Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2003 20:58:36 -0600 From: Rhaven Subject: Avery's World Chapter 8 This story contains strong language and sexual content between boy/boy and boy/man. http://www.rhaven2002.com Avery's World By RHAVEN2002 Chapter Eight Avery woke up in a bundle of arms and legs. He was squashed between Eric and Rico. He and Rico had been too scared to sleep alone and Eric hadn't argued. But Eric's bed wasn't made for three people or at least that's how Avery felt at the moment pushing Rico's bare butt out of his face. He carefully maneuvered his way out of bed, making sure he didn't wake anyone. It was still early in the morning, the sun had barely crested the horizon, but he had a lot of thinking to do. All the signs that his father was leaving had to mean something, but for the life of him, he couldn't figure it out. Avery wandered downstairs and poured himself a glass of milk. What was the meaning of the circles? One in the field, the one in the yard and the hundreds painted on the walls upstairs. Avery sat at the kitchen table pondering on this question for another hour before Rico and Eric finally appeared. Rico was wearing Eric's shirt again and Eric only had on his underwear, they came into the kitchen Rico being dragging as Eric had his arms wrapped around the thin boy, both giggling. "Morning." Eric said maneuvering around the chair and physically putting Rico in it. "Says he's too tired to move." To prove his point, Rico slumped over the table. "Didn't get enough sleep." He whined. "Ah shit." Eric cursed. "Son-of-a-bitch!" "What?" Avery said standing. Eric was looking out the kitchen window. "Pearl just drove up!" Eric said looking panicked. Avery knew why his was panicking, he was nude, Rico only had on a shirt and Eric was in his underwear, definitely didn't look good. "Come on Rico, let's head upstairs." Avery grabbed Rico by the arm and yanked him out of the chair. "Thanks guys." Eric said as the boys left the room. "What's going on?" Rico asked as the climbed the stairs. "Mrs. Randell is here." "Why the hell is she here?" Rico stopped and started down the stairs. "She's Eric's aunt. Hey!" Avery whispered. "Where you going?" "I want to hear what they say." Avery wanted to protest, but truthfully, he also wanted to hear what the old woman had to say. "... all I know is they are saying it was lightening. Which is just being silly, there wasn't a cloud in the sky last night." Pearl was saying as the boys moved closer to the kitchen door. "Lightening? That's strange, that's what they said caused the fire in my field." Eric added. "Eric, I've had a talk with Claire Winston this morning. You know Claire, the Math teacher at school. We've been friends for years, her son is on the police force..." Pearl realized she had strayed from the point and quickly returned to what she had meant to say. "It seems Brandon King never made it home last night. He's parents are going out of their minds." Pearl gave Eric a curious look. "You won't know where Brandon is would you?" "Damn, Pearl you just can't get in your mind that I'm not a monster can you?" Eric slammed something down; the boys were surprised by the news of King King, but more interested in what Eric was yelling at their English teacher. " No Pearl I haven't seen this kid, nor have I kidnapped him or raped him or killed him and buried him in the backyard." Only a knock on the door stopped Pearl from replying. "Hi Pearl. Hello Eric, mind if I come in?" It was Sheriff Jarvis, Avery recognized his voice. Both he and Rico looked at each wondering what he wanted. "What can we do for you Sheriff?" Pearl asked. "Wondering if I could talk to Eric." "Coffee?" Pearl asked as if she hadn't heard the sheriff. "Pearl do you mind if I speak with Eric for a moment?" "Jarvis anything you have to say to Eric, you can say in front of me. You want sugar in your coffee?" "Black is fine, thank you Pearl." Jarvis cleared his throat and continued. "Don't know if you heard, but the King boy is missing." "Yes, we have heard." Pearl interrupted. "Strangest thing I've ever seen. The boy's room was in shambles and someone had painted circles all over his walls." Rico quickly threw his hand over Avery's mouth as he gasped. "How odd?" Pearl said. "Why would someone do that?" "Why are you bring this up?" Eric finally spoke. "What does this have to do with you wanting to talk to me?" "Good question." Sheriff Jarvis said. The boys heard the large man shuffle across the floor, apparently he was pacing around the kitchen. "You're