Before you dive into this next chapter, there was one reader who admonished me not to kill Eric in chapter Twelve. But in trying to open one reader's email (Do.Not.Dare.Kill.Eric), I inadvertently erased it instead. If you are the one who sent this, please resend it. I appreciate all the emails I get and like to respond to them all, good or bad.
Now you can read this chapter and see the outcome of the attempted ice rescue.
This is a fictional tale of sexual relationship between two teenage boys. The characters are made up and are not based on any person, living or dead. You must be eighteen to read this story. If it is against the law where you are to read stories like this you are kindly requested to leave and not read this story. It is only a fictional story for your reading pleasure.
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You're Not Better Than Me
Chapter Thirteen
Bart stood on the edge of the pond, frozen in fear. He was watching the love of his life fighting for his life and loosing the fight. Suddenly he snapped out of his stupor and realized he was the only one who could save Eric. Going out on the ice would only mean that three of them would be in danger. He needed a rope he could throw to Eric and pull him ashore. But where was he going to find a rope? He looked around and saw the Botanical Garden building they had just left. He ran back to the front and burst in. The curator was in the orchid room showing a visitor some beautiful flowers and didn't notice Bart come in. He ran back to the maintenance area and looked around for a rope. A quick search turned up nothing until he spotted the hose that was used to water the flowers. He unscrewed it from the faucet and ran back out the door with the coil of hose over his shoulder.
He dropped the hose next to the young boys mother who was crying and begging for someone to save her son.
"Go wrap this end around that tree and I will tie a loop in this end," he commanded.
He tied a loop that Eric could slip over his shoulders, not having enough strength left in his hands to hold on tight enough to be dragged out.
"Eric! Catch this hose and put it around your shoulders. And I'll pull you and the boy to safety."
Bart swung the hose like a cowboy swinging a lasso getting ready to rope a steer. The loop landed right next to Eric who feebly reached for it and struggled to put it around himself and the boy. As soon as it was in place, Bart pulled as hard as he could to drag them both towards the thicker ice. They got to the edge of the thicker ice but Eric's stiffened muscles weren't strong enough to pull them out of the frigid water. He pulled the loop off of his shoulders and put it around the young boy then pushed him up on the stable ice.
"Bart, pull him in!" Eric yelled hoarsely.
"Eric, hold onto the hose! I'll pull you both in!"
The boy's mother grabbed the hose and started to pull her son to safety, the hose sliding out of Eric's reach. Bart grabbed the hose and pulled as hard and fast as he could until the boy was on the shore. He looked out at Eric and saw he was barely above the water. There wasn't time for another throw. Bart grabbed the loop in the hose and ran out on the ice towards Eric. He was about ten feet away when the ice broke away underneath him. He swam as best he could, pushing the broken ice away from him as he frantically tried to reach Eric. He got to Eric just as his head was going underwater. He grabbed Eric and pulled on the hose, trying to get the two of them out of danger. His hands were slipping on the ice forming on the wet hose so he wrapped the hose around his arms. The mother was tending to her boy and hadn't noticed the trouble Bart was having.
"Lady, pull on the hose, please!" Bart yelled.
She looked away from her son and grabbed the hose near the tree and pulled as hard as she could in conjunction with Bart's efforts. The boys got to the point where Bart had broke through, the ice being thicker between them and shore. Bart looped the hose back around Eric and pushed him as the woman pulled, getting Eric out of the water and up on the solid ice. Then Bart grabbed at the hose and pulled himself out and lay next to Eric. The lady kept pulling and the boys slid along the ice toward dry land. Bart grabbed Eric and hugged him to try and warm him. Eric's lips were blue and he was shivering violently. He looked up at Bart and smiled.
"Let's stick to swimming in your pool instead of this pond," Eric managed to get out in stuttered words.
They heard the sirens of the ambulance approaching. Someone had heard the screams and called the authorities. Eric picked up his head and looked towards the sound of the sirens then back at Bart.
"Help me up. We have to get out of here. NOW!"
"You are in no condition to walk. We have to wait for the paramedics to care for you."
"I have you, that's all I need. Help me up."
Bart wasn't sure what was bothering Eric but he did as he was asked and helped Eric to his feet. Eric looked around to see if the limo had arrived to give then a ride home. It was parked at the curb with the motor running. The boys made their way as fast as they could, which wasn't too quick. Bart helped Eric in the car and asked the driver to turn up the heat as high as it would go.
"Eric, you get those wet clothes off. I will be right back."
"Where are you going?
"I will be right back." Bart said as he closed the door and ran off without explaining.
