♘ Be Brave ♘

XVIII

"Uh, you're welcome." I pat her arm awkwardly. I'm not used to hugging people. "See you, Lauren." She waves at the tattooed blonde I saw earlier. "Later, C." Matt glares at them. "This isn't social time, people. Get in line and follow me." Cassandra blushes and does as she's told.

"I'll give you a quick tour of the compound. Let's go to the Pit first." He starts walking, and I hurry to catch up with him. I don't want to risk getting lost on my first day. We make a series of turns and wind up in a large cave-like room smack in the middle of the compound.

Its name is fitting, and its enormity is intimidating. It's dim here, but not as dark as the hole I had to jump into earlier. "The Pit is everything. A cafeteria, gym, store. Speaking of stores, you will get a number of points each day that you will use as currency while you're here as initiates.

If and when you get through initiation, you will get to choose a job depending on your rank. I will tell you more about ranks in a moment." I can barely hear what he is saying above the noise that the Dauntless around us are making. Some are throwing punches at each other, and some are getting tattoos.

I flinch at the thought of having a needle stuck inside me for fun. These people are so weird. I keep walking as the line moves forward, and we go to the other side of the room, where punching bags and other equipment await us. I realize this is where I'll be training to become Dauntless, where I'll learn how to defend myself from any and all attackers.

"Twenty-four of you made it inside the compound. Only ten will become members. Who those ten are depends on how much attention you pay during training." It takes me a moment to realize what that simple statement implies. Ten will stay. Fourteen will be factionless.