Transparent: A Divergent FanFiction (Book One) ©

Chapter 39

                “Amyg-“ I tried to repeat the word. “What does that part do?”

                “It’s involved in processing negative emotions like fear and induces a hallucination. Then the transmitter comes into play again, tracking and translating your delusion into bits of data that form the image on the screen. When you’re done, I’ll just forward the recording to the dauntless administrators.”

                “Oh,” was all I could manage to say. If it was a more advanced version of the aptitude test, did that mean it would reveal my divergence that much quicker? I hoped not.

               I nodded, and then leaned back into the chair, turning my head so that my neck was exposed. I was so wound up, I didn’t even really feel when the tip of the needle sunk into my skin. It was only when the muscles around my throat started to ache that I really noticed the change.

               “In sixty seconds the serum will go into effect.” Amar said through the haze that was starting to cloud my vision. “This simulation will also be different from the aptitude tests due to the fact that you will not be able to get out of it until you calm down, either by lowering your heart rate and controlling your breathing, or by conquering your fear.”

                 I tried to open my mouth to speak, to lift my hands and move, but I couldn’t. My thoughts were all scattered, and I was losing vision fast. My palms were sweating again, and my heart was beating a mile a minute.

                It’s not real. Was the last conscious thought I managed to form.

               

                I could feel the metal floor underneath my body, the cold from it seeping through the fabric of my clothes. I opened my eyes, and sat up. All around me, there were mirrors, my face reflecting back from them with a look of confusion.

                “Hello? Is anyone there?” I called out, getting to my feet and walking towards one of the mirrored walls. “Let me out!” I shouted, thumping on the glass.

                There was no reply. I ran my hands up and down the walls, trying to find a door, but nothing budged. I was getting frantic, there had to be a way out. I was about to kick the glass, hoping it would shatter and provide an opening, when I heard a quiet hiss behind me.

                A shiver ran down my spine, and I turned with my hands up and around my face; ready for an attack. A segment of the glass wall had slid open, revealing a pack of shadowy figures, and for an instant I let myself hope. Were they here to let me out?

                Then, one of the figures stepped forward, and as I took in its features I knew I’d guessed wrong. It was shaped like a human, but that was all that seemed familiar; the figure’s eyes were completely black and glistening wet, like a creature from the darkest pits of hell.

               Its face was twisted into a wicked snarl, and its lips were spread into an agonizingly wide smile that revealed rows of sharpened teeth. From behind it, I heard another hiss, and then a second figure walked in. A forked tongue flicked out once, tasting the air, and as it took a  step closer; I could see that their skin was made up of small scales.

                I clenched my fists, but before I could even take a step, they were on me. I felt their rough leathery scales on my skin, and as I tried to pull free, I felt their muscles coil and bunch beneath me. I yelled for help, thrashing and trying to strike out at anything. It was pointless; they were inhuman. I could hear them hissing all around me, the smell of death thick in the air. I was outnumbered.