I always believed 16 was too young to make such a life-changing decision. I wasn't ready. I was confused and scared. But I know I've made the right choice as I quickly closed the mirror, barely getting a glance at myself.

          A sigh left my lips. Everyday was the same.  I would wake up, barely glance at my reflection in the mirror, eat, help as much people as I can during the day then sleep peacefully knowing I'm safe. However, this repetitive routine suffocated me as it often leaves room for the demons in my mind to claw at my heart with their razor sharp nails. Even so, I knew I had no right to complain for I found what I was looking for. Peace, safety and sometimes even happiness. This was all I wanted, wasn't it?

         I decided to braid my dark brown hair before going out for another uneventful day. Maybe I didn't know what I wanted but this is definitely what I needed. My hands froze in the air and I struggled to breath as the most venomous demon wandered into my mind. A memory. One that caused many sleepless nights.

       Like it was merely yesterday, I remembered the day I stood in front of those 5 white bowls with so much detail. How my hands were tremendously shaking, how my train of thoughts ran a hundred kilometers per hour too fast. 

      " Katniss Everdeen." 

      I recall the heart attack I nearly had when my name was called. As slow as I could, I made my way to the stage to make the decision that would define me for the rest of my life. I stalled as much as I could just so I could have another second of thinking but all my mind seemed to focus on was my rapid breathing and how nervous I was. I despised the way everyone's attention was fixed on me. 

     I could feel their eyes burn holes into my back as I held the knife in my hand. With clearance, I remembered the sharp intake of air as I made a cut on my hand and the sting that soon followed. All I was told was to trust the test and I knew exactly what the test said. But from the moment I fell down on my knees sobbing after getting the results, I knew I couldn't trust it nor listen to it.

    The test said I was Dauntless, brave and courageous. Out of all factions, I turned out to be the same as the one which caused my best friend's death and plunged me into a life of deadly loneliness and endless helplessness. Dauntless was the reason I lost the last family I had in this world.

    I remembered the salty taste of my tears as my hand hovered above the Dauntless's white bowl. I must go with what the test told me even if I didn't want it. I must trust the test, was my only thought.  Instead, when a drop of blood nearly dropped in, pledging me to a life I didn't want, I quickly moved my hand over the Abnegation bowl. In a split second, I was pledged to a life of selflessness and putting others first.

    Not much thought went through that decision but my heart felt elevated and relieved as it was pronounced I was now Abnegation. I've never regretted my decision even through the boring routine and little food for in helping others, I helped myself.

    I got what I needed and I should be thankful, yet the small nagging in my heart never stops. After all, I was a defier. I defied the test and maybe deep inside me, I was worried it will catch up to me eventually. 

     A sound from outside my tiny house brought me back to reality and I messily finished braiding the rest of my hair. I walked out to find an old man struggling to get back up after having slipped and fallen. I hurried to help him. I bend down, grabbed both his arms and gently pulled us both up from the ground. He nicely thanked me but his wide smile will forever be my favorite sign of gratitude. 

     Their smiles brightened my lonely world. A small smile of my own tugged at my lips as I reassured myself that I had indeed made the right choice. I had found peace and I shouldn't ask for more. 

     A loud thud resonated from an alley nearby. I went to check it out. Recently, a lot of accidents have been happening. People are always hurrying home faster than usual, kids rarely play outside anymore. It was crystal clear that there were problems between the different factions but I didn't care enough to ask. 

     Originally, I thought it was another elderly accidentally dropping their heavy groceries in their hurry but instead I was met with a guy near my age dressed in black from head to toes. I looked around but everything seemed fine. He caught my eyes and winked with a smirk on his lips. As soon as I realized he was Dauntless, memories came flooding back. I turned around, ready to leave since it didn't look like my help was needed.

    "Katniss" He called after me.

    "How do you know my name?" Growing stiff, I frowned and turned to face him again.

    " Things are going bad. They say they need everyone back where they belong." He said.

   " How do you know my name?" I repeated more sternly.

   " They say we need all the extra hands we can get." He started to walk over to me.

    I turned around, my mind set on leaving. This is what I get for complaining about having a boring life. His words made no sense and my only solution was to get somewhere safe. However, my steps halted when he spoke next. " I know you were supposed to be Dauntless. They know too."

    All colors left my face but somehow I still found my voice. "Th-they? What are you talking about?"

    "They said..." He replied, now standing right behind me with my back facing him. " They want everyone on duty." I was overwhelmed with confusion. I didn't know what any of his words meant. Suddenly, he plunged a needle deep into my upper arm and before I could react or even scream, I fell into darkness.

    When I awakened, I was no longer in the alley but walking behind a girl my age. I was baffled, I couldn't remember how I got here or why I walking so robot-like. I was even more frightened when I realized I had no control over my body. I could feel everything I touched but my body didn't seem to respond to any of my mind's commands. 

     It was as if I was being controlled by someone else and I couldn't do anything about it. It was only when the first bullet was shot that the reality set in. Everyone here was Dauntless, we were all walking in organized groups, carrying guns and all ready to attack. What though I had no idea.

     It appeared that no one was in control of their own body, the realization only deepening my terror. I tried to focus all my energy and concentration just to move my index finger by my own will but it didn't even flinch. Helplessness seeped deep into my bones.

     It only got worse from there. We had reached our destination, the Abnegation side of the city. At first, I tried to stay positive, deeming all this a means of further protection for the city. I thought that maybe we were going to help keep Abnegation safe but I couldn't be more wrong.

    Abnegation were fighting back and I couldn't understand why. Abnegation never fought, ever. This trouble between factions must have been much worse than I presumed. Out of a sudden, all hell broke loose. Guns were aimed at all who stood in their way in defiance, even my own. I try to mutter a word, to muster enough strength to break free of this control and lower the gun but I failed.

    I could only look around as people were coldly killed or beaten. Not even the elderly were spared if they blocked our way. Against my will, I had slapped an elderly myself and I cried out in agony but only in my head, my face was stoic still. I was relieved that my body managed to avoid any other confrontations and not once had I used the gun but my relief didn't last long.

    As I walked through an alley, a little beautiful girl stopped me in my tracks. She looked scared but she still raised her hand, wanting to throw a rock at me. In my head, I marveled at her strength and bravery but my body raised the gun towards her. 

     I knew the little girl was only protecting herself but my body didn't seem to care that she was only a little child. The people controlling my body seemed unfazed by murdering an innocent kid. My arms aimed the gun at her head and my fingers were getting nearer to the trigger.

      I couldn't let this happen. I fought with everything I had in me. My fingers started to shake but they kept moving. I was so close to pulling the trigger, sweat ran down my forehead. My whole body started shaking and finally I regained a bit of control, enough to throw the gun to the ground.

      I was still fighting to gain full control over my body when the little girl hugged me. It was the last push I needed. I broke free from the trance and fell to the ground, breathing heavily. I looked around to notice I was the only one who regained control. I knew I needed to stop this but as I looked into the eyes of the girl in my arms, I knew she has become my priority.