Dauntless- A fanfic of Divergent

Chapter 5- Targets

As I fall asleep that night, I feel the sobs from Alex shake the bed slightly. Everyone seems homesick, not one bunk is quiet. But I am. I don’t miss my mother. Maybe I will after the weeks I have ahead of me. But I don’t think I will. I never will.

“Up!!!!! Move it! We have training to do!” Cunningham yells like a drill sergeant. I bolt awake quickly and pull on sweatpants and a t-shirt. Everyone scrambles out the door, some forgetting a shoe or a jacket, and running back to grab it. I hop on one foot, pulling on my sneakers. I run after them, attempting to simultaneously put my hair in a ponytail. “Stairs!” Four yells. I tighten the hairband and then focus on not falling on my face. I take the steps quickly, because Four is still jogging easily. I trip on the bottom step, but manage to stay on my feet, even though I’m still groggy from sleep. As we pass the dining hall, Cunningham yells “Grab a bagel and keep running!” I am having trouble running and eating, so I toss the food in a trashcan as we pass it. My lungs and muscles are burning from the sudden exercise. The doors to the gym finally comes into view. Four pushes it open and we gather around a whiteboard. I gasp for air, as do many of us. I am so glad we’re here. I’m really not a runner.

I share a glance with Alex as Cunningham begins to speak. We are both red faced and breathing hard. “As you have been told, your training will be divided into three stages. Today we start the first one. We will learn to shoot, throw knives, and most importantly, hand to hand combat. Since there are only 12 of you, only two will be cut at the end of this stage.” The candor boy mumbles angrily. Four steps up to him “What’s your name?” He shrinks back a bit. “Tyson.” Four smirks “Well, Tyson, if you are so afraid of being cut, are you really that Dauntless?” his face pales a bit. “Thought so.” Four says. I resist the urge to laugh, deciding I like Four.

I struggle to load the clip into my gun under the pressure they are putting us under. 5 seconds to load and unload. Four looms over my shoulder. I drop the ammo under the table and groan in frustration. “Just try to relax.” He says. I take a deep breath and try to calm myself. I find myself starting to fall into a rhythmic pattern. It becomes easier and easier to load the gun. I smile at Four gratefully, and he moves on to Alex.

Bang! The bullets punch holes into the target easily as Cunningham demonstrates firing stance. “Easy. Now do that.” Four comments. Great instruction we have here. I grasp the hand gun tightly and hold it out in front of me, surprised at its weight. My feet are should width apart. I take a deep breath, trying to aim, and pull the trigger. A rush of power flows through me. I feel more in control than I ever have in my life. No one can touch me now. “Nice shot.” The gril next to me says. I shrug my shoulders “It was ok.” She smiles and aims for her target.

I am pleasantly surprised by the bullet holes in my target. I never expected to hit it. Only one is remotely close to the center, but it’s a good start. I stop and survey my opponents targets.I seem to be around average. But Tyson is unfortunately exceptional. Most of his shots cluster around the center. At least I’m not the worst, I think as I see Alex’s target. Not one hole. “I’m Sara.” The girl next to me says. “I told you you were a good shot.” I glance at her target “You’re way better.” She smiles “Practice makes perfect.” Her smugness is rather annoying, but I smile anyways. I look back over at Alex. She looks downcast, upset. I would be too. Cunningham steps up to her “What is this?” he asks pointing at the target. She replies sarcastically “A target.” At least she still had some fire. He frowns, angry “Then I’d suggest you learn to hit it.” Her face flashes with hurt, and I see Four frown. That was a bit harsh. But we are in Dauntless.