Game of Survival - A Tobias Eaton Story

- 2 -

Kaitlyn's POV

When I arrived home, my mother and brother were already sitting at the kitchen table, quietly eating dinner.

"Hey, sweetie. What took you so long?" my mother asked, glancing at the clock.

"I took the long way home. Needed some time to think after the test," I replied, taking a seat beside my brother.

"How was it?" Thomas asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It was fine. What's for dinner?" I deflected, hoping to delay the inevitable conversation.

"Only your favorite," Mom said with a small smile.

"Steak and mashed. Yum." I smiled back and dug in, savoring the familiar comfort food.

Mom's gaze lingered on me for a moment before she asked, "So, what was your result?"

I hesitated. "Are we even allowed to talk about that?"

"Of course," she assured me. "I asked your brother what he got after his test."

Thomas had taken his test two years ago. I still found it amusing that he'd been placed in Candor—of all factions—but in the end, he chose to stay in Erudite. He was honest, always speaking his mind, but his loyalty to our family and desire to lead kept him here. Now, he was already following in my mother's footsteps, rising in the ranks alongside Jeanine.

"I got Dauntless," I said, watching their reactions.

For a moment, the room felt charged with tension. My mother and Thomas both stiffened slightly at the word. I could feel the weight of the silence that followed.

"Dauntless?" Thomas echoed, sounding surprised. I nodded, taking another bite of steak to mask my unease.

"I wasn't expecting that," my mother said, her voice distant. "But I'm happy for you." Her expression was tight, like she was trying to process it.

Thomas nudged me gently, offering a reassuring smile. But the rest of dinner was quiet—too quiet. The reality of my result was sinking in, and we all felt it. After we finished, I cleared the plates and began washing them in the kitchen, trying to focus on the task instead of the looming decision I had to make.

As I finished, my mother walked in, Thomas trailing behind her. She placed a hand on my shoulder, her voice soft. "You should get some rest, honey. Tomorrow's a big day."

Without thinking, I stepped into her arms, letting her hug me tightly. She kissed my forehead, and I felt my brother's arms wrap around us both in a rare moment of closeness.

"I love you both," I whispered, feeling the tears burn at the edges of my eyes.

"We love you, too," my mother replied before gently untangling herself from us and heading toward her bedroom. I watched her go, the realization hitting me that tonight could be the last time we were all together like this.

Thomas stayed behind, his face serious as he looked at me. "You have to think about the family, Kate. But you also have to think about yourself. Tomorrow, that's all that matters."

I nodded, feeling the weight of his words sink into my chest. We hugged once more, and I left him standing in the kitchen, alone with his thoughts.

I lay awake that night, staring at the ceiling. My mind wouldn't stop racing—Dauntless or Erudite? I tossed and turned, unable to find peace. Tomorrow, I'd have to make a choice that could change everything. And no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was about to leave something important behind.

In the morning, I rose early, feeling the weight of the day ahead. I dressed carefully in a neat blue dress and blazer, slipping into my matching flats. After tying my hair back into a simple ponytail, I left the house, my heart pounding in anticipation.

When I arrived at the hall, I was met with a sea of faces, each divided by faction. At the center of the room stood five bowls—stones for Abnegation, soil for Amity, glass for Candor, water for Erudite, and coals for Dauntless. My palms were slick with sweat as I made my way toward the Erudite section, spotting my brother immediately. He sent me a smile, but my gaze shifted to the woman beside him—Jeanine.

"Ah, Kaitlyn. I didn't realize you'd be making your choice today," Jeanine said as soon as she noticed me.

"Hello, Ms. Matthews," I replied, forcing a polite smile.

"Please, call me Jeanine. No need for formalities—you're practically family," she added, her tone warm, though something felt off.

She was right, of course. Jeanine had been a constant presence in my life since I was a baby, almost like an aunt. But something about today felt different, distant, as if a gap had widened between us that I couldn't explain.

"If I could have your attention, please. The ceremony will begin shortly," a man's voice boomed over the PA.

Jeanine squeezed my shoulder gently. "Choose wisely, Kaitlyn. Good luck." With a final nod, she moved past me, disappearing into the crowd.

My brother gave me a quick hug. "I love you," he whispered before following Jeanine to sit with the Erudite leadership.

Taking a deep breath, I joined the group of nervous teens, my heart racing as Marcus Eaton came forward to begin the ceremony. He started calling names, working his way backward from Z to A.

"Caleb Prior," he announced, and I watched as a lanky boy I'd noticed with the Abnegation girl earlier stood up.

He took the knife, cut his hand, and let his blood drip into the Erudite bowl.

"Erudite," Marcus declared, and a wave of whispers spread through the Abnegation crowd. I saw Caleb's family in the distance, their faces strained with shock and sorrow. Caleb briefly looked their way before walking over to the Erudite section, where my mother and brother welcomed him.

Then Marcus called the next name. "Beatrice Prior."

Beatrice rose from the Abnegation section, looking small and anxious. She hesitated as Marcus handed her the knife, her eyes flicking between the bowls. Then, just as her hand moved toward the Abnegation stones, she shifted, slicing her hand over the coals.

"Dauntless."

Gasps rippled through the room as her family stared in disbelief. Beatrice looked back at them for only a second before heading toward the Dauntless section, where they greeted her with loud cheers and slaps on the back. She hesitantly took a seat among them, her future now set.

The names kept coming, and then I heard mine.

"Kaitlyn Johnson."

My heart skipped a beat as I stood, feeling the weight of every gaze in the room. I walked slowly down the steps, my mind swirling with doubt. My eyes found my mother and brother—they both nodded encouragingly, but I could see the hope lingering behind their composed expressions.

Marcus passed me the knife. It felt heavier than I expected, like it carried the weight of the choice I was about to make.

Water or coals. Erudite or Dauntless.

I took a deep breath, pricking the skin of my palm and watching the blood well up. It was time.

With one final glance toward my family, I held my hand over the coals and let my blood fall.

"Dauntless."

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A little shorter of a chapter, enjoy!