Chapter 22 - The fall of crystal lake

Tank stands up from where he had collapsed and moves into Alex's chem lab where he grabs 3 bottles of clear liquid. "Alex, what am I holding?" Tank asks hoarsely. "Red dot vodka, blue dot is rum." Alex says. "Either way it'll do." Tank says going outside and wrapping a chain around the gate. Tank then goes to the middle of the compound and starts a huge fire which he now drinks by. "Tank we aren't supposed to drink.'' Rat says, patting Tank's shoulder. "My little brother just died. I'm getting drunk." Tank says stifling his welling tears. "Everybody get fucked up tonight for Riley!" Tank roars and soon enough everyone stands around the fire except Jason who sits on a milk crate. Alex brings a large tub filled with various strong alcohols and sets it down. Rat watches all of them settle into a bottle. Shaking his head, Rat climbs the wall and starts what he assumes will be the first of a great many laps around the wall while he scans the area outside the wall. Tank finishes a bottle and grabs another crying quietly. "I remember before this fucked up world I woke up in. This fucked up world there was a time when Riley got tired of asking for rides to court and having to jump through hoops, so he went outside and busted a random car window in and sat down and waited. When the cops finally show up they ask him." Tank takes a large gulp of mystery booze and chuckles trying to keep a straight face. "What do you think you're doing? And you know what he says?" Tank drunkenly asks. "What does he say?" Marcy slurs as they all have been trying to keep up with the larger boy and are getting drunker very fast. "Calling a cab!" Tank roars with laughter. "I remember this dude stuck me in a closet right." Alex says after a moment and Thomas shakes his head. "Oh I remember." The brown haired and large though not nearly as much as Tank boy says. "I'm crying and stuff thinking well dude this fuckin sucks and the next sound I hear is BOOM!" Alex says, clapping loudly. "He bashed my head so hard into that door it split." Thomas confirms with embarrassment. "Door swings open and Riley is standing there staring at me and he says, 'about time you come out the closet loser' like nothing." Alex laughs wrapping an arm around Tank as the drunken duo bellow with laughter. "I remember the very first time I saw Riley." Marcy says taking a large sip of what debatably could be paint thinner. "He was smoking a cigarette on top of a pile of school bullies while the police showed up, like he didn't give a single shit in the world." Marcy laughs sadly. "I remember when I first joined the 13 clan. I had such horrible nightmares, and when i'd wake up afraid and fighting Riley would be there rocking me gently and telling me I was safe." Jessica chugs the rest of her bottle and grabs another. "I always feel safer when Riley is here." Jessica admits to many agreeing nods. "I don't believe Riley is dead." Marie says, stumbling to her feet. "I agree completely with Marie." Rat, the only sober one among them, says as he is passing by them. "And when he gets back he will be pissed." Rat says, nodding. The others continue drinking and reminiscing. "I remember my boyfriend was beating the crap out of me, and Riley showed up out of nowhere drop kicking him and boy did Riley beat his ass badly. I thought he was going to kill him." Marie says, staring at the horizon's dying light. "What happened after that?" Tank slurs. "I yelled at him and slapped him like a dumb jerk." Marie sighs. "I remember complaining about my car and being stuck in a contract. The next thing I know there goes Riley smashing my car into a tree." Mrs King chuckles. "Riley may have done it in extremes but he was always there when we needed him." Rat says crouching on the wall's edge. "So why the fuck are none of us here for him?" Rat asks angrily. The others' heads fall heavy with shame. "Go sleep, eat and sober up because we owe it to him to save his ass or claim his body." Rat says. Slowly everyone rises and moves to their beds. "Do you really believe he is alive?" Jason slurs staring at Rat. "he will be the last man standing." Rat says firmly. "If he isn't i killed him didn't i?" Jason asks staring at Rat. "not even you can come up with a way to end him and you want to know why Jason?" Rat asks staring at Jason for a long moment. "Tell me already rat." Jason groans. "You cant kill what is already dead Riley died a long ass time ago his body just keeps moving, dude is turning into something you cant fucking kill little man." Rat says smiling with confidence. "What is that?" Jason asks curiously as others not yet in their house listen intently. "The killer of hordes, survivor of bites, master of all trades, and savior of the 13." Rat smiles at the shocked faces of the others when they learn Riley had been bitten. "In short he is a legend and those never die." Rat says grasping his little brothers arm. Turning to the few remaining drunks Rat beams. "All you need to worry about is Rule 10." Rat laughs. Every one looks curiously at Rat. they knew the rules of the book of Jason by heart and hadn't heard this one. "What is rule 10?" Jessica asks swaying. "Don't fuck with Riley." Rat says grinning.