All rights reserved. Other than downloading one copy for personal enjoyment, no part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, except for reviews, without the written permission of the author. As in real life, the sexual themes unfold gradually and are kept to a realistic level. Comments on the story are appreciated and may be addressed to the author, Dwight Wilson, at adm2780@yahoo.com
This story contains descriptions of consensual sexual contact between males, adult and minor. As such it is homoerotic, designed for the entertainment of mature adults. If you are not of legal age to read such material, or if the subject matter would create irresolvable personal moral dilemmas, please exit now
Chapter Sixteen: New Horizons
The boy stood in Daniel's office over ten minutes without a word being spoken. He had originally assumed a position very similar to slave rest, Daniel wondered where the boy learned this or was it merely a coincidence. The boy's anxiety increased as more time passed without Daniel acknowledging his presence; the boy had changed positions by bringing his hands to the front, crossing them to cover his genitals. This whole time the boy looked down at the floor; more than once Daniel noticed the boy trying to look up and see if Daniel was watching him. Tears began running down his face; he's too scared to move or speak.
"Daniel, the other boy is back, do want to see him now?" Daniel nodded to Paul. Paul came in escorting the younger boy. When he sees the older boy just standing there, tears running down his cheeks, the younger boy almost stopped until Paul placed a hand on his back, encouraging him to move toward Daniel. The boy stood in front of Daniel then, again, looked towards the older boy.
"What's your name, son."
"Jamie, sir."
"How old are you, Jamie?"
"Eight, sir."
"Jamie, look at me, okay, I need to ask you something. Did this boy hurt you earlier today?"
Jamie looked first at Daniel, then to the older boy, tears ran down his face and the boy was quickly sobbing.
"He didn't mean to, sir."
When Daniel asked Jamie why he was crying, the boy couldn't give an answer, only a shrug of his shoulders. As he continued to sob Daniel pulled the boy up to him and let him cry. While he held the boy, Daniel dropped his hand down the boy's back and slid his fingers to the inner thigh area near the boy's little hole. When Daniel pressed there the boy jumped a little.
"Jamie, did that hurt?" Jamie shrugged his shoulders. Daniel lifted his fingers and saw a little blood; the boy was bleeding. "Jamie, did you just go to the bathroom?" Jamie nodded. "Did you poop or try to?" Jamie again nodded. "Did it hurt or feel uncomfortable?"
"Just a little."
"Paul, is Michael here? Has he seen Jamie?"
"No to both questions. Michael's not due in until tomorrow, he's on call night."
"Okay, can we get Mark in here?"
"Jamie, can you tell me what happened earlier today to make you sore there?" The boy looked first to Daniel, and then with a pleading look to the older boy; he acted as though he wasn't sure what to say.
"Jamie, don't worry about him. Just tell me what happened, can you do that?" Jamie shrugs his shoulders. Holding the boy's butt, Daniel asked, "Jamie, did this boy play with you down here?" Jamie didn't respond; cupping the boy's genitals, Daniel asked, "Does he play with you here?"
"Sometimes. He makes me feel good. I do it to him sometimes too." The boy has again begun to cry. "All the boys do it."
"I know Jamie. All the boys play what we call little boy naked games. It's normal and it's okay, but it's not okay when somebody gets hurt, especially if it's the way I think you're hurt. Is that what happened today? You got hurt when the two of you were playing little boy naked games?"
"Please, Mr. Dan'l, Greg didn't mean to, Greg wouldn't hurt me. We play a lot and it's never happened before." The boy started out whining, but is now sobbing hard. "Please, Mr. Dan'l, pleeeeaassseee."
"Jamie, why are you begging me so hard. What is it you don't want me to do?"
"Please, Mr. Dan'l, don't send Greg away, I love him, he takes care of me, pleeeaassee?"
"Are you afraid I'll send him back where you were before and he'll be a slave?"
"Some of the other boys said you was goin' to be real mad and might."
"Would you feel better and talk to me if I promise not to send him away?"
