Same, But Different //discontinued//

Part 3: Paralyzed in Fear

I catch Beatrice peaking out over the edge, her face etched with shock. I can't bring myself to look at the probably mangled body of Rita's sister.

A tall man with dark skin stands on the opposite side of us. He's talking, but I don't hear his words. Something about trusting our faction into saving us...

"Who will jump first?" Max says. They are the first of his words that actually make sense to me. Beatrice steps up, her hands in tight fists at her sides. There's a faint trace of fear on her face, but she masks it.

As she nears the ledge, she pulls off her loose gray shirt and I can't help but stare. Under it, she wears a tight undershirt - tighter than any Abnegation would wear - and she tosses the shirt to Peter with a lot of force. It hits him in the chest and he looks dazed.

She steps up onto the ledge and looks down.

We're jumping off the ledge?! I peak over and almost throw up. There's a large, dark hole in the ground. I automatically take steps away from the edge.

Beatrice takes the final step onto the ledge and takes in a deep breath.

How am going to pass this?

How am I going to jump?

I will be paralyzed in fear at the ledge.

She closes her eyes and jumps off into the air.

The next few people jump, but I can't move my feet. I cannot be last. Just after the Erudite boy jumps, my feet finally move.

There's only about two people left other than me, so I go without interruption. I step up into the ledge and look down. Mistake #1.

The distance frightens me, the height horrendous. I take a deep breath and contract all my muscles so their pulled taut.

I will do this. I will do this now.

I step off into the darkness of my closed eyelids.

The wait to smack into the bottom is debilitating. It seems like hours when it was only seconds. My feet strike the net first and then my torso, my legs collapsing. I suck in a labored breath. Hands reach out to me and I grab one, pulling myself to the side. I jump down, my feet hitting the floor hard. There's a large group of people waiting at the bottom. The Dauntless.

My breaths are still ragged, but I answer when asked a question.

"What is your name?" The man asks. He's taller than me, which is unusual, and has tan skin.

"Tobias." I say, my voice uneven and breathy. Amar smiles, his teeth a stark white against his skin.

"Welcome to Dauntless, Tobias." He chuckles like something was funny. If their was a joke, I missed it.

After the rest of the Initiates come down, we have in total 11 Initiates - besides the Dauntless Borns. I learn that Beatrice has changed her name to Tris. It suits her, I think. That the dark skinned girl is Christina, that the two boys they've been talking to are Al and Will. That the Erudite Asshole is Eric whom is in a little 'gang' with Peter, Molly and Drew. There is also Edward and Myra who are too busy sucking each others' faces off to notice anything.

We follow Amar and a tall blonde woman through the corridors of Dauntless. It's darker than outside and smells of dirt and salt. Amar whistles with his fingers to grab everyone's attention.

"Hello! I'm Amar and this lovely lady is Lauren!" Someone on the Dauntless-Born side whistles. "And we'll be your trainers! I'll be training the Transfers and her the Dauntless-Borns! As you guys were born here," He gestures to the Dauntless Born, "you don't need a tour. But, I'll be giving the Transfers a tour of the place." He smiles with a closed mouth and turns around, his back to us.

"Transfers, follow me!" He shouts and starts walking away.

Author's:

THIS STORY IS SO MUCH FREAKING FUN TO RIGHT.

I LOVE THIS VOICE FOR FOUR.

RN HE'S TOBIAS....SOoon, my precious Tobias will be strong FOur....SooOnnN.

AUTHORS QUESTION OF THE READING TIME:

WHAT WOULD BE IN YOUR FEAR LANDSCAPE?

(Like, after death. Like what happens after my life will end? It scares the shit outta' me)

OVER AND OUT.

-Jess