The ‘Hideout’

The ‘Hideout’ as referred to by the senior class of Ralston Highschool is a collection of treehouses found in the woods of Ward 2. It is unknown just how long these treehouses have been around but it is passed down from Graduating Senior class to Rising Senior class every summer. Due to this, the Hideout has become a living part of the history of Ralston as students leave their mark on the space: some with words or initials etched into the wood of the treehouse, others draw on the interior walls, and more leave small things behind (a battery powered lamp for late nights, a really comfortable bean bag chair Jerry always sleeps on, a bookcase where yearbooks are often placed by the departing class). This area is seen as sacred to the students of Ralston as it is a relic passed down through generations. Some of the graduated students that still live in the city help current students with the Hideout’s upkeep, as well as keeping an eye on it to make sure no one disrespects the space. It is not uncommon that only a small group in the senior class actually know where the treehouses are in order to keep them well maintained, though it is a trend that has only begun in recent years after a Senior in 2020 tried to light the treehouses on fire out of pure boredom. Thankfully only one of the houses suffered damage and it was only to a ramp leading up inside and was quickly replaced.  

The Hideout is a spot most people in town remember fondly from their senior year, a small hideaway amidst all the stress and pressure about graduating and going to college. The parents of rising seniors are happy that their child has somewhere safe to go when they need a break instead of ending up in the worse parts of town.