Date: Fri, 22 Oct 1999 02:45:09 -0400 (EDT) From: ED Subject: "Redemption Of A Vampire" chapter 3 Well as all the first timers say, this is my first attempt at this sort of thing so bear that in mind when and if you read this. If you like it please let me know. If you hate it be SURE to let me know because if it sucks I won't bother to keep going. I can be reached at Tigerman4@webtv.net I will try to respond to any and all e-mails I get. THANX. Legal stuff: This is fiction which means it ain't real. It is not meant to imply that Brian Littrell of BSB or anyone else mentioned in this story is gay, straight or that they have any sex life at all for that matter. If you are under age then go the Disney page then come back when you can vote. If you don't approve of homosexuality and all that it implies why don't you visit the Fred Phelps website that would be more your speed, besides what the hell are you doing here anyways. If it's illegal where you are at to read this sort of thing then don't call me for your bail money if you get caught(he he). Well here we are at part three. Thanks goes to Dave, yuli, and Sam for your notes of encouragement. I'll try and make the chapters longer. It is so cool to see something I have written put up for all the world to see. Thanks goes to the nifty archive for giving people a place to showcase their work. Enough babble on with the story. Redemption Of A Vampire Chapter 3 John was so tired but he could not seem to fall asleep. His mind kept going over and over the events of earlier in the evening. Had he done the right thing. His heart said yes but his brain was constantly screaming 'what the fuck were you thinking'. Lying in bed was useless, so he decided to get a glass of hot cocao and go into the library to find a very boring book, to help put him to sleep. He got up put on his robe and slippers and slipped out of his room. He walked down the hall to the stairs and made his way down. He was about midway and decided that yes he owed it to Ed to help him in any way necessary. If not for him he would not have half of what he had, and probably not even be alive. He went to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of milk with a hint of cocao and put it in the microwave to warm. When it was done he took it to the library and sunk into one of the comfy leather chairs. As he surveyd the room he spied the picture of himself, Ed and Eds parents on the wall. He took a sip of his milk sat back and let his mind slip into the past. John had been fourteen and a freshman in highschool and Ed had been twentyfour and in graduate shcool when they first met. It was late afternoon and Ed had noticed a kid out of the corner of his eye as him and his freinds were heading to the library to study. At first he thought nothing of a kid sitting on one of the benches along the river. A few hours later the gang decided to call it a night. They all said their goodnights and went their seperate ways. As Ed walked across the foot bridge, to get to the parking lot across the river, he could see who he thought was the same kid he had seen earlier. He was still sitting on the same bench. In the light of one of the nearby lamposts it appeared the kid was hugging his knees and crying. Ed decided he couldn't just leave without finding out if there was something he could do. He took the stairs from the bridge down to the sidewalk that ran along the river. As he approached the kid in the dim light his head shot up. "Matt is that you?" He warily asked. "Uh... no. Are you ok? I was coming from the library and saw you down here and thought I better see if you were all right," Ed said. "No I'm not all right. I have been sitting here for what seems like forever waiting for my jerk of a step brother to come back and pick me up. I have a feeling he conveniently forgot me." the kid said dejectedly. "Uhm.. listen my car is just across the the river. Would you like me to take you home. I mean you can't stay out here all night." "No thats all right he may show up and no offence but I don't know you, and you might be some pervert." "Well ok then have a nice night." Ed said as he turned to leave. The kid thought about it a minute and decided to take a chance like the guy said he couldn't stay here all night and the odds of Matt showing up were getting slimmer by the minute. Ed only got a few feet when John ran up to him. "I'm sorry, that was rude. You're just trying to help and I throw it in your face. Is the offer still open?' "Hey no problem. You're upset I undestand, and yes the offer still stands grab your stuff and lets go. By the way the names Ed Bryer whats yours." Ed asked. "Thanks Mr. Bryer my names John Smith." He said as ran back and grabbed his jacket and books. "Hey none of that Mr. Bryer crap call me Ed all my friends do." John brightened as he caught onto what Ed meant. They made small talk as they walked to the car. As Ed put the keys in the door Johns eyes nearly popped out his head. It was brand new dark green Mustang convertible. Ed noticed the look on his face. "Like it, it was a birthday slash graduation present from my folks." "It's beautiful, is it fast?" John asked in awe. "Fairly fast, get in." He started it up and it purred like a kitten. As they pulled out of the lot. "You hungry I'm sure you haven't eaten I know I haven't so how bout we grab a bite?" Ed asked "It's late and I better just get home besides I'm sure mom has dinner for me but thanks for the offer." "Come on we can get a burger at McDonalds it won't take a minute what do ya say?" "Oh all right I guess whats a few more minutes." The two sat in silence the rest of the way. They got to the restaurant and got their food and sat down to talk some more. "So how is it you ended up where you were when I found you?" Ed asked. "Well my step-brother Matt was to pick me up after school. As we were heading home he saw some buddies walking down the street. He stopped to talk a minute and they ended up convincing him to go cruising college girls. Needless to say they didn't want me along so he left me where you found me and said he would be back later. Any excuse to dump me cause he was none too thrilled to have to pick me up in the first place." John said with