Chapter 102
Maria’s mind kept going in circles, mostly everything that had happened lately, since Michael’s attack. Langley’s revelations about the way Tess manipulated her made her skin crawl. It had been so weird. She had woken up each morning believing she was having the most amazing wet dreams of having sex with Michael. They had been so real! Wow! He was a god in bed! The things they had done! The things she had done to him! The things he had let her do to him! That boy was too much! Since he had never mentioned them, confirmed her they had been just that, wet dreams. Of course, when Michael stayed over, they would sleep in her bed and kiss and touch and masturbate each other, which at that time, as far as they were concerned, it was a way of making love without being the real thing, but they had never had sex, except in those dreams. Shit! Maria thought, Michael also had Tess’ virginity! Oh no, no sister feelings with that bitch at all! Max hadn’t noticed she wasn’t a virgin when he had his thing with her? She would have to tell him, now that the “no secrets” thing was on, and watch him throw a fit when he realized he was being seconds after Michael with both girls. It would have to be a private fit, cause he wasn’t throwing one over Tess in front of Liz! She had to suppress a giggle over that one. At least Michael’s moans were coming less and less frequently, he was rather taking deep breaths and sighs. She checked her watch and it was almost 5am. As he started to relax, so did Maria, until a soft knock on the door made her open her eyes. She knew that whoever was knocking would come in after a few seconds, to give her time to get decent. She checked over Michael’s shoulder and managed to get a corner of the sheet and raise it almost to his waist. The door opened completely and they all padded quietly into the room.
- Oh my god, Maria! Are you alright? - Isabel exclaimed as she noticed they were all staring at her, wide eyed.
- Yes, yes, what’s wrong with me? - That had got her very alarmed. She felt ok…-
- You’ve got such circles around your eyes! - Liz told her, squeezing her arm.
- What time is it? - She asked yawning, covering her mouth with her hand.
- Twenty past nine. - Laurie said.
- Oh well, at least I’ve slept about 4 hours. - She yawned again. - I need a hand here…-
She tried to push Michael gently aside to get up. Max and Kyle knelt on the bed behind Michael and pulled him a little towards them so Maria could slide from under him. Then they let him down again.
- No, please, no, don’t go, don’t leave me…- Michael snuggled and moaned softly.
Maria rushed back to him and gathered him in her arms, sobbing.
- I’m here, baby, I’ll never leave you. - She whispered against his cheek.
- Hey, we’re all here, Michael…- Liz went to the bed and place her hand on his thigh, Isabel’s hand went on the other, then Laurie, Max, Kyle, and Stuart surrounded the bed and placed their hands all over his back. Michael sighed and lay still, a small smile on his lips.
- Ok, let’s see… - Stuart turned into doctor mode and they all but Maria stood back to let him do his thing.
He touched Michael’s face and nodded, then he kneaded his muscles with both hands beginning at his shoulders and going all the way down his legs, checking his reactions to locate painful spots, and there were plenty.
- He’s just sleep warm, not burning or anything, he may have a touch of fever, because of the sore stressed muscles, but that’s about it. - He nodded, satisfied of his patient’s recovery. - Can I make a suggestion? -
Stuart made everyone turn towards him.
- Maybe we could do whatever we were doing today right here, where Michael is comfortable. He really needs to rest, but still we must continue today cause we’re rather short of time. - He knew he was making sense.
- You’re right, but first we need to wait until Michael wakes up. - Max agreed with Stuart.
- I’ll give Anita and Sylvia the day off, they can have the car so Ruben can go with them. Javi can take care of the horses for the day. I’ll ask them to leave us some food for lunch. That ok with you? - She asked.
Everyone nodded, and she left the room. Isabel went to the bathroom and returned soon after.
- Well, what are you waiting for? Get your bathing suits so we can wait while we take a Jacuzzi, it’s big enough…- She flashed them a big smile and went to her room, and everyone followed suit. When they returned, they went to the bathroom and called Maria over. Michael seemed fast asleep so she got up slowly and waited for his reaction. There was none, so she joined them in the large but crowded tub. She sat where she could see him through the open door and they just told jokes and made silly nonsense conversation, giggling and chuckling, momentarily forgetting their stressed out existences. Some 20 minutes later, Maria suddenly went serious and shushed them. She was right, they heard Michael call her name and she scrambled out of the tub and to go to him.
- Michael, you ok? -
- Maria? I need you…-
- I’m right here, baby, you awake? -
- Come here…-
She sat beside him and caressed his cheek.
- You’re wet…- He noticed.
- We’re all in the Jacuzzi, waiting for you to wake up. We have to…you know…- She reminded him.
- Yeah, right…-
They started coming out of the bathroom wrapped in huge towels, and Isabel informed him where they had decided to do it. He agreed and decided to start right away.
- I know we have to make contact with an alien and two humans. I know the alien is Tess, cause Langley already told us Zan is alive and kicking, still. One of the humans is Alex, of course, but I have no idea who the other one is that needs closure with us. - Michael wondered.
- Hubble, Pierce, Topolsky? - Max went over the deceased he could think of.
- I may be wrong, but I don’t see any reason for closure with these people, they were never that personally close to us, ok, Topolsky tried to help us in the end, but she was never close to any of us. The only other one I can think of is that Agent Stevens, but I don’t think we even know what he looked like…- Liz tried to make sense of the whole thing.
They all looked doubtful, but try as they might, no other name came to their minds.
- Are we supposed to call them, or they will choose to come to us? That’s not very clear either. - Isabel wasn’t sure how to make the contact.
- Maybe we should go like the Ouija board, just call anyone who wants to contact us. I think that’s the only way to do it. - Maria suggested.
- Makes sense. - Stuart said.-
- Ok, then. We make the connection and simply concentrate in accepting anyone who wants get in touch with us. Right? Let’s go. - Isabel took Michael’s hand in one of hers and Stuart’s in the other. Soon the circle was closed and just as they were starting to shut their eyes, Maria remembered something.
- Sorry for the interruption, but since we’re going to contact Tess, and we don’t know how she can interact with us even if she’s dead, I want this in the open in case she can still mind warp me and make me forget it. - She said, getting their immediate attention. Then she just stared straight ahead.
- Well? - Isabel exploded, impatiently.
- As I held you asleep in my arms and tried unsuccessfully to follow your example, I couldn’t help remembering what Langley told us about Tess’ trick with me to get to you. - She said locking eyes with Michael. - At that time, I thought they were just dreams, cause we still had had no actual sex, and the fact that you never mentioned it made me think I was right about that. I’m curious about you, what did you make of it? -
- I just thought I was having these awesome wild wet dreams, and that they somehow had something to do with that dessert your mother kept leaving for me, since it had some liquor. I never thought they were real. - Michael assured her.
- But to you they were! I wasn’t doing anything but sitting it out conked out of my mind, also thinking I was having wet dreams because of the rum in the pie, while you were having actual sex with Tess, thinking it was me, even if you thought you weren’t. - Maria couldn’t hide her disgust. - Mind you, I’m not blaming you at all, I just want to clarify this silly issue while it’s clear in my mind. -
- It’s ok, I know. Where is it leading to? - He asked her, confused.
Maria turned to look at Liz, and frowned.
- It’s about this sisterly bond with Liz because you had both our virginities, and the fact that you also had Tess’ just creeps me out, cause there’s no way I could feel that way about her. Sorry Max. - She noticed Max had not got it at all.
- Maria, why should you be sorry for me, what does it have to do with me? - Max asked her totally perplexed.
- Duh…Tess was no longer a virgin when she was with you. You didn’t notice it, or she put on a show for you? Cause we know for sure she didn’t need to mind warp you. - She said sarcastically.
- Oh…OH! I didn’t even think about it, I just wanted to get Liz out of my mind, and get even with her for being with Kyle, well, that’s what I thought had happened. - He turned to Liz, with a sad look on his face. - I know how it sounds, Liz, but yes, it was revenge, and now I realize it was such a low thing to do, I hadn’t actually seen you do it, I just assumed, it was so stupid.
I was so stupid because I was doing just what I thought you had done. There’s really no excuse, I should ‘ve been completely sure, before I…-
- Well, Michael, how does it feel to have three cherries…- Liz began.
- Four…actually, he also had mine…- Isabel said, not daring to look up.
- Shit! - Michael whispered, with his eyes shut tight.
Kyle’s laughter was followed by Maria’s, then Laurie’s “Well, whatd’ya think of my kid brother!” had everyone else joining in. Michael, of course just lay there, not thinking it funny at all.
- I guess Spaceboy is living up to his bad boy reputation, what can I say? - Maria thought it had gone much better than she had expected it, so she was thankful that that issue was over with no grudges or bad feelings whatsoever. Dead and buried, like the ones they were about to contact.
- Are we ready now? - Isabel got it all together again.
Their absolute silence was her answer. They closed their eyes and simply waited, their minds totally blank and free of any influence.
- Well, am I glad to see you guys! -
The Martyr of Antar-COMPLETED
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ñusta
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the martyr of antar
ALIENS FULL TILT!
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ñusta
- Obsessed Roswellian
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:52 pm
- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
the martyr of antar
Chapter 103 a
The voice drifted straight into Isabel’s soul: Alex! They all opened their eyes to see their friend slowly materialize, sitting crossed legged on the rug by the bed, watching them and smiling ear to ear.
- You finally summoned me! You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting! I know, I know, you have no idea what I’m talking about. Let me explain…I wasn’t healed by Max, and I didn’t fuck Michael, though I had some kind of contact with him a couple of times. I almost broke my hand against his face, - he showed his fist, - because of Courtney. I was wrong…no, we were wrong, Maria and I. Sorry man, I would’ve done the same, can’t blame you. I truly apologize for hitting you, you didn’t deserve it. And thank you for not kicking the crap out of me, as you could’ve easily done, and calling me a good friend instead. And the other weirder deeper one…- raised his right index finger, - which was Liz and Maria’s doing and mostly his, you pushed back, man, you made me do it, you know? But what really made it happen was getting my brains fried by an alien. I don’t remember much, just that I was furious with Tess, and demanding what she’d done to my head, and then I’m standing in front of two gleaming white beings. They didn’t speak, but somehow I got their message. They said that because of the injustice done to me by one of them, resulting in an unfair and untimely death, I would receive the privilege entitled to her by her status. They asked me where I wanted to be, and I thought that they were going to send me right back as if nothing had happened, but they said it could only be my essence, because my body had been terminated. I told them I wanted to be with my friends, and they said I had to be specific and choose one. So I chose you, Isabel. I was impatient to see you, so I said: “Well?” They said my essence had to be transformed and adapted. Then they told me their children had arrived in 1947 and were ready to come out in 1989, but since I was only essence, it would be very fast. I was so disappointed. Still, it’s taken over a year, and I’m finally here.
- But Alex, you came and helped me make up my mind about Jesse! -
- No, Isabel, that wasn’t me, that was your own imagination telling you what you wanted to hear. I would never have told you to marry Jesse. He wasn’t counting in falling in love with you, but who wouldn’t? Now he’s bitter because you didn’t trust him, of course you wouldn’t have, if you had known why he was there. And he still hasn’t told you, so you have a card up your sleeve there, though you can’t bring it in the open cause it would backfire against all of you. Now it’s in your hands to keep him on your side, you NEED to keep him on your side. He’ll never come clean with you, he simply can’t, and he won’t. You weren’t meant for each other, it wasn’t meant to be so don’t push it, it’s not worth it. You must part as friends, and not enemies, for your own safety. He must never know that you know about him cause it would be your downfall. I’m ok with Stuart, though. He’s the best that could have happened to all of you. I’m grateful for Michael, man, thank you. -
Stuart realized Alex was talking to him, and he nodded, smiling. Alex continued.
- Don’t be too hard on Tess please, she didn’t mean to pop me, it was a miscalculation, she thought I was stronger, and she just freaked out. Anyone would’ve. I know she shouldn’t have used Kyle, but there was no one else to help her, so she did the only thing she thought might clean up the mess: she mindwarped him. Hey Liz, thank you for not believing I had done something so stupid, especially when Isabel was on to me. Hey Michael, thanks for siding with Liz, and trying to get Max to respect her point of view on the whole thing, and being there for my girls when they needed you. You’re a true friend, man, you’ve always been there for everyone, one way or another, without expecting anything, in spite of all you were going through and our lack of understanding, I don’t know how you could trust any of us, and take all our crap, after what humans were doing to you. I honestly wouldn’t have. I love you man, really. Glad you got rid of the stonewall. And Maria, you’re not Teflon, baby, trust me, and neither is Michael even with the stonewall. Max, try screwing your head on the right way, huh? For my Liz? Thank you again, Michael, for what you took for her, and all you did for her, you know what I mean. Hey Laurie, take care of that big kid brother of yours, you know he desperately needs a guardian angel, that one, and my Maria seriously needs a hand there too. Sorry I didn’t get to meet you properly, when I could’ve, now it’s too late. I’m here because this privilege was taken away from Tess, and bestowed upon me. I’m asking you all again, don’t be too hard on her. Remember the betraying deal was made by Nasedo, not her. He manipulated her since she was in the pod. He raised her with him, drilling into her head what he wanted her to believe. But when she returned, her eyes had been opened, her disappointment in her people was devastating. When she came back, and saw she was dividing you, she realized her life was over. There was no place for her anywhere. She knew her son would be in the best of hands, no matter what you decided for him, but she couldn’t live without him, and you wouldn’t let her keep him. If she insisted on her rights as his mother to stay with him, her life would have been miserable because she knew you would never totally accept her. She did what she thought best, and was right in choosing Liz to help her. She didn’t want to be hated for the sick joke destiny had played on her. She would never have your pity and she didn’t want it, she was sick of hypocrisy. Like Nasedo, her timing was always off, and nothing she did came out right. She was very much like you Michael, only Nasedo never laid a hand on her, but he psychologically destroyed her. I’ve made my peace with her, and I hope you will too, especially you, Michael, you know why. How would you have felt if my Maria had been meant for someone else, and hadn’t given you a second look, no matter how much you wanted her. Tough, huh? I’ve willingly given her back part of her privilege, so she can be with you too. That has limited my time here, because she deserves it. Anyway, it’s worth it, cause I have seen you Isabel. I know you’re now in good hands and I’ve been able to advise you on an important decision for your future happiness, which means everything to me. Good bye, guys, Liz and Maria, my girls, and Isabel, my love, don’t ever forget me. -
Alex reached his hands out to Isabel and she took them in hers, and for a fraction of a second, she actually felt them, as if he were alive. Then he started fading and as he disappeared from sight, Isabel’s tears broke loose, followed by Liz and Maria’s. The connection had already been broken, and Stuart, Max and Michael were there for them to hold them and soothe them on the definite loss of a dear friend.
The voice drifted straight into Isabel’s soul: Alex! They all opened their eyes to see their friend slowly materialize, sitting crossed legged on the rug by the bed, watching them and smiling ear to ear.
- You finally summoned me! You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting! I know, I know, you have no idea what I’m talking about. Let me explain…I wasn’t healed by Max, and I didn’t fuck Michael, though I had some kind of contact with him a couple of times. I almost broke my hand against his face, - he showed his fist, - because of Courtney. I was wrong…no, we were wrong, Maria and I. Sorry man, I would’ve done the same, can’t blame you. I truly apologize for hitting you, you didn’t deserve it. And thank you for not kicking the crap out of me, as you could’ve easily done, and calling me a good friend instead. And the other weirder deeper one…- raised his right index finger, - which was Liz and Maria’s doing and mostly his, you pushed back, man, you made me do it, you know? But what really made it happen was getting my brains fried by an alien. I don’t remember much, just that I was furious with Tess, and demanding what she’d done to my head, and then I’m standing in front of two gleaming white beings. They didn’t speak, but somehow I got their message. They said that because of the injustice done to me by one of them, resulting in an unfair and untimely death, I would receive the privilege entitled to her by her status. They asked me where I wanted to be, and I thought that they were going to send me right back as if nothing had happened, but they said it could only be my essence, because my body had been terminated. I told them I wanted to be with my friends, and they said I had to be specific and choose one. So I chose you, Isabel. I was impatient to see you, so I said: “Well?” They said my essence had to be transformed and adapted. Then they told me their children had arrived in 1947 and were ready to come out in 1989, but since I was only essence, it would be very fast. I was so disappointed. Still, it’s taken over a year, and I’m finally here.
- But Alex, you came and helped me make up my mind about Jesse! -
- No, Isabel, that wasn’t me, that was your own imagination telling you what you wanted to hear. I would never have told you to marry Jesse. He wasn’t counting in falling in love with you, but who wouldn’t? Now he’s bitter because you didn’t trust him, of course you wouldn’t have, if you had known why he was there. And he still hasn’t told you, so you have a card up your sleeve there, though you can’t bring it in the open cause it would backfire against all of you. Now it’s in your hands to keep him on your side, you NEED to keep him on your side. He’ll never come clean with you, he simply can’t, and he won’t. You weren’t meant for each other, it wasn’t meant to be so don’t push it, it’s not worth it. You must part as friends, and not enemies, for your own safety. He must never know that you know about him cause it would be your downfall. I’m ok with Stuart, though. He’s the best that could have happened to all of you. I’m grateful for Michael, man, thank you. -
Stuart realized Alex was talking to him, and he nodded, smiling. Alex continued.
- Don’t be too hard on Tess please, she didn’t mean to pop me, it was a miscalculation, she thought I was stronger, and she just freaked out. Anyone would’ve. I know she shouldn’t have used Kyle, but there was no one else to help her, so she did the only thing she thought might clean up the mess: she mindwarped him. Hey Liz, thank you for not believing I had done something so stupid, especially when Isabel was on to me. Hey Michael, thanks for siding with Liz, and trying to get Max to respect her point of view on the whole thing, and being there for my girls when they needed you. You’re a true friend, man, you’ve always been there for everyone, one way or another, without expecting anything, in spite of all you were going through and our lack of understanding, I don’t know how you could trust any of us, and take all our crap, after what humans were doing to you. I honestly wouldn’t have. I love you man, really. Glad you got rid of the stonewall. And Maria, you’re not Teflon, baby, trust me, and neither is Michael even with the stonewall. Max, try screwing your head on the right way, huh? For my Liz? Thank you again, Michael, for what you took for her, and all you did for her, you know what I mean. Hey Laurie, take care of that big kid brother of yours, you know he desperately needs a guardian angel, that one, and my Maria seriously needs a hand there too. Sorry I didn’t get to meet you properly, when I could’ve, now it’s too late. I’m here because this privilege was taken away from Tess, and bestowed upon me. I’m asking you all again, don’t be too hard on her. Remember the betraying deal was made by Nasedo, not her. He manipulated her since she was in the pod. He raised her with him, drilling into her head what he wanted her to believe. But when she returned, her eyes had been opened, her disappointment in her people was devastating. When she came back, and saw she was dividing you, she realized her life was over. There was no place for her anywhere. She knew her son would be in the best of hands, no matter what you decided for him, but she couldn’t live without him, and you wouldn’t let her keep him. If she insisted on her rights as his mother to stay with him, her life would have been miserable because she knew you would never totally accept her. She did what she thought best, and was right in choosing Liz to help her. She didn’t want to be hated for the sick joke destiny had played on her. She would never have your pity and she didn’t want it, she was sick of hypocrisy. Like Nasedo, her timing was always off, and nothing she did came out right. She was very much like you Michael, only Nasedo never laid a hand on her, but he psychologically destroyed her. I’ve made my peace with her, and I hope you will too, especially you, Michael, you know why. How would you have felt if my Maria had been meant for someone else, and hadn’t given you a second look, no matter how much you wanted her. Tough, huh? I’ve willingly given her back part of her privilege, so she can be with you too. That has limited my time here, because she deserves it. Anyway, it’s worth it, cause I have seen you Isabel. I know you’re now in good hands and I’ve been able to advise you on an important decision for your future happiness, which means everything to me. Good bye, guys, Liz and Maria, my girls, and Isabel, my love, don’t ever forget me. -
Alex reached his hands out to Isabel and she took them in hers, and for a fraction of a second, she actually felt them, as if he were alive. Then he started fading and as he disappeared from sight, Isabel’s tears broke loose, followed by Liz and Maria’s. The connection had already been broken, and Stuart, Max and Michael were there for them to hold them and soothe them on the definite loss of a dear friend.
ALIENS FULL TILT!
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ñusta
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- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:52 pm
- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
the martyr of antar
Chapter 103 b
Unlike Alex’s subtle appearance, Tess was suddenly just there, sitting exactly where Alex had been, hugging her legs to her with downcast eyes, facing her knees. After a long unending minute of absolute silence, Liz tentatively asked:
- Tess? - No use asking her if she was alright, she was dead.
Without raising her head, she spoke:
- I didn’t want to come, I didn’t want to offend anyone with my presence, but Alex insisted. I’m not here to apologize, but to explain. There’s nothing left to hide or lie about now, so believe what I’m telling you cause it’s just the truth. You deserve to know it. Nasedo raised me with the idea firmly planted in my brain that I was the queen of my planet and I had to reunite with my husband the king, to claim back what was ours. We had spent years trying to find him, because according to him, he had been taken away from under his nose and adopted somewhere. One day, when I was 16, I was tidying up the place where we were currently living, as we kept travelling, looking for him. Nasedo had told me just a few days before that he was very close and thought he had finally located him. I found a photograph in an envelope, showing two boys and a girl. The boy in the middle was the tallest and looked so good! I took the photo to Nasedo pointing to the boy in the middle and smiling hopefully, I asked him if that was my husband the king. Nasedo went death pale, and snatched it from my hands. Then he furiously stabbed his finger at the other boy, and screamed: “This is your husband the king. That one is his bodyguard! Your messing with him is what got you all killed, and now in this miserable mission in this stupid planet!” I was more surprised that scared, so I said I thought he had told me that only the Royal Four had been sent here. He took a deep breath and trying to control his anger, explained as calmly as he could: “ He’s the king’s cousin,” he spat the word with contempt, “ He’s the warrior, the leader of the king’s army, his duty is to protect him, so…he’s his bodyguard! He’s destined for her.” He pointed to the girl. “This is what happened for messing with him, your family was dragged out of their land, dispossessed of everything they owned and thrown into a dungeon to rot for the rest of their lives!” And he sent me a vivid flash of these people I somehow recognized as my Antares family, filthy, in rags, so thin you could count their bones, huddling in fright in the corner of a dark space, so small you could hardly call it a room, where they couldn’t even move. “ And they are waiting for you to do the right thing this time, so they can be free of their torment!” By then I was shaking and crying and so scared that I had to rush to the bathroom to throw up. I shut myself up in my room and had terrible nightmares that night, but next day Nasedo was just as if nothing had happened at all. Two days later, he was gone from the afternoon to late next evening. Some time later, he was gone almost two days. He never gave me any explanations for his absences, and of course, after his outburst that day, I simply didn’t dare ask. When he returned, he was all smiles, telling me to pack cause he had found him. He brought a box full of pictures of Max, and told me to get used to the idea, cause he wasn’t going to let history repeat itself, and if I had any respect and love for my family, I was going to do everything in my power to make him mine, cause he was infatuated with a human girl. That very day we left for Roswell, New Mexico. When we arrived, he showed me a picture of Isabel and told me I had to become her friend, because, being his sister, she was the fastest way to get to him. I met both Max and Michael at Isabel’s house, that’s when my nightmare began. I did all Nasedo asked me, get close to Max and as far from Michael as possible. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Then Nasedo came one day saying he couldn’t get Michael to concentrate on Isabel, cause he was horny for the damn human girl, and he thought Isabel was his sister. He was in one hell of a mood, and told me he had to get them together so he could get all of us back to Antar, for my family’s sake. That night I felt Isabel trying to dream walk me and I decided to use it to our profit, so I sent her a flash as Nasedo had taught me, using my mind warping power, of her and Michael, hating it, but thinking of my family. I made her dream walk Michael with that dream. I did it about 3 times, so successfully that she thought she was pregnant. That made her doubt about Michael being her brother. The next move was materializing the book, when I knew Max and Liz were spying on me, and Kyle was easy to convince to stick with me. I had to tell Max that Isabel wasn’t pregnant because it would soon be obvious she wasn’t and they would suspect some kind of foul play, so I told him the dreams had come to show them the right way. I had been sending her clues about the four square with the sugar cubes and one night I just couldn’t help myself and went to Michael and gave him the same clue in his window. He demanded to know what it was so I thought a little hint couldn’t hurt, but when I tried to mind warp him, I couldn’t, I just bounced out of him, barely managing a weak nudge, but he felt it and it jolted his memory and he remembered clearly about Pohlman ranch. I was shocked at how strong he was, no one had ever resisted my mind warp. I gave Max the book and got them thinking, like I wanted. Then I took Max to the rock formation and when Michael and Isabel came, they saw the book too, and I thought I had completely convinced them. I got easily into Max’s brain and made him see me in my pod, then I sent him up to the cave. Michael couldn’t remember how to open the cave, so not to lose time, I sent it to Max, and we were in. Isabel couldn’t believe it and ran out, with Max right after her, so I gave Michael the book and told him he would get his answers if he convinced Max and Isabel that I wasn’t bad news. When he left, Nasedo appeared, furious at me for my meddling without his consent, but I was getting tired of not being told everything. That evening, when I arrived home, he was waiting for me, he raised his hand to slap me and stopped just in time. He had never laid a hand on me and I was shocked. He warned me that he had a way of communicating with Khivar, who was now in the throne of Antar, and who had made the deal with him to bring the Royal Four back to Antar, and my family and I would be spared. He said Khivar had also a way of knowing exactly what was going on here through Nasedo, so I had to be very careful and do just what he told me to. Of course he was pretending to be your protector, so he had to make a good show of it, not to arouse your suspicions. His stunt, shape shifting into Max and abducting Liz, was to scare the crap out of her and keep her away from Max, but it backfired when she got away. Nasedo wasn’t counting on Max to show up and get taken by Pierce. That messed up his plans, especially because he seemed to know Max would break down easily, so he tried to gain Michael’s trust by helping him in Max’s rescue. After the whole thing when we brought Nasedo back with the stones, and he didn’t know how the orbs worked, I realized he wasn’t telling me the whole truth. I wasn’t sure that making him take Pierce’s place was such a good idea, and then when they activated the orbs, in spite of Nasedo’s warnings, and their mother identified us, I thought everything would be fine. But Max had to prefer Liz to me, over his mother’s wishes. At least Liz understood and made a sensible decision, but Max never got it right. Nasedo was right in one thing: the orbs contacted Khivar’s spies on earth, the skins. The last night I spent with Nasedo, he seemed to sense something wrong was about to happen, though he didn’t know for sure what it was. He told me many things that night, that I needed to get pregnant by Max and trick him into going back to Antar for the baby’s sake, but I had to go very slowly, trying to earn his trust. He knew I would know how to do it. He made me promise, then swear on my family’s lives, that I would never disclose what he was about to tell me, no matter what, cause it could also backfire on me and kill me. Once I accepted his terms, he told me how Michael was the only one with Royal Blood, how he had declined the throne for the army, why Khivar wanted a son of the king, for me to take back to him, and make him the slave to his children, just to spite Max, and he wanted them dead to prove he was the strong one, the one who should rule. He specially wanted Michael dead to destroy completely the Royal Blood and impose his blood as the new Royal one. His scientists were working 24/7 to give his blood the powers the true Royal Blood had, but were finding it practically impossible to Khivar’s fury and dismay. His family was truly one of the most noble ones after Michael’s and Max’s, but mine was the only one that came right before his, that’s why I was chosen as Max’s bride, and why my family had been captured. The destruction of all three families would assure his claim to the throne. He wanted me back to force my parents to decline their nobility in exchange for my life, which he knew they would do. He would let them live as long as they would stay by him, as servants, to make sure they wouldn’t do anything against him. I asked Nasedo if he trusted Khivar, and he said he couldn’t trust him completely, but he had no reason not to keep his side of the deal. Nasedo’s death left me feeling so helpless, and the decision to have me stay with the Valentis gave me back some of my confidence back. Now that Nasedo was gone, Khivar had no way of getting through to me, so I decided to take things in my hands, and trust my instincts. Congresswoman Whitaker contacted me and offered me the chance of getting back to Antar right away and free my family, so we arranged everything and I mind warped Isabel into thinking I was in danger and have them come to my rescue. I thought the three of them would come, but only Isabel did. Whitaker was furious and slapped me silly, but got herself killed by Isabel, thinking she was rescuing me. We managed to contact the skins, and I had to pretend to save you all from them. Then I had the idea of using Liz to help me by mind warping her with the whole future Max thing, and Michael found out about Courtney, but thankfully Maria made sure he didn’t believe her. Courtney was telling the truth, and with her and the renegade skins, he could have kicked Khivar off the throne and get everything back in record time, but Nicholas managed to capture her and the chance was lost. After that, Nicholas used the dupes to try and get rid of the king and queen first, weakening Michael that way, to be able to deal with him, and Isabel at the same time. Without Max, they had no shield to protect them. Nicholas knew he was no match for Michael, but he had large group behind him, and if they attacked Michael together, he would make it easier for them by protecting Isabel, and getting himself killed on the way. Isabel alone, was an easy target, he really meant to keep her for himself. But it didn’t work and he was throwing fits of fury. He tried to get to you through the Gandarium, finding Laurie, cause she had inherited the blood problem that had made her grandfather able to give his DNA to clone Michael, but it didn’t work again and he was going out of his mind, knowing Khivar was really pissed at him for failing constantly. Grant wounded Michael, but got himself killed by Jim Valenti and Michael was able to destroy the Gandarium source completely. So the only thing left, before trying the baby stunt, was getting the book translated and trying to get Max to see things in their true light. Alex was the only one with computer know how to access the ones in Las Cruces and do the job for me. I couldn’t simply ask him, cause being so close to Liz, he didn’t trust me, of course, so I had to mind warp him and do the whole Sweden thing. It ended in a tragedy that I will always regret. So now I had to do what I had done everything not to go that way. I had sex with Max. But I didn’t get pregnant. I know what went wrong. My alien side should have kicked in and made me fertile, but my dislike at what I was doing was definitely stronger and didn’t let it happen. Liz’s investigations on Alex’s death were getting her close to the truth, and had Max’s conflicting emotions making it hard to get him to sleep with me again, apart from my reluctance to have to do it again. I decided to get pregnant any way possible. I knew it was impossible to do it with Michael, cause the second Khivar found out who was the father, the child was dead. Anyway, those times I had been sleeping with him, with the liquor spiked dessert trick, I hadn’t got pregnant, and I suspected Nasedo had had something to do, knowing my weakness for Michael, to prevent me from getting pregnant with him. So I had to take what I had in hand, and I was living with the Valenti’s. -
- Oh my god! You used me? You mind warped me so I wouldn’t know what I was doing? The kid is mine? - Kyle exploded.
- No, I’d never do that to you, Kyle. It was your father. I made him think I was just some girl he had picked up, and I closed my eyes and pretended I was with Michael. It worked. -
The silence screamed the shock her revelation had caused.
- What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. And something good came out of the whole thing. Next day Jim felt guilty, and decided it was time to get serious with someone closer to his age, and he started getting serious with Maria’s mother. They are both lonely, and eventually he will be able to protect her. He was healed by Max, so he was also changed. -
- I’m really glad I didn’t have to go through some unpleasant experience so Max would heal me and change me. - Maria observed. - I think the way it’s happened to me was really better and much more pleasant. - She giggled.
- If I had known, instead of getting my father’s gun to do the job, I would’ve sent the laundry to hell and joined my football buddies at the gym to fuck…Oh my god! Where did that come from? - Kyle turned to look at Michael, horrified and what he had just remembered. Michael shut his eyes tight and got two protesting yelps from Isabel and Maria whose hands he had come close to squeezing into a pulp.
- Kyle, don’t, please! - He begged.
Kyle was just staring at him, his eyes popping out of his head, numb with shock at what had flashed in his mind.
- Michael, what’s going on? - Max knew Michael had left something out, and he was getting very upset.
- It has nothing at all to do with us. Do I have to describe every freaking time Hank fucked my guts out? It didn’t have anything to do with you either, so this one stays with me. It’s not a secret that concerns you cause you had nothing to do with it, and it had no influence in our alien status or our friendship at all. Just like this: Kyle had nothing to do with it. Not directly, so it’s not valid as a secret to bring us all together. -
- I had nothing to do with it, I swear! I didn’t know what they were up to! Tess, why did you…-
- I didn’t do it Kyle, I only made you forget it, because it made you feel bad and it wasn’t fair to either of you. It must have come out because of what you were implying as a joke. I had nothing to do with it. I swear. -
- This is not right! Why are we left out? - Isabel said indignantly. - Tell us Tess! We have a right to know! -
- No Isabel, you have no right to invade Michael’s privacy. He will tell you if he chooses to, but he doesn’t need to do it if he doesn’t want to. And the same goes for Kyle. You are showing them no respect. They already told you it has nothing to do with you in any way. -
That really shut them up, but couldn’t stop what was going on in their heads.
Chapter 103 c
- May I continue? Thank you. I mind warped Max into believing it was his son, and that he would die if we stayed on Earth. Michael was the only one who could have seen through my lie, so I kept as far away from him as possible, and faking my discomfort to a maximum, pretending it was caused by the baby’s fight for survival. That made Max hasten things all he could. According to what Nasedo had told me, the former Queen and Michael’s father were hiding and rallying their followers which were plenty. Their headquarters were now underground, in the maze the Andes’ people had built and where they had their absolute protection. These people were untouchable, because of their skills. They provided all the food and channeled the waterways for the whole planet. They were the only ones who knew of the tunnels, it was their secret. When we, the Royal Four, were killed, preparations were made there to send our clones away for an eventual triumphant return. Two protectors were chosen by your surviving family…-
- What was the name of our mother? - Isabel interrupted her.
