Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2000 06:06:51 EDT From: Lyndhurst Rutherford Subject: Tads Story chapter 10 Hello, my name is Lyndhurst Rutherford, or Lyndie for short. The following story is purely fictional. This is a concerns friendship, love, and sex between boys. If you are offended by my work, please don't read it. If this story is illegal because of your age or locality, don't read it. This, dear reader, represents my first attempt at writing short stories. If you do choose to read on, I would so enjoy hearing any and all serious observations and critiques from you. Please feel free to e-mail me at lyndie_73@Hotmail.com. Copyright 1999, Lyndhurst Rutherford, all rights reserved. ------------ Tad Story..by Lyndhurst Rutherford...lyndie_73@Hotmail.com Chapter 10 Of all the bloody luck! Blast, Blast and TRIPLE BLAST!!! The rage inside me built up with each uncertain step I took into the woods. How could I have been so stupid as to let my guard down like that. I was so fast asleep that I didn't hear what happened. Didn't even hear him leave. I SHOULD HAVE, DAMMIT! "Yes Father, I'll watch him". "No don't worry Mother, trust me". How my words to my parents, visciously came back to haunt me. I couldn't stem the flow of tears that had started to gather and sting at the corners of my eyes. I felt quite a bit helpless at this point because I could no longer control my emotions. It seemed that all the stress of everything that's happened was begining to take their toll on me. Trust me?, I thought. What a laugh. I couldn't even trust myself any longer. I WAS RESPONSABLE FOR HIM ! Lord, if anything were to happen......... "TAD....TAD ANSWER ME!!!!", I shouted again and again, always with the same result. No reply, just the resounding echo of my helpless cries bouncing off the trees. Try as I might, I couldn't shout and cry at the same time. Stop your stupid crying, Sam, and GROW UP!!! FIND HIM, DAMN YOU!! I stopped for a moment and tried calming myself enough that I could shout for him without being choked by my own stupid tears. I stood in the woods, wiped my eyes dry on the sleeve of my shirt, taking breath after deep breath of cool morning air, listening to the sweet song of a far off Robin. How far? How far off was my little Robin? If only she could speak, rather than twitter, I might enlist her help in finding Tad. Surely in flight she would cover alot more ground than I could, being chained to the confounded ground. Surely Tad could hear me calling in the stillness of the woods? It always sounded as though my voice carried for miles. He couldn't be that far. Could he? Why didn't he answer? Unless....unless he couldn't answer! No!...NO-NO-NO!!!! Mustn't think those thoughts. Must go on. I summoned up the fortitude to continue and took a deep breath to yell as loud as I possably could, when all at once, my ears picked up a rustling, ever so slight, in the woods ahead. I stopped, breath still caught deep in my lungs, and listened again as I held my breath. THERE!!!, I HEARD IT AGAIN! Yes I was sure of it. But, was it him? Quickly, I scurried next to the cover of a huge tree and hid myself from the view of who ever, or what ever, was approaching. As the sound became more pronounced, I slowly peeked my head around the tree. YES!!! HEAVEN HELP ME!!! I saw a head! A blond head. It was ....... It's Tad!! My relief was overwhelming as I dashed out from behind the tree, shouting his name like a man gone daft. Unfortunately, my running out like that, gave him an awful fright as well, as he screamed, wide eyed, in terror and ran from me. "TAD!!!! TAD STOP IT'S ME!!!", I shouted behind him. Apon hearing my voice he stopped dead in his tracks as I ran to him, grabbing him and hugging the stuffing out of him. It took a moment or two for his breathing to return to normal as he still stared wide eyed at me in fear. "Dammit all Sam! You gave me an awful fright! What were you doing hiding behind that tree? Why did you scare me?", he shouted angrily. I couldn't help myself as my fear turned to relief, and my relief to laughter and still I could not speak. "It's not funny Sam!! Stop laughing!!!", he shouted, becoming even angrier and stomping his foot on the ground like an angry bull. In the mean time, as I wasn't that far from the camp, Michael and Brandon heard the goings on and literally flew to where we were. "Oh Tad..I found you! I didn't mean to scare you, but I heard you coming and didn't know who it was myself", I said hugging him again. Micheal and Brandon were happy to see him as well. But....there was something odd, I couldn't explain it, just a look in his eyes, or rather a lack of look. Tad was not looking at me like always did, angry or not. Instead he was looking at the ground, as if caught with his hand in the cookie jar so to speak. "Tad, where did you go? I've been worried sick!" "I went for a walk, was all", he snapped. "I couldn't sleep so I went for a bloody walk. Is that all right with you Mother?",he shouted. I was dumbfounded. Tad had never spoken to me with such a tone in his voice. I didn't quite know what to say. Needless to say my laughter stopped abruptly, as I looked at him in shock as the smile ran away from my face. "Tad, I......" "Look Sam, your not my bleedin' mother, I don't have to get your permission to take a walk do I?" "N...No..I uhh...." I couldn't speak. I was shocked. Who was this boy I held so tightly in my arms? All at once he spoke to me as if I were his enemy. Suddenly, as I held him there in my arms, there was something wrong. Somthing between us...literally. Something poking me in the belly. As I stuck my hand down to our joined bellies, I felt two hard protrusions, tucked into the waist band of Tad's trousers. Tad immmediatly protested violently and tried to wrench himself free of me, but I was too quick. I had gotten my hand down and had hold of one of the objects. As I pulled it out, the other fell to the ground with a heavy thud, just as Tad broke free. As I stared at what I was suddenly holding, I heard Michael and Brandon gasp. Good lord, I couldn't believe it! I was holding a...a....Pistol??? "Give that back to me Sam, It's mine! I want it!", Tad shouted as he jumped at me, trying to snatch the pistol from my grip as I dodged him again and again. Backing away slightly, I was able to quickly grab the object that had fallen to the ground at my feet. Good heavens above, I couldn't believe my own eyes, it was one of the opium blocks I had seen in Michaels warehouse. "TAD!!!...Explain this to me", I said staring dis believingly at him. "What the hell are you doing with these and where did they come from?". Tad stopped lunging at me, exhausted. The look in his eyes was that of pure evil. I swear to you, if looks could kill........ "What is the meaning of this?", I shouted at him, now becoming extremely angry in my own right. I was growing extremely tired of this evasive game he was playing with me. I didn't like it one bit. "What does it look like Sam?", he spat out. I stared Tad down with disbelieving eyes and demanded an explanation yet again. "It's a pistol, as if you can't tell. And that little block is bloody opium. Alright? Are you bloody well satisfied?" "I want to know where they came from?", I demanded. "Oh Damn! I knew I should have gotten back faster!",he cursed to himself, shaking his head as if I were some sort of bother. I have never, in all my life, believed I could ever get this angry, especially with Tad, but at this point I was keeping back a rage that would soon explode if I didn't receive an explanation, and soon! My jaw was set and my teeth ground together as I stuffed the opium in my pocket and firmly held the pistol in my hand. Michael and Brandon said nothing as I demanded further explanation, yet again. Finally, Tad glared at me with a look in his eyes I had never seen, or cared to see ever again. This was not MY Tad. This was someone entirely different. Someone I didn't care to know. Someone, who shot daggers from his eyes and spit venom from his lips. "Alright, if you must know. It's my Fathers pistol. And the opium? Well that's old Witherpuss's", he said, ever so matter of factly and defiantly, as if it meant nothing at all. "Your Fath....,but, that means that..." "Right again Sam.....I got them from MY house. I'm going to use the opium as evidence against him, and I'm going to use the pistol to kill that damn Whitherspoon. YES SAM! DON'T LOOK SO SURPRISED! I'M GOING TO KILL THE FUCKING BASTARD!!!",he screamed at me, his temper coming to a full boil at the mere mention of that accursed Witherspoon. I was dumbfounded and could not utter a syllable in reply as he continued. At this point he was as confidant as the chief of an outlaw band. "Oh...Don't