Page 7 of Pretty Little Fears

Leaningback against the wall in betweenJadenandGrimm,Ilook over atJadenand raise a quizzical brow at the face he’s making.

“Whydo you look like that?”Ilean in and whisper.Jadenlooks over at me with furrowed brows.

“Whatdo you think they do with all of that blood?”

Grimmsmirks while antagonizing him, “Rumorhas it, they drink it, savoring the metallic taste.”

Jadencringes.Turningmy head back to the center of the roomIwatch as the last member finishes his blood sacrifice.Myfather’s voice booms the final chant inEnglish, “Strength,Vengeance,Blood.”Theroom responds with the same chant, translated intoLatin.

“Vis,Vindicta,Sanguis,” concluding the sacrificial portion of tonight's ceremony.

Thesounding of the waterphone silences the chanting, as the cameraIremember all too well is unveiled.Newmembers have to go through a humiliation process.Somemay think this is torture, but they’ve been blessed to have never stepped foot inside of my head.Thisis child’s play.

Thelast four people to complete the ritual were our new initiates.Afterthe last new member completes the blood ritual, the four of them line up.Oneof the elders carries the blood-filled bowl away, along with the podium.Fourother elderscarry in chairs and line them up behind the newest members in the center of the room.

Immediately, they’re told to strip out of their clothes.Followingorders, they undress and form a pile of clothes in front of them.Thesound of grunts and the snap of metal rods hitting flesh fill the room as the four members are hit behind the knees, causing them to fall to the floor.Theelders step forward, picking up the young men and positioning them on the chairs.

Theygo willingly.Theyknow what they were signing up for.Theirwrists and ankles are bound to the chairs, leaving no chance for escape.Acamera that’s seen way too much, is brought out and placed on a tripod facing the society’s latest constituents.

Anelder comes around to secure their heads to the chair by a thick metal collar, as well as another strap that secures their forehead to the back of the chair.

Thisensures there is no way for them to move their heads from the onslaught of torture they’re about to endure.

Theclick of the recording camera is the only sound besides the chattering teeth of the shivering, naked members.Theelder behind the camera zooms in on each member's face, making certain their identity is known.

Oneby one the members are told to state their full name before a red, tight, thin material resembling a ski mask is yanked down their heads.Thisyear’s initiation process has to go through a slight waterboarding, so this mask is used to induce controlled drowning, as well as to entice a sense of claustrophobia, being confined in the tight mask dragging them into complete darkness.

Theonly way they'll find relief is by suffering through it or drowning and accidentally dying by asphyxiation.

Thefurthest on the left is tipped backward, making a resounding thud and groan as he slams against the cement floor.Twomembers hold down his shoulders as a third goes behind his head.Thepower hose in his hand is cranked on, aimed directly down his throat.

Beyondthe sound of the hose pumping out water, is the gurgling and choking of the kid trying not to drown.Hisbody convulses under the onslaught of forced water entering his throat.Theystop, allowing him a second to cough up the water, while he trembles from the panic and terror.Hecontinues to gag, trying not to vomit.

Apuddle begins to form underneath him, if it wasn't for his nakedness or the stench of piss filling my nostrils,Iwould have assumed it was from the hose.Thehiss of the hose resounds through the room as they repeat the process to the remaining new members.

Lostin the sounds of their muffled grunts and gasps, my mind wanders to life outside the society, until the most wretched noise pulls me back into reality.

“Brothersand sons,” my father’s voice echoes throughout the area.Lookingup,Isee the chairs have been cleared, the young men trembling with towels around their shoulders.Thankfulthe ceremony is coming to a close,Ifaintly listen to the repetitive speech about brotherhood, power, and the rules in place to remain as one of us.

“Neverturn your back on the brotherhood.Youwill find the consequences to be excruciatingly painful, for when you are in need there will be no one to be of assistance.Weprovide a great deal of protection and if it shall come to light that our sanctuary, business, or identity was revealed, you will surely regret it.

Thissociety is not to be spoken about with anyone that does not belong to it.Lastly, respect is earned not given,Iam certain none of you have yet warranted a position of power, so do what you’re told and lay low.”Heglances at me and finishes his speech, “Matthewwill now come up to explain meetings and schedules for the semester.”

Matthewmakes his way to the front of the room and my father steps aside.Hetakes off delivering a big brother speech, providing schedules for society meetings, fighting and defense training, and business mentoring.

Thesociety is hell-bent on creating the best businessmen, and sometimes that includes getting your hands a little grimy.Matthew’slecture comes to a close and he takes a seat asJamessteps back up.

“Theceremony is now complete.Toall of our new members, welcome to theRedSkullBrotherhood.Don’tfuck it up,” my father concludes.Thechant is repeated one last time and my father nods his head in conclusion.

“Thankyou,FatherJames,” the brotherhood says back in unison.It’sfunny.Hedemands the entire brotherhood call him father, butI’mthe only one who won’t speak those words.Ihave nothing to be thankful for.

Ididn’t choose to be in the brotherhood.Jamesis a horrible parent.I’vesustained too many emotional, mental, and physical injuries, due to what he calls parenting.Istart to head for the exit, but that annoying ass voice stops me in my tracks.

“Emmett.”Hisvoice demands.Idon’t want to listen to him any longer than what is required of me,Ijust wish to leave.Knowingthat will do nothing good for me,Ireluctantly turn around and walk over to him.

“We’regonna wait for you outside,Em,’’Elimurmurs as he and the others begin to make their way out andIdip my head in acknowledgment.I'mgoing to need to preserve the energyIstill have when it comes to speaking with my father.

Oncenext to him,Iwatch the rest of the brotherhood members slowly file out of the room, wishingIwere going to the peacefulness of my home.Pullingmy gaze from the door,Ilook over and meet my father’s eyes.

---