divergent-excerpt

difficult, to drastically improve your rank over time.”
I stare at the gun in my hand. Never in my life did I
expect to hold one, let alone fire it. It feels dangerous to
me, as if just by touching it, I could hurt someone.
“We believe that preparation eradicates cowardice,
which we define as the failure to act in the midst of fear,”
says Four. “Therefore each stage of initiation is intended
to prepare you in a different way. The first stage is primarily
physical; the second, primarily emotional; the
third, primarily mental.”
“But what . . .” Peter yawns through his words. “What
does firing a gun have to do with . . . bravery”
Four flips the gun in his hand, presses the barrel to
Peter’s forehead, and clicks a bullet into place. Peter
freezes with his lips parted, the yawn dead in his mouth.
“Wake. Up,” Four snaps. “You are holding a loaded gun,
you idiot. Act like it.”
He lowers the gun. Once the immediate threat is gone,
Peter’s green eyes harden. I’m surprised he can stop himself
from responding, after speaking his mind all his life
in Candor, but he does, his cheeks red.
“And to answer your question . . . you are far less likely
to soil your pants and cry for your mother if you’re prepared
to defend yourself.” Four stops walking at the end
of the row and turns on his heel. “This is also information
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