All rights reserved. Other than downloading one copy for personal enjoyment, no part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, except for reviews, without the written permission of the author. As in real life, the sexual themes unfold gradually and are kept to a realistic level. Comments on the story are appreciated and may be addressed to the author, Dwight Wilson, at adm2780@yahoo.com
This story contains descriptions of consensual sexual contact between males, adult and minor. As such it is homoerotic, designed for the entertainment of mature adults. If you are not of legal age to read such material, or if the subject matter would create irresolvable personal moral dilemmas, please exit now
Note: Once again, I would like to thank Colin for his support and efforts at editing and correcting my errors. His suggestions and comments have been a significant contribution to the development of this story.
Chapter Twenty-Three: New Horizons
"What's this mean? Brad's Rule," the young man asked.
"Read it," Daniel replied, "it should answer a lot of questions."
Daniel watched as Brad skimmed the material he was handed. The envelope contained a copy of the amendment New Horizon and the state signed. He was going too fast to be absorbing all the material Daniel gave him. Daniel decided the two of them needed to understand one another before they could talk.
"Brad, I ^Å^Å"
"Why do you keep calling me Brad? What makes you think I'm this Brad guy?" He was very defensive and his tone was quite belligerent.
Daniel knew he needed to maintain control but apply pressure. "Listen, you've been walking up and down this hallway pushing an empty wheelchair since right after we brought Sean in. Earlier I followed you but found the wheel chair sitting in the hall abandoned. When I looked in the nearby rooms, you were no where to be found. You're the same age and build, and have the same mole on your left cheek as the boy we are looking for. The statement I made a minute ago about beauty marks, was a quote Brad used to make to his mother, you recognized it and turned around. You turned quickly enough to convince me you are Sean's older brother, Brad. Now, if you're not who I think you are, we should be able to prove that with hospital identification, where's your badge?"
The look on the boy's face said he knew he was caught. "Yeah, I'm Sean's brother. I just wanted to see him again and know he was okay. I know who you are, too, Mr. Thompson. Sean doesn't need to know I'm here, let him forget about me. He's got a chance and needs to make it."
"Brad," Daniel responded gently, "do you have any idea how much that boy loves you and has worried over what happened to you? Seeing you could do wonders for him. It would give him a reason to fight his problems and to get well. Your brother needs you. Whether you admit it or not, you probably need your brother."
"Mr. Thompson, do you know what I am?" he asked bitterly, "I'm street trash. I've been selling my body to anybody who had a buck and I did whatever they wanted. I've been fucked, I've sucked , I've done both at the same time. I let people spank or whip me for money. I've even let them strip me and put me in a metal tub and piss on me. If they told me to drink it, I did. That's how I got money to feed us and keep us in a group for protection."
"My cherry got popped when I was thirteen, then I convinced people I was still virgin and let 'em pop me at least six more times. One night I had a guy convinced until his friend recognized me, he thought he had deflowered me. The two of them beat me up, raped me dry, and took everything I had including my clothes. I ran back to camp naked." The boy's voice broke and he paused in a futile attempt to stop the tears that were building. He stared out the window for a moment, then he continued:
"Not Sean. I didn't let nobody get near him. As far as I know he's never had sex with nobody. He's too young, Mr. Thompson. Don't you see, my life's all messed up. All I know how to do is be a whore. It's not the best life, sometimes it's real hard. One day nobody will want me and I'll probably get caught by the cops, enslaved and sold to somebody that'll treat me the same way. Difference is, right now I might be street trash, but I'm free." The boy was caught between anger, bitterness, and crying. Crying won out as the tears flowed freely.
Daniel wrapped his arms around him and held him close, he could feel the boy was trembling. "Are you Brad? Are you really free? Your prison is closer than a jail cell or the rules of slavery. Everywhere you go you have to look over your shoulder to make sure nobody is following or trying to catch you. Every night on those streets you have to worry about being knifed, robbed, raped, or shot. Every night when you return to camp, do you wait to see who won't be coming back? Is that what you call being free? A slave knows what the future will bring. You don't even know if there is a future as close as tomorrow. Is that being free?"
