#jim would lose his effing mind

[bardicious]

Me, thinking of this guy:

[cleocat246]

Star Trek Chapter 4

Summary: Hailey Pike, a Starfleet officer, and daughter, goes through Life and Space while trying to help as many people as she can. With species and events trying to destroy mankind and everything in existence. She has to save the people she loves and also the universe with the help of new friends and crew members. 

=============================================

Jim, Spock, and I were getting everything we needed to go aboard the Narada. We walked to the transporter room as Sulu took us to Earth, where the Narada was drilling a hole into the planet.

"How are we, Scotty?" Jim asks as Spock, and I walk onto the Padd with Uhura and Cyrus behind us.

"Be careful, okay?" Cyrus says while putting his hands on my shoulders. I nod and hug him, which makes him hug me back. He hugs me tighter and kisses my head when Jim gets onto the Padd.

When we pull away from each other, Spock and Uhura were having an intimate moment together. They pull apart from their kiss as Spock says, "I will be back."

"You better be. I'll be monitoring your frequency." They kiss one last time.

"Thank you, Nyota." Uhura looks at us then leaves with Cyrus right behind her.

"So her first name's Nyota?" Jim asks, looking over at Spock, "I have no comment on the matter." I snort, leaning forward a little. Jim looked kinda peeved but didn't say anything else on the matter. 

"I KNEW you were in cahoots with each other!" I declared, making Spock look over at me with a smug look and a raised eyebrow. I stand up straight with a smirk on my face.

'I effing knew it!'

Right!

"Okey-dokey then. If there's any common sense in the enemy ship's design, I should be putting you somewhere in the cargo bay. There shouldn't be a soul in sight." Scotty says as I take a deep breath in then out.

"Energize."

Once we were beamed onto the Narada, Romulans started running at us, screaming, "No soul in sight, my ass!" I yell as I shoot at one and dodge another. We started running in a random direction while getting shot at. 

We hide behind a half-metal wall and start shooting at everyone coming for us. After looking around and seeing everyone down, Jim starts talking towards Spock, "We'll cover ya." I nod while standing and looking around. I had my phaser up and ready to shoot anyone that comes into my line of sight.

"Are you certain?" 

"Yeah, we got you," I say as he moves to an injured Romulan and mind-melds with him.

"Do you know where it is? The black hole device?" Jim asks after we shoot another Romulan coming up on Spock. 

"And Captain Pike." Spock finishes and looks at us; we nod as Spock starts leading the way.

We then came upon a white circular shaped ship. Running up the ramp and inside, we look around as Spock walks through a door, "I foresee a complication. The design of this ship is far more advanced than I've anticipated." 

The computer then starts talking, "Voiceprint and face recognition analysis enabled. Welcome back, Ambassador Spock." We were in what looked like to be a flight deck with the black hole device. It was red matter - why didn't I think of this before!

"Wow, that's weird," Jim says, not sounding that convincing, and starts walking again. Spock stays where he's at as he asks, "Computer, what is your manufacturing origin?"

"Stardate twenty-three eighty-seven. Commissioned by the Vulcan Science Academy." The computer answers, making Spock raise his eyebrows and turns to Jim, "It appears that you have been keeping important information from me."

"You'll be able to fly this thing, right?" Jim asks, turning to us. 

"Something tells me I already have."

"Good luck," Jim says, turning to leave and grabbing my hand but stops. "Jim, the statistical likelihood that our plan will succeed is less than four point three percent."

"It'll work," Jim says. "In the event that I do not return, please tell Lieutenant Uhura..." Spock starts, but I cut him off, "Spock, it'll work." I put my hands on his shoulders and squeeze, giving him a smile. I then turn and grab Jim's hand making our way out to stop the drill and find my father. 

Jim and I were going down this metal tunnel but stop after finding Nero on a high platform. We point our phasers at him as Jim whispers to me, "Go find your father."

"Are you sure?" Not taking my eyes off the Romulan. "Yes, now go," Jim says as he walks closer to Nero. I nod and then take off down a corridor to find my father. Please be safe, Jim!

It was a little while, but I finally found my father, who looked half dead. My eyes started watering, but I shake my head and get back to the task at hand. Once over at my father, I shake him awake. 

