Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 00:45:54 -0600 From: Rhaven Subject: Avery's World Chapter Five This story contains strong language and sexual content between boy/boy and boy/man. http://www.rhavensreply.com/home/rhavensreply.com Avery's World By RHAVEN2002 Chapter Five Thunder roared, rattling the earth in its fierce fury. The rain and wind whipped through the forest without mercy, attacking relentlessly. Black clouds boiled high above, menacing and unforgiving, all obvious to the boy in the woods. Avery pushed himself up into a sitting position. He couldn't remember why he wasn't at home. He tried to move his right arm, but it seemed didn't want to obey his commands. And for some reason, he couldn't see out of his right eye. All this made him laugh. Avery wasn't sure why this was funny, it just was. Grabbing a tree branch for support, he forced himself to his feet. His legs were wobbly and numb. But Avery had to get home, needed something to eat. If he just got something in his stomach, he was sure everything would be fine. It took him a while to make it back to the road, not only was it difficult to walk, but he couldn't see very well, the rain blinded his good eye. Once at the road, he giggled to himself, he was such a fool, which way was to his home? Avery couldn't believe that he didn't remember, he had traveled this street a thousand times before, but now it seemed foreign to him. "I guess it doesn't matter?" Avery laughed again; he didn't really care which way he went. It was hard walking with the rain and wind pushing him around. If only the storm would stop, then he would be okay. Avery walked for what seemed like days on end, nothing looked familiar, not the trees, the road or anything. Had he just left Eric's house? Had he been swimming? He was wet, so maybe he had gone swimming. There was a house in front of him, was it his? The door was open, so he went inside. It felt nice to be inside out of the rain, but now he was cold, so cold. Avery made it over to a chair, a yellow chair, was it his roost? As he sat down, it felt as if a warm black blanket covered his body, he knew he was falling, but didn't care. He opened his eyes to see someone standing over him. "Who are you?" he heard himself ask. The figure bend down and Avery could see him smile. "Everything will be all right Avery. There is nothing to worry about." "Are you my dad?" He asked this fuzzy figure before him. "I am and I need to tell you something." The dark form began to fade, Avery tried to reach out and hold him here, he didn't want his father to disappear again. He wanted him here forever. "Wait! Don't leave me!" Avery screamed, but the figure became more transparent. "I am coming, son. Look for the sign......" then the figure was gone, washed away into nothingness. "Daddy! Daddy, don't leave me!" Screamed Avery, the darkness that had consumed the figure was now eating away at him, until finally, only darkness remained. "Avery, oh my God! Avery" "Right arm broken... possible concussion..." "...let's get him in the ambulance." "Give him a local... stitches ..." "Avery can you hear me?" Voices so many voices in his head. It all was funny, they were talking to him, but he wasn't there. He could hear them, but they were talking to the wrong body. Avery laughed; it was a good joke he was playing on them. Avery opened his eye; his right eye was still too swollen to be any use. He was in bed, but it wasn't his room. "Hi sweetheart." His mother said leaning over him. "How do you feel?" Avery thought about that for a moment, it seemed that every bone in his body ached, especially his right arm and his head. When he tried to move his arm, he realized it was in a cast. "Your arm was broken. The doctor says the cast needs to stay on for at least six weeks." Jobeth said seeing her son's shock. "Other than that, how do you feel?" "Okay, I guess." He reached up and ran his hand over the bandage over his right eye. "Head hurts a little." "Stitches." Eric said entering the room. "35 stitches to be exact." "Eric." Avery said looking surprised and then he felt foolish. All he could think about was how he had acted the last time he had been with Eric. Jobeth smiled and took the cup of coffee Eric offered her. "I'll leave you two alone." Eric said, winking at Jobeth. "Avery, I'll see you later?" "Yeah, sure." Avery blushed, and tried not to show a silly grin. Jobeth waited until Eric was out of sight before talking again. "I don't know what I would have done, if not for Eric. He's been here all day with me." Jobeth smiled. "I think he was more worried than I was." "Sorry mom." "Sorry, what for?" Jobeth held her son's hand. "Sorry for worrying you and Eric." Jobeth sighed and shook her head. "Honey, you didn't do anything wrong. Can... can you tell me who did this to you?" Jobeth waited a moment, but Avery turned his head away from her. "Avery, Sheriff Jarvis is going to need to know what happened to you. You're going to have to tell him what happened." Avery still didn't say anything. Jobeth sighed again. What was he going to do? If he told on King King, wouldn't that just make things worse? It would be nice to get King King in trouble. He did deserve it. Avery looked at his broken arm; the hate boiled up in him. Brandon King was a maniac; he could have killed him. What should he do? Eric returned with what