The Tally Brotherhood

Blake, Jonnah and Rachel followed behind the group slowly. Playing around and making jokes as best friends do, and falling slightly behind. Nevertheless, the trio moved forward, following the larger procession in front of them, and the lightly beaten path beneath their ragged sneakers.

"It's getting cold . . . don't you guys think its getting cold? Maybe we should turn back, I think I can still see the highway, said Rachel, with immense pleading in her voice.

"Oh, come on Rach', it's the warmest night of the summer! Blake replied

"Maybe so, but I still don't get what this is all about Rachel answered

"Neither do I, listen, all I know is that when my brother got back from this little trip last year everything changed, he's just not the same Mark, he only talks to kids in his fraternity and even then it's always in some weird code, he does not sleep and he's always reading some weird book, not to mention that thing he wears on his neck! Jonnah replied

"Oh yeah, what is that all about, "said Blake

"I don't know, he did take it off once, it's got two names on the back, but I have no idea who the people are or why their names are on the pendant. That's why were here guys to get the story on what's happening out here in Tally forestJonnah says

Rachel followed skeptically, with an obvious distaste for her environment. Ahead, Blake could still make out a few of the flash lights piercing the coal dark sky. He could barely see the leader, an Elizabeth-Lee something or others' lantern flickering. The three, decided to run and catch up, after a good jog they were right at the back of the group.

"SHHHH!, they heard Eliza-Lee exclaim

"Now everyone get close, were running really late She looked unreproachful at the three friends in the back of the cluster.

Well, there are three other groups out her tonight besides us, there should be twenty-seven of you, Eliza-Lee stopped shortly to confirm her numbers and soon hurriedly continued.

"Okay! The rules! First, it's important for everyone to get into groups of three, and to also realize that only if your entire group makes it to Hanion House do you receive your . . . reward.

Jonnah slowly reached into his pocket and took out a pen and pad, he wrote in large bold letters: "REWARD?. In the distance the brakes of a seemingly large vehicle could be heard coming to a harsh stop, Eliza-Lee however continued, with a feeling of rush in her voice. The three began to tune back in hearing the end of what appears to have been a very important warning.

"...So be careful! We are all in for an interesting night, but we don't want any of you dead Eliza-Lee stopped and took a deep breath after her seemingly important message.

Just then a loud mind splitting scream echoed through the thick wooded forest, followed only by the ringing of a loud chime. A sound which, to Jonnah, seemed oddly familiar. Eliza-Lee looked up at the group from under her long hooded coat that hung loosely over her feet and quickly hurried away carrying her lantern with her. Rachel followed the startled girl, who wore the hood with her eyes through the winding darkness of the forest. She noticed almost immediately that three lanterns could be seen traveling from her far left heading in the same northern direction. After some time, small groups of people decided to head back to the highway; they had enough. Rachel, Jonnah and Blake's group stood still footed for a good while before Jonnah himself took charge of the situation, speaking out to the nine or so that stood before him, including Rachel and Blake, he began to talk.

"Does anyone here know what on earth is going on, "silence rang back to him?
"Does anyone know what we are supposed to be so careful of, or what this reward is?, again nothing.

A man leaned up from his position on the ground just at Joanna's feet. He looked much older than any of the others there that night, probably late twenties, and until then had never been noticed. He wore an overcoat similar to their late Eliza-Lee's. With the exception of a gold and silver crest, it looked almost identical.
"I Do, he says

"And who are you Jonnah asks

"That's not important, what is however, is getting out of this clearing, it is not safe here, you all need to follow me

The group followed the hooded stranger through incredibly dense forest, twisting and turning until there was no possible way to know which direction was sky and which was earth. Suddenly and almost too suddenly for Rachel as she had squealed quite loudly, a campfire was seen before them. The fire was large and roaring. It however was not surrounded by gleeful children roasting marshmallows and singing songs. A completely different crowd had taken host upon it, about twenty-five people in total, all with the same terrified and lost look on their face. This look was beset on all but three other hooded figures who looked, similarly to the man who had lead Jonnah and his friends to the camp itself. Minutes went by like hours and finally another chime could be heard traveling quickly through the leaves of the forest. Jonnah could not place its familiarity. The four figures with hoods stood obediently. The first announced himself to be Lewis, the second called himself Rubin, The third simply Jay and the fourth, the one most familiar to Jonnah and his friends professed his name to be Cyprus. Lewis stood with regal grace, although his face looked the most youthful and spoke out like a true leader.

