They were running and climbing and running again. The train came around and Sky watched as everyone jumped in before finally hopping in herself. She turned and looked out the doors and watched as two Candor boys collapsed to their knees, crying. They were factionless now. Sky turned and looked around at her new faction, feeling a sense of pride and happiness.
"Hey smiley, my name's Rae." This was coming from a pale girl with black hair and grey eyes sitting next to her. She extended her hand to Sky, "what's your name?"
Sky smiled and did her best attempt at shaking hands, "I'm Sky. Wanna be best friends?"
Rae laughed and nodded, "Deal!" Before they could talk anymore they heard cheers and commotion in the train cars ahead of them.
"Time to jump off kids!" yelled one of the Dauntless born initiates. The girls stood up and looked out the car, sure enough everyone was jumping onto the roof next to them. They backed up, grabbed hands, ran and jumped. Sky had never felt so free; the landing however was a bit rough. Rae and Sky stood up laughing and walked towards the group of initiates.
"Listen up initiates, my name is Max and I'm one of the leaders of your new faction! Several stories below us is the entrance to our compound. If you can't jump off, you don't belong here!" This came from a man standing on the ledge. Before he could say anything else, everyone was talking nervously about dangerous this must be.
"Is there water at the bottom?" Asked one of the taller Candor transfers.
Max smiled, "I guess you'll find out, won't you? Who's first?"
Everyone tries to act casual, avoiding eye contact. Sky looks around and smiles, "Me."
More gasps, "I don't think I've ever had a stiff volunteer to jump first." Max laughs, lending a hand to help her stand on the ledge.
She turns to him and winks before jumping off. She felt like a bird, free. This was the feeling she has yearned for all these years. It was over too soon when she bounced off the net, laughing. Sky finally felt alive. She felt someone pull the net down to help her get off, "What's your name?" he asked while helping her to her feet. "My names Sky," she said before looking up at him. He was attractive, very attractive. He also looked very familiar, I feel like I know him! She thought.
When they locked eyes he took a few moments before responding, "First Jumper Sky!" he announced to the group of Dauntless trainers. He turned to her and introduced himself, "I'm Four. Welcome to Dauntless!" He kept staring at her as though he recognized her as well. His eyes drifted to her pendant, he lifted it and laughed. "Looks like you've always known where you belong."
Before they could talk anymore another initiate landed in the net. She cheered as they introduced Rae.
When all the initiates were in the compound a greasy haired guy walked up and introduced himself, "My names are Eric, I'm one of the leaders of Dauntless and I'll be overseeing your training. This is Four and Lauren! Dauntless born will go with Lauren and transfers will go with Four!" And with that, he walked out of the room.
Four leads us around the compound and tells us what and where everything is. Then he introduced them to their living quarters, a room of thirteen beds. One of the Candor boys sounded nervous when he asked "Is this for the boys or the girls?" Everyone stopped and looked at Four expectantly. He smiled and said "Both! And if you like this, you're gonna love the bathrooms." Everyone groaned when they saw that there were no stalls or separate rooms. It was all out in the open. Before anyone could object, Four announced "Everyone get changed, dinner will be in the cafeteria. Training will begin tomorrow!"
Sky and Rae made sure to get beds next to each other. All the girls were getting dressed quickly and using each other as barriers so the boys wouldn't see them. Sky and Rae laughed and just started changing. "Damn Sky, for a stiff, you're pretty hot," laughed a Candor boy, Peter. A boy named Will from Erudite laughed and responded, "Hey Peter, speaking of Stiff, you're looking a little….well stiff." The room burst out in laughter as Peter turned red. Everyone finished getting dressed and headed to the cafeteria. Here and there were whispers of how hot Sky was.
When they walked into the cafeteria, all eyes were on them. Eventually all eyes were on Sky and Rae as they worked to find a seat. They ended up sitting next to Four. While everyone started eating the mounds of food in front of them, Sky could only stare at the unfamiliar food.
"Have you never seen a hamburger before?" asked Rae. Sky shook her head and Will answered for her, "Abnegation only eats plain tasteless food. No extravagance."
Sky laughed and took a bite of a burger, "This is the most delicious thing I've ever eaten!" Everyone started laughing until Eric walked up. "Hey Four! What have you been up to lately hmm? You gonna introduce me to the initiates?"
Four sips his water before pointing to us, "Eric this is Will, Rae, and Sky."
Eric laughs looking at Sky, "Hmmm, a stiff? We'll see how long you last."
Sky looks him in the eyes, "Don't worry, I'll be here long enough to take your job."
Four spits out his water laughing, as Will and Christina's jaws drop. Eric just looks at her and smiles, "I like this one," he says to Four. "She's got guts. We'll see if she has the skills to back it up." Eric winks at Sky and walks away laughing.
Rae finally remembered how to talk, "You have a death wish don't you!"
Will exclaimed, "You are ballsy and crazy and I like it!"
Four finished his drink and stood up to leave, "Careful Skye."