The Pit

By K. C. Greer

The news of a suicide in a small town leaves a high school boys friends and family searching for answers.

Inspired by true events, The Pit follows the friendship of four high school wrestlersPaul, Sam, Rick, and Buckywhom are just average young men dealing with average teenage stressors like grades, homework, college prospects, sex, and the need to live up to their reputation as top high school athletes. When they lose one of their own, Paul, the only Christian among the group of friends, starts to doubt the God he always knew and trusted. Will Paul and his friends be able to see and feel the presence of Jesus Christ in a situation that feels utterly Godless?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984510860

K. C. Greer

K.C. Greer is a Christian, familywoman, and blogger. She is a former high school ELA and creative writing teacher, but left the classroom to pursue her dream of being a mom and an accomplished author. K.C. aims to reach out and spread the word of God through testimonies for Jesus Christ, and highlight Gods presence in the midst of lifes inevitable messes. Blog: www.fruitfulspiritblog.wordpress.com Twitter: @KC_Greer

Book preview

The Pit

K. C. Greer

Copyright © 2018 by K. C. Greer.

ISBN:                         Softcover                 978-1-9845-1087-7

                                  eBook                        978-1-9845-1086-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction inspired by real events. In certain cases incidents, characters, and timelines have been changed for dramatic purposes. Characters may be composites, or entirely fictitious, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 02/26/2018

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

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Contents

Chapter 1   Paul

Chapter 2   Interrogations

Isobel

Paul

Rick

Bucky

Paul

Chapter 3   Ms. Russ

Chapter 4   Bonding

Chapter 5   Sam’s Body

Chapter 6   Paul

Chapter 7   Ms. Russ

Chapter 8   Gunner McKinny

Chapter 9   Sam’s Funeral

Chapter 10   Ms. Russ

Chapter 11   The Awakening

Chapter 12   Revival

Dedication:

This book is dedicated to all of my former students. All of you inspired me and motivated me every, single day. You shared with me your hopes and your dreams: your troubles and your sacrifices. I spent four years watching young adults who start off high school so unsure, turn into hardworking dreamers and achievers. I am so proud of each and every one of you. Life is a long, winding road, but each twist and turn is an opportunity for change and growth. Run toward each winding path, because those paths are where your dreams form into reality. Overcoming every obstacle, and I promise there will be many, those achievements are the fruit of your life and they make every second of pain worth pushing through.

So much love,

Mrs. Greer

I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: Do not close your ears to my cry for relief. You came near when I called you, and you said, Do not fear."

Lamentations 3:47 (NIV)

Chapter One

Paul

I showed up early to light the fire before the rest of the guys showed up. I was scouring around looking for kindling wondering how the rest of practice was going. My arms were full of brush and all I could think about was how stupid I had been the week before. The regret was pitted in my stomach and I could picture it; laying my jacket on the floor, lifting up her little blue dress, running my fingers through her hair as she whispered, It’s okay. I want this too. Before I knew what was happening, my head was spinning around at the sound of an opening door, and I was hanging my head in shame as my coach, my hero, caught me with my pants down on the gym floor. Now, that skirt was my vixen. The blue hue of her dress ignited my fury as I pictured my teammates doing drills to get ready for the big match against Central, a match I was now going to have to watch from the bench.

Coach said I was lucky he let me stay on the team. My mind reeled as his voice echoed in my conscience, You’re supposed to be a role model. You represent this team. What do you think your actions say about us?

I swallowed hard, scattered the tinder in the fire pit, and lit a match.

Lord, what have I done? I’ve really messed up this time. Show me how to fix this mess I created. I know I am not supposed to have sex before marriage. Thank you for stopping me, but please, please, Lord help me fix my broken spirit, and my broken image. I ruined my image in school, and almost ruined my image before you. Forgive me. Give me mercy and show me how to let love be stronger than lust…

Then I heard a crackle in the distance, footsteps and laughter. Damn, Pawly. Don’t tell me you are feeling bad about getting some stank from Lizzy girl. I am sure God knows the needs of the men he created, Rick said in his preachers bellow. Rick was always a skeptic of faith, and made it his daily agenda to bust my chops about it. He never had any shame in saying what was on his mind, no matter how crude. Rick got in trouble in school a lot for running his mouth, but coach said as long as he humbly took and served every detention he earned, he could stay on the wrestling team. Rick was our champion three years running for the 132lb weight class. If he kept his grades slightly above average, he was a shoo-in for a college scholarship.

C’mon, Rick. You know we didn’t go all the way, and stop calling it ‘stank’. You make Lizzy sound like a slut. I darted my eyes in Rick’s direction, I watched him light a cigarette, and kick the tire swing hanging from a nearby tree.

He coughed out a billow of smoke, Um, I can name four guys that say they went all the way with Lizzy, and that is just the guys that would admit to it. Ya’ girl ain’t no saint, Preacher. If you had your heart set on Virgin Mary, you got your prayer wires crisscrossed.

She’s changed. Some people are capable of growth, unlike others, I snapped back.

I got growth where is counts, boy! Rick grabbed the crotch of his pants and laughed. His cigarette still dangling from his lips. His gesture created a roll of laughter from Sam and Bucky.

Shut up, ya’ll. Seriously. I ain’t in the mood for ya’ bull tonight, I said bitterly.

Then why you here? Go home if you are going to be a damn baby. It’s not our fault you can’t compete in the match on Saturday. Get out of ya’ feelings and grow a pair. Get over it, Rick’s harsh words stung at my pride and I clenched my fists.

Leave him alone. I’d be pissed too, Bucky chimed in. Bucky was always the referee. He never overreacted about anything and was always focused, always calm. His large stature made him well equipped to be the bouncer and body guard during our squabbles. He had a naivety about him that made him another easy target for Rick, but Rick’s comments never seemed to bother him. Bucky wasn’t the best student, and sometimes I think his ignorance was a big part of his bliss and easy going nature. You can’t get hurt by what you don’t understand.