- Her name is Wyteeah, but the Andes people call her Wayta, pronounced “Why-tah” which means “flower” in the native Aymara language. - Tess told her with a smile, and continued. - She chose them because their fathers had been friends of her family. One was Kal Langley, and the other was Nasedo. They had no way of knowing of Nasedo’s ambitious nature, and they weren’t aware of his friendship with Nicholas, which went way back. They had shared their dreams of power as children. The chosen ones were secretly taken to them, and prepared for the journey and their mission. Nasedo kept the knowledge of the underground tunnels as a winning card up his sleeve, which he thought would come handy to him, which meant, of course, which side to take, depending on who was on the throne. Nobody suspected the deal he made with Khivar, shortly before they left. Langley became suspicious after the crash, when he saw Nasedo switching me with the other set. We were considered defective because we were more in touch with out alien side, while the other group had both sides even. Langley had sustained a concussion in the accident and was in a state of confusion, healing himself slowly as he adapted to the new invironment. This enabled Nasedo to easily convince him that he was in charge of the other set, and sent him to NY. By the time Langley realized what had happened, he was too far and too late to be able to do anything. He received Nasedo’s orders to destroy that set of pods through the malfunctioning communicator but couldn’t send anything back. He obeyed the best he could and left. He was then aware of Nasedo’s betrayal and knew he would put the blame on him, if he had the chance, so he didn’t give it to him. He intelligently disappeared and kept the lowest profile possible. Lady Wyteeah and Lord Ramthis discovered what Nasedo had been up to much later, when they accidentally intercepted a two way communication between Khivar and Nasedo. They managed to infiltrate their best spy in a group of “skins” that Khivar was sending here to earth, on a double mission: first, to kill the traitor, which she did. And second, to contact Michael which she successfully did, too, without arousing any suspicion of her alien status. But Michael, distrustful as ever, found her out. If she had been able to meet him alone, she could have informed him everything he needed to know without any interference, and returned with him to Antar as planned. Michael’s father was waiting for him, and as the former leader of the Antares army, he had conceived a perfect and unfailing strategy to defeat Khivar, so the rest of us could return right after, to celebrate the victory, and recover what had been taken from us. But unfortunately, Michael’s human ties were stronger than Courtney had foreseen, and she failed to get through to him. A golden opportunity was lost. Lady Wyteeah cried for weeks, and Courtney’s cover was blown. She would never betray Michael, because she knew the rat Nicholas was. He wanted his revenge for the death of his friend Nasedo, so she took the easy way out and terminated herself. My cover was almost blown too, when Larek took over the UFO museum, but although he neutralized Max’s and my powers with the communicator, eventually my mind warping came to the rescue. Things took an unexpected turn when Michael helped Liz and Maria and they got the book’s translation that Alex and done in the Las Cruces. When he gave it to Max, he decided to leave as soon as possible. It was still a bitter victory for me, knowing what awaited them, especially Michael, back in Antar, but I still had another surprise coming. Things stared turning bad for me when Liz discovered through Kyle, what had happened to Alex but it was really Michael who made it possible for you to find out, when he decided to stay and saved your lives. I was relieved by his decision, because I hated to see him die again as he had before, he made it much easier for me, because it would be up to Nicholas to take care of him and though I knew what he would do, I wouldn’t have to see it. I couldn’t believe my luck that they didn’t find at all suspicious the fact that I didn’t seem to mind what Michael was doing. I thought they were so stupid not to realize that they were losing their warrior, the one who would fight for them and protect them. Could they possibly think that they would be waiting for them with open arms? No wonder Max lost his kingdom, by being so gullible, to put it mildly. Sorry, Max. But then Michael came back with the shocking news of Liz’s discovery and I had to return alone, afraid for my life and my family’s. I pulled myself together and in a stupid burst of confidence I told myself I would mind warp Khivar into believing that my son was Max’s and make him see reason. During the time it took me to get there, I remembered the night after Nasedo died, how he used what little he was allowed of his alien privilege to choose someone to deliver his farewell, and he chose me, cause he had no one else. He knew he had been killed by a “skin” and was sure Khivar had terminated him, though he couldn’t imagine why. He told me he trusted me to do the right thing mostly for my family, especially for my mother, who was completely innocent. I thanked him for teaching me and protecting me while I was a helpless child, and he just smiled and faded. When I arrived, the second I set foot in Antar, 2 guards dragged me by the hair, screaming and forced me on my knees in front of Khivar. He looked down at me despectively and asked me where the other 3 were. I was more furious than scared then, and I shouted to him that if he hadn’t had Nasedo killed, we would have been able to bring them back, that it wasn’t my fault but his. He laughed and said he hadn’t killed Nasedo, and on his signal, the guards dragged me away again, so scared now that I was almost passing out. They threw me into a horrid dungeon where I met my family, and was dismayed to find out Nasedo had been telling me the truth about them. My father told me crying that it was all his fault because of his ambition, my mother just wept and they both held me in their arms for hours. I was kept there 2 days sharing the filth my parents were fed, nothing extra for me. Then the guards came again and in spite of all my efforts to keep them away, nothing worked. I clung to my parents, and my father just had time to whisper: “Forgive me” in my ear, and my mother just said: “I love you”. We were sure it was the last time we would see each other and then they pulled me out, but a woman was waiting for me outside. She took me to a decent room, and cleaned me and dressed me, then she lead me outside to the waiting guards who took me, this time just holding me by the arms and walking at my own pace, back to Khivar. They pushed me to my knees, and I didn’t dare raise my head. I heard him say: “So you’re pregnant?” I told him I was and that it was Zan’s…Max’s. I heard footsteps approaching me, and a small chubby man pressed a buzzing instrument against my stomach. I heard them whispering together but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. Khivar than told me he wasn’t sure what trick Zan had done to protect the child, but there was nothing alien in him, he was just human, and that was no good for him. He told me, if I had any love and respect for my family, he would give me another chance to go back and return with the other 3, and if I failed this time, it would be the death of my parents. He didn’t wait for my answer, just took it for granted, and the guards took me to room where I was given something to drink, and less than an hour later, my baby was born without the least effort or discomfort on my side. I was kept there all the time, I wasn’t allowed to see my parents, but I didn’t lack anything. When Khivar thought it was safe, he had me escorted to a ship and sent me back. I had no notion of time whatsoever, I didn’t know how long I had been there. In the ship, I had this horrid flash of my parents, in a tight embrace, suddenly glowing from inside, and then their lights went out and they slumped to the floor. I knew they were dead, and I also knew that the hope of my return to save them had kept them alive all this time, but when they saw me in that disgraceful state, and sure I had been killed, was too much for them. Then had no more hopes and they simply decided they had had enough. -
- How could they do that? - Max asked.
- I don’t know, I have no idea, but I knew for sure. They were dead. Now the only thing that kept me alive was my son, so when we crashed and I ended in that strange place, and I saw those men reaching out for Zan, I just lost it. I hoped you would find the kindness of giving me a second chance, not for me, but for my baby, but they were just high hopes. You all just saw the worst in me, even those of you who voted on my behalf, it was just to keep their consciences at rest, nothing else, that’s what I felt. No one knew what I had gone through all my life, knowing what Khivar was doing to my family. I couldn’t expect anyone to believe me, or put themselves in my place, honestly saying they wouldn’t have done the same. I knew you wouldn’t take it out on my baby as long as you thought it was yours, Max, so I trusted my instincts and decided to do the best for you guys: give myself in, knowing my image would be registered in the surveillance cameras, and maybe getting you off the hook. At least I know Zan has parents that love him, and he will never have to go through what Michael did. Thank Philip Evans for that on my behalf. Liz, I would have wanted to give you my powers, which completed the ones of the Royal Four, but yours were too advanced and mine would just unbalance them. I’m not allowed to interfere, but you will soon find out what you can do, and it will be perfect for your future protection. Kyle, since yours are not defined yet, allow me to give you mine, tenfold as strong, you will be able to time your mind warp, programming it to stay as long as you want it to, it can be selective too, or widespread covering as many people as you want at the same time. That’s what I would have been able to do eventually, but you won’t have to wait that long. Now that you know how they start manifesting themselves, when it happens, you will not have to go through what Liz did. You just do your Buddha meditation and relaxing will get them in complete control. I still don’t know what kind of powers Jim will develop since they depend on Max, because he healed him, I hope they will give him protection. I can only give mine to one person, and I’m glad I can give them to Kyle, cause they will protect him and he will be able to help all of you, too. Maria’s and Stuart’s will depend on you, Michael, but knowing how protective you are, you will surely give them the shield, to keep them from any harm. I am sorry we could never be friends, I know I tried, but your resistance to me, made it all go sour. Michael, I’m glad I could help you channel your powers get some control over them. I don’t regret what I felt for you, I just regret that it couldn’t be. Max, I’m sorry I couldn’t feel that way about you, but we were practically forced together, and that never works out right. It wasn’t our fault. Isabel, you were my sister-in-law, I wish we could have got closer and been real friends, it wasn’t your fault that Michael and you were so much in love in that previous life, as much as Michael is now with Maria, yes you are and you know it. Kyle, you were a great friend and “brother” no one deserves my power more than you. Thank you and your father for your hospitality. I love you both very much. I leave it entirely in your hands to tell your father what I did with him or not. It’s up to you, I knew he has made his peace with his father, and I hope he will not hate me for trying to save my parents. Liz and Maria, you were so lucky to have Alex for a friend, he was the best, I don’t have to tell you how much he loves you and how you can make him live forever as long as you never forget him, which I doubt you will. This is goodbye now, my life has been a total waste, believe me, I’m glad it’s finally over. Thank you for giving me your time, I’m at peace now. -
And as suddenly as she had appeared, she was gone for good, leaving those who had known her, in a state of absolute grief, and conflicting feelings, heavy on their minds. They were trying to recover from the traumatizing experience they had just faced, that even if they thought it couldn’t get worse, nothing could have prepared them for their next unexpected visitor.
Unlike Alex’s subtle appearance, Tess was suddenly just there, sitting exactly where Alex had been, hugging her legs to her with downcast eyes, facing her knees. After a long unending minute of absolute silence, Liz tentatively asked:
- Tess? - No use asking her if she was alright, she was dead.
Without raising her head, she spoke:
- I didn’t want to come, I didn’t want to offend anyone with my presence, but Alex insisted. I’m not here to apologize, but to explain. There’s nothing left to hide or lie about now, so believe what I’m telling you cause it’s just the truth. You deserve to know it. Nasedo raised me with the idea firmly planted in my brain that I was the queen of my planet and I had to reunite with my husband the king, to claim back what was ours. We had spent years trying to find him, because according to him, he had been taken away from under his nose and adopted somewhere. One day, when I was 16, I was tidying up the place where we were currently living, as we kept travelling, looking for him. Nasedo had told me just a few days before that he was very close and thought he had finally located him. I found a photograph in an envelope, showing two boys and a girl. The boy in the middle was the tallest and looked so good! I took the photo to Nasedo pointing to the boy in the middle and smiling hopefully, I asked him if that was my husband the king. Nasedo went death pale, and snatched it from my hands. Then he furiously stabbed his finger at the other boy, and screamed: “This is your husband the king. That one is his bodyguard! Your messing with him is what got you all killed, and now in this miserable mission in this stupid planet!” I was more surprised that scared, so I said I thought he had told me that only the Royal Four had been sent here. He took a deep breath and trying to control his anger, explained as calmly as he could: “ He’s the king’s cousin,” he spat the word with contempt, “ He’s the warrior, the leader of the king’s army, his duty is to protect him, so…he’s his bodyguard! He’s destined for her.” He pointed to the girl. “This is what happened for messing with him, your family was dragged out of their land, dispossessed of everything they owned and thrown into a dungeon to rot for the rest of their lives!” And he sent me a vivid flash of these people I somehow recognized as my Antares family, filthy, in rags, so thin you could count their bones, huddling in fright in the corner of a dark space, so small you could hardly call it a room, where they couldn’t even move. “ And they are waiting for you to do the right thing this time, so they can be free of their torment!” By then I was shaking and crying and so scared that I had to rush to the bathroom to throw up. I shut myself up in my room and had terrible nightmares that night, but next day Nasedo was just as if nothing had happened at all. Two days later, he was gone from the afternoon to late next evening. Some time later, he was gone almost two days. He never gave me any explanations for his absences, and of course, after his outburst that day, I simply didn’t dare ask. When he returned, he was all smiles, telling me to pack cause he had found him. He brought a box full of pictures of Max, and told me to get used to the idea, cause he wasn’t going to let history repeat itself, and if I had any respect and love for my family, I was going to do everything in my power to make him mine, cause he was infatuated with a human girl. That very day we left for Roswell, New Mexico. When we arrived, he showed me a picture of Isabel and told me I had to become her friend, because, being his sister, she was the fastest way to get to him. I met both Max and Michael at Isabel’s house, that’s when my nightmare began. I did all Nasedo asked me, get close to Max and as far from Michael as possible. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Then Nasedo came one day saying he couldn’t get Michael to concentrate on Isabel, cause he was horny for the damn human girl, and he thought Isabel was his sister. He was in one hell of a mood, and told me he had to get them together so he could get all of us back to Antar, for my family’s sake. That night I felt Isabel trying to dream walk me and I decided to use it to our profit, so I sent her a flash as Nasedo had taught me, using my mind warping power, of her and Michael, hating it, but thinking of my family. I made her dream walk Michael with that dream. I did it about 3 times, so successfully that she thought she was pregnant. That made her doubt about Michael being her brother. The next move was materializing the book, when I knew Max and Liz were spying on me, and Kyle was easy to convince to stick with me. I had to tell Max that Isabel wasn’t pregnant because it would soon be obvious she wasn’t and they would suspect some kind of foul play, so I told him the dreams had come to show them the right way. I had been sending her clues about the four square with the sugar cubes and one night I just couldn’t help myself and went to Michael and gave him the same clue in his window. He demanded to know what it was so I thought a little hint couldn’t hurt, but when I tried to mind warp him, I couldn’t, I just bounced out of him, barely managing a weak nudge, but he felt it and it jolted his memory and he remembered clearly about Pohlman ranch. I was shocked at how strong he was, no one had ever resisted my mind warp. I gave Max the book and got them thinking, like I wanted. Then I took Max to the rock formation and when Michael and Isabel came, they saw the book too, and I thought I had completely convinced them. I got easily into Max’s brain and made him see me in my pod, then I sent him up to the cave. Michael couldn’t remember how to open the cave, so not to lose time, I sent it to Max, and we were in. Isabel couldn’t believe it and ran out, with Max right after her, so I gave Michael the book and told him he would get his answers if he convinced Max and Isabel that I wasn’t bad news. When he left, Nasedo appeared, furious at me for my meddling without his consent, but I was getting tired of not being told everything. That evening, when I arrived home, he was waiting for me, he raised his hand to slap me and stopped just in time. He had never laid a hand on me and I was shocked. He warned me that he had a way of communicating with Khivar, who was now in the throne of Antar, and who had made the deal with him to bring the Royal Four back to Antar, and my family and I would be spared. He said Khivar had also a way of knowing exactly what was going on here through Nasedo, so I had to be very careful and do just what he told me to. Of course he was pretending to be your protector, so he had to make a good show of it, not to arouse your suspicions. His stunt, shape shifting into Max and abducting Liz, was to scare the crap out of her and keep her away from Max, but it backfired when she got away. Nasedo wasn’t counting on Max to show up and get taken by Pierce. That messed up his plans, especially because he seemed to know Max would break down easily, so he tried to gain Michael’s trust by helping him in Max’s rescue. After the whole thing when we brought Nasedo back with the stones, and he didn’t know how the orbs worked, I realized he wasn’t telling me the whole truth. I wasn’t sure that making him take Pierce’s place was such a good idea, and then when they activated the orbs, in spite of Nasedo’s warnings, and their mother identified us, I thought everything would be fine. But Max had to prefer Liz to me, over his mother’s wishes. At least Liz understood and made a sensible decision, but Max never got it right. Nasedo was right in one thing: the orbs contacted Khivar’s spies on earth, the skins. The last night I spent with Nasedo, he seemed to sense something wrong was about to happen, though he didn’t know for sure what it was. He told me many things that night, that I needed to get pregnant by Max and trick him into going back to Antar for the baby’s sake, but I had to go very slowly, trying to earn his trust. He knew I would know how to do it. He made me promise, then swear on my family’s lives, that I would never disclose what he was about to tell me, no matter what, cause it could also backfire on me and kill me. Once I accepted his terms, he told me how Michael was the only one with Royal Blood, how he had declined the throne for the army, why Khivar wanted a son of the king, for me to take back to him, and make him the slave to his children, just to spite Max, and he wanted them dead to prove he was the strong one, the one who should rule. He specially wanted Michael dead to destroy completely the Royal Blood and impose his blood as the new Royal one. His scientists were working 24/7 to give his blood the powers the true Royal Blood had, but were finding it practically impossible to Khivar’s fury and dismay. His family was truly one of the most noble ones after Michael’s and Max’s, but mine was the only one that came right before his, that’s why I was chosen as Max’s bride, and why my family had been captured. The destruction of all three families would assure his claim to the throne. He wanted me back to force my parents to decline their nobility in exchange for my life, which he knew they would do. He would let them live as long as they would stay by him, as servants, to make sure they wouldn’t do anything against him. I asked Nasedo if he trusted Khivar, and he said he couldn’t trust him completely, but he had no reason not to keep his side of the deal. Nasedo’s death left me feeling so helpless, and the decision to have me stay with the Valentis gave me back some of my confidence back. Now that Nasedo was gone, Khivar had no way of getting through to me, so I decided to take things in my hands, and trust my instincts. Congresswoman Whitaker contacted me and offered me the chance of getting back to Antar right away and free my family, so we arranged everything and I mind warped Isabel into thinking I was in danger and have them come to my rescue. I thought the three of them would come, but only Isabel did. Whitaker was furious and slapped me silly, but got herself killed by Isabel, thinking she was rescuing me. We managed to contact the skins, and I had to pretend to save you all from them. Then I had the idea of using Liz to help me by mind warping her with the whole future Max thing, and Michael found out about Courtney, but thankfully Maria made sure he didn’t believe her. Courtney was telling the truth, and with her and the renegade skins, he could have kicked Khivar off the throne and get everything back in record time, but Nicholas managed to capture her and the chance was lost. After that, Nicholas used the dupes to try and get rid of the king and queen first, weakening Michael that way, to be able to deal with him, and Isabel at the same time. Without Max, they had no shield to protect them. Nicholas knew he was no match for Michael, but he had large group behind him, and if they attacked Michael together, he would make it easier for them by protecting Isabel, and getting himself killed on the way. Isabel alone, was an easy target, he really meant to keep her for himself. But it didn’t work and he was throwing fits of fury. He tried to get to you through the Gandarium, finding Laurie, cause she had inherited the blood problem that had made her grandfather able to give his DNA to clone Michael, but it didn’t work again and he was going out of his mind, knowing Khivar was really pissed at him for failing constantly. Grant wounded Michael, but got himself killed by Jim Valenti and Michael was able to destroy the Gandarium source completely. So the only thing left, before trying the baby stunt, was getting the book translated and trying to get Max to see things in their true light. Alex was the only one with computer know how to access the ones in Las Cruces and do the job for me. I couldn’t simply ask him, cause being so close to Liz, he didn’t trust me, of course, so I had to mind warp him and do the whole Sweden thing. It ended in a tragedy that I will always regret. So now I had to do what I had done everything not to go that way. I had sex with Max. But I didn’t get pregnant. I know what went wrong. My alien side should have kicked in and made me fertile, but my dislike at what I was doing was definitely stronger and didn’t let it happen. Liz’s investigations on Alex’s death were getting her close to the truth, and had Max’s conflicting emotions making it hard to get him to sleep with me again, apart from my reluctance to have to do it again. I decided to get pregnant any way possible. I knew it was impossible to do it with Michael, cause the second Khivar found out who was the father, the child was dead. Anyway, those times I had been sleeping with him, with the liquor spiked dessert trick, I hadn’t got pregnant, and I suspected Nasedo had had something to do, knowing my weakness for Michael, to prevent me from getting pregnant with him. So I had to take what I had in hand, and I was living with the Valenti’s. -
- Oh my god! You used me? You mind warped me so I wouldn’t know what I was doing? The kid is mine? - Kyle exploded.
- No, I’d never do that to you, Kyle. It was your father. I made him think I was just some girl he had picked up, and I closed my eyes and pretended I was with Michael. It worked. -
The silence screamed the shock her revelation had caused.
- What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. And something good came out of the whole thing. Next day Jim felt guilty, and decided it was time to get serious with someone closer to his age, and he started getting serious with Maria’s mother. They are both lonely, and eventually he will be able to protect her. He was healed by Max, so he was also changed. -
- I’m really glad I didn’t have to go through some unpleasant experience so Max would heal me and change me. - Maria observed. - I think the way it’s happened to me was really better and much more pleasant. - She giggled.
- If I had known, instead of getting my father’s gun to do the job, I would’ve sent the laundry to hell and joined my football buddies at the gym to fuck…Oh my god! Where did that come from? - Kyle turned to look at Michael, horrified and what he had just remembered. Michael shut his eyes tight and got two protesting yelps from Isabel and Maria whose hands he had come close to squeezing into a pulp.
- Kyle, don’t, please! - He begged.
Kyle was just staring at him, his eyes popping out of his head, numb with shock at what had flashed in his mind.
- Michael, what’s going on? - Max knew Michael had left something out, and he was getting very upset.
- It has nothing at all to do with us. Do I have to describe every freaking time Hank fucked my guts out? It didn’t have anything to do with you either, so this one stays with me. It’s not a secret that concerns you cause you had nothing to do with it, and it had no influence in our alien status or our friendship at all. Just like this: Kyle had nothing to do with it. Not directly, so it’s not valid as a secret to bring us all together. -
- I had nothing to do with it, I swear! I didn’t know what they were up to! Tess, why did you…-
- I didn’t do it Kyle, I only made you forget it, because it made you feel bad and it wasn’t fair to either of you. It must have come out because of what you were implying as a joke. I had nothing to do with it. I swear. -
- This is not right! Why are we left out? - Isabel said indignantly. - Tell us Tess! We have a right to know! -
- No Isabel, you have no right to invade Michael’s privacy. He will tell you if he chooses to, but he doesn’t need to do it if he doesn’t want to. And the same goes for Kyle. You are showing them no respect. They already told you it has nothing to do with you in any way. -
That really shut them up, but couldn’t stop what was going on in their heads.
Chapter 103 c
- May I continue? Thank you. I mind warped Max into believing it was his son, and that he would die if we stayed on Earth. Michael was the only one who could have seen through my lie, so I kept as far away from him as possible, and faking my discomfort to a maximum, pretending it was caused by the baby’s fight for survival. That made Max hasten things all he could. According to what Nasedo had told me, the former Queen and Michael’s father were hiding and rallying their followers which were plenty. Their headquarters were now underground, in the maze the Andes’ people had built and where they had their absolute protection. These people were untouchable, because of their skills. They provided all the food and channeled the waterways for the whole planet. They were the only ones who knew of the tunnels, it was their secret. When we, the Royal Four, were killed, preparations were made there to send our clones away for an eventual triumphant return. Two protectors were chosen by your surviving family…-
- What was the name of our mother? - Isabel interrupted her.
- Her name is Wyteeah, but the Andes people call her Wayta, pronounced “Why-tah” which means “flower” in the native Aymara language. - Tess told her with a smile, and continued. - She chose them because their fathers had been friends of her family. One was Kal Langley, and the other was Nasedo. They had no way of knowing of Nasedo’s ambitious nature, and they weren’t aware of his friendship with Nicholas, which went way back. They had shared their dreams of power as children. The chosen ones were secretly taken to them, and prepared for the journey and their mission. Nasedo kept the knowledge of the underground tunnels as a winning card up his sleeve, which he thought would come handy to him, which meant, of course, which side to take, depending on who was on the throne. Nobody suspected the deal he made with Khivar, shortly before they left. Langley became suspicious after the crash, when he saw Nasedo switching me with the other set. We were considered defective because we were more in touch with out alien side, while the other group had both sides even. Langley had sustained a concussion in the accident and was in a state of confusion, healing himself slowly as he adapted to the new invironment. This enabled Nasedo to easily convince him that he was in charge of the other set, and sent him to NY. By the time Langley realized what had happened, he was too far and too late to be able to do anything. He received Nasedo’s orders to destroy that set of pods through the malfunctioning communicator but couldn’t send anything back. He obeyed the best he could and left. He was then aware of Nasedo’s betrayal and knew he would put the blame on him, if he had the chance, so he didn’t give it to him. He intelligently disappeared and kept the lowest profile possible. Lady Wyteeah and Lord Ramthis discovered what Nasedo had been up to much later, when they accidentally intercepted a two way communication between Khivar and Nasedo. They managed to infiltrate their best spy in a group of “skins” that Khivar was sending here to earth, on a double mission: first, to kill the traitor, which she did. And second, to contact Michael which she successfully did, too, without arousing any suspicion of her alien status. But Michael, distrustful as ever, found her out. If she had been able to meet him alone, she could have informed him everything he needed to know without any interference, and returned with him to Antar as planned. Michael’s father was waiting for him, and as the former leader of the Antares army, he had conceived a perfect and unfailing strategy to defeat Khivar, so the rest of us could return right after, to celebrate the victory, and recover what had been taken from us. But unfortunately, Michael’s human ties were stronger than Courtney had foreseen, and she failed to get through to him. A golden opportunity was lost. Lady Wyteeah cried for weeks, and Courtney’s cover was blown. She would never betray Michael, because she knew the rat Nicholas was. He wanted his revenge for the death of his friend Nasedo, so she took the easy way out and terminated herself. My cover was almost blown too, when Larek took over the UFO museum, but although he neutralized Max’s and my powers with the communicator, eventually my mind warping came to the rescue. Things took an unexpected turn when Michael helped Liz and Maria and they got the book’s translation that Alex and done in the Las Cruces. When he gave it to Max, he decided to leave as soon as possible. It was still a bitter victory for me, knowing what awaited them, especially Michael, back in Antar, but I still had another surprise coming. Things stared turning bad for me when Liz discovered through Kyle, what had happened to Alex but it was really Michael who made it possible for you to find out, when he decided to stay and saved your lives. I was relieved by his decision, because I hated to see him die again as he had before, he made it much easier for me, because it would be up to Nicholas to take care of him and though I knew what he would do, I wouldn’t have to see it. I couldn’t believe my luck that they didn’t find at all suspicious the fact that I didn’t seem to mind what Michael was doing. I thought they were so stupid not to realize that they were losing their warrior, the one who would fight for them and protect them. Could they possibly think that they would be waiting for them with open arms? No wonder Max lost his kingdom, by being so gullible, to put it mildly. Sorry, Max. But then Michael came back with the shocking news of Liz’s discovery and I had to return alone, afraid for my life and my family’s. I pulled myself together and in a stupid burst of confidence I told myself I would mind warp Khivar into believing that my son was Max’s and make him see reason. During the time it took me to get there, I remembered the night after Nasedo died, how he used what little he was allowed of his alien privilege to choose someone to deliver his farewell, and he chose me, cause he had no one else. He knew he had been killed by a “skin” and was sure Khivar had terminated him, though he couldn’t imagine why. He told me he trusted me to do the right thing mostly for my family, especially for my mother, who was completely innocent. I thanked him for teaching me and protecting me while I was a helpless child, and he just smiled and faded. When I arrived, the second I set foot in Antar, 2 guards dragged me by the hair, screaming and forced me on my knees in front of Khivar. He looked down at me despectively and asked me where the other 3 were. I was more furious than scared then, and I shouted to him that if he hadn’t had Nasedo killed, we would have been able to bring them back, that it wasn’t my fault but his. He laughed and said he hadn’t killed Nasedo, and on his signal, the guards dragged me away again, so scared now that I was almost passing out. They threw me into a horrid dungeon where I met my family, and was dismayed to find out Nasedo had been telling me the truth about them. My father told me crying that it was all his fault because of his ambition, my mother just wept and they both held me in their arms for hours. I was kept there 2 days sharing the filth my parents were fed, nothing extra for me. Then the guards came again and in spite of all my efforts to keep them away, nothing worked. I clung to my parents, and my father just had time to whisper: “Forgive me” in my ear, and my mother just said: “I love you”. We were sure it was the last time we would see each other and then they pulled me out, but a woman was waiting for me outside. She took me to a decent room, and cleaned me and dressed me, then she lead me outside to the waiting guards who took me, this time just holding me by the arms and walking at my own pace, back to Khivar. They pushed me to my knees, and I didn’t dare raise my head. I heard him say: “So you’re pregnant?” I told him I was and that it was Zan’s…Max’s. I heard footsteps approaching me, and a small chubby man pressed a buzzing instrument against my stomach. I heard them whispering together but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. Khivar than told me he wasn’t sure what trick Zan had done to protect the child, but there was nothing alien in him, he was just human, and that was no good for him. He told me, if I had any love and respect for my family, he would give me another chance to go back and return with the other 3, and if I failed this time, it would be the death of my parents. He didn’t wait for my answer, just took it for granted, and the guards took me to room where I was given something to drink, and less than an hour later, my baby was born without the least effort or discomfort on my side. I was kept there all the time, I wasn’t allowed to see my parents, but I didn’t lack anything. When Khivar thought it was safe, he had me escorted to a ship and sent me back. I had no notion of time whatsoever, I didn’t know how long I had been there. In the ship, I had this horrid flash of my parents, in a tight embrace, suddenly glowing from inside, and then their lights went out and they slumped to the floor. I knew they were dead, and I also knew that the hope of my return to save them had kept them alive all this time, but when they saw me in that disgraceful state, and sure I had been killed, was too much for them. Then had no more hopes and they simply decided they had had enough. -
- How could they do that? - Max asked.
- I don’t know, I have no idea, but I knew for sure. They were dead. Now the only thing that kept me alive was my son, so when we crashed and I ended in that strange place, and I saw those men reaching out for Zan, I just lost it. I hoped you would find the kindness of giving me a second chance, not for me, but for my baby, but they were just high hopes. You all just saw the worst in me, even those of you who voted on my behalf, it was just to keep their consciences at rest, nothing else, that’s what I felt. No one knew what I had gone through all my life, knowing what Khivar was doing to my family. I couldn’t expect anyone to believe me, or put themselves in my place, honestly saying they wouldn’t have done the same. I knew you wouldn’t take it out on my baby as long as you thought it was yours, Max, so I trusted my instincts and decided to do the best for you guys: give myself in, knowing my image would be registered in the surveillance cameras, and maybe getting you off the hook. At least I know Zan has parents that love him, and he will never have to go through what Michael did. Thank Philip Evans for that on my behalf. Liz, I would have wanted to give you my powers, which completed the ones of the Royal Four, but yours were too advanced and mine would just unbalance them. I’m not allowed to interfere, but you will soon find out what you can do, and it will be perfect for your future protection. Kyle, since yours are not defined yet, allow me to give you mine, tenfold as strong, you will be able to time your mind warp, programming it to stay as long as you want it to, it can be selective too, or widespread covering as many people as you want at the same time. That’s what I would have been able to do eventually, but you won’t have to wait that long. Now that you know how they start manifesting themselves, when it happens, you will not have to go through what Liz did. You just do your Buddha meditation and relaxing will get them in complete control. I still don’t know what kind of powers Jim will develop since they depend on Max, because he healed him, I hope they will give him protection. I can only give mine to one person, and I’m glad I can give them to Kyle, cause they will protect him and he will be able to help all of you, too. Maria’s and Stuart’s will depend on you, Michael, but knowing how protective you are, you will surely give them the shield, to keep them from any harm. I am sorry we could never be friends, I know I tried, but your resistance to me, made it all go sour. Michael, I’m glad I could help you channel your powers get some control over them. I don’t regret what I felt for you, I just regret that it couldn’t be. Max, I’m sorry I couldn’t feel that way about you, but we were practically forced together, and that never works out right. It wasn’t our fault. Isabel, you were my sister-in-law, I wish we could have got closer and been real friends, it wasn’t your fault that Michael and you were so much in love in that previous life, as much as Michael is now with Maria, yes you are and you know it. Kyle, you were a great friend and “brother” no one deserves my power more than you. Thank you and your father for your hospitality. I love you both very much. I leave it entirely in your hands to tell your father what I did with him or not. It’s up to you, I knew he has made his peace with his father, and I hope he will not hate me for trying to save my parents. Liz and Maria, you were so lucky to have Alex for a friend, he was the best, I don’t have to tell you how much he loves you and how you can make him live forever as long as you never forget him, which I doubt you will. This is goodbye now, my life has been a total waste, believe me, I’m glad it’s finally over. Thank you for giving me your time, I’m at peace now. -
And as suddenly as she had appeared, she was gone for good, leaving those who had known her, in a state of absolute grief, and conflicting feelings, heavy on their minds. They were trying to recover from the traumatizing experience they had just faced, that even if they thought it couldn’t get worse, nothing could have prepared them for their next unexpected visitor.
ALIENS FULL TILT!
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ñusta
- Obsessed Roswellian
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:52 pm
- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
the martyr of antar
Chapter 103 d
- Well, well, Mikey! How are you doing, boy? - Hank chuckled in his particular way, making Michael shudder and wince. No, no, none of that, I’m here to make my peace with you, if that can be possible, but somehow I think it’s worth a try. Will you let me, please? I need closure as much as I’m sure you also do. I promise, it will be the last time you suffer in my hands. -
Hank just sat in the spot apparently designed for apparitions from beyond. He looked down at his hands and fought to find a suitable way to begin his delivery. He shook his head and sighed, then he cleared his throat loudly and exaggeratedly, and taking his time, he raised his head and spoke.
- Look at me, Mikey, don’t be afraid…-
- I’m not afraid of you! I’ve never been, no matter what you did to me! I was afraid for my friends, what you would do if you found out …
- That you are an alien? - He chuckled again. - Well, now I know and there’s nothing I can do about it. -
- You knew that night, when I had to leave…-
- No, I thought you were some kind of those psychological freaks, who could move things around, but when I sobered up, I only remembered something weird had happened with you, but not what actually had. But when that other ET came at me from behind, and zapped me in the head, incredible as it may seem, it only took that fraction of a second to enlighten me of the whole thing! I’ve lived in Roswell, New Mexico all my life, bought the government crap and never believed in aliens, and I end up living and fucking with one…- more chuckles ending in a bout of coughing. - What an irony, and I was too boozed up to notice! - He shook his head and continued. - I need you to look at me in the eye, because there’s not a single drop of booze here now…- he pointed at his head, - I can’t expect anyone to understand me, if I can’t myself, not even now, but I want you to know why I did those things to you. Please, bear with me, not for me, but for your sake. So first things first, right? So I’ll start at the beginning.
