Chasm

Chapter 14

So I changed the cover for this chapter because @divergentmayfly came in clutch and created the perfect picture above! (If it doesn't come up for you, then scroll over, it's definitely worth seeing haha)

TRIS POV

The fear simulations pass slowly, with Tobias calling the oblivious initiates in one at a time. After ten minutes or so, they each exit with petrified expressions and unstable legs, trying to grasp the fact that what they just witnessed was not, in fact, reality.

I sit next to Christina and Dez in the sterile hallway outside the door where we will meet our greatest fears head-on. We pass the time by quietly chattering about anything that could possibly be of interest to take our minds off of the impending doom that awaits us.

"I am not excited for this," Dez admits eventually. At least she has had time to mentally prepare for the simulations, whereas the other new initiates—and the group I was in last year—weren't given the luxury.

"This isn't even the worst part," Christina remarks. "Just wait until you get the nightmares."

Fortunately enough, I haven't had nightmares for the past few days. Tobias helped to fight them off the first night, and then I went to bed without negativity after zip lining the next night. After that, I was finally awarded an actual bed in the dormitory since I successfully passed the first stage of training while others didn't—well, I'll be honest, it doesn't quite fit the requirements of a bed, seeing as this is Dauntless.

But now, with three days of total rest, I am worried that I won't be as equipped to counter my nightmares as I usually am; I hardly can in the first place, but controlling my screaming is better than letting it loose.

Just then, a nauseous Bryce leaves the room, passing us in a hurry. Christina follows him with her eyes pityingly, and Tobias steps out to call, "Dez."

Dez casts a desperate glance at us from over her shoulder and disappears into the back room with Tobias.

"If I didn't have to do my own sim, I would go comfort him or something. That would be a good way to start conversation with him," says Christina, referring to her crush, Bryce.

"Well, you should talk to him anyways," I suggest. "If you really like him, don't wait for an opportunity. Use that Candor instinct and go up and tell him you like him."

She mocks me. "Ha-ha. Making fun of my former faction again, are we?"

"I'm serious!" I exclaim quietly, so the others in the room won't hear us over their own conversations. "You've just been talking about him for over a week. I'm just saying you should go for it."

Christina hums in acknowledgement, but I can tell her mind is elsewhere. After a moment, she asks, "Any boy drama going on with you?"

Remembering what happened a couple days ago, I scoff. "Unfortunately."

"What? You don't like him or something?" She stops. "Wait, who are we talking about?"

I lean over and whisper, "Justin seemed like he was flirting with me the other night."

Being the Candor she is, her eyes flit over to Justin, who sits a few feet across from us with Uriah.

"Don't make it obvious!" I hiss. Then I give both of the boys a friendly smile when we catch their eyes.

"Okay, I don't understand. Is there something wrong with him liking you though?"

"Yes, there's something wrong with it. He's my friend, and I don't like him that way."

She picks at her cuticles, acting nonchalant. "Come on, Tris. He's good-looking. He's funny. He's excelling at initiation—"

"And I still don't like him."