Eascaping Amity

The Choosing

I'm awoken by the sound of an announcement on each corner of town. Its hard to choke out but today is the choosing ceremony, my choosing ceremony. I wish I could put the pillow over my ears and eyes blocking out the real world and the sun of the newly broken day. Today I will have to make my choice whether to leave and be myself or to stay and retain the job I have always made mine, taking care of the only person I can call family. But I know the internal strength of Max he is the only seven year old I know that could put up with my Moms irresponsible behavior. I know what's right and I know what my heart wants but is it normal that they are two different things. I slip out of the covers putting on the amity attire, nothing more then a red dress and yellow tights with a small pair of flats.

My door creaks open with a bit of a nudge of the handle. I continue to open it with the sharp sounds coming from the hinges. I scoot past the creaky floor board that has taken years to get down its location and peak my head into Max's room. "Fast asleep" I whisper entering the small disheveled room. I close the brightly light blinds and leave with a kiss on his forehead, I know he will be save and now I need to make sure I'm safe too.

Down the steps and to the left is my mom passed out legs sprawled out of it wasn't for Max sleeping I would of slammed the door on the way out making sure she knew I was gone, trying to trigger some sort of guilt she never felt. She'd be gone doing whatever she does everyday by sunrise anyway.

As the piercing sun reaches my eyes I squint for protection, the Rays seam to make it a more peaceful day then it should. Girls laugh down the path sharing their results and taking about their new live that they will experience in their new homes. Boys march down the sidewalks sharing of what they expect to do once their choice is made, and others almost look as though they are tiptoeing on glass as if they know they will be back to their family's after the ceremony is finished.

"Hey Rose!" I know that voice it's Denise. Honestly I don't want to be near her. I want to be alone. It's not like I can tell her that I may be killed after my choice but whose to say a little time talking to her wont cheer me up."

She catches up to me and drifts by my side. "So where did you go after school last night."

"I had to get home Denise it was my brothers birthday and you know my mom."

"You got that right, soooooo..... are you nervous for today." Denise says knowing something's bothering me and trying to pry at my unopened secrets.

"Nervous doesn't even cut it, it's hard because I have my brother to worry about now."

"Well I say just go with whatever your test says."

Little does she know that that's a funny way to put it. My test just happened to have three results so if I go with what my test says than what is the right answer?"

"Well we better head out or we might be late Candor is waiting for us." I say trying to change the awkward subject.

"What ever is bothering you Rose just try not to think about it, and yes I know something is bothering you because I am your friend and that's how friends work."

"Denise, have I ever thanked you for that." I say quietly under my breath.

"For what Rose?"

"You know for being my friend though thick and thin you are always there for me and I just wanted you to know I appreciate it."

"Oh Rose don't go soft on me now or I may just have to ditch you here." She says laughing as she punches my shoulder.

I laugh back, man am I going to miss her. The thing is I think I know what I need to to today I need to do what I've known I was gonna do all my life. I need to be me.

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"Welcome everyone to the choosing ceremony today as you may not know is the start of your newly unspoken lives the day that you all choose where you shall be for the rest of your years. As you may not know we have four bowls as you approach the table it will be your time to choose. Simply take the knife that is give to you and take your choice. But do remember a choice can not be undone and you will have to go through with what you pick or you may be factionless. Now as all other hosts of the ceremony must I say let the choosing begin." Kira the leader of Candor says as she swiftly enter the stage from one end and stops at the center near the bowls.

Somewhere a voice bellows from the unknown beginning by saying each name. Some of which where my fellow classmates and others who I have never seen in my life. Dauntless with tattoos and piercings, amity in there colors with their mellow intent faces. Euridite looking deeply into the citation calculating everyone step they make, and Candor with their eyes like an open book preparing to reveal their most deep secret, and their only secret, their choice.

I feel light headed watching each man and women ahead of me. The blood the oozes from the open wound into each bowl. One after another I remember each choice. Candor, Amity, Dauntless Amity, Erudite, Erudite, Candor, Dauntless, Candor, Candor, Amity, until it is my name in which is called.

"Rose Hannikin" I stutter for a minute staying in my seat unaware that it is my turn to make my decision. Everything goes silent as I lift my body from the cold white seat and approach the steps to the upper stage. I feel my body shaking and I know I look nervous, because I definitely feel frightened.

These bowls are the carrier of my future my choice my life. I turn around to see Max still in his PJ in the stage a tear slide down my eye as he mouths out the words I will be okay. I close my eyes and place the knife in my palm making a small swift cut along the center. I then still eyes close place my hand out into the bowl I front of me, everything still quiet.

"Dauntless!" The unknown man shouts

The dauntless look like they are cheer while others whisper in there seats, yet I still can't hear a thing. What have I done, I say to myself. I can't help but think what I've done is what I've wanted to do for years now

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Thank you guys for the long wait but here it is if you have stuck with this book then thank you it feels good to be back at writing again and I hope you enjoyed this short chapter. Don't be afraid to comment you thoughts on this book I love reading all of them. Once again thank you guys and I hope you enjoyed cause it's been a long time.
What do you guys think of her as Dauntless? Do you think it was the right decision? Please comment and like it means a lot
-Zoë 😁