tears in his eyes. "I take it he's alot older than you? And you don't get along too well?" Ed asked trying to get John to open up about his troubles. "Yeah hes 19 and I'm 14. Matt and I don't get along at all. His dad and my mom have been married a couple years now. He's like ten years older than her. He got her pregnant so they had to get married but she lost the baby. He drinks alot and gets kinda mean when he's drunk. I try to stay away from him then. I never knew my own dad he was killed in Korea when I was a baby," he paused a moment, "I'm sorry I shouldn't bother you with my troubles." "Hey no problem what are friends for if you can't tell them your problems right?" Ed said. They talked some more when Ed glanced at his watch. "Whoa! It's getting late I better get you home." They hopped in the car and sped off. John gave him the directions. As they pulled up to the house Ed asked "Do you want me to come in with you?" "No thats all right but thanks anyway and thanks for dinner and the lift home." "No problem like I said what are friends for," he took out a pen and piece of paper and jotted something down. "Here's my number if you ever need to talk just give me a call I mean it allright." "Thanks for everything man." John said and got out of the car and grabbed his stuff and ran up to his house. As Ed drove off he was so thankful that his family was so loving and caring even though he was gay. He felt so sorry for John. He hoped he would be ok. He knew if the kid needed him he would have to help he just hoped that John would come to him if he needed it. As John went into the house he could see his step father passed out in the living room with a beer in his hand and several on the coffee table. His mother was in the kitchen doing dishes. He went in to let her know he was home. When she looked at him he could see she had a black eye. She was so glad to see him. She demanded to know what happened and he explained everything. At first she was going to let Matt have it but John begged her off the last thing he wanted was for Matt to go after him because he got him in trouble. She thought about it a moment and decided to let it drop he was home safe and that was all that mattered. He asked about her black eye, she told him she had run into a door but John knew better but kept quiet. She kissed him and sent him up to bed. As he got ready for bed he looked at the number that Ed gave him and hoped he meant what he said about talking to him whenever he needed a friend. Seeing as he didn't have many he'd take what he could get. The two started talking a couple times a week and became close even though they were ten years apart in age. A month and a half went by and John quit calling. Ed got worried. Then one night Ed got a call late in the evening. "She's dead, now I'm all alone." John sobbed. "What am I going to do?" "Who's dead John..... Oh my GOD its your mother OH man I'm so sorry. What happened?' "She was going up stairs with a load of clean laundry and somehow tripped up and fell back down and broke her neck. My step father found her I was at school. Oh god what am I going to do." he was sobbing hysterically. "Just calm down everythings going to be fine you know I'm here for ya. Hey how bout you come stay with me and my parents for a while?" "I don't know I mean I don't want to impose and.." John was saying but Ed cut him off. "Nonsense its no imposition and you need a change of scenery. Get packed I'm coming right over." Ed said "All right thanks I guess I do need to get out of here. All my step father has done since the accident is drink himself senseless. And Matt is being an even bigger jerk. Ok see you in a few." John said and hung up. He snuck up stairs so as not disturb the old man who was passed out as usual in the livingroom. He got to his room and threw a few things together in a suitcase and headed back down. As he reached the last step Matt stumbled in the door drunk. He saw my bag and asked me where I was going. Jonh told him he was going to stay at a friends. "Hey dad squirt says he's going to stay at a friends didn't know he had any." Matt sneered. As his dad came too he wondered what was going on. He came out to the hall and saw my bag. "Your not going anywhere get back up to your room." He said. "I'm going and there is nothing you can do about it. You aren't my father so fuck off you old drunk." As soon as he said it he regretted it because seconds later he found himself on the floor with a very big hand print on his face where his step father had hit him. At first he was stunned but soon turned to anger. John scrambbled to his feet and kicked him in the crotch. He grabbed his case and headed out the door. Suddenly Matt was on him. They tumbbled to the the porch. Matt had John pinned down and started to pummell him. John stuggled but Matt was so much bigger. The pain in his face was intense. His nose was broken and bleeding heavily. Matts weight was making it difficult to breath. Soon black spots were floating in front of his eyes. As he lay there semi-conscious Matt got up but then proceeded to start kickking him. "How do like getting your nuts kicked you little shit." Matt screamed. He stomped on his chest, John felt something snap inside and knew he had broken ribs. The pain was so much he blacked out. When he came to three days later he was in a bed and though he could barely open his eyes he could make out what he thought was an older lady sitting next to the bed reading a book. He tried to move but the pain was almost unbearable. The lady looked up from her book at my stirring "Well we're awake finally, I'll get the doctor." she said and got up and left the room. He then realized he was in a hospital and the memory of what happened came flooding back. Moments later the lady returned with a doctor and someone else. As they came closer he could tell that the other man was Ed. "Well my boy its good to see you're awake. We thought we were going to lose you." The doctor said. "Hey bud how you feelin," Ed asked. John just groaned. "Yeah dumb question obviously you feel like shit, you look it too." "Thanks alot, what happened the last thing I remember is my step brother beating the crap out of me." Jonh said in a hoarse