Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 04:11:49 EST From: snwdemon@yahoo.com Subject: Rodie's Love Chapter 15 From: Snwdemon Subject: Rodie's Love Chapter 15: (M/b, wet) WARNING: This story contains descriptions of sexual acts involving MINOR boys. I wish to explain that this story is not true! Further, it is not intended to promote illegal acts against minors, but to demonstrate that young boys can love each other. The sexual acts described in the story are the result of my imagination. I have not performed these acts, and I do not encourage others to perform them with minors. If the subject of man/boy or homosexual love between minor offends you, if this material is illegal in your place of residence, or if you are under the legal age for such material, do not read further! By downloading this story: You implicitly declare and affirm under penalties of perjury that you are not a minor or in the company of a minor and are entitled to have access to material intended for mature, responsible members of society capable of making decisions about the content of documents they wish to read ." The story is copyrighted under my pseudonym, Snwdemon. A copy has been placed in these archives for your enjoyment. The story cannot be used to derive monetary gain. However, if you want to place a copy of this story in your free access archives please email me for my permission. The story cannot be placed in archives that require payment for access, or printed and distributed in any form that requires payment either directly or indirectly. Any similarity to individuals, living, or dead, is partially accidental. Reference is also made in context to locations, businesses, characters, and people to define the story line. No other implication about the true sexuality or actions of the people, or places mentioned is intended. Author's note: Hello again everyone. I am sorry for the long delay in the continuation of this story but I suffered from an artistic spasm. I drafted chapters 15 through 20, but really did not like the storyline or the conclusion. Therefore, I did what any competent artist does; I threw them out and started over. Unbelievably, I watched a TV documentary about a criminal case and it gave me the inspiration for the conclusion of this story. I have to thank AETV for their excellent documentary on the Alex and Derek King murder trial titled "A perversion of Justice". As well as CBS show "Without a trace". There will only be two or possibly three more chapters to end this story, so I hope you enjoy them. However, this is not the end of Rodie's story, just an end to this particular portion of his life. In addition, I would like to thank certain people who have continued to email me since I had posted chapter 14. For those of you who emailed me to comment on the story, I give you my thanks and appreciation. For the others who I have developed email friendships with because of this story, thanks for your support and friendship. Your feelings and caring are appreciated and reciprocated. Now, this is enough chitchat for the time being because you have a story to finish. That is because you have a story to read. Note: AETV is the trademark for A&E TV, and the original program "A Perversion of Justice" is protected by copyright and trademark laws. The same goes for CBS and its original show "Without a Trace." Rodie's Love: Chapter 15 By Snwdemon Rodie awoke in the pre-dawn twilight; he was confused for a moment before remembering that Jim was sleeping next to him. He relaxed and took a deep breath, releasing it slowly before nestling against Jim. Jim shifted slightly before hugging him unconsciously. Rodie closed his eyes and basked in Jim's warm gentle embrace before slipping off to sleep again with a content little smile on his face. He completely forgot about the low growl that had awoken him just moments before. It was dawn when Jim awoke. He felt Rodie stir a little in his sleep, and felt the heat coming from between them. As he looked at the young boy he cradled in his arms, he felt Rodie gently clench his butt cheeks around his hard prick where it was nestled between them. He could see Rodie's eyelids fluttering just as a soft moan escaped Rodie's small mouth. "He's dreaming of us," Jim thought to himself as he watched his angel's face. He gently slid his right arm down until he was able to cover Rodie's small, hard cocklet, and soft balls that were pulled up tight against his body. As he did this, Rodie's breathing started becoming more ragged and while he clenched his butt and pressed backwards at the same time. Letting go of Rodie's prize, Jim gently reached over and retrieved a couple of tissues, before returning his hand to its original place. It did not take much longer for Rodie to reach his peak, but Jim was surprised by Rodie's reaction