look so surprised, Sam. I snuck into the house early this morning after he'd left for work. Don't worry, nobody saw me, I was too careful. Now.....if you don't mind, I'd like them back", he said as he held his hand out. Suddenly the seething rage which had been building up inside me, exploded with all the force of a volcano. I was in shock at what he'd just told me, as the tears flew out of my eyes, and my head felt as if it were going to explode as well. In a blind rage, I grabbed Tad by the front of his shirt collar, and with all the strength I had, lifted him up and back, smashing him against the tree I had hidden myself behind, knocking the wind out of him. It was then that I felt two pair of hands grab me to prevent me from doing harm to Tad. Clearly, at that moment, had they not stopped me, I don't know what I would have done. Tad had a look of shear terror mixed with anger on his face, as Michael and Brandon came between us, Michael holding my arms, keeping me from doing anything, and Brandon in front of me pushing me away and trying to talk me down. Unfortunatly, I was not of a mind to be talked down as I screamed in anger while I fought a losing battle, trying quite unsuccessfully to break the hold Michael had on me while I screamed in a rage through torrents of tears . "YOU BASTARD!!! HOW??....HOW COULD YOU DO THIS.....TO ME? I LOVED YOU! I FUCKING TRUSTED YOU! WE CARRIED YOU IN HERE SO THAT NOTHING COULD HURT YOU! I GAVE YOU LOVE, UNDERSTANDING, AND.....AND, AND YOU THROW IT ALL AWAY? I THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME ENOUGH TO PUT ASIDE YOUR HATE, YOU....TOLD ME SO.....,YOU...Y Y YOU LIED TO ME!!! NOTHING BUT BLOODY LIES!!!", I screamed as the tears became so great that I couldn't say another word. I was crying so hard that my stomach muscles were in absolute agony and I couldn't even draw another breath, choking on my own bile as Michael hugged me now and I collapsed against him. "I...I.., SAM...I DO LOVE YOU..., BUT...I HAD TO DO SOMETHING! DON'T YOU SEE??? YOU'LL NEVER UNDERSTAND. YOU HAVE YOUR PARENTS, THEY'RE NOT MY BLOODY PARENTS...NOT MINE!!! HOW CAN YOU UNDERSTAND? THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU....NOTHING!!! I CAN'T LET HIM GET AWAY WITH WHAT HE'S DONE!!! I WON'T!!! I'LL NEVER........". Still being hugged by Michael, I turned my head and stared at him in disgust. I was truly disgusted. I had had my share of his problems. I thought, dsepite all the turmoil, that I could make a difference in his life, but I guess I had been wrong. I needed to have the final say, so I took a deep breath, steadied my voice and told him finally, in almost a whisper..... "Thomas Winslow...this has everything to do with our love. EVERYTHING!!! Love is based on trust, absolute trust, just like my parents. If I can't trust you, and you don't trust me.....then we have NOTHING!!!!! And that's percisely what we have now Master Winslow, NOTHING!!! I have had it with your problems and your lies to me. Two people that are in love DO NOT LIE TO EACH OTHER!!! From this point forward Sir, you will handle your own affairs. Yes, you may continue to live at my house, for as long as my parents permit, but I wish nothing to do with you...NOTHING!" "Sam...you can't mean that, I......", he said, horrified that I'd cast him aside. By that time, Michael's hold on me was more of his arms around me, calming me, holding me up and giving me back my strength. Drawing from his strength I slid free of him, and still clutching that stupid pistol, shoved it in my pocket and walked up to Tad and slowly grabbed him again, shouting face to face, pouring out my broken heart. "YOU HAVE HURT ME, LIED TO ME, AND THROWN AWAY MY LOVE....DAMN YOU,...DAMN YOU, Thomas Winslow". I raised my hand to slap him across the face, but as I looked at him, at those eyes, I couldn't,....I just couldn't, and I broke down in tears again, releasing my grip on Tad and slumping to the ground, crying like a baby, my fist smashing the ground before me in pain and anger. Tad tried to put his hand on my shoulder and I threw him off me. Looking up at him through the tears that burned my eyes and blurred my vision, I uttered my last statement. "DON'T.....DON'T EVEN TOUCH ME ! DON'T TOUCH ME, DON'T TALK TO ME, DON'T EVEN LOOK MY WAY....I DON'T WANT TO KNOW YOU!!!, I HATE YOU!!!!!" "SAM???................................SAM??????............." Through my clouds of pain and sorrow, I heard Tad crying out my name, yet, I couldn't answer,I wouldn't answer, finally hearing his footsteps as he walked away crying towards the direction of the camp. Finally I felt another pair of hands on my shoulders and looked up to see Brandon. Brandon picked me up and as we stood, I collapsed against him, crying my fool eyes out as he tried in vain to comfort me, hugging me and stroking my hair, rocking back and forth. At last, there came the time when I had used up my entire supply of tears and just stood in the warm comfort of a friends arms. I surmise that the stress of dealing with all of this had been building up for quite sometime, and it took but a moment for the dam to burst. And burst it did. I had to be by myself, I thought. Had to get awy. I had to sort out my feelings and calm myself. Looking at both Michael and Brandon, they too were also crying. "Hey....Hey fellas, cheer up! Stiff upper lip and all, eh?" "That's it gov. Come on back to camp and I'll make ya' a nice cup o'tea, eh?" "Nnno Michael,no...thank you. I prefer it if you two go back. I'd like to wander a bit by myself, if you don't mind. I have some thinking to do". "Awww...c'mon mate, I...." "Sweets...let him be for a while. You go on then Sam, but do come back soon, alright??, and don't do anything foolish". "I promise", I said, as I hung my head and started walking through the deepest part of the woods and staring at the ground and listening to my two friends as they walked back to the camp. I have no idea how long I had been walking, staring only at the forest floor, an endless stream of old dry twigs and pine needles, but it must have been an hour or so later when I looked up and found myself back at the huge log that Tad and I had once sat apon before it started to rain and I took him to my cave for the first time. I was standing, back against the log feeling exhausted and slumped down to the ground, flat on my duff. I leaned back against the log and closed my eyes, enjoying the utter still of the woods, and the slight pine scented breeze brushing past my face, as I always had done. Just then, I felt something huge and heavy in my pocket. I stuck my hand in and pulled out....Tad's father's pistol. I simply studied it then. Heavy, black, short barrel, pearl handles, and.....a fully loaded chamber. Dear god, what ever possessed him to go to such extremes, to risk everything? I could have answered my own question. I knew full well. It was then that I took the opium out of my pocket. All this trouble and fuss for what appeared to look like clay. Dear lord, if Whitherspoon finds this gone, he's sure to suspect something. Didn't Tad realize that this could have given us all away? Obviously not. I rather doubted that he was thinking at all. As I held the pistol in my right hand and the opium in my left, I let them fall to my lap as I looked up at the sky and started once more to cry. "Oh, Tad....Tad. Why??................ So tired, so ti........." As my eyes opened, I realized that, so tired was I from the emotional drain, that I must have fallen asleep for hours, because it was already nightfall. I didn't feel like getting up. The skin on my face felt tight because of all the dried tears, my back was stiff and my duff was numb from sitting against the log for so long. And the pistol, that bloody pistol and the opium, still remained on my lap. Seeing it, vividly reminded me of what had led me here in the first place. But I knew that if I didn't head back to the camp, Michael and Brandon would be sick with worry. Grabbing the pistol and opium, I stiffly stood up again, stretching out all the kinks in my body. I stuffed them back into my pockets and started my jouney back to camp. Praise the lord that I knew the woods as well as I did, because I had to find my way back with only the moonlight briefly filtering through the trees, as my only source of light as I stumbled back to camp. Eventually, I smelled the smoke from our camp fire and then soon saw the orange glow that cut through the pitch darkness. I was back at last. As I slowly walked back into the clearing, I saw Michael and Brandon calmly sitting beside the fire, arms around each other, staring into the flames that danced about in the darkness. As my presence became known they both rushed over to greet me. "Where ya' been gov? Me