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
Note: Once again, I would like to thank Colin for his support and efforts at editing and correcting my errors. His suggestions and comments have been a significant contribution to the development of this story.
Chapter Thirty-One: New Horizons
"Paul", Daniel called out, "have we heard from Elizabeth or any one else at the station regarding next week's tour?"
"I've spoken with Elizabeth and producers from Miami and Palm Beach, Daniel. They've been given the days and approximate speaking schedule, but haven't gotten back with me on television appearances, yet. One of the producers was to get back to me this afternoon."
"Well, while we are waiting on them, suppose we look at the speaking schedule. It would help to familiarize ourselves with the audience and their views. Gender, age and economic data will help us plan our approach. Also, if we can get an estimate on the size of the audience, we'll know how many boys to take with us."
"Daniel, do you want me to ask for volunteers or make up a group?"
"Volunteers might make it a little easier. However, I don't want to keep taking the same boys. That's not fair to them. Except for Danny, of course. This time, let's add Ryan or Ian into the mix. I'd like for Danny to have someone his own age to hang with. Ask Danny which one he'd like to invite. Also, it would be good for another of the young ones to learn what Danny does, just in case he should get sick and we need a sub."
"Do you know how you want to approach these groups? Which topic you want to concentrate on?" Paul asked.
"Yeah, I'm guessing a lot of these people are going to be retirees. That means many of them will be parents and grandparents. If the boys mix well with them then we'll use the 'what if' approach, telling them to imagine 'what if this were your son or grandson'. I've also been thinking about the 'law versus justice' approach and using the antiquated poor laws. We can create a good segue into bankruptcy for the debate. By the way, do we have any more information on this David Arnold besides he's a political want-a-be?"
"We have a couple of good leads working right now. I'm waiting to get firm verification of our research. We are concentrating on his family background and finances. If our tips work out, you will have some real dynamite ammunition to work with. We'll know by this afternoon or tomorrow morning."
"Okay, let's just be triple sure of our sources. Get some hard evidence. I don't want to be standing on a podium and embarrass myself or the project. Last thing we need is a civil suit for defamation."
Mark and the boys followed the Captain to his home. Inside, they were introduced to Mrs. Jackson, who had the typical motherly concerns. She asked the boys if they had eaten and who was hungry, then moved as though the question was moot and the answer didn't matter. These were teenage boys; of course they were hungry.
The boys sat at the breakfast bar while Mrs. Jackson prepared buffalo wings with celery and dip. Mrs. Jackson smiled as the boys tried to show proper etiquette. You can't eat wings without licking your fingers. If you do, it's an insult to the cook and the boys definitely did not want to offend the cook.
Captain Jackson joined the boys for a few wings, always conscious of his wife's vigilant stare that said 'those wings are for the boys'. After licking his fingers clean, trying to give the boys the all-clear to do the same, he felt the boys would be comfortable with him.
"Fellas," the Captain began, "I understand you being a little hesitant to come with us on this sweep, but, believe me, it's the best thing we can do for those boys. If another group conducts the sweep they'd move in en masse and use stun guns on anyone that tried to run. All of the boys would be enslaved under the current system whether there was a warrant out on them or not. At least this way, the boys will have a chance at a good life, just like you guys."
The boys finished their meal while the Captain spoke. They listened to what he said, but paid more attention to the sound of his voice than to the words. Daniel had already given the boys a similar message. The boys could only hope they made the right choice. They knew the events of tomorrow would say whether they could ever trust the Captain.
"We have to get an early start tomorrow. We're headed to the Church Street Station area. Shop owners are complaining about vandalism and petty thefts, so we got the order to sweep. Based on talks we've had and talks with some of the other boys, we think about nine o'clock is the best time to move in. It's early and any boy out for the evening will most likely be back and it's too early to go out for the day. So, I'd recommend getting to bed early." The Captain continued, "There's a guest room and we also have the boys' room available since they stayed in Fort Ogden. You should be able to find plenty of space between the two rooms. The bathroom is a Jack 'n Jill unit between the two rooms. Fresh towels are in the closet or under the vanity. Make yourselves at home and sleep well." The Captain turned and walked down the hall, but then turned to the boys again, "By the way, if I haven't said it already, thanks for trusting us."
