Date: Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:43:31 -0400 From: Dwedno Smith Subject: Beyond Tunnel 8 So here we are after many weeks of waiting I finally was able to get through the story again. Obviously you are saying huh? I have taken a lot of time the past few weeks and reread the entire Tunnel story to refresh and update the story in my mind. Sorry I had to put all of you off while I did this but I felt it was necessary to get this done so I would lessen the chance of an error being made while I write. The good news is that its done and the better news is as soon as possible there will be an update of all the characters in a separate chapter. This time you will get to know them a little more. Family information, birthdays, height/weight and size will be included for all of you so you can lick your lips a little more when you think about each boy. As a present for your patients I have worked a little harder this time to get you two chapters. I hope all of you that take the time to read up here enjoy the story and take the time to point out what you like and dislike when you write to me. I honestly do use your emails and make adjustments to the story off them. Please forgive me if I do not reply immediately but I have each of them saved in my 'IN' box and I do plan on getting to every person as time goes on. So be prepared for a surprise e mail from me one day. I will basically repeat this message on top of the other story too so I can be sure everyone gets the message. Tunnel seems to be enjoyed and read by many of you out there even if a lot don't write me for whatever reason. I do understand fear, lack of time and other reasons that keep you reading and not writing but believe me I do take your comments in and sometimes use them to help the story along... especially the long detailed ones that a few of you give me. They are awesome to read. Thanks again and enjoy the next two chapters there are a few twists coming and hints in there for all of you. BE sure to check the bottom of the story for what is coming in the next chapter. Dwedno. Chapter 8 "The Arrival." With the light of a new day shining in his face Travis awoke and got up from his slumber, opened the car door and took a piss right next to the car before getting in and moving the car much farther out of sight from the others. With each passing day his anger and need to get even with Tommy for parading him around the mall naked grew and he was counting the days until he could get even. He would now wait and watch for them to take off. He knew today had to be the day when they would arrive and he could possibly get his revenge on Tommy and anyone else who got in his way... he would rule the entire group when he was done with his destruction and carnage he thought... he smiled widely as he settled back and waited for them to stir. Kate was showered and Bryan was now taking one. She fed Joel while Bryan showered and all that was left was for them to pack up and get the other boys ready to leave. Within thirty minutes they were packed and all set to go. Everything from their room was ready to go. Bryan entered the bus with the first load waking Todd from his sleep. He jumped up and yelled who's out there. This brought Bryan to the room. He opened the door and looked it to see Todd sitting up with the blankets on him. "What the hell are you doing out here?" "My brother locked me out of the room by mistake and I didn't know where else to go." "Oh, well at least you had the decency to let us sleep and not wake anyone." "Thanks? I think. I just figured I would be okay in here and I came in and fell asleep pretty fast." "Wasn't it cold?" "Not too bad Bryan, the covers did good to keep me warm and there wasn't any wind so I did okay." "Good now get up and get back to your room we are leaving shortly." "Sure, no problem." With that Todd headed out of the room and off the bus. He went to his room and banged on the door as Bryan watched. After he pounded the second time the door opened and he walked in shutting it behind him. "What's up with you and where were you all night?" "On the bus Ryan you locked me out when I left and I couldn't get back in. you fell asleep on me you ass hole!" "Sorry I didn't do it on purpose." "Yeah I know." "Where did you sleep Todd?" "On the bus." Todd replied. "Wow how was it?" "It was okay. I wouldn't want to do it again unless I really had to though." "Look, I'm really sorry about last night bro." "Its okay we can talk about it another time but Bryan told me to get moving we have to get on the RV." "Okay we'll discuss this later lets get packed." Ryan said. Bryan went to each of the doors and banged on them to make sure everyone was awake. He didn't leave until he got a response from inside. Austin was already awake and dressed this time a real shocker when he opened the door for Bryan. He immediately left his room shutting the door behind him. "I'm ready." "I'm