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Chapter 2
We wait for all of the initiates to jump. It takes a while, but they all manage to make the plunge into the darkness. Most of them scream as they fall, some of the girls and even one of the boys are in tears once they reach the net. Once we have all of them are on solid ground again, Lauren and I gesture for them to follow us and begin to lead them down the tunnel to where we will separate.
"This is where we divide," says Lauren. "The Dauntless-born initiates are with me. I assume you don'tneed a tour of the place." She smirks and continues down another tunnel with the Dauntless-born initiates in tow.
I turn to look at the transfer initiates; there are nine remaining, 5 Candor, 3 Erudite, and 1 Abnegation. They are an interesting looking group. I scan them immediately looking for strengths and weaknesses in each of them. Two of the Candor and the two Erudite guys are around six feet tall or slightly more. The other three Candor, one guy and two girls, are about the same height, the Erudite girl and Tris are about the same size and stature also. I'm surprised that I already remember her name. I guess it's because she was the first jumper.
They all look at me expectantly. I laugh to myself remembering how I must have looked at Amar on my choosing day. He was so intimidating looking. He carried himself with such authority and everyone revered him, or at least I thought.
Once the Dauntless born follow Lauren out of sight, I begin talking to the group. I keep my face hard and keep my voice low and menacing. I want to make sure I start off as intimidating as I can. I make sure that I glare at them and don't let them think that I could be even remotely friendly. It won't be hard for them to learn fear of me, pretty much everyone in Dauntless has some kind of fear of me, even if it is unfounded.
"Most of the time I work in the control room, but for the next few weeks, I am your instructor. My name is Four."
"Four? Like the number?" says one of the Candor girls. She's tall with dark skin and black hair. She seems to befriended Tris. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.
I scowl at the girl. What other kind of Four would make sense for a name? "Yes," I growl. "Is there a problem?" I hate stupid questions.
"No," she says quietly.
"Good. We're about to go into the Pit, which you will someday learn to love. It-"
"The Pit? Clever name." says the candor girl. I cannot believe that she is insisting on talking again. Did she not get my point the first time? Apparently not, I'm going to have to put an end to this.
I walk up to her, lean in close and stare at her. "What is your name?" I ask quietly, in my deepest most intimidating voice.
"Christina," she manages to peep out.
"Well Christina, if I wanted to put up with Candor smart-mouths, I would have joined their faction," I growl. "The first lesson you will learn from me is to keep your mouth shut. Got that?"
Christina nods. I think I made my point based on the look on all of the transfers' faces. I love being intimidating. I think Amar would be proud.
I turn and continue toward the Pit. The group remains silent now, until I hear the voice again. This girl is going to make me crazy if she doesn't shut her mouth. I can't stand it when they don't know when to shut-up.
Behind me I hear Christina whisper to Tris. "What a jerk."
"I guess he doesn't like to be laughed at," says Tris.
That's interesting. For a stiff, she gets it.
I push open a set of double doors leading to the Pit and guide them in.
"Oh," whispers Christina. "I get it."
The Pit is a huge underground cavern that accommodates an assortment of shops carved into the walls. Here you can find food, clothing, supplies, a tattoo shop, and leisure activities. Narrow paths carved from rock connect each room.
I love this place, it is chaotic and lively. People are everywhere; all dressed in black, and bustling about. It provides a much needed distraction from my thoughts that I can never seem to turn off, no matter how hard I try. I notice Tris flinch and realize it is because of a group of children who run down one of the paths. She'll get used to the chaos of Dauntless sooner or later. Preferably sooner, if she wants to make it through initiation.
I turn to the initiates, "If you follow me, I'll show you the chasm."
I meet her eyes briefly and watch as she takes in everything around her. Watching her eyes light up as she observes her surroundings makes my heart warm. I almost feel like she is investigating me as well. I've really got to stop thinking like this. What the hell is my problem. I turn to begin toward the chasm and feel her eyes on my back. I lead the group to the right side of the Pit, towards the railing that separates us from the rushing water several stories below us.