afterwards. Just as Jim had his hand in place, Rodie climaxed. His body stiffened and he managed to give a small thrust into Jim's waiting hand and tissues. "Oh daddy! I'm ah uuhhn sor sor uuhhn sorry," Rodie said still half asleep. He was about to speak again when Jim leaned down and whispered "sssshhhh" to him. Jim just lightly held Rodie's twitching penis in his tissue wrapped hand. After two more spurts into the tissues was when Rodie was able to begin to relax slowly. Jim gently wiped away the remnants of Rodie's first wet dream since his surgery. Not completely realizing that Rodie was still half-asleep and disoriented still, Jim finished cleaning up Rodie and tossed the damp tissues into the trashcan. He was surprised again by the shameful tears that he heard Rodie crying. "Oh my love, please don't cry. There is nothing to be upset or ashamed of here. Everything is fine my love, just look and see." Rodie flinched a little when Jim spoke at first. Then he bolted upright in the bed and looked around wildly as the last vestiges of sleep disappeared from his eyes. "You are not daddy! Where is he at Jim? He's here Jim, I can feel him!" Rodie exclaimed still searching wildly around the room for his father. Jim could see the panic and fear in his eyes as Rodie scanned the dimly lit room. Jim quickly assessed the situation before speaking soft and slowly to him. "It is just me Rodie. Just calm down now, your daddy is not here to hurt you, because it is just us now. That is right, it is just the two of us my love. Now take a deep breath and let it out slowly . . . that is right. Just relax my love; now take another one just like the first . . . good." Jim said soothingly to Rodie as he watched the panic and fear begin to slowly drain out of his eyes. Finally, as Rodie focused on Jim's face, Jim saw Rodie's shoulders droop and heard him sniffle just as the next tear rand down his face. He sat up and gently wrapped his arms around Rodie's confused body, and drew him close. Just as the first tremors began, Rodie turned around completely, and hugged Jim tightly. As his tears came hot and fast, a muffled wail escaped him as he clung to Jim. "Oh Jim, I'm sorry." Rodie cried. "It's ok my love. I am here for you. So just let it all go, and wash some of the pain and shame you are feeling away. Everything is ok now, so you just wash those bad memories away so they can no longer hurt you, my love." Jim said soothingly as he pulled Rodie's small body into his lap. Rodie cried for about 15 minutes before the tears stopped, and leaving him hiccupping occasionally. Jim continued to sooth him while he gently caressed his bare back and shoulders. After a few more minutes, Rodie lifted his head from Jim's shoulder while holding his nose. Jim quickly handed him some tissues, and Rodie blew his nose. He then dabbed at his reddened eyes with another tissue that Jim handed him. "I am ok now Jim, thanks," Rodie said with a little sheepish look on his face. "It is ok, my love. You want to talk about it? If not, I understand." Jim asked him softly before kissing his forehead. "I don't know really what happened. I was dreaming about us but when I woke up, I thought that uh, I mean that daddy was um. I just do not know Jim, normally when I wake up and reach out, I can feel you. I feel your thoughts, or I feel Mom's thoughts. Also Eddie's, Mark's, Eric's, John's, and Marco's too and I relax. Although that is a little harder now since Mom and Eddie are at our home in Virginia. But when I woke up just now, the first one I felt was daddy and it scared me." Rodie explained while trying to help by using his arms to aid in his explanation. "You were having a wet dream. So maybe that is what screwed up your radar bright eyes." Jim answered with a soft look. "I guess so Jim, it is just that I haven't felt him for so long though, and it felt so real just now. I can still feel him sort of, even now and it is giving me the creeps." Rodie said softly into Jim's ear while a shudder ran through his small body as he hugged him. Jim could feel Rodie's body trembling, and how he was hugging him tighter than normal. "It's all right now, I'm here for you. It is probably just the P.T.S.D. that is causing it. So just, relax and calm down now. However, if you squeeze me much tighter my love, I am going to give you a golden shower." Jim said with a smile. Rodie laughed and sat up in Jim's lap before squeezing his legs closed to show he needed to go also. Jim picked him up and carried him into the bathroom. He lowered him down gently until Rodie was standing on his own, before moving to the opposite side of the toilet. As he peed, he watched Rodie as he peed. Other than making a face when he first started, Rodie was able to urinate without any problems. Jim flushed the toilet after they finished and joined Rodie