Chapter 23

Today is the day she must face the others. In my opinion, this is the bravest thing she has had to do yet. But before that, she describes how her night when. She slept in the room she woke up in that morning because she wasn't strong enough to sleep in the dormitory yet. She admits to herself that she likes Four (FINALLY). In the morning when she is getting ready, she catches a glance of Four without his shirt on.. Jealous.. He leads her out to the dining hall when she decides that even if she has to pretend to be weak, she can never let it be true.

Unfortunately, pretending to be weak isn't very hard for Tris at this point since she has been beaten senseless and is bruised and cut up everywhere. Things get much better when Drew walks in though. He is black and blue all over. His lip is split and it is obvious that Four didn't let him off easy. I was really satisfied at that point. So was Tris. Uriah, Will, and Christina are all making sure that they protect Tris and that made me very happy. I am glad that even though nearly everyone in this book is out to get Tris, she still has a few people on her side.

Today the initiates are going to do something new. As they are trudging higher from the floor of the Pit, Drew falls behind, probably due to his injuries. Four tells him to pick up the pace. I know it's terrible, but I laughed a lot at that. Drew had what he got coming for him, so I guess I don't actually feel that bad. They arrive on top of the glass ceiling, so now it is a floor to them. Four shows them what is called a Fear Landscape. It is basically a combination of all of the things they have worked on so far. Each initiate has to face their own fears, which is usually between ten and fifteen, and how quickly they can complete it determines their rank for stage three, the most important of the three stages. After this is explained, Peter makes some comment about how it isn't fair.. Four says exactly what I was thinking when he replies with something along the lines of, "You really think you want me to talk about what is fair with you? I'm sure you are frightened because the events that happened last night proved you to be a coward. You are afraid of a a short, skinny girl from Abnegation." SLAM. SICK BURN.

Back in the dormitory after the trip with Four, Tris finds herself confronted by Al. He is an emotional wreck. He is sobbing like a little girl and he asks for her forgiveness. She has a slight internal battle about it, but ultimately tells him not to ever talk to her again. It seems harsh, but I can't say I wouldn't have done the same thing.

"Do you really want to talk to me about what's fair?"