This is one of my favorite spots in Dauntless. Not many people like to spend time here because of the danger it poses, but I find the roar of the water to be calming. It helps to drown out unwelcome thoughts. The river is calmer to the left, but to the right, it constantly beats against the rocks, spraying water up towards us. It is a perfect metaphor for me, calm on the outside but inside always churning and dangerous.
The initiates gather around the railing to get gaze upon the chasm and the river that lies at the bottom. Again I notice Tris above all of them. She looks at everything around her with wonder and amazement. Watching her discover the new world around her is like watching her come alive. Her eyes light up, she is alert and awake to everything and everyone. It reminds me of my first day in the compound. After living in Abnegation your whole life, Dauntless is like a breath of fresh air. Especially for someone who doesn't totally belong in Abnegation.
"This chasm reminds us that there is a fine line between bravery and idiocy!" I shout above the roar of the water. "A daredevil jump off this ledge will end your life. It has happened before and it will happen again. You've been warned."
They all stare into the chasm as if realizing what I'm saying. At least one initiate a year takes a leap into the chasm for one reason or another. I wonder who it will be this year.
Next, I lead the group toward the gaping hole in the wall across the Pit that leads into the dining hall. The room is brightly lit and plays host to a few hundred people who are busy enjoying their meals. The noise of conversation can be heard above the noise of their clattering silverware. When we walk in, everyone stands up to applaud, stamp their feet, and shout. A few of the initiates take in the Dauntless welcome. I notice a smile move across their faces.
Tris and Christina find seats at a mostly empty table and I move toward that table to join them. I'm not sure what compels me to sit with them. I'm not usually one to socialize. I much prefer to sit with my friends or alone.
Platters of hamburgers sit on the table. Tris picks one up and inspects the patty. I remember the first time I ate the food here. After eating nothing but bland food, this food is the best thing ever.
I nudge her with my elbow. "It's beef," I say. "Put this on it." I pass her a bowl of ketchup.
"You've never had a hamburger before?" Christina asks disbelievingly.
"No," Tris says. "Is that what it's called?"
"Stiffs eat plain food," I explain to Christina.
"Why?" she asks.
Tris shrugs. "Extravagance is considered self-indulgent and unnecessary."
"No wonder you left." remarks Christina.
"Yeah," Tris says, rolling her eyes. "It was because of the food."
I smirk at her response. She is sarcastic and funny. She is full of surprises. I have to remind myself to stop making assumptions about her just because she is from Abnegation. She is clearly not a normal Abnegation girl.
Just then, the doors to the cafeteria opens and the presence of the person entering the room is enough to halt all conversations. I can't stand this guy and I would like nothing more than to beat the crap out of him just like I did every time I fought him during initiation.
"Who's that?" Christina asks quietly.
"His name is Eric," I tell them. "He's a Dauntless leader."
"Seriously? But he's so young."
I give her a grave look. "Age doesn't matter here."
In Dauntless age has little to do with anything. Dauntless used to be a faction built on bravery and pride. Over time, bravery and pride have become less important to the leaders. Bravery and pride are no longer the beliefs many Dauntless pride themselves on. Power is all that governs them now. The ones who are physically and mentally powerful are the ones who have the privilege of holding an authoritative position.
Eric stands at the door scanning the room. I tense up the moment his eyes meet mine. He starts towards my table and drops into the seat next to me. I was hoping that he wouldn't be here to talk to me. Every time I see him I just want to pummel him.
"Well, aren't you going to introduce me?" he asks, motioning towards Tris and Christina.
"This is Tris and Christina." I say. I really don't want him to look at them, especially Tris for some reason.
"Ooh, a Stiff," says Eric, leering at Tris. "We'll see how long you last."
