Today was the day. The day I would have to choose what faction I would be in. The day that could make or break me. And the day that would untimely determine the rest of my life. That's what I was thinking as I sat in bed waiting for my alarm to go off, I hadn't slept at all last night, but it wouldn't matter, I don't usually get much sleep anyways. "Good morning to you, Good morning to you. Good morning, good morning. Good morning to you" my alarm sang, signaling for me to get up and put on some clothes before going down stairs to breakfast and then to school. *sigh* I seriously don't want to do this.
I get up and throw on my everyday outfit, Athletic yoga pants and an oversized T-Shirt, then walked down a flight of stairs to the meal room. You see I live in Amity thanks to my mom transferring here from Abnegation and my dad, being hopelessly in love with her, transferring here from Dauntless, throwing shame on his mom and dad because everyone thought he would stay. Ya it's not something we talk about often.
I was running late so I quickly shoveled down some oatmeal and grabbed a red flannel jacket with a grey hood and a black leather jacket to put over it, before running out the door to the pickup truck that dropped us all off at school on the weekdays. I sat by Madison, who happily joined in when they started singing. She was my best friend here, well her and Olivia. They were the only people keeping me sane. We pulled up at the school in no time and I hopped off ready to walk in, but Maddy held me back.
"Hey, what's up with you? Your being quieter than usual."
"It's.. nothing. I'm just thinking about the choosing ceremony." I said. I mean it wasn't a lie, I was thinking about the choosing but it wasn't the full truth either.
"Well let me do something to your hair real quick, it looks terrible!"
I rolled my eyes at this, knowing she only ment well.
I handed her a hair tie and she quickly braided my hair into a warrior braid and we walk in the building just as the bell rang signaling class. We looked at each other and ran, I was ahead of her by a lot, because every moment I was alone I spent working out. I wanted to be strong, and the Amity didn't like it, so I had to make my own weights and come up with my own exercises. When I got to the door I burst in, Madison not to far behind me, and started rapidly trying to explain why we were late. "Mrs. Coplin! I'm so sorry, you see when we got here we had some trouble with... uhhh... with" Madison ran in the door and shouted "A BIRD!"
"Uh ya! There was a hurt bird and we had to help it!" I said. Madison caught on and cleverly mentioned how there was tons of blood and such because we knew Mrs. Coplin was squeamish when it came to blood. She quickly excused us and we sat down next to each other, fist bumping discreetly. We got lucky when it came to teachers because she was never a Candor and was easy to lie to. She was born and stayed in Abnegation. We had only a half day on the test day so lessons flew by quickly. When we got to lunch I realized I hadn't packed anything to eat so Maddy split her sandwich with me. Neither of us could eat much anyways with the test coming up. We were both to nervous.
They started calling names. Me and Maddy sat in silence listening for our own.
"Madison Kapper And Kaytlin Koffmen!"
That was us. We looked at each other, stood up, and started walking. I stepped into the door labeled 6 and Maddy into 7. Our favorite numbers. How ironic.
When I walk in theres a lady standing in the room. I nod my head at her politely, not trusting my voice to speak without it cracking. She smiles at me and from her black and white clothes I can tell she's Candor.
I sit in the chair in front of me and she attaches me to some wires and hands me a vile of something.
"Drink this and the test will begin." She states monotonously.
I tip it back into my mouth and swallow, hoping it's not poison or something, and not a moment later I'm thrust into pitch black.
"Pick one" a voice states and looking at the two baskets on a table in front of me I quickly choose the knife. Then a dog appears, running at me, growling. I start to back away slowly, taking a deep breath. Then remembering the knife in my hand I make a decision. I'll have to kill it. I stop moving and it comes at me, I wildly swing the knife hitting it in the eye, but it only slows it down. The next time it comes at me I aim for the neck. I don't miss. A little girl shows up and when she sees the dog she starts crying. I try to comfort her and tell her it's just sleeping but she can tell it's dead.
I come too in the chair and look around wildly. "What happened?" I ask the Candor woman.
"That was the test, you were put in a simulation and your results are..." she walks over to a computer, that I assume recorded my test.
"Hmm, let's see Candor was ruled out when you lied to the girl, Amity and Abnegation were ruled out when you killed the dog and Erudite was ruled out when you took the knife. So that leaves Dauntless." I just nod at her, not sure what to say. I stand up and started to walk out, "but kid, do what YOU want, be who you want to be not who they think you should be." I turn, smiling slightly. "Thanks for the advice" I say. Then walk out. Madison is waiting for me and we walk back to the cafeteria silently. I know she probably wants to talk about it, by the look on her face. But we're not allowed, so we keep silent.

