Lizz made giddy noises.
‘I can help you,’ said Marco. He gave a chilling smile. ‘I’ve got loads of ideas!’
A hundred metres of madness
Steven bit down on a block of ice. Shards of it shot from his mouth. He couldn’t contain his excitement.
‘Better?’ he asked. His eyes were wide. ‘I can do better! I can frighten somebody else with fire-crackers. More crackers. Perhaps a cop or somebody!’
Marco shook his head. He got up, approaching confidently. He placed his hands on Steven’s shoulders. And looked him straight in the eye.
‘No, Steven. That isn’t really what I had in mind,’ said Marco. ‘You’re not thinking big enough.’
Steven frowned.
‘You did the fire-cracker thing. The next video should take things a step further …’
‘You mean like rockets?’ Steven asked. He sounded unsure.
Marco shook his head.
Rudi didn’t want to know what was to follow.
‘Something completely different. Something crazy!’ said Marco. ‘I think you should run the hundred metres.’
‘I can do that,’ said Steven. ‘I’m quite fast. But that isn’t crazy …’
‘Yes, but you are going to do it barefoot … on a track laden with mouse traps …’
‘Wha-a-at?’ cried Steven.
Marco seemed pleased. ‘It’s a good idea. It might hurt, but it sounds like loads of fun. That’s something I’d watch on YouTube. Other people will too.’
Rudi could see Steven was considering the proposal. He wasn’t really going to do it … was he?
‘Okay!’ cried Steven. ‘Where will we find enough mouse traps for a hundred metres of total madness?’
‘Ouch, damn!’
‘Is he crazy?’
‘Auuuw!’
These were the words Rudi heard most of all. The whole school knew about the new video.
And Steven and his friends received a new name: the Vidiots.
Rudi wasn’t sure he liked the name.
He also wasn’t sure why he was considered as one of the Vidiots.
He was merely the cameraman.
He didn’t even like the job. He didn’t like being in Marco’s company. Marco was something of a slime ball.
But Steven kept on nagging. Until he agreed.
‘Did you seen the Vidiots?’
At first Rudi thought the girl was speaking to him, but she was talking to a friend. Another one joined them. They huddled together around the mobile phone.
They were watching the new video.
Rudi heard Marco encouraging Steven:
‘Come on, Steven. Run! Get your knees up, bro!’
Steven sounded like a cat on a hot tin roof.
He moaned and groaned terribly.
Eventually the mousetraps stopped snapping.
But Steven was still swearing.
Rudi knew what was to happen next – a close-up: Steven’s red toes filling the screen.
A mousetrap hanging from every second toe.
Always one step further
Steven was a SUPERSTAR!
Or so he thought.
Rudi couldn’t believe it. It was only a video about mousetraps. And somebody crazy enough to dash over them.
But Rudi couldn’t argue. Everybody was watching the video on YouTube. It spread like a virus.
The links to the video was everywhere: on Facebook, Twitter …
‘Why are you so quiet?’ Rudi’s mom asked. They were in a shopping mall. It was very busy.
‘I’m thinking,’ he answered.
‘Oh, should I be worried? Is it about school? Girls?’
Rudi smiled. ‘No, Mom! It’s Steven. And the videos.’
‘You should be careful,’ she said. ‘I’m not racing to a hospital because of a silly video.’
‘You know I’m always careful, Mom.’
She gave his hand a little squeeze. He winked at her. Smiled.
‘I’m off to the music shop,’ said Rudi, before his mom could ask any more questions. ‘I’ll meet you there. I want to buy Hot Head’s new CD.’
Hot Head was Rudi’s favourite indie band. He had all their CDs.
That was something he and Lizz had in common. They both liked Hot Head’s music.
One of these days he would get to see the band play live. They were booked for the school’s annual rock concert. Rudi couldn’t wait.
As he made his way to the CD shop, a text message arrived. He pulled his phone from his pocket.
