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.
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: I would like to thank Matthew for his unwavering support and editing skills while I write this story. Also, my thanks to those who have taken the time to send me their comments. Comments on the story are appreciated and may be addressed to the author, Dwight Wilson, at adm2780@yahoo.com
Chapter Ninety-Nine: New Horizons
"Excuse me. I'm looking for Daniel Thompson?"
"Jerry?" Dr. Thompson turned towards the door and was surprised to see a former student.
"Dr. Thompson, good to see you. I was told you were over here; hoped I would get to see you."
The two men shook hands and then, Dr. Thompson turned to Michael.
"Michael, this is Jerry Reynolds. Unless something has changed that I haven't heard about yet, Jerry heads the DCF office here."
Michael stood to greet and shake hands with Jerry.
"Please, call me Jerry. I assume you are the Dr. Mike I hear about quite a bit."
"I'm flattered, so long as what you hear is good."
"I'm still with DCF. Actually, that's why I'm here. The Jacksonville office sent over some papers. Tallahassee called. Seems you have an unusual case here and Mr. Crawford has taken a personal interest. Is Daniel around?"
"Actually, he's on a conference call with Crawford and others at the moment," Dr. Thompson responded. "I'll assume those papers you have are of the good kind?"
"Oh, I think so. I'm rather curious to meet this boy Elijah and Mr. Furman. I understand that, after Amos heard about them and learned their story, he called Jacksonville and told someone to make it happen. According to Jacksonville, Amos told them this was one of those cases that had to go outside the box because the law wouldn't do justice under the circumstances."
"That sounds like a fair assessment," Michael commented. "May I assume the boy will be released to Furman? If he is, then I need to make some quick arrangements for him so he can go home."
"As soon as the court issues its order and Daniel signs the papers, the boy can go with Furman. I also have some papers and instructions for him. Seems Amos has been quite busy talking to his legal friends, and making some special arrangements."
"That's the kind of news we were hoping for," Michael stated. "If you'll excuse me, I'll go take of making our arrangement now while you and Dr. Thompson visit."
Michael left the room to make the necessary arrangements for Eli. When he had gone, Dr. Thompson talked with Jerry and then introduced him to all the boys. Dr. Thompson also filled Jerry in on Eli's full story. A few minutes later, Michael returned with Eli and Furman. After introductions, the group talked amongst themselves, and with the other boys, while they waited on Daniel. Michael took the opportunity to talk to Eli and Furman about what remained to be done and their options.
"Mr. Furman, the examination shows that Eli does not have any type of implant that is sometimes used with slaves. However, he does have the SIN tattoo. All of the new boys that just came to us have the same type tattoo. We'll be removing theirs and can do the same for Eli. We have two options. The first is how we have done most, and that's to give the boy enough drugs to place him in what we call a twilight mode. He will be aware that something is going on around him, but far enough out of it to not really comprehend what is being done. He'll feel nothing and, assuming we do it this afternoon, he can go home tomorrow morning." Michael paused. Furman just looked at him while Eli moved to stand in front of Furman. The man wrapped his arms over the boy's shoulders, holding him protectively.
"The second option," Michael continued, "is to give him a local anesthetic. He will be fully awake and I'll explain everything I'm doing as we go along. He'll be able to feel me touching him, he'll be aware that something is being done to him, but he won't feel any pain. When it's over, I'll apply an antiseptic and bandage. He'll have to remain here for about two hours and then he can travel. Since the tattoo is in the groin area, he won't be able to wear any type of clothing that could rub the area for three or four days."
"Sir?" Eli spoke to Michael, but looked up at his protector before proceeding. When Furman squeezed Eli's shoulder and nodded, the boy continued. "You said I might feel you doing something. What are you going to do to me?"
"Eli, do you remember when they gave you that tattoo?" The boy nodded. "What they did was use a hot needle with special ink to burn it into your skin. What I will do is scrape off those few layers of skin. New skin will grow from underneath just like when you get a cut. It will leave a scar, but as you grow older and bigger, the scar will blend in and hardly be noticeable. Anyone that does see it will have no way of knowing what it was."
