Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2003 21:05:15 -0500 From: Rhaven Subject: Bug Chapter Two This story contains strong language and sexual content between boy/boy and boy/man. For more stories and poems, please visit: www.rhavenlore.com People are strange. I'd noticed that everyone's got two faces they wear. Ma Thornton can be a God-fearin' lovin' woman when the mood hits her. But then she slips on that other face and I become afraid of her. It's a face I'd seen on Papa, as he waited on the porch for the government men, knowin' they were about to attack. I don't know how people get these faces, if it's somethin' you're born with or just find. I hope that I don't have two faces, but sometimes I can I think I can feel that other face growin' underneath my normal one. I am so afraid of the Thornton's realizin' that I'm different, that maybe I'm forcing that new face on me or maybe it's the Thornton's that's creatin' it. CHAPTER TWO Bug made his way back to the house. It was the strangest feeling running across the field completely naked. He was both scared and exhilarated by the experience. As he got closer to the house, he could see black bellowing smoke rising high into the sky. Trash day, he started to think, but then realized it was only Tuesday. Ma Thornton didn't burn trash until Saturday. He picked up the pace; something was happening, something different. Moreover, he knew that Ma Thornton hated 'different'. As he came to the house, he saw something that didn't belong. It was a brilliant red and silver space rocket on wheels. Bug carefully ran his fingers across the side of the wonderful car feeling its power, even as it slept there quietly in the driveway, it possessed a silent strength. On the back of the car in sparkling silver letters, it said 'Mustang' and Bug nodded in agreement. This car was a futuristic horse, one of power that could race the wind. "Ain't no farmer's car." He whispered and then as if drawing him back to the real world, the black smoke swept around him beckoningly. Ma Thornton was indeed burning trash, a bonfire of black and yellow. Bug stepped closer to the fire; within the smoke and the flames, something caught his eye. Astonishing Tales faded into gray ash, burning away into monotone nothingness. Ma Thornton was burning Virgil 's funny book collection. Bug almost laughed, would have laughed it hadn't been for the book he spotted next to Virgil's funny book. All he could make out on the book's spine was Mark Twain. Then he saw another one; Jules Verne, Arthur Conan Doyle, James Barrie, Robert Louis Stevenson and Aesop. Bug stumbled away from the fire as if it was a vicious creature, growling and snarling, devouring everything he loved. Bug wandered into the house, ignorant of his nakedness. Ma Thornton with a look of shock stood up from the kitchen table. "Land's sake Bug.. Wh.what's gotten into ya boy?" She forced her smile to remain and nervously glance to the other end of the table. It was only then that Bug noticed the man sitting down and remembered he had no clothes on. "Boys will be boys." Ma Thornton said cheerfully and quickly rushed Bug out of the room. "Why'd ya burn my books?" Bug tried to ask, he was so angry it was hard for them to form the words. Ma Thornton didn't say anything until they stepped into the boy's room. Virgil was already there, sitting on his bed, staring down at his empty hands. Bug could tell he had been crying, but didn't care. They were just funny books, of no substance or value. His mother's books, her soul and heart were outside burning away. The last of Bug's family, his existence was nothing more than ash and smoke. He was truly an orphan now. "Ya'd lost ya mind boy!" Ma Thornton said through grinding teeth. "That there." she pointed towards the kitchen. "That's Mr. Daniels. it 's his land we use ta plant our crops." Bug could tell Ma Thornton was trying not to scream, the veins in her neck threatened to explode from her restraint. "Ya is goin' ta get dressed and go back and apologize ta him!" She grabbed Bug by his shoulders forcefully. "Do ya understand me, boy?" "Why'd ya burn my books?" Glared Bug defiantly. Ma Thornton made a sound only heard from savage beasts. "I