My parents were good people, my mother worked like a slave, getting up when it was still dark, to leave our breakfast on the table, I was an only child and their hope for a better life. Dad took me to school, he was the utmost geek, with his glasses, slaving at the local University, hoping that would earn his boy a chance in the future. It never did. I did well in school, stayed out of trouble, my mother was there for me when I came home, boosting up my meager lunch at school, and working an extra shift cleaning the mental ward, which no one wanted to do, but helped us make ends meet. She left when dad arrived, left our dinner ready, and returned to eat something and go straight to bed to get what rest she could. I watched sports with my dad to our hearts’ content until she came back. I started basketball as early as it was allowed, and was fairly good, though not outstanding. Both my parents encouraged me, hoping for a scholarship, but on the last season before I graduated from high school, I sustained a heel injure that put an end to my application for a scholarship. I tried hanging out with my buddies, but I wasn’t in the team anymore, and ended boozing it out with all the ex’s who had been through what I had, and found comfort in liquor. My parents were desperate, seeing what I was doing to myself, and how bitter I had grown. Dad suffered a stroke and ended in the hospital where my mother worked. She decided I was beyond caring, when I never went to see him, so she spent every second she had with him. My house was now always empty so I filled it with my booze partners, partying and bringing women from the street, with a complete lack of respect for what my home had always meant to me. Then one day, cause it was definitely nearer to day than night, after they had left, I sat smoking in front of the TV and woke up with the unnerving sound of sirens, covered in smoke and the house around me burning up. As I rushed into my room to save whatever I had of value, my mother arrived at the door screaming my name. Must have been the booze in me that had me disoriented, so I climbed to safety out of the window and dragged myself to the front of the house. My mother had stopped struggling with the firemen and pretended to calm down, but the minute their unsuspecting backs were turned, she ran into the house looking for me. She barely made it past the door, when a beam fell on her head, and the firemen pulled her out just to confirm she was dead. I spent that night at the morgue, promising I would take care of dad, but he only lasted a couple of months. The doctor said what kept him alive was her voice, which he heard for several hours everyday. When she stopped coming, he just pined away and died. I did go everyday, but just for a few minutes, leaving as soon as I could to the bar, and the only escape from reality that I knew. What little my parents had in the bank, I invested in a trailer, which was all I could afford, and spent my life at odd jobs and drinking. I hated my jobs, I was always conning people and during my sober hours, at the job, I felt bad at what I was doing. The last stable job I can remember, was with one of those “honest” idiots that sell cars. I sold a car to this nice elderly lady, who somehow reminded me of my mother, the way she kept calling me dear, though she had never seen me before in her life. I knew the brakes were barely holding, but I needed the money, and a couple of minutes at the most, after she left, driving her new acquisition, I heard the crash. I ran the two blocks, my heart racing, and my conscience hammering at my brain, and saw her head bashed in against what was left of the windshield, her eyes open and staring. The car’s engine was creamed against the huge tyres of a equally huge diesel truck. The sirens made it even worse, reminding me again of my mother’s death, and I just ran until I reached the bar, to drown whatever feelings still existed in me. I kept having these awful nightmares in which the lady told me she was really my mother, coming back to give me another chance, and that made me manage to put my life together at least for some time. I still drank, but limited it to a few hours a day, after whatever odd job I was doing, and then I was convinced to go to one of those stupid school reunions, and met Julie. The thing is I already knew her, but couldn’t remember, so she took care of making that right. Yes, we had had a few classes together, but we did have some. She remembered my days of humble glory and we had a lot to talk about. We started dating, and I told her I had a drinking problem. She said she would help me and would be there for me. She kept both promises and we married. She didn’t mind living in a trailer and never asked for more. I wanted to have a real family, you know, kids, because I knew that would make me want to upgrade to a house, and a stable job, but it wasn’t happening. We went to a doctor and he tested me, confirming it was me, not her. He said I was sterile, and there was no solution to that problem. I shut down completely for a month, Julie was there for me like she had said, and gradually brought me out. She convinced me of adopting, telling me about all those poor kids who were already in the world with no homes for different reasons, so we added our names to the long lists in the adoption centres. Before we knew it, years had gone by, and we weren’t getting any younger. We visited the centre to see what was going wrong with us, and the lady kindly explained that the demand for babies was outrageous, she suggested applying for an older kid, say from 5 on. After some thought, we accepted the possibility. It seemed the trailer home and the lack of a stable job were obviously working against me, so I started boozing again. I mean, I drank, but like I said before, just a few drinks with the friends, I was mostly conscious of what I was doing, until then. Julie complained a few times that I had slapped her, though I couldn’t remember doing so, I couldn’t believe it. Julie began to look afraid of me and it got me even angrier for letting things get out of my hands. And then, finally, by late summer 1992, I received a call to see about a kid. Julie and I had given up hope, so we went to the appointment. They told us it was a boy, about 9 years old, who had been abandoned, and they didn’t know much about him, but he was a nice looking kid, strong and healthy. He was brought into the room, and Julie took his hands and smiled at him. The boy smiled back, hesitating, not very enthusiastic about it though, like he didn’t trust us. She brought him to me and the first thing I noticed about him were his eyes, the colour of honey, they reminded me of this boy, the head of my basketball team, who was everything I wanted to be, but didn’t want me as his friend. And I thought, “Oh yeah, you’ll have to accept me, whether you want to or not, cause I’m in charge now.” And it was like a compulsion, I had to have him. I saw his eyes on mine, and I was sure he had got my message and was challenging me to try it. It was the weirdest thing that had ever happened in my life. I smiled at him and he answered with a smirk, that looked outright insolent to me. Everything went fine, and we had to return to sign the papers. I agreed on a foster situation with possibilities of a future adoption, if the boy was compatible to our needs. I’m not joking, those are the exact words written on the paper. The day we were to pick him up, Julie had a very tight schedule and I had to go by myself. She had called to explain why she couldn’t make it, but they didn’t seem to mind. They actually seemed to be glad to get rid of the boy. I signed all the papers and the kid was brought again to me. We were left alone in the room and I could take a good look at him, with no inhibitions. He was a chunky kid, the picture of health, with light brown hair, kind of spiky but surprisingly soft to the touch, when I patted his head in a not too fake display of affection. He turned to look at me, and I saw this strange look in his eyes, as if he expected to suddenly disappear and return to a happier place. Like he hoped he was dreaming and this was a nightmare of which he would wake up soon. Then he turned to look at the ground again, and I could tell he was disappointed that his expectations hadn’t come true. I reached out and took his hand, and his grip was strong. I thought, “No wimp here, good!” I walked him to my run-down truck and opened the door for him. He started climbing, reaching for the seat but his hand fell short. I placed my hand on the seat of his shorts and pushed him safely up. When we arrived home, I received him in my arms and set him down. I showed him around and told him to set the table for dinner. Julie arrived right then and went to help him. I was needing a drink badly to calm me down from the stress of trying to put on a good show for the kid to want to stay, and when Julie came up with omelettes which I wasn’t in the mood for, I almost slapped her. I was shocked to see the kid stand in front of her, defending her, and mostly I was shocked to realize Julie had not been lying. I laughed, trying to turn it into a joke, but Julie saw through it, and I’m sure the kid did too. I decided to go get a drink when Julie went to put the boy to bed and I could hear her talking to him. Next morning, Julie left for work while the boy was still asleep.I got hooked on the tube until he came out of his room in just briefs looking around for what I guessed was the bathroom. I got up and patiently guided him to it. He came back out soaking wet and I had to get a towel and helped him dry. He had this tight hard body and he felt good to the touch. At least he wasn’t like the scrawny kids of the neighbours that you only saw bones sticking out anywhere you looked, and probably felt the same if you touched them. I took him to the kitchen and fed him breakfast, not knowing what to do next, but he went back to bed and fell asleep again. I returned to the tube until lunchtime. The smell must have woke him up cause he padded to the kitchen and I gave him lunch. He slept all afternoon, and I wondered what those kids at the orphanage had to do, if this one was ready to sleep all day. Julie called to say she was at the airport and she was leaving me, just like that. I slammed the phone down and ran to the bar before I did something I’d regret. The guys there convinced me I was better off without the bitch, one less mouth to feed, yada yada yada…so I returned real late and the boy of course, was sleeping. He had definitely eaten something from the fridge, cause there were some empty spots, where it had been full, thanks to Julie, but the kitchen was clean and tidy. Next day when the kid woke up and came out of the shower, I was there to receive him with a towel, and I told him Julie had had to go to her sick mother for a while. He just nodded and this time he didn’t return to bed. He had slept enough the day before. That first week was a bitch. The boy behaved like a wildcat, I sent him out to play with the other kids and he kicked the crap out of whoever tried to bully him around. One of the neighbours brought him back complaining so I took him in and sent the jerk to hell on a one way ticket. I liked the kid. I kept him with me the rest of the day. He hadn’t wanted to go out anyway, I had forced him. By the end of the day, my patience, which I didn’t know I had, simply reached its limit. He hardly spoke, he was downright clumsy and he didn’t try to get any better. I fed him and sent him to bed and went to the sports channel. During a break, I went to check on him and found him still clothed with his face buried in the pillow. I thought the damn kid was going to choke himself to death so I yelled “HEY!” and whacked him on the ass. He muttered what sounded like a curse and turned his face sideways, breathing normally. He just went on sleeping as I took off his shirt, his high tops and socks and then his shorts. Next day I dragged him out of bed at ten and took him to the shower stall. I turned on the cold water on him expecting him to jump sky high, but he didn’t. I felt bad and turned on the hot one, but he winced and turned it off. The kid was definitely weird. I went outside while he showered and when I came back he was already dressed. I decided to do some work around the house with his help and during the day, I came close to whack him at least five times. After dinner, I told him to wash the dishes and he dropped a glass which would have smashed into pieces if it hadn’t been plastic. My hand itched but I decided to just go to my easy chair to watch TV. I had just sat, when I realized I had forgotten my beer so I was about to call the kid, but I didn’t know his name. It was in the adoption papers but I hadn’t taken the time to check it out. So far it had just been “Hey!” so it was that again. The boy came from the kitchen and clearly said, “Michael”. I didn’t get it and I went “What?” So he repeated, ”Michael, my name is Michael”. I went, “Ok, Mikey, bring me a cold beer.” And he glared at me and repeated, “It’s Michael”. I went, “Sure, whatever.” When he came back with the can, he pulled open the tab. He must have shaken the can on the way cause the cold beer went flying and sprayed on my shirt. I jumped up and snatched the can from his hand, placing it on the table, then I whacked him hard on the ass. He just stared at me as if he had been expecting it and I could tell this boy was used to getting hit cause he just flinched and turned towards his room. When I went to check on him on the break, he was lying asleep just like last night but he was buck naked. I stared at his compact body and had this urge to hit him again. I took hold of myself and left the room. Next day I left him sleeping as I went to get a newspaper to check out jobs. I was away almost an hour, cause I met a friend, I found him in the shower. The kid didn’t care about doors, probably because he was used to the lack of privacy of the orphanage. He joined me at the kitchen and drank the oj straight from the carton. I whacked his butt hard and he winced and glared at me. I knew he was thinking that I did the same thing, but I didn’t care. He did it with the milk too and I whacked him again harder, getting the same message with his glare. By the evening, I had hit him easily a dozen times, when he sprayed me again with a coke he had brought for himself. I pounced on him grabbing the back of his t-shirt and the waist of his shorts and shoved him roughly on the couch. I yanked down the thin cotton shorts thinking how many times I had wanted to do it during the day, and spanked him hard several times. I had to lean down to do it, so I grabbed him around the stomach, lifting him off the couch and slid under him and draped him over my lap. I went on spanking him hard, hearing him grunt in pain, ready to cover his mouth with my other hand if he started screaming, but it never happened. When my arm finally tired, I stopped and stared at his skin flushed red, as we were both breathing hard, I, from exhaustion and he from the pain. Then I noticed there were at least 5 bleeding slashes across his bottom and remembered my horseshoe ring. I saw it had slid around so that the protruding hard horseshoe, which came quite handy in fist fights, was now on the underside of my middle finger, and bloody to match the cuts. I tossed the boy over my shoulder and carried him to his bed, where I dumped him not too gently on his side. He rolled over on his belly and buried his face in his arms. I soaked some cotton wool in peroxide and squeeze it over the cuts. He shuddered as it bubbled and stung him bad, but he only moaned and squirmed. Then using a q-tip I painted the cuts thick with iodine, watching his young muscles bunch as he gasped and writhed. He didn’t protest, he just took it, as if he was used to it. I had to admire his guts. I squeezed the back of his thigh and was about to let him be when I realized how hot he felt. The kid was burning with fever, and I suddenly thought I had really done it and I was going to lose him and the monthly check, after waiting so many years. I went to the bathroom searching uselessly for a thermometer which I knew I didn’t have. I washed my face with my blood crusted hand and ran out of the door. The loud mouthed bitch next door would surely have one. I knocked anxiously on her door, making it sound urgent and jumped back when she opened the door and confronted me with her ugly face. I explained as best I could about the kid and his condition, but she went back inside without a word. She was right back with the typical silver metal case and handed it to me. She said “It was washed with soap and water after the last time I used it and I expect you to do the same when you return it.” She slammed the door in my face sparing me from saying a rarely used “thank you”. As I walked back, I knew she hadn’t bought the kid thing and was probably grossed out thinking I would have it in my booze stinking mouth, that’s why she insisted on my washing it with soap and water. I had a great idea to get back at her. I shook it down and pushed it up the kid’s ass. I couldn’t get it all in, as the boy kept twisting his hips trying to get away, and I thought maybe I should have wet it, so I spat right down on it and this time it worked. I kept picturing the bitch next door sticking it into her mouth after it had been in the kid’s ass and I was choking down with the giggles. I sat by his thigh on the narrow bed holding onto the thermometer to make sure I didn’t cause anymore stupid accidents, and checked the time on my watch. I started visualizing how the bitch would react when she used the thermometer again and realized I hadn’t washed it as she had asked, imagining the different facial expressions she could achieve and laughing my head off inside my mind. The boy groaned and I remembered what I was doing. I checked my watch and I’d been at it over 6 minutes. I started pulling it out but halfway, it sort of snagged and I yanked it out. The boy jerked and sobbed and I suspected my saliva had dried out and that’s what had caused the problem. I tried to figure it out but I couldn’t get it, the mercury went all the way up to the top. The damn thing must be busted and that’s what I was going to claim when I gave it back. I noticed a couple of red smears on the thing and I bent down to inspect the boy. He had a small tear at the entrance towards the back, which must have happened when I yanked it out. It was bleeding a little, and I treated it as I had the other cuts, but this time the boy muffled his sobs into the pillow. I watched open mouthed, the small opening contracting with the suffering I was causing the child and waited until the stinging subsided and the tight young body relaxed again. I kissed the tortured spot, expecting a protest that never came. I squeezed the boy’s velvety globes with both hands before whispering “You’ll be alright, I’ll get you something to make it better. Be right back, keep still, ok?” The boy nodded, eyes shut tight and still wincing. I raised the cushion of my easy chair and produced an apparently empty black plastic bag where I kept my money. I pulled out a $10, thinking it would be enough, but then got an extra fiver. I knocked at the bitch’s door and shoved the silver case into her hand saying a quick “thanks”, and hurried away. At the entrance of the park., I heard her loud holler and froze. “New brand of soap? Where d’you get it?” Thinking she was being sarcastic, I played along “Sample sachet, came on the mail.” “Nice, cotton candy, get me the name!” My mouth dropped open, so I just waved at her over my shoulder and took off. She hadn’t sounded pissed or uptight at all. What was that about? And yes, the boy kind of smelled like cotton candy, damn weird! What the hell, crazy bitch, clearly a nut case, I thought. I took a right and made the block and a half at a run. I went down the 5 steps to the solid green door that all the trailer park inhabitants and the drugged punks of the neighbourhood knew about, and somehow the cops didn’t seem to, or did, but wisely ignored, cutting short some of their problem citizens. I knocked the 3 sets of 3 raps and heard it click open. I pushed it in and blinked at the strong white neon lights that literally flooded the place. There sat Sam the Sham on his wheelchair, with his insect-like beady black eyes always on the move. Not even the smallest detail was lost to him. No one was stealing even a band aid from him. He only allowed one customer at a time to play it safe. He had these small but powerful little guns in specially made contraptions on the inside of his wrists, hidden by his sleeves which he wore even in summer. They would slide into the palm of his hands in a fraction of a second with the slightest twitch. I had heard about them first hand from one of my poker pals. The guy was waiting for entry, knowing that if it didn’t come immediately after the coded knock, he just had to wait for the current customer to come out. He waited a couple of doors down, as usual, not to attract unwanted attention to the door in question until whoever was in, left, so he could make his move. Then the door burst open and a pale whiskered short man, half limped, half skipped hurriedly away. The funny sound he made was due to one of his feet which was encased in a plastic bag and fastened tight above his ankle with what looked like masking tape, making no tale-telling bloody trail possible. When he went in right after, he found the Sham shaking with fury in his chair, the smoking gun still in his hand. He showed his customer the mechanism and the silencer that had kept the incident out of hearing. He made sure that way, that the customer would take care of making it known that no one could get away with theft, or suspiciously too close to him, because he was the fastest gun in the West. The news had spread like wildfire, and nothing ever happened again. Everyone respected the Sham, his prices were always reasonable, and in many cases he would send, free of charge, either his son or daughter, whom he had put through medical careers, and were now an emergency room surgeon and a registered nurse respectively, at the community hospital. The two scrawny, weird looking geeks I remembered from the neighbourhood had turned out alright, always there to help anyone, expecting nothing in return if they were out of sorts. Though they were easily more that ten years younger than me, they were as close as any other friend I had. The Sham could get you anything on a short notice if he didn’t have it, and he was a talking medical encyclopedia. I told him some stupid tale to explain the kid’s injuries and condition which the Sham pretended to believe. He nodded and jotted down something in a post it, indicating me where I could find it. I picked one of the black bags which would eventually replace my present money bag, and dropped into it a thermometer, then I found the medication indicated on the post it. It came in pills, ampoules and suppositories. I chose the last, looking forward to the application, my breath starting to come fast. I forced myself to calm down, not to give myself away and chose a jar of Vaseline and a bottle of baby oil. I couldn’t help looking up and saw the Sham staring at me with raised eyebrows and a knowing grin. I grinned back like an idiot and went to pay. The Sham clicked on the cash register and said it was $9. I gave him the $10 and got my change, asked about his kids, heard they were doing fine, lots of work, and told him I hoped they could make the time to come visit me sometime. I was back home in 20 minutes at the most. I grabbed the thick back rest cushion and took a couple of swigs from the bottle of bourbon and felt it kick in as I walked into the boy’s room. He lay just as I had left him, and I went and tousled his hair. I touched his cheek and he was still definitely hot. I emptied the contents of the bag on the nightstand and as I was about to pick up the thermometer, I remembered the Sham had told me to start the medication immediately to take care of the fever. I really couldn’t wait to stick one of those slugs into the kid. I slid my arm under his stomach and hoisted him up enough to slip the cushion under him so that when I eased him back down, his hips were pushed up. I spread his thighs further and he was all exposed. I detached one and peeled off the foil. It was very slippery so I had to hurry. I placed it against him and pushed. My finger followed it and buried halfway in before I knew what I was doing. I stared at it and felt the boy move and I pulled out thinking I was hurting him. He whispered “No!” but I sensed disappointment. He bucked back and I was certain. I remembered hurting him with the dry thermometer, so I was ready to correct it. I opened the pop up cap of the baby oil and used my index and thumb to keep it open. Then I tipped it to moisten it and pressed it against him. It slid in a little, just the tip, and I squeezed. The boy gasped but stayed still. Then I scooped a glob of Vaseline with my finger and put it against him. I smeared it on the small target and moved my finger in a circle, rimming him, then I pressed in. The initial resistance gave as I forced my finger in, the boy’s breath hissing through his teeth. The kid was just taking it, without protesting, allowing me to enter him. I stuck in my slick finger very slowly, feeling the child’s tight muscles fighting me all the way. I knew I had to be hurting him, but the warm insides squeezing my finger were the utmost turn on. I felt my cock fighting my boxers, glued to my belly, so I unfastened my pants with my free hand and let them drop down. My cock cleared the fly of my loose boxers and rose freely. I looked down at the best hard on of my whole life! Shit! It would never fit in! Of course it would, I could feel the kid’s insides flooded with the baby oil and totally slick with the Vaseline. I started sliding my finger in and out. Then all the way in, and in a circle, kind of widening him, preparing him for something much bigger. I scooped some more Vaseline with my other index and pulled almost out, shoving them both in together deep, all the way to the knuckles.. The boy’s contraction almost fused them together and I felt electricity running all the way up my arm. I started sliding them out and the killer grip clearly told me he didn’t want them out but in. I worked my fingers inside him getting him ready for the real thing. I felt the boy’s butt muscles tightening and I knew they were rock hard. I pulled my fingers about halfway out and it took all my strength to keep them apart just enough to start the head of my cock between them. I started counting: one, I used my hands to keep the boy’s buttocks spread out and my thumbs to keep my cock in the correct angle. Two, I felt the kid’s thighs spreading further apart as he jutted his ass back. 3, I gave the kid a second to brace himself and yanked my fingers out and rammed my cock in. In spite of the oil, Vaseline, my pre cum and the force I put into it, only the head went in. The boy growled into the pillow and I used my body weight as leverage to thrust it in, feeling every inch striving to get deeper, just as the boy was feeling the slow progress of my penetration. The amazing amount of pleasure I was feeling, made everything else, the boy’s fever, the problem I could get into with the foster authorities, the physical damage I might cause him, disappear from my mind. There was no place left for them, cause it was totally filled with these thoughts which definitely weren’t mine and I could guess they were coming from the boy, how could he do it? The booze definitely had something to do with it I told myself. I knew Michael felt he was being ripped in two and he knew beyond doubt that this had happened to him constantly before, in another time, and out of dire need for his torturer, turning into a weird kind of lusty love, and he just knew that in this other time, his life had somehow depended on this painful act, which he also knew he had learned to enjoy. The kid felt the bludgeon inside him tearing its way up to the hilt, where it mercifully stopped. The boy’s insides were on fire, yet the deep throbbing pulse of the invader somewhat eased the burning, but the pain was piercing, like a knife being twisted every way inside him. I shook the boy’s thoughts out of my head, and enjoyed the feeling of the last inch burying into him, and our bodies touching. I wiggled from side to side and the boy shuddered, almost making me come. It was all I could do to hold back. I was sure I would get a cramp there, he was so tight! I had watched myself disappear into the sweet young flesh, and I couldn’t believe I was all the way in. I had a passing notion of what I was putting the boy through, but the awesome pleasure of the boy writhing under me, sent it to oblivion. The boy seemed to be ready for more, and I pulled about an inch out, tentatively, and shoved it in again. The boy tightened, then gradually let go again. I repeated it, and this time he froze, but stayed in control. The next time he actually bucked back to meet my thrust and I almost came. I started pulling out an inch more each time and soon we were moving in perfect sync. The boy’s thoughts jumped back into my mind: the: chafing sensation of my cock sliding in and out of him, was scratching at the itch it had created, and awakening feelings in him that he was still too young for, he didn’t understand them, so he didn’t try, he just let them flow through him and enjoyed them. He had this certainty that the worst the pain was, the better would be the pleasure it would bring him. It was confusing, but he knew he was right. His partner was now fucking him as hard as he could, the pain was unbearable, and just when he thought he would pass out, he felt a hot rush shooting into him, filling him completely. Then it was being pulled out of him, and he begged him not to. He was grateful for his partner waiting until he wasn’t that hard to make the pain of the removal bearable, but when he pulled out, it hurt just the same, especially the emptiness, when it was gone. The pain had made him feel wanted. I shook him away again and thought the bourbon had been stronger than I had thought. It was incredible the way I had been able to know what he was thinking. I had no doubts at all that it was true. I let the kid rest while I went to watch some sports, and perhaps a couple of hours later, I went to check him out. He seemed to be resting comfortably, and he didn’t feel that hot. I took the new thermometer out of the case, and noticed the tip was more rounded that the bitch’s one. So that was the difference! I pushed it into him easily, he was still very slick, and he just moaned and shifted his hips a little. I spent the five minutes rubbing his back and his thighs, feeling the healing welts on his butt with my fingertip, and wondering what had made me do what I did. When I pulled it out, it was 99.7, It wasn’t bad, but just in case, I shoved in another slug, relishing in the way my finger wallowed in my hot slosh still inside him, as he squeezed me and purred like a kitten. I pulled out of him and let him sleep. Next day I kept him in bed, checking his temperature which remained about 99.3 the lowest, and pushing into him a couple of slugs, one in the morning and one in the evening. I only got him out of bed at midday to give him a shower and change the bed. The next day, he still slept a lot, but was up and around the house some. The third day, he was back to normal. Two days later, I met an ex team mate as I went to get a newspaper, and he asked me if I knew someone who could clean his swimming pool, so I said I could do it. He told me he would have a party on the week end, in two days and he would pay me a juicy sum. I got his address and went right over with the kid. My friend said his family was away and arriving the next day, so we would have the place to ourselves, cause he had an important office meeting that would take all day and part of the evening. He told me to make ourselves at home, enjoy the pool, the fridge was full and on the shed, there were swimming trunks, and anything we might one to use and stay as long as we wanted. Then he left, and I couldn’t believe my luck. The pool was cleaned up and ready by midday, and I woke up Michael, who had been sleeping under a tree. We had some lunch, the fridge was full of salads, which the boy wolfed down but I simply couldn’t, so I unfroze a pasta TV dinner and nuked it until it was passable. I went to watch a basketball game as the boy stretched to nap on the couch with his face on my lap. When it was over, about 2 hours later, I shook the boy awake and went to the shack and got me what I wanted: I was sitting on a comfortable deck chair wearing baggy swim trunks, flip flops and a colourful Hawaiian design shirt, a tall icy foreign beer in my hand, European brand sunglasses in my other hand, as I nibbled on them, hallucinating the swimming pool of my exclusive club, in front of me. Those young girls wearing the tiniest bikinis or whatever they were called, made me so horny! But I was really drooling instead at the kid, skinny dipping in the blue water as he lay with his arms on a kind of floating pillow, his cheek resting on them. He was facing me, with his eyes closed and his parted wet lips. He wasn’t smiling or frowning, he just looked relaxed, and his lower body floated on his own. The water started rotating him, so that his original sideways position was now drifting and turning his back to him. His lower legs, from his knees down were just under water, his rounded thighs were spread and his hips seemed pushed up to stay above the water, in a definitely inviting position. I noticed I had actually moved when my body landed feet first into the pool, and the shock of the cool water brought me back to the present. the water reaching just above my waist. The beer, sunglasses and flip flops had vanished and I could feel the huge tent I was making on my swimming trunks. I waded towards him as if my life depended on it and ended standing between his spread thighs. I pushed down the front of the trunks releasing my straining erection, which my lady friends loved, and it bounced up and ended stuck to my belly, I was so hard! Who could have imagined, that at my age, I would turn into a boy lover, some Greek ancestor, probably? Yeah, that would be sooo classy! I grabbed the inviting round globes with both hands, exposing the tight little rosebud. I bent my head and put the tip of my tongue against it making it as hard as I could, letting my saliva slide down over it as I pressed it inside him. I knew the boy’s lips were curled in a sexy smile as he purred in pleasure, and pushed back forcing me deeper into him. My tongue went wild inside him, moving in every way possible, I felt sparks of electricity running up my tongue straight into my brain. I noticed the bitch had been right, there was this slight scent and taste like cotton candy, definitely coming from the kid. Weird but nice! I just couldn’t take it anymore. The boy was going to get his cute tush filled again. He had already had a taste of my weapon, and he wasn’t backing out, so one big point for the tough kid. I turned to look down at my joy stick, starting to worry about some kind of lube, and I noticed its head was just above water and overflowing with abundant pre-cum. Yeah, that would do. It would have to do. The kid probably wouldn’t sit straight in a week, but what the hell, he could just as well lie down. We were just us guys at home with no one to bitch us about our tastes. I dug my fingers into his firm flesh and maneuvered him against the side of the pool, where I could keep him still. He got the message loud and clear, and grabbed the edge, so he wouldn’t drift away. I was so horny, I simply couldn’t believe it could possibly get any worse. I looked down and my fluids had easily doubled. The water level there was a little lower and it barely reached under my balls. I had to force it down with both hands to get it aimed where I wanted it. I shoved, and it went in hard. I didn’t stop, I didn’t wait for him, I went on thrusting it in, as the boy fought like a tiger, gritting his teeth, and growling as his insides opened to me. Taking the agony like a warrior, I don’t know where that word came from, but it certainly suited him. He was so brave, bearing the torture of my impatience. I drove into him without mercy, loving the way he matched my thrusts, not even trying to relax, to ease the pain, but getting so tight that I had to tear into him each time. And when I finally exploded into him, at that very moment, I saw how the child’s mind burst into a myriad of new feelings which enveloped his whole body. I knew I was getting it bad for the kid, and I knew how wrong it was. At the same time, I knew the boy would never tell on me. I knew I had been his first. I felt myself slipping out of him, and I felt him shudder as I slid out. I turned him around and took him in my arms. Our chests pressed together. His arms were around my neck and mine around his hips. I eased him over my shoulder, caressing his strong thighs as I carried him out of the pool. I lay back on the deck chair sliding him down so he was lying over me. He slept there all afternoon, gasping and sobbing every time he snuggled against me, making himself comfortable. When the sun went down and it started getting rather chilly, we took a shower together, the water a little cold to my taste, and a little warm to his.We drove back, the kid stretched out on the back seat. Back home, I put him to bed, made sure he wasn’t feverish, stuck him a slug, just in case and rubbed his back until he fell asleep. Next day was Sunday and he spent it mostly asleep, waking up just to eat and falling asleep right after. And that Monday was the first day of school. I also started a job in the plant of the pool guy, and then things started getting kind of trying. I came back in a nasty mood, the kid had to do homework to make it look that he was in a normal home, I started worrying that he would start noticing how different the other kids’ lives were, and want out, my insecurity made me start going heavier on the booze, and though I couldn’t resist my sexual satisfaction with the boy, that was the only thing which made the whole thing worth it. I began getting guilty feelings about the abuse I committed on him, and it made me unfairly take it out on him. I’ve never understood how he could put up with me. He knew I enjoyed hurting him when I was all boozed up, yet he was always provoking me, he seemed to know just how much it excited me and it always ended in sex. He also seemed to expect that, and I have a vague recollection of telling him I loved him when I did it. So my life was work, drink, hit and fuck. It became a sado-masochistic love-hate scene that led us nowhere. I expected him to be the perfect partner, to do the washing, the cleaning, the cooking, but he was just a kid! I would be mean to him and tell him awful things when he didn’t do what I expected him to, and I know I offended him quite often. Then the words would turn physical, after the spankings came the belt, even the buckle, and I finally hurt him bad enough to need the help of the Sham’s son. He made a house call, and knew immediately what was going on. He started hanging out here with us. He liked boys, but that was his dark side, and I let him enjoy Michael when he wanted to, as long as he took care of him when he was hurt. It was obvious the boy had turned into a total masochist, I know he protected me, never telling anyone what I did to him, no one but us knew about his tortured life, and how pain excited him. By the time he turned 12, my friend and partner in crime, Sammy, got a great job opportunity in a big hospital in Chicago, and he just had to go. He left me with his sister, who had just upgraded from registered nurse to traumatologist, and had a great kinky side. She took us like fish to the water, and kept our secret as we kept hers: she had a drug addiction that kept her popping pills like crazy. She explained it had started just innocently trying to stay awake during her rookie years at the graveyard shifts and it had soon got out of hand. She was safe with us, I understood, sex with Michael was the worst addiction ever, the second the booze kicked in, I itched to hurt him and then fuck him, I couldn’t resist it, I loved it when she held him down for me, and on the very first week, she had got the kid inside her while I fucked him. Before I knew it, we were doing threesomes every chance we had, and she took care of him as her brother had. We got along fine, most of the time, I only remember having a bad misunderstanding once. It was in 1999, for Thanksgiving. We had been planning it for some time and suddenly, she gets an invitation from some relative in Chicago, where her brother was living, and her father, the Sham, decides to accept it and asks her to travel with him. She had every right, they were her family, even Michael agreed with her and I got furious, because the boy was going to spend it with his snobby friends, like every year since he met them, which would have been alright if Sarah was with me, but no, this year they had both dumped me, so it was the poker guys and their crummy turkey sandwiches for which I had to waste $10. We had a temp job right next day with the possibility of hooking up another one right after, and I was so pissed, that I took it out on the kid real bad, I fucked the daylights out of him and dumped him behind the couch when my pal came to get me. When I came back, before the second gig, I was still pissed, no news from Sarah, I even went to the Sham’s and the guy there told me he wouldn’t be back in another week of so. I was seeing red, and my pals decided to come over to watch pornos! The VCR they brought was a piece of crap, but I had seen Michael try to slip unseen to his room. I went to check in on him to find him fast asleep, buck naked as usual, his ass in the air, and I saw my chance to get back at him. We ended in his room, all cock-eyed drunk, so I had no problem passing him as a hooker, and getting that nigger, hung like a horse, fucking his guts out. He almost killed the kid, and I was the typical jerk, I’m glad his friends took care of him while I was passed out in front of the tube. If he had died, I would have never forgiven myself. But Sarah came back about a week later and everything worked out fine. Until she had the brilliant idea of trying this new brand of her shit and she o.d.’d. That was the beginning of the end. I was in shock for two whole days, a record for me. And then I gave the kid a black eye which mysteriously disappeared by the evening. But I was too drunk to notice, and then his friends showed up and he had to defend them from me. He was forced to expose himself, and then the other E:T. decided it was over for me. I’m sorry I had to be so crude and I’m sure you must be totally grossed out, but that’s how it really happened. It’s uncanny the way things come to pass, that lead us into these unexpected situations, which if only one small thing had been different, nothing of the sort would have happened at all. If I hadn’t busted my heel, I would have got the basketball scholarship, and my life would have been so different. The only reason that happened for, was to destroy my life, and all who came in touch with me. At least Michael came out right, and he got rid of me in time to get a better life. It’s so hard to explain, but in some dark, weird way, I did love him. I did, Michael, I swear. Why do these things have to happen? Why isn’t there any control over them? It’s so unfair! I’m so sorry. I’m sorry, kid. What else can I say? My life totally sucked, you’re the only one that made it worth it. Try to remember those times I told you I loved you, because I really meant them. I don’t know if you ever did. I never wanted things to get so bad. I have no right to ask you this, but please, don’t hate me. -
The look in his eyes was so sad, and the next thing, he was reaching out with both hands. No one could have expected what happened next. Michael rushed to him, dropping on his knees and taking his hands, then falling into his arms, his own arms around the older man’s neck. Hank’s hands went around Michael’s back, rubbing it and squeezing the boy against him.
- I can’t hate you, Hank, you were the only one who took me in when nobody wanted me, not even for the check. I love you for that. Believe me, I did miss you. I still sometimes do. I’m a freak, huh? You were right. - Michael whispered huskily.
- Michael…- That was the last they heard, and Michael slumped forwards to the floor as he hugged thin air. He lay there, kind of sideways, his arms around his body, hugging himself and sobbing.
They were in total shock, not knowing what to do. It was Stuart who went to him and sat beside him.
- It’s alright, kid, come here, I’m right here for you. - He pulled one of Michael’s arms from under him and very gently eased his head onto his lap. Michael shuddered and sobbed against Stuart’s stomach, as the doctor rubbed his back, much like his foster father had been doing when he faded away, his other hand caressing the boy’s hair. He went on soothing him until he felt him start to relax.
- C’mon, Michael, you can’t stay here on the floor. Let me get you to the bed. - He gestured with his head for Max and Kyle, and they approached, their eyes full of pity.
As gently as Stuart had handled him, they got him to his feet, and lurching between his two friends Michael got back into his bed. He was shivering, his eyes closed, breathing heavily. Stuart’s concern was evident, he touched his face and felt his pulse.
- He’s in shock. - He said, and rushed out of the room to return right after, with his black bag.
He found the four girls, two on each side, massaging his body, giving him all the comfort and support they could. The two boys crouched at the head of the bed, at either side of him, one hand on his shoulder and the other holding one of Michael’s hands. Stuart approached the bed and knelt at Michael’s hips. He gave him an injection, and told them he just needed to sleep. He pulled the blanket, which was folded at the foot of the bed, and covered him up to his shoulders. Michael took it without protesting. They camped all around the bed, like they had been doing lately, rather often, and stayed by him during his troubled sleep. About three hours later, he sighed, and grew calmer, his hands twitched, as they now lay, one in Maria’s and the other in Laurie’s, under the blanket. Both girls turned to watch his face as he moaned and winced. Stuart, fully attentive to his patient, immediately went to check on him. He shook his head.
- He’s just asleep. - He reassured them.
They were all yawning and ready to turn in. Liz asked them if they wanted anything from the kitchen, but no one seemed to be hungry, not even Kyle. She went anyway and brought a tray with mugs and a teapot of chamomile tea. That really did it. Soon they were all sleeping, the girls snuggling into him on the huge bed, and the boys in sleeping bags. Stuart got the couch, and he was waking up every now and then, checking on the boy, making sure he was alright. About the third time, he found Michael had shoved the blanket down to his hips. That was a good sign, he was now almost stable. He should be fine when he woke up.
- Well, well, Mikey! How are you doing, boy? - Hank chuckled in his particular way, making Michael shudder and wince. No, no, none of that, I’m here to make my peace with you, if that can be possible, but somehow I think it’s worth a try. Will you let me, please? I need closure as much as I’m sure you also do. I promise, it will be the last time you suffer in my hands. -
Hank just sat in the spot apparently designed for apparitions from beyond. He looked down at his hands and fought to find a suitable way to begin his delivery. He shook his head and sighed, then he cleared his throat loudly and exaggeratedly, and taking his time, he raised his head and spoke.
