The Dauntless Twins

Chapter 1

Before having time to properly process the changes, a dog is charging at me. I can't be afraid of something that looks so precious. This dog has the fluffiest white fur. These are the types of dogs you just want to lay down with and pet all day long.

As the dog gets closer I see it snarling at me and can hear it growling.

Okay, maybe not so friendly but it is freaking cute.

Get it together, Maylyn.

I decide to kneel on the ground and reach my hand out for the dog to smell me. Most dogs are only intimidated by humans when they are aggressive with approaching them. By getting on their height level and letting them come to you, they are typically more at ease.

The fluffy dog is a couple of inches away from me when it jumps into my arms, knocking me over backwards and stealing the cheese out of my hand. I let out a sigh of relief knowing this cute dog is not going to attack me.

In a blink of the eye, the simulation fades and I am back into the room I started in.

"Erudite." Clair curtly states.

I am completely caught off guard. Erudite? That wasn't even one of the factions I thought I would get placed into.

The only words I can make out are, "Excuse me?"

"You got Erudite." She clarifies and without meaning to, I shoot her an angry look.

"How so?" I say through gritted teeth.

"You used knowledge about how animals would react. You left nothing up to chance. You may leave now."

How did I not see that coming?

I quickly leave the room and head outside the building to meet up with Brooklyn. Without speaking to each other we instantly start walking home, knowing we cannot discuss the results of the test until we are in a private space. When we reach our home we both sprint upstairs and go in our shared bedroom, shutting the door behind us.

"What did you get?" Brooklyn and I say in unison.

"On three!" Brooklyn says excitedly.

"1-2-3!"

"Dauntless!" Brooklyn screams.

"Erudite." I say much quieter and with sadness instead of the happiness she shared her news in.

Brooklyn looks at me with a worried expression. "Hey, it's okay, the test is stupid anyways. We know where we want to go and that test can't decide it for us. I don't even know why they make us take it if we just get to choose where we want to go afterwards."

I just nod and head to bed. It is nice that she is trying to comfort me but I knew this would happen. In appearances we are identical but in personalities we are nothing alike. She is destined for Dauntless. Everything about her screams Dauntless. Nothing about me does. I am just as drab and fearful and boring as everyone else in this damn faction. The only thing I have going for me is my intelligence. Maybe I shouldn't go to Dauntless. Intelligence would certainly help me there but it will not help me fit in. I should stay in Erudite and let Brooklyn rule over in Dauntless.

-/-

It is the day of the Choosing Ceremony and I am struggling at making my choice.

As little kids, Brooklyn and I knew we wanted to switch factions. Erudite has always been too uptight for us. Everyone is a know-it-all among more intelligent know-it-alls who are constantly trying to prove they know the most. It is a very frustrating society to live in and I don't have it in me to constantly try to outsmart everyone. Which brings me to our leader, Jeanine Matthews. She is an insane, power hungry woman who uses her knowledge maliciously. I do not trust her and having a leader like that will only led to bad things. For that reason alone, I do not want to stay.

I could be like our oldest brother, Cameron, and choose Amity like he did. Although, I don't see myself being happy there. I don't care for hugs instead of hand shakes. I don't see the point in always wanting to keep the peace. I strongly believe sometimes you have to rile people up to make good changes happen. I am not complaisant and I am very assertive when I want to be. No, I cannot be apart Amity.

Well, there is Abnegation. Land of the gray wearing, selfless stiffs. They dress very conservatively and I don't think I would want to do that my whole life. I would like to think I am selfless but when it comes down to a life or death situation, I am just not sure. I know if it was between saving me or my twin sister, without a doubt, I would save her but I don't about other people. Me even questioning this is enough to know I do not belong in Abnegation.

What else? Candor. God no.

That leaves Dauntless. Maybe I do have to choose it. Why can't I be firm in my choice? I want to be as confident as Brooklyn right now.

My nerves are definitely resting in my stomach. They are flipping, twisting, and turning in every direction right now. I want to vomit sitting at this ceremony waiting to be called upon. I know both of my parents are watching me. I am their only hope at having a kid that chooses them. They know Brooklyn will not stay and they are okay with that.

I turn my head and start counting down the number of people left until it is my turn. My eyes widen as I realize there are only three people until I have to make this decision.

I wish I didn't have to go before Brooklyn but since they go alphabetically backwards, I am up first. Part of me thinks if Brooklyn goes before me the pain my parents will feel from her leaving will lessen the pain they will have about me leaving but I know that is not true.

"Opal Jones." This girl is wearing a long, flowy red dress signifying she is in Amity. She confidently chooses to stay in Amity.

The next person goes and chooses to stay in their own faction as well. Then the boy right next to me is called. He smirks as he takes the knife from Marcus Eaton, the host of this years ceremony. The boy cuts his palm and chooses Dauntless.

"Maylyn Ford." My heart drops to my stomach and at first I don't move. It isn't until Brooklyn nudges me that I stand up and walk up to the five metals bowls in the center of the stage.

One bowl containing glass for Candor. The next bowl holding burning coals for Dauntless. The one after having soil for Amity. The following has water that is now red from some of the previous soon-to-be initiates choosing Erudite. The last bowl holds grey stones for Abnegation.

I feel intimidated right now by having to make this life altering decision. Having everyone's eyes on me doesn't help.

Marcus holds out the knife for me to take. I stare at him for only a second before taking the knife.

'The quicker you do this, the quicker it will over here over.' I think to myself as I slash my palm.

I place my hand over coals letting the blood drip onto them. Soon after, I hear whispers and gasps in the audience. I cannot make out what they are saying as my name begins to be chanted by the Dauntless members as were the other names from previous people who also choose this faction.