Bart, ever the boy to never leave anything undone, went back to the pond to retrieve the hose to return it to the building. The paramedics were tending to the young boys as he grabbed the hose.
"Hey, come here. We have to examine you for hypothermia," one of them yelled to Bart.
"Okay, I will be right back. I have to take care of this first," grabbing the hose and coiling it up as he ran back to the building.
He managed to get in, attach the hose back to the faucet and ran back out of the building undetected. Instead of going back to the paramedics, he ran to the limo, jumped in and told the driver to take them home. Bart stripped off his wet clothes and huddled with Eric to share his body heat.
"You know," Eric said, "Normally I would enjoy being naked in the back seat with you but for some reason the urge is just not there."
"I can tell. You are giving me the cold shoulder," Bart joked.
"Good one," Eric laughed as his teeth chattered.
The boys held each other tight as the limo headed home, using their body heat to shake of the cold from the icy water. Bart's driver had the heat turned up as high as it would go, turning the back of the limo into a moving sauna. The limo pulled into the portico on the side of the house. The driver lowered the window between them just enough to he could speak to the boys.
"Bartholomew, your Mother's book club is featuring a guest lecturer and she wanted me to inform you that she will not be home until later. She said you can order pizza or anything else you would like for supper."
"Thank you for passing that on," Bart replied.
"I will go in the house and get two robes so you and Eric can get from the back seat to the house," the driver told the boys. "Is there anything else I can do for you before I park the limousine?"
"Please keep all of this to yourself if you would," Eric asked.
"I do not know exactly what did happen so it would not be my place to speculate or gossip."
"We just stupidly got to close to the edge of the ice on the pond," Eric tried to placate the driver's curiosity. "We're kind of embarrassed for being so careless."
"Yes, Master Eric, as you wish."
The boys put on the robes and headed for the door. They waved to the driver and he left to park the limo.
"Let us put these clothes in the washer machine then go upstairs and take a hot shower," Bart suggested.
Eric had warmed up sufficiently but was not going to turn down a hot shower. They dumped their clothes into the washing machine and headed to Bart's bathroom. Bart ran the water and adjusted the temperature of the water slightly hotter than usual. They got in the shower and took turns standing under the water flow. They crowded together under the showerhead and pressed their naked bodies together letting the hot water cascade down their backs. Their lips met and they kissed a few quick delicate kisses then Eric rested his head on Bart's shoulder. The hot water had warmed them to the point of sweating as they rubbed their wet bodies together.
"Shall we dry off and head to bed?" Bart asked.
Eric nodded silently and stepped out of the shower, followed by Bart. They dried off and walked hand in hand over to the bed.
"Is something wrong? You are unusually quiet. I can not remember ever seeing you in such a pensive mood before. Would you like to explain to me the real reason you wanted to leave the pond so abruptly?" Bart asked.
"Maybe later. Right now I want you to fuck me like this will be our last time together."
Bart's forehead frowned, as he wasn't sure what to make of that request.
"Is there something I should know about?" he nervously asked Eric.
"No, maybe I worded that wrong. I just want you to fuck me hard and fast. I'm alive and I want to experience this like never before. I was so numb in that icy water that I couldn't feel my body. Now that I am warmed up I want to be made to feel again, to feel things to the maximum."
Bart realized this had nothing to do with him but more with the near death experience at the pond. They had both had a close call and this was Eric's way of trying to dealing with it. He reached for the tube of lube they kept in the nightstand.
"Just spit lube. Please," Eric begged.
Bart shook his head in acknowledgment and spit in his hand. Reaching underneath Eric, he spread it on his hole, pressing what little spit there was inside as well. He spit again and rubbed it on his cock, coating as much as he could. Eric lifted his legs and presented himself to Bart.
"Shove it in like you mean it," Eric commanded.
Bart was not usually into rough sex but he felt that Eric had something he wanted to prove. He took a hold of his rod and aimed it at his target. He pressed slightly to make sure he was lined up properly and with one hard thrust he slammed deep into Eric's ass. Eric yelped and clenched his teeth, reaching up to grab Bart and pulled him towards him.
"I am sorry, Eric, that was too abrupt."
"No, that was just what I wanted. Now pound me, give me your best, or worst if you prefer."
Bart pulled almost all the way out, then driving back in balls deep. Eric grimaced and inhaled quickly. Bart repeated his vicious assault on Eric, treating him like a piece of meat, a cheap Saturday night fuck with a stranger instead of his lover and boyfriend. Eric's ass was growing accustomed to the repeated violent thrusts, stretching out and not hurting as much anymore. His face turned from a frown to a smile, pushing Bart away and pulling him back to him in sync with Bart's movements. Bart's cock was getting harder and harder as he saw the smile on Eric's face. The novelty of being a power top was exciting him more than he could have imagined. Bart lifted himself enough to get his hand on Eric's cock. The position they were in prevented him from stroking him so he just squeezed the shaft to the point of it being painful for Eric.
