The Society: Titan's Gauntlet

Postby chadmc90 » Sun Jan 11, 2015 4:05 am

The Society - Titan's Gauntlet


Summary
Jake Merrit, a young man who aspired to follow in his brother Kevin's footsteps and join the illustrious...and mysterious...society, Titan. The day had finally come when he received his acceptance letter, and he packed his bags and joined them. But things aren't as they seem, and Jakes dreams of being an elite land him in a nightmare....

Chapters:
Last edited by chadmc90 on Thu Jul 07, 2016 12:37 pm, edited 5 times in total.
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The Society: Titan's Gauntlet - Chapter 1

Postby chadmc90 » Sun Jan 11, 2015 4:09 am

Chapter 1


Dear Mom,

I am so sorry for the failure I have become. I wanted to follow in his footsteps and have all the power as he does, but I failed. I am now their prisoner, a slave to them. Even he laughs at me… I just wanna go home. I am sitting here with my legs shackled to the wall, and I anxiously wait for them to come back for me. I am merely a plaything for them. I’m so scared of what they will do to me once they get tired of me. I should have never gotten myself into here. I just wanna go home.


About a year and 6 months before:

"Today my dreams finally come true!" I told myself as I looked into the mirror at my naked torso. I brushed my light brown hair and teeth as I admired the muscle I’ve built up. I was so excited to finally get my letter from Titan that said I was accepted into the society. I put on my grey t-shirt and jeans and grabbed my raincoat from my room before I went downstairs. I walked into the living room and noticed my stuff sitting beside the door ready to go. I could smell mom fixing breakfast in the kitchen, catching a whiff of the biscuits cooking.

“Jake, breakfast will be finished in a minute.” Mom hollered out.

“Okay!” I said as I placed my jacket on the couch. I walked into the kitchen and placed two plates and glasses on the table. I grabbed some silverware as mom sat the basket of biscuits on the table along with the other food.

Breakfast was short and quiet, and soon enough I was putting on my rain coat to head out the door. Before I left, mom came up to me with tears in her eyes and grabbed my tightly.

“Jake, please promise me you will write as often as you can. And be careful, son. I can’t bear to lose another one of my boys. Please come back to me.”

I knew she was referring to dad, who lost his life during a fatal car crash 5 years ago. I know that she worries about me after hearing the rumors about the society. But I know there just rumors. My brother says it’s really wonderful and you can do whatever you want. I smiled at her.

“I will, and I promise I’ll jet Kevin to write to you as soon as I see him.”

My mom let go of me and stepped back in tears. “Goodbye, son. Please, be careful.”

“I will, I will.”

I pulled the raincoat over my body and grabbed the handle of my duffle bag. I could roll it across the ground because it had wheels, and I pulled it as I walked out into the rain. My mom stood at the doorway as I walked to the end of the pavement. I looked back at our large two-story home. We weren’t the wealthiest family in the area, but we had money thanks to dad’s successful business and large life insurance policy. My sister Evelyn now runs the business, but mom often helps out whenever she can.

This isn’t goodbye; I’ll be back one day. I told myself. My mom had a smile on her face, but she didn’t fool me. I knew that she couldn’t stand the idea of me leaving, and I didn’t blame her. Thankfully, she still has Evelyn to keep her company. I wish I could of seen her before I had to leave, but I had to report in soon.

As the rain fell on me, I walked alongside the street as I made my way to the cab checkpoint. I sat down at the bench to wait for the next one and I thought about the society. I couldn’t wait to be a part of it, as I pictured myself standing beside my brother in the trademark maroon uniform with the hammer symbol on my coat’s arm sleeve. Titan was a powerful society that had the respect of the government. It had the richest people at the top of its hierarchy and it often aided the country in many ways. There were some rumors that they are actually in the government’s pocketbooks, but I’m sure they’re false. Titan is comprised of the most morally ethical people in the country and wouldn’t do anything like that.

The cab finally arrived and picked me up. The guy inside looked to be in his older thirties and had raggedy clothes on. I almost waited for the next cab but decided to get into it for the sale of time.

“Where to?” The cab driver asked me.

“Titan.” I told him, trying to limit my interactions with this dingy guy.

