Chapter Four

Waking up in Dauntless was a sudden and extreme experience. Shrill alarms signaled through the room and the lights turned on.

"Why?" Callidus heard someone grumble next to her. She pushed the blanket down her body and jumped out of bed. There was no movement around the room, Calli grabbed a towel and rushed to the bathroom. Stripping down, Callidus had a quick shower and wrapped a towel around her body and ran her fingers through her hair before going back to her bed. Quickly slipping on underwear under her towel Callidus looked through the clothes she got last night. Grabbing a pair of tight black pants and a black t-shirt, she pulled on her clothes.

"Morning." She heard from next to her, Calli turned and saw Ray looking at her from under his blanket.

"Morning, sleeping beauty." Calli said teasing him, as she ran fingers through her wet hair.

"How are you up and ready?" He mumbled sitting up and stretching.

"Wanted to get in the shower before anyone else, so I didn't have to get naked in front of anyone." Ray climbed out of bed, he looked around the room and saw a few people emerge from their beds. "Seems like you had the right idea."

"That was the worst wake up, I have ever had." A whimpered whisper came from behind Callidus as Allison scratched her head.

"I know, I'm used to my Mom waking me up saying breakfast is ready." Ray said grabbing a towel and rushing to the bathroom.

"Eh, I've been woken up worst ways." Callidus said as she started two french braids down the back of her head leading to one at the nape of her neck. Allison hopped out of bed stretching out her muscles, she turned and faced Calli.

"What do you reckon we'll be doing today?" Calli furrowed her eyebrows as she thought over what everyone said last night. "I think Brennan said his sister told him something about weapons training."

"Yeah I remember that… Should be fun, I'll be back in a minute." Allison ran off with a towel and Callidus took a deep breath, thank God I got in there early- it must be so awkward. Ray returned fully dressed, his wet hair dripping down his head and neck, he plodded down next to Calli and laid down.

"That was one of the worst experiences of my life." Callidus laughed and laid down next to him, "You mean you didn't like complete strangers looking at you naked?" She teased. He shoved her as Allison walked in wearing just her underwear and drying her hair with a towel. Ray's eyes widened as Allison rummaged through some clothes.

"If you continue looking at me like that I'll rip your balls off." She said nonchalantly as she pulled on a long sleeved top and tight pants.

Ray cleared his throat and mumbled, "Sorry." Callidus chuckled as she tied up her black, combat boots then looked over to Allison.

"You are great." She looked between her two friends and ruffled Ray's hair.

"C'mon let's go to breakfast." Callidus walked ahead and left the two to diffuse the tension. Soon enough they catched up, "You two alright?" She asked.

"Yes of course. He knows how I feel." Allison said smirking at Ray as she runs a hand through her hair.

"Yep. And I have apologised." Ray continued chewing his lip. The trio got into the cafeteria and saw that it was rather empty.

"Thank God, it is not as crowded as yesterday." Ray whispered and they found a table in the corner of the room. Each of them piled up their plates and helped themselves to the delicious array of food.

"I think it is safe to say that Dauntless have the best food." Callidus said cutting up some bacon and putting it in a roll lavished in butter.

"Agreed." Allison said shovelling a fork full of shredded and fried potato and onions. Ray chuckled and took a sip of water.

"Morning." Someone called from behind them, they turned around to see Allona approaching them with a grumpy looking Celine trailing behind her.

"She's not a morning person." Allona whispered sitting down with them and grabbing some toast. Celine plopped down next to Ray and put her head down on the table.

The group sat for a while until Allona hinted that they should get to training and gave them instructions. Callidus lead the group through the building until they reached the training room. A couple of people were there already, Lottie-the dark skined girl who asked about the net and a boy called Nathan, they were both from Candor, probably why they stuck together.

"Watch him." Allison stated glaring at Nathan.

"Why?" Ray asking curiously as they perched in the corners of the room.

"He's violent, in the I'll search for it, way." Callidus nodded and crossed her arms over her chest, a few more people came in-the rest of the Erudites. Serena and Jack, Serena asked about the dorms yesterday and Jack (who Calli knew was her boyfriend) was a lithe boy with black hair and bright blue eyes. Four walked in followed by Eric, whose eyes landed on Callidus immediately, she shivered and stood closer to Allison and Ray, everyone was silent. It was eight o'clock on the dot and two Candors weren't here, Jacob and Ryan. The loud noise of chatter sounded from outside the silent room as the two boys walked in. Jacob was a tall boy with a triangular face and curly sandy hair, Ryan was an muscular Asian boy with pouty lips.