CODE BLUE ^Ö PEDIATRICS CODE BLUE ^Ö PEDIATRICS DANIEL THOMPSON REPORT TO PEDIATRICS NURSES STATION IMMEDIATELY
When the call blared out over the loud speakers, Daniel felt the cold chill of fear come over him. He feared the worst. He opened the door to see medical personnel rushing towards Sean's room. Paul was gone. He turned to Brad.
"It's Sean."
Daniel ran down the hall followed by Brad and Elizabeth. As they approached, Paul came out of the room carrying a crying Danny. When Danny spotted Daniel he held out his arms, wanting to be held by him. Daniel was torn, he wanted to comfort Danny, but he also needed to find out what was wrong. He stopped a moment to console the boy and tell him to stay with Paul, promising to come back soon.
Daniel saw Michael in the room with other medical personnel surrounding Sean's bed. He knew Sean had to be Michael's top priority and he would have to wait for information. Daniel was relieved to see there was no crash cart in the room. The frantic movements slowed and the air of anxiety seemed to dissipate. Michael saw Daniel in the hallway and walked out to his friend.
"Daniel. Sean gave us quite a scare there for a moment. He was lying in bed with Danny then with no warning he turned pale, broke out in sweats, and the monitors let us know his heart took off racing and out of rhythm. We thought he had a heart attack. He was going down so fast we called a code blue. His medications aren't having the desired effect. They're giving him a stronger medicine now to keep him stabilized. He's awake. You can see him in a couple of minutes, maybe it will help calm him. I need to get back in there."
As Michael turned to leave he spotted Brad. Michael didn't know who he was at the time but paused a moment to look him in the eye, then returned to Sean's side.
Daniel went over to Paul and took Danny in his arms.
"Danny, do you remember not long ago Sean got sick and you and I sat up with him all night?"
"Yeah" the boy answered while fidgeting with the buttons on Daniel's shirt.
"Well that was because he didn't have his medicine. This time he got sick because he didn't have enough medicine. Dr. Mike is taking care of him now. You can see him in a few minutes. Understand?"
"Yeah. Mr. Dan'l, who's that?" Daniel asked while pointing to Brad.
"That's Sean' brother, he^Å^Å"
"NO!", the boy cried out, stiffening himself and looking Daniel in the eye, "Sean my brother!" Daniel had not anticipated such a strong reaction from the boy.
"Danny, easy, easy there son. You're right Sean is your brother. He's your big brother, right?"
"Yeah."
"And you're Sean's little brother, right? Sometimes when you need help you go to your big brother, right?"
"Yeah."
"Well, don't you think that maybe sometimes Sean might need some help and need a big brother to go to, just like you?"
"I dunno." Danny whimpered. He had relaxed again and was looking down.
"If Sean is your big brother, and that young man is Sean's big brother, do you know that would make you the only boy back home that has two big brothers. That means you would have two brothers to look after you, to play with you and care for you."
Danny looked up into Daniel's face and then turned to look at Brad. When he turned back to Daniel all he said was "Really?"
"Really, little man, really. Now, why don't you sit over hear and talk with Brad while I check on Sean. Then I'll come get you so you can see him too."
Daniel started to set Danny in a chair but Brad held out his arms. Danny thought for a moment, looked at Daniel and then let Brad take him. Daniel saw Brad saying something to the young boy and left to check on Sean.
As he walked in Daniel could see that Sean was scared. He walked over and sat on the side of the bed. Sean reached up to be held; Daniel held him close and let the boy cry. Daniel stroked his hair and made soothing comments to encourage the boy to calm down. When Daniel thought he was calm enough he decided to affectionately tease the boy and lighten the mood.
"Sean, you're going to have to stop this. You're giving me gray hair long before my time." The boy reacted by just squeezing Daniel harder. "Remember I said I may have to use a paddle and warm up that little butt of yours? You scare me anymore like this and I might just do it." Sean squeezed and Daniel could feel him laugh a little, Daniel squeezed back.