Mark looked in both rooms and then the bathroom. The facility had a large shower, large enough for two of them to shower at the same time. The boys' room was equipped with twin beds while the guest room had a queen size bed. Mark suggested Brad and Sean take the boys' room and could shower first.
"Mr. Mark, should we sleep in these shorts?" Sean asked.
"Sean, they have two boys and I doubt they'd just walk into your room. Sleep any way you want. If you'd feel better, lock the hallway door and just leave the bathroom door unlocked. The shower's big enough we can go two at a time so we don't waste their hot water."
Brad and Sean looked in the guest room and saw the queen size bed. They were both streetwise enough to know that Mark wanted them to shower first and hopefully get to sleep before he and Kevin finished their shower. Mark pulled out his shaving kit and placed it on the counter. Brad and Sean looked at one another and gave a knowing smile.
When Brad and Sean stepped out of the shower Mark was at the sink shaving. After drying, the two boys didn't bother wrapping a towel around their waist. As they walked out of the bathroom Sean told Mark he might want to make it a quickie. Brad popped his brother on the butt as they both laughed. When Mark looked at them they just explained they weren't sure there was much hot water left. (yeah, sure.) The brothers plopped on their beds enjoying the feel and smell of fresh linens against their naked bodies as they heard Mark and Kevin step in the shower.
Mark and Kevin had been fooling around for several weeks. Daniel had given his permission for Mark to associate with the boys. In a sense, Mark was one of the boys and one of the staff, giving him a unique situation. Kevin was the spokesman for the boys most of the time, being older and more mature. Mark also thought he was one hot bottom and chuckled to himself when he considered Kevin's authority position among the boys, and submissive position with him.
As soon as Mark stepped under the steaming water, Kevin began soaping Mark's body. Mark reached for the soap and reciprocated. No sooner did the hands cross over the other's nips that both displayed their excitement and anticipation. As Kevin cleaned his buddy he also whispered in his ear and massaged what he knew to be sensitive spots. Soon, Mark realized that maybe Sean wasn't just being a smart-ass with his quickie remark. The water was getting cooler, or he was getting hotter. The two quickly rinsed, dried off and hit the bed covered with fresh linen. Immediately, they entwined their limbs and locked into a deep tongue-twisting kiss. Kevin broke the kiss only long enough to voice a plea.
"Fuck me, fuck me hard and deep, then make love to me."
Mark responded by beginning to masturbate Kevin. The first two times would be to satisfy a young man's need, the last time to satisfy a young man's want.
The van drove slowly toward the target building located across from the old Church Street Station. When the driver started to park in a no-parking zone, Brad spoke up.
"Captain, parking a van in a no-parking area is like broadcasting over a loud speaker that the cops are in the neighborhood. Sorry, I didn't mean any disrespect by saying 'cops'."
"No disrespect taken, son. Thanks for the tip." The Captain then gave directions to his driver. "Stan, pull the van into the parking lot and take a ticket just like a private citizen. We don't want to draw attention."
The boys watched as two more vans and three sedans pulled in and parked during the next five minutes. The vans were not the type normally used by police, neither were the sedans. Someone had thought this through and pulled vehicles from the impound yard. The police were not in uniform, but dressed in civilian casuals. While the group formed, the Captain gave Brad, Kevin and Sean all the information they had from reconnaissance.
As Brad and Kevin watched, they began to feel sick. The sickness of a traitor. However, both boys knew they were traitors only if they didn't try to help the targeted boys. The boys could become part of New Horizon, or run and be caught another time to be enslaved.
The Captain gave last minute instructions to his men. They would leave their vehicles at staggered intervals, moving in different directions and then circling back to the building. No one was to get closer than one block. The three boys would leave together and approach the building as they determined best. Mark would exit the van after the boys entered the building. Each boy had a wireless communicator attached to his clothes. The ear plug for reception was to be installed when the boys thought best. When Brad or Kevin gave the signal to the Captain, he would order his men to move in at a casual pace. There was to be no rushing of the building or the boys.
Before leaving, Brad asked the Captain to promise not to enter the building until one of the boys called him by name. Brad explained to the Captain the boys would be very suspicious of anyone coming in and there was no way to predict how they would be greeted. However, Brad believed it would take a lot of convincing to get the boys to listen. The Captain agreed to cooperate with the condition that if it sounded as though they were in danger, he would order his men in. He did agree not to act with a hair trigger.
