Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2007 03:00:18 -0500 From: Dwedno Smith Subject: Chapter 6 of BT (Tunnel) Hi all, Once again its time for a new chapter of Tunnel. This one is a BT update so I hope all of you enjoy it. It speaks for itself so there isnt much more to say. I am currently working on the next chapter of Tunnel and with any luck may have it out in a week or so. TIll then... Dwedno. Chapter 6. Preparations are made to leave. As Bryan watched from the doorway the bus with Tommy and his boys pulled away from the curb. The boys waved to him and he waved back and watched the bus roll out into the parking lot and then finally out of site. He turned to walk back inside from the first set of doors and as he approached the second set of doors a voice yelled out to him from behind. "Bryan, please... can I talk to you?" He jumped some from the surprise and turned. Mike was standing there. "You scared the crap out of me! I thought you left?" he said. "Sorry...I did leave but I don't have any place to go and after I walked out I saw Travis and I didn't want him to see me, I'm afraid he will kick my ass and I had enough of him today." "So what do you want me to do?" "I don't know Bryan. I know I agreed to leave but now that Tommy and Travis are gone I was hoping you might reconsider and let me stay." "That's a huge request I really don't know." "Please... please I'll do anything. I promise I will be good, do errands, clean up the area and anything... please I am begging you..." "I'll tell you what. Let me run it by Kate and if she says yes then you can stay otherwise you have to go and if you are worried about Travis just go out the other end of the mall and walk the other way." "Okay I will but please let's ask Kate." He clinched his hands together as he begged Bryan as if he were praying for help. He actually tugged at Bryan's heart enough to allow him enough slack to follow him back in the mall before he locked the door. As Bryan headed back to the area Mike followed quietly. When they got there Kate looked at them oddly. "What is he doing here with you?" "He caught me as I was seeing Tommy off and begged me to come in. He is asking to stay." "Please Kate... please let me stay here I promise I will be good and cause no one a problem. I will clean up and do extra chores to help out but please I don't want to go out there with Travis around. He scares me and I am afraid what he will do to me if he gets hold of me." Kate looked at Bryan and then back at him. He had the puppy dog eyes going and looked like he was going to cry. She looked at him and then back at Bryan. "What do you think?" "Honestly... Tommy threw him out and although I think he might have been right Mike never caused me a problem just Caleb and he is gone so I have no problem with it." "So you are leaving it up to me then." "Sure why not Kate... after all you were in charge before I got here." "Gee thanks a lot. You really are my hero when it comes to tough decisions." she said sarcastically. He looked at her with his mouth open and arms stretched straight out to his sides as if he were hurt by that... "What?" he said shrugging his shoulders. Kate looked back at Mike ignoring Bryan's feelings. "Okay you can stay but one problem and..." "I swear there will be no problems I promise!!" he said cutting her off. "Okay, well go put your stuff down and then go clean out all the garbage from upstairs and dump it. You can start there for now." "Sure Kate that's fine... anything is better then being out there." "When you are done find me I have other things for you too." "Okay no problem." He said as he took off to do her task. "You plan on working him to death?" Bryan asked. "Not really but since we will be leaving in a few days I might as well get some use out of him." "You sure know how to do it don't you?" "Wait till I do it to you then you will know Bryan." She snickered as she said that. Bryan just shook his head. "So we are leaving day after tomorrow right?" she asked him. Apparently when it came to some things it was still Bryan's decision but apparently as long as they were in the mall Kate was in charge and Bryan really didn't seem to care since it meant fewer decisions for him to make, but this move and the outside world apparently had her a bit worried and she was depending on him more then anything as the time to move crept closer by the hour. "Yes the plan is to contact Tommy late tomorrow and verify everything is set and then the next morning we gather who is coming with us and head out that way." "Have you decided how we are going to travel there?" "I have a few ideas right now but I am going to take a few of the boys today and check the area for a decent vehicle and something for us to tow behind so we can handle anything we want from here." "Good because I want to shop and get plenty of clothing and whatever else to bring to our new home." "I figured that. I guess we should find a big truck then." "Really big!" she said as she looked at him and he smiled. She started to laugh and so did he. "Really big! He said mockingly. Guess I have work to do so I am gonna go look." "You can take Mike if you want because he is old enough to help but the only thing is then he will know we are leaving and he will probably want to go." "I am sure he will till he finds out we will be living by Tommy. I'm not too worried about him after he learns that little piece of information out." "Yeah I guess you have a point." She said. He nodded and headed in the direction Mike went to go get him interrupt him from his garbage duties immediately and bring him along for help in finding a proper vehicle for their trip. "Mike!" he yelled upstairs. A few seconds later he appeared holding a garbage bag. "Yeah?" "I have to go find vehicles for us do you want to come help me?" A smile came across his face. "Yeah but Kate wants me to do garbage." "Screw the garbage this is more important." He dropped the bag where he stood and barreled down the steps to Bryan. "Why are you going looking for cars when the parking lot has tons of them?" "Not cars... bigger like an RV or bus." "You mean like Tommy has?" "Exactly." "Why would you need that unless you are planning to... you are leaving here aren't you?" He shook his head yes. "Where are you going? Can I come with you, honest I can help a lot. I can be really helpful and do lots..." "Slow down and take a breath!" Bryan said finally cutting him off mid sentence. "Sorry but I'd do anything to get out of here." "I know Mike but where we are going you probably wouldn't want to be." "Huh? Why not?" "Because we are going to live by Tommy in the same area or