- Look at me, Mikey, don’t be afraid…-
- I’m not afraid of you! I’ve never been, no matter what you did to me! I was afraid for my friends, what you would do if you found out …
- That you are an alien? - He chuckled again. - Well, now I know and there’s nothing I can do about it. -
- You knew that night, when I had to leave…-
- No, I thought you were some kind of those psychological freaks, who could move things around, but when I sobered up, I only remembered something weird had happened with you, but not what actually had. But when that other ET came at me from behind, and zapped me in the head, incredible as it may seem, it only took that fraction of a second to enlighten me of the whole thing! I’ve lived in Roswell, New Mexico all my life, bought the government crap and never believed in aliens, and I end up living and fucking with one…- more chuckles ending in a bout of coughing. - What an irony, and I was too boozed up to notice! - He shook his head and continued. - I need you to look at me in the eye, because there’s not a single drop of booze here now…- he pointed at his head, - I can’t expect anyone to understand me, if I can’t myself, not even now, but I want you to know why I did those things to you. Please, bear with me, not for me, but for your sake. So first things first, right? So I’ll start at the beginning.
My parents were good people, my mother worked like a slave, getting up when it was still dark, to leave our breakfast on the table, I was an only child and their hope for a better life. Dad took me to school, he was the utmost geek, with his glasses, slaving at the local University, hoping that would earn his boy a chance in the future. It never did. I did well in school, stayed out of trouble, my mother was there for me when I came home, boosting up my meager lunch at school, and working an extra shift cleaning the mental ward, which no one wanted to do, but helped us make ends meet. She left when dad arrived, left our dinner ready, and returned to eat something and go straight to bed to get what rest she could. I watched sports with my dad to our hearts’ content until she came back. I started basketball as early as it was allowed, and was fairly good, though not outstanding. Both my parents encouraged me, hoping for a scholarship, but on the last season before I graduated from high school, I sustained a heel injure that put an end to my application for a scholarship. I tried hanging out with my buddies, but I wasn’t in the team anymore, and ended boozing it out with all the ex’s who had been through what I had, and found comfort in liquor. My parents were desperate, seeing what I was doing to myself, and how bitter I had grown. Dad suffered a stroke and ended in the hospital where my mother worked. She decided I was beyond caring, when I never went to see him, so she spent every second she had with him. My house was now always empty so I filled it with my booze partners, partying and bringing women from the street, with a complete lack of respect for what my home had always meant to me. Then one day, cause it was definitely nearer to day than night, after they had left, I sat smoking in front of the TV and woke up with the unnerving sound of sirens, covered in smoke and the house around me burning up. As I rushed into my room to save whatever I had of value, my mother arrived at the door screaming my name. Must have been the booze in me that had me disoriented, so I climbed to safety out of the window and dragged myself to the front of the house. My mother had stopped struggling with the firemen and pretended to calm down, but the minute their unsuspecting backs were turned, she ran into the house looking for me. She barely made it past the door, when a beam fell on her head, and the firemen pulled her out just to confirm she was dead. I spent that night at the morgue, promising I would take care of dad, but he only lasted a couple of months. The doctor said what kept him alive was her voice, which he heard for several hours everyday. When she stopped coming, he just pined away and died. I did go everyday, but just for a few minutes, leaving as soon as I could to the bar, and the only escape from reality that I knew. What little my parents had in the bank, I invested in a trailer, which was all I could afford, and spent my life at odd jobs and drinking. I hated my jobs, I was always conning people and during my sober hours, at the job, I felt bad at what I was doing. The last stable job I can remember, was with one of those “honest” idiots that sell cars. I sold a car to this nice elderly lady, who somehow reminded me of my mother, the way she kept calling me dear, though she had never seen me before in her life. I knew the brakes were barely holding, but I needed the money, and a couple of minutes at the most, after she left, driving her new acquisition, I heard the crash. I ran the two blocks, my heart racing, and my conscience hammering at my brain, and saw her head bashed in against what was left of the windshield, her eyes open and staring. The car’s engine was creamed against the huge tyres of a equally huge diesel truck. The sirens made it even worse, reminding me again of my mother’s death, and I just ran until I reached the bar, to drown whatever feelings still existed in me. I kept having these awful nightmares in which the lady told me she was really my mother, coming back to give me another chance, and that made me manage to put my life together at least for some time. I still drank, but limited it to a few hours a day, after whatever odd job I was doing, and then I was convinced to go to one of those stupid school reunions, and met Julie. The thing is I already knew her, but couldn’t remember, so she took care of making that right. Yes, we had had a few classes together, but we did have some. She remembered my days of humble glory and we had a lot to talk about. We started dating, and I told her I had a drinking problem. She said she would help me and would be there for me. She kept both promises and we married. She didn’t mind living in a trailer and never asked for more. I wanted to have a real family, you know, kids, because I knew that would make me want to upgrade to a house, and a stable job, but it wasn’t happening. We went to a doctor and he tested me, confirming it was me, not her. He said I was sterile, and there was no solution to that problem. I shut down completely for a month, Julie was there for me like she had said, and gradually brought me out. She convinced me of adopting, telling me about all those poor kids who were already in the world with no homes for different reasons, so we added our names to the long lists in the adoption centres. Before we knew it, years had gone by, and we weren’t getting any younger. We visited the centre to see what was going wrong with us, and the lady kindly explained that the demand for babies was outrageous, she suggested applying for an older kid, say from 5 on. After some thought, we accepted the possibility. It seemed the trailer home and the lack of a stable job were obviously working against me, so I started boozing again. I mean, I drank, but like I said before, just a few drinks with the friends, I was mostly conscious of what I was doing, until then. Julie complained a few times that I had slapped her, though I couldn’t remember doing so, I couldn’t believe it. Julie began to look afraid of me and it got me even angrier for letting things get out of my hands. And then, finally, by late summer 1992, I received a call to see about a kid. Julie and I had given up hope, so we went to the appointment. They told us it was a boy, about 9 years old, who had been abandoned, and they didn’t know much about him, but he was a nice looking kid, strong and healthy. He was brought into the room, and Julie took his hands and smiled at him. The boy smiled back, hesitating, not very enthusiastic about it though, like he didn’t trust us. She brought him to me and the first thing I noticed about him were his eyes, the colour of honey, they reminded me of this boy, the head of my basketball team, who was everything I wanted to be, but didn’t want me as his friend. And I thought, “Oh yeah, you’ll have to accept me, whether you want to or not, cause I’m in charge now.” And it was like a compulsion, I had to have him. I saw his eyes on mine, and I was sure he had got my message and was challenging me to try it. It was the weirdest thing that had ever happened in my life. I smiled at him and he answered with a smirk, that looked outright insolent to me. Everything went fine, and we had to return to sign the papers. I agreed on a foster situation with possibilities of a future adoption, if the boy was compatible to our needs. I’m not joking, those are the exact words written on the paper. The day we were to pick him up, Julie had a very tight schedule and I had to go by myself. She had called to explain why she couldn’t make it, but they didn’t seem to mind. They actually seemed to be glad to get rid of the boy. I signed all the papers and the kid was brought again to me. We were left alone in the room and I could take a good look at him, with no inhibitions. He was a chunky kid, the picture of health, with light brown hair, kind of spiky but surprisingly soft to the touch, when I patted his head in a not too fake display of affection. He turned to look at me, and I saw this strange look in his eyes, as if he expected to suddenly disappear and return to a happier place. Like he hoped he was dreaming and this was a nightmare of which he would wake up soon. Then he turned to look at the ground again, and I could tell he was disappointed that his expectations hadn’t come true. I reached out and took his hand, and his grip was strong. I thought, “No wimp here, good!” I walked him to my run-down truck and opened the door for him. He started climbing, reaching for the seat but his hand fell short. I placed my hand on the seat of his shorts and pushed him safely up. When we arrived home, I received him in my arms and set him down. I showed him around and told him to set the table for dinner. Julie arrived right then and went to help him. I was needing a drink badly to calm me down from the stress of trying to put on a good show for the kid to want to stay, and when Julie came up with omelettes which I wasn’t in the mood for, I almost slapped her. I was shocked to see the kid stand in front of her, defending her, and mostly I was shocked to realize Julie had not been lying. I laughed, trying to turn it into a joke, but Julie saw through it, and I’m sure the kid did too. I decided to go get a drink when Julie went to put the boy to bed and I could hear her talking to him. Next morning, Julie left for work while the boy was still asleep.I got hooked on the tube until he came out of his room in just briefs looking around for what I guessed was the bathroom. I got up and patiently guided him to it. He came back out soaking wet and I had to get a towel and helped him dry. He had this tight hard body and he felt good to the touch. At least he wasn’t like the scrawny kids of the neighbours that you only saw bones sticking out anywhere you looked, and probably felt the same if you touched them. I took him to the kitchen and fed him breakfast, not knowing what to do next, but he went back to bed and fell asleep again. I returned to the tube until lunchtime. The smell must have woke him up cause he padded to the kitchen and I gave him lunch. He slept all afternoon, and I wondered what those kids at the orphanage had to do, if this one was ready to sleep all day. Julie called to say she was at the airport and she was leaving me, just like that. I slammed the phone down and ran to the bar before I did something I’d regret. The guys there convinced me I was better off without the bitch, one less mouth to feed, yada yada yada…so I returned real late and the boy of course, was sleeping. He had definitely eaten something from the fridge, cause there were some empty spots, where it had been full, thanks to Julie, but the kitchen was clean and tidy. Next day when the kid woke up and came out of the shower, I was there to receive him with a towel, and I told him Julie had had to go to her sick mother for a while. He just nodded and this time he didn’t return to bed. He had slept enough the day before. That first week was a bitch. The boy behaved like a wildcat, I sent him out to play with the other kids and he kicked the crap out of whoever tried to bully him around. One of the neighbours brought him back complaining so I took him in and sent the jerk to hell on a one way ticket. I liked the kid. I kept him with me the rest of the day. He hadn’t wanted to go out anyway, I had forced him. By the end of the day, my patience, which I didn’t know I had, simply reached its limit. He hardly spoke, he was downright clumsy and he didn’t try to get any better. I fed him and sent him to bed and went to the sports channel. During a break, I went to check on him and found him still clothed with his face buried in the pillow. I thought the damn kid was going to choke himself to death so I yelled “HEY!” and whacked him on the ass. He muttered what sounded like a curse and turned his face sideways, breathing normally. He just went on sleeping as I took off his shirt, his high tops and socks and then his shorts. Next day I dragged him out of bed at ten and took him to the shower stall. I turned on the cold water on him expecting him to jump sky high, but he didn’t. I felt bad and turned on the hot one, but he winced and turned it off. The kid was definitely weird. I went outside while he showered and when I came back he was already dressed. I decided to do some work around the house with his help and during the day, I came close to whack him at least five times. After dinner, I told him to wash the dishes and he dropped a glass which would have smashed into pieces if it hadn’t been plastic. My hand itched but I decided to just go to my easy chair to watch TV. I had just sat, when I realized I had forgotten my beer so I was about to call the kid, but I didn’t know his name. It was in the adoption papers but I hadn’t taken the time to check it out. So far it had just been “Hey!” so it was that again. The boy came from the kitchen and clearly said, “Michael”. I didn’t get it and I went “What?” So he repeated, ”Michael, my name is Michael”. I went, “Ok, Mikey, bring me a cold beer.” And he glared at me and repeated, “It’s Michael”. I went, “Sure, whatever.” When he came back with the can, he pulled open the tab. He must have shaken the can on the way cause the cold beer went flying and sprayed on my shirt. I jumped up and snatched the can from his hand, placing it on the table, then I whacked him hard on the ass. He just stared at me as if he had been expecting it and I could tell this boy was used to getting hit cause he just flinched and turned towards his room. When I went to check on him on the break, he was lying asleep just like last night but he was buck naked. I stared at his compact body and had this urge to hit him again. I took hold of myself and left the room. Next day I left him sleeping as I went to get a newspaper to check out jobs. I was away almost an hour, cause I met a friend, I found him in the shower. The kid didn’t care about doors, probably because he was used to the lack of privacy of the orphanage. He joined me at the kitchen and drank the oj straight from the carton. I whacked his butt hard and he winced and glared at me. I knew he was thinking that I did the same thing, but I didn’t care. He did it with the milk too and I whacked him again harder, getting the same message with his glare. By the evening, I had hit him easily a dozen times, when he sprayed me again with a coke he had brought for himself. I pounced on him grabbing the back of his t-shirt and the waist of his shorts and shoved him roughly on the couch. I yanked down the thin cotton shorts thinking how many times I had wanted to do it during the day, and spanked him hard several times. I had to lean down to do it, so I grabbed him around the stomach, lifting him off the couch and slid under him and draped him over my lap. I went on spanking him hard, hearing him grunt in pain, ready to cover his mouth with my other hand if he started screaming, but it never happened. When my arm finally tired, I stopped and stared at his skin flushed red, as we were both breathing hard, I, from exhaustion and he from the pain. Then I noticed there were at least 5 bleeding slashes across his bottom and remembered my horseshoe ring. I saw it had slid around so that the protruding hard horseshoe, which came quite handy in fist fights, was now on the underside of my middle finger, and bloody to match the cuts. I tossed the boy over my shoulder and carried him to his bed, where I dumped him not too gently on his side. He rolled over on his belly and buried his face in his arms. I soaked some cotton wool in peroxide and squeeze it over the cuts. He shuddered as it bubbled and stung him bad, but he only moaned and squirmed. Then using a q-tip I painted the cuts thick with iodine, watching his young muscles bunch as he gasped and writhed. He didn’t protest, he just took it, as if he was used to it. I had to admire his guts. I squeezed the back of his thigh and was about to let him be when I realized how hot he felt. The kid was burning with fever, and I suddenly thought I had really done it and I was going to lose him and the monthly check, after waiting so many years. I went to the bathroom searching uselessly for a thermometer which I knew I didn’t have. I washed my face with my blood crusted hand and ran out of the door. The loud mouthed bitch next door would surely have one. I knocked anxiously on her door, making it sound urgent and jumped back when she opened the door and confronted me with her ugly face. I explained as best I could about the kid and his condition, but she went back inside without a word. She was right back with the typical silver metal case and handed it to me. She said “It was washed with soap and water after the last time I used it and I expect you to do the same when you return it.” She slammed the door in my face sparing me from saying a rarely used “thank you”. As I walked back, I knew she hadn’t bought the kid thing and was probably grossed out thinking I would have it in my booze stinking mouth, that’s why she insisted on my washing it with soap and water. I had a great idea to get back at her. I shook it down and pushed it up the kid’s ass. I couldn’t get it all in, as the boy kept twisting his hips trying to get away, and I thought maybe I should have wet it, so I spat right down on it and this time it worked. I kept picturing the bitch next door sticking it into her mouth after it had been in the kid’s ass and I was choking down with the giggles. I sat by his thigh on the narrow bed holding onto the thermometer to make sure I didn’t cause anymore stupid accidents, and checked the time on my watch. I started visualizing how the bitch would react when she used the thermometer again and realized I hadn’t washed it as she had asked, imagining the different facial expressions she could achieve and laughing my head off inside my mind. The boy groaned and I remembered what I was doing. I checked my watch and I’d been at it over 6 minutes. I started pulling it out but halfway, it sort of snagged and I yanked it out. The boy jerked and sobbed and I suspected my saliva had dried out and that’s what had caused the problem. I tried to figure it out but I couldn’t get it, the mercury went all the way up to the top. The damn thing must be busted and that’s what I was going to claim when I gave it back. I noticed a couple of red smears on the thing and I bent down to inspect the boy. He had a small tear at the entrance towards the back, which must have happened when I yanked it out. It was bleeding a little, and I treated it as I had the other cuts, but this time the boy muffled his sobs into the pillow. I watched open mouthed, the small opening contracting with the suffering I was causing the child and waited until the stinging subsided and the tight young body relaxed again. I kissed the tortured spot, expecting a protest that never came. I squeezed the boy’s velvety globes with both hands before whispering “You’ll be alright, I’ll get you something to make it better. Be right back, keep still, ok?” The boy nodded, eyes shut tight and still wincing. I raised the cushion of my easy chair and produced an apparently empty black plastic bag where I kept my money. I pulled out a $10, thinking it would be enough, but then got an extra fiver. I knocked at the bitch’s door and shoved the silver case into her hand saying a quick “thanks”, and hurried away. At the entrance of the park., I heard her loud holler and froze. “New brand of soap? Where d’you get it?” Thinking she was being sarcastic, I played along “Sample sachet, came on the mail.” “Nice, cotton candy, get me the name!” My mouth dropped open, so I just waved at her over my shoulder and took off. She hadn’t sounded pissed or uptight at all. What was that about? And yes, the boy kind of smelled like cotton candy, damn weird! What the hell, crazy bitch, clearly a nut case, I thought. I took a right and made the block and a half at a run. I went down the 5 steps to the solid green door that all the trailer park inhabitants and the drugged punks of the neighbourhood knew about, and somehow the cops didn’t seem to, or did, but wisely ignored, cutting short some of their problem citizens. I knocked the 3 sets of 3 raps and heard it click open. I pushed it in and blinked at the strong white neon lights that literally flooded the place. There sat Sam the Sham on his wheelchair, with his insect-like beady black eyes always on the move. Not even the smallest detail was lost to him. No one was stealing even a band aid from him. He only allowed one customer at a time to play it safe. He had these small but powerful little guns in specially made contraptions on the inside of his wrists, hidden by his sleeves which he wore even in summer. They would slide into the palm of his hands in a fraction of a second with the slightest twitch. I had heard about them first hand from one of my poker pals. The guy was waiting for entry, knowing that if it didn’t come immediately after the coded knock, he just had to wait for the current customer to come out. He waited a couple of doors down, as usual, not to attract unwanted attention to the door in question until whoever was in, left, so he could make his move. Then the door burst open and a pale whiskered short man, half limped, half skipped hurriedly away. The funny sound he made was due to one of his feet which was encased in a plastic bag and fastened tight above his ankle with what looked like masking tape, making no tale-telling bloody trail possible. When he went in right after, he found the Sham shaking with fury in his chair, the smoking gun still in his hand. He showed his customer the mechanism and the silencer that had kept the incident out of hearing. He made sure that way, that the customer would take care of making it known that no one could get away with theft, or suspiciously too close to him, because he was the fastest gun in the West. The news had spread like wildfire, and nothing ever happened again. Everyone respected the Sham, his prices were always reasonable, and in many cases he would send, free of charge, either his son or daughter, whom he had put through medical careers, and were now an emergency room surgeon and a registered nurse respectively, at the community hospital. The two scrawny, weird looking geeks I remembered from the neighbourhood had turned out alright, always there to help anyone, expecting nothing in return if they were out of sorts. Though they were easily more that ten years younger than me, they were as close as any other friend I had. The Sham could get you anything on a short notice if he didn’t have it, and he was a talking medical encyclopedia. I told him some stupid tale to explain the kid’s injuries and condition which the Sham pretended to believe. He nodded and jotted down something in a post it, indicating me where I could find it. I picked one of the black bags which would eventually replace my present money bag, and dropped into it a thermometer, then I found the medication indicated on the post it. It came in pills, ampoules and suppositories. I chose the last, looking forward to the application, my breath starting to come fast. I forced myself to calm down, not to give myself away and chose a jar of Vaseline and a bottle of baby oil. I couldn’t help looking up and saw the Sham staring at me with raised eyebrows and a knowing grin. I grinned back like an idiot and went to pay. The Sham clicked on the cash register and said it was $9. I gave him the $10 and got my change, asked about his kids, heard they were doing fine, lots of work, and told him I hoped they could make the time to come visit me sometime. I was back home in 20 minutes at the most. I grabbed the thick back rest cushion and took a couple of swigs from the bottle of bourbon and felt it kick in as I walked into the boy’s room. He lay just as I had left him, and I went and tousled his hair. I touched his cheek and he was still definitely hot. I emptied the contents of the bag on the nightstand and as I was about to pick up the thermometer, I remembered the Sham had told me to start the medication immediately to take care of the fever. I really couldn’t wait to stick one of those slugs into the kid. I slid my arm under his stomach and hoisted him up enough to slip the cushion under him so that when I eased him back down, his hips were pushed up. I spread his thighs further and he was all exposed. I detached one and peeled off the foil. It was very slippery so I had to hurry. I placed it against him and pushed. My finger followed it and buried halfway in before I knew what I was doing. I stared at it and felt the boy move and I pulled out thinking I was hurting him. He whispered “No!” but I sensed disappointment. He bucked back and I was certain. I remembered hurting him with the dry thermometer, so I was ready to correct it. I opened the pop up cap of the baby oil and used my index and thumb to keep it open. Then I tipped it to moisten it and pressed it against him. It slid in a little, just the tip, and I squeezed. The boy gasped but stayed still. Then I scooped a glob of Vaseline with my finger and put it against him. I smeared it on the small target and moved my finger in a circle, rimming him, then I pressed in. The initial resistance gave as I forced my finger in, the boy’s breath hissing through his teeth. The kid was just taking it, without protesting, allowing me to enter him. I stuck in my slick finger very slowly, feeling the child’s tight muscles fighting me all the way. I knew I had to be hurting him, but the warm insides squeezing my finger were the utmost turn on. I felt my cock fighting my boxers, glued to my belly, so I unfastened my pants with my free hand and let them drop down. My cock cleared the fly of my loose boxers and rose freely. I looked down at the best hard on of my whole life! Shit! It would never fit in! Of course it would, I could feel the kid’s insides flooded with the baby oil and totally slick with the Vaseline. I started sliding my finger in and out. Then all the way in, and in a circle, kind of widening him, preparing him for something much bigger. I scooped some more Vaseline with my other index and pulled almost out, shoving them both in together deep, all the way to the knuckles.. The boy’s contraction almost fused them together and I felt electricity running all the way up my arm. I started sliding them out and the killer grip clearly told me he didn’t want them out but in. I worked my fingers inside him getting him ready for the real thing. I felt the boy’s butt muscles tightening and I knew they were rock hard. I pulled my fingers about halfway out and it took all my strength to keep them apart just enough to start the head of my cock between them. I started counting: one, I used my hands to keep the boy’s buttocks spread out and my thumbs to keep my cock in the correct angle. Two, I felt the kid’s thighs spreading further apart as he jutted his ass back. 3, I gave the kid a second to brace himself and yanked my fingers out and rammed my cock in. In spite of the oil, Vaseline, my pre cum and the force I put into it, only the head went in. The boy growled into the pillow and I used my body weight as leverage to thrust it in, feeling every inch striving to get deeper, just as the boy was feeling the slow progress of my penetration. The amazing amount of pleasure I was feeling, made everything else, the boy’s fever, the problem I could get into with the foster authorities, the physical damage I might cause him, disappear from my mind. There was no place left for them, cause it was totally filled with these thoughts which definitely weren’t mine and I could guess they were coming from the boy, how could he do it? The booze definitely had something to do with it I told myself. I knew Michael felt he was being ripped in two and he knew beyond doubt that this had happened to him constantly before, in another time, and out of dire need for his torturer, turning into a weird kind of lusty love, and he just knew that in this other time, his life had somehow depended on this painful act, which he also knew he had learned to enjoy. The kid felt the bludgeon inside him tearing its way up to the hilt, where it mercifully stopped. The boy’s insides were on fire, yet the deep throbbing pulse of the invader somewhat eased the burning, but the pain was piercing, like a knife being twisted every way inside him. I shook the boy’s thoughts out of my head, and enjoyed the feeling of the last inch burying into him, and our bodies touching. I wiggled from side to side and the boy shuddered, almost making me come. It was all I could do to hold back. I was sure I would get a cramp there, he was so tight! I had watched myself disappear into the sweet young flesh, and I couldn’t believe I was all the way in. I had a passing notion of what I was putting the boy through, but the awesome pleasure of the boy writhing under me, sent it to oblivion. The boy seemed to be ready for more, and I pulled about an inch out, tentatively, and shoved it in again. The boy tightened, then gradually let go again. I repeated it, and this time he froze, but stayed in control. The next time he actually bucked back to meet my thrust and I almost came. I started pulling out an inch more each time and soon we were moving in perfect sync. The boy’s thoughts jumped back into my mind: the: chafing sensation of my cock sliding in and out of him, was scratching at the itch it had created, and awakening feelings in him that he was still too young for, he didn’t understand them, so he didn’t try, he just let them flow through him and enjoyed them. He had this certainty that the worst the pain was, the better would be the pleasure it would bring him. It was confusing, but he knew he was right. His partner was now fucking him as hard as he could, the pain was unbearable, and just when he thought he would pass out, he felt a hot rush shooting into him, filling him completely. Then it was being pulled out of him, and he begged him not to. He was grateful for his partner waiting until he wasn’t that hard to make the pain of the removal bearable, but when he pulled out, it hurt just the same, especially the emptiness, when it was gone. The pain had made him feel wanted. I shook him away again and thought the bourbon had been stronger than I had thought. It was incredible the way I had been able to know what he was thinking. I had no doubts at all that it was true. I let the kid rest while I went to watch some sports, and perhaps a couple of hours later, I went to check him out. He seemed to be resting comfortably, and he didn’t feel that hot. I took the new thermometer out of the case, and noticed the tip was more rounded that the bitch’s one. So that was the difference! I pushed it into him easily, he was still very slick, and he just moaned and shifted his hips a little. I spent the five minutes rubbing his back and his thighs, feeling the healing welts on his butt with my fingertip, and wondering what had made me do what I did. When I pulled it out, it was 99.7, It wasn’t bad, but just in case, I shoved in another slug, relishing in the way my finger wallowed in my hot slosh still inside him, as he squeezed me and purred like a kitten. I pulled out of him and let him sleep. Next day I kept him in bed, checking his temperature which remained about 99.3 the lowest, and pushing into him a couple of slugs, one in the morning and one in the evening. I only got him out of bed at midday to give him a shower and change the bed. The next day, he still slept a lot, but was up and around the house some. The third day, he was back to normal. Two days later, I met an ex team mate as I went to get a newspaper, and he asked me if I knew someone who could clean his swimming pool, so I said I could do it. He told me he would have a party on the week end, in two days and he would pay me a juicy sum. I got his address and went right over with the kid. My friend said his family was away and arriving the next day, so we would have the place to ourselves, cause he had an important office meeting that would take all day and part of the evening. He told me to make ourselves at home, enjoy the pool, the fridge was full and on the shed, there were swimming trunks, and anything we might one to use and stay as long as we wanted. Then he left, and I couldn’t believe my luck. The pool was cleaned up and ready by midday, and I woke up Michael, who had been sleeping under a tree. We had some lunch, the fridge was full of salads, which the boy wolfed down but I simply couldn’t, so I unfroze a pasta TV dinner and nuked it until it was passable. I went to watch a basketball game as the boy stretched to nap on the couch with his face on my lap. When it was over, about 2 hours later, I shook the boy awake and went to the shack and got me what I wanted: I was sitting on a comfortable deck chair wearing baggy swim trunks, flip flops and a colourful Hawaiian design shirt, a tall icy foreign beer in my hand, European brand sunglasses in my other hand, as I nibbled on them, hallucinating the swimming pool of my exclusive club, in front of me. Those young girls wearing the tiniest bikinis or whatever they were called, made me so horny! But I was really drooling instead at the kid, skinny dipping in the blue water as he lay with his arms on a kind of floating pillow, his cheek resting on them. He was facing me, with his eyes closed and his parted wet lips. He wasn’t smiling or frowning, he just looked relaxed, and his lower body floated on his own. The water started rotating him, so that his original sideways position was now drifting and turning his back to him. His lower legs, from his knees down were just under water, his rounded thighs were spread and his hips seemed pushed up to stay above the water, in a definitely inviting position. I noticed I had actually moved when my body landed feet first into the pool, and the shock of the cool water brought me back to the present. the water reaching just above my waist. The beer, sunglasses and flip flops had vanished and I could feel the huge tent I was making on my swimming trunks. I waded towards him as if my life depended on it and ended standing between his spread thighs. I pushed down the front of the trunks releasing my straining erection, which my lady friends loved, and it bounced up and ended stuck to my belly, I was so hard! Who could have imagined, that at my age, I would turn into a boy lover, some Greek ancestor, probably? Yeah, that would be sooo classy! I grabbed the inviting round globes with both hands, exposing the tight little rosebud. I bent my head and put the tip of my tongue against it making it as hard as I could, letting my saliva slide down over it as I pressed it inside him. I knew the boy’s lips were curled in a sexy smile as he purred in pleasure, and pushed back forcing me deeper into him. My tongue went wild inside him, moving in every way possible, I felt sparks of electricity running up my tongue straight into my brain. I noticed the bitch had been right, there was this slight scent and taste like cotton candy, definitely coming from the kid. Weird but nice! I just couldn’t take it anymore. The boy was going to get his cute tush filled again. He had already had a taste of my weapon, and he wasn’t backing out, so one big point for the tough kid. I turned to look down at my joy stick, starting to worry about some kind of lube, and I noticed its head was just above water and overflowing with abundant pre-cum. Yeah, that would do. It would have to do. The kid probably wouldn’t sit straight in a week, but what the hell, he could just as well lie down. We were just us guys at home with no one to bitch us about our tastes. I dug my fingers into his firm flesh and maneuvered him against the side of the pool, where I could keep him still. He got the message loud and clear, and grabbed the edge, so he wouldn’t drift away. I was so horny, I simply couldn’t believe it could possibly get any worse. I looked down and my fluids had easily doubled. The water level there was a little lower and it barely reached under my balls. I had to force it down with both hands to get it aimed where I wanted it. I shoved, and it went in hard. I didn’t stop, I didn’t wait for him, I went on thrusting it in, as the boy fought like a tiger, gritting his teeth, and growling as his insides opened to me. Taking the agony like a warrior, I don’t know where that word came from, but it certainly suited him. He was so brave, bearing the torture of my impatience. I drove into him without mercy, loving the way he matched my thrusts, not even trying to relax, to ease the pain, but getting so tight that I had to tear into him each time. And when I finally exploded into him, at that very moment, I saw how the child’s mind burst into a myriad of new feelings which enveloped his whole body. I knew I was getting it bad for the kid, and I knew how wrong it was. At the same time, I knew the boy would never tell on me. I knew I had been his first. I felt myself slipping out of him, and I felt him shudder as I slid out. I turned him around and took him in my arms. Our chests pressed together. His arms were around my neck and mine around his hips. I eased him over my shoulder, caressing his strong thighs as I carried him out of the pool. I lay back on the deck chair sliding him down so he was lying over me. He slept there all afternoon, gasping and sobbing every time he snuggled against me, making himself comfortable. When the sun went down and it started getting rather chilly, we took a shower together, the water a little cold to my taste, and a little warm to his.We drove back, the kid stretched out on the back seat. Back home, I put him to bed, made sure he wasn’t feverish, stuck him a slug, just in case and rubbed his back until he fell asleep. Next day was Sunday and he spent it mostly asleep, waking up just to eat and falling asleep right after. And that Monday was the first day of school. I also started a job in the plant of the pool guy, and then things started getting kind of trying. I came back in a nasty mood, the kid had to do homework to make it look that he was in a normal home, I started worrying that he would start noticing how different the other kids’ lives were, and want out, my insecurity made me start going heavier on the booze, and though I couldn’t resist my sexual satisfaction with the boy, that was the only thing which made the whole thing worth it. I began getting guilty feelings about the abuse I committed on him, and it made me unfairly take it out on him. I’ve never understood how he could put up with me. He knew I enjoyed hurting him when I was all boozed up, yet he was always provoking me, he seemed to know just how much it excited me and it always ended in sex. He also seemed to expect that, and I have a vague recollection of telling him I loved him when I did it. So my life was work, drink, hit and fuck. It became a sado-masochistic love-hate scene that led us nowhere. I expected him to be the perfect partner, to do the washing, the cleaning, the cooking, but he was just a kid! I would be mean to him and tell him awful things when he didn’t do what I expected him to, and I know I offended him quite often. Then the words would turn physical, after the spankings came the belt, even the buckle, and I finally hurt him bad enough to need the help of the Sham’s son. He made a house call, and knew immediately what was going on. He started hanging out here with us. He liked boys, but that was his dark side, and I let him enjoy Michael when he wanted to, as long as he took care of him when he was hurt. It was obvious the boy had turned into a total masochist, I know he protected me, never telling anyone what I did to him, no one but us knew about his tortured life, and how pain excited him. By the time he turned 12, my friend and partner in crime, Sammy, got a great job opportunity in a big hospital in Chicago, and he just had to go. He left me with his sister, who had just upgraded from registered nurse to traumatologist, and had a great kinky side. She took us like fish to the water, and kept our secret as we kept hers: she had a drug addiction that kept her popping pills like crazy. She explained it had started just innocently trying to stay awake during her rookie years at the graveyard shifts and it had soon got out of hand. She was safe with us, I understood, sex with Michael was the worst addiction ever, the second the booze kicked in, I itched to hurt him and then fuck him, I couldn’t resist it, I loved it when she held him down for me, and on the very first week, she had got the kid inside her while I fucked him. Before I knew it, we were doing threesomes every chance we had, and she took care of him as her brother had. We got along fine, most of the time, I only remember having a bad misunderstanding once. It was in 1999, for Thanksgiving. We had been planning it for some time and suddenly, she gets an invitation from some relative in Chicago, where her brother was living, and her father, the Sham, decides to accept it and asks her to travel with him. She had every right, they were her family, even Michael agreed with her and I got furious, because the boy was going to spend it with his snobby friends, like every year since he met them, which would have been alright if Sarah was with me, but no, this year they had both dumped me, so it was the poker guys and their crummy turkey sandwiches for which I had to waste $10. We had a temp job right next day with the possibility of hooking up another one right after, and I was so pissed, that I took it out on the kid real bad, I fucked the daylights out of him and dumped him behind the couch when my pal came to get me. When I came back, before the second gig, I was still pissed, no news from Sarah, I even went to the Sham’s and the guy there told me he wouldn’t be back in another week of so. I was seeing red, and my pals decided to come over to watch pornos! The VCR they brought was a piece of crap, but I had seen Michael try to slip unseen to his room. I went to check in on him to find him fast asleep, buck naked as usual, his ass in the air, and I saw my chance to get back at him. We ended in his room, all cock-eyed drunk, so I had no problem passing him as a hooker, and getting that nigger, hung like a horse, fucking his guts out. He almost killed the kid, and I was the typical jerk, I’m glad his friends took care of him while I was passed out in front of the tube. If he had died, I would have never forgiven myself. But Sarah came back about a week later and everything worked out fine. Until she had the brilliant idea of trying this new brand of her shit and she o.d.’d. That was the beginning of the end. I was in shock for two whole days, a record for me. And then I gave the kid a black eye which mysteriously disappeared by the evening. But I was too drunk to notice, and then his friends showed up and he had to defend them from me. He was forced to expose himself, and then the other E:T. decided it was over for me. I’m sorry I had to be so crude and I’m sure you must be totally grossed out, but that’s how it really happened. It’s uncanny the way things come to pass, that lead us into these unexpected situations, which if only one small thing had been different, nothing of the sort would have happened at all. If I hadn’t busted my heel, I would have got the basketball scholarship, and my life would have been so different. The only reason that happened for, was to destroy my life, and all who came in touch with me. At least Michael came out right, and he got rid of me in time to get a better life. It’s so hard to explain, but in some dark, weird way, I did love him. I did, Michael, I swear. Why do these things have to happen? Why isn’t there any control over them? It’s so unfair! I’m so sorry. I’m sorry, kid. What else can I say? My life totally sucked, you’re the only one that made it worth it. Try to remember those times I told you I loved you, because I really meant them. I don’t know if you ever did. I never wanted things to get so bad. I have no right to ask you this, but please, don’t hate me. -
The look in his eyes was so sad, and the next thing, he was reaching out with both hands. No one could have expected what happened next. Michael rushed to him, dropping on his knees and taking his hands, then falling into his arms, his own arms around the older man’s neck. Hank’s hands went around Michael’s back, rubbing it and squeezing the boy against him.
