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

Part 32: We want you...As Dauntless Leader

Why is my father pinned on a target? I yank off his picture and press it into my chest. I hear light foot steps and a 'hmm.' I turn to see a man standing in the corner. He steps in front of me, too close. I attempt to step back, but the target's in my way. I swallow roughly.

He smirks, "Tris, is it? Are you still close to your old Faction? Want to go back? Miss your daddy? Or your brother? Or your mommy?" He taunts. I shake my head and my eyes burn.

His smirk fades, "Are you sure? We saw you with your mommy on Visiting Day. She's very beautiful." He says. I don't recognize him, but he wears Dauntless Black.

"Who are you?" I'm suprised at how strong my voice sounds.

He smiles again and takes another step forward, "Who I am is none of your business. It is who you are that matters." I'm confused.

"Why does it matter who I am? I'm just Tris."

He shakes his head, "I just want to see what it takes to break you. I killed your brother, then your dad, and now your mom, and you don't look upset at all."

I smile weakly, "Faction before blood, as Eric would say."

He chuckles heavily, "Speaking of Eric, he's no longer...able...to uphold his role as Dauntless Leader. He was...mysteriously injured." He laughs again, "We want you to take his place. Four obviously doesn't want it, and you came in first in your Initiate class, so I'm asking you. Tris, would you be our Leader?" I scowl at him, it's not my place to take the only thing Eric ever wanted.

"No, I don't want to. I can't replace Eric. He was a great leader and I wouldn't be able to replace him." The lie burns my throat. Eric was a horrible leader, but I can't imagine being a leader.

He sighs loudly, "Alright, Tris. We'll talk later. I promise." He squeezes my shoulder hard. Who is he?

"Wait! Who are you?" I yell to him.

He turns around, a smile etched on his lips, "Tanner Woods. I'm the real Head of Dauntless." And with that, he leaves. I sigh in frustration, why do they want me? I can't possibly be threatening looking. Not a chance. I release the photo of my dad. It's the only thing I have left of him. I carefully fold it up and put it in my pocket.

Jaden comes strolling in seconds later. He walks to me and grabs my hand. I lace my fingers with his.

"Jaden...I have something to ask you." I say.

He bites his lip, "Uh oh... By the look on your face, it must not be good." I sit down on the floor, pulling him with me.

"Jaden, do you know who Uriah is?" I ask.

He nods, "Doesn't he train the Dauntless Born Initiates?'' I nod, a little to fast. I feel dizzy.

"Well, he's my best friend. I love him. His girlfriend just broke up with him because he was being over protective. She's dating someone just to get back at him. He needs to retaliate to get her back. Understand?" I pause. He doesn't move, a look of determination on his face. Slowly, he nods.

"Well, we're best friends and super close. He wants me to 'fake' date him. Just fake. Nothing real at all. Promise. I want to," I say quickly, "I need to know you're okay with it. I don't want you to freak again and try to kill him. Alright? It's all a ruse. Okay?" He looks awe-stricken, his mouth parted, his eyes alert, but unfocused. Finally, he snaps out of it.

He leans forward and whispers into my ear, "It's fine. You say he's your best friend, you say you want me, it's all fine. Go, get your friend his girl back." He warm breath tickles my ear.

I giggly lightly and move my mouth next to his ear, "Thank-you." I lean back a little and brush my lips on his. He moves toward me to press his firmly on mine, but I back up again, teasing him. I stand up and he looks sad. When he stands, he's a lot taller than me, but I reach up and put my arms around his neck. I pull his head down to mine. I kiss his mouth full on, not teasing him anymore. I pull away and he whines in protest.

I put my finger to his lips, "Shhh. I've got to go, see you later." I say.

He smiles, "Alright, bye." I turn and leave.

I walk to Uriah's apartment and knock. No response.

I knock again and say, "Uriah? It's Tris." Suddenly, the door whips open and he pulls me inside.

A.N.

Did I even mention that this story makes Tobias an ass and Tris a slut?

Well, it does.

I feel like my writing improved a lot over the few moths I wrote this. I really do. The plot develops better too, at least I think that.

Whatever. Edited on July 3, 2013 at 3:03am EST.