Candor or Dauntless: Truth or Dare (Watty Awards 2013)

Part 4: Simulations

We walk to The Chasm.
Four speaks, "This is The Chasm. One mistake and it could end your life."
I add in, "The Chasm reminds us that there is a fine line between idiocy and bravery. One jump can end your life." They all nod. We stop near the Pit.
"I'm Four and this is Six. We will be your Instructors." Four says. 
Alex butts in, "Like the numbers?"
I walk over to him and put my face in his, "Yes, the numbers. Got a problem with that, Candor?" He shakes his head. I walk back to Four.
"This is The Pit. You will do your shopping here."
I here a low chuckle from Alex, "The Pit? Very original." He says.
Once again I walk over to him, "If I wanted to deal with Candor Smart mouths I would have joined their faction. Your Dauntless, act like it!" I yell at his face.
He laughs again, "Do you think I'm scared of you? Your like twelve!" He laughs back at me. I step on his toes and punch him in the jaw. He falls to the floor. I walk back to Four.
He elbows me in the side, "Nice job, Six." He whispers. I smile.
"If anyone else has any problems, they can take it up with me, okay?" I say. 
Everyone nods. Alex is off the floor now.
"Hey Alex, scared now?" I tease him. He scowls. "Like I was saying, this is The Pit. You will shop for new clothes here, get tattoos, and piercings. Today, is a free day. Be in the Training Room by 8 for training." I say and walk off. They all separate. I walk off towards the Training Room.

Taking a gun off the table, I shoot it at the target. I don't hear anyone enter, but I hear the doors close. I don't turn around until I hear the doors lock. I point the gun at the shadows near the door. He turns around and raises his hands in submission. He walks towards me and I see him. It's...

Four. He steps in front of me to where the gun lines up with his chest. I don't fire. Instead, I lower my gun.
"Tris, please forget about the whole Konnor thing. I'm nothing without you. Please, I've lost so much and I don't want to lose you. Please." He begs me.
I sigh, "But aren't you and Konnor?" I question calmly. He shakes his head and grabs my free hand.
"No, Tris. I wanted to show you what it felt like. She hasn't seen my Fear Landscape. I would never show anyone, except you, that. It's too private. I love you, Tris." He says and pulls me into an embrace. I hug him back, the gun pressing into his back.
I pull away, "I forgive you. I understand. I did the same thing to you with Uriah. I'm sorry too." He smiles and leans down and kisses me. We go for dinner, and make sure we sit far enough apart so that no one guesses our relationship's back on. I say goodbye to him and go to Uriah's room. This is going to be hard.

I stand out side of Uriah's room and knock.
He opens to door slowly, "Hey, Tris. Um...We need to talk." I nod.
I sit on his bed and he speaks first, "This is hard to say, but I can't date you anymore. Marlene and I are sorta together."
I nod and smile, "Good! I came here to tell you that Four and I are a thing too!" He smiles too. I hug him tightly.
Standing, I say, "Alright, at least it wasn't hard to say. Thank god!" He nods. "Bye, Uriah!" I say over my shoulder.
He replies, "Bye, Trissy!" I'm exhausted, so I head to bed. I enter my apartment and grab a change of clothes. I head to the shower and take a short shower. I put on a black pajama set and lay down in bed. I pull the blankets up over my chest. I fall asleep and dream of Tobias. I am awakened hours later to my alarm. It was the best sleep I've had in weeks. I change into a white tanktop and a thin, lacey over shirt and black yoga pants. I make my way to the Initiate's dorms.

I walk in and yell, "WAKE UP! IT'S 8:05!" Everyone gets up except, Alex. I knew I was going to have trouble with him. I step over to his bunk and shake his shoulders. He groans and I push him off his bed. He stands straight up in his underwear.
"What's wrong, Candor?" I badger him. He blushes and runs into the bathroom. Everyone is dressed. "Meet me in the Training Room in 10." I say as I leave.

I wait on the Training Room and everyone arrives. Jess and Dylan stand close to each other, Bekkah and Anna seem like friends, and I don't like the looks of the last group, Cleo, Alex, and Jaden. Four arrives late, with a scowl on his face. He walks over to me and puts his arm across my shoulders. I allow that considering it's a friendly gesture.
"Okay, so today we are going through your Fear Simulation. Only I will be seeing them. You, however will be experiencing them. It's one of your many fears. You have to face that fear or calm your heart rate to escape. Alex you will be going first. Let's go, everyone follow me." I walk with Four, Jess, and Dylan. Alex is behind everyone.
I turn around and walk backwards up the stairs ,"Pick up the pace, Alex!" I yell down to him. I turn back around.
Four is looking at him, "You don't want to mess with her. You'd be dead in a minute." Four says charmingly. I smile. We reach the top floor and I take Alex into the room with me. Four is setting up the computer outside. I inject Alex with the serum.
He flinches, "Is the big bad Candor boy afraid of needles?" I say in an intimidating voice.
"It will start in 60 seconds, good luck."