Mists of Fate Chapter 7 -- The Amusement Park
Dreams can be a pleasant diversion from reality. They can also be the most deadly of traps. -- Shaper J'Stan
The darkness was receding, being replaced by a blurry light that was almost painful. Something blocked part of that light out, a darker blur that slowly resolved itself into the face of a handsome woman. Her dark curls framed a gentle face with calm smile and bright eyes that looked down at him.
"How is our young man this morning?" she said, her voice was a rich contralto, soothing to his ears.
"I..uh...ok" he said, having to clear his throat a little. His voice was rusty, and his mouth felt clogged.
"Good, here drink some of this, it'll help." The kind voice said. He could feel his head being lifted, generating a brief bout of dizziness, then a cool cup being put to his lips. It was tilted, and a liquid was demanding entrance past his cracked, dry lips. He parted them, then felt a moment of panic that receded when he tasted nothing more than water.
"That's a good boy. Now, do you feel up to answering some questions?" the woman asked. He nodded his head slowly.
"Okay, sweetie, can you remember your name?"
"And..Andrew Tylers" He answered her after a moment. It felt a little weird at first, but after he spoke it, it felt right.
"That's good, now can you remember if you have any brothers and sisters?"
"Ye..I mean no." he said after a moment's pause.
"How about your best friend?"
"J..Justin?" he said after a moment's pause.
"You're doing good, dear. Now, do you remember your parents?"
"Nnnn...No." he said after a moment, and tears welled up in his eyes. He knew he should be able to, but he couldn't even remember them!
"That's okay dear. Do you remember me at all?" the kind woman asked.
He just shook his head `no'. The threatened tears started falling down his face, and sobs started wracking him. It took no time at all for him to feel her arms wrapped around him, and the faint smell of vanilla filled his nostrils as she pressed his head against her bosom.
"Here now, Andy. It's okay, you're going to be fine. You've been in a coma for three weeks, love. The fever that caught your parents got you too. Don't worry if you can't remember some things, it's a nasty side effect. Justin's going to be okay, too. You're the last to recover from the fever, dear."
"But, where will I stay?" Andy asked softly through the sobs he couldn't stop.
"Why, now, here, with me and Justin, dear." Justin's mom said softly. Her name drifted to Andy's head.
"Really, Cindy? Do you mean it?" Andy asked softly, not really believing she'd be so nice.
"Why not? You spend almost as much time here as Justin does anyway." Cindy's laugh was contagious, and Justin felt his tears dribbling to a stop.
"Where's Justin, can I see him now?" Andy asked.
"He's at school, now dear. He'll be back later." Cindy said softly, letting Andy lie back in bed. "Why don't you get some more rest and we can start you moving around later today. You've been in bed for so long that you're going to have to spend some time getting use to walking again before you go back to school."
"Ok, Cindy. Thank you." Andy said softly as the darkness of sleep seemed to surround him again.
It seemed like it was only minutes before he felt a hand grasping his own. He opened his eyes just a tiny bit and would see his best friend kneeling at his bedside. Justin's hair was so blond it could be called white, and his bangs hung down over his eyes. His usual impish grin made his face seem so innocent, but Andy knew better. He squeezed back and was rewarded by Justin's grin growing even wider.
"Hey sleepyhead, Momma told me you were coming back to the land of the living." Justin said, his voice barely a whisper.
"Yeah, and what's my reward? I get to look at your ugly mug." Andy whispered, his voice still hoarse.
"Just for that I ain't gonna give you no water." Justin said, his grin turning a little evil. His free hand lifted a cup of water that looked mighty good right about now.
"I'll tell Cindy." Andy said softly, his own grin widening.
"So? You know what she'll say..."
"Yeah, yeah, `Bad manners is no excuse for treating someone else poorly'." Andy said.
"Yup..Hey! That's not what I was thinking." Justin said, realizing the quote dealt with HIM more than Andy.
"Doesn't matter what you think, just what she says." Andy teased his friend.
"Okay, okay! Here's your water." Justin said, his tone harsh, but the smile on his face, the twinkle in his eyes, told Andy that he was happy. He put the cup to Andy's lips and held it for him while he drank the cool water.
"I've missed you." Justin said after a bit, tears welling in his eyes.
"I missed you too." Andy answered.
"I was so worried you weren't gonna make it!" Justin cried softly, squeezing Andy's hand firmly.