neighborhood." "Ohhh... immediate dejection in his voice. I see." "Sorry kid but I want to get out of here and live by my brother and we already have a place by Tommy." "Do you think he would be upset if I went with you?" "I don't know, probably but I do know Caleb might not like it." "He's going too?" he exclaimed. "He already left with Tommy on their bus." "Damn that kid causes all this shit and then he gets to go live in a nice house with lots of stuff and a real bed..." "What can I tell you Mike what you guys did to him gave him the perfect opportunity to get out of here and lots of sympathy." "You talk like you don't like him much." "He isn't a big fan of mine and I don't care a lot about him either." That seemed to perk up Mike some. "Do you think I can go with you?" "I don't think so Mike. I didn't have a problem with letting you back in here but to allow you to live with us in a house full time I just don't think that is possible." "But why not? I never gave you any trouble Bryan... other then what Travis made me do I have never caused anyone a problem. I really am a good kid!" "That's to be seen but if you want to come and you can deal with Tommy then I suppose I don't have a problem with you being there... I will have to ask Kate though because you will be living with us and both of us have to agree before anyone can stay and you must agree to the rules in our home if she agrees okay?" "What are the rules?" "We still have to set them once we move in and you and anyone else that comes will have to agree to them or live out in the cold." "Well I certainly will have no problem with rules as long as they are the same for everyone." "They will be. Now let's get out of here and find a bigger vehicle." They headed out into the parking lot and got into Bryan's car. He started it and they took off. "I have an idea of where I want to look from driving around the neighborhood occasionally so if this works I am going to let you drive this back you can follow me okay?" Mike smiled at Bryan. "You sure you can do this?" he asked Mike. "Yeah it's cool. I can drive a car." "I hope so because if you wreck my car I am not taking you with me." "I swear I will be sooooo careful... I swear!" "All right then up around this bend is where I think I saw one of those big RV's like Tommy was driving." He made a turn and drove a few more blocks ahead and on the right was what he was looking for. Bryan pulled up behind it and they got out after he turned the motor off. Not being too safe he pulled a gun out as he approached the passenger's side door. With Mike behind him he turned the knob and pulled the door open. He poked his head in and the coast was clear so they both entered. It was basically the same size as the one Tommy was driving and inside it had a kitchen and three swivel chairs. There was a kitchen table and in the bathroom was a toilet and stand up shower. The back had a queen sized bed in a separate room. Both the driver and passenger's seat were swivel captains chairs. It was in excellent shape. He looked at Mike. "Pretty nice huh?" "Really nice, you gonna take it?" "Hell yeah this is how we are gonna get to Tommy's place." "So you want me to follow you back in this?" "Yes, let me see if the keys are in the ignition and then we'll see how it runs." He walked over and inside. Once inside he took a look and the ignition was empty. "Damn! Now we have to find keys." Where are you gonna look?" "One second, just watch..." He turned to the passenger's side and opened the glove box. "What are you doing in there?" "Getting the owners address so we can go into his house and check for the keys." "Oh that's pretty smart." Bryan smiled at him. He opened the glove box and searched for paperwork. He grabbed a card and brought it out of the glove box to read. "This looks like what we need. 123 Sherman Dr. and I believe that's the block we are on." He turned and looked for a street sign. About fifteen feet away the marker said Sherman and Madison. "Come on lets find 123." Mike followed as Bryan headed for the closest house. "125... that means this next one should be it." "Yeah and that makes sense to that the owner didn't park this too far away from his house right Bryan?" "Yup." Mike felt like he was helping some now even if it was on a small level. He followed Bryan to the next house and up to the front door. Bryan turned the handle and it was locked. "Damn it! He turned to Mike. Let's go try the side door." Again Mike followed him to the side door. It too was locked. "Well we have nothing to lose lets go in the back if that's locked then we just break in." "Okay." Mike replied. They went around back and climbed a few steps to a set of sliding doors on the porch. Bryan reached out and tugged on one of the sliding doors. It too was locked. He pulled again and out of no where a dog came running at them from inside. "Wholly shit! A freaking dog Bryan said aloud as they both backed away from the door. What do you think Mike he looks friendly enough should we break in?" On the other side of the glass was a mid sized black dog--some kind of mutt or mixed breed. He was in good shape from what they could tell and seemed to be well fed too. But how? "He hasn't barked yet so I guess we can try breaking in the side door." "Good idea Mike at least if we get in that door he probably wouldn't be able to get to us until we went inside. That looks like it leads up to a room and down to a basement." They headed to the side of the house. "Lets both put our foot into the door together okay?" "Sure." Said Mike. They stood together and lifted their legs and pointed their feet at the door. On Bryan's word the both kicked. With a big thud the door did nothing... they looked at each other and kinda laughed... once again they lined up for their target. With another nod both of them shoved their sneakers into the door. This time was a little better the door moved some but still didn't give totally. "Once more and I think we will have it!" Bryan exclaimed. Again they did the same and with a big thud they finally broke through the door and it flew back into the wall behind it with a loud bang. "YES! We are in!" Bryan yelled out. Bryan poked his head in and cautiously looked around. "Seems clear... might as well go in." Mike followed a short distance behind. "It seems to be okay so far. Bryan said as he stepped farther inside. I'm gonna go up to the door." He climbed the four steps up from the landing he was on and put his hand on the doorknob. Before opening it he put his ear to the door and listened. Then he slowly turned the knob and pushed the door open. He poked his head in and so far there was