A/N: Hello! Sorry this update couldn't come sooner. I have no excuse except that I've been glued to the olympics (Team USA!) and Tumblr. Hopefully the next chapter won't take as long. Also, I want to explain something that affects my fic. Recently, Veronica Roth answered an ask she recieved on Tumblr about what everyone in Dauntless called Four before he got his nickname. Well her answer is inconsistant with my fic. She said that since the first thing they do is go through their fear landscape, he was never called Tobias. Amar gave him the nickname right after that, and it stuck from there. Meaning, he couldn't have been first jumper and he never went by Tobias for even a day. I might go back and fix that later, but for now I'm just going to leave it as is. Hope you all don't mind. Besides that, I hope you like this chapter! Reviews inspire me to update quicker.

Chapter 3

"As you saw earlier, this is where most of the action is. We call this The Pit. After each day of training you are free to do what you like, and most activities can be done here," says Amar.

I look around at all the people adorned in black, laughing and recklessly messing around. I also see places to get clothing and tattoos. I think about when I will inevitably have to discard my gray in exchange for black. The thought makes everything seem more real. Being here and seeing so many faces full of energy and excitement makes me finally feel free.

"This concludes your tour. I'm going to bring you to the Cafeteria for dinner now. But first a few things about training days. We will begin every morning at 8:00 a.m. and no later. Please be prepared. Additionally, it would be wise of you to take everything as seriously as you can. This is the difference between becoming a member of the Dauntless and becoming factionless. This is where you'll want to pay attention if you haven't been"

Amar whom I was beginning to think couldn't do anything with his mouth but smile, gives us a stern look, his mouth a straight line. His dark eyes piercing.

He continues, "It is our faction rule that only ten initiates become members. That number includes not only you, but also the Dauntless-born initiates. This isn't going to be simple, but you're all capable. As I've said before, you have to be willing to put forth the appropriate effort."

I don't remember how many Dauntless-borns there are, but I count thirteen of us. I do my best to keep a straight face as I've been doing since the Choosing Ceremony. I don't know why I have this obsession with seeming in control of myself, but I can't shake it. Some of the other initiates aren't as successful as I am. I hear a gulp or two. It's like I can almost feel the anticipation that has mounted on top of us.

Amar must sense it too because he lets a smile take over his face once again, and his eyes return to normal.

"Let's eat. I'm sure you're all hungry by now," he says.

The Cafeteria is down a nearby hallway, leading away from The Pit. It's crowded when we walk in, and again, people cheer for us.

Automatically, all of us initiates gravitate toward the same table. I seat myself at the end of the bench, and a guy with curly red hair is on my right. The boy I saw crying earlier sits across from me. He looks regretful already. He isn't going to last long with that attitude. I look at the food choices before me. There is a mound of shredded meat, and it is covered in sauce. I spoon some onto a bun and place it on my plate. There are also potato strips and some vegetables which I also take. The sauce smells delicious, and I am eager to taste it.

The red head glances at my face and lets out a small laugh. I raise an eyebrow at him in question.

"What?" I ask, maybe a little too forcefully.

"Well, you were kind of making an excited face while staring at your pulled pork sandwich. I just thought it was funny." He shrugs.

"I've never had this sauce before," I say.

"Ah, yes. You're a Stiff. I forgot."

I turn away from him, and bite into the sandwich. It tastes even better than it smells. I can certainly get used to this.

"My name's Cody," he says.

I nod. I don't want to give him my name. I don't think I even have to. He probably already knows.

"And you're...?"

Apparently he doesn't know. I sigh. I hate it when people want to play 20 questions with me. If I want them to know something, I'll tell them. Simple as that. But I oblige.

"I'm T-"

"Four! Just the guy I was looking for," says a voice from behind me. I don't have to turn; I know it's Amar. Why he's calling me that like it's my name is a mystery to me. I decide I'll go with it though, so I don't have to be burdened by my actual name anymore.