The man nodded his head as he began to drive. He had that crappy music playing and the windshield wipers going. “Titan? Man, you must be something to get an invitation from them.”

“Of course. I’m Jake Merrit.”

“Merrit, huh? I’ve heard of that name.”

“Yea.” I said, trying to give the hint that I didn’t want to talk to him.

“But where did I hear that name at?”

I gritted my teeth in annoyance, but kept my demeanor. “My father owned Auto Empire before he died and it passed on to my sister.”

“Oh yea! I remember now. Bought my car there a couple years back. Great company.”

“Thanks.” I said.

“So, you off to join Titan, huh?”

“Yea, and if you don’t mind, I would really like to get there as soon as possible.”

“I understand.”

The cab driver increased his speed to my relief, and before long we finally arrived at the front gates. Titan was off to the side of the city in a wooded area surrounded by a huge gate. I grabbed my duffle bag and went to the gate where I was stopped by two people in that uniform. “Halt, what business do you have with us?”

I smirked as I presented my acceptance papers to them. “I see. Then you may enter Mr. Merrit.”

The barred gates slid open and I entered onto the brick road leading up to the huge estate in the distance. I walked across a small bridge that passed over a small creek and continued deeper into the woods. Then I came into a clearing there the huge mansion stood. It had several stories with pillars supporting it. The mansion was built with red bricks and had a staircase leading up to the entrance. The beautiful landscape was covered with neatly trimmed bushes and flowers. There was a fountain that sat in between the flight of stairs that arched up to the balcony entrance. “Now this is a mansion.” I told myself as I walked up the staircase. I came to the large two doors and opened them to enter.

When inside, I walked down a small hallway that lead to the lobby. What I saw was breathtaking. A huge statue of a man holding a hammer in midair was in the center of the room. It had water flowing out of the hammer and into the pool below its feet. A desk with people behind it circled around the front where it met another circular flight of stairs that led up to the upper floors. I walked to the front desk and showed my papers to the receptionist.

“Well, your Kevin’s little brother, huh?” the girl said as she smiled slyly. I noticed she was incredibly hot as my eyes wandered to placed they should not have. She noticed that and chuckled as she opened the small hatch that let her out from behind the desk. “Follow me. I’ll show you to your dorm room.”

She led me up the arched stairway and to the upper floors. My eyes again wondered as her butt checks moved up and down as she walked. I broke myself away again before she had time to notice. The hallways were decorated with maroon banners and had several doors along it. She stopped at one and handed me a key and a badge. The key had the number 122 on it and the badge was an emblem of the Titan logo.

“The key is for opening your dorm room and the badge you need to wear until your uniform comes in. Don’t get caught without your badge whatever you do. Lunch will be in the mass dining room and you are expected to attend. You should also explore the estate but do not wander into the wooded area. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Oh, and if you want to see your brother his office in on the top floor.”

The receptionist turned around and walked back down the hall. I couldn’t help myself as I got another glimpse of her back, but then I turned around and looked at the door. I unlocked it and walked into a rather large room. The room was decorated with a maroon theme and Titan logo with maroon carpets, maroon curtains, maroon bed sheets, and even the miscellaneous items such as toiletries were maroon. There were two full sized beds on each side of the large window. “I guess I will have a roommate sooner or later.” I thought to myself as I took my bag over to the left bed.

I turned on the TV and watched a show I liked. Then I decided to go and tour the place. I noticed a map of the estate on the nightstand and I grabbed it to help find my way around. I first went to the entertainment section where the large swimming pool is along with tennis and basketball courts. There were also game rooms for billiards and poker, as well as a video game room. There were some guys here, but it wasn’t that busy. I then decided to go and see the honors room where the higher members of society were recognized with statues and plaques. There was also a huge stone slab where names of all members have been engraved. The mansion also had a study area that was essentially a library. It had all kinds of books that lined several rolls of shelves. I took my phone out and looked at the time. It was about time for lunch so I decided to make my way back to the mass dining room. She wasn’t kidding about it being massive as there were several circular tables scattered around the room. Chandeliers with gem decorations hanged from the ceiling. In the center of the room was another table, but rather than circular this table was rectangular. It had large, luxurious seats around it, putting the ones around the small circular table to shame. “I guess that’s where the elites sit.” I thought to myself.