"When they did that to me, it hurt," Eli said with a look of fear.
"This won't hurt while I'm doing it. If you like, I can have your dad stay by you the whole time. It may hurt some later, but I'll give you pills for that. Before the weekend is over, it'll just feel like a little itch."
Eli looked up to the man he accepted as his dad.
"I wanna go home." His voice had a pleading tone to it.
"Patience, Eli," Furman kneeled down to talk to the boy and give him a hug. "These people are trying to help us so we can go home. Don't worry; I'll be right here with you." Furman didn't dare let the boy know about the nagging fears he felt inside.
While they talked, Daniel returned, followed by Elizabeth. They stood in the background, listening. When Michael looked at Daniel, Daniel gave him the nod to proceed. It took less than an hour for the arrangements to be made, but they would have to wait an additional two hours to perform the procedure.
"Has Mark taken the Cherubs to the dining hall?" Daniel asked.
"They left just before you came in," Dr. Thompson advised.
"Well, the chef tells me that, if these boys would like to join everyone in the dining hall, he has a special meal prepared for them," Daniel turned to see some boys focused on what he was saying. Daniel smiled to himself, thinking it was always interesting the effect that the mention of food had on teenage boys.
"Daniel," Granny spoke up, "we've already told these boys that they can go to the dining hall; we just need to find some pants for them. A couple of them seem to be a little shy about parading around without any clothes on." The adults shared a light laugh while a couple of the boys blushed.
Just as Granny told Daniel the problem, two orderlies entered, each carrying an armful of hospital greens. Eli watched as each boy was given a set of greens and began to dress. Eli turned and whispered something in Furman's ear.
"Ask Mr. Daniel. It's okay," Furman answered Eli. Daniel turned to look at the boy, immediately understanding what it was he wanted.
"Eli, would you like to have greens and dress like the other boys?" Daniel asked. Eli grinned as he nodded.
"Well, I'm afraid you can't put them on properly over those clothes you're wearing now."
Looking at Daniel and never losing his grin, Eli stood and began to take off his clothes. Quickly, and to everyone's amusement, the boy stood in all his natural glory, ready to receive his greens.
"This boy and Danny have to be related somehow," Daniel mused.
The amusement continued as Eli put on the pants and pulled them as tight as he could. When he tied the string and let go, the pants came close to falling completely off of him. In addition to being too big, the pants were almost two feet too long.
"Eli, somehow I think you would either walk out of those things or trip and hurt yourself," Elizabeth observed. "Let's see if we can work some magic with a safety pin."
Daniel noticed two of the boys wince while trying to put on the tops to their clothes and stopped them. Everyone understood the boys' backs were raw and it would be too painful for them to wear a shirt. Besides, the seniors were accustomed to, and appreciated, the boys' natural beauty. Learning from the boys' expressions, Daniel chose to wear a hospital gown that was open in the back but still provided a degree of modesty.
"Mr. Daniel, sir?" Tony waited for Daniel to acknowledge him. Daniel looked at the boy and he continued. "You said they had a special surprise for us. Does that mean we're not eating soup today?"
"Tony," Daniel smiled, "are you trying to tell me you're getting tired of soup?"
"Oh, no sir," Tony was embarrassed and wanted to make it clear he wasn't complaining. "I didn't mean that, Mr. Dan'l. I mean, we think the soup's just great. It's a lot better than that slave stuff they made us eat. It's just that . . ."
"Easy, Tony," Daniel interrupted the boy, "I was just teasing. We know that's all you boys have had since being brought here and it can get a little tiring. That's why they have something special for you today. Dr. Mike wanted your systems to adjust to something besides slave food and he thinks you can handle something a little more substantial now. What would you say if I told you the chef has prepared for you boys, and the Cherubs, some nice thick, juicy, greasy hamburgers with all the trimmings?"
"Cool!" one of the boys yelled out to everyone's amusement.