The message was from Marco.
500,000 HITS! THE NEXT ONE WILL BE CRAZIER.
Rudi didn’t know if he should be happy. Perhaps.
Marco’s words from that very first day came back to him: The next video should take things a step further …
It made Rudi uncomfortable.
Every video would be more dangerous than the previous one.
Today fire-crackers …
Tomorrow mousetraps …
Then … what?
What’s inside the box?
‘Isn’t Lily with you?’ asked Steven.
‘What?’ asked Rudi.
He came strolling across the school’s empty parking bay. It was a Saturday afternoon. They were to meet Marco there.
‘Lily. Your sister!’ Steven tried again. ‘I thought she would join you. To come and watch, you know.’‘You leave my sister alone, Steven,’ protested Rudi. ‘I can see what’s going on. You think she likes you. Or you think she will like you if she sees the weird stuff you get up to. But she’s not that kind of girl. Forget about her.’
‘But …’
‘But nothing!’ Rudi said decidedly. ‘If you two should ever hook up, it will mess with our friendship.’
Steven ruffled his wild hair. He seemed a bit peeved. But Rudi didn’t care. He was glad Steven knew how he felt.
Rudi fiddled with his video camera. He wasn’t in the mood to make another video. But he was doing it for Steven.
And to ensure that Lizz and Marco didn’t get too friendly with each other …
Marco headed their way. He carried a glass cage and a box.
‘What are we doing today?’ asked Steven.
‘You’re quite nosey!’ said Marco. He put the glass cage and box down. He gave Steven a sideways glace. Then he smiled slyly.
‘Are you ready for your next video, guys?’ He indicated to the box. It was made of stiff brown cardboard. The word DANGER! was written on the side.
Marco drummed his fingers on the lid.
Something moved inside …
Rudi shot a scared-looking glance at Steven.
What was inside the box?
Marco got hold of the lid.
He raised it …
Slowly.
Then Rudi and Steven saw …
In the darkened belly of the box, a snake lay, all curled up.
Sturdy body. Orange scales with dark circles along the back. About a metre long.
Steven watched in horror. ‘Is the thing poisonous?’ he asked.
‘Who knows,’ said Marco. ‘We’ll find out soon enough …’
‘What?’ cried Rudi and Steven.
‘Did Marco tell you about the next video?’ Lizz shouted from a distance. She came running, a skateboard in her hands.
Rudi’s heart missed a beat. Damn, she was pretty. That smile … It could melt an iceberg.
Rudi pulled himself together.
He stared down at the skateboard. ‘And this?’
‘It’s my brother’s,’ said Lizz. ‘But you may borrow it for the video. Will you also be making an appearance on camera today, Rudi?’
‘No thanks,’ he said firmly. ‘I feel much safer behind the scenes.’
Lizz laughed. She probably thought he was a sissy. But Rudi didn’t care. He didn’t know what Marco had planned. Whatever it was – he was glad he didn’t have to do it.
Lizz fell in beside Marco. She placed her hand around his waist. He ki
ssed her on the forehead.
Rudi felt sick. Because of this video thing … and for Lizz and Marco’s sake. She had fallen head over heels in love with him.
Damn Marco!
‘Today you’re going to jump over the snake with a skateboard, Steven.’
Marco said it as if it was dead easy. ‘The glass box will give us a better view of the snake. That’s real scary. See how pale Rudi is already …’
Is Marco ridiculing him? wondered Rudi. He didn’t do a thing about it, but he thought: The piece of filth.
‘People would love it,’ Marco carried on.
‘I can’t ride a skateboard,’ Steven said softly.
‘Even better!’ cried Marco. ‘People want to see ordinary guys do extraordinary stuff.’
‘I don’t know,’ said Steven.
‘You don’t have to if you don’t want to,’ Rudi said to Steven. He was also worried. It sounded very dangerous.
‘Don’t listen to the party pooper, Steven,’ said Marco.
