Hey everyone. I got chapter 9 done and ready for you to read and enjoy.

however, I am facing a wave of writers block. I have an idea for a chapter or two more but I am not sure that is where I am to go next, but you you all have any ideas you want to share and I am more than open to hearing them.


The water feels good on my skin as I feel the sweat and dirt from the morning run wash off my body. I close my eyes and turn my face up towards the water coming out of the faucet actually hot against my skin not the warm water of abnegation showers. Back home…at my parents house the showers only get so warm, just enough to be comfortable and wash your body, but the water didn't get so warm that we would be inclined to waste water by letting the water just run over us like I can do now. I run my hands through the hair and turn off the water as I think through the events of this morning again trying to settle my nerves, before going back for whatever orientation Max has prepared for us this afternoon.

...

We ran from the compound to the hub using some of the lesser used streets to get there. What usually took 10 minutes on the train took us an hour by running, because we were weaving between buildings and using side streets. Once we got there Max and the other leaders went into the hub breathing hard without a backwards glance at us, just telling us that they had to take care of some business leaving the 5 of us alone and catching our breath.

Once we were all breathing normally again Uriah broke the silence and got us over the awkward pleasantries that always come with meeting new people. We were left outside waiting for Max to return for about 30 minutes. During that time I was able to learn that Jamie was 27, Dauntless born and had been working as a liaison between Dauntless and Amity since his placement, and Mac who was 23, also Dauntless born, worked in the armory.

All five of us were sitting in the grass casually, Jamie and Mac telling, Peter, Uriah, and me about their years in Dauntless and how they worked their way up in their jobs before being considered for leadership. It seemed like there was a hint of jealousy in Mac's voice that 3 initiates would be asked right away, but i remember four telling me age doesn't matter in Dauntless.

Max returned carrying 5 thick envelopes with Eric and Courtney flanking him waking up to our little circle on the grass. "Sorry about that," He said as he passed out the folders to each of us, "I will explain what those folders contain after lunch, but for now know that it is important and don't lose it. You won't get a replacement" Looking at his watch, "We will take the train back," the words are out of his mouth as the sound of the horn reaches our ears.

The leaders take off at a full sprint for the tracks that are at the top of grassy hill, the train doesn't slow down here because there isn't a platform and it is not normally where we get on, and that just makes it all the more difficult to jump on. The 5 of us shuffle to our feet shoving the folders under our arms as we take off after them. I dare a glance down the tracks and seeing the train getting closer quickly; it is going to be close.

I push my legs harder making me go faster I felt like this was the most important train jump of my Dauntless life so far. Uriah and I push ourselves to the front of our group and we are now running along with the end cars of the train Max and Eric smoothly jumping into one of the front cars and then helping swing Courtney in behind them.

"Take it," Uriah holds out his folder to me, and without thinking I close my hand around it as Uriah jumps into a car, and holding out his hands. I automatically give him the folders since I can't jump holding 2. Once Uriah has the folders safely in the car I am able to jump and pull myself into a car, breathing hard as I stick my head out of the car seeing Jamie get in a car two cars farther down than ours, and Mac and Peter still running.

Mac was slowly falling farther and farther behind it getting obvious that she wouldn't make this train. She obviously realized it too as she slowed to a walk before stopping. She was going to have to run back or wait for the next one, but what if that meant she missed whatever Max had waiting for us after lunch? i didn't want to think about it.

Peter jumped at the last minute grabbing hold of the train, but not of his folder which opened and papers started flying out behind him. Peter screamed a curse that could be heard clearly over the noise of the wheels on the tracks as he was forced to jump off and retrieve his papers.

I would be lying to myself if I didn't find some joy in Peter's failure. I turn and look towards where we are going, seeing the leaders in the front watching us as well. Max went back in his car once he knew who was on the train and who had to run back to the compound.

I move back into the car too looking at Uriah as we both burst into a fit of laughing remembering the look on Peter's face as his papers flew out from between his fingers. Once we had calmed down we grabbed our folders and flipped through the pages of our founders, which seemed to be a manual that outlined our next year of training.

I had flipped to a random page towards the end and one sentence caught my eye and put my nerves on end. "Once a member is known to be Divergent they are to be relocated with as little notice as possible." That line sent a chill up my spine and closed the folder. I figured they used relocated in case someone read this who wasn't supposed to, but I doubt that they really relocated divergents, well not while they were alive anyway. The thought unsettled me more seeing it in plain black and white, made it somehow more real as if the last 6 weeks weren't enough.

I closed the folder for the rest of the trip back to the compound. Once we hopped off Max told us to meet in his office at 1 and get some lunch before, because our next break would be dinner.

I looked at my watch e had about 2 hours, which was enough time for Peter and Mac to make it back and maybe even get some lunch. However, the 3 of us that made the train were just rewarded with the luxury of time and to flip through more of our folders. I waved to Uriah and Jamie saying I'd see them soon as I walked back to my apartment. I had decided I needed a shower to relax and think before going back to Max feeling like Divergent was written in bold across my forehead. Maybe i could wash it off.

...

The shower helped a bit I had to admit, but there was still an undercurrent of nerves running all over my body, but I don't think that can be helped. I wrapped myself in a towel and went to my room. Christina was at her first day of work so the apartment was all mine for now. My folder was sitting on the bed seeming to scream at me "They know".

I glared at the blank tan folder as I got dressed, pulling my shirt over my head. I took a deep breath as I grabbed the folder re-firming my choice to do this, determined not to get "relocated". Dauntless is my home. It is where I belong. I must beat them at their own game.

I went to the dining hall, which was not as busy as it is in the morning and evening. I saw a table of a few of my friends, also taking their lunch break, they waved me over to, which I gave a small shake of my head showing off my folder as I found a table to myself and made myself a plate of food.

I had an hour and a half before I had to be in Max's office, which was enough time for me to get my head start on this folder I thought. I opened it and glanced around before I blocked everything out. I noticed Uriah in the corner a few tables away from me also by himself his face in his folder too. He looked up for a moment his eyes meeting mine. His face a mirror of mine holding a little fear just under the surface, but determination trying to mask it. At least I knew I wasn't alone in all of my feelings.


Hope you enjoyed and I hope to give you more next week.

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Prez