"Your first challenge will be to retrieve from the surrounding wood what is most precious to man, it can be anything in any shape or form, and can be taken from anywhere in the entire forest. Once each group brought one selection to any of us here and has been judged accordingly we will proceed . . . 

Lewis continued to explain the "challenge further, but Jonnah's mind was focused on the small detail of Rubin's coat, it read "knowledge and trust. He laughed at first, but thought soon after that this might be the key to getting him further in his investigation. If only he could think of what in the forest could represent knowledge. The mass group broke quickly and immediately ran in search of man's most prized possession. Rachel, Blake and Jonnah followed, walking at a much slower speed.

"I got it I got it the three watched as a blond headed boy ran past them with a jar filled with coins.

All around their feet were odd objects of little or no importance, a doll here and a pair of golf clubs there. Jonnah stopped the other two immediately explaining all he had thought about during Lewis's speech. Rachel and Blake agreed to Jonnah's idea and began to brainstorm on what could possibly represent knowledge in the middle of a forest. Just as they began to give up hope, a bright light flashed across their faces. Startled at first Jonnah and Blake stood forward to protect Rachel from whatever this evil could be. Cyprus stood out of the thick patch of leaves to present himself fully to the threesome. After a casual conversation, surrounded by chaos Jonnah felt he had built up enough trust with Cyprus to ask him if they had been thinking in the right direction. Was it truly knowledge they had to present in order to proceed in the mystery? Cyprus nodded with a short smile and explained forcefully that anything, absolutely anything could be used if in the forest. Soon after this, Cyprus ran back to the camp fire leaving only his words of wisdom behind. And after a very brief conversation Jonnah decided they should head back to the camp. When they arrived, they noticed that everyone was already back and had been separated into two groups. There was a group of thirty or so to one side of the fire and a group of three to the other.

"Well, what is most precious to man? said Lewis.

"Knowledge replies Jonnah

"And what has you brought to represent knowledge Lewis snapped back

"Nothing, we only brought what we already know Jonnah looked pleased

"Very well exclaimed Lewis lets move forward.

The four hooded leaders followed by Rachel, Blake, Jonnah and the other three separated persons traveled onward walking across the lake north toward the Hanion House. Again the eerie call of a familiar chime rang aloud.

Lewis spoke quickly this time.
"The most precious gift to man is knowledge and to his friends it is trust, You will demonstrate ultimate trust by completing your second and last challenge only one group of three will continue

Jay spoke for the first time.
"One person in your team will wait here while another will be hidden far in the forest, the last must wait in the lake behind me tied to the block until the other two returns to save them, you will have five minutes to discuss your positions.

It took Blake, Jonnah and Rachel no time at all. The next thing Rachel saw was a blindfold being pulled over her eyes and a gag in her mouth, but Blake was soon submerged up to his neck fastened tightly in Tally Forest's infamous black lake. All was quiet as Jonnah ran quickly through the wood with a single flash light, searching determinedly through blackness he had never once experience. After thirty minutes he realized he himself could easily have been lost. He took short steps in desperation and thought to himself that all was lost and he would never find out the truth behind his new brother Mark or ever see Rachel again. Back at the lake Blake was growing tired and had on numerous occasions slumped into the water choking for a short time on the waters that surrounded him. With a final step Jonnah heard a loud crunch beneath his foot, startled by the noise he made, he slowly bent over and picked up an exact replica of his brothers strange necklace. Only just then did he confirm that his brother and the hooded people waiting for him at the lake were connected for it bore the same crest as their own pitch black coats. He swung his flashlight ferociously, swearing he saw movement took off in a bolt deeper into darkness.

"Rachel!,he exclaimed

She looked terrified and had obviously been crying. He apologized for taking so long and got her into high spirit once again. She handed him a paper from her pocket, it was a map back to the lake. This time it took only ten to fifteen minutes to get back to the lake and the first signs of daylight were glistening off of the flat waters. Jonnah splurged into the waters and saved Blake just as his neck was becoming weak with weary and was dipping slowly into the waters. The three friends had indeed displayed trust in their leader, Jonnah, and were now being taken across a long plain of high blade grass to the Hanion house that could be seen clearly now with the break of day. Jay was told to stay and wait for the other team of unworthy individuals. The door opened with a loud ruckus, and soon revealed a room full of hooded figures including Eliza-lee, and Jonnah's brother, Mark.

