Aberrant

Forty-Five: Dex/Brooke

I shrug, "I never paid any attention to the Factionless. Until now, that is."

"Well we don't know exactly where the Factionless are based," Natalie amends, "But we do have an arrangement with them. We take every new Factionless member to a place on the outskirts of Abnegation where they are collected by the Factionless."

"Oh," says Callum, mirroring my thoughts. 

"That's a lot less organised than I was hoping," I say. 

Natalie smiles again, but this time it doesn't reach her eyes, "I'm sorry." She turns to River, "Do you know where the collection point is?" He nods. She turns back to me, "Your brother will take you there. I suggest you get going as soon as possible."

Callum and I nod, and get up. 

He turns to Natalie, "Thank you for everything." She just smiles back. 

River leads us silently through some streets. Not many Abnegation are about, but the ones that are completely ignore us. Some of the children though glance at us, but their attention is diverted by their parents. 

"Curiosity isn't an Abnegation trait," River explains as we turn round another corner. The streets get narrower as we go further away from Abnegation. Wherever we are going, it is evidently going to be in a far worse condition than either Amity ad Dauntless. My brother grimaces sympathetically but says nothing. Callum is also quiet and the silence feels almost oppressing. 

Eventually River comes to a stop. "We're here," he says quietly. 

I glance around. We're standing on an empty street, with nothing but a large warehouse in front of us. 

"This is it?" I ask. 

River nods sadly, and then holds out his arms, "I'll see you soon? Meet me here in a week's time?"

I smile and embrace him, "I thought Abnegation weren't supposed to hug?"

I glance up at River, who looks embarrassed, "Well...I thought you might want one." 

We stand there for a few moments, before breaking apart. Callum clears his throat awkwardly, "See you around."

River nods, gives me one last smile, and then leaves. I dig my hands into my pockets. 

"How long do you think we have to stand here for?" I ask. 

Callum shrugs, "However long it takes for them to notice us." 

The wind whistles, suddenly making it colder and I shiver. Callum wraps his arms around himself. Natalie Prior's house must have been well-heated for it to seem this cold. Ironic really, considering that she's Abnegation. 

I get bored after a few moments and I groan, "I wish they-" I cut off suddenly as there is suddenly a sound, which emanates from the warehouse. Callum and I freeze and back away slowly as the door swings open. A Factionless man pokes his head out. I'm in luck. We've finally been noticed. 

"Oi! You two!" He shouts, "Get in here!" 

Callum glances at me, "Guess that's our cue," he mumbles. I nod and walk resolutely into the darkness. 

The interior is dimly lit and multiple people are milling about in an assortment of different coloured clothes. There's all sorts of stuff on the floor. This isn't just an organised chaos, like in Dauntless. This place is a complete and utter mess. 

"The name's Rana," says the man, as he steps over a pile of clothes. 

"Callum and Dex," says Callum in reply, pointing to each of us in return.