done burn them because I had myself a dream last night. I saw Satan in our house." Ma inhaled deeply and brushed out the non-existing wrinkles of her dress, before she continued. "Ya books were nothin' but evil, as was Virgil's funny pages. I won't abide with evil here, this is a Christian house." She turned to leave, but stopped at the door. "Now ya better be out here quick. And be nice ta Mr. Daniels, I won't have him thinkin' ill of us." Bug felt sick as he watched 'Thunder' Thornton waddle her way out of the room. He had an upset stomach, his arms ached and his eyes felt as if they pounded out a strange musical beat. "Here's ya clothes." Virgil whispered. Bug snatched them from the boy' s hand and started to get dressed. "Sorry. sorry about ya books." Virgil whispered again. Bug looked up at Virgil and nodded solemnly. "Sorry about ya funny books." He whispered back, realizing that Virgil was as much a victim as he was to Ma Thornton's wrath. Once dressed, Bug forced his legs to carry him into the kitchen. "Ah there he is." Ma Thornton almost sang and wrapped a tender hand around Bug. "Mr. Daniels, I'd like ya to meet Bug Cooper. Bug say 'hello' to Mr. Daniels." Bug shook the hand of the man and managed to grin. "Bug Cooper." Mr. Daniels said sadly. "Bug Cooper. come closer boy." Bug looked up at the man who was motioning him forward. He had the perfect look to fit that eloquent car outside. Mr. Daniels was slim, silky wavy black hair and brilliant green eyes. However, most importantly he had pale white skin, it made him look angelic. Not like Pa Thornton or Unk, they were tanned, burned by years of hard work. They were formed from earth and Mr. Daniels was from the clouds. Bug liked how Mr. Daniels looked; his smile was full of hope and happiness, not sun-aged and tired. Bug stepped up to the man, he couldn't stop grinning as Mr. Daniels ran his long fingers through Bug 's short hair. "I was best friends with your mother Bug. did you know that?" Mr. Daniels said with a sad grin. "Ya knew my Mama?" Before Mr. Daniels could ask, Ma Thornton jumped up and grabbed his empty glass. "Another lemonade Mr. Daniels? Did April work for you before she married that.Mr. Cooper? "Please." The man said nodded to the glass. "Actually. April's father worked for my father." Mr. Daniels turned back to Bug and smiled. "Your grandfather ran our tobacco farms. My father use to say we owed everything to his flexible mind and firm voice." Bug smiled at that, he had never known anything about his grandparents; it was nice to know they weren't losers like his Papa was. Mr. Daniels pulled Bug closer and looked deep into his eyes. "You look just like your mother." Mr. Daniel whispered. "Could you tell me some stories 'bout my Mama?" Bug was about to climb into Mr. Daniels lap, when Ma Thornton cleared her throat loudly. "Bug why don't you . go play with Virgil. Mr. Daniels doesn't want to be bothered by children." Ma Thornton said with an obviously forced smile. Mr. Daniel frowned, frozen for a moment with his hands on Bug's hips as he was about to lift the boy into his lap. "Do I have ta?" Bug asked Mr. Daniels, ignoring Ma Thornton's evil glare. The man frowned again and then let go of Bug. "I have to be leaving anyhow." Mr. Daniels said grudgingly. "Please let Mr. Thornton know I was here, I'll try to catch him tomorrow." "Of course Mr. Daniels, I'll tell Pa the second he comes back." He stood, but didn't leave. Mr. Daniels knelt down next to Bug and shook his hand again. "Bug, it an honor to meet you. I promise to come back and tell you some stories about your mother. we had some wonderful adventures as kids." "Thank you Mr. Daniels." Said Bug blushing. "Call me Jeff." He said leaning close to whisper in Bug's ear. Bug watched the man leave the house and had the urge to follow him. He kept saying his name repeatedly, as if it gave him strength. "Jeff.Jeff.Jeff." "Get ta ya room." Ma Thornton growled, once the house was empty of their guest. Bug glowered up at the large woman, but didn't argue. He returned to his room and found Virgil still sitting on the bed, still crying. Bug didn't say anything as he sat down in front of the empty place in the corner of the room where