Becoming Determinant - Tobias' Story

Divergent Chapter 12 - Capture the Flag

A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! I really appreciate the support. Thank you also to my wonderful beta reader, Rosalie!

"Divergent" Chapter 12 – Capture the Flag

I manage to catch a nap after dinner, in preparation for our capture the flag game tonight. I only sleep for a couple of hours, with just one dream, but that one is filled with Tris. We start out fighting as we did today, but gradually our activity morphs into something else, something unfamiliar. Something I certainly wouldn't mind turning real.

When I wake up, I'm sweaty and sticky, and I take the time for a quick shower before heading to the transfers' dormitory.

Eric is already waiting outside the door, but the others haven't arrived yet. I stand against the opposite wall, ignoring Eric the same way he ignores me. We don't wait long.

As soon as the rest of the group comes, we turn our flashlights on and invade the room, shining our lights around from bed to bed.

"Everybody up!" Eric shouts, holding his flashlight behind his head to illuminate it in silhouette. I grudgingly have to admit it's a great effect.

I scan the room automatically, stopping when I see Tris sitting up in her bed. My dream returns vividly, and I suddenly can't look away, everything in me caught by her fierce blue eyes. She stares back just as intently as I'm watching her, and I'm pretty sure that time stops completely as our gazes stay locked.

"Did you go deaf, Stiff?" Eric demands loudly, and we both jump a little, our eyes finally separating. I turn away, heading toward the door to give the initiates time to get up. Behind me, I hear Eric saying, "You have five minutes to get dressed and meet us by the tracks. We're going on another field trip." Trust Eric not to tell them anything more than that.

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The Dauntless-born reach the tracks first, shouting and jostling each other in excitement as they gather their paintball guns and ammunition. They've all heard of this tradition and have been anxiously awaiting their chance to participate in it. I watch Uriah and Lynn, trying not to grin at their enthusiasm, but I don't succeed very well. It's too contagious.

The transfers aren't far behind, though they're certainly much more nervous.

"Are we going to shoot something?" Christina asks Tris in a horrified tone, in that same too-loud whisper she always uses. But Tris just laughs as her eyes take in the paintball equipment. She's already figured it out.

"Everyone grab a gun!" Eric shouts to the ones who just arrived. As they rush to the table, he addresses me. "Time estimate?"

I resist the urge to roll my eyes while I check my watch. "Any minute now. How long is it going to take you to memorize the train schedule?" He's from Erudite, after all – surely, he can learn something that simple.

"Why should I," he retorts, shoving my shoulder, "when I have you to remind me of it?" I don't bother to answer, since at that moment the train comes into view. Instead, I simply grab ahold as it passes by, climbing in easily.

As she did the other day, Tris immediately heads after me, running fast next to the train. This time, Al is too far behind to help her, and I feel an odd sense of satisfaction at the thought. I hold my hand out, and Tris grabs it firmly, and I swing her easily into the car. She's light enough that it takes almost no effort.

She lets go quickly, leaving my hand tingling a little as she moves to the other side of the car. But I don't watch her go because now the others are boarding, and soon everyone is packed into the car.