nothing but a spilled bag of dog food on the floor. Slowly he crept around the door and was now standing in the kitchen. Mike was behind him but still on the steps. "See anything?" he said. "Just the dog food otherwise it's all normal." He moved far enough into the kitchen to allow Mike to get off the steps. Just then out of no where the dog appeared. Bryan froze in his steps and Mike didn't know what was happening. "What's wrong... Ohhhhh crap the dog!" he said. "Shut up Mike!" Slowly the dog got closer but it appeared he wasn't in any hurry to see who was in his house. It also appeared that neither Bryan nor Mike were in danger... so far. Bryan stood there as the dog slowly approached them. He wasn't doing anything other then creeping closer. No bark, no tale wag it was difficult at best to get any read on what he might do so far. He stopped about three feet from them and looked up. Suddenly he let out a loud bark and both of them jumped out of their skin. The dog didn't move he just barked one time and scared the shit out of both of them. "We have to do something, Bryan said to Mike. I'm gonna try and take a step towards the dog." "Okay you do that I will stay here!" "Chicken shit!" Bryan said to him. Bryan took a small step and reached out his hand. The dog moved closer and was now near enough to smell it. After a quick sniff he began to wag his tail and he sat down. "I think we might be safe." Bryan said after taking a deep breath. He moved a little closer to the mutt and the dog watched him intimately as he did so. Finally he was close enough to pet the dog while he sat and the pooch allowed it to happen. Finally he stood up and licked Bryan's hand. "I think we are okay. He said. He seems friendly enough so far." Mike came around and suddenly the dog began barking scaring both of them again. "Back up Mike I don't think he likes you!" With that Mike went back down onto the steps as fast as he could and the dog got quiet again. "Weird! Bryan said. Seems like he doesn't like you!" "That's fine I will stay down here!" he said. Bryan stood up and headed in towards the living room. He now knew how the dog survived. In the next room was another big bag of dog food ripped to shreds and just a few pieces on the floor. It appeared the dog had plenty of food to eat at one time and was probably drinking from the toilet or something. Bryan looked around and finally found keys hanging up near the front door. One set said RV on it. He grabbed them and unlocked the front door and headed outside. Once out he went around to the side of the house and yelled for Mike who quickly came running. "You got the keys?" "Yeah let's try to start the RV." They headed back over and the dog was now at the window barking at them. Apparently he wanted out or at the very least to play with his new company. "We'll deal with him after I start the RV." "What do you mean deal with him?" "Well since he doesn't like you I'll look for a leash and bring him out." "You are gonna take him with you?" "Yeah we can't leave him behind that's not right!" "Maybe but I don't want to get bit!" "You will be in the car don't worry about it for now!" "Oh yeah, I forgot." Together they entered the RV and Bryan sat his ass down in the driver's seat. He slid a key into the ignition and turned it and the big monster fired up after a few seconds of cranking. "Yes!" they both said. "Now we have transportation!" Bryan said with glee almost sounding gay. "So you are gonna get the dog now?" "Yup if he wants to come." "Well I'll be in your car waiting for you." "Okay... here, take the keys and nothing stupid I don't want that car damaged at all got me?" "Yes." He said as he quickly took off to get behind the wheel for the first time in a long time. His father had just began giving him driving lessons weeks before the comet hit and he really didn't have any reason to drive or think about driving since then but now he was set and ready to roll. Mike watched as Bryan went into the house and shortly there after came out with the dog wagging his tail on a leash. He opened the door to the RV and the dog went in like he had done this before and then he shut the door and headed over to Mike. Mike rolled down the car window to talk to him. "Damn! I found where he was taking a crap when I went back in. that dog made a total mess in one of the bedrooms it's like a total horror of odor in that room!" "Better you then me, come on lets get back." Mike said as he was all excited to drive. Bryan got into the RV and put it in drive and after a few tense moments of learning how to handle such a big vehicle he seemed to have it under control. They drove the short distance back to the mall and parked outside the main set of doors they were using to enter the mall. Bryan went in to get Kate and surprise her with the dog and vehicle. He came back out with her and a few boys following to see what was going on. "Wow this is big and beautiful!" she said. "That's the first surprise." "There is more?" she said. He opened the door and there sitting at the top step was the dog with tail wagging a mile a second. "Oh Bryan he is adorable where did you find him?" "He was at the house where we found the RV. I spent a lot of time petting and getting used to him on the way over and he seems to be friendly enough." She reached out to him and he sniffed her hand and then licked it. It appears they have a pet. As the other boys saw the dog they all started to pet it and give it attention while Kate checked out the RV. When she was done Bryan allowed the boys in while Kate stayed out with the dog getting used to him. A few at a time the other boys all checked out the RV. Bryan was standing at the top of the steps watching both the boys on the RV and the others with the dog. "So what are we going to name the dog?" she asked him. "How about Survivor?" One of the boys yelled out. "Nah that's too lame!" Another replied. "How about Champ?" said Austin. "Yeah I like that." Said Kate. She looked at Bryan. "I don't care what you call him as long as it's not Bryan." She laughed. "Then Champ it is." The boys cheered. "This thing is Rad!" One of the boys exclaimed on the way out of the RV. It was Ryan. "Yeah but the dog is better!" another exclaimed. Causing a bunch of laughter. "Kate turned to Bryan... wait till they find out only a few will be going in it to come with us." Bryan laughed... "Yeah I know. Then the real fireworks are gonna start." Bryan looked at all the boys as he climbed down the steps of the RV following the last group out. "Since we have most of you here we need everyone to go back inside the mall Kate and I have a major announcement to make