"Yes, sir" Daniel could see the older boy, Greg, listening to every word now.
"Jamie, as long as you're not seriously hurt, I won't send him away. Now, he will be punished for what he's done, but I don't plan on sending him away." Jamie stepped into Daniel and wrapped both arms around his neck, crying. Greg looked relieved and was crying too. "Jamie, I need for you to bend over my lap so I can see how bad you're hurt down there."
The boy lay over Daniel's lap for inspection. There was blood, but Daniel didn't think it was serious. "Jamie, there's a small cut back there. When Mr. Mark comes I want you to go with him to the infirmary and he'll put some medicine on it for you, okay?" The boy nodded his head. "Now, can you tell me what happened?"
' "We was out playin' like we do sometimes. You know, we was out back away from the other boys playin with each other. Greg sometimes will rub me and make me feel good."
"Where does he rub you?"
"All over, but I really like it when he rubs my dick and nuts. Sometimes he plays with them and 'nurses' up here (the boy pointed to his nips) and that's nice too. Oh, and sometimes, he'll scratch my butt and tickle me there, that feels real good."
"And what do you do to him?"
"The same thing, but he gets a lot bigger than me. He gets wet when he feels real good, I'm not old enough yet."
'Why does he get wet?"
"When we been playin' a while he gets hard down there and it won't go away. He showed me how to take my hands and hold it for him. I'll wrap my hands around his dick and move them up and down, after a while he gets to moanin', Mr. Dan'l, sometimes loud. Well, after a while, and after he's been moanin' some, he'll start shakin and then this white stuff comes out of his dick. He said he's havin' a wet shoot and it feels good. That's what we was doin' today. Were we bad, Mr. Dan'l, for doin' that?"
"No Jamie, you weren't bad for doing that. Is that all, you didn't do anything else?"
'Well, not really."
"Can you explain 'not really'?" Again, Jamie gave a pleading look to Greg, who nodded.
"Well, sometimes I don't wrap my hands around his dick. Sometimes he rolls me on my stomach and sticks me between my legs. He'll start humpin' me, you know moving his butt up and down real fast. It sounds funny when he bounces down on my butt. After a few minutes he'll make moanin' sounds and start breathin fast, then he wets me. He gets me wet around my balls and between my legs. Then he picks me up and takes me to the pool or shower to get clean again. Uhh, Mr. Dan'l,.." again the boy looked at Greg questioningly, Greg just nodded to the boy. "... mostly when he does that, after he cleans me, well... well he sucks on my dick to make me feel good, and I like it."
"This time he told me he was real horny and needed a fuck real bad. He said if I let him do me he wouldn't hurt me. I told him I heard it hurt a lot, but he said it would just a little at first, but then it'd feel real good. He put me on my back and lifted my legs on his shoulder. He spit and ran his tongue on me a lot and then said we was ready. When he started in I was to push out like I was takin' a poop. I did, but it still hurt. He stopped and then tried again. I said it still hurt and he stopped but stayed in, sayin' it'd quit hurtin'. Then he pushed some more and it really hurt and I screamed. That's when the boys came and grabbed him. Mr. Dan'l, he didn't mean to hurt me."
Mark entered the room and heard what the boy said. He looked at Daniel with a smile on his face. "When you ask the question you better be prepared to get the answer."
"Yeah, well I got it alright, maybe more detail than I really needed or expected. I'll assume that by now you know what's going on here?" Mark nodded. "Take Jamie over to the infirmary and check him out, I can tell you he's been bleeding. You may need to call Michael. Then I guess you better make sure he gets cleaned up for supper, it's close to that time now. I'll deal with our other friend here." Mark and Jamie left.
"Greg, you just heard Jamie, was he telling the truth...do you have anything to add?"
"He pretty much told you the way it happened Mr. Dan'l. But, he was right, I wouldn't deliberately hurt him, honest. He's a great kid and I like him a lot."
