Chapter Three
When Callidus returned home from the Aptitude Test, excitement was still buzzing through her, attempting to keep a straight face she entered her house. She took solace in the fact it's unheard of to ask about the Test. Her parents wouldn't ask what she got and she wouldn't have to face the horror that she got Dauntless.
"Callidus!" Mary's voice boomed through the house as she scurried forward on her thin heels. A fake smile was plastered on Callidus' face as her Mother enveloped her in a tight hug.
"So how did it go?" Calli realised that Mary was only being so kind so that she could sway her towards Erudite tomorrow.
"Good." Callidus said calmly and moved to walk upstairs.
"Wait, what do you want for dinner? Your choice." Her foot stopped mid-step and a small smirk appeared on her face, pivoting on her foot she faced her mother.
"Spaghetti and ham with cream sauce and crusty bread."
"Okay, I will call you when it is ready, darling." Calli nodded and turned around to roll her eyes and went upstairs. Typical, as soon as it comes to me leaving she decides to be nice. Throwing her satchel on the floor Callidus collapsed on her bed, she closed her eyes and thought about Dauntless. They always look so free, something I have never been. She took a deep breath and picked up a book opening it at the marker and read.
Dinner was nothing but pleasant, Callidus' family were extremely polite and kind, something they have never been. Her mother didn't even comment on the fact she wasn't wearing her glasses. Callidus stripped out of her clothes and turned on the shower, after washing herself and her body quickly she rubbed her hair dry put it into a bun and pulled on some pyjamas. She snuggled under her duvet and prepared for restless night sleep.
Waking up was due to the smell of toast, "Good morning darling." Her Father walked in with a tray that had toast, scrambled eggs and orange juice on it. Callidus sat up and looked over at her father with a surprised look on her face, wow they really are pulling out all the stocks, shame it's too little too late.
"Morning Father." She said and took the tray as Michael handed it to her. The mattress sank as he perched on the edge of it, "How are you feeling?"
"Fine." Callidus scooped eggs onto her toast and bit a mouthful. Michael eyed her carefully before standing up.
"Your Mother will be up in a minute, I'll see you in a bit." Strolling out the room his feet hit the hard floor and disappeared down the stairs. Callidus rubbed her temples and let out a deep sigh; sleep was irregular hours of sleeping here and there. Finishing the toast and eggs she gulped down the juice and jumped out of bed. Just as Callidus pulled out some clothes her Mother walked through the door.
"Callidus." She said placing a hand on her shoulder, "Can I have a word?" Nodding Callidus continued to lay out her clothes then sat on her bed. Her Mother sat closely to Calli and took her hands in her own.
"Now Dear, I want you to know that your Father and I, and Xavier, really want you to choose what you think is best for you. You have always done well here." A fake smile was on Callidus' face as she listened to the lies her Mother was spouting.
"I know Mother, thank you." Mary wrapped her arms around Calli's shoulders and squeezed gently. "We need to leave in ten minutes will you be ready?" With a nod from Cali, Mary left the room shutting the door behind her. With a roll of her eyes Callidus pulled of her pyjamas and changed into a pale blue blouse, navy trousers and a loose, belted navy vest and pulled on her boots. If they're going to be nice to me, she can't complain about my clothes. As she pulled her hair into a plait she brushed her teeth. Then Callidus went downstairs to her parents waiting by the door.
"Ready?" They asked.
"Yes." They all walked outside their shoes simultaneously hitting the floor, until they reached the car. Climbing in everyone was silent, doors slamming was the only sound that echoed through the car. Soon enough it stopped and they all walked out towards The Hub, Dauntless was hosting this year so there was a flood of them. The entire Faction was there. A smile made its way across Callidus' face as she saw the daring people around her, they are liberating. Mary gripped her shoulder in a vice like grip as she led the family through the crowd. She sat Callidus down between herself and her Father. More and more people filtered into the room, the entirety of Dauntless sat chatting and at complete ease, the initiates and their families sat tense barely moving or speaking and lining the front of each faction was its representatives.