at the sink where he washed both of their hands. He was about to pick Rodie up when Rodie waved him off. Walking slowly on slightly trembling legs, Rodie walked out of the bathroom and around the bed to the dresser before he sat down. "That was wonderful, Bright Eyes!" Jim exclaimed as he hugged Rodie. "Now look, I want you to walk as much as you want to today. However, I do not want you to over stress yourself, do you understand me!" "Ok Jim, I will take it easy today and won't walk too much. I will also rest when I need to rest, or allow one of you to help me if you let me go swimming again today." Rodie said with a twinkle in his eyes while grinning at him. "Alright, but I want you to promise me. Moreover, I will hold you to that promise young man." Jim told him with a stern look on his face. "I promise Jim. I won't over do it too much," Rodie answered with a toothy smile. "Now wait here because I know someone who wants to help you shower. He has to start learning how to wash that hair of yours sooner or later." Jim said with a smile before standing up and putting on his robe. He then left the room. After a few minutes, Mark and Eric came bounding in and hugged him. Jim watched the three of them talking for a few minutes before Mark went to the dresser and extracted some clean clothes for him and Rodie. Eric got his own clothes just as Mark picked up Rodie and headed into the bathroom closing the door behind them. Eric had a sad look on his face as he approached Jim with his clothes. Jim already knew and understood, so he reached down, picked up Eric, carried him into his room while tickling him before putting him down, and shooing him into the master bath as Eric giggled happily. Jim grabbed his own change of clothes before following Eric into the bathroom. Jim turned on the water and adjusted the temperature before starting the shower. He then sat on the toilet lid, pulled Eric between his legs, and started undressing the giggling imp. Having done this before, Jim knew all the ticklish spots to hit as he undressed Eric. Once the giggling imp was naked, and sporting a mini-boner, Jim gave it a gentle squeeze that made Eric breath in sharply while his small penis throbbed. Jim then picked him up and gently placed him in the shower, but not before witnessing the look of utter frustration on Eric's cherubic face. Jim quickly undressed himself and joined him in the shower, letting Eric stare at the only other uncircumcised, thick, and incredibly hard penis that he had encountered in his short lifetime. Once he made sure that they were both wet, he sat down and pulled Eric close to him. Jim grabbed the `No tears' shampoo and lathered up Eric's head, and finished it off with a swirled mountain of suds on top of Eric's head. Next, he rinsed Eric's short hair before applying the apple-scented conditioner. Jim then switched places with Eric and quickly washed his own hair while Eric watched. Once he was done, he rinsed Eric's hair before grabbing two body sponges and handing one to Eric. He then proceeded to lather himself up with the body wash and sponge while Eric imitated his every move. Jim quickly rinsed Eric's front and back before standing under the spray and rinsing himself. He turned off the water, scooped Eric up, and exited the tub/shower. Jim then blew a strawberry on Eric's belly making him squeal with giggles before setting him down and wrapping a large towel around him. Jim dried himself and pulled on his robe before sitting down on the lid again. He then dried Eric gently but thoroughly but decided that it was time for one of those life lessons for Eric before he would help him dress. "Come stand in front of me Eric, and take off your towel because it is not needed." Jim said quietly to the bundled imp next to him. Eric nodded in agreement, and did as he was instructed, while Jim removed his own robe before sitting down again on the toilet lid. Once he had Eric standing in front of him, Jim asked him a few long needed questions in regards to the proper care of foreskin. "Alright, Spritemite, I asked you over at the beach house if you know how to do this and you said yes. Well obviously, somebody told you wrong, that is why it is always itching, and looking irritated. I bet that sometimes when you pee it even hurts, but I mean it is a burning sensation that you would feel. Am I right for thinking this?" Jim asked him after placing his hands on Eric's bare hips. "Yeah your right, but I clean it like the doc told me to. But, it still itches and burns sometimes when I pee. What am I doing wrong Jim?" Eric explained shyly while holding the tip of his hard penis with his fingers. "I know, but if it is anything like what they told me when I was your age, then I can understand why you are constantly twiddling with it. Look, why don't I show you the right