"Don't worry Sean. You're alright. Remember, I said I wouldn't let anything happen to you. If I did I don't think there would be any living with little Danny. Now, when I bring 'em in you need to try and stay as calm as possible, okay?" Sean nodded.
Daniel went out in the hallway to face Brad. "This is the moment for you to decide. Sean's expecting me to walk back in there with Danny. He doesn't believe that you would ever show again for fear of being enslaved. Brad, I don't want to see Sean's hopes built up just to be lost again. If you see him now I need your word that you'll stick around here at least until he's ready to go back with us. That will give us time to talk and you time to decide what to do with your life. While you're here I can promise you a safe haven."
"I'll stay for now." Then Brad looks to Danny. "This little man is quite a charmer isn't he? Danny, how about if you and I go in together to see Sean? Can we do that?"
Danny nodded. Brad and Danny followed Daniel into Sean's room. Near the end of the bed Brad stepped from behind Daniel.
"Brad? ^Å Brad? ^Å" Sean called to his brother while reaching out. The tears flowed freely while Brad held his little brother.
Danny had been set on the edge of the bed as Sean reached for Brad. Daniel held the little boy's hand. Both were silent as the brothers had their moment. Shortly, Sean reached out for Danny who crawled across the bed to his mentor.
"Danny, I guess you've met my big brother, Brad."
"Yeah. Mr. Dan'l says he's my big brother, too."
Sean continued with his brother. "Brad, I didn't think I'd ever see you again."
"Well, there have been some times I wondered, too. I've been watching the television announcements and knew you were looking. I was afraid to show myself, didn't know what to expect."
"Brad, it's good. Mr. Dan'l takes care of us and don't let nobody fool with us. He got me some help for my problem. We've been on television, we take home schooling, and we even have a pool. Dr. Mike here takes care of us when we're sick. Brad, it's a lot better than bein' on the streets and livin' in empty buildings. Mr. Dan'l said you could come live with us, too. You can get an education or learn a trade and be free."
Brad slowed his brother down before his expectations got too high. "Easy little brother. I promised Mr. Thompson I'd be here as long as you're in here. While I'm here he and I will talk. You gotta remember there's more than just me."
Sean looked at his brother. "The other guys can come too. Just ask Mr. Dan'l."
Daniel answered the boy, not wanting to disappoint him but not wanting to build his hopes beyond reason. "Sean, each boy has to make his own choice. Your brother and his friends can join us, but we can't make them. Each boy must choose for himself and agree to live by the rules. Right now, young man, you need to lie down and get some rest. I don't know if they'll still run your test this afternoon, but I'll find out."
Brad heard Daniel's message to let Sean rest. "Sean, I didn't think patients lay in the hospital naked, but you are."
Sean smiled at his brother. 'This ain't nothin' big bro, this ain't nothin'."
Elizabeth was on her cell phone talking with Jon Caruthers. She had already told them about Sean's brief scare and about Brad. The station was sending over a film crew for a quick live broadcast. They were making last minute arrangements. When the talk ended Elizabeth turned to Daniel and Brad.
"Daniel, the station wants a live broadcast announcing Sean's scare and about Brad being here. We want to use Danny for the introduction in his Cherub outfit. That's how most of our viewers have seen him. Can we do it?"
"I don't see why not, but I think we need to ask Brad."
"I don't understand." Brad answered with a quizzical expression.
"Brad," Elizabeth began, "our company owns several stations throughout the state. We began running spots on the New Horizon Project and then committed to the project as a sponsor. At each interview Danny appears, announcing himself as Danny 02780 and introducing his friends. All of the boys are dressed in special outfits that we call cherubs. We want Danny to make the intro to this special segment. During the segment we will announce you have made contact with Daniel and his group. We won't ask you anything that would reveal where your group is or embarrass you."
Brad paused, thinking before he spoke. "Okay, I'll do it as long as I don't have to say any thing that might hurt my friends."
While Elizabeth spoke to Brad, Daniel asked Paul to retrieve Danny's cherub outfit and a couple of necklaces. When he returned Brad saw the outfit and thought this was going to be interesting. Daniel took Danny into an empty room and began preparing. As usual, when Daniel began rubbing Danny down with oil, the boy went limp.
