Four

Dear Four,

This is really good news. I feel like we can actually get somewhere now.

I'm a little surprised that you think I'm Candor. Or Erudite or Dauntless. Truthfully, I'm not even close to any of those. I'm Abnegation, which was my first guess for you, followed by Amity. But something tells me I'm just as wrong as you were.

Life in Abnegation is, well, hard. Not in the physical sense. The mental; it takes it's toll. I understand selflessness better than anyone, but sometimes, I just want to do something for myself. Is that so wrong?

I'm a bit terrified what my aptitude test will tell me; not just that it will tell me to stay, but that it will tell me to leave too. Is it possible to want both equally? Were you this conflicted? You transferred, so I'm sure you were. Was it hard to leave? Do you regret it?

I have to say, I was surprised to learn that you are 18. I'm not sure why, but I figured that everyone who would participate would be older. I turned 16 a few weeks ago. We don't celebrate birthdays in Abnegation. I always wanted to though. It seems like a good reason to celebrate.

There's so much more running through my head, but I'll leave it at this for now. Thank you, you know, for breaking the rules for me. Oh, and I realize that I didn't specifically say, but I'm a girl, in case you were wondering.

Sincerely,

Six

Abnegation? Does it still come through so much? I sigh. This girl is very perceptive. And the fact that she is actually Abnegation makes me pause. If I give away too much about myself, there's a good chance she will figure out who I am. I didn't want to hold back, at all, but now I feel like I must. Not for me though; I can take the consequences. But if she is found out, and then they find out she's breaking the rules with me on top of it? I'm not sure what they would do to her. I do know that I couldn't handle being the reason.

Six,

Abnegation or Amity? Interesting. In fact, you are wrong. I am Dauntless. If there is one thing this program has taught me in our few short letters, it's that personality doesn't always dictate faction.

I'm not going to lie to you. I was terrified on my Choosing Day, for more than one reason. My aptitude test gave me the result I expected, but I felt the same way you do. Still do sometimes. I don't regret the choice I made, at least not in the traditional sense. Dauntless allowed me to become someone new, and for that I am glad. But the reason I chose Dauntless is very complicated, and sometimes I think that maybe it wasn't the best reason. I could have became the person I am now in my original faction, it would have just taken a lot more work.

Listen, Six. Whether your test tells you Abnegation or Amity or Dauntless, it doesn't matter. You should do what you feel is right, and only you know what right is. I don't know you personally, but that doesn't mean I don't care. I don't want you, or anyone really, to look back on their life or the choices that were made and regret anything.

I have always disliked the way the Abnegation won't even recognize birthdays. It's the one day of the year they should celebrate, seeing as how if you weren't born on that day, you wouldn't be around to do all your selfless deeds.

If your heart ends up telling you Dauntless, I promise that I will personally hand deliver the largest piece of Dauntless cake anyone has ever seen to you on your next birthday. And trust me, it's the greatest thing ever. Just some food for thought.

Goodnight, Six. And don't stress too much. It's only the rest of your life.

Four

As I lick the envelope closed, a thought crosses my mind. Small, fair skin, blonde hair, grey eyes. Defiant eyes. No. It couldn't be.

Beatrice

Dauntless? I mean, it makes perfect sense, him breaking the rules and all, but Dauntless?

I smooth my hair and dress, as if they suddenly became disheveled upon this revelation, and read over the letter again. Right after the mention of a giant piece of Dauntless cake, whatever that is, I noticed he made no mention of his original faction. Either he's taking the whole 'faction before blood' thing seriously, or he doesn't want me to know. I'm betting on the latter.

As caring and not at all what I imagined a Dauntless member to be, I don't think my original assessment of Amity or Abnegation is all that far off. But if he purposely made no mention of it, I won't pry. I don't want to ruin, well, whatever this is.

Dear Four,

When you're right, you're right. I would hope that the others come to the same conclusion, but seeing as how they're probably obeying the rules, they won't. I have to say, while I'm still nervous, you're observations have helped me, and I don't think I could ever repay you. Unless I do happen to choose Dauntless, in which case I can. But be warned, I will also bring along your last letter, frame it, and hang it on your wall. You owe me one cake.

I do have to ask though, what is so special about it? I have seen cake before, but I have never tasted it. Obviously. Is it really that good? Is Dauntless cake different from regular cake? It's possible that I could allow food to determine my selection depending on your answers!

So, Dauntless? I must say, I am surprised. So have you worked with new transfers before or is this your first year? It seems pretty exciting. Abnegation initiation is boring. Just a bunch of community service. So basically, it's the same as every other day. I have heard that Candor is the hardest, being put under the truth serum. The idea behind total honesty is nice, but sometimes, you just have secrets that you want to keep, you know? Well, that was a stupid question. I know you know, and now I'm laughing at myself.

What sort of jobs are there in Dauntless? Abnegation is basically council member, or some level of interaction with the Factionless. Distributing, delivering, organizing. Not a whole lot of choices. I imagine every other faction has loads to choose from.

Do you ever wish things were different, Four? That you didn't have to worry about making a choice at all? It would be nice if we just knew our place, without having to worry about a single moment deciding the rest of our lives. I would think that life would be so much easier that way.

Thank you, again. I look forward to your letters. Sometimes I feel like they're the only thing that feels right in my life.

Sincerely,

Six

I run my hand over the envelope one more time, making sure it's sealed tight before placing it in my folder. I still can't wrap my head around it. I lucked out and got exactly what I wanted. This is a true glimpse into life after choosing.

I think about all I've been taught about the Dauntless. We've always been told how loud, careless, reckless and dangerous they are. But not Four; there's no way he could be that. I imagine life would be very awkward and lonely in a place like Dauntless knowing there is not another person around that you can relate to. It's hard enough here, and we're the most accepting faction there is.

I ignore my homework and think for a while about the various Dauntless I've seen in my life. Besides the kids in school, there aren't many interactions between our factions. The kids of course are loud and rowdy, but so are the Candor, so that's no real indication of anything really. Twice Dauntless guards have been dispatched to deal with out of control Factionless while I was out delivering food. Both times they seemed to come in, do their job, and leave. No chance for observation there either.

My thoughts drift to the boy I saw the other day replacing the camera. His eyes were so blue, and I saw something in them in that small moment; something that made my stomach feel like it was filled with butterflies. I flush at the memory. He's the only Dauntless member I've really seen that wasn't patrol or in school. My heart races as a realization hits me. I open my folder in a daze and take out the letters. I shake my hands out and read them again, this time slowly, and take in the information I have been given.

Tall, tan skin, blue eyes, dark hair, security cameras. I try to swallow, but my mouth is completely dry. This isn't possible, is it?

I eagerly await the start of class today. Even though I won't read my letter until after school, just having it seems to send a wave of energy through me. Mrs. Bradford walks in, and the look on her face tells me something is wrong.

"Everyone, attention please. I'm sorry to say that after only a few short weeks, the Integration Correspondence Initiation is being stopped. With the various leaders being forced to participate, they realized quickly that this isn't a very good plan, and that with all the rules and restrictions they placed on it, it was difficult to reach the goals they had set."

No. This can't be happening. I keep my face as blank as possible, and take a quick look around the classroom. Everyone seems so relieved. How could I have ever been so hopeful?

This is the one time I wish my thoughts would have betrayed me.