way to clean it, and then you will know, and be much more relieved afterwards. Ok?" Jim said. "Ok Jim. What do I do?" Eric answered with a serious expression on his face. "First off, you can not use just any old soap for there. I think it would be better with just anti-bacterial hand soap to wash it with. Now, retract your foreskin all the way back, yes, I know that it hurts when you do that, but it is required to clean the area properly, so go ahead and do it this time. Now here is a warmed wet wash cloth, let me give it a few squirts for the soap, ok now gently wash from the line there all the way to the tip. See that waxy looking stuff there? That is called Smegma, or as you young'uns call it `dick cheese'. That is what causes the constant irritation, and anti-bacterial soap will kill the bacteria in it. Make sure you wash the head and the underside ring around the head because that is where it builds up. Now rinse it with this antiseptic wipe, but be careful not to rub it across or on your pee slit because it will burn like crazy. Now dry it real good but do not allow your foreskin to retract. Finally yet importantly, take this powder puff and dust the whole area with baby powder. This will keep it dry under your foreskin as well as the rest of your groin area. That is all there is too it, see. Now I want you to do that every time you bath or shower. That should stop all of the soreness, swelling, and itchiness." Jim explained this to Eric and walked him through each step using his own cock as an example while Eric mirrored his actions with his own. "Oh wow! Jim this feels so much better now. The doc did not tell me all of those things either. Thanks Jim," Eric said before he scrambled over and kissed and hugged Jim tightly. "Your welcome, Spritemite, now let's get dressed and go out to the others," Jim told him as he gave Eric a tight hug and a kiss on the nose. Jim proceeded in helping Eric get dressed before dressing in his robe. Next, he blow-dried Eric's hair and had him brush his teeth before giving him another kiss and hug and sitting him on the countertop beside him. Jim took out his razor and shaving gel before filling the basin with warm water. He then did exactly the same thing with Eric as he did with Rodie weeks before. He pulled out another razor, but put in the blank cartridge with no blades, before he lathered up both him and Eric and proceeded to teach him how to shave as he shaved. Finally, Jim brushed his own teeth and then put a small amount of gel into his hair. He then collected the towels and Eric's pajamas, and left the bathroom with Eric following. He had Eric fold and put away his pajamas while he put the towels in the hamper before getting dressed and both going to the living room. Eric immediately went over to his father and climbed into his lap before kissing and hugging him. "Well now, don't you smell good this morning, sunshine," John said before kissing him on the forehead. "Jim showed me how to shave daddy, but he cut himself and I didn't," Eric exclaimed eagerly. "Well, Jim is old like me, and we old men tend to shake, you know." John said in a somber voice, which made Eric giggle. "We also tend to belch too, and we also fart but only if you pull our fingers first." Jim added making them all laugh. Just then, Marco came out from the kitchen with a silver coffee service along with a carafe of Orange Juice. He sat it down onto the coffee table before greeting Jim and Eric. "Good Morning Jim, John, and young Eric. Please have some coffee or juice since both are fresh. And where would be our other charges right now?" Marco said to them as he served the coffee. "Oh they will be out shortly; Mark is learning how to take care of Rodie's hair. Although, I will go check on them if they are much longer,' Jim explained to him. They had just finished their first cup of coffee when Rodie walked out slowly from the back. He had his hand on Mark's shoulder to steady himself while Mark was constantly on guard just in case he stumbled. He came over, kissed Jim, and rubbed his small nose against Jim's before sitting down beside Mark on the loveseat. However, he also sat closest to Jim who was seated in his recliner. Jim looked at him carefully and noticed when he absently wiped away small beads of perspiration from his forehead. This just reminded Jim as well as the others of Rodie's weakened condition. "That was wonderful Rodie, I am so proud of you," Jim told him as he poured him some coffee. Rodie beamed at the compliment, but his hand trembled slightly as he took his coffee from Jim. "Well, I was wondering if Rodie would be able to eat my Crab Benedict this morning Jim?" Marco asked him. "You can make that Marco? I love that, but I only got it when mom would take me to the brunch buffet at the Holiday Inn after church back home. Well, can