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The Erudite boy in front ofmy nose on his shoulder I stumble back and rub my nose as I recover my senses The whole crowd has stopped, and our three leaders stand in front of us, arms folded
"This is where we divide," Lauren says "The Dauntless-born initiates are with me I assume you don’t need a tour of the place"
She smiles and beckons toward the Dauntless-born initiates They break away froroup and dissolve into the shadows I watch the last heel pass out of the light and look at those of us who are left Most of the initiates were from Dauntless, so only nine people reation transfer, and there are no Aly, Candor It must require bravery to be honest all the time I wouldn’t know
Four addresses us next "Most of the time I work in the control room, but for the next feeeks, I am your instructor," he says "My name is Four"
Christina asks, "Four? Like the number?"
"Yes," Four says "Is there a probleo into the Pit, which you will someday learn to love It--"
Christina snickers "The Pit? Clever name"
Four walks up to Christina and leans his face close to hers His eyes narrow, and for a second he just stares at her
"What’s your name?" he asks quietly
"Christina," she squeaks
"Well, Christina, if I wanted to put up with Candor smart-mouths, I would have joined their faction," he hisses "The first lesson you will learn from me is to keep your mouth shut Got that?"
She nods
Four starts toward the shadow at the end of the tunnel The crowd of initiates uess he doesn’t like to be laughed at," I reply
It would probably be wise to be careful around Four, I realize He see about that stillness makes me wary now
Four pushes a set of double doors open, and alk into the place he called "the Pit"
"Oh," whispers Christina "I get it"
"Pit" is the best word for it It is an underground cavern so huge I can’t see the other end of it from where I stand, at the bottom Uneven rock walls rise several stories above my head Built into the stone walls are places for food, clothing, supplies, leisure activities Narrow paths and steps carved from rock connect the over the side
A slant of orange light stretches across one of the rock walls Forlass and, above theht Ite passed it on the train
Blue lanterns dangle at random intervals above the stone paths, sihter as the sunlight dies
People are everywhere, all dressed in black, all shouting and talking, expressive, gesturing I don’t see any elderly people in the crowd Are there any old Dauntless? Do they not last that long, or are they just sent ahen they can’t juroup of children run down a narrow path with no railing, so fast my heart pounds, and I want to screaet hurt A ation streets appears ina line of people on the left, small smiles and inclined heads and silence My sto wonderful about Dauntless chaos
"If you follow me," says Four, "I’ll show you the chasm"
He waves us forward Four’s appearance seems tame from the front, by Dauntless standards, but when he turns around, I see a tattoo peeking out froht side of the Pit, which is conspicuously dark I squint and see that the floor I stand on now ends at an iron barrier As we approach the railing, I hear a roar--water, fast-ainst rocks
I look over the side The floor drops off at a sharp angle, and several stories below us is a river Gushing water strikes the wall beneath me and sprays upward To ht, it is white, battling with rock
"The chasm reminds us that there is a fine line between bravery and idiocy!" Four shouts "A daredevil jue will end your life It has happened before and it will happen again You’ve been warned"
"This is incredible," says Christina, as we all
"Incredible is the word," I say, nodding
Four leads the group of initiates across the Pit toward a gaping hole in the wall The roo: a dining hall full of people and clattering silverware When alk in, the Dauntless inside stand They applaud They stamp their feet They shout The noise surrounds me and fills me Christina smiles, and a second later, so do I
We look for empty seats Christina and I discover a mostly e between her and Four In the center of the table is a platter of food I don’t recognize: circular pieces of ed between round bread slices I pinch one between es me with his elbow
"It’s beef," he says "Put this on it" He passes me a ser before?" asks Christina, her eyes wide
"No," I say "Is that what it’s called?"
"Stiffs eat plain food," Four says, nodding at Christina
"Why?" she asks
I shrug "Extravagance is considered self-indulgent and unnecessary"
She s my eyes "It was just because of the food"
The corner of Four’s mouth twitches
The doors to the cafeteria open, and a hush falls over the roo h that I can hear his footsteps His face is pierced in so reasy But that isn’t whatIt is the coldness of his eyes as they sweep across the room
"Who’s that?" hisses Christina
"His name is Eric," says Four "He’s a Dauntless leader"
"Seriously? But he’s so young"
Four gives her a grave look "Age doesn’t matter here"
I can tell she’s about to ask what I want to ask: Then what doesthe room, and he starts toward a table He starts toward our table and drops into the seat next to Four He offers no greeting, so neither do we
"Well, aren’t you going to introduceto Christina and me
Four says, "This is Tris and Christina"