"Greg, all I can say right now is you should thank Jamie for me promising him I wouldn't send you away, because after what I just heard, it would be a serious consideration. You were thinking more about pleasing your dick than you were protecting that boy. Now, when he said it hurt the first time, if you had stopped that'd be one thing; but you didn't. You tried again and when he said it hurt you stayed in him and then pushed more; hurting him even more. Now, you've been at the meetings where I said we had evidence to show that for a grown man to try and penetrate a nine year old, the little one would most likely be seriously damaged. Greg is only eight."
'But Mr. Dan'l, I'm not a grown man, so I shouldn't be as big as a grown man. I knew it'd hurt a little in the beginning and told him ..."
"Greg, there's no way you could get an eight year old to understand how much it would hurt. He's virgin and needs to stay that way for at least several more years. Then if he wants to give it up he may be old enough to understand what's going to happen."
"Right now, the more we talk about this the more pissed off I'm getting with you, particularly when you try to defend what you did. Luckily, I made my self a promise that I'd never discipline one of you when I was angry, but you're not just walking out of here either." Daniel stepped back behind his desk and opened a drawer.
Greg heard the tone in Daniel's voice and knew to keep quiet. It would really be stupid to try and argue his way out of this now. At least he won't be sold at auction, and knows he can survive whatever the punishment might be. Daniel pulled the dreaded object out of the drawer.
"Greg, do you know what this is?"
When he saw it, the boy slumped and tears ran down his face. He knew that whatever happened, it would be unpleasant.
"Yes sir. It's a slave collar. You said if we ever saw you pull it out we'd know we was in deep shit."
"Get down on your knees." Greg did as he was told; as he kneels the tears increased. Daniel put the collar and around the boy's neck and attached the leash. "Get up."
Greg looked down as Daniel lead him out, like a dog on a leash. As they left Daniel told Paul to let the review committee know he wants to see them at nine the next morning.
Daniel lead the boy around the yard, allowing the other boys maximum opportunity to see Greg's dilemma. All the boys knew that when the slave collar came out, it meant big trouble. Daniel had hoped he would never be put in a position to use the collar, but realized that with this many boys it would be necessary sometimes.
Remembering how badly he was treated by his first master, Daniel felt guilty for parading Greg.. The difference was that he didn't do anything to deserve that treatment, this boy did. Daniel finally lead Greg into the meeting hall latrine and secured the chain to a pipe.
"You will stay here tonight, thinking about what you did. Tomorrow, I'll expect you to be able to explain to me why I'm so upset with you. If any boy comes in here tonight, you are to move to the middle of the area, drop to your knees, place your hands behind your back and look down. You are not to say anything or move while they are here. Anything they do is with my consent and direction, understand?"
Moving to the middle of the floor, Greg dropped to his knees, placed his hands behind his back and looked down before answering. "Yes, sir" in a shaky voice. Daniel knew the boy was frightened, his whole body was shaking with fear. Daniel walked out leaving Greg on the cold tile floor.
Daniel worried about the correct level of punishment, he realized Greg really didn't mean to hurt Jamie. Violating a trust to care for and protect one of the younger boys was not a violation that could be settled with a verbal reprimand alone. To expel the boy would be too harsh and counter to the program's purpose of helping these boys become responsible citizens. Greg didn't seem to understand why Daniel was so upset with him. Maybe, a night on the cold tile floor would help him sort things out. Hopefully, by morning both of them would be able to find answers.
Daniel saw Mark exiting the infirmary with Jamie and signaled them to meet him at the office. As they entered the administration building Daniel saw the review board sitting in the waiting room; Kevin anticipated his question.
"Mr. Daniel, we were discussing some things we heard about when we got back and then Mr. Paul said you wanted to see us in the morning. We thought if you weren't too busy, maybe we could talk some now?"
"Actually, that's probably a good idea. We can all learn about this at the same time. Mark just had Jamie at the infirmary taking care of him and I wanted to talk with the boy some more. I'll assume all of you have heard that Jamie's mentor, Greg, tried to stick him while we were gone." The boys nodded. "I thought it might be a good idea to learn more about their relationship before jumping to any conclusions."
