The Fire in Amity: A Divergent Short Story

Chapter 2

My feet slam onto the hard earth and the impact rushes through me like a strong gust of wind. I give a deep sigh. I love the thrill of jumping off the train. That's why I know I'm meant for Dauntless, I'm a big thrill seeker. Ryder, the other Dauntless teens, and I sprint to The Upper Levels building. Ryder's short, black hair blows in the breeze. 

"Hey, Meg!" I hear my friend Uriah call out to me.

"Oh, hey Uriah!" Ugh. Why do I have to be so awkward around him? I've had a crush on Uriah for a while, but he likes Marlene. I want to not like Marlene because of this, but she's a really nice person, so it's hard to. 

"You nervous about the Aptitude Test?" Uriah asks me. 

"We're not really supposed to talk about it." I say warily. "Besides, why should we be nervous? It's obvious we'll get Dauntless." 

"Yeah, I guess that's true." Uriah says. 

We reach the doors to school and I push them open. I shove past a group of Abnegation so I can get to my first class, Faction History. I want my morning classes to go by quickly so I can get to my Aptitude Test soon after lunch. Another Abnegation girl with blond hair is standing and the hallway and I shove her and say "Hey!"  I'm not very patient today. 

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After lunch I am sitting in the cafeteria by Ryder and my friends, waiting for my name to be called. While I am waiting I observe all the other factions. A group of Amity girls in yellow dresses with red trim have been singing some stupid song the whole time while giggling uncontrollably. It's getting on my last nerve. I swear if they sing that song one more time......

"From Dauntless: Meagan Carson." An Abnegation woman calls out. 

Finally. I walk into the testing room she is standing by. When I enter the room I see a big brown, reclined chair in the center. Now I'm starting to understand why people are nervous. This does look a little strange. I cautiously sit in the chair. 

"Hello, I am Veronica." The Abnegation woman says.

"Hi." I say. 

Veronica begins attaching wires and electrodes to me, herself, and the machine behind her.  Then she gives me a clear liquid to drink. Even weirder. I drink the liquid and instantly my eyes close. During the test I go through several different situations. For some strange reason I have to choose between a piece of cheese and a knife. I choose the knife in case I need to defend myself. After that a big, burly dog with brown fluffy fur runs into the room. The dog circles me while growling. I am about to raise my knife and stab the dog, but I can't bring myself to do it. Maybe the dog is just unsure, like me when I first entered the Aptitude Test room. I decide to try to calm the dog down. I happen to be one of the few Dauntless who love animals. I crawl down on the ground and turn away from the dog. The dog stops growling. I put my hand in a fist and hold it out in the direction of the dog while slowly inching towards the dog on my knees. I quietly say reassuring things to the dog. The dog starts barking playfully and lowering his paws to the ground in a sign that he wants to play. Yes, I did it! I pet the dog. "Good boy!" I say. "Who's a good boy? You are!" Okay, not very Dauntless of me, but animals are my weakness. A little girl with curly blond hair and a white dress appears at the other end of the room. She excitedly runs up to the dog. The dog growls and barks. The dog attempts to attack the little girl. Ugh no! I stand in front of the dog. I really don't want to do this, but I have no choice. I turn away as I bring my knife down on the dog. It's okay it's just a fake dog I guess. I still feel so guilty. It's fake, it's fake, it's fake. I go through a few other obstacles and then the test is over. I abruptly open my eyes and sit up straight in the chair, breathing hard. 

"Sooo, what did I get?" I ask Veronica. "Wait, it's obvious you don't even have to tell me. I got Dauntless."

I expect Veronica to nod, but she actually has a worried expression on her face. 

"Well, um" Veronica starts nervously. "It seems that you have aptitude for two factions: Dauntless and Amity."

I can't believe her. She must be pulling a prank on me. I am NOT Amity. 

I swallow hard. "What?"