Party pooper! Rudi was getting angry again.
Marco placed his hands on Steven’s shoulders. He stared him straight in the eyes.
‘Think about your fans. The Vidiots are a big hit. And it is going to get bigger.’
Marco gave the words time to sink in.
Then he added: ‘You’re not scared, are you, Steven?’
Trouble
The trick went wrong. Terribly wrong.
Rudi was shaking when it happened. He couldn’t believe it. He tried to keep the camera steady.
Then he thought: Forget the video. Go and help your pal!
Steven’s cries echoed against the school buildings.
Rudi put the camera down. Almost too hard.
‘Are you okay, Steven?’ cried Rudi as he ran closer.
He kicked the stuff they’d used for the ramp out of his way. The floorboards and bricks shifted over the concrete floor.
The skateboard was now lying to the side.
The ground lay covered in pieces of glass from the cage.
Steven crawled away from the snake.
Startled, it curled up on the concrete. It’s mouth open. Black eyes flashing. It didn’t seem as if it was hurt. But it wasn’t happy.
In his head Rudi replayed everything. The training run was okay. But they didn’t use the snake then. The second try was a nightmare.
Steven’s forehead gleamed with sweat.
Marco announced the video.
He was full of bravado.
He asked if Steven was ready.
Steven dropped his head.
He gathered his courage.
Then he pushed off.
Everything happened so fast.
He struck the ramp.
At an angle, not straight like in the training run.
Arms and legs waving.
The skateboard tipped.
The floorboards shifted off the bricks.
Steven flew.
Steven fell.
The cage broke.
The snake underneath him …
‘Oh, don’t make such a scene,’ said Marco. ‘It was incredible! You were incredible, Steven!’
Rudi helped his friend up. There was blood on his elbow. More blood streamed down his arm.
Marco picked the snake up. He caressed its scaly body. It made hissing noises.
He held the snake’s head beside his own. He positioned it for Rudi and Steven to see. Pretending to be the snake, he whispered: ‘I’m just a little old corn snake. I won’t bite you, Steven. I strangle my pray … and I only eat rats …’
Drowning in Old Spice
The next Monday, before school, Rudi was waiting for Lizz to arrive. He needed to talk to her alone. Some place where Marco wasn’t present.
‘Can I have a word?’ he asked when she finally came.
She nodded. He took her to a quiet place. The staircase near the library.
‘What’s up, Rudi?’ asked Lizz. ‘Is something bothering you?’
Rudi sighed heavily. ‘I don’t know why you’re hooking up with him, Lizz.’ His voice was cold.
‘Who?’
‘Marco. That weirdo with the black motorbike.’
‘He isn’t a weirdo,’ snapped Lizz.
‘What do you see in him?’
‘Why? Are you jealous?’
‘I’m just saying, Lizz. That guy is rubbish. I’ve finished with him.’
‘I’m not. I like him, okay, Rudi?’ She crossed her arms. ‘You don’t understand him. He is a great guy. He cares for me. Not like the other boyfriends I’ve had.’
I’ll also care for you. But you have to give me a chance, Liz, thought Rudi.
His heart felt crushed.
He couldn’t say it.
‘Watch out for him, Liz,’ Rudi said eventually. ‘He’s as slippery as that snake of his.’
‘Don’t worry. I’m a big girl, Rudi. I can look after myself.’ She gave a quick laugh. ‘It is sweet of you to worry. You’re like a big brother …’
Rudi shook his head. He didn’t want to be her brother. He wanted …
‘Look who’s coming,’ Lizz cried suddenly.
Steven was approaching. He playfully threw his arms wide open. ‘Autographs later, people. Let me get the load off first!’
Lizz made room next to her. ‘How is your arm? It looked kind of sore.’
‘Oh, I’ll live,’ sighed Steven. He plopped down alongside her.
A cloud of aftershave hung around him.
‘Phew!’ choked Lizz. She pinched her nose.