"Danny, stand up. You're not supposed to be a limp rag."
Brad was amused. "Mr. Thompson, let me try. Does he get coated all over?"
"Yes, and watch out for him. He likes being pampered and is real good at playing you."
Brad rubbed the oil all over his naked little brother. When he reached the boys butt and began rubbing between his cheeks Danny giggled and tightened his cheeks. Brad flipped the boy over on his back and tickled him for a moment before oiling his crotch. Danny soaked up the attention. Daniel stood back and watched the two interact. After the boy was oiled, Daniel showed Brad how to tie the thong and adjust the flaps. They didn't worry with the support this time, but tied on the accessories. Danny 02780 was ready.
Before they left the room Daniel wrapped a necklace around Brad's wrist, explaining it's purpose and how it worked. So long as Brad had the necklace he was safe.
They left to join Elizabeth who was waiting for them outside. Danny walked through the hall as a Cherub. Everyone they passed looked and smiled, some patted his head. Danny was in attention heaven. Outside, Daniel left Danny with Elizabeth. Before the broadcast began, she spoke to Danny.
"Danny, when we start can you tell everybody your name?" The boy nodded. "Then I'll ask you why you're here and you tell us about Sean, okay?" Again, the boy nodded. "Then, for the last part, can you tell everybody about Brad?" The boy stood there for a moment thinking.
"What do I tell them?"
"Can you just say he's your new big brother?" The boy nodded and the signal was given to begin.
"Good afternoon, this is Elizabeth Risler. We are interrupting our normal program for this special announcement we are sure many of you will appreciate. I'm standing in front of the Orlando hospital with Danny from New Horizons." Elizabeth stoops to speak with Danny.
"Hi, Danny. Can you introduce yourself to our audience."
Danny bends over the microphone a little. "Hi, I'm Danny 02780."
"Very good," responds Elizabeth. "now, can you tell the people why we are here at the hospital?"
"Yeah, Sean's here, he's sick. Mr. Dan'l said the hospitals going to make him better."
"That's what we all hope for Danny." Elizabeth turns to the camera. "Ladies and gentlemen we have to report that unfortunately Sean had a bad spell a few minutes ago resulting in a code blue call. He has been stabilized and is resting at this time." Elizabeth returns to Danny. "Danny, can you tell us who else is here with you?"
"Yeah." Danny turns and takes Brad's hand. "He's my big brother, Brad."
Elizabeth stands and the camera focuses on Brad.
"That's right, Danny. We are pleased to announce that Brad has been located. More accurately, Brad located us." She turns to speak with Brad.
"Brad, welcome. I think some of our viewers were beginning to question whether you were real. Are you here to stay with us?"
"No ma'am, I'm real. I'm here to help with my brother Sean and will be here at least until he gets out of the hospital. In the meantime I'll talk with Mr. Thompson."
"Thank you, Brad. That's it from the hospital where Sean is undergoing treatment for a heart condition. One part of our drama has ended with Brad, we'll continue to keep you posted." The camera lights go out.
Daniel reached for Danny's hand to take him inside, but Danny held on to Brad.
"Danny, we need to get you inside and changed to your other clothes."
"Why? I'll stay with my new brother."
Elizabeth watched as Daniel began the jousting game with Danny, and laughed. "Brad, when was the last time you enjoyed a good home cooked meal and a soft bed. If you'll come home with me tonight I'll do the cooking and you can enjoy a nice hot shower. We can also see what can be done for some clean clothes. There's a pool in the backyard, too. Danny, how would you like to come? You know you played with one of my boys in the pool a couple weeks ago. The boys are still there and they'd love to play."
"Thank you, ma'am, but I think I better stay here. I'm supposed to be with Mr. Thompson and I want to be near Sean in case something happens."
"Brad, it might be good for you to go." Daniel said, encouragingly, "Like Elizabeth said, there's a hot shower or bath and home cooking. We can talk tomorrow. As for Sean, he's fine now. Michael told me they will monitor the medications closely to make sure he doesn't have a repeat session. If something does happen, I'll call you immediately. Right now, the best thing we can do for Sean is let him rest. Besides, Danny would love it, he's friends with one of her boys. The only thing she didn't warn you about is that the boys, all the boys, like to run free all the time."