___time skip to the end of the day___

The bell rings signaling the end of the day. The Amity kids all run outside happily joking around and for once I join in. When we get on the back of the truck I think about how none of these people have ever heard me sing, because I'm afraid to. So when they start up the first song, I sing. It's been so long sense I've sang and it feels so good but it also reminds me of when I was still part of a family. When I was happier. Singing was a mistake. Thankfully the ride isn't too long and we arrive at the living place quickly. Me and Maddy hop out and go to my room, skipping dinner. When we get there she breaks the silence that had settled in since I had sung.
"So have you decided what your gonna wear tomorrow for the ceremony?"
"Nope, want to help me?"
"Well duh. That's why I asked" she laughed.
"Alright, alright. So I want something comfortable, but nice looking."
She pulls out a pair of black ripped jeans, a black tank top and a pastel blue knit sweater.
"What about this?"
"Sure, looks good." I toss it to the side and ask her if she'll do a waterfall braid in my hair the next day. She agrees and we realize how late it is and she retreats to her own room for the night.
I lay in bed for a while, thinking about how it won't be hard to leave my parents if I don't choose to stay. They kicked me out and made me get my own room last year, after I refused to wear yellow and red. The only person I'll miss is Madison, who I assume will stay and Olivia who, well, who knows where that girls going. It's about 3:00 am and I figure nobody will be up still so I sneak out of my room and down the flight of stairs to the cafeteria, hoping to snag some food. But upon entering I see that there is someone still up. Someone I try to avoid at all costs.

...

My brother. After my parents kicked me out they were afraid I would quote unquote "fill my brothers head with lies" and forbid me from seeing him. They didn't think there was any way I'd stay here in Amity, although I was considering it, and figured I would try to get him to leave as well. We were 11 months apart, so we were in the same grade and I knew he had taken his test today too. I should have known he'd be up. He was always like me, never could sleep.
"Hi Kaytlin."
His voice rang out through the dark cafeteria.
"Alex." I said, with a sharp nod of my head.
"Fancy meeting you here, though I shouldn't be surprised. I figured you'd come for food at some point after you didn't show up for dinner."
"And I should have known you'd be sitting here waiting for me."
We stared at each other for a moment. Each trying to anticipate what the other would do. In a vain attempt to reach him I whistled the first few notes of "Faliz Navidad", remembering how we used to break out in that song, no matter the time of year. And after a moment he whistled back the next few notes.
I started to tear up and he stood and we embraced for a minute, remembering what it was like when we were young.
I sat down across from him and he pushed a tray towards me that I hadn't noticed and I gratefully took it and started eating.
After finishing the last of my macaroni I asked the question that had been burning in my mind.
"So, what were your results?" I knew we weren't supposed to talk about it, but I didn't care. For all I knew this could be the last time we talked!
He sighed and looked at me, "Well... I got Erudite."
"I figured as much, you always were questioning people, wanting to know more."
"What about you sissy?"
"Ahh well... I got Dauntless but... who knows if I'll stay or go?"
"HA!" He laughed sharply. "It's an easy choice! Choose the place where you'll be happy."
"Yes except... well I dunno. I just don't want to loose people. Like Maddy, and Olivia." "And.." I hesitated "you"
"Well, don't worry about me because I'm leaving, but... I think maybe you shouldn't choose."
"Huh?"
"What I mean is, wait until you are called. Then, when you walk up there and cut your hand, in that instance, you must decide. Decide which life you'd rather live. And don't worry about other people, or the consequences of your actions. Because this is YOUR life, not theirs."
"Thanks little bro. I needed that."
"Hey it's like I've always said, kid you'll move mountains!"
"I sure hope so!" I laughed.
"You should get to bed Kat, it's getting late."
"I could say the same to you Alex! And besides, you know I can't sleep."
"Well nonetheless, we will get caught eventually, and you know as well as I do that if mom and dad find out about us talking, we'll be murdered in cold blood."
"Well then, good night little brother"
"Good night big sis."
We stood up, did our old secret handshake we made up when we were 10 and 11 and walk out different directions. Me, back to my room. And him, back to the one he share with my parents. I knew that I would never see or talk to him again, but I also knew that the conversation we had just had ment way more then what was said. I should take his advice, I decided. I'll wait until I have to walk up there and in that second I'll decide my fate.
Then I slipped under the covers and caught a few hours of sleep before I would be woken up by an impatient Madison, before I'd have to go to the ceremony, and before my life would change forever.

"GET UP, GET UP, GET UP! YA LAZY BUM!" Madison yelled whilst shaking me awake. Real nice Madds, reeeal nice.
"I'm up, I'm up..." I mumbled. What time is it, I wondered? Sitting up and yawning I glanced over at the clock on my bedside table.
"FIVE FREAKING THRITY! REALLY MADISON?!?" I screeched, just because I don't sleep normal amounts of time DOES NOT mean I want to be up at this hour. She stared sheepishly at me, and taking a good look I noticed that she was already dressed, had her hair done, and her makeup was perfect. How in Hades did she do that... I wonder.
"Come on." She says, pushing me into my bathroom and shoving the clothes we picked out into my hands.