Avery had to assume was the doctor. He had that smug look of someone in control. "Can I speak with you Ms. MacDowell?" the doctor said. "I'll stay with Avery." Eric said with a confident grin. Jobeth smiled at Eric and then her son before joining the doctor in the hallway. "King King?" whispered Eric. "He did this, didn't he?" "Please don't say anyone." Begged Avery. "I... I..." "It's okay, Avery. I won't talk. But you should think this over, King King needs to be punished for this." "I'm tired." Avery said turning he face away from Eric. "All right, Avery. You know the doctor says it's a miracle you lived." Eric patted Avery's shoulder. "You are definitely a blest Avery." The doctor had decided that Avery should spend a few more days in the hospital. "Just to be careful." As he put it. "A concussion was nothing to sneeze at." He said with a giggle. Though Avery protested, it was out of his hands. A few days seemed like weeks to Avery. The only good thing was Eric was with him most of the time. Happily, they had made up, all before, forgotten and forgiven. The toughest time in the hospital came, when Sheriff Jarvis appeared. "So you're telling me, you didn't see who did this to you? Is that right boy?" "Yes, sir." Jarvis huffed and shook his head. He had sent Jobeth and Eric out of the room, saying, "so you feel a little more comfortable." Nevertheless, the truth was, Avery wasn't comfortable with Jarvis, and he saw how the Sheriff looked at him, with eyes of pity. "Avery I know this is difficult for you. But if you know anything... anything, you need to tell me." "Sorry Sheriff, I... I didn't see who it was." "Well..." Jarvis stood and scratched his chin. "To be honest with you son, I think you are lying to me. You know who attacked you..." Jarvis paused and looked towards the hallway briefly. "I don't know why you are protecting them... you don't have to be afraid." "I'm not afraid." Avery lied. "Honestly Sheriff, I don't know who attacked me." Jarvis huffed again and finally smiled. "All right, boy. Have it your way. You know where to find me if you change your mind." Avery felt bad about lying to the Sheriff, what chose did he have? King King would kill him this time, he was sure of it. Avery hated to accept it, but he was afraid of Brandon King. He had never seen such evil in anyone. If he had told Sheriff Jarvis... Avery shivered; he didn't even want to think of what King King would do to him. The day finally arrived for Avery to leave the hospital. A nurse helped him into a wheelchair, despite his argument that he could walk. However, the wheelchair was kind of fun. It was nice to be back home. That kind of made Avery laugh. He never dreamed he would be glad to be in this house. "Welcome back!" This mother said clapping. On the coffee table were several presents, in wonderfully colored wrapping paper. "What's this?" "Presents!" Jobeth explained. "From Eric and me." Avery raced over to the table and grabbed the biggest box. He wasn't expecting gifts for being injured. Ripping over the paper without care, he uncovered new overalls. He held them up in awe, they were so beautiful! "Eric got those for you. Open mine! Now I know you can't use it until the cast comes off, but..." His mother had gotten him two large drawing tablets, along with colored pencils. "Wow, thanks mom!" The next gift was from Eric again, this time it was a T-shirt with an iron of Captain Zen and a denim shorts. And the last box contained the entire collection of Captain Zen books. Avery instantly slipped on the denim shorts and was pleased to see that they fitted perfectly. He felt so wealthy in the new clothes, almost like a new person. "Eric has been so nice." His mother said getting a coke out of the refrigerator and handing it to Avery. "Simply a Godsend." Avery also discovered later, that Eric had paid the hospital bill. There was something special about the man, even if he wasn't an alien or his father. Avery was truly glad to be home, a home where he knew he was loved. Jobeth didn't return to work until the next day, and Avery had to force her to leave then. It was hard to convince her that he was all right. Which he was, his head had stopped hurting and his arm wasn't bothering him at all. Actually the only thing that was bad, was the tremendous heat of summer. He didn't mention anything to his mother or Eric about the visitation of his father. It didn't seem right to share this with anyone. He also knew they would just tell him, he was being silly. Avery had seen his father, he was sure of it and he had new hope now. Life didn't seem so bad any longer, he had a caring mother, he had Eric and he had a father out there waiting for him. All he had to do was wait for the sign. Avery sat in his chair and read, the books that Eric had given him were amazing. Eric had an eye for the fantastic. Inside these small books were worlds and beings that Avery had never dreamed of, he was drawn into these worlds and felt welcomed. The sound of sirens drew Avery back to this world. He carefully folded down a page in the book and ran outside. The fire truck rushed by his house up First Street. As he looked passed the truck, he could see a plume of smoke rising high into the cloudless sky. "Eric." There was only one house in the direction the fire department was heading, Hoffman house. Without thinking, Avery chased the