"Let me see how Sean is doing. If he's going to be okay tonight, it does sound good."
Sean lay sleeping quietly. There had been no more episodes that afternoon. The echo- cardiogram was postponed till the next morning. Paul, Daniel and Michael were sitting with the boy when Paul made the suggestion they split the night hours with the boy so each of them could get some rest. The hospital had made the adjoining room available to them. They could each shower and shave to be presentable the next day. Paul took the first shift.
Daniel shaved while Michael tended to last minute details for Sean's medications. Michael came in and began shaving while Daniel prepared to shower. Within minutes Daniel had steamed up the whole bathroom. Michael had to keep wiping off the mirror to finish the shave. When he finished, he stepped into the shower.
"Hello, stranger. Need some help to relax?"
Michael stepped behind Daniel. With steaming hot water cascading down on them he began to massage Daniel's shoulders.
"Daniel, you're so uptight your muscles feel like concrete. Sean will be alright. After the tests tomorrow, cardiology and surgery will meet to determine the best course of action. We found out from Brad that as far as he knows Sean never had rheumatic fever and that's good. It should be easier to treat the boy and there's less risk of problems later on."
"Michael, don't you ever just let business go and relax?"
"Look who's talking."
Michael pulled Daniel back against him. He soaped up his hands and began washing Daniel's chest, rubbing his hands in a circular motion around his pecs and then centering in on his nipples. Michael knew Daniel was always sensitive there. Gently and slowly he worked across and around the abdomen. When he reached the lower abdominal area he used his middle finger to trace the outline of the channel forming the upper portion of the leg. His fingers slowly slid down to the scrotum where he gently massaged the side of Daniel's package. Working his way around he teased the butt cheeks with his finger nails."
"Michael, we don't get to spend enough time this way anymore."
"I know, Daniel, and while we can I think we need to get out of here and find the bed before someone decides to interrupt us."
The men cuddled on crisp clean sheets. Neither man slept until both were satisfied.
Michael woke Paul at the appointed time and told him to get some rest. The second shift was supposed to be Daniel's, but Michael wanted him to rest. As a doctor Michael was accustomed to sleeping in chairs and getting by on catnaps.
Elizabeth and Brad stepped into the room, it was early morning, Sean still slept peacefully. Michael waved to them and looked over at Sean and then to the monitors. Sean had slept through the night without problems. They should be able to run the additional tests today. Michael motioned for them to step outside.
"Elizabeth, Brad, good morning. Brad you look as though a hot shower and home cooking did you good."
"Yes sir, and Ms. Elizabeth washed my clothes for me. It's been a while since I felt this clean and good. Sir, is Mr. Thompson around?"
"First thing, Brad, the boys call me Dr. Mike. Yes, Mr. Daniel is around, he's in the next room sleeping. Have you two had breakfast yet?"
"A little," answered Elizabeth smiling, "but if this one's anything like my boys, he'll eat again."
"Brad," began Michael, "why don't you look in that room and wake Mr. Daniel. We'll all head down for breakfast before they begin Sean's tests."
Brad lightly knocked and then stepped into the room. Soon Brad walked out looking stunned and pale.
"Dr. Mike, I ..I .. I just saw Mr. Daniel's back. It's all .. well .. it's^Å"
"Scarred? Is that what you're trying to say Brad? Sorry, I should have warned you. He doesn't usually let people see it unless he's known them for a while."
"But, Dr. Mike, how? What happened?"
Elizabeth stepped into the conversation. "Brad, do you remember asking me why Mr. Daniel was doing the project and I said you needed to ask him? Well, now you know why I said that. I knew what motivated him, but it's very personal."
"Brad," Michael continued, "Daniel was enslaved on his thirteenth birthday. His father claimed it was because he was incorrigible or something, truth was the papers were signed two weeks earlier. He was enslaved and turned over to his father who sold him to pay off debts. The father never got the money. Daniel's mother got the check first and then began the hunt for her son. The intent was to buy him back."
