Story 28/1001

• lake
• true
• dive

The five of them looked at each other. Students around them were covered in red masks and black robes. The only girl among the five was shaking in the crisp autumn air. One of the boys hugged her, as it was 3am, and they were in their pajamas.

“So, you want to be our members?” A female voice said, but they couldn’t discern where it came from.

“Really? Hazing?” One of the five spoke, annoyed. “I have classes at 7am.”

“As always, we have a clown.” A male voice said, but this time, someone came forward. “You called us for weeks. You begged for us to notice you. If you want to quit, you won’t get another chance.”

The boy who stood up scoffed, but got quiet.

After all, this wasn’t just a college club. All of the members got their dream jobs the moment they left college, and some of them even during college. Success, money and brotherhood were written all over it.

Once you’re in, you’re in for life. But to get in, you must either be extraordinary, or a legacy.

And this is the first time in decades where none of the five recruits were legacies.

“For your first devotion, you will swim.” The female voice said. “Swim all the way across the lake. There you’ll hear about the second devotion.”

“But-” The girl froze. “I can’t swim.” She whispered.

“If you’re true in your devotion, you’ll figure out a way.” The male voice said.

“I’ll carry you.” The boy hugging her said, cupping her face in his hands.

“You won’t make it. It’s five miles to the other end.” Another boy of the five said.

“She deserves to be here.” He answered. “Probably more than anyone else.”

“Thank you, honey.” She answered, softly.

“Suit yourself. But this is a way for both of you to fail.”

“There are just two more things.” The female voice under a red mask said. “You can’t miss your classes. And if one of you fails, all of you fail.”

The two boys glanced at each other, and then the girl. She seemed scared, but clenched her fists.

“I won’t drag you down. This just means I have five miles to learn how to swim.” she said, trying to sound brave, but coming off as apologetic.

“With that beautiful speech, time to dive in!” The male student exclaimed, his black robes lifting, only to reveal a starter pistol.

“Three.”

“Two.”

“One.”

And the pistol fired.