As the boys entered the dining hall, all eyes turned to them. The seniors were almost finished with their meal. The Cherubs were spread around the room talking with people. Daniel noticed Danny sitting in a lady's lap. The lady was not his usual granny; she was helping with the new boys. All the seniors smiled at the boys and several comments could be heard about how beautiful the boys were. As the boys milled about waiting for someone to tell them where to sit, one of the grannies spoke up.
"Okay, you boys find a place to sit; that includes you Cherubs. Today, us old people are gonna serve you."
Daniel didn't know who the lady was, but she definitely had a tone that conveyed the message that she wasn't accustomed to being questioned. When she said jump, people jumped. Bobby, an eleven year old, walked up to Eli and said something. Bobby then pointed towards his older brother, Tanner, and said something to Eli to make the boy smile. Daniel knew the smile probably came at Tanner's expense. The two young boys sat together.
A member of the kitchen staff rolled a cart out with the covered plates normally found in a hospital. Granny looked under the covers and turned to the boys with a smile. A plate was set in front of each boy and the cover removed. The boys' looks said it all. The boys' reactions really pleased the seniors when they began placing chocolate milkshakes in front of the boys.
"This is cool," Bobby commented, "I hadn't had a milkshake in forever!"
Eli just smiled at his new friend.
"I heard you was gonna get ta go home with your dad," Bobby stated to Eli.
"Yeah, that's what they're sayin', but they won't let me go yet."
"Why not?"
"I had ta have some kind of phys'cal this mornin' and now Dr. Mike says he's got ta take off my tattoo. There's somebody here, too, ta talk to my dad 'bout stuff. I don't understand it all, but Dad says he's gonna be here with me till it's time ta go."
"How come you got a tattoo, only real slaves get them; like these other guys."
"He's not my real dad. My real dad sold me to 'im, so's I guess he's like my master, but he's really not. Least way, we tell people he's my dad and it's fixed so nobody can take me away."
"That sounds kinda complicated," Bobby concluded.
"Yeah, I don't understand all of it neither but he says when Mr. Daniel and them other people finish and we leave here, then he really will be my dad and I don't have ta be afraid no more of somebody findin' out I'm really a slave."
Eli took a bite of his hamburger and drank some of his milkshake. When he looked back at Bobby, both boys laughed at each other. They looked funny with a chocolate mustache.
"When you leave here do you get to go home with your dad?" Eli asked, innocently.
"No," Bobby whispered and then paused, deep in thought. "I ain't got a dad no more. When we leave here we go back to the camp with the rest of the boys. It's a long ways from here."
"Is there a lotta boys there?"
"Yeah, and none of us has parents anymore. Mr. Dan'l and the other people take care of us. It's a pretty neat place. They make us do school work and stuff just like everybody else does and we all have chores to do to help keep the place up, but we have a lot of fun, too. We got ball teams and a pool and computer stuff and a game room. Mr. Dan'l and the others just had us spendin' time at the resorts havin' fun like a vacation."
"You hafta dress like that all the time?" Eli asked pointing to the Cherub outfit.
"Uh-uh," Bobby answered, laughing. "We don't normally wear nothin'. We go naked all the time. It's more fun like that. Don't you go naked?"
"Not outside. Dad said he didn't want the neighbors gettin' upset and callin' nobody. He lets me go naked after I get my bath at night though, and I don't wear no pajamas." Eli smiled at Bobby like he had told Bobby a big secret.
"You like ta go naked, don't ya? We do. We don't hafta worry 'bout gettin' stuff dirty and messed up."
"Yeah, I like ta go naked and sometimes I get in his lap and he holds me. I like it when he rubs my back. Sometimes he lets me sleep in his bed, too. That's best when I can lay against him. He feels warm and his hair sometimes tickles."
The boys became quiet. One thinking about going home and being cuddled, the other wishing he could go home and be cuddled. Bobby wondered if his brother, Tanner, would let him cuddle that night.
Most of the boy sat on the side of their beds after returning from lunch. All of them enjoyed the attention they received from the seniors. They also enjoyed being able to sit around and talk to the Cherubs. A few of the boys looked to be uncomfortable from having eaten too much, but no one complained.
