Chapter 3
Just once, can't she only be my mother and not Janine Hathaway, the abnegation leader.
All I longed for was an endearing glance, a slight smile but she gave me none. I was proud of who she was, but also I was angry at her behaviour, sad at her ignorance, and confused seeing her attitude.
Today, of all days, I had wished she'd be a bit different, but no.
Eric handed me the knife, as I made my way towards the centre of the stage, towards the table containing five big glass bowls.
Standing there, I let the gravity of the moment settle in.
My choice now would change my future, my life.
The first bowl consisted of water signifying Erudite- the faction that valued knowledge and learning above all, second bowl contained stones, signifying Abnegation-the faction that valued selflessness, according to them had people been more selfless the war would never have occurred .The third bowl contained soil, for Amity-the faction that believed in the fact that harmony and friendliness were the key to a successful and peaceful life, fourth bowl contained clear glass for Candor-the faction valued truth and honestly above all traits and the last bowl contained coal, signifying Dauntless - the faction of the fearless, which believed in action and decision ,to be the solution of troubles.
It was my chance to become my own person.
I had made my choice long ago. Placing the knife, dragging it across my palm making a deep cut ,I allowed the blood to ooze from the cut and pool in my palm, composing myself for a moment, I let it fall on the burning coal making it sizzle, finally letting others know of my decision..
A majority of the audience gasped, I was the first transfer initiate this year.
Soon, the murmurs were drowned by the cheers and hollers that welcomed me to my new faction. It was all smiles, laughs and greetings as I joined the dauntless.
They cared enough to express themselves, making me feel happy, and I allowed myself an indulgent smile.
Now I understood, why all said happiness was infectious, just being with the dauntless made me feel cheerful, excited and anxious, feelings that I was taught were selfish, but here it was natural.
Old habits die hard. I was waiting for everyone to leave when the ceremony got over, someone tugged onto my sleeve and then pulled me along, into the crowd as we ran down the stairs, cheering and yelling expressing our joy.
It felt good to give up all worries and be carefree for a while.
The sound of the approaching train attracted the crowd towards the railway tracks.
'Stage one of being a dauntless.'I thought, steeling myself for the challenge.
A grin spread across my face as I hauled myself onto the moving train.
"Hmm, I see the stiff made it." Commented someone as I sat catching my breath. Hearing the almost offensive term, I turned towards the source of the sound grimacing.
"And I see the duck speaks!" I retorted, making all the others around us snicker.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you" He said, stretching his hand, out towards me.
It wasn't a gesture I was used to, but I had seen some others do it, it was called a handshake, for all I recalled. In abnegation I tried to avoid any bodily contact with others, since it made me uneasy.
Mom had almost drilled the words in my mind,
'Avoid all contact to avoid getting hurt.'
Tentatively, I put my hand in his and he released it after a small shake.
'Feat accomplished', stated my inner Rose contemplating over all that had just occurred,' it wasn't that bad' I concluded.
"I am Mason, Mason Ashford." said the boy with a smile.
He had red hair and a cute little freckeled face, he was slightly taller than me, but the fact that he had just apologized for his mistake, made him likable.
"I am Rosemarie Hathaway." I replied smiling.
He was a dauntless born initiate I concluded noticing his all black attire.
"So, do you have any idea what is gonna happen next?" I asked him as we sat down facing each other, on the floor of the compartment.
" Nope! They keep changing it every year" He replied, sighing. Following which stretched a silence, that was broken when the train started slowing down.
"Am I forgiven?" Mason asked sometime later.
"For what?" I asked cluelessly, following which we broke into laughter.
"Wait, let me check, the train is slowing down." I said excusing myself.
"They are jumping!" I informed, slightly panicked to see, what lay next.
"What! Already?" Spoke Mason, appearing genuinely surprised. All the initiates were soon on their feet, and joined several others who carried out the insane act.
"Do we really have to be this insane?" I questioned nervously.
"Hmmmm. We already are, thus our attendance!" He replied.
"Truly said." I agreed, smiling ( I was doing it a lot today).
"On three?" He suggested, noticing my sweaty palms and unsure gait.
"On three." I confirmed, and jumped. Air-borne for a second, we then hurled towards the rooftops.
Imitating Mason's pose, I landed safely ( and quiet elegantly for an initiate I assumed, relieved, slightly beaming at the achievement ).It took me moments to be back on my feet again, but I was glad that I could walk after that insane jump.
There was a dauntless man standing on the roof we landed on, looking around I noticed that some other rooves had a similar condition.
Before I could think any further, a loud voice interrupted my train of thoughts.
"Welcome initiates! I am Stan Alto, one of the dauntless leaders, I see that most of you have made it here, the next stage awaits you, so, follow me." He said, readying himself for the next move.
"What happened to those three?" Somebody from the crowd asked, referring to the initiate who couldn't catch the train and the two, who didn't jump off it.
"They are factionless now. Follow me, if you don't want to join them soon." Came the reply.