Quickly coming to realization, I grab her arm and pull her in.
She breaths heavily and leans against the wall. I rests my hands on my knees and pant. After I remembered we almost died, I start laughing. She looks at me like I am crazy, but I can't stop laughing.
"W - we almost died!" Miranda says.
"I know!" I giggle and my laugh died down.
"I don't think I'll ever understand Dauntless, even if I make it through initiation." She says quietly.
"You'll learn to laugh after any encounter with death soon."
"Move it, Outsider!" Someone yells and pushes me.
I would've fallen out the train if I didn't put my hands out. I turn around and see Chelsea, a Dauntless Born who torments me reguarly.
I roll my eyes and she struts across the train with her several shadows following and whispering about me. As if too annoy me, she grabs Damien shoulder and smashes her lips to his, oblivious to the conversation he was having.
Miranda turns to me. "What's that all about?" She asked quietly.
"I should've told you sooner. I'm an outcast."
"So?" She doesn't understand.
"So if you are seen talking to me, you'll get harassed too. Don't you get it?"
"Who cares what they say?"
"Wish it were that easy," I whisper.
. . .
"We have to jump," I explain, as I hear whoops and shouts of excitement.
"Off the train?" Her eyes grow wide with fear.
"It's easy, just, start from back there," I gesture to the back of the car. "And run. As you get to the edge, jump."
"Are they trying to get us killed?"
"I've done this a thousand time and the worst injury I've had was a broken arm. You'll be fine. Get ready."
Most of the people in our car jump, and two almost fall off the roof. I find it amusing, but don't say anything.
Damien jumps with his friends, as does Chelsea. Being the prodigies they are, all of them land on their feet.
I glance at Miranda, who is quaking with horror. "Be brave,"
My feet move quickly, and I press off the edge and mumble a prayer. As thrilling as that was, I have to admit I was scared. A miracle happened, and I landed on the rolling around on the concrete. I head a yelp beside me, and see Miranda laying a few feet from me and groaning.
I chuckle and dust myself up, walking over to her and reaching out a hand. She grabs it and flicks rubble off her gray dress.
"Gather around!" I hear a voice boom, and I see Uriah, a leader, standing on the edge of the roof where many Dauntless and initiates are standing. Me and Miranda walk calmly next to everyone, but stand on the sidelines.
"I'm very surprised that most of you have made it this far." Cheers erupt from the Dauntless and fists punch the air. "But the fun is only beginning. Now, before I explain more, why don't we tests everyone's bravery?"
"What do you mean?" A Candor speaks up.
"Any volunteers to jump over?" Uriah wears a playful smile. As if on cue, everyone grows silent.
"What's at the bottom?" Someone yells.
"Find out for yourself."
Nobody speaks.
Finally, as if he were prepared for this moment, Damien simply says, "Me,"
No surprise there.
The crowd clears at path for Damien, and he nervously climbs onto the ledge.
"Let's make this fast, kid. I have at hot date tonight," Uriah says.
Damien smiles and rolls his eyes, playfully punching him. Then, he just drops. No screaming, no cheering. Just the wind as it waits to carry the next victim off the roof into uncertain doom.
One by one, everyone jumps off the roof. Miranda was the seventh to go. And I'm not too far behind her.
After I fall, which seemed liked eternity as I built up enough strength to throw myself over a ledge into a black hole, I felt something hold my body, and entangled my fingers in the holes.
A net.
I fell onto a net.
A humorous laugh escapes me, and I feel the weight of others pulling me off of it. Hands grasp my body which makes me feel uncomfortable. Finally, after I've rolled off, I meet the doe brown eyes of Miranda. "I was waiting for you, patiently." She smirks.
"Yeah your screams of terror made that clear."
She rolls her eyes and tugs on my arm excitedly, dragging me over as we wait for the rest of the group to jump. Once they do, Uriah falls onto the net like a little kid. "Love doing that!" He shouts enthusiastically.
"Now," He begins when he's on solid ground. "Initiation, if it wasn't clear before, is only beggining. I'm Uriah, for those who don't know me, and am a faction leader. I'm not responsible for you so let me introduce who is! In this corner, the man with no sensitive side, who's name is a number, the big bad, Four!" Everyone cheers and Four raises his eyebrows and Uriah, crossing his arms and fighting a smile.
"And in this corner, the girl who's as tough as nails-"
"Lynn," Said trainer simply says, making Uriah pout.
"You're no fun!" He walks away.
"I'll be training the transfers. Considering you have no clue where you'll be living, I'll show. Follow me," Four says, and Miranda nervously smiles.
The transfers follow him, all wearing colors besides black. "Wish me luck," Miranda says, as she begins to walk away.
"Just try not to get killed," I advise.
"Thanks for the encouraging speech." She mutters, and follows the other transfers.
"Now, you guys are now my resppnsibility. So if you end up getting me in trouble, I will have you thrown in the factionless. You guys don't need a tour, I'm assuming, and can live with your families. But will need to be at the training room at eight o' clock tomorrow morning. There will a banquet in your honor, but don't get too full of yourselves." She dismisses us with a wave of her hand, and full of excitement, everyone scatters.
I look down, suddenly insecure and and walk, bumping into someone. I look up and see Damien.
"Sorry," I mumble.
"It's okay, Alyssa."
"Damien!" Chelsea calls, and he smiles, running to her and embracing her.
I sigh, and walk a long and peaceful walk to my apartment. But I wish I didn't have too.
I wonder if miraculously, one day it will be better. Everyone says, today will be better then yesterday, but it's all the same. My hope is slowly wavering, and I don't know how much longer I can hold on.
As soon as I walk through the doors, I hear shouting, and run toward it, bursting into a room with a green door. "Stop!" A girl cries.
"Stop, leave her alone!" A boy shouts.
He shoves the boy, sending him flying. Angrily, he shakes the girl and smacks her. I can't stand it. "Peter, stop! Put her down!"
I claw at his back, but it does no good. I might as well not try. But, still I punch his arm, and he drops her. "Ahh!" I scream as his hand collides with my cheek, and I fall to the floor. "Brian," I pant. "Get Emily out of here,"
I don't have to say anymore. He helps her off the floor and they walk out the door. I wait until I hear a door close before attempting to stand up. But as I do, a hit forces me back down. I grunt, and fall on my back. He kicks me in the ribs. I groan. He grabs a handful of hair and leans in close to my face.
"I'm not telling you again, you do what I say, I'm the parent here!" He yells at me, before throwing me to the floor, and walking out the door.
I curl into a ball and cry endless tears, wanting to be dead.
As much as I don't want it to be true, it is.
Peter Hayes is my father.