“Hello.” I heard from behind me.

I turned around and noticed the blond haired, gorgeous boy standing in front of me. Being bisexual myself, I couldn’t get over his charming looks.

I smiled and returned the courtesy as mute as I could. “Hello.” I noticed that he wasn’t wearing a uniform, which meant that he was a new recruit as well.

“So, are you new here too?”

“Yea…” I told him, being uncharacteristically shy.

“I see. The name’s Tim Lebaun. What’s yours?”

“Jake. Jake Merrit.” I said back.

“Oh, are you related to Kevin then?”

“Yea, I am. I’m his brother.”

“Whoa! I guess you got in rather easily then, huh?”

“Well, not really. I had to do all the tests as well.”

“I see. By the way, what room number are you?”

“122.” I told him.

“Are you kidding? That’s my room number as well! I guess that means we will get to know each other really well, huh?”

I mistook what he meant, thinking about other ways to “get to know someone.” “W..What? Oh, yea, right.”

Tim looked at me awkwardly. “Are you okay?”

“Yea, sure. Just nervous, that’s all.” That was a lie, as I am still uncomfortable around him.


“Oh, yea I see now. Well, if we are gonna be roommates, might as well get started getting to know each other. Let’s go grab a table.”

I followed Tim to one of the circular tables. We sat down and awaited our food. We talked casually for some time until our attentions were directed to the doorway. In walked a bunch of young guys around my age. As they entered, they sat around the rectangular table. Others followed behind and filled the smaller tables. They were some in uniform and others that were not. A couple sat at our table as the others were full.

I looked around but couldn’t find my brother. Then, I heard what sounded like metal hitting a glass, and when I looked back, I noticed a short black haired guy standing beside the largest seat. He had a spoon and glass in his hand as he caught everyone’s attention. “Please join me in welcoming our newest members!” he said.

To Be Continued….
Last edited by chadmc90 on Thu Jul 07, 2016 12:03 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: The Society: Titan's Gauntlet

Postby FelixSH » Sat Jan 17, 2015 8:59 am

Nice start. I am intrigued by the set-up and am looking forward to the next part.

Re: The Society: Titan's Gauntlet

Postby HumHumming » Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:52 pm

I just read the story, and I'm VERY intrigued to say the least.

The part you wrote in the beginning really gets me wondering what will happen to get him in that predicament.

As always, nicely written.
I hope you'll continue with this and the other stories, even if you feel like you're not getting the feedback you want. :big:

Re: The Society: Titan's Gauntlet

Postby chadmc90 » Tue Jan 20, 2015 5:12 pm

Thanks guys!

I haven't flat out stopped my other stories, but just needed a change. I wanted to do something similar to my Game of TUGs story I wrote the first half of 2014, so expect something along the lines of it. With it being in the PG-17 section I'm not as restricted as I was with it. I hope to have the next chapter soon.
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The Society: Titan's Gauntlet - Chapter 2

Postby chadmc90 » Tue Jan 20, 2015 10:40 pm

Chapter 2


“I have an announcement to make!” The tall guy said. He was standing at the end of the rectangular table with a spoon and wineglass in each of his hands. Everyone in the room turned towards him in full attention. I noticed Tim do the same as well, and I then turned my eyes back onto him. “As the members know, we are welcoming our new recruits today. Ten new members will join our ranks today, but as you all know, to stay they will have to pass the Gauntlet.”

I was caught off guard by that. “What did he mean by 'Gauntlet?' ”

“Yes, the 223rd Gauntlet will start tomorrow. The Gauntlet is a set of tests that measure each new member’s worthiness to Titan. Everyone that has joined Titan has to go through these three tests before they can become full-fledged members. This test will require aptitude, resolve, fortitude, and solidarity. These four virtues are what embody each and every member of Titan, and if you even lack one of these you will fail miserably. I know what you are thinking right now: ‘Oh, but what about that test I took before joining?’. Well, we have several thousands of applicants every year; we have to weed out the “regulars” somehow, don’t we?