He opens his eyes and struggles on his restraints, "Hey, it's just me, dad! I'm not going to hurt you."

"Hailey, what are you doing here." I could tell he was trying to use his dad voice, but it wasn't working. I put my phaser down to get the restraints off of him, but before I could do that and answer him, someone grabbed me, "Hailey!" 

I was pulled back by my hair and thrown into a wall, then a kick to the back. Yelping, I roll out of the way and spin, kicking the legs of my attacker. He stumbles back while I get up and kick him in the stomach, making him fall back. 

Before I could get any closer to him, another pair of arms wrapped around me, holding my arms down. I leaned forward and then back, bashing my head into the Romulan's face and nose. He lets go, and I back kick him in the stomach. By this time, my first attacker has gotten up and was charging at me.

I also run at him but at the last second slide on the ground under his legs. Grabbing them, making him fall, I climb on him and grab his neck, about to bash his head onto the metal ground but was caught in a pair of arms. 

I was picked up into the air as the Romulan I was on got up and grabbed my legs. I fought and struggled, but they didn't budge from their hold.

I kept hearing my father's voice shouting for me and at the Romulans that held me. Their grip never lessened, and I couldn't get them off, so I tried wrapping my legs around the Romulan's waist. I planned to knock their heads together, but it was futile in the end. He could tell what I was doing, so he brought both my legs together and put them under his right arm, and held fast with both arms.

Well, that didn't work - shit. 

'Need help?'

"Yes, please!" I yell, making my attackers confused, but before they could say anything, a beast came out of the gem around my neck and attacked the one at my legs.

(Not my picture but this is what Solani looks like; couldn’t find the owner. Credit to them though)

He screams in pain as the other Romulan leaves me, making me fall hard on the ground with a grunt. A phaser shot was them heard, and the Romulan behind me fell to the ground, dead. Footsteps came running up to me but stopped once a growl was heard.

"What the hell!?" Jim yells, stumbling back a little. "Hey, Solani, no," I order while stumbling up. She calms down but then looks behind us and runs, attacking another Romulan.

"That... what... hell?" Jim gasped out in slight fear as I just shake my head, going over to my father. Seeing me get to work on the restraints makes Jim jump into action and helps me, as Solani attacks Romulan after Romulan.

"What are you doing here?" Once my father was up and in our arms, I call Solani, and she runs to me, getting back into the gem around my neck.

"Just following orders." Jim says, "Enterprise go!" Beams of lights flash around us as we get transported back onto the Enterprise. We look over and see Spock looking at us.

"Nice timing, Scotty," Jim says as we walk off the Padd and bones coming in with nurses grabbing my father. Jim, Spock, and I walk to the Bridge as my father gets taken to MedBay. 

"Captain, the enemy ship is losing power. Their shields are down, sir." Chekov says while we walk in. "Hail them now," Jim says, walking to the screen with Spock and me. "Aye."

Nero appears on the screen as a black hole materializes in the Narada, destroying the ship slowly, "This is Captain James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise. Your ship is compromised. Your too close to the singularity to provide assistance, which we will provide."

Spock looks at Jim before whispering to him, "Captain, what are you doing?"

"Showing them compassion may be the only way to earn peace with Romulus. It's logical, Spock. Thought you'd like that."

"No, not really. Not this time." Spock shakes his head as I agree with him.

"I would rather suffer the end of Romulus a thousand times. I would rather die in agony than accept assistance from you." Nero then yells at us.

"You got it," Jim says, walking to the Captain's chair as I give the Romulan a thumps up, "Arm phasers, fire everything we got."

"Yes, sir," Sulu says while arming the phasers and shooting the Narada ship. The black hole sucks the ship in as we all grab onto something feeling our ship gets pulled, "Sulu, let's go home!"

"Yes, sir!" Sulu exclaims, but the ship doesn't move forward, only back towards the black hole. "Why aren't we at warp?" Jim asks as Chekov replies, "We are, sir."

"Kirk to engineering. Get us out of here, Scotty." Jim says over the comms.

"You bet your arse, Captain." Scotty yells over the comm from engineering, "Captain, we're caught in the gravity well! It's got us!"