his books had been. "How could Mark Twain be evil?" he grumbled and joined Virgil in shedding tears. It wasn't long before Bug heard Pa Thornton return from his trip to Sherman. He had expected Pa to come storming into the room with fists waving wildly. However, no one appeared, the two boys were left alone in the room until the long shadows of evening crept across the floor. Smells floated into the room from the kitchen, telling Bug, that outside this little room, the world continued. Both boys hungrily watched the door, waiting for Ma Thornton to call them for supper. But it was Pa Thornton who eventually opened the door. "Virgil, ya Ma told me of whatcha done to Bug today." Pa shook his head. "You'd know that ain't right, making someone walk around butt-naked and with Mr. Daniels here to boot." He said looking extra tired. "With that said and done, come off fer supper. And mind ya're manners, Ma still in one of her moods." The two boys tiptoed into the kitchen and sat at the table without saying a word or looking up from the floor. Bug didn't want to see Ma Thornton, he never wanted to see her again. When she finally sat down next to him, he tried his best not to look at her. "I need ya boys ta clean out the barn tomorra'." Pa Thornton said looking up from his plate of fried ham and corn. "Unk needs ta store his tractor there fer a while." "yes'um, Pa." Virgil croaked sadly. Bug only nodded his understanding. That night as Bug and Virgil waited for sleep to overcome them, they listened to harsh voices coming from the other bedroom. Bug knew Pa Thornton was fighting a hopeless battle, Ma Thornton had seen Satan and that would be all she believed. "Bug?" Virgil said breaking their silence. "Yeah?" "It'd be all right if'en ya want to kiss me tonight." Bug thought about it for a moment, he thought of what Virgil had called him the night before. But despite still being mad at Virgil for leaving him at the lake naked, Bug rolled over and gently kissed Virgil on the lips. "Good night." Bug said softly. "Good night." Virgil repeated. Morning came too early for Bug, he kept having nightmares of his Mama catching on fire and burning to death. Breakfast was unpleasant for everyone. Ma and Pa Thornton didn't appear to be talking to each other, which meant they took their frustration out on the boys. "Stop eating like a pig!" Ma screamed once at Virgil as he slurped down his eggs. "We ain't got all day boys." Pa said impatiently waiting for the boys to finish their breakfast. "Pa don't forget Mr. Daniels is a comin' back today." Ma barked. "I ain't forgot." Pa barked back. "And you just remember what we talked about last night!" He didn't explain himself, but from Ma Thornton's expression, she knew what he was referring to and didn't like it. Pa Thornton ushered the boys outside to the barn. "I'm gonna be helpin' Unk in tearin' down his barn today. Fool got a notion he needs a bigger one built. So." Pa walked into the middle of the barn and looked around. "So I need'cha two ta clean out this area, so we can store his tractor here fer a few days." It seemed to exhaust Pa Thornton as he said this. "And boys. no foolin' around today. Just get the job done and keep out from under Ma's feet." "Yes'um Pa." Virgil agreed. "Yes sir." Bug added. Pa Thornton glanced at the boys one last time before he gave them a weak wave and left. "Shit fire." Spat Virgil and he sat down on the nearest box. "It'll take us all day ta clean up this mess." Bug looked around at the barn. It wasn't that big of a mess, one side of the barn was already cleared for Pa Thornton's tractor. All Virgil and Bug had to do, was restack the boxes, move a few crates and find a new place to put the plow. "Let's get to work." Bug said looking at Virgil, who was still pouting. "Ya ever wonder what it's like ta live on the moon." Virgil asked as he relaxed back into the collapsing box. "Do what?" "I've been thinkin' of livin' on the moon." Virgil looked up at the barn ceiling and sighed. "Ya can't live on the moon. Ain't no air up there." Bug snorted at the comment and picked up a box. "I could bring some air with me." Demanded Virgil. "Anyways, how you know there ain't air up there?" Bug laughed and shook his