"We're already behind schedule and I still have to straighten your hair and then braid it AND do your makeup after you change."
"Um Maddy? You're forgetting something."
"What?" She asks frantically.
"Food." I say monotonously.
"No time, you can grab a smoothie on the way out."
I sigh dejectedly but know not to argue with her on the matter and instead close the door and change quickly.
When I walk out she already has the flat iron in her hand and seats me at my vanity. It ends up taking her about an hour just to straighten my hair because of how curly it normally is. Once it's done though she sets to work on the waterfall braid and it comes out beautifully, then she moves on to my make up and does black eyeliner with black eyeshadow and a light lipgloss. When she's finished she stands me up and makes me spin once and decides I'm done. Glancing at the time we realize it's 7:00 and that we need to leave in five minutes if we want to get there in time.
I stop in the cafeteria and grab two coffees for us and then catch up to Maddy and we walk out the door. Hurrying slightly we walk and sip our drinks until we get to the building where everyone's gathered.
"Come on." I say and grab her hand leading her to the front with our group. Before sitting down we chuck our cups into a waste bin and sit down. She's shaking but I feel completely calm and at ease. I'm just taking Alex's advice. I repeat over and over in my head. The ceremony starts without me even noticing and I only look up when Olivia's name is called. She steps up to the stage and cuts her hand. I hold my breath. Then she does something none of us expected and let's her blood drip into candors bowl. I let out a small gasp and I feel Madison shake even harder than before. She knows we just lost Liv.
A few more people go but I have once again quit listening.
"Alex Koffmen!"
He was called. I watched him walk up the stairs and take the knife. I watched him slice his hand. I knew what he would do. But I still gripped the edges of my seat, leaning forward, waiting to see what would happen. Pushing his hand out he let his blood drip ever so slightly into a bowl. I knew he would do it, but some small part of me wished he would come with me, or stay with me, which ever I chose. But as I watched him walk off the stage head held high I knew he had chosen correctly. Erudite. It would be good for him. There were murmurs in the crowd. Almost everyone knew of my parents and their story, and speaking of my parents, I could almost feel their glares piercing my back, no doubt blaming me for his departure.
"Kaytlin Koffmen!"
All heads turned to me as I let go of Maddy's hand and stood up. Everyone watching to see if I'd follow in my brothers path and leave or be a good child and stay. But I didn't know the answer to that, even Maddy didn't know the answer to that! And that's saying something, sometimes she seems to know me better than I know myself. Thinking these things I realized that my feet had guided me and I was now accepting the knife from the man on the stage, whose name I didn't quite catch earlier, as I neared the bowls I drew a long etch across my hand in a straight line, from one end to the other, and almost without thinking thrust my hand out over one of the bowls. A sizzling sound brought me from my trance and I looked down to see that my blood was now in the Dauntless bowl. And for some reason I felt at peace. As if I hadn't just made the decision that would determine the rest of my life. I walked off the stage, whispers following me from every which way and walked over to stand with the rest of the new Dauntless initiates. Madison's name was called. This scared me the most. I knew she would stay in Amity but I still was anxious to see what would happen. But then she did something that would change the rest of both our lives.
She followed me.
She put her blood in Dauntless and although she looked slightly fearful she walked over to us quickly. And stood by me in silence. It was done. I tilted my head slightly up and to the side, letting Madds know I was happy and then zoned out for the rest of the ceremony. I and the rest of the initiates that had deep cuts were offered bandages. I took a roll of wrap and some tape and quickly wrapped the inside of my hand. Then helped some of the other kids who didn't know what they were doing. Madison had only just sliced her finger and was fine. Maybe I should have done that. Well it's too late now. We were the first to leave and the older members of Dauntless started running towards the stairs and as we ran up them it was already glaringly obvious who was born in Dauntless and who had transferred... except for me. I kept up pace with all the Dauntless born initiates and shocked the ones who noticed. When we got to the places where all the trains were I started to get nervous. Obviously I had never jumped into a moving train before and I assumed that was what we'd be doing after observing Dauntless children do it time and time again. Slowing a little I bit my lip and jogged the last few feet, waiting for Maddy, when she caught up to me I grabbed her hand and we leaped at the same time onto the train in one of the first train cars. There was a couple of older Dauntless in the car with us and they looked at us in shock.
"How did you get on here?" One asked.
"We jumped. Duh'' I said.
"Well no shit Sherlock, what she ment was, how were you fast enough to catch this car?"
At that statement I looked at him with one eyebrow raised and said, "Just cause I came from Amity doesn't mean anything. I've been working out and training since I was little."
"Ya..." Maddy gasped, still trying to catch her breath.
"She's... really fast... and strong. She's the reason I'm in here." She finally caught her breath near the end of her sentence and smirked up at them from her sitting position.
I noticed the other kids sitting down and felt a shift in the way the train was going so I sat down as well.
"So. What are your names?" I asked curiously.
"I'm Erica" the one that had asked how we got here said.