"Go to maximum warp. Push it!"

"I'm giving her all that she's got, Captain?" Scotty replies as the Bridge screen starts cracking. "All she's got isn't good enough. What else you got?"

An idea pops into my head as I run to Jim and start talking to Scotty, "If you eject the core and detonate, the blast could be enough to push us away!"

"Well, lass, that could work!" Scotty yells, "You are brilliant!" 

Jim then starts yelling at Scotty to do it as we get closer to the Blackhole. 

"GO!" Scotty yells.

Then multiple warp cores get launched at the Blackhole, making a shockwave appear, shaking the ship but pushing us to safety. As the Blackhole disappears and everyone is safe, we all start cheering. I smile down at Jim, to which he does the same, but he gets up and hugs me tightly. I embrace him back, laughing lightly.

===================================

A few days later, we were all at Starfleet attending a hearing about the events in the last couple of days. Jim was being promoted to Captain of the Enterprise, and I couldn't be more happy and proud!

'Calm down.'

Oh, shut up!

"This assembly calls Captain James Tiberius Kirk. Your inspirational valor and supreme dedication to your comrades are in keeping with the highest service traditions, and to reflect full credit to yourself, your crew, and the Federation, it is my honor to award you this commendation." Admiral Barnett says, putting a medal on Jim's red uniform, "By Starfleet Order two-eight four five-five, you are hereby directed to report to Admiral Pike, USS Enterprise, for duty as his relief."

Jim then walks over to my father, who was in a wheelchair, "I relieve you, sir." 

"I'm relieved."

"Thank you, sir." Jim says, smiling down at my father, who smiles back before saying, "Congratulations, Captain. Your father would be proud." Everybody starts applauding as Jim turns to them. I smile at him, which he reciprocates and walks over to me.

"So, Captain, how are you feeling?" I ask once he gets over to me. Everyone was talking amongst themselves and smiling. "Happy." He answers while a giant grin enters his face, "But I do know of something that would make me even happier."

"And what's that," I ask while smiling and leaning my head to the side. He smiles while just staring before looking down and then back up, saying, "Having dinner with you."

A grin breaks out on my face, and a blush dusts my cheeks, "I would love that." He smiles back. "Then it's a date." We stare at each other while the rest of the world fades away.

===================================

A couple of days later, Jim and I made our way onto the Bridge with his new uniform. The night of the assembly and Jim being promoted, we went out to dinner, and it was one of the best nights I've had. We just talked about everything and what we wanted in our futures. He learned that I didn't just have one brother but two. He told me that he also had a brother, but he hasn't seen him in years. He also learned about Solani and more about my species. We both had a good time and are planning on another date night in the very near future.

Cyrus decided to help rebuild New Vulcan and learn more about himself in the process. He wants to keep in better contact with me, so once or twice a week, we will be video calling and talking about everything.

"Captain on the Bridge." 

"Engineering thrusters and impulse engines at your command, sir," Sulu says. 

"Weapons systems and chutes on standby." Checkov says as Uhura swivels her chair towards us and says, "Dock control reports ready, Captain."

"Bones, buckle up," Jim says, slapping Bones on the shoulder, making me giggle. Jim then sits in the Captain's chair, "Scotty, how are we doin'?"

"Dilithium chambers at maximum, Captain," Scotty says before yelling at someone in engineering to get off something. 

"Mister Sulu, prepare to engage thrusters," Jim says as Spock enters the Bridge.

"Permission to come aboard, Captain," Spock asks. "Permission granted," Jim answers as he stands up. 

"As you have yet to select a first officer, respectfully, I would like to submit my candidacy. Should you desire, I can provide character references." Spock asks while smiling so tiny that you can't really see it, but you know it's there.

"It would be my honor, Commander," Jim says while smiling. "Aw, you two are finally getting along!" I teased, grinning at the two boys. They look at me before Jim pushes me lightly on the forehead, "Oh, shush you." He then sits in the Captain's chair as Spock, and I stand on either side of him. "Maneuvering thrusters, Mister Sulu."

"Thrusters on standby," Sulu says, pushing some buttons. "Take us out." "Aye aye, Captain." And we were off.