“I will not discuss the specifics of each test, but you will be grouped into teams for the second and third parts. There will be three teams of five for the competition, and your teams have already been preselected. But I will say this: you don’t want to fail your test. You know once you walk through that front gate there is no turning back, so failing will not release you from Titan. No, failure will result in a punishment so severe you will regret ever walking through those doors. But, if you fail, you CAN always take the test again, and TRY to regain your redemption. Hehehe…”

The guy’s sinister voice put me on edge. A lump in my throat appeared; making me swallow as fear slowly crept over me. "What have I gotten myself into?”"

Then his sinister expression turned into the former warm smile that he had before. “But, don’t let that worry you. After all, you were selected from thousands of applicants just for this. Now I guess I should formally introduce myself. I am Wesley Forsythe, heir to Titan and overseer of all operations. I run Titan along with my elite advisers. Titan is made up of several divisions, kind of like a corporation. We work in all avenues of the industry to further our position. But we also remain a society at heart, and we are all family here. We are the last family you will ever need. Now, I ask all recruits to stand and allow us to formally welcome you to Titan.”

With hesitation I stood along with Tim, and members started clapping. But I didn’t feel appreciated or even welcome. No, I felt fear and anxiety. I looked towards Tim and saw that he was not in a good mood either. As I looked to see the others I noticed something: "There are only ten? I thought there was supposed to be three groups of five entering the competition? That would make five not here. Where are the others?"

“Now, waiters, bring us lunch!”

Lunch was quiet around the table. Of course all the formal members were casually chatting, but we recruits lost our appetite after Wesley’s revelation. But I thought "I’m Jake Merrit. If Kevin passed, so could I!", so I put on a smile and continued eating. But I wasn’t fooling myself at the least.

“Hey, are you nervous?”

I looked over at Tim, noticing the obvious worry on his face. But I kept my chin up and put on the most forced grin I could muster.

“No, I’m not. I’m actually excited about it!” I told him.

“Ha! Don’t make me laugh. I saw your face when he said that!”

“I..I was just startled, that’s all.”

“Well we ALL were startled. But I know you’re just as nervous as I am.”

I tried to hold my smile, but it didn’t last. I started to frown again. “No, I guess you’re right. I usually don’t get nervous about things like this but this..I don’t understand why I’m so nervous…”

“Well, the threats of a punishment so severe it will make you regret joining could be it.”

I laughed nervously. “Ha, very funny.”

“No, it’s not funny! I’m piss scared of what they will do.”

I felt the exact way. I wanted to tell him my real feelings about this Gauntlet, but my pride wouldn’t let it. We sat back down and finished our lunch. After that, we took off together to look around. We tried our hand at basketball in the courts and then returned to the dining room for supper after a refreshing shower.

It was more relaxed than lunch was earlier that day. There was no talk of the gauntlet which made me more relaxed. We had roast chicken with several vegetable sides to go along with it. The meal was certainly delicious, as expected from such an elite society as Titan. But I didn’t eat much. It was mostly because of the upcoming test but another thing had bothered me. My brother was still nowhere to be seen. It really worried me that he wasn’t around. We haven’t heard from him in a while since he joined. But as I thought, I started to think that he could of failed the Gauntlet! The thought was chilling to say the least. My brother, an A+ student straight through school, gifted at all the major sports and could get any lady he could with just his looks alone, couldn’t even get passed this test? "No!" I told myself. "My brother had to of passed. He could do anything!" But even with all the reminders I gave myself, that grim thought just wouldn’t leave…

“What’s wrong?” Tim asked after he swallowed a mouthful of creamed potatoes.

I looked up at him, woken from my apparent trance. “Oh..it’s nothing..”

“Are you worried about something? I guess it’s this gauntlet thing, huh?”

“Yea, I’m worried about that..Yea..”

I took another piece of chicken into my mouth, trying to break the conversation.

“Well, it’s weird, though. I haven’t seen Kevin Merrit around. I’ve heard extraordinary things about him and his accomplishments within the science division.”

“Yea, he’s a great guy, huh?” I said.

Tim looked at me for a minute. “Wait, are you worried that he might have failed the Gauntlet?”

“Pppth, no. My brother could do anything! A stupid test like this wouldn’t get the better of him.”

Tim smiled at me and then let out a quick laugh. “Yea, I guess so. He must just be busy or something.”

“Yea. That has to be it.”

My mind was put as ease, at least concerning my brother.