"Well, I did." Andy said softly. His memories were like swiss cheese. He knew Justin, knew they were friends, but didn't know much more than that. He couldn't even remember how old he was!
"At least you're still here. Momma said you lost some of your memory. Is she right?" Justin asked, there was a little catch in his throat as he asked.
"Uhhuh. But, I do remember one thing. When she asked me who my best friend was, I said your name." Andy said softly. Justin's face grew even brighter at that and he jumped up and gave Andy a kiss. The moment their lips touched, Andy felt like a spark had hit him. He smiled and returned the kiss until he heard the sound of someone clearing her throat.
"Boys, how many times do I have to tell you to be careful about that?" Cindy said from the doorway to the room.
"But it's the first time I remember you telling me." Andy said quickly.
"I seem to remember our little Justin hearing it a time or two." Cindy replied just as quickly.
"I know Mom, but, jeez, we're in our own trailer." Justin said, hanging his head down.
"Yes, and who is in town right now?" Cindy persisted.
"Those two Baptists." Justin answered, hanging his head lower.
"Exactly, and what would happen if they saw you two?"
"A lot of bad things." Justin whispered.
"Right. Now Andy, I know you are probably not remembering a lot of things right now. It's a side effect of the fever you recovered from. The damn thing has been moving through us like wildfire. The good news is that once you've had it, you don't get it again so long as you survive. The bad news is that the memory loss is usually permanent. You're lucky, you remember a lot more than some people, but there are a lot of things you have forgotten. Justin is going to be helping you to fill in the blanks, and to know the things you must know to survive here. Our life is not easy, but it is a decent one."
"Yes, ma'am." Andy said quietly, meeting her stern gaze with a firm will. For some reason, having Justin here made things seem easier. Maybe he was in love with the boy.
"Good, now Justin, why don't you get him started on those exercises I showed you. It'd be good to be able to get him to the dinner table on his own. Oh, and don't forget to empty the bedpan."
"Yes, ma'am." Justin said, blushing a little. Andy blushed even more as he realized it who had filled the bedpan.
The next few hours passed quickly for the two boys. Justin took Andy through several range of motion exercises for his arms and legs, and even got him to sit up on his own. Justin's steady encouragement and constant touching proved both a confidence booster and a distraction. Shortly before dinner, Justin had gotten Andy to the point of standing. First Andy had pushed himself into a sitting position, then resting his hands on Justin's shoulders, he'd levered himself to a standing position. Now they stood face to face, and Andy realized they were of the exact same height. He could see his own blond hair falling into his eyes, like Justin's, and it was nearly the same color. They both stood there, smiling into each other's eyes, when the heard the sound of someone coming down the hallway.
"I see you were right, he is doing better." A gruff voice said into the silence. Justin tried to move back, but was stopped by Andy's hands on his shoulders, leaning on him. Andy turned slowly and saw two men who looked very imposing standing in the doorway; Cindy was behind them. They both wore dark suits, had close-cropped hair, and stern expressions on their faces.
"Yes, Pastor Harkin. I've shown Justin all the exercises to get Andrew back on his feet, and it looks like they're doing it right."
"Well, just remember your place, woman." The second man said sternly. "It's alright for you to share your learning from the old days, but don't you be using it!"
"Yes, Pastor Lerner." Cindy said, her tone humble and head lowered to the floor. "That's why Justin is helping him. I'm helping him learn so that he can use those skills to help the community."
"How old are the boys now?" Pastor Harkin, the first man, asked. Justin whispered to Andy, who started lifting each leg, one at a time, and flexing them slowly.
"They are both thirteen. Justin will reach fourteen in three months, Andy in four." Cindy said, her tone still humble, but a little more guarded.
"Then they will soon be old enough for marriage. I expect both boys to start attending Wednesday bible sessions, is that clear?" Pastor Harkin said, his voice letting everyone know he would brook no argument.
"Yes Pastor." Cindy said quietly.
"Good. You heathens are lucky we let you stay here." Pastor Lerner said, his voice taking on a superior tone. "You may be too old to trust as parishioners, but by the power of God we will make sure your children grow up knowing His ways."
"Yes, Pastor." Cindy whispered this time. Both men turned to leave, and Cindy backed out of their way in the narrow hallway. Their feet nearly stomped out of the home, and this time, Andy could hear the door slam behind them. Cindy came back into their room in time to watch as Justin helped Andy back onto the bed. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she watched the loving tenderness between the two.
