Hey everyone! I am back with an update :D I hope you enjoyed Out of the darkness, into the light. I really enjoyed writing it and participating in the exchange was a really daunting experience for me. I wrote it as a gift for my friend Corrina Lannister. The gift I received for the exchange is called Skipping stones, by symbioticdeath (check it out on fanfiction and AO3!) Its a short but amazingly well written alternate Allegiant ending with Tris and Caleb bonding together. It also hints towards an EricXTris relationship so that's a plus *winks*
I got really late but I wanted to post this chapter for new year and I hope you enjoy it!
May this new year be filled to the brim with happiness, comfort, health and success for you all.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
-o0o-ERIC-o0o-
As soon as the ceremony ends, the noise increases. The Amity chatter among themselves, Candor interrogate the transfer initiates, Erudite discuss technology and what not while the Dauntless jostle each other as they talk and laugh loudly.
Looking at the Erudite and Dauntless I imagine what could have been my future had I chosen any of those factions. I don't allow my thoughts to wander. There's no use thinking about what is never going to happen.
The four factions start getting up and leaving the hub, the Abnegation hold the doors open for the others convenience. As soon as the other factions leave, the Abnegation all start cleaning things up. They stack and move the chairs, dispose and clean the choosing bowls and collect all the knives. They move in perfect unison, their agreements unspoken. But they work together like a well oiled machine.
And all the transfers, which are only six including me, look around feeling confused and different due to their different coloured clothing. I never realized that choosing Abnegation will be so difficult for someone like me. Whereas my whole life was luxurious, Abnegations are used to getting only basic needs and sacrificing for the sake of others. It will be hard, really really hard to forget myself when all my life I had been doing things for my own satisfaction.
"Mr. Eaton, I was wondering if the initiates could all just sit down and let us tidy the hall. I am sure they have a lot of thinking to do since they have decided their future," Beatrice says out of the blue.
"I agree with Beatrice. It must have been emotionally draining," the Prior boy speaks up, supporting Beatrice's statement. The boy is taller than Beatrice with dark brown hair and green eyes like Mr. Prior.
"Plus it would be selfish if we expect them to start volunteering before initiation starts," the other boy who was sitting beside her speaks up too. He is tall with tan skin and navy blue eyes that look more like black. His hair is dark and short.
I know they are addressing Abnegation leader, Marcus Eaton. I look around and my eyes land on a tall guy with jet black hair and blackish blue eyes. His hair is cut close to his scalp and he has wrinkles signifying his age. Marcus.
Marcus looks at the blue eyed boy with a look in his eyes that sends a shiver down my spine. He then looks around. Abnegation members are nodding at the trio that spoke up and I guess Marcus sees this too because he takes a deep breath and with a sigh says, "Very well. Initiates, sit down! You have plenty to contemplate. When we are done here, you will be shown around and explained how our faction works. You may sit and rest."
We all sit down and look at each other. There are ten Abnegation borns and six transfers. I am the only Erudite while there are three Candor transfers and two Dauntless ones. A throat clearing catches my attention, and I see the guy with navy blue eyes standing in front of us, the smallest smile on his face. He hands each of us a water bottle and a sandwich. I think they suspected that some people are too nervous to eat before their Choosing.
"For those of you that don't know me, my name is Tobias Eaton and I will be in charge of initiation here-" He is cut off by a nasally voice.
"Eaton as in Marcus Eaton?" a stupid Candor transfer asks. I can see by the look on his face that Tobias is irritated but he hides it well.
"Exactly like in Marcus Eaton. Any problem with that?" Tobias replies in a deadly calm voice. He must look intimidating because the initiates shake their heads. Hell I would have been intimidated if I wasn't trained like a Dauntless.
"Good. As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, I will be training you and guiding you through initiation, transfers and Abnegation born alike. We train both types of initiates together. I will have another volunteer with me to help you out as much as possible. Now eat up! We have to go through a tour of the Abnegation sector," he says in a stern voice.
The sandwich tastes like dust and paste. I stop myself from gagging at the bland flavor. I wonder if it even has calories required for a teenage body. A hand on my shoulder interrupts my train of thoughts.
"I know what you are thinking. In Abnegation, eating is a requirement to live. We only eat because we have to, not because we want to which is why food is mostly flavorless and rather bland. The food provides enough calories according to our body requirement and no more. You will get used to it just like we all do. Between you and me, I still feel like I am eating sawdust and cardboard," Tobias whispers with a smirk and I stifle a chuckle.
I might get along fine with this guy. Even growing up here, he hates this food just like me. Better get used to eating this. I look around and the transfers are making obnoxious faces, no doubt hating the flavorless food we were given. The three Candors seem to be going crazy to speak their mind since that's what they have done their entire lives, but they keep quiet and merely sulk. One of them keeps opening and closing his mouth like a fish.
I hear some murmuring and bits and pieces of conversation. The only words I hear are volunteer, fiance, spending time and good idea. I know eavesdropping is bad and must be considered selfish but I can't help it. So, I listen.
"Of course, she volunteered. This is the only way she gets to spend time with her betrothed and they are in public so it's appropriate too. She will make a good Abnegation wife, selfless as ever." That sounded like Marcus. What was he talking about? Who is this betrothed Abnegation girl? My thoughts are cut off by a girl's voice.
"Tobias, Mr Eaton wishes to speak to you about the volunteer for this year's initiation." That sounds like Beatrice again.
I turn around and realize I am right. Beatrice is standing where Tobias was while he is walking stiffly towards Marcus. Weird. No, no, no, Eric. Stop being selfish. You are Abnegation now. But it's not like they know I am thinking of something that is none of my business.
A few minutes later Tobias and the Prior boy come and stand beside Beatrice.