I have that Jim?" Rodie asked with a hopeful look on his face. "I don't know? I figured that we would keep you on the gruel for a little while longer. However, you do need to be fattened up a little so I guess it would be ok this time," Jim answered in a doubtful voice. Rodie let out a gleeful "Yes!" when Jim gave his approval causing everyone to laugh while he blushed prettily. Marco got up and went into the kitchen, and then Mark politely excused himself and followed. "It figures, he is just like his mother. He loves to cook and never passes up an opportunity to learn a new dish." John explained to them as he watched Mark go into the kitchen. Rodie then started to stand up when his legs buckled under him sloshing coffee out on the table. "Whoa! I gotcha Bright Eyes," Jim said as he caught Rodie just as his legs gave way. He steadied him then lifted him up into his lap, and started wiping Rodie's hands and arms where the coffee splashed on him. "You ok now, Rodie?" "Yeah, thanks Jim. I was going to come and sit here with you, but I guess walking out here tired me more than I thought. I'm sorry for making a mess, I will clean it up if you want me too," Rodie explained quickly while looking at the spilled coffee. Both John and Eric had jumped up as Rodie started to fall, but stopped when Jim caught him. "That is quite alright Rodie; we will take care of it. So don't get upset about it, Eric please run into the kitchen and get a dishcloth please, and bring a damp one also." John said, and Eric promptly left to retrieve the cloths. "Are you ok, you didn't hurt yourself did you?" John asked him as he placed some napkins along the edge to prevent the coffee from spilling onto the floor. "I'm ok John, I just didn't realize how fast my legs would get tired," Rodie said to him while Jim reached over and poured him a fresh cup of coffee. Mark came out of the kitchen followed by Eric and Marco. "I'm ok, really everyone. I'm just a little tired is all," Rodie told them after looking at all of their concerned faces. "All right, my love. We are all just concerned about you because we all love you very much." Jim told him as he handed him his coffee cup. Rodie took a quick sip before sitting it down next to Jim's cup and then looked around at them. Jim could see him carefully probing all of them, verifying what he had just said. Finally, Rodie looked at Jim for a long moment before a single tear slid down his face. "Why Jim? Nobody loved me before except mommy. Not even my daddy loved me, so why do all of you care so much about me? Even when I screw up or make a mess, all of you still care and worry about me. Why am I so special to all of you?" Rodie asked quietly, only glancing around once before looking at Jim for the answer. He wanted to ask Jim why he felt uneasy but he could not even describe how he felt at that moment. Jim could see the emotional confusion Rodie was experiencing at that moment, so he chose his words carefully when he answered. "It is because we can see the truth Rodie. It is because we can see you, all of you, and what we see is why we love you so much. The truth is that a person can be the dumbest person, or biggest klutz in the world, or the richest, or poorest person. However, what we see is a beautiful boy, who makes people smile, or stop and stare in wonder when he walks by. We see how you make people laugh, and how you give people hope by doing the most innocent things. Those things cannot be learned, because they are a gift, just like your other talents. It is very rare to meet someone like you. That is why when we do meet them, we cherish them, just as we cherish you. We do not need to tell you that for each one of us, before we met you, our lives were in a dark time. We are not anymore now because you have changed that just by being here with us. I know that you do not fully understand why we all love you so much. You will understand one day, but first you have to learn how to accept our love. You give your love easily, but besides your mother, nobody has ever given his or her love to you. So do not worry about why we love you right now, just accept the love that we give you and one day you will understand why." As Jim said this to him, Rodie knew he was right. He did not know why they loved him, or why even when he made a mistake why they loved him even more. He had never felt like this before, and it was very confusing to him, yet made him feel good at the same time. Yet he could not shake the unease he felt, so he just nodded and smiled at Jim while more tears slipped down his face. Jim then hugged him and Rodie just rested his head against Jim's chest listening to his heartbeat as he wept silently. Slowly, he felt every one of them hugging and reassuring him. He decided to stop thinking about his unease and just enjoy being with them. He