"At the moment, Greg is in the meeting hall. Everyone here knows my feelings about matters of this nature and shouldn't be surprised that I put a slave collar on him; he's restrained in the latrine." The boys looked a little surprised but aren't at the same time. Daniel had consulted with the review board on past infringements. His actions conveyed the gravity of the situation.
Daniel and the review committee moved to Daniel's office without waiting on Mark and Jamie. As Jamie walked in and saw the other boys, he stopped and looked to Daniel. Jamie knew who the boys were and that the meeting was about him and Greg.
Daniel sat in the chair in front of his desk and motioned for Jamie to come and sit in his lap.
"Jamie, do you know who these other boys are?"
Jamie nodded and whispered "Review boys. They spanked Evan."
"Yes, they are the review board. When one of you does something wrong we thought it fair to let a group of your peers, that's boys here just like you rather than adults, look at what's going on and help us decide what to do. Understand?"
Again Jamie nodded his head. "I'm going to tell the boys what you told me while ago. If I get something wrong you tell us, okay?" Jamie nodded again.
"Boys, to put this in a capsule, Jamie and his mentor, Greg, were out playing sex games. Jamie told us they do a little mutual masturbation and maybe some oral stuff, but this time Greg wanted more. Jamie admitted that sometimes Greg will take him between the legs; this time Greg went for his hole. Greg told Jamie it could hurt, but only in the beginning. When they tried, it hurt Jamie; he told Greg who then backed out. Greg tried again and Jamie complained but Greg just stayed still and then tried to penetrate deeper. That's when Jamie cried out and some other boys found them."
"Mark, did you check Jamie for injuries?"
"He's got some minor cuts and scrapes inside, that's why he was bleeding a little. There doesn't appear to be any significant damage. He'll be a little sore for a couple of days; we'll need to keep an antibiotic on him and be sure he stays clean."
Daniel turned back to Jamie, "Is there anything I left out?' Jamie nodded his head. "Well, why don't you tell these boys what I left out."
"Greg ... he ..." Tears began welling up; Daniel held him close and told him to take his time. "... he takes care of me.... And ...and ... he didn't hurt me on purpose, he loves me." The tears were running freely now.
"Jamie,..." Kevin spoke softly, trying to calm the boy, "...Jamie, do you and Greg play these games often?" Jamie shrugged his shoulders. "Jamie, do you do this everyday or just sometimes?"
"Jus' sometimes."
"You said Greg takes care of you, what does he do?"
"He helps me with my school work. He makes me get a shower every night and go to bed on time. Sometimes we play and he makes me feel good."
"Sometimes we don't play at all. If I'm feelin' bad he lets me sleep with him and he just holds me. I like knowin' somebody's there and I'm not scared or sad any more. Sometimes during the day if I'm sad he'll sit down and just hold me to make me feel better. He's real good too about rubbing my back and I've asked him to scratch my butt for me and he does it sometimes, but I asked him. Oh, yeah, he makes me brush my teeth in the mornin' and at night, too." Kevin looks to the other boys for any further questions and then nods to Daniel they are satisfied.
"Jamie, supper will be ready soon, why don't you go and wash up?"
"Where's Greg?"
"Greg won't be in the dining hall tonight. He's sitting somewhere thinking about what he did. You'll see him in the morning." Jamie looked confused and a little lost as he left with Mark.
"Gentlemen, I've told Greg he doesn't get out of this until he can explain to me why I'm so upset with him. Now, to be honest I was ready to take care of this matter myself, but this board was formed for a purpose. You boys know more about how the other boys may feel or be accustomed to acting under various circumstances. In other words, you're more likely to know when there may be extenuating circumstances. The goal here is to be as fair as possible to someone that breaks the rules, and that's what Greg has done. Do you fellas understand why I'm so upset with him?"
The boys look at each other and then to Kevin, when they nodded Kevin acted as spokesperson.
