Eric walks toward me, and I back away by instinct. I try not to be afraid of him, but I know how smart he is and that if I’m not careful he’ll notice that I keep staring at her, and that will be my undoing.

Then his eyes focus on something over my shoulder, and he starts walking. I turn to see Uriah jogging from the elevator bank. He is grinning. “Heard a rumor you were a dirty traitor,” Uriah says. “Yeah, whatever,” says Zeke. They collide in an embrace that looks almost painful to me, slapping each other’s backs and laughing with their fists clasped between them.

I used to think about giving my life up for things, but I didn't understand what 'giving your life' really was until it was right there, about to be taken from me

though he does not touch me, he steadies me.

I don't believe it is more important to move forward than to know the truth.

She has been to the compound before. She remembered this hallway. She knows about the initiation process. My mother was Dauntless.

We are not people who touch each other carelessly; every point of contact between us feels important, a rush of energy and relief.