Page 104 of Fast

Chapter 23

In The Dead Of Night

CHANCE

The Gamma Delta Tau house is more luxurious, and definitely cleaner, than the typical frat house you see in college movies.

We already know most of the brothers from our visits to the athletic department this week for our medicals.

Coach also had an informal skate this morning, and we met everyone on the team’s roster. So when we get to the house, we’re welcomed by friendly smiles and a few good natured back slaps.

The afternoon starts on the front lawn, on Greek Row, where each house has a stand. Members of each house are there to meet with anyone who wants more information about the rushing process.

We join to show team spirit, because in reality, we aren’t required to be at the stand. We aren’t even pledges yet, so we don’t have to participate in recruiting new members. But our status as hockey players and legacies pretty much guarantees us an invitation to rush, so there’s no point in talking to the rush chair at the fraternity stand.

By the time the afternoon turns into evening, we move into the house.

“Welcome to all the returning Gamma brothers,” the frat president says. “And to all the legacies and hockey and football team members who are interested in rushing the most prestigious fraternity on this campus.”

Traditionally, Gamma Delta Tau is for students involved in sports, and particularly hockey and football players.

We are introduced to everyone, including some brothers on the swim team and the basketball team. It’s mostly all the D-one teams on our campus, even though hockey and football have the lion share.

“My name,” the president continues. “Is David Fox, and I’m the newly elected president of Gamma Delta Tau. Everyone calls me Dave. I’m a junior this year and I’m a winger in our hockey team. Corey Collins is our social chair, in charge of organizing the best parties on campus. And finally, this here is Tucker Prescott, our new rush chair. Any issues during rush and pledging, Tucker, is your man. Tonight’s event is just for you, and surprise, surprise, tonight isn’t a pre-rush event.”

A choir of surprised gasps follows the president’s revelation.

“Tonight,” David continues. “Is our actual rush night. After last year’s problems with our president, our central chapter decided to keep our recruiting to legacies and to the members of the teams that have traditionally formed the ranks of Gamma Delta Tau. It’s more important than ever to prove our loyalty to each other and to the Gamma organization.”

The room is abuzz with excitement.

This is rush night, which can only mean one thing. “Do you think initiation will be tonight?” I whisper, so that Lev is the only one who can hear me.

He nods. “Yup. I bet they’re going to try to take us by surprise. Let’s keep our eyes open.”

The night begins as your regular pre-rush gathering. We move down to the finished basement and engage in the traditional games. We play pool, darts, beer pong.

Most of us are underage, but that’s part of the loyalty David was talking about; they’ll give us beer and treat us like “brothers,” we will keep that fact between us.

When blankets and pillows are distributed to everyone, and the brothers begin crashing on couches, chairs, and the floor, I know Lev was right. This looks too chill, and when the lights are turned off, I lay there, pretending to sleep, but keeping one eye open.

“Pledge, get up!”

A couple of hours later, a flashlight shines in my face, and several brothers are shouting at us to get up and out.

Some of the other pledges look disoriented, but after Dad’s and Lev’s father’s tales about the way the fraternity operates, my best friend and I are prepared.

“Everyone follow me.” David says. “Not one word, pledges!”

For what, we have no idea, but we follow Dave, Corey, Tucker, and the rest of the Gamma brothers outside.

At first, I think they’re going to cover us in molasses and feathers and then throw us in the pool, or some annoying other prank like that. I should know better than that, though.

Initiation night is supposed to stay shrouded in secrecy. So while Dad didn’t tell me what he had to do to become a Gamma brother, he was clear that the tasks put in front of the pledges were designed to push them to their limits and test their loyalty. He went as far as to hint that some stuff can be questionable and borderline illegal.

There have been instances of pledges being tasked with stealing other teams’ trophies or mascots; or some straight vandalism like egging the Dean’s residence.

I have the feeling that it’s going to be something of that nature when we leave the Gamma property exiting from the backyard.

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