"Mr. Daniel, we think we understand. Greg violated a trust, two actually. He violated the trust Jamie put in him to take care of and not hurt him; and he violated the trust you put in him to care of Jamie. Right now, we're looking for your advice on what you think would be appropriate. We understand Greg getting real horny and wanting to fuck; all of us sitting here are at that age and position. We can even understand he might be so horny that he didn't realize how much he was hurting Jamie. Regardless, he was wrong and we seem to be caught between not enough punishment and too much punishment."
"Kevin, you're right about the trust, and that's why I'm so upset. The other thing is when I tried talking with him he tried arguing his way out of it. All of you have been at the meetings where I've said we have evidence to support the claim that when a man penetrates a young boy, and I believe I used the age of nine for the young boy, there is a high probability of injury. Greg was there and heard those same words. Of course, he tried to argue with me that he's not a grown man. That's true, but he is much older than Jamie and large enough, in my opinion, to hurt him."
"Mr. Daniel, we can see both sides. We understand why you're mad with him. We also understand why he didn't realize he could hurt Jamie real bad - he was thinkin' with his dick and not his brain or heart. We agree he should be punished. If you had handled this, what were you gonna do?"
"Well, first, I promised myself from the beginning that I'd never punish one of you boys when I was mad at you. I'd always take the time to cool down and try to be rational. Right now, as I said before, he's in the meeting hall latrine chained to a pipe. He's been told that when someone walks in he's to go to the middle of the room, get on his knees with his hands behind his back and look down at the floor. He's to say nothing to anyone. Whatever anybody did when they came in they did with my consent. At that time my intent was to turn him into a toilet. Know what I'm talking about?" The boys had a look of surprise and confusion on their faces; they had never known Daniel to be this upset.
"I planned to tell all of you during supper that if you had to take a leak between the time I made the announcement and tomorrow's breakfast, then you were to go to the meeting hall latrine and piss on Greg. I couldn't think of anything more degrading than that except to tell him he had to open his mouth and drink it. Now that I've had time to sit here and think about it, I just don't know. I don't want to break his spirit or make him feel like an outcast, but something has to be done. Sitting here I was thinking about swats, I just don't know how many."
"Mr. Daniel, I hope none of us ever gets you mad. You're rough." Kevin picked up some paper and began to write.
"I'm rough?" Daniel asked incredulously, " ..... That's what I thought about you guys when you dealt with Evan."
Kevin passed the paper around to the rest of the review board. Two nodded at Kevin after they read it. The other two looked at him a little shocked. Kevin then handed the paper to Daniel who read what Kevin had written and then handed it back.
"Like I said, I hope I never get you guys mad at me. If that's your suggestion, I'll support it; however, if he hasn't figured this out by the third day, then he is to be given a hint to help figure out the answer. I'm afraid if it goes beyond that, it could do some psychological damage to him. Agreed?" The boys nodded. "When do you want to do this?"
"Tomorrow morning after breakfast. Let's let him sweat it tonight and hope we don't have to do this."
"Oh, one other thing. There's another discipline issue I should have left for the board to deal with, but I couldn't resist this one. Two of the boys got into a fight. They made up and agreed it was dumb, but that may have been for my benefit. To make sure things were alright they were subjected to the buddy system for seven days. They have the option to get out of the buddy system if they report to the board for four swats each."
"Mr. Daniel, what do you mean by the buddy system?"
"It means they are now bosom buddies. What one does the other does. They eat together, they shower together, they work together, and they get relief together. We figure they'll begin to hate it about the third day."
During supper Daniel let the boys know he had three announcements - two good and one not so good. First, the not so good; he told them Greg was in the meeting hall latrine and they were to stay away, Greg had some serious thinking to do. The first good thing was how well the show went in Orlando and the additional support they will receive; the station called wanting to set up a special segment. The boys really liked the second good announcement when he told them there was ice cream for desert tonight.
"Daniel, looking for answers in the stars?"
"Hey, Paul. I wish it was that easy. You know, I still can't get Greg off my mind. Every time I think I've figured out a fair solution I think about it a few minutes and then feel we're not treating him fairly."