impressed Austin. You can get on the RV and relax the others will join you shortly." "Okay." Jose's door was next and he needed a few bangs before he responded. "Let's go Jose we are leaving soon with or without you." "I will be right there please don't leave without me." He said. "IF you hurry you will be fine." "Okay." Next he banged on Mike's door and he was already awake. "I am up be out shortly." He said. "Okay." Bryan replied. He moved on to the final door. Matt's door. He banged and got no reply... that's odd he thought. He banged once more and still nothing. He tried the door knob it was locked. He put his ear to the door and faintly thought he heard running water. He must be in the shower he thought. That's okay he's a pretty good kid. He turned and headed back to his room and Kate was all set to go. "You can join Austin on the RV he is already set." "Wow what got into him?" "I don't know but I am glad to see someone is ready." "I'm going out and get on." "Okay, I'll follow let me get our bags." He grabbed a handful of stuff and brought it to the RV. "One more load and we will be set." He said to her. He headed back to the room and by the time he was set Mike was out and the twins joined him as they got on the RV together. Jose soon joined and Bryan went back to Matt's door and knocked again. "I'll be right out just getting dressed." He heard from inside. "Okay Matt we'll be going shortly." "Okay." Everyone was now on the RV and it was 8:15 and they were ready to roll. Bryan started the engine and they took off. The day was bright and sky mostly clear early on this Saturday and there was excitement in the bus as he took off down the road. Everyone seemed to be ready for them to finally make it today. It had been a long few days on the road. They drove for a bit and then Jose and Austin asked about food and that started the others. Everyone was hungry and since he wasn't sure about how the rest of the day would go he decided to find a place to get something to eat at before they arrived. "Just hang on I am looking for some place now." That got them quiet for the moment. A few miles up the road he spotted a place that looked to be good enough to stop at so he pulled the RV over and they got out to eat. They entered into the place and it looked okay to eat in so Bryan spent the next fifteen to twenty minutes looking for food for them. Just about everything was outdated so they had to settle for some frozen food. "Boy I can't wait to get there and see how Tommy feeds all of them." Matt said. "Yeah I know it should be interesting to watch them do their thing." Kate replied. It wasn't the perfect meal but they managed to gather enough food for everyone to fill their belly and about 9:30 they were all back on the bus and Bryan was pulling out of the parking lot and heading there. He started to look for landmarks that Tommy gave him and a good hour later he spotted the first one. "Look Kate there is the tower that Tommy told me to look for. He said once we see that we are no more than thirty minutes away." The others heard him and cheered. "Finally we are almost there!" Mike said. Then he realized that meant Travis was almost there too. He was sure he was following even if he hadn't seen him in a few days. As Bryan continued down the road he spotted a few cars off to the side and a few on the road as Tommy had said he would. More signs that he was getting close. The description of the cars was perfect and the excitement continued to grow as Bryan knew he couldn't be more than thirty minutes from his new home. Just then his cell phone rang and it was Tommy. "How close are you?" he asked. "I just passed the cars that you told me about." "Great, you are close. I ran the plow up and down the road for you so the RV should make it up without any problems just be careful the road is a bit steep and there is a sharp turn too. We'll be waiting for you see ya soon." "Okay thanks Tommy we should see you in a bit." He hung up and they asked him a million questions about the call. "All right calm down Tommy was just telling me he was waiting for us and he cleaned the road of snow so there wouldn't be a problem climbing the hill with this big thing." They got quiet after that and mostly all of them watched out a window as they got closer and closer. "This is the final landmark! Bryan yelled out as he approached the sign for the road. See the sign guys this is the road we climb and the rich houses and guys are at the top waiting for us." They all cheered and Kate smiled at Bryan. "It won't be long until we see everyone and your brother Bryan." "I know I'm excited and thankful this damn trip is finally over." Their RV started to slowly climb the hill and the boys started to comment on how far they could see out onto the horizon. "Wow! Said Austin you can see everything from here." "Yeah it's pretty neat." Matt added. "How are you going to know what house they are in