Invergent

Chapter Five

McKell's Perspective:

My brother and sister sit on either side of me on the bus on the way to the Choosing Ceremony. I grab each of their hands. I want to savor this time with them. We don't talk on the way. I think even Marie understands the seriousness of the situation.

I still have no idea what I'm going to choose, but I feel strangely calm. I know that I will find ways to be happy, no matter which choice I make. The bus jerks to a halt and I follow my brother out, one hand on his shoulder and the other holding Marie's so that we don't get separated in the crowd. Unsurprisingly, my father didn't come. I'm sure he's at work now, like he is most every day.

We walk up the steps into the Hub. I can't stop myself from scanning the crowd, searching each face and hoping to find Parker's. We wait in line for the elevator for at least 10 minutes before there's enough room for us to squeeze on. I'm pressed so close to the elevator door I worry it will close on my nose. When we finally get to the room of the Choosing Ceremony, I turn to say my goodbyes.

Scott smiles sadly and ruffles my hair. "I love you, McKell. Remember, pick whatever will make you happy. No one else."

Marie hugs me tightly, then steps back and takes Scott's hand. She frowns. "You're not leaving forever, are you?"

"No, I'm not," I say, giving her the biggest smile I can muster. Tears prick at my eyes. "I love you."

"I love you, too," she says. "I'd better see you again soon, okay?"

I laugh but don't respond.

Scott leads her to the seats for friends and family, which are arranged in a circle around a raised platform. On the platform sit the 5 bowls that will decide our futures. They contain gray stones for Abnegation, water for Erudite, lit coals for Dauntless, earth for Amity, and glass for Candor.

Glass or coals.

I find my place among the other 18-year-olds. I scan their faces until I see Parker. He's across from me and a bit to the left. His eyes are searching for something as well, and they don't stop moving until they find mine. He gives me a reassuring smile, and I return it. I don't look away until Marcus, one of the leaders of Abnegation, begins his speech. I can't bring myself to pay attention to it. I've heard it all before, anyway.

Finally, his speech ends with a round of applause and they begin calling names. It's in alphabetical order, so with the last name Young, I'll be going close to last.

I may have felt calm on the bus, but now that I'm actually here, my nerves are all over the place. My heart pounds so loud in my ears, I have trouble hearing the names that are being called. Person after person takes their turn with the knife, slicing their hand and splattering their blood in one of the 5 bowls.

Everything comes back into focus when Parker's name is called. I watch him walk to the center of the platform and take the knife from Marcus's hand. One thought comes to my head: He doesn't want his decision to influence mine. And with how unsure I feel right now, I'm not so sure it wouldn't. I force myself to close my eyes as Parker slices into his hand. I keep them closed after the next name is called, and the next. I don't open them until I hear, "McKell Young."

I stumble forward, my pulse racing. I stop myself from looking for Parker and focus on putting one foot in front of the other. This is it. I have to choose: me, or my family?

I step onto the platform and wipe my palms on my pants before taking the knife from Marcus's outstretched hand. With a shudder, I slice into the skin of my palm. Blood drips onto the floor.

The bowl with the glass is to my right and the coals are on my left. No more hesitating. It's time to choose.

My thoughts are suddenly clear. Was it ever really a question? It seems so obvious now.

I thrust my hand to the left and my blood drizzles on the coals. I am Dauntless.

I walk to the other Dauntless initiates, who cheer loudly. Someone is yelling louder than the rest, however. "McKell!" My heart stops at his voice.

"Parker!" I run to him and throw my arms around his neck. He chose Dauntless, too.

His grin lights up the whole room. "You're here! I can't believe it!"

"I thought you were going to pick Candor!" I say with something between a laugh and a sob.

"I thought you were! But wait, I have to ask...you know I would do anything to have you here with me, but I want it to be because you chose it. You didn't pick Dauntless just because I did, did you?"

"No, I didn't even know what you picked! I closed my eyes."

He breathes a sigh of relief and pulls me close. "Good."

"Move it, lovebirds," someone calls from behind us.

I guess it's time to go. I look back at my family one last time. Scott is smiling sadly and Marie stares at the ground. I feel a sharp pang in my chest at the sight of them, but in my gut, I know I made the right choice.