"You know why, don't you?"
"I suppose you're going to tell me."
"Of course, everybody knows you're an old softy when it comes to these boys. You're upset because he violated a trust and hurt Jamie. You've talked to him and realize there's no real malice involved, and now you feel guilty about having to punish him. You don't want to punish him, but you know you can't just let him walk either. My suggestion is for you to let the review board handle it. They are his peers and will understand better than us."
Just then they heard a group of boys howling with laughter and decided to investigate. Mark joined them as they walked towards the sounds coming from the recreation area.
As they rounded the corner of a building they saw a group of older boys rough-housing in the pool. It was hard to tell if the boys were having trouble catching their breaths because of the water they'd swallowed or because they were laughing so hard. Daniel looked at the boys and muttered something about youth being wasted on the young. Mark told him not necessarily, stripped and headed for the pool.
The boys acted surprised as Mark jumped in the pool; he became the instigator. "Guys, guys, come here. Mr. Daniel is standing by the corner of the building ... don't look ... four of you sneak out of here one at a time, then sneak up behind him and bring him over here. When you get him near the pool, three of you can hold him down while the fourth strips him, and then toss him in."
"Mr. Mark, he's liable to get mad with us. He's already mad at Greg and we don't want him venting on us."
"Don't worry about that I'll let him know it was my idea and you were just doing what I told you."
The boys did as Mark suggested. They were so good that Daniel only saw two boys leave and assumed they were going in for the night. Being barefoot, they had no trouble sneaking up on him and pounced.
"We got him, Mr. Mark, ... we got him!"
"HEEYYY!! Put me down. Boys, this could mean big trouble."
'That's it boys, put him down right there; now keep him down. Okay, some of you other guys strip him. Good, that's it, everything goes. Get him just as naked as we are. Now pick him up over your shoulders and toss." SSPPLLAASSHH! A tidal wave moves across the pool. Before Daniel can come up and catch his breath the boys have moved behind Mark.
"Hey, Daniel, glad you could join us. Nice night for a swim."
"It was Mr. Mark's idea Mr. Daniel. We just thought it was funny."
"You did, did you?" said Daniel as he dove. A moment later two boys hollered out as they went under. Daniel surfaced between where the boys had been a moment ago. "You guys aren't the only ones that know how to play this game."
Paul stood at the edge of the pool laughing his head off. "Hey, Daniel, didn't know you were planning on swimming. Nice suit." He didn't see the two boys sneaking up behind him; realizing something was up only when he saw the smile on Daniel's face; it was too late. SSPPLLAASSHH!! Paul and his clothes got all wet.
"Strip him down boys. If he hollers tell him Mr. Daniel said it was okay." At least eight boys close in on Paul, Daniel has to move out of the way. Mark and Daniel hang on to the edge of the pool as they watch the boys having fun. It's nice seeing kids be kids.
"Well, at least they got the little monsters to sleep before they started all this. Someone will get some rest."
"Not Us!!" came from nowhere just as at least seven or eight little bodies did a cannonball into the pool.
Daniel had no idea how many were in the pool. They played until it was late and even the kids were getting worn out. More than one mentor had to pick up his charge and carry him back to bed. More than one expressed a desire to stay with their mentor that night and Daniel saw them going in together. As tired as everyone was now and given the late hour he wasn't concerned about anything. He was sure much went on he didn't know about; after all, he had told them before he knew they were not totally innocent and had desires that needed to be satisfied. As long as no one got hurt.
Daniel, Mark and Paul headed to their rooms. Then they saw Jeff, Larry, Rick and Barry getting out of the pool also; when did they join in? Oh well, it really didn't matter. Right now everyone needed rest, tomorrow would present its own challenges. As they went in Mark followed Daniel into Daniel's room.
"Mark, what do you think you're doing?"