and Brandy's been worried frightful about you", admonished Michael with obvious concern written all over his young face. "Are you hungry, Sam?" "O'Course he is Brand. Don't be a twit". "What???, Me a twit? I....." "Fellas, fellas,...please don't fight. I'm sorry I worried you, but I am feeling somewhat better now. And yes, I am hungry. Anything to eat???" I tried my best to put on a good show, trying to hide my pain. They were overjoyed at my presence and couldn't get me enough food. And, although Brandon did the cooking, I ate anyway. We sat silently around the fire, as I ate and they watched me intently, never taking their eyes off me. This part was getting absolutly nerve wracking. "Alright, see hear...why are you two popinjays staring at me?" "Well ya' see gov....." "Michael, shut up, let him eat". "Obviously, you two have something to tell me, am I correct?" They both looked at each other, sort of trying to decide who would tell me what. "Alright, enough! Michael, come come, what is the matter?" "Well gov, uhhhh.., it's...ughhh...." "Oh, very good sweets. Now he knows everything". "Well alright then...you bloody well tell him, then". "Tell me what, for heavens sake?" "Well Sam, it's just that, uhh....Tad, you see....." "Tad! What about Tad?", I asked sharply. "Well gov, after you went off, we came back here to find him takin' his stuff in a sack and then he's off, mutterin' how we were all better off without him and such". "Go on" "Well...then he....left. Into the woods". "He left eh? And you both allowed him to leave, is that correct?" "Well gov, I didn't think that he'd go far, but the little twit never came back and...." "Well then...so be it. Any more food?" At that they both looked at each other then at me, flabergahsted at my disconcern. "Well don't look at me with your mouths open like two bloody cod fish. I don't care any longer. He's out of my life", I said, as I kept on eating. I know, I know. How could I have said something like that, right? When I think back on it now, how foolish I must have sounded in my anger. After I had finished eating, we sat around the fire not saying much of anything as I stared transfixed, into the fire,poking it now and again with a little stick and blowing on the hot embers that formed on the end, listening to the overwhelming quite that surrounded us in the evening sky. The quiet was even more overwhelming, given the fact that my two companions had not said a word after our initial discussion. I did happen notice that the two of them were still giving me little secret looks now and again while whispering little thhings in each other's ears, while trying not to get me any angrier than I already was. "Alright you two, ( sigh....).in what direction did little lord follderah go?", I asked rather impatiently. They both silently pointed to the same spot and I giggled to myself. He went in the direction of the cave. I chuckled to myself, a slight smile sneaking it's way across my face. "Alright, now listen to me, the both of you. I know where he went and I also know that he is safe for the night. So, in the morning, I'll go and fetch him, then we can be off towards home, where I will not have to deal with any of this rubbish any further, alright?? So will you both kindly stop your bloody staring at me?" They both looked at me as if I'd grown horns my head. After all, did they expect me to go ballying about in the darkness after that fool. Well....to be quite honest, even my own heart was screaming out that I was indeed the fool. I knew that I should have gone out in search of him then, but, I was still quite angry. Besides which, even as my heart said GO, my brain knew it was wiser to wait until daylight. They both continued to stare at me like two little chipmunks, not believing a word I had just said. "Oh what's the use! I'm going to bed". With that, I headed to my tent and shut myself up in the enveloping darkness where I could be alone. Later that evening as I lay in my sleeping bag, staring out the open window flap of my tent and not for a second being able to sleep, my mind kept replaying the past events of the day, over and over again. Going to bed did little to quell the pain in my heart. On one hand I felt like the fool for having trusted him and believing that our love could make him happy enough to overcome his anger. How could I, a mere boy, compete with the vast turbulance that surrounded him. On the other....lord help me, I almost hit him. I shall never forget the look of terror in his sweet, loving eyes as I raised my hand. Dear god, I still lo.. No!...He hurt me! How can I still love him? I...I.., oh god what if he gets hurt out there? It will be my fault? Won't it?, I thought as I again burst into silent sobbing. As I lay in my tent, the moon providing the only light, I sat on my bedding studying that accursed pistol that I'd taken from Tad. It gave me a fright just to look at it. So heavy, black & shiny. Eventually, I put it under my knapsack next to the block of opium and lay back down and tried, in vain, to sleep. Just then, my train of thought was abruptly interrupted by a "knock" at my tent flap that made me jump. "Tad??.....Is that you?". My heart raced, for a fleeting moment I thought that it might be Tad, come back. I wasn't exactly expecting company this late in the evening, in the middle of the woods. "Wh..Who's there?...Tad??....." "Sam??, Sam it's just us, Mick and Brandy", whispered Michael. My heart sort of sank a little. Silly me. Did I expect Tad to come around in the middle of the night? Perhaps. "Are you asleep gov?" "Michael?? Of course he's not asleep you twit, you just woke him, oh dear, what will I do with you?" Quickly I opened the tent flaps to let them in. Michael and Brandon, dressed only in their boxers, stumbled apon themselves as they entered the darkness of my tent, sitting on the blanket just opposite me. This made for some tight quarters, I assure you, as my tent was only made for two. "Well then gentlemen, to what do I owe the honor of this late night call?" "Well gov, Brandy and me, we were worried about you, what with what happened today and all. Have you slept any?" "No..not really ( sigh ). Actually, not at all. How could I bloody sleep? I'm too angry.", I said as I diverted my attention out the window to keep from looking at them. "Sam, I know your worried about Tad, but Michael and I...." "I AM NOT BLOODY WORRIED ABOUT TAD! NOT AT ALL",I said snapping my head about to stare angrily at my friend. "I...,I....., Oh God,Brandon,...(sigh) I feel like such a fool". At that, my lips started quivering and I finally broke down and burst out crying, again, and tried to bury my head in my hands as I wept uncontrollably. Finally, the truth won out and I had to face it. Despite all he's put me through and my tough demeanor, I still loved him so. I couldn't help it. How I still loved him. "Dear God, what am I to do Brandon? I still love him! It wasn't his fault that he did what he did. He needs help and I..JUST CAST HIM ASIDE! HE NEEDED HELP, TO BE POINTED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND WHERE THE BLOODY HELL WAS I? WORRIED ABOUT THE WAY HE TREATED ME!!" "Aa-and Michael? I should have told him what Father had told us in the study. You recall....about the capture of Witherspoon's gang and such. Perhaps he'd never had gone had he known. Don't you both see...it was MY FAULT!!!!". "Come on there Sam. It was NOT your fault at all. He could have gotten himself killed. That,after we all risked our necks to get him in here an' all. You only acted the way anyone would have. It was a horrible thing to do to you and he had to know that. Sometimes we have to get tough with those we love. If you didn't love him, you wouldn't have cared so deeply as to react the way you did. Both Michael and I both knew you still loved him, never had us fooled for a moment". "Yeah gov, it's not your bleedin' fault. He'd have gone anyway". As I sat and stared at my two friends through a blurrey vail of tears, I knew right then that I had to find him, hold him in my arms again and tell him that I still loved him. Lord, what could he be doing now? Cold, alone, hungry and frightened. He should have been here with me, safe in my arms where I could hold him warm against me, kiss him, and whisper sweet words into his ear. How I wished I could hear that sweet giggle of his, that seemed to make my heart dance, feel his strong sweet body next to my own. Dear God, I could still smell him in our sleeping bags. How could I forget? "First thing in the morning, I'm going out to find him. I've got to let him know how I feel before anything happens. Would you both stay awhile until I fall asleep?" "We'll do better Sam", said Brandon, while giving Michael a sly smile. "We