"I'm sorry, Justy." She whispered softly to her son.
"It's alright mom, we knew this day was coming. We both know how to handle the bastards." Justin said softly as he was lowering Andy back to a reclining position.
"You might know, but I can't remember, remember?" Andy whispered. He was tired already, and getting hungry.
"Why don't we refresh your memory over dinner. I think we'll eat in here, you look a little flustered." Cindy said softly. As soon as she left the room, Justin leaned into Andy and started sobbing softly. Andy was tired, but he still found the strength to lift his arms and put them around his friend. They stayed like that until Cindy walked back into the room, balancing three trays of food. Most of the food was vegetables, salads with some type of oil dressing, and a few thin strips of a white meat. As soon as she set the trays on the bed, Justin got up and brought two more chairs in while she brought three glasses and a pitcher of what looked like ice tea.
Silently, all three began to eat. Despite the simple nature of the dinner, it was delicious to Andy, and he ate ravenously. Justin plowed through his just as quickly, while Cindy did little more than pick at the edges of her meal. When both boys had finished, and thanked her, she smiled a little and began to eat a little more heartily.
"So, who is going to fill my memory gap about those two men?" Andy asked when Cindy was almost half-done. Her face spasmed a little, and Justin stepped in to the conversation.
"I might as well since mom ain't done." Justin said, then amended at Cindy's frown. "I mean since mom is not done yet."
"That's better." Cindy said after swallowing the bite of her salad. All three of the chuckled.
"Do you remember about the Event? Justin asked Andy, who shook his head.
"Okay, depending on if the Baptists are teaching or if you hear it from one of us, the Event was either God's curse on the world or a big screw-up. Something made all the oil go bad and not work anymore. They use to have big machines and stuff that flew and everything, but they all stopped working when the oil went bad. Mom and the rest of the people here, they were students and teachers at a big school just outside of the town.
"Well, after the big Event happened, things went to hell. There use to be a big government that kept everyone in, um, `check?'" That last was said with a quizzical look over at Cindy, who nodded back with a smile. She seemed to be eating more now as Justin was telling the story.
"Well, anyway, that government pretty much collapsed quickly out here. We are in the backwoods of the country and don't have any, uh, resources that be especially important. So we got ignored pretty quickly. Then this preacher showed up in town a few years ago. His name's Reverend Patrickson. He's still here so you have to be real nice to him.
"Anyway, he started preaching that it was the evil scholars who'd caused all the world's problems and that if people wanted to be saved, they had to return to God. After a couple of weeks of his preaching, people were all riled up and they turned on the school mom and the others attended. Mom was a third year medical student."
"The National Guard tried to stop them," Cindy said quietly. Andy could see her eyes looking like she was seeing something besides what was in the room. "There were only twelve guardsmen, and thousands of them. They tore the school apart, and...and hanged most of the students and faculty they found. Only three hundred of us made it off-campus. At least the Guardsmen held them back long enough for us to get away."
"Hanged?" Andy asked, not sure what they meant.
"Put a rope around their necks, then strung them over the trees on campus. The rope cut off their ability to breath so the people suffocated to death." Cindy answered, the horrible memory plain on her face.
"My dad was one of them." Justin whispered, tears making fresh streaks on his face "I remember the night vaguely. Mom gave me to Mr. Tylers to carry cause she was helping the wounded. He carried both of us in his arms all the way."
"Exactly." Cindy said softly, pushing away the now empty tray and refilling her glass of tea. She continued the story after taking a sip.
"Those of us that escaped, settled here. It's an old amusement park, a place people went to have fun and escape the realities of everyday life. It was fitting that we should use it to try to escape the horrors of the new world. Reverend Patrickson, after having burnt our college, moved to gain total control over anyone in town. They declared the United States dead and that they were forming a new America. They based the new country, and their new laws on old ideas, ideas that those of us from the college found to be repulsive.
"We sent people in to town every now and then, to see what was going on. About a year afterwards, they caught one of our people and tortured them into revealing where we were. Then they showed up here, about fifty of them with guns, Reverend Patrickson in the lead.
"They weren't happy with what they saw. In town, they'd hanged or burned all the people who knew how the water system, the sewer system, all the technology worked. They were suffering from diseases that we avoided. We had running water, a good sewage system, and even a little bit of electricity. They smashed all that, burned our books. We couldn't fight them, they had guns and we didn't." Tears flowed down her face as she continued.