"And I'm Bill" said the one who had clarified what Erica had ment.
"I'm Haylee, that's Triston, and the one in the corner whose been staring creepily at you this whole time is Four." Said one of the less rougeish looking kids.
"Ahhh I wondered who the crap was staring at me. I kinda wondered if I was going on your kill list or something?" I said, directing the last part at Four.
"Ya well there usually no new kids in this compartment, let alone Amity."
"And why's that?"
"Because normally you guys can't keep up with us and the Amity quite often end up dead in the first few hours."
"Well I don't plan on carrying on that fun sounding tradition." I said sarcastically.
"Ehem."
Erica cleared her throat.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing, nothing, you just probably don't want to get on the bad side of the main trainer. Who will be over seeing and teach all your lessons..."
I just shrugged at that and then stood up pulling Madds up with me. We were gonna have to jump in a minute. Then I saw what was coming. We weren't just going to jump, there was a cliff. We would have to jump across a gap.
I pulled Madison with me to the back of the compartment and counted down in my head. Then at exactly the right moment I pulled her forward by her arm and ran and jumped, or rather leaped, across the ledge. Dragging Madison with me. I left out a sigh of relief when we both hit the ground even if we were on our knees. We both scrambled up and moved out of the way for the next people. A few people didn't make it over and I could have sworn a saw a couple of people who decided not to jump. But I didn't question it.
Once everyone was over Four separated us between the newbies and the Dauntless members.
"That was only the very beginning of become a Dauntless member and the next part is even more terrifying than that so I suggest that anyone who can't take it stays here and becomes factionless, got it?" He says.
"Now, you will each have to jump off this cliff." He says emotionlessly.
Wait. What?!? I think in my head. But instead of voicing those opinions I say, "Sounds fun" and keeping a blank face step up to the edge. Then with out looking back I toss my sweater at Maddy and say, "Hey madds? You know what to do if I die correct? And you remember the location of my will?"
"Affirmative." She replies
"Great. Oh and one last thing? If I die I want revenge, k?"
"Got it."
Then I take a few steps back, run and jump. I kinda want to yell "CANNON BALL!!!" But I don't because I figure that would be embarrassing and possibly a very bad idea. I start to get nervous after about 30 seconds of falling but I soon hit a net and I'm helped off by a few teens at the bottom. A girl to my left asks me what my name is.
"Kaytlin, but my friends call me Padfoot." I state.
"And oh look there she is now!" I exclaim as I here a high pitched scream coming closer and closer recognizing it as Madds.
"FIRST JUMPER IS KAYTLIN BUT SHE SAYS HER FRIENDS CALL HER PADFOOT!"
There is a commotion of clapping  and cheering until Madison hits the net with a thump. When she's pulled off she too is asked what her name is but before she can answer I butt in, "This is Madison but she also goes by Maddy and Madds and she is called Moony by me."
"Well, my name is Laken" the girl who announced my name says. She seems like a nice girl but I can see a hardness to her, I can see the Dauntless in her eyes.
We are shown around by the guy named Four and we learn that we will have to compete for a spot as a Dauntless member and that out of the 23 of us this year only 10 of us will make it. Great. Not. Afterwards he leaves us to look around and all that jazz but me and Madds hunt down Laken. We want to, correction, I want to ask her about my grandfather and grandmother.
I want to know if they're still around.
"Hey Laken!" I call, spotting her in the dining hall.
"Ayyy! Padfoot, need somethin?"
I walk over and pull out a chair sitting down and Moony does the same.
"Kinda, you see I'm looking for someone..."
"Someone? Who?"
"Weeeeell I'm not sure of his first name but his last names Flores. Does that ring a bell?" I ask.
"Umm can we talk somewhere quieter?" She asks apprehensively.
"Sure." I say, and me and Madds follow her to the fence surrounding the chasm.
"How do you know of Flores?"
"I'm his granddaughter, my full names Kaytlin Rose Koffmen, but my family disowned me so I ended up taking his last name."
"Oh, well here's the thing. Your grandpa hasn't been seen in a decade. Not like he's dead or anything but he spends day and night up at the very top floor of the whole place creating weapons. His food is sent up in a cart and no one ever sees him."
"What about my grandma?" I inquire.
"She died a few years back."
"Oh. Okay." I'm not really sad because I never knew her and I was really more focused on meeting my Grandfather because of all the stories I've heard about him.
"Well I guess I'll be climbing a bunch of stairs."
"Hahaha! Wait. You are joking right? The stairs end at a point and to get all the way up there you'd have to scale the wall!"
"I've done a lot of climbing in my day and I've scaled plenty a wall getting in and out of Amity housing."
Laken just sighed and said "well at least let me get you two Dauntlesed up first."
"Alright."