very fond of Avery MacDowell. Is that right?" "Yes... yes I am, why?" Eric's voice was strained, almost forced. "The boy was hurt pretty bad, could have been killed." Jarvis inhaled deeply. "Now I asked Avery what happened to him, but for some reason he wouldn't tell me. Either he truly didn't know who attacked him or... he was afraid of what that person would do to him." There was a long moment of silence in the kitchen. It took all of Avery's self-control not to jump up and run to Eric's defense. However, he knew a naked boy wouldn't help anything. He wished he could remember where his clothes were, for some reason his mind was a puzzle, with many pieces missing. "I'm confused Jarvis, what are you saying?" Pearl said. "Well, Pearl since you asked." Jarvis cleared his throat again. "I've done some checking here on Eric. Seems you told Claire that Eric had to leave New York in a hurry." "Pearl?" Eric said, his voice weak. "I don't keep secrets from my friends, Eric. If I hadn't mentioned it, they would have found out from someone else." " Sheriff, I have been cleared of any criminal act. I don't appreciate you bringing this up." Eric was angry now, Avery thought his anger was more directed towards Mrs. Randell than to the sheriff. "Son, though the courts in New York didn't think the pictures on your computer were child pornography, I have to take that in consideration in my investigation here." "You're investigation me?" Eric was shocked. "You think I have something to do with Brandon King's disappearance? That is crazy." "Well, let me go ahead and lay all the cards on the table here." The boys heard the sheriff shuffle towards the door leading into the living room and quickly scurried up the stairs. Avery spied around the corner from upstairs and saw the fat man look around the messy room. Coke cans, a bowl with stale popcorn and Rico's backpack. Avery frowned, he didn't know what Sheriff Jarvis was looking for, but there was enough evidence in the living room to suggest that Eric hadn't been alone last night, he had been with children. "Adam Hoffman and you, have a long history, don't you?" Sheriff Jarvis began again as he returned to the kitchen. The boys carefully returned to their previous hiding spot. "Please Jarvis, that is ancient history. Do we have to relive it now?" Pearl stomped her foot. "Yes we do Pearl, this has baring on the events happening now." "In fact, Adam was arrested for sexually abusing you Eric, right?" "I am tired of arguing this matter Sheriff. I have spent half my life trying to convince cretins like you, that our relationship was something special. I was not abused by Adam, I never was." "Humm." Mumbled Jarvis unbelieving. "Avery is a confused boy, as I'm sure you know." Jarvis paused again, seemingly gathering his thoughts. "Though I don't have any evidence yet, I believe you are the one who attacked the boy. As for Brandon King, my men and me will be searching the woods around your house. I pray to God, we find him health and alive." "Do what?" Eric stood so quickly the chair clambered to the floor. "I can't believe you would think I would hurt the children?" "We will see, I don't think its wise for the boys to be hanging around here for the time being. Wouldn't you agree? If Avery and any other boys are around here, I'd send them home." Eric said nothing, the silence in the room, an eerie silence that gave Avery the shivers. "I'll be going now, thanks for the coffee Pearl." The front door creaked open. "You all have a good day." The last sentence made Avery fume, 'have a good day'. How could he or Eric ever have a good day again? He started crying without even noticing Rico wrapped his arm around him and hugged him tightly. "It'll be all right." Rico whispered. "Don't say I didn't warn you." Pearl said from the kitchen. " I told you to go home and now look at the situation you're in. My God Eric, the whole town will know by nightfall!" "Go home Pearl. Go home!" Screamed Eric. Without saying another word, the boys heard Pearl slam the front door and then her car speed away. The boys didn't move from the stairs, until Eric walked into the room. Avery found himself leaping to Eric's arms. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Avery kept repeating as Eric held him tight. "It's not your fault sweetheart." Eric said sadly. Eric sat down on the stairs and held Avery rocking him gently. Rico moved next to the man and started to cry himself. "Fucking Brandon, it's all his fault." Rico cursed. Eric pulled him closer and all three hugged. "I think you two should probably leave." Don't send me away!" Cried Avery. "I'll tell the Sheriff it was Brandon!" "It wouldn't make any difference, Avery. Not now, he'd just think I made you say that." They sat there in a hug for several minutes before Eric finally get go. "Go ahead and get dressed boys. It's best for you both not to around here today." Neither boy moved. Avery felt as if his body was frozen. He couldn't lose Eric, he needed him more than anything else in his short life. It was as if Eric had filled in his empty soul, without him he would be nothing. "Come on boys, this isn't permanent. Who knows, this could all be solved tomorrow? Now go on and get dressed." There was no emotion in Eric's voice. Avery knew he didn't believe that everything would be all right by tomorrow. This was going to be something to curse Eric for a very long time. Slowly and without thought Avery, with Rico following went to recover their clothes. There were no speeches or words said as the boys gathered their things and headed out the door. Eric waved weakly as they climbed onto Rico's bike. "Bye." Avery managed to say, but Eric was only able to mouth the word. It was a long trip down the road to Avery's house. Everything seemed foreign, so unfamiliar that Avery was shocked to discover they had arrived. "I better get home. I'm sure Jarvis recognized my bike. My dad is probably going to beat me silly for being there." Avery nodded and headed to his house. "Avery?" Rico stopped him. " Avery, if there is anything I can do to help, I'll do it." "Thanks Rico." Avery kissed Rico and ran to the house. "Avery, its about time you came home." Jobeth said raising from the couch. "Are you all right?" Jobeth grabbed up her son as if she hadn't seen him in years. "I'm fine." Avery lied, the tears already flowing again. "Tell me the truth Avery. Did Eric hurt you?" Avery stepped back from his mother, obviously she had been talking to Sheriff Jarvis. She was the enemy now. "How can you think that? Eric didn't hurt me!" Jobeth wrinkled up her nose as if she smelt something bad. "Please Avery, you can tell me the truth. I won't be mad. Did Eric hurt you? Did he... has he done anything to you... touched you or something?" Avery laughed; it was as if he was speaking a foreign language. His mother hadn't heard a word he had said or she just wanted to hear what she thought maybe true. "You wanted me happy. Eric makes me happy. I love him and if King King hadn't beat me up then none of this would be happening!" And with that Avery walked to his room. His mother didn't follow as he had expected her to. Instead, he heard her leave the house, probably going to get drunk, he thought. Banging at the door awaked Avery; he dragged himself to the door. He was exhausted, not from lack of sleep, but from crying. The sadness had sapped away all his energy, walking was a task he just didn't want to do. "What?" He yelled as he opened the door. "I got it! I got it!" Screamed Rico as he raced into the house. "Got what?" Rico screeched to a halt and shook his head as he looked over Avery. "Geeze, Avery don't you ever wear clothes?" Avery had forgotten he was naked, not that it mattered it was just Rico after all. "What have you got?" Avery asked again flopping down on the couch. "I know what all the circles mean." Rico rejoiced. "I know what your father is trying to tell you." "What? What does it mean?" Avery grabbed Rico's hand and shook it. "Tell me, please." "Tomorrow night..." Rico began in a whispered voice as if it was some great secret. "There is going to be a lunar eclipse." "An eclipse! That makes sense." Avery said jumping up. "All the circles have to mean the moon. Dang Rico you are a genius!" "Thank you." Rico said grinning. "I'm also damn cute!" Sudden surges of guilt flooded over Avery, in his moment of rejoice, he had forgotten about Eric. How could he think about his father at this moment when Eric was in so much trouble? He sat back down, feeling defeated. "What's wrong? We finally figured out why what the circles mean. You should be happy." "I am glad, I really am. But how does this help Eric?" Rico rested his head on Avery's shoulder and took hold of his hand. "I'm sorry Avery. It's all Brandon's fault." "Brandon? Why would my father do something to Brandon?" Avery asked. "To protect you or perhaps for revenge?" Rico offered. "But why now, I've been beaten up before. Heck, King King has been picking on me for ages." "Well, I think I might know someone that knows anything about Brandon's disappearance." Rico