sat up and wiped his eyes before speaking. "I'm ok now, all of you made it better again like you always do," Rodie said with a small smile. Mark came and knelt beside him while Marco leaned over and spoke to him. "We know that you are going through a tough time right now Bright Eyes. Therefore, you will just have to have faith and trust us for now. Now let me go finish breakfast, or would you prefer another shake instead?" Marco said to him. "No way, a Crab Benedict is way better than a shake anytime," Rodie answered with a giggle. Marco chuckled and patted him on the shoulder before straightening up and heading back into the kitchen. Eric and John cleaned up the spilled coffee while Mark waited beside Jim and Rodie. "It's ok Mark, really. I just had a bad dream this morning and its got me all screwed up right now. Ask Jim," Rodie told him after seeing his concern. "He is right Mark, he had a bad dream about his father this morning, and it has gotten him confused right now. I think he is ok now so do not worry alright," Jim explained to him. Mark looked relieved after Jim told him that. "Well if you need me, just call me. I'll be helping Marco in the kitchen, and I will make yours with an extra helping of crabmeat ok." Mark told him. He then leaned over to kiss Rodie's forehead but Rodie hugged him and kissed him on the lips before rubbing his small nose against his. They both smiled at each other, and then Mark got up and went back into the kitchen. Rodie snuggled against Jim and drank his coffee with small sips. Eric and John finished their clean up, and went into the kitchen, but returned with the silverware and started setting the breakfast table. Once they were finished, it was only a few more minutes before Marco announced that breakfast was served. Rodie started to get down out of Jim's lap, but Jim stopped him. "No, I will carry you. Your little accident showed you that your legs are weaker than you thought, so try walking today on a much smaller scale. Tomorrow we can have you try for a little longer distance, and a little more the next day. This way you will not over exert yourself like you did just now." Jim said in a soft voice to him. Rodie considered it for a moment then nodded his head in agreement. Jim motioned for someone to help him and Mark came over and steadied him as he stood up with Rodie in his arms. He carried Rodie to his seat at the dining table while Mark brought their coffee cups and the carafes placing them on the table. Once Rodie was situated, everyone else was seated just as Marco brought out the serving tray. Mark helped him pass out the individual plates to everyone except Rodie. Mark gave Rodie his plate last, and his had twice the amount of sautéed crabmeat than the others had. "Stop drooling Rodie, it is an unbecoming habit," Jim whispered to him. Rodie turned and gave Jim a hard stare before sticking his tongue out at him before resuming his drooling that caused the others to break out laughing. "Umm...I am not too good at this but can I say the Grace this morning Dad?" Eric asked in a meek tone of voice. "Sure you can son, and it is always good if it comes from your heart," John said to Eric before leaning over and kissing him on the forehead. "Ok, here goes...Thank you Lord for this meal, and thank you for bringing Rodie home to us and making him better. Thank you for bringing all of us together as an extended family when we all needed someone to understand and love us or be a true friend. This is the best weekend ever and I hope that it will never end. Amen." "Amen." "That was beautiful young Eric, and I do not think any of us could have said it better than you did." Marco complimented Eric, whose smile lit up the whole room. "Now everybody eat before the crab gets cold." "I agree," Rodie said with a mouthful of crab before attacking his plate with a vengeance. Everyone ate, and all complimented Mark and Marco for an excellent breakfast. The usual talk, kidding, and laughter went around the table as usual. Rodie finished his crab benedict first even though his was the largest. Jim saw him beginning to doze in his chair just as he finished his breakfast along with Mark. Jim carefully stood up and motioned Mark to help, and he immediately moved over to the other side of Rodie. After easing Rodie's chair back from the table, Jim gently picked up Rodie into his arms. He then moved away from the table and Mark moved beside him. Jim carefully handed Rodie to Mark and asked him to go put him bed. Mark nodded his head before heading towards the bedrooms while tenderly cradling Rodie to his chest. Mark gently laid Rodie on his bed and removed his clothes until he was clad in his underwear before covering him up and leaning down to kiss him. "I love you Rodie, sleep well," Mark whispered to him after kissing him lightly on