WARNING: Abuse below.
The Eaton home feels eerie. Tension is almost suffocating, thick and abundant. Everything uncomfortably silent while mind numbingly loud. Ana sits at the kitchen table forking her eggs. As if the chair she sits on is thin ice ready to crack, she's cautious in the slightest of movements. Marcus grumbles along each line he reads. Jeanine won't let up. He crumbles the edges with tight fist.
"Damn," he curses, tossing it to the bin. He glances to Ana before eating his breakfast in disgust. "It's cold," he says in a low voice. Ana jerks as the plate is shoved to the side. "Why is the food cold, Ana? I don't expect much from you, but I want my food warm."
"I'm sorry, Dad,"Ana says, quick on her feet. She grabs a cloth and cleans the mess. The old eggs are tossed in the trash.
It isn't selfless of Marcus, Abnegation's leader. Instead, it is rude and selfish.
"Never mind, Ana!" Marcus snaps, yanking the plate from her. It makes a loud ear piercing sting as it's thrown into the sink. He shoves her aside before sitting back down.
"Are you...aren't you...Dad, I can make you anything you want!" Ana forces out. Marcus sighs, rubbing his temples. "There's some more bread for toast! Also, I believe we have-"
"Ana," Marcus warns, his tone venomous. Ana bows in respect.
"I'm sorry."
"Damn it, Ana!" He shouts, standing. His fist slams hard against the table, a wooden leg quivering under the weight. Ana sinks against the wall in a puddle of regret and shame.
"I'm sorry!"
"Is that all you say?" Marcus hooks a finger under his worn belt buckle. The same one that use to cut Tobias's back and arms. "I'm sorry?" He mocks. "Do you have an inch of a brain, Ana? Stop." Ana nods.
"The Choosing Ceremony, Dad."
"And? We have time."
Marcus helps Ana up, but bends her over the table. A knot forms in the pit of her stomach. A large bundle of disgust and self hate. All the worth she felt slowly disintegrates into nothing but dust. Even that doesn't last.
Tears sting her pores as they stream down her cheek. A hard lump prevents a single word from passing. Her mind blurry with memories of screams and yells. Evelyn, her Mom, kicking the last of her fight. Everything is numbing.
"Ana, this is for your own good."
Did it do Tobias any good? Or Evelyn? When does this do any good? Ana bites hard on her knuckle, blood seeping through, but nothing compares to what will happen next.
Is it worse than the back of his hand, Ana thought. Marcus whips his belt out from the loops in his pants and folds it. Smacks of leather torment Ana as she anxiously waits.
Marcus takes a step back before raising the belt above his head. His daughter muffles cries. Her body shakes. Petrified. Just like Tobias.
"It'll be over soon, Ana." A loud crack fills Ana's ears as her body screams in agony. A burning sensation covers her back. It is as if a Candor took a cigarette, or multiple, and pressed them against her skin.
"Please! Don't! Stop. Please stop," she cries an ear splitting scream.
But he doesn't. He hits her one more time. Two more. Three more. Marcus continues until his arm falls tired. Ana's voice is raspy, and her mouth is cracked. The knuckle is painted red with blood like her front teeth. She stands trying to shake of the pain, but it sticks and lingers. Ice would feel like sanctuary, but Marcus never keeps ice. Small dots of blood stain her grey dress.
"Change," Marcus says. Ana doesn't say a word. She can't. Everything is red. Everything is doubled. Excruciating stinging makes her world pause for a second before she faints.
Ana limps to her Dad's truck, a busted old thing with a loud engine and semi-flat tires. It is difficult to climb up into the seat. She whimpers as her back pulses. Marcus helps her.
"Okay, Ana?" he asks not expecting an answer. Ana didn't, and wouldn't, give one anyway. Instead, her jaw tightens as she stares blankly out.
In silence, they drove to the hub. Ana grows small goosebumps and her body shakes and shivers. She is nervous, but angry as well. From the corner of her eye, she glares, wondering if Marcus has any compassion. And Tobias, what would he think of himself now? Disgusted, she hopes.
