CHOOSE.
"No matter what," Jared squeezes both of his children. Caldera and Synodic incline their heads to listen to their fathers words. Candor's were honest, and if asked to repeat the words to his children, Jared Hemelo would. But, as they stood about to line up to choose their faction, he had only wanted his words to meet their ears, "Know that I am proud of you, and know that your mother would be as well."
Synodic's jaw clenches and Caldera blinks away what resolve she has left. Her father always seemed to know when she was lying, and the false smile on her face was of the boldest lies he's seen yet.
The twins whisper a last "love you" before their father retreats to his seat among a sea of black and white. The twins look at each other, jaws clenched and resolve slowly building itself back up. The two line up, nestled in between an amity boy and an Abnegation girl. The names are being read slowly, one after another, and Caldera knows she will come after her brother.
HE WILL CHOOSE FIRST.
"Synodic Hemelo."
His strides are long and he accepts the knife without looking into the eyes of the Candor council representative. In a single swift motion he slides the knife along his palm and shakes his hand above the burning coals.
It is no surprise to the crowd, Candor children tend to transfer to dauntless often, but Caldera can hear the whispers towards her father as her brother strides towards the cheering Dauntless. She clenches her jaw, it's the only thing she knows will stop the tears from pooling in her eyes. She's not afraid. She tells herself that she doesn't know fear.
LIAR.
"Caldera Hemelo."
Her steps are slower than her brothers, she's not questioning the choice she will make. Caldera knows that her choice is the only one she's ever felt right about, something she never differed from. She feels, that by taking slower steps, she is helping her father with the inevitable. She knows that Candor will believe him when he says that his children did not "defect", they simply found themselves. She knows, that Candor will believe him when he says that his children are good and where they belong. But, deep down, she knows that it is not the opinions of the other Candor that matter. She accepts the knife from Jack Kang (this years council representative just had to be Candor, of course) and offers him a solid and stiff nod.
Her eyes don't flutter with nerves, her shaking has stopped but her palms pool with sweat and blood after she drags the knife across her skin.
INHALE.
She lifts her hand above the sizzling coals and lets the thick crimson drop. It bubbles, looking like a small pool of lava on the rock.
EXHALE.
Her chin is high as she makes her way towards the cheering Dauntless. Her brother sports a sheepish smile as a male shakes him back and forth with one hand, while the other reaches for Caldera excitedly.
"Siblings!"
Her brothers resolve is stronger than hers, and Caldera is the only one of the two who spares a glance at her father.
He is looking right at her and her brother, his eyes glossy with unshed tears.
But the ghost of a smile is etched on his lips, and Caldera can feel his emotions from the sea of dark clothing.
PROUD.
AUTHORS NOTE
Dauntless next chapter! Who do you think will jump first? Synodic or Caldera?
Thank you for reading!