Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2003 11:51:11 -0500 From: Rhaven Subject: Bug Chapter Seven This story contains strong language and sexual content between boy/boy and boy/man. For more stories and poems, please visit: www.rhavenlore.com I try to remember my Mama, as she was when she was alive. I try and fail, all I see now is her dead as if that's the way she has always been. It makes ya think, why a God would create a world so beautiful, just so people could only have moments ta take in its splendor before turning to dust. It's like a joke with a bad punch line or a present that turns out ta be empty of any gift. I can't imagine a world without death or pain, but I want to know if it exist, I need ta know. If I can't find this paradise, then what's the point on living? There is a place out there for me, I just know it. I has to exist and in that place someone is waitin' for me, waitin 'and wishin', wishin' like I wish. CHAPTER SEVEN Bug awoke the previous night still fresh in his mind. Feelings of joy, excitement and sadness raided his senses, making it hard for him to focus on the reality of a new morning. Dandy was lying next to him, snoring softly. Bug carefully climbed out of bed, found his pants and stumbled out of the room. Once again he had horrible dreams, images of Dandy and Jeff, ripping at Bug's hair and skin, until he was nothing more than bone. Half way down the stairs, Bug stopped; he heard voices in the kitchen. Slowly he took another step, one voice was definitely Jeff, and it took him a few more minutes to decipher then next person. "I've talked with Mr. Thornton and he swears Virgil was in his room all night. Ya know they is stayin' at his brother's Burgees's house right?" "Yes I've heard that." Jeff said flatly. "But I'm telling you Sheriff, it was Virgil Thornton. Bug identified him." "And that brings us to another problem." Sheriff Tanner said weakly. "I'm gettin' hassled by the Department of Social Services concernin' Bug." "That's just wonderful, how the hell did they get into this?" Bug had never heard Jeff mad, it made his voice sound foreign and strained. "I'm sorry about that Mr. Daniels, nothin' I could do once Mrs. Thornton was murdered." Sheriff Tanner said sarcastically. "Damn it, Tanner! You get this fixed. And go get that fucking Virgil Thornton!" Bug staggered up the stairs, the fury in Jeff's voice scared him. He wanted to run, run outside to the lake or the field, anywhere without walls. "Ya listen here Mr. Daniels!" Tanner yelled back. "I follow the law. I don't care how much money ya have or that ya father built this town, I ain't goin' ta a grieving widower and tellin' him his son's a murderer! I can't understand why ya is protecting that psycho's son is beyond me!" Bug quickly crept back up the stairs before the departing Sheriff could see him. He found himself in the bathroom and gasping for breath. "Why.?" Bug squeaked and fell to the floor. "Why can't life be normal?" Slowly, as if every bone in his body was shattered, Bug pulled himself off the floor. Without thought, he started filling up the tub. Steam floated softly off the warm water as Bug stripped and slipped into the tub, instantly feeling the hot water relax his muscles. "Bug can I come in?" Jeff said on the other side of the door. "Bug." Jeff opened the door before Bug could answer and took a seat at the edge of the tub. "Sheriff Tanner was here and . it won't be long before everything is solved." Bug tried not to look surprised by the lie; he knew Jeff was only trying to protect him. "Did you sleep well?" Jeff asked after several minutes of awkward silence. "I guess." Bug managed to smile, although he really didn't feel like it. Jeff reached into the water and stroked Bug's bare leg. "What would you like to do today?" Jeff asked, his hand slowly moving up to Bug's thigh. "Whatcha guys doin'?" Dandy asked walking gracelessly into the bathroom, sleep plastered across his lazy face. "Just asking Bug what he would like to do today. do you have any suggestions." Jeff tone was less kind, reminisce of their fight last night apparently still too fresh. Dandy was ignorant to Jeff's mood, for he wrapped his arm around Jeff' s neck and kissed the man's cheek. "I want naked day." Dandy announced. "Naked day?" Jeff said wrinkling up his nose. "Sure why not. after all ya are the only one not naked." Dandy laughed. Bug was amazed at the difference a night could make. Last night, Dandy was desolate and lost, but today it was as if nothing was wrong or had ever been wrong. "Naked day huh? What do you think Bug, how does 'Naked