"Shhh, you need this more than anyone here." Mark then gently pulled Daniel onto the bed with Mark lying next to him. Mark began exploring Daniel's body, tasting the chlorine from the pool as he moved. Mark's goal was to get Daniel's mind off the unpleasant issues of the day, let him relax and begin a new day refreshed. Daniel didn't offer any resistance.
The review board posted a hearing for ten the next morning. This gave the boys time for breakfast and the kp personnel time to rejoin the group. Daniel knew Greg did not have supper the night before and asked Barry to send one of the kp boys over with a plate. Knowing the boy would probably be nervous or frightened, and receive swats before this was over, Barry prepared a filling but light plate for the boy. Daniel gave specific instructions that Jamie was not to take anything to Greg or have any contact with him until after the hearing.
The hall filled as the appointed hour approached. Two cases were to be heard. The first involved the two fighters; the board confirmed the actions Daniel had taken with the buddy system' but did give the boys an opt out of four firm swats each with the medium paddle. The boys chose to continue with the cuff. The second case was Greg and his actions with Jamie. The boys discussed the situation after leaving Daniel's office the previous day, and again this morning. They had not advised Daniel of their final determination for punishment.
After the board dealt with the first case, Daniel left to get Greg. As he entered the latrine Greg immediately moved to the middle of the floor as directed, dropped to his knees with hands behind his back and eyes looking down. Daniel unfastened the chain from the pipe.
"Come on son, let's go talk with your peers."
"Mr. Dan'l? ..." the boy had an almost sad, pleading tone to his voice; the tone of a boy who is ready to give up, conceding all is lost. "What will they do with me, Mr. Dan'l?"
"Greg, I don't know. I can tell you that the promise I made last night still holds; you will not be sent off." Daniel was now really feeling bad for the boy; he had to keep reminding himself how the boy got here. Daniel lead the boy before the board. When he released the chain, it hit the floor, ringing with an almost frightening finality. Kevin spoke for the board.
"Greg, do you understand the charges against you?"
"I think so... yes, sir."
"Greg, it's important that you fully understand why you are here and why this board has had to decide what punishment you are to receive. Can you tell us?"
"Because I hurt Jamie, but I didn't mean to."
"Greg, sometimes what we mean to do or don't mean to do is different that what we do. In other words, you may not have meant to hurt Jamie, but you did. The main point we are trying to get you to convey to us is not that you hurt Jamie, that was a result. We want you to tell us what you did to get to that result - that's the critical issue here." Greg looked to the board and then to Daniel, it's evident he doesn't understand.
"Greg, hurting Jamie was the final act that got you here. You need to think about what you did wrong that led to that act. We trust you understand us?" The obvious hint did not escape Daniel, who hoped the boy picked up on it, but he didn't.
"Greg, the board believes that at this time you so afraid of what will happen to you here today that you aren't thinking clearly. We'll end that fear now and hope it will help you clear your thoughts and realize what the answer is to our question. Are you ready to hear the judgment of this board?"
Again, Greg looked to Daniel with that pleading, almost lost expression, and then looked back at the board. "Yes, sir."
The board has determined that for the injury to Jamie and the way it was inflicted you are to receive six firm swats with the medium paddle, the swats to be administered immediately. Afterwards, you are to be returned to the meeting hall latrine and remain there to contemplate what we have said. Again, we trust you understand what is being said here. You will appear before the board at ten each morning to answer the question and receive three additional swats with the medium paddle. If you fail to answer the question you will return to the latrine for more contemplation. Do you have any questions?"
"Yes sir. How many days does this happen?"
"Until you answer the question. We will give you a hint - stop thinking only about yourself."
Four pieces of paper were placed in a bowl, each had the name of one of the other boys. Two were drawn to administer three swats each - Joey and Randy. Both boys step forward; two others step up beside Greg to give him support. Greg was then told to bend over and grasp the back of his knees..
WHACK! Greg gave a little whimper. WHACK! Greg gave a loud moan and tears ran down his face. His butt started turning red. WHACK!! "OOOWWWWW!!! Stop!! It hurts, stop, please." Joey gave the paddle to Randy to administer the last three swats. Randy pulled his hand up in the air ready for the down swing when Jamie ran up and threw himself over Greg's burning butt.
