I have to face the fear. I have to take control of the situation and find a way to make it less frightening.

I am no longer Tris, the selfless, or Tris, the brave. I suppose that now, I must become more than either.

There is power in controlling something that can do so much damage - in controlling something, period.

When i get home, I sit on the front step and take deep breaths of the cool spring air for a few minutes. My mother was the one who taught me to steal moments like those, moments of freedom, though she didn't now it. I watched her... But I learned something else from watching her too, which is that the free moments always have to end.

What's this about flashing underwear?" says Uriah, sidestepping a bunk. "Whatever it is, I'm in.

She can't possibly be me, though she moves when I move

You're not very nice," I say, grinning. "You're one to talk." "Hey, I could be nice if I tried." "Hmm." He taps his chin. "Say something nice, then." "You're very good-looking." He smiles, his teeth a flash in this dark. "I like this 'nice' thing.