Disclaimer: I do not own Divergent, any of the characters or any of the dialogue that comes directly from the text.
It's late, after midnight, as I make my way to the initiate dormitories. We have just finished waking up the Dauntless born initiates and now it's time to get the transfers. They have no idea what is about to happen and I'm excited to see their reactions. I nod my head at Lauren and she pushes the door open loudly, announcing our presence.
"Everybody up!" I roar, shining my flashlight across the room. I spot Tris among the initiates. Her eyes are locked on Four's and she appears frozen in place. I look over at Four. I don't like the look he's giving her. I feel a pang of something deep inside of me…is something going on between the two of them? Of all people in this freaking compound…
"Did you go deaf, Stiff?" I demand. The slur is not necessary but the look between them has gotten under my skin and it's the first thing that comes to mind.
"You have five minutes to get dressed and meet us by the tracks," I say. "We're going on another field trip."
I turn and leave, making my way to the tracks. The initiates fumble around trying to get dressed as quickly as possible.
It doesn't take long for all of the initiates to meet us there. The Dauntless born, having been awoken earlier, are the first to arrive followed soon after by the transfers. I watch the new arrivals take in their surroundings. Fear and curiosity flashes across many of their faces as they take in the pile of guns next to me. I sneak a look at Tris and she appears to be smiling to herself.
"Everyone grab a gun!" I shout.
The initiates quickly rush towards the pile. I turn towards Four as the pack arm themselves with guns and ammunition.
"Time estimate?" I ask him wondering if the train will be arriving soon.
Four checks his watch. "Any minute now. How long is it going to take you to memorize the train schedule?"
Cheeky bastard. "Why should I, when I have you around to remind me of it?" I reply before shoving him in the shoulder.
The light of the train grows steadily announcing its approach. Four is the first one of us to get on the train and I can't help but roll my eyes before hoping on myself. Most of the transfers, still not used to this mode of transportation, are among the last to make their approach. I lean out the door as the stragglers struggle to come aboard. Tris is among them. She catches my eye and I stare back, willing her to hurry up. She looks determined and makes one last big push towards me. I put out my hand and she grabs it without hesitation. I pull her in. Our eyes meet briefly before she lets go and makes her way to the other side of the train to sit down.
I take one more look outside and confirm that everyone has made it onto the train. Four speaks up.
"We'll be dividing into two teams to play capture the flag. Each team will have an even mix of members, Dauntless-born initiates, and transfers. One team will get off first and find a place to hide their flag. Then the second team will get off and do the same." The car sways and Four grabs the side of the doorway for balance. "This is a Dauntless tradition, so I suggest you take it seriously."
"What do we get if we win?" someone shouts.
I'm about to open my mouth to answer but Four responds before I have a chance.
"Sounds like the kind of question someone not from Dauntless would ask," says Four, raising an eyebrow. "You get to win, of course."
"Four and I will be your team captains," I say, looking over at Four. "Let's divide up transfers first, shall we?"
"You go first," Four says.
Edward is the obvious choice, he is leading the transfers in initiation and did well at the shooting range… but Tris is smart and determined she may do well at strategizing. I'd like to see what she comes up with. The other initiates don't see her as a threat though and choosing her first might seem strange.
"Edward," I say shrugging. Maybe I can get away with picking her second.
Four leans against the door frame and nods. I take a moment to scan the group of transfers.
"I want the Stiff."
I snap my head in his direction as a faint undercurrent of laughter fills the car. The feeling in my gut from earlier returns but this time I am able to label it. Jealously.
"Got something to prove?" I ask. "Or are you just picking the weak ones so that if you lose, you'll have someone to blame it on?"
I don't risk a look at Tris. She may be physically weak but capture the flag isn't about physical strength and I know that, strategically, she is a smart choice. A flash of the hurt look I witnessed on her face early crosses my mind. I should have just let it go, but number boy grates on my last nerve and I can't stand the way he looks at her.
Four shrugs. "Something like that."
My hands have instinctively balled themselves into fists and I have to resist the urge to injure his smug face.
"Your turn," says Four.
I hadn't really thought further than my top two contenders and with Four stealing my number two I throw out the first name that pops into my head.
"Peter."
"Christina."
I continue throwing out names.
"Molly."
"Will," says Four.
"Al."
"Drew."
"Last one left is Myra. So she's with me," I say. "Dauntless-born initiates next."
The strength my team currently far exceeds that of Four's but will that help with winning capture the flag? I don't know.
"Dauntless-born initiates next."
It's a little bit short, but the next chapter is almost ready to go and its a longer one, so bare with me please! Let me know what you think!
Thanks,
-MWB
