CONVERGENT - [Divergent] ADOPTED

Chapter Nine

[TRUDI]

After we finished our dinner, Ajax led us down another path through the underground labyrinth. We reached a large, wide wooden door, which when opened, we could see three rows of beds, five in each row.

"Initiation is taken very serious here in Dauntless, being an instructor is not a job I take lightly. I usually work in weapons design and armoury, but for the next few weeks, I'll be your instructor." Ajax had his hands clasped behind his back.

"There are some important rules you all need to know. First; you have to be in the training room, eight o'clock sharp. Your training will be from eight till six, with lunch at one. You can do whatever you like after, and you'll have some time off between stages of initiation."

Ajax crossed his arms, looking very serious. "You are not permitted to leave the compound, unless accompanied by a Dauntless member."

He pushed the door open wider. "This is where you'll be sleeping for the next few weeks. So pick a bed, and get to sleep, tomorrow is your first day of training. It'll just be you guys; we keep the Dauntless-born separate for the first stage of initiation. Do not misunderstand me. You will be ranked equally to them."

"What do you mean 'ranked'?" An Erudite boy spoke up.

"Your ranks are determined by your skills and abilities, they also help determine what jobs you get at the end of initiation and who gets cut. Now, there's a cupboard at the back of the room with common black attire, throw your old faction's clothes. Get a good night's sleep."

Ajax walked off before the Erudite boy could ask his other question. "What do you...mean 'cut'?" he trailed off, sighing as he realised that either Ajax didn't hear him or didn't bother to answer him. We made our way into the dorm, Ellie and I picking the beds along the wall next to Kori and the Amity girl.

Ellie answered though. "One of the Dauntless-born girls told us. At the end of stages one and three, they're going to cut people, by the end, seven people will be factionless, so only the top fifteen remain."

"What do you know, stiff?" he sneered at her.

"Hey," I stood up to defend her. "She's telling the truth, nose. That's what Brianna told us."

"Look at the stiff, pretending to be brave."

"Well, I didn't see you jumping first!" I said, I will not let him get anything over me. I will not lose. Not to him.

Another Erudite grabbed his friend's arm. "C'mon, dude. I'm tired, let's just get to bed."

I gave a proud huff, even if I didn't win so to speak, I didn't stand down. And it felt good. I went over to the Amity girl, who was choosing the bed near ours.

"Hi," I said. "I'm Trudi, what's your name?"

The Amity girl turned and took in my old faction's colours. "I'm Alice, it's nice to meet you," she smiled.

"You too, uh these are my friends, Ellie," I pointed to her, then pointed to Kori. "And Kori," I introduced Alice to them in turn.

The four of us went and found the cupboard Ajax was talking about. I searched through, trying to find something my size.

"Ugh, this is all boring," Kori commented. "We are definitely going shopping tomorrow."

Ellie and I shared a look, we've never been shopping before, getting our clothes either by hand-me-downs or the big basket that's kept in the headquarters.

Deciding on a simple black t-shirt and tight fitting skinny rippled black jeans – which I learnt from Kori, who didn't believe we've never worn jeans before. I also got a pair of black combat boots. We did wear boots in Abnegation, but they were very worn-through and loose fitting, tied tight so they didn't fall off.

Although... getting dressed was another thing entirely, turns out, there isn't any privacy in the dorm. And we had no idea where the showers were, so, like the boys on the opposite side of the room, we changed, one piece of clothing at a time.

The best part? I got to take my hair out. Out of its tight bun that hurt my head. I massaged my scalp, promising to never have such tight knots ever again.

I laid down on my chosen bed. I was technically in the bed closest to the door. There was a spare bed between me and the door, then it was Ellie next to me, Kori next to her and finally Alice on the end, at the back of the room.

There were four spare beds, since there was eleven of us.

The lights were out, and I was trying to find sleep, but just when I though I found slumber, someone started crying softly into the night. It was fair way away, but oddly close, I had to assume it was Alice, since I didn't think Ellie or Kori were the kinds of people to cry.

I instantly wanted to soothe her fears, to make sure she was okay, but just when I sat up, I realised, that would be very 'stiff' of me. I had to be careful. No one can know about my divergence.

I had to bury any and all parts of Abnegation within me. I'm just Dauntless now. I cannot let my divergence show. No one can know, no one can suspect. Or I'll die. But I believe that I can make it. I was brave enough to choose Dauntless, and selfless to follow my friend into imminent danger and people who want to kill me.

Suddenly, I realised the kind of position I've been put in. I started hyperventilating. I could die. I-I could die. Who wants me dead? I've never hurt anyone.

No. Breathe. In. Out. In. Out. Relax. No one knows, expect for the Amity man, but I believe that he'll keep this secret. Amity are all about peace, not violence, so if my life really is in stake, he'll do anything to prevent that violence and death. No, he'll definitely keep it.

I think back to all I've done today, all I've accomplished. The brave step into Dauntless, selflessly putting my life in danger, getting on a moving train, jumping off one onto a roof, seven stories high, jumping off a building into an unknown abyss.

The weeping continued, I tried to ignore her, I tried to cover my ears with the pillow, even though I could no longer hear it, I knew that she was still crying. I was tired. I just wanted to sleep, but I knew, as long as she was crying, I won't be able to sleep properly.

I felt suffocated with the pillow, but taking it off meant I'd hear the whimpers. I huffed. I got up as quietly as I could, I made my way to the last bed in the row, where they were coming from.

"Hey," I breathed, I didn't want anyone else hearing me. She paused her tears. "It's going to be okay, Alice."

"How do you know?" she asked, just as quietly.

"I have faith, but, you're from Amity, think positively."

"Thank you, I'll try," I could hear a slight smile in her voice.

"No worries."

When I finally landed in my bed, I couldn't hear any more tears, and with the peaceful silence, I feel asleep into rough dreams.

A/N: Hello!! And here is your chapter for today!! I'll try putting up another one tomorrow, but no promises ;P 

Love you guys!!

~wolf-gabby23 <3