It was an amazing sight the factions all together like this, the colours separated into sections, grey then orange then blue then white then black. Each section had different shades of colours and complimentary ones peppered throughout. Callidus' eyes look down to the table in the centre of the stage, the five bowls, one containing grey stone, one containing soil, one containing water, one containing glass and one containing hot coals, sat next to one another. The conversations soon hushed as the leader of Dauntless walked up onto the stage, a tall dark skinned man with a serious face and straight posture. Max, Callidus remembered his name, they're made to learn about all present and past leaders. He called the attention of the crowd like he was born to do it, his booming voice taking control of the room. Max started to read the manifestoes of each faction, Calli couldn't hear the words he was saying they drifted past her eyes as her eyes fixated on the hot coals. He spoke about the reason why the society was created like this; centred around five virtues and the purpose of our society. Max continued and talked about what initiation will be like and how important it is to choose the right faction.
"Charlie Zipfell." The first name had been called, the first hand had been cut and the first faction had been chosen- he stayed in Candor. Three more names, three more cuts, two people stayed, one person left.
"Callidus Winters." Mary gripped her hand tightly then let go, a fake sign of comfort Callidus was sure- appearances are important after all. She stood her head held high, shoulders back and walked down the stairs to the stage. Max handed her a knife, taking it with no hesitation she walked over to the far left and stood in front of the hot coals. Callidus held out of her hand and the knife sliced through her pale skin, the dark blood spilled out and sizzled onto the hot coals.
"Dauntless."
Cheers erupted behind her, Calli picked up a bandage and put down the knife. She strutted down to the Dauntless, a tall, muscular man with dark brown hair that was quiffed on the top and buzzed short on the back and sides, several piercings in either eyebrow and two on his lower lip, cold light blue eyes, a menacing smile and scabbed over knuckles.
"Welcome." He held out his hand and Callidus shook it before taking a seat behind him. She glanced down at her hand for the remainder of the ceremony, the blood was slowly seeping through the bandage, her glasses now lay on the floor, twelve people moved to Dauntless and thirteen people stayed.
Max finished off the ceremony and stood in front of the Dauntless, Callidus looked up at him with a hopeful expression. His serious eyes looked at the man that welcome her, he nodded and walked off, Eric and all the Dauntless stood before rushing out the room screaming and cheering. Callidus and the other transfers quickly rose to their feet and chased after them.
Her boots hit the floor, the delight was contagious and she found herself cheering loudly, everyone slowed as they reached the train line. She watched as the Dauntless scaled the track then started running, Calli followed them pushing herself up the metal frame and ran. The loud, repetitive noise of the train sounded from behind her, she turned and saw it approaching. Her eyes went wide as the Dauntless born cheered louder, the train flew past her and Dauntless started jumping onto it.
"Okay, then." Calli mumbled and sprinted after the train before launching herself towards it, her hands latched onto the edge of the door and her body swung through it and landed. A loud grunt sounded underneath her and she shuffled off.
"Shit sorry." She whispered looking at the boy whose legs she landed on.
"It's okay." The boys said shifting to the side so there was room next to him, patting it he smiled up at Calli and she seated herself next to him. He had long, shaggy, dark, brown hair, strong shoulders and a constant smug look.
"Brennan." He said smirking and holding out his hand.
Callidus shook his hand and smiled, "Calli."
"Pleasure." Brennan smiled and ran a hand through his hair, Callidus relaxed into the wall of the train. "So it looks like you are already Dauntless."
"I'm sorry?"
"Bruises, cuts, the whole shebang on your face and knuckles." Calli chuckled and touched the almost healed cut on her lip.
"Yes, well it seems fight has always been my response not flight." Brennan laughed and jumped up, "C'mon."
"What?"
"We're jumping." He stated as people threw themselves off the train. Callidus scrambled up and looked out the door, the wind whipped hair across her face and she stared wide eyed at people landing the roof of a nearby building.
"Okay, right, I can do this." She whispered nervously. Brennan saw the nervousness on her face and grabbed her hand.
"I've got you." He said and backed up so they could get a running start.
