3 Feet From Freedom

Chapter 4

Eric

Before I know it the ceremony is over and we start our run for the train. I try to find her but even with her erudite blue jacket I can't spot her in the hurd of black bodies.

As usual I'm one of the first people to make it to the rails, I can already feel it's vibrations. Pretty soon the train rushes past, blowing wind through my cloths.

Quickly jumping up and grabbing onto the handle outside the car I smack the button and jump in, pulling a few people in after.

Being in one of the first cars not many people can run fast enough to catch up to it so that means less people to share a car with and that means only two people are stuck with me in a massive train car. I know I'm not anyone's favorite or first choice when it comes to anything really and I'm okay with that. I personally hate people especially young teenage brats who think there bullet proof. Well I'll show them just how bullet proof they are if any decide to mess with me this year.

&$&$&$&$&$&

I'm the first of many to jump off the train and since the fastest way into the is through the hole in the ceiling I go ahead and jump, hoping they already have the net up.

I bounce on the net for a moment before it stops shaking. I roll to the side and let myself off as Four steps up next to the net prepared to help the rest of the Dauntless off. I glaire at him as he passes.
I take my instructed place next to the door and wait for the initiates to start jumping.

The first one down is an erudite boy.

"First jumper Michael" Four calls out to the waiting Dauntless. He points in my direction and soon the boy comes prancing my way. I don't pay him to much attention as he leans on the wall a decent distance away from me. He seems a bit on edge, even more so that most initiates.

Three minutes pass and no one else has jumped yet, I'm starting to think Max gave up and decided to let them in through the back. That was when Michael's constant mumbling caught my attention.

"Come on Sage. Come on Sage. Come on Sage...." He repeats over and over again. I glance over at him for a second before a body hits the net hard. Hard enough to send them back up into the air again in a mess of flailing limps.

"Yes! Thank God!" Michael chants a little too excited next to me.

Four pulls the net down and I immediately recognize the pale white tumbling figure. Four goes to pull her down and she screams out making me flinch. Not because it scared me but because I feel like I've heard it before, I don't know maybe I'm just making this all up but I think I know this girl. I suddenly have the urge to run to her and make sure she's okay but I stand my ground, can't be going soft on the initiates.

"Second jumper Sage!" Four calls out and the crowd cheers. He points to me as she adjusts her cloth yet again. Her eyes meet mine and I stiffen slightly, I'm not sure why but I do.

She mumbles something and Four gives her a smile before a few Dauntless send her my way. Before she even makes it half way here Michael takes off running engulfing her in a hug, nearly knocking her off her feet. Again I stiffen.

Why should I care. I'm a fearless leader.

They make there way back over next to me and I now notice she cradling her right arm. Michael points it out about the time I notice and she tries to act like it not injuries but I clearly is. Whatever happened it's already bruising and is nearly purple.