Innocence Lost

Chapter 1 (Introductions)

I've often wondered what was beyond the wall.  Were there more people?  Cities like the one I lived in now and if so, were they safe?  About 200 years ago there was a war and the rest of the world was destroyed.  We couldn't possibly be the only survivors left, it just doesn't make sense. 

The city that we lived in had been called Chicago at the time, the Windy City.  When I was a little girl I would often dream about leaving the city and meeting new, exiting people.  But that's all it was; dreams.

Our founders built a wall to keep its citizens safe and in doing so they divided us into five factions to help keep the peace.

My faction, Erudite, was formed by those who blamed human ignorance for the faults of society.  They are the smart ones, valuing knowledge, logic, and wisdom.  The faction produces most of the city's doctors, teachers, and scientists.  Since they know everything they are our city's innovators, remaining logical and as unemotional as possible.  To me they are greedy and power hungry. 

Jeanine Matthews is our faction leader.  She's smart, cunning, and beautiful; makes me not trust her.  She believes Erudite should be the governing faction.  She might as well be the leader of the entire city since she is feared by everyone.

Candor was formed by those who blamed chicanery and deception for human nature's faults.  They believe in honesty above all and are very good at reading body language to detect lies.  Being from Erudite I also feel like I can read people based off of their body language as well.  The thing that infuriates me about Candor is their inability to keep their mouths shut. 

The faction doesn't have a leader but a representative, Jack Kang.  Since they value honesty and order they run our justice system.  The faction is known to administer truth serum for questioning those on trial.  I heard it can be quite painful.

Dauntless if the warrior faction of our society.  Dauntless was formed by those who blamed cowardice for society's problems.  They value bravery, courage, and fearlessness.  They're our city's protectors, our military, and our police.  They are in charge of the city's security.  Their main task is to guard the fence that surrounds the city.

Dauntless members are all physically fit, being they are trained in the art of fighting and honing physical skills.  They have not one but five leaders.  Max being the head of the faction.  They usually wear provocative or full black leather clothing, have piercings, and tattoos.  Some people think that Dauntless are crazy.  I think they are amazing. 

Amity was formed in order to have a peaceful society, free from conflict and sadness caused by wars and instigation.  They value peace, kindness, and harmony; that is why they are often looked at as mediators. 

They are known to administer peace and calming serums to their own people to help settle internal disputes or settle behavioral matters.  They also put the serum in their bread, which is pretty sneaky.  Peace serum is a kind of neurotransmitter similar to dopamine.  I would be happy as a clam too if I was high on that shit.  Erudite had it made special for them.

Amity farm the land; which provides most of the food for all the factions.  Like Candor, they don't have a leader but a representative, Johanna Reyes. 

Then there's Abnegation; which was formed by those who blamed selfishness for human nature's mistakes.  They are plain and ascetic, dedicated to helping others and value the virtues of selflessness above all others.  Since they are public servants they run the government for that very reason. 

Their leader, Marcus Eaton, if one of the leaders of our city.  Apparently he abused his son, prompting him to defect.  Most people don't' believe it though.  I'm not even sure if I even believe it.