day' sound to you?" "I don't care." Bug forced himself to look happy. He wasn't sure how he could continue pretending to be happy, not with the weight of the madness bearing down on him. Virgil, Sheriff Tanner, Jeff and Dandy all wanted something from him and he wasn't sure he could give anymore. Jeff pulled Bug out of the tub and toweled him off, it was done lovingly, Bug didn't expect anything less from Jeff. It wasn't long before they all headed into Jeff's room, two naked boys and a now naked man, sitting on the bed and chatting. As Bug sat between the two, he didn't listen to the conversation, it had nothing to do with him, it wasn't about Sheriff Tanner or Virgil Thornton, nothing of that was mentioned and he knew it would be. Jeff and Dandy talked about the presumed vacation they were planning, a vacation Bug had no intentions of going. He also knew that the talk was more for Jeff and Dandy to mend their differences. He was relieved to see them together again, actually enjoying each other's company. Both Dandy and Jeff had a special look in their eyes; Bug assumed it was true love. "Someone is very quiet." Jeff said leaning over Bug and smiling. "What 's wrong?" "Nothin' wrong, I was just thinkin'." Bug said quickly. "I know what you were thinkin' about." Dandy said giggling and started kissing Bug's neck. "Ain't no reason ta waste a 'Naked day' right?" "Right." Bug managed to say. Both Jeff and Dandy started moving their hands over Bug's body. Both Jeff and Dandy moved with a experienced accuracy, moving Bug around so that Dandy could wrap his lips around Bug's erection. Jeff mounted Dandy from behind, Bug watched with honest interest as Jeff slipped his penis between Dandy's butt cheeks. Bug tried his best to see exactly what Jeff was doing, but it was difficult with Dandy between his legs. As Bug lay there, closing his eyes so that he could enjoy the full power of the 'lollipop' Dandy was giving him, he began to think on the life he had here. Was this all there was? Was this the love Jeff and Dandy had and nothing more? Bug wanted to be held in Jeff's lap again, cuddled and babied one more time. He did love 'lollipops' and wanted to try more of this lovemaking, but there was more he needed. What this all that Jeff and Dandy had, didn't they desire more from their relationship? Jeff howled like a wild animal, making a face that Bug found comical. He gripped Dandy's hips and pumped his pelvis into Dandy's butt, making a laughable clapping sound, skin against skin. Bug thought it all looked foolish; he wasn't in any hurry to put his willie into someone's butt hole. "Oh God. Oh God!" Jeff screeched like a banshee through gripped teeth and red faced. Dandy had stopped sucking on Bug's erection and made a face almost exactly as comical as Jeff. "I'll be back." Bug said quickly and scoot off the bed, neither Jeff nor Dandy made a protest as he left the room. Bug was happy to get away from the two lovers; he was feeling like a third wheel. Bug went to his room and slipped on his pants, having a 'Naked Day' just seemed stupid to him. It wasn't that he minded being naked with Jeff or Dandy, but to have a planned day, took all the fun out of it. Bug thought about going down stairs and watching television, but the sun gleaming in from his double doors was too inviting, outside was calling his name. Bug tiptoed down the stairs, he didn't want to disturb Jeff and Dandy, from the sounds he heard from the room, they were still going strong. The summer breeze felt great against Bug's bare chest, he inhaled deeply and started running. It was wonderful to run free again, he didn't realize how trapped he had felt. "Fuckin' maggot!" Bug turn around just in time to see Virgil Thornton. Time slowed as Bug's mind registered this horrific moment. Virgil aiming a rifle at him, the wind sputtering away, until it felt like a lonely breath, the brilliant mind numbing blue of a pure day and the gently sway of the uncut grass. All this seemed so foreign in this moment of panic, yet reassuring. There was a loud bang and the ground next to Bug's bare foot exploded. Bug dived to the ground as Virgil cocked the rifle. "I'm gonna kill ya Bug! I'm gonna fuckin' kill ya!" "What are ya doing Virgil?" Bug managed to say as he pulled himself off the ground. "Why are ya trying ta kill me?" "WHY. WHY?" Virgil screamed. "Ya killed my Ma, ya bastard!" Old fears flooded over Bug, he staggered back and looked at Virgil, trying to see if he was real or imaginary. If Virgil had killed his mother, then why was he blaming Bug? Nothing made sense anymore. "I. I didn't kill ya