"Daniel was sold to a very sadistic man who had two sons in their mid-teens. The sons were as sadistic as the father. They beat him till there was only a shell of a living being left. He was then sold to a college professor who couldn't afford to pay much. Just before delivery the two sons tied him in the basement on a wheel and whipped him with some kind of cord that left him scarred as you just saw. His back was still bleeding and raw when the professor took him."
"His new master discovered what had happened and got him medical attention. When the body was healed psychiatrists were brought in to restore the mind. The professor never used or abused him, but cared for him like a son. On Michael's sixteenth birthday and with the blessings of his natural mother, the father now being dead, Michael was simultaneously freed and adopted by the professor."
"Now you know why he does the project. Michael is trying to spare other boys the experience he had. He thoroughly dislikes the enslavement laws as they affect children and has sworn to fight them. Through New Horizons he is able to give boys in similar conditions a chance at a decent life."
"Yes, sir." Is all Brad could say as he dropped to the chair, tears forming in his eyes. Brad did understand, now.
Daniel and Paul approached the trio.
"Michael, you didn't wake me. How's Sean?"
"Good morning to you, too, Daniel. The answers are you needed the rest and Sean's doing fine, he's still sleeping." Michael answered a bit sarcastically, taunting his friend.
"Daniel, we were just discussing what to do for breakfast, and ^Å.."
"That's okay," interrupted Daniel, " you all can go and I'll stay with Sean. Just bring me something, anything will do."
"As I was about to say before I was interrupted, we thought you and Brad could go and bring something back for us. Sean can probably have some eggs too, scrambled."
Daniel started to say something when he saw the look on Michael's face. The look said there was more going on here than he knew at the moment. Daniel and Brad headed to the cafeteria. They were gone for quite a while. Michael thought long enough for the two of them to have a good talk.
When they returned, Daniel pulled Michael to the side, "You told the boy about my experience."
"Yes, I did," replied Michael, "he saw your back when he went in to wake you; made him turn white as a sheet. He also had questions of why you do what you do. So, I told him; it was only fair to him if you want him to stay."
"Easy, there, fella, I just wanted to say thanks. I know why you told him. It was a lot easier on me if you told him rather than me. You know I trust your judgment."
"Mr. Dan'l? Mr. Dan'l?" Sean called out.
"I'm right here Sean, what do you need?"
"I gotta go, Mr. Dan'l. You gonna make me use that thing again.?"
"Yep, sure am. You need some help?"
"You sound like Danny. For some reason he always thinks he needs to help me go. Where is he?"
Daniel turned and Elizabeth signaled he was at her house. "He's staying at Ms. Elizabeth's house right now. I'll let him come back later. Are you alright, son?"
"Yes, sir. I'm fine, just not awake yet, promise. Is my brother here?"
"I'm here Sean. I said I would stay didn't I? I did go stay at Ms. Elizabeth's last night though. Slept in a nice bed, took a hot bath, soaked for over thirty minutes and then showered. She washed my clothes for me, too. It was nice." The tone in Brad's voice let everyone know he really enjoyed his time at Elizabeth's.
"Mr. Dan'l, do I get breakfast this morning? They're trying to starve me."
Daniel knew that if Sean was worried about his stomach that he was feeling better. A tray had been brought in for him containing a lot of juices and cereal. Daniel checked with the nurses station and they said he could have the scrambled eggs. Brad served up the eggs brought in from the cafeteria. The two brothers began talking. Daniel and the others left to give them some time alone.
Elizabeth took the opportunity to speak with Daniel. "Daniel, Danny's at my house with my boys. I have a full time housekeeper that will take care of him. She'll probably have her hands full today with three active boys."
"Also, I talked with Brad some last night and then again this morning. I told him our station would like to do a series on street kids; the why are you here, how do you survive, what hopes do you have for the future? I also told him I thought he would be good for the interviews and would do Sean and New Horizons a lot of good if he would work with us."