about something very important." Slowly the boys on the RV started to file off and back into the mall. Not everyone could fit inside so many were still standing outside and a few were on the steps leading into the RV. Not all got to see inside before Kate called for the meeting. All the boys in the mall were now assembled together for the first time in a while as Kate began to speak. "By now I am sure some or most of you have figured out what we are going to do with the RV. We will probably be leaving tomorrow and moving to a new place to live." she said. The group of boys immediately began to ask questions. Almost all of them asked if they could go. As expected this was turning ugly quickly and Bryan yelled out for quiet. "QUIET DOWN!!!" he yelled out a few times. "This isn't easy for either of us but with so many we can not take all of you and after some serious talking we have decided on who is going. WE are sorry if all of you don't like it but we are not able to do anything about it. The house we are going to isn't big enough for half of you so we can't take many. Listen to Bryan and he will tell you who is going." Again after Kate stopped talking they immediately got loud once again. "Okay guys, quiet down, and listen. Bryan practically screamed out above the noise level. Again I will say this in advance but we are sorry everyone can not come and if someone who we offer a place to doesn't want to come we will choose another if possible. Now the following boys are invited to our new home... Matt, Todd, Austin, Jose, and Ryan." Mike immediately had a look on his face like his life was over. After going with Bryan to get the RV he thought he was going to be invited for sure but deep down inside he knew that after hanging with Travis things were probably over for him. He turned and walked away from the others wanting to be alone right now. He cursed Travis for what he had done and what he had made him. A low life boy raper's friend. As he walked away quietly from the group he began to sob. He now knew that he was on his own and whoever was going to be in charge here probably wouldn't want him around after what happened. He couldn't leave and hang in the area because Travis would be lurking out there somewhere and he felt trapped. He wasn't the only one that was upset or crying. There were many others who didn't get picked to go whether they were close to them or not. Although most didn't hang out with Bryan and Kate they thought they might have a chance to get out of this place. Bryan tried in vain to quiet the boys once more to explain himself, but finally he gave up and looked at Kate shrugging his shoulders. There were five smiling boys however and they needed to have a talk with them to make sure they all wanted to go before things were finalized. Kate went around and told each of them to meet back upstairs for a meeting as soon as things calmed. Bryan looked around for Mike but he was no where to be found at the moment. He wanted to tell him something special but he had to get Kate's okay first. He did want him to come but he couldn't go against their decisions before talking with her first. The next twenty or so minutes were spent by Kate and Bryan trying to explain to the remaining boys why they weren't picked and it wasn't an easy task at all. Some got mad, some cried but eventually it began to sink in that only five were going. Well six if you count Mike but that still has to be worked out. Kate pulled Cody aside and asked him if he was staying in the mall and he said yes. She told him she was sorry and he said it was fine and he didn't think he would have liked living under some ones rules now. She asked him to run the mall and try to take good care of the remaining boys that were staying. He agreed and told her he was going to gather them all together and try to see who was staying and who didn't care where they would be. She told him she was curious about how any of the remaining boys felt about all this. He said he would get back to her later with answers. He needed a head count and the place was still chaos at the moment. Bryan finally pulled Kate aside and told him about Mike and promised her he would make him his responsibility. She agreed after a bit of coaxing and he set off to find him. After roaming the mall for a good thirty or more minutes Bryan was still not able to find Mike. He started calling his name out and after another half hour he finally found him sitting at a table in the food court. He walked over to his chair. Mike was sitting there with his head down and not moving. "Mike... I have been looking for you for an hour..." He lifted his head from the table and looked at Bryan. "Why... to rub it in? You already announced who was coming and it's not me so leave me alone!" He put his head back down into his folded arms and hid from Bryan. He went over and sat across the table from him. Bryan reached out and touched Mike on the arm but he pulled away. "Leave me alone!" "Mike... please listen to me. I didn't chase you..." "GO AWAY!" he screamed out cutting Bryan off mid-sentence as his face was still buried in his arms. "Okay if that's what you want but all I was going to say is you are coming with us if you wanted to." Bryan went to get up and Mike's head popped up off his arms. "WHAT??" "I was trying to tell you but you wouldn't stop screaming at me to go away." "Sorry... he said wiping his face. I was upset." "I know you were. I promised you a second chance but I had to ask Kate first and she jumped ahead to the announcement before I could ask so I had to offer to the boys on the list first. I still don't know if they are all going to say yes." Mike seemed a bit calmer now as he took a deep breath. "So I am going with you no doubt?" "Yes and let me tell you I had to stick my neck out for you so if you act up or get out of line once..." "I know... I promise I totally understand. I learned my lesson after Tommy did that to Travis. It's not worth having that happen to me or anything close to it." "Well you will be living under our roof so it's our rules you and the others will have to follow not Tommy's even if it is his neighborhood we are moving to." "I know but he will be there and he hates me." "I some how doubt he hates you. Maybe he was mad at you but Tommy doesn't seem like the kind of kid to hold a grudge." "I guess we'll see when we get there then." Mike said breaking a smile off as he said that. "Yup guess we will. Bryan added as he got up and quickly rubbed Mikes head. You coming back with me or you gonna sit here all afternoon?" He sprung to his feet. "Hell no I gotta get clothes and start packing!" "Yes but just