*

They'd moved simulation testing to the next day, giving everyone a break after Al's death. Initiates and official Dauntless members filled the training room to watch - the initiates biting their nails nervously and the members watching with excitement.

The final stage hadn't started just yet - the leaders of the faction were talking amongst themselves and, standing in their midst, was Jeanine Matthews. Eric's words of warning the day before rang in Ana's ears as she stared at the woman. Why exactly was she targeting Divergents and why would Dauntless be harboring them?

Ana did not know a Divergent but she didn't understand what the big deal was. If she thought about it, anyone could fit into any faction whether or not the faction they chose was their aptitude result. The result was merely a push in the right direction but only you knew where you were meant to be.

The testing started soon enough and initiates began fighting their ways through their simulations. It was weird to see other people's fears play out in front of you and Ana looked for any techniques she could pick up from other initiates.

All too soon, it was Ana's turn to sit in the chair. Her nerves were eating her alive and she had to force herself up to the platform. She caught Eric's eye from his position next to Jeanine. He didn't offer her anything aside from a nod of his head but it was enough for her.

Four administered the drug in her arm and she closed her eyes, ready to embrace each of her fears as they raced toward her.

The first two were easy - she had been in them many times and knew exactly what to do. In order to face claustrophobia in the box, she ran her hands against the bottom, searching for anything to break the walls open. Her hand clutched a large rock and she slammed it repeatedly against the wall before it finally cracked, and she pushed her way out.

A bright light pushed through her vision and Ana blinked, taking in the open ocean in front of her. The familiar panic in her chest rose as she stared at the water around her. There was no land close to her now, but she knew it was around. That's why she began to swim, nearly breathing in relief when she saw the sand appear in the horizon.

Ana fought through the other nine, trying her hardest to stay calm and find a solution in each one. The final one was always the hardest - finding out her loved ones were Divergent and watching them die. She always forced herself to watch, eyes never straying from the scene for a moment.

She had expected to wake up then, but she was suddenly in a new environment. Well, not new really. She recognized the compound easily, had seen it only a few nights before.

The familiar sound of shoes against stone crashed into her ears and she peaked around the corner of the wall before gasping. Her breath caught in her throat and she felt her heart jump in her chest as she watched Al slam Tris against the wall.

Ana leaned her head against the cool stone for a moment, not entirely sure what to do. This was a new fear and the events were still too fresh in her mind. What did she do? How did she face this fear?

She thought of what she had wanted to do the night of the attack - she wanted to help Tris. Ana's eyes shot open and her feet were moving toward her friends. While Al was busy with Tris, Ana used every bit of force in her body to slam her elbow into the side of his head.

Al fell to the side, dropping Tris to her knees.

"Are you okay?" Ana shouted at Tris, who had a hand around her own throat. "Tris, are you ok-"

Al had gripped Ana's hair in an instant and suddenly she was being choked against the stone where Tris once was. Ana thrashed against Al's hand, tears streaming down her face as she gasped for breath. Al groaned when Ana's knee hit him in the groin but, when he stumbled, he dragged her with him.

And the two went tumbling into the Chasm.

Ana sat up with a gasp, hands gripping at her shoulders. It took a few seconds for her to figure out where she was. Four was standing right in front of her, concern written across his face as he gripped her.

The entire compound was silent aside from her heavy breathing and Ana felt her face heat. Four stood to the side, helping her to her feet and offering her a glass of water. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Ana nodded, swiping a hand across her forehead, noticing that she was sweating. "Thank you."

Four nodded at her and gently pushed her down the stairs. Ana didn't know what her time was but she didn't care. All she wanted to do was get out of there but she couldn't. Ana sat next to Will and Christina instead, leaning into her friend as Christina wrapped her in a hug.

Her eyes caught Eric's from around Christina's shoulder. He looked worried, his brow creased slightly as he watched. Ana tried her best to smile at him, but her bottom lip trembled and she looked away.

"I didn't know your fears were that bad." Christina whispered beside her as they watched Tris lie back in the chair.

