Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau
Author:Joelle Charbonneau [charbonneau, joelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Romance, Adventure, Fantasy
Goodreads: 17165932
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Published: 2014-01-07T06:00:00+00:00
Chapter 11
Mine is not the only face streaked with tears. As I look around,
I see students huddled in groups. Their eyes wide with shock
and sorrow. Across the bridge, the final-year guide Sam has
his arm tight around Olive, who is kneeling at the edge of the
ravine, shrieking Rawson’s name. Horror is etched into every
inch of her face. The shrieks turn to sobs as Sam gets Olive
onto her feet and steers her to the bridge.
Olive takes one step onto the metal walkway, breaks free of
Sam’s hold, and runs. Not over the bridge toward the residence,
but away. Sam turns and races after her, but Olive is fast and
soon disappears. Whether the push was deliberate or an acci-
dent born of anger and stress, it’s clear from her reaction that
Olive never intended for Rawson to go over the edge. I can’t
imagine how she will live with the guilt that action will bring.
Quiet murmurs and sniffles fill the air as we all watch the hori-
zon, waiting for Olive and Sam to return. They do not.
Once a dry-eyed Vance stands on this side of the bridge,
164
Independent Study_second pages_ARC.indd 165
3/1/13 3:06 PM
Joelle Charbonneau
Professor Holt steps from under the tree into the dwindling
sunshine and asks us to gather near. “Normally, we would hold
the Induction ceremony tonight. However, in light of this trag-
edy, it will be postponed until tomorrow so together we can
mourn the loss of Rawson Fisk. Dr. Barnes and I will be avail-
able to talk to those who need help dealing with this terrible
event. All leaders are forced to confront tragedy, but we are
sorry that you have to face it so early in your careers. Please let
an official know if you are struggling to cope with this horrible
loss. We are here to help.”
Dr. Barnes puts his arm around a sniffling girl and leads her
into the residence. His posture speaks of caring and concern,
but I see the cold calculation in his eyes as they sweep across
the mourning crowd. Is he making note of the students who
cry or the ones whose eyes are dry? Does he believe tears make
a better leader? Will the students who come to him in search of
comfort find themselves suddenly placed behind the rest of the
pack, or will they be considered worthier of a high leadership
position? It is impossible to know, and I am not interested in
staying here and finding out.
When Dr. Barnes and Professor Holt disappear inside the
residence, I head in the opposite direction. Away from what-
ever new test Rawson’s death has spawned. When I cross the
bridge, my throat tightens. I know I will see Rawson in my
dreams and wonder for the rest of my life if making a differ-
ent choice when selecting my team could have saved his life.
Would he be safe inside, preparing to start classes on Monday,
if I had picked him first instead of the person I thought would
help my team come out on top? While I know Rawson’s death
166
167
Independent Study_second pages_ARC.indd 166
3/1/13 3:06 PM
independent study
is not my fault, I cannot help the guilt I feel. My team won this
Induction task, but that victory wasn’t worth the cost.
Download
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.
Reached by Ally Condie(961)
Allegiant by Veronica Roth(957)
Divergent by Roth Veronica(890)
Weapon by Lynette Noni(844)
The Divergent Series Complete Collection by Veronica Roth(802)
Insurgent (Divergent) by Veronica Roth(778)
Insurgent by Veronica Roth(739)
Divergent 02 - Insurgent by Veronica Roth(716)
Divergent Trilogy 2 - Insurgent by Veronica Roth(714)
Divergent 01 - Divergent by Veronica Roth(693)
Requiem by Lauren Oliver(687)
Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau(681)
The Transfer: A Divergent Story by Veronica Roth(648)
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi(645)
Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi(643)
Matched by Condie Ally(627)
In the Afterlight by Bracken Alexandra(615)
All Good Children by Catherine Austen(611)
Life Is But A Dream by Lee Strauss(599)