"Jonnah I knew it would be you! said Mark pleased

Jonnah had so many questions for Mark he didn't know where to begin, he felt completely lost in his own thoughts and concerns that he hadn't noticed the venomous looks that Blake and Rachel were getting from the other members of the fashionable impaired hood wearing clan. Jonnah did however notice when Blake and Rachel were being ushered out of th main room into a side door. After an immediate exclamation, the three friends were told that Jonnah had to get a special honor since his brother was already a member of the fellowship. Mark indeed bestowed upon Jonnah a horrific truth.

Jonnah was told quickly almost too quickly that he would have to rid himself of distractions like Blake and Rachel. He was told that they could not be trusted to save him like he had saved them. But Jonnah didn't listen to a word, he was their best friend. And explained to this brotherhood before him that he would never bring any harm to his friends. With distressed faces they brought the discussion to Jonnah again repeating it almost like a speech. But this time Jonnah wouldn't pass up an opportunity to uncover the face of what happens on summer nights in Tally. He reached slowly in his pocket. A quick arm brushed passed him, it was Cyprus. His confidant was betraying him and he was evermore forceful with his words. Explaining that above all types of abandonment death to his two friends was ultimately necessary. While amazed at what he was hearing and at his brother for believing it, Jonnah once again reached for his pocket and this time pressed slowly down on the button that was raised right beneath his thumb. As soon as he had realized the seriousness of the people around him, he had formulated a plan.

Jonnah asked quite suddenly What is the need for . . . hurting my friends

He couldn't bring himself to utter the word kill. His answer came from his brother.

"Their death proves your allegiance and dedication to this fellowship of Tally, Jonnah, I had to do it two just like you, and im stronger for it, those are the names I bear on my chain

Jonnah wanted to cry, his brother wasn't stronger, he was more weak than ever, and his behaviors made more sense to Jonnah than ever. His brothers mystery had been solved. Jonnah began the workings of his plan, he would agree to whatever they wanted. They were greatly pleased and told Jonnah to lead his friends to the room at the end of the house there he would find all that was necessary to complete his task.

Jonnah hesitantly opened the door to where his two best friends sat. He was followed by only two members of the previous group. He bent before his friends with his back against the two guarding the door. He took out his pad and pen and began to write. All the while talking of the wonder of what he had just witnessed. He explained that he will be given a prestigious position as his brother was high in the rankings of the league. He told them all positive things about the fellowship, and using his journalism skills wrote to them very differently. That noise that became all too familiar with the three rang out once more. The guards looked at Jonnah forcefully and he told his friends to follow him to the room at the end of the hall where a ceremony was being held. Jonnah was followed by Rachel and then Blake and finally the two guard members. Thunder struck loud outside and Rachel shivered. The three friends walked quickly around the corners toward the ceremonious room. Abruptly, the trio parted ways with the main corridor and headed to the back of the house praying for escape.

The hall was long and tangling, and the guards were now chasing and yelling viciously in a language all too familiar to Jonnah. Jonnah turned to check on his two closest friends. Rachel had fallen behind and Blake was holding her close, Jonnah ran back only a few paces to help. Coming almost face to face with one of the guards themselves, Blake reached the back door that lead to the outside world. He whirled it open forcing a wave of cold rain into the house. Jonnah, now moments behind the two fell quickly to the floor slipping in a fresh puddle of water. He struggled to his feet and watched as Rachel and Blake ran into the rain unknowingly away from him. Jonnah called out, no words came to his head all he could do was scream from the pain of being finally captured by the guard. Rachel turned at that very moment, broke away from Blake, and ran toward the house.

"Please, Rachel go! screamed Jonnah

With all the might he had left in him he reached into his jacket pocket, and with great compulsion pulled out the tape recorder he had so skillfully enabled. It hit the ground with a sobbing thunk just at Rachel's feet, she grabbed it quickly and looked back to Jonnah, the door was closed and fastened. Blake took his friend in his arms and ran away from the awful home seeking help. Help never came and Jonnah was never seen by either of his friends again.

Twelve years later, Blake Crossings was Christmas shopping with his family when he read upon the bestsellers list Sabotage: the true story of Tally Forest. He began to sob and was immediately overtaken by the remembrance of that night and that eerie chime that still haunted his dreams.