This area at one time had been a tourist mecca of night spots. Those spots were now at 'downtown'. The boys entered the deserted building. The building was musty and dirty, as expected. A trail could be seen in the dusty floor where the homeless moved in and out. About twenty feet in, they stopped and listened, nothing was to be heard. The boys weren't surprised since the Captain had said they thought the group was on the second or third floor.
The boys found the stairwell and proceeded to the second floor. When they reached the second floor the trail of movement was less pronounced. This suggested the boys were on a higher floor. The clear trail on the steps confirmed the steps were used regularly to reach higher floors. Regardless, Brad decided to alert whoever may be on the second floor of their presence.
"Boy comin' in! Boy comin' in!" Brad called out loudly.
There was no response to the call so the boys proceeded up the stairs. Half way up they reached a landing. Kevin thought he saw the third floor door move. Was someone watching?
Again, Brad called out the expected notice. "Boy comin' in! Boy comin' in!"
The boys heard the creak of a door closing. They were sure the group was on the third floor. Kevin and Brad looked at one another knowingly, and signaled for Sean to fall back. When they reached the third floor door, they pushed it open slowly. Little could be seen with the door three-quarters open due to boxes and debris. Brad and Kevin knew the items were deliberately placed.
Brad signaled Sean to stay put. He and Kevin took four steps into the room before they were jumped from behind and above. The two boys never had a chance. Each of their arms was grabbed while something hit them behind the knee, knocking their legs from under them. Both boys were now face down on the dirty floor. After they hit the floor Brad heard Sean call out to him.
"Let go! Brad! Brad! Make 'em let go!" Sean cried out.
With the strength that comes only with panic and need, Brad was able to overcome the weight of the boy on his back, roll onto his side and call out to his captors. "He's gotta bad heart. Ass hole, leave 'im alone. Look at his chest. We're here to help you, you dumb fucks! Why do you think we called out to ya?"
"Who you callin a dumb fuck, asshole? Look who's on the floor. And what makes you think we need your help?" The boy talking and challenging Brad appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen years old. He was tall with a solid build. His eyes and attitude said he'd been out on the streets for a long time.
Brad was fresh off the streets and knew how to handle such a situation. "I'm callin' you a dumb fuck, dumb fuck. You're so brilliant, do you think we'd come in here callin' out our comin' if we meant you harm? Think about it, that is if you've got any gray matter between those holes on the side of your head ^Å dumb fuck."
The groups leader was getting mad. The veins in his temple pounded with the rhythm of an accelerating heart beat. His fists clenched and unclenched as he looked at the intruders. The look in his eyes did not bode well for Brad or Kevin, especially Brad. A moment that seemed like an eternity after Brad finished calling the leader a dumb fuck, another voice called out.
"Brad? Brad? That you really you?" A boy about fourteen, dressed in filthy rags, squeezed through the group and approached Brad.
"Boyo? That you? How'd you get here?" It was clear the two boys knew one another.
"Cops raided the other group. I wasn't there, guess I got lucky." Boyo answered.
"Boyo, the cops were there, but it wasn't a raid like you think of." Brad told him. "The guys said you'd been gone for three or four days. We thought you were a gonner."
"How do you know what happened? You'd already gone to see Sean." A light then came on in Boyo's head. "Sean? How'd you get here? We saw you get taken. Then we thought we saw you on television and the papers? What's goin' on?"
Brad spoke before Sean could answer. "Tell that dumb fuck to let us ^Å."
"Listen asshole, you got no right callin' anybody ^Å.."
Everyone was so interested in listening to the conversation they neglected to keep a firm grip on their captives. Kevin took advantage of the situation and broke free of his captors. He quickly got to his feet and when the captors began moving in he simply held his hands up and cautioned them not to try it. He then began to take over.
"Of the three oldest here I think I'm the only one using any sense." Kevin turned to his former captors. "If you want to hold somebody, I suggest you stand here in the middle and keep dumb fuck and asshole apart until they get their problem sorted out." Kevin then turned to those holding Brad. "You three can let him go and join these others in the center keeping the peace."