[In Prime Spock Voice] Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Her ongoing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new lifeforms and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before

[moonstruckbucky]

i still feel you

SUMMARY: Can you do a billy hargrove imagine based on the plot of ghost basically & it’s just super sad & gorgeous anyway thank you!!!

PAIRING: Billy Hargrove x Reader

WORD COUNT: 2.6k

WARNINGS: This is gonna get sad. Like, super effing sad. So have a box of tissues handy; language; dark thoughts/thoughts of suicide

AUTHOR’S NOTE: So the original request, as you can see above, asked for an imagine based off the movie Ghost. Since I’ve never seen the movie, I decided to take this in a different direction. Enjoy!

The rain came down in droves, pattering against the window as Billy stood before it. The sky was a deep grey, the clouds rolling on for miles in the distance. It matched his mood: bleak and dreary, and he was overall just numb. A storm was brewing inside of him, something dark and heavy and angry, and it took him clenching his fists into his dress pants to keep from putting a hole through his bedroom wall. He’d hate to explain that one to his landlord.

A soft knock rapped on his door, but he didn’t acknowledge Max as she poked her fiery head inside.

“Billy? We need to leave soon.” Her tone was soft and sympathetic, and it made him angry. She didn’t wait for a reply, just shut the door and left him to brood in silence.

The air inside the car on the ride to the church was thick and stagnant. Billy sat in the backseat while Max perched in the passenger seat; Susan was driving, and her presence was enough to make him want to shove open his door and fall right out of the moving car. Why the fuck was she here anyways?

He knew it was unfair, targeting her the way it was, but as far as he was concerned, if it hadn’t been for her he’d never be in this position in the first place. It was all her fucking fault. It wasn’t; it was his.

The neck of his dress shirt felt like it was choking him, tightening around his throat no matter how many times he adjusted it. The tightening feeling only increased as he followed Susan and Max into the church, and the sight of the flowers at the altar made him lose the breath in his lungs. This was too real.

He sat stiffly in the pew, his hands balled into fists on his thighs. His eyes never strayed from the photo they’d chosen of you to display above your casket. It was one of his favorites; your smile was wide, eyes bright. It was a photo taken on one of your family vacations with the mountains standing tall in the background. It was a perfect representation of you; wild, free, and unable to be tamed, kind of like him.

Once the pews were filled with your family, your friends, and other acquaintances in your life, the pastor began his service. Billy tuned out as he droned on and on about the Lord and His welcoming of you into his embrace. He fought off a scoff; you were about as religious as he was. Your parents all but forced you to attend church on Sunday mornings, and in turn, you’d dragged him with you if only so he could be within their good graces. The first break in the service, the two of you would duck out for a quickie in one of the choir rooms, a sculpted Jesus on the cross overlooking you.

Billy smiled softly at the memory, feeling his eyes blur a bit the longer he stared at your smiling face. Then it abruptly dropped. It’s your fault she’s gone.

He let out a shuddering breath, bowing his head to prevent anyone from seeing him lose his cool. Billy was nothing if not the picture of masculinity; he didn’t cry, he didn’t beg. But as your sister stood to give her eulogy, a beautiful piece of work in his opinion that nailed you down to a T, he felt his resolve slipping. He flinched when Max’s hand reached over to curl around his, loose enough that he could pull away if he wanted. But he didn’t; he welcomed the touch and he tightened his hand around his sister’s.

You had loved Max and he secretly loved that the two of you got on so well. You were so quick to put him in his place whenever he’d snap at the younger girl or yell or call her a rude name. It, in turn, taught Max how to stand up for herself, and quickly enough, you had rubbed off on her. Even Billy wasn’t safe from a verbal lashing from the feisty redheaded.

The rest of the service was agony for Billy. The atmosphere was still thick, and the sniffles that echoed as eulogies were read made everything real for him.

But nothing compared to the pain in his chest when, at the cemetery, they began to lower your casket into the ground, floral arrangements and all. It felt as if a vice had been wrapped around his heart and was squeezing. Blood rushed in his ears and he found himself stumbling to his knees to the chorus of a few choked sobs. Billy himself may not have been very well liked, but no one could deny the absolute love he felt for you, and watching him break down at your grave site brought tears to every eye present. He curled into the grass, full-on ugly crying into the turf, disregarding his now soiled dress pants and jacket. 