assume that you can't relax because you're all tense. We'll relax you, right Michael?'", he said smiling at me. "Yeah gov. You just close your eyes and leave it to us",he whispered. "I don't understand, how........." "Sam, close your eyes", Brandon whispered as he moved so close to me he was practically on top of me. Then Michael was doing the same. Brandon put his right arm about my waist and used his left to close my eyes. Then I felt Michael put his arm about my waist also from the other side. Good heavens, what were they up to? I was soon to find out, as my two close friends started whispering sweet things ino my ear, using their free hands to massage my chest. Needless to say, the nearness of two warm, strong bodies, was starting to have an affect on me as I felt their warm hands massaging my nipples and working their way down to my tummy, while my boyhood began rising to the occasion. Oh dear, how wonderful two pair of hands felt on my naked skin. Then as they massaged me, I suddenly felt two warm pair of lips apon my neck. Suddenly it was becoming quite warm in the tent, quite warm indeed, as my body began to shiver uncontrolably. "Wha....what are yyyou ttwo up too, ohhh...?" "Just relax gov, don't worry about it". "Bbbut.. you two are supposed to be together and I'm being unfaithful to Tad....oh..damn,......that is rather nnnnicccce....ohhhhh...yesssss...". "No Sam, we're just your friends, who care about you and love you. It's a different kind of love. We're just going to help you sleep is all", Brandon whispered warmly in my ear, while flicking his tongue around the inside. At that point, lord help me, I couldn't stop myself. I must say that I loved the feelings washing over me then, being kissed and carressed by two close friends. Oh god, they were setting me on fire. Tad forgive me, I just have to feel this. Oh god yes, I need this release, this sweet release of being loved. It was as if I were floating on a cloud, not really here nor there, as two wram pair of lips kissed, sucked, and licked at my neck, while strong hands massaged first my chest, then moving lower they rubbed my tummy. Then the world became a sweet blur, as I lost all my self control, my breath became hot gasps and my heart pounded in my chest, as one kissed my neck and the other hotly licked my ear. I collapsed losing all ability to hold myself up, but two pair of arms about my waist kept me from falling, as I used my hands to explore the muscular shoulders of my two dear friends. The sweet nearness of my friends bodies sent my senses into a tailspin. I was overpowered by the sweet musky scent of two nearly naked boys. How different from the scent of the one boy I knew this well, but still in all, setting my passions afire. It was then that I felt myself being lowered to the ground, my eyes still clamped shut. In movements that were carefully choreographed, I felt two pair of hands move as one to the waistband of my boxers, as I lifted my butt slightly to ease their job of slowly sliding them down my boyish hips. allowing my hard boyhood to spring free completely vulnerable to their touch. So hot was my boyhood that the night air felt cool when drifting past my nakedness. As I felt two warm bodies lie down beside me, my hands grasped the bedding I lay apon, in hopes of keeping myself from slipping off the face of the earth entirely, as I then had two hot mouths and two wet tongues, kissing my chest, licking and sucking my hard little boyish nipples. Then using their tongues to lick their way down to my belly, each taking a turn at licking my navel, as they edged closer and closer to my penis. By this time I could scarcely breathe, as my body writhed in desire. I imagined that my penis was by then, solid as a rock, when two hot tongues went to work, one licking and feasting on my testicles, as the other bathed my boyhood completely, then switching positions, until I was absolutely mad with want, my hips screaming for release, bouncing about on the ground. Brandon and Michael then shifted themselves so as to get a better "handle" on things as they lay with their feet at my head and their mouths apon my groin, each taking turns licking my shaft up and down and plunging the entire length down their hot, wet throats, while my ripping screams of ecstacy filled the warm night. Sometime during this adventure, they had managed to free their own hard penises. I noticed this when I reached my hands up to carress them and realized what I had hold of. Slowly, as they sucked and licked my penis, I stroked the both of them in my hot fists, trying to give back some of the pleasure they gave me. When I held them both in my hands I finally realized my little dream of knowing not only what Michaels beautiful penis felt like, but also Brandons. How different they both were. Michael, thick,hard, and long, with a feeling of massive power, and the excitement of feeling the downy soft hair at the base every time my hand went down. Even though I loved Tad for all the world, I couldn't help but think how nice it would be if, just once, I could hold Micheal in my mouth. To taste his warm, thick boyjuice, to smell the boyish manly scent of him. Yes, if you must know, I did have a thing for Michael. Not deep love like with Tad, but plain desire, I should think. Then there was Brandon, who's penis felt quite like my own, but a little longer, with skin so soft and delicate. As both their hard, warm, penises pulsed in my hand, I knew I wasn't going to last long and neither were they. "Ohhh. god yesss...ohh, ah that feels sooo good, ah,ah,ah,ah,ah,yesssss............Ohhooo, fellas yess so good ahghh, I'm going to finish....oh, please, please, finish with me. Let me feel your wetness on my hands", as I hotly stroked them harder and their hips pumped their hard tools through my hands, receiving moans and squeals of pleasure from them both. All at once, my world shattered as that familiar feeling tore through my body, releasing a torrent of boy juice to their mouths, as they both took turns sliding the head of my shaft into their hungry mouths as I shot spurt after spurt into one mouth, then the other. In the next second, my work had not gone by the wayside as two boys lay panting and writhing on the ground next to me, all at once shooting their own storm of sweet, warm boyjuice all over my hands and chest, as I continued to pump them while they licked every drop from my shaft. After a moment or two, all was still, as Brandon lay panting and Michael let my boyhood go soft in his sweet mouth. I then brought both my hands to my mouth and stuck my tongue out, savoring the sweet nectar of my own two brothers. How delicious, how different from Tad's boyjuice, I thought as I licked my hands clean and swallowed every bit as they had mine. In a moment, my two lovers crawled back up my body to cuddle me as they brought the blanket up and around the three of us. There I lay, safe and warm between my two lovers as I listened to their breathing and mine. Very soon sleep overtook them both. And as they had their arms about me, the only sounds I heard were the contented breathing of my friends, and the crickets again as they chirped after their mates. Finally, the warmth of my friends bodies and the sweet, summer night air, commanded that I sleep. The next morning found us still wrapped around each other. But this morning was quite different. This morning, I had purpose. I had to find my Tad. I desperately needed to hold him in my arms again, kiss his sweet lips again and let him know that I still loved him more than anything or anyone and can't live without him. I had to find him fast before anything happened to the little twit. If he needed direction, than by God, I'd help him. I had to! I loved him too much to give up. I just prayed to God that I could drag his mind away from the demons that threatened to consume him. If they win, they take me along as well. No! No, I will not let that happen! He's mine, and I'm willing to fight dearly for him. "Brandon!, Michael!, come on then mates, wake up you two. Let me up". Groggilly they both sat up, stretching and rubbing their eyes as I jumped up out of bed. As I stood up, I felt the dry reminants of last nights fun tighten my skin. I walked out of the tent, naked, to greet the cool morning air and took a running leap into the lake, the cold water hitting my warm skin like a wall of ice. I had intended to wash myself, but I had forgotten about how cold the water might be at that hour, as I surfaced and tried to adjust to the pins and needles of the cold water that felt more like thousands of sharp knives. "D-D-DEAR G-GGG-OODDD!!! CCCCCOOLLDDD!!!!", I shreiked, as I stood and hugged myself to preserve what ever body heat I could muster, while