The three holding Brad looked to Brad's challenger, who nodded his assent. They released Brad and joined their friends in the middle. Kevin then looked to Brad's challenger and asked his name.
"Patrick, I'm the leader of this group." he answered.
"Patrick, I'm Kevin. I know you already know Brad and I'm assuming you know who Sean is, correct?"
"Yeah, but from what Boyo has told us and what we seen on television, somethin' ain't right."
"How about we all sit down and talk. We're here to see you and hopefully, offer you a decent future. You know, where I come from, the host offers his guests some refreshments."
Patrick eyed Brad, his look showing a mix of distrust and bitterness. Brad reciprocated. Sean joined his brother and the group then moved down the hall to a corner room. When they entered the room, Kevin counted six younger boys. He had signaled Brad to stay calm and let him deal with this group since there was an obvious credibility issue.
Kevin waited till he was satisfied all the boys were in the room. Then he turned to Patrick. "Is this all of the group? Nobody out?" Patrick nodded and made no attempt to hide his distrust. However, Kevin ignored his attitude and proceeded to address the group.
"Some of these boys are too young to understand what I'm about to say, so I'll assume the older boys are responsible for them, correct?" All the older boys nodded. As Kevin spoke, he saw some of the younger boys move over to be with their protector. The young ones that didn't move were signaled by an older boy to move over. Kevin looked around at each boy and decided how he thought he should approach them. "Guys, for this to work, we need to be able to trust one another. That means we have to tell one another the truth. So here goes. Everyone here has been so busy reacting to us, has anyone paid any attention to what we are wearing? Notice all three of us are wearing the same thing. Also, notice the writing. It says 'New Horizons'. The logo is the sun rising over the horizon or beginning of a new day. Boyo, what you said about Sean is close to what happened." Kevin paused to read his audience. Most had a look of anticipation, waiting to hear what he said next.
"Sean was captured by the police. He was processed and shipped to a detention center. >From the center he was to be shipped to the slave auction in Tampa. I was in that same detention center. However, I was shipped to the Tampa auction center. I had been processed, shaved, taught slave discipline and was on display when Mr. Dan'l rescued me. He saved me, Roger and Frank. He saved TJ who was taken home by one of the guards. Mr. Dan'l found him in a playroom in the basement. You don't want to know what they were doin' to him."
"Sean," Boyo interrupted, "is it true you had a heart operation? I read some about it and saw some stuff on television down at the department store."
Sean nodded and stepped over to Kevin when he held his hand out for him. When he got to Kevin, Kevin pulled Sean's shirt off him to show his scar. The boys all gawked at Sean's scar, which appeared new. A couple of the younger boys touched it and ran a finger along the line.
Kevin waited for the attention given to Sean's scar to wane and then continued. "New Horizons is a program created to prove that kids like us don't have to be enslaved. The public doesn't want to spend the money to care for us ^Å."
"Screw the public. We can take care of ourselves." Patrick stated with more than a little attitude.
Kevin looked at Patrick, decided to ignore him, and continued, "As I was saying, the public doesn't want to spend the money to care for us, they'd rather let us be sold into slavery and generate money for something else. New Horizons is privately funded by some very large companies and private citizens. It's goal is to give kids like us the chance at a decent life as free citizens. Special programs have been setup to let us catch up on our educations to graduate when we should. We also have the chance to move on to college or vocational schools.
You say you can take care of yourselves and don't need the public. Look around you, how good are you doin'? More than that, think about what you have to do to survive. What are you goin' to do when you're not boys with cute bubble butts any more?"
Again, Kevin pauses, letting his message sink in.
"Guys, now is the time I have to tell you what you don't want to hear. It's very important that all of you understand that when I say what I have to say, nobody panics. You need to hear us out. The truth is, we were asked to come in here and talk to you. Before we ever walked in here, this building was surrounded and all exits have been secured by the police. They asked us to come here and talk to you."
"ASS HOLE! I knew it! You turned us in." Patrick screamed as he leapt for Brad.
Kevin and two other boys stepped in front of Patrick. Kevin used both hands to push Patrick back. He pushed hard enough to make Patrick lose his balance and fall.. Kevin stood over the boy, glaring. "No wonder Brad called you dumb fuck. Stop reacting to things and think for a change. If the cops just wanted to take you they would have come in quietly and rounded all of you up. They didn't need to send us in here. If you'll stay calm and listen and think with your head instead of the hatred you seem to have for Brad, you'll learn why."
