To Escape Reality (Divergent story) Complete*

Chapter 2

Updated: 10/06/2023

I woke up the next day on the floor. I took a deep breath and felt a sharp pain remembering everything that happened last night. I let out silent tears as I carefully stood up looking in the mirror. My eyes widened as I saw my black eye.

Shit

My eyes wandered down to my stomach. I lifted my shirt to reveal a swollen bruise the slightest touch stung. There's no way I didn't crack a rib. Today was going to suck.
I shook my head and threw my clothes on and combed my hair then placed my white knit beanie over top. I looked in the mirror I looked good for the most part. There was no way I could cover my black eye, frowning I made my way down stairs where my parents greeted me with a smile.
Until they saw my eye, "oh my gosh Willow your eye what happened to you?!"
I glanced at my brother he glared at me.
"I uh hit my head on the dresser when I was changing I'm fine mom"

I'm not fine.

Oh sweetie you need to be more careful she looked me up and down taking in my outfit. "Oh Willow you look beautiful today, I'm so proud of you, are you ready to go?"

"Yes"I whispered.

We walked in and as we made our way to our seats I looked up and noticed Jeanine Matthews. To be honest I thought she was nice I frowned thinking I would leave Erudite behind.
"Ah Good morning Sarah and Mark". She turned and looked at my brother and I.
"Good to see you again, Vincent. Oh and Willow I didn't know you were choosing today. I hope you choose well I'm sure your parents and brother will fully support you."
I fake smiled at her and nodded "I hope so too ma'am."

Then we made our way to our seats. I sat down, my brother was to my right and my mom and dad to my left. I was so nervous till I looked over and saw Kailey she smiled at me and gave me a thumbs up. Soon the crowd quieted down and Jeanine gave her speech then Marcus. I noticed the 5 bowls on the table along with the knife. Glass for Candor, Soil for Amity, grey stones for Abnegation, Water for Erudite and finally burning coals for Dauntless. Marcus started calling names then I heard.

(Note I know that this whole ceremony I think is done in alphabetical order but whatever. I also decided to add Tris in starting now. She isn't going to end up with Four though.)

"Kailey Woods and Willow Courtney."

I watched Kailey smile at me and go up to the table she didn't hesitate. Quickly cutting into hand her blood dripped into the Dauntless bowl. Dauntless started cheering. I sighed in relief I wasn't going to be alone. I stood up and glanced at my family then headed to the table I looked at all the bowls and took the knife in my hand and made a small cut. I looked at my family dead in the eyes then at my brother and thrusted my hand over the burning coals.

My blood sizzled hitting the coals. "DAUNTLESS!" I saw my parents cry and my brother shot daggers at me. I turned around and headed over to my new faction sitting right next to Kailey who patted me on the back. There were two more people before the ceremony was over. "Nina Gentry," Marcus yelled. A girl from Amity stood up and made her way to the bowls, she had long red hair, the natural red and she was wearing a flower crown and mostly red at least it wasn't clashing like some of what the outfits in Amity were. I always thought the color choices of Amity were quite odd. We all watched her as she thrust her hand over the burning coals. "DAUNTLESS!" Marcus yelled out. My new faction let out cheers and clapped as I glanced over to Amity who all looked shocked and whispered to each other. I knew Amity and Dauntless didn't get along too much violence. Next was Beatrice from Abnegation she also picked Dauntless. 3 surprises in one day.

After the ceremony, Dauntless lead the way down the steps. I looked at Kailey excitement filling my eyes I was finally free.

I'll never be free

"Shall we run?"
"We shall!" she screamed in delight and so we followed the dauntless born and other transfers. The dauntless born didn't hesitate to start climbing I glanced at Kailey who was climbing as well, quickly grabbing a hold of the metal structure and followed.
"What do you think they are waiting for?" The train of course we have to jump on the train. "You mean it's not going to stop?" asked Will. "I don't think so"

It came around the corner and I followed behind Kailey and jumped on with ease I struggled a bit. I went to jump but my foot slipped I saw an arm reach out and grab and pull me in. I looked up to see Kailey grinning at me. "What would you do without me?"

I chuckled and looked over to see a Candor girl next to Nina and Beatrice.

"My name's Christina."

"Sup I'm Nina." That was a surprisingly way to introduce herself. The one I saw at the ceremony named Beatrice introduced herself as well.

I looked at the both of them and smiled weakly.
"Willow and this is Kailey."
"Is it not just me or are they trying to kill us?" I laughed and it was a genuine laugh. We talked and got to know each other till a lady said get ready.
"Get ready for what?" Christina asked.

I looked outside the train and saw them jumping. I looked over at Kailey, Nina, Beatrice, and Christina "they're jumping." "What?! What if you don't jump" I heard a boy say.
"You become factionless duh come on Al" another boy answered. I looked at Kailey.

"Together"
Together she responded.

The others followed behind. We took a running start and jumped Christina and Nina rolled and landed while Kailey and I landed on our feet. Beatrice unfortunately got pretty banged up but she made it.
"Whoa how did you guys do that?" I looked at Kailey surprised "I don't know but come on they are gathered over there"

(So I changed this part for Eric to be down with Four okay back to the story)

They followed me into the crowd and noticed someone standing on the ledge. "My name is Max. I'm one of the Dauntless leaders. To make it into Dauntless you have to jump off this ledge."
"Is there water at the bottom or something?" Will asked.
"Guess you'll have to find out?" Max smirked. But somebody has to go first. He looked around in the crowd.
"I'll go"
Beatrice barely whispered.
Once she jumped her new name was announced from below.

"FIRST JUMPER, TRIS!"

"Alright who is next!?"

"I'll go!"

Kailey and I say it at the same time we smiled at each other and walked to ledge. Max hopped down and smiled. Kailey looked at me "do you want to go first?"
I looked at and backed off "no you go."
She smiled and stepped on the ledge and without hesitating she swan dived off the ledge I smiled to myself. Kailey is insane.

(Switching POV to Kailey for a bit)

Kailey's pov

Willow looked at me and nodded for me to go first. I gladly did. I wanted to be dramatic so I swan dived off. I laughed in delight and landed on a net. I cheered and felt somebody help me off the net. I looked over at who helped me and saw the most handsome guy I have ever seen. He had short dark brown hair and he was very muscular. "What's your name?" he asked. I looked at him and thought for a second. "It's Kyra" New faction new me, he smiled at me and then looked out

"SECOND JUMPER KYRA!" I heard others cheer my name as he helped me down and I stood next to the net waiting for Willow.

(back to Willow)

It was my turn to step onto the ledge I stepped up and closed my eyes thinking of a new beginning.

"Today initiate"
I heard Max say and with that I jumped off the ledge doing a flip in the air. I waited for the landing and I fell into a net. Letting out a sigh of relief but also hissing in pain from my healing bruises. I threw my hands in the air and cheered till I felt the net dip down and somebody strong helped me down I looked up at who helped me.

Everything around me seemed to disappear
blond hair with the sides shaved. His ears were pierced and he had two piercings over his eyebrow and tattoos that went along his neck and on his arms. Gasping softly I stared into his pale bluish grey eyes, his eyes widened staring back at me.

"Eric?"