truck. His only thought was that King King had finally done it. The crazy boy had set the house on fire. Avery ran, he ran until he couldn't breath any longer. His broken arm hurt, along with is forehead. Running was a stupid thing to do; his body wasn't healthy enough to take this kind of abuse. The fire truck vanished over the horizon, leaving Avery limping up the road. "Hey Avery." Avery almost screamed, he couldn't handle King King now. This time he would die, he knew it. "Hey Avery." The voice behind him said. "How... how you doing?" Slowly Avery turned and to his relief, it wasn't King King or even the twins. It was a boy from school, Rico Martinez, the only Hispanic kid in Haven. "Hi Rico." "Dude, you look horrible." Rico said climbing off his bike. "Are you okay?" Avery smiled, he probably did look horrible, and he did feel that way. "Trying to get to Hoffman's house." Rico looked passed Avery at the black smoke rising high into the sky. "Yeah, I was following the fire truck too. Need a ride?" "Please, that would be great." Avery climbed on behind Rico on the bike. "Hang on." Rico laughed. It wasn't a problem for Avery, he wrapped his good arm around Rico's thin waist. He had a distant crush on Rico, there was something exotic about this dark skinned boy. It made Avery feel light headed, dizzied by his unnatural beauty. It was strange being this close to him, almost like a dream. In school, Rico had his own group of friends, which didn't include Avery. Rico wasn't stuck up or anything, he always said 'hi' in the hallway. Although Avery wanted to be his friend, he was afraid of the chance that Rico would reject him. After all, he was an alien. "I heard what happened to you." Rico said without looked back to Avery. "I... I was worried. Glad to see you up and around." Avery smiled; it was always nice to hear that someone was thinking about you, especially someone that he thought was cute. Over the hill they came, the plume of smoke wasn't coming from the house but Hoffman's field. Avery was relieved to see that the fire truck parked in the middle of the field and the firemen working feverishly to put out the flames. "Wow" Rico said, stopping the bike. "I wonder what caused that?" Avery spotted Eric, he jumped off the bike and ran over to the man. "What happened?" Eric shook his head and put his arm around Avery's shoulders. "They think it was lightening. I heard this loud 'boom' and then saw the smoke." "Lightening?" Rico added to the conversation. "But there are no clouds, how could it be lightening?" Eric eyed the new boy and then looked back to Avery with a smile. "Maybe heat lightening or they say lightening can travel at least 20 miles, so who knows. By the way, I'm Eric." He held out his hand to Rico. The boy wasn't shy, he shook Eric's hand with a ferocity of a champion arm wrestler. "Rico Siana Martinez, and I know who you are." "You do, do you?" Eric added with a cautious look towards Avery. "Sure, you're the monster that lives in the Hoffman house." Rico laughed. "Or at least that's what the twins tell me." "Stupid idiots, don't know what they are talking about. Eric isn't a monster..." Eric squeezed Avery's shoulder and grinned. "That's okay, Avery. Don't worry about it." "I was only kidding. I don't listen to the twins, their brain dead." Rico frowned and looked over to Avery as if trying to say he was sorry. "How are you..." Eric began, but a fireman walked over to him. "That will do it. Can't explain what caused the fire, other than the 'lightening theory'. Strangest thing I've ever seen though." "Why? What's wrong?' said Eric. "Damn thing burned in a perfect circle." The fireman scratched his head and looked back to the burned area. Rico was the first to run over to the mysterious circle. Eric and Avery followed behind him. "Holy crap, that is weird, just look at it." Rico said with a clap of his hands. Avery couldn't believe his eyes there it was a perfect circle burned into the thick grass of the field. "That is just so strange." Rico laughed. "There is no way this could have been caused by lightening." Eric laughed and walked around the blacken area. "You never know nature is very unpredictable." Eric turned to Avery and was about to say something, but stopped. "Avery are you feeling all right?" "Got a headache." Avery said, though it wasn't what was bothering him. The newly formed circle was exactly where he laid to think. Was this the sign? Surely, it had to be. "Let's get you back to the house." Eric said, taking hold of Avery's hand. "Rico you're welcome to come." "Sure, I always wanted to see inside the haunted... I mean I..." Rico blushed and gave Eric a foolish grin. "That's all right Rico. But trust me the house isn't that exciting." Once inside Eric immediately handed Avery a glass of ice water. "You're running a fever." He said putting his hand on Avery's forehead. "You should have stayed home Avery. You're still recovering." "Is he going to be okay?" Rico whispered, looking at Avery as if he was a fragile porcelain doll. "He just needs some rest." Said Eric as he gently brushed some stray hairs out of Avery's eyes. Avery listened to the conversation; it almost felt as if he wasn't in the room. He wasn't sure what to do now. If that was the sign from his father, what happened next? "Let's get you to the couch." Eric said and with Rico's help, they moved