Kevin stepped back and looked at the rest of the boys. All of them were uptight now, and understandably so. "Listen, guys, I understand all of you being a little scared right now, but you need to listen to us. We are here to help you and possibly save one or more of you from getting enslaved. If we were just here so the cops could take you we only have to speak a three word phrase into the wireless communicators we have and this place will be swarming with cops. Right now, we need to call in someone who is part of New Horizons and he's, also, one of us. I'll let him explain that part to you."
Kevin pulled out his ear piece and put it in so he could communicate with Mark and the Captain. Mark entered the building and soon joined the group on the third floor. He explained New Horizons' mission to the boys, repeating much of what Kevin had already stated. Obligations volunteers in the Cherubs assumed was explained in careful detail, including the protective measures.
Mark also explained the qualifications for joining the project and how the boys would be cleared. After being cleared through the computer all boys wanting to join would be escorted downstairs where they would be met by the Captain. After processing, all of them would then be escorted to Fort Ogden by the Captain who would make the trip to pick up his two sons visiting the center. Mark then asked if anyone had any questions.
"'scuse me," one of the boys spoke up, "Kevin said you was part of New Horizons and one of us. I don't get it."
"When Daniel Thompson, the head of New Horizons, first saw me I was a prisoner on work detail. I was just a matter of days away from being permanently enslaved. Me and some buddies in college went out one night and got drunk. We did a couple of other things that caused some property damage and I was picked up. Back in high school I wasn't exactly the ideal student and citizen either. My record qualified me as a habitual offender. Daniel was at the governor's office finishing the agreement to create the new Horizon project. He spotted me standing in a fountain in the park across the street. I was naked, cleaning the fountain with a toothbrush. Thanks to his intervention and the governor's support, the judge put me on probation in Daniel's care. I work for New Horizon primarily as a supervisor and teacher. I'm finishing my college courses on line."
When some of the boys heard about Mark standing in a fountain naked cleaning it with a toothbrush they smirked or just plain laughed. Mark told them they could laugh, but that's what they could look forward to, if they were lucky, as slaves. If they weren't lucky, they could wind up in a bordello. All there teeth would be pulled so they could give better head. With no teeth they could only eat mush at every meal. In two or three years they'd be washed up and then put out to hard labor. Now was the time for them to make their choices.
"Boys, I know we're moving kind of fast here, but there's no choice. The Captain has orders to pull this sweep. He and some of his fellow policemen volunteered their time and skills and spent this past weekend helping us construct a basketball court and ball diamond for the boys to enjoy. He doesn't like the idea of taking any of you into custody, but it is his job. This time around, he's allowing us to do the screening. If you choose not to join us or can't qualify, then you don't walk out of here with us. As we walk off we will wish you the best of luck."
"After you walk out, what happens?" one boy asked.
"Those who walk with us go to Fort Ogden. You'll be safe, get an education, and have a chance at a decent life. You won't have to spend all your waking hours looking over your shoulder. There's ninety-five other boys down there, I'm sure you can find someone to be a friend. You will have to be tested and take your school courses. Everyone also contributes to taking care of the place. You'll find Mr. Daniel is a very savvy man who cares a lot about what happens to the boys. Before you ask why he does this or cares, I'll just tell you that he was once a slave himself. The full story you can hear after you get there.
Gentlemen, it's time to decide."
"Hey, Sean," Boyo spoke p again, "it true what we here 'bout boys runnin' free and naked there all the time?"
Sean smiled at Boyo and then pulled his shorts down over one hip so the boys could see he didn't have any tan lines.
"Damn," one of the boys said, "we got to run naked all the time, too? Why?"
Kevin answered. "When the state took us to the center they took our clothes. Some of us was left with rags because they wasn't good for anything else. When Mr. Dan'l found us most of us was naked, the rest almost. He didn't expect to find us like that and didn't bring any clothes for us. All of us was dirty 'cause they didn't let us shower. We ate slop, too.
