Chapter Three

I can't hold back a gasp of surprise and eagerness as Sam comes to join the Dauntless. As he walks by a few congratulate him. I know why they're happy to have him; he's strong and tall and would make a great Dauntless.

I am about to ask him why he didn't tell me before i remember that he had no idea I'd choose Dauntless either. I can tell that he still wears a tiny hint of surprise at seeing me over here, as if i had accidentally chosen the wrong pot to put my hand over.

I don't say anything to him, just watch as Kira is called next. I catch a glimpse of her eyes. afraid but determined. I watch as she cuts her hand slowly, and then somewhat unsure, extends her arm over the Dauntless coals as well.

I give Sam an amazed look. Kira?! Kira in Dauntless? He doesn't respond similarly, so i know that he had known she would follow whatever he did. I wonder what her real results were. I remember Kira as i saw her a few days ago, ribbons in her hair, a cheery smile on her face. I just can't picture her in Dauntless black, with piercings and tattoos.

As Kira walks over to us, she avoids my eyes, as if thinking that I am a parent about to scold her for doing something wrong. I remain silent until she is ready to talk.

We wait for the end of the line of 16 year-olds. No more come to join Dauntless. The Dauntless give loud whoops, and break into a run towards the train tracks. I don't notice for a minute and then hurry to catch up. Its a good thing I'm fast. I stop, panting, in the middle of the line of initiates. one of the Dauntless born gives a shout that the train is almost here. It whistles by, and all of the Dauntless born jump on with no hesitation. I start running, trying to copy them. I grab onto the side of a car, relying only on my arm strength to pull me in. A hand grasps my arm, making my heart rise. They won't let me fall off.

I heave myself in, my face covered in goosebumps and stinging from the sharp wind. I look around me and see that Sam has already gotten on. He stretches his arm out to Kira to help her on. She is the last one. I hurry to grab her other arm and get her in with Sam's help.

We all look at each other.

"Hm." Sam finally says, breaking the silence. "I didn't expect this to happen,"

I give a breathless little laugh, but it was mostly a huff. Kira looks at me.

"I can't believe you are actually here." I say to her. "I mean, that you chose Dauntless."

"I did it because i wanted to." Her voice is stiff and I know immediately that she is lying, but i don't press her to tell me the truth with so many other people around, easily in hearing distance.

As i look around the train car, I see five Erudite and four Candor, and of course us three Amity. There's 12 of us. I notice a Candor girl bawling her eyes out.

"Bailey, Bailey, shh." a Candor boy tries to comfort her. "You made it on the train didn't you? It'll be even easier getting off."

I roll my eyes. Like he has a clue what it will be like. I don't say anything though. I slowly inch towards the door, watching in awe as the Erudite compound flies by me- wait, I fly by it. The forest seems a dark blur as we pass by it too. The train has picked up speed. I scoot back into my place, praying that it slows down for when we jump off. I am digging my nails into my hand, but I don't notice until Sam smooths my hand out.

"You're going to have both your hands bleeding soon." he says. his easy-going tone makes my feel calmer.

"Do you think the train will slow down?" I ask. He glances out the door.

"I think it is. Aren't we almost there?"

I shrug. I'd never been here.

"Yeah," Some guy says, hearing us. "It's right there." I assume he's a Dauntless born.

Like Sam thought, the train slows down. The Dauntless born get ready, and as soon as I see them jump, I jump as well and pull Sam and Kira with me. I land badly though, an inch away from a bloody nose. I regain my balance.

I turn to look back at the train.

"No! Bailey!" the boy from the train yells. I see the girl, Bailey, has stayed on the train. She waves a small goodbye. I glance at the boy, collapsed on his knees now. I wonder why it affects him so much. Was she his sister? or girlfriend? He slowly stands up and controls himself.

I sweep my eyes around, noticing where we are. On the top of a building. I notice that there is someone in front of us.

"Hello, initiates." He says. "My name is Rufus. I am one of your leaders." he speeds on ahead. "Dauntless born initiates, you know where to go."

Half of the crowd goes down the other side of the building, to where i can't see.

"Now." Says Rufus. "Transfers. This is your first test of Dauntless initiation." He points down the side of the building. "Jump."

We are all dumbfounded. No one steps forward.

"Are you all okay with becoming factionless here and now?" his voice raises. Sam takes a deep breath and steps up.

Rufus smiles, proud. "You see? Be like this boy here."

Sam says nothing as he faces the drop. He holds his breath and then jumps, vanishing. Kira stumbles as if thinking that Sam is going to his doom.

"Its fine," I say to her in a terse whisper. "He's fine."

I hear a voice from far down. "Sam! First jumper!" it yells. Then it becomes silent. I step forward next, surprised that i walk smoothly up and don't shudder. Rufus nods to me. I close my eyes and jump, not feeling anything except the wind rushing by. Then it stops. I open my eyes and see that i am in a net. I try to stand and a hand grabs me to steady me.

"Thanks." I say, stepping down onto hard ground and letting go of the hand. The person who helped me out was a dark haired man, probably not much older than me.

"What's your name?" he asks.

"Annemarie." I reply. He calls out my name like he did Sam's and then motions for me to walk down a hallway. I do and join Sam in waiting for the rest.

"I thought that was fun." He says, leaning against the wall and grinning.

"Sure." I say. I didn't love it and didn't hate it. We wait for the rest of the transfers. When all of us are down, i notice a few people are missing. Too afraid to jump.

I watch as the people holding the net walk over to us. There are three of them. one heads strait by us while the two stay.

The dark haired man looks down the line. "My name is Jean." he says. "This is Blake." he motions to the blond man next to him. "We will be your instructors. You mostly likely won't see Blake, as he will train the Dauntless born. I will train you."

We all listen.

"Now, follow me." He says, not any emotion in his voice. He heads down a narrow hallway, with no handrails. We walk up and down paths until we get to the destination.

"This is your room. You will all share." he said, motioning into the room. There are ten bunk beds. "I realize there are ten of you. You'll just have to get used to sharing and living in a tight place." He said, a smirk on his face that said that he didn't think we'd be able to figure out what to do.

I resist the urge to cross my arms, annoyed.

"You have the rest of this day to adjust to living here Dinner is at 7:00. Tomorrow your training begins." With that, Jean leaves the room.

"He's not a social one." I mutter to Kira, who giggles like a little girl. Amity through and through. I think. I wonder if she'll make it through Dauntless. I hope she does. I knew that Sam would be able to handle it, I could tell by the way he is always cool with each challenge so far. the train, the jumps. I walk up to a the first bed i see and toss my few belongings onto it. My jacket, a pair of jeans, and my watch. I left my amity clothes behind, assuming i would get my black clothes when i came here.

A Candor girl tosses her stuff to the bunk below me. "Hi." She says. "My name's Andrea." She leans against the side.

"Annemarie," I say, sitting down on my bed. I have a feeling i will like this girl. She gets straight to the point. She nods, then walks off to her Candor friends. I look around the room.

I guess this is my life now. I can't quite wrap my head around it.