Kids in the Dark

Chapter 33

Ryder's P.O.V

I sat on the roof of the Challenger watching the water ripple under the moonlight. Tank lay happily at my side, Theo and Marc chatting by a crackling fire. A smile spread across my face as I took in a deep breath of fresh air listening to cicadas buzzing in the trees. It was hard to worry about anything out here in a world lit by the moon and stars.

We had heard nothing on the radio for a week and a bit now, and that was enough time for the clearing we had claimed by the lake's edges to start looking like a proper camp. We had assembled a fire pit and we each had chosen a log for a seat. Theo had been out to buy food, coolers, sleeping bags several massive traps, ropes and even a string of fairy lights. The lights had been strung up on the trees and the Tarps and string had been combined to form simple shelters. It had all come together with a rather homey feel.

"Alright, dinners served," Theo said getting up and taking a mock bow, gesturing at the pot of food cooking on the fire. I laughed and launched myself off the roof, sitting down once more on the log I had claimed as my own. I took the plate of chili Marc was offering me and dug in.

"Well," I said swallowing my first mouthful. "It's worse that the quesadillas but better than whatever the hell last night's meal was supposed to be." I quickly shoveled another spoonful into my mouth. Marc snickered in silent agreement.

"You know full well that it was spaghetti you ungrateful little bastard," Theo said taking a swig from the beer he had clutched in his hand. He reached out behind him and grabbed two more bottles from an unseen cooler, passing them over to me and Marc.

"Spaghetti requires pasta doesn't it?" I laughed popping the cap off and taking a sip.

"Only if you're being picky." Theo shot back. I chuckled shaking my head, scooping the rest of the chili into my mouth. Once I was done I set the paper plate on the ground behind me before sliding off my log and closer to the fire."Now," Theo began loudly casting aside his empty bottle of beer, taking another from the cooler behind him. "How's up for a little game of truth or dare?" He chuckled slightly at the thought.

"I'm in." Marc laughed, sitting up from where he lay gazing up at the stars, his newly dyed hair shining light green in the firelight.

"Alright then," I grinned. "I'll go first." Then I turned to face Marc, my lips spreading into a grin. "Truth or dare?"

"Dare." He replied puffing out his chest.

"I dare you to lick the tire of the Challenger." Marc got his feet proudly and went to carry out his dare. He got down on his hands and knees, his face conveying little emotion as he ran his tongue up the tire.

"Done." He announced, spitting the grit from his mouth. "My turn." He said sitting back down next to the fire which a falling log had sent sparks into the air. "Theo, truth or dare?"

"Dare, obviously."

"Okay, I dare you to pick up and eat the first bug you see." Theo set his face with a determined look, took a long swig of his beer, and set about looking for an insect. "Got you." He muttered, bending over and snatching something up off the ground. He made his way back over to us, his hand extended to show me and Marc a shiny black beetle scuttling across his palm. He caught the beetle with the fingers of his free hand and he tipped his head back, dangling the bug in the air above it. My stomach churned and he let it go, crushing it between his teeth and swallowing.

"Mmm, just like chicken," Theo commented washing it down with more beer. "So, Ryder, what's it going to be? Truth or dare?"

"I'm going to regret it but here goes nothing. Dare." My words could not have been more true, for as I answered Theo's mouth cracked into a mischievous smirk. I tipped my head back and groaned dreading what was to come.

"Ryder. Dear, sweet, innocent Ryder, I dare you to strip naked and run into the lake." I groaned again knowing the consequences for chickening out would be far worse. I got to my feet, and took a few steps closer to the lake's edge, removing my shirt in the process. Edging even closer I removed my jeans and underwear.

"What's that?" Marc called out at me. "It's like a penis but smaller." Both boys behind me howled with laughter.

"Marc. Being a dick doesn't make yours any bigger." That shut him up. Those were my parting words before I took my first steps into the ice cold water. Goosebumps raced up my legs, and my teeth chattered so violently my vision blurred.

"Nah, you have to put your head under," Theo called, his voice becoming more slurred by the minute. Here goes nothing I thought and plunged deeper into the water which was, in no time, up to my waist. With a deep breath, I let my knees bend submerging my head beneath the silently rippling lake. Instantly my lungs tightened and every pore in my body began to scream, the cold biting at me like teeth. I resurfaced second later, the usually cold night's air feeling welcoming and warm.

I shivered violently as I hurried over to Theo who was kindly holding out a towel. "After all that I've done for you, and this is how you repay me?" I said my voice full of mock pain. Theo, who was by now, on his third bottle of beer burst out laughing. He was by no means drunk but he had certainly drunk enough for him to be easily excited. "That's enough of that for you for one night," I said snatching the brown bottle from my older brother's grasp. Once I had it in my possession I tipped the contents out over a bush, setting the bottle down by the cooler it had come from.

A quick glance at my watch told me it was 11:30, Marc having already vanished under his little shelter for the night. With a huff, I led Theo over to his sleeping bag and when he was finally beginning to doze off I called Tank over and settled down in my own sleeping bag for the night.

That was It guys, Chapter 34. I can't believe I'm at 1K. I beat my year end goal. Thank you so much. Your support and loyal reading makes me so happy. Next chapter is in Adam's P.O.V hopefully I will update soon. Keep reading, voting and commenting I love to hear your opinions. -Flo