Chapter 5

I stand at the edge of the tracks. I want to fell the power of the train as it rushes past me, I stand there for a moment as it glides past the roof. I see some the initiates jumping on, struggling still. I grab the handle as it passes by me, easily pulling my self into the car. I scan the breathless faces before me. I am not surprised hers is missing. I stare at the city as it passes, trying to clear my head. The gentle rocking of the train relaxes me and I realize how truly tired I am. I never sleep well, but last night was different. I had awoken every hour or so to the same haunting sound. Her scream, high pitched, full of pain and fear.

Peter's arrogant voice whines from behind me. "Feeling ok there...or are you a little Stiff."

Laughter ensues from Peter's gang. I don't turn around. I know I will not be able to hide the look of relief on my face, knowing she is ok.

I hear will's voice speak up. "We are all awed by your incredible wit."

Christina chimes in, "Yeah, are you sure you don't belong with the Erudite? I hear they don't object to sissies." A hint of a threat, lacing her last words.

I know its time to step in before someone gets thrown from the train. "Am I going to have to listen to your bickering all the way to the fence?" I stare Peter down hard. Everyone immediately becomes quiet. Most of them looking away, not wanting to meet my eyes. But. not her. Tris's eyes stare back at me. I expect them to look weak, broken after yesterday's beating. I am met with that same wild spark. It grows brighter, burning with intensity. Beautiful.

I feel the corners of my mouth begin to raise. I can't stop the smile that begins to spread across my face. I turn, stretching my arms wide, holding the handles on either side of the doorframe. I lean my entire body outside of the train, only my feet stay firmly planted inside. I scream into the wind as it ruses around me, releasing all of my anxiety into the wind. I close my eyes, a rush of adrenaline courses through me. She is not broken. She is Dauntless.

As we near the fence, the train slows down just enough for us to jump off. I am surprised to see that most of the transfers land on their feet. I hit the ground running and yell, "Follow me." Not pausing to see if they do it.

The fence towers before me, stretching as far as the eye can see, a concrete blade cutting us off from the rest of the world. Encircling the entire city, its only opening the gate standing before me, locked tightly from the outside. The lock being on the outside has always puzzled me. The uneasy feeling it gives me is one of the sole reasons I chose to work in the control room. I still have the same questions now that I did the first time I saw it. Are they trying to keep Them out? Or, are they trying to keep Us in?

Lauren starts in on the Dauntless born about how embarrassing it would be to end up as a guard. I give the transfers another minute to take in the fence, knowing most of them have never seen it, before launching into my speech.

"Listen up!" I shout. I start my explanation of the Dauntless jobs. Going over the various choices and how the rankings determine the order in which new members get to choose. I finish my explanation emphasizing that the lowest ranked initiates will either end up a fence guard or factionless. I see Tris shudder a little at the idea of being factionless. Though, I am not surprised. Most people find the idea of living factionless worse than death. The idea has never bothered me, however. I have even considered it seriously in the past few months. But, I am different from most, never seeming to fit in no matter what faction I am in.

I only chose Dauntless as an escape form my constant torture. I knew they would make me strong, so I would be able to defend myself after spending the first sixteen years of my life defenseless, trapped in a constant nightmare created by my father.

Trapped and defenseless were two things I would never be again. No matter what the costs.

I watch the transfers' faces as the information I have just given them sets in. Some look worried, others determined. I look to see Tris's reaction and her face is white. She stares blankly into space. I was hoping to see that same spark of determination. But, her eyes are hollow. The spark is gone.

Peter's reaction is disturbing. He studies the others' faces, with an almost psychotic look in his eyes. He reminds me of Eric. I can see him planning how he will eliminate the others. He wont be satisfied until all threats to him are removed. He sees me staring at him and I can tell he hasn't gotten over me shutting him up on the train.

"So, if our rankings determine what job we get," he pauses to look smugly at the others. "What rank were you , Four?"

I look back at him cooly, my face steady, careful to appear unaffected by his tone. "First."

He is unable to hide the look of shock on his face. He is momentarily thrown off, but recovers quickly, determined to have the last word. "You were first, and you chose to do this?"

I just look back at him, doing my best to look bored with the conversation. When I don't respond, he continues.

"Why didn't you get a leadership position?"

The other transfers look at me. I can tell they will not this question drop without an explanation, even though I don't owe them one. "Didn't want one." I reply flatly.

I can see the guards pulling the gate open, an Amnity truck loaded with apples sits on the other side. One of the guards waves for me to come look over the security papers, yelling something about codes not matching. I walk over to the truck and the initiates follow me, stopping a few feet away. A few of the Amnity get out of the truck, pleasant smiles on their faces. I finish sorting out the issue with the paperwork. As I turn to tell the initiates to head back to the train, I see Molly, Peter, and Drew circled around Tris and an Amnity boy.

I get a nervous feeling in my stomach. Peter is looking at her with a vicious glare in his eyes. I've seen that look before. It is the same one Eric gives me. She will be his first victim. Why is he threatened by her? She is one of the lowest ranked initiates. She will be lucky to make it through stage one. I suddenly realize, that he's not. He is a true predator. Preying on the weak first. I walk towards the group intent on breaking up whatever Peter is trying to start.

Peter had quickly become one of Eric's favorites after the beating he gave Tris. Surely, she wouldn't be stupid enough to antagonize him. I see her shove him and snap back at molly. Clearly, I am wrong. Tris snaps something at the group and they turn to walk away. I see an evil grin stretched across Molly's face as they pass me. The Amnity boy gives Tris a look of pity as he hops back in the truck. "Wouldn't it be easier if it was?" he says to her, waving as the truck pulls away. I can see a look of fury in her eyes. She is not someone that needs pity.

She stands there a moment, eyes fixed on the guards locking the gate. I walk up to her making sure I am close enough for only her to hear me. "I am worried that you have a knack for making unwise decisions."

She crosses her arms, 'It was a two minute conversation."

I look at her bruised face. She looks like hell. She clearly doesn't realize the danger she is in. I continue, determined to help her realize she needs to be able to protect herself. "I don't think a smaller time frame makes it any less unwise." I furrow my eyebrows and touch the corner of her bruised eye with my fingertips. Her head jerks back, but I don't take my hand away. I tilt my head and sigh, "You know, if you could just learn to attack first, you might do better."

"Attack first?" she says. "How will that help?"

"You're fast. You can get a few good hits in before they know what's going on. You could win." I shrug, and my hand falls away.

"I'm surprised you know that," her voice quiet, "Since you left halfway through my one and only fight."

Her words sting. She thinks I left because I was uninterested in what happened to her. I hear her screaming in my mind. "It wasn't something I wanted to watch." I say shortly. A confused look crosses her face, replaced by one of bitter resentment. Why does she have to be so damned stubborn?

I see the train appearing in the distance. I clear my throat, "Looks like the next train is here. Time to go, Tris."