Transparent: A Divergent FanFiction (Book One) ©

Chapter 39

                Wiping my clammy hands against my pants, I stood and swiftly followed behind Amar. Down the hallway and into another room, I froze like a deer in headlights when I spotted what was inside the room. In the center, almost exactly like the one used for the aptitude tests, was a metal reclining chair and a familiar beeping machine. The only difference was the lack of mirrors.

                “Take a seat,” Amar said, motioning to the chair.

                “Another simulation? Why?” I asked, unwilling to budge from my spot. “I mean, our results were already put in and everything. Why this second time around?”

                “Sit,” Amar repeated in a sterner tone.

                Not wanting to try his patience, I obediently made my way to the chair and sat down. I caught the sound of the door clicking shut, and I couldn’t help but clench my fists around the armrests of the chair.

                “What kind of test is it this time?” I dared to ask as Amar began to type something into the computer in front of him.

                “Have you heard of the term, face your fears?” he asked. I nodded and he continued to tap on the keyboard. “Well, that’s essentially what this is. With this simulation we’re going to literally teach you to control any terror or dread you may feel so that you can learn think clearly in the midst of any dangerous situation.”

                Another test, another hurtle, another way my secret could be revealed. I had to stay calm. The simulations weren’t real, they were of no real threat to my life, all I had to do was act natural. I could feel the adrenalin already beginning to pump through my system, and I balled my hands tighter to hide the small tremors running through my body.

                “Okay, turn your head,” Amar said. I complied, and shut my eyes. It was odd; didn’t I have to drink the serum first?

                Something foreign brushed against my neck, and without warning I felt my body react on instinct; my arm jerked up, hand clenched around Amar’s wrist in an iron-like grip.  I whipped my head back around and stared with outright distrust and suspicion at the syringe in his hand.

                “What the hell is that?” I demanded. “Where’s the stuff we’re supposed to drink?”

                Amar didn’t even flinch, he just raised a brow and then stared at my hand. I dropped my arm, but didn’t let him get close again. I needed answers.

                “Not very dauntless to be scared of needles,” Amar noted.

                “I’m not scared,” I said quickly. “But I’m not a big fan of getting injected with mystery serums.”

                Amar sighed loudly, and I couldn’t help but feel like in this situation he was the frustrated parent and I was the petulant child. Still, I crossed my arms and stubbornly waited until he spoke again.

                “It’s the same in essence,” he said with a shrug. “We just use a more advanced version. Higher quality serum, with no electrodes or wires.”

                “No wires?” I repeated. “Then how can you tell what’s going on?”

                “Well you won’t have wires, but I will. I’ll also be able to see what’s going on through this screen,” he said, motioning to the large monitor. “For you there’s going to be a tiny transmitter in the serum that’ll send the data to the computer. It will stimulate your brain, the amygdala to be exact.”