Frozen Divergence- A Big Five Fanfiction

Chapter Ten: The Erudite

Nervously, I follow the mixed factions of the initiates to the elevator. The Erudite ahead do not speak, so I don't dare say a word. Honestly, I'm just scared to.

All of the others give me dirty looks. Some are feared. Some are judgmental. But some, like Hiccup's, are admiration. He isn't the only one. Several Erudite boys sweep their eyes around. I can almost feel them, as if they're scanning me. I blink, and finally we arrive to the elevator. Hiccup pushes the button to go down, and my stomach lurches at it. A very unsettling feeling arrives in my stomach, but I don't mind it much.

The elevator escalates downward, faster and faster. Finally, it comes to a stop, and I stumble to my feet. Someone speaks up, "we need to fix this. It made a Dauntless fall." Snickers were held around the room, and I scowled. I almost punched him in the face, but I had second thoughts. Just conceal it, and don't feel it.

We walk outside the elevators, and rows of large metal items on large wheels line up. They are all blue. I think they're called...vehicles?

Hiccup requested that I follow him, so I do. We walk to the third blue car, and he opens the door for me. I smile, and sit inside.

"Why'd you do it?" Hiccup asks while sitting next to me. He rolls up some kind of glass to seperate us from the driver.

"Why'd I do what?"

"Why'd you pick Erudite? Everyone thinks that you're a Dauntless traitor now."

"I did it because...I want to protect my sister, and be free at the same time. I admit it. I am a coward. I can barely even look at the spot where I had seen my parents dea-" I look away, covering my mouth. I've told him too much. I can't trust him now. I can't trust anyone, really. My eyes tear up, so I just look out the window.

"Did you even think of the initiation? Very few pass that! You have to be smartest of the smart! If you don't qualify...you're factionless," Hiccup almost snaps at me. I glare at him, and he shuts up.

"Don't tell me what I can and can't do. The only thing at this moment that I truly worry about is my sister."

"Why? She's a grown woman. Not to mention she's Dauntless! What makes you think that she could be in danger?!"

"...The men. There are many known for..."

"I get it."

"Okay."

"Other than protecting your sister from rapists, why did you join Erudite?"

"Freedom. The ability to have fear. The possibility to be feared. Plus I like the color." I sound so immature. But apparently not to him.

"Freedom," he whispers. I look back out the window, to the broken city. I'm so used to the view from above. I cannot see the cracks on the road, for I am riding on them. I cannot see the sorrow of the city, or the miserable factions. This whole thing, I fear, may break down one day. Not into peices of gravel or rubble, but into war.

+ + +

The vehicle comes to a soft stop, and Hiccup leaves. I clasp the handle, and push on it. The door opens, and I step out. All of the initiates are huddled around a large glass building. I've only seen this place twice. But I've never forgotten it's size. It's the biggest thing that I've ever seen.

"Welcome initiates! My name is Jeanine Matthews! I am the leader here in Erudite, and I will be happy to direct you to your cabins. Come," a small woman with blonde hair says. She turns around, and heads inside the glass doors. Hiccup and the rest of the initiates follow her, so I follow them. Inside is ginormous. The floors and desks are all beautiful, shimmering blue. There's a fountain of water in the center of the lobby. I make a mental note not to touch it, or it'll freeze.