Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2000 20:13:14 CDT From: anthony burke Subject: humanity lesson chapter one discaimer: this story in no way should inmply that i know any on the charactersinvolved of the sexuality of any of the backstreetboys. this is just a story that has been running around in my head for awhile. Humanity Lesson chapter one "Hey guys come on we have to go, we're in a few minutes." Yelled Kevin, the father protector of the group. As the rest of the members of the Backstreet Boys came out of the dressing room of the concert hall, all Kevin could hear was the assorted mumbling and complaints about the hard touring schedules that their new label was forcing them to do promote their latest album. "Knock it off guys we are here to do a job, now lets rock this place." The grumbling dies down to a flicker as the announcer introduces the group to the thousands of fans that have come from all over the metro area to see their favorite group. After the group broke into their first number, a lone figure stepped out of the shadowy backstage area. "Brother, your charges have lost sight of their purpose." A secondary figure steps up to the first. "True brother but they are still young and will regain what they have lost." "But will it be in time to serve the purpose?" "I don't know brother, is their time of testing so soon?" "All of life is a test, as you should know by now brother." "Forgive me elder, so what is my task to be in this?" "The same as always brother. The lesson is mine to teach, your task remains the same. I do not envy your charge. To inspire hope and love in the world is a most arduous mission." "And I do not envy yours either brother the lesson of hummanity is one that I do not even know how to put across." "Let us go apart brother and contemplate the matter of the test and leave your mortal charges to their work and begin ours." "I shall be guided by you in this my brother." Both figures turn and disapper into the ether. The concert was a wild success, but it had taken all of the energy out of the already worn group as they piled into the limo to take them to their hotel. As always, it was almost impossible to get through the crowd of screaming fans that wanted to just see their favorite idols of the moment. "God I am so glad the concert is over." "I know AJ, but now we get to go to the hotel and get something to eat and some sleep." "Who is talking about sleep, I'am ready to go out and have some fun." AJ grinned at his fellow bandmates. Kevin again taking the lead. "Okay AJ, but remember we have an interview at the radio station and an autograph session at the mall at one o'clock so don't stay out too late." "Damn, I forgot about that so I guess I will just stay in with you jerks tonight. You know guys sometimes I wish that we didn't have to put up with all the shit that comes along with being a music icon." Nods all around the limo echo AJ's sentiments. "But then AJ, what would you do then next time that you saw a wild new shirt you wanted to get? Or you Nick, what about that new game that will be out next week? This is our job guys. We may have not known everything that came along with it but now we have it and we just have to grin and bear it. Really guys would you rather be doing anything else with you lives?" "No Kevin, I wouldn't. It's just that sometimes i would like to go back to the way it was when we were just starting out." "I know what you mean Nick." said Brian, his roomate of the last few years. "Let just go back to the hotel and relax, maybe we will feel better in the morning." Sighs and nods were the only answer that Kevin recieved as the limo disappeared into the night. The next day at the autograph signing, the guys with smiles on their faces and resentment in their hearts greeted their adoring fans. "How much longer Kevin?" Nick leaned over and asked. "Only a couple of more hours. Buck up Nick just look at all of our fans that came out to see us." "What this group of barely teenage girls and fags?" Kevin swung his head around at the word with anger flashing in his eyes. "Watch your voice Nick, what if someone overheard that remark? Keep your mouth shut and your opions to yourself!" Nick, somewhat taken back by Kevin's remark pulled back and moved onto signing more autographs. When he looks up, he saw a man of about 30 moving down the line of wutogrph seekers. Nick grins and leans over to Brian and whispered, "Don't look now but here comes another fruit." Brian looked up and eyed the man. He then turns back to NIck and whispers back to Nick. "Yep another fairy. Why do they always show up at these things?" "They just want to check out our hot bods." Nick whispers back and then breaks into giggles. Kevin swung his head around and gave them both "The Look." The boysshut up and went back to signing autographs. As the man steps up to Brian Littrel he handed the young singer a cd booklet for a signature. He barely heard any of the words that were whispered, but he did hear the word "fag." The man tries to smile, but you could see in his eyes the damage that the word has caused. The man accepts the booklet back and thanked Brian for the signature. The unknown man then turned and moved out of the line. He moved over to a trashcan that was near the reception area and dropped the booklet in. He then looked back to where his ex-idols were sitting and tears began to fall out of his eyes. Kevin sensing that something was amiss looked up and made contact with the older man's eyes. He could see the pain of the man's life displayed in them. As he started to rise and move over to apologize for his bandmate's rudeness, a figure steps out of the ether and whispers "Hold." "Brother they have failed the test." A second figure joins the first. He looks over the scene and then turned to his brother. "Elder, I have failed, they have indeed lost their way. I will do away with their gifts and we will find others to take their place." "No, Brother do not do that as of yet, look upon this one. He has seen seen what has happened and understands. He is moving to put right what his fellow band mates have done. This one understands the true power of the words, his commpassion may yet save the others." "True Elder but what of the damage to the innocent? Can we allow the damage to go on with only one to fight it back?" The Elder looks again at the frozen form of Kevin Richardson and smiled ad he answered his less experienced sibling. "No the damage can not be fought back by one but, with the others on his side with true understanding...............................Yes, I think this one holds the key to all of this." The Elder moves over to Kevin and whispers "Awaken" Kevin looks around wildly seeing everyone frozen with only himself and the two strange figures moving. Fear and shock filling his eyes. The Elder smiled as he said, "Mortal you have passed the test of hummanity, however your friend have failed. What say you to this?" "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?" Kevin screamed fearing for his friends. "Fear not mortal for I have come to test you and your companions to see if the lessons of your lives merit your gifts. You have passed the test however, your bandmates have failed. What say you to this?" Calm began to fill Kevin, as understanding dawned on the young man. He knew whay these two figures had appeared and why this was a most important question of his live. "Is there nothing that I can do to help them? Please Elder, may I not have more time to work with them. To make them understand?" The Elder chuckled. "Yours is a good heart and your lessons have been well received, I make you this offer then. I shall instrct your proteges in the lesson you have so bitterly learned if you wish, but you must choose the subject of the learning. You know where the problems lay in this matter and where this lesson will be the most benifical. However, this lesson will come at a price. Are you willing to pay my price to keep these most precious of gifts?" "Yes Elder, I will pay the price. Anything that you require of me shall be yours. Only spare my friends that most unpleasant fate, I beg of you." "Calm yourself. You are deserving of what you ask, therefore choose the subject of the lesson." Kevin walked over to the unknown man with tears in his eyes and turned back to the figures and said, "Elder this one is my choice." "Excelent, you have done well. Now let the lesson begin." end of chapter one hummanity lesson well guys this is the first time effort of a first time author. any comments or suggestions please send to my e-mail. Drwho87@hotmail.com