The service had been concluded for thirty minutes before Billy finally pulled himself into a sitting position. Max and Susan stood at a distance, their faces wet with tears as they stood under an umbrella, as they watched Billy fall apart for the first time ever. He sat by the open grave site for another fifteen minutes before he wiped his nose on his jacket sleeve and staggered to his feet.

God he needed a drink.

He did just that after Susan dropped him off at home. Despite his previous surliness towards his stepmom, he just nodded sagely when she told him she’d be there if he needed anything. Inside his apartment, his breathing hitched. Everywhere he looked reminded him of you; the throw pillows on the couch over which the two of you had argued for twenty minutes in the store. Billy had been unable to comprehend the need for such silly things in the first place.

“Because Billy,” you’d whined, “they’re pretty and decorative!”

He’d rolled his eyes hard enough that he almost saw the back of his head, but smiled at the wide-eyed insistent look on your face. Like with most things, he gave in to you, and he ended up with four throw pillows on his yard-sale couch.

With another strangled cry he picked up one of the pillows and hurled it across the room, raking his hands through his short hair. At your insistence, and a cruel joke that the mullet was rapidly going out of style, he cut it, leaving it short on the sides and longer on top. Even his haircut had you written all over it.

With a muttered fuck it, Billy turned right around and left the apartment. He walked to the closest bar, a whopping two blocks away, which had come in handy when the two of you would go out and get blissfully drunk and then stumble home to fall into a messy session of wild, drunk sex. It was easier without a designated driver.

His boots scuffed the pavement as he walked, head low and hands tucked in his pockets. The bar was pretty empty when he walked in, his hair dripping from the rain. He sat down on a stool and Jim, the bartender, shot him a nod of condolences. The two of you had been some of his favorite customers, always livening up the place. Jim set down a double of whiskey in front of Billy, frowning when the grieving boy tossed it back without so much as a wince and asked for another.

By 8 PM, Billy was mind-numbingly drunk, but it did fuck all to quell the ache in his chest. In fact, it made it even worse. He cried on the seemingly long and lonely walk back to his apartment. He couldn’t believe he had to say goodbye to you not once, but twice now. First in the hospital and then at the cemetery. It was all too much, and the whiskey he downed did nothing to banish you from his head.

He unlocked the door to his place, fully intended on passing out face-down on his bed. Maybe he should hold his breath so he couldn’t smell the fragrance of your shampoo and your skin on his sheets.

He nearly leaped out of his skin at the sight of you sitting on his couch.

“No. No no no no no no,” he groaned, pressing his hands into his eyes. When he pulled them away, you were still there, smiling radiantly at him. Emotion rose up within him, coiling around his lungs and squeezing like a python.

“Y/N,” he sobbed, staggering drunkenly forward to embrace you. He gasped aloud when his arms went right through you. “What? How?”

“Hello, my love.” Your voice was like music to his ears and it brought on a new onslaught of tears. “Drunk again?”

“It was your funeral today,” he muttered, wanting so badly to reach out and touch you. Momentarily he was confused at why he wasn’t freaking out just a bit more over the fact that the literal ghost of you was in his apartment, but he chalked it up to a hallucination brought on by too much booze.

Your ghost just smiled sadly.

“I’m so sorry, baby.” Saying the words he’d been feeling all week came out on an agonizing exhale. He wiped at his eyes as he dropped onto the couch beside you, and you cocked your head.

“What for, my love?”

God what he wouldn’t give to hold you.

“It’s my fault,” he cried into his hands as he held his head in them. He was crying freely now, his cheeks red and nose runny. Seeing you, even if it was a trick of his mind, filled him with the worst pain and yet the biggest relief he’d ever felt.

“Were you driving the semi?” you asked, your head still tilted. Billy dragged a hand down his face, sniffling.

“No, but...”

“Then it isn’t your fault, honey. It was an accident.”

“But I was speeding. I thought I could beat the light...”