I turn my head. Amar is accompanied by the Dauntless-born instructor, Jesse. They're walking toward me. I glance at Cody who just shrugs.

"Yep, he's the one with only four fears. Crazy right?" Amar says when he comes up right behind me.

"Impressive," Jesse agrees.

"So what do you say to a nickname like that? Four. Catchy, right? You could definitely be a Four."

I laugh a little. "Yeah, yeah. It's alright," I say. I almost wish I could make this less of a big deal, but I'm also pleased because people will remember me. I have a higher chance as an initiate if my instructor likes me. And okay, fine. I can't deny that it brings me intense satisfaction and pride. But I'm not cocky. I would never admit that out loud. Then I'd just be that guy who brags about having only four fears.

After a few more words, Amar finally leaves with Jesse. I breathe out a sigh of relief. I can't have other initiates seeking me out as their enemy before we've even really started just because our instructor wants to play favorites.

"So...Four is it?" Cody smirks.

"Um, yeah. I guess so," I say with the smallest of grins.

"Our instructor seems pretty awesome, don't you think?"

"Yeah, he's cool," I say. I do like Amar.

"He's a bit cheerful for my taste, but he seems really knowledgeable," says a boy sitting across from Cody and diagonal from me. He has dirty blonde hair and bright blue eyes that are impossible to not notice.

"I'm Julian, by the way," he tells us. Cody and I introduce ourselves as well. I hesitate, but end up proclaiming my name as Four. He chuckles at the name, but I can sense it's not friendly.

"Hm?" I say.

"Four? Really?" he says, shaking his head.

"Amar gave me the nickname-"

"Yeah, yeah. I know. I saw you in your fear landscape. I can make the connection."

"I don't know about you, but I'd rather have some lame nickname if it means my instructor is going to like me more than get lost in the crowd of faces." I cock an eyebrow at Julian as if daring him to contradict me.

"I don't need a nickname to get the attention of my instructor. Initiation has barely begun. There's plenty of time for me to show him my skills."

"And I'll be the one with the nickname and the skills," I remark. I'm calm, but I don't think he is.

"Alright, alright. We can talk about who has the better skills once we actually figure out what we're doing. Relax, you two," Cody says.

"Right, yeah. For all we know, your scrawny ass could be better than ours," Julian says. He's laughing. But so is Cody.

"Never underestimate people on the smaller smaller side," Cody says.

Just then a tall girl with extremely long brown hair walks up to the end of the table holding a platter.

"Do you guys want the rest of this cake? We're all finished on the other end."

For a no longer than a couple seconds we all just kind of stare at her. Then Julian speaks up.

"What kind is it?"

"Double chocolate," she says. "It's really good."

"Yeah, okay. We'll take it." He gestures for her to set it down. I see the boy directly across from me look up for the first time.

"Well, see you then," she says. And she waves before walking back to the other side of the table.

"I'm Cody!" Cody calls after her loudly.

"Just in case you wanted to know..." he finishes in a quiet, uncertain tone. The girl doesn't look back.

I try not to laugh too hard at Cody.

"She's a bit out of your league, man," Julian says.

"What do you know about who's in my league and who isn't?" he snaps back.

I just sit back and listen to them bicker. It's weird. I can't tell if Julian wants to be friends with us or not. Cody is from Candor and Julian from Erudite. Even without their attire to give it away, I would have been able to tell.

I cut myself a slice of the double chocolate cake, and it is the most delicious thing I have ever had in my life. No faction should be deprived of cake, I decide. I notice the boy across from me took a slice too, and he actually smiles at how wonderful it is. But the expression is quickly turned to a frown again. He must think he'll become factionless.

Once I'm finished eating, I decide it's time to get something more Dauntless to wear. I head to the store I saw in The Pit. There are a couple Erudite girls looking around when I arrive. Besides them, I don't recognize anyone. I get a few plain black t-shirts and also a pair of black jeans. This will have to work for now.