Brandon and Michael stood on the shore and laughed themselves silly. When I had become some what accustomed, I quickly rinsed myself and ran out of the lake and directly into the tent and began to throw my clothes on. "Sam, this time we're not taking NO for an answer", said Brandon. "What are you babbling about?", I asked impatiently. "Look gov, one of us is goin' with you and that's all there is to it". "Now see here, the both of you. I know you mean well, but this is something I must do by myself. In the first place, I'd be able to make a faster go of it without one of you lot slowing me down. In the second place, Tad and I have much talking to do and it would just embarrass him if he had to talk with one of you there. And lastly, the place he's in is our special place, a secret place if you will, and I should very much like to keep it that way. If you don't mind?" They both gave me rather exasperated looks, but I couldn't go back on what I'd said. I did have to go alone and that would be the end of it. "So that's it then, eh gov?" "Look fellas, I do love you both, but, this I have to do alone". "Well sweets, I guess we'll just have to amuse ourselves while he's gone, eh?", said Brandon as he smiled wickedly at Michael while cuddling his still naked body up to him. "Oh fellas, about last night, I......." "Don't worry mate, not a word to Tad then. It will be our secret,eh?" I then looked at Brandon questioningly, "I thought you were so bloody jealous?" "He's only jealous when he thinks I'll be alone with a bloke,and he won't be included", Michael said, shaking his head and raising his eyebrows suggestivly. Brandon shot Michael an evil glare,"Oh that's rubbish! Sam, don't pay any mind to his strange sense of humor..it's only happened with you, no one else. And only because we're so close that we thought you needed it". "Well...I suppose you were right, it did help me get to sleep. I do so love the both of you for,... for, uh..well you know, helping out and all. "Not another word mate. That's what friends are for. Now get your ass out there and bring your boyfriend back here, while Brandy and me tidy up the place a bit!" By that time I was dressed and I hugged the both of them and headed out on the path towards the cave. As we walked through the calm morning stillness, I tried in vain to find in my mind, the right words to say to him. In the short time we've known each other, I had always known what to say to him. How to calm and soothe him. But then again, I always thought I knew him to a certain extent. Alas, what I didn't know was how deep his sadness really went. I knew that I wouldn't be able to handle this alone. Perhaps Father could suggest a doctor of some sort. I only knew that it would take more than me to keep him from doing something stupid. All I could do was keep an eye on him, a constant eye until the authorities had Whitherspoon behind bars. Perhaps then he'd be able to calm down. He'd always said in a huff, that he didn't require protecting. How wrong he was. Indeed, he required protecting only from himself. What I did absolutly know, was that I still loved him with all my heart, and needed to tell him that. And...if he didn't love me anymore, I guess I'd have to try to live with that fact, although I didn't see how I was ever going to live without him. All I need to do was find him. The rest, I knew would work itself out. I would know right away if he loved me or not with one look into those beautiful eyes of his. The morning was giving way to another beastly hot day, when, at long last, I reached the cliff stairs to the cave and carfully made my way down to the entrance, being almost blinded by the sweat burning my eyes. Suddenly, I had my doubts as to his being there. The brush covering the entrance didn't look the least bit disturbed. At any rate, I moved the brush enough for me to slip past and into the dank cool of the cave, pausing just long enough for my eyes to become adjusted to the darkness. After I could tell where I was going, I made my way down the corridor to where the boulder was guarding the entrance to the secret room. As I crept up quietly through the dirt, my fears were laid to rest when I saw that the boulder had been moved away and a faint light eminated from the entrance hole. Slowly, I peered into the hole to see if he was in there. There was no sound of movement, but I did see something. Yes!, I knew it! I saw a boot! A boot with a foot still inside it. Slowly, I stuck my feet into the entrance hole as I have always done and slid silently down into the room. Yes, I was correct. There he was. Lying asleep on the floor of the room, bathed in the soft glow of a single candle. Lord, he was so beautiful when he was asleep. Even though he was filthy from not having had a proper bath in two days. Seeing him lying there, re kindled the fire in my heart and I berated myself again for having chased him away. I decided not to awaken him, instead I would allow him to wake on his own, and I would just sit and keep guard over him. So I sat myself down and leaned back against a wall of the room that afforded me the best sight of my sleeping angel. Why do I put myself through this? What power does this sweet cherub have over all my senses, that I should be so hopelessly in love with him? I recall thinking how cool the cave was compared to the outside, and how tired I was.......... I must have dozed off, for the next thing I recall, I was being kissed lightly on the cheek. I slowly became more aware of who was kissing my cheek but, as my eyes were still closed, I decided to keep them closed for a little while longer and feign sleep. But I realized that this wasn't going to be easy as the kisses became everso much more insistant. Dear god, my heart lept with joy! There was only one person who could kiss me like that, AND HE STILL LOVED ME!!!! I didn't need to ask, for I could feel his sweet love in the soft, warm, kisses to my cheek, kisses to my forhead, kisses to my nose. When at last, my lips tasted the sweet warmth of his lips, only then did I open my eyes. Opened my eyes to be greeted by the only eyes in the world that could make my heart sing. For a moment, Tad and I merely stared at one another, hoping that the other would break the blistering silence. I knew then he was waiting for a sign. Some type of sign that I forgave him, a sign that told him that,...that, that I still loved him. I wanted so much to talk to him so I could hear his angels voice speaking to me. But,to look straight into those sweet eyes, to see his handsome face melt me once again, I knew that words alone would not suffice. Father had once said that, "actions speak louder than words", so I simply put my arms about him and pulled Tad close to me, feeling his strong young body against mine. Breathing deeply, inhaling his intoxicating boyish scent once again, mixed with the musty smell of the cave, was enough to set the fires within us again, as we closed our eyes and brought our lips closer and closer, and melted yet again into the one that was our love. After a moment we parted for a breath of air, and Tad became sullen once again. "Tad I......" Putting his finger to my lips, Tad shushed me, looking deeply into my eyes, as if still searching for something. "Sam....hear me out and don't say anything, alright?" I simply shook my head in acknowledgement, as he looked down now at the floor and started, haltingly to speak his piece. "Sam...oh, lord, my dear Sam. First let me say how deeply I regret what I've done to you. I never intended to hurt you or us in any way. You see, these feelings of hate are so strong that,...oh god, it hurts so much, I've been such a fool for letting all this happen". "Ohhh...Sam......Ohhh my Samm...................." By this time the tears were starting to trickle down his dirty reddened cheeks in a river flow, as he continued. "I,...I've been so damn stupid, thinking that I could teach him a lesson. So stupid to the point of losing....(looking up into my eyes with sweet, tear filled puppy eyes),of losing the one person who has stayed at my side, regardless of what happend. Sam, it may be too late, but for what it's worth, I...I so do love you.............