We make a short walk to a clothing place and start looking around. Madison sticks to more flowy t shirts and shorts but I pick out a red flannel jacket with a grey hood just like my old one and a few pairs of black leggings and black and grey big shirts. I also grab a leather jacket and a new pair of combat boots. When we're finished Laken drags us into a tattoo shop and Madison and me start look through a tattoo book. I stop at line of three birds but the tattoo artist says that the girl who originally got them had requested that no one else does. So I keep looking. I decide on a Hellhound on my right shoulder (A/N just think of what Sirius Black looks like when he transforms into his anamigus.)  . When she's finished she wraps it up and I walk out to see Madds and Laken waiting.
"Whatcha get?" Madds asks.
"A hellhound, you?"
"A Rose with thorns creeping down my shoulder. It reminded me of you."
"Cool."
"Well then ladies let's hit the makeup and then you'll be finished unless you want your hair done?" Laken says.
"Can they dye the tips a metallic silver color?" I ask
"Sure."
"Then let's make a stop there. Madds you good?"
"Yup I'm good." She answers.
We make our way to the hair place and when we get there I let the lady know what I want and she has me sit in a beat up chair, then she had me undo my waterfall braid and let's the tips fall into a pot full of melted down metal and some hair dye. I wait 30 minutes and then they wash out my hair. Madison quickly braids it into a warrior  braid starting from the top right side of my head going down to the bottom left and then into a normal braid. She does it quickly and we are off again. This time headed to get some makeup. I start fiddling with my necklace that I keep tucked into my shirt because it has the Dauntless sign on it, I guess now I can wear it out without getting murdered for it. My dad gave it too me when I was 10 and I haven't taken it off since. I stop thinking out it once we get there and instead let Moony put on some black eyeliner and black eyeshadow then put some darker maroon colored lipstick on me. Laken just sort of watches and when we're done she comments on our ability to work so well together. I just smile and then bid them goodbye and start climbing the stairs...

_______2 hours later_______

I'm heaving, and out of breath after climbing for that long but now I'm at the end of the stairs and all that's left is scaling a 20 foot wall.
Now normally this wouldn't be to hard, but you try climbing all those stairs before doing that! I'm gong to need a second to rest.
I figure if I start doing this everyday I'll be pretty strong by the second or so week. Just in time for combat. I clamber to my feet and face the wall then I pull my gloves out of my pocket and slide them on. They're black, fingerless, leather gloves that I use when I'm climbing and I will probably use when shooting a gun...
I start to scale the wall finding footholds in the cracks and hand holds on chinks in the wall. Halfway up I realize that if I fall I WILL die. Keeping that in mind I start to climb faster until I reach a platform. Grabbing hold of it I hoist myself up and sit there panting for a moment. Then I stand up and knock on the big brass door...
It opens slowly and an oldish man clambers out glaring around. He has an eyepatch covering one eye. A metal one that looks permanent and he's wearing gloves similar to mine and working clothes. I finally get the courage to say something.
"H-hello."
He looks at me and for a second I think he might push me off the ledge. I should probably explain myself...
"Err I'm your granddaughter? Kaytlin. Kaytlin Rose Flores, formerly Kaytlin Koffmen."
"What do you want?" He asks rudely.
"I WANT to talk to my Papi that I have heard stories of my entire life. I WANT to become Dauntless and I WANT to be on good terms with my familia but that's not important. So I suppose I go." I turn and start to sit and lower myself down.
"Wait." He calls out in a gruff voice.
I turn, "What?"
"How did you get up here?"
"I climbed, duh. What is with people here asking how I did things that are so clearly simple!"
I see him smile a bit at this and he invites me into his workshop. We exchange stories for a few hours until I here a bell go off. I turn to him and say. "Oh that's the dinner bell and I already missed lunch today and only had a rather large coffee for breakfast so I'll be going now." He just nods and I promise to visit as often as I can. Shrugging my flannel back on I walk out onto the platform and start my tedious descent from it to the wall. Then I climb down and start on the stairs, going down is much easier and I do it in a total of 30 minutes.
Walking into the cafeteria I'm quickly surrounded by Madison and Laken wanting to know how it went. I recount the whole thing quickly then grab a cheese burger and a plate of salad and sit down. I'm about to dig in when I sense someone behind me. They sit down to the right of me and I set down my burger and look over to see Four and some girl I don't recognize.
"Hi, I'm Tris." She says and I raise my eyebrows.
"And I can help you by..." I trail off sarcastically.
(A/N in this she never did any of the stuff she did and there was never a war or anything. But her and Four are together. Sorry but it makes the story a whole crap load lot easier for me.)
Four looked like he was getting even more defensive, if that's possible. I figured I should smooth thing over whilst I still had all my limbs attached. But Four spoke before I had a chance.
"Look Kaytlin-" "Kat."
He sighed "Fine Kat, we just want to know what you did today, okay?"
"Why..." I trailed off suspiciously.
At this point Tris was kind enough to take over talking to me. I think she could tell that this was going no where and that Four wouldn't get any information out of me if he held me at gun point.