As usual Eric says something stupid. He often underestimates people's abilities. After all, I, an Abnegation, outranked him during our own initiation. I hope Tris proves him wrong. She sits silently, rigid but glaring at him as though she wants to say something in her defense but doesn't. I don't blame her. Eric may be slimy, but he is dangerous.
"What have you been doing lately, Four?" he asks.
I shrug, "Nothing, really." I'm not going to feed into his insecurities by talking to him anymore than I need to. Sometimes I think I should have taken the leader position instead of letting it go to Eric. Then maybe I could actually get something done around here for the better of the faction instead of the self-indulgent behavior of Eric.
"Max tells me he keeps trying to meet with you, and you don't show up," Eric says. "He requested that I find out what's going on with you."
I hold his gaze for a couple of seconds. "Tell him that I am satisfied with the position I currently hold."
"So he wants to give you a job." He says this as more of a statement than question.
"So it would seem." I say.
Eric knows his position is dependent on my refusal to become a leader; he is threatened. I can understand why, but he must not be clueless to the fact that a position of power is not something I am looking for.
"And you aren't interested."
"I haven't been interested for two years."
"Well," says Eric. "Let's hope he gets the point, then."
He claps me on the shoulder, a little too hard, and walks away. From the corner of my eye, I see Tris relax.
"Are you two...friends?" she asks.
"We were in the same initiate class," I tell her. "He transferred from Erudite."
"Were you a transfer too?" she continues.
She's asks a lot of question for an Abnegation. I need to put a stop to these questions now. I'd rather not share my past with someone who would actually know who my father is. That is the last thing I need.
"I thought I would only have trouble with the Candor asking too many questions," I reply coldly. "Now I've got Stiffs, too?"
"It must be because you're so approachable," she says flatly. "You know. Like a bed of nails."
I glare at her; I can't figure this girl out. She is not backing down an inch. I have never met a Stiff who challenged people like this. She holds my gaze, her eyes never wavering, not even for a fraction of a second. She is tougher than I thought. I am starting to see the real girl behind the grey clothes. She is definitely brave, but is she brave to a fault? Only time will tell I guess. I feel the need to warn her though. She is going to have to watch who she challenges here. She may be brave but she doesn't want to get on the bad side of some people, me included.
"Careful, Tris." is all I say to her.
I hear Zeke call my name from another table, so leave without another word to join my friends. I sit down and relax with my friends. They ask me about the initiates, they are interested in my thoughts about who I think has a shot at becoming Dauntless. Zeke is especially interested since his little brother is chose Dauntless. I look at him and he seems to be much more relaxed than he was this morning. I mumble something about inquisitiveness and don't say much more. It is too early to make any real guesses anyway.
I decide that it's time to cut out before Eric comes back to pick up the initiates. I nod to Zeke, Lauren, and Shawna and leave without a word. I head through one of the dark, winding hallways that lead to my room.
I lay on my bed, replaying the events of the day. No matter how I try to knock it out, the face that keep slipping into my consciousness belongs to Tris. She is definitely different than any girl that I have ever met. There is just something about her that makes me want to get to know her better. I have got to get a grip! I can't be thinking like this right now. But she is very pretty and she doesn't even know it which makes her even more attractive. Eventually exhaustion overcomes me, so I close my eyes and give myself over to sleep.
Suddenly I hear a familiar voice that sends shivers down my spine.
"Tobias!" shouts the familiar voice.
It's my father.
I am suddenly a boy back in Abnegation. Something has angered him and he is about to relieve his anger with his belt. I crouch and wait for the sting of the belt on by back. The first hit stings my flesh, but I don't cry out. I won't give him the satisfaction of my hearing my screams. The hits keep coming, I cry soundlessly.
And then I wake with a start… back in my apartment in my bed.
I look at the clock, it is 5 am. There is no sense in trying to go back to bed now, so I shower and walk to the chasm to try to relax before the new day of training begins.
At 7 am. I head to the training room to relieve some of my anxiety before the initiates come.