Transparent: A Divergent FanFiction (Book One) ©

Chapter 36

                After we’d gotten off the train, we’d walked down the barren streets of Michigan Avenue and towards the Hancock building; the tallest monument that existed north of the bridge. We’d had to wait in the shadows while the first dauntless group rode up in the elevator, and then, when we’d suspected they were all up on the roof, we’d boarded and then stopped at the ninety-ninth floor; just under the top floor so that if there was still someone there, we wouldn’t be spotted.

                “Okay guys, take these and put them on.” Finn instructed as he handed us each our awkwardly shaped backpacks. “Make sure every strap is tight, that all the buckles are locked, and don’t forget the goggles.”

                I felt my eyes widen in confusion when I unzipped my pack and pulled out a strange-looking jumpsuit; it was all black, and made of a fabric I’d never seen before which was both durable, yet light. I ran my fingers over it, and then held it out at arm’s length to get a better look. A wide stretch of fabric ran from under the arms, along the sides, and down to the feet, and then another that connected both legs.

                I unzipped the front, and stepped in; making sure that everything was secure as Finn had instructed. I’d just finished lacing up my boots when Dan suddenly spoke up.

                “Dude! I finally know what this reminds me of!” He crowed in delight. He spread his arms and legs, and then began flapping around as he chanted. “Flying squirrels! Haha, can you believe it? Swish, swish! Dan the flying squirrel!”

                Finn and the boys laughed, amused by his antics, and when Dan ran by and was close enough to reach, I grabbed him and tousled his hair.

                “How did you manage to come up with that comparison?” I asked between laughs.

                Dan squirmed out of my hold and ran a hand quickly through his hair to tame the disaster I’d left. “Duh, in Mr. Green’s Environmental Biology class. Unlike you, I didn’t nap through every lecture he gave.”

                I reached to mess up his hair again, but he managed to skirt away in time. I rolled my eyes and smirked. “Right, I believe that.” I said sarcastically. “I bet you only remember that because that was the time Penny Jacobs was tutoring you.”

                “Penny Jacobs? Who the heck-“ Dan paused and then laughed as he remembered. “Oh yeah, erudite Penny right? Yeah, she was cute. Eh, maybe so, but that’s not the point.”

                “What is the point then, oh wise one?” I quipped.

                “The point is I’m a smart cookie, and I knew something you didn’t, and I win.”

                I was about to make an irrefutable argument when Finn called us over to one of the floor-to-ceiling windows. We all lined up next to him, our noses pressed to the glass, and it was then that I could see what he was pointing to. Above us, like he’d said it would be, was the thick cable line that the dauntless and dauntless-initiates were using to zip-line down.

                As I craned my head up, I saw first one, then two, then three bodies eventually go zooming down the wire. Each either let out a whoop of excitement, or a shriek of terror, and as more and more followed, I realized that in comparison to what we were about to do, that was child’s play.

                “So that’s zip-lining huh?” Dan mused as his eyes followed another body down the line. “Looks like fun.” He said, sounding a little wistful.