- I can’t hate you, Hank, you were the only one who took me in when nobody wanted me, not even for the check. I love you for that. Believe me, I did miss you. I still sometimes do. I’m a freak, huh? You were right. - Michael whispered huskily.
- Michael…- That was the last they heard, and Michael slumped forwards to the floor as he hugged thin air. He lay there, kind of sideways, his arms around his body, hugging himself and sobbing.
They were in total shock, not knowing what to do. It was Stuart who went to him and sat beside him.
- It’s alright, kid, come here, I’m right here for you. - He pulled one of Michael’s arms from under him and very gently eased his head onto his lap. Michael shuddered and sobbed against Stuart’s stomach, as the doctor rubbed his back, much like his foster father had been doing when he faded away, his other hand caressing the boy’s hair. He went on soothing him until he felt him start to relax.
- C’mon, Michael, you can’t stay here on the floor. Let me get you to the bed. - He gestured with his head for Max and Kyle, and they approached, their eyes full of pity.
As gently as Stuart had handled him, they got him to his feet, and lurching between his two friends Michael got back into his bed. He was shivering, his eyes closed, breathing heavily. Stuart’s concern was evident, he touched his face and felt his pulse.
- He’s in shock. - He said, and rushed out of the room to return right after, with his black bag.
He found the four girls, two on each side, massaging his body, giving him all the comfort and support they could. The two boys crouched at the head of the bed, at either side of him, one hand on his shoulder and the other holding one of Michael’s hands. Stuart approached the bed and knelt at Michael’s hips. He gave him an injection, and told them he just needed to sleep. He pulled the blanket, which was folded at the foot of the bed, and covered him up to his shoulders. Michael took it without protesting. They camped all around the bed, like they had been doing lately, rather often, and stayed by him during his troubled sleep. About three hours later, he sighed, and grew calmer, his hands twitched, as they now lay, one in Maria’s and the other in Laurie’s, under the blanket. Both girls turned to watch his face as he moaned and winced. Stuart, fully attentive to his patient, immediately went to check on him. He shook his head.
- He’s just asleep. - He reassured them.
They were all yawning and ready to turn in. Liz asked them if they wanted anything from the kitchen, but no one seemed to be hungry, not even Kyle. She went anyway and brought a tray with mugs and a teapot of chamomile tea. That really did it. Soon they were all sleeping, the girls snuggling into him on the huge bed, and the boys in sleeping bags. Stuart got the couch, and he was waking up every now and then, checking on the boy, making sure he was alright. About the third time, he found Michael had shoved the blanket down to his hips. That was a good sign, he was now almost stable. He should be fine when he woke up.
ALIENS FULL TILT!
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ñusta
- Obsessed Roswellian
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:52 pm
- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
the martyr of antar
Chapter 104
The constant knocking on the door and the voice calling out non stop: “Miss Laurie, Miss Laurie, are you in there? Please answer me!” made them all sit up as if on cue, eyes wide open. Laurie recognized Anita’s voice.
- Yes, we’re here, what’s up? - She answered, rubbing her eyes and walking towards the door.
- Ay! Gracias a dios, aqui estan! - (Oh, thank god, they’re here) came Anita’s voice, from behind the door.
Laurie opened the door just enough to check out what was going on, and met Anita’s worried face, with Sylvia’s peering over her mother’s shoulder.
- All the rooms are open and there’s no one in there! - She exclaimed.
- Sorry, I forgot to let you know, the meditation course takes a week, but Kyle’s passing it on to us full speed, and we still haven’t finished it, so we decided to do it here instead of the hut. - She reassured them.
- Would you like me to bring you all some breakfast? - She asked.
- Yeah, yeah, great idea! Thank you. - She closed the door and turned to see the others relaxing. Stuart was chuckling behind his hand.
- What? - They asked him, not seeing any reason for his amused behaviour.
- I wish I’d filmed you! You sure looked like robots, the way you all sat up together. - He shook his head, looking at them fondly.
- Not all of us…- Maria said, gesturing with her head to Michael who just went on sleeping.
- So what else is new? - Said Max joining in with Stuart.
- Is he alright? - Laurie wondered.
Stuart went over to the bed, and touched Michael’s face. He moaned softly and smirked.
- He’s fine, just catching up in a much needed rest from all the stress he’s been having lately. That’s all. You’ll see. -
- I was surprised he didn’t protest in any way when you jabbed him last night. - Isabel told him.
- That’s because you were lucky enough not to be holding his hand! - Said Max and Kyle nodded.
- Creamed all my knuckles together! - Kyle frowned.
- Oh I know what that feels like, don’t we, Maria? - Isabel turned to Maria who totally agreed with her.
- I’m thinking of the Jacuzzi right now, but I need an alien hand to get it ready right away…- Liz said and giggled when Max got up, thinking she meant him, and she walked towards Isabel instead. Max sat back down, embarrassed and the two girls walked to the bathroom. Anita knocked on the door again.
- Breakfast’s ready! - She called enthusiastically.
- Wow, that was fast! She must have had it ready when she came looking for us. - Laurie said.
- Yeah, she only needed to heat up what needed heating. - Maria nodded and walked to the door with Laurie to receive the food. When they opened the door, Anita and Sylvia had two trays each, and walked in to place them on the table by the bed. They couldn’t help notice Michael, barely decent, with the blanket up to a little under his waist.
- Michael sleeps a lot, doesn’t he? Not like you, Miss Laurie, you’re always up early, usually…- Sylvia chuckled and her mother nudged her arm, outraged at what she considered lack of respect. But Laurie chuckled along with Sylvia, who had been her closest friend when she still lived here, after Grandpa Dupree died.
- It seems to be his hobby, but he’s not lazy, believe me. - Laurie assured her.
Sylvia opened her mouth to say something but her mother grabbed her hand and dragged her giggling out of the room. Laurie turned towards the bathroom and yelled:
- Hey, breakfast first, Jacuzzi after! - Isabel and Liz came running out of the bathroom, still clothed.
Not even the smell of food woke up Michael, he was out cold. Maria left a couple of glasses of o.j. and half a carton of milk to soak the fruit loops in case he woke up soon enough. When they were satisfied, they tumbled back on their sleeping areas and looked at Stuart. He knew exactly what their silent question was.
- I would wait, even if the water is warm, we ate a lot, give it an hour to be safe, ok? Anyway, Isabel can warm it right away. -
They just nodded, and sighed.
- Kyle, what’s that you and Michael are keeping from us, that doesn’t concern us? - Liz asked, with her eyes closed.
- Oh no, that depends entirely on Michael. I’m not getting in trouble with the “Not so Jolly Green Giant”. Uh uh, no way. - He shook his head.
- Kyle, you know we’ll get it out of him one way or another, we have the best leverage possible. - She gestured with her head towards Maria, who smirked at him just like Michael would have done. - We’re here to bring everything out in the open, and put a closure to stuff we don’t want to remember anymore. Michael has been through hell these days, and if you have any respect for that, please, spare him having to go through more stress than he already has. He doesn’t need to relive it, so why don’t you, tell us while he’s still out, for his sake! - Isabel had a way of saying things that made them sound absolutely sensible.
- Kyle, I’ll tell him you told us, but I want to hear it from his lips, and he’ll not only spill, but kick the crap out of you after, because he will believe us, not you. - Maria went on.
- Maria, you know that’s not fair, I’m not a snitch, I don’t want to do it! - Kyle was losing the battle and he knew it. He turned to Stuart and Max for support. - C’mon guys, give me a hand here, Max, you’re his best friend. -
Max and Stuart exuded sympathy for Kyle, but one look from Liz and Isabel had them completely on their side.
- Sorry man, but I have to agree that as much as we need to know, he doesn’t need to go through it if he made it clear he didn’t. I think you just got it all wrong, he really meant…- Max had his way with words too.
- All right, all right! - Kyle exclaimed, holding his head with both hands. - I’ll do it only under one condition: I will repeat, verbatim, what you all just said, and you will have to accept you forced me to do it, for his sake. Now you swear, and give me your word, if it’s worth anything! -
- I give you my word I will tell him exactly how it happened. I think you can trust me. - Stuart stretched his hand out to Kyle.
They shook solemly and Kyle turned to Max.
- You know part of it. - Kyle said, glaring at him.
- I don’t know what you’re talking about, Kyle. - Max said frowning.
- That day, I was shooting hoops in with my team buddies during gym, and just as you were passing behind us, when I had the ball high in my hands ready to score, Michael grabbed it away from me like candy from a kid. - Kyle stared at Max with raised eyebrows. - Take it from there, Max. -
- Oh yeah, Michael held it high, and Kyle here was jumping like a monkey trying to get it back. Your buddies started coming over to give you a hand, but you held them back and told them it was between you and him. - Max gestured with his hand for Kyle to continue.
- I remembered what had happened at the football practice a while ago and thought it wasn’t such a bad idea. So I scuttled behind him and yanked his gym shorts almost to his knees. He hissed and I noticed the dude was commando, He reached back and grabbed me by the hair so fast, that before I knew it, he had dragged me around him like a rag doll and had me pressed to his front, covering his family jewels. He pulled me up so that we were eye to eye, and I could see the fury made them shine. I was so scared, than even though I felt my whole scalp pulling off of my skull, I didn’t dare open my mouth. He just said: “Max, pull them back up, now!” and I saw out of the corner of my eye you were doing what he asked. Then this guy says: “Michael, you’re bleeding, man.” - And Michael just told him to shut up. He dumped me down and I crouched to ease the landing. My eyes were level with his thigh, and I saw the outer side of his shorts was turning dark with blood. I thought I was dead, and I kept thinking what I had possibly done to him. Michael grabbed my right arm and pulling me upright, he raised it to his eyes. Of course, I had forgotten my wrist braces with the metal comet, like the name of our team, which was a solid circle with a tail ending in three jagged points resembling fire. The left one was safe, the tail on the outside, but the right one had the tail toward the inside. They jagged points must have stuck into him as I yanked the shorts down, no wonder he hissed. I checked it and it was bloody. Michael smirked and ripped it off me, tossing it to you. As you guys turned to leave, I screamed, “Hey!” wanting my brace back. Michael glared at me and growled: “Do you want me to make you eat it?” So I just held my hands up and backed away. Truth is we guys, and a lot of kids in school were pissed at Michael for giving us hopes in the football area and them dumping us right after. My buddies and I were especially pissed, cause we had been forced to choose between football and basketball, and our parents made us choose basketball, afraid of the damage we could get from football. And now the stupid basketball coach had us benched most of the time cause we were the shortest of the team, so we took all the practice we could get to make him see reason. I found my brace, with the blood washed off, wrapped above my locker’s padlock after gym. What happened to Michael, Max? -
- We just walked to the bathroom, side by side, close by, not to attract attention. When we arrived, Michael slumped against the lockers, biting his lip with his eyes shut tight. I got scared and asked him if he was ok, and he said it hurt like hell. I asked him how come he hadn’t even limped, and he said: “Not in front of them, I won’t give them the pleasure.” I pulled his shorts down and he had a nasty gash going from his hip, halfway down his thigh towards the back. I healed him and we went right back out. The guy who had noticed Michael was bleeding came over and asked him if he was alright. Michael told him it was just a scratch, just needed some cold water. The stupid guy started pulling up the leg of his shorts to take a look and Michael pushed him away roughly insisting he had said it was just a scratch and to lay off. The guy just took off and vanished. So that’s the part I know, now tell us what I don’t know. - Max said.
- Ok, but let me tell you I was told the whole thing by one of the jerks, so I have to trust him, the only other one who knows if it’s true is Michael. And it happened thanks to you Max, you made it possible because you gave them the chance. - Kyle glared at Max, who obviously had no idea what he was talking about. Kyle went on to clarify it. - It was a Friday and my dad was picking me up from school because he had to go to Las Cruces for some stupid two day lectures on the latest techniques of police investigation or some other such crap. He had managed to get me an interview at the local University, for future possibilities, and a lot of tourist tours to keep me busy while he couldn’t be with me. Michael had been found by the janitor, stretched out on the floor of the eraser room fast asleep, waiting for dear Maxie here to show up, cause he had told him to be there to talk about something important. So important that he decided to go with Liz to help her with some science thing and forgot about Michael. That earned him a trip to the principal’s and as punishment, he would do the cleaning at the boy’s gym bathroom, while the janitor took the afternoon off. Of course my stupid buddies, thirsty for revenge for both the football issues and the insult to my person a couple of days ago, heard about it like most of the school, and found it perfect. As I was leaving, they came all smiles to wish me a nice weekend trip, and I knew they were up to something. I asked them what was up, and they told me to go have fun, and to remember they were my friends. The way they said it kind of creeped me out, but dad arrived and dragged me to his car. When I returned on Monday, they told me they had waited until they were sure the guy was full into it, and started stalking him. When they found him on his knees bending over I don’t know what, they tip-toed behind him and kicked him between the legs straight in the balls with nothing less than Stanley metal toe work shoes. He went down and they pounced on him, blindfolded him and tied his hands behind his back. They were mum all the time, so he couldn’t recognize them, and they half dragged half pushed him to the gym next door. They stripped him and got him astride the vaulting thing and then over forwards. They kicked his balls twice on the way to keep him under control. They tied one thigh and one ankle and wound the rope around the thing towards his head and back to the other thigh and ankle so he couldn’t move his legs. Then the three did it, one right after the other, with condons to leave no evidence. They had the nerve of telling me they used the ribbed and the studded ones, to give it to him real good. They did it as many times as they could and then they got one of those sticks they use in the relay races and shoved it into him and left him there. Next day at practice they had heard that the Janitor had returned at around 6 pm to check that everything was in order, and found him there. They had pretended to be real shocked and they asked him what he had done about it so he innocently told them he had been about to call 911 and the cops, but Michael had insisted he was alright, just to get the damn thing out of him and untie him. When the janitor said he was going to make a report to the principal, Michael had asked him to drop it cause it was just a prank some of his friends had played on him cause they were pissed about the football thing. That he was ok, and just had to get home, or his dad would kick the shit out of him. So the guy just let him go. I guess he went to you, right? - Kyle asked Max.
- Yeah, as usual he blamed it on his neighbours at the trailer park, and I bought it. - Max said, shaking his head. - Of course you were ok with it, huh? -
- What can I say, we weren’t friends then, my dad said Michael was a no good punk and to stay away from him, and the jerks were my buddies, so we just had a good laugh and said it served him right. But then when they gave you the clown’s make up, I got pissed cause it was getting out of hand, and they could get me in trouble, especially with my dad if he found out. He would find it hard to believe I had had nothing to do in both of them. You were lucky they just found you in the street, and that they weren’t too enthusiastic about my dumping their evenings to be with a girl. They were just showing me they were on my side, and not getting even for all the football team and most of the school. Now that I know you guys, and all what Michael has been through, I feel real bad about what those jerks did to him. I know he found out I had been out of town, so I had had nothing to do with it, but I’m also sure he suspected it had been my friends, but had no way to prove it. He hadn’t been able to see or hear them, and they weren’t the only ones who wanted to fuck him up, perhaps literally. - He looked down to his hands, not being able to face them.
- Have you ever talked it out with Michael? - Max asked him.
- Hello? Where have you been? I didn’t remember any of the whole fucking thing until Tess showed up and somehow it just came up. Right, it had been eating me up for some time, especially since dad told me Michael had killed Pierce to save his life, and how bad he felt about it, and Max had saved mine. I remember once at Christmas, getting plastered and having some kind of heart-to-heart with Tess while my dad was out in Amy’s car having their own heart-to-heart. I may have spilled it out and told her how guilty I felt so she just made me forget it. It’s the only time it could have happened. -
- It’s ok, Kyle, it’s over, we’ll never mention it again, unless Michael wants to share it with us. If he does, we’ll let him do it, so he’ll have his closure, cause we have just had ours in that matter. Now, the Jacuzzi? - Isabel flashed them her winning smile, and they were all for it. After and hour of total relaxing, in absolute silence, everyone lost in their thoughts, they decided they were ready for lunch. They wrapped themselves in towels and went back to the room. They were beginning to worry about the way Michael kept sleeping and although Stuart and Max could find nothing wrong with him, something had to be done. Maria pushed everyone aside and all she had to do was lie alongside Michael pressed to his side.
- Spaceboy, I’m cold, I need you. - She whispered.
He automatically covered her with his body and started kissing her. As things were heating up in bed, the rest quietly left the room to dress and see about lunch. They eventually decided to take it by the pool so they went out and lounged around filling their plates from the table at the yard.
Michael and Maria came out of the house to join them and he looked very relaxed. Isabel rushed to him with open arms.
- Hey! Sleeping Beauty! - She wrapped her arms around him and held him tight. They stayed in a close embrace for at least a minute, then she pulled back and held him at arm’s length.
- I love you Michael. - She turned to face the others who were open mouthed. - I know you think I’m risking my neck here cause Maria can jump at me and grab and squeeze it until I’m blue in the face, but it’s not going to happen, because she knows how much I love him, and how much I love her for loving him like she does. Right? -
- Right! - Answered Maria, giving her a big smile.
- You ok? - Isabel asked him.
- Yes, Izzy, I’m ok. - He smirked, and she kissed his cheek.
Then she pushed him back into Maria’s arms.
- Hey guys, what about going to the Mall tonight? It’s our last chance. - Laurie thought it was a great idea.
And they all did. They spend the afternoon, relaxing and swimming and just having a lazy good time. Then they had another Jacuzzi in the big one by the yard, and at 7pm they met at the chimney room ready to go.
Chapter 105
The girls looked great in dresses, and the guys were as cool as they could be, Max, Kyle and Stuart had gone for comfy loafers, but Michael stuck to boots. Max had gone for dark brown pants with a lighter brown shirt, and chocolate brown longish jacket. Stuart had gone for greys pants and coat with a powder blue shirt. Kyle had black pants with a pale yellow and black striped shirt and a black coat. Michael had tan snug jeans with matching waist high jacket and a tight emerald green t-shirt. Maria was in pink, Liz in blue, Isabel in orange and Laurie in lavender. They took Stuart’s SUV and just lounged around in the back. Laurie was right, the Mall was great! There was just about everything. They decided to first just look around and check out the restaurants and maybe go dancing later. The guys found this awesome arcade with the coolest stuff they didn’t have in Roswell, so they were hooked. The girls told them to stay all they wanted and they would check out the shops and come back to pick them up when they got hungry. To their surprise, Michael insisted on going with them. He didn’t want to spoil it for them, but he had this weird feeling that something wasn’t quite right, or something not quite right was going to happen. Still, he sensed no danger vibes from any of them. He thought maybe he was just overreacting but he wasn’t risking it. He went along without complaining with Maria clinging to him like a limpet and glaring at the girls who looked his way. He watched them being about to be kicked out of every store they went, trying on everything and buying nothing in the end. They were just having fun, and he enjoyed seeing them have a good time. Finally they decided it was time to get the guys and have a great dinner. They went to a restaurant that Laurie said was the best and as soon as they settled down, they sent Michael for the guys, while they tried to make up their minds what to order, which, knowing them, would take quite a while. Isabel was disappointed not to find Tabasco and found out the restaurant didn’t have it. Michael told her he would get one for her, and Laurie told him the best place to find it was at the store that opened to the gas station on the far left. That was fine cause the arcade was in that direction too. Michael found Max and Kyle in a tight competition, with Stuart watching them.
- Hey! - Michael stood by Stuart and punched him in the arm.
- Hi there. - Stuart was glad to see Michael. He was feeling a little out of place, surrounded by younger people, and Max and Kyle were totally into the game and he was really getting bored. He didn’t dare leave, cause the mall was big and he had no idea where the others were. He was glad someone had finally come to get them. Michael went over to Max who was the nearest and had to yell above the noise.
- The girls are already at the Italian we passed on the way here, remember? -
- The one with the fountain? -
- Yeah, that one, they’re already ordering. -
- They’ll take ages! - Kyle shouted back.
- Better get going, or they’ll sent someone else to get you. I have to go get Izzy some Tabasco, they didn’t have any! - Michael told them.
Right then the machine went nuts, exploding in lights of all colours and the sign said GAME OVER. Max and Kyle shook their heads and rolled their eyes.
- Shit, man, we really suck, and I am the king in Roswell, no offense, Max, really. - Kyle whined.
- None taken, c’mon, let’s go, a damn machine just kicked us out. - They turned towards the door.
- I’ll be right back. - Michael said, heading the other way.
- I’ll go with you. - Stuart said, joining him.
They arrived at the smallish store entering through the back door. On the left, just inside, was an open door leading what was obviously a storage room. The short alley opened into the store itself which was on the left too, in front of the storage room. The cashier was on the far left and the front door right after the counter.They started looking around for the spicy red bottles and the man at the counter asked them if he could help them. Stuart told him what they were looking for and the man said it was in the last aisle against the wall. They backtracked the way they had come and turned into the last aisle. They found it and were checking some other stuff there when they heard the bell of the front door as someone else came into the store. They couldn’t help hearing a man’s voice asking for cigarettes, and right after another rougher voice shouting:
- Alright, get all the money in a bag and hand it over, quick! -
They froze. Michael looked up and there on the corner above the counter, was this round mirror thing so that the cashier could check on all the aisles. The guys just had to look up like he had done, to see them there like sitting ducks.
- Shit! - Michael whispered and gestured with his head towards the mirror. Stuart saw in and frowned.
- Just walk slowly, not to attract their attention, towards the alley, we might make it to the back door without being seen. - Michael whispered. He was sure the little man would just give them the money and they would leave.
Stuart nodded and started doing as Michael said, Michael right behind him, covering him. As they had started walking, one of the guys had also walked towards the door to make sure no one else was coming in, and he had turned the sign hanging from the door to “CLOSED”. He turned to his partner to see how he was going on, when some movement caught his eye and he turned up to the mirror. His expression changed immediately and the other man also turned to look where his partner was looking. Stuart was just at the corner, completely out of sight except for the mirror. He almost peed in his pants when he heard the voice scream: “FREEZE!” He froze, but Michael didn’t. He hissed, “GO!” in his ear and pushed him forwards. Stuart made a dash for the back door with Michael shielding his back. The man by the cashier ran past the front door, as the cashier ducked under the counter, the one at the door just needed 3 strides and he was aiming the gun at Michael’s back just as he was passing by the storage room door. He couldn’t see Stuart who was completely covered by Michael. The guy screamed “FREEZE, DAMMIT!” and Stuart decided not to risk it and turned to raise his hands. Michael collided with him grabbing the sides of his shirt not to run him over and shouted “NO!” Then the guy just started shooting as they fell over. Stuart felt a sting on the side of his head a little over his ear as he fell back. Michael was falling over him and he somehow managed to maneuver them into the storage room. Stuart’s head crashed against the floor and he almost passed out. Michael had fallen over him, his weight making it hard for him to breath. The boy’s cheek was pressed to his, his face turned a little towards his.
- You alright? - Stuart whispered.
- Shhh! Close your eyes and don’t move! - Michael whispered back.
They heard the guy’s footsteps approaching them.
- Hey! Hey! - The guy screamed and kicked Michael’s leg.
He was expecting it and he just lay still.
- Oh shit, I got them, they’re dead! - The guy screamed.
Stuart freaked out and tried to get up but Michael whispered “NO!” and he kept still. Michael’s voice reassured him, and he obeyed. The guy started running away.
- Michael, did he get you? - He asked quietly, full of worry.
- Yeah, it’s nothing. We musn’t move. Let him think we’re dead or he might want to finish us off. The cops will be right over. Dammit! We can’t do anything yet. - Michael reassured him, and then he heard the guys again.
- Let’s get out of here! I got the money! -
- Shit! What the fuck? The damn door is stuck! Hey you, jerk, what have you done to the door? -
- N-n-nothing, I-I swear. Th-the alarm is s-sound sensitive. Th-the gunshots automat-tically shut th-them down. - The man stuttered in fear.
- Well open it! -
- I-I can’t! Th-they can only b-be opened f-from outside w-with a spec-cial key. -
- Who has the fucking key? -
- Th-the owner. -
- Well, call him! -
- H-he’ll know w-what’s happen-ned. -
- Tell him if he brings the police we’ll kill you! -
- Th-the alarm is a-activated straight t-to the p-police. -
He had barely finished speaking when the sirens started screaming, approaching fast.
- There’s a back door! - They ran to it but it was locked too.
- We’ll use the jerk as a hostage! - They stopped at the door of the storage room,
- What about those? -
- They’re dead, I checked. See? The one under got it in the head, and the other one, see? -
- You idiot! They could’ve served as hostages, now we’ll end in jail! I should shoot you too right now! -
- Hey, man! Hey! They were about to make a run for it! What else could I do? -
- You prick! Are you sure they’re dead?
- I told you I checked! I’m not going in there again! You go check them if you want! -
- No way, man, I’m not going in there, it creeps me out! -
They rushed to the front of the store as the megaphones started blaring.
- Ok, drop your guns and you’ll come out alive! -
- No way! You try anything, we shoot him! -
The cashier was sobbing and whining.
- Shut up, or I shoot your balls off! -
The sound of the shooting made everyone at the restaurant jump. People started running out of the place and everything went crazy.
- Oh my god, Michael! Stuart! - Isabel screamed.
- Hey, hey! Calm down, let’s find out what’s happened before freaking out, ok? - Kyle reasoned.
They tried to walk quickly but controlled out of the place trying not to crash against the running people. A man with a guard’s uniform was running towards them. Liz stopped him.
- What’s happened, please? -
- They’ve held up the Gas Station Store! - He yelled as he ran past them.
The girls went pale as sheets and huddled together, trembling in fear.
- I-I sent him th-there! - Isabel sobbed, - It’s my fault! -
- No Isabel, I did! - Laurie said in a shaky voice, tears running down her cheeks.
Kyle and Max immediately held them in their arms. They were shaking like leaves.
- Let’s go over and find out, ok? C’mon, just stay calm. - Max said.
They walked against the wall, because everyone was running in every direction. Laurie guided them cause she knew the way.
- It’s right there. - She said in a thread of a voice, her hand trembling as she pointed at the back door of the store.
They saw the guard that had spoken to Liz standing near the back door. As they approached, his walkie talkie crackled.
- Forget the back door, it will open automatically with the front one. You can’t open that one alone. This part’s safe, no one can get out, and the cops will only open the front door when everyone is in clear view. -
- Any casualties? -
- As far as we can see, there are two armed men and they are holding the male cashier as hostage. There doesn’t seem to be anyone else in sight. The surveillance mirror shows all the aisles are empty. -
- Ok, I’m going in front, then. -
The guard started heading around the store when he saw them.
- Hey kids! You shouldn’t be here, better leave the building now! -
- Our car is that way. - Max pointed to the opposite direction the man was heading for.
- Oh, ok, but hurry up, ran for it. -
They nodded and started hurrying in that direction. As they heard the man’s footsteps disappearing they stopped and sat behind the store against the wall.
- Where are they? - Maria whined.
- Shhh! - Isabel said, and closed her eyes.
Michael felt her immediately.
- Isabel! - He whispered.
Stuart again struggled to get up, thinking she was going to get herself in danger.
- Shhh! - Michael calmed him down. - I’m trying to contact her! -
Stuart lay still as Michael’s body seemed to hum with the vibes he was sending.
- Michael where are you? -
- We’re in the store, the guy shot at us and they think we’re dead, so we’re playing dead. -
- You’re not hurt? -
- Stuart has a graze on his head, that’s why they thought he was dead, he’s right here talking to me. -
- And you? -
- I think they got me in the ribs and my leg, it hurts, but I’m dealing. -
- Where exactly are you? -
- There’s a storage room to the left just after the back door. We’re in there. The surveillance mirror doesn’t cover this area, The front door is also to the left, by the counter. The soda fridges are across from the back door and theyr’re from floor to ceiling. You can’t see the back door from the front of the store. All the aisles are on the left. - His vibes were a little strained
- Just hang on, we’re just outside. -
- Don’t put yourselves at risk, we’ll manage to do something. You just go home. -
- You stay put, you’re in enough danger! We’ll be very careful. Where’s the armed guy? -
- Up front with the cashier, they’re two and they’re both armed. I don’t think they’re coming here again. After the guy shot at us, he kicked me to check us out, so I kept still and he just ran out. I heard him tell the other one he was sure we were dead and he wasn’t coming in here again. He told him to come and check us too if he wanted but the guy went:”No way man, I’m not going in there.” So I guess we’re safe until the cops break in and start snooping. -
- How does the door at the back open? -
- On the left and outwards. -
- Ok, I have an idea. Be ready for us. -
As soon as Isabel opened her eyes, they were all over her. She put a finger on her lips for silence, and waved them after her. They moved together in the direction they had told the guard they were going. They passed 3 stores and found a dark narrow alley with a couple of back doors. There, Isabel told them all she knew.
- Stay here, I need to get something. Kyle, come with me. - She grabbed his hand and took off before anyone had time to protest.
They ran back the way they had come until they arrived at a toy shop where the girls with Michael had been goofing around after they left the guys at the arcade. Isabel located the back door, and she opened it and
slipped inside. She whispered to Kyle to wait there for her and she covered her head with his jacket. She was right back with some stuff in a bag.
- C’mon! - They raced back to the others.
Once in the alley, she dumped the contents of the bag on the floor.
- Thank George Lucas for Stars Wars - She giggled and flashed a “laser sword”.
She turned it on, and the light matched the colour of Max’s shield.
- If someone sees you, you can blame it on the toy. - She nodded.
She gave Max two black ski masks and told him to wear them just in case.
- You’ll need this to jam the door. It’s thin enough so it will look closed. - She gave him a toy credit card. - Laurie, you ran to the SUV, here, I have the keys, and bring it here to the alley. Keep the engine on, no lights, ok? They won’t hear you with the racket the cops are making, but they might see you. - Isabel told her.
- Ok. - Laurie ran down the large alley and out of the building to the parking lot.
- Now, you guys go, we’ll be right out her to back you up. - Isabel told Max and Kyle.
They went back to the store and sat against the wall. Max peered through the glass door. There was no one in sight, so he reached up and opened the door. It barely clicked, and anyway, the blaring of the megaphones covered it all. He pulled the door open just enough to scuttle in, Kyle right after him, and stuck the card to keep it open. The door of the storage room was ajar, so Max pushed Kyle inside, and slid in after him. The light was on, and Kyle stood looking down at Michael who lay on top of Stuart. Max saw him go pale and waved his hand in front of his eyes to distract him. He looked ready to hurl and if he did, it wouldn’t be in silence. That could bring the two gunmen running in spite of the megaphones. Kyle looked away and Max checked out what he had been looking at. His stomach lurched. Yes, Michael had been shot in the ribs and the thigh, but he had also been shot in the butt, above the hip, and in the shoulder. His right side was drenched in blood. Max knelt down and shook Michael’s good shoulder. He remained still with his eyes closed and Max started getting an empty feeling.
- Michael, it’s us…- He whispered.
His lashes parted and their eyes met.
- Keep quiet, it’s Max. Michael whispered to Stuart, who immediately opened his eyes too.
Max saw the crusted dry blood above his ear and healed it in seconds.
- Anything else? - He asked him.
- No, that’s all, Michael was shielding me with his body as he pushed me down. This one went over his shoulder and nicked me. - He said.
- You have to get up. - Max rolled Michael over a little on his good side.
He bit his lip not to make a sound and Stuart got quickly to his feet. He looked at Michael, and assessed in seconds all the damage he had sustained.
- We must get him out! - He whispered in Max’s ear.
- Ok, Kyle, you take his shoulders, Stuart, take his middle and I’ll take his legs. There’s not enough room here to move around so we’ll go out backwards and head for the door.
- Hey! Just help me get up! - Michael hissed.
- No! You keep still, Max is right, your leg won’t take your weight and we can’t risk you tripping and giving us away. - Stuart told him firmly.
Michael nodded, accepting. As Kyle took Michael’s shoulders, Max noticed his face was sweating. He called him softly and made him look at him.
- Kyle, you’ll be looking at the store behind me, if you see anyone coming, let me know subtly. - Max told him.
- How? - Was all he dared ask, in confusion
- Dammit Kyle! Cough, sneeze, fart, burp, whatever! Any noise you make, will have me activating my shield over my shoulder, ok? ... Don’t look at him! - He mouthed and mimicked the last phase.
Kyle nodded, wiped his face on his sleeve and returned his hand under Michael’s shoulder.
- When you feel the door behind you, just push it open. - He said.
Kyle nodded again, afraid to open his mouth, not knowing what might come out.
- Ready? On three. - Max said and started counting.
They heaved Michael up, feeling his body tightening but he kept quiet. Max let go one hand and made all the blood on the floor go away. Then they got Michael out of the room and of the store, unheard. The 3 girls were there to help them with Michael’s weight, their eyes and mouths wide open, at what they were seeing, but they knew silence was imperative. Michael was struggling and trying to get them to let go of him.
- Michael, honey, please keep still, believe me, we’ll go faster like this, we need to get out of here so Max can heal you. - Maria’s voice whispering softly, soothed him automatically, and he relaxed, making it easier for them.
Isabel retrieved the toy card jamming the door and closed and locked it quietly. She caught up and checked ahead to see the SUV already waiting at the end of the alley. She ran up to it and opened the sliding door. She climbed in and received them, helping them place Michael on the floor along the opposite side. Max shut the door behind him and only then did they dare talk.
- Oh my god, Michael! -
- Michael? Michael! -
- That bad? As much as it hurts? - Michael rasped, huskily.
Kyle again looked ready to barf. He sat with his face in his hands and
Laurie looked ready to pass out. Isabel reached over the back of the front seat and pushed her to the opposite side. Then she climbed over behind the wheel.
- Maria! Come here, I need you, NOW! We have to get out of here! - Isabel told them.
As soon as Maria was sitting between her and Laurie, who had her head out of the window, Isabel turned behind her.
- Keep him covered! - She ordered.
They sat with their backs against the side of the van, Michael out of sight behind them, one of his hands in Liz’s.
Isabel headed for the nearest Exit and of course, there was a policeman there.
- Let me do the talking, you just follow my lead, ok? - Isabel said.
They all nodded, amazed at Isabel’s cold blood and determination, so unlike her. She definitely responded quite well under pressure.
She drove at a reasonable speed and stopped by the policeman, who looked at her suspiciously.
- No one should be here now, where are you coming from? -
- I’m sorry, officer, we actually work at the toy shop, and we came here for dinner with some friends on our day off. We just went over to check that everything was ok at the store, and helped get all the people out. We closed all the doors but had problems with one that seemed stuck, until we noticed it was jammed by a small toy car that some customer must have dropped as they rushed out. It’s closed now, but it took us longer than we expected. I’m afraid we’re the last ones here, We’re very scared, we just want to go home. - She sighed dramatically.
- Are you girls alone? -
- No, our husbands are at the back. They all had some beers, that’s why I’m driving, cause I don’t drink. The door’s open, you can go and check if you want. - She smiled at him.
The policeman went around and opened the side door to find three well dressed guys and another girl, just sitting at the floor and grinning stupidly at him. The girl waved and went, “Hi, officer!” with a goofy smile. He just nodded back and used his flashlight to check around. There were no seats and the place seemed empty apart from the people. He closed the door and looked up at the girl on the passenger side.
- Miss Laurie? Hi, remember me? I’m Charlie Hewitt…-
- Oh hi, Charlie, what happened? We’ve heard at least 10 versions! -
- Nah, just a couple of punks held up the gas station store. We’ve already
had them give up, about a minute ago, they’re real high, they said they had killed two persons and there’s no one in the store. The cashier’s just said there were two guys shopping but he saw them running to the back door through the surveillance mirror. One of the guys shot away like crazy and said he had killed them. They must have got away just before the doors closed down with the sound of the gunshots. Wait! - He listened to his walkie talkie while they froze, not knowing what to expect. Then Charlie turned to them grinning.
