Transparent: A Divergent FanFiction (Book One) ©

Chapter 45

                Max had made it perfectly clear on our first day that we were not allowed to leave the dauntless compound without supervision, especially if it was to visit our old factions. If we did, he said there’d be serious repercussions. Even with this information in mind, I couldn’t bring myself to hop out of the train and head back.

                In the dark, and with only the moon as a spectator, I’d snuck out of the compound and boarded the train heading to candor; to my old home. I watched the black silhouettes of the city pass by, and when I noticed the small buildings grow as we neared, I stood and prepared myself to jump.

                From the moment I’d read the letter, my first thought and only real concern had been my family. If I was getting threatening notes left in my bed saying that I was going to die, even when I was surrounded by possible witnesses, then what was to stop the other culprit in candor from attacking my loved ones?

                The train slowed as it reached the heart of the city, and I didn’t hesitate to jump off. It was dark, and though I couldn’t see anyone, I kept having the feeling that I was being watched. Was I was being paranoid? When I saw the familiar metal sculpture on the school’s lawn, I knew exactly where I was and I broke into a dead sprint; making sure to keep to the shadows.

                The familiar glass buildings that began to appear told me when I had crossed into candor territory. I pumped my legs harder; willing myself to go faster. I had to see with my own eyes that my mom and Mara were still alive, still safe. Drenched in sweat and breathing hard, more from fear than exertion, I quickly closed the distance when I spotted the building where I’d been raised.

                I pushed the glass doors open and then slipped into the elevator, punching in the security code that I still remembered and then pushing the button for the top floor. It wasn’t until the metal doors slid closed that I realized I didn’t have a weapon, or anything else to use if there really was someone in my old home. I was still searching through my pockets when the elevator doors opened.

                “Sage?” My mother gaped.

                “Mom, wait! Drop the knife,” I said when I noticed what was in her hand. “What are you doing?”

                “God, you nearly gave me a heart attack,” she said, fanning herself with her hand. “What are you-” Suddenly her eyes went wide, and she quickly held a finger to her lips. I nodded, and then followed behind her as she opened the door to our home. I was about to speak when she again shushed me.

                “Mara is asleep. Come with me, let’s go to the living room where it’s safer to talk.”

                “Okay,” I whispered back; taking a quick survey of my surroundings as I followed. It was incredibly soothing to see that everything was just as I remembered.

                “Sage, sweetie, what are you doing here?” she said when I’d settled into the couch. “Especially this late at night?”

                “Why did you have that knife?” I asked instead. Was it possible that someone had already attempted to attack her?

                “I couldn’t sleep, haven’t really been able to since you left. Anyway, I was up and I heard the elevator chime,” she frowned and let out a shaky breath. “I didn’t know who it was, only that it was suspicious.”

                “Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” I apologized; realizing just then how poorly my actions had been thought out.