"Oh fuck yeah! Squeezed my cock like you did to that hose at the pond!"
Bart tightened his grip as much as he could while still thrusting. Bart could feel his orgasm building up and knew he couldn't hold off much longer. His balls pulled up close to his body and sent a copious load of cum surging into Eric's intestines. Bart let out a loud grunt, setting off Eric's climax. His cum was trying to force it's way through Bart's stranglehold on Eric's boner, causing it to spray up onto Eric's face and into his hair with more force than normal, soaking the pillow as well.
After catching his breath, Bart rolled to the side and lay next to Eric.
"That must have been torture," was the only thing Bart could say.
"When you dragged me out and put me in the limo I began to slowly get some feeling back. I made a promise to myself if I did survive I was going to do something to push myself to my limits of sensory overload. That's what we just did! Thank you."
"My god, Eric, I practically raped you. How can that be a good thing?"
"Because it was what I asked for. Rape would be without my consent."
"I have to admit I did get very aroused by the animalistic nature of our sex. I am a more considerate lover and worry more about your pleasure than mine but this time it was different."
"It was great!"
"I do not think it is a style I would wish to repeat as opposed to our normal routine."
"Nor I. I got from it what I needed to feel alive again, to feel every inch of my body responding to your aggression."
"So next time we can go back to kinder and gentler sex?"
"Of course. Jalapenos can be a great snack but a steady diet of them would burn out your insides," Eric laughed.
"Speaking of jalapenos, when are we going to order pizza. I am quite hungry."
The boys got cleaned up and went downstairs to order pizza. As they were walking, Bart asked Eric if he had been riding a horse lately.
"Riding a horse? Why do you ask that?" Eric asked Bart.
"You seem to be walking a little bit bow legged," Bart snickered.
"Your Mother is right. You are becoming a real smart ass."
They ordered two pizzas and put one in the refrigerator for Bart's Mother. They had no idea what time she would be home or if she would have eaten supper. By ten o'clock that evening they assumed she had gone out with some of her friends. They were headed to bed when they saw the light flashing on the answering machine. The message confirmed their suspicions that she had gone out for dinner with her freinds and would be late getting home. The boys went up stairs and got into bed together, lying side by side on their backs. They were quiet until Bart asked again,
"Why was is so important that we left the pond right away? I would have much rather that you were checked out by the paramedics."
"I know but I felt like I had a panic attack coming on. I had to get away from there as fast as possible, somewhere safe, somewhere with you."
"I can understand your need for feeling safe after the danger had passed but what made you be so reckless in the first place?" Bart asked.
"I really didn't think about it. The little boy was flailing around and I knew he needed help. It was stupid and impulsive of me but I felt a duty to do what I could do to help."
"Even if it meant endangering your own life?" Bart asked seriously.
"That never entered my head. Like when I kicked the kidnapper, or tackled the thief with the gun last Christmas or jumped on the guy assaulting Pete. It's just a reflex thing. If I think I can help, I act. Then think later."
"I thought we were going to try and calm down and not do these crazy things?"
"That's why I had to get out of there. My mind was running in so many directions as once. I felt grateful that the boy would be okay but I felt selfish putting you in danger. I felt proud and ashamed all at the same time. It wasn't so much my concern for myself but I almost got you drowned while trying to save the boy. If you had died I would never have forgiven myself."
"I felt the same way. That is why I came out on the ice to try and save you."
"I was so numb and close to loosing consciousness that I felt a calm come over me and was ready to just sink into the water for the last time. I was resigned to my fate. But then I saw you coming on the ice. I couldn't speak but my mind was yelling for you to go back, don't come any closer but you kept coming anyway. My heart nearly stopped when you broke through."
"I had the same adrenaline rush as you and was determined to save you both no matter the danger. I think we are made up of the same grit."
"Grit or compassion, or maybe just plain stupidity?" Eric questioned.
"Then let me ask you one last question. How would you be feeling right now if we both just stood safely on the shore and watched as that little boy drowned as his mother pleaded for help?"
Eric rolled his head to the side and looked at Bart.
"You might more of a smart ass than ever before but you do know the right things to say when it matters. Let's get some sleep and put this behind us if we can," Eric said softly.
"Good night, lover."
"Good night."
Eric had a restless night sleep, tossing and turning and waking Bart with his movements. Bart's Mother knocked on the door early the next morning telling them breakfast was ready. The boys got up reluctantly and headed down stairs.