mother." Bug said faintly, not completely sure he was telling the truth. "Bullshit, ya is possessed by demons, she said so!" Virgil was crying now. "Virgil put down the rifle." Jeff said as he hopped outside still pulling on his pants. "Virgil I said PUT DOWN THAT RIFLE!" "NO, Bug's got ta pay for killin' my Ma!" Bug couldn't breathe, his chest hurt as his heart pounded out of control. Will this never end?" Bug begged. "Don't worry Bug, Dandy is calling the Sheriff." Jeff reassured. "Virgil, I can honestly say that Bug had nothing to do with your mother's murder." Jeff slowly stepped off the porch. He held his hands out as if trying to indicate he wasn't dangerous. "I'm sorry for what happened and I know how upset you are." "SHUT UP!" Virgil screamed, pointing the rifle at Jeff now. "Just shut up, I know Bug did it, I KNOW HE DID!" "Damn it Virgil, listen to me; Bug had nothing to do with your mother' s murder!" Bug watched the futile argument between Jeff and Virgil, in the end someone was going to die. Virgil wielded the rifle like the armor of God, he hid behind it, and drawing strength and courage form it. Jeff looked so vulnerable, his hands visibly shaking as he confronted the maniac child. Bug wanted to disappear, to close his eyes and wake up from this terrible dream. "I called Tanner!" Dandy yelled as he burst out of the house. Bug heard another 'bang', Virgil scream, Jeff scream and Dandy fall. Bug's feet were cemented to the ground, reality was twisting around him. He watched Virgil's expression change from disbelief to hardened anger. The rifle swung around and pointed towards him. "Ya made me do that, ya made me shoot the boy." Virgil growled. Bug ignored Virgil, he couldn't take his eyes off Dandy laying across the steps of the porch, blood pooling at his side. "Virgil shut up." Bug said more calmly that he thought possible. "Just shut up." "Ya shut up!" Virgil barked back. Bug looked back to Jeff and Dandy; he smiled when he watched Jeff pick Dandy up. He could see now, that Dandy was not dead, his arm bleed madly, but it didn't look too bad to him. He wanted to run up to Dandy and hug him, to tell him how happy he was that he was still alive, but the black rifle in Virgil's hand reminded Bug, that this was all his fault. Virgil lifted up the rifle, straining as if it weighed a hundred pounds. Bug closed his eyes, ready to feel the piercing bullet rip into him. However, nothing happened. "Thank God!" Jeff said almost cheerfully. Bug opened his eyes as he heard a car pull up behind him. "Drop the rifle Virgil!" Sheriff Tanner screamed, jumping out of his car and pulling out his gun. "Virgil, what do ya think ya is doin'?" Pa Thornton sputtered as he got out of the passenger side of the police car. "Don't do this Virgil." Bug felt as if he was watching an adventure show on the television, he looked to Virgil and then to Pa Thornton, to Sheriff Tanner and Jeff. "Pa I got ta kill him. he murdered Ma." Virgil sobbed. "Now Virgil, just put down the rifle, before anyone else is hurt." Tanner said taking baby steps towards the crying boy. "Just hand me the rifle real slow like." For a moment, Bug thought Virgil was going to relinquish the weapon to Sheriff Tanner, but a dark shadow crossed his young face, twisting his mouth into a sinister grin. "Don't do it boy." Tanner spat. "Virgil stop!" Pa Thornton screamed and ran between the sheriff and his son. "Stop this Virgil. Bug. Bug didn't kill ya Ma. I did." Bug heard everyone gasp, and for a moment, he couldn't comprehend what Pa Thornton had said. "Pa, what are ya sayin'?" Virgil said in a hushed voice. "She wouldn't shut her mouth about. about Bug bein' possessed." Pa Thornton turned to face Jeff. "I couldn't lose my land. it's all I got, it's all that I am." "Theodore. I." Jeff started, but couldn't finish, all he managed was a shake of his head. "Virgil, ya got to understand. I asked her. I kept askin' her ta shut up. but she wouldn't stop. she didn't give me any other choice." "I was in the house." Virgil said simply. "I barely escaped my bedroom alive." "Virgil. I . please forgive me." Pa Thornton took a step closer to his son, his hands outreached, a gesture of surrender. Before Pa Thornton could take another step, the rifle fired. Pa Thornton's chest exploded with smoke and blood. Once again, the world slowed down for Bug, he watched as Pa Thornton collapsed to the ground, blood spouting out of his chest, he turned towards Virgil, the movement agonizing slow and screamed when part of Virgil's head exploded away. He turned again to see Tanner fall to his knees, in shock and disgust