"What Four is trying to say is we heard you talked to Flores today and were wondering what that was all about and when we asked Laken she said to talk to you. We also wanted to know if you got and tattoos or your hair dyed or whatever else because we ask all the newbies at the end of the first day. Make sense?"
I nodded. "Ya I guess."
"So let's see. First of all I got clothes and a friend did my makeup, I had the ends of my hair dyed sliver-" I paused to show them. "And then got a tattoo, about Flores... Well he's my grandfather or what I call my Papi. He's my dad's dad."
"Wait but that doesn't make sense? You last name is Koffmen?" Tris mused.
"Ya, I heard it at the ceremony." Four challenged.
"I'd explain but it's a long story and you wouldn't understand. So I hope you have a good day, night, whatever and I'll be going now." I said and picked up my burger standing up.
"Try me." It was two simple words but when Four said them it wasn't his usual hard mean tone that made me want to sock him in the face and instead was, well, still the hard, mean tone but it was laced with... sadness? Or maybe pity? I dunno but he sounded as if he'd been through rough times. So I sat back down and settled in for the long conversation to come...
"Fine. So here's the gist of it. When I was about 10 years old my parents started noticing that I was going for runs each morning at dusk and then again at dawn. They started to notice me speak out more about how we should be able to do what we want and be free to make our own choices. You see I had a friend who was, to say the least, a nerd. She was super smart and she agreed that we should choose our own lives. We started wondering how and why people around Amity were always so happy and cheerful and we ended up recruiting Moony because she was close to most of the Amity people and she is my best friend. At some point along the way my friend came up with the idea that maybe the almost artificial like happiness was due to something we were consuming on a day to day basis. So me and Moony started to nick food and drinks for her to test for drugs and other stuff. But it got kinda tricky because my parents had started to keep a very close eye on me and Moony's were... restricting... so we came up with a code and codenames so we could talk and no one would have an inkling if what we were really saying. The nicknames were designed to fit us in some way and are unique to us, and us alone. I'm Padfoot because my spirit animal is a big black dog. A hellhound, or grimm, to be specific." I paused and lifted up my sleeve and exposed my new tattoo showing then what it looked like. "Madison is Moony because she like to stroll in the moon light and is always painting it and taking pictures of it. My friend, whose name I don't want to use for fear of possibly endangering her at some point, is Prongs because of her obsession with animals and the fact that her spirit animal is a Stag. She eventually came to the conclusion that any and all of the rolls and plain bread had some weird drug in it. She ran some tests and found out that the stuff was making us see things in a lighter perspective and act happier. After that we stayed away from the bread. But that's only the beginning. This all took about 2 years so I was around 12 at this point. My parents decided that I needed to be kept away from my brother to keep him from becoming like me. You see they feared that he too would seem like he wanted to leave Amity and go somewhere else. So when I turned 13 and I was old enough to have my own room they disowned me. Not legally because they were afraid of attracting attention to themselves but they told me that I was no longer considered part of the family and I moved out. I was still not allowed to speak with my brother and I obeyed that rule for most of my life, not because I was scared of what they'd do to me, but rather it was him I was worried about. So I kept away from all of them for 3 years. Then the night before the choosing Alex knew I would go snag food from the kitchens so he waited up for me. We talked a bit and he told me that he was leaving. When he left for Erudite I know my parents instantly blamed me for it and it will only be proven on visiting day when no one comes to see me but whatever. Now I had grown up hearing stories about my grandfather and Grandmother and when I chose to come here I figured I'd try and meet them. I was made aware that my grandma was dead and also where my grandfather was so I decided to go meet him. When I was disowned I took the last name Flores in place of Koffmen but it's not official and technically speaking I'm still a Koffmen. And that's basically my story told in 10 minutes."
"Wow." Tris said looking concerned and Four wouldn't meet my gaze.
We sat for a moment in silence and I munched in my burger.
"Well. Thank you for telling us and I expect to see you bright and early tomorrow morning for the first day of training." Four said standing up. Tris followed him but she was kind enough to spare me a smile as they walked away.
Madison stood up from the table behind mine and sat down with me. She had ever so discreetly positioned herself in a place where she could keep me in check. The story and my anger as she liked to say.
"You get all of that." I asked, though it was more of a statement than a question.
"Ya, good job keeping her name quiet."
"Well it'll keep her under the radar for the moment so I'm more than happy to call her by her codename for the time being." At this we stood and I tossed the rest of my food in a garbage can nearby. After telling that story I wasn't so hungry...
We walked in silence back to our room that we were sharing with 11 others, which ment 13 people sharing a room. I noticed that there were WAY more boys than girls which only made me angrier. Girls can be just a brave a boys! I wasn't in the mood to change in front of all these people so I just took off my boots and tossed them under my bed with some other stuff that Laken had set there for me. Clothes mostly, and a few toiletries. I flopped onto my bed and dozed off rather quickly for once.

