I think it's a towel pressed to my face. I can't see, and I can't scream since someone's hand covers my mouth. The other hand is holding me across the chest and blocks my arms. Someone drags me away. By the sound, I can say that we are moving away from the camp. I try to resist, to break free. And damn... I hate this feeling... of powerlessness. Why instead of shining I haven't got telekinesis? That would be much more convenient!
When we stop, I'm almost breathless. My back's against a tree trunk. And since my arms are free at last, I make an attempt to break free again, though someone still holds the towel over my face. And then I realize that there are two of them. Because someone else takes a hold of me, grabs my hands, and ties them up behind my back. Then he holds my head, while the other gags me. Finally, I can open my eyes. I can't see a damn thing. Then a flashlight hits my eyes.
"Hey, Stone." It's Mike's voice. I can't say I'm surprised. "How is camping going?" He chuckles. I can't say a thing because of the gag, and I'm not going to please him with my grunts. Who is the other one - Mitch? Logan?
"Listen, it seems that we started off on the wrong foot. But... since you're a friend of Logan's now... By the way, how come? Hmm? Are you paying him? Or blowing him?" It looks like he's really waiting for my answer, but I remain silent. "Anyway... Wanna be one of us? Here is your initiation. Don't be a crybaby, we all went through it!" He smiles. "Makes you a man."
I look at him plainly. If I could, I'd say that he's talking bullshit. How is tying me to a tree making me a man? This is ridiculous. If it's a joke, then they have a problem with a sense of humor too.
I still try to recognize the second guy. But he stays away from the light.
"Originally, you must be naked, but... I'm not drunk enough to strip you. See ya, Stone!" And they leave me in the darkness. I move my jaw trying to get the gag out. I don't think I'm ready to call for help, but I'd like to have an option.
I don't think that the other one was Logan... Why would he? I mean... If I had shining, I could tell...
I move my hands but the rope is tight, I can't free myself. I slide down the trunk but the branch is on the way, so I have to stand up again. It's gonna be a long night... I mean, I have no idea how long this joke should last to be funny enough.
I actually heard a rumor that last year or so... a football player was tied to a goalpost on the field and spent the whole night like this. I don't know what happened next. Maybe that's why Mike called it initiation? Maybe that's what they do in their team. But... what it has to do with me?!
Stupid jerks... Why people can't just leave me alone? I changed my mind. I don't need friends...
I look around, but it's too dark to see. I raise my head a little and see a piece of the starry sky above me. It's so quiet here. I can hear my own breath and heartbeat. And...
"Adam?" a distant voice calls on me.
I turn my head to the sound. I feel somehow ashamed of my position. I'd like to answer, but I don't want to moan, so I kick the trunk with my heel.
I hear hastened steps getting closer, and Logan appears in front of me. He holds a phone's flashlight, and his jacket is unzipped. And I can't say what shines brighter - his phone or his chest.
He looks at me for a second, frowning. And during this second, I suddenly feel fear instead of relief. I'm tied up, he's shining like crazy. No one is around, and I'm gagged.
Logan puts his phone away, and now it's only his inner light. He takes a step towards me, and I can see that... it's like an aquarium in his chest, glowing particles are moving and circling inside...
Logan holds out his hand to my face and takes the gag out. Then he goes behind me and unties my hands. I rub my wrists and wipe my mouth.
"Are you ok?" He asks, looking me in the eye.
"Yeah... I'm fine... thanks," I say it. But it's a lie. I'm not fine. It's humiliating. And I'm not thankful, I'm angry at Logan too. And I don't know if he knows that I'm lying, but his glance is somehow apologetic but quickly changes to furious.
I remove the gag from my neck and throw it on the ground. Logan zips his jacket and turns away. I follow him to the camp. Logan is silent and only breathes heavily.
He found me... Hell... he found me... I don't think I could do this if it was vice versa. But he just found me in the dark woods... Maybe his friends told him where to look?
And... despite his shining, he didn't force himself on me, though he could. He could grope me, kiss me... He didn't do any of that. Not that I trust him now. But it definitely speaks in his favor.
We come back to the camp. And Logan goes straight to our tent where Mitch and Mike are standing. Without a pause or a word, Logan pushes Mitch aside and confronts Mike. And it's clear to me now that they haven't told him where to look for me...
"What the fuck!?" he shouts and pushes Mike. He gets angry fast and raises a fist.
"What the fuck, dude?" Mitch tries to meddle in a fight.
"I told you to stay away!" rages Logan. Noise starts to draw attention. I come closer, but I'm not sure I can stop them. Mitch and Mike see me.
"What's the matter? I thought you were the one who liked that joke!" Mike pushes Logan. "What's the problem, firefly? Is that your princess?!" he sneers and shoves Logan. Logan manages to stand on the spot.
"Shut up!" shouts Logan and pushes Mike again.
"Why are you angry, Dag? You used to be the first to punch him, and now you stick together. Did you make a puppet out of him? Maybe you stuck your hand up in his ass? Maybe he's your firefly?! That's why you suddenly grew fond of him? Is that it?" Mike goes on. Mitch grabs Logan from the back, and Mike slaps Logan in the face. Logan manages to tear free from Mitch, shoving him aside. Then he tackles Mike, sits on top of him, and strikes once. Mike throws him off, and at this moment Caulter and Cameron run up to us.
"Stop! Stop it immediately!" Caulter screams. Everybody freezes on the spot. Logan's split lip is bleeding. Mike gets up, and Mitch too.
"Are you out of your mind?!" exclaims Caulter. "To the teacher's tent. Now!"
Cameron and Caulter lead Mike, Logan, and Mitch away under the curious gazes. I stand aside. And I feel nasty. Like I should have done something, but I didn't... I didn't know that Logan would confront his friends... because of me? He did it because of me?..
Logan stays in the teacher's tent while Mitch and Mike walk out with Cameron. They both glance at me. I come up to the teacher's tent from which Caulter emerges.
"Excuse me," I say.
"What's wrong, Adam?" Caulter says. He still catches his breath.
"I just wanted to say that... Logan didn't start it. I mean... Mitch and Mike... they pranked me and tied me to a tree in the forest, so Logan was actually trying to explain to them that it was inappropriate."
"With his fists?"
"Um... well..."
"Adam, it's not bad that you try to help a friend, but such behavior is unacceptable. They will be sent back tomorrow."
"But it's not fair," I protest.
"Adam, Logan picked a fight. You could've come to me earlier." Mr. Caulter spreads his hands.
"I didn't have time!"
"Calm down, Adam."
"This is ridiculous!" I exclaim and turn around. I approach our tent, but Mike and Mitch are there. So I turn around and come back to Caulter.
"I need a place to sleep tonight. I won't stay with Mike and Mitch in the same tent. I'd rather spend the night in the woods which will likely happen because they've already tied me up once."
"We have a spare tent. You can take it," agrees Caulter and goes back. I manage to catch a glimpse of Logan sitting on the camp bed. He still has blood on his lip. He notices me and gives me a half-smile. And for some reason, my heart makes a flip at this. Caulter gives me a tent and points where to set it up.
This tent is small. It's for two people, and I think if I had it from the beginning, none of this would have happened. Having finished, I get into the tent and lie down on the sleeping bag. I wish I was strong enough to stand up for myself. I do despise violence, but I'd rather be strong to be able to stand up for myself or for someone I care about.