over what he had just done. Bug staggered back, his head spinning, stars dancing through his vision. He felt himself falling, but couldn't do anything about it, the world flashed pure white, fading quickly to darkness and as he hit the ground, he was consumed into the void of unconsciousness. "How ya feelin' sweetheart?" Bug forced his eyes open, almost afraid of what he would see. "There we go, ya's goin' ta be just fine." Miss June said looking down at Bug. He was lying on his bed. Had it all be a horrible dream? "Dandy. is Dandy." "Hush now, don't ya fret now. Dandy and Mr. Daniels are both fine. Poor little Dandy done got a nasty bullet . gash on his arm, but ain't nothin' to worry about." "Where is he?" Bug asked as he successfully sat up. "They're at the hospital, but should be home soon." Miss June helped Bug downstairs, so he could wait for Jeff and Dandy to return home, he didn't look outside. He couldn't look outside, he knew that the bodies of Pa and Virgil wouldn't be there, but he couldn 't take the chance. "They're home." Miss June announced as she hobbled to the front door. "Thank the Lord, thank the Lord." Bug followed her, holding his breath as the door opened. "Hi." Dandy said blushing, his arm bandaged and in a sling. "Are ya okay?" Bug asked sheepishly. "He's fine." Jeff answered for him. "The bullet only grazed his arm. the luckiest kid in the world." "And thank God fer that miracle." Miss June added. "I'm gonna fix ya' ll the biggest meal ya ever had." Without waiting for anyone to comment, Miss June headed into the kitchen. "I think Dandy should get some rest." Jeff tried to smile, but he seemed too exhausted to achieve the attempt. Bug watched as they made their way up the stairs, he was experiencing so many emotions at that moment, he thought he might pass out again. Miss June spoke true about her meal. It was huge; Bug had never seen so much food in one place. He and Jeff ate together talking as if nothing extraordinary had happened at all today. Bug found it unnerving; Virgil and Pa Thornton were dead. The Thornton family was no more, they ceased to exist. They all died because Bug had come into their life. After the meal, Jeff went upstairs to stay with Dandy as he recuperated, Bug headed for his room. Bug was standing on the balcony when Jeff entered the room. "How you feeling?" Jeff asked and instantly started massaging his shoulders. "I'm okay." Bug said. "I have something for you." Bug turned around and Jeff handed him a book. "It was your mother's favorite book." Jeff said. Bug looked down at the thick book and smiled, Aesop's Fables. It was identical to his old book. Suddenly Bug got the feeling; the book had another meaning for Jeff. He looked up into the man's eyes and could see the sadness there. "Thank ya." Bug finally said, feeling the weight of the book in his hands. "Get some sleep; it's been a very long day." Jeff said and gave Bug a kiss on his cheek. It was midnight, the time had come, he had found a bag and it now lay filled with left over chicken, biscuits and his new book. It was all that he needed for what he was about to do. He knew that Jeff's gift was a farewell present, Sheriff Tanner would be there for him in the morning, ready to take him away. Bug didn't know where they take kids that didn't have family, but he knew he didn't want to go there. Bug looked around the room one more time, saying goodbye to the memories he had here. He tiptoed out of his room and ran straight into Dandy. "Whatcha doin'?" Dandy asked. "I. I." "Ya's leavin' ain't ya?" Bug could only nod to the question. He felt ashamed for being so sneaky. "Hang on, I got somethin' for ya." Dandy went back into his bedroom and reappeared with money. "It ain't much, but ya may need it." "Thank ya." Bug pocketed the money and sniffed back a tear. "Where will ya go?" Dandy cried, hugging Bug tightly. "Ain't sure. tell Jeff I'm sorry and thank ya." "I will." Dandy stepped back from Bug and watched him descent the stairs. Bug didn't look back, this was his past now, he focused on the ground ahead of him, his future. He didn't know where he would go, it really didn't matter. There was somewhere out there a place he belonged and if he followed his feet, he would find his home. The stars smiled down at Bug as he walked the dirt road. With each step, Bug's confidence grew, his spirit glowed. He was free at last, the future was his to make and his to control. Bug started humming, quickening his step. Today was the beginning of his new life. To Be Continued. Thanks to Everyone for their wonderful e-mails, they were much appreciated.