I woke up bright and early like Four had requested and did the dirty job of waking the rest of the initiates while trying not to get punched in the face by some of the boys. I did it by using a blow horn I'd found on the ledge in the bathroom, and for anyone who didn't want to get up? I filled a glass with freezing cold sink water and drenched them.
Madison braided my hair back into two Dutch braids and I changed out of the clothes I'd fallen asleep in, into a pair of black yoga pants and a grey dry-fit T-Shirt that was a few sizes too big. I washed my face in the cold water and rid it of any remaining makeup. Me and Moony jogged down to the cafeteria and met Laken then the three of us scarfed down some breakfast in a hurry. Or, rather, they ate breakfast. I just downed a cup of coffee and promised Madds that I would eat a big lunch later. The coffee woke me up and I urged Madison to finish eating quicker so we could get to our first "lesson" as quick as possible.
When we got there we were a few minutes early so we chatted with some of the other kids.
"Alright! Listen up!!!" Four yelled, Getting our attention.
We all stood in a line. Stalk still as he hand each of us a loaded gun.
"Today you will all be shooting at the targets placed in front of you. At the end of the week the people who are doing the best will be awarded the most points, so I suggest you all work as hard as you possibly can."
He showed us how to load and unload our guns and then took two shoots at the dummy in front of him. They both hit in the head. I watched his figure the whole time. Trying to mimic his stance we all stood and aimed our guns. I had only ever used one weapon before, and that was a bow. I did have pretty good aim but I was sure these would have more of a kick to them than a gun so I was a bit nervous to try it. Going over his instructions one last time on my head, I aimed the gun. Firing at the target in front of me I hit the wall just above it's head. 'Not bad' I thought to my self. I quickly repeated it and shot again. This time hitting it in the chin. To low. I aimed a third time and shot, sending a bullet straight through the forehead. We kept this up for at least an hour before he moved on to knives. He showed us how to hold a knife and then how to transfer as much force in to the throw as possible, while still having good aim. He handed us each 5 throwing knives in different sizes and we lined up again. I took my time getting a feel for them, trying to find a balance and distribute the weight evenly while throwing. I had 2 knives left when I looked over to see how Madison was doing. She was the only one who had thrown all her knives and was just standing there looking rather bored. Four noticed her at about the same time I did and walked over to her. I was standing next to her so I knew I would hear the whole conversation.
"What are you doing?" Four asked Madds.
"I threw all my knives already." Madison replied.
"So? What are you standing around for? Go get them!"
I was starting to get nervous, her couldn't be serious... could he?
"But people are still throwing knives?!?" Madds questioned.
"And?"
"And I could get hit!"
"So then you don't trust these people." He said.
"No! I've only known them for a day! I hardly trust Kat to throw a knife near me and I've known her my whole life!" She said, her voice getting higher and higher.
"EVERYONE STOP!" Four bellowed.
Everyone looked around confused at the sudden change in plans.
"Go stand in front of that target." Four said to Madison quietly.
"Why?" She asked
"Because I'm going to teach you to trust by throwing knives at you until you quit flinching."
"THATS ABSURD!" I exploded.
"No way on Hades will I let you stand her up there and do that!!!" I was angry. He has no right to do that and if his aim is off by even and inch he could kill her.
"Fine then. You can take her place. Take her place or stand down."
I swallowed and nodded sharply before walking towards the target. Everyone stared as I stood up against it. He picked up a knife. When it landed just above my head I could have sworn it took off a few hairs with it. The next landed with a thunk near my arm. I refused to flinch. It went on like this for a while. Me staring at him with a hard expression on my face. Him throwing knives and showing no emotion whatsoever.
"Hey guys! How's it going?" A feminine voice rang out.
"Holy crap Four! Not again?!?" I recognized it as the girl I'd talked to yesterday. Teresa? Tabitha? Tess? Tris? Tris! That was it!
Four sighed and set down his knife.
"Well her friend over there said she wouldn't stand and take it when I told her to and this one" he nodded at me, "volunteered."
"Oh I wouldn't call it 'volunteering' more like you gave me a choice between me or her and I wasn't about to just stand by and watch you do that to my best friend." I deadpanned.
Tris sighed wearily and said, "class is dismissed, be here same time tomorrow morning for your next lesson." Then she looked at me and said to come with her.
I followed her to a room with a bed and stool that was being used as a makeshift nightstand. I started to get nervous about why she wanted to talk to me or whatever.
"Soo... um. Did you need something?" I asked stupidly.
"No" she laughed, "I just wanted to explain the whole 'trying to murder you with knives' thing."
"Ya that would be great." I said sarcastically, some of my nervousness disappearing.
"You see, he does it every year since he met me because he thinks it's a good way to pick out the strongest."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, he chooses a 'victim', which is normally someone who he thinks will tell him no and is not brave enough to take it. Then he stops everyone and waits for someone to say something. Once someone has told him that he can't do that he gives them a choice, them or you, and if or when they step up instead he can see that the person is one of the strongest. But not physically, mentally. They have a very strong sense of loyalty and will go to great lengths for the other person/people."