"Ana, when you get older," Marcus starts, rubbing his daughter's shoulder. "You'll understand. Respect is taught before it is earned. My father did the same. It's for your own good." It hurts, she thinks, resting her head on the cool glass.
They pull into a small parking spot at the end of the parking lot. Marcus sighs, looking at his daughter.
"You're a girl, Ana. An Abnegation girl. One day you'll marry a man who will work day and night, and you'll serve him in return. I'm simply teaching you. Preparing you for when I have to marry you off." He speaks as if outdated traditions are alive and well. "Let's go. Now, remember, the knife only hurts for a second."
Like his belt? It probably feels nicer than his belt. The back of his hand is better than the belt. Anything is better than the belt.
In a selfless, proper manner they walk into the ceremony. She spots the Black twins and Prior siblings already sitting with their families. Marcus isn't to join Ana, but stand up front among the other leaders or representatives.
"Ana," he says, glancing to a tall Erudite woman. Jeanine. Ana smiles, looking at her heeled shoes. They also click nicely.
"Marcus," she greets, holding out her hand. She holds herself in a manner that reeks confidence. Almost like she is above everyone. They shake hands.
"Jeanine, how are you?" he asks in reply. He holds Ana close, but in a conservative manner acceptable to their faction.
"I'm well, and is this your daughter?" Ana smiles, bowing her head. "She's grown since the last time."
"It's been years," Marcus agrees. When Ana was six, she attended a meeting along with her brother. Marcus wasn't happy, but there was no one to watch them.
"Nice to see you, Ana," Jeanine says, shaking her delicate hand. Ana nods.
"And I, you," she replies, smiling. Marcus points to the Abnegation section.
"Why don't you go sit?"
Ana finds a spot next to the Prior family. Caleb smiles to himself eyeing the small girl next to him before directing his focus forward. Jeanine speaks about the factions and their purpose. Her voice is proud, but not overly arrogant. She's quick to finish, and Marcus steps forward.
"When you leave this room," he starts, pausing. Ana looks at him, a selfish rage filling her veins. They lock eyes for a quick moment until he continues, "you will no longer be dependents, but members of our society. Today, you have a choice to pick any of the five factions, but be warned. Once the decision has been made, you can't turn back. Your choice is permanent." Marcus scans over the factions before looking at a paper. He reads a name. A tall Amity steps forward, her skirt flowing elegantly behind her. She stays with her family. Next is a fellow Abnegation, Susan. Ana smiles as she stays with Abnegation, but her brother transfers to Amity. Then a Candor boy chooses to stay in Candor just as a Dauntless boy chooses Dauntless. Names are called one after the other before Marcus reaches his daughter's.
"Ana Eaton," he calls. The Priors stand to let her out. Eyes follow her small frame all the way to the front.
The blade eyes her. Her reflection shines off of it, and she smiles to herself as she picks it up. The blade is so sharp it slices her flesh with little pain. Blood trickles down her wrist. Marcus smiles to himself, confident she will stay. Ana gives a quick look before shee hovers her fist in spite over the Erudite bowl and nods as her blood drips into it. It sizzles with smoke.
Jeanine steps forward, her lips tug upward into a sinister smirk. Marcus freezes for a second, his chest pounding.
"Erudite," he forces out. The Erudite clap respectfully, and Ana joins them proud. The pain in her back no longer hurting as bad. A Candor girl next to her smiles, and pats her arm. Ana did it. Ana freed herself. The Abnegation share looks of worry and despair due to the recent conflict, but they keep to their selflessness.
"Caleb Prior," Marcus says, his voice still unsteady. Ana can no longer look. Instead, she looks at her boots longing to try on heels. Blue heels.
But her focus shifts as the Abnegation start talking again, and her dad speaks. Caleb is by her side, his hand over hers. Two stiffs. Two stiffs joining Erudite.
Ana looks up at him as he watches his sister. She chooses Dauntless. Four defected. Four Abnegation defected. A faction barely anyone leaves. Ana nods and holds Caleb's hand. Their first act of defiance.
Authors Note: Thank you for your support! 12 favs and 15 follows? And 9 reviews? I'm humbled! :) I wonder what you all think! Eric will come around chapter 5! :)