Madness: Part 1 – Chapter 4

One of them

Senior year at Barrington University

I’m fucking melting. I’m shirtless and tied to a wooden post outside. I can feel the sun beating down on me. I’ve had a black hood over my head for quite some time now, and it makes it hard to breathe.

I’m sweating and breathing heavily.

The wooden post at my back digs into my exposed skin. My wrists are tied behind it, and there’s a rope around my neck and another securing my ankles. They like to restrict movement as much as possible. They say it’s for our safety, but I call bullshit. It’s for them to humiliate us. Makes us vulnerable.

The smell of smoke fills the air, and I know we’re getting closer.

The hood is yanked from my head, and I blink at the harsh sunlight. My three brothers and I are in the courtyard of Carnage. Each tied to our posts with a firepit in front of us.

“Lords,” a man calls out, and I swallow against the rope tied around my neck.

He stands on the side of a firepit that has four branding irons in it. They’re to mark us. Remind us for the rest of our lives who we are and where we belong. The Lords will own us as if they already don’t.

“Today is the day that you take your oath. And with that oath comes great responsibility.” He speaks louder than he needs to in order for his voice to carry to the Lords so the ones standing on the balconies can hear him.

They’re not wearing their cloaks and masks today. They get to be seen as they welcome their new members to the society. We’ve earned our place at their table. I’d rather starve.

“As a Spade brother, you will be the ones who must punish those who disobey their oath. You will show them that we do not take our life for granted. You are their jury and executioner. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir,” the four of us say in unison.

I should be glad I’ve made it this far. “It’s an honor to serve the Lords,” my father told me once, and I couldn’t understand why I didn’t share his enthusiasm.

The Lord nods and steps away from the firepit. The fire rages, and the smoke clouds around us, choking me almost as much as the rope secured around my neck.

My father steps in front of me, and I hate that a part of me has accomplished this much. “Haidyn Jamison Reeves, you have completed all your trials of initiation. Do you wish to proceed?”

Fuck no! But as I stand surrounded by my brothers, I answer, “I do, Father.” I won’t leave them. We’re in this together. I take this oath for them and no one else.

His jaw is tight, and his chest bowed. “A Lord must be willing to go above and beyond for his title. He must show strength and have what it takes. If you fail your position as a Lord, your brother will take what you earned.”

Dying at the hands of one of my brothers would be an honor that I know I won’t deserve.

He turns and walks over to the firepit. I take the time to try and readjust myself in the tight ropes. Fuck, they’re itchy, and the sun has me sweating so bad that it’s making the rope burn.

Picking up a brand from the firepit, he turns back to me. “Gag him.” He orders.

I open my mouth, knowing what’s coming as someone pushes something rubber into my mouth from behind me. I bite down on it, getting ready for the inevitable. There’s no going back after this. Not like that was ever an option.

“Haidyn Jamison Reeves.” The bastard actually smiles as if he’s proud of me. Like I’m a son he wants to claim. “Son…” He nods once. “Welcome to the Lords. For you shall reap the benefits of your sacrifice.” Then, like a man willing to sacrifice his only heir for his own gain, he places the hot brand into my sweaty chest, giving me something that will remain on my skin until I rot in a shallow grave.