Rudi also pulled a face. ‘What’s this, buddy? Had a dip in your dad’s Old Spice?’
‘Gross,’ said Lizz. ‘Who still wears Old Spice today? It’s so last century!’
Steven just smiled. Rudi and Lizz’s words didn’t bother him. ‘I’m doing it for the girls,’ he said in a mysterious manner.
‘Do you want to gas them?’ Lizz asked.
‘No, I want to blow them away!’
‘Well, it works. You blew us away … but not in a good sense.’ Lizz let go of her nose, gasping for breath.
‘Well, I have good news today. Good news and VERY good news,’ said Steven.
‘Oh dear,’ sighed Rudi.
As if announcing a wrestling match, Steven let it rip: ‘First the good news. I’m completely over your sister, Rudi,’ he said. ‘There are many fish in the sea. That is where the VERY good news comes in. You should see! All the girls are checking me out.’
‘Really?’ asked Rudi.
‘Yes! It’s all because of those videos. I was mad at Marco for that last video. But you should see what the girls are writing on YouTube.’
‘Oh, no!’ Rudi sighed again. He could see where this conversation was heading.
‘They think I’m sexy!’ Steven pushed his chest out. ‘Sexy with a capital S!’
‘Well, what do you know!’ laughed Lizz. ‘And if they could smell you, they would reckon you stink. Stink with a capital S!’
Friends you can do without
HEY BRO, I’VE GOT ANOTHER GREAT IDEA FOR A VIDEO. PHONE ME.
WHY SO QUIET? I’VE GOT A CRAZY PLAN FOR VIDIOTS VIDEO. PHONE ME.
WHAT’S UP? BRO???
Marco was now sending Rudi a message every day.
Marco even went to Rudi’s home. He hammered on the door. But Rudi didn’t open it.
He didn’t care what Marco thought. Why would he? He didn’t need his friendship.
The Vidiots was now a thing of the past for him.
It had been a bad idea from the start.
From now on he would make videos of other stuff.
Safer stuff like …
The swimming pool?
Orange juice?
The book case?
The pimples on his face?
Rudi groaned. That again was too boring.
He stared at his camera.
The battery was dead. He didn’t even care to charge it.
Rudi shook his head.
Perhaps it wasn’t such a great present after all. He should’ve rather asked his parents for a PlayStation.
The rock concert
The sports grounds were already thundering when Rudi arrived. The rock concert was an annual event. A fund-raiser, the principal called it. Many of the teachers were on duty, but it was still fantastic.
The bands for the evening were:
Mortuary
Lost Child
Forgive Me
Hot Head
Zombie.
Hot Head was Rudi’s favourite. Zombie was a close second. They seemed dangerous with their scary masks. And they sang about creepy stuff. Rudi wondered if the principal knew.
‘There you are!’ cried Steven above the music. ‘I was looking everywhere.’
Rudi gave Steven a light sniff. Steven didn’t go overboard with the Old Spice again.
But something else was odd …
‘And that T-shirt?’ asked Rudi. He frowned.
Steven had on a white T-shirt. A life-sized picture of his own face was printed on it. An ignited fuse curled above his head. As if it was a fire-cracker. And to top it all, the word:
VITIODS
‘Wrong spelling. You switched the ‘t’ and the ‘d’,’ said Rudi.
‘Huh?’ groaned Steven. He swore under his breath. The loud music drowned it.
‘Oh, Steven …’ was all Rudi could say.
‘Did you bring your camera?’ asked Steven, the spelling error forgotten.
‘Why?’
‘We’re going to shoot another video, Rudi. Here! Tonight!’ Steven was shaking with excitement.
‘Is it one of Marco’s clever ideas again?’ asked Rudi.
Steven nodded. His eyes shone brightly. ‘That’s why I had the shirt made.’
‘What are you going to do?’
‘Wait till later, Rudi … you’ll see.’
Lose your pain
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