(profuse tears), Sam please, I'll do what ever it takes, what ever you say, I swear to God....just..j-just l-let me love you again....please Sam. I can't lose you too. You're the one person that has kept me from going mad. You're my whole life and then some. Please Sam, just tell me we can work things out". As he was crying too much to talk at this point, I put my arms about him, laying his head on my chest, stroking his soft golden locks,trying my best to calm him. In a bit the crying subsided, as I removed my handkerchief from my pocket, drying his tears and wiping his runny nose. As he was still staring at the ground, I picked his chin up so that I could once more look into his eyes. What a fool you are Samuel Hedge, I thought as I laughed to myself, what a damn fool. I looked deeply into his eyes, perhaps for the first time, looking right into his very soul. God how I loved this boy. "Tad.....there's nothing, and no one in the world that I love more than you, my darling. I will always love you. Even if we should drift apart, I shall always love you. You must realize, what I do, what I tell you to do, I do with a clear head and sound judgement. ( Good heavens, I was starting to sound like Father!). I have only your best interests at heart. If you choose to ignore me, then I suppose that there is nothing I can do or say to change things. Tad, you must know that you can trust me. You must learn to trust me. And, more importantly, I must be able to trust you. It's one thing to say you love someone, but a love is based on trust. Without that mutual trust, everything else is rubbish". All at once, the inside of the cave was lit up with the most brilliant of light, the light of a thousand stars, as Tad started to smile! "Does this mean that..that you'll be my boyfriend again?", he said, starting to cry through that sweet smile. "Oh...Lord, yes, you little twit! Yes! yes, oh dear god, yes", I managed to get out before being grabbed in the most bear huggable way that one can be hugged, nearly knocking the wind out of me. "One thing more, Master Winslow", I said sternly. "If you so much as think of doing something like this to me again, so help me God, I'll....." "Oh...Oh...god no Sam" he squealed as he hugged the stuffing out of me. "NO, NO, NO, NEVER!, NEVER AGAIN!,NEVER!,NEVER!,NEVER!". "Tad, uhh.. there is one thing I haven't told you. It's part good news and part bad news, and I didn't want to tell you sooner and upset you further". "Upset me? Well.....tell me then, what?". Taking a deep breath, I told Tad what Father had told Michael and me in the study. "You see, that's why we had to be extra careful to conceal you. Tad, I had to protect you. It was the only way I knew. Now, can you forgive me for not telling you?" "Oh! That? I already knew", he said matter of factly. It was as if I had been hit in the head with a brick. What did he mean he knew?? "Tad....Michael and I were the only one's in the study with Father. How in dear God's name could you possibly have known?" "Oh, ughh, well???( long pause ), When you were in the study, I came into the house to use the loo and after which I stopped at the study. I wanted to knock at the door to get you, but I sort of,...ughh.., well, I sort of overheard what was said. I thought it best not to let on I heard. I...I didn't want you to be angry with me". "YOU DIDN'T WANT ME........TO BE ANGRY??????( long sigh ). I just looked at him for the longest time with that silly little puppy dog look on his face and shook my head. "What ever am I to do with you, Tad???" He looked up sweetly at me, with eyes tearing at my heart, "You could kiss me!" he chirped. I could have......I did! A few moments later we sat, cuddled in a warm embrace, and I thought it best that we head back to camp. "Well, alright then, let's be off back to camp, shall we? Michael and Brandon are worried about you, you know". "Oh, I don't know. Are you sure they're not mad as well? You know they both told me that I don't deserve you". "They were right! You don't!", I said with a laugh. "There you go mocking me again! Oh, Sammy, sweetheart.....can't we stay here a while and,........and...you know", he said as he hugged me closely and nuzzled my neck and looked up at me. I saw the smoke starting to fill his eyes, but quite frankly, for the first time, I just wasn't in the mood, due to the fact that he stunk like the royal garbage pits. "No, not now Tad. Quite frankly dear boy, you're in need of a bath". "Well....I never", he pouted, pursing those sweet red lips. "Believe me, today it shows my dear boy", I said as we both laughed so hard our sides hurt. Eventually we blew out the candle and made our way back to the cave entrance. We did have to wait a few moments for Tad's eyes to adjust to the bright daylight. After all, he'd been in the cave for the last twenty four hours or so. As we climbed back up the steep path to the cliff top, I held his hand and guided him up with me. I wasn't taking the slightest of chances at this point. Soon we were at the top and walking slowly, hand in hand down the wooded path that would lead us back to the camp site. I recall thinking that the morning was even more beautiful than ever now that my Tad stood smiling back at me as we walked in. "Tad, tell me what happened when you went back to the house". "Nothing much to tell really", he shrugged. "I knew that he'd probably be going off to work soon so I hid myself in the small patch of trees across from my house until I saw him leave. After he left, I went around to all the doors, but they were all locked, so I slid down the coal chute like I've done a hundred times before. I just grabbed the pistol and went past his room,went in to see what I could steal, found the opium and snatched that as well, then left again". I just shook my head and sighed. Couldn't think of a blasted thing else to say that hadn't been said. As we got near the camp site, I started to have a feeling, way deep down inside. Not a good feeling, mind you, just a hunch that something didn't feel quite right. "Whats wrong Sam? You've got a look on your face". I stopped walking and just listened....... "Sam? For heavens sake................" "Shh....Quiet!", I whispered as I shushed him. "Tad come with me and duck down beside these bushes", I whispered. "Are we going to spy on Michael and Brandon???? What are you on about, Sam?" "Shhh.....I hear something, something not right..." Tad and I silently made our way down behind some rather large bushes that helped hide the lake site from the outside view. Then I listened again. "Alright you two little gutter rats, tell me where he is, now!!" Dear god,......I knew that awful voice. The voice that made my blood run cold! Tad knew it too, as his face became stone white as he gritted his teeth in anger. Slowly,...ever so slowly and silently, two scared boys peeped their heads over their hide away only to see a vision uglier and more repugnant than the angel of death. WITHERSPOON!!!!! It's him!!! Dammit it's him" growled Tad, as he started to get up to pounce on the bastard. It was all I could do to grab him by the shirt tails and keep him beside me. "Tad....NO!!!, Dammit, stay put!!!" "Who's he talking to, Sam? Oh dear god, he's found us! He's found us! It's all my bloody fault! All my bloody fault! I'll kill him, I swear it!". "Tad!! QUIET, He'll hear us. Let me think". Tad and I peered over the top of the bush again to see what was happening. Dear God, the sight that greeted us was our worst nightmare come true. There in the middle of the camp stood a desheveled Witherspoon with a...a...a gun! From where we were, I could see that he had Michael and Brandon sitting naked on the ground some ten paces before him, pointing his gun at them. It was quite obvious that Whitherspoon had interrupted them. Brandon sat crying an shivering in absolute terror, trying vainly to cover his privates with his hands, as Witherspoon addressed Michael. As I looked at Michael he had his arm around Brandon trying to calm him, but the look he was giving Witherspoon was one of absolute furor. In all my days, I had never seen anything as frightening as Michael when he was angry. I knew that given the chance he'd rip Witherspoon to shreds. If it weren't for the gun he held, he'd be no bloody match at all for Michael. "I'll only ask you two fags once again. Where is that thievin'queer friend o'yours, that Hedge, gone to?" "I dunno you freaky ole' sod. Even if I did, I wouldn't tell the bloody likes o' you!", hissed Michael "Ohhh...god Mmm--Michael, h-h-hee's going to kill us!", cried Brandon in absolute terror. Michael hugged Brandon closer as he kissed him on the top of the head and stared defiantly at Witherspoon. "Nah, don't you worry Brandy, this bloody coward 'ere don't have the balls to hurt nobody". "Mind you're faggot mouth boy! Or I'll start w'you", growled Witherspoon. "I'll mind you, you asshole!", Michael spat. "If I gets my hands on you, I'll rip that scrawny little dick o' yours off an' shove right down you're bleedin' throat, I will". "My, my,you faggy boys have a way with words don't you? Why you're just as stupid as you're father", he said with a greasy laugh. As my heart pounded in my chest, I had to think fast. THINK SAM, THINK!!!! What to do?, What to do?, What to d......... Suddenly