We finished our supper and headed to our dorms for the night. As I lay in bed, sleep doesn’t come easy. The thought of the gauntlet was really unnerving. I told myself I needed rest, but my brain would just not shut down.

I managed to finally fall asleep. But the nightmares that followed were horrifying. I dreamed I was chained to some device completely stripped of all my clothing. I struggled as the chains rattled and created echoes throughout the large room. I tried to yell for help, but help wouldn’t come. In fact, the words I yelled didn’t seem to make sense. That’s when I noticed that cloth was completely wrapped around my mouth! I continued to rattle the chains to get anyone’s attention, but when I finally heard footsteps, an eerie sensation fell over me. Then someone in a white coat came out of the pitch black shadow that eclipsed the room. The man had something in his hand "What was it?" I asked myself. But when I found out, the syringe was already being pointed towards my arm and my eyes widened as it pierced the skin. Then, I woke up, sweating and panting.

I looked down at my wet palm and then decided to get up and get a bottle of water. I noticed the rain was still coming down hard as I passed by the window. I opened the fridge and took out a bottle of water. After a few swigs I head to the bathroom to wash the sweat off my torso. I took a small washcloth and rubbed it down my arms and chest. I then rubbed my face as I looked on in the mirror at my half naked body. A flash came into the dorm as thunder erupted violently outside. It knocked the power to the lights for a few seconds, but when it came back on, a solid black mask connected to a solid black body appeared behind me. The last thing I remembered was my eyes widening and a stinging sensation entering my arm, same as in my nightmare….

------
My eyes opened, but I couldn’t see anything. The room around me was as black as coal. I felt around on the cold, hard floor for anything. I finally grabbed ahold of something. As I pulled it up, I heard the same rattling that was in my dreams. "Chains"
As I crawled on the floor, I noticed something else. I had absolutely no clothes on. I was completely naked! I shivered as goose bumps rose on my arms and legs. The cold shackles binding my legs didn’t help keep me warm as I dragged myself around, feeling for anything.

I continued to feel around, but noticed the room was barren. Only the concrete or the chains attached to my shackles made contact with my hands. "W…what is going on?"

I crawled some distance, but then my chains tightened and pulled back on me. I then started to feel around even more but nothing was around. I started to get panicked. "What the hell is going on?" I got to my feet and then started to walk around with my hands held out. "Where am i? What am I doing here?" I was beginning to get freaked. I ran as fast as I could in one direction, but the chains made sure I went only a few feet. I got back up to my feet and walked around frantically as I tried to find something to use. “What is going on? Somebody! Anybody! Help! Get me out of here!” I yelled.

But only the sound of a heavy rainfall filled my ears. I then curled up into a ball with my arms wrapped around my legs, wandering what’s going to happen to me. “No, did I do something wrong? What did I do!”

Then, a flash of lightning revealed everything in the room. In an instant I saw what looked like a standard bedroom. The reason why I haven’t found anything was simply because I was chained right in the middle of it and couldn’t go far enough. "But why am I here?" I thought to myself.

Then something started to illuminate in the corner of the room. I looked over at the source of the light and saw a small writing desk in the corner of the room. Then, I heard something behind me and noticed the chain connecting to my shackles slowly lowering from the ceiling. The chain rattled as it fell to the ground. Then I was suddenly able to walk farther out.

I walked over to the desk and noticed a piece of paper:
"Dear friend,
Congratulations once again on joining Titan. But first you must prove yourself. The room you are in will be your prison for the first week of the Gauntlet. The first test will measure your thinking skills under extreme circumstances. The goal of the test is simple: break out of the room any way possible. Once you are able to open the iron door, you will walk into a hallway. That hallway will lead you to the rest of your teammates. Of course, that would only be true if at least one other teammate has passed the first test. But I must warn you, the longer you take, the harder the test will become. The lantern that just lit up only has a limited battery life. You may turn it on and off at your pleasure, but when only two days are left, the lantern’s light will go out permanently and you will be without light, at least at nighttime. Then, on the last day, the chain that just released will start to retract into the pulley slowly, causing you to slowly be pulled into an upside down stance. By the end of the week, if you have not freed yourself from the chains, then you will be completely hanging from your feet! There are ways to get out of the room; you just have to find them. If you cannot make it out of the room, then you will fail the Gauntlet and will be sentenced to one year of slavery in service to your fellow Titan brothers!

