“Once you’re out the other side you’ll be one of us.”
Marco hiked his chin to try and eye the larger boy through the slits of light underneath the tight blindfold. He wanted to take the stupid thing off. It was scratchy and smelly and made him feel sad.
But to do so would be to give up and be left out. He didn’t want to be left out. Again.
“What if I crash?” he tried but didn’t quite manage to keep the quiver out of his voice. He was afraid of the dark. And of falling. The others knew it. That’s why this test. To weave a skateboard, blind, through the concrete blocks in the underpass.
“Then,” Roberto replied haughtily, “you will have only yourself to blame for not being good enough.”
Marco blinked. It sounded wrong.
Before he could pull the blindfold off, someone gave him a push.
For Crispina’s Crimson’s Creative Challenge
Na'ama Yehuda 
And did he pass the initiation, I wonder. Well constructed. Initiations are supposed to make us confront our fears. His was of the dark and of falling off his skateboard. I hope he succeeded. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, though … I have me a feeling these aren’t very nice friends … so there’s that … But, I hope he passed the initiation into himself and his own worth, and that his fear of the dark – in tunnels and in people – is transformed into assertive understanding of his own strength and value.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Because, in facing our fears, we discover our strengths.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep. Though hopefully in the right time for us and with the right people with the better motivations around us … (though, alas, this is not how it often happens, does it?) …
LikeLike
It’s given to few of us to choose the situation. And often it’s not just once but a repetition. And if we survive, we’re so much stronger.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh those horrid rituals to be part of a group/gang. I hope he did it just for himself. In reading your comment to Crispina, it confirmed that these boys are not of the best intentions. Gah! I am so glad I never had the need to feel part of anything like this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah. I don’t think I’d befriend them. They don’t sound nice OR friendly. So there. Yeah.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No. But when you are young and want to belong so much, sometimes your judgment is left at the door.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true … xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person