Enigma
Summary: Who was the girl in the chair as Four aimed his gun at her in his fear landscape? She is Four's friend and Ambassador of Dauntless. Her name was Verity, once Candor, but now she goes by the name Deca. Here is her story.
A/N: So I'm going to change a bit of the story like ages and such. Hope you guys don't shoot me.

Chapter 1: Choosing Ceremony

Sometimes you make choices in life, and sometimes the choices make you.

Chicago. Once known as the Windy City of the country of the United States of America. Now the lone survivor of the entire nation. We are lucky to be in this city for over the century. Long ago, there was a war, a terrible war, that the rest of the world was obliterated. Our founders built the wall to keep the population safe, and doing so they divided us into five factions, to keep the peace.

Erudite are the smart ones. The ones who value knowledge and logic. They are our doctors, inventors, and scientist to help innovate our city.

Amity, they are the kindness and harmony amongst neighbors. They are the ones who farmed the land. Without them, there wouldn't be food on the table.

Dauntless, they are our protectors, law enforcement, and military. If not adrenaline junkies, though they protect the city inside and out.

Abnegations, they are selfless, dedicated to helping others. Do to their reputation as public providers; they are entrusted to run the government.

Candor values honesty and order. They tell the truth, especially the first thought that comes to mind. They run our justice system. For if a trial is commenced truth shall lead to the answer.

This was my dependent faction, Candor. My name is Verity Howard, for eighteen years I grew up on truth. Lying is practically a sin, and even if you manage to make a lie, the burden weighs on you until confessing. In my district, a world of black and white, as our insignia is an unbalance scale I lived there with my parents and young sibling. My sister, Honesty, who is now twenty-one lives in Candor in her apartment as a member of the domestic justice system. Honesty job is to make sure all the factions have fair justice when going on trial. My father, Raymond, he works with the representatives alongside his friend and candidate representative Jack Kang. While my mother Joan works at a shop part time while being a mother for my brother, Zedekiah, but everyone calls him Zed for short.

Today my parents, Zed, and I was walked towards The Hub for the Choosing Ceremony. Yesterday was the Aptitude test, one I dreaded in fear. I was afraid of leaving home, leaving the word of trust and truth that Candor represented. However, I was also scared of making a mistake of staying.

.o0o.

The Choosing Ceremony is held in a semi-circle room. Rows of chairs wrapped around the stage divided into five sections: Abnegation, Amity, Erudite, Candor, and Dauntless. The stage had the five marble bowls representing by the substance they contain: Burning embers for Dauntless, grey stones for Abnegation, water for Erudite, soil for Amity, and glass for Candor.

Honesty told me about her choosing how her hand grazed over on all three, lingering on Erudite until she quickly leaned forward on Candor. On her aptitude test, she tested positive for Erudite, yet she sticks to her original faction. Her reasons are during her mental confrontation she wanted to help the system by medicine or by law. A last-minute decision, as she chosen law and look at her now, one of the factions lawyers still in training for the district against domestic violence.

I wish Honesty could be here, I thought sadly.

She couldn't make it for the Choosing Ceremony since it correlated with her case. All she could do is wish me luck last night and would either see me tonight or on visiting day. Quietly I rubbed the necklace she handed me, a token you could say. It was simple with no characters to symbolize a faction. Just a silver disc with our initials.
Anyway, we walked through the isles reaching the Candor section. A dozen Erudite were coming down the steps as a woman wearing a blue suit, having blond hair, and blue eyes took the lead.

"Moring, Ms. Matthews," Raymond said.

"Good morning, Raymond. How is Jack holding up?" Ms. Mathews replied.

"Mr. Kang is doing well for the elections. I've come to congratulate you on your new role as representative of Erudite." Raymond said.

"I am honor," Ms. Matthews said, and then looked at me with a smile. "This must be your children. I didn't know your daughter would be choosing today."

"Yes, our middle child, Verity," Joan answered, placing a hand on my shoulder and the other on Zed. "And our youngest, Zedekiah."

"I prefer Zed," the little rascal said.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Matthews," I said, offering a hand.

"Please, call me Jeanine." The woman said, shaking my hand. Once she let go, she smiled, "Well, you have a big decision to make today, Verity. I'm sure your parents will support whatever choice you make."

"That's not supposed to be a choice. At least the aptitude test helps us on the decision." I said.

"True, but you're still free to choose," Jeanine said.

"Is that so?" I asked.

Jeanine walked over placing a hand on my shoulder. "I want you to choose who you truly are and where you truly belong. Not on a whim. Not because you wish you were someone you're not. But because you honestly know yourself. I want you to choose wisely. And I know you will."

"Thank you for your words of wisdom," I said.

Jeanine nodded putting her hand down and looked at Zed. "Same goes for you, sir. I hope to see you again four or so years from now."

Zed nodded with a smile. With nothing further to say, Raymond escorted us to our section as we all took a seat. This year the host factions are divided into two groups. Do to Erudite's new election Jeanine Matthews shall be the M.C for the first half, while Abnegation leader Marcus Eaton would be doing the choosing ceremony. I took a deep breath, feeling my heart beat double time while hands sweaty. I haven't felt like this, since my first Candor practice at age sixteen as we trained for experiencing truth serum and go under questioning. Although, once the truth serum entered my system I felt a bit more relax and free. Now there is no serum but a serious choice. One that could change everything!