“I always did tell you you drove like you had a death wise,” you mused, and the sight of your smile lifted the corners of his mouth. His eyes raked over your form, dressed in the outfit you were wearing that night but without all the rips and the blood.

“God, I miss you. It’s only been a week. How can I do this without you?” he muttered pathetically. His hand itched to reach out and pull you to him, but he knew better. Your ghost shifted closer to him, that sad smile still on your face.

“You have to. But you know I’m always with you right? Just like your mom?”

He snorted a bit. “Really? You’re feeding me that “I’m in your heart” bullshit?”

“You know it.” You grinned and it lit up your whole face. “Besides, it’s true as all get out. You know...you know I’ve met her? Your mom?”

He felt like he couldn’t breathe as he looked at you.

“Yeah, she, uh, she’s something else. Now I know where you get your temper from.” You chuckled. “But I also know where you get your good heart.”

Fresh tears welled in Billy’s eyes the more you spoke.

“She’s proud of you, you know. She wanted me to tell you.”

The dams broke behind his eyes and poured down his face. He ducked his head at the wave of emotion welling in his chest. Hearing that his mom, of all people, was proud of him, put him over the edge.

“I need you,” he sobbed, “both of you. Let me come with you. I can...I have pills...”

Your expression changed into something hard and determined. “No, Billy. It isn’t your time yet.”

“But it’s too hard. It...everything...hurts.”

“I know, my love, but like that saying goes, this too shall pass.”

“I wish I could hold you. I just want to feel you again.”

“I know, Billy. I wish you could too. I miss you so much. I heard you in the hospital, you know? Before it happened. I heard everything, and I wish we could have had that future together. 

“I won’t have it with anyone else,” he said, looking at you. “You were it for me.”

You smirked, a loving adoration in your eyes at his admission. “Likewise, baby.”

“Do you,” he paused to huff a laugh, “do you remember senior year when we nearly set Harrington’s hair on fire?”

You giggled, and the sound was music to his ears. What he’d do to hear that again for real.

“Of course. You waited until he was bent over the Bunsen burner to light it, and the chemicals caught fire.

Billy laughed, a loud belly-laugh that bubbled in his gut. It felt foreign to him, to laugh like that, since the last time he had had been when you were alive.

The night was spent reminiscing with your ghost, crying with you over the things you’d never have together. When the sun began to rise, you looked forlornly out the big bay window overlooking the alley below. You sighed almost inaudibly.

“I need to go,” you told him apologetically. Fear passed over his face.

“No, please don’t.”

“I can’t control it, Billy.”

“Will I see you again?” he asked, already knowing the answer. Your frown confirmed his fear.

“I’m afraid not. But I will be with you, and I want you to know how much I love you, and how proud I am of the man you’ve become. You’re more than that angry boy I met in Hawkins. You’re good, you’re kind, you’re sweet, and you will get past this.”

“What if I don’t want to?” he mumbled so brokenly that it tugged at your heartstrings — if you had any.

“You must. It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live,” you responded, trying not to smile at your cheesiness. But Billy did, and it lifted your spirits.

“You’re such a nerd.”

“But you love me.”

His face turned serious. “I do. So much, Y/N. I wish I could show you all the ways I love you. I should have. Should have told you more often.”

“I know you do. You showed it more than you needed to say it. You showed it in everything you did every single day. And I’m going to hold onto all of that.”

“So will I.” Before his eyes, your body began to fade as the sun crested higher. “No, please.”

“I love you, Billy. I’ll see you in a while. Take care of Max okay? She’s going to need her brother.”

He nodded, his throat tightening as you continued to fade into thin air. You looked around you at the apartment you used to share, from the throw pillows you’d argued about to the picture frames documenting your entire relationship from beautiful start to its premature finish. Then your eyes met his and you smiled that beautiful smile at him, and then you were gone.

Billy Hargrove died in a car accident a year later when he swerved off the highway, through a guardrail and plummeted into a ditch. The police ruled the death an accident due to excessive speed.

The truth was, Billy wasn’t strong or patient enough to go through the rest of his life without you. When he saw you again, you gave him a verbal lashing that had him groveling to you for eons. But God, was he elated to hear your voice ripping him a new one once again.

