Resurgent: A Divergent Story//editing

Chapter 13

- Al -

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"Help!" I yell, and Hector slowly moves towards me. If he goes to fast, the platform could colapse. He moves closer, and the platform creaks. He reaches down and tries to grab my hand, but my fingers slip. "Hector!" I yell, and shut my eyes. I expect to hit the hard ground, but I don't. Someone grabs my hands, and pulls me up. I open my eyes and I feel two arms around me. I see the deep blue eyes that I love. Hector holds me in his arms. Tears stream down his face.

"I thought I was going to lose you, Al," Hector cries.

"Hec, you won't lose me. I'm okay, I really am," I say.

He puts his arms around me and squeezes me tightly, and I do the same back.

"Oh my God!" Claire yells, "What happened?"

"The guys, they were trying to push that girl off the edge and Tommy and I went after them. And they knocked out Tommy and I got punched in the jaw." Hector says, still crying, "Jo got the girl they were trying to kill and then the guy who knocked out Tommy picked up Al and threw her over the edge of the platform. She almost died." Hector sobs, pulling me back into a hug.

"Shhh. Shhh." I say, petting his back. "It's okay Hec. Shhh. I'm right here. It's okay."

Jo comes over, and helps me up, bringing Hector with me. I look over and see Claire and Angie trying to help Tommy, who is still unconscious. James is trying to talk to the scared woman, who was almost killed. Hector looks at me, still crying, and leans in and hugs me. I hug him back and cry into his chest. The smell of Hector, or maybe it's just his clothes, comforts me. He pulls away from me and cups my face in his hands. He wipes my tears away with his thumbs smiles at me.

"Thanks for saving my life, Hec." I say.

"Anytime Al," he says, and pulls me into a hug again. I hug him back, but this time, without tears.

I hear small footsteps come closer to us. The woman, erudite, says, "Thank you for saving me."

Hector nods, "You're welcome."

"And I'm sorry you almost died," she says, and a shaky voice to me.

"It's fine. I'm okay." I lie. I'm not okay. I almost died.

But I didn't.

I am dauntless.

I have to be brave.

"No you're not," the woman says.

"Candor born?" I ask and she nods her head.

"Why'd they do this to you?" Hector asks.

"Because of what I am," she says, not looking us in the eyes.

"Well, Hector and I have to get going. I hope you are safe." I say and grab Hector's hand and walk away.

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Two hours later

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"Hi Al! Hi Hector!" Lani squeals as she hops out of her pickup truck.

"Hey," I say and she sits next to me. We wait for ten minutes, until everyone gets here, then we make our way towards the train. We stand in silence for a couple of minutes, but the rumbling of the train breaks the silence.

"Run!" Hector yells he is in front, and I am in back, the others in between us. They all start running after Hector and the train races us. Hector hops on presses the button and glides in. He helps on Jenna, then Lani. Brian gets in himself, but Jacob needs help from Hector. I grab onto the handle and pull myself in. Everyone, except Hector and me, are panting.

"Where even is dauntless?" Jacob says.

"You'll see," I say with a grin, and a slight chuckle from Hector.

The rest if the ride is silent.

"Ready?" Hector asks.

"For what?" Jenna questions, fear in her eyes.

"To jump," I say.

They stare, wide eyes at me. I push the button to the train, and the door opens. I stand at the back of the car and I jump, my favorite thing to do.

I wanted to have everyone enter the initiates do on the day of the Choosing Ceremony, but Hector thought that would be too cruel.

I land on my feet at the gravel by the entrance to the compound. Brian jumps next, surprisingly landing on his feet too. Jenna rolls out next. Lani and Jacob follow, and then comes Hector, landing on his feet.

I say, "Welcome to dauntless."