Bryan?" Mike asked, "He said it shouldn't be hard to spot them there will probably be someone outside playing or something outside to mark their house." He continued to climb the hill with the RV and about ten or so minutes later they reached the peak and noticed the first house. "Wow check that out." Kate said to him "Yeah if that's how huge these houses are then I can imagine how good we might live now." Bryan added. "Look, Kate said. Isn't that their RV?" "Yes who else would park one right there? Bryan said. Guess we found their house." He pulled up the block a little more and a couple of the boys were outside the house playing. One saw them and ran to the door apparently yelling inside. A few seconds later Tommy came out and walked down to their RV. Bryan opened the door as Tommy approached. "I see you made it welcome to our neighborhood." "Thanks Tommy. Where should I park?" "Drive past my RV and pull up in front of the next driveway. Your house is the one after that or you can just drive up to it. Just two houses up the road." "I think we will just pull up to it. Hop on I'll take you up the road with us." Tommy jumped on their RV and Bryan drove up the road a few hundred feet. "That's the house right there Bryan." Tommy said pointing to it. Everyone looked out the window and started commenting on how big and nice it looked. "Wow that's awesome!" Austin said. "Yeah it's huge!" Jose added. Bryan stopped the RV parking it in front of the driveway of their new home. He looked at Kate she was all smiles. "This place looks great!" Kate said looking at Bryan. Tommy got out and was quickly joined by the others and as fast as possible every one of the boys was off the RV joining Bryan and Kate as they all stood in the driveway looking at what they now had to live in. "This place looks amazing." Kate said. "Wait until you get inside." Tommy said. She looked at Bryan. "Come on lets go I wanna see inside." "Okay relax I am carrying the baby give me a second." Finally they were ready to go. Tommy walked up the driveway with them and stopped at the front door. He looked at the group. "You ready?" He said. "Yes... Kate replied I have been since we got here." He reached out and opened the unlocked door. It creaked just a bit as it opened wide and she entered. "Wow this is amazing!" she said standing there looking at the marble floor and high end finish inside. The others followed her in and stood in the room looking around with her and Bryan. Ryan, Todd, Mike, Austin, Matt, and Jose all stood there looking with their mouths hanging wide open as they couldn't believe that their new house looked this good. "This is just amazing!" Matt said. Tommy looked at all of them and laughed. "Well go check it out guys. Standing here won't really tell you much. He looked at Bryan. You might want to go with them so there aren't any arguments over who gets what bedroom." "Yeah, thanks Tommy good idea." He followed the boys as they headed down the hallway and started looking into each room. Kate went into the kitchen and checked out all her appliances and Tommy followed her in. "This place is amazing Tommy. Thank you so much for allowing us to join you here." She leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She went over and ran her hand across the top of the marble island that separated the kitchen from one side to the other. There were four chairs there to sit, two on each side. "This is what I always wanted and I guess now it's all ours. She looked at him. You are sure the owner isn't coming back?" She smiled. "I kinda doubt it. I think you are pretty good with calling this your own." He said to her. They walked out and back into the front room continuing to talk about the house. Just then there was a knock on the open door and Kyle walked in with Jon at his side. Kyle shut the door behind him. "Hi Kate welcome to the neighborhood." She walked over and gave him a kiss on the cheek and then did the same to Jon. "Thanks boys. This place is amazing so far." "Yeah and you really haven't seen much of it either." Tommy said. "I know but it is amazing!" she said happily. "So I guess that means you want to stay a while?" Jon said jokingly. "Yeah she said smiling at him. I sure do. This beats the mall and that ratty mattress we had on the floor. I can't wait to take a real shower tonight." "As far as I can tell this place has three showers not that I counted." "That sounds awesome Tommy." She said to him. She hasn't stopped smiling yet. Bryan came back out after assigning the boys a room. "The boys are all set Kate the twins took the double bedded room and the others each have one for their own and we have the big master bedroom at the end of the hall. There is even one room left. Those rooms are freaking huge too." "That's great Bry," she said. "Yeah and if one of our kids has his way he might be asking you for that room before the night is out." "What is wrong with him that he doesn't