- The jerks had just blanks. There are no bullets where they said they shot at them. - He shook his head. - Wackos! - He laughed and they laughed with him.
- Miss Laurie, are you alright? You look pale! -
- Yes, It’s just that I had a beer and I’m not used to drinking. I’m feeling kind of sick. - She gave him a weak smile.
- You better be getting home, ok? Drive safely. - He touched his hat and let them through.
They couldn’t believe they were out of the place.
- Nice going, Isabel! - Said Stuart, who seemed to be the only one who had it all together.
Then it was too much for her and she broke down crying. Stuart crouched behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
- Don’t stop now, Isabel, we need to get somewhere safe so Max can heal Michael.
She sniffed and nodded.
- I know where we can go. - Laurie said.
The constant knocking on the door and the voice calling out non stop: “Miss Laurie, Miss Laurie, are you in there? Please answer me!” made them all sit up as if on cue, eyes wide open. Laurie recognized Anita’s voice.
- Yes, we’re here, what’s up? - She answered, rubbing her eyes and walking towards the door.
- Ay! Gracias a dios, aqui estan! - (Oh, thank god, they’re here) came Anita’s voice, from behind the door.
Laurie opened the door just enough to check out what was going on, and met Anita’s worried face, with Sylvia’s peering over her mother’s shoulder.
- All the rooms are open and there’s no one in there! - She exclaimed.
- Sorry, I forgot to let you know, the meditation course takes a week, but Kyle’s passing it on to us full speed, and we still haven’t finished it, so we decided to do it here instead of the hut. - She reassured them.
- Would you like me to bring you all some breakfast? - She asked.
- Yeah, yeah, great idea! Thank you. - She closed the door and turned to see the others relaxing. Stuart was chuckling behind his hand.
- What? - They asked him, not seeing any reason for his amused behaviour.
- I wish I’d filmed you! You sure looked like robots, the way you all sat up together. - He shook his head, looking at them fondly.
- Not all of us…- Maria said, gesturing with her head to Michael who just went on sleeping.
- So what else is new? - Said Max joining in with Stuart.
- Is he alright? - Laurie wondered.
Stuart went over to the bed, and touched Michael’s face. He moaned softly and smirked.
- He’s fine, just catching up in a much needed rest from all the stress he’s been having lately. That’s all. You’ll see. -
- I was surprised he didn’t protest in any way when you jabbed him last night. - Isabel told him.
- That’s because you were lucky enough not to be holding his hand! - Said Max and Kyle nodded.
- Creamed all my knuckles together! - Kyle frowned.
- Oh I know what that feels like, don’t we, Maria? - Isabel turned to Maria who totally agreed with her.
- I’m thinking of the Jacuzzi right now, but I need an alien hand to get it ready right away…- Liz said and giggled when Max got up, thinking she meant him, and she walked towards Isabel instead. Max sat back down, embarrassed and the two girls walked to the bathroom. Anita knocked on the door again.
- Breakfast’s ready! - She called enthusiastically.
- Wow, that was fast! She must have had it ready when she came looking for us. - Laurie said.
- Yeah, she only needed to heat up what needed heating. - Maria nodded and walked to the door with Laurie to receive the food. When they opened the door, Anita and Sylvia had two trays each, and walked in to place them on the table by the bed. They couldn’t help notice Michael, barely decent, with the blanket up to a little under his waist.
- Michael sleeps a lot, doesn’t he? Not like you, Miss Laurie, you’re always up early, usually…- Sylvia chuckled and her mother nudged her arm, outraged at what she considered lack of respect. But Laurie chuckled along with Sylvia, who had been her closest friend when she still lived here, after Grandpa Dupree died.
- It seems to be his hobby, but he’s not lazy, believe me. - Laurie assured her.
Sylvia opened her mouth to say something but her mother grabbed her hand and dragged her giggling out of the room. Laurie turned towards the bathroom and yelled:
- Hey, breakfast first, Jacuzzi after! - Isabel and Liz came running out of the bathroom, still clothed.
Not even the smell of food woke up Michael, he was out cold. Maria left a couple of glasses of o.j. and half a carton of milk to soak the fruit loops in case he woke up soon enough. When they were satisfied, they tumbled back on their sleeping areas and looked at Stuart. He knew exactly what their silent question was.
- I would wait, even if the water is warm, we ate a lot, give it an hour to be safe, ok? Anyway, Isabel can warm it right away. -
They just nodded, and sighed.
- Kyle, what’s that you and Michael are keeping from us, that doesn’t concern us? - Liz asked, with her eyes closed.
- Oh no, that depends entirely on Michael. I’m not getting in trouble with the “Not so Jolly Green Giant”. Uh uh, no way. - He shook his head.
- Kyle, you know we’ll get it out of him one way or another, we have the best leverage possible. - She gestured with her head towards Maria, who smirked at him just like Michael would have done. - We’re here to bring everything out in the open, and put a closure to stuff we don’t want to remember anymore. Michael has been through hell these days, and if you have any respect for that, please, spare him having to go through more stress than he already has. He doesn’t need to relive it, so why don’t you, tell us while he’s still out, for his sake! - Isabel had a way of saying things that made them sound absolutely sensible.
- Kyle, I’ll tell him you told us, but I want to hear it from his lips, and he’ll not only spill, but kick the crap out of you after, because he will believe us, not you. - Maria went on.
- Maria, you know that’s not fair, I’m not a snitch, I don’t want to do it! - Kyle was losing the battle and he knew it. He turned to Stuart and Max for support. - C’mon guys, give me a hand here, Max, you’re his best friend. -
Max and Stuart exuded sympathy for Kyle, but one look from Liz and Isabel had them completely on their side.
- Sorry man, but I have to agree that as much as we need to know, he doesn’t need to go through it if he made it clear he didn’t. I think you just got it all wrong, he really meant…- Max had his way with words too.
- All right, all right! - Kyle exclaimed, holding his head with both hands. - I’ll do it only under one condition: I will repeat, verbatim, what you all just said, and you will have to accept you forced me to do it, for his sake. Now you swear, and give me your word, if it’s worth anything! -
- I give you my word I will tell him exactly how it happened. I think you can trust me. - Stuart stretched his hand out to Kyle.
They shook solemly and Kyle turned to Max.
- You know part of it. - Kyle said, glaring at him.
- I don’t know what you’re talking about, Kyle. - Max said frowning.
- That day, I was shooting hoops in with my team buddies during gym, and just as you were passing behind us, when I had the ball high in my hands ready to score, Michael grabbed it away from me like candy from a kid. - Kyle stared at Max with raised eyebrows. - Take it from there, Max. -
- Oh yeah, Michael held it high, and Kyle here was jumping like a monkey trying to get it back. Your buddies started coming over to give you a hand, but you held them back and told them it was between you and him. - Max gestured with his hand for Kyle to continue.
- I remembered what had happened at the football practice a while ago and thought it wasn’t such a bad idea. So I scuttled behind him and yanked his gym shorts almost to his knees. He hissed and I noticed the dude was commando, He reached back and grabbed me by the hair so fast, that before I knew it, he had dragged me around him like a rag doll and had me pressed to his front, covering his family jewels. He pulled me up so that we were eye to eye, and I could see the fury made them shine. I was so scared, than even though I felt my whole scalp pulling off of my skull, I didn’t dare open my mouth. He just said: “Max, pull them back up, now!” and I saw out of the corner of my eye you were doing what he asked. Then this guy says: “Michael, you’re bleeding, man.” - And Michael just told him to shut up. He dumped me down and I crouched to ease the landing. My eyes were level with his thigh, and I saw the outer side of his shorts was turning dark with blood. I thought I was dead, and I kept thinking what I had possibly done to him. Michael grabbed my right arm and pulling me upright, he raised it to his eyes. Of course, I had forgotten my wrist braces with the metal comet, like the name of our team, which was a solid circle with a tail ending in three jagged points resembling fire. The left one was safe, the tail on the outside, but the right one had the tail toward the inside. They jagged points must have stuck into him as I yanked the shorts down, no wonder he hissed. I checked it and it was bloody. Michael smirked and ripped it off me, tossing it to you. As you guys turned to leave, I screamed, “Hey!” wanting my brace back. Michael glared at me and growled: “Do you want me to make you eat it?” So I just held my hands up and backed away. Truth is we guys, and a lot of kids in school were pissed at Michael for giving us hopes in the football area and them dumping us right after. My buddies and I were especially pissed, cause we had been forced to choose between football and basketball, and our parents made us choose basketball, afraid of the damage we could get from football. And now the stupid basketball coach had us benched most of the time cause we were the shortest of the team, so we took all the practice we could get to make him see reason. I found my brace, with the blood washed off, wrapped above my locker’s padlock after gym. What happened to Michael, Max? -
- We just walked to the bathroom, side by side, close by, not to attract attention. When we arrived, Michael slumped against the lockers, biting his lip with his eyes shut tight. I got scared and asked him if he was ok, and he said it hurt like hell. I asked him how come he hadn’t even limped, and he said: “Not in front of them, I won’t give them the pleasure.” I pulled his shorts down and he had a nasty gash going from his hip, halfway down his thigh towards the back. I healed him and we went right back out. The guy who had noticed Michael was bleeding came over and asked him if he was alright. Michael told him it was just a scratch, just needed some cold water. The stupid guy started pulling up the leg of his shorts to take a look and Michael pushed him away roughly insisting he had said it was just a scratch and to lay off. The guy just took off and vanished. So that’s the part I know, now tell us what I don’t know. - Max said.
- Ok, but let me tell you I was told the whole thing by one of the jerks, so I have to trust him, the only other one who knows if it’s true is Michael. And it happened thanks to you Max, you made it possible because you gave them the chance. - Kyle glared at Max, who obviously had no idea what he was talking about. Kyle went on to clarify it. - It was a Friday and my dad was picking me up from school because he had to go to Las Cruces for some stupid two day lectures on the latest techniques of police investigation or some other such crap. He had managed to get me an interview at the local University, for future possibilities, and a lot of tourist tours to keep me busy while he couldn’t be with me. Michael had been found by the janitor, stretched out on the floor of the eraser room fast asleep, waiting for dear Maxie here to show up, cause he had told him to be there to talk about something important. So important that he decided to go with Liz to help her with some science thing and forgot about Michael. That earned him a trip to the principal’s and as punishment, he would do the cleaning at the boy’s gym bathroom, while the janitor took the afternoon off. Of course my stupid buddies, thirsty for revenge for both the football issues and the insult to my person a couple of days ago, heard about it like most of the school, and found it perfect. As I was leaving, they came all smiles to wish me a nice weekend trip, and I knew they were up to something. I asked them what was up, and they told me to go have fun, and to remember they were my friends. The way they said it kind of creeped me out, but dad arrived and dragged me to his car. When I returned on Monday, they told me they had waited until they were sure the guy was full into it, and started stalking him. When they found him on his knees bending over I don’t know what, they tip-toed behind him and kicked him between the legs straight in the balls with nothing less than Stanley metal toe work shoes. He went down and they pounced on him, blindfolded him and tied his hands behind his back. They were mum all the time, so he couldn’t recognize them, and they half dragged half pushed him to the gym next door. They stripped him and got him astride the vaulting thing and then over forwards. They kicked his balls twice on the way to keep him under control. They tied one thigh and one ankle and wound the rope around the thing towards his head and back to the other thigh and ankle so he couldn’t move his legs. Then the three did it, one right after the other, with condons to leave no evidence. They had the nerve of telling me they used the ribbed and the studded ones, to give it to him real good. They did it as many times as they could and then they got one of those sticks they use in the relay races and shoved it into him and left him there. Next day at practice they had heard that the Janitor had returned at around 6 pm to check that everything was in order, and found him there. They had pretended to be real shocked and they asked him what he had done about it so he innocently told them he had been about to call 911 and the cops, but Michael had insisted he was alright, just to get the damn thing out of him and untie him. When the janitor said he was going to make a report to the principal, Michael had asked him to drop it cause it was just a prank some of his friends had played on him cause they were pissed about the football thing. That he was ok, and just had to get home, or his dad would kick the shit out of him. So the guy just let him go. I guess he went to you, right? - Kyle asked Max.
- Yeah, as usual he blamed it on his neighbours at the trailer park, and I bought it. - Max said, shaking his head. - Of course you were ok with it, huh? -
- What can I say, we weren’t friends then, my dad said Michael was a no good punk and to stay away from him, and the jerks were my buddies, so we just had a good laugh and said it served him right. But then when they gave you the clown’s make up, I got pissed cause it was getting out of hand, and they could get me in trouble, especially with my dad if he found out. He would find it hard to believe I had had nothing to do in both of them. You were lucky they just found you in the street, and that they weren’t too enthusiastic about my dumping their evenings to be with a girl. They were just showing me they were on my side, and not getting even for all the football team and most of the school. Now that I know you guys, and all what Michael has been through, I feel real bad about what those jerks did to him. I know he found out I had been out of town, so I had had nothing to do with it, but I’m also sure he suspected it had been my friends, but had no way to prove it. He hadn’t been able to see or hear them, and they weren’t the only ones who wanted to fuck him up, perhaps literally. - He looked down to his hands, not being able to face them.
- Have you ever talked it out with Michael? - Max asked him.
- Hello? Where have you been? I didn’t remember any of the whole fucking thing until Tess showed up and somehow it just came up. Right, it had been eating me up for some time, especially since dad told me Michael had killed Pierce to save his life, and how bad he felt about it, and Max had saved mine. I remember once at Christmas, getting plastered and having some kind of heart-to-heart with Tess while my dad was out in Amy’s car having their own heart-to-heart. I may have spilled it out and told her how guilty I felt so she just made me forget it. It’s the only time it could have happened. -
- It’s ok, Kyle, it’s over, we’ll never mention it again, unless Michael wants to share it with us. If he does, we’ll let him do it, so he’ll have his closure, cause we have just had ours in that matter. Now, the Jacuzzi? - Isabel flashed them her winning smile, and they were all for it. After and hour of total relaxing, in absolute silence, everyone lost in their thoughts, they decided they were ready for lunch. They wrapped themselves in towels and went back to the room. They were beginning to worry about the way Michael kept sleeping and although Stuart and Max could find nothing wrong with him, something had to be done. Maria pushed everyone aside and all she had to do was lie alongside Michael pressed to his side.
- Spaceboy, I’m cold, I need you. - She whispered.
He automatically covered her with his body and started kissing her. As things were heating up in bed, the rest quietly left the room to dress and see about lunch. They eventually decided to take it by the pool so they went out and lounged around filling their plates from the table at the yard.
Michael and Maria came out of the house to join them and he looked very relaxed. Isabel rushed to him with open arms.
- Hey! Sleeping Beauty! - She wrapped her arms around him and held him tight. They stayed in a close embrace for at least a minute, then she pulled back and held him at arm’s length.
- I love you Michael. - She turned to face the others who were open mouthed. - I know you think I’m risking my neck here cause Maria can jump at me and grab and squeeze it until I’m blue in the face, but it’s not going to happen, because she knows how much I love him, and how much I love her for loving him like she does. Right? -
- Right! - Answered Maria, giving her a big smile.
- You ok? - Isabel asked him.
- Yes, Izzy, I’m ok. - He smirked, and she kissed his cheek.
Then she pushed him back into Maria’s arms.
- Hey guys, what about going to the Mall tonight? It’s our last chance. - Laurie thought it was a great idea.
And they all did. They spend the afternoon, relaxing and swimming and just having a lazy good time. Then they had another Jacuzzi in the big one by the yard, and at 7pm they met at the chimney room ready to go.
Chapter 105
The girls looked great in dresses, and the guys were as cool as they could be, Max, Kyle and Stuart had gone for comfy loafers, but Michael stuck to boots. Max had gone for dark brown pants with a lighter brown shirt, and chocolate brown longish jacket. Stuart had gone for greys pants and coat with a powder blue shirt. Kyle had black pants with a pale yellow and black striped shirt and a black coat. Michael had tan snug jeans with matching waist high jacket and a tight emerald green t-shirt. Maria was in pink, Liz in blue, Isabel in orange and Laurie in lavender. They took Stuart’s SUV and just lounged around in the back. Laurie was right, the Mall was great! There was just about everything. They decided to first just look around and check out the restaurants and maybe go dancing later. The guys found this awesome arcade with the coolest stuff they didn’t have in Roswell, so they were hooked. The girls told them to stay all they wanted and they would check out the shops and come back to pick them up when they got hungry. To their surprise, Michael insisted on going with them. He didn’t want to spoil it for them, but he had this weird feeling that something wasn’t quite right, or something not quite right was going to happen. Still, he sensed no danger vibes from any of them. He thought maybe he was just overreacting but he wasn’t risking it. He went along without complaining with Maria clinging to him like a limpet and glaring at the girls who looked his way. He watched them being about to be kicked out of every store they went, trying on everything and buying nothing in the end. They were just having fun, and he enjoyed seeing them have a good time. Finally they decided it was time to get the guys and have a great dinner. They went to a restaurant that Laurie said was the best and as soon as they settled down, they sent Michael for the guys, while they tried to make up their minds what to order, which, knowing them, would take quite a while. Isabel was disappointed not to find Tabasco and found out the restaurant didn’t have it. Michael told her he would get one for her, and Laurie told him the best place to find it was at the store that opened to the gas station on the far left. That was fine cause the arcade was in that direction too. Michael found Max and Kyle in a tight competition, with Stuart watching them.
- Hey! - Michael stood by Stuart and punched him in the arm.
- Hi there. - Stuart was glad to see Michael. He was feeling a little out of place, surrounded by younger people, and Max and Kyle were totally into the game and he was really getting bored. He didn’t dare leave, cause the mall was big and he had no idea where the others were. He was glad someone had finally come to get them. Michael went over to Max who was the nearest and had to yell above the noise.
- The girls are already at the Italian we passed on the way here, remember? -
- The one with the fountain? -
- Yeah, that one, they’re already ordering. -
- They’ll take ages! - Kyle shouted back.
- Better get going, or they’ll sent someone else to get you. I have to go get Izzy some Tabasco, they didn’t have any! - Michael told them.
Right then the machine went nuts, exploding in lights of all colours and the sign said GAME OVER. Max and Kyle shook their heads and rolled their eyes.
- Shit, man, we really suck, and I am the king in Roswell, no offense, Max, really. - Kyle whined.
- None taken, c’mon, let’s go, a damn machine just kicked us out. - They turned towards the door.
- I’ll be right back. - Michael said, heading the other way.
- I’ll go with you. - Stuart said, joining him.
They arrived at the smallish store entering through the back door. On the left, just inside, was an open door leading what was obviously a storage room. The short alley opened into the store itself which was on the left too, in front of the storage room. The cashier was on the far left and the front door right after the counter.They started looking around for the spicy red bottles and the man at the counter asked them if he could help them. Stuart told him what they were looking for and the man said it was in the last aisle against the wall. They backtracked the way they had come and turned into the last aisle. They found it and were checking some other stuff there when they heard the bell of the front door as someone else came into the store. They couldn’t help hearing a man’s voice asking for cigarettes, and right after another rougher voice shouting:
- Alright, get all the money in a bag and hand it over, quick! -
They froze. Michael looked up and there on the corner above the counter, was this round mirror thing so that the cashier could check on all the aisles. The guys just had to look up like he had done, to see them there like sitting ducks.
- Shit! - Michael whispered and gestured with his head towards the mirror. Stuart saw in and frowned.
- Just walk slowly, not to attract their attention, towards the alley, we might make it to the back door without being seen. - Michael whispered. He was sure the little man would just give them the money and they would leave.
Stuart nodded and started doing as Michael said, Michael right behind him, covering him. As they had started walking, one of the guys had also walked towards the door to make sure no one else was coming in, and he had turned the sign hanging from the door to “CLOSED”. He turned to his partner to see how he was going on, when some movement caught his eye and he turned up to the mirror. His expression changed immediately and the other man also turned to look where his partner was looking. Stuart was just at the corner, completely out of sight except for the mirror. He almost peed in his pants when he heard the voice scream: “FREEZE!” He froze, but Michael didn’t. He hissed, “GO!” in his ear and pushed him forwards. Stuart made a dash for the back door with Michael shielding his back. The man by the cashier ran past the front door, as the cashier ducked under the counter, the one at the door just needed 3 strides and he was aiming the gun at Michael’s back just as he was passing by the storage room door. He couldn’t see Stuart who was completely covered by Michael. The guy screamed “FREEZE, DAMMIT!” and Stuart decided not to risk it and turned to raise his hands. Michael collided with him grabbing the sides of his shirt not to run him over and shouted “NO!” Then the guy just started shooting as they fell over. Stuart felt a sting on the side of his head a little over his ear as he fell back. Michael was falling over him and he somehow managed to maneuver them into the storage room. Stuart’s head crashed against the floor and he almost passed out. Michael had fallen over him, his weight making it hard for him to breath. The boy’s cheek was pressed to his, his face turned a little towards his.
- You alright? - Stuart whispered.
- Shhh! Close your eyes and don’t move! - Michael whispered back.
They heard the guy’s footsteps approaching them.
- Hey! Hey! - The guy screamed and kicked Michael’s leg.
He was expecting it and he just lay still.
- Oh shit, I got them, they’re dead! - The guy screamed.
Stuart freaked out and tried to get up but Michael whispered “NO!” and he kept still. Michael’s voice reassured him, and he obeyed. The guy started running away.
- Michael, did he get you? - He asked quietly, full of worry.
- Yeah, it’s nothing. We musn’t move. Let him think we’re dead or he might want to finish us off. The cops will be right over. Dammit! We can’t do anything yet. - Michael reassured him, and then he heard the guys again.
- Let’s get out of here! I got the money! -
- Shit! What the fuck? The damn door is stuck! Hey you, jerk, what have you done to the door? -
- N-n-nothing, I-I swear. Th-the alarm is s-sound sensitive. Th-the gunshots automat-tically shut th-them down. - The man stuttered in fear.
- Well open it! -
- I-I can’t! Th-they can only b-be opened f-from outside w-with a spec-cial key. -
- Who has the fucking key? -
- Th-the owner. -
- Well, call him! -
- H-he’ll know w-what’s happen-ned. -
- Tell him if he brings the police we’ll kill you! -
- Th-the alarm is a-activated straight t-to the p-police. -
He had barely finished speaking when the sirens started screaming, approaching fast.
- There’s a back door! - They ran to it but it was locked too.
- We’ll use the jerk as a hostage! - They stopped at the door of the storage room,
- What about those? -
- They’re dead, I checked. See? The one under got it in the head, and the other one, see? -
- You idiot! They could’ve served as hostages, now we’ll end in jail! I should shoot you too right now! -
- Hey, man! Hey! They were about to make a run for it! What else could I do? -
- You prick! Are you sure they’re dead?
- I told you I checked! I’m not going in there again! You go check them if you want! -
- No way, man, I’m not going in there, it creeps me out! -
They rushed to the front of the store as the megaphones started blaring.
- Ok, drop your guns and you’ll come out alive! -
- No way! You try anything, we shoot him! -
The cashier was sobbing and whining.
- Shut up, or I shoot your balls off! -
The sound of the shooting made everyone at the restaurant jump. People started running out of the place and everything went crazy.
- Oh my god, Michael! Stuart! - Isabel screamed.
- Hey, hey! Calm down, let’s find out what’s happened before freaking out, ok? - Kyle reasoned.
They tried to walk quickly but controlled out of the place trying not to crash against the running people. A man with a guard’s uniform was running towards them. Liz stopped him.
- What’s happened, please? -
- They’ve held up the Gas Station Store! - He yelled as he ran past them.
The girls went pale as sheets and huddled together, trembling in fear.
- I-I sent him th-there! - Isabel sobbed, - It’s my fault! -
- No Isabel, I did! - Laurie said in a shaky voice, tears running down her cheeks.
Kyle and Max immediately held them in their arms. They were shaking like leaves.
- Let’s go over and find out, ok? C’mon, just stay calm. - Max said.
They walked against the wall, because everyone was running in every direction. Laurie guided them cause she knew the way.
- It’s right there. - She said in a thread of a voice, her hand trembling as she pointed at the back door of the store.
They saw the guard that had spoken to Liz standing near the back door. As they approached, his walkie talkie crackled.
- Forget the back door, it will open automatically with the front one. You can’t open that one alone. This part’s safe, no one can get out, and the cops will only open the front door when everyone is in clear view. -
- Any casualties? -
- As far as we can see, there are two armed men and they are holding the male cashier as hostage. There doesn’t seem to be anyone else in sight. The surveillance mirror shows all the aisles are empty. -
- Ok, I’m going in front, then. -
The guard started heading around the store when he saw them.
- Hey kids! You shouldn’t be here, better leave the building now! -
- Our car is that way. - Max pointed to the opposite direction the man was heading for.
- Oh, ok, but hurry up, ran for it. -
They nodded and started hurrying in that direction. As they heard the man’s footsteps disappearing they stopped and sat behind the store against the wall.
- Where are they? - Maria whined.
- Shhh! - Isabel said, and closed her eyes.
Michael felt her immediately.
- Isabel! - He whispered.
Stuart again struggled to get up, thinking she was going to get herself in danger.
- Shhh! - Michael calmed him down. - I’m trying to contact her! -
Stuart lay still as Michael’s body seemed to hum with the vibes he was sending.
- Michael where are you? -
- We’re in the store, the guy shot at us and they think we’re dead, so we’re playing dead. -
- You’re not hurt? -
- Stuart has a graze on his head, that’s why they thought he was dead, he’s right here talking to me. -
- And you? -
- I think they got me in the ribs and my leg, it hurts, but I’m dealing. -
- Where exactly are you? -
- There’s a storage room to the left just after the back door. We’re in there. The surveillance mirror doesn’t cover this area, The front door is also to the left, by the counter. The soda fridges are across from the back door and theyr’re from floor to ceiling. You can’t see the back door from the front of the store. All the aisles are on the left. - His vibes were a little strained
- Just hang on, we’re just outside. -
- Don’t put yourselves at risk, we’ll manage to do something. You just go home. -
- You stay put, you’re in enough danger! We’ll be very careful. Where’s the armed guy? -
- Up front with the cashier, they’re two and they’re both armed. I don’t think they’re coming here again. After the guy shot at us, he kicked me to check us out, so I kept still and he just ran out. I heard him tell the other one he was sure we were dead and he wasn’t coming in here again. He told him to come and check us too if he wanted but the guy went:”No way man, I’m not going in there.” So I guess we’re safe until the cops break in and start snooping. -
- How does the door at the back open? -
- On the left and outwards. -
- Ok, I have an idea. Be ready for us. -
As soon as Isabel opened her eyes, they were all over her. She put a finger on her lips for silence, and waved them after her. They moved together in the direction they had told the guard they were going. They passed 3 stores and found a dark narrow alley with a couple of back doors. There, Isabel told them all she knew.
- Stay here, I need to get something. Kyle, come with me. - She grabbed his hand and took off before anyone had time to protest.
They ran back the way they had come until they arrived at a toy shop where the girls with Michael had been goofing around after they left the guys at the arcade. Isabel located the back door, and she opened it and
slipped inside. She whispered to Kyle to wait there for her and she covered her head with his jacket. She was right back with some stuff in a bag.
- C’mon! - They raced back to the others.
Once in the alley, she dumped the contents of the bag on the floor.
- Thank George Lucas for Stars Wars - She giggled and flashed a “laser sword”.
She turned it on, and the light matched the colour of Max’s shield.
- If someone sees you, you can blame it on the toy. - She nodded.
She gave Max two black ski masks and told him to wear them just in case.
- You’ll need this to jam the door. It’s thin enough so it will look closed. - She gave him a toy credit card. - Laurie, you ran to the SUV, here, I have the keys, and bring it here to the alley. Keep the engine on, no lights, ok? They won’t hear you with the racket the cops are making, but they might see you. - Isabel told her.
- Ok. - Laurie ran down the large alley and out of the building to the parking lot.
- Now, you guys go, we’ll be right out her to back you up. - Isabel told Max and Kyle.
They went back to the store and sat against the wall. Max peered through the glass door. There was no one in sight, so he reached up and opened the door. It barely clicked, and anyway, the blaring of the megaphones covered it all. He pulled the door open just enough to scuttle in, Kyle right after him, and stuck the card to keep it open. The door of the storage room was ajar, so Max pushed Kyle inside, and slid in after him. The light was on, and Kyle stood looking down at Michael who lay on top of Stuart. Max saw him go pale and waved his hand in front of his eyes to distract him. He looked ready to hurl and if he did, it wouldn’t be in silence. That could bring the two gunmen running in spite of the megaphones. Kyle looked away and Max checked out what he had been looking at. His stomach lurched. Yes, Michael had been shot in the ribs and the thigh, but he had also been shot in the butt, above the hip, and in the shoulder. His right side was drenched in blood. Max knelt down and shook Michael’s good shoulder. He remained still with his eyes closed and Max started getting an empty feeling.
- Michael, it’s us…- He whispered.
His lashes parted and their eyes met.
- Keep quiet, it’s Max. Michael whispered to Stuart, who immediately opened his eyes too.
Max saw the crusted dry blood above his ear and healed it in seconds.
- Anything else? - He asked him.
- No, that’s all, Michael was shielding me with his body as he pushed me down. This one went over his shoulder and nicked me. - He said.
- You have to get up. - Max rolled Michael over a little on his good side.
He bit his lip not to make a sound and Stuart got quickly to his feet. He looked at Michael, and assessed in seconds all the damage he had sustained.
- We must get him out! - He whispered in Max’s ear.
- Ok, Kyle, you take his shoulders, Stuart, take his middle and I’ll take his legs. There’s not enough room here to move around so we’ll go out backwards and head for the door.
- Hey! Just help me get up! - Michael hissed.
- No! You keep still, Max is right, your leg won’t take your weight and we can’t risk you tripping and giving us away. - Stuart told him firmly.
Michael nodded, accepting. As Kyle took Michael’s shoulders, Max noticed his face was sweating. He called him softly and made him look at him.
- Kyle, you’ll be looking at the store behind me, if you see anyone coming, let me know subtly. - Max told him.
- How? - Was all he dared ask, in confusion
- Dammit Kyle! Cough, sneeze, fart, burp, whatever! Any noise you make, will have me activating my shield over my shoulder, ok? ... Don’t look at him! - He mouthed and mimicked the last phase.
Kyle nodded, wiped his face on his sleeve and returned his hand under Michael’s shoulder.
- When you feel the door behind you, just push it open. - He said.
Kyle nodded again, afraid to open his mouth, not knowing what might come out.
- Ready? On three. - Max said and started counting.
They heaved Michael up, feeling his body tightening but he kept quiet. Max let go one hand and made all the blood on the floor go away. Then they got Michael out of the room and of the store, unheard. The 3 girls were there to help them with Michael’s weight, their eyes and mouths wide open, at what they were seeing, but they knew silence was imperative. Michael was struggling and trying to get them to let go of him.
- Michael, honey, please keep still, believe me, we’ll go faster like this, we need to get out of here so Max can heal you. - Maria’s voice whispering softly, soothed him automatically, and he relaxed, making it easier for them.
Isabel retrieved the toy card jamming the door and closed and locked it quietly. She caught up and checked ahead to see the SUV already waiting at the end of the alley. She ran up to it and opened the sliding door. She climbed in and received them, helping them place Michael on the floor along the opposite side. Max shut the door behind him and only then did they dare talk.
- Oh my god, Michael! -
- Michael? Michael! -
- That bad? As much as it hurts? - Michael rasped, huskily.
Kyle again looked ready to barf. He sat with his face in his hands and
Laurie looked ready to pass out. Isabel reached over the back of the front seat and pushed her to the opposite side. Then she climbed over behind the wheel.
- Maria! Come here, I need you, NOW! We have to get out of here! - Isabel told them.
As soon as Maria was sitting between her and Laurie, who had her head out of the window, Isabel turned behind her.
- Keep him covered! - She ordered.
They sat with their backs against the side of the van, Michael out of sight behind them, one of his hands in Liz’s.
Isabel headed for the nearest Exit and of course, there was a policeman there.
- Let me do the talking, you just follow my lead, ok? - Isabel said.
They all nodded, amazed at Isabel’s cold blood and determination, so unlike her. She definitely responded quite well under pressure.
She drove at a reasonable speed and stopped by the policeman, who looked at her suspiciously.
- No one should be here now, where are you coming from? -
- I’m sorry, officer, we actually work at the toy shop, and we came here for dinner with some friends on our day off. We just went over to check that everything was ok at the store, and helped get all the people out. We closed all the doors but had problems with one that seemed stuck, until we noticed it was jammed by a small toy car that some customer must have dropped as they rushed out. It’s closed now, but it took us longer than we expected. I’m afraid we’re the last ones here, We’re very scared, we just want to go home. - She sighed dramatically.
- Are you girls alone? -
- No, our husbands are at the back. They all had some beers, that’s why I’m driving, cause I don’t drink. The door’s open, you can go and check if you want. - She smiled at him.
The policeman went around and opened the side door to find three well dressed guys and another girl, just sitting at the floor and grinning stupidly at him. The girl waved and went, “Hi, officer!” with a goofy smile. He just nodded back and used his flashlight to check around. There were no seats and the place seemed empty apart from the people. He closed the door and looked up at the girl on the passenger side.
- Miss Laurie? Hi, remember me? I’m Charlie Hewitt…-
- Oh hi, Charlie, what happened? We’ve heard at least 10 versions! -
- Nah, just a couple of punks held up the gas station store. We’ve already
had them give up, about a minute ago, they’re real high, they said they had killed two persons and there’s no one in the store. The cashier’s just said there were two guys shopping but he saw them running to the back door through the surveillance mirror. One of the guys shot away like crazy and said he had killed them. They must have got away just before the doors closed down with the sound of the gunshots. Wait! - He listened to his walkie talkie while they froze, not knowing what to expect. Then Charlie turned to them grinning.
- The jerks had just blanks. There are no bullets where they said they shot at them. - He shook his head. - Wackos! - He laughed and they laughed with him.
- Miss Laurie, are you alright? You look pale! -
- Yes, It’s just that I had a beer and I’m not used to drinking. I’m feeling kind of sick. - She gave him a weak smile.
- You better be getting home, ok? Drive safely. - He touched his hat and let them through.
They couldn’t believe they were out of the place.
- Nice going, Isabel! - Said Stuart, who seemed to be the only one who had it all together.
Then it was too much for her and she broke down crying. Stuart crouched behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
- Don’t stop now, Isabel, we need to get somewhere safe so Max can heal Michael.
She sniffed and nodded.
- I know where we can go. - Laurie said.
ALIENS FULL TILT!
-
ñusta
- Obsessed Roswellian
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:52 pm
- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
the martyr of antar
Chapter 106
- Is it…too…far? - Michael’s voice showed his agony.
Laurie’s eyes filled with tears.
- No, it’s quite near, that next exit on the right. - She said trying to sound calm.
Isabel followed Laurie’s instructions.
- Go slowly, there should be a road on the right…there! Can you see it? -
Isabel nodded and slowed down to turn at the road. It was unpaved and rather bumpy. She felt bad eveytime she heard what it was doing to Michael. She went as slow as she could.
- What’s out here? Asked Maria.
- It was a milk cow stables. I used to come here with grandpa as a kid to buy milk and watch the cows getting milked. Ruben told me it had been closed some months ago. The owner sold it and they were going to build another mall. It’s all been dismantled, that’s why it doesn’t even have a guardian. Only the old barn is standing. Look, there! - Laurie pointed to the left. Isabel drove straight to the huge door. It was padlocked.
- Alright Max, go open it, I’m not going down. - Isabel said.