But don’t let that worry you. I’m sure you will do fine. After all, you were selected above thousands of others! There is a clock on the wall above this desk. It’s a unique clock, in that it shows you the time relative to a week. Whenever the hand makes a full circle, your week will be over.

Sincerely, Wesley
Overseer of Titan

P.S: There’s food in the refrigerator if you can free yourself from the chain! "

Another flash of lightning brightened the room. The paper fell from my hands as I stood frozen in fear….
And thus the Gauntlet began……

To be Continued……
Last edited by chadmc90 on Thu Jul 07, 2016 12:11 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: The Society: Titan's Gauntlet - Chapter 2 available

Postby chadmc90 » Tue Jan 20, 2015 10:44 pm

Hey, guys, I hope you are enjoying this. As always I'm looking for feedback. It would really help my motivation a lot.

And another thing: I'm using italic formatting for Jake's thoughts. If it's tough to tell whether something is italicized, let me know.
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Re: The Society: Titan's Gauntlet - Chapter 2 available

Postby FelixSH » Wed Jan 21, 2015 10:33 am

I certainly enjoy it. I like the whole setup, with the different challenges, and I am curious how all of them will look like. I'm also curious about Jakes brother - what happened to him, but I am curious if we will find out more about the relationship between the two.
Italic works fine for me, as an indicator for Jakes thoughts.

Re: The Society: Titan's Gauntlet - Chapter 2 available

Postby Cheath » Mon Jan 26, 2015 6:54 am

This is one of the stories i'm interested in.. I hope you're able to post stories more frequently, like 1-2 times a week..

Re: The Society: Titan's Gauntlet - Chapter 2 available

Postby chadmc90 » Thu Feb 26, 2015 4:34 pm

Hey everyone!

No, this isn't a new chapter, but I'm in the process of writing new chapters for this and my other works.

But, I'm not gonna post them on the public threads. Instead, send me a private message and I'll add you to a "Subscription" list for those who really want to read them. Hopefully, this will encourage more feedback or at least give me an idea of who's reading. Anyone added to the subscription will get a pm with the link to a pdf file containing the chapter.

I will also go and convert my first story(A Game of TUGs/A King of TUGs) to pdf as well and send a compressed folder link to whoever wants them.

Also, I've removed the chapters I've already posted on the thread.
Check out my latest story A Cowboy's Dream!

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The Society: Titan's Gauntlet - Chapter 3

Postby chadmc90 » Thu Jul 07, 2016 12:21 pm

Chapter 3


“…….What day is it now…. I asked myself as I lay on the floor, completely void of any clothing. Has it been two? Three? Or is it down to the last hour?”

My light was still on, so I knew it wasn’t that late. But the only way I could tell time was that miserable clock on the wall. It had moved between where the numbers three and four were on a normal clock. “How long is that?”
Ever since the windows were blocked by some metal slab built into the wall, I didn’t have any sense of day or night. The digital lantern never turns on or off, so all I have is that clock.

I’ve tried everything, from stretching as far as I could to the corners of the room where everything is lined up to pulling frantically at the chains. I couldn’t reach the small refrigerator where the food supply is, so I’ve been starving ever since I was chained in here.

The cold air that flows into the room from the cracks in the windows and the doors keep me shivering, and without any sort of cover for myself, I’ve been cold. “I need to find a way out of these shackles, and fast!” I thought as I sat in a fetal position.

I couldn’t count how many times I looked around the room. But every time I grow more and more hopeless. “Is there a key? Or am I supposed to fiddle with it somehow? Or is it designed so that I could never get out? “

Some time had passed and the clock was not a bit more than halfway around. I guess by that, I figured that four days had passed. I shook frantically, straining my weak brain to think about what to do. My growling stomach and the soreness over my body from sleeping on the cold and hard concrete floor kept me from concentrating on passing this test.

I started to feel around on the floor in hopes of finding some small crack or crevice. I thought that I could find a door perhaps. But with the dim light, I didn’t have any luck. I crawled back to my fetal position, shivering once again from the cold, damp air.

