Set during the first stage of initiation.
Disclaimer: I do not own Divergent or any direct quotes from the book.
Tris' POV
"Initiates! Get dressed, you have five minutes."
I open my eyes warily, my vision still blurred from sleep. The room is dimly lit by the singular light that hangs in the centre of the room without a shade, but the outside world is still cloaked in darkness. I wonder what time it is; we weren't permitted to retire to the dormitory until past midnight. I glance around the room at the other initiates, glad that I'm more alert than some. Will's hair is ruffled from sleep and Christina can barely keep her eyes open. I smile to myself as I swing my bare legs from under the covers and tug on my black jeans. I grab my hoodie from my bedside and pull it on over the top of my worn t-shirt.
When Christina is dressed, we walk to the training room in silence. Will trudges behind us, his steps heavy and uncoordinated. Sleep claws at my conscience, but I fight to stay awake and ready.
"I'm so tired," Christina whines, her eyelids drooping slightly. I fight the urge to smile.
"Come on, Chris. Wake up!" I say good-naturedly. "Anything could happen and we have to be prepared."
She mumbles under her breath, and slows down to walk beside Will. I take the hint and walk ahead, a smile playing on my lips at their closeness.
"Today, we're going to play a game that I'm sure most of you have played before," says Eric, stepping away from the board in the training room. His eyes are cold and menacing as they sweep across the room.
"This game will show us which of you belong here, and which of you don't." Eric smirks at me. The smile pulls at the piercings in his lips, making the holes they occupy wider. I realise that I've never seen him smile before, and I don't want him to do it again. I want to speak out, to assure him that I belong here, but words fail me.
Christina clears her throat. "What is this game exactly?"
Eric's smirk widens to a grin. "Truth or dare."
Christina snickers. "Truth or dare? Are you serious?"
"Sounds like the kind of question a Candor would be stupid enough to ask," Four says, raising an eyebrow. Christina nods, the blood rushing to her cheeks.
"Four and I will be your team captains," says Eric. He looks at Four. "Let's divide up the transfers first, shall we?"
I lean back against the wall. If they're picking us, I'll be chosen last; I can feel it.
"You go first," Four says.
Eric shrugs. "Edward."
Four nods. He scans the group of transfers briefly, without calculation, and says, "I want the Stiff."
I hear murmurs from the room, followed by a quiet laughter. Heat rushes into my cheeks as I step forward. I'm unsure whether to be angry at the people for laughing at me, or flattered at the fact that he chose me first.
"Got something to prove?" asks Eric, with his trademark smirk. "Or are you just picking the weak ones so that if you lose, you'll have someone to blame it on?"
Four shrugs. "Truth or dare is about strategy, not physical strength. You need tactic and intellect to win. You'd do good to remember that next time."
I scowl at my hands. Four's strategy is based on the idea that I'm weaker than the other initiates. Though I may be smarter, he still pointed out that I'm inferior in a way that won't benefit me here in Dauntless.
"Your turn," Four says.
"Peter."
"Will."
I frown. Will isn't one of the weak ones. What exactly is he doing?
"Molly."
"Christina."
"Al," says Eric.
"Drew."
"Last one left is Myra, so she's with me," says Eric. "Dauntless-born initiates next."
I stop listening once they're finished with us. This can't be just an ordinary game of truth or dare, I'm sure of it. Eric said that it would prove who belonged in Dauntless and who didn't, but how? The dares would show bravery and a willingness to prove yourself, but choosing truth would show what? Cowardice?
They finish choosing teams, and Eric smirks at Four. I can see no sign of doubt in Eric's eyes; he's sure his team will win. But Four's expression says different. Eric is more ruthless than Four, but Four is smarter.
"Rules," Eric says. "If you pick truth, you stand in front of the target while Four throws knives. If you flinch, you're out."
My chest tightens. I'm not surprised by the rules; I knew there would be a consequence for cowardice.
"If you refuse the dare that's given to you, you're out," says Four.
Christina prods me in the ribs, and I wince. "They won't have any initiates left at this rate," she mumbles, a deep frown creases her forehead.
Eric smirks. "My team, follow me. We'll meet back here in an hour. Go!"
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