want to stay by you Tommy? I thought all the boys liked you." "Without saying the wrong thing all I can tell you is he isn't getting along with others in the house and he wants out. Even with his twin in the room he is willing to leave him behind just to get out of the house. I told him things won't be any easier here. The rest is up to you two if you allow it at all." "Well if he comes and asks we will discuss it but I am not making any promises or do we want any more problems here then we brought with us." "That's fine with me Kate the rest is up to you and Bryan if he comes and asks." Just then Ben opened the door and walked in. "Okay if I come in?" he said. Bryan immediately went over to him and they hugged. "How's it going bro? Glad you are finally here safe." "Thanks Benny." They went off to a private part of the house and had a moment together. "Well we are going to go if you need anything you know where we are so enjoy yourself as you set things up and when you are settled let me know and we can chat about the neighborhood and things." "Thanks Tommy." "By the way I know you don't have any vehicles you should get a four wheel one as soon as possible because the snow gets bad up here and travel can become tough overnight." "I am sure as soon as we can we will each get one." "Sounds good to me, there are plenty of them out there." Tommy said. "How do you get around?" Kate asked him. "My truck and we have a plow next door. Ben has a vehicle too but even he is working on getting a four wheel vehicle too. If the snow gets too deep I plow the road down the hill and take it from there. We always seem to get more snow up here just incase you didn't know." "Well I know now thanks for filling me in Tommy we will be in touch later or in the morning. I know I am beat and I am sure after they are set up the boys will probably be hungry and want to eat something." "Let me know we can go to a place tonight if you want and talk there too." "That sounds great Tommy. I'll talk it over with Bryan after he is done with Ben." "Okay see you later." They turned and headed towards the door. Jon, Kyle, and Tommy headed out leaving Ben to talk to his brother for a bit. Just then Ben and Bryan walked back into the room with Kate. "Where did they go?" Bryan asked. "Damn I wanted to talk to him about a few things." "He just left. He is probably going down the driveway go yell for him." Bryan ran to the door opened it and yelled out. Tommy was barely at the bottom of the driveway. He turned and looked back up. "What's up Bry?" "Are you in a hurry?" "No not at all." Tommy answered. "Good come back then I have questions." "Sure, be right there." Tommy turned and said something to Jon and Kyle and they headed home and he headed back up the driveway. He walked back into the house and Bryan shut the door. "What can I do for you?" "I was just talking to my brother and he tells me that there is this guy Robert up the road who is dead in his house and long story short he has a four wheel vehicle sitting in his driveway. I was wondering if we could get that for me." "I suppose so but I thought he was keeping it for himself." "I was going to Tommy but I have a car now and Bryan can take this one and we can always find me another one right?" "Sure I suppose the only problem is that Roberts house caught on fire the other day and we had to put it out from outside and honestly Bryan he is dead inside that house and I think the keys are in there too." "Oh... he said quite surprised. Ben didn't tell me that." "If you are interested in going in there be my guest the four wheeler is yours if you want to wait we can take a ride tomorrow and find both you and Ben one and I think Kate said she wanted something to drive too." He looked at her and she shook her head yes. "Okay then I think tomorrow sounds a lot better. I am not one to disturb the dead in their place of rest." "I agree but someone already did... I am sure that his house fire wasn't an accident." "How do you know that Tommy?" "Let's just say I have my ways and we can leave it at that." "Okay whatever you say. I am not into butting into people's personal business." Bryan said. Tommy knew what happened but he wasn't about to spill that information unless he had to... all depending on how much trouble Zack will make wanting to move out of his place. You might say Tommy is saving that Ace up his sleeve just incase things get out of hand. "Was there anything else you wanted Bryan?" "The truck was important but if we want to go out later do you think we might be able to get a ride from you for dinner or something until we can get wheels tomorrow?" "Sure I already told Kate to have you get with me later about that but since you are here now it's not a problem. Let me know when you want to go and we can do something for you or all the boys." "Thanks Tom, I'll be in touch with you in a few hours after things settle down." "No problem. Talk to