"That preacher though, he wanted some of the things we had. He gave us a choice, we make things work for his town, or he would kill us all. He also made us send you kids to their church services and forbid us to teach you anything unless they approve. I'm supposed to be teaching you two about being a doctor. Their rules don't let woman work, but he sure is willing use our knowledge.."
"That means that we have to be careful." Justin continued for his mother. "Mom and the others teach us older kids, who remember life before the preacher showed up, most of the things that he forbids. We can't let them know that though, so we have to keep it quiet."
"There's also another thing that he forbids that you should be aware of." Cindy said quietly. "They have very strict rules on who can, um, love each other. In the old days, people were learning that it was all right for two boys, or two girls to love each other. The preacher doesn't like that sort of thing. He teaches that two boys can be friends, but nothing more. If he knew about the relationship you two have, well if we're lucky he'd just hurt the two of you. More likely he'd kill you outright."
"Tell him the rest mom." Justin whispered.
"He's also declared that at age fourteen, all of our kids will be married to people from town. Once you're married, you have to move to town and live there for the rest of your lives." Cindy said, her voice already sharing the pain of that future loss.
"But, who would we marry?" Andy asked.
"Some girl they pick for us. We have to make little babies for them within the first two years of marriage and then have to have as many as possible." Justin spat out, a look of disgust on his face.
"Why would I want to do something like that?" Andy asked, his stomach queasy at the thought of making a baby with a girl. He may not have all his memories, but he knew that Justin was whom he wanted.
"It's not a matter of what we want, but what the preachers want." Cindy said quietly. "They've taken four boys and two girls so far. Two of the boys and both girls killed themselves within a few months of making the move. We've tried to talk the preachers into waiting until you're older, and we may be making some progress. Carolyn killed herself last month and she was three months pregnant."
"I, I don't want to go. I won't let them make me get married." Andy said softly.
"Andy, we both have to do it, or everyone here could get into trouble." Justin whispered. "If we just leave, they will punish everyone and hunt us down and kill us!"
"Look, Andy, it's still a few months away. Let's worry about that when the time comes, okay?" Cindy said softly.
"Okay." Andy whispered.
"Well, then, for now, you just need to remember that certain things are okay when no one from town is around. Also, when you have to go to their services, you follow along and don't let on if they say anything you don't like. Understand?" Cindy said, laying things out for him.
"Okay, I think I can do that." Andy said.
"Thank you." Justin said, then got a really pensive look on his face. "Oh, you need to be careful around Terrence too. He's the only other boy close to our age here. He's twelve now. He, um, well the preachers are getting to him. He's starting to think like them more and more, spouting off their stuff all the time. Don't let on about us, or what we think about the preachers in front of him, k?"
"Okay, but if he's like that, why are we hanging around him?" Andy asked.
"Because it would look suspicious and he'd tell them that." Cindy said. "We stopped teaching him about other things when we noticed his behavior change. Now he gets nothing more than what we are allowed to teach him. Just be careful around him, son."
"Thanks...mom." Andy said, making a decision about his relationship with Cindy. If his parents really were gone, she was definitely filling that role already and he needed her love.
"I love you Andy, and you Justin." Cindy said, going to the bedside and cupping both their chins in her hands. She kissed each of them on the forehead before taking the empty trays back to the kitchen.
Justin rose from the chair he was sitting in and moved onto the bed so that he was stretched out on his side, facing Andy. For an hour they just laid like that, staring into each other's eyes, with an occasional kiss on the face. They were startled out of their reverie by Cindy reminding them that Andy needed to exercise some more. The rest of the evening passed quickly as Andy stretched protesting muscles, and Justin enjoyed the chance to touch Andy all over. He also used that time to talk about the other kids, and adults here at the Amusement Park, and to describe what was safe to say and do around whom. By the time Cindy popped her head in and told them it was time for bed, both of them were tired and ready for sleep. Justin slipped off his jeans and t-shirt, and climbed in next to Andy. Both boys drifted off to sleep wrapped in each other's arms.
The next few days passed quickly for both of them, as Andy grew stronger and stronger. By the time Sunday arrived, he was walking fairly well and had even made it all the way around the amusement park. The bad side of his recovery was that he was now obligated to attend the Sunday services with the rest of the kids.
Carts drawn by horses were waiting on the edge of the park early in the morning. As two of the oldest, Andy and Justin drove the cart with the other fifteen kids in the back. They had to leave just as the sky was beginning to lighten. By the time they arrived on the edge of town, the sky had brightened with early morning. As always a haze hung over the sky, blocking a direct view of the sun.
