She’d never been the athletic type so the feeling that over came her when she managed to keep up with all of the others while running to the train was absolute elation. Getting on the train, however, was a whole different story. She didn’t want to be left behind but the longer she waited the more fearful she became. The tracks in front of her were running out of train and if she didn't do something or do it quick she had no idea what would happen.
With a high pitched squeal and a rush toward the moving metal death trap, Maxine launched herself inside of one of the compartments and scooted all the way to the other side just as the door slammed shut. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she breathed heavily. Her eyes darted from one side of the train to the other, no one paying her any attention. With a mix of Dauntless borns and transfers she was no one else’s problem in that moment. Had she fallen to her death no one would have thought twice about her. This was officially terrifying. Had Cody even made it this far?
Swallowing hard, Maxine pushed herself up to a wobbling stand, her thin legs barely holding her up as she held the side handle and swayed with the train’s movements. It was barely moments later when the doors slid open again and with absolutely no instruction. All she could see was people jumping out of the train as if that were the only thing that made sense in that moment.
She couldn’t think about it this time and so she didn't. Maxine launched herself into the largest jump she could. She had no idea what the expect to appear below her and was not so pleasantly surprised when it was gravel. She immediately felt the burn of her skin being scraped raw. The fresh, pinky flesh quickly flooded with red but she didn’t have time to pity herself or pout.
Pooling with the rest of the initiates on the rooftop, she couldn’t imagine what they were meant to do. In fact, she couldn’t even think of a time she had ever been this high and just as she thought about how scary it would be to jump that was exactly what they were instructed to do. Was she going to be the first?
At least that’s what her thought was until the first volunteer was beckoned and everyone, including Maxine, took a step backward. She wasn’t sure who it had been but she felt the firm hand against her back that shoved her forward, volunteering her to go first. Swallowing and realizing there was no way out of this now, she felt her hands shaking as she climbed onto the ledge and looked down. “Easy, right?” she whispered to herself, shut her eyes, and leapt before she took too long and was shoved yet again.
The net that caught her at the bottom took the air out of her as she gasped and her eyes opened wide. The hole in the ceiling shining light onto her as the room surrounding her was dark. She knew the first face she hoped to see was Cody’s but that was, of course, wishful thinking.
“What’s your name?” she heard instead. “M-my name?” Maxine asked back and squinted. “What do you want to be called?” the voice was much more gruff this time and sounded annoyed. “Maxine… No… Just Max,” Maxine swallowed and nodded.
annaxmalina
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izzy806