you later." With that Tommy headed out and Ben joined him after he waved goodbye to Kate and his brother. They took off back home and Bry turned to Kate. "So what do you think?" "Its awesome but we have a lot of work to do. The refrigerator is full of bad food and a few other things need to be cleaned. As soon as the boys are done setting themselves up we need them down here to help us clean." "Sure Kate." Just then Joel who had been sleeping quietly in the other room began to cry. "I'll get him Kate." "No its okay its time to feed him and you can't do that." "Yeah you are right I don't have boobs." She started to laugh as she headed towards the crying child. It was around noon now and all the boys were settled into their rooms. Matt just came downstairs to check out the rest of the house and walked in on Kate as she began to feed Joel. "Sorry Kate I didn't know you were feeding." "It's okay. Bryan is in the other room why don't you go join him and talk about things." "Sure." He said. He walked in on Bryan who was about to clean out the refrigerator. "Need any help?" Matt asked. "Oh hey Matt. Sure I can use a hand here. Go out and see if there are any garbage cans and if so bring one in please." "Sure. Be right back." Meanwhile Bry started looking for big garbage bags and found some in one of the drawers. It's going to take a while to get used to where everything is in this new place. He saw that right away. Slowly as Matt came back with a garbage can the other boys came down and soon they had everyone doing something to help get the house into shape. It wasn't dirty but it needed a personal touch just like Tommy and the boys did to their place some. I think that Kate has ideas of her own though right now. The afternoon passed quickly as everyone pitched in and helped clean up. It was now 3pm and there were six hungry mouths that needed feeding besides Kate and Bry. "I think its time we got Tommy to take us to eat and maybe food shopping after that." Kate said to Bryan. "Yeah I could use something now I am really hungry." Bryan picked up his cell and dialed down to Tommy. "Hey Tom, yeah we can use you now if you have time. We are hungry and need some supplies in here too." "Sure, I will be up with my truck in about fifteen minutes, okay?" "Sure thing, thanks." Bryan hung up and told Kate he would be here in fifteen minutes. "Okay guys we are going out to eat. Tommy will be here shortly so get ready to leave." They all heard him and got ready to go. "Bryan do you think we can set up the TV in the living room for game station or something since there isn't any TV stations?" He looked at Kate. "Let me think about it Todd. I am not sure if I want a noisy living room or if you guys should go into the back room where there is another TV and two couches." "Where is that room?" "It's down the hall past the garage door. It's perfect for a little more noise and farthest away from our bedroom incase you boys get carried away we probably won't hear you there." "I guess it's settled then, Todd said... that sounds like the best place to put a game station." "Yes either there or in your room." "Oh... we are already set up with one in there Kate. I brought mine with me from the mall. I was just wondering about a place that we can all play together at but not in someone's room." "Then I think you have it back there. There is a door and if anyone gets too loud or plays late at night you guys can keep the noise down some." "Yeah and maybe after we get settled in we might get invited over to Tommy's place. While they were at the mall one of the boys told me they have lots of fun playing there in their living room." "Sounds like a plan. Kate said to him. Just give it some time I am sure one of the boys will invite you and the others over once all of you get to know each other." "Yeah I know it will take a while but I am sure some of us will make friends soon." "Things are really going to be different here won't they?" asked Mike. "What do you mean?" Bryan said to him. "Well at the mall there wasn't any limit on noise we just did our thing and it didn't matter." "Yeah well you are right. Here when the baby is asleep, which will be often... you guys are going to have to deal with that and keep the noise down. I know its going to suck but the baby comes before games." "Yeah I know..." he said dejectedly. "The only other thing you can do is make friends next door quickly and get invited over there where they probably don't have noise restrictions." Kate added. "I guess so. But that won't happen overnight. I am sure with Caleb there the last person any of them will want to see is me." "You are probably right Mike so you have your work cut out for you trying to get back into their good graces." "Yeah... I know." He added. By now all the boys were there listening to what Mike and Kate were talking about and you could tell by the look in their faces that none of them liked the noise