They sprinted forwards then launched themselves of the buildings, their hands let go midair and Callidus felt as though time was slowing. The roof hit her feet and knees hard, the gravel embedding itself in her skin, she rolled forward and laid on her back. Long harsh breaths wracked her body as she let out a joyous laugh. Brennan appeared above her, his long hair hanging over his face.
"Need a hand brains?" Calli rolled her eyes and pulled herself up with his hand. The group gathered as a few late jumpers landed on the roof behind them. The man who welcomed her and Max stood in front of the edge of the building.
"I'm Max as you all know I'm the leader of Dauntless, well done for making it this far. As you can see your numbers have declined a little since the ceremony." Callidus looked around, the two transfers from Amity weren't here, nether is one from Candor and two Dauntless are missing.
"Not everyone can do what we ask of them, and some don't make it." Max continued. Callidus could now feel the grave biting her skin as the adrenaline had worn off and she brushed down her knees and began picking gravel out of her hands.
"My name is Eric, I am another leader here and Dauntless and I'm going to introduce you to the next step." He turned and motioned behind him, everyone peered over the edge to see a hole in the ground.
"This is the entrance to Dauntless, the only entrance you must jump down into it to get it." Callidus gulped as she surveyed the hole, the entrance was too dark to see whether or not there was anything at the bottom to catch them.
"Is there something to catch us?" A dark skinned girl from Candor asked. Eric chuckled darkly and rubbed his scabbed knuckles against his jaw, he looked the girl dead in the eye.
"I guess you'll just have to find out." Hushed conversations erupted among the group but Eric quickly stopped them.
"Okay, who's first?" He called. Everyone was looking at each other or keeping their heads down,
"See you on the other side." Brennan whispered at Calli then winked before shouting."Me! I'm first." Eric smirked at him and motioned to the edge. Brennan climbed up, his black boots perching himself on the edge, with one jump and a loud cheer he disappeared down the side of the building. Everyone listened in tense silence for anything that hinted at Brennan being hurt but there was no sound. Callidus didn't know if that was worrying or reassuring. She blew out a nervous breath and pushed herself forward.
"I'm next." Calli walked forward moved around people until she stood in front of Eric, he sneered at her and moved aside so that she could stand on the wall. Callidus teetered on the edge, staring down at the whole she took a deep breath and leapt off the side. Her breath caught in her throat as she fell, the air whipped her hair from her plait and her clothes blew around her body.
A force surrounded her and she bounced up and down as whatever she landed on caught her. Her eyes searched around her, a net, laughter erupted from her in elation as she bounced up and down. A sharp tug pulled Callidus over the side of the net, she was lifted off and placed down in front of a man. He was tall, tanned, very muscular, warm brown eyes and short brown hair.
"Name?" He asked in a voice that didn't match his eyes.
"Callidus."
"Callidus second jumper!" He called and a few cheers came from behind me, stood around the room was a few older Dauntless and Brennan smirking at Callidus with his arms crossed over his chest. Callidus returned the smirk and jogged over to him.
"How was that brains?"
"Pretty damn exhilarating." Calli breathed and pulled her hair out of the ruined braid before pulling it up into a ponytail. He introduced her to the few Dauntless he was stood with, as more jumpers filled the area, but left one girl until last.
"This is my darling older sister,Raquel, she works at the place where you get all the lovely modifications everyone has here." Callidus looked up at his sister, she had long,brown hair that had red constantly running through it, her body had scattered tattoos all over it and piercings littered her face and ears.
"Nice to meet you." Calli said, Raquel nodded and surveyed Callidus' face.
"The one thing I won't do to you is change you hair colour, you got that?" Callidus nodded as she felt a hand on her shoulder. She spun around and saw familiar blue eyes and dark hair.
"Ray!" She cheered and engulfed him in a hug.
"So we both made it huh?" He asked smiling at her before looking at the people behind her. Calli turned around and looked at Brennan.
"Ray this is Brennan, I landed on him in the train." Ray chuckled and shook Brennan's hand.
"Nice to meet you, hope she didn't crush you too bad." Callidus gasped and thumped Ray in the arm as they both laughed.
"So how long have you too known each other?" Brennan asked.
"About a day." Ray said and scratched the back of his neck.
"We met just before the Test."