"What are your names?" Eric demanded.

"J-acob."

"Ryan."

"You were told to get here at eight o'clock, that is when you should get here. If you are late again there will be consequences. Understand?"

They both nodded, "Now line up." Four called and Eric walked over next to him. The both surveyed us.

"Now there are three stages of Initiation. First is Physical. Second is Emotional and Third is Psychological. At each stage there will be tasks that you are ranked on." Four started.

"The ranking system does serve a purpose. First it decides the job you will receive after initiation. Second," Eric pauses standing up straighter with a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Only the top ten initiates are made members."

"What?" Nathan exclaimed looking furious.

"There are ten of you and ten Dauntless born. You will be ranked with each other. There are three stages, at stage one three initiates will be cut the same after stage two and the rest will be after stage three."

Callidus' eyes widened and she looked at the initiates around her. Ten people will go over all, I wonder if the Dauntless born knew about this. Callidus took deep breaths, as long as I keep my focus it should be fine.

"Okay to start your training you will be learning to shoot a gun and how to throw a knife." Four pointed to the right hand side of the room that was covered in targets. He walked forward his strong arms crossed behind his back. They followed Callidus tried to remain close to her friends, in hope to comfort herself as she could still feel Eric's eyes on her. Four picked up a gun and held it in both hands and aimed it at the target. With one shot he hit the target in the 'heart', with a second in the centre of its forehead. Callidus stood shocked at Four's precision. how are we supposed to do that?

"Right grab a gun and start shooting." Everyone rushed forward and Callidus got a place at the end of the line, Allison next to her and Ray after that.

"Any ideas?" Allison asked carefully picking up the gun.

"Nope. I guess just try and copy Four." Callidus positioned the gun like Four did, the end of the gun resting against her shoulder, she looked over the top and aimed it at the target. Taking a deep breath in she focussed then pulled the trigger, the gun pushed her shoulder back slightly, the bullet flew through the air and Calli moved to look where it went. The bullet hit the edge of the target's shoulder, she sighed and held the gun at her side. cocking her head to the side she chewed her lip.

"Don't look where your bullet goes." Callidus spun around and saw Eric standing behind her with his arms crossed.

"And change your stance." Eric moved forward and positioned himself behind Calli, her body tensed up as Eric positioned her arms and her body in a different way to before.

"Now take a deep breath in." Eric said his words fluttering against Callidus' neck. Calli took a breath in.

"Pull the trigger when you breathe out and don't move until you hear the bullet hit." Callidus did what Eric said and waited. Her eyes focussed on the bullet and didn't move a muscle as it raced towards the target, as she waited in anticipation the bullet pierced the target just short of the middle of its chest.

"Well done initiate." Eric said giving her a pat on the shoulder before walking down the line of people. A long sigh was let out of Callidus' relaxed putting the gun down on the table in front of her.

"That was intense." Allison said aiming her gun again, Callidus rubbed her eyes and shook out her arms.

"Definitely." They carried on shooting for a while, whilst Four and Eric walked up and down the row watching everyone.

"Right, we are now going to take you to a different room so that you can practice shooting moving targets whilst running." Four announced.

"Bring your guns." Four said as he turned away to start walking.

"And if one of you mess around with them, you'll be in a lot of trouble." He continued to walk through the room and went through a door to reveal a room with some mock people that looked like dummies, with poles attached to the bottom of them.

"These dummies will move around and I want each of you to run one a time and try to hit each dummy as many times as possible."

Callidus took a deep breath as Four pushed a button on the wall and the dummies started moving up and down and side to side. This is going to be hard.

"Okay first up is Nathan." The stocky boy walked forward and started running whilst shooting. Calli watched his moves as the bullets hit the torsos of the dummies.

"Well done Initiate." Next was Lottie then Ryan, Jacob, Allison, Serena then Calli's name was called. She took and deep breath and held her gun in the right place. Her feet smacked against the floor as she ran across the room aiming and pulling triggers, not looking-just like Eric said, once at the end of the line she stopped let out a long sigh and looked at the targets. All of her shots had landed near the centre of the chest and head.

