This might be one of two chapters I'll be posting today. Fingers crossed. Hope you guys enjoy this. Aurora might start to become a little bolder. What do you sweeties think?
Chapter 4
"This is a system that has efficiently…blah, blah…Faction before Blood…blah, blah, blah." It's the same speech they give every year. I know I should be paying attention but my anxiety is running high. The auditorium's stadium seating is completely full with members of each faction. The Dauntless sat furthest away from us. I hadn't seen anyone familiar. I didn't really expect Tobias. He had never shown before. But I was hoping Tris would show up.
Next to me Marcus was gripping my wrist too tight. He was trying one last time to warn me. How could he expect me to take him seriously now? I had seen from Tobias how easy it was to escape his terror. Once I chose another faction his threats would be in vain. He may hold high regard as a member of society, but I doubt being a leader meant he could chase me through factions without drawing some kind of attention.
They had begun calling names. Dauntless was first. There were no transfers. Not surprising. Who would want to leave all that freedom behind? There were seven kids from Erudite, three now Dauntless; ten from Candor, six of them now sat with Dauntless; and surprisingly three transfers from Amity to Dauntless: twin boys and a girl. One of the boys looked like he was going to be sick. Abnegation was up next.
Of the four that had been called so far, three had decided to stay, and one transfers to Amity. Her family stood clapping in full support. I briefly wondered what that felt like to have family that supported and trusted your decisions.
"Aurora Eaton."
This is it. I look for the last time at Marcus.
"Don't do something you'll regret, child." He whispers to me menacingly, crushing my hand even more for emphasis.
I went in for a hug. "The next time you touch me, I will kill you." Where did that come from?
To anyone else it looked like he was simply giving me an encouraging hug. There were whispers coming from the crowd. They probably hadn't known I existed. Most hadn't known about Tobias either. At least not until his name had been called on Choosing Day three years ago. We didn't get out much. Marcus had pulled us from school shortly after mom died. He had changed after that. We had been too afraid or ashamed to make friends. Besides, it was easier to hide the evidence of abuse, when there was no one around to ask questions.
I made my way to the stage, away from the shocked eyes of Marcus. I was handed a small blade from a representative of Candor, it was their year to host, and swiftly made a cut. It didn't hurt much. It felt good actually. That slight sting meant I was almost out. Plus, I had experienced too much already to feel much of anything, let alone pain. I could feel the air shift in the room as I completely ignored to bowl for Abnegation. I hesitated for a moment as I passed by the Amity bowl. It would be so easy to stop here and choose Amity, to be safe for rest of my life. No. You are not a coward and you're not going to run away. I stand in front of the Dauntless bowl before letting the blood drop over hot coals. Time is completely still, and my eyes are locked with Marcus, reflecting superiority and strength. Check mate. The room stayed silent for a second. Marcus had lost another child to Dauntless. Rumors would soar tomorrow.
Dauntless began to cheer first, the rest of the factions following just seconds behind. I took a seat beside the twins from Amity and smiled at the welcoming tone in the Dauntless atmosphere. They were all pats on the back and hand shakes. It felt like home. Like a small burden had been lifted.
See, that wasn't so bad. And once you're in the Dauntless compound you can start to look for Tobias. My mother's voice again.
The ceremony had come to an end and the factions started to file out. I could see the top of Marcus' head through the crowd once we made it outside. Before he could reach me, members of my new faction had pushed me forward, forcing me to run in order to keep up. The wind was blowing my long curls back and for the first time I wasn't worried about who might see the bruising on my jaw.
They were climbing on anything and everything to reach the upper levels of the city. I could see a couple of Candor members struggling to keep up when I looked around. I wasn't too worried. I had climbed many of these pillars before, on a few particularly bad nights when Marcus had completely exhausted himself with a belt. I'm ashamed to admit I came here in hopes of throwing myself in front of the train. Those thoughts never stuck though and usually ended with me curled into a ball of tears, hoping Tobias would magically appear and save me.
When I reached the top, I looked out over the city. I could still see the house where Marcus now lived alone. The more I looked in that direction, the more it seemed like it was coming closer, like Marcus could still get to me if I stayed too much longer.
It was the sound of the train that pulled me from the looming panic attack. The other members had started lining up along the tracks and I followed suit.
Wait. It's not slowing down. Why is it not slowing down?
The Dauntless born began to run alongside the train, before jumping or pulling themselves in to one to cars.
