The Initiation Ceremony

“Why can’t we just join Omega Epsilon Pi?” Peter asks me as we walk through the campus.

“I told you man, that place is lame.”

“Are you sure about this sigma place? I’m nervous.”

“Dude, just handle it. Whatever they throw at us will be worth it. Don’t you want to pull your first babe?”

“I guess but my mom told me that I shouldn’t drink too much alcohol.”

“Who the fuck cares? She’s not here dude. Drink up.”

“Okay Kevin, I’ll trust you, but if this goes bad, it’s your fault.”

“Fair enough.”

We stop next to the school bus outside of Sigma house.

“This is it.” I tell him. “Ready?”

“Okay.”

We walk along the bus to a tiki torch and step onto a little trail littered with beer cans. We follow the trail to another torch. A deer skull is hanging on a tree.

“This is creepy.” Peter says.

“One of the guys probably found that and put it there.” I grumble, pulling my cell phone out of my pocket to check the time. “11:50.”

It’s a short walk, and we start hearing voices. In a clearing, a group of guys are gathered.

“Kevin, Peter! What’s going on?” Colt greets us, flanked by Joe and Chris.

“Hey dudes.” I slap them up. “You ready for some crazy shit.”

“Fuck yeah dude.” Joe tells me. “I’m gonna get fucking bombed tonight.”

“It’s gonna be awesome.” Chris says. “I hope we get to hang out with some Kappa baddies.”

“Yeah me too, that would be dope.” I tell them.

A few more small groups arrive. Looking around, there are between twenty and thirty dudes. Suddenly, everything becomes quiet.

Three figures wearing black cloaks emerge from the trees close to my group.

“SILENCE.” One of them demands. Everyone freezes and watches, hanging on every word.

“You have all come here to become a part of the greatest Fraternity on Earth.” The tallest figure says. I can tell that it’s Chad by his voice. “This weekend, starting right now, you will prove your worthiness.”

Chad pauses.

“Form a line.”

Everybody scrambles around and we form a line. Three guys get in front of us, then Chris, then me, then Colt, then Peter, then Joe. Being only fifth in line makes me a little nervous.

A fourth cloaked figure emerges from the woods at the front of the line, this one fatter, and pushing a shopping cart. When he gets a little closer, I can see the cart is filled with 40 ounce beer bottles. It’s Tony.

“Take a 40 and wait.” Tony instructs us, pushing the cart down the line. I pull one out and look at the guys on either side of me. Once Tony is done, the four figures assemble in front of us.

“Prepare yourselves!” A third figure yells, and I’m pretty sure it’s Brad.

“Before you take your oath, you will have one minute to pound a 40.” Chad announces and looks at his watch. “Go!”

“Shit.” I grumble and twist the cap off. This thing is big. One deep breath and I’m chugging it as fast as I can. It tastes kind of shitty but strong. I chug until my lungs feel like they’re going to explode, swallow the last bit in my mouth and take another deep breath. Back at it. I have to take another breath, one last chug, and it’s empty. I stand up and look at Peter, who has a lot left.

“Chug Petey.” I urge him. “Come on.”

He lifts his bottle up and chugs a huge amount of what remains, then gasps like a girl, pants for air, coughs, and chugs again.

“Time.” Chad says, not one moment after Peter finishes. “Not bad. If you are ready, it is time to take your oath and become an official Sigma Sigma Delta pledge.”

I gulp, and look side to side. Chris and Colt give me a reassuring nod.

“Repeat after me.” Chad demands.

“I do hereby pledge my loyalty to the fraternity, Sigma Sigma Delta, and to my brothers.”

“I swear never to speak of the initiation process to any outsider, even family members.”

“I consent to everything and I can quit any time I want.”

“But if I quit, I know that I am out of the fraternity for good.”

“Do you understand?” Chad asks us.

A few murmurs of “yes” come from the line.

“Then we can begin.”