A hand grabbed my own giving a reassuring squeeze. Looking to my right, I saw Joan provide an assuring gesture that everything will be all right. Sadly mom doesn't know my choice I am about to make. A secret was weighing heavy on me since yesterday when I told dad my test results. Raymond asked me to make a big sacrifice and proclaimed once I do it, the weight of guilt shall vanish…only if I choose this path?

The audience started to applause when Jeanine got on the stage. Joan and I did as well; eyes forward as Jeanine walked in front of the five white bowls each representing a faction. Once everyone settles down, the Erudite leader started her speech.

"The faction system is a living being composed of cells, all of you. And the only way it can survive and thrive is for each of you to claim your rightful place. The future belongs to those who know where they belong."

Wow, shot and simple. That is something new from Erudite. Usually, they go for a more extended speech to show off their intelligent and advanced vocabulary. Jeanine Mathews went for a more straightforward approach. Another man in grey, Marcus Eaton stood on the stage appearing nervous. He took a deep breath holding his hands together. He gives the infamous speech in how our founders created the system based on personality, and how these five specific personalities created our sister since the terrible war. Defying each faction's distaste for a flaw in their virtues.

"When we leave this room, you will no longer be dependents but full-fledged members of our society. Faction before blood."

"Faction before blood." Everyone said.

I hated that motto. One that limits you from your family, the people who raised and watch you grows up. The motto is practically a slap in our parents face. The callings of names are arranged from oldest to youngest. This method is to keep the peace since initially it alphabetized by the last name, except people became impatient then it was factions first starting from Amity to Dauntless afterward Abnegation who are selfless to begin the choosing. Now it is my birthday making things more accessible.

One by one dependent names is being called. Many remaining in their home faction while several decided to transfers.

Those who transfer shall be the hardest thing on both origin and dependent. Candor and Dauntless are the most expressive when losing one of their own. Yes, there is Visiting Day that occurs in every two weeks for transfer initiates; however Dauntless would never visit a traitor. Just like Abnegation would barely step foot in the Same Erudite way for neither them nor Candor stepping foot on Amity unless the parents genuinely love their independent child. On Visiting Day, it's usually mothers or older siblings who visit their loved one. But never Dauntless.

"Tobias Easton," Marcus called out.

Silence engulfed the auditorium as Abnegation boy walked silently head down towards the stage. If his last name is correct, then he is Marcus's son. The guy was tall, practically lanky with fair skin while dark hair cropped to Abnegation fashion. He breathes when Marcus offers him the knife. He probably will choose Abnegation since not of the previous members transferred yet. Tobias cuts his hand then levels it between Dauntless and Abnegation. He looked at Marcus who stared at him nodding his head towards home. Instead of home, Tobias let his blood falls on the ember. Faint gasps could be heard from Abnegation while Dauntless applaud loudly. Wow, did not anticipate that! Though as I watched between father and son, I noted their body language said a different story.

More names we called. Ezekiel Pedrad from Dauntless chosen to stay at his original faction, same with a girl name Shauna. Next a boy from Erudite, Eric…something…I didn't catch his last name. He was a bit bulky, having broad shoulders, groom blond hair while wearing a blue suit. He took the knife, and without hesitation, he cut his hand and dropped it on Dauntless.

"Verity Howard!" Marcus called out.

I sucked in a deep breath and looked at my family. Zed was smiling thinking I would do something awesome. Joan looked at me with a caring smile believing I would choose home while Raymond…he held a serious look at what I decide. He is on both sides of which I shall select: the secret or safety. Home or secret?

When I made it onto the stage, Marcus handed me the knife. I held the sharp blade standing in front of the Erudite bowl that was slightly pink from all the blood. I stared at all five bowls imaging my fate for each one. Dauntless…my chance of passing are slim yet shows more physical aid for the system. Abnegation, a safe yet boring life…it wouldn't suit me, I am selfish. Erudite…although I am smart, I am not intelligent. Amity…no I can't live in the lie for peace. It's against my natural nature. And finally Candor. In Candor, I would live in truth, able to see my family, have an honest husband with kids while working for the justice system or loyal job.

Closing my eyes, I cut my hand, wincing a little from the slight sting and went what my gut told me. Intuition and gut lead me to the left as my blood drop on my new faction. A sizzling sound could be heard while Marcus called out, "Dauntless!"

I had defected. I had fallen into my aptitude test that resulted in Dauntless. Even though I have defected, I also had been activated. Turning around, I stared at my family, as Zed smiled widely like a cat ate a canary thinking his big sister was going to be a hero. Mom was holding a hand to her mouth suppressing a sob. While dad, he looked very much relieved.

I have defected, and I have been activated.

I chose the secret.

What do you all think? I decided to change the age to 18, making it seem like they graduated high school and went to college you could say. Also more legal. Can you guys figure out Verity's secret? Answer on Review or give your opinion on the story.
Thanks for reading and please leave a review!