Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2019 14:42:05 +0000 From: Jonah Subject: Stranger on a Train chapter one This story is a work of fiction and no character in it is based on any real person living or dead. Where officials are described they are in no way intended to represent any real person who holds those offices, although I recognise that the Metropolitan Police does have some brave officers and that the "system", however desensitised nowadays, does have some caring people within it. This story may include some sexual activity , though only of a gentle and loving nature, but there will be no graphic descriptions and those looking for pornography are advised to look elsewhere.There are pictures of some of the characters in this story on Jacob Lion's website along with his story, "A Neglected Boy" also serialized on Nifty. If you like this story, you'll certainly like his. You can find his website at: https://jacoblion.weebly.com/ If you wish to contact me for feedback, I can be reached at lfa4321jonah@outlook.com. Nifty is kind enough to enable us to write and to read these stories so please consider making a donation. It costs money to run a site like this. http.//donate.nifty.org/donate.html Stranger on a Train Chapter one By Jonah We boarded the train at South Kensington. I had taken Simon and Peter to the Science Museum after e-mailing the Education Director there. We had been invited to do this on a previous visit and, sure enough, we were given a guided tour of those exhibits that the public doesn't usually get to see. It was dark when we boarded the tube train, the boys both clutching the books on steam locomotives with which the director had presented them. We had a carriage to ourselves - almost. Two people got on behind us, but they promptly walked through the connecting door into the next carriage. I forced myself to ignore the stench. Peter and Simon did likewise. It emanated from a boy of about ten. He sat hunched in a seat two down from the door. His reddish hair was dirty enough that it looked dark brown and his lightly freckled face hadn't seen soap for some time. He wore a light hoodie and lighter trousers that might once have belonged to a tracksuit. What was left of his shoes, looked like they had once been plimsols and there were no socks. Simon sat down facing him and Peter and I sat either side. He got up to change seats, or tried to, but Peter had an arm lovingly round his shoulder. "Get off me", he mumbled. Simon rose and stood immediately in front of the boy and offered his hand. "Simon", he said. "Fuck off!" came the reply. "Well we can't call you that," I told him, "but your name is personal, so you don't have to tell anyone. Your ticket is a different matter though. Any Transport for London officer can demand to see that. I'm just asking before one does. Can I see your ticket?" "Ain't got one" he responded. "Well son, eventually, probably when the train terminates at Uxbridge, some official is going to ask to see this ticket that you haven't got. You'll be taken into custody by the British Transport Police and will be processed through the system, ending up in care. I reckon you've been preventing that from happening for a while, but it'll end tonight. Where's your parents son?". "Ain't got none". "Well you had at least one of them once. What have you done with her?" "I ran away" he muttered. "My step dad kept beating me up after my mum left. He used to beat her. That's why she left, but she never took me with her. Thought I'd cramp her style I s'pose". "When did you run away son? "Christmas, and I ain't your son". That was over a month ago, and I'll bet this is the first time he's tried using a train for shelter. He'd have been picked up long ago. The train stopped at Gloucester Road, but nobody was prepared to stay in our carriage. "I've got to call you something", I said reasonably. "Huh!" was all the response I got. "Son it is then," I responded. He stood and faced me angrilly "My name's Luke and it really isn't any of your business", he shouted. Simon was on his feet too, but as he met my eye I shook my head slightly. Simon sat down again. Luke must have noticed because he sat down too. "Sorry," he said. "I know you're trying to help, but....." "You don't know anything of the sort", I said flatly, " but, as it happens, you're right. Now you can stay on this tube and get picked up by the authorities if you like, or you can get off with us. If you're determined to stay on the streets, I can't stop you, but you're getting a hot meal inside you first." He subsided into silence. He leaned back in his seat and sat there with his hands in the pockets of his hoodie. After a minute of two I could hear him crying quietly. Peter put his arm round his shoulder again. This