Right, George. When have you ever been pissed? Anyway, I am feeling salty myself, seeing as though our best 120lb wrestler is going to be benched for the most important match of the season. If we don’t make it to states, Pawly, I’m holding you personally responsible, bro. For real, Rick took wrestling seriously. His family wasn’t the kind that could pay for college. He needed wrestling, because it was his ticket out of this small town.

Don’t call Bucky, George. You just worry about busting some serious butt on that mat on Saturday, Rick. You always bring it home for us. You don’t need me, I hung my head and prodded the fire with a long branch.

You’re right, Lennie, about one thing. I am going to tear up that mat on Saturday, Rick ran his hands through his light brown curls.

Oh. Someone has been doing his English homework! Sam spoke up.

"Of Mice and Men was from freshman year, dumb, dumb. Maybe, Bucky over here is still trying to finish it, but that reference is from retention, son. Anyway, when I get colleges sending me offers in the mail every week, it reminds me to hit the books every now and then," Rick slyly smiled out of the side of his mouth.

Man, it must be nice to be getting colleges coming to you, Sam sounded withdrawn, almost as if he were just talking to himself. I don’t even know if I want to go to college. What’s the point if you don’t even know what you want to do?

To wrestle and hook up with hot college girls, duh, Rick said as he jumped into the open hole of the tire swing. He always knew how to lighten the mood.

We all chuckled and nodded in approval. College was sounding pretty amazing right about now. We were all half way through our junior year of high school, and smack dab in the middle of wrestling season. Scouts were at every match, and teachers were on our backs in every class. The pressure was weighing down on all of us. I looked around the camp fire at each one of my brothers. We were all wearing our letter jackets, and I couldn’t help but think how far we have all come. I remember when we were all little boys riding bikes, and playing tag. Now, Rick has a five o’clock shadow, Bucky is 6’4" and 275lbs., and we are all vying for a spot on any college wrestling team. I looked over at Sam. His eyes were fixed on the blazing wood.

Hey, man. You alright? You lookin’ at that fire like it’s a pool of water you want to jump into, I prodded half-jokingly.

Yeah, man. I am alright. Just wondering what would be better, burning to death, or freezing to death. I bet either way, you get numb at some point and stop feeling the pain, Sam just continued to stare at the flames.

Man. You are always saying some weird shit. You really know how to bring down the mood with your talk about death. Guess what? Both ways, you die. So, both sound horrible, Rick nudged my arm to change the subject, but I hesitated. I couldn’t help but stare at Sam who was still just staring at the fire.

Yo, Sam? I wanted to get Sam talking about something else, anything else.

Yeah, Paul? Sam just continued to gaze into the flames.

How are things with ya girl? Jess, right? Sam turned his stare away from the fire and fixed it on me. He looked at me with squinted eyes as if to assess if I was baiting him into a trap.

We are good. She is trippin’ right now, cuz I’m hanging with you guys, but she always gets over it. Sam was still squinting at me, waiting for my response.

You get any booty yet? Cuz you know she gives it up to like everyone else, Rick rang out in laughter.

She learned it from your mom, I teased back at Rick knowing that Sam never would. I saw Sam fix his eyes on the flames again. Why does Rick always have to be such a jerk? I thought.

Why you gotta bring my Mama into this? Man, you know I love my Mama. Rick puckered his lip and turned away to light another cigarette. All I could see was a dim orange flicker swinging back and forth on the tire swing.

Hey guys. It’s getting late. We should probably go home and let Rick get some beauty sleep. I stood up and kicked the log at the top of the pile, and all of the tinder below dissolved into flickering coals.

You are just jealous of my luscious locks, Rick teased and ran his hand through his curly mane.

You are right. I am pretty beat, Sam stood up and stuck his hands in his pockets, staring at his feet, and kicking the rock in front of his sneaker.

Bucky pushed on Sam’s shoulder and made him look up. They nodded at each other.

We all took a leak on the fire and made our way home.

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Get up!

A loud whisper jolted me from a sound sleep. I looked around my room in a fear stricken panic, but I was alone. Is that you Lord? I thought.

Get up.

I threw my blanket off of my legs and leapt from my bed. Then I heard the sirens. I saw the red and blue lights flooding my room. What in the world? I said out loud as I rushed to my window. I squinted hard to try and see. I looked toward the wood line, in the direction of the pit. I saw someone standing and staring into the woods. I grabbed my letter jacket and ran outside. The flashing lights were getting closer. The town fire department, police cruisers, and ambulances were turning into this development.

The person who was standing outside of the woods was now crumpled in a ball on the ground. As I got closer to the crumpled mass, I immediately recognized her. It was Sam’s sister Isobel.

Bella? I shouted over the sirens. She didn’t move, but I could hear her muffled sobs.

I heard footsteps encroaching, and when I looked up, I saw a crowd of people. They all looked like shadows standing against the bright lights of the ambulance, fire trucks, and police cruisers. I could see the outline of two broad shouldered young men in letterman jackets.

Bella, what is it? I urged her to speak.

Samson, is all she could muster, then she lifted her shaking hand and pointed toward the pit.

No. I whispered in disbelief as I sprinted into the woods.

It was dark near the pit and I could barely make out the shadows around me. Sam! I shouted hoping he would answer. The only answer I heard was silence. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears. Then, something grazed my shoulder. I looked up and that’s when I saw him.

Oh, God! Oh, God! No! I was screaming. Sam’s lifeless body dangled from the tree above me. Right above the smoldering fire pit. I hit my knees just below my brother’s feet. Hot tears