The Unlucky Ones

[9] - Ranks

[Tobias]

ZEKE RUNS OVER. I can see the band-aid behind his ear. It covers a fresh tattoo. His lips are pressed firmly into a frown. Usually, he's bubbly, ready to crack a joke. But right now, he's quiet. Monotone. Odd. Uriah is next to him. He's the same way.

" It's Amar. " Zeke whispers, quietly repeating it a few times.

Uriah looks down, then finishes Zeke's sentence.

" He... He's dead. " He whispers.

I stop smiling. My smirk drops and I'm fully concerned. I'm already on my feet.

" What do you mean, 'he's dead'? " I ask.

Shauna stands. Zeke's eyes are red and puffy. His hands are clenched. Uriah is stiff and tense.

" An older woman found the body this morning by the Pire. She said he must have... " Uriah says.

" Jumped? " Zeke says.

" Or fell. No one knows. " Uriah says.

I look down, shaking my head. I turn around hooking my fingers on the ledge. I climb up the sides of the pit, ignoring the dropping sensation in the pit of my stomach as I climb higher and higher.

He can't be dead. He just can't be.

We climb the creaky stairs and stand on the glass floor. People crowd around the edge. I shove my way through, elbowing people, receiving elbows back. I spot a red stain on the concrete below next to a waterlogged body. The red must be where he hit before falling into the water. I can't believe he would actually do this. Throw himself into the chasm. And then, I walk away...

* * * * *

Today is Ranking day. After going through so many weeks of testing my physical, emotional, and mental strength, I can finally see if I made the cut. I clench my fists together tightly, standing in between Zeke and Shauna. I'm standing still, even through my shaky breathing, my body learns to stay still. I'm terrified of losing. I don't want to lose the few friends I have and leave for Factionless.

" Initiates. You've worked hard towards this day. Proved your strengths and weaknesses. Showed how Dauntless you really are. Here are your rankings. " Max says.

The screen lights up with names. I don't even dare search for mine. I first search for Zeke and Shauna.

6. Zeke
7. Ash
8. Shauna

I sigh in relief. They made it. I scan over the names and begin to panic. I can't find mine. Then I see it. Right at the top...

1. Four
2. Eric

Shauna and Zeke both let out victorious whoops, then slap their arms around me. I laugh, returning the gesture. The whole cafeteria explodes with sound. People approach me, cheering for me. People I don't even know. It shouldn't be these strangers congratulating me. It should be Amar. The man who made me into the man I am now. My identity has been forever forgotten now that I'm officially one of them. I am not Tobias Eaton. Never again. From now on, I am Four.

After drinking the stinging alcohol all night, I have to step out into the cool air. I chuckle slightly as I stumble towards the train tracks. I can hear the train approaching and see the light making its way towards me. I lean closer to the tracks, standing so close to such a dangerous thing. It gives me a thrill. Like what the Dauntless-borns do. They play chicken with the Train tracks, jumping on and off at the sight of a train. As I begin to lean back, I see a dark figure. Female. Thin. Curly brown hair. A hooked nose. She's exactly like my mother. And just like that, she's gone with the Train.

* * * * *

The apartment is larger than I had expected. It is still bare, seeing as I have no furniture or belongings to stow away inside except for my old Abnegation clothes that are hidden away in my bag. The wooden floors are still streaked with broom strokes, around the corners especially. Because I ranked first, the Dauntless lottery was very kind to me. I was given the choice of living with others or living alone. And I was also given the choice of jobs. I was given a choice I never would never take. I was offered the job of dauntless leader.

If I accepted the job, I would have to go to meetings with the leaders of every other faction once a month, meaning I would see him. I couldn't risk it. So, instead, I work as Amar did. Training. Intel. Everything that comes in and goes out will be under my supervision. A good way to see if they've found me out, too. Gives me enough time to get out of there if they have.

I walk further into my apartment, looking around. I make it to the bedroom. On one wall, it says 'Fear God Alone' in white letters. I smile slightly before unpacking my bags. I walk to the bed, laying out some of my clothes. I spot my Abnegation shirt. The same one that has a tear in it from when I used a strip to soak up blood from the cut in my palm. The scar still resides in my lower left palm. I sigh, walking to my drawer. I hide it away in the back. Knocking sounds at the door and I assume it's Zeke and Shauna.

" It's open! " I exclaim.

I hear the door slide open, and slide shut. I can hear the scraping of boots on my hardwood kitchen floor. It's Max. I stand up straight. It's just a fair habit from being around Marcus all that time. His lips curl in utter disgust at the gray slacks on my bed. The reaction surprises me.

There aren't many in this city who would choose Abnegation as their faction, but there aren't many who hate it, either. Apparently I've found one of them. I stand quiet, unsure of what to do. There's a Dauntless Leader in my apartment, and frankly, he shows no sign of leaving any time soon.