60 seconds

5). Choosing Ceremony

Rosey's pov -

I'm up earlier than normal. It's around 3:30 and I'm sneaking back into my house. I left my treehouse for the last time around 3:00. I gave myself one last good look and jumped in the pond. This place is the closest thing I have to home and I'm leaving it today.

Yesterday I had my aptitude test and as expected, I choose the knife and defended myself. I still felt awful after killing that dog but it got me the result I needed. I also liked the feeling of defending myself, just not the killing part. That was a little much in my belief.

I said enough goodbyes to my little almost home. I New I wouldn't be here forever. I get out of the pond and dry off. I change into clothes that will best suite me for my first day as Dauntless. I pull a tight yellow shirt on with black leggings accompanied with my tight black sneakers. I know I'm going to have to run today and hop onto trains. Past that I have no idea what's in store for me.

A Dauntless born, named Tori, administered my test and congratulated me. She told me to meet her in her tattoo shop for my first tattoo. I already know what I want. I want a Sword Lilly flower to go along with the scars on my hand and I want to get the word Dauntless with angle wings somewhere. I want to be able to see it because that's what gives me motivation to keep myself going. If I come up to a challenge I tell myself, "your Dauntless aren't you? You can do this, your Dauntless"

That's what I'm currently telling myself right now. I'm opening the door to the house holding Jonah. I wanted one last look around before I leave Amity forever. I want to leave this in my past and move on in Dauntless. I slowly step through the threshold and walk into the kitchen. I pass the living room I never went in and look at the stove in the kitchen. My hand twitches on reflex as I see the kettle. My skin stained it a little and he had to get a new one. It looks almost identical. I'm afraid he kept the old one somewhere and he's just waiting for his chance to get me with it.

I walk further in and the floorboard creaks. Shit. I forgot about watching my step. I hear no more noise and pray that he's still sleeping. I make it to the stairs and just peer up. I haven't gone upstairs since I made the treehouse. My door was open and I could see a little bit of the yellow walls of my room. That's all I need. I'm about to turn around when the front door swings open. Crap! I didn't think he wouldn't be home, I thought he would be sleeping. He sees me and starts bolting towards me. I try to make a run for it but his hands grab my shoulders and pushes me down. He gets on top of me and starts screaming "How stupid are you? You worthless piece of crap! You took her from me and you think you can just waltz on in here whenever you want!"

I try to scoot away but his grip on me tightens. Before I know it he's throwing punches at my gut. I knew I shouldn't have come here, why am I so stupid! Who needs a goodbye from a house!?! I lock up in fear. There's nothing I can do. Thoughts of me drowning in the pond fill my head. No! There is something I can do. I'm Dauntless I'm Dauntless. I keep chanting that and bring my knee up into his groin. I read about fighting a bigger opponent but not fighting your biggest fear. That was about all I had in me. He seemed shocked that I tried to fight back, I took that moment to shove him off me and I sprint out and run all the way to the train.

I know Dauntless usually use the train but if I'm choosing it anyway, might as well get an early start. I run up next to the train and see that the last car is empty. Well they're all empty. It's 4:00 in the morning.

I don't want to talk or see anyone right now now so being alone on the train seems like bliss. It's not like I have anyone to talk to anyway.

I grab onto the side rail and hurl myself in. I've done this a million times already and each time it feels like freedom. I go to the back of the car and sit with my back against the wall. I turn my head to the side and jerk up. I forgot he got my body. Oh god. I'm going to go to the choosing ceremony and join my faction for the first time with huge bruises all over my body. At least it was just body punches, no face. I feel like I want to cry. My one chance to finally get away from all of this and I have to go in with a huge reminder of it. Might as well paint my forehead 'Abused' and waltz on in. No how about 'Cry's Wolf' that seems to be the best fit. No one believes in a harmful Amity, especially when that Amity is a leader.

I try to push my thoughts aside and just stare at the landscape. We pass through the rest of Amity and towards Erudite. I see giant white pillar buildings and paved streets and city lights. No, don't think about him, I keep reminding myself. We get through Erudite after 15 minutes and I'm passing through the old wreckage once know as Chicago. I've always wanted to explore it, maybe I'll get to in Dauntless. We pass what seems like a giant wheel that has carts all over it and spikes in the middle. What was that? Wonder takes over me. Maybe it launched people? Or took people on rides? I would love to see what it looks like on the top but I probably never will. Time continues to pass and I've gone through Abnegation and Candor. it's now 6:00 and we're coming up to Dauntless. I'm praying that none are going to take the last car. They usually don't, they all make it into the top half and usually only a few end up in the back. They hate the last car, I have no clue why.

To my luck no one joins me in my little car. I keep starring out the door until the train starts to get closer to the hub and I can hear the Dauntless born starting to jump off. I try to shake the thoughts out and just pretend like I didn't just get the crap beat out of me. I get to go in looking weak, so much for scoring first. I still can! I will! The hopeful voice in me says, No one will notice, he didn't get your face. I want to believe it but I'm really going to have to try. Maybe when I get there I can find someone to cover my bruises in makeup or something. No. Instead you know what. Did I just get beat up? Yes. Am I going to let some stupid drunk get in my way again? I think back to the day at the pond. When I let Byron get the best of me as well as my father. I let their words get into my head and it almost stopped me from living. They are not taking my life away, not again! Im going to waltz in there and pretend like it's not there and if someone asks I'll just say something stupid. How about "you should see the other guy" or "bite me" I think I'm going to go with "bite me".

I leap out of the train and start running again. It's easier for me to keep standing if I just keep going with the momentum. I run right up to the hub and up the stairs. I have to wait a while before I get called so I'm using my energy while I have it. As I get to my seat I see some Dauntless staring at me. I guess they noticed I didn't come in with the other Amity. I find a seat and I'm not surprised to be by myself. Jonah has no reason to be here, he doesn't want me to stay either, I'm assuming.

The names go on and on. The announcer went in reverse alphabetical order. It feels like an eternity before my name is called, "Rosey Blake" I get up and confidently make my way down to the middle of the room. I try to ignore all the stares. Most people know Jonah Blake but little probably know about Rosey Blake, me. I wasn't his favorite conversation topic and I was never around. I barely did any work in Amity because I was always in the woods, no one could find me. I guess they just gave up or didn't care. It's no surprise to them when they hear the coals sizzle and the Dauntless erupt. I guess everyone new I wouldn't be staying in Amity, at least the ones who remembered.

I walk to my faction and an older guy gets up and lets me have his seat. I thank him and watch his Mohawk walk away and up to another empty seat. I drone out the rest of the ceremony and look up a few times to see that my only two somewhat friends from Dauntless both chose Abnegation.

I guess I'm not too surprised. They were the only ones who even bothered to look at me, let alone let me sit with them at lunch. The ceremony finally comes to a close and everyone stands up. I get up with them and they are already running out of the stairs. I make my way for them finally feeling free and new and my own person. No more hiding, I Am Dauntless.