Chapter 3

Untitled

The man introduced himself as Max. And I don't know much about except he's loony. He wants us to jump off a 7 story building.

"Alright who's first?" He asks.

I'm definitely not going to jump first. How do I know that they won't let someone jump then tell us to not blindly follow orders and that is stupidity not bravery and oh my God I don't want to die.

A few wary murmurs escape their lips but nobody cares say anything out loud.

I stand still avoiding eye contact with everybody but keeping my shoulders square. A few seconds pass as we all stand in silence. In total there seems to be thirty initiates. It's not long until a Dauntless born steps up onto the ledge.

I can see his hands shaking. He turns back and it looks like he wants to chicken out but his words of 'never mind I'll go next' dies on his lips as Max gives him a hard push. He doesn't even scream, just a breathless exhale. Shock written on his pale face.

I almost gasp. But I can see everybody's shoulders tensing. I few of the initiates cry out, gasp even stumble forward in an aborted move to somehow help.

Two initiates who is most likely his friends rush to the ledge looking down. Well I haven't heard the smack of a body meeting the pavement yet, but I also didn't hear him hitting water or anything. Either the hole goes down so deep the noise won't reach us or he landed on something soft or flexible.

"Well I'm waiting. If nobody's volunteering I'll just have to throw you off." Max's face is serious and twisted into a bitter scowl.

Before I know it a line has formed I'm pushed behind someone and one after the other initiates jump.

Second to go is the sole Abnegation boy after him the Erudite boy who sat next to me on the train. Then a few Dauntless born and a few transfers and before I know I'm up front. I'm probably about the tenth person to go. I take my time getting up on the ledge. The wind is quite strong but I'm not worried. The hole is actually quite large so there's no worries about missing in. I am worried about breaking my neck.

If it's water I'll have to dive. If it's a net I'll have to fall and keep my body limp…

They should just tell us why the hell is down there.

"Today Initiate!" Max yells from beside me.

Without thinking I turn around and fall backwards. I hate this feeling. My stomach dropping and my head buzzing. I can hear the wind's whistle in my ears and the rush of air traveling my body.

Barely a second later and my body meets it's resistance. I bounce a few times realizing it is a net. Two stories below the hole. The net is tipped and I'm rolling towards the hand trying to help me from the net.

"Name initiate?" a pretty blonde asks me. Well not all blonde there's crazy colored stripes on one side that is spiked up and the other side is shaved. She reminds me of a particularly multi colored cockatoo . Is that strange?

Without thinking I mumble "Cockatoo".

She glances at me stunned. "Your name is Cockatoo?"

I blush and stumble my very lame sorry, "Nnoo. It's Anya uhh…"

Before I can even think about trying to apologize she turns and yells, "Initiate Anya!"

A loud roar of applause, whistles and cheers meet my ears. She pushes me forward to stand with other initiates just as I reach them a screeching is meeting my ears as another initiate descends upon the net.

My attention is drawn away from the boy bouncing on the net to the girl dressed in blue standing next to me, "So uh Cockatoo was it?" she smirks at me.

I blush knowing how I must look to her. Like a tomato most probably. All red and stupid. "No it's Anya. I was actually thinking how her hair reminds me of parrots and thought about what a colorful cockatoo would look like." I answer honestly, trying to explain my wayward thoughts.

Behind us someone snorts but we ignore them.

The girl looks at me and smiles, "I like you. Name's Olive."

I smile back and shake her proffered hand. We stand next to each other waiting for everyone to jump when lastly Max jumps and is helped of the net as well.

Our attention is drawn to a new man standing by what looks to be doors. "Alright initiates listen up. My name is Amar and that is Evelyn." He says as he points to cockatoo lady.

"I'll be your trainer and instructor for the duration of your initiation. Only for the transfers though. Dauntless born you are with Evelyn. You may go with her now since you hopefully don't need a tour of the compound."

He looks back towards us as all the Dauntless born leaves the area through the doors following Evelyn.

"Alright now if you'll follow me." Amar turns and head out the doors as well. I follow behind Amar with Olive next to me looking around.

Amar shows us The Pit which was aptly named. From there he shows us where to locate shops and the mess hall. From there we follow him through dark twisting hallways sparsely lighted by blue (frankly useless) lamps to our dorm.

He pulls the large steel door to the side and shows us 8 old iron vintage bunk beds lining the walls on either side of the dark cavernous room. Directly opposite the door and on the other side of the room is what I'm assuming the bathrooms.

It's open concept all the way. Everything is visible. There are pillars all throughout the room. It's can only be described as cold and eerie.

We trickle in choosing our beds.

There is four bunks lining each wall one pushed into the corner then a drawer then two bunk beds pushed together to create a makeshift double bed. Then the last one before the pillars that devide the sleeping area from the bathrooms… uhg.