head. "Do ya see any trees on the moon? Gotta have trees ta have air." Informed Bug. "Now that's just stupid, trees don't breath. Ya justa id'jit anyways." Bug dropped the box, something inside snapped and shattered. "I'm not an id'jit Virgil. Ya better not call me that again." Bug had never stood up to Virgil before, the fact he was now, was as much a shock to him as it appeared to be to Virgil. "I was only joshin', no reason ta get ya're panties in a wad." Virgil put on his most innocent smile and then patted the box. "Come over here and have a sit." "We got work ta do Virgil." Bug pointed all around him. "Ain't got time to be playin' around." "Just fer a minute." Virgil said sweetly. Bug groaned, he knew that if he didn't do what Virgil wanted, the boy would never shut up. He sat down and instantly Virgil had his arm around his shoulders. "What if'en I told you I saved some of ya books?" Virgil grinned. "Ya didn't? Did ya?" Bug almost fell off the box with this announcement. "I might have." Virgil teased. Bug felt renewed from this news, his tired body reborn. "Come on, Virgil. tell me where ya hid my books. which ones did'cha save?" Virgil only smiled. "Virgil, please tell me." "Whatcha do fer me, fer them books?" Virgil whispered. "Whatever ya want." Bug said honestly. He figured Virgil was trying to get out of cleaning the barn. The truth was Bug preferred to do it alone; Virgil would only get in his way. He was shocked when Virgil quickly unzipped his pants. "Okay, I'll tell ya where ya books are if'en ya lollipop my privates." "Lollipop?" Bug asked staring as Virgil pulled down his pants and underwear. "Yeah, ya got to put my thingie in ya mouth." Virgil grabbed his erection to let Bug know what he was talking about, though Bug didn't need it explained. "I do that and ya'll tell me where my books are?" "Honest injin." Virgil swore putting his hand over his heart. Bug reluctantly knelt between Virgil's legs, he'd touched Virgil's penis before, but never put it in his mouth. "LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!" Ma Thornton screamed. Virgil kicked Bug in the ribs, sending him across the barn. "Help me Ma! He done witch me, tell me he's Satan." Virgil cried, jumping to his feet as he pulled up his pants. "He told me he was gonna kill me!" "Ya liar!" Bug tried to yell, but his ribs throbbed too much from Virgil's kick. "Satan is the liar!" Ma Thornton screamed again. She grabbed Bug at the back of his shirt and dragged him outside. "I'd knew my vision was true. Pa tell'd me I was bein' stupid, but who was right now?" Ma Thornton tossed Bug across the lawn as if he weighed nothing. He screamed with pain as he slammed into the porch railing. "Ma. Ma, I didn't do nothin'!" Bug tried to explain. "And Jesus answered and said unto him." Ma Thornton picked up a dead branch and walked calmly towards Bug. ".Get thee behind me, Satan; for it is written." She lifted the branch high above her head, bringing it down hard across bug's arms as he tried to protect his face. ". Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God." Bug rolled over burying his face into the dirt. He was screaming, screaming for help, screaming for Ma Thornton to stop. He was screaming for the pain to end, but he knew nothing nor would no one help him. ".and him only shalt thou serve." Bug lost count on how many times Ma Thornton hit him, he didn't even feel pain anymore. The world had become deaf and dumb to him. "STOP!" A voice yelled, Bug heard someone run up and pulled him off the ground. "What are you doing? Have you gone insane?" "He is possessed by Satan, I. I had ta cleanse the boy's soul!" "You touch this boy again and I'll have you fucking arrested!" "Ya can't talk ta me like that!" "Lord mighty Susan, what are ya doin'? Mr. Daniels. I ..I.." "I'm taking Bug. and I don't want to hear another word about him being possessed. Is that understood?" "Yes, Mr. Daniels, I'll make sure there ain't no more talk around here, from Susan or nobody else.. I promise." Someone picks him up, cradles him gently and lovingly in their arms. Bug forces his eyes open and sees an angel. "Ya takin' me ta see my Mama?" "No sweetheart, I'm taking you. home, to where you belong."