"Nooooo, pleeeeasse, Mr. Dan'l, plleeeeasse, don't let'em hurt him again, Stop them .."
"Jamie, you need to move away. Come with me and let's go outside". The boy struggled to hold on to Greg and Daniel had to force him away. He picked the boy up and they headed outside. Outside, they could still hear the swats and Greg's cries of discomfort.
WHAACK!! "AAAHHHH!! God, stop!" Jamie cried even harder. WHAACK!! "OOHHHH NOOOO!" Jamie clinched at Daniel's neck with the sound. WHAACK!! OHHH SHHHIIIT!!" Jamie sobbed almost uncontrollably. Daniel walked back towards the hall and then inside. Greg was crying hard, his butt burning and red. Daniel faced Greg.
"Greg, I know it hurts right now so I have only one thing I want to say. You're crying because your butt's burning; but why is this boy crying so hard? I'll tell you this to help you, when you go back to the latrine area sit on some cool tile, it should help ease the sting; too bad it won't help Jamie."
Daniel set Jamie down, but continued to hold his hand. "Mentors, send your charges out to do their chores, their school work, or to play, whatever it is their schedules normally call for at this time. Then, I want to speak to all level three and four boys. " Daniel then squatted to look at Jamie. "Jamie, I don't know where you belong now, but I want you to go with the other boys to play, okay?"
"Mr. Dan'l, I want to be with Greg." The boy was still crying, but not quite so hard.
"I know Jamie, but right now we need to let Greg be alone. You need to go play." Daniel signaled for one of the mentors taking their charge out to take Jamie also. When the mentors returned, Daniel spoke with them.
"Boys, I think it's important that you understand why Greg is being punished. Hurting Jamie is only a small part of the issue. Is there anyone here that does not fully understand what's happening here?"
Daniel watched the boys and saw some of them look to one another like they aren't too sure. After a couple of minutes a few hands were raised. Daniel decided he needed to explain so all of them understood.
"Alright, I'm going to explain this so there is no confusion. However, you should remember this is being told to you in confidence, you can not tell your charges, and you can not tell Greg. It is very important he figure this out on his own."
"If you will recall, at the detention center we mentioned the concept of Little Brother/Big Brother. The little ones picked their big brother. When they made this choice they were in essence saying 'I trust you to care for and protect me'. Does this make sense?" Daniel again watched the boys, most were nodding their heads. There were fewer looks of uncertainty.
"When Greg accepted the responsibility of Jamie he in essence said you can trust me to care for and protect you. Likewise, when we didn't challenge the match-up we were saying to Greg that we trusted him to care for and protect Jamie. Placing a young boy in the care and control of an older boy is giving to the older boy a sacred trust. Remember, we believe children are a gift to be loved and cared for. We never said children are a gift to be abused."
"So, is there any one here that does not understand that Greg is in this position because he violated a sacred trust? When he realizes that and can state it to us, he will be out of this mess."
"You heard the board say this will continue, Greg coming in here every morning and being asked the same question and receiving three swats until he comes up with the correct answer. I'll repeat to you, children, even fourteen year olds, are a gift to be loved and cared for. If Greg can not figure this thing out in two more days then we will begin to help him. He's already been given hints today but I don't think they registered."
One of the boys raised his hand. "Mr. Dan'l ... what hints did he get?"
"Do you remember Kevin saying 'We trust you understand ...'? Kevin deliberately used those words to try and get Greg to think along certain lines and help him. He said it at least two or three times that I heard. He also told Greg to stop thinking of just himself. Don't worry, Greg should only get swats two more times and then we'll get it worked out for him. Any questions?" The boys looked at one another, but didn't ask any questions. "Alright, remember, you are on your honor not to repeat what I've just told you. Let's everybody get to wherever it is you're supposed to be."
End Chapter Sixteen
To Be Continued; comments welcome; contact Dwight Wilson at adm2780@yahoo.com