restrictions that Kate already set forward. This might make for their first challenge as a group. Without a doubt there are going to be loud arguments and playing when the boys get together. It already happens at Tommy's house. The only thing is there isn't a baby sleeping there so it hardly bothers anyone. There was a knock on the door and Tommy walked in. "I'm here if you are ready to go now." He said as he saw Bryan. "Sure, thanks Tom." "I hope you didn't mind me knocking and walking in." "Nah its okay if it's locked then you will know but otherwise it's probably going to be open door here. We can decide that as we go along Tom." "Sounds good to me. He replied. I am sure we will probably do the same by us if you ever decide to visit." Tommy was ready to go and the entire group of them walked out with him and got into his truck. "So where are we going?" He asked. They discussed what they wanted amongst themselves for a few minutes and then decided on burgers. So what else is new? "Can you take us for burgers?" Bryan asked. "Sure no problem." Tommy fired up the truck and headed down the hill with none of his boys this time just the eight of them from the house and baby Joel. They all fit comfortably and in no time they were pulling into the burger lot. "Look all I ask, Tommy said is that all of you clean up after you are done, we eat here a lot and I don't want a mess when we come in or the place will start stinking." "That's no problem Tom. Said Bryan. We will respect the places around here and always make sure we clean up so there will be no problems." "Thanks after all we don't need anyone seeing a mess if there is someone else out there and we don't need any of our places becoming a pigs sty." "We got you and appreciate what you are doing for us Tommy, Kate added. You have our word that wherever we eat we will always clean up." "Thanks that means a lot." Tommy added. This time Tommy actually got to watch instead of cook and work his ass off. He didn't really mind this trip to the burger joint. He went in and helped Bryan by telling him how he did things and slowly Bryan got the hang of it. After ten minutes the fries were done and burgers were grilling on the open flame. Tommy wasn't worried about the food as the freezer was loaded with burgers and there was little doubt that they would run out anytime soon. Besides even if they did there was another burger joint a few miles away. An hour or so after they arrived they thanked Tommy and all got back into his truck. "So where to?" he asked. "How about rather then us bothering you we go find us a truck now?" Bryan suggested. "Sure, I will drive to the shopping center which is not far away and you can look through the lot for one." "But what about keys?" Kate asked. "If there is a truck the key will probably be with its owner wouldn't we be better off riding around a neighborhood where the keys could be matched to a house?" "Good thought Kate. Tommy said. That should be a better idea." So with the afternoon quickly slipping away Tommy began driving around town looking for a truck that would do the job. About fifteen minutes into their search Tommy's cell rang. "Hello, yes Shawn I am still with them. I shouldn't be too much longer cutie I am trying to find them a truck and then I will be back soon after that. Yes-- well you tell them to find their own food if they are that hungry. I will be back soon. Okay... yup talk to you later. Bye." "Sounds like someone is hungry at your place." Matt said to Tommy. "Yeah you are right, sometimes I think that they can't live without me and I wonder if we ran out of toilet paper what they would do." They started laughing. "Probably use their hand." Austin said. That was followed by comments of: Gross, Awww did you have to go there? And of course Austin shut up! They drove for a little more and Bryan spotted a truck he liked and Tommy pulled over. They all got out and it was pretty big inside and appeared to be able to hold all of them almost like Tommy's truck. Bryan opened the door and got in. "No keys! He yelled out. Guess we need to check the houses for them. This truck will do perfectly for us." He got out and walked up to the house it was parked in front of. He turned the knob and the door was locked so he broke the window along side the door and reached for the lock and after unlocking it opened the door. Tommy watched and shook his head. He understood but probably would have tried to find a less forceful way of doing it. At least in the beginning before being forced to go further. This worked however but it wasn't Tom's style. A few minutes later Mike and Bryan came out together. Bryan was holding truck keys. Mike followed him in for safety reasons. "This should be them I hope." He said. He got back into the truck and tried the keys. A few seconds later the truck fired up and started to run and everyone cheered. Bryan rolled down the window and told them all to get