“No, this can’t be happening! If I don’t win this, what would my brother think?” I imagined him looking at me with such disappointment. Then I thought about my mother. I imagined myself, sweeping the floors of Titan while listening to him telling me how much of a disappointment I am. Then I pictured myself in front of the dining hall, naked and chained as I am now, laughing and pointing fingers at me. I started to shake frantically and then grabbed my shackles and shook them as hard as I could. “No! No! I won’t let them do that to me! I will prove to all of them just how much I deserve to be a member of Titan! I will win! I will win! I will win! Hahahahaha!”

I knew I was starting to lose it, but I wouldn’t have known it then. I shook the chains, pulling the shackles against my skin. I was jerking on them so hard that they were starting to leave bruises on my ankles. I grabbed them and tried to pull them apart, but they wouldn’t budge. Then I grabbed the nail that slid in between the hinge holes and tried desperately to pull it out!

Then, just like that, the top of the nail came apart….It took some effort, but it actually separated from the main body…. I pulled the nail out of the socket, and just like that I was able to pull them apart and slide the shackle off my foot.

I sat there for a minute, baffled by the discovery and trying to understand why I didn’t see this earlier. I then did the other side the same way. I had to dig my nail in between the head of the screw and the shackle hinge but it popped out the same way. I was free! They were off and I was free!

“Hahahaha! I did it! YEA!” I shouted as if there were people around! The first thing I did was rush over to the mini fridge. I opened it and stuffed my mouth with as much as I could eat. I was taught to eat with etiquette, but going without food for a few days made me forget about that.

The food was mainly snack but I didn’t care at that point. After filling my belly, I remembered that I was still trapped in this room. I immediately lifted my lantern and shined it towards the metal door. I went over and immediately tried to open it, but it was no use.

“Damn!” I mumbled to myself as I tried to force open the door. But it was tightly secure, not budging a single inch. I looked over the door for any keyhole but I found nothing. Then, I noticed I was really sleepy. Not having much sleep at all, I decided to just take a short nap so I could focus better. I yawned as I dragged my still naked body to the bed. I lifted back the covers and plumped my back down on it.

I turned to my side as I noticed a box of Kleenexes. I felt particularly horny, so I decided to give myself a jerk to ease myself. I massaged my member for some moments, but in no time it was as hard as a rock. The thought of Tim’s figure tied with ropes completely naked got me off. I envisioned myself mounted on top of him, stroking his penis along with my own. But then there was that secretary. My fantasy then put me right beside Tim’s roped body, tied and restrained in the same way. The naked secretary was atop of us, her large, beautiful breasts flapping up and down as she fiercely stroked our helpless members. It was more than I could take. In no time, semen shot up to my chest. Heaving, I grabbed a few Kleenexes and cleaned it off of me. I fell asleep not long afterwards.

It was a dreamless sleep. The bed was really comfortable given how prison-like the room was. When I finally woke up, I got something to eat. Then I decided I still had more time, so I took another nap. I did this quite a few times. But it was when I got up to check the time did I notice my light wasn’t working. I tried to flip the switch a few times, but nothing work. It was then I realized what had happened.

“The lantern that just lit up only has a limited battery life. You may turn it on and off at your pleasure, but when only two days are left, the lantern’s light will go out permanently and you will be without light, at least at nighttime.”

“No....No….how long have I been out? I started to panic. I had remembered that the final two days I had to do without light. How could I be so stupid!!”
But relief came as the metal plate covering the only window in the room came open. I had light, despite it not being much due to the stormy weather. But my heart sunk when I looked at the clock. It was in between the 6 and 7 markers, which meant I had less than a day! Then I heard something behind me. The chains that had once been attached to my leg retracted somewhat to the ceiling, further proving that this was the last day.

I immediately jumped to action and started looking for a way out. I checked everywhere across the room. I looked into the wardrobe and found nothing at all. I opened up every single shelve in the desk I found up the note on, but again nothing. I checked under the bed, nothing. I didn’t know what to do. It looked like I still had time, but I panicked. I couldn’t count the number of times I checked the same places for any clues. I even removed the bed sheets to see if anything was in under them.