be careful who you tell you are going right now. There are a lot of hurt boys and if they knew you were going there would be more yelling." "I bet." They headed back to meet Kate so all of them could have a meeting. In the mean time Cody had gathered the rest of the boys together so he could have a meeting to see who was staying and if they agreed to live in the mall under his rules once Kate leaves. Those who don't will be made to leave and get locked out before Kate and Bryan leave so there isn't any fighting or major trouble. That was Kate's idea. The two of them made it back to the area and it was quiet now with Cody taking all the other boys to his side of the mall for the meeting and Kate was waiting with the five remaining boys for Bryan to come back. She had an idea but wasn't totally sure where he was at the moment. Finally she saw him approach with Mike and breathed a sigh of relief. "You left without telling me. I wasn't totally sure where you went." she said to him as he approached. "Sorry but we can't have a meeting without everyone." A few of the five mumbled something about Mike but that was as far as it went. "Okay boys listen up we have to first know if all of you want to go with us and if you do we have a few rules that need to be followed or there will be major problems once we get there." She had everyone's attention now as she grabbed the pad with their rules on it. "All right I will try to keep this as painless as possible but... first question I asked. I need answers... I suppose all of you DO want to come with us? All the boys said yes quickly ending any further questions about who was going. Okay then, she continued. When we do leave we are going to the town that Tommy and his boys live in. Also you should all know that Caleb went with them and will be there." That made Jose smile. They were good friends in the mall. "Now since all of you will be under our roof we are responsible for you and not Tommy but you do need to respect the fact that it is his neighborhood and he will probably kick your ass if you do something wrong outside of the house. That goes without saying... even if I had to put it to all of you that way." "You mean he is in charge of us outside the house?" asked Todd. "No Todd, Bryan said. What Kate means is if you do something wrong outside like break a rule and he catches you then he might do something to stop you himself and we really can't do much about it since you are out of the house." "Ohhh, okay... I understand now." "Second thing... as Kate continued... everyone will have chores and if they don't get done you don't eat. Plain and simple! Also when the baby is sleeping as much as I hate to say it we will need quiet in the house. I will try to offer you guys a place to be a little louder like the basement or something but we won't know till we get there if anything like that will be possible. So baby asleep equals quiet time for now. Even though we don't have a clue what we are moving into I am sure all of you, if you choose to will be able to go over to Tommy's house and probably some of them will come to our place as all of you make friends so be ready for that. Next... sleeping arrangements...until we get there once again we won't know for sure but the twins will have a room which is obvious, Mike will have a room, Matt will have a room, and until we know how many bedrooms there will be, Jose you might have to share one with Austin. "That's okay, Jose said. Austin is a cool kid." That made all of them laugh including Austin. "We also might have one of their boys move in with us when we get there." "Who?" They all asked. "I am not saying yet, Bryan said. Until it happens there is no reason to talk about it. I just wanted to warn all of you in advance about anything that could happen." "For now that's all we have for you boys but remember things can and will change when we get there, Kate added trying to finalize things. We should be leaving tomorrow sometime. For now I would like all of you to either as a group or in at least partners go out into the mall and get plenty of clothes and anything else you want to take with you. No one under twelve goes without someone older! That is a rule now too for everyone's safety no traveling the mall without someone older with you, Austin and Jose, okay?" They both shook their heads yes. Kate was thinking one of the boys not going with them might try something bad like getting rid of a young one and take their place or something wild like that. "Finally before we let you guys do what you want to one more thing... since we won't know the neighborhood when we get there I think we should all have a meeting with Tommy so he can fill us in on how things are around there, so the first day or until we meet with him no one is allowed outside alone." They moaned a little but understood the reason why. Kate and Bryan were now done and they all decided to go out clothes and whatever else shopping as a group. Bryan tagged along, Kate stayed with the baby and a gun at her side. They gathered a few shopping carts together and went out into the mall to gather what they wanted to take along to their new home. The afternoon went by with little or no problems and by dark all were back from shopping. Cody's meeting had ended long ago and he among the other boys were now with Kate as they returned from shopping. Cody was working out any last minute things that could happen in the mall after they left. Let's just say Cody realized the level of responsibility he was going to have and he asked for guidance from them. The other boys tagged along to hang out with their friends for the last day or so. After packing most of their stuff in the RV they decided to get together in the food court as one big group and have a final meal as one. Everyone helped out in some way and by 8pm all the boys had full bellies and were getting ready for what should be their last night together as one big group in the mall. So far there were no hard feelings and no one acted up during their get together. Tommy called a bit earlier in the evening to tell them they were back and they would be expecting them in two or more days depending on how fast they got there. He also went over the directions and gave them a little more information about the neighborhood. It was now time for bed in the mall and most of the boys had settled in for the night. Again there still were no hard feelings but they hadn't left yet so by tomorrow afternoon anything can happen and might happen as they get ready to leave the mall. They all slept together for the night as a group. There wasn't a lot of room with all the boys in one place