in. "Thanks Tommy I am sure we can take it from here. We need groceries so we are gonna go shopping." "No problem just be careful you never know who is out there. You have guns?" "Hell yeah, three of the boys are packing and so am I." "Okay see ya later." He said. Tommy gave them quick directions and got back in his truck and headed home. Meanwhile they headed out to the supermarket. They are still new here and could get lost easily. Tommy knows the area like the back of his hand after growing up close by and living here for his entire life so to speak. As he headed off back home they headed for the supermarket. Once inside Kate grabbed a cart and started filling it with diapers and other baby items that she was running low on. The boys went through and filled a basket with things they wanted for themselves that weren't bad. Thankfully candy and some other things like raisins and other canned fruits. After about an hour they had everything they needed and it was close to dark now. "Come on lets get back before dark, Bryan said. I am not familiar with the area and I don't want to get lost." Kate grabbed Joel and the boys pushed the carts out and loaded the truck. Soon they were heading home hesitantly as Bryan guessed and drove cautiously. "Maybe next time we will go to my old neighborhood so I can shop where I won't get lost." Bryan said. Kate laughed and so did Matt. The others weren't totally listening to them now after a long day the boys were getting a little tired. Loading unloading and so on has taken its toll on most of them. Kate looked back when it was quiet and noticed most of them asleep or resting now. "Guess its going to be a quiet night since most of them are already out Bry." "Yeah well we did a lot and have been at it since early, I'm beat myself." Nothing else was said as Bryan found his way and started to climb the hill. It was a bit slippery but the truck made it with little trouble. He pulled up into his driveway and they got out. It was dark now as Kate went in and turned on the outside lights to help them and she looked out into the town and noticed smoke. "Look Bryan a fire." She said. Bryan turned and looked out as did the boys. "One of the guys told me about the fires, Ryan said. We were talking and he said that there was some kind of arsonist out there and every so often they would see something burning out in the city that's why they moved up here they thought it was safer." "That certainly makes sense then." Kate said as she stood and watched for a bit. The boys brought all the food inside and Bryan brought Joel in out of the cold. Eventually she turned and went inside too and started to put things away in her new kitchen. Night came and it got late. They boys settled in the game room and began playing games later. A few snacked and most of the six were content. Bryan went down the hall heading to his room and he heard a noise from one of the rooms and he stopped. Someone was singing in their room. He opened the door and Ryan had his headset on and was singing along to a song from the 70's. Bryan listened as Ryan had his back to him. The kid had an excellent voice and Bryan was taken aback by how good he sounded. After listening to him for about a minute Ryan stopped singing and turned around seeing the he had company. "How long have you been there?" he said a little startled. "About a minute kiddo, you have a really awesome voice." "Thanks. I love oldies music and when I am in the mood sometimes I just put it on my headset and listen to it. It reminds me of my dad he played some of these songs a lot and used to sing to us when we were younger. So I still listen when I can and enjoy the songs when I am in the mood." "That's awesome Ryan. Really I mean it you do have a great voice." He smiled. "Thanks." He turned and went back to listening and Bryan shut his door and headed back down the hall to his room. He went in and stripped the bed. He wanted fresh linens on it and grabbed some from the closet and started to make the bed fresh. After he finished he went over and set up the baby's crib so they could put him down without any problems when they went to bed later. He finished setting everything up in their room around 9pm and headed back out into the kitchen and joined Kate who was eating some oranges out of a can they got earlier. "How are they?" He asked. "Fine they aren't old or anything, want some?" "Sure." They finished the can up and Bryan went to tell the kids they were going to bed. He opened the door to the game room and Jose, Austin, Matt, and Mike were in there. Matt was playing Austin right now and the others were watching. "Hey guys we are going to bed, don't stay up too late even if it doesn't matter we want you to have fun but please try to keep the noise down some." "Sure Bryan, Mike said. We'll do our best to keep it quiet now." Bryan left shutting the door and headed to the bedroom. The boys went back to making noise