Max raises his hands again. "While our newest Leader is settling into her position, Adrian will remain to mentor her until it is time for him to depart." When Lottie is ready to step down so they can both take the jump is what he means. "To honour this special day, drinks will be free of charge starting from half six in all pubs in the Pit!" The members roar louder then. A Dauntless never hands down an opportunity to party or free booze.
Just like that, the majority of the population began to disappear, and for once very eager to go back to work to finish their shifts the night ahead for the party that was bound to happen tonight. The Leaders watched as the crowds dispersed until only a few remained and then they descended from the balcony. As soon as Lilah got to ground level, she was immediately swamped by Dauntless members offering their congratulation. Many of them clapped her on the back as she walked past. Issy, those of their initation class and her family bounced on the balls of their feet, waiting for their new Leader to break free. Lilah stepped around the crowd until no one was surrounding her and grinned widely as she walked towards her family.
Alec was the first to break. He sprinted at her, laughing deeply as she welcomed him with open eyes, and they collided. They staggered back a few steps before they broke a part. He wrapped an arm across her shoulders, pressing a kiss to her temple as Lilah winked at the rest of them.
Issy, Flare and Bree pulled their sister away from him when they reached her. The women shoved Lilah in the middle of them and squeezed her tight. Tears brimmed Issy's vision as she laughed. She couldn't believe it. Lilah was a Leader! Arms came from all directions soon, all embracing the women still clutching each other, and different scents invaded their noses. Hands were layed on Lilah, conveying their trust, love and devotion for her as their family, their faction Leader. And from beneath it all, Lilah cried, joy burning at her dark eyes.
xXx
Declan led the group to the heart of the Pit where many members were already gathered. When they spotted Lilah, they roared, raising a glass of whatever they had in her direction. She blushed in the spotlight but laughed it off.
Drinks were ordered quickly, though they weren't free yet. Minutes had passed into hours and the stream of members congratulating Lilah seemed endless. Lilah sighed, the pleased grin falling as soon as the current members walked away after congratulating her. She caught Issy's eye from across the table and smiled.
Issy, whilst loving her sister's achievement, had quickly grew bored of sitting in the Pit. She smiled back, her golden eyes glinting in the low light. Then, with a mischievous grin forming on her face, she had an idea. Getting up, she quickly walked around the table until she crouched by Lilah. Lilah eyed her grin and that look in her eyes before raising an eyebrow.
"Wanna get outa here?" Issy asked.
Lilah looked around before looking back. "But its supposed to be a storm today?"
The grin widened. "Exactly."
Lilah paused. She looked back to the others, a sly grin sliding on her face. "Sure. I'll tell the others. Meet at the exit in half an hour?"
Issy grinned, patting Lilah's shoulder before she disappear into the crowd, typing a message to a few others as she goes.
xXx
Issy stood in the hallway leading up to the exit with time to spare. A storm was forecast that morning and it was a storm indeed. She could hear the rain bouncing against the ground and the distant rumbles of thunder. She had dressed in the thinnest clothes she could find. Despite the rain, the temperatures outside was still hot and even if it wasn't, she didn't want her clothes absorbing the water. Though, she wore a thick hooded top under her leather jacket. Her hood was pulled over her head with her hair tucked in and the collar of the jacket flipped up around her neck. Her jeans were tucked into her combat boots and laced tightly. Issy also had her speaker with her, thankfully it was waterproof, and her phone and keys were zipped safely in one of the inside pockets.
Soon she was joined by Josh and Jason, both dressed similarly to her. Issy has sent a text out to them, a few others and her squad to see if anyone wanted to join them. Hec, Luke and the brothers before her had agreed to join them. Her squad mates were either busy or simply not interested. Red had sent a message back saying you're fucking mad Beta. He wasn't wrong. She had laughed though, sending a winking face back. The brothers nodded at her, Jason was grinning as he rubbed his hands together and Josh smirked, shaking his head.
The others joined them more or less on time. Hec and Luke both hugged Lilah as she joined them, her hand laced with Alec's as she lightly pulled him along.
"This one took a bit longer to convince but I managed it." Lilah grinned at Alec. "We ready?" they all nodded in response. "Well then," She strode forward to the door. "Let's go!" She opened the door and the sounds of the storm got louder. Their friends skipped out laughing and yelling as they went until it was just Dec, Hugo and the twins stood staring out of the door. The sky was inky grey as sheets of rain poured down. There were a few light rumbles but from the look of the clouds it was clear it was to be one hell of a storm. They stood together shoulder to shoulder, the same line of thought on their minds.
"There hasn't been a storm like this in years." Alec whispered.
"No ones gonna get hurt." Hugo said just as quietly. "I know I can't promise it but you just gotta have faith. The possibility of getting stuck is very low, especially since there isn't any lightening."
"Reece loved storms just as much as he loved the stars." Dec added, taking a small step forward. "I think he would want us to enjoy it…"
"We believe in acknowledging fear and the extent in which it rules us." Issy quoted their manifesto and her brothers exhaled. "We believe in facing that fear no matter what the cost to our comfort, our happiness, or even our sanity. We believe in freedom from fear, in denying fear the power to influence our decisions."
Issy turned her speaker on and music flared from it loudly. Declan took it from her hands and ran out of the door. Hugo shook his head, breathing in deeply as thunder rumbled quietly in the distance before forcing himself out of the door. She looked at Alec then and saw uncertainty on his face. She took his hand in hers, pulling them out slowly. As soon as they got outside, rain covered them, soaking them quickly. Slowly, a grin formed on Alec's face, his hair darkening in the rain and mischievousness grew in his eyes before he lightly pushed her away from him and sprinted off towards the others.
"Tag! You're it!" He yelled, heads turning in their direction.
Issy laughed, sprinting after him as their family scattered and the hunt began.
xXx
Their game of tag finished hours later when the clouds thickened, and the thunder grew closer. They were all knackered, absolutely soaked to the bone and were leaning against each other as they walked back to the door. As they tumbled into the dark halls of Dauntless, their shoes squelched with every step, but they came to a halt when they noticed Max and Kim waiting slightly away from the door. While Max didn't look too impressed with them, Kim grinned at them.
Max looked at each of them with a levelling gaze. "Do I even need to ask who's idea this was?" He asked as his eyes landed on Issy, who winked at him in response. She simply shrugged back, and he sighed, stepping aside. "Go on then." A few of them snickered as they walked past, squelching all the way.