"Well done Initiate." Callidus nodded and smiled before standing next to Allison and Ray.

"Jack." Four called then Ray was last. Once we'd all finished Four turned to us.

"Now you can have a small break then we'll continue after with pistols instead." He held up a small gun and aimed it one of the dummies before shooting. Callidus watched how he held his posture and how he aimed, arms in front two hands on one handle. The others started filtering out of the room.

"C'mon Callidus." Allison said pulling on her arm as she walked out of the room. Everyone went back into the first room, some stayed standing and some of them sat down in small groups. The trio stood at the edge of the room.

"So that was interesting." Ray said putting his head back against the wall.

"It was intense." Allison continued as she ran a hand through her hair.

"So, we're shooting a different gun and then we're throwing knives… today is a day to let out any anger we have." Callidus joked as she leant against the wall next to Ray.

"Yeah anyone who's pissing you off. Bang. Bye." Allison said smirking, as she sunk down the wall. They three waited talking about their previous lives.

"I think Visiting Day is rather counterproductive." Ray said looking around the room.

"What?" Callidus asked looking up at him.

"Visiting Day, I could've sworn you were there when Brennan's sister talked about it."

"I must've zoned out, what is it?"

"Your parents or family members visit you for an hour or so. They constantly talk about faction before blood and then when we're in our new 'family' they bring in our old one." Ray and Allison carried on talking about it but all Callidus could do was stand there frozen, No. No. I can't see them.

"Everything alright?" Ray asked putting his hand on Callidus' shoulder.

"Me and my family didn't exactly part on good terms." Callidus chewed her lips and kept her eyes down at the floor.

"They're not forced to come. They only come because they want to." Callidus let out a long sigh,

"Let's hope they don't come then."

"Everyone back to work." Four called and waiting for us by the original stations. They all walked over to the stations and lined up where they were originally.

"Now do the same as earlier but with the new gun." The big bulky guns from earlier were replaced by a more compact gun. Calli picked it up, weighing it in her hands she took the stance that Four had earlier. Her hands were out in front of her and she aimed the gun at the centre of the targets chest.

Deep breath in.

Deep breath out.

Pull the trigger.

Bang.

Callidus' eyes focussed in on the hole that was left behind, middle of the chest. She chewed her lip and aimed the gun again, another deep breath, exhale and shoot, it was becoming a second nature. Callidus repeatedly fired, hitting the target in the chest and head.

"Well done." Ray said clapping Calli on the shoulder.

"Thanks. It's easy once you get the hang of it." Callidus said with a small smile aiming the gun again. The shooting carried on for a while longer, everyone trying their best to hit the target, Four and Eric continued to walk up and down the line examining each Initiate.

"Into the other room Initiates." Four called and strode over to the other room. Everyone followed, muttered conversations erupted throughout the Initiates as the entered the room.

"Right, same again. Serena."

Everyone waited as she ran down the line shooting at the targets.

"Well done." Callidus looked at Four as he surveyed the group.

"Callidus." Calli moved forward, took a deep breath aimed the gun and sprinted. Shots were fired, the bullets piercing the targets. SHe lowered the gun and looked at Four.

"Well done Initiate." Callidus stood back in line and waited watching everyone.

"Okay, you're breaking for lunch, it lasts for half an hour then meet back in the other room. Now hand in your guns." Four motioned to a cabinet, the group moved forward and put their guns in one by one. Allison put her arm around Callidus' shoulder.

"Lunch!" She cheered beaming as they went through the corridors until they reached the cafeteria.

"Food sweet food!" Ray sang as they sat down at the end of a table.

"Hey!" Someone said and they turned around and saw Jennifer, James, Allona, Celine, Brennan and two people they didn't recognise walking over to them.

"I have a bone to pick with you!"Allison said glaring at Brennan as they all sat around them.

"What?" Brennan said shuffling closer to Allison. She gritted her teeth and shook her head, taking a deep breath.

"Did you know about the fact that not all of us will be staying?" Brennan shook his head, "Honestly, I'm just as surprised as you are. My sister didn't even tell me, must be a secret so people still come here." He said looking angry as he grabbed a roll.

"Well I am surprised." Allison said buttering a roll. Everyone was a little tense and one of the people Callidus didn't recognise nudged Allona.