Mr. Dan'l fired up the heaters and we had hot showers for the first time in a long time. Comin' out of the shower, of course, we were all naked. Those of us that had the ragged shorts just tossed 'em. We were, naked, but clean, and startin' fresh. We chose to stay that way. Notice Sean wasn't bashful about showin' you his butt. He's not ashamed of anythin', he's comfortable with who he is. The food they fed us after that was good too, still is."
The boys sat in silence, looking at one another and looking at nothing. Each was deep in his own thoughts. After a couple of minutes one of the older boys stood, took two of the younger boys by the hand and approached Mark. The older boy gave the names of all three. When they were cleared, they stood with Sean. Slowly, the boys stepped forward, identifying themselves. One of the boys approached and stood, silent. Mark looked at the boy expecting him to state his name just as the others did.
"They call me Boyo." He said simply.
"Well Boyo, I'm assuming that's your street name. I need to know your real name to run the records."
"I never told nobody my real name."
"Doesn't matter, you need to tell me now. Otherwise, we can't take you."
Boyo looked at Mark and then leaned in close, hoping the others couldn't hear. "It's Christian Wellsley Crawford."
"What's wrong with that?" Mark responded.
Boyo looked at Mark, astonished. "Do you have any idea what kind of razzin' a boy whore on the streets gets with a name like Christian or Wellsley?" Suddenly, Boyo realized he had just said his name loud enough for all to hear. Some of the boys snickered.
"You're not a whore any more." Mark said to him. "How about I put in our papers you prefer to be called Chris, but are sometimes known as 'Boyo'?"
"I'm used ta 'Boyo', but Chris is good." He replied with a smile.
As Chris walked over to join the group he saw several of the boys laughing. One looked at him and said, "Welllllsleeeeey? You've got to be shittin' us!"
"Shut-up. It was my grandfather's name. Now, I'm Chris."
When Mark ran the name of the ninth boy, a warning flashed on the computer screen. The warning was for a warrant issued by the bankruptcy court; it was valid for another three months. Mark talked to the boy and explained the problems and options. While they talked Mark gave the boy money and a slip of paper. They shook hands and then Mark gave the boy a hug before he left with tears in his eyes. Mark called out for the boy to stay in touch. When the time was right he would personally come to pick him up. Mark fought to maintain his composure.
Mark, Kevin, Brad and Sean exited the building with thirteen boys. The Captain got out of his van and approached them slowly.
"This all of 'em?" the Captain asked.
"This is all that was there when I finished running their names, sir." Mark answered, visibly shaken.
"Mark, don't feel bad. You boys did a good thing today. One of my men called and said he saw a boy come out of the back of the building. When he described the boy I told him that it sounded like a boy I had just seen walking along the sidewalk. He was mistaken about seeing him come out of the building." The Captain watched the boys to be sure they understood what he said. All of the older boys understood, but were still frightened and sad.
"Daniel," Paul called out over the intercom, "Captain Jackson's on line one."
"Captain," Paul answered the phone, "how'd it go? Everything alright?"
"Daniel," the Captain responded with a light laugh in his tone, "aren't you really asking me how your boys are? They're fine and they did a great job. We have thirteen of the fourteen boys that were in the building. I'll let them tell you the details. I did want to tell you I think you may have a natural leader in your boy Kevin. He and Brad got a bit of a rough welcome this morning. It seems Brad and one of the other boys, Patrick, have a history. Kevin stepped in, took control, and did a nice job. That kid's a natural to be a lawyer or politician, or maybe he'll want to be a policeman one day."
"You say Brad and Patrick appear to have a history?"
"Yeah, and not a nice one evidently. Kevin and Mark can fill you in. Right now we've just returned to the station. The boys'll be processed just like the last group but due to their number it will take a bit longer, particularly with the paperwork. If you don't mind putting up with my two for another night, I thought we'd bring all of them back tomorrow morning. We should be able to get there by noon."
"Captain, you always manage to arrange your arrivals around meal time. Should I tell Barry you're hooked on his meals?"
The Captain responded with a laugh, "No comment. I can't have him thinking he cooks better than my wife, and I definitely can't have her knowing I think that way."
"We'll be looking for you tomorrow and I'll be sure to let Barry know you and some of your men will be here for lunch. Oh, and Captain, could you have Mark call Rick with the number and ages of the boys, please? We'll be arranging quarters for them this afternoon."