"You boys look like you had a rough night. Stay up too late without me here to keep an eye on you?" she asked with a laugh and a smile.
"No, I just did not sleep very well not knowing when you would be home. I think I kept Eric awake as well."
"Your Mother is a big girl and can take care of herself, Bart. A small group of us went out for drinks after the meeting. I met a wonderful man who was visiting town and came to the lecture for something to do as he did not know anyone in town. He and I went to dinner after the others left. If I knew you would be worried, I would have called."
"It is all right Mother, I am not used to you being out during the evening, that is all."
"I will be sure and call next time. And you and Eric remember to call if the two of you are out later than expected on a date," she warned them.
"Were you on a date, Mother?"
"Not really a date. There were five of us from the lecture. I did, however spend most of the evening talking with Samuel. He is a very interesting man. The rest of the group left and Samuel and I went to get something to eat."
"I have no problem with you dating again but please spare me the details if you would."
"Are you going to ask me if we kissed?" she teased.
"Oh god, no. If you persist in this kind of talk, Eric and I are leaving you to clean up the kitchen alone," Bart announced and stormed out of the kitchen.
"Touchy this morning, isn't he?" she asked Eric.
"Just tired from lack of sleep." Then Eric smiled an evil grin. "He'll eventually get used to you running around all hours of the night with strange men."
She whacked him lightly on the shoulder.
"You get out of here with your partner in crime. You are both getting smart mouths on you," she joked.
Bart was sitting on the bed when Eric walked in. He didn't look happy.
"Let's get our work clothes on and head to the solarium. You'll feel better once you get your hands into some potting soil," Eric said.
"Yes, my sanctuary away from all this."
The boys had been on the solarium for about an hour when they heard the doorbell ring. Bart's Mother, Carol, answered the door. After a few minutes she called the boys to the living room. They saw the sheriff sitting on the couch.
"Good morning boys. Mind if I talk with you for a few minutes?"
"Of course, sheriff."
"What is this about?" Carol asked. "Did you boys do something last night while I was out?"
"No, Mother, of course not."
"It's nothing like that, Mrs. Worthington. There was an incident down at the pond yesterday afternoon and I heard the boys were at the Botanical Gardens. I'm just interviewing people to see if anyone saw anything, that's all."
"Very well. Boys?"
"Mrs. Worthington, could I trouble you for a cup of coffee. Its early but it has already been a long morning for me," the sheriff asked.
"Why of course. It will only take me a minute.
As soon as she left the room, the conversation with the sheriff continued.
"Yes, sheriff, we were at the garden yesterday. We heard the ambulance arrive just as we were getting into the limo to come home. We have no idea why it was there."
"You didn't see anyone you knew or any strangers walking away from the pond area?"
"No, the field between the garden building and the pond was empty."
"Okay boys, thanks for your cooperation. If you think of anything, please give me a call."
"Yes sir, we will. What did happen anyway? Was someone robbed? That area can be dangerous sometimes," Eric mentioned, referring to the kidnapping.
"No, a small boy fell through the ice and two young boys jumped in and rescued him. They left without leaving their names. Oddly enough the mother gave me a description of the boys and it sounded an awful lot like you two. Are you sure you didn't see or hear anything . . . or do anything?" the sheriff asked with a knowing look.
"No sir."
"Now why do you suppose two young boys who risked their lives to save that boy would just vanish and not stick around to be acknowledged as heroes?" the sheriff asked.
"Maybe they just did what they did because it was the right thing to do and didn't want any more publicity?" Eric said to the sheriff.
"Any more publicity, huh?" he smiled.
Both boys' faces turned red. Eric had inadvertently given away their secret.
"Well, the little boy is safe and if the boys who were there want to stay anonymous, I guess that's their choice so this is the end of this case."
"Here is your coffee, sheriff. Did the boys offer any new information?" Carol asked.
The sheriff took a couple of good gulps of coffee and handed the cup back to Carol.
"The boys didn't see anything so I guess I have hit a dead end. Thank you for the coffee. Much better than the coffee shop."
She went back into the kitchen to put the coffee cup in the sink.
"I've got what I came for. Thanks boys. Oh, and Mrs. Jefferson and her son want to say thanks to you as well," as the sheriff winked and headed out the door.
Bart's Mother came back into the living room and put her hands on her hips, staring at the boys.
"Okay, you two, out with it. Just what the hell did you do last night?"
"We had pizza and played video games, Mother," Bart told her.
"Bullshit! The sheriff doesn't just arbitrarily stop by this morning for a cup of coffee. I want to know why he was here and I want to know now!"
