♘ Be Brave ♘

LVI

The next day, I force myself to get out of the infirmary. Enough is enough. I can't spend the rest of initiation lying around the compound, after all. When I get to the training room, everyone cheers. "Good to see you." Zeke slaps me on the back a little too forcefully and I stumble.

"Oh, sorry." Zeke winces. "You okay?" Fortunately, I'm able to regain my balance. "Yeah. Fine." I look around and see that both Dauntless-borns and transfers. "What are we doing?" Zeke doesn't get a chance to answer, because Matt arrives just then. "Okay, initiates... follow me."

Without another word, he turns around, and we follow after him. I find Cassandra and she takes my hand. We end up in another room attached to the gym. It's not very big, and there's only a group of chairs outside.

Zeke, Lauren, Cassandra and I take a seat in one of the rows, not knowing what else to do. At the end of the room there's a smaller door, "Do you guys have any idea what they're going to put us through today?" Zeke shakes his head. "Can't talk about it. Sorry. You'll find out soon enough."

Well, thanks a lot for the info,I think. Once we're all seated, Matthew starts talking. "Welcome to stage two of training. While both stages are important, this is considered the most difficult. You will follow me to the room at the end of the hall one by one and I'll tell you more about what's going to happen in a minute."

He glances around the room and seems to make a decision. "Okay, we'll start with the back row and make our way up." I look down and see that my hands are shaking. This means that Cassandra and I will go last, first her and then me.

Whatever it is that's gonna happen, I'm not going to like it. I tighten my grip on Cassandra's hand, and she does the same. I don't want to do this. I don't. I have a feeling I already know what I'll have to do, and I absolutely do not want to. We watch as a short Dauntless-born heads over to the other room, and Matt closes the door behind them, and they're gone.

Twenty minutes later, they come back out, and the initiate seems... terrified. I think he's been crying, since his eyes look bloodshot. He hurries out of the room, but Matt doesn't say anything. One by one each initiate goes inside the room, and every time they all come out looking unhinged.

They all leave, and everyone wears the same look of horror on their faces. When it's finally Cassandra's turn, I give her a hug, and whisper, "You can do this. I'll see you soon."

She nods hesitantly, but lets go of me and follows Matthew inside. After what seems like an eternity, she bolts out of the room without a word. I start to run after her, but Matthew lays a restraining hand on my shoulder. "Leave her alone. She needs time."

I know that contradicting him will be useless, so I let him lead me to the mysterious room that has left everyone shocked. The room is bare except for a dental-like chair and a computer next to it with wires attached. "Have a seat," Matt tells me.

"I have to get the serum ready." Wiping my sweaty hands on my jeans, I do as I'm told. "Serum?" Matt nods. "Mhm. It's a device that induces hallucinations known as simulations. They're supposed to help you face your fears." I swallow. "My fears?" He grabs a syringe from a small bag next to him and fills it with a strange liquid, which I'd never seen before.

"Yes. This will single out the part of your brain where fears are stored, and bring them to life, so to speak. I will monitor what goes on while you're unconscious, so you don't need to worry." I know he's trying to sound nonchalant and all, but all I hear is unconscious, brain, and fears.

"Here's a tip. Try to slow your heartbeat down. Don't let the simulations get the best of you. It'll all be over soon." He moves my head to the side, exposing my neck. "Be brave, Matt." Before I can protest, the needle plunges into my skin.