The next day I have to take the initiates to the fence. The message has already been spread to most of them so they should all know to meet me by the tracks. Eventually a few people start coming in. I wonder if Tris is better today. A few seconds later I see her and Christina walk over.
When the train arrives I get in first and dangle out of the side of the car. When Tris gets in she needs her friends help. I can already tell that her one friend, Al, has a thing for her which is probably one of the reasons she doesn't like me back. Plus, Al is probably better for her and probably doesn't scare her.
"Feeing okay there? Or are you a little....Stiff?"Peter jokes once he sees her wince in pain. I prayed Peter would be terrible at fighting so that he would be Fationless, but no, of course not. He has to be one of the best. He and his annoying friends, Molly and Drew, start laughing.
"We are all awed by your incredible wit." Will says, defending Tris.
"Yeah, are you sure you don't belong in Erudite? I hear they don't object to sissys." Christina says.
"Am I going to have to listen to your bickering all the way to the fence?" I ask, hopefully getting them to shut up.
I lean forward, out of the train car, so that the only part of me inside the car is my feet and my one arm. They still continue to keep talking but I just tune them out.
When the train finally stops I jump out and walk to the fence, the initiates following.
The fence is what protects us. At least that's what everyone says. It's suppose to keep bad things out, but if you look closely, the lock is on the inside, keeping us in. I'm not exactly sure why, but I know the code to get out, incase something bad were to happen.
"Follow me." I say, leading them to the gate. "If you don't rank in the top five at the end of initiation, you will probably end up here. Once you are a fence guard, there is some potential for advancement, but not much. You may be able to go on to patrol beyond Amity's farm, but--"
"Patrols for what purpose?" Will asks, cutting me off.
"I suppose you'll discover that if you find yourself among them." I answer. " As I was saying, those who guard the fence when they are young, continue to guard the fence. If it comforts you, some of them insist it isn't as bad as it seems."
"What rank were you?" Peter asks.
" I was first." I answer.
"And you choose to do this? Why didn't you get a government job?" asks Peter.
" I didn't want one."
I don't want to see my father and I don't think I deserve one.
The gates open and I see Lisa guarding the gate. She was in my initiate class.
"Hey, Four, long time, no see." she says.
"Hey, Lisa."
"How are the initiates doing this year? I hear your an instructor."
"Good, I guess. I have to get back to them. See you around, I guess."
"Bye, Four. Tell the others I say hi!"
" I will. Bye, Lisa."
I step away from Lisa and walk back over to the others. I see Tris talking to an Amity boy.
What is she doing? She's going to get in trouble one of these days.
I walk up to Tris.
" I'm worried that you have a knack for making unwise decisions." I say.
"It was a two-minute conversation." She responds.
"I don't think the smaller timeframe makes it any less unwise. You know, if you learn to attack first, you might do better." I say, touching the corner of her bruised eye.
"Attack first? How will that help?"
"You're fast. If you can get a few fast hits in before they know what hit them, you could win." I say, shrugging and letting my hand fall from her eye.