"He told you why. He was looking for witnesses to whatever happened at the pond."
"I know you are good boys but even good boys can get mixed up in something that can get them in trouble. Look what happened to Pete. From what I know of him and Eric's family, he is a good boy but he ended up in prison through no fault of his own. I don't want that to happen to you."
"My brother didn't do anything wrong!" Eric yelled.
"I didn't say he did. He just ran afoul of a flawed legal system. I want to call Attorney Clinton and get in front of this before it gets out of control," Carol announced.
"Mother, there is nothing to get in front of. Please believe us."
Just then the telephone rang. She went to answer the phone while the two boys looked at each other.
"I know you do not anyone to know what we did, but maybe we should tell her. It is up to you Eric."
"I wanted this to just go away and not cause any more drama for us. It looks like that isn't going to happen."
Carol came back into the living room.
"That was Eric's mother on the phone. She and his father are coming over right now. She thinks she can shed some light on what is going on."
"Mother, we have something to say."
"Wait until Eric's mother gets here and we can all discuss this together."
With that she commanded the boys to stay in the living room until Eric's parents arrived.
Carol welcomed Eric's parents in and escorted them to the living room.
"Mom, what are you doing here?" Eric asked
"We got a visit from the sheriff this morning looking for you. We told him you were with Bart and he left saying he was looking for you to see if you witnessed anything at the pond yesterday. The morning paperboy showed up before we could close the door. Your father read the headline and didn't think much of it until he shared it with me. I put two and two together and I think I know why the sheriff wanted to talk to you boys," she explained.
"What is going on? The sheriff is hunting both our boys? What was the headline you are referring to?" Bart's Mother asked.
Eric's father unfolded the newspaper under his arm and showed it to Carol.
'Two unidentified heroes save a boy from drowning and then disappear,' the headline read.
The article goes on to describe the rescue and the boy's mother account of the unknown boy's actions. She said one of the boys referred to the other boy as 'Derrick'. She wants them to come forward so she can personally thank them for saving her son.
"She could have easily mistaken Eric for Derrick in all the confusion, don't you think?" Eric's mom asked him.
Both boys hung their heads, their faces turning red knowing their secret had been uncovered.
"Is that was this is all about? For heaven's sake, why didn't you say something?" Carol asked.
"It was my idea, Mrs. Worthington. Bart wanted to stay there and make sure the boy was okay but I knew the paramedics were treating him. I didn't want anymore publicity like the last time we did something stupid," Eric explained.
"Something stupid? You describe saving a boys life as stupid?" Carol said, looking directly at Eric.
"Sort of. It was stupid to just run out onto the ice without thinking of the potential consequences. I almost got Bart and myself drowned as well as the boy," Eric explained. "I just reacted. I'm sorry."
"That was bravery, son. If you hesitated and took time to think through all the options, the boy would be dead by the time you did anything," Eric's father told him.
"It was Eric who went out to save him. I was on the shore watching," Bart explained.
"But you were the one who went and got the hose to pull me out. When that failed, you came out on the ice too to save both of us, then broke through yourself. You saved me and the boy," Eric added.
Both mothers ran to their boys and hugged them.
"You are both heroes. But you really should tell the sheriff it was you," Carol suggested.
"Mother, are you not the one who has always said that a good deed is done for the satisfaction of doing it, not for recognition or glory? Eric and I both think the sheriff has figured it out but he is going to keep our secret. We ask that you do as well." Bart said to his Mother..
Carol hugged him again then held him by his shoulders at arm's length.
"How in the name of all that is good under the Sun get to be so smart at such a young age?"
"Having a good Mother and good friends," Bart replied with a smile.
"Eric, your father and I are so proud of you. We just wish you would let us go shout from thee rooftops that our son is a hero but we will honor your request to keep this amongst ourselves. We would like it if you would tell Pete. He will be so proud of both of you."
"Thanks, mom, but if this got out, dad would be upset if a bunch of reporters trampled all over our lawn to get an interview," Eric laughed.
"I only have one serious concern," Bart's Mother said.
"Oh, what is that?" Eric's mother asked.
"I have a date tonight and I am afraid if I leave these two alone they will be out capturing bank robbers or some such endeavor," she laughed.
"In honor of your first sate, Mother, Eric and I promise to stay in my room and do not do anything to help anyone at all . . . unless the situation arises," Bart joked. "Now, if we are done with this soul baring, Eric and I have work to do in the solarium if you will excuse us."
The boys said goodbye to Eric's parents and headed for the solarium.
"Crisis avoided," Bart said quietly to Eric as they walked the hallway.
"Until the next one," Eric smiled.