I wake up with a start, surprised that daylight can dance upon the forest floor. Last night the lull of the birds had dragged me to get some sleep, but judging by how hot it already is, I am guessing it's more than just a few hours. I look around me, groggily and notice that the dew that was once painted over everything, is now just another visitor come and gone. Prodding myself up against the massive tree trunk that was my warmth last night, my stomach sings the song of its people, letting me know I've probably slept through breakfast.

After forcing myself up from the rough ground, I drag my hands across my charcoal pants and loose V-neck tank, brushing off the clinging dirt. I already feel so dirty just sleeping one night in this place. Which leads me to asks myself, where exactly am I? Considering all of the factions are well developed in Chicago, I assume I'm somewhere more dangerous. I'm outside the gates. I would have never expected to be protected all my life by the Dauntless, from a vast sea of dry cracked ground and a misty jungle. There seems to be more awaiting for me, but for now the top of my priorities include getting something to eat.

I rummage through the underbrush in search of anything eatable. So far all that I find is thorny plants with crimson flowers that remind me of Christina. Their bold color resembled her personality I can't help but hold out a smile. Christina was-is the kind of girl proud to get you wasted and still have a good time, but she also can be the confidant that will tell you it's ok to sit on the couch and eat dauntless cake until your tears have dried, not to mention you can't even remember why you showed up at her door crying in the first place.

I've been scouring for about an hour now and my stomach feels as though it is concaving in on itself. My skin begins to itch, after all I don't even know when the last time I had a shower was. Hell, I don't even know what day it is or how long I've been away from the city. Everyone's probably already forgotten about me and Tobias' I have no doubt has already moved on. Why would he search for a pathetic flat chested stiff like me, he could have anyone he wanted. His dastardly appealing eyes grasp your attention and plead for you to come closer.

I pull back a branch that was obscuring vision and find my safe haven lying before my eyes. It's everything you could ask for, being stuck in the middle of nowhere. The luscious ten foot waterfall sprays across the gray stones at its foot. I've seen pictures like this in our books, but nothing could describe how beautiful the sight was. A pool formed around the fall and another collected itself next to the tree line where a single river flowed its way downhill. The rush of the water transferring itself from one break to another causes me to direct my attention to a single leaf, that floats among the stream. It flows among other small sticks and plunges into the water when there is a small drop. Staggering myself toward the cascading water, I can already smell the light fresh scent it gives off. I break into a short jog and cup my hands together and pushing them underneath the water. I bring them back to my face and raise my head back. The cool liquid slides down my throat and again I have overcome dehydration.

I rub the excess water on my black jeans and notice that my clothes are filthy with dirt and mud. Now would be a good time for a bath. But it takes me a moment to cautiously peer around my fellow trees before I feel comfortable removing my stench infested tank top and pants. After assuring myself that in fact there is no one else is around to see my embarrassment of a body, I pull at the hem of my top and slip it over my head with ease. I feel cold already with trepidation. I remember when I shrugged off my coat before I jumped into the net. How Peter pointed out how scandalous I looked when I was actually showing my arms. The thought makes me grimace. Never in my life have I shown this much skin. Not even in Dauntless when Christina used me as a life-sized doll. Once a stiff, always a stiff I guess. It's not just something you can bury deep inside you. It comes out when you least expect it, like a promise.

I quickly peel off my other clothes and walk toward the pool. I dip my right toes in and immediately I feel a sudden chill rush down my spine. I know there is no way I will be able to walk into this freezing water. My only option is to brace myself and jump in.

I take a few steps back away from the edge and then sprint towards the center of the pool. Right before I hit the water I jump and find myself splashing the once calm water around me, into the surrounding grass. I tred water, letting my hands circle around till I become used to the devilish cold. I can't help but smile. Never in my life would I imagine splashing into a jungle pool, after being disposed in the desert. If someone were to tell me of this fate in Abnegation, I would recommend them to a psychiatrist down the street.

I run my hands under the water, around my arms trying to warm myself up. Dipping my head under the water was necessary, unless I planned on having greasy hair. Even though it only reaches down to my shoulders, I still think it deserves its own washing. At the beginning of the war I had cut my hair short, but holding my locks between my frail fingers reminds me that a lot of time has passed since then. I can't help but think about what's going on in the city. Are erudite guards shooting down Divergent? Is shattered glass coating the Amity headquarters? It just seems like a constant game I play with myself. To think of a happy ending that I hope for, or the reality that it very well might be.

Finally, when I've scrubbed out the dirt from underneath my nails and my skin no longer smells like mud, I swim toward the edge of the pool where I can slowly walk on the wet stones till I reach the dry grass. I walk over to the tree branch to which my clothes lie underneath, picking them up and shaking out any loose grass sticking to them. I can feel the warmth the sun has left on them, even when they were at the edge of the shade. I steadily slip back on my clothing, ready to come back to a more conservative look. However, Dauntless being conservative is more of a stretch really. I still can't believe some of the Dauntless women wear revealing shirts and hiked up skirts that look disgusting on some of them. Your Abnegation is showing. I can hear Christina's words ring through my ears like she is standing right next to me, as if we are back in the dining hall where I ate my first hamburger and Tobias introduced me to it partner in taste, the red sauce I smeared on it. Stop, I think to myself. Tobias could be a million miles away from here, where ever here is. He could have found someone else by now. But my intuition tells me otherwise. I've been through hell with him by my side. His tender touch guiding my gun in initiation, his grin tugging at his lips when I helped to win capture the flag. I can picture him grabbing my hand after I plummeted into the net and him welcoming me to Dauntless, after reminding me that I could be a different person here. Have a new name. He helped me become who I am. Dauntless. Selfless. Brave.

Lying in the sunlight I soak up its heat and I can feel its warmth surround me like a blanket. I slowly let my eyes overcome me and before I do I hear small footsteps coming from behind. " Tris?" I stiffen. The voice is low and yet I don't feel threatened. Propping myself up with my elbow, I look around my shoulder to see who the owner of the voice is. But when I see his striking blue eyes I can't believe myself. I whisper his name, "Tobias?"

Author's Note:

Thanks for everyone who read the last chapter. And for those of you who review thanks. Even if you didn't, but still read my story I can't thank you enough. I am constantly looking for new ways to improve my writing. If you have any suggestions please review about what you thought. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I wanted to kind of leave you at a cliff hangar. Sorry. But hopefully I will be able to update soon and continue with Tris' adventure in the wild. Hope you have a snazzy swell day! (Disclaimer: I still do not own divergent. )

Razben