divergent-excerpt

Four looks at Eric for a few seconds before saying, “Tell
him that I am satisfied with the position I currently hold.”
“So he wants to give you a job.”
The rings in Eric’s eyebrow catch the light. Maybe
Eric perceives Four as a potential threat to his position.
My father says that those who want power and get it live
in terror of losing it. That’s why we have to give power to
those who do not want it.
“So it would seem,” Four says.
“And you aren’t interested.”
“I haven’t been interested for two years.”
“Well,” says Eric. “Let’s hope he gets the point then.”
He claps Four on the shoulder, a little too hard, and gets
up. When he walks away, I slouch immediately. I had not
realized that I was so tense.
“Are you two . . . friends” I say, unable to contain my
curiosity.
“We were in the same initiate class,” he says. “He
transferred from Erudite.”
All thoughts of being careful around Four leave me.
“Were you a transfer too”
“I thought I would only have trouble with the Candor
asking too many questions,” he says coldly. “Now I’ve got
Stiffs, too”
“It must be because you’re so approachable,” I say flatly.
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