The Unlucky Ones

[12] - Initiates

[Tobias]

THE INITIATES' DORMITORIES ARE CLOSE TO MY APARTMENT, but the transfer dorms are closer than the Dauntless-born dorms. I walk into the dorm, turning on the light.

" Clean up and get dressed. Meet me in the put in 10. " I say, demandingly.

I turn and leave.

'Well, isn't he lovely at 7:30 in the morning.'

I smirk, walking to the pit. I wait for them. Some of them arrive sooner than others. But eventually, they're all here. Heavy feet stomp over. I turn my head.

Al.

Now, all of them are here.

" Nice of you to join us. " I say.

He has dark bags under his eyes. His eyes are red. He was crying all night. His cowardice shows through to me so I can count that Eric will notice it too. His eyes meet mine and he shuffles into the group, sighing heavily.

" It's currently 7:40. You have 20 minutes to eat your breakfast, pee, and or shower. Meet back here and I will show you to the Train. " I say.

They all stare at me. I look down at my watch.

" And that's 19 minutes. " I say. " Well, what are you waiting for? Go! "

They all run in different directions. Tris walks to the dining hall slowly, not in a rush. She's willing to take whatever she can get. I haven't eaten yet myself. So I join them. But, I sit with Zeke and Shauna. Zeke is sipping on black coffee, Shauna pucks at a muffin, throwing pieces at him. I eat a muffin, sighing at the lack of flavor of bran muffins. The initiates got first dibs. Tris tried to offer hers to me. The last blueberry muffin in the stash, but I declined, settling for the dry bran muffin instead. I finish my coffee, standing.

" See you after work? " I ask Shauna and Zeke.

They nod.

" You up for some dare? " He asks.

I shake my head.

" Last time I played, our instructor was dead and we were paying our respects. " I say.

He rolls his eyes.

" Why not? I've got a great dare for you! " He exclaims.

I shake my head.

" If it has anything to do with that Damn zip-line, you can count me out. " I say.

He sticks his tongue out.

" You're no fun. " He says.

I nod.

" Yeah, maybe so, but I'm still alive. " I say.

I wave to Shauna, leaving. I look at my watch. They've got 5 minutes to be down here or they're late. I walk to the training room, grabbing the bag I set out for training today. I return to the Pit. Tris walks out of the dining hall, her eyes set on the ground. Christina, Al, and Will are out shortly after her, catching up with her. The initiates flood out of the Dining Hall, approaching me. My watch beeps. I count them. 9. Good.

" If you'll follow me, " I say. " I'll show you to the train. "

I lead them down a hallway towards the tracks. We're slightly ahead of schedule, so the train isn't here yet.

" Where are we going? " One initiate asks.

I don't bother looking back. I can answer while walking.

" There's a shooting range over near the gate out by Amity, " I say. " We're riding there. "

The initiates whisper to each other.