"Oh" I say, trying to take it all in.
"And here I was thinking he just a wanted me dead!" I say, trying to add some humor to the conversation.
"Oh I'm sure he does, but that wasn't his intention in the moment." She says calmly.
"Right... well, I'm gonna go now... I think I'll have some lunch?" I say slowly, concerned at what she had just said. I inched my way out of the room and then speed walked to the cafeteria to meet Madison.

"What was that all about?" Madison asked as I set my tray down and plopped into the seat next to her, suddenly exhausted.
"I'll tell you later." I replied, though I had no real intention in doing such. I wanted to put that whole conversation behind me as fast as possible.
"KAYTLIN ROSE FLORES!" Maddy slapped me.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT MADISON I DONT REMEMBER YOUR MIDDLE NAME KAPPER!" I shouted right back.
"I was talking to you and you were paying no attention!!! Also I wanted to tell you that Four said everyone should go to bed early tonight."
"Oh, sorry I was just thinking, and I don't give a crap what Four thinks. You know me. I'll get by with a few hours and be just fine."
Madison just sighed and took a sip of her water. Standing up I told her I was gonna visit my Papi when I heard a voice behind me.
"No need to do that." It said. Turning around slowly I went to ask the person just who he thought he was saying that. But what I saw was... unexpected. I started grinning madly and hugged him tightly. For a man who never was seen he sure was out and about now. My Papi had finally decided to come out from hiding. Everyone just sorta stared at him in awe and confusion but I was quick to notice and yelled "Nothing to see here folks, go back to your knitting everyone!" Which almost instantaneously deterred everyone's gazes. Papi hunkered down into a seat next to the rest of us and I promptly introduced him to Madison and Laken and he and Madds started sharing stories about me.
Well Madison was sharing stories, he was mostly just laughing at the stupid stuff I've done and adding in a comment here and there.

That night around 1:00 am I was in bed reading a book about the 39 different ways to kill someone using solely your thumbs when I heard the door bob turn ever so slightly. Then I saw the outline of a person sneaking into the room. Thinking quickly I jumped up grabbing a knife I had bought out of my bedside table drawer and advanced twards the person, shining my tiny flash light at them.
"What the hell Kat?!?"
"Four?" I asked confused.
"What are you doing in hear?" I asked.
"Just wake everyone up."
"Ok..." I said concerned, but did as he asked.
We all followed him out of the room and down to where the train is. He turned it on and told us to all jump into a compartment and watch for him to jump off and follow suit. I ended up in a car with two kids whose names I wasn't sure of but they seemed to tired to talk. When I saw him jump off I did the same and him and Tris stood at the front of the group. They conferred for a moment then let us in on the plan.
"Ok" Tris said briskly. "Today, err rather tonight,-"
"Nope, technically it's today because it's about 2 in the morning." I interrupted.
She glared at me before continuing, "-as I was saying, we will be playing paint ball. We will split you up into two teams and each person gets a loaded paintball gun. Each team hides a flag and the first team to find the other persons wins. Understand?"
We all nodded tiredly.
Four picked first. "I'll take Tyler." He said, pointing at a big dude near the back.
"I'll take Mooney" Tris said.
"She reminds you of Will doesn't she." Four asked.
"Ya. A bit" she responded
'Who the crap is Will' I thought.
"Well then, I'm taking Padfoot, the mini you." Four said smirking.
I pursed my lips and walked on over to his side.
Once they were done picking and choosing Four led us away from the other group and started talking strategy. Everyone wanted to know how he won and what he always did, but I tuned them out. I figured Tris would know his 'secrets to success' and be ready for them.
"So then we'll just-"
"No." I'm not sure who I cut off but I did so loudly enough that everyone turned to look. I blushed a bit at my out burst but continued.
"Tris will know what's what if we do that. We need a different plan."
"What do you suggest, your highness?" A boy asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
I waved off the comment and plowed on, "You can all climb trees right?"
Everyone nodded.
"Good, then what we'll do is we'll all hide in the trees. Two people will stay back and defend the flag and the rest of us will go solo climbing through the trees. This area is heavily wooded so it shouldn't be to hard."
Everyone nodded along and we took off. Eventually I heard a loud sound coming from my left and went to check it out, Tris and Four stood near Tris's teams flag arguing over something. Seeing my chance I snuck up behind them and stealthily reached for the flag. Pulling it down ever so carefully I turned and sprinted off into the night, trying to make it back to my flag before someone shot me. I had my gun out ready but the only people I encountered were my own teammates.
I finally got to our flag and hung theirs with it. We had won.

//914 words not including this. Wow that was long and hard. At the top it's labeled "part 1" but I'll only do a part 2 if requested. If someone would like that it would be nice if said person could give me some ideas. Thanks!//