[northcarolinaprelawland-blog]

Timothy Piazza dies from Traumatic Brain Injuries; 18 Beta Theta Pi Brothers Charged

By Amanda Le, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Class of 2019

June 23, 2017

[5] Piazza Family left to right: Jim Piazza (father), Michael Piazza (brother), Timothy Piazza, and Evelyn Piazza (mother).

On the night of February 3rd, Tim Piazza along with 14 other pledge members chose to accept bids from Beta Theta Pi.

A night that would change their lives forever…

He crosses the threshold of the door, eager to begin a new chapter in his college career. His brothers gather inside the common room, ready to fulfill their pledge master’s every whim. Like sheep led to slaughter, the 14 young men are encouraged to consume large amounts of alcohol to consummate the new bond between them.

Surveying the room Tim Piazza notices various stations setup throughout the house. His fellow brothers are lining up to conquer each station. Known as [1] The Gauntlet, a relay requiring pledges to consume large amounts of alcohol in a hazardous time span. Tim accepts the challenge alongside his newfound brotherhood. The young sophomore chugs a bottle of vodka he has received. He then transfers himself to the next station where he is encouraged to drink more alcohol, reaching for a beer to showcase his “shot gunning” skills.

Texts exchanged by Beta Brothers, Daniel Casey and Brendan Young reflect the true intentions of their actions.

Texts exchanged by Beta Brothers, Daniel Casey and Brendan Young. [3]

As the night progresses, Tim loses his ability to control his motor functions, “(Tim) staggers toward the lobby in the direction of the front door… unsuccessfully attempting to open the front door.” After a failed attempt to leave the house and incapable of making logical decisions Tim recedes back to the festivities, staggering towards the top of the basement steps.

“Go ahead. You can do it.”

A potential thought that may have crossed the mind of Tim Piazza, as his incoherent nature led him to launch his feet forward. Unfortunately, Tim Piazza never made it safely down the steps. Operating on a [1] “Blood Alcohol Level of .40”, his diminished motor skills and lack of help from his surrounding brothers, led him to fall “15-feet down a flight of stairs.” A scene that would be hard not to notice.

Readers may conclude that the fellow brothers rushed to Tim’s side, eager to assist in any way possible. 

Timeline of Events

[7] Sophomore Timothy Piazza was an Engineering Student at Penn State University.

However, according to the report no such acts occurred. A witness to the event Jonah Neumann, recalls Tim lying [3] “torso face down, (his) legs were on the stairs that go down before the turn.” Another Beta admits to having knowledge of the fall but takes no further action, relying on others to resolve the problem.

Fellow brothers seized Piazza’s unresponsive body, dumping him on the couch to which they released further responsibility, resuming to their festivities. Towards the end of the night Piazza can be seen clutching his side indicating abdominal pain. Tim displayed endless signs of medical need throughout the night, desperately seeking help that he never received.

Surveillance video captures Tim’s brothers, returning downstairs for a glass of water, observing (Tim’s) state, then stepping over his aching body to turn in for the night. Tim died that night. Dr. Kamerow, concluded that [3] “Timothy J. Piazza’s death was the direct result of traumatic brain injuries, of which the most were severe head injuries.” The loss of Tim Piazza can be directly attributed to the inactions of fellow Beta brothers. Their lack of compassion not only sealed their fate but alleviated Beta Theta Pi’s presence within the confines of Penn State University.  Prosecutors of the case believe that the 18 Beta brothers involved in the hazing incident, along with the fraternity, Beta Theta Pi should be held responsible. Charges have been filed against the Beta brothers as well as the fraternity itself. 

Recommended charges against fraternity, Beta Theta Phi. [3]

Justification for charges against Beta Theta Pi will be included in a report by Attorney Stacy Park Miller. The report will highlight extreme negligence by the Pennsylvania State University Interfraternity Council as well as the role that they played in fostering an environment “so permissive of excessive drinking and hazing that it emboldened its members to repeatedly act with reckless disregard to human life.” [3] A separate report has been filed detailing the charges held against the 18 Beta brothers involved. Various counts of “Involuntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Tampering with Evidence, Reckless Endangering of Another Person, Hazing, Furnishing Alcohol to minors, Unlawful Acts Relative to Liquor, as well as Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor” have been recommended by the District Attorney handling the case.