"Ah yes! This is Maya my girlfriend and Carl." She exclaimed motioning to a girl with shoulder length dark hair and cute smiled who nuzzled into Allona's shoulder and a guy with light tan skin and dark eyes.

"I'm just Carl… no ones boyfriend." He teased winking. Laughter erupted among the group and everyone forgot about the previous tension as they dug into the delicious food.

"How long have we got left?" Celine asked looking around the group.

"Um… just under ten minutes but it's better to get there early right?"

Everyone nodded, "See you later." Callidus said as they all got up from their seats and split up. Ray, Allison and Callidus were soon caught up by Jacob and Ryan.

"Getting there early this time." Ray chuckled. Jacob shot them a lazy lopsided grin.

"Yeah Eric is scary."

"Well maybe to you." Allison said coyly smirking at Callidus.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Callidus said as the rest of the group looked on confused.

"I think Eric likes you." Allison smirked looking at Callidus with raised eyebrows. Ray burst out laughing and the other two looked surprised.

"No. No. Just no." Callidus said shaking her head and Allison shrugged.

"If you say so but all of you watch Eric around Callidus. You'll see it."

"Okay." Ray breathed still chuckling. Ryan looked over to Callidus with a smirk and ran a hand through his hair.

"You know, you're really good with a gun." He complimented just as they got into the room. Lottie and Nathan were there again, do they not go to lunch or…?

"Thank you but it's just beginners luck, I'm sure." Ray rolled his eyes and slung his arm around Calli's shoulder, "Modesty, a trait I never thought you had."

"Oi!" Callidus said and thumped him in the arm. Ray grunted and rubbed his arm looking down at Callidus with furrowed eyebrows.

"What was that for?" The other chuckled as they all stood in a group against one of the walls. "You called me conceited." Ray rolled his eyes and looked down at Callidus.

"It was a joke sweetheart."

"Ugh, sweetheart an awful nickname." Allison said rolling her eyes.

"I know right. I don't get it." Callidus said, Eric and Four entered the room and conversations stopped. Everyone else had filtered in by now and the group had formed a line.

"Initiates. For the rest of this session you will be learning how to throw knives. It is vital that whilst in Dauntless you are trained to be prepared to fight in any situation." Eric started.

"Whether that is long or short distance."

"Now I am going to demonstrate how to do this." Four said as Eric surveyed the faces of the Initiates. Four picked up a knife and held the end loosely in his hand. In one quick motion he pulled his arm behind his back and threw it forward ending with a flick of the wrist. The knife spun through the air landing on the target in the centre of its chest.

"Okay line up and get to work." Everyone hurried forward and Callidus ended up with Allison and Ryan either side of her. Her long, bony fingers picked up the knife, she weighed it in her hand before holding the end like Four did. Taking a long breath she brought her arm back and threw the knife, it landed just short of the target's shoulder with a loud thump. Calli swore under her breath and picked up another knife. To her left Allison was throwing knives rapidly each one landing directly where she wanted them to.

"That's amazing." Callidus said looking in awe at the punctured target.

"Beginners luck I guess." Allison teased imitating Calli from earlier with a wink and a sly smile. Callidus rolled her eyes and took her stance again, another deep breath in before launching the knife- it stuck in the target's knee.

"Your balance is off." Callidus jumped and turned around to find Eric stood behind her. He moved forward, his frame straight almost statuesque.

"Put your other arm out like this." His large hand took Callidus' left arm and raised it so it was parallel to her other one.

"That'll help with your balance." Eric whispered before moving backwards to watch. A shaky breath escapes Calli's mouth as she picked up another knife and positioned herself like Eric told her. Her eyes focussed on the centre of the target, she aimed, her arm went back and shot forward and she released the knife. She waited with bated breath, as the knife flew through the air, with a loud thunk it landed in the target just short of its 'heart'.

"You forgot the flick." Eric said moving next to Calli again.

"You got the aim and balance right but the flick would've given you more power." He handed her a knife and made sure his fingers brushed her's as she took it from him. Readying herself again she took the position and threw the knife. It hurtled through the air before lodging itself in the centre of the target's chest.

"Yes!" She exclaimed beaming.

"Well done Initiate." Eric said a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he walked off.

"Told you." Allison sang as she picked up a knife. The other three looked at her with knowing looks.

"He was just being helpful." Callidus defended, adamant that Eric didn't like her. Jacob cocked his eyebrows.