"They're not usually." Ana whispered after taking a sip of water. "That last one caught me off guard."

Christina squeezed her shoulder and the three fell into a silence. Ana tried to take a few deep breaths but her feeling of unease didn't disappear. She sighed and stood, telling her friends that she'd be back.

Ana clutched her glass of water in her hands as she walked away, slipping into a dark corner of the compound. She leaned her forehead against the wall, closing her eyes as she focused on her breathing.

The events of yesterday were still unfolding in her mind. She still felt sick when she thought of her deceased friend and wished there was something she could have done.

"Hey." Eric's voice was quiet and Ana turned to him when he placed a hand on her back. "You okay?"

"I'm fine." Ana answered. "Just a little caught off guard, I think."

"There was nothing you could have done, you know?" Eric said softly. "He likely would have been factionless anyway."

She nodded, swallowing against the lump in her throat. "I know. That doesn't make me feel any better."

Eric's hand traveled to her own and he squeezed it briefly. "I've got to get back over there. You probably should too."

Ana nodded again but she didn't say anything. Eric's thumb grazed her jaw. "You've made it, Ana. You're Dauntless now."

Her lips tugged into a smile at his words and she met his eyes. He looked proud of her and her chest tightened. "Did you ever doubt me?"

Eric smirked, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Not for a second."

*

After the final stage of initiation, every member and initiate gathered in the Pit. Ana stood with her hand clutched in Tris', eyes locked on the leaders standing on the balcony above them.

Max raised a cup, his voice booming as he spoke. "Congratulations new members of Dauntless."

Cheering broke out among them and Ana was pulled into a hug by her three friends. She smiled brightly, feeling a million times better than she had earlier that day.

A tap on her shoulder had the four of them turning, being greeted by a woman that Ana had only seen a few times. The girl nodded towards a group of people. "Get in line."

"What?" Ana asked, looking towards the people with a furrowed brow.

"What's going on?" Tris asked, hesitantly making her way towards them.

Ana looked around, noting that every initiate was being told the same thing.

"Listen up!" Eric's voice boomed over the noise in the compound and everyone's eyes moved to him. His steel blue eyes landed on Ana. "Before you leave tonight, I want all of you in four lines. Everyone is getting a tracking device. Just a precaution."

Ana's heart dropped. That's why Jeanine had been at the final testing today - Eric had warned her that something was about to happen. Christina stood behind her in the line, Will in front with Tris.

She noticed Tris looked fearful, eyes wide and searching for something. The line was moving steadily, each person in front of them easily taking the needle. "Do you see Four?"

Ana frowned, looking around the compound for the man. There was no sight of him so Ana shook her head. "I don't see him."

"Oh, my God." Tris breathed, moving to get out of line when Eric appeared next to her. Ana stared at him, feeling a familiar sense of dread crawl through her veins.

His face was cold as he watched Tris. "Where are you going?"

Tris didn't answer him, crossing her arms in front of her chest. Ana shared a look with Christina and Will, each of them feeling the growing tension in the air. Eric suddenly grinned. "I'll make this easy for you."

The same woman from before appeared next to Tris, sticking the needle into the side of her neck. Tris flinched back, grabbing her neck and looking at Eric in disbelief as she did.

Ana clenched her jaw, looking between her friends and the leader in front of them. "It hurts like a bitch, huh? Now you're really one of us."

Eric moved his focus from Tris to the other three. "Do I need to help you three or will you stay in line?"

"Never planned on leaving it." Ana told him, eyes narrowing sharply. "Tris wouldn't have either if you'd given us a bit more information."

His jaw tightened. "Just do as you're told."

Ana watched as he walked away, not being able to shake the anxiety stirring inside of her. She rolled her shoulders, trying to release some tension in her body. Christina nudged her shoulder. "What is going on?"

"No clue." Ana said. "But I have a feeling this isn't just a tracking device."

***

I'm so sorry that it's taken literally forever to write this book, but now I have a month off from school!

If I don't update again before Christmas, I hope you all have a great holiday!

pleuvoirx