During lunch, Jerry Reynolds and Daniel had a detailed talk with Furman regarding the court actions taking place in Jacksonville. Both Furman and Daniel signed the papers Reynolds presented to them. The judge had agreed to work the hearing into his schedule during the afternoon. Furman was represented at the hearing by an attorney who had volunteered his services at the request of Arthur Sinclair. All Furman could do was wait.
Eli sat in Furman's lap while they waited. His clothing removed, except for the green pants, the boy sat in Furman's lap with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders; strong arms kept the blanket in place. Michael had already given the boy a mild sedative to help him relax.
The procedure was considered to be minor surgery that didn't require them to be in the operating area. When Michael made a phone call, an orderly brought in a small cart with the necessary implements and medications. Everyone watched as a plastic sheet was placed over Daniel's bed, then covered with another set of linens. No one said anything; no one moved to leave the room.
When the time came, the green pants were removed and Gerald Furman carried his boy to the bed. Eli kept a death grip on Furman's hand. His lower lip couldn't stop quivering. Furman never stopped running his fingers through the boy's hair and talking to him. After every few words, the men heard 'love you' followed by a gentle kiss. Eli was placed on his right side. His left leg was drawn up, exposing the inside of his thigh. A water proof liner was taped in place to protect the boy's genitals from the chemicals. When Michael touched the boy, he could feel him shaking. Michael talked to Eli, trying to get him to relax.
Eli lay as still as he could. His knuckles were white from the tight grip he had on his dad. The boy cried silently, tears ran down his cheeks. Too many memories of hurt and abuse flooded the boy's mind. He tried to be brave, but he was a scared little boy, an innocent victim of an ugly situation. He wanted to go home. He needed to be loved.
"Daddy?" Eli cried out, whimpering.
"It's okay, Eli. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Dr. Mike is just going to help us."
"They gonna let me stay with you?" Fear permeated every word Eli spoke.
"Don't worry. Didn't I promise we'd always be together?" Eli looked into Furman's eyes. Furman knew he could not let the boy see his own fears. "Have I ever broken a promise to you?" Eli shook his head.
"Mr. Furman," Michael interrupted. "Eli is shaking so badly that I'm going to give him a shot which should put him to sleep. I don't want to take the chance of his leg jumping and him being hurt unnecessarily." Michael picked up the syringe.
"Eli, you're going to feel just a little sting on your bottom."
The boy whimpered again as Michael administered the shot and rubbed an antiseptic over the spot. Furman continued to rub Eli's back and talk to him.
Michael backed off for a few minutes and watched the boy. When he thought Eli was sufficiently under the influence of the drug, he proceeded. This time he spoke only enough to let everyone know what he was doing. Part way through the procedure Michael looked up and realized the adults, and the boys, had moved closer to the bed to watch him.
"Boys, watch closely," Michael stated flatly while he continued to work. "I had the hospital bring me enough supplies to do this to each of you before this afternoon is over." Two of the boys immediately backed away.
"He should sleep for a couple of hours and wake on his own. Unless something's wrong that I haven't seen, he can travel," Michael announced when he was finished.
Gerald Furman looked at Michael and mouthed a 'thank you' while still holding Eli's hand. Furman lifted the boy part way onto his lap and spread a blanket over the boy to keep him warm.
Daniel told the boys it was time for them to leave for their afternoon treatments. The boys left quietly.
"Mr. Furman," Jerry Reynolds called softly. "The papers have been faxed back to Jacksonville. I just received notice that we expect the judge to sign off today.
"I know this has all been moving rather quickly. As I explained earlier, the proceeding will give you custody of Eli. There is a copy of the interview you completed, together with the department's recommendations. We're pleased to tell you that you have been determined to be a fit and proper person for the child's care. Before going any further, do you have any questions?"
Furman reviewed the papers, occasionally looking up to check on Eli. Furman looked at Daniel, who could read the questions in the man's expression.
"What you are reading are the official findings. There is no need for you to volunteer any additional information." Daniel paused to be sure Furman caught his meaning.
