Author's Note: My computer did not want me to finish this, but I finished it anyway! So take THAT technology! Ha-ha! Anyway, enough about my life, on with the chapter!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Teen Titans or Divergent. But how awesome would it be if I did?!

Chapter 8

The next morning, we get ready in silence, everybody avoiding the elephant in the room that is Karen and Vic's empty bunks. As we're dressing, Gar enters, having just visited Vic in the hospital. His usually cheerful demeanor is gone today. Rachel, Sergei and I walk over to him. He looks down and whispers.

"They… They quit. Both of them. Karen doesn't want Vic to face factionlessness by himself."

Wow, that must be true love. In my opinion, being factionless is a fate worse than death. I look over at Gar and notice that he's struggling to keep calm. Oh, right. Vic is his best friend; this must be terrible for him. To my surprise, Rachel of all people hugs Gar. At that moment, Jason walks in and we break out of our little group to stand in front of our bunks. Jason looks around the room suspiciously, then starts talking.

"Alright, listen up transfers; I have a couple of announcements! First of all, due to the events of last night, you will not only be getting today off but also tomorrow. Second, today, should your families come to visit you..." He looks around the room again and seems to sneer at all of us. "Which I doubt will happen, try not to seem too attached to your families. We take the phrase 'faction before blood' VERY seriously here. Attachment to your family implies that you are unhappy with your choice, which would be shameful."

And on that note, he leaves us so everyone can finish getting ready. Rachel goes back to consoling Gar and I head out to the Pit. Thanks to my luck, I run into one of the last people I want to see right now.

Robin.

And judging from the look on his face, he didn't want to see me either.

"Uh… Hi."

"Hi."

"You, uh… Going to the Pit?"

"Yeah, for Visitation day."

"I'll walk with you."

I don't understand why he would want to walk with me but I don't tell him no.

"Kori… About yesterday…"

"Don't worry about it."

"No, I was wrong. I shouldn't have-"

"I said don't worry about it."

We fall silent for a while, until he speaks again.

"Are you nervous for today?"

"Not really. My parents probably won't show up. My sister's always been the favorite. Even though she transferred to Erudite, they'd probably rather visit the smart daughter than the crazy daughter."

Robin chuckles.

"You're not crazy. You're Dauntless."

At this point, the other initiates were starting to fill the Pit. Robin squeezes my shoulder and goes to stand by the railing. I look around the room to see the other initiates with their families. I see Rachel with her mother and Gar with a woman who doesn't look old enough to be his mother. He mentioned having an older sister once; that must be her. I see Toni and Malcolm standing by themselves against a wall. At least their families didn't come either. Xavier's family came, though. His father appears to be laughing as he claps his son on the shoulder. His mother is smiling proudly. Do they know what kind of person their son is?

Then again, what kind of person am I?

As I contemplate my own moral code, I see her.

My mother. The moment I see her I look over my appearance. My pants are tight and my top reveals my collarbone and a good amount of cleavage. Yet, she still smiles when she sees me and I don't hesitate to walk into her embrace. She smells like home and laundry soap.

"Korina." She steps back to look at me. "You've gotten stronger."

I'm so happy to see her all I can do is nod to keep the tears from falling from my eyes. I swallow hard and manage to choke out.

"Where's dad? Is he visiting Komila?"

"Ah, he had to work."

"You can tell me if he didn't want to come."

My mother sighs and looks down, shaking her head.

"Your father has been acting selfish lately."

I'm not sure what's more surprising, that label being assigned to my father or the fact that my mother assigned it to him. She must be angry. I try to lighten the mood.

"Well, are you going to go visit Komila after this?"

"I can't, the Erudite have forbidden any Abnegation from entering their compound. Tensions are higher than ever between our factions."

"That's terrible!"

"Yes, it is. But that's neither here nor there; I'm here to hear about you."

We walk over to a table and sit across from each other.

"Tell me how you've been."

I suddenly feel as if I'm back home at the dinner table and the old Abnegation habits kick in.

"You first."

"Korina today is about you. It is my gift to you. Please. Tell me how you've been."

I smile and dive in to telling her about Rachel, Gar and Sergei. I point out Rachel and Gar but I notice Sergei is nowhere to be found. Before I can think about this further, my eyes fall on Robin, standing by himself near the railing. He obviously transferred to Dauntless if he's not spending the day with his family. My mother sees me staring at him and smiles.

