Divergent: A Retelling

Capture the Flag

We all quickly get dressed and run up to the tracks. I'm exhausted, but also strangely excited to see where we're going. We push past other Dauntless in the pit, who don't seem surprised to see us running.

We get to the tracks just behind the Dauntless-born. We get on the train and stand in a black mass of initiates.

On the floor of the train are around two dozen guns and a crate of bullets. "Are we going to shoot something?" Hisses Christina next to me. I shrug. "Everyone grab a gun!" Yells Eric. We all grab them and I realize that they aren't real. I look at the crate of bullets. They aren't real either. Tris must've noticed too, because she gives a small laugh. "We'll be divided into two teams to play capture the flag. Each team will have an even mix of members, Dauntless-born initiates and transfers. One team will get off first to hide their flag, and the other will get off and follow suit."

The Car sways, and Four grabs the side of the car for balance. "This is Dauntless tradition, so I suggest you take it seriously." "What do we get if we win?" Shouts someone. Four raises an eyebrow.

"Sounds like the kind of question someone not from Dauntless would ask. You get to win, of course." "What about the guns? They're fake; they won't do anything." Says Molly, who's standing against the wall. Eric smiles and points the gun at her leg. He pulls the trigger and she slams into the wall, with a shout of pain. It makes us all jump.

"She's right. The bullets aren't real. But, when you get hit with them it feels like a gunshot and will last for two minutes." Says Four, looking at each of us. "Four and I will be your team captains." Says Eric. he looks at Four. "Let's divide up transfers, shall we?" I pray I'm not on Eric's team. "You go first." Says Four.
"Edward." Says Eric with a shrug. Four nods and leans against the train. "I want the stiff." There's faint laughter all around. Tris looks surprised. "Got something to prove?" Asks Eric with a smirk "Or are you just picking the weak ones so that, if you lose, you have someone to blame it on?" Four shrugs. "Something like that. Your turn."
"Peter."
"Christina."
"Townes." I look up. Eric chose me? Is it just because I'm a good fighter?

Four clenches his jaw.
"Will." Says Four, biting his nail.

"Al."

"Drew."

"Molly." "Last one left is Myra, so she's with me." Says Four.

"Dauntless born initiates next." I stop paying attention. I groan internally at the people on my team. We are so going to lose.

After they finish picking their team members from the Dauntless born, I look at the teams. I've played capture the flag before, when I was a kid. I'd play with my siblings. They always fought over me because I was the smallest and fastest runner. My team, with the exception of me, is made up of tall, broad people. Four's team, with the exception of Will, are all narrow and slim. I sigh. Eric may be more ruthless, but Four is smarter.

"Your team can get off second." Says Eric to Four. "Don't do me any favors." Four replies. He smiles a little. "You know I don't need them to win." "No, I know that you'll lose no matter when you get off," Says Eric, biting down briefly on one of his lip rings. "Take your scrawny team and get off first then." I make eye contact with Tris. Oh how I wish I was on that team. At least I have Al. As Tris aims to jump off the train, Molly steps forward and shoves her shoulder, almost sending her toppling out. I glare at her as Tris turns to see who pushed her. She can't tell who it was and jumps out of the train. "Ok, while they're placing their flag, we need to come up with a strategy." Says Eric. "There's a tower about a half mile that way." Says Molly, looking out at the train. I sigh and shake my head. "Bad idea." I mutter. Eric looks at me. "You got something to say?"He asks, folding his arms. "Uh, I was just saying it's a bad idea. We don't want to put the flag in one of the easiest places to see." "Oh, yeah is that what you think?" Says Eric, folding his arms. "Well, yeah. Or I wouldn't have said it." Peter snorts next to me and Al lets out a small laugh. "Look, sunshine," Says Eric with a snarl, "I don't need your sarcasm."