"We pass laws to try to protect our citizens as best we can," Dr. Thompson interjected. "Sometimes, those laws don't necessarily lead to what most people would consider a just outcome. The issue of enslavement of children is only one of those outcomes that I happen to not agree with. The decision on who should have the custody and care of Eli would be another. The state, or people in a position within state government, have taken special steps to be sure that this ends with the right outcome. Understand?"
Furman couldn't say anything. Tears formed in his eyes as he fought to maintain his composure.
"What do I do?"
"Right now, we wait. Stay by Eli and I'll let you know as soon as we hear anything. Here's one more set of legal papers I think you'd like to have. We'll use the reports you just reviewed to support the petition."
Furman looked at the title of the documents and didn't know how to react. He looked at Daniel.
"But, I thought that this wouldn't happen because . . ." Daniel held up his hand to stop Furman.
"Like my dad just said. Sometimes the law doesn't give us the right outcome. Here, the necessary information has been given to let you adopt Eli. No one need know any more than is stated in the reports. All you have to do is sign at the end of the document. Jerry will fax everything to people who are waiting to help you."
Furman sat in the chair next to Eli. He wanted to be sure that he was the first person Eli saw when he woke. While he waited, he couldn't help but run through his mind all that had happened in the past three days; it was almost too much to comprehend. He laughed to himself as he thought about asking someone to pinch him. Every day he lived in fear that someone would discover his sexual preferences and take the boy away. Everyday he feared that someone would declare he had not followed the rules in caring for a slave and take the boy away. Now, it was different. He waited, seemingly forever. Time had slowed to a standstill.
"Mr. Furman." Jerry touched the man's shoulder to get his attention. "Mr. Furman, I have some papers for you. The judge signed the necessary orders. These are your copies." Furman took the papers. He looked at them but was too stunned to comprehend their total meaning. He knew what he had been told they said, but his mind couldn't quite comprehend it all.
"Mr. Furman, those papers give you custody of Eli. You will be contacted once per month for the next six months. Keep going as you have been, and Eli will legally become your son."
It was too much for Furman to handle. He broke down in tears. The men moved away to give him his privacy.
"Mmmmmm . . . . mmmmmmm," Eli moaned. Furman quickly wiped away his tears to focus on Eli.
"It's okay. I'm here. Go back to sleep."
"Nooooo," Eli whined as he reached out.
Eli opened his eyes. Still influenced by the drugs, he had trouble focusing and whined as he tried to raise his hands up to rub his eyes. Furman reached over and placed a hand on the boy's chest. Michael approached and spoon fed the boy crushed ice. He then wrapped a little ice in a napkin and rubbed it over Eli's forehead. Eli looked up at Michael and then to his dad. When he saw his dad, he jumped at the man, wrapping his arms around Furman's neck. Furman held the boy and rocked him.
"I wanna go home," Eli whined as he held a death grip around Furman's neck.
Furman looked at Michael who smiled and nodded his head. Furman then looked to Daniel and Jerry Reynolds. Daniel set a bag holding the boy's clothes on the bed.
"Why don't you just take him wrapped in the blanket. I doubt if he cares whether he's dressed or not right now," Daniel told him.
The men laughed as Furman tried to pick up Eli. The boy refused to let go of his grip around the man's neck.
"I don't know what to say. Thank you doesn't seem to be enough," Furman told the group.
"You've already said a lot more than thank you with your actions. It's obvious that Daniel was right," Jerry commented. "We needed to bend the rules a little to get the right outcome; I think we have. Good luck to both you and your son."
Elizabeth watched the man and the boy with tears running down her cheek. The room was silent as they watched as Furman carried Eli out. Eli lay his head on the man's shoulder and was going back to sleep.
The adults turned to see the boys watching Eli go home. More than one boy had tears welled up in his eyes. All of them wanted the same thing. All of them just wanted someone to care; someone to let them know they were loved.
"What?" Daniel asked Michael as he turned and saw his friend wearing a slight smile.
"You're late for your treatment. We shouldn't keep them waiting."
Daniel's eyes rolled upward as Michael took his arm to guide him out.
End Ch Ninety-Nine
To Be Continued
Comments Welcome: contact Dwight Wilson at adm2780@yahoo.com