Beatrice's POV- Age 16- Choosing Ceremony day
The choosing ceremony is at the Hub this year. Robert and Susan's father has offered my family and Marcus a lift to the choosing ceremony. But the car is one seat short, so I have offered to walk to the Hub. I'm taking the time that it takes to walk to think. I don't really need to think about my decision. I've always wanted to go to Dauntless, despite what happened to Toby. But yesterday I got told I was Divergent. Every time I so much as think that word I get chills down my spine. Selfless, Brave or Intelligent? Abnegation, Dauntless or Erudite? I can't go to Erudite. I don't hate school, but I don't want to live in one my entire life. I'm not going to stay in Abnegation. I need to be in Dauntless, where I can remember who Tobias really was. Not the fake face he put on for Abnegation, the real one he showed when he was with me, when we trained, when he kissed me. I've never taken off the necklace he gave me. Its combination of blue and grey, but I always look at the blue. I think that was my favourite physical feature of Toby. The eyes that always knew exactly how I was feeling. I have on a pair of black leggings under my slacks but I couldn't wear a singlet because the outline of the straps would show under my shirt. I was totally lost in thought when I was suddenly surrounded by Dauntless. I look up and I'm standing outside the Hub. My mother is standing outside waving slightly to attract my attention but not everyone else's. I walk towards her and she guides me into the Hub. I sit down between her and Caleb. Caleb presses a piece of paper into my hand. I slipped it into my pocket and I let my thoughts drift back to Tobias. I'm only pulled back when Caleb chooses Erudite. My parents and I are all staring, wide eyed at my perfect ABNEGATION brother, who has chosen our worst enemy faction. My mother looks shocked but my father at the same time looks furious, like he thought he had guaranteed Caleb's stay in Abnegation. Then Marcus calls my name. I grabbed my mother's hand a squeezed it. I slide the paper into my pocket so no one will see it. I take the knife all the while glaring at Marcus. I'll never forget the pain he put Tobias through. I pressed it to my palm and stood in front of the Dauntless coals and Abnegation stones. I thrust my hand over the coals and hear the Dauntless cheer. And I can't help but grin.
When the Dauntless begin running it must be an automatic response because the next thing I am aware of, I'm sitting in a train carriage and a Dauntless born is congratulating me on getting on the train so well. There seems to be a lot of people in this carriage. All the transfers, an older guy and a Dauntless born.
"I would have thought you were Dauntless jumping on so easily." Exclaimed the Dauntless born
"I've been training to come her since I was 10 years old." I said with a little attitude. I pulled off my pants to reveal the Dauntless leggings, yanked my hair free of the Abnegation bun and pulled it back into my training pony tail. Then I reached under my shirt and pulled out my necklace. I used one of the knives to carve B&T onto the flat silver casing of the stone. I simply sit there, turning it over in my hands.
"What's that?" Asks a Erudite born girl called Myra
"Just a necklace." I reply
"But Stiff's don't wear jewellery? So where did you get it?" Ask an Erudite boy, Edward. Instead of answering I kept my mouth closed and didn't answer. But then a Dauntless leader covered in tattoo's and piercings said
"Yeah Stiff, tell us where you got the necklace. Or be factionless, your choice." Seriously Dauntless were cruel for this. I said
"My boyfriend gave it to me. He was two years older and transferred to Dauntless. He was who I used to train with. H apparently tried to visit me on visiting day but was killed jumping off the train. This necklace is the last thing he gave me." I explained
"Well Stiff, I'm going to insist that you give me the necklace for the duration of stage one. I'll give it back to you when you finish stage one or become factionless." And with that he ripped it from my hand
"Eric isn't that a bit harsh?" Asked the Dauntless born boy, Uriah.
"Shut up Pedrad." Snapped Eric. I just ignored both of them and just sat watching the buildings fly by. We arrived at the edge and everyone began jumping off. I couldn't help but imagine Tobias jumping and falling to his death. Then a Candor girl, I think her name is Christina, grabs my hand and said
"Together?" I nodded my agreement and we leapt off the train, falling onto the harsh gravel onto of the building.
"Listen up! My name is Max and I'm one of the Dauntless leaders. Usually we let you choose the order in which you jump. But this year we've planned an order. Reverse alphabetical by faction. I don't care what order you jump in within your own faction that's up to you." Will stepped forward and jumped, Edward wrapped his arms around Myra and led her off the side of the building.
"Dauntless." Called Max. The Dauntless kids flew off in a mass of black and insanity like they always do.
"Eric and I are going now, Candor can come then the Stiff." Says Max. A guy named Peter follows them closely and two other Candors', Molly and Drew are right behind them. Christina looks at me and nods encouragingly before leaping over the edge. I took one last look before leaping over the edge. I saw the net coming and bent my legs ready for impact. I used to momentum to flip up and land on the ground in front of me. Eric looks shocked but then again so does everyone else.
"Listen up initiates! Usually stage one, the physical stage last for 2 weeks. We're cutting it back to 3 days. Day 1 you have fights, day 2 you learn guns and day 3 you have knives. Lauren will be taking the Dauntless Born and Four will be handling the transfers." Eric explained. I couldn't help but ignore 'Four' as he waffled on about the compound. I kept looking at the shops and the places and wondering what Tobias would have thought about Dauntless. I try to think about he would have thought as he walked down the Chasm walk way. Probably something like get me out of here. His fear of heights was always pretty strong. I hate saying was. I wish I could say is. Stop it Tris! I think to myself. I can't afford to focus entirely on Tobias. I need to make my own way in Dauntless.
Wow. Thanks so much to everyone who has read, reviewed, followed and favourite this story! I seriously can't believe it! I love all reviews, follows and favourites! Thanks for reading
Lizzy