"Do you see him helping anyone else?" Callidus looked around the room, her eyes landed on Eric; he stood passively watching the others. Jacob was right. Callidus shook her head and ignored the other's expressions.

"It doesn't matter if he did." She said nervously chewing her lip.

"I would never." Eyeing the knives she picked up another and continued throwing, trying her best not to focus on the new revelation.

Dinner was full of merciless teasing as Allison shared her discovery with the Dauntless born.

"No way." Jennifer said shovelling a fork-full of salad into her mouth. Callidus put her head on the table.

"Oh poor baby is embarrassed." Brennan teased rubbing her back. Callidus raised one hand and flipped him off. A chorus of 'ohhs' erupted from around the table.

"You guys are assholes." She muttered grabbing a fry of her plate and putting it in her mouth. James smacked his hand on the table making everyone jump.

"I know what we should do!" He said grinning at everyone.

"What?" Maya asked. A smirk tugged at his mouth as he looked around the table.

"Tattoos."

"Great idea!" Celine said grinning and everyone looked to the three transfers for their reactions. "I'm up for it." Allison said smiling and looking at the other two, Ray and Callidus nodded in agreement.

"Hell yeah!" Calli agreed unable to contain her excitement.

"Off we go!" Carl announced jumping out of his seat.

"Lead the way." Ray said motioning to the Dauntless born. Maya held back and waited next to Callidus. The others went ahead and she nudged Calli's shoulder.

"Don't worry about the teasing, I think it's sweet." Her bright blue eyes widened as Calli looked at Maya in disbelief, she opened her mouth the say something but closed it again.

"He seems so rigid and cold, maybe a girlfriend will… well brighten him up a bit." Callidus rolled her eyes and looked seriously at Maya.

"As sweet as that notion is I would never go out with an instructor even if I liked them." Maya smiled and nodded in understanding.

"That's fair enough, we better catch up."

Soon enough the group were outside the tattoo parlour and Calli couldn't control the smile spreading across her face. They split up all looking at different things that they wanted, Callidus wandered around with Celine not far behind her. A flame design caught her eye, she lifted the template off the wall and turned to Celine.

"What do you think?"

"I like it! It's similar to the Dauntless logo. If you just go over to one of the people in the back, they'll get it done." Callidus nodded and made her way through the shop to the back, her eyes landed on a familiar person.

"Raquel!" Brennan's sister turned around,her eyes widened in recognition and a smile appeared on her face.

"Callidus right?" Calli nodded and handed the template to Raquel.

"Any chance you can do this for me?"

"Of course! Sit down in the chair and show me where you want it." Callidus nodded and sat down in the chair whilst Raquel fiddled with some stuff next to her. Callidus pulled her top down a little bit revealing more of her chest just below her collarbone but above her breast.

"Just here okay?" Raquel looked at the area and nodded.

"Yeah. You ready?" Callidus smiled and waited as she put a black patch on her chest. There was a quiet whirring noise next to Raquel.

"So how are you finding Initiation?"

"Okay, it's a little intense but I think it's going okay."

"That's good. I remember Initiation, even though I was a Dauntless born I found it so taxing but if you keep a level head you should be okay." There was a little beep and Raquel peeled off the patch revealing the tattoo.

"All done!"

"Thank you so much it looks great!"

"No problem. I hope to see you again."

"Oh don't worry you will!" Calli beamed as she walked back through the shop to find the others. "Hey Ray!" She shouted and ran over to him.

"What do you think?" She asked showing him her tattoo.

"That's pretty awesome! How about mine?" He said lifting up the side of his top to reveal a large eagle spread across his side.

"That's amazing. Where's Allison?" Ray motioned his head to the side and Callidus turned around to see Allison showing off her arm to Brennan and Allona. The two hurried over, Allison's forearm was covered in an intricate swirling pattern that was occasionally lined with a deep red colour. "That's beautiful!"

"Thank you! Oh I like yours!" Allison beamed looking at Calli's chest.

"Thanks!" The three looked at each other with happy faces.

"Well at least we're looking more Dauntless now." Ray said grinning.

"Yep and I have never felt better." Callidus said letting out a long sigh.

"C'mon we better get back to the dorms. I think we're fighting tomorrow." Allison said and the trio made their way through the concrete halls of Dauntless.