"Attention. Welcome to Dauntless." The man from the net called and everyone turned to face him. He surveyed all of us, "Dauntless born go with Lauren. The rest of you stay with me. Go." The Dauntless filtered out and Brennan clapped me on the shoulder before going.
"This way." the lady called Lauren said. All the the Dauntless followed her out of the room and the transfers stood in a group in front of the man.
"Usually I work in intelligence but during this initiation I will be your instructor." He was walking backwards and forwards with his hands behind his back.
"My name is Four." There were a few snickers among the initiates but Calli just had a confused look on her face, what an odd name.
Four kept a straight face, "Now. Follow me." He marched out of the room, he lead them through corridors that looked as though they were carved out of stone and lit by florescent lights. The group emerged from a corridor, all the corridors lead to open walkways that surrounded a circular room.
"This is the pit." His back faced the edge of the path and all the initiates looked down at the concrete area, benches and groups of people were scattered around it.
"It is the centre of life here at Dauntless." Four nodded and carried on walking through the corridors and up some stairs until they reached a set of doors. Four pushed the doors open and revealed several beds with a bathroom at end.
"This is where you will be living for the next few weeks." Four said.
"Is there another set of rooms? Girls and boys are separate right?" A tanned girl with long dark brown almost black hair asked. Callidus chuckled and rubbed her temples and turned to the girl.
"Obviously not look at the number of beds, there is enough for all of us here." Calli said and the girl blushed.
"She's right you will all be sharing the rooms together and the bathroom." Four continued through the room and reached a door at the end. He lead them into the bathroom, it was all open no cubicles or separations.
"Great." Callidus mumbled sarcastically.
"We'll get closer hey." Ray whispered to Calli teasing her. She chuckled and shoved him before following everyone else back into the dorm room.
"Pick your beds, someone will call you for dinner. You can get some clothes afterwards." Four left the room and murmurs start around the room as people pick beds.
Callidus laid down on a bed and Ray next to her, "Mind if I go here?" Calli turned around, a short girl with shoulder length, blond hair and blue eyes was looking at her with a hopeful expression.
"Of course."
"Callidus," She held her hand out and gave her a kind smile.
"Allison." She shook her hand and smiled back. Callidus felt a weight next to her, Ray slung his arm around her shoulder and Allison faced them on her bed.
"Four seems nice." Callidus said sarcastically.
"Oh charming, right?" Allison responded with equal sarcasm and they all laughed.
A Dauntless member called them down to dinner and they followed her down to the hall. The transfers stood out like a sore thumb, the black clothed Dauntless staring them down and judging them as they walked in. A hand waving caught Calli's attention in the corner of her eye, she turned and saw Brennan waving at her. Tapping Allison on the shoulder she tilted her head to the side motioning to the waving Dauntless.
"C'mon." They walked through the hall trying to ignore the stares, people shuffled and made room for the three transfers.
"Making you come down here in your clothes, that's just plain rude." Brennan teased as they sat down.
"I know, will you take us somewhere we can get new clothes?"
"Of course." Callidus looked awkwardly at the other Dauntless that she didn't know. Four of them sat around the table facing the transfers with passive expression.
"Ah where are my manners, everyone this is Callidus, Ray and oh I'm afraid I don't know your name sweetheart?"
I rolled my eyes as Allison smirked, "The name's Allison to you, not sweetheart." A laugh boomed from across the table and someone's fist hit the table.
"Oh I like you." A boy with dark skin and a big smile looked over at them. "James." He introduced himself.
"Allona." A pale girl with long, dark hair said.
"Celine." A girl with dark skin and light brown eyes said.
"Jennifer." A girl with dead straight brown hair and hazel eyes said.
"Nice to meet you all." Callidus said smiling at each in turn, Ray and Allison followed in suit.
Dinner carried on without much happening, a few questions here and there from the transfers about Dauntless life. Everyone seemed to get on well, the bonding being about the unknown, the dauntless born shared stories that they heard from their siblings. Everyone was nervous about what's to come. When they finished eating everyone got up and followed Brennan, who seemed to be the leader of the group.
"Let's get you all looking like Dauntless."