I don't know what else to do right now. I'm not feeling particularly adventurous at the moment. Especially after this long day. So I just walk to our dormitory. Inside there is a chalkboard on one wall. Other than that, the only things to decorate the room are the numerous beds. About half of them have already been claimed, their owners sitting around chatting to each other. I spot Cody laying on his bed, stomach down. He has a piece of paper and a pen. He's writing something.

I decide to take the bed beside his. I sit down.

"Writing something?" I ask.

For a moment he looks alarmed. He recovers quickly though.

"Just a letter..."

"I see." I don't press him for more information. I hate when others do that to me.

"I can send mail, right?"

I shrug. Even if I knew, I wouldn't encourage it. I assume it's a letter to family or friends back in Candor. Who does he think he's kidding? We have to leave all that behind now or we'll always be stuck. Stuck in our old lives and in old routines. This is where we are now. We can't wear our pasts like a leash. It will only choke us. I decide that if I see it again, I'll say something.

I fold my new clothes neatly and place them at the end of my bed. I hear snippets of conversations. Some of the initiates are trying to predict what we'll be asked to do tomorrow. Others discuss the fear of not ranking in the top ten. It surprises me that everyone gets on so easily this early on. I suppose they're all just eager to make connections with others. Nobody wants to be friendless. Right now we're sort of all we have.

It could be because I'm not the kindest person, but I can't get myself to join in with them just yet. Or maybe it's not because I'm unkind. It's because I am suspicious of everyone all the time.

Julian walks in. He has a bundle of black clothes with him. He takes a look around before approaching me.

"Four. What do you say we forget about what happened in the Cafeteria?"

"Do you say that because you realized you were being an idiot or because you just want the bunk above me?" I say.

"Testy much?"

I shrug.

"Fine. I am so sorry I was being a jerk. Now can I pretty please have the top bunk?" Julian says in a mock dramatic voice. I could detect his sarcasm from a mile away.

I don't say anything.

"Not a people person are you?"

"What gives you that idea?" I say.

"I know my own kind," he says with a smirk.

"Top's all yours,' I tell him.

Cody and I exchange a look as Julian climbs up the ladder and is only up there long enough to throw his clothes in a pile. He's back on the floor in seconds.

Suddenly I hear raised voices. I look over and am surprised to see two girls praising another and laughing loudly. It bothers me a little. I see what they're going on about. One of the girls-I think I remember her name being Shawna-has a brand new tattoo on her hip. She sure didn't waste any time. She must be certain she'll rank well.

Finally everyone begins to settle down. I still can't get over how talkative everyone is. Like nobody remembers that, in a way, we're all competing against each other. I think that will probably change tomorrow once we really start with initiation.

I set my alarm so I won't be late in the morning. Then I climb into bed just as Eric is turning off the lights. Now that I am settled down and not distracted, my mind wanders home. It seems like so long ago that I was waking up this morning. I try to imagine how Marcus is reacting to my departure. I couldn't care less about his feelings. Why should I? He never cared about mine. I scowl into my pillow. None of the things that used to matter do anymore. Here in Dauntless I'm faced with a new set of challenges. But because this is a faction so set on overcoming cowardice, I almost feel guilty. Guilty because I came here for the wrong reasons. I may have the aptitude for Dauntless, but that isn't why I came, and that will always be my biggest secret.

If I learn to like it here, learn to call this place home instead, then maybe the guilt will go away. I don't regret my choice. I only resent my reasons for it. But I know one thing for sure, and it is that I wear my mask well. I will continue to wear it well. And I am not fearful so much as uneasy at the thought of it one day being uncovered. Because you can run and run from secrets, but while running, you are digging. Digging deeper and deeper, until there is nowhere else to go. It's unsettling, the amount of damage one can do to themselves simply by thinking. And it's more unsettling when you realize how little people really know about others.

I force myself to let those thoughts go. They won't do me any good. For the next few weeks, what I really need to do is focus on initiation. I refuse to hold guilt's hand. I think about the double chocolate cake from dinner. Maybe I can have that for breakfast tomorrow.