Max got the padlock and opened the door, waited for Isabel to drive in, and closed it again, the padlock too. He returned to the van, and found everyone looking at him. He was very uncomfortable, as if not sure of what to do. Michael moaned and Maria started to get impatient.
- Max, what are you waiting for? - Isabel exclaimed.
Max scoffed and frowned, then he took a deep breath and shook his head.
- WHAT?! -
- I will have to connect with him…there’s too much damage…- He said looking at his hands.
- Well, do it! - Even Liz was getting impatient.
- I’ll…need to raise him, to make it easier for him…and for me to…- He mumbled.
Stuart got the cushions he had brought for the trip. He stacked them so that they rose sharply at one end and sloped gently on the other one which would be at Michael’s front.
- Is that alright? - Stuart asked him, getting the idea.
Max just nodded, just giving them a glance.
- Ok then, let’s bring him over. Like we did back there, right Max? - Stuart wanted to make sure he had it right.
- Uh huh…- Max agreed.
They got the hurt boy where they wanted him and stepped aside. Max lowered Michael’s legs, apart, on the floor. Then he knelt between them. A couple of times his hands went to Michael’s body, hesitated, and went back to his sides.
- MAX! - Isabel was now pissed. What was it with her brother? How could he have doubts at a time like this?
- I…I need to be left alone with him. - He whispered.
Stuart and Kyle looked at each other and then at Max.
- Uh uh, no way man, I’m staying. - Kyle said, and Stuart nodded, agreeing.
Max looked up at Isabel, then Liz, Maria and Laurie, pleading with his eyes, but they all looked back at him unwavering.
- I’m sorry, I can’t, I’m not yet up to it…- Max said, very softly.
- Max…please…- Michael begged. He shuddered. He was burning with fever, the right side of his body literally on fire.
- That’s it! Let’s go, I can’t take this. - Isabel pushed the girls towards the door of the van.
Stuart grabbed Max’s arm and shook it.
- Wait! I know the second you step out, you’ll convince Isabel of bringing you here with her powers, so you’ll be here anyway, I won’t see you but I’ll know you’re here. I…I don’t know, why I feel like this, Isabel has seen it many times, Liz has already seen it, so it’s only Maria and Laurie who still haven’t…- Max sounded as if he were trying to convince himself. - Ok, stay, I better face it once and for all. -
- Laurie, you’re his sister, if you don’t feel up to it, just go to the front seat and look the other way, we’re not kicking you out…-
- Maria, I’m already 21, I’m older than most of you, I think I can take it. - She smiled weakly.
Max looked almost embarrassed. Suddenly Maria’s eyes opened wide.
- Max! - She scoffed, - You’ve got it all wrong, we’re not interested in looking at your “equipment” or watching how you stick it into Michael! We are interested in the results, in how you heal him. Stuart is looking forward to the medical aspect, and Kyle’s just curious, I’m sure. - She glared at him. - We just want Michael to stop suffering, and you are sadistically prolonging it to no ends! -
- You have a dirty mind, Evans. - Kyle shook his head in mock disgust.
- Hey, no, that’s not it, I…- He was totally confused now.
- Max do it… I can’t stand it…- Michael was fighting to stay conscious.
- Just keep quiet then, I need silence to concentrate properly. - He ordered.
Max reached up and with a wave of his hand, Michael’s clothes vanished.
He heard the sound of hands covering mouths, not to distract him. Seeing Michael’s wounds, bloody and right under their eyes had them also fighting not to faint.
- I need something to…you know…ease the…- Max didn’t know how to say it without being too blunt, but Liz got his message.
She went to her purse and got out one of those small Vaseline plastic tubes you can get by the cashier in any drugstore. She always had one to protect her lips from getting chapped. She didn’t use the ones with sunscreen so this one was the 100% pure unscented one.
- I hope it’s enough, I just opened it this morning, so it’s almost full. - She handed it to Max, already uncapped.
Max just looked at her, and that was his way of thanking her. He felt very self conscious as he opened his fly, and surreptitiously checked where everyone’s eyes were, but they were not on him. They were on the bloody torn flesh, unable to tear them away from it. Max squeezed practically all the contents of the small tube on his finger and smeared it on himself, what little was left on it, he wiped it directly on Michael, his reaction was automatic.
- Yes…please…- He moaned and whimpered.
- I’ll go easy, ok? Just try to relax… - Max whispered.
The girls had their hands on Michael, Isabel and Maria were holding his hands, Laurie and Liz were clinging to his arms. Kyle stood at Max’s left side, hanging on to Michael’s good thigh, and Stuart stood at the other side, not to miss a single detail of the prodigious healing sequence he was about to witness. Max cupped Michael’s buttocks in his hands, being very careful of the hurt one. Still Michael couldn’t help grunting. Max’s thumbs slid towards the inside, and were in charge of the spreading.
- Perhaps is you put your hand over mine, you might be able to feel what I find wrong to repair. - His voice, addressing Stuart, was halting, as he was slowly advancing into Michael, entering him as gently as he could. Stuart did what Max told him, and felt the skin of his palm fused with the back of Max’s hand.
They all sensed everything through their own connection, not feeling but knowing what the couple involved were feeling, Michael struggling to relax as he received Max into him, the dull throbbing of his insides stretching to accommodate him, Max struggling to stay at an easy pace, for Michael’s sake, though he needed to be as deep inside as he could to start the healing process. Michael’s back was beaded with sweat and Max’s sweat fell down from his forehead, stinging his eyes. Stuart, as the doctor he was, immediately fished a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped Max’s face. He smiled, thankful. Michael couldn’t help wincing and groaning as Max filled him, and sighed with relief when he felt his body press into his. Max also sighed, and Stuart felt the hand under his vibrating with energy. He turned to look at it, and it was glowing white. He pulled it down towards the thigh wound.
- This one could’ve been the most serious, perhaps fatal if the bullet had severed the artery, which it obviously didn’t, or he would have bled out before you got to him. There’s a slight possibility of a small nick that has managed to form a scab to contain most of the bleeding, so I think you better begin with this one. - Stuart suggested.
In most cases, Max could easily dissolve the bullet but Michael’s Royal blooded constitution didn’t permit it. So Max used his powers as a magnet and drew the bullet towards it, making it backtrack until it was yanked out of his body. That was why it was so painful for Michael and it wasn’t for others. Once out, he repaired all the damage that the tissues, in it’s wake, had sustained. The artery had been missed by just half an inch. He went to the one in his butt, and repeated the process. This time Stuart found that the sciatic nerve had also been missed by half an inch. The one above the hip had missed the kidney by half and inch too. The one in the lower ribs had shattered two of them and missed the liver by half an inch. The one, not quite in the shoulder, but somewhat lower, had missed the lung by half an inch. Stuart was perplexed two may be a coincidence, three, a very lucky coincidence, but five? No way, Michael’s body had definitely defended itself sparing all the vitals and the crippling possibility, like the sciatic nerve. Amazing! It had to be alien related. No human body would have been capable of doing that. When it was finally over, Michael was breathing hard, and shivering. Max then controlled his fever, leaving the boy sore, but healed. Then they both started shuddering and everyone experienced the powerful orgasm resulting from the healing connection. Now they knew what it was like! The three aliens were used to it, but the humans were going out of their minds. Maria and Liz had an idea, but this was much stronger. No wonder Max had chosen it, who could blame him, after they experienced it and knew exactly what it felt like! It took them easily 20 minutes to relax and detach themselves to take complete control of their bodies.
- Is it…too…far? - Michael’s voice showed his agony.
Laurie’s eyes filled with tears.
- No, it’s quite near, that next exit on the right. - She said trying to sound calm.
Isabel followed Laurie’s instructions.
- Go slowly, there should be a road on the right…there! Can you see it? -
Isabel nodded and slowed down to turn at the road. It was unpaved and rather bumpy. She felt bad eveytime she heard what it was doing to Michael. She went as slow as she could.
- What’s out here? Asked Maria.
- It was a milk cow stables. I used to come here with grandpa as a kid to buy milk and watch the cows getting milked. Ruben told me it had been closed some months ago. The owner sold it and they were going to build another mall. It’s all been dismantled, that’s why it doesn’t even have a guardian. Only the old barn is standing. Look, there! - Laurie pointed to the left. Isabel drove straight to the huge door. It was padlocked.
- Alright Max, go open it, I’m not going down. - Isabel said.
Max got the padlock and opened the door, waited for Isabel to drive in, and closed it again, the padlock too. He returned to the van, and found everyone looking at him. He was very uncomfortable, as if not sure of what to do. Michael moaned and Maria started to get impatient.
- Max, what are you waiting for? - Isabel exclaimed.
Max scoffed and frowned, then he took a deep breath and shook his head.
- WHAT?! -
- I will have to connect with him…there’s too much damage…- He said looking at his hands.
- Well, do it! - Even Liz was getting impatient.
- I’ll…need to raise him, to make it easier for him…and for me to…- He mumbled.
Stuart got the cushions he had brought for the trip. He stacked them so that they rose sharply at one end and sloped gently on the other one which would be at Michael’s front.
- Is that alright? - Stuart asked him, getting the idea.
Max just nodded, just giving them a glance.
- Ok then, let’s bring him over. Like we did back there, right Max? - Stuart wanted to make sure he had it right.
- Uh huh…- Max agreed.
They got the hurt boy where they wanted him and stepped aside. Max lowered Michael’s legs, apart, on the floor. Then he knelt between them. A couple of times his hands went to Michael’s body, hesitated, and went back to his sides.
- MAX! - Isabel was now pissed. What was it with her brother? How could he have doubts at a time like this?
- I…I need to be left alone with him. - He whispered.
Stuart and Kyle looked at each other and then at Max.
- Uh uh, no way man, I’m staying. - Kyle said, and Stuart nodded, agreeing.
Max looked up at Isabel, then Liz, Maria and Laurie, pleading with his eyes, but they all looked back at him unwavering.
- I’m sorry, I can’t, I’m not yet up to it…- Max said, very softly.
- Max…please…- Michael begged. He shuddered. He was burning with fever, the right side of his body literally on fire.
- That’s it! Let’s go, I can’t take this. - Isabel pushed the girls towards the door of the van.
Stuart grabbed Max’s arm and shook it.
- Wait! I know the second you step out, you’ll convince Isabel of bringing you here with her powers, so you’ll be here anyway, I won’t see you but I’ll know you’re here. I…I don’t know, why I feel like this, Isabel has seen it many times, Liz has already seen it, so it’s only Maria and Laurie who still haven’t…- Max sounded as if he were trying to convince himself. - Ok, stay, I better face it once and for all. -
- Laurie, you’re his sister, if you don’t feel up to it, just go to the front seat and look the other way, we’re not kicking you out…-
- Maria, I’m already 21, I’m older than most of you, I think I can take it. - She smiled weakly.
Max looked almost embarrassed. Suddenly Maria’s eyes opened wide.
- Max! - She scoffed, - You’ve got it all wrong, we’re not interested in looking at your “equipment” or watching how you stick it into Michael! We are interested in the results, in how you heal him. Stuart is looking forward to the medical aspect, and Kyle’s just curious, I’m sure. - She glared at him. - We just want Michael to stop suffering, and you are sadistically prolonging it to no ends! -
- You have a dirty mind, Evans. - Kyle shook his head in mock disgust.
- Hey, no, that’s not it, I…- He was totally confused now.
- Max do it… I can’t stand it…- Michael was fighting to stay conscious.
- Just keep quiet then, I need silence to concentrate properly. - He ordered.
Max reached up and with a wave of his hand, Michael’s clothes vanished.
He heard the sound of hands covering mouths, not to distract him. Seeing Michael’s wounds, bloody and right under their eyes had them also fighting not to faint.
- I need something to…you know…ease the…- Max didn’t know how to say it without being too blunt, but Liz got his message.
She went to her purse and got out one of those small Vaseline plastic tubes you can get by the cashier in any drugstore. She always had one to protect her lips from getting chapped. She didn’t use the ones with sunscreen so this one was the 100% pure unscented one.
- I hope it’s enough, I just opened it this morning, so it’s almost full. - She handed it to Max, already uncapped.
Max just looked at her, and that was his way of thanking her. He felt very self conscious as he opened his fly, and surreptitiously checked where everyone’s eyes were, but they were not on him. They were on the bloody torn flesh, unable to tear them away from it. Max squeezed practically all the contents of the small tube on his finger and smeared it on himself, what little was left on it, he wiped it directly on Michael, his reaction was automatic.
- Yes…please…- He moaned and whimpered.
- I’ll go easy, ok? Just try to relax… - Max whispered.
The girls had their hands on Michael, Isabel and Maria were holding his hands, Laurie and Liz were clinging to his arms. Kyle stood at Max’s left side, hanging on to Michael’s good thigh, and Stuart stood at the other side, not to miss a single detail of the prodigious healing sequence he was about to witness. Max cupped Michael’s buttocks in his hands, being very careful of the hurt one. Still Michael couldn’t help grunting. Max’s thumbs slid towards the inside, and were in charge of the spreading.
- Perhaps is you put your hand over mine, you might be able to feel what I find wrong to repair. - His voice, addressing Stuart, was halting, as he was slowly advancing into Michael, entering him as gently as he could. Stuart did what Max told him, and felt the skin of his palm fused with the back of Max’s hand.
They all sensed everything through their own connection, not feeling but knowing what the couple involved were feeling, Michael struggling to relax as he received Max into him, the dull throbbing of his insides stretching to accommodate him, Max struggling to stay at an easy pace, for Michael’s sake, though he needed to be as deep inside as he could to start the healing process. Michael’s back was beaded with sweat and Max’s sweat fell down from his forehead, stinging his eyes. Stuart, as the doctor he was, immediately fished a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped Max’s face. He smiled, thankful. Michael couldn’t help wincing and groaning as Max filled him, and sighed with relief when he felt his body press into his. Max also sighed, and Stuart felt the hand under his vibrating with energy. He turned to look at it, and it was glowing white. He pulled it down towards the thigh wound.
- This one could’ve been the most serious, perhaps fatal if the bullet had severed the artery, which it obviously didn’t, or he would have bled out before you got to him. There’s a slight possibility of a small nick that has managed to form a scab to contain most of the bleeding, so I think you better begin with this one. - Stuart suggested.
In most cases, Max could easily dissolve the bullet but Michael’s Royal blooded constitution didn’t permit it. So Max used his powers as a magnet and drew the bullet towards it, making it backtrack until it was yanked out of his body. That was why it was so painful for Michael and it wasn’t for others. Once out, he repaired all the damage that the tissues, in it’s wake, had sustained. The artery had been missed by just half an inch. He went to the one in his butt, and repeated the process. This time Stuart found that the sciatic nerve had also been missed by half an inch. The one above the hip had missed the kidney by half and inch too. The one in the lower ribs had shattered two of them and missed the liver by half an inch. The one, not quite in the shoulder, but somewhat lower, had missed the lung by half an inch. Stuart was perplexed two may be a coincidence, three, a very lucky coincidence, but five? No way, Michael’s body had definitely defended itself sparing all the vitals and the crippling possibility, like the sciatic nerve. Amazing! It had to be alien related. No human body would have been capable of doing that. When it was finally over, Michael was breathing hard, and shivering. Max then controlled his fever, leaving the boy sore, but healed. Then they both started shuddering and everyone experienced the powerful orgasm resulting from the healing connection. Now they knew what it was like! The three aliens were used to it, but the humans were going out of their minds. Maria and Liz had an idea, but this was much stronger. No wonder Max had chosen it, who could blame him, after they experienced it and knew exactly what it felt like! It took them easily 20 minutes to relax and detach themselves to take complete control of their bodies.
ALIENS FULL TILT!
-
ñusta
- Obsessed Roswellian
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:52 pm
- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
the martyr of antar
Chapter 107
While they were all over Michael asking him how he was feeling, and touching him to make sure he was alright, Max discreetly slid out of him, and used his powers to clean himself of the greasy lube. Michael would need it, so he just let him keep it inside him, he had also made sure his body had absorbed every drop he had shot into him. He had just zipped up when he felt someone had moved beside him.
- Mm hmm…- He heard a throat being cleared and he turned to face Maria.
She was giving him a funny look, and he wasn’t sure what to make of it. He looked back at her, in total confusion, when she took his hands and gave them a squeeze.
- Thank you…- She whispered.
- You don’t have to thank me, Maria, it’s my job, I’m his healer. - He sighed in relief that it had gone so easy.
- You keep getting crossed signals! That’s not what I meant. Thank you for being so careful and gentle with him, not like you were in Antar, according to what we’ve heard. - She clung to his hands.
- It’s different here, Maria, Michael means a lot to me. I know, I act like a parent sometimes, I get pissed at him and overreact, to regret it later, though I never admit it. But it’s because I worry about him, I love him, Maria. We’re very different, he’s so impulsive, but he’s family too. - He said.
- I know, he drives me nuts also, but that’s him. He’s ok, right? - She asked him. Max nodded. - Then let’s go back home, and you can give him back his clothes, huh? -
Max laughed and they turned back to Michael. Stuart was squatting beside him, checking out full concentration what remained of the wounds. Max noticed him frowning.
- Don’t worry, he’s healed. He’ll be fine. - Max told him. - Unfortunately, his Royal Blood conformation doesn’t allow me to do any better with the scars. That one, - referring to the one Stuart was pointing at on Michael’s other shoulder, - was made by Grant Sorenson. It went clean through him, so he has a matching one on the other side, just under the one I gave him when I burned out the royal seal to return it to my brain through my hand. If you look closely you will be able to see some faint one from the deeper cuts he got from the lashings. The others more superficial ones are mostly invisible. When I heal any other person or alien, there is nothing left. - Max said, with a wistful look in his eyes.
- It’s not your fault Max, his essence is too strong, you know that now. - Stuart reminded him. - Anyway, your people were right, I think he has just faced the demon of his human death. -
- Charles Dupree died in his bed, peacefully in his sleep, right Laurie? - Max asked her.
She nodded in confirmation.
- Well, identical twins’ DNAs are the same, and this matches the death of the other Dupree twin, who’s name was also Michael. Uncle Derek said he had been shot five times in the back as he shielded his brother and somehow the bullets hadn’t gone through him and killed the other one. Michael just did the same for me. At that distance, the bullets should have gone through him and probably killed me. And that other Michael, the kid brother of their mother, Uncle Derek said he also died of several gunshot wound in the back protecting his horse. Of course, none of them had a healer like Max there for them, and the ensuing infection, uncontrolled at that time, killed them eventually. No one witnessed both deaths to give testimony of the coincidences. The mother had seen her kid brother’s wounds, but not her son’s because of the distance, and probably Charles Jr. spared her of the shocking details. He had seen his brother’s wounds, but not his late young uncle’s, because he hadn’t been born yet, and his mother surely spared him of the gruesome details too, when and if she ever mentioned it. The common denominator here is the name, they are all called Michael, they were all shot in the back several times as they all used their bodies to shield someone else, horse included, and they all managed to prevent the bullets from going clean through them in spite of the unlikeliness because of the distance and caliber, and successfully saved their protégés from serious damage. - Stuart was really making sense.
- At least I didn’t agonize for two weeks before I croaked, according to what happened to my other namesakes. - Michael said, relieved.
- But they didn’t suffer the sexual abuse you did during years. - Stuart got them thinking.
- Maybe they did use his DNA to clone me. Grandpa Charles could have saved something of his that contained it and our people had no trouble accessing it. - Michael wondered.
- Yeah, could be...wish there was a way to know for sure. - Stuart said.
- Nah…it really doesn’t matter, what you just said gives it a better chance that it was the other twin’s DNA used to clone me, so maybe it was. Hey, let’s just go home, ok? We’re out here in the middle of nowhere, and I’m not comfortable. - Michael complained.
- Stuart, may I?...- Stuart sat back not knowing what Max meant to do.
He waved his hand over Michael and gave him back his clothes. Stuart laughed.
- Ok, let’s make you comfortable. Can you push up to move out the cushions? - He asked Michael.
- Sure…- He pushed up on all fours and Stuart noticed he winced.He remembered the pain of his injuries hadn’t completely gone away. He kicked the cushions from under him, to the side of the van where Michael had originally been, hidden from the cop. Then he walked around him and tossed five cushions to the back of the van. The other ten, he arranged in two lines close together. He looked at them, not at all convinced.
- I hope they stay together…- He thought aloud.
- No problem! - Isabel said, peering over his shoulder and waving her hand at them to fuse them all together.
Stuart shook his head grinning.
- You’ll never cease to astound me! - He told Isabel, whose chin was resting on his shoulder.
He turned to her and kissed her cheek, making her giggle. Isabel turned to Michael, and nudged him gently with her foot.
- Hop on, kid. - She told him.
- Huh? - Michael went, as he was looking the other way at Maria talking with the others.
Isabel crouched beside him and cupping his chin, turned his face towards them pointing towards the makeshift bed. Michael saw it and smiled.
- Oh, cool! - He said and crawled to it, flopping down on it.
- Ok then, we’re off! - Stuart said. - You guys have a cushion each, and I’m driving. -
He took Isabel’s hand and helped her down. Then he opened the passenger door for her, and went around to climb behind the wheel. -
- Ok Max, do your thing with the door. - Said Isabel.
Max went to open the door as all the rest took their cushions and made themselves comfortable. Maria sat by Michael getting his head on her lap. Max waved them out, secured the door just as they had found it, and climbed back in. The return trip was fast and uneventful, for once. They were starving, as they hadn’t had any dinner, so they grabbed a couple of pizzas and some Chinese, for all tastes on the way back, and ended picnicking at the chimney room. By the time they finished, alien powers took care of all the spills and unwanted stains. They dropped into their beds like stones. They were all paired except for Kyle and Laurie, cause the fact that she was Michael’s sister made Kyle think twice, and anyway, she would probably choose someone her age or older. Still, they were great friends and Kyle ended in a sleeping bag in her bedroom so she wouldn’t be alone. At least the streak of suffering Michael had gone through seemed to have finally come to an end, and they had a peaceful rest until late next day.
While they were all over Michael asking him how he was feeling, and touching him to make sure he was alright, Max discreetly slid out of him, and used his powers to clean himself of the greasy lube. Michael would need it, so he just let him keep it inside him, he had also made sure his body had absorbed every drop he had shot into him. He had just zipped up when he felt someone had moved beside him.
- Mm hmm…- He heard a throat being cleared and he turned to face Maria.
She was giving him a funny look, and he wasn’t sure what to make of it. He looked back at her, in total confusion, when she took his hands and gave them a squeeze.
- Thank you…- She whispered.
- You don’t have to thank me, Maria, it’s my job, I’m his healer. - He sighed in relief that it had gone so easy.
- You keep getting crossed signals! That’s not what I meant. Thank you for being so careful and gentle with him, not like you were in Antar, according to what we’ve heard. - She clung to his hands.
- It’s different here, Maria, Michael means a lot to me. I know, I act like a parent sometimes, I get pissed at him and overreact, to regret it later, though I never admit it. But it’s because I worry about him, I love him, Maria. We’re very different, he’s so impulsive, but he’s family too. - He said.
- I know, he drives me nuts also, but that’s him. He’s ok, right? - She asked him. Max nodded. - Then let’s go back home, and you can give him back his clothes, huh? -
Max laughed and they turned back to Michael. Stuart was squatting beside him, checking out full concentration what remained of the wounds. Max noticed him frowning.
- Don’t worry, he’s healed. He’ll be fine. - Max told him. - Unfortunately, his Royal Blood conformation doesn’t allow me to do any better with the scars. That one, - referring to the one Stuart was pointing at on Michael’s other shoulder, - was made by Grant Sorenson. It went clean through him, so he has a matching one on the other side, just under the one I gave him when I burned out the royal seal to return it to my brain through my hand. If you look closely you will be able to see some faint one from the deeper cuts he got from the lashings. The others more superficial ones are mostly invisible. When I heal any other person or alien, there is nothing left. - Max said, with a wistful look in his eyes.
- It’s not your fault Max, his essence is too strong, you know that now. - Stuart reminded him. - Anyway, your people were right, I think he has just faced the demon of his human death. -
- Charles Dupree died in his bed, peacefully in his sleep, right Laurie? - Max asked her.
She nodded in confirmation.
- Well, identical twins’ DNAs are the same, and this matches the death of the other Dupree twin, who’s name was also Michael. Uncle Derek said he had been shot five times in the back as he shielded his brother and somehow the bullets hadn’t gone through him and killed the other one. Michael just did the same for me. At that distance, the bullets should have gone through him and probably killed me. And that other Michael, the kid brother of their mother, Uncle Derek said he also died of several gunshot wound in the back protecting his horse. Of course, none of them had a healer like Max there for them, and the ensuing infection, uncontrolled at that time, killed them eventually. No one witnessed both deaths to give testimony of the coincidences. The mother had seen her kid brother’s wounds, but not her son’s because of the distance, and probably Charles Jr. spared her of the shocking details. He had seen his brother’s wounds, but not his late young uncle’s, because he hadn’t been born yet, and his mother surely spared him of the gruesome details too, when and if she ever mentioned it. The common denominator here is the name, they are all called Michael, they were all shot in the back several times as they all used their bodies to shield someone else, horse included, and they all managed to prevent the bullets from going clean through them in spite of the unlikeliness because of the distance and caliber, and successfully saved their protégés from serious damage. - Stuart was really making sense.
- At least I didn’t agonize for two weeks before I croaked, according to what happened to my other namesakes. - Michael said, relieved.
- But they didn’t suffer the sexual abuse you did during years. - Stuart got them thinking.
- Maybe they did use his DNA to clone me. Grandpa Charles could have saved something of his that contained it and our people had no trouble accessing it. - Michael wondered.
- Yeah, could be...wish there was a way to know for sure. - Stuart said.
- Nah…it really doesn’t matter, what you just said gives it a better chance that it was the other twin’s DNA used to clone me, so maybe it was. Hey, let’s just go home, ok? We’re out here in the middle of nowhere, and I’m not comfortable. - Michael complained.
- Stuart, may I?...- Stuart sat back not knowing what Max meant to do.
He waved his hand over Michael and gave him back his clothes. Stuart laughed.
- Ok, let’s make you comfortable. Can you push up to move out the cushions? - He asked Michael.
- Sure…- He pushed up on all fours and Stuart noticed he winced.He remembered the pain of his injuries hadn’t completely gone away. He kicked the cushions from under him, to the side of the van where Michael had originally been, hidden from the cop. Then he walked around him and tossed five cushions to the back of the van. The other ten, he arranged in two lines close together. He looked at them, not at all convinced.
- I hope they stay together…- He thought aloud.
- No problem! - Isabel said, peering over his shoulder and waving her hand at them to fuse them all together.
Stuart shook his head grinning.
- You’ll never cease to astound me! - He told Isabel, whose chin was resting on his shoulder.
He turned to her and kissed her cheek, making her giggle. Isabel turned to Michael, and nudged him gently with her foot.
- Hop on, kid. - She told him.
- Huh? - Michael went, as he was looking the other way at Maria talking with the others.
Isabel crouched beside him and cupping his chin, turned his face towards them pointing towards the makeshift bed. Michael saw it and smiled.
- Oh, cool! - He said and crawled to it, flopping down on it.
- Ok then, we’re off! - Stuart said. - You guys have a cushion each, and I’m driving. -
He took Isabel’s hand and helped her down. Then he opened the passenger door for her, and went around to climb behind the wheel. -
- Ok Max, do your thing with the door. - Said Isabel.
Max went to open the door as all the rest took their cushions and made themselves comfortable. Maria sat by Michael getting his head on her lap. Max waved them out, secured the door just as they had found it, and climbed back in. The return trip was fast and uneventful, for once. They were starving, as they hadn’t had any dinner, so they grabbed a couple of pizzas and some Chinese, for all tastes on the way back, and ended picnicking at the chimney room. By the time they finished, alien powers took care of all the spills and unwanted stains. They dropped into their beds like stones. They were all paired except for Kyle and Laurie, cause the fact that she was Michael’s sister made Kyle think twice, and anyway, she would probably choose someone her age or older. Still, they were great friends and Kyle ended in a sleeping bag in her bedroom so she wouldn’t be alone. At least the streak of suffering Michael had gone through seemed to have finally come to an end, and they had a peaceful rest until late next day.
ALIENS FULL TILT!
-
ñusta
- Obsessed Roswellian
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:52 pm
- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
the martyr of antar
Chapter 108
When they arrived that night, Maria led Michael to their bed. She reached up and peeled back his jacket and pulled his t-shirt over his head. She put her arms around his waist and unfastened his jeans yanking them down and bunching them under his knees. A soft nudge got him on the bed on his hands and knees enabling her to rid him of his boots and socks and then the pants.
- Ok, spaceboy, you may lie down. - She told him, kicking his ass with his own boots.
He stretched out and she went to the closet to hang up his clothes. Max had returned them without the slightest trace of blood and tears. She also undressed and donned the rose coloured nightie he favoured. She lay down beside him and couldn’t help peering at the fresh scars. She rose to her knees and leaning over, kissed them beginning at the top and working down, then back up. She felt the way his skin reacted to her touch and knew he was enjoying it. Then she moved her lips to his spine, between his shoulder blades, and used her tongue to lick all the way down, teasingly slow, in the most sensuous way, using her hands when necessary, as she approached his and Max’s seat of pleasure. Her tongue rimmed and prodded him and she felt him pushing up against her.
- Maria! - He whispered huskily and she realized how much she had aroused him.
“What am I doing?” she thought, - He needs to rest, this is wrong.” - She pulled away and nipped hard at his unscarred buttock. - Sorry spaceboy, wrong move, wrong time, you need to sleep. -
She slapped him smartly over the marks her teeth had left and lay back beside him. He turned his face towards her, and before she could stop him, he was lying over her, totally in control. His lips sought hers and she turned away.
- Michael no, you must…-
- Don’t ever start what you don’t mean to finish. - He bit her earlobe softly, making it tingle, and he knew he had her.
- Michael, oh Michael…- She felt herself getting very wet as she felt his thigh wedging between her legs.
- I need you…- His words hummed against her neck.
- Ok, but just a quickie Michael, I come, you come, no holding back for me, deal? - Maria whispered.
- Deal. -
He slid into her, always so gentle, and she loved him so much for it.
- Wait! - She pushed him away and he opened his eyes, confused.
She draped her legs over his shoulders, knowing from experience that would have them both coming in seconds. She reached as far back as she could and dug her nails into his hips, stimulating him as she shoved him hard against her. He was going wild right away, and she was responding likewise. She beat him for a fraction of a second, and her strong contractions had him shooting into her, then sliding in and out of her nonstop, in a lazy, swaying pace that had her thinking she would pass out from pleasure. If this was anywhere near what he must feel when Max was inside him, no wonder he accepted it without complaining. And they were both aliens! She could only imagine the intensity of their orgasms! She envied Isabel, she was so perfect for him! But then the Antares had said she would eventually become one too, so she only had to wait. Michael started relaxing in the awesome alien aftermath, clinging to each other, lost in time, fused into one while it lasted. Maria couldn’t help thinking what Liz was missing, she should make up her mind about Max as soon as possible.
- Give her time, she will…- She heard Michael in her head, and saw herself through Michael’s eyes, and didn’t want to ever let him go.The pleasure gradually started dwindling and she felt him slipping out of her. He shifted a little sideways, to spare her from some of his weight, his thigh still wedged between hers, one hand cupping her breast loosely, and his mouth at her other breast. Her arms were wrapped around him possessively, one hand on his ass, the other buried in his hair, as she felt him falling asleep, as safe as he could possibly be. She shuddered to think of him going to sleep in Hank’s trailer, knowing what would happen, knowing he would surely wake up in pain. She couldn’t bear thinking what it must be like not having someone to trust, sure, her father had abandoned her, but she always had her mom, on her side all the time, even when she played some stupid prank in school or whatever, her mom would always be there to defend her. And she had Liz and Alex, her best friends, whom she could trust blindly. But most of all, and no matter what, she was always safe at home, she could go to sleep in peace. Nothing wrong could happen to her when she was home. Michael had been totally on his own for about three years, in and at the hands of strangers who didn’t give a damn about him, thinking the only two persons he knew and thought of as his family, had abandoned him. He was just a child, almost a baby, cause though they had come out as six year olds, they were like newborn, in dire need of guidance, by a kind hand with the patience to adapt them to their new, strange environment. Even she, who could speak and understand the language, had had people being mean to her. How could he understand why they were being mean to him? What had he done to them? Who could he trust, and how could he trust anyone after that? Bouncing around strangers who kept taking him back, feeling nobody wanted him. And then, he ends up with Hank, in a crappy trailer, beaten and raped, no child should suffer that abuse! But at least he finds Isabel and Max, and he knows they didn’t really abandon him, and had been worrying about him. He can see how different it is with them, they have a real home, they are loved, well fed, they lack nothing, like all the other kids around him, except himself. That’s enough to send your self esteem spiraling into a bottomless pit! How had he been able to make it? How had he survived at all? He must really be the strongest person alive, and he needed her! He loved her and felt safe with her! That was a privilege, if there ever was one!
Michael moaned and snuggled against her. She hoped her dark thoughts hadn’t given him bad vibes, their deep connection was already off, but the physical one was definitely on. She hugged him closer and bent to kiss his hair, her hand there sliding down his back, reassuring him with her touch, sending him all her love. She noticed her face was wet with her tears for that lonely, mistreated little boy. She felt her heart going out for him after feeling like killing him for his lack of manners and finesse at that double date with Liz and Max, when confused by her behaviour, he had told her: “If I’m such a loser, why do you want to be with me?” Then the absolutely amazing security, in spite of what his life had been like, that day at the crashdown when all the town was missing, and the skins were all around them. They had hugged before she left with Liz and Kyle away to safety, and she was so afraid for him, thinking it could be the last time she saw him alive. He had told her he would be back and even assured her that he would, with such certainty, so sure of himself, that she had to admit that Courtney had been absolutely right about him. He could save his planet, he definitely had it in him to do so. No bumbling idiot here, like his king, sorry, Max, who lost it all through his wrong decisions and lack of them. Michael didn’t hesitate, he went for it, and that in itself, was half the battle won. She would have to live with the knowledge that she was responsible for his not believing Courtney, and sending that precious opportunity right down the drain. She owed big to Michael for not giving her away, and keeping it to himself. He probably blamed himself for listening to her. How unfair! Suddenly she had these two strong flashes, one right after the other. The first showed Michael with Isabel lighting some kind of fire outside a large building, and Michael very disappointed, saying something about someone not coming, and then: “Nobody ever comes for me.” Isabel told him that she would always be there for him, and Maria could have kissed her. Right after, she saw Michael with Max in a dark place locked behind bars, in jail, no doubts about it. Michael was telling Max that he had no idea of what it would take to heal him, to really heal him, and Max just stared back at him with a kind of guilty look, not knowing what to say. Where had that come from? She had no idea. Her heart was breaking for him, and just out of nowhere, like the flashes, she was flooded with memories of that time when he had just killed Pierce, saving Jim Valenti’s life, risking his own standing right in front of them, then telling her to stay away from him because he was dangerous, and confessing it was because he loved her too much. This boy was really a piece of work! He hadn’t hesitated in taking a beating to save her mother’s name, at the UFO convention, he could be so noble, never thinking about himself yet giving everyone the wrong impression that it was all about him. Michael! You had to be out of this world, cause only an alien could be so human! What an irony! Her eyes started closing and she got the rest she badly needed too.
When they arrived that night, Maria led Michael to their bed. She reached up and peeled back his jacket and pulled his t-shirt over his head. She put her arms around his waist and unfastened his jeans yanking them down and bunching them under his knees. A soft nudge got him on the bed on his hands and knees enabling her to rid him of his boots and socks and then the pants.