"Who's that?"

"Hmm? Oh, that's one of my instructors. He's kind of intimidating."

"He's handsome."

I find myself dazedly nodding in agreement. I'm still dazed when I notice my mother getting up and walking over to Robin. I get up and follow her, whispering.

"Mom, what are you doing?"

She doesn't answer and smiles at Robin.

"Hello, I'm Korina's mother, Lucy."

Robin extends his hand to her.

"I'm Robin. I've been overseeing your daughter's initiation. She's been doing well here."

My mother and Robin shake hands. The motion looks awkward for both of them. No, he definitely wasn't born Dauntless if he doesn't shake hands naturally.

"Robin… Is that a nickname?"

"Yes, it is."

I didn't know that. I wonder what his real name is…

"You look familiar, Robin. Do I know you from somewhere?"

"No, I don't make a habit of hanging around Abnegation."

While I was offended by this same comment, my mother simply laughs.

"Yes, not many people do these days, I'm afraid. Well, it was wonderful to meet you, Robin."

With that, my mother and I walk away.

The day goes on. We have a pleasant conversation with Rachel and her mother. Gar comes over to introduce us to his sister. My mother and I both smile warmly at his sister but she scowls at us.

"I can't believe you associate with one of THEM, Gar."

"Shaula, don't be rude!"

"But don't you know who she is! She's a councilmen's wife! Not only that, she's the head of that stupid organization that gives food to the factionless!"

I stand up and get in Shaula's face.

"DON'T talk about my mother like that!"

"Or what? What are you going to do about it?"

"Do you wanna find out?"

"You're not going to hit my sister, Kori!"

"Oh, won't I?"

My mother grabs my arm.

"No. You won't. Come on Korina; let's not bother your friend's sister any longer."

My mother drags me away with surprising strength. She's actually hurting me a little. As we walk, we are stopped by a couple dressed in Candor black and white.

"Excuse me; do you know our son, Sergei?"

Know him? I beat the holy hell out of him yesterday. Remembering this makes guilt build in my stomach. I smile politely at the couple.

"Yes, I know him. But I haven't seen him today. Maybe you should check up there?"

I point up to the building with the glass floor above the compound. Sergei's mother fans herself.

"Oh, I don't like the idea of trekking back up those treacherous paths. Are you all insane?"

A week ago, I would've been offended, but having spent time around Candor transfers, I've grown used to it. I smile at them.

"Insane, no. Dauntless, yes. Good luck finding Sergei."

We excuse ourselves from Sergei's parents and my mother leads me down paths to an empty hallway I've never been in.

"Mom, how do you know where you're going?"

"Never mind that now. Tell me how the fights went. How are you ranked?"

I'm confused for a moment, but I answer her honestly, telling her about Vic and the knife incident. Her face falls grim.

"Oh, no… Korina, tell me, what were your aptitude test results?"

Donna's words come back to me. 'Tell no one.' But this is my mother. I trust her more than anyone. I am safe here. I can tell her….

"They were… Inconclusive."

"It's as I feared… Many Abnegation raised children get such a result, we don't know why. Korina, listen to me carefully. In the next stage, you must do everything you can to move to the middle of the pack."

"Why? Is it because I'm-"

"DON'T ever say that word. They're probably already watching you. Now I need you to do me a favor. I can't go visit your sister, but you can, after initiation. I want you to go see her and ask her about the simulation serum."

"Why?"

"I can't tell you."

"No! If I'm going to spend a day at the Erudite compound, I wanna know why!"

"I'm sorry Korina, but I can't tell you. I just need you to trust me that this is important."

I do trust her. I eventually sigh and nod.

"Okay. I'll do it."

My mother embraces me.

"Thank you. Now I must go. Can't let you seem too attached." My mother walks away, and then turns to face me, a small smile on her face. "Have a piece of cake for me. The chocolate is delicious."

I watch her fade into the darkness, a million questions running through my mind, before it finally hits me.

My mother was Dauntless.

I wanted this chapter to be way longer, but I just hit a wall and I can't do anymore. But I hit 1,700 words; I think that's pretty good. Also, Shaula is an OC I created, named after a girl who bullied me all through grades 4-12. Next chapter will be way more interesting, I swear! Until then, R&R!
-Starprincess