Page 25 of Backstroke

“This is your initiation night. You may think your place on this team is secured, but after tonight, the true Frampton Sharks will be revealed,” I announce, my voice echoing through the dimly lit room.

“What the hell? I earned my spot on the team!” a freshman off to the right exclaims, his voice breaking the tense silence. His bravado hangs in the air, a stark contrast to the nervous energy around him.

I turn to face him, my expression hidden behind my mask. “You earned your spot, but tonight you prove you deserve it,” I reply calmly. I hold up a box filled with slips of paper.

“Before you begin, you must draw a number. This is who you will seek in tonight’s game. Find them and you pass. Fail and you’re out.” I look to Nix, giving him confirmation to send out the rules for tonight. With his excellent computer skills, he’s able to send out anonymous messages all at once. Everyone’s phones around us begin buzzing with a new notification.

“Okay?” someone murmurs from the back of the group. We stand and wait for the rules to be read. The room is silent as they scan their screens, curiosity and anticipation coursing throughthe air. Once they are finished, the messages disappear from their phones without a trace.

Initiation Night Rules

Every Freshman swimmer is tasked with obtaining a personal piece of clothing from one of the players. The challenge intensifies with masks, as some may be easily startled. They have one hour to locate their chosen target, selected at random, and charm them into willingly parting with their item. Any use of force results in immediate disqualification and a ban from the team, as per my rules. The point of initiation night is to prove their determination and ruthlessness, which is needed in and out of the water.

The tension in the room is palpable, a mix of excitement and apprehension. Nix chuckles, clearly satisfied with his handiwork. “Let the games begin.”

The team gathers at the designated spot for the initiation. The air is thick with anticipation and a hint of nervousness. I know Fallon is among the participants before I spot her. I can feel her presence like a beacon. I scan the crowd, my eyes landing on her. She stands with her roommates, looking curious, but like the rest, unaware of the true nature of the games. They all have their numbers pinned in place.

Our illuminated masks are the only light other than the crescent moon in the sky. Williams is whining about being tired and asking a million questions about what is going on. I’m five seconds from knocking his ass out. I don’t need his shit tonight, when all I can think about is Fallon.

As the clock ticks closer to the start of the game, the energy surrounding us is charged. I take a deep breath, trying to focus. This is it. The hunt is about to begin.

Ten

Fallon

The sun has justdipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow through the windows of our dorm room. The air buzzes with excitement as the three of us prepare for the impromptu game of hide-and-seek. After classes, we came back here and Lyndsy and Rowyn began going through their closets for cute but dark outfits to wear tonight. Fortunately, most things in my closet are black.Emo girl for the win!

I tie up my long, blue hair into a messy bun and begin rummaging through my closet. I need the perfect outfit that will blend into the shadows.

“This black hoodie would be good,” I mutter to myself, pulling it over my head, inspecting my reflection in the mirror. Rowyn peeks her head in, then frowns when she sees the oversized sweater.

“You are going to sweat to death in that thing!”

“Fine,” I murmur as I pull it off and throw it on the bed. My rubber band pops, making my hair fall around my shoulders. I guess I’ll be wearing it down, since that was my last one.

“What are you wearing?” I call out. She comes into view, wearing black leggings and a black tank top.

“What else do you have?” she asks.

“I think I’ll wear these black fishnets, shorts and a tank. I don’t want to be hot, like you said.”

“That works. Although, you need some sun!” We both begin laughing at how pale I am.

“Well, at least we live close to the beach,” I muse.

“That’s very true, and your tattoos hide some of the paleness,” she giggles.

“What’s so funny in here?” Lyndsy asks.

“Rowyn was just mentioning that I needed some sun,” I grin, holding out my arms. “I might glow in the dark.” We all laugh, and it feels good to have friends. I’ve been solo for so long, I forgot how it feels to be around people that get me.

Rowyn, always the planner, begins mapping out potential hiding spots in her notebook. “Since the game is outside, hiding behind the bushes will be our best bet,” she declares, tapping her pen against her chin. “Although, that might be too obvious. But there is an old storage shed behind the math building… now that’s a good one.”

Lyndsy, the tallest of the trio with a mischievous glint in her eye, is already dressed in dark jeans and a navy blue t-shirt. She leans against the doorframe, watching us with amusement. “Youguys are taking this way too seriously,” she teases. “It’s just a game.”

The lights suddenly flicker, forming eerie shadows across the room. We all freeze, our laughter dying in our throats.

“Did you see that?” Lyndsy whispers, her eyes wide.

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