- Ok, spaceboy, you may lie down. - She told him, kicking his ass with his own boots.
He stretched out and she went to the closet to hang up his clothes. Max had returned them without the slightest trace of blood and tears. She also undressed and donned the rose coloured nightie he favoured. She lay down beside him and couldn’t help peering at the fresh scars. She rose to her knees and leaning over, kissed them beginning at the top and working down, then back up. She felt the way his skin reacted to her touch and knew he was enjoying it. Then she moved her lips to his spine, between his shoulder blades, and used her tongue to lick all the way down, teasingly slow, in the most sensuous way, using her hands when necessary, as she approached his and Max’s seat of pleasure. Her tongue rimmed and prodded him and she felt him pushing up against her.
- Maria! - He whispered huskily and she realized how much she had aroused him.
“What am I doing?” she thought, - He needs to rest, this is wrong.” - She pulled away and nipped hard at his unscarred buttock. - Sorry spaceboy, wrong move, wrong time, you need to sleep. -
She slapped him smartly over the marks her teeth had left and lay back beside him. He turned his face towards her, and before she could stop him, he was lying over her, totally in control. His lips sought hers and she turned away.
- Michael no, you must…-
- Don’t ever start what you don’t mean to finish. - He bit her earlobe softly, making it tingle, and he knew he had her.
- Michael, oh Michael…- She felt herself getting very wet as she felt his thigh wedging between her legs.
- I need you…- His words hummed against her neck.
- Ok, but just a quickie Michael, I come, you come, no holding back for me, deal? - Maria whispered.
- Deal. -
He slid into her, always so gentle, and she loved him so much for it.
- Wait! - She pushed him away and he opened his eyes, confused.
She draped her legs over his shoulders, knowing from experience that would have them both coming in seconds. She reached as far back as she could and dug her nails into his hips, stimulating him as she shoved him hard against her. He was going wild right away, and she was responding likewise. She beat him for a fraction of a second, and her strong contractions had him shooting into her, then sliding in and out of her nonstop, in a lazy, swaying pace that had her thinking she would pass out from pleasure. If this was anywhere near what he must feel when Max was inside him, no wonder he accepted it without complaining. And they were both aliens! She could only imagine the intensity of their orgasms! She envied Isabel, she was so perfect for him! But then the Antares had said she would eventually become one too, so she only had to wait. Michael started relaxing in the awesome alien aftermath, clinging to each other, lost in time, fused into one while it lasted. Maria couldn’t help thinking what Liz was missing, she should make up her mind about Max as soon as possible.
- Give her time, she will…- She heard Michael in her head, and saw herself through Michael’s eyes, and didn’t want to ever let him go.The pleasure gradually started dwindling and she felt him slipping out of her. He shifted a little sideways, to spare her from some of his weight, his thigh still wedged between hers, one hand cupping her breast loosely, and his mouth at her other breast. Her arms were wrapped around him possessively, one hand on his ass, the other buried in his hair, as she felt him falling asleep, as safe as he could possibly be. She shuddered to think of him going to sleep in Hank’s trailer, knowing what would happen, knowing he would surely wake up in pain. She couldn’t bear thinking what it must be like not having someone to trust, sure, her father had abandoned her, but she always had her mom, on her side all the time, even when she played some stupid prank in school or whatever, her mom would always be there to defend her. And she had Liz and Alex, her best friends, whom she could trust blindly. But most of all, and no matter what, she was always safe at home, she could go to sleep in peace. Nothing wrong could happen to her when she was home. Michael had been totally on his own for about three years, in and at the hands of strangers who didn’t give a damn about him, thinking the only two persons he knew and thought of as his family, had abandoned him. He was just a child, almost a baby, cause though they had come out as six year olds, they were like newborn, in dire need of guidance, by a kind hand with the patience to adapt them to their new, strange environment. Even she, who could speak and understand the language, had had people being mean to her. How could he understand why they were being mean to him? What had he done to them? Who could he trust, and how could he trust anyone after that? Bouncing around strangers who kept taking him back, feeling nobody wanted him. And then, he ends up with Hank, in a crappy trailer, beaten and raped, no child should suffer that abuse! But at least he finds Isabel and Max, and he knows they didn’t really abandon him, and had been worrying about him. He can see how different it is with them, they have a real home, they are loved, well fed, they lack nothing, like all the other kids around him, except himself. That’s enough to send your self esteem spiraling into a bottomless pit! How had he been able to make it? How had he survived at all? He must really be the strongest person alive, and he needed her! He loved her and felt safe with her! That was a privilege, if there ever was one!
Michael moaned and snuggled against her. She hoped her dark thoughts hadn’t given him bad vibes, their deep connection was already off, but the physical one was definitely on. She hugged him closer and bent to kiss his hair, her hand there sliding down his back, reassuring him with her touch, sending him all her love. She noticed her face was wet with her tears for that lonely, mistreated little boy. She felt her heart going out for him after feeling like killing him for his lack of manners and finesse at that double date with Liz and Max, when confused by her behaviour, he had told her: “If I’m such a loser, why do you want to be with me?” Then the absolutely amazing security, in spite of what his life had been like, that day at the crashdown when all the town was missing, and the skins were all around them. They had hugged before she left with Liz and Kyle away to safety, and she was so afraid for him, thinking it could be the last time she saw him alive. He had told her he would be back and even assured her that he would, with such certainty, so sure of himself, that she had to admit that Courtney had been absolutely right about him. He could save his planet, he definitely had it in him to do so. No bumbling idiot here, like his king, sorry, Max, who lost it all through his wrong decisions and lack of them. Michael didn’t hesitate, he went for it, and that in itself, was half the battle won. She would have to live with the knowledge that she was responsible for his not believing Courtney, and sending that precious opportunity right down the drain. She owed big to Michael for not giving her away, and keeping it to himself. He probably blamed himself for listening to her. How unfair! Suddenly she had these two strong flashes, one right after the other. The first showed Michael with Isabel lighting some kind of fire outside a large building, and Michael very disappointed, saying something about someone not coming, and then: “Nobody ever comes for me.” Isabel told him that she would always be there for him, and Maria could have kissed her. Right after, she saw Michael with Max in a dark place locked behind bars, in jail, no doubts about it. Michael was telling Max that he had no idea of what it would take to heal him, to really heal him, and Max just stared back at him with a kind of guilty look, not knowing what to say. Where had that come from? She had no idea. Her heart was breaking for him, and just out of nowhere, like the flashes, she was flooded with memories of that time when he had just killed Pierce, saving Jim Valenti’s life, risking his own standing right in front of them, then telling her to stay away from him because he was dangerous, and confessing it was because he loved her too much. This boy was really a piece of work! He hadn’t hesitated in taking a beating to save her mother’s name, at the UFO convention, he could be so noble, never thinking about himself yet giving everyone the wrong impression that it was all about him. Michael! You had to be out of this world, cause only an alien could be so human! What an irony! Her eyes started closing and she got the rest she badly needed too.
ALIENS FULL TILT!
-
ñusta
- Obsessed Roswellian
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:52 pm
- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
the martyr of antar
Chapter 109
Maria was the first to wake up. She checked on Michael, and he was fast asleep, one arm still around her stomach, but he was facing the other way, lying not on her, but right beside her. She yawned and gently slid his arm off of her to sit up. She leaned over and kissed his cheek, making sure he was ok, sleeping peacefully. She went to the bathroom and picked up her watch from the nightstand, checking the time as she sat back on the bed. Her eyes and mouth opened wide and she bounced right back up to her feet. She rushed out of the room and started whining out loud in the hallway in front of the doors to the other bedrooms.
- Oh no, no, NO! -
That brought everyone running out and colliding with each other, yawning and rubbing their eyes.
- WHAT? WHAT! - They went, exasperated by her whines.
- MARIA! Is Michael alright? - Isabel’s hair was a mess, and Maria couldn’t help noticing it was the first time she saw her at her worst. She started giggling and made it even worse.
- Oh my god, she’s hysterical! - Liz raised her hand to slap her.
Maria covered her face with both hands.
- Hey! What is it with you? - She shouted, outraged.
- With me? What is it with you? - Liz couldn’t believe she was getting pissed at Maria.
- Have you seen the time? - Maria asked, eyebrows raised for effect.
- Oh no! We’ll never make it before dark! - Liz was now the one whining.
- Oh shit! Dad’s going to freak out! - Kyle said, checking his watch.
- Jeez, kids, it’s just school! I should be the one worried! I’m a doctor! - Stuart laughed. - Ok, you’ll be a day late, I’ll write you another convincing note, Michael has the scars to prove we had sensible reasons for the delay, and you’ll all call your parents with the old but unfailing car problem excuse. No sweat! -
- What about you? - Max asked with his typical serious-worried-responsible look.
- The same, I’m a doctor, not a mechanic, and the hospital has more than enough interns to take my place for one day. At the worst? One day off my paycheck, big deal for spending another day here! Sorry for being human. -
- Great! You’ll be leaving tomorrow at…? - Laurie asked.
- 9:00 am like we should have today. - Stuart confirmed. - Considering the time, 11:55 am, I think we can skip breakfast altogether, and go pack right away to enjoy the day. It should take me 10 minutes, but…according to the female frowns I’ve just noticed, I’ll give you half an hour and we’ll meet at the pool for lunch. That ok Laurie? Or maybe Anita will need more time? -
- I think it’s fine, and since I don’t need to pack, I’ll go over to the kitchen to get things going. - Laurie smiled and started walking to the stairs.
Everyone turned back to their rooms, and proceeded with the packing. Stuart patted Maria’s arm.
- Wait a sec. - He told her and disappeared inside his room to come back out right away with a small black case. - I want to check on Michael. -
Maria knew she would have to make her and Michael’s bags so she went right to it leaving Stuart to do his thing. A couple of soft clicks made her turn towards the bed and saw Stuart taking pictures of Michael.
- What’s that for? - She asked surprised.
- Just for my personal records, and I’ll send one to the principal via e-mail to back up my note that’ll you’ll be taking to him. Nothing alien related there, don’t worry. - He smiled at her.
Then he knelt by the bed, and checked him out, taking special attention to the scars. He was right, there was nothing there to relate it to alien activity at all. They were completely safe. Even if the clerk at the store gave a description of them, they would be out of Tucson by tomorrow, and they wouldn’t step out of Laurie’s house today. The kid was fine, if he woke up too sore, he would give him something for it, he knew how his body reacted to drugs, so he knew what would work for him. He left Maria humming as she folded their clothes and went to take care of his stuff.
Laurie walked into the kitchen and met Anita and Sylvia’s worried looks, the elder one was wringing her hands.
- Miss Laurie, we were so worried, we heard about the shooting at the mall…- She said.
- It’s ok, Anita, Michael got in the middle of it, but it was just buckshot, not real bullets, Stuart has already taken care of him. And please, you don’t know anything, ok? They managed to leave the store before the police showed up. He’s alright. - Laurie reassured them. - We’re planning on spending the day at the pool cause we overslept and they will all be leaving tomorrow morning instead of today. What can you whip up for a quick lunch? -
Sylvia’s face broke into her huge toothy grin.
- Mamma and I had planned on cooking you guys a great good-bye dinner yesterday with the recipes from the Chinese Food Course she took right after Christmas. She was very disappointed about your going out yesterday cause she had bought all the stuff, so we’ll do it right away! -
- They’ll be down here in about half an hour, do you think you’ll make it on time? - Laurie was doubtful.
- Yes, Miss Laurie, they’re all very fast and easy! You mustn’t overcook the vegetables, cause they must be crunchy and the only meat I’ll be using is chicken breasts so Michael can eat everything he wants. And promise…no liquor! - She sanctified herself and Sylvia broke out laughing her head off.
Laurie couldn’t help laughing with her. She shook her head.
- Ok, do you need a hand? I want to learn, and anyway, they are all packing. -
- I’ll need help chopping the veggies and frying the chunks of chicken dipped in cornstarch and egg white, in abundant oil. - She prattled on as she disappeared into the refrigerator, fetching the ingredients.
- You chop, Laurie, and mind your fingers, or Mamma will chop mine off too. I’ll do the frying, ok? - Sylvia decided, sensibly.
Once Maria had everything ready, she returned to bed and her still sleeping boyfriend. She started kissing his scars, knowing they were still rather sensitive, and felt him stirring under her.
- Hey, you ok? - She kissed the corner of his mouth, leaning over him.
- Mmm…- He went, beginning to wake up.
He sensed Maria behind him and started turning his face towards her. He had to push up just a little to do that and as he did, he felt sharp stabbing pain deep into each scar.
- Shit! - He winced. - I was hoping it had been a nightmare! -
- No, baby, it wasn’t, I’m right here for you. - She confirmed, taking him in her arms. - Stuart’s fine, thanks to you. Please, Michael, promise me, never again, don’t you ever get hurt like that again! I hate being as scared as I was last night! - She started crying, her whole body shaking as she clung desperately to him.
- I’m sorry, what could I do? I couldn’t let him get killed, Isabel would’ve gone nuts! You know that…- He whispered kissing her head, his hands in her hair.
- She would have gone nuts too if you had been killed! And I too! Didn’t you think of me at all? - She sobbed.
- What do you think kept me alive? The thought of not seeing you again was…just too much, I almost passed out at least five times, and just to think I might not wake up again, helped me make it through the whole thing. Maria, I don’t think I could live without you. - He tilted her face up and kissed her.
- Lunch is ready! - Yelled Laurie from the bottom of the stairs and they could hear the stampede rushing downstairs.
- We’re having lunch by the pool. - Maria informed him.
- I thought we were leaving today. - He said, confused.
- Baby, I was the first to wake up and it was a quarter to midday! So Stuart made a change of plans and we’ll be a day late. We’re calling everyone in Roswell today not to worry them and say it’s because of car problems. We don’t want them to freak out if they know how bad you were hurt. Maybe we’ll tell Jim and Mr. Evans but that’s about it. I know the moms. Trust me, they may know, but they’re not ready for it yet. If they see your scars, my mom, Liz’s and Mrs. Evans will have the cedar oil bottle and all! - She nodded, quite sure of what she was saying. - Stuart’s giving Max another note for the principal explaining about your injuries so we’ll be off the hook. We’ll only be one day late.
Michael was digesting it all as Stuart’s voice called their names at the door.
- Come in! - Maria’s voice was much calmer now.
Stuart walked in with his black bag, straight to Michael. He sat on the bed.
- How’re you feeling? - He asked him.
- Like I was shot five times a few hours ago. - He winced.
- Can I do some human magic? - He smiled at Michael.
- It involves needles, huh? - He winced again.
- Unfortunately…- Stuart nodded.
- Well, whatever, I’m not staying in bed all day. - Michael accepted.
- Sorry guys, but I’m not up to this, I’ll met you at the pool. - Maria said as she fled the room.
Michael and Stuart walked barefoot into the yard by the pool and all eyes turned to them. Maria had informed them of what was going on in their room and why she didn’t want to stay. They had all agreed with her. Maria went to meet him as Stuart joined Isabel.
- You ok? - She grabbed his hand and he led her to the far side of the pool.
- Yeah, sure. The shots will kick in full strength in a few minutes. - He told her.
- Shots! - She repeated.
- Like he did that time, a large dose in three parts. I need to lie down. - He stretched out along the edge of the pool, his cheek on one arm and the other one in the water.
Maria sat beside him and slid her hand under his swim trunks.
- Easy! - He hissed. - I’m sore…-
She found the area smack in the middle of his butt was kind of hot so she took a guess.
- Is it here? - She asked, and he nodded wincing.
- Ok, how did you get into these by yourself? -
- I didn’t, Stuart helped me. -
- I should’ve stayed behind the door. How could I miss that? - She shook her head, smiling.
She started massaging him very gently at first, feeling him tighten under her hand, and then, gradually, he started relaxing. Laurie came over and placed two dishes with food by Maria, then she sat by him, her feet in the water.
- Feeling better? - She asked, caressing his cheek.
- Sure, much…- He smirked. - That smells good. -
- Don’t let it get cold. - She suggested.
Maria pulled her hand away carefully and took one of the plates. She put a spoonful in her mouth and closed her eyes, enjoying the exotic taste.
- Mmm…Michael you’ve got to try this! Here, just pull up a little…- She and Laurie helped him turn on his good side, away from the edge, and Maria wedged behind him to hold him up. She fed him a spoonful and he had to agree.
- Hey, just hand it over. I can manage. - He reached out for his plate.
- Spaceboy! I want to baby you! - She protested.
- You’ll baby me later. You heard Laurie here, don’t let it get cold. Yours will if you feed me first. - He winked at her, and Maria decided he was right and started eating.
Kyle came over and sat by Laurie, and soon, one by one, they were all around them.
Isabel was the last to come with a tray of vanilla ice cream topped with cherries. She handed the dessert dishes all around and sat crosslegged by Stuart.
- You know, dude, I’m really getting pissed at your destiny thing. It’s not fair! You’ve gone through so much…- Kyle said between spoonfuls.
- Nah, I think it’s kind of fair, man, cause I can take it. I’d freak out if it was happening to any of you. - Michael assured him.
- Just how painful is it when Max heals you, compared to the stuff you had at the hospital? - Stuart wondered.
- Just as bad as any of your “attentions” I would say. I actually felt the bullets being wrenched through the tissues, and then everything in reverse as they knitted back together. So what would heal slowly, under human circumstances, happened in seconds. Hurt like hell, believe me. -
- Shit! I’m glad it works perfectly on the rest of us, I don’t think I would have the guts to go through what you do. - Stuart confessed.
- Yeah, man, not nice. - Michael smirked.
- So, you guys are sticking together now? - Kyle asked Max, who had been quiet so far.
- I guess so, we’re a team, Michael has the Royal Blood, I’m the King, and Isabel seems to have her head screwed on right, so that makes her the diplomat. Right now we have a warrior, a healer and a dreamwalker. We just have to give you guys time to get your powers, and we’ll complete the circle with Tess’ mindwarp stronger and updated in your hands, and Liz here, will have empathy and precognition. Maria’s and Stuart’s aren’t very clear yet. We’ll all have shields, except Michael, but we can use ours to cover him, I understand Maria and Stuart will eventually be able to blast to some extent, taking it from Michael, but we have to wait and see if we got that right. - Max said.
- I can’t blast through a shield, so it would just be a problem if I had one. - Michael observed.
- But it would keep your ass in one piece! - Maria exclaimed.
- That’s why I have you. And all of you guys too.
- Will the principal buy it that Michael was shot and is now walking around right after? - Liz found it difficult to believe.
- We’ll tell him it happened on the first day, to give it reasonable time. - Stuart said.
- And use what I told Anita, that it was just buckshot, not real bullets. - Laurie added. - I had to tell her, she was going to see him in the pool anyway, and connect him with the shooting. I told her you guys left before the police arrived, not to get in any trouble. Don’t worry, she doesn’t like the police at all, she has some illegal family here, on her father’s side. -
- Right! Good idea. That should hold. - Stuart nodded.
- Ok then, I guess we have it all about covered, so maybe we should just relax, cause I think we sure need it. - Max said, and they all agreed.
- How you doing, kid? - Stuart asked Michael.
- Pretty good. - He nodded back. - Doesn’t hurt that bad. -
- Shouldn’t hurt at all…- Stuart frowned.
- It’s ok. - Michael shrugged. - Really. -
Michael punched Stuart in the arm and he nodded, rather worried that his treatment had failed in some not totally unexpected aspect, and turned to Isabel.
- Is he putting me on? - He asked her in mock outrage.
- Welcome to Michael’s world. - Isabel told him, rolling her eyes.
She lay back and closed her eyes, just enjoying the warmth of the sun. Soon they were all dozing, and Anita and Sylvia tip toed to pick up the plates and dishes. Sylvia’s eyes went wide open when she checked the four visible scars on Michael’s body. Anita noticed, shaking her head no and bodily shoving her towards the kitchen, trays and all.
- Is it safe to swim now? - Kyle asked, stifling a yawn with his hand.
- Sure, go for it. - Stuart said, checking his watch and yawning himself.
Kyle jumped in, feet first, and splashed everyone. Even Michael stirred and cursed. He opened his eyes and watched them jumping into the pool. Maria was itching to go, but she had his face on her lap. Michael pulled up and she took off. As her head broke water, she called him to join them, but Michael had other plans. She swam to him and caught his hand in hers.
- What is it? - She asked.
- Maria, I need to have some time with Laurie, you ok with it? -
- Of course, Spaceboy, take your time, you guys need some time alone and you haven’t had any. Go right ahead. - She reached up, cupped his chin, and pulled him down for a wet kiss before she swam away. Michael pushed up and went over to where Laurie was holding on to the edge of the pool.
- Hey, sis…-
- Hey bro…-
- Can I have some time with you? I need to talk some things out, ok? -
- Sure Michael, I’ve been wanting that too, but didn’t want to cut in. -
- I want to check on the horses. Care for a walk? - He gave her a real smile and she smiled back at him.
- Love to, give me a hand. - She reached up and he grabbed her hand and pulled her easily out of the water.
Maria watched them walk into the house, his arm around her shoulders and hers around his waist, and she knew this was the best therapy he could get because of the blood tie. She would get the whole story later when she was babying him, because that was a promise she would make sure he would keep.
Maria was the first to wake up. She checked on Michael, and he was fast asleep, one arm still around her stomach, but he was facing the other way, lying not on her, but right beside her. She yawned and gently slid his arm off of her to sit up. She leaned over and kissed his cheek, making sure he was ok, sleeping peacefully. She went to the bathroom and picked up her watch from the nightstand, checking the time as she sat back on the bed. Her eyes and mouth opened wide and she bounced right back up to her feet. She rushed out of the room and started whining out loud in the hallway in front of the doors to the other bedrooms.
- Oh no, no, NO! -
That brought everyone running out and colliding with each other, yawning and rubbing their eyes.
- WHAT? WHAT! - They went, exasperated by her whines.
- MARIA! Is Michael alright? - Isabel’s hair was a mess, and Maria couldn’t help noticing it was the first time she saw her at her worst. She started giggling and made it even worse.
- Oh my god, she’s hysterical! - Liz raised her hand to slap her.
Maria covered her face with both hands.
- Hey! What is it with you? - She shouted, outraged.
- With me? What is it with you? - Liz couldn’t believe she was getting pissed at Maria.
- Have you seen the time? - Maria asked, eyebrows raised for effect.
- Oh no! We’ll never make it before dark! - Liz was now the one whining.
- Oh shit! Dad’s going to freak out! - Kyle said, checking his watch.
- Jeez, kids, it’s just school! I should be the one worried! I’m a doctor! - Stuart laughed. - Ok, you’ll be a day late, I’ll write you another convincing note, Michael has the scars to prove we had sensible reasons for the delay, and you’ll all call your parents with the old but unfailing car problem excuse. No sweat! -
- What about you? - Max asked with his typical serious-worried-responsible look.
- The same, I’m a doctor, not a mechanic, and the hospital has more than enough interns to take my place for one day. At the worst? One day off my paycheck, big deal for spending another day here! Sorry for being human. -
- Great! You’ll be leaving tomorrow at…? - Laurie asked.
- 9:00 am like we should have today. - Stuart confirmed. - Considering the time, 11:55 am, I think we can skip breakfast altogether, and go pack right away to enjoy the day. It should take me 10 minutes, but…according to the female frowns I’ve just noticed, I’ll give you half an hour and we’ll meet at the pool for lunch. That ok Laurie? Or maybe Anita will need more time? -
- I think it’s fine, and since I don’t need to pack, I’ll go over to the kitchen to get things going. - Laurie smiled and started walking to the stairs.
Everyone turned back to their rooms, and proceeded with the packing. Stuart patted Maria’s arm.
- Wait a sec. - He told her and disappeared inside his room to come back out right away with a small black case. - I want to check on Michael. -
Maria knew she would have to make her and Michael’s bags so she went right to it leaving Stuart to do his thing. A couple of soft clicks made her turn towards the bed and saw Stuart taking pictures of Michael.
- What’s that for? - She asked surprised.
- Just for my personal records, and I’ll send one to the principal via e-mail to back up my note that’ll you’ll be taking to him. Nothing alien related there, don’t worry. - He smiled at her.
Then he knelt by the bed, and checked him out, taking special attention to the scars. He was right, there was nothing there to relate it to alien activity at all. They were completely safe. Even if the clerk at the store gave a description of them, they would be out of Tucson by tomorrow, and they wouldn’t step out of Laurie’s house today. The kid was fine, if he woke up too sore, he would give him something for it, he knew how his body reacted to drugs, so he knew what would work for him. He left Maria humming as she folded their clothes and went to take care of his stuff.
Laurie walked into the kitchen and met Anita and Sylvia’s worried looks, the elder one was wringing her hands.
- Miss Laurie, we were so worried, we heard about the shooting at the mall…- She said.
- It’s ok, Anita, Michael got in the middle of it, but it was just buckshot, not real bullets, Stuart has already taken care of him. And please, you don’t know anything, ok? They managed to leave the store before the police showed up. He’s alright. - Laurie reassured them. - We’re planning on spending the day at the pool cause we overslept and they will all be leaving tomorrow morning instead of today. What can you whip up for a quick lunch? -
Sylvia’s face broke into her huge toothy grin.
- Mamma and I had planned on cooking you guys a great good-bye dinner yesterday with the recipes from the Chinese Food Course she took right after Christmas. She was very disappointed about your going out yesterday cause she had bought all the stuff, so we’ll do it right away! -
- They’ll be down here in about half an hour, do you think you’ll make it on time? - Laurie was doubtful.
- Yes, Miss Laurie, they’re all very fast and easy! You mustn’t overcook the vegetables, cause they must be crunchy and the only meat I’ll be using is chicken breasts so Michael can eat everything he wants. And promise…no liquor! - She sanctified herself and Sylvia broke out laughing her head off.
Laurie couldn’t help laughing with her. She shook her head.
- Ok, do you need a hand? I want to learn, and anyway, they are all packing. -
- I’ll need help chopping the veggies and frying the chunks of chicken dipped in cornstarch and egg white, in abundant oil. - She prattled on as she disappeared into the refrigerator, fetching the ingredients.
- You chop, Laurie, and mind your fingers, or Mamma will chop mine off too. I’ll do the frying, ok? - Sylvia decided, sensibly.
Once Maria had everything ready, she returned to bed and her still sleeping boyfriend. She started kissing his scars, knowing they were still rather sensitive, and felt him stirring under her.
- Hey, you ok? - She kissed the corner of his mouth, leaning over him.
- Mmm…- He went, beginning to wake up.
He sensed Maria behind him and started turning his face towards her. He had to push up just a little to do that and as he did, he felt sharp stabbing pain deep into each scar.
- Shit! - He winced. - I was hoping it had been a nightmare! -
- No, baby, it wasn’t, I’m right here for you. - She confirmed, taking him in her arms. - Stuart’s fine, thanks to you. Please, Michael, promise me, never again, don’t you ever get hurt like that again! I hate being as scared as I was last night! - She started crying, her whole body shaking as she clung desperately to him.
- I’m sorry, what could I do? I couldn’t let him get killed, Isabel would’ve gone nuts! You know that…- He whispered kissing her head, his hands in her hair.
- She would have gone nuts too if you had been killed! And I too! Didn’t you think of me at all? - She sobbed.
- What do you think kept me alive? The thought of not seeing you again was…just too much, I almost passed out at least five times, and just to think I might not wake up again, helped me make it through the whole thing. Maria, I don’t think I could live without you. - He tilted her face up and kissed her.
- Lunch is ready! - Yelled Laurie from the bottom of the stairs and they could hear the stampede rushing downstairs.
- We’re having lunch by the pool. - Maria informed him.
- I thought we were leaving today. - He said, confused.
- Baby, I was the first to wake up and it was a quarter to midday! So Stuart made a change of plans and we’ll be a day late. We’re calling everyone in Roswell today not to worry them and say it’s because of car problems. We don’t want them to freak out if they know how bad you were hurt. Maybe we’ll tell Jim and Mr. Evans but that’s about it. I know the moms. Trust me, they may know, but they’re not ready for it yet. If they see your scars, my mom, Liz’s and Mrs. Evans will have the cedar oil bottle and all! - She nodded, quite sure of what she was saying. - Stuart’s giving Max another note for the principal explaining about your injuries so we’ll be off the hook. We’ll only be one day late.
Michael was digesting it all as Stuart’s voice called their names at the door.
- Come in! - Maria’s voice was much calmer now.
Stuart walked in with his black bag, straight to Michael. He sat on the bed.
- How’re you feeling? - He asked him.
- Like I was shot five times a few hours ago. - He winced.
- Can I do some human magic? - He smiled at Michael.
- It involves needles, huh? - He winced again.
- Unfortunately…- Stuart nodded.
- Well, whatever, I’m not staying in bed all day. - Michael accepted.
- Sorry guys, but I’m not up to this, I’ll met you at the pool. - Maria said as she fled the room.
Michael and Stuart walked barefoot into the yard by the pool and all eyes turned to them. Maria had informed them of what was going on in their room and why she didn’t want to stay. They had all agreed with her. Maria went to meet him as Stuart joined Isabel.
- You ok? - She grabbed his hand and he led her to the far side of the pool.
- Yeah, sure. The shots will kick in full strength in a few minutes. - He told her.
- Shots! - She repeated.
- Like he did that time, a large dose in three parts. I need to lie down. - He stretched out along the edge of the pool, his cheek on one arm and the other one in the water.
Maria sat beside him and slid her hand under his swim trunks.
- Easy! - He hissed. - I’m sore…-
She found the area smack in the middle of his butt was kind of hot so she took a guess.
- Is it here? - She asked, and he nodded wincing.
- Ok, how did you get into these by yourself? -
- I didn’t, Stuart helped me. -
- I should’ve stayed behind the door. How could I miss that? - She shook her head, smiling.
She started massaging him very gently at first, feeling him tighten under her hand, and then, gradually, he started relaxing. Laurie came over and placed two dishes with food by Maria, then she sat by him, her feet in the water.
- Feeling better? - She asked, caressing his cheek.
- Sure, much…- He smirked. - That smells good. -
- Don’t let it get cold. - She suggested.
Maria pulled her hand away carefully and took one of the plates. She put a spoonful in her mouth and closed her eyes, enjoying the exotic taste.
- Mmm…Michael you’ve got to try this! Here, just pull up a little…- She and Laurie helped him turn on his good side, away from the edge, and Maria wedged behind him to hold him up. She fed him a spoonful and he had to agree.
- Hey, just hand it over. I can manage. - He reached out for his plate.
- Spaceboy! I want to baby you! - She protested.
- You’ll baby me later. You heard Laurie here, don’t let it get cold. Yours will if you feed me first. - He winked at her, and Maria decided he was right and started eating.
Kyle came over and sat by Laurie, and soon, one by one, they were all around them.
Isabel was the last to come with a tray of vanilla ice cream topped with cherries. She handed the dessert dishes all around and sat crosslegged by Stuart.
- You know, dude, I’m really getting pissed at your destiny thing. It’s not fair! You’ve gone through so much…- Kyle said between spoonfuls.
- Nah, I think it’s kind of fair, man, cause I can take it. I’d freak out if it was happening to any of you. - Michael assured him.
- Just how painful is it when Max heals you, compared to the stuff you had at the hospital? - Stuart wondered.
- Just as bad as any of your “attentions” I would say. I actually felt the bullets being wrenched through the tissues, and then everything in reverse as they knitted back together. So what would heal slowly, under human circumstances, happened in seconds. Hurt like hell, believe me. -
- Shit! I’m glad it works perfectly on the rest of us, I don’t think I would have the guts to go through what you do. - Stuart confessed.
- Yeah, man, not nice. - Michael smirked.
- So, you guys are sticking together now? - Kyle asked Max, who had been quiet so far.
- I guess so, we’re a team, Michael has the Royal Blood, I’m the King, and Isabel seems to have her head screwed on right, so that makes her the diplomat. Right now we have a warrior, a healer and a dreamwalker. We just have to give you guys time to get your powers, and we’ll complete the circle with Tess’ mindwarp stronger and updated in your hands, and Liz here, will have empathy and precognition. Maria’s and Stuart’s aren’t very clear yet. We’ll all have shields, except Michael, but we can use ours to cover him, I understand Maria and Stuart will eventually be able to blast to some extent, taking it from Michael, but we have to wait and see if we got that right. - Max said.
- I can’t blast through a shield, so it would just be a problem if I had one. - Michael observed.
- But it would keep your ass in one piece! - Maria exclaimed.
- That’s why I have you. And all of you guys too.
- Will the principal buy it that Michael was shot and is now walking around right after? - Liz found it difficult to believe.
- We’ll tell him it happened on the first day, to give it reasonable time. - Stuart said.
- And use what I told Anita, that it was just buckshot, not real bullets. - Laurie added. - I had to tell her, she was going to see him in the pool anyway, and connect him with the shooting. I told her you guys left before the police arrived, not to get in any trouble. Don’t worry, she doesn’t like the police at all, she has some illegal family here, on her father’s side. -
- Right! Good idea. That should hold. - Stuart nodded.
- Ok then, I guess we have it all about covered, so maybe we should just relax, cause I think we sure need it. - Max said, and they all agreed.
- How you doing, kid? - Stuart asked Michael.
- Pretty good. - He nodded back. - Doesn’t hurt that bad. -
- Shouldn’t hurt at all…- Stuart frowned.
- It’s ok. - Michael shrugged. - Really. -
Michael punched Stuart in the arm and he nodded, rather worried that his treatment had failed in some not totally unexpected aspect, and turned to Isabel.
- Is he putting me on? - He asked her in mock outrage.
- Welcome to Michael’s world. - Isabel told him, rolling her eyes.
She lay back and closed her eyes, just enjoying the warmth of the sun. Soon they were all dozing, and Anita and Sylvia tip toed to pick up the plates and dishes. Sylvia’s eyes went wide open when she checked the four visible scars on Michael’s body. Anita noticed, shaking her head no and bodily shoving her towards the kitchen, trays and all.
- Is it safe to swim now? - Kyle asked, stifling a yawn with his hand.
- Sure, go for it. - Stuart said, checking his watch and yawning himself.
Kyle jumped in, feet first, and splashed everyone. Even Michael stirred and cursed. He opened his eyes and watched them jumping into the pool. Maria was itching to go, but she had his face on her lap. Michael pulled up and she took off. As her head broke water, she called him to join them, but Michael had other plans. She swam to him and caught his hand in hers.
- What is it? - She asked.
- Maria, I need to have some time with Laurie, you ok with it? -
- Of course, Spaceboy, take your time, you guys need some time alone and you haven’t had any. Go right ahead. - She reached up, cupped his chin, and pulled him down for a wet kiss before she swam away. Michael pushed up and went over to where Laurie was holding on to the edge of the pool.
- Hey, sis…-
- Hey bro…-
- Can I have some time with you? I need to talk some things out, ok? -
- Sure Michael, I’ve been wanting that too, but didn’t want to cut in. -
- I want to check on the horses. Care for a walk? - He gave her a real smile and she smiled back at him.
- Love to, give me a hand. - She reached up and he grabbed her hand and pulled her easily out of the water.
Maria watched them walk into the house, his arm around her shoulders and hers around his waist, and she knew this was the best therapy he could get because of the blood tie. She would get the whole story later when she was babying him, because that was a promise she would make sure he would keep.
ALIENS FULL TILT!
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ñusta
- Obsessed Roswellian
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:52 pm
- Location: heights of Machu Picchu
the martyr of antar
Hey RiaRath, gorgeous banner, congrats! Had a slight computer problem but it's over, I hope! Thanks for the feedback, always enjoy it.
ALIENS FULL TILT!