First they had an hour of "Sunday School". Their teacher, a prune faced old man, mercilessly grilled them over bible passages. Andy had his hand whacked several times when he couldn't recite them. Then they had to endure a lecture on the evils of the world, according to Reverend Patrickson.
"So, as you can see now, it was the wickedness and evil of the sodomites that caused our country's downfall. If we had all followed the Reverend, as we do now, none of the bad things would have happened!"
"But," Andy started to whisper, but was stopped by a kick from Justin.
"Do you have something to say, Mr. Tylers?" the old teacher asked, his voice a sneer. "I would think a boy who nearly died, and whose parents did die for their sins, would have better encouragement than to question the word of God!"
The rest of the hour passed by slowly for Andy, who realized that discretion really was needed, kept his mouth shut. The sermon, today being given by Pastor Lerner was even worse. It went on for hours and hours and was full of ranting and raving on the sins of people who were long dead. It seemed like they blamed everyone for their problems but themselves! Andy just couldn't grasp the twisted logic behind their message.
As they rode back to the park, Terrence joined them on bench in front of the cart, bubbling over about all the things that had been said in church that day. A feeling of nausea rose in Andy and he vomited over the side of the cart. The food they'd been given was moldy at best and hearing the garbage being repeated by Terrence sent his queasy stomach over the edge. The brown haired boy looked at him with a look of confusion.
"What's the matter Andy?" the boy asked, his voice still showing his youth. "I'd thought that after spending a day hearing the blessings of God you'd be feeling better."
"He's just a little tired." Justin said quickly, before Andy could fire off the retort he had ready.
"Yeah, I'm tired, Ter." Andy said, using the nickname of the kid.
"Don't call me that, I'm Terrence." The boy said loudly. "Besides, I got some really good news today!"
"Oh what was that?" Justin said slowly, trying to sound excited.
"I asked Pastor Lerner if I could become a preacher like him when I get older and he said I could! Isn't that GREAT?!" Terrence was shouting at the end. Andy looked back at the other kids in the wagon while Justin congratulated the boy. Most of the other kids had a look of disgust on their faces. The youngest ones just had a glazed look. Terrence kept on babbling about the greatness of the preachers and how the world was going to be a better place as they took more and more power.
"Shut up, Terrence." Andy said about halfway through their return journey. The boy stopped for a moment, and stared at Andy.
"You can't stop the word of God, Andy. It's not right." Terrence said, his voice a violent whisper.
"I'm not stopping the word of God, Ter, just your yapping mouth." Andy said snappishly, ignoring the frantic faces that Justin was making. Justin was holding the reigns and sitting between them.
"I'm gonna be a preacher Andy, and that means that whatever I say is the word of God, he speaks through his ministers!" Terrence retorted.
"When you're a preacher, we'll all be happy to listen to your teachings, Terrence." Justin said quickly, before Andy could speak what was on his tongue. "Now, Andy's been real sick lately, why don't we just let him rest in peace and enjoy the beautiful world around us that God has provided?"
"Okay, Justin. But Andy better watch it or his soul will be burning in hell just like parents! It was their evil ways that brought their fever down on his family and that's why they all died."
Justin dropped the reins in Terrence's lap and grabbed a hold of Andy before he could swing at the younger boy. Neither said anything, but their eyes flashed at each other mere inches apart. Silently, Andy nodded and climbed over the railing to join the rest of the kids in the back. The kids on either side of him put their arms around him as he sobbed quietly. No one spoke again until they'd returned to the park.
Justin helped support an exhausted Andy back to the small trailer they called home. It had seen better days, but was still solid. Cindy was waiting for them, food already on the table. As they ate their dinner, Justin told Cindy about the incident with Terrence.
"What did you hope to accomplish by challenging him, Andy?" She asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"I don't know." Andy mumbled into his plate. He was tired, and did not feel up to the conversation.
"Then why did you say anything?" She continued pressing him.
"Because he was wrong!" Andy nearly shouted.
"So, could your challenging him accomplish anything?"
"No." he told her, his voice dejected.
"Andy, I know it's hard. You need to understand, though, that we are not in a position to challenge these people, or Terrence. They have the power to kill us, Andy, and they will use it if we challenge them. Terrence has chosen to side with them, so he is as dangerous as them"
"Okay." Andy whispered, tired and defeated. He went to bed early that night, clinging tightly to Justin.
