Dauntless Rising

Final Test

Arabella's POV

Luke led me back to the bunk room. "Don't you wanna eat?"

"I'm not hungry." He smiled, pulling me close and pressing his lips to mine. I melted under his touch. No. This isn't right. I love James. But I couldn't let go. Something was pulling me towards him, like a magnet. I didn't know what to do except stay in his arms until he let go. But I couldn't stop thinking about James.

~~~~~~~~~

Anastasia's POV (one week later)

It was the day of the final simulation. I had practiced with Four many times, as had everyone else, and my fears were the same every time. Tris has told me, "solve your fears the way a Dauntless would." If I did this, then I could pass the final test without my status as a divergent being discovered. After trying this multiple times, I felt I was ready.

Tris came to me right before we went in for the test. "There's something I need to show you." She pulled me away from the crowd.

"What?"

"This." She held up a vial of serum.

"What is that?"

"We don't know. The Erudite were loading hundreds of these into our storage area. Four and I think they might be planning something, possibly to do with overthrowing Abnegation. Be ready for anything."

I took a minute to let it sink in. "Alright. Thanks for the heads up."

She nodded and walked in for her test.

~~~~~~~~~

I was in a tank that was quickly filling with water. I frantically thought back to what I had practiced. I pulled off my sweatshirt and stuffed it into the pipe that the water was spilling out of. The scene shifted.

I was walking in the woods when I heard a man behind me. A gun appeared and I grabbed it, turned around, closed my eyes, and fired the gun in the direction of the sound.

I got to my final fear. I didn't look to see who was there, because if I did I wouldn't be able to kill them. This isn't real, I reminded myself. I fired five shots. When the scene didn't change, I looked up. Alex was standing there.

"Don't do it, Ana! I love you! Don't do it, please!" Tears ran down his face and threatened to take over me. I fought back the tears. I closed my eyes and pulled the trigger.

I started awake, in a chair in a large room. Dauntless leaders surrounded me, and I spotted Jeanine Matthews, the Erudite leader. What was she doing here? They looked pleased and I sighed, slightly relieved.

I walked out to see Ara, Angie and Melody.

"Alex?"

"He just left."

I looked down and frowned. Ara put her hand on my shoulder. "It's gonna be okay. He'll come around." I nodded.

Angie piped up. "But hey, you did great! You'll get in for sure!"

"Thanks." I smiled. The last person walked out of the simulation room, and an announcement was made that they were posting the final rankings. I looked up and stared at the screen.