but they decided to put up with it for everyone's sake. With minor complaining and some cranky attitudes the night passed relatively quietly. Morning came and slowly the boys began to awaken. There was a strong feeling of anticipation in the air for those who were leaving. By 9am all were awake and they had once again decided to eat as a group in the food court. Breakfast was good and other then a few tears and some laughter mixed in it to passed without much of a problem. By noon the bus was packed with any final things that were going, Cody was as prepared as could be and the boys began saying their goodbyes to their friends and making sure cell phone numbers were exchanged. They decided while they were out that they would all try to find a working cell phone so at least they could chat with each other or share a few cell phones to make their leaving go easier. It was the best idea any of them could come up with. A mighty good one too considering the pain that will be left behind. It will definitely ease some of it when some of those who were good friends can talk to their friends and keep them updated on how things are, but so far none of the six going feels bad enough to stay at the mall. There is not enough reason for any of the six boys to want to stay behind instead of trying to start a new life miles away. The time had come to go and hugs and tears led the group to the mall doors for their final good byes. Bryan shook hands with every one of the boys and Kate kissed them all. So far they were all taking it like young adults. It's possible that the cell phone idea made leaving easier somehow. With all the boys now on the RV Bryan waved to the remaining boys as light snow began to fall on them. He started the RV and everyone waved as they drove out of sight. Just like Tommy's boys Bryan's watched out the windows as the mall got farther and farther away. With Kate holding Joel and Bryan following the loose directions he got from Tommy they headed off to their new home. "Okay listen up everyone... I spoke to Tommy before we left and he reminded me that the land out here isn't always safe so everyone needs to be prepared at all times while off the bus. There are lots of half baked people still alive and looking to kill us so anytime we leave the bus we must keep our eyes open and a gun close by. There is a gun for all of you in the rear cabinet. Mike can you please go get them and hand them out to each of the boys. These are not toys as all of you know and you are not to use them unless your life is in danger! Is that clear?" Every boy answered him with a yes. Mike handed each of them a weapon and Bryan reminded them with strict words on now careful they must be while handling guns. Most of them already knew from the mall but they weren't at the mall anymore and in close quarters like this anyone could get seriously hurt in the smallest accident. He figured it would be best for them not to handle their guns in the RV so in the end he told them all to just put them away but keep them close enough just incase. That ended the gun situation and about an hour later they were pulling over for a piss break as one of them called it. Things are definitely different in the way Bryan does things over how Tommy holds them together. Good or bad so far the bottom line is its working and a good hour into their travel there have been no problems. Bryan filled the RV with fuel as some of the boys headed for any open spot to take a leak. No one used a bathroom and the cold air hurried them to pee and get back into the warmth of the RV as quickly as possible. With everyone in their seat and dark beginning to fall Bryan took off to get another hour or so behind them and that much closer to their final destination. "It's getting dark and I am getting hungry guys so next place we find we are stopping for the night." Bryan announced to the gang. They brought some food with them in coolers so that would help for tonight but eventually they would need something more then just the little they brought along. Fifteen minutes later they approached a motel and Bryan pulled the RV over and before they all got out he said a few words. "Okay boys now I recommend that depending on the amount of rooms you boys might want to share a room with someone or sleep alone. It's your call but after being together for so long some of you might want a night alone or well lets just say might be a little scared to sleep alone. You boys decide, I have my room mate already." He looked at Kate and she smiled at him. "Okay boys take your guns and lets go check this place out before we make any decisions on who is sleeping where..." They filed off the RV and began to walk the short distance to the motel. It looked safe enough as they approached. It was a straight building with individual doors for rooms in it. Each door opened into a private room and with access straight to the outside. There wasn't a lobby just an office at the end of the strip of rooms. They all followed Bryan to the main office and once inside they checked it out and then Kate asked them what they wanted to do for the night. "Well I don't know about the others but I haven't slept alone and in a real bed for a long time so I want to be alone." Mike said. Bryan handed him a key to a room and he went to stand aside for now. The twins were next and they decided they wanted to share a room together. Todd looked at Ryan. "Good, it'll be like old times bro we get to share a room again unless you don't want to." "Nah its okay I don't mind it's just gonna be good to have a real bed for a change." They laughed as they talked about it. "Matt do you want to be alone or share a room?" "Well with Austin and Jose being left it's up to them. I really don't care." Bryan looked at them. "What do you two want to do?" They looked at each other. "I really don't want to sleep alone in this place. Austin said. It's okay with me if Jose shares my room." "Okay. Jose said, I don't care either." "Then I guess you get to be alone tonight Matt unless you want to share a room with Mike." Matt looked at Mike. "Nah that's okay. I'll sleep alone thanks. Nothing personal Mike." "Its fine man, I know exactly what you mean I want some privacy!" Mike had things on his mind and he wanted some privacy for sure... and who can blame him. Both he and Matt were probably thinking... nice hot shower after a private jerk off on the bed or something... well at least that was Mike's thoughts. He couldn't wait to strip naked and jerk off to seeing Caleb naked in his mind. All this time he was being good his thoughts were still of being gay. He is entitled to them just like any of