Divergent: A Retelling

Visiting Day

TRIGGER WARNING: MENTIONS OF ASSAULT

I begin to walk to lunch alone. Christina will most likely want to walk with Tris, as will Al, and Will will want to walk with Christina.

"What happened to your friends?" Asks Peter, pulling up in stride with me. "Well, seeing as you're here, that must answer your question." I say, not looking at him, "Ouch, still not a fan, huh?" "Never have been and never will be." "Oh come on, sunshine. Haven't we moved past petty competition?" Says Peter with a tone of amusement. I roll my eyes. "Once you stop acting petty I'll stop treating you like you are."

The next morning, I wake up with so much excitement and anxiety I can hardly breathe. The room buzzes as people are bursting to see their families again. But there's also an air of depression. Some people won't see their families today or ever again. Despite the air of excitement, it's dead quiet. No one smiles. Everyone is preparing for the worst. "Attention!" Announces Eric's voice, so loud and sudden that I jump.

"I want to give you some advice about today. If by some miracle your families do come to visit you. . ." He scans our faces, smirking, ". . .which I doubt, it is best not to seem too attached. That will make it easier for you, and easier for them. We also take the phrase 'faction before blood' very seriously here. Attachment to your family suggests you aren't entirely pleased with your faction, which would be shameful. Understand?"

I analyze the tone of threat in Eric's voice. What would they do to us, if we weren't entirely pleased with our faction choice? I know I am, but what about Al? The more time we spend here, the less I'm convinced he belongs here. As Tris and I begin to leave, Eric stops her.

"I may have underestimated you stiff. You did well yesterday."
I don't react on the outside, but to hear Eric praise Tris feels like all kinds of wrong. I can see guilt pinch Tris as she looks up at Eric.

"Thank you." She says, and we slip out of the dormitory. Christina and Will walk ahead of us, laughing and talking. Tris and I share a knowing smile.

It takes me a moment to realize that Al isn't here, walking to the pit with us. He must be already down there. Tris and I begin somewhat subconsciously examining ourselves. I've already come to terms with the fact that my mother won't be showing up, so I don't have to worry about whether or not I get her approval. I know for sure that Sam is coming, so I find a little comfort in that. I wonder if Adam or Valerie are coming? Probably not Val. Her look of shock flashes in my mind, but I shake it off. I realize that, no matter what I'm wearing or what I look like, my siblings, at least, will not care because they love me. Tris and I stop at the end of the hallway.

There are clusters of families all over the pit, mostly Dauntless with their Dauntless born initiates. I laugh at the fascinated look on Tris's face as she looks over them. Mothers with pierced eyebrows and fathers with tattoo sleeves; I have to admit, they look a little peculiar, but not as much to me as Tris thinks. I leave Tris behind me and begin to look for my family. I spot Peter with a tall, bushy faced man and a short, meek looking woman with red hair. The only resemblance he shares with them is the likeness in height with who must be his father. They wear the typical uniform of Candor, black pants and white shirts.

As I look for Sam, and maybe Adam, Val and my mom, I see Will standing with a woman that looks remarkably like him. It must be his sister. Next to them, stands Christina with two people, a dark-skinned woman and an equally dark-skinned young girl. It must be her mother and sister. I smile softly as they embrace.

I delve deeper into the crowd. Surely at least one of them came, right? My heartbeat quickens, my chest tightens and my palms begin to sweat. Finally, I see them. Sam and Adam are standing near a table, looking around nervously for me. They see me and both break into wide grins. I take off through the crowd pushing past people. They run up to me together and I throw myself into their arms. We say nothing for a few seconds, only holding each other tight. The hug breaks and I look up at them, unable to stop smiling. "What happened to your face?"
Said Adam, laughing as he put his hands on my cheeks. "Training, apparently." Said Sam, Smiling. "And you got a tattoo! Oh my- it's covering everything!" says Adam, examining my arm. I laugh as he twists it. "Is Val here? Or mom?" I ask as we sit down at a table. "Oh come one, can you imagine Val in a place like this?" Says Adam, laughing. I know he's trying to make light of the fact that she didn't come, and I go along with it. "I know right, she'd be freaking out at all the piercings and tattoos." "Mom won't leave the house. I think she's scared." Says Sam, rubbing his arm. "Of?" He shrugs. "Seeing you like this. Seeing you happier here than in Amity." "That's her problem." Says Adam, shaking his head.