CONVERGENT - [Divergent] ADOPTED

Chapter Six

[ELIZABETH]

I waited almost impatiently for my name to be called. Gertrude had already transferred, and as she did, I looked up to her Mum and Dad. They looked a little sad, but I think they'd known that she would.

And then, just when I was beginning to think it was close to my turn, I heard a familiar name... well, sort of, it was more the face that was familiar.

"Korlene Mason." It was the Candor girl from the bus. So, Kori's her nickname, cool. I watched as she took the knife from Jack Kang, and walked over to the far bowl. She glanced up at her family – I assume – and sliced her hand, dropping her blood onto the coals.

She must've decided to transfer, then.

Another few more people went before he finally called me.

"Elizabeth Mitchell." I gathered my wits and walked across to Jack Kang, taking the knife from him. I said a quiet "thank you," and like Gertrude and Kori, I looked up to my parents, although I'd told them before that I loved them – basically admitting that I was leaving. I still felt a rush of guilt or sadness. Mum smiled and nodded. It's okay, we love you too.

Despite the cold feeling inside, I smiled and sliced my hand and let my blood drop onto the sizzling coals.

"Dauntless." Breaking eye contact with them, I made my way over to the Dauntless sector. Hearing them woot and applaud me, I smiled. I couldn't help it, but then I realised—this is where I belong, I can smile. I can laugh and tease and be sarcastic.

A few of them patted me on the back, saying "welcome" and all other kinds of greetings. Gertrude smiled at me, laughing just a bit.

This is definitely, where I belong.

I waited, with a bit more patience than before. But the ceremony still seemed to drag on. A few more transfers, a few more stayed, and on and on it went. Finally, the last person went up, an Amity girl who transferred to Abnegation.

"That is the conclusion for this year's Choosing Ceremony. Let us go and join our factions on this momentous occasion, good luck to the initiates, and have a harmonious day." Jack Kang left the podium and the Dauntless were the first to jump up, the older – and in some case, younger – members of Dauntless waited for the initiates to leave first, but I don't think they were far behind.

They hooted and laughed and pushed each other as we made of way through the doors, we bounced down each flights of stairs. I felt the pounding of our feet on the stairs, the cheers and woops made me feel alive. We starting racing each other to the train track about half a mile ahead. Gertrude and I had little troubles keeping up with the rowdy bunch, but we were still just behind the head of the pack, panting. But as we looked to each other, I knew this is what we were made for.

Having to walk far distances is something we're used to. I mean, sure, we haven't run the distance, but it's not that far of a leap, really.

I've watched the Dauntless for years, getting on and off the trains with apparent ease. But I knew it couldn't be easy getting on and off a moving train at speeds faster than a flat out sprint.

"Here it comes!" one boy yelled. They all started running at a faster pace now, to catch a moving train.

"Go, go!" I said to Gertrude, trying to push her into a faster pace.

The train rounded a bend, heading straight for us. We were close to the front, but my breaths started to come as pants, I had just my adrenaline to keep me running. Gertrude grabbed ahold of the door handle as the train got right next to us, pushing herself up as if she were climbing out of her window.

I did the same, pulling myself in, landing not-so-graciously inside the train. Gertrude helped me up, and I looked to see that everyone in the carriage – which seemed to be the first one, or maybe second one, I wasn't sure – were mostly all Dauntless-born, besides from one guy in Candor colours and another from Erudite, plus Kori.

One of them, whose aura was filled authority and a look that said to respect him, stepped forward, instantly silencing any conversation. I held my ground, despite the fact that I just wanted to catch my breath and stop the adrenaline from shaking my arms and wobbling my legs.

"What the hell are you doing, stiffs?" he asked, well, more like demanded.

"I'm Ellie, and I'm now Dauntless, this was the right train, yea?" I answered without hesitation.

He snickered. "You're not Dauntless yet, stiff. You gotta prove that."

"I think we kinda just did," Gertrude spoke up, defending us. "We jumped onto a moving train. I'd like to think that's a pretty good example."

He scoffed. "Initiation isn't over yet, stiffs. It's only just beginning. Keep it up, and maybe we'll call you by your names."

"And you are?" I don't think I like him. I put on my best sass face – but considering I literally just left Abnegation, I think it was more of a confused puppy trying to be serious.

"I like your attitude, maybe you'll survive just yet. Name's Xand." I saw he had a tattoo on the back of his hand reaching up to his forearm, although I couldn't quite see what it was.

"I already said, I'm Ellie."

"Trudi," Gertrude spoke up, though she was a little bit warier than I was. But the way she said it was like we did in Abnegation, void of emotion, detached from our thoughts and feelings.

Xand nodded once. "Good luck, stiffs. You'll need it." He turned away from us, seemingly done with our verbal attack.

Kori walked up to us. "Ellie! It's really good to see you, again." She smiled.

"Hi, Kori." I smiled back. "Uh, this is... ugh, Trudi, the girl I was talking about."

"Oh yeah, hey, it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Kori." She shook Trudi's hand.

"Pleasure to meet you too, how'd you guys meet?" I could see, although we only just left Abnegation behind, she was already taking to actually communicating with people.

"On the bus, yesterday after the tests." Kori smiled. "She was worried about you."

I laughed nervously.

"Oh, 'cuz I disappeared?" She looked at me. "I'm sorry for causing you trouble, I didn't realise."

"It's okay, I know, but you're okay now, so don't worry about it." I smiled.

We talked about nothing of importance for a while. At one point, we slid down the sides of the carriage, sitting on the floor.

I don't know how long we sat there for, but soon after, came a yell.

"Get ready!"

A/N: hey guys! Uh turns out, I do need a beta for a this story, if you feel up to the task, please shoot me a message and let me know!! I have four to six chapters waiting (besides the six posted) so that'd be amazing!! Thanks!!

Let me know what you think??

Love lots,
~wolf-gabby23