said. "Who?" "The twins." Avery was on a quest now, nobler than any knight's adventure, it was a journey to save a man's life. If Rico was right, then the twins could give them more information on Brandon King unsolved disappearance. Avery quickly got dressed and the two boys were off to search for the twins. Avery thought it rather funny; he had been avoiding the twins for years, but now he had to find them. Rico rode his bike into town, Avery held onto him with his one good arm and kept an eye out for the unsavory duo. "Try the park." Avery suggested. "Good idea, they like hanging out there." Rico maneuvered his bike down First Street towards the park. "There they are." Rico said as he sped up the bike. The twins were behind the bleachers drinking sodas, relaxing in the shade. "Hello boys." Rico said as he skidded to a stop. The twins stunned, an uncomfortable expression molded over their faces. "Hey Rico." Tommy finally said. "What's up?" "That's what I want to know from you." Rico said in his most fierce manly voice. "What do you mean?" Teddy asked cautiously. Rico stepped closer; Avery wondered how such a thin boy could look so menacing. "I want to know where Brandon is." Rico asked with a mischievous smile. "We don't know where he is." Teddy answered first. "Yeah, heard he was kidnapped or something." Tommy added. "Bullshit, you know something and you're going to tell me." The twins looked over at Avery and then back to Rico. "Why do you want to know?" Teddy asked looking again at Avery. "Let's say I have the need to know." The twins frowned at the same time and stood. "We don't have to tell you shit!" Tommy said thumping his finger into Rico's chest. "Yeah, Brandon would kill us if we said anything." Teddy said and received a jab in the ribs from his brother. "Shut up!" Tommy growled. "So you do know something." Rico smiled. "I guess I'll just have to tell my dad about this." Rico winked at Avery. "We... we didn't say we know anything." Tommy stuttered. "And that's what I'd tell Brandon." Rico leaned in closer to the twins. "Where is he?" Teddy glanced at Tommy, they both shrugged their shoulders at the same time and said. "Lake Hannigan." And with that the twins raced off. "How did you know King King wasn't kidnapped?" Avery asked astounded by Rico interrogation. "I didn't, I really thought your dad had done something with him." Rico said shaking his head. "But... " Avery looked at where the twins had ran off to and then back to Rico. "I don't understand, you questioned the twins as if you..." "As if I had some inside information? Dad taught me that one. Never let your enemy know, what you don't know." Rico put his arm around Avery's waist and smiled. "Let's go find that sucker." The rode to Lake Hannigan was rough on a bike. There was a point when Avery thought his teeth were about to rattle out of his mouth. "Where do we look first?" Avery asked between bumps in the road. "I thought maybe around Teeter's rock." Teeter's rock was a large granite rock where all the teenagers seemed to hang out and party. The original color of the rock was hard to distinguish now; it had over 30 years of graffiti covering it, love letters, social comments and a plethora of curse words, an excellent source of education for any kid. They had to park the bike in the woods, the beach of Hannigan, if you could call it that, was too rocky and uneven. Rico slowly crept down the beach, motioning to Avery to keep low and quiet. There was no one in sight; the heat of the summer had scared off people from the relaxing waters of Hannigan. Avery couldn't blame anyone, the heat was almost unbearable. Sitting with Eric on his comfortable couch and air conditioning sure sounded good to him now. "Let's head around Teeter's, maybe we'll get lucky." Rico gestured for Avery to follow him. Avery tried not to laugh, Rico was doing his best impression of an undercover cop, sneaking from rock to log, boulder to rock, it was very comical. As the day wore on, they found no sign of Brandon King anywhere. Avery was beginning to believe that the twins had lied. "You okay?" Rico asked. It was the first thing he had said in over an hour of searching. Avery had gotten use to the silence, when Rico spoke it almost shocked him. "I'm just hot." Avery finally answered. "It must be a 115 degrees out here." Rico looked up at the cloudless sky as if confirming what Avery had said. "Definitely a scorcher." Rico commented as he pulled up his shirt to wipe his face free of sweat. "A scorcher?" Avery laughed. Rico snickered. "That's what