"Initiates! Stand," Tobias says loudly, "We are going on the tour of Abnegation where we will point out important routes and places. You can ask us questions about the tour only. It will do you good if you can remember everything we tell you."
We all stand up and follow the trio outside the hall and down the stairs. The Candors are complaining about not using the elevator.
"Quit complaining! We are Abnegation, the selfless and it would do you good to remember that. Using machines when your body is in working condition and talking for no reason are selfish traits," Beatrice admonishes in a soft voice.
The Candor born glare at her while the Dauntless nod, the Abnegation borns quietly waiting with us all.
When we reach outside the hub, the three stop and turn towards us. With a soft smile Beatrice says, "I am Beatrice and I will be volunteering with Tobias for your initiation. This is Caleb." she points to the Prior boy who tips an imaginary hat, earning a smack from Beatrice.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see two Candor born and one Dauntless born staring at Beatrice and for some reason, I want to gauge their eyes out. Beatrice notices my death glare directed at the transfer initiates and grins at me. I smile back at her, watching her cheeks turn red as she looks at her feet. It's funny how she is so shy.
Tobias throws an arm across her shoulders and pulls her in his side with a low growl. What is his problem?
"Beatrice here is my fiancee so it will be beneficial if you remember that information. This is Abnegation, we treat all single, engaged and married women with respect." he barks, making a few initiates flinch. Is he trying to teach us to show respect to women or staking his claim on Beatrice?
I notice Caleb moving close and putting a protective arm around her and glaring daggers at us initiates. I know Tobias is her fiance so his overprotectiveness is warranted, but Caleb. Who is Caleb Prior to Beatrice?
They lead us around, stopping by and pointing out important places to remember. Beatrice shows us shortcuts while Caleb keeps us entertained with smartass remarks.
"This is the Factionless sector. They mostly live here and in surrounding damaged buildings. The Factionless are considered outcasts just because they don't meet the requirements of their chosen faction or are born this way, so they don't get basic amenities and rights like us in factions," Beatrice explains.
"They don't get food, clothing, medicine and hygiene products. We as Abnegation provide them with basic facilities as much as possible but we don't have too much to spare either. We still try our best, employing them on small jobs and providing for their needs as much as possible," Tobias continues.
"It isn't fair that if they don't pass initiation they are considered outcasts. They still are humans, they have needs too. What about their kids? They don't get their childhood like we do; they can't go to schools, interact with the other factions, and later choose their own path. None of this is their fault. Forty percent of Factionless die due to weather and disease. It is our duty, as the selfless faction, to take care of them," Caleb concludes as they lead us forward.
If I take it that way, we are pretty unfair. Why do kids suffer just because they are born Factionless? Dang! Abnegation is rubbing off on me already.
"These glass buildings are government buildings. Council meetings, Faction meetings and the overall security of the city as looked after here. The white one with less amount of glass is the great hall which is where you will be expected every morning before volunteering," Tobias tells us.
"What do you all do? I mean isn't training initiates a seasonal job?" A Candor girl with a nasally voice speaks while batting her eyelashes and twirling her greasy hair. I want to laugh at her pathetic attempt of flirting with Tobias in front of his fiancee.
Tobias's jaw clenches and his nostrils flare. He looks angry. "Yes, it is a seasonal job. I am the head of intelligence and security for the Abnegation sector. Before you ask, yes, I work for the government." he barks, making the flirty initiate flinch.
"This is the Central hospital with the daycare and old home on it's sides. Abnegation volunteers in those three places too." Tobias says.
"These are the shops, including medical stores and tailoring stores. There are also several factories in this area which are operated by Abnegation. These employ the Factionless too." Caleb tells us.
"These are the train tracks, which the Factionless maintain. They also run the trains on schedule." Beatrice says as we follow her. "This is the housing area. There are different streets here, for example, this street-" she points towards a street with slightly bigger houses, "-consists of houses for families with children. Similarly, we have streets for single people living alone or with roommates and other streets for married couples without kids." she explains. "The older citizens live near the stores and hospital."
"Finally these are the apartments where initiates will be staying. Four initiates, transfers and Abnegation borns alike in each and the same gender in one house only. This is the end of our tour and we covered everything you will need to know. We will issue housing and cellphones in a few minutes." Tobias says. Abnegation use cell phones? Wow.
"Eric Coulter from Erudite, Shawn Frost from Dauntless along with Theo and Michael from Abnegation will be living in house number 12. Here are your phones. I will explain the features in a minute." Tobias tells us and begins assigning other houses which I zone out, staring at Beatrice and Caleb making weird faces and laughing softly.
A finger snapping in front of me causes me to shake out of my stupor. Tobias looks at where I was looking and smiles slightly at the interaction. He doesn't seem the least bit bothered by the un Abnegation behavior.
"These cell phones are made by the Factionless-" Gasps are heard and mouths drop open. Even I am surprised by the fact that Factionless made something Erudite does. "-they have a navigating app which can be used to find your way, communication app to communicate with and a file with your schedule, and Abnegation law codex and a Calendar and alarm app. There are numbers of Councillors, heads of departments and instructors there in case you need something. Which means my number will be there too," Tobias explains
"These are not for fun," he continues with that same direct tone that doesn't invite discussion."Don't lose your cell phone. You won't get another one. That being said, go to your apartments and settle down. We have two sets of clothes for each of you there, though we had to guess the sizes. The kitchen and bathrooms are stocked with necessary cutlery and hygiene products. Tonight you will be provided food by the community. Eat and rest well and be in the great hall by eight AM sharp."
"Rest well initiates because tomorrow, initiation begins in earnest."
With that, the three of them leave us here and walk away to wherever they have to go. Beatrice gives me a shy smile and wave before scurrying away.