The next day was little better. He was now strong enough to return to the small school that had been set up in the shadow of a great wooden roller coaster. Most of the teachers seemed disheartened about their subjects, except for the teacher from town. The man was zealous in his subject, Bible Study. The whole subject, which was twice as long as any other class, made him sick to his stomach. What made it worse was that as the class was dismissed, the teacher called for him to come up to his desk.
"Mr. Tylers," the teacher drawled. "I have spoken with young Terrence and I must say that I am concerned about the state of your soul."
"I'm sorry, sir." Andy said slowly, carefully thinking about the words he'd say. "I was still feeling weak and must have gotten a little delirious. Mrs. Ray told me that I had a temperature when I got home."
"Well, it may just been the fever talking, but you need to apologize to that young man." The teacher told him harshly. "You endanger your immortal soul questioning someone who has been anointed by God, even when they are as young as Terrence. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir. I wouldn't want to further endanger my soul." Andy said in a voice as full of fear as he could. Fear instead of the disgust he felt.
"That's a good lad. We'll make a good, God-fearing Christian out of you yet. Hopefully you will never have to suffer the same fate as your late parents, and any others who defy God's word."
"Thank you, sir." Andy said, biting back the words he wanted to say to this pompous ass!
"Very well, you may go. Make sure you apologize to young Terrence before the day is done!"
The rest of the day passed in boring drudgery. It was Andy's turn to work in the fields with Terrence and a few other kids. His apology was greeted by a polite, but distant acceptance from Terrence. After that, neither of them said anything that wasn't necessary for their task of pulling weeds.
The evening was better; after all, he got to spend it with Justin and Cindy. Tuesday was much the same, but Wednesday things changed even more. Instead of spending the time after dinner at home, both he and Justin were required to attend a special bible study with their bible teacher, Mr. Randall.
The lesson took place in the same classroom as their regular bible studies, in the shadow of the great wooden roller coaster (what Mr. Randall called a `symbol of the decadence leading to America's downfall'). As evening gloom darkened the room, Mr. Randall lit an oil lantern to provide some light. His face was grim as he began the evening's lesson with a prayer.
"Dear Lord, our God," he began, his voice the most polite Andy had heard yet. "we beg your presence this evening as we lead these young men in the mysteries of your creation. Guide our tongue, and open their ears so that thy will shalt be known."
All three said "amen" at the same time. Andy thought the man appeared uncomfortable, at least as uncomfortable as they were. Minutes passed before he spoke, and the sudden noise made the boys jump as much as the words.
"What have you boys been told about sex?" Mr. Randall asked in a rush.
"Uh, what do you mean?" Justin asked quickly, shifting in his chair.
"I mean, what have your elders taught you about sex?" Mr. Randall emphasized, his voice showing anger now.
"Well, Mom, I mean, when Jeanni Michaels got sick a few months ago she had to explain some things about, um, er, it. She told me that women make babies, but they have to have a man to help them to do it. She told me that it was wrong for a man to do it with anyone but his wife and even then only when, um, they were trying to make a baby." Justin managed to stammer out, sweat appearing on his forehead. Andy adopted a wide-eyed expression, staring at his friend.
"And you, Mr. Tylers, do you know anything more than that?" Mr. Randall asked sharply causing Andy to snap his head back towards the older man.
"N..no sir." Andy stammered out a moment later. "I didn't even know that much. Justin never told me."
"Amazing." Mr. Randall said, leaning back for a moment. "It seems like these heathens are finally learning that it is God that controls this settlement now. Well, Justin, since you seem to know so much about sex, how does a man create the seed used to create a baby."
"Mom said that we used our, uh, penis. She also said that I shouldn't touch it unless I was peeing."
"Well, son, I'm happy to tell you that your mom told your right, for once. Pastor Lerner will be happy to hear that. It'll make it easier to find her a good husband now that we know she's adjusting well."
"New husband?" Justin asked curiously.
"Forget you heard that, young man." Mr. Randall said angrily. "Don't say anything to her about what I just said!"
"Yes sir." Justin said, and Andy joined him on the `sir' part. The next hour was not nearly enlightening about sex as the real discussion with Cindy had been. Every few minutes, Mr. Randall's worn copy of the bible would appear and they would read a passage about the things that were acceptable and things that weren't. Time dragged by for both of them until Mr. Randall had decided they had learned enough for the night.
