The Rules:

An Appalachian Trail Horror Story

By Howlietzer

Part 1: Scene 2

The camera turns back on to reveal the campus commons, packed shoulder-to-shoulder with students celebrating the end of the semester. Music pounds through blown-out speakers. Students drink from red cups, others clutch beer bottles and sip generously, and, of course, someone is vomiting into a decorative plant in the background.

The footage wobbles violently as Antwone pushes through the crowd, looking for his friends.

“Coming through,” he laughs. “Animal Planet, getting the scoop on ETSU’s end-of-semester rager.”

He dances and slides through the crowd, mindful of his camera lens, as he makes his way to the back of the room. His camera lands on a round table where his friends Dave, Lance, and Ned—the remaining members of the Folklore Club—are seated.

Judy and Libby are somewhere…

As he approaches, he sees Dave and Lance standing over Ned, laughing at something on his phone. Ned looks annoyed.

“Aw, hell,” Antwone says. The guys look up. “What happened?”

Dave smirks at the camera, grinning as wide as the Joker.

“We got him.”

Antwone bends down to look at the phone through his camera. Rick Astley is playing.

Ned purses his lips.

“Dave wanted me to view this latest document about the Rake he found online. It was supposed to be a sighting on the trail we’re taking.”

“And?” says Antwone.

Ned lifts his phone toward the camera as Rick Astley dances to “Never Gonna Give You Up.”

Dave topples onto the floor while Lance slaps Ned on the back, laughing hysterically. Ned’s glasses slide down his nose, his face turning red as he shoves them back into place.

Antwone tries to hold back a laugh, but his stifled chuckles register on the mic.

“Are you guys done?” says Ned.

“Yes,” says Dave as Lance pulls him back to his feet. “For now.”

Ned locks his iPhone.

“You guys are idiots.”

“Correct,” says Dave, pouring his flask of vodka into his punch.

“Where are the girls?” says Antwone, looking around for Libby and Judy.

Dave points a finger and spins in a circle.

“There are girls everywhere. Be more specific.”

“I think I saw Libby talking with some guys in Sigma Chi.” Lance grabs Dave’s flask and helps himself to some vodka.

“Dude…” Antwone zooms in on him.

Lance flips him off and downs his drink.

“I’m sorry, man,” says Antwone, though he knew Libby had her vices.

Ned lowers his head, and Dave looks away.

“Guys,” says Lance. He snaps his fingers for more vodka. He’d drained the last of the first flask. Dave hands it to him without making eye contact.

“I know. I know.” He drinks some more. “I know more than needs to be said.”

Dave stands.

“Hey, Ned, let’s get some more vodka. We’ll be back, guys.”

Ned hastily stands and follows.

“I’m coming too, guys.” Antwone races after them as they push through the crowd.

They make it outside the gymnasium, and Dave pulls out a cigarette. He lights it, and some girls give him the stink eye. He flips them off and takes a drag.

“Can I get one?” says Antwone.

Dave shrugs and hands him one, lighting it as it touches his lips. He offers one to Ned, who declines.

“He knows,” says Antwone.

Dave nods.

“He took the last of my vodka. Ned, spot me twenty bucks? I’ll owe you.”

Ned nods.

A knowing silence settles over the three of them.

Dave smiles.

“Well…” He laughs. “I’m looking forward to this trip and not looking forward to it.”

“I’ll say,” says Ned.

Dave smirks at him.

“First chance I get, Neddy, I’m whistling along the trail.”

Ned cracks a smile.

“You better not.”