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

It was him or me. I chose me. But I feel dead too.

I feel like what I have become is halfway between my mother and my father, violent and impulsive and desperate and afraid. I feel like I have lost control of what I have become.

I am a naturally curious person. -Tris

When her body first hit the net, all I registered was a gray blur. I pulled her across it and her hand was small, but warm, and then she stood before me, short and thin and plain and in all ways unremarkable- except that she had jumped first. The stiff had jumped first. Even I didn't jump first. Her eyes were so stern, so insistent. Beautiful.

I am afraid of her, afraid of what she says-and thrilled by it too, because it means I don't have to accept that I am smaller than I once believed.

I love you" I say. "I love you, too" he says. "I'll see you soon.