the lips before straightening up and quietly leaving the room. Mark did not even notice the shadowy form of the man peering through the window at them both. Paul gazed on to the face of his only child for a few more minutes before quietly slipping away towards the beach and out of sight. "Yes son, sleep well because you will need it soon...you all will. I am sorry for the pain I must inflict on you, but it is the only way to free you from my sins. May you forgive me one day son," Paul thought to himself as he left. He arrived at the beach house that was a mile distance from Jim's home in a few minutes. He looked around to make sure nobody was watching him, and let himself in even though he did not have a key. That is because he did not need one since he had broken into the house the night before. He got himself a Pepsi from the refrigerator and sat down in the easy chair in the living room. He buried his face into his hands and a muffled sob escaped from beneath him. "Dear God, what did you do to him? He looks so weak and frail...wasn't what I did to him enough?" Paul said quietly as he looked upwards with tears streaming down his face. "I know I am damned for eternity, but I will spare him from his grief. He is the only good thing I have ever produced in my life. It would be better for him to hate me than for him to endure my legacy of shame." Paul was a shadow of his former self now. He looked older, like a man in his late fifties instead of 40. He was a man at war with himself, and his appearance clearly showed that he was a man who was losing that war. What he had done to Rodie was horrible, but it paled in comparison to his last two victims. They had not survived his rage and lust, but Rodie was the lucky one. He had only been the catalyst that released the beast inside him. Now it was only a matter of time before everyone knew about the raging beast he struggled to contain inside himself. The police were conducting interviews where he lived to see if he had assaulted another child. They would discover the people who had seen the two missing boys at his house. From there they would discover their broken bodies hidden in the crawl space under the house. How they could not discover them when the smell alone would tell them where to look. He figured that he had another twenty-four hours before they started searching for him. That was all the time he would need, the time he needed to save his son. With that thought, he sank to his knees and clasped his hands together in prayer. "Dear Lord, our father in heaven. I know my sins have damned me to burn for eternity in hell. However, I ask you to grant me the strength and wisdom to save my son's soul from my legacy of evil. He is the innocent one, and he should not have to suffer for my sins. Grant me this last request dear Lord, and I will gladly accept eternal damnation for myself. I never meant to hurt him, yet I did, and I knew that I would do it again. Therefore, I abandoned him instead of confessing. I hid behind his fear of what I would do to him if he told the truth. It has nearly destroyed him, and it cost two innocent boys their lives. Nevertheless, I have been given a second chance to make things right for him. Please help me do what must be done to accomplish this. Make my final hours upon this Earth count for some good instead of the evil I have sown. Do not do this for my soul, but for his; I beg this of you." Paul whispered to the ceiling while tears streamed down his face. With that, he crossed himself, and whispered "Amen" before resuming his seat in the chair. After awhile Paul fixed himself a couple of sandwiches that he ate while listening to the portable police scanner he had just bought. Once he was finished, he cleaned up his mess and quietly slipped out of the house again. He walked the mile or so to his car, got in, and drove away. He needed to put it far enough away from the beach house so it would not attract attention to him, but close enough to Jim's home to let them know where he was going. Only by the time they realized that, he would already be there. Too bad Cathy would be in Richmond, but that would be okay with him since he did not need her here anyway. He drove south towards Nags Head, but stopped about 3 miles from town. He pulled off onto the side of the road after doing a "U" turn. Once no traffic was coming in either direction, he got out, took out his pocketknife, and cut the right front tire. He then turned on his emergency flashers and waved down a passing motorist. As the car stopped behind his car, he smiled and waved at the driver as he started towards the car. "Now let the final dance begin," he whispered to himself before introducing himself to the driver and asking for a ride back to town. Comments welcomed but flames will be read but unanswered. Snwdemon@yahoo.com