“Huh, it’s Hiawatha. How’s the eye? Hope it still hurts.”
“Don’t call me Hiawatha, Marcus” retorted Andy.
Fear began to rock Andy’s body at the sight of Marcus Rondel, self-accredited bully-boy and the most hated person at Rigbourne High.
“You bastard, you set me up.”
“Let’s get a move on.”
Daley had been planning to ‘improve’ and extend his network of ‘agents’, and Andy was the perfect fit – intelligent, well-liked, trusted, and a bit wet-behind-the-ears. Lots of contacts, though.
As they continued through the park, Paul never uttered another word, which added to Andy’s unease. The imposing sight of Rock Cragg, or ‘The Rock’ as it was known, was nearing and Andy could hear laughter and conversation as they approached a secluded opening where Daley and his henchmen regularly congregated.
“Is this the new recruit, Daley?” was the yell from one of a gathered group of about 5 people. “Great. It’s been a while since we’ve had an initiation”
“Initiation”, thought Andy as the hastiness of accepting Daley’s offer and the ensuing consequences began to sink in. He was contemplating an escape, but couldn’t muster up the guts to run. They would probably beat him to within an inch of his life anyway, so maybe it was preferable to stay put.
“OK chaps, skin up. And make them strong”, ordered Daley to his posse. “I like my crew to know the product before they sell it, so prepare yourself to be enlightened, Andy. Let the initiation begin.”
Andy had never so much as smoked a cigarette, never mind a joint, and was shaking with trepidation, or maybe it was merely an adrenaline rush, brought on by the anticipation of what was about to happen.
“Come on, Hiawatha, what are you waiting for, or are you just chicken?” uttered Marcus.
“Leave it out, Rondel” added Daley, “He knows what he needs to do.”
Andy took his first puff and as the aroma encircled him, the punch of smoke hit his lungs, closely followed by a nauseous desire to throw up.
“Damn it, are you trying to kill me?"
“It gets easier by the puff. Be patient.” Daley encouraged Andy and within a few minutes he began to relax and even seemed to be enjoying the experience”
“Woah, I’m in a bubble”, he said. “Just me. I can float – all the way to the top of The Rock. Watch me”
Andy began walking towards the winding path leading to the top of the crag, a sheer cliff, about 75 feet high. Before long he had ‘drifted’ towards the top, but had stumbled to the ground as he tripped over a boulder. He got up, but it was no boulder that stopped him in his tracks.
It was a body.