My silent lonely dorm room burst into life as my door was forcefully flung open, fierce eyes stared at me as I fought, my frail arms were flailing as I was grabbed, hand tied behind my back and thrown off the bed and onto the floor where I had a pillow case shoved onto my head, my breath quickened as I was dragged from my room into the deep unknown. My skin prickled as the cold air stung my bare arms, legs and chest. Mud squelched between my toes. Wind howled in my ears. Pine scent wafted in my nostrils. Out of breath I tried to keep up with the hand grasping my arm pulling me along when we finally stopped just before I was ready to pass out. Now that we stopped the real fear set in the real test was about to begin, my mind began racing through options of how to get away however rather than run I stood there as if my feet were stuck to the ground with glue or nails. My mind thought of things to say to let me go or abuse the people who have taken me but instead of that I stood there are let them abuse me, tell me things I already know and been told before;
“Pathetic, worthless, wimps” my kidnappers chanted
The words rang in my ears I hung my head in shame as their mouths screamed the truth. The voices of authority came closer as I heard small snipping sounds around me; holes were sliced into our cases to give us sight. Taken back I blinked furiously to get my eyes to adjust to the sudden light from the moon glowing, as I regained focus I saw my kidnappers and recognised some instantly, Tyler Princeton and Joel Brady; they were in the final year and in the welcoming committee both were popular due to their wealth and looks, girls swooned and fall in love with them at first glance they could not see there arrogance and vanity. Forcing a map into my hand a number of cards stamped with symbols Tyler whispered to his friends and they all left.
“This my friends is your treasure hunt some will make it and some won’t that’s how it works separate the weak from the strong” Tyler shouted at us
We all jumped as the volume of his voice startled us a small squeak silently escaped one of the mouths of the toys as that is what we were to him.
“What?” Tyler ordered storming up in the boy’s face
“N-n-nothing” was all he could muster from his cold lips.
“Well off you go then you stupid twerp!” Shouted Tyler as hit voice bellowed and rang in their ears.
Setting off all I wanted to do was break down in tears but I knew that wasn’t going to help me now, My mind had to focus on the task at hand nevertheless every step I took was more shaky than the last my legs were jelly; cold wobbling and red. As I started to examine the map and cards I was given I started to recognised the shapes on them they were all the Greek sorority symbols alpha, beta they were all the groups the dorms were spilt into. Taking one last step I heard a crunch looking down at my misplaced foot I found one of the symbols from the card. The delta symbol slightly broken lying amongst the forestry floor carefully picking it up I compressed the loose part of the symbol close enough into its correct position before placing in my pocket. Continuing to walk I started to just wander aimlessly hoping to just find something, anything that could get me out of this game. After finding two more symbols in the next long hours I began to feel helpless and leaning against a tree I slid down and curled up into a ball and with my head on my legs. I ran my fingers through my messy hair in annoyance I began to pray as it was the only thing I thought would get me through this night
“Our father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom co” I murmured to myself before I was interrupted by a dark figure looming over me I reached out my hand thinking he wanted to help me up but in one steady movement he punched me in the face and grabbed my symbols. All my hard work wasted by I felt too helpless to stop him as he ran away. Cupping my face and bloody nose I looked up to the sky to see the sunlight about to break slightly over the edge of the forest. This was my time to face my punishment I slowly shuffled to find the start where I knew the end would be. Metres away I saw Tyler waiting talking with his back to me.
“Arghhhhhhh” I heard a crash after the scream running over to the edge of the forest I saw a hand holding onto the ledge looking down I realised it was the guy who punched me in the face and next to his hand I saw my symbols plus many more my mind whizzed through what to do save him or me. Was my university life more important than his life? As I picked up the symbols I saw his eyes staring into mine but also into my mind. I had the chance to run but I was frozen and not just from the chill in the air it was if a magnet was attracting me to him to stay with him. A single tear ran down his cheek and his lip began to quiver as his hand started to slip. He let go. Momentarily falling, my hand grabbed his. A half sigh escaped his mouth and a full sigh as I managed to heave him over the edge. Lying on floor side by side breathing heavy I rolled to look at my abuser but also my victim. He looked over at me and got up once he saw I was staring at him too he got up and let out his hand to help me. Glancing at it I knocked it out of the way before getting myself up.
“Your welcome?” I hissed angrily at him. Never had I felt like this before. I had a bubbling rage filling within me.
“Oh. Yeah thanks” he replied ungratefully
I was ready to explode. I was a bomb ticking with moments left.
“I saved your god damn life you ungrateful idiot, does that mean nothing to you? Where is your common decency? On the ledge maybe you should go get it? Maybe I should have let you die you’re an arrogant pig headed Neanderthal! Clenching my fists I stepped forward ready to punch him like he punched me. When a hand rested on my shoulder turning round I saw Tyler staring down at me and my hand automatically unclenched and the rage within me faded into fear once again I had drawn the short straw in the game and I was going to lose in the end. Or so I thought. A smile appeared across his face and he let out a gentle laugh.
“What?” I demanded
“Mate don’t you see it?” giggled Tyler as I shook my head
“You passed the initiation it wasn’t about symbols it was about who you are.” I turned around to face the others who set up the initiation
“you passed by saving my life instead of choosing greed even though there was no real need to as the ledge was only six feet down from another one” explained robin the boy who punched me. More boys appeared who had been put to the test only 3 had actually passed the others found burrows and holes to hide in for safety.
Arriving back in the dorm I stood in front of the mirror staring at my bloodied nose when I saw phoebe’s reflection once she knew I saw her she came in closer and stood behind me.
“Your brave you know, not many guys would do that for another” she whispered sweetly in my ear. Kissing my cheek she took the towel off the side of the sink and bathed my nose. Cringing at the stinging sensation phoebe laughed and I knew it would be okay the worst had to be over.