Run, Aurora. I took off, leaving most of the transfers behind. Mimicking the Dauntless-born, I jump and catch the handle on the side before pulling myself forward into the car, rolling on my back once I landed safely inside. When I opened my eyes just seconds later, the rest of the members had their heads sticking outside mocking the transfers.
Jerks. They could have helped us, or at least warned us to be prepared.
My instincts kick in and I jump up racing to the cars behind us. There are a couple of Candor boys struggling to pull themselves in. I have to help them. By now everyone is staring at me as I reach down to pull one in and then the other. I move my way down to help a few others. When I'm done, I finally sit back, leaning against a metal wall to catch my breath.
"Be careful, stiff. No ones going to help you just because you helped them." I look up to see a guy who looked my age or a year older. His hair was spiked in all different directions and various silver hoops covered his face. "By the end of initiation, I guarantee at least one of those kids will have tried to kill you." It sounds like he's threatening me. He's surrounded by a group of boys, who were also covered in tattoos and piercings. His posse, I assume. The way he licks his lips as he looks me up and down sends a cold shiver down my spine.
What's a new home without a few new enemies?
I don't respond and he walks away pushing some of the transfers along the way.
"Well that's unnecessary" A Candor girl said from beside me. "You think everyone in Dauntless is that ugly? How's a girl supposed to get laid here?" I don't answer her. Maybe it's better if I don't try to make friends.
"For what's it worth, we're thankful for your help" The Amity girl says, pointing to the twins that flank her sides before extending her hand. "Kara."
Maybe not.
"Aurora" I shake her hand
"These two are Sam." She nods to her left. "Dylan." On her right.
"Nice to me-
"Hey! They're jumping again!" The Candor girl speaks again from the open door, cutting me introduction short.
I look outside to see everyone leaping onto a roof, some of them making it, others not so lucky.
"Ouch. What are they, trying to kill us?" her Candor attitude coming up again as the Amity trio jumps. "Together." She grabs my hand and moves us back, bending her knees in preparation for a running start. "On three?" I nod.
"One. Two. Three."
We run forward, leaping when we reach the edge of the car. For a second, we're suspended in the air, and I revel in the feeling. It ends all too soon when I crash a little too hard on the gravel of the roof. I wince and suck in a sharp breath. I had forgotten about the bruises. If my ribs hadn't been bruised before they definitely were now.
"Nice landing, Stiff." A boy wearing Erudite robes sang in my direction, followed by a chorus of laughter. My eyes flared ready to fire back, but some beat me to it.
"Back off, Know-it-all. At least she didn't need help getting on the train." Whoa, this Candor girl had spunk. "I'm Diana, by the way." She states as the group backs down and take their leave.
"Aurora."
"I heard. So you're the Eaton kid, huh?" Her stare makes me blush
"Was, I'm not anymore." I meet her sultry eyes with a smirk walking towards the group now forming.
When we finally join the other initiates, taking a spot in the front, a man hops easily on the ledge. He had a large build of bulging muscles, tattoos lining his neck and arms, and a set of studs above his eyebrow. He was attractive, very attractive. He's followed by another man and a woman, smiling down at us.
"Alright, Initiates. Listen up. I'm Max, this is Eric and Lauren. We're your leaders. You wanna be Dauntless, this is the only way in. It's tradition for initiates to go first." He waits a moment to see if anyone volunteers first, but he is met with silence. "Don't all jump at once."
"Is there water at bottom or something?" someone ask from the back.
"Why don't you tell me after you jump, initiate. Oh come on, people. I don't want to have to push all of you?" Eric threatens, his eyes are cold but intriguing.
I'm lost in my thoughts, when suddenly I'm pushed forward, and I let out a small yelp before regaining my footing. I look up at the leaders.
"Oh, look Max, a volunteer." I blush at his attention.
I look back to see the Erudite boy from earlier snickering. "Unless she's a coward" He says to the group of transfers around him. He was challenging me. I stand up straight, and glare at him. Don't let him intimidate you.
I turn around slowly gathering my strength and pushing the fear down. I close my eyes and take a breath. I can do this.
"Today, initiate, before I add to those bruises." My eyes snap open That sets me off. Who does this guy think he is? None of them scare me. I walked slowly towards him, smirking to cover up how much he did actually intimidate me. Eric was his name, right? He was much taller than my short stature so I did have to look up to see his eyes. If I survived, I'd be closer to finding Tobias.
"I do like it, rough." I wink at him and bolt forward in small run, leaping off the edge into a swan dive, tumbling in a flip half way down in order to land on my back.
Whelp, whatever was at the bottom, be it death, at least I'll go out in style.