"Well, boys, I must say that I'm very pleased with how well you are doing. I had expected you to be troublesome at best, but you are proving to be properly attentive. Next week we will discuss the role a husband must play as spiritual leader of his household. By the time you reach the age of marriage, you will both be ready to become fine husbands and upstanding members of God's community. You can leave now."
Both boys left quickly, but didn't head home right away. By silent agreement, they felt the urge to walk around a little without any adults around. The thought of being separated was weighing heavily on them. Following an impulse, they headed silently into the dark areas underneath the wooden coaster, even though it was forbidden.
As soon as they were fully engulfed in the darkness, only a little starlight giving them an idea of where they were going, they wrapped their hands around each other, kissing gently. The sounds of night covered the little noise they made as they let the physical contact assuage the fears they held inside. So engrossed in each other were they that they almost missed the sounds of feet passing near them. The muffled course of someone tripping over an unseen object broke them apart very quickly.
"Quiet Dave" a voice whispered. They recognized it as belonging to one of Cindy's friends, Bob Blankenship.
"Dammit, Bob, it hurt!" came the whispered reply they recognized as Dave Barlow. Without making a sound, the two teenagers followed the rustling sound of the two adults. Soon, they reached a squat building that had once been the coaster's control center. The two boys squatted by a blacked out window and listened to the voices inside.
"Okay, we're all here now." Bob said, still whispering.
"Then let's get on to business." Another voice said. Neither boy recognized this one.
"You gentlemen say you're really from the government?" David asked quietly.
"Of course, it hasn't been long enough for you to forget what U.S. uniforms look like has it?" another voice said.
"No, but I don't understand why you would want to help us against Reverend Patrickson." Bob said.
"We could care less about your troubles with the good Reverend." The first voice said. "Except for the fact that he's preaching about not answering to the rightful authority of the United States. Many of the new laws match what he preaches, there really is little difference."
"Then why are you here?" David asked.
"We look for special kids, like those two might be." The first voice said. "We're also here to set up the groundwork for reestablishing the United State's control here. We won't be dealing with you though, for that we'll deal with the Reverend."
"Then why talk to us at all?" Bob wondered aloud.
"Because of the boys, and because of your book smarts. When we reestablish control here, you'll be useful. We want to make sure you don't do anything stupid that ends up with you being killed."
"Oh, so we're useful and you don't want us to go to waste, but we're scum otherwise?" the scorn in David's voice was palpable.
"Yes, don't forget it." The first voice emphasized. It sounded like they were leaving, so the two boys moved back quietly. Soon they were out from under the coaster, moving silently past the school. To their surprise, they saw that Mr. Randall's light was still on. They snuck up to the window and peeked inside, then gaped silently at the sight before them.
Mr. Randall was in the room, his pants around his ankles. He had Terrence held on top of the desk and was ramming his penis in and out of the young boy. Tears ran down Terrence's face, but Mr. Randall's face was screwed up in a rictus of lust. With a muted growl, the man finished his business and withdrew from the now openly weeping Terrence. Andy's stomach rolled over slowly, and his blood began to boil with anger. The idea of someone perverting what he shared with Justin out of love made him so angry his vision blurred with a red haze of rage.
"Very good, boy." Mr. Randall sneered to Terrence. "Just you remember to keep your trap shut. Boys like you need to realize their place in life before they can assume a leadership role in the church. This damn place takes me away from my wife for weeks at a time, no way am I going to let her live in this godless place. I have to have relief, and you're it. Don't worry though, when you get sent to town to start your seminary, ole Reverend Patrickson is going to teach you what pain is. Hehe, you think you hurt now, wait until he gets done with ya!"
Rage boiled over in Andy, the man's hypocrisy moving him past the point of sanity. That rage found a voice as he shouted senselessly. The window and the wall around it blew into the classroom from the force of his shout. Shattered glass, wooden splinters, and pieces of concrete flew into the room, impaling Mr. Randall. The man slumped to the floor, a look of shock on his face. Terrence had been protected as he huddled behind the desk, but stood staring at the two boys now exposed beyond the destroyed wall. Justin stood there staring at Andy with shock on his face. It was Justin who recovered first. He grabbed Andy's arm, and motioned for a frightened Terrence to join them. Terrence shuffled across, still naked, but with his clothes in his hands. Moving quickly, Justin led them through the shadows to his mother's trailer. She stood there in the doorway, her face showing her worry.