Abvergent

Chapter 14

"Raven over here!" I hear people with cameras shout. I try to look at them all but find myself just smiling straight ahead. Never in my life would I have thought I'd find myself in this situation. Everyone clears the way and a man in a black suit with a gold tie approaches us. "Welcome," he says, "I'm General Cliff." He waves a hand and two security guards walk in front of him, Jared and I.

Everyone else we came with were sent to cars that are supposed to take them to the General's mansion. "You are going to shake some hands and take some pictures but whatever you do just keep smiling," General Cliff says. Jared and I shake hands when we're told to and wave when we're told to. Then we are taken to a long black car.

People crowd over to take pictures and the driver struggles to get them to clear. Once we get away from the chaos General Cliff turns to Jared and I. "When we get to my mansion there will be tons of important people there that you will greet accordingly," he starts, "if they are wearing a cap like mine you will salute them, if they aren't you will just wave. Jared you will kiss the women's hands."

We nod acknowledging that we understand. We arrive at a large mansion and General Cliff opens the car door for Jared and I. "Link arms," General Cliff instructs us. We do so and walk up the steps to the front door. People are lined up against the hallway walls and we do what we were told. General Cliff directs us to a large dining room.

People, including everyone who came with us, are standing by chairs on the sides of the table. I am directed to the head of the table and Jared sits on the seat next to mine. Nobody sits until I do and everybody stays quiet. Next to me is General Cliff, "They won't talk until you make a toast," he says pointing at a glass of champagne in front of me. I guess here it's acceptable for a fifteen year old to drink champagne so I stand and raise the glass.

"To the defeat of the Bureau," I say. Everyone raises their glasses and begin to chatter. People come in with trays in hand and set multiple things on the table. Jared slides his hand under the table and intertwines his fingers with mine. I smile at him and we begin eating. When the whole dinner is finished and everyone leaves we are all given bedrooms.

My dad comes into mine, "Hey," he says. He sits next to me on the seat below the window and wraps an arm around me. "Everything is happening so fast," I say, "almost two years ago you didn't even know I existed and now look where we are." He sighs, "I know, it's crazy."

We sit in silence and he puts his index finger on the pearl from the necklace that my stylist Petra had given me before we left Seattle. She seems like a good person, I'm glad that she didn't have to lose her sons to war. My dad kisses my forehead and leaves my room.

I get changed into comfortable clothes for sleeping. I put on a soft black v neck that exposes some of the abnegation tattoo I had gotten over my heart when I first escaped the Bureau. I pull up my shirt so that the tattoo is unnoticeable and put on comfortable black pants. Within seconds of laying down on the bed I fall asleep.