The Unlucky Ones

[17] - Robert

[Tobias]

THE TRAIN'S BRAKES SQUEAL, and we all lurch forward as the car slows. The dilapidated buildings are gone, replaced by yellow fields and train tracks. The train stops under an awning. In front of me is a chain-link fence with barbed wire strung along the top. When I walk forward, I notice that it continues farther than I can see, perpendicular to the horizon. Past the fence is a cluster of trees, most of them dead, some green. Milling around on the other side of the fence are Dauntless guards carrying guns.

" Follow me, " I say.

Tris stays close to Christina. I lead them toward the gate, which is as wide as a house and opens up to the cracked road that leads to the city. When we came here with our families as children, we rode in a bus on that road and beyond, to Amity's farms, where we spent the day picking tomatoes and sweating through our shirts.

" If you don't rank in the top five at the end of initiation, you will probably end up here, " I say as we reach the gate. " Once you are a fence guard, there is some potential for advancement, but not much. You may be able to go on patrols beyond Amity's farms, but-- "

" Patrols for what purpose? " Will asks.

I lift a shoulder. I don't know what they're for.

" As you can probably tell, I'm not one of them. I suppose you'll discover what they're for if you find yourself among them. As I was saying, for the most part, those who guard the fence when they are young continue to guard the fence. If it comforts you, some of them insist that it isn't as bad as it seems. " I say.

Peter lifts his head, our eyes meeting.

" What rank were you? " Peter asks.

Nobody would expect me to answer, but I'm confident in my answer. Because then, they'll know that I technically rank higher than Eric. And that I know how to fight. I look levelly at Peter.

" I was first. " I state.

His eyes are wide and innocent and dark green. They would look innocent to me if I didn't know what a terrible person he is.

" And you chose to do this? " He asks. " Why didn't you get a government job? "

I shrug.

" I didn't want one, " I state flatly.

We learned about faction jobs in school. The Dauntless have limited options. We can guard the fence or work for the security of our city. We can work in the Dauntless compound, drawing tattoos or making weapons or even fighting each other for entertainment. Or we can work for the Dauntless leaders. That would've sounded like my best option... If I didn't have any other choice. But I had the first choice. And I declined.

I could not work with Marcus. We stop next to the gate. A few Dauntless guards glance in our direction but not many. They are too busy pulling the doors--which are twice as tall as they are and several times wider--open to admit a truck. The man driving wears a hat, a beard, and a smile. He stops just inside the gate and gets out. The back of the truck is open, and a few other Amity sit among the stacks of crates. I peer at the crates--they hold apples. I lean against the wall, staring up at the sky.

" Beatrice? " An Amity boy says.

My head jerks at the sound of her name. One of the Amity in the back of the truck stands. He has curly blond hair and a familiar nose, wide at the tip and narrow at the bridge. Robert Black. I try to remember him at the Choosing Ceremony and nothing comes to mind but the sound of my heart in my ears. Who else transferred? Did Susan, his little sister? Are there any Abnegation initiates this year? Robert hops down from the truck. He wears a gray T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. After a second's hesitation, he moves toward Tris and folds her in his arms. She stiffens in his grasp. Only in Amity do people hug each other in greeting. He releases her. His own smile fades when he looks at her again.