Disclaimer: I don't own Divergent.

Tobias, Year 2136

One time, Dad told me I needed to keep my emotions in check. He said that, according to the Abnegation, our feelings can be dangerous. "Mind you, you'd better be careful not to lose your judgment in a fit of temper," Dad told me, in his usual stern manner. "Or draw unwanted attention to yourself, by crying and carrying on in front of everybody." The Abnegation say that giving in to your emotions makes you selfish. Like, if you're sad because you don't get to eat that nice dinner you cooked for the factionless, you might go ahead and eat it yourself. And then what would the factionless have to eat?

Maybe Dad was right. I lost my temper and kicked him in the face, then I ran away from home. I messed everything up. I made our family look bad. And now I'm hiding out in a dark warehouse, somewhere in the factionless sector, not knowing what to do next.

Do I go home? I guess not. I'll have to explain to the council members why I ran off. And I can't exactly tell them the truth - they'll believe Dad over me.

Do I stay here, with the factionless? No way. I don't want to end up like them, wearing dirty hand-me-down clothes and not taking showers, and relying on my dad and his coworkers for food.

So what do I do? I don't know. I don't know.

A tear runs down my cheek. I might start crying again, because that's the only thing you can do when you're completely, totally helpless.

For a long time, I sit there, in complete darkness and silence, the tears making my face all wet. I'm not even sure what I'm waiting for - someone to come help me? A nice factionless to find me and offer me some food? I think about leaving and just walking back home, when suddenly, there's this loud noise that startles me. It's a tremendous bang, and it sounds a lot like a door closing.

And then I realize, if that was the front door, that means there's someone else in here with me. A factionless troublemaker, maybe. Or worse - a serial killer. Dad says there hasn't been a murder in years, because of the great peace, but with the factionless, you never know.

So, as footsteps begin to move into the space, I try not to make any sound. I clamp one hand over my mouth, just to be safe.

Please, please, don't let them see me. Let me stay hidden. Please.


Though Eric is still upset with his mother for driving off without him, he can't help but feel grateful to her for what she made him do. He always told her he didn't need to carry a flashlight and a first-aid kit in his schoolbag, since he didn't think he'd ever need them. Well, he thinks, I guess she was right.

He fishes around in his bag for the flashlight. His fingers wrap around its handle, and instantly, he feels comforted, knowing that at least, he'll be able to see.

He clicks the flashlight on. A circle of pale yellow light illuminates the grimy floor.

For a moment, Eric swings the flashlight left and right, the circle of light darting across the room, lighting up the walls and the ceiling. And then - a noise. A small noise, just a tiny clatter, but still audible. Coming from a back corner.

Eric stops dead in his tracks. Something's there. Probably watching him. His heart begins to pound.

"H - Hello?" he stammers. His hands start to shake.

He turns. The pale yellow light moves to the back corner, to where he heard the clatter. The grime-covered wall is lit up. And then - he sees it.

Not it. Him.

Someone's there!

Eric stares at the corner, his eyes wide, a look of pure horror on his face.

AN: Yes, yes, I know, I'm stalling! I originally planned to upload Chapters 3 and 4 together, but then I got into a rut while writing the second half of the chapter, so I decided to separate that into its own chapter and work on it tonight. Until next time, fellow readers.