Veiled Deception

Chapter 1: Veiled Deception

Sarah arrived at school for the first time and was anxious about her upcoming initiation into the Phi-Gamma sorority just like her mom. She was, however, a good looking girl, she was smart and well-read, had a great sense of humor, an infectious sense for music, dance, theater and movies, could play the piano, read, write, paint, draw and sculpt. She was very popular, very smart, well liked and loved by everyone that knew her.

She was also very naïve and somewhat of a goody-goody, although she had an adventurous spirit and a bit of a wild side, which her parents never really understood. Her dad, who had been a fraternity man, thought she would do well in the sorority, but was a little concerned with the reputation it had earned over the last few years.

Her mom, on the other hand, was the daughter of the chapter president when she was there and knew all the ins and outs. She knew the secret handshake, the code words and all the things the sisters did that no one else was to know about, but they all did.

"Don't worry dear," she said to Sarah, "once you get past your initiation, you will have a wonderful time."

"You don't think there is any hazing involved, is there?" asked Sarah.

"No honey, not hazing, maybe a couple embarrassing tests, but no humiliation or anything like that," answered her mother.

The day before the initiation was to begin, Sarah was summoned to a special party. All the pledges were invited and a limousine came to take each one to the house.

"This is so exciting," thought Sarah as she went downstairs.

As the car drove up, the door opened and a young man dressed as a chauffeur stepped out.

"Ms. Sarah Summers?" he inquired.

"Yes," answered Sarah.

"Your carriage awaits," he said.

Sarah smiled as he took her arm, helped her inside, closed the door and then ran around the front and started the motor. Sarah looked around the back seat, admiring the soft leather, the cool drinks and the fresh flowers. As she sat back and took a deep breath, the chauffeur opened his phone and dialed.

"Ms. Summers has departed, Mistress," he said and hung up.

Sarah relaxed and soon they pulled up in front of the sorority house and the chauffeur got out and let her out. He escorted her to the front door, knocked and then returned to the car and left. The door was answered by an older woman, who looked familiar to Sarah.

"Ms. Summers I believe," she stated.

"Yes, is this Phi-Gamma," queried Sarah.

"Indeed it is. My name is Mrs. Anderson, I am the chapter advisor, come in."

Sarah followed the woman down a hallway and stopped at a doorway.

"Please go through here, change into the gown that is hanging there and meet the others in the next room, where refreshments are waiting," instructed Mrs. Anderson.

"OK, thank you," replied Sarah.

Sarah entered the room, found the white robe, took off her clothes, put it on, tied the sash, walked to the next door, reached out and then hesitated.

"Oh well," she thought, turned the knob and entered.

All the pledges were standing around, talking quietly to each other. Sarah recognized most of them, having attended some of the mixers, picnics and fund raisers. Soon the sisters entered the room and gathered around. There were 15 or 16 sorority members, most older than the pledges. They began welcoming the girls and passing out glasses of wine. Then the president, Ms. Phillips, stood forth and spoke.

"Sisters and pledges, welcome and congratulations. Tomorrow night will be a momentous occasion, each one of you will enter a new phase of your life, one which will bring fun, adventure and fulfillment, not only for yourselves, but for each pledge. You will enter a world unlike anything you have ever experienced, a group of caring women, sworn to secrecy, yet sharing with the whole world their love for their fellowman, but for one of you, you will be honored at the highest position. Each pledge will undergo a test of sorts, designed to make sure you are right for our society. Tonight is a night of joy and peace, a night of relaxation and pleasure, tomorrow will be the beginning of a fantastic and memorable week, so drink, relax and enjoy."

Ms. Phillips raised her glass and the sisters and pledges clinked their glasses, drank, talked and mingled.