6] 18 Beta Theta Phi Members charged in relation to hazing case.

18 Beta Brothers Charged in Death of Timothy Piazza; 8 Facing Manslaughter Charges

In relation to the Pennsylvania Hazing Law, P.S 5353 hazing is [4] “any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or which willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into…any organization operating under the sanction…of an institution of higher education.” Thus, individuals are in violation of the Pennsylvania Hazing Law, P.S 5353, if they are actively engaging in any of the activities above.

[3] According to the report above, text messages exchanged between various Beta Brothers supports additional incidents of hazing.

The Beta Brothers spoke openly about hazing as if it were a fraternity tradition. Although incidents of hazing within fraternities have been present for decades, causing damage to the emotional and physical well-being of an individual, these incidents never reach the surface. Unfortunately, these issues are only addressed until serious crimes are committed. The death of Tim Piazza has awakened the public to the dangers of hazing, and the consequences that can ensue when proper supervision is not enforced.

Penn State and as well as The Interfraternity Council who is responsible for overseeing fraternity life at Penn State has sprung into action. Initiating a press conference, addressing major charges

[3] Texts exchanged between Beta Theta Pi brothers.  

that must be made to prevent a similar occurrence. The university plans to reduce the number of socials held as well as implementing a strict no hazing policy. Attorney Tom Kline is not satisfied with these minor changes.

Releasing a statement in response to the conference held by Penn State:

Statement by Tom Kline highlights Penn State’s inability to distribute just punishment against Greek life. [2]

The parents of Timothy Piazza have expressed their feelings regarding the death of their beloved son, [2] “He died at the hands of Men who has no regard for human life, but that behavior was fostered and accepted at Penn State for a long time.” The couple does not intend to eliminate Greek life from the University but wishes to amend the existing practices to prevent future wrongdoings. The letter addressed to the Board of Trustees, includes a list of “requests that need immediate attention and action.”

Watch Piazza Family Plead for Change

Based on what has happened at Penn State, we can all agree that stricter laws must be enforced when dealing with violations of hazing. The Piazza family desires to have these laws ratified and enforced. Further the family would like to see the employees who they believe were associated with the death of their son to be fired immediately.

Amending current Greek laws within Penn State will not bring Timothy Piazza back home to his family. Despite the devastating death that has resulted, it is our responsibility to acknowledge what went wrong and what we must do to prevent similar occurrences. Greek Life will continue to be an essential part of the college experience for many attendees. Various aspects of Greek life will continue to generate benefits such as the life-long relationships that are fostered. Sadly, without proper supervision and strict enforcement of university laws, a culture of corruption and negligence may develop. Once such a culture is ignited it is difficult to change. In honor of Timothy we must lead through preventative acts. There are many thriving sororities and fraternities around the world that commit to the no hazing policy. These fraternities and sororities are inspired by exceptional advisors that serve as role models for right and wrong. By entrusting roles of leadership to caring, responsible individuals the likelihood of mistreatment and corruption that often festers in Greek life will be diminished.

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[1] Jackson, Abby. "18 Fraternity Brothers at Penn State Have Been Charged in Connection with the Death." Business Insider. Business Insider, 8 May 2017. Web. 16 June 2017.

[2] Kuznitz, Alison. "Board of Trustees Passes Resolution Pertaining to Greek Life Four Months after Death of Timothy Piazza." The Daily Collegian. The Daily Collegian, 02 June 2017. Web. 18 June 2017.

[3] PSU Hazing Case. Centre Country District Court. 5 May 2017. DocumentCloud.com. Document Cloud, 5 May 2017. Web. 16 June 2017.

[4] Tevrizian, Megan. "Encinitas Teen Connected to Penn State Frat Hazing Death." NBC 7 San Diego. NBC 7 San Diego, 18 June 2017. Web. 18 June 2017.

Images

[5] http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/6629dd11e647914d3ffb2867b3827fe5

[6]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/5e/78/ef/5e78ef848ee1ff1e4b3d2b2fe174848a.jpg

[7] http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/05/15/3CDE5D5100000578-0-image-a-46_1486309089480.jpg