at their game and playing a little quieter. "I think tomorrow I am going to go and see if I can make friends over at Tommy's place with some of the guys then if I want to play I don't have to worry about noise." Todd said. The others liked that idea and they talked about going over as a group sometime during the day. "It could be a good thing, I mean they were pretty good guys once we got to know them in the mall at dinner." Mike said. "Yeah but after what you did how can you even think about going over there?" Austin said back at Mike. Mike swallowed hard and looked at him. Austin got the entire rooms attention with what he just said and Matt watched like he was waiting for a fight after that. "Look I know what I did was wrong but all I did was listen to Travis because he scared me and I felt like he would have killed me if I didn't listen." He didn't get mad and none of the boys had anything else to say after his comments. They just went back to watching the game as Matt went back to beating Austin. The game ended shortly after that and Austin got up and looked at Mike. He looked like he was going to say something but he walked away and sat down on the other couch as Todd got up to challenge Matt at the game. The rest of the night went quietly as the boys played various games and challenged each other until it was close to 11pm. Matt got up and announced he was turning in and that brought the others to their feet. Before he went to bed he checked the door to make sure it was locked and told the last one up to turn the lights off. Soon after that the house was dark and the boys were in their respective rooms for the night. In their rooms each boy now alone began to do their thing... of course minus Todd and Ryan who shared a room for now... "Are you ever going to talk to me about what happened on our way over here?" Todd said to Ryan. "It's been a while can't we just forget about it and pretend it didn't happen?" "How can you even say that, I mean damn after what we went through and what I had to do in front of you to even get you to admit anything..." Todd was now raising his voice to the point where others might be able to hear him. "Look, Todd yelled out at Ryan... you need to understand that I am your brother, I might be gay, and I care a lot about you." He stepped up right to him and got down on his knees in front of him. "Please Ry why can't you do this for me?" Ryan was looking right into his eyes now. "I want to try and understand you Todd but I just can't get into my head that you would rather suck a cock instead of fuck some girl." "But... he paused... Ryan you are all I have left in this world now. I mean in the past we have argued over stupid things and always made up. You stood up for me a few times even when you could have gotten your ass kicked... remember the time when Jimmy the town bully came up to me and wanted to pound me into the ground and you stood up to him for me?" He was still on his knees in front of his brother trying to make him understand any part of this. Any one little piece of hope that he still had some level of respect from his brother. "Please Ry?" He clenched his hands together like he was going to pray. Ryan either couldn't or wouldn't answer him. No matter how much he begged he couldn't get any positive feedback from Ryan. Finally Todd stood up and looked at him. "I give up. I guess I need to move on and hope I can find someone else in my life that cares about me!" he turned and walked away. When he was out of ear shot Ryan whispered and no one heard him... "I still care about you Todd..." A tear rolled down Ryan's face but Todd wasn't there to see it he was now out of the room and looking for a place to go or spend the night. Both boys were still dressed when Todd left the room. Finally Ryan got up and started to undress and get ready for bed. He put on pajama bottoms and left a tee shirt on for his top. He got into his bed and turned off the light next to his bed. Todd was now out in the living room trying to decide what to do next. He didn't know who to talk to or who to turn to at the moment. He got up and walked over to the door. Maybe I could go next door he thought. Tommy seems to be a good enough guy maybe I can talk to him. He put his hand on the door knob and turned it and opened it up. A cold blast of air whipped in on him and hit him hard in the face causing him to quickly shut the door. Well if I am going out I need a coat he thought to himself. He went and grabbed a coat, threw it on and walked out into the darkness of the night as he headed down the hill towards Tommy's house. To be continued..... dwednomail@hotmail.com Next up: Chapter 9. A very upset Todd finds Tommy and gets more then he ever thought he would and also gets the courage to face his brother again and try to get him to open up. (Note that the stories do mix when boys go to the other house and things will repeat in both stories at times)