whisper. "Well son you have three broken ribs, a punctured lung, a broken nose, mutiple face lacerations, a concusion, and a dislocated shoulder. It's a good thing Mr. Bryer showed up when he did he may have saved your life." the doctor said. "How long have I been out?" "Three days, I'm going to check you over and then you better get some more rest." Ed and the lady left the room and the doctor did his exam. When he was done a nurse came in to give him something for the pain. John was in and out for the next few days while his body slowly healed. The lady he found out was Eds mother and he also met his father. Three weeks passed and John was doing much better. The swelling in his face had gone down and the pain was at a bearable level. Late one afternoon Ed and his parents came in the room with the doctor. "Well son your recovery is coming along quite well and I think we can release you. Now we can't send you home under the circumstances so the Bryers have agreed to look after you. You don't seem to have any other relatives so how does that sound? I'll let you all discuss it." The doctor said. "What do you think want to come live with us? We have plenty of room and after what happened you can't possibly go back to that." Eds parents said. "I couldn't I mean thanks but you hardly know me, I can..." he was cut off by Ed's mother. "Nonsense if you are a friend of my son then thats all that matters, hes a good judge of character. You are coming to live with us you just lost your mother and now this, you need to be somewhere that cares about you, obviously those two don't and going into some home wouldn't be much better. So no arguments." "Yeah what she said and I've always wanted a little brother." Ed said with a big stupid grin on his face. Well John decided it was useless to argue. His mother was gone and he had nobody else to turn to. He was going to miss her but deep down he felt that at least she was at peace and he would see her again some day. And these were good people. The next day he was released and sent home with the Bryers. Because of their wealth and stature in the community they easily got guardianship of John pushed through the court. Over the next several months they all got to know each other better. John began to open up and feel like he belonged. Him and Ed became even closer to the point he finally told John he was gay. John was all right with it to Eds releif. He grew to love the Bryers and vice versa. Fran and Will decided to adopt him outright. Since there was no other family it went through quickly. They wanted it to be a suprise though so they didn't tell him. By coincidence the final paperwork came through on Johns birthday. They went to Bill Knapps for dinner that night after he blew out the candles of his cake they gave him a manilla envelope. "Whats this you guys?" he asked as he looked at them quizzicly. "Well open it and find out." Fran said. As he took the documents out and read them a smile broke out on his face at the same time as tears dotted the corners of his eyes. He then started to giggle. "I guess what they say is true." John said "Whats that?" Ed asked "Be careful what you wish for." he said as he grabbed Ed and his parents in a big hug. They all started laughing. "Looks like time for a new family portrait." Fran said. Will just so happemed to bring his camera so they had a waiter take the picture. It was the happiest day of Johns life. But he still couldn't help thinking of his mother, and a pang of guilt, but then maybe she had a hand in this. The next day he visited his parents grave and and thanked her and told her he was going to be all right. As he turned to leave he thought he heard a wisper on the breeze that almost sounded like it ws saying your welcome. He kinda shook his head and smiled and felt that everything would turn out fine. Little did he know that more tragedy awaited him and those he loved in the near future. Suddenly John was brought out of his trip to the past as he heard the soud of footsteps in the bedroom above him. It was nearly morning and Ed had come home to rest for the day. A hint of a smile crossed his lips knowing his best friend was back even if he was a vampire. John decide he better hit the sack as well and try and get some rest. There was a lot to do if Ed was to rejoin the world, and he would need Johns help to do so. His cocoa had grown cold so he went the kitchen and dumped it in the sink, then made his way to his bed and hopefully some sleep. ............................................................... At nine o'clock that morning as the boys bus was just pulling in Philidelphia Brian stummbled into the back lounge. Nick and AJ were playing N64. As Brian plopped down in one of the chairs they both looked at him and frowned. "Damn Brian you look like shit." AJ said. "Thanks alot you look lovely yourself. I didn't sleep well. Wierd dreams." "Want to talk about them?" Nick asked. "It might help to talk them out." "Its nothing, probably shouldn't have had so much pizza before bed thats all." Brian said trying to brush it off. But they did disturb him. Who was the guy he was having sex with. And why did the thought of it turn him on so. He wasn't gay was he. He became lost in his own thoughts and dozed off. Nick and AJ went back to their game. Soon Briam found himself in a green Mustang convertible at a drive in. Next to him was the same guy and they were holding hands. He turned his head to ask the couple in the backseat if they could see the film allright. It was a guy and girl much younger than himself. The two were kissing and ignored him. He nudged Ed, yes thats what his name was, and he turned to look. A grin spread across each of their faces. "Hey why let them have all the fun," as he leaned in and pressed his lips to Brians. As they touched Brian let out a moan in the waking world. Nick and AJ looked over at their sleeping friend and saw Brian smiling as he snoozed. That did it as soon as he woke they were going to find out what was going on. ...........to be continued...... Well there you have it part three. Sorry it took so long hope it was worth it. I'll get part four done as soon as I can. If only real life would quit getting in the way. {;-)