A/N: In this chapter you get to see a bit of Tris and how she fares in the eyes of others. Because even though this story isn't about Tris, she's still a main factor of how the story plays out and also inspiration for Myra.

Chapter 3: Jumping

We all stand at the edge of the roof, a looming pit ahead of us. Almost all of us. Two have been lost. One is a transfer who'd rather be factionless than die. Funny, I never considered becoming factionless when I viewed my options outside of Erudite. The other was a Dauntless-born girl broken 30 stories below us. I wonder who will retrieve her body. Or will it lie there, forever forgotten?

The man in front of us – Max, he tells us – stands with his arms crossed. He is the man who deemed Edward strong and me weak. I do not trust him.

"Listen up! My name is Max! I am one of the leaders of your new faction." He sounds strong, confident. He treats the edge of the building like a sidewalk. But he is older than the Dauntless I have seen before. He has dark skin and dark hair faded gray. The creases in his forehead suggest a life worth of worries. He is experienced and not to be trifled with.

"Several stories below us is the members' entrance to our compound. If you can't muster the will to jump off, you don't belong here. Our initiates have the privilege of going first."

Wait. Hold up a sec. What!

"You want us to jump off a ledge?" I practically screech. I cannot help the words that fall out of my mouth.

"Yes." He says in a casual tone, obviously amused.

Horror fills my eyes. He is officially crazy. All the Dauntless are crazy. There is no logic to this. Okay maybe there is psychologically speaking, but my brain doesn't want to support whatever argument is in the Dauntless' favor.

"Is there water at the bottom or something?" I am desperate to work a way around this. There is no way they would kill us right?

"Who knows?" He replies, carelessly raising his eyebrows. I am tempted to shave those thick caterpillar excuses for facial hair off. If only my brain didn't tell me how futile that would be since they'd grow back at a rate of 0.16mm per day.

I begin to shake and Edward notices. He wraps one arm around me and tries to stop me from looking so weak. Why, oh why, did I join this suicidal faction?

Edward takes a step forward. But I am holding him back. I know he has no fear of the dark hole. But I have, so he waits for me to calm down. And in that moment, a girl steps forwards: the Abnegation girl.

She is courageous. She stands at the edge and looks over with a determined expression. Then she takes off her outer gray shirt. I think this is the first time I've ever seen an Abnegation wear tight clothes, but there it is. Evidence to refute my theory. She balls up the shirt, turns and throws it at a Candor boy with a nasty expression. His face becomes even sourer. I notice her disputing her position as alpha male, as the person to fear. Like wolves and lions and countless other predators, she is saying she is strong. She is to be respected. I notice the corner of Max's mouth twitch with reluctant approval. Then she turns back to the hole in front of her with a fearless gaze.

Max looks intrigued. I suppose it's not every day Dauntless gets an Abnegation transfer. And for her to be the first willing jumper? Well it must be a shock. But there she stands, bends her knees and leaps into an unknown world.

I wait. Wait for the crunching sound just like Rita's sister falling to the ground. I wait for a sign to prove that the Dauntless are truly idiots. But nothing happens. So a tall lean Candor girl follows her.

Now I can hear something. At first its hysterical shrieks, then the sounds of laughter and applause. Finally the words come faintly "First jumper. Tris!"

"It'll be fine." Edward reassures me, pulling me towards the edge. As we pass, I see Max's eyes narrow at me. We tighten our grip and jump at the same time. There is that horrible sensation of my stomach flipping and then a net catches us. It isn't kind. The tough rope digs into my skin and makes me squeak. Strong hands quickly pull me out of the net. Out of the corner of my eyes, I see Edward accept a hand and gracefully maneuver himself out. I, however, clumsily collapse to the floor trying to catch my breath.

"Are you okay?" asks a solid voice. I look up and at the outstretched hand. The hand is attached to a sturdy man with dark, dreaming, blue eyes and a set mouth. He looks strong, firm and most of all imposing. I accept his hand but let go as soon as possible.

"Thanks." I mumble and then move to where Edward is. Move towards his safety and security. He takes my hand absentmindedly but I can see his eyes are darting around the room, trying to absorb all information possible.

"Amazing." He whispers noticing the infrastructure, the natural formation of the cave, and the deliberate pattern of the netting that makes it stronger and safer.

All I notice are my knees shaking.

Please R&R~