the boys but right now all that matters is he will finally have some privacy tonight. With all the rooms decided Bryan handed out the keys to the boys. "Okay now remember no one leaves a room and under NO circumstances does anyone open their door unless they know who is outside it! We want to make it there safely as a group with none of us hurt!" With those final words the boys all headed back to the RV to get clothing or whatever they wanted for the night. Kate went to their room and sat down to feed Joel while Bryan followed the boys back to the RV. It was dark now and any extra protection would be good. Finally twenty something minutes later everyone was in their room and Bryan headed to his. He entered and locked the door and looked at Kate. "Well I have a question for you babe... after Joel is asleep you wanna strip naked and fuck?" "Hell yeah I have been waiting for this moment since we left Bry. I want to be with you so badly and have wanted to since I found you. This will be our first time since you made me pregnant ya know." "Yeah and as I think back that was really hot that time!" "Hot enough to make a baby honey!" "Yeah let's see if we can make another one." They laughed as Joel sucked milk from her tit. Both of them were excited and happy. For the first time in almost two years they were going to have sex tonight. They hoped. Anything can happen in this place. Two doors down the twins were settling in and together alone for the first time since the comet took them to the mall one scary night many, many weeks ago. "So bro how is everything? I mean I know we talk and all in the mall but now that we are finally alone is there anything you wanna tell me that you couldn't before?" "Not really Todd, I mean I'm glad they picked both of us so we could stay as a family and all but I really don't have anything special to say that I haven't told you before." "Okay. I have a question for you though Ryan. I hope you don't get mad at me but it's been bothering me since we lost mom and pop." "Sure but why didn't you ask me before bro?" "Because it's not something I really talk about a lot and honestly you might get really upset with me when I ask you." "Awww come on what can be that serious Todd?" "You really want to know?" "Of course I do or I wouldn't have asked you." "Okay well here goes... his brother looked at him quizzically as he fumbled for the proper words. Have you ever had sex with anyone?" "What's so bad about that question Todd?" "I mean another guy?" "Ohhhhh... why are you asking me?" "Well I mean... I just wanted to know because... you remember back when Travis made us take showers weeks ago?" "Sure why?" "Well that was the first time I saw you naked since we were like nine or so." "Yeah and so what? We are brothers Todd what's the big deal? We both have the same thing don't we?" "Yeah almost exactly and that's what got me. We are almost the same Ry, except that you are bigger then me." "You looked that close that you could tell?" Todd turned a shade of red when Ryan asked the question. "Ummm, sorta...I didn't mean to but you were just hanging there and I swear I didn't mean to Ry but I looked at mine and then yours and..." "Okay that's enough I get the idea. Don't say anymore you are starting to sound really gay and it's..." "It's what Ry? What if maybe I am gay or something?" "Are you trying to tell me that you are gay and you looked at me and liked it or something like that Todd?" He turned away and walked into the bathroom and shut the door. "I asked you a question bro..." Ryan yelled from the other room. After a minute Todd opened the door and walked out. Ryan was sitting on one of the beds and he looked up at his brother. "I don't know Ry; I honestly don't know what I am or what I like. There aren't any girls around anymore just guys and..." `Okay just stop. I mean I know where you are going bro so don't say it." "Say what Ryan? What is so bad about me saying I might be gay or like guys?" Ryan lowered his head and didn't answer him. "Okay I see this isn't going to work out so I am gonna go ask Bryan for another room. You stay here and I won't bother you anymore. You might be my brother and I will always care about you but if we cant talk about this then what's next? What if something really important comes up and I need my only living relative for help? So what if I might be fucking gay you are acting like you could catch it or something!" Todd grabbed his coat and headed to the door. He unlocked it and opened it to head out. "WAIT! Ryan said. Don't go, please bro...stay here we can talk about it okay!!" He shut the door. "Its only okay if we can talk and you aren't upset otherwise I will just go and not bother you with this anymore!" he yelled back at Ryan. "It's not that Todd I just need some time to get used to it." "Used to what? The fact that I might like looking at cock?" "Stop saying it that way!" "Why if I like to see other boys naked what is so wrong about it?" "What is wrong is because you brought all this up after you saw me naked and that's what is freaking me out! Okay?" "So what Ry? Just because I saw you naked doesn't mean anything other than just that. I saw you, you saw me. All I did was say that you looked bigger and now you are acting like I have a disease or something. Maybe I should go, really Ry it might be better if we stayed in separate rooms now." "We can't Todd we have to work this out now!" "Why can't we?" "Because I don't think there is a separate room for us at the house!" Todd looked at him and said nothing. He dropped his coat on the floor and looked at Ryan. He began to undress. He took off his shirt and threw it on the floor. Then he undid his pants and they fell to the floor and he stepped out of them. He was now in just his shirt and briefs. "What are you doing? Stop undressing!" He ripped his undershirt off and threw it down as Ryan watched. Now he was down to his socks and underwear. He reached for the waistband. "STOP! I don't want to see anymore!" Todd paused for a second and then yanked them off and they fell to the floor. Ryan wouldn't look up at him as he stood there naked. "Look at me Ryan!" He wouldn't lift his head. Todd walked over and stood in front of him but the closer he got the more Todd refused to look and he turned away totally facing away from him on the bed. "Get dressed Todd I am not going to look at you naked!" They were at a stand off. Todd refused to get dressed and Ryan refused to turn around for a good five minutes. "Get dressed Todd I am not going to look at my naked brother!" Todd reached out and began to jerk off making enough noise to easily let Ryan know what he was