it hit me. As I looked up I saw that our food sack still remained tied high in a tree. Our food sack with the rock inside! "Alright Tad! You wanted to get him.Well, now's you're bloody chance!" "What are you thinking Sam?" "Tad, I want you to quietly sneak about to the tree that you drove the stake in the ground, next to. Remember Tad?? We tied the food sack rope to it. I'm going to go in there and, when I get the bastard under it, I'll yell, NOW, and you pull the knot holding the rope". "And we drop it on his bloody head!! Good show !!, Except for one thing. I'll go in and get him under. It's my fault he's here. And more importantly, if you get hurt, I'll...I'll....." "Oh, blast it all Tad! Don't get all mushy on me now. Do as I say. He still thinks you're dead and that I broke into the house. How in the world he found us, I'll never know, but if he see's you he'll shoot first and think later! Don't bloody argue with me, there's no time". With a stern look and a sigh, Tad resigned himself to give in to me. Giving me a kiss on the cheek, Tad silently crept behind the bushes. Slowly Tad crept into position while I waited for him to get set. The look on Tad's face told me that my love was a very brave boy indeed,not a trace of fear. Well....either very brave or very stupid. He should have been scared to death, like me! "Go on then gov..you bloody well shoot me! They'll hear it for miles an' come runnin'. Mind you, you sorry bastard, if you miss me, I'll rip you to pieces!" "You know, perhaps you're not so stupid after all. You're correct, it would be imprudent and foolish to shoot you....YET! Maybe I'll just have a little fun with you're fag boyfriend, eh???",he croaked while rubbing his penis through his trousers. Michaels face turned ghost white! There wasn't any way he was going to let Witherspoon hurt Brandon, even if he had to die protecting him. It was now or never, I couldn't wait for Tad any longer. "Maybe I'll just spread his little ass a bit an'.........." "WHITHERSPOON!! ARE YOU LOOKING FOR ME??" As I said these words, the ugly bastard whirled about in unexpected shock for having been caught offguard. As I felt the fear inside me knot my stomach, my eyes fixed first on the barrel of the gun he held, and now pointed directly at me. Slowly I lifted my eyes from the gun and stared directly into this vile creatures bloodshot eyes. I decided right then that I would show no fear. That's what his type thrive on, their ability to scare people. Well, not this lad! "Well, well. Mr.Bloody Hedge himself! At long last", he sneered. "What, may I ask is the meaniing of this?", I demanded, as I stood defiantly tall with my hands on my hips. Out of the corner of one eye, I could see Michaels eyes darting about looking for Tad. He knew I wasn't alone, but had no idea what the devil I was up to. Then, in the same sight, I caught a glimpse of Tad in the bushes. Thank God that Witherspoon's back was to him. In the moments before he spoke again, the forest had gone deadly quiet. Not a sound from the birds or the crickets. Not even a breeze to ruffle the leaves on the trees, as the very clouds above turned grey with evil intent. As I stood my ground looking at the monster that held us all at bay, I could see the torrents of sweat pouring down his face. Funny thing that I didn't notice the same about my face or the fact that my eyes were burning from the sweat and fear. "Where are they!", he growled. "Where are what?", I replied "Don't get cute with me, boy. You know damned well what I want. I want the things you swiped from the house. I want them NOW!!!", he said as the gun in his hand shook with every word. "My dear Mr. Witherspoon, I haven't the foggiest notion as to what you are referring to. Perhaps if you would......." "That's it faggy boy!", he said as he turned the gun back on Michael and Brandon. "If I don't get what I want, now, then your little faggy friends here have had their last fling. Do I make myself clear?" Right then, I stared directly into his cold, calculating eyes, perhaps in a last act of defiance. I knew that he meant every word of what he said. "Oh, very well. I thought that you wouldn't find out and me and the boys could sell them and get a little pocket money. I'll give them back, but first...how did you know I'd taken them? And how in the bloody hell did you find us way out here?". "Hah...you think your so bloody smart, don't you. You waited until I went off then snuck in through the ruddy coal chute. I know because, you stupid little gutter snipe, you left coal laden footprints through the house". Stupid, Tad....Very bloody stupid, I thought to myself. "As for findin' you. This place has been around way before you were born, laddy. I grew up not far from here and knew this place as a boy. Y' see that clump of trees over there? My old man killed himself there. Hung himself he did. But I never liked the drunken fool any. I was glad when they pulled hs body out an' brought it out to me mum, (ha ha ha). "OK faggy boy enough of this idle chit chat(shaking the gun), do you expect me to beleive that, as well off as your family is, you needed pocket money? How bleedn' stupid do think I am?" "Well off indeed! Why Father is so cheap, I barely get enough money to go and have a good time with my mates. Yes, he is well off, but I never see a ruddy shilling of it". "Well, well...a boy after my own heart, eh?? You really don't expect me to let you live after this, do you?", he snarled. It was time to get the trap sprung. I just hoped he go for the bait. "Oh come now, surely we can work something out?" "Do you think that I'm a bloody fool, boy? Just give me what's mine this instant, or the faggy boys'll get it", as he pointed the gun at Michael and Brandon. "Don't give him shit, gov", shouted Michael. I was growing increasingly furious at the term "faggy boys", and it was all I could do to hold in the seething anger I felt at this moment. As he stood, he was about two steps away from being on target. I had to get him to take two steps toward me. But how? It was then that, "how", occured to me. Daring yes. Degrading yes. But it had to be done. I knew how to get him where I wanted him. "You won't shoot, Jiles", I snickered, staring at him defiantly. "Oh? And pray tell, why not? And also, are you my friend that you call me by my first name, you little pip squeak?". "No Jiles, not friend. Perhaps..., ummm..silent partner is more suitable a term". He looked confused now, staring at me with cold beady litle eyes, sweat dripping down his face, and still with the gun on my two friends. Keep going sam, you've got him on the line !!! "You see, you can't shoot us because,...I'm afraid that we all left notes where our parents would eventually find them. Notes detailing what you were up to and what you did to poor little Tad in the ware house and all". "The warehouse!!! How did you know.....", he stuttered in shock as he now pointed the gun directly at me. "Oh yes, Jiles", I smiled,"We know all about it. The entire sordid affair. The opium, the murder of Tad, yes I'm afraid we were there, hiding where you didn't see us. So you see, even if you did shoot us, eventually they will know. And you won't be safe anywhere. Unless.......". As he stared at me with venom in his eyes, becoming more enraged by the moment. To think that he had been found out by a group of boys after all his carefully laid plans. I couldn't tell if it had made any difference or not. The bastard may indeed shoot us. I recall that at no time in my life had I been as scared as I was right then, as my stomach tied itself in knots and the palms of my hands began to sweat. "You little.......", he growled through clenched teeth,"very well, unless what?" "Well, two things actually. I give you the opium and forget where it came from and who you are, and you turn about and leave. Go far away and never come back. We'll get rid of the notes and no one will ever know what became of you". The greasy little bastard looked at me for the longest time, while he seemed to be mulling it over. I knew that he'd agree, but I also knew that this scum would shoot me as soon as he had the opium in his grubby hands. "My dear Master Hedge, you drive quite a bargain. Alright, boy. I agree. Now!! Where is the opium?" "Right here in my pocket". I reached into my pocket and brought out his prized possession and held it out on my shaking hand. At this point we were but a few steps apart. "Give it here boy". "NO!!!...You'll shoot me, I'm scared!" "Come here, I said, I won't shoot you, boy". "NO!!!, I'm too scared, why don't you just take it from me?" "Oh BLAST, BOY!!!", he shouted. Slowly, he took two steps forward, right below the food bag. "NOW TAD!!!!...NOW!!! NOW!!!", I screamed Before he knew what