my mom always says." He looked around and frowned. "Where the hell could Brandon be?" Avery sighed heavily and sat down on a rock, defeated and tired. "This is hopeless, we are just wasting our time here." Avery rubbed his forehead; he was now getting a headache. "Great." He grumbled. "You're getting too hot." Rico said as he took Avery by the hand. "Come on, break time." "Break time?" Avery frowned, he wasn't in the mood for games, but he allowed Rico to lead him down the beach. "Lift up your arms." Commanded Rico. Still frowning, Avery did as he was told. Rico carefully removed Avery's shirt. "I'll burn like a baked potato." Complained Avery, shielding his eyes from the intense rays of the sun. "Hang on, gripy! I'm not finished yet." Rico laughed. "Geeze, you complain a lot." Before Avery realized it, Rico had pulled off his shorts. "Hey? What are you doing?" "Can't get in the water with your clothes on." Rico said as he undressed. "Come on follow me." "I can't get my cast wet." Whined Avery, holding up his broken arm for Rico to see, as if he had forgotten. "Then don't do the backstroke." Rico laughed. "Come on, let's get wet." Avery sighed and followed Rico over to Teeter's rock. Now he saw why everyone hung out here. As he waded into the cool water around the large granite structure, there were several boulders submerged. With Teeter as a nature shade, the submerged rocks made a nice seat. Avery took a seat on a boulder that rested against the base of Teeter's Rock. The water came up to his stomach; it was relaxing and eased away his frustrations as it splashed around him. "Feeling better?" Rico asked as he joined Avery on the rock. "Yeah I do, I just wish we could find Brandon." "We'll find him Avery. We won't stop until we have him." They sat there in silence, staring out across the lake, Rico kicking his legs lazily. Suddenly Avery felt Rico's hand on his thigh. He looked over and couldn't help but smile. Rico looked so foolish as he pretended not to notice where he had put his hand. Avery returned his gaze to the hypnotic waves of the lake. Slowly Rico inched his roaming fingers towards Avery's groin. Rico faked a yawn and scooted closer to Avery. "Getting sleepy." Avery said trying not to giggle. "Um, yeah." Rico said shyly as his skinny finger ran along Avery's penis. Rico looked so nervous that Avery felt sorry for him. He could feel Rico's hand shaking against his leg. Without warning Avery plunged his hand into the water and grabbed Rico's already erect penis. "Oh!" Rico screamed. "Oh, um... okay!" He stuttered, seeing that Avery wasn't going to hurt him. They sat there and massaged each other, enjoying the cool water and each other's touch. Though Avery had to tell Rico twice to slow down, he had enough experience in masturbating to know that it was better to massage it slow, the enjoyment lasted longer. "Holy cow." Rice exclaimed and unexpectedly straddled Avery. "This is so great." He whispered as he kissed Avery hard. Rico rubbed his erection over Avery's stomach. "Rico... "Avery wasn't sure how to say this. "Rico you and I are friends right?" Rico moved back and grasped Avery's erection with both his hands and started massaging again, kissing Avery madly around the face. "Rico, please listen." Rico tried to move Avery's hand back to his penis and only stopped once he noticed Avery wasn't helping. "What's wrong?" Rico finally said. "Rico I love you, but right now..." Avery looked away. He couldn't look into Rico's dark eyes. "I'm sorry Rico, I just can't right now." Rico smiled gently and gave Avery a loving kiss. "I'm sorry Avery, I wasn't thinking." He climbed off Avery as took a seat next to him. "You're right, this isn't the time. I guess I was thinking with my dick." Avery smiled, he couldn't have asked for a better friend. He truly did love Rico, they were kindred souls. "And such a nice dick it is." Avery said kissing Rico on the cheek. Rico giggled shyly, but his smile disappeared quickly. "Tomorrow..." Rico began. Where do you think your dad wants you to go?" "I've been thinking about that. I think the circle in Hoffman's field is where he wants me to go. It was after all the first circle to appear." Rico nodded and looked out over the lake. "I don't want you to go." Avery was about to answer when the water exploded in front of him. "What the hell!" screamed Rico. "Damn Rico he did turn you gay!" Both boys turned towards the voice. There was Brandon standing on the beach, in one hand, he was tossing a stone into the air and the other, he held their clothes.