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

Part 47: Candor or Dauntless?

"What?!" I say, exasperated. He looks down, dropping his arms.

"She didn't tell you anything, did she?" He says. I slowly shake my head, no.

He rolls his eyes, "She was originally from Dauntless. Her mother was a Dauntless leader, like Eric. She was killed in a train accident five years ago. I was passed down the honor of managing Dauntless from a far-off grandfather. My far-off grandfather was the first Dauntless Initiate. He passed down the tradition, generation to generation. We, as owners of Dauntless, stay in Dauntless until we die. We aren't forced to leave, like everyone else. You are the last Woods, by blood, to be brought into Dauntless. We need you, I need you. I'm dying, Beatrice. I have cancer & I am your grandfather." He says. I bow my head. "I know this is a lot to take in, but please." He says, "Please, I hope you'll take my offer."

I press my palms to my cheeks, "I'll keep my word. I'll still accept your offer, for my mom." I say. He smiles and stands up.

"Thank-you, Beatrice. Thank-you. I'm resigning as leader soon. I don't think it would be good for my people to see my dying of Lung Cancer." As if on cue, he breaks out into a coughing fit, sputtering blood on the floor.

I look up at him and he smiles, "I haven't got much time, as you can see. Can you get Caroline? She does what she can." He asks. I nod quickly and slip out. Caroline is still sitting in the chair behind Konnor.

"Caroline, Tanner said to get you. He's coughing up up blood." She nods and waddles into his room, carrying a pink basin and some rags. I walk out and to my room.

It's mid-morning, so I change for Training. I walk briskly to the Cafeteria to eat breakfast. I chew quickly and head to the Training Room. Everyone's there, lined up. They all smile at me as I walk in, even Alex.

"Alright! We're adding a new step to the Initiation process! For the rest of the Initiation Season, which, to be exact, is 3 days, we will play Candor or Dauntless. It's like truth or dare, but the Dauntless version. We're playing this because it will help you reduce fear and get to know your fellow Dauntless members. Yeah, that's right. All six of you will stay." I say.