had happened, there was a whooshing sound as the bag came down whith a thud on top of the blighters head, knocking him to the ground, dazed, blood pouring from the wound in his head. All at once, Michael was up and made a bee line for the gun that he dropped when he was hit. Suddenly Tad came charging out of the woods, flying right into my arms, yelling and screaming in fear, followed by twelve soldiers with rifles drawn. They were apon us before we knew what had happened. All at once there were twelve rifles pointed directly at Witherspoon. Needless to say the four of us were frozen in fear, when I heard a familiar voice. "Well then Master Hedge, It seems that you've no need of us eh?" There standing before me was...Sledge! And as I screamed his name, I abandoned Tad and flew into his arms, giving him one of the most relieved hugs I could come up with. "Oh, Mr. Sledge, am I ever glad to see you! How in the world did you know what was going on?" "Well, mate, we was followin' ole' Witherpuss 'ere. We were just about to grab 'im and take him away. Then he goes givin' us the slip, but we saw him go into the woods at the last minute, and not a moment too soon I might add, eh??" "Have you seen what we did? We caught him for you!", I said in my boyish way, looking up into the eyes of this gentle giant of a man. "Yeah, I saw alright. You did a right proper job, you did. Now you come over with me and we'll put a topper on it. And, why don't ya' grab hold o' your little friend, I think he'll want to be in on this?". Sledge and I walked over to Tad, and as I took his sweet hand in mine, continued towards the spot where Witherspoon sat on the ground nursing a bloody gash on his head, surrounded by twelve rifles. As Witherspoon looked up he saw Tad and nearly had a heart attack. Then he turned to me and said,"I should have shot you while I had the bloody chance". Suddenly Tad broke free of my hand and pounced on Witherspoon, visciously attacking him, punching, kicking, smacking, screaming, and...and yes, crying his beautiful eyes out in a blind rage. "THIS IS FOR MY FATHER!, AND THIS IS FOR MY MOTHER!, AND THIS IS FOR ME, AND....AND ..THIS....." The combined power of three of the soldiers could not dislodge Tad from his intended target, so crazed with rage, now boiled over, was my love. Calmly and loudly, I called his name. "TAD!.....TAD STOP NOW!" All at once a dishevled blond haired boy, eyes and cheeks red with rage and crying, looked up at me with the rage very evident in his face. After a moment we just looked at one another, the rage in his face dissapating as Tad fell off Witherspoon in a heap, got to his feet and ran for the warm protection of my arms, which I held open for him. And as he hugged me tightly, I couldn't help but cry with him. To realize now that this nightmare was finally at an end. We stood and hugged each other tightly amid all those people, oblivious to all of them as our tears finally subsided. Sledge's loud voice brought us back to reality as we turned towards him as he spoke. "Jiles Witherspoon, As an agent of His Royal Majesty, King George the Fifth, and in his good name, I hearby place you under arrest! Captain of the guard, if this one so much as even moves, put a bullet in his bloody head". "Yes Sir!", answered the captain of the guard as he saluted. As I looked at Witherspoon, he looked back at me and we made eye contact. It was as if he were saying, "Just wait!! I'll be back". Of course he never came back, well.. not in my life time at any rate. I gave him a last look, put my arm back around Tad and slowly led him away from this vile creature and over to the banks of the lake, where we sat down and breathed a sigh of relief together. I then took my clean handkerchief out of my back pocket and dipped it into the cool waters of the lake. Bringing it out, I wrung it out and as Tad looked at me, I proceeded to wash the tears and dirt off his face. Neither of us said a word as I washed him all the while being studied by those sweet eyes. As I finished, we looked into each others eyes, as I watched the freshly applied lake water roll down his soft cheeks. Slowly as if drawn in by some unseen force, my lips met his lips and soon, we'd forgotten that we weren't alone. "Uhhhh...Ehhhemm...Master Hedge?" Tad and I seperated and I looked over my shoulder to see Sledge, Michael, and Brandon standing behind us. Michael and Brandon were already dressed. It was then that I realized what Sledge had seen me do. He'd seen me kissing Tad. In fact, my arms were still about him and hugging him as I looked at them all standing there. It was then that I realized, I didn't give a damn if he saw me or not. After what we'd been through I didn't care who knew that I loved Tad. I risked my life for him and earned the right to love him. "Master Hedge, we're 'bout ready to cart this lot back to the woods entrance, where we have transportation waiting to take him to a nice, dark, jail cell. I'd like for all of you to pack your gear and go with us as Captain Longley will be bringin' your father around". Tad got up and went with Michael and Brandon to start taking down the camp, with Sledge and I dawdling behind. When I had Sledge reasonably alone.......... "Sledge?" "Hmmm? Yes Master Hedge?" "About what you just saw back there, I........" Sledge put his big gorilla arms around me and looked at me almost fatherly like. "Master Hedge, you don't need to explain to the likes o'me. What I see stays with me, understand? That's why I'm still alive lad". And with that he gave me a rather hard pat on the back. "All's well that ends well, eh mate?", he said, grinning from ear to ear, with that big ugly face of his. As we packed up I took the pistol that I had taken away from Tad and for the moment, as my hands were busy, I stuck it in the waist band of my trousers. Soon we were all squared away, and with a handcuffed Witherspoon and the soldiers walking ahead of us, proceeded to make our way back to civilization. Soon we were quite close enough to the woods entrance that I could see all sorts of activity on the road before the woods. Soliers, horses, officials cars, more soldiers, and then, I saw Father! Well actually, it was he who saw me, as he screamed my name and came running to embrace me. My wonderful father! Not only did he grab me in his famous bear hug, but Tad as well, as he hugged the stuffing out of his two boys. As the soldiers marched poor Witherpud off to a horse drawn carraige with a jail cell built on to it, Father, Tad , and I began to rejoyce in our reunion. We jabbered and hugged and jabbered some more. Father even hugged Michael and Brandon, so relieved was he that none of us were hurt. Finally, as Father led the way to our car, and I walked hand in hand with Tad, I looked up in the direction of where the soldiers were interrogating Old Witherspoon. The fact that I chose that particular time to look up, had to have been fate or my guardian angel, because all at once I noticed that Witherspoon had managed to slip out of his handcuffs. The rest of this visage passed before my eyes in slower than life motion. To this day, I recall every detail because of the lack of speed. No one but me saw him slip out of the cuffs as he then grabbed the pistol out of the belt of the soldier standing to his right, pushing the soldier flat on his duff in doing so. I saw the gun come up. I saw him looking directly at Tad, who was busily engaged in conversation with Father but still holding on to my hand. There was little time, as I watched the gleem in his eye as he took a fast aim right for Tad. Without thinking, I dove at Tad knocking him away, while at the same instant, drawing out the gun in my trouser waistband and pointing it at him quickly and fired mid air. As Tad and I hit the ground, the slow motion continued as my eyes were still fixed on Witherspoon. For a moment that seemed to be an eternity, he looked right at me, his eyes convaying a shocking truth as if he'd seen the angel of death and not being able to believe what had just happened. The next thing I knew his eyes started to close as the blood poured out of his head from a wound in between his eyes, and Witherspoon dropped slowly to a heap on the ground, still holding his gun, while his spirit rose from his body and disappeard in a ball of fire and smoke to the hell from wence he'd come. The last thing I recalled was Tad yelling my name. But....he sounded so awfully far away,.....so...far away, as everything....went black. ****************************************************************** **************************************************************** ************************************************************** ************************************************************