"Elizabeth," Daniel answered, "I had a feeling last night that you had an ulterior motive for wanting to take him home with you. I agree the features would help our cause greatly. If people can identify with the boys it could put a lot of pressure on politicians to change things. Right now, my primary concern is to get Sean taken care of and back home. Then, I want to talk Brad into staying with us. I'm hoping he'll trust me enough to let me talk to the other boys and make a safe haven offer to them. When they take Sean down for his tests, maybe we can talk."
Daniel and Brad talked while Sean was away for his tests. Daniel understood Brad was torn between the love for his brother and feeling a responsibility to his 'group'. Daniel asked how many boys were in the group and found out there were eight. Four older boys worked and cared for the four younger boys. Six of the boys were part of the group Sean had been with. Daniel explained all the rules of the agreement and what was expected of the boys, including answering a call to pleasure a man and the rules governing those times. In spite of his efforts, Daniel was concerned that he wasn't getting through to Brad.
"Brad, there's not much else I can say to you. You're sixteen years old and have seen more heartache than many who've lived a lifetime. I'm offering you a chance at a decent future, but I can't make you take it. I know it's scary, but you need to decide. The other thing you need to think about is the rest of the boys in the group. Don't they have a right to choose for themselves whether they want this opportunity? I'm asking you to take me to them and make the offer."
"Mr. Daniel, there was a time, a long time ago, I thought things were right. I had a family, a home, good friends. I trusted people and look where it got me. Look where it got my little brother. The streets are ugly and I don't want Sean back there, but at least I know what to expect and how to deal with it."
"Brad, you say you know what to expect. Tell me, what do you expect out there except to have to sell your body for a few bucks, hope nobody beats or robs you, and you get to see the sun rise the next day. What are you going to do when that butt isn't so cute anymore? Yes, if you come with us and screw up royally, you could be enslaved. However, that would take a major screw-up and we're there to make sure that doesn't happen. Remind me one day to introduce you to Evan and you'll know what I mean. This other thing you and Elizabeth talked about. Whether you come or stay, talking to her will be your choice. We won't say you have to do it."
Brad sat quietly staring at the floor while he thought things through. "I'll make the phone call to get us in so you can talk to the guys. I'm the oldest and they look to me like a leader so they'll listen if I say so. First, before I leave here again I need to know Sean's going to be alright while we're gone."
A cell phone rang, Daniel heard Brad talking in the hallway.
"Yeah ^Å. Yeah, Tim ^Å. When ^Å. Damn, he's too young ^Å how ^Å okay, okay, calm down ^Å I'll be there in a few ^Å. Is everybody there ^Å. Okay, tell everybody, and I do mean everybody, to stay inside ^Å I'm bringing help ^Å yeah, right now^Å"
"Mr. Daniel?" Brad called out urgently, "one of the young ones been hurt. He's only ten and he got raped and torn open. They say he's bleedin' pretty bad and needs a doctor."
"Easy, Brad," Daniel said calmly, "we'll get him some help. Michael?"
"I'm on it, Daniel." Michael called for an ambulance and emergency tech. "Okay, Daniel, there's an ambulance downstairs waiting. Where do we go?"
"Wait, what about Sean? You aren't just leavin' him are you?" Brad asked.
"It's alright," replied Michael, "the nurses and doctors here will take care of him. They're just running tests today, no decisions until late today or tomorrow on his surgery."
Elizabeth joined the group. She was concerned about the injured boy, and as a journalist she knew this was a rare, if unfortunate, opportunity. She still had the hidden camera in her purse from Daniel's meeting with Brad.
As they drove Michael gave instructions over the phone to one of the boys on how to treat the injured boy. Brad filled them in with more details. "He went out early this morning to get some fresh air. When he didn't come back in a little while the boys started searching for him. They found him in some bushes behind the building. His hands were tied behind his back, his underwear stuffed in his mouth and he was bleeding. It was easy to figure out what happened."
Brad directed them to an empty building near the old station. The ambulance pulled up behind them. Technicians immediately pulled out a gurney and followed the group inside. Brad called out to his friends.
"Tim. Tim, it's Brad. We're coming in."
End Ch Twenty-Three
To Be Continued: comments welcome; contact Dwight Wilson at adm2780@yahoo.com