doing. After about thirty seconds of this Ryan turned and looked at him but only in the eye. "Stop doing that it's not fair to me!" He stopped and looked back at his brother. "Not fair? What the hell do you mean I am the one standing here naked and playing with myself!" Ryan's eyes lowered and he looked at his brothers stiff five inches of boy meat staring straight at him. Todd's hands were at his side as he followed his brother's eyes as they fixated on his hardness. Ryan swallowed hard and looked back up at him. "Please get dressed Todd before something bad happens... please?" He pleaded with him and finally as a tear rolled down Ryan's face Todd turned and grabbed his clothing off the floor and went into the bathroom to get dressed. A few minutes later Todd came out dressed and went to the other bed and got on it facing away from Ryan. He said nothing. Neither boy said anything for a while and Todd eventually fell asleep while Ryan sat up for a while thinking about what happened and how he really felt about the whole thing. In the next room Austin and Jose talked for a while but nothing else was happening in there. Jose decided he wanted to take a shower and while he was in the shower Austin changed into his pajamas and crawled into bed. Jose came out and said very little when he saw Austin already in bed so both boys then went to sleep with the lights on. The next room is where Matt was, alone and somewhat happy he made sure his door was locked and stripped himself naked. Once naked the young man gave himself a few strokes before heading to the bathroom for a shower himself. Once in there he soaped up and began stroking himself off. For the first time in a long time Matt the good looking and well behaved boy was enjoying a private moment. Just him and his hand. He fondled his balls as he cupped them in his left hand and began stroking his growing soft three inches of cock in his right hand. As he enjoyed his pleasures he grew to a hard six inches and stroked himself wildly until letting out a deep breath and soft moan and spraying a good week's worth of cum all over the shower curtain while collapsing back onto the shower wall as the orgasm overtook his whole body causing him to shake with strong sensations that he hadn't felt or enjoyed in a while. That leaves us with perverted Mike who couldn't wait to get himself alone. Already naked he was laying on the bed with his hand on his cock just starting to get his rhythm going. He began to stroke and get excited about how it felt to be alone and not have to worry about anyone seeing him. It didn't take long for him to get hard and he began going to town on his rock hard cock. He sped up his stroking with his left hand as his right hand went from his balls and slid down to his ass crack. He ran a finger up and down it causing a slight tickling sensation that only helped to improve the over all feeling he was getting. He was getting closer by the second. Suddenly there was a knock on his door breaking his concentration and totally ruining the moment. He got up and went to the door. "Who's there?" he said. No one replied so he looked through the peep hole and it was covered by a finger. Curiosity having gotten the best of him he quickly threw on pants and went back to the door as another knock rang out. "Who is there!" he said once again. Still no reply and still a finger covering the peep hole. He debated whether to open the door or not. He reached for the gun and with the gun in his hand he clicked the lock and opened the door. As soon as it was open whoever was on the other side forced their way in and pushed him back. He quickly lost his balance and fell backwards to the floor and his gun flew out of his hand. As he regained his senses he looked up and standing over him was Travis. "Hey squealer! He said standing over Mike with a gun in one hand and anger in his face. Surprised to see me?" He shut the door behind him and looked back down to Mike who was still on the floor and shocked to see Travis. "I owe you for squealing on me to Tommy and giving him the ammo to parade me naked through the mall! That is your fault you fucking loser!" Of course we know that whether Mike said anything or not Travis would have gotten the same treatment and Tommy's decision to pay Travis back that way was based on how he acted overall not what Mike said or didn't say but Travis felt like he was let down by the boy he once liked and trusted to be close to. He trusted Mike a lot and liked him more then anyone else ever in the miserable life he led before the comet came to town. In some way he cared enough about Mike then to offer himself to him... the first boy he was ever intimate with... Travis brought his foot forward and placed it right on Mike's crotch. "You know Mike, if I were a real prick I would just kick you in the balls as hard as I could for what you did but instead I think I will just give you something to think about!" He applied pressure to Mike's groin causing him to wince as his big foot came down hard on Mike's cock and especially his balls. "Feel good?" Mike wasn't saying anything just trying his best to deal with the pain. Travis gave one good push and Mike doubled over in pain as his balls squashed together from Travis pushing on them. As he lifted his foot off of Mike he grabbed for his balls and rolled over on his side in agony. Travis started to laugh at his suffering for a second and then watched as the pain slowly subsided and life came back into Mike's face. "You listen to me! I want you to know this and if anyone finds out what I tell you next time I won't attempt to crush you I will cut them off and stuff them in your mouth! He got down on the floor next to him and got in his face. YOU GOT ME?" Mike shook his head yes. Not quite able to totally speak yet. "Now I am gonna hang back and follow you guys to where ever you are going which I assume is close to or by Tommy. I want that bastard and I am gonna do to him exactly what he did to me when I get him and then kill the motherfucker after I am done! You breathe one word of any of this to him or anyone and you will die too! Now you never saw me here and you keep your mouth shut!" With that he slugged him one shot in the stomach and got up and slowly checked to make sure the coast was clear outside before he walked out leaving the door wide open and Mike on the floor trying to catch his breath. To be continued... Dwednomail@hotmail.com Next up: Chapter 71 of Tunnel finds Tommy trying to hide the porn from the house that Bryan, Kate, and the new boys are going to move into as time is running out to do so after a quick run to check the boys at the farm.