time the boy didn't resist. We sat in silence till the train left Sudbury Hill station. Then I stood up. "I'm getting off at the next stop," I said. "You get off with the boys at Rayner's Lane and wait for me on the platform." "I ain't got no ticket", said Luke. "Let me worry about that," I replied as the train slowed to a halt. I got off at South Harrow station and ascended to the booking hall, where I bought an adult, and a child ticket to Rayner's Lane. Then I descended to the platform again to wait for the next train. It soon arrived and I travelled the one stop to Rayners Lane. All three boys were waiting on the platform as I had told them. I handed Luke his ticket and we exited through the automatic barriers. We walked briskly to our flat. "No need to be frightened Luke", I told him. "I know you shouldn't accompany strange men to their houses, but Simon and Peter have never come to any harm here and nor will you". I settled him in our living room. "Shall I take your coat Luke?" I asked, "you won't need it in here." He took off the hoodie and stood bare chested. No wonder he had taken the train. The poor kid must have been freezing. He kicked off his plimsols and was about to drop his trousers when I stopped him. "Luke,", I said, "go upstairs with Simon please. Simon, can you see that he gets a bath? He'll need some help. Peter, you're nearest his size. Can you go and see if you can find some clothes that you don't mind him having - and Peter - don't even think of giving him your Sunday best. I know you when you start loving people, you'd give them the clothes off your own back. Oh Luke, do you like sausages?". The astonished boy could only nod as Simon hustled him towards the stairs. "Good then it's bangers and mash for dinner people. Don't be long." As soon as the sausages were sizzling and the potatoes bubbling away I phoned Monica. Briefly I explained the situation. "All I can say," she responded, "is that he is a lucky boy. Anything could have happened to him. It's a good job you got on that train. Has he eaten yet?" "We're just about to". "Good, that will make all the difference. I'll be right round". I protested that there was no need for her to come out at this time of night, and I ended up realising how King Canute felt. He'd only tried to stop the tide. I'd argued with Monica, and with about as much success. We had no sooner finished our dinner of well seasoned Licolnshire sausages, with creamy mashed potatoes, boiled carrots and thick onion gravy, and the washing up, than Joe Davis appeared with Monica. She was all bustle. She gave orders but didn't give Luke time to feel threatened or intimidated. She had him walking up and down the room, touching his toes. Stcking out his tongue and all sorts of other contortions. At the end she sat down and declared herself satisfied. All three boys disappeared upstairs to play. "You do realise Jonah" said Monica as soon as they had disappeared, "that you can't keep him from the authorities for ever?" "I know, I need to get him into school for a start. As far as I know he's never been, so I'm not looking forward to the interview" "If he's never been he'll be so far behind that he'd be better with a private tutor", said Monica. "Dave Webber is one of the best there is and he could do with the money at the moment. I'll give him a ring when I get home. You've met him. He's the senior steward at North Harrow" Crumbs! The Methodist Church has tentacles everywhere. "Thanks Monica", I replied, "I still need to get him registered with social services, but if, we get the wrong case worker he could end up worse off than ever. I'll approach them through the police I think. Can I bring Luke round to you Monday morning while I go and have a word with them?" "That's a very good idea," she replied. "Joe and Miriam will be there and he'll love baby Jacob - all children do". I saw off Joe and Monica and put up a sun-lounger in the boy's room which with a duvet would make a suitable bed. I cautioned Simon and Peter about pestering him during the night. I woke in the middle of the night to find that several boys had climbed in bed with me. One was gently masturbating me. I took hold of the offending hand ran my hand up the arm and pulled the boy into an embrace. "You don't have to do that Luke", I whispered, "it's not why you're here". "Why'd you bring me here then?" "Because God loves you, so I love you, and that doesn't mean I'm going to abuse you sexually. That's all you need to know". "He wouldn't even let me do it" said another voice, "and I'd suck him off tomorrow". "Simon!" I said sharply. "We all love him, "said another voice, "and he'd never hurt us" That does it", I said firmly. "Any boy who wishes to remain in this bed, shut up and go to sleep now". There was silence.