When Daniel hung up the phone, he decided to take a stroll and find Rick. Walking the grounds allowed Daniel to have some time with his own thoughts. He knew the boys were disappointed about one of their own not being able to join them, but hoped they understood what the Captain did for the boy they couldn't bring back. He made a mental note to talk with Mark about the boy and hoped he remained safe and free until he could come.
Another concern for Daniel was the problem between Brad and Patrick. While he walked and thought about the problem he spotted Tim and Thad. Both boys were part of the same group as Brad, maybe they could shed some light on the issue. When he was close to the boys, Daniel called them over to walk with him.
"Fellas, are things going okay for you?" Daniel was always concerned about the boys' welfare, but now was just trying to let them know they didn't have to be worried about being in trouble themselves. Both boys nodded, smiling and showing the questioning expression of 'why did you want to see us'? "I just got word that maybe there's a little problem headed our way and I was hoping you could shed some light on it for me."
Both boys looked first at Daniel and then to one another. Neither knew what Daniel was referring to. "Mr. Dan'l," Tim said, "we don't understand. What problem?"
"Boys, lets walk," Daniel continued as they walked towards the garden and orchard, "there's no need for anyone to hear or know what we are talking about. Both of you were with Brad. There was another boy with your group, but he left before we found you. Tell me about Patrick."
The boys stopped and just looked at Daniel. They wondered how he knew about Patrick. The boys looked at each other trying to decide what to say. Daniel saw and understood their hesitation.
"Listen, I know there's a code that says you don't talk about another boy," Daniel watched the boys faces, trying to read their expressions. "Us talking is not you ratting on a friend. I know there's bad blood between Brad and Patrick. I hope you realize that I can't let that disrupt the group. Just tell me what you know that might clarify the situation for me. Help me help your friend." Daniel saw the two boys relax. He knew they decided to talk.
"Mr. Dan'l," Thad began, "we can only tell you what we heard and saw. The whole thing started away from camp and no one was there but them."
"That's all I'm asking." Daniel answered in a calm and assuring tone.
Thad looked nervous and uncertain, Tim spoke. "You know about some of the things we had to do to survive. Well, in addition to what most people assume we did, we sometimes got paid to do underground sex shows. Brad and Patrick was hired for that. The guy that hired 'em said he wanted a virgin. Said his customers would pay big money to see a boy get his cherry popped. We all knew neither Brad or Patrick was virgin by then. We also knew that Brad convinced pro'bly nine or ten johns that they took his cherry. Patrick convinced more than one but we don't know how many.
When they got to the club the owner checked 'em." Tim paused to see if Daniel understood what he was saying, then continued. "Brad knew how to pull it off, but Patrick got caught. The owner got mad and changed the show. Instead of a straight fuck, Patrick was tied up and punished; Brad did the punishin'. We heard different stories about what kind of punishment. The only thing that stayed the same was the whip and Patrick being hung from a meat hook over his head. It hurt Patrick and he never got past it even though Brad said he tried to go easy. Finally, it got so bad that Patrick left and three or four boys went with him. That's all we know, sir." When Daniel looked at Thad he just nodded.
"Why didn't they just walk off?" asked Daniel.
"Mr. Dan'l, they took money up front. The guy that hired them, well let's just say that once you got some money, nobody quit on him that didn't regret it, even if they gave the money back."
Daniel stood with the boys looking at the trees and the ground. Then he looked directly at the two boys. "Thanks for trusting me. How 'bout some lunch?"
After lunch, Daniel stayed outside. He still needed time to think and didn't want anyone asking questions. Danny spotted Daniel walking around and ran to his protector, leaping from three steps away. Daniel laughed as he caught the boy and spun him around. Danny had been playing and looked like a little dirt bunny. Daniel smiled when an idea occurred to him. He tossed the boy around, tickling him and blowing raspberries on the boy's belly. Danny giggled and screamed the delight of a five year old. He screamed extra loud as Daniel threw the boy into the pool. In a rare, carefree moment, Daniel stripped and jumped in to frolic with the boys.
End Chapter Thirty-One
To Be Continued: comments welcome, contact Dwight Wilson at adm2780@yahoo.com