I do not look forward to my shower. At the entrance tables have been lined with clothes, we are told that a designated amount of points will be given to each initiate to buy necessities. We're told to find our size and get dressed. Once done to head to the mess hall.

Quietly Olive and I take the pushed together bunks on the right after getting our clothes. Olive the top and me at the bottom. We share our chest of drawers with the bunk pushed into the corner where two candor girls Anna and Trina have taken place. Both seem nice but very reserved. Strange for former Candors.

Another girl Erudite takes the top bunk next to Olive. They seem to know each other I'm quickly introduced and her name turns out to be Tulip. It suits her with her bright eyes and dark skin. But she tells is to call her Tula. She doesn't want to sound Amity-ish…

I look around and see the Abnegation boy take the bunk farthest from the door on the right. Nobody shares with him though.

Another girl comes to us and introduces herself as Stella. After I get dressed I realize all the girls have clustered together on the right side of the room. Well and the Abnegation boy, I can't help but think he'll have a hard time here.

I don't know any of the boys but there are 9 of them to our 6. My eyes catch the Erudite boy looking at me as he talks to Berthold. I frown suspiciously. Are they talking about me?

I'm not given much time to solve that little mystery as we're all rushed to the mess hall. On our way we are told to bring our old clothes to be thrown into the incinerator. Way to go literal Dauntless. Burning our last physical tie to our previous faction.

Us transfers stick together as find seats. The mess hall is filled with benches that could seat 8 people. We find a bench quick enough and get seated. It's me, Olive, Tula, Stella, two Candor boys and the Abnegation boy.

Jeremy and Tim are childhood friends and have always dreamed of coming to Dauntless since practically babies. The Abnegation boy introduces himself as Tobi. He seems sweet but not Dauntless at all. But then again I can't point any fingers knowing I look as misplaced as he does.

Tobi is seated in front of me and as I start to dish I look up when I notice he's not dishing for himself. Instead he looks at the food as if it's going to bite him.

"You ok?" I ask with a raised eyebrow.

Before he can answer me though Tula starts explaining how the Abney only eat 'bland' foods. Tobi ducks his as he if ashamed. I shrug and scoop a hamburger I to his plate wordlessly. If he's not gonna a dish for himself he's not gonna have food. Jeremy and Tim have already eaten 6 burgers between them.

Quietly he takes a bit and I smile taking a bite of my own. Conversation soon starts on what to expect from initiation to new clothes to tattoos.

"Ohh I would like a tattoo." Olive says looking excited at the prospect of one. She turns towards me with big eyes, "We can get one together. Let's go tonight. Ohh or maybe a piercing. I've always wanted my ears pierced." Olive prattles on.

"We don't want to have anything to tear out for our sparring partners when we fight do we?" I ask with a sarcastic lilt.

Olive looks dejected but is happy again once I tell her tattoos are still a possibility. But only tomorrow and depending on when physical training will take place.

After eating our attention is drawn to the platform above the mess hall where Max stands with 4 other people flanking him.

We get a speech about the simple act of bravery and the values of Dauntless as a faction. Everybody's cheering at the end soon all the initiates are lifted in the air and carried along the members of Dauntless.

I laugh along everybody. A few seconds later and we're put back down. When I reunite with Olive and Tula we make our way towards the shops.

It's only 7 at night and we're expected in the pit tomorrow at 6.

Still a lot of time. We get drawn to a store selling what seems to be lingerie. Olive drags my blushing self towards racks containing tubes and pallets. Make-up. Before I know it my hands are filled with black coal, brown pencils and lip gloss. They try to convince me to get something more than 'just panties' and 3 pieces of make-up.

I quickly check out and wait for them outside. Once they're done we make our way to the next shop. I get myself three pairs of black leggings and a deep purple tank top. A long black T-shirt with dark blue skinny jeans. Then lastly a tight fitting black shirt with green vintage fatigue pants. I also take a short for me to sleep in.

After we're done we make our way back to the dorm. We each choose a drawer where we put our clothes, soap and my make-up.

I can wear all the shirts and leggings as well as my fatigue pants to physical training and my jeans for times like now. I put on my jeans and t-shirt with my combat boots they gave us before Olive teaches me how to apply the makeup she made me buy.

In Amity it's all about natural beauty. Unfortunately not something I have. 2 Minutes later and I have light brown eyebrows, coal lined eyes that make the green pop along with plump glossy lips.

After that we make our way towards the pit which was pulsating with the bass of a loud song playing from somewhere. We meet up with Stella who had gotten a tattoo in any case. We all ooh and aah at the tiny flames she had tattooed behind her ear.

We all get into dancing and just having fun. I feel like I belong for once. Like I won't be lonely here. It already feels more like home to me than my real one has ever felt.

TBC