Chapter – 2
Changes... or is it the same?
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Ok, I know I said I wouldn't post the next chapter until I got 3 reviews, but I was bored, so hear ya go ;)
Disclaimer: I don't own Divergent. All credit goes to Veronica Roth.
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Tobias
Once every initiate has reached solid ground, Lauren and I lead them through the narrow tunnel that leads to the Pit. The stone walls and sloping roof suddenly reminds me of one of my fears; claustrophobia. Hmmmm... I guess I do feel a bit suffocated.
We finally reach the lit region of the tunnel, and Lauren says, 'This is where we divide. The Dauntless born initiates are with me. I assume you don't need a tour of this place.', and then she grins. She beckons to the Dauntless born initiates, and they all follow her to the left tunnel. When she passes me, Lauren whispers, 'Good luck.'
I scan the remaining initiates, once the Dauntless borns leave. I see blue; Erudite. A lot of blue. I also see black and white; Candor. Well, at least that is reasonable. It does require bravery to be honest. Not that I would know.
'Most of the time, I work in the control room, but for the next few weeks, I am your instructor. My name is Four', I explain to them. I wait for the snickers and silent comments; I hear only one.
'Four, like the number?' It's the second jumper, I recognize her. Candor. Of course.
'Yes. Is there a problem?' I ask her, to which she replies, 'No.'
'Good. Let's move on. We're about to go into the pit, which you will someday learn to love.' No, you won't, not if you're afraid of heights. I continue, 'It-'
Someone interrupts me; it's the Candor again. She snickers, and says, 'The Pit? Clever name.'
I should probably teach her to keep her mouth shut. She won't last long here otherwise. I steal a glance at Tris; she is shaking her head, as if she is disappointed at her friend.
'What's your name?' I ask her quietly. Quiet is dangerous. 'Christina', she squeaks. 'Well, Christina, if I wanted to put up with Candor smart-mouths, I would have joined their faction. The first lesson you will learn from me is to keep your mouth shut. Got that?', I hiss at her. She nods.
I move toward the end of the tunnel, and I hear the shuffle of initiates behind me.
I push the familiar set of double doors open, and we all walk into the Pit.
'Oh, I get it.' I hear Christina say. Oh yes, now you get it. I look at the underground cavern with the uneven rock walls several stories high. I look at the shops carved into the side of the walls. I see Shauna and Zeke; they grin and wave, and I wave back.
'If you follow me, I will show you the chasm', I say, and wave them forward. We approach the railing, and I hear the roar of water. I wonder if anyone of the initiates can hear it. I can't stop looking behind, where Tris stood. She looked over the railings, and I knew she was looking at the contrasting left and right sides. The left is calmer than the right. Way calmer.
I need to shout to get them to hear. 'The chasm reminds us there is a line between bravery and idiocy!' Well, it reminds me. The Dauntless leaders would say otherwise, saying that they were brave enough to jump; I say, suicide is not bravery. Everything has changed; or has it? What was I told during my initiation? 'Suicide is not encouraged, but nonetheless, it is brave?' It wasn't Amar; it was someone else covering for him for just the first day. Just some brainwashed Dauntless. But then why did Amar jump off then?
Well, I wouldn't encourage them to jump off.
'A daredevil jump off this ledge will end your life. It has happened before and it will happen again', I say. How am I so sure it will happen again? Oh right. This is Dauntless. 'You have been warned.'
I lead the initiates across the Pit towards the gaping hole in the wall that leads to the dining area. It is full of people and clattering silverware. The Dauntless stand, applaud, stamp their feet and shout. Typical.
Somehow, I found myself sitting in Tris' table, right next to her. I help myself to a hamburger. Then I remember, Tris is from Abnegation. Like me. I remember Shauna and Zeke laughing at me when I puzzled over the dish. I nudge her with my elbow, and say, 'Its beef. Put this on it', and pass her a bowl of ketchup. Christina asks her, surprised, 'You've never had a hamburger before?'
'No, Is that what it called?', Tris asks. I felt the need the explain the situation to Christina; her eyes were still wide with surprise. 'Stiffs eat plain food', I say to her. 'Why?' she asks.
Tris says, 'Extravagance is considered self-indulgent and unnecessary', and Christina smirks.
'No wonder you left.'
'Yeah, it was just because of the food', says Tris, and rolls her eyes. I didn't mean to, but I felt the corner of my mouth twitching upwards.