Thanks to Mr. Sunshine, better known as the Dauntless leader, Eric, everyone was tense as we entered the training room. After all, the night before, he had personally driven the point home that not everyone would make it and become a full fledged Dauntless member. Any wrong move could lead to the horrifying fate of becoming factionless. 'Wasn't that reassuring,' I thought to myself as I rolled my eyes. Leave it to my brother to make everyone stressed before training even started.
"Bang!" A loud gun shot rang throughout the room. It jerked me out of my thoughts and I couldn't help but jump a little. I looked up. We weren't being attacked. It was just Four demonstrating how to properly shoot a gun. I probably should have been listening. Oh well. I had always learned with relative ease. Plus, I could always just ask my brother for pointers later if I needed to.
I observed my fellow initiates as they attempted to hit the target. The loud noise around me was foreign, yet comforting. Back in Erudite, we were always expected to be immersed in reading and learning. There was never much chance to make a lot of noise. I raised my gun and aimed at the target. I became another source of the deafening, yet enticing sound of gun shot.
As we filed into a different training room, I saw a row of punching bags. "Now this is what I'm talking about! This is going to be fun!" I exclaimed excitedly to Will, who was standing beside me.
"Huh?" Will asked confusedly before remembering. "Oh yeah. You trained in martial arts, didn't you?"
"Yup," I said, grinning at him. I couldn't wait to begin this part of training. I couldn't stop myself from jumping up and down in excitement the entire time Four showed us basic kicks and punches.
Going at the punching bag, I used my waist and pivoted in order to put more weight into my kicks and punches. As sweat dripped down my forehead, I grinned. It felt good to let out all my pent up energy.
As I took a quick water break, I watched my fellow initiates. I couldn't help but break into a smile. It was all I could do to prevent myself from bursting out laughing as I watched Myra attempt to punch the punching bag, miss, and topple over. Further down, I saw Peter practically attacking the punching bag like a maniac. 'He's someone to keep an eye on,' I thought to myself.
After Four dismissed us, I went with Tris and Christina to go shopping. It was strange how something I took for granted, my reflection, was a commodity to Tris. She was outfitted in clothing that made her "striking," as Christina termed it. I didn't pay much attention to that idea, however. Seeing as we would be training everyday, I only bought clothes that would be practical: easy to move in. No use getting all dolled up if I was just going to spend my days in the training room.
When we arrived at the tattoo parlor, Al was already getting his tattoo done while Will was still choosing. I looked around me. There were so many beautiful patterns, but what caught my attention was an intricately detailed bracelet style butterfly and flower image.
"I'd like this one please," I said to one of the tattoo artists.