Vic (a divergent fanfiction)

11

The ceremony soon finishes with the usual excitement. Dauntless bolt away down the stairs heading for the trains, I feel odd to be left behind. The erudite are in no rush. They walk together speaking not in loud screams like the dauntless, but in simple voices. Some talk of books, while others talk of studies, and all the ininates can speak of nothing but initiation. Felix walks beside me, looking as if he wants to sprint onward instead of travel at this slow erudite pace. I do too. All my life I've relished the thrill of running, and now it's not there.

"Hello, Vic." Jeanine says, her voice calm and crisp, reminding me of leaves crackling in the wind.

"Hi." I don't feel like talking to her right now, especially with Felix here. He could tease me about anything I say. But then again, he's not like that anymore.

"Aren't you the one that called us know it alls? And here you are, standing beside me." Jeanine chuckles, "Ironic, isn't it?"

"That was a dare." Felix retorts, coming to my defence, "I dared her to say that stuff." Jeanine looks amused, her expression reminds me of that of someone trying to understand a complicated book, a book full of story, murder and treachery. A book of complex words and puzzles. I feel as if she thinks of us as a puzzle or a mystery story, waiting to be read.

"The dauntless ways interest me. I wonder how they live with such crazy decisions or illogical plans." Jeanine comments.

"Well, I'll agree to the illogical part." Felix mutters, "But I guess... I guess that's the fun of it." He sounds embarrassed by Jeanine's statement on our old faction. He seems slightly hurt by it. I want to remind him to be more careful about his words. This is our leader, and one false move could put us back a long way. I think of Cal and dad sprinting home without me, and I feel slightly sick. I miss Cal, and I wish I'd said a proper apology to dad. It's too late now. I assumed I was returning back to the dauntless compound with them, I suppose I didn't think enough about the possibility that I might not be.

We reach some cars with solar panels on their roofs. Erudite cars. The initiates get in different cars from the already erudite. Felix and I end up beside each other, and I feel him squeezing my hand gently, trying to be reassuring. His touch is warm, and his hands are smooth, soft and clammy. I think of Cal holding my hand when I was only a tiny girl. This feels special like that, but somehow different too. But it feels different in a good way, a sweet way. Felix seems nervous too, so I hold his hand tighter, wrapping my fingers around his. He smiles in delight, seeming to enjoy my touch more than I enjoyed his.

The ride is a quick one, short and bumpy. The little car skids to a stop at last. "Welcome, initiates," says Jeanine, "to the erudite sector."