A/N: I do not own or claim to own any of the characters in this story, they are all the creation of author Veronica Roth. Every sentence of dialouge except the final two, are quotes taken from the book and put into Four's perspective.
Stage 2 of Dauntless initiation starts today and I am dreading it. I have to put the initiates, both Dauntless born and transfers, through more simulations. The difference between these simulations and the faction test is that these simulations are all fear based. The initiates must calm their heart rate in the face of fear in order to escape the simulation. This isn't my first year doing this, but this year I wish someone else could do it. I know I'll have no problem administering the test to most of the Dauntless hopefuls, however, Tris I'm sure will be another story.
I am not supposed to feel anything toward the initiates, but there is something about Tris. I find myself thinking about her at all hours of the day and reacting differently to her training than I ever have. It started the second I pulled her from that net on the day of the choosing ceremony. I remember feeling shocked looking at her.
A stiff from Abnegation had jumped first. She rolled to the edge of the net and nearly fell on her face, but I reacted quickly, catching her before she fell and pulled her to her feet. I gripped both of her arms near her shoulders and steadied her. Her face was flushed with excitement and I knew adrenaline must be coursing through her veins.
I let go of her quickly, not wanting to make one of our new initiates uncomfortable. Abnegation is very conservative and the girl before me is no longer wearing the top layer of her regulation clothes and I have been gripping her bare arms.
"Thank you." she says to me. She is a little breathless but the smile on her face as she looks at me proves that it is just excitement. Behind me I hear Lauren expressing her shock that an Abnegation transfer jumped first.
"There's a reason why she left them. Lauren." I say to her, suddenly a little defensive. Then turn to the girl. "What's your name?" She starts to answer but then stops to consider her answer. "Think about it. You don't get to pick again."
"Tris." she answers, her voice sure. Lauren repeats her and then tells me to 'make the announcement'. I call out her name and 'first jumper' and soon everyone is cheering, filling the room up with sound as another transfer drops through the hole. She's screaming and everyone laughs before continuing in their hollering but I can't take my eyes from Tris. I set my hand on her back.
"Welcome to Dauntless." I say into her ear.
I snap back to attention and realize I still have to get the next initiate from the hall. I look down at the clip board in my hand and see that Tris is next. As I walk to the door I take a few deep breaths to compose myself before pulling open the door. Uriah, Drew, and Tris all snap their heads toward the door. The boys both move nervously while Tris sits still like she has been waiting no time at all for nothing of consequence. She looks calm.
"Come on, Tris." I say and gesture for her to get up. She stands quickly and walks down the hall, jumping over Drew's leg as he attempts to trip her, and casually walks past me into the room. I think I see her flinch after I've shut the door, but it is only a second and I can't be sure. She is staring at the chair and simulator. Grabbing hold of her arms, I squeeze them reassuringly and tell her to sit and gently push her toward the seat. She doesn't move but asks me what the simulation will be. I explain them, telling her that we put her into a scene where she will have to confront one of her fears. Finally she sits down.
"Do you ever administer the aptitude tests?" she asks as she sits on the metal chair.
"No. I avoid Stiffs as much as possible." I answer, hoping to prevent any further questioning, but Tris continues.
