3 Feet From Freedom

Chapter 6

Sage

     I follow behind Michael in the back of the group as we make our way back to The Pit. Holding my old faction cloths tight against my chest I take note of how dark the halls are. The only thing keeping this place from being pitch black is the blue and sometimes red lanterns that hang on the rocky walls.

     We enter The Pit for the second time today. Staying close to the inside of the stair case again I notice that The Pit is much more crowded than before. People applaud and they back away, making a path as Eric and Four lead us to a huge fire pit that I never realized was there when we first walked through. Nikki was the first to toss her cloths. Then Travis and then everyone else.

     I tossed my cloths into the fire and watched small holes burn into my tank top. Very soon those small holes turned into large holes just before if turned to ash. Michael looks over at me smiling wide. He's always been excited to join another faction.

     As kids we used to day dream about what it would be like in other factions. I laugh to myself at the memories, I think it's safe to say we always knew we weren't going to stay in Erudite.

     From there was are directed to a new room for lunch. The dinning room has many more lights and is well lit compared to the rest of the compound. The tables look just like the ones in the cafeteria back at Erudite. It's very crowded. Even more so that The Pit. As always Michael makes a v-line for the food leaving me to explore this new place.

Alone.

&$&$&$&$&$&

    It feels like The Choosing Ceremony was forever ago, not just two hours earlier. I take a seat at one of the empty tables and grab an Apple since my stomach is still a little queasy from today's events.

     I feel slightly uncomfortable here in the dinning room. I feel like I'm being watched.  Which in a way I kind of am considering I'm new. Everyone is curious about the new initiates, you can see it on their faces. But I can guarantee not one of them will admit to it in fear of being called Erudite.

     I'm pulled out of thought when Michael sits next to me with a tray full of different foods, some I haven't seen before. A tray slides across the table stopping in front of me. I look up to see a smiling Danny. He sits down and starts unloading his massive pile of food, even trading a few things with Michael. I don't see have they can eat so much especially after a day like today.

     Pretty soon those two are making bets on how many oranges they can fit in their mouths at once and I gag slightly when Danny spits out about 12 orange slices.

     I don't pay to much attention to them after that. I'm too caught up in my thoughts.

Divergent.

     This unusual thing that I supposedly am. What if it was a miss calculations? I mean I've seen plenty of mishaps in experiments. I'm from Erudite for Godsake. I set my carved Apple core on the edge of Michael's tray hopping he won't mind tossing it for me as my mind start racing again.

     But this test was designed to be to flawless. They haven't made a mistake in over 60 years why would it start now? And with me anyway? It would be my luck for the stupid thing to glitch and get me killed for a name I don't even have the intelligence to claim. I'm mean seriously. I have lots of common sense and I'm quick in stressful situations but if you would've put a Math book in front of me back at the school I'd probably wither in pain thinking about the next mind fuckery thing we'd be working on.

"You should really eat more than just an apple. We start training in 30 minutes" a soft kind voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

     I snap out of my gaze as Danny hands me a handful of what looks like small pieces of fried chicken on a napkin. Not wanting to be rude I take it and try my hardest to smile a real smile.

"Uh thanks" I take a small bite of one and I was right. It is just a small piece of fried chicken. Not as good as Nana's but still really good.

     The feeling of being watched washes over me again. Why am I so nervous. I need to stop being such a baby or I'll never make it here. Chills run up my spine, I suddenly have the urge to run. I look over my shoulder and immediately lock eyes with Eric as he stands up and starts walking my way. Fuck, I knew someone was staring at me

     I quickly look away and try to not look as nervous as I feel. I try to start conversation to keep myself calm. I look up at Danny just as he shoves a whole chicken nugget, I guess that's what you would call them, in his mouth.

"I'm sorry, Did you say we start training in 30 minutes?"

Michael nods with a mouthful of chicken as Danny answers "Yeah. What's his name said we start as soon as lunch is over"

"What's his name", I laugh at his choice of words. Out of the corner of my eye I see Eric turn and walk around the table in my line of sight. Good, it looks like he's leaving.

     Danny gives me a look "You know the Asshole with the eyebrow piercings"

     Almost as soon as that sentence leaves his mouth Eric's head turns our way. I can almost feel the blood drain from my face as he turns and starts walking toward the table, the scowl on his face growing with every step.

    I look to my right at Michael. Judging by his expression I can assume he saw what I saw.

     In the midst of fearing for Danny's life, I hadn't even noticed the dauntless men that surrounded the table......

Until I was ripped from my seat....