Some time had passed. It was getting darker outside. The pulley system had almost retracted the chains to the point of them hanging from the ceiling. I fiddled with my lantern in hopes of finding a way to get it to turn on. But when I flipped it over, I noticed words engraved on the bottom of the lantern’s base:

“People often have to give up something in order to gain something in return. The market is a fine example of this principle. But this can also be applied to the concepts of security and liberty. In anarchy, people have absolute freedom. There is no government to establish order, so there are no rules to abide by. But in return, there is no protection from others that break the rules. The opposite can be said in a strictly governed society. Security may not be much of an issue, but freedoms are slim. Therefore, a balance must be in place. How much freedom would you give up if it meant a secure future? Only an intelligent man could decide that….the iron door awaits your answer, but he won’t wait forever…..”

....What? Should I talk to the Iron door?

I then went over to it and, felling foolish, decided to give it a try.

“Um…so….I guess you’re awaiting my answer, huh? Hehehe… Well, I guess I would give my freedom up for some security. I mean I would hate for someone to get away with murder.”

Nothing happened. After a few moments, I started to panic again. “W..wait, wait, so no I take it back! I mean we really don’t need security, huh? Only the strong survive, right? Yeah! Who need rules with all the freedom in the world! I would just kill anyone that did me wrong!”

But the door didn’t open, once again.

I started to get angry. I slammed my hands on the door and said “I don’t know the answer! Just please let me out! I have thought of everything! Please open the damn door!”

I started banging on it. After some time, I decided to give up. I slid down the door and sat on the floor, shaking at the thought of my fate. “No, I’m not gonna pass this, am I? I’m gonna be a slave for a year! No, this isn’t how it was supposed to turn out! I can’t! I can’t!”
As a tear formed in my eye, I heard the chains connected to the pulley shoot up to a hanging position. I say they were hanging hallway between the floor and the ceiling. I then heard a clicking noise behind me.

I then started connecting the dots. With the inscription, I finally got an idea. To get something, you must give up something…

I slowly walked over to where the chains were hanging. There were two shackles, but only the one was actually connected to my foot earlier. No, this is crazy…

But what did I have to lose at that point? I wasn’t getting anywhere anyways. This might be my only chance…
I grabbed the screw that once held the shackles together and hesitantly locked in one of my wrists. I gulped as I locked in the other one on my other wrist. Now it was just a waiting game.

But I didn’t have to wait long. The chains slowly started to retract into the ceiling. Slowly, the length got shorter and shorter, and eventually I found myself losing my footing as I was slowly pulled from the ground. Pain started shooting through my arms as my weight created tension in my wrist. I started squirming in pain as I was pulled higher up. I didn’t think it would hurt this bad.

“O..ow..owowwoow!” I said aloud. “Please, someone get me down!”

But what hurt me the most was that the iron door still didn’t open! “Ahhh! Why did I think of this crazy idea! Please! Let me down! Please, I’ll do anything! Please this hurts so much.”

I don’t know how long I hanged by my wrists, but it felt like hours! But, to my surprise, the iron door finally opened. I forgot my pain long enough to drop my jaw. Then, the pulley then suddenly released its grip and I fell to the cement floor rather hard, scraping my knee and elbow. I then got to my feet and took the shackles off. I slowly made my way to the iron door, and then went through the doorway. The hall outside was illuminated with candles, and I noticed a small table with a maroon bathrobe folded perfectly sitting atop it. I immediately covered myself with it, and then proceeded down the hall. I can’t believe this is happening.

I then came to a normal, wooden door. But when I opened it, my eyes widened once again. On several gurneys, I saw several boys strapped to them in the same robes as I was wearing, and I noticed one of them was Tim. Observation lamps hovered over them as light hit their restrained bodies. I went over to check on Tim and to free him. “Tim, Tim!” I said, trying to shake his head to get him awake. “Don’t worry, man, I’m here to help!”
As I grabbed one of the buckles, my heart stopped as I was grabbed from behind by several hands. “No, you’re not doing that!” I then felt the familiar stinging in my arms, and I swiftly drifted into a state on unconsciousness.
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Re: The Society: Titan's Gauntlet

Postby chadmc90 » Thu Jul 07, 2016 12:22 pm

Hey guys!

I've also restored this story. If I get enough feedback Ill continue it.
Check out my latest story A Cowboy's Dream!

Feedback highly appreciated! Feel free to Private Message me if you prefer to not post on the public forum!