Avery into the next room onto the nice overstuffed couch. He lay there thinking about the circle burned into Hoffman's field. He didn't want to make the mistake again of assumption. After all, he had thought Eric his father, which turned out to be untrue. He so much wanted that burned circle to be the sign. It almost had to be, didn't it? "Avery, I'm heading home." Rico whispered staring down at Avery as if he was on his deathbed. "Eric said I could come back tomorrow. Is that okay?" Avery blinked and looked into Rico's dark brown eyes. "That would be cool. Sorry I'm such a bum out here." "No worries, bro. I'll see you tomorrow." Rico turned to leave and then yelled "Bye Eric!" Eric yelled his good-byes from another room, but appeared soon after with a wet wash cloth. "How you feeling sweetheart?" he asked. The wet cloth on his forehead felt nice. Eric dabbed his cheeks and then gently slid it over Avery's neck. The coldness seems to awaken Avery, making it easier to think. "Eric." Whispered Avery. "What do you think created that fire in the field?" Eric wrinkled his brow and looked in the direction of the field. "There was this horrible boom sound. To be honest I thought an airplane had crashed in the field." Eric sat down next to the couch. "I guess I'd have to agree with what the firemen said about it being lightening." As if reading his mind, the outside lit up; lightening forked across the sky. Eric laughed at himself for jumping in fright. "Damn!" "Yeah." Avery still wasn't convinced. However, seeing Eric jump was very funny. He started to giggle and couldn't stop. "Hey, that wasn't funny!" Laughed Eric, he tossed the wet cloth at Avery. "Yes... it was." Giggled Avery. He threw the cloth back at Eric and sat up. "I'm feeling better." "Glad to hear that." Eric put his hand back on Avery's forehead and frowned. "Still think you have a fever." He took a seat next to Avery and pulled him close. "About you coming up here Avery." Eric paused, once he saw Avery's reaction. "All I'm saying, is I want you to call me to come pick you up. I don't think its safe for you to walk here anymore." "Okay." Avery agreed. "Can we watch a little TV?" Eric smiled and clicked on the television, found a movie that seemed to interest Avery. The movie was interesting, it helped Avery take his mind off the strange circle in Hoffman's field. In fact, he had become so interested in the film that he was shocked when he noticed the storm raging outside. "Really coming down out there." Eric said glancing out the window. "I'll call your mom and let her know you're here." "Uh huh." Avery slid down the now empty couch and pulled a cushion up for his head. He hadn't watched to many movies in his life. He had actually only be to the theater twice in his entire life. Both those movies were Disney, and not really worth mentioning. This one on TV was completely different, 'Man without a Face'. At first, he thought it was a science fiction movie or even a monster movie. However, it was more than that, it was about acceptance and understanding. Avery fell madly in love with the movie. Eric returned with cokes and a large bowl of popcorn. Avery jumped up and waited into Eric sat down before he lay back down. "You don't mind do you?" Avery asked as he fluffed the cushion in Eric's lap and rested his head on it. "No, I'm fine." Eric whispered. "Could you scratch my back?" Avery said, with a wiggle of his shoulders. Eric put down the popcorn and ran his fingers up and down the boy's back. Avery sighed, it was so relaxing, warmth cascaded over him and he felt all his muscles ease. Eric ran his hand over the cast and over to his side. The storm attacked outside, but inside the house, Avery was at peace. Eric returned his hand to Avery's back, running his fingers from his neck all the way to his denim shorts. Eric stopped and ran his over the shorts. "I'm happy to see the shorts fit." Eric tugged on them slightly as if making sure, he was correct. "I love them and all the other stuff you gave me." Avery rolled over so he could look up at Eric. "You didn't have to give me anything, you know." Eric grinned. "I know." Eric moved his hand away and Avery frowned. "Could you rub my stomach. Please?" Eric laughed. "I don't know..." But he couldn't continue the joke, seeing Avery looking sad. "Okay, okay I'll rub your stomach." Avery turned his attention back to the movie, putting his broken arm over his head so Eric had full access to his chest. As before, at the river, Eric explored Avery's chest with his fingers. Again, his body quivered with joy. Eric ran his fingers from the nape of his neck all the way down to his belly button. Avery thought he heard Eric inhale deeply, a shutter to his breath. Avery smile, it was as if Eric enjoyed this as much as he was. "I'm glad I came over." Whispered Avery. "Me too." Eric startled Avery by kissing him on the forehead. It was a nice surprise. Eric returned his hand to Avery's stomach, allowing his pinkie to slide inside Avery's shorts. Goosebumps sprouted over Avery's skin and he had to stop himself from giggling. The movie played on, Avery wasn't paying to much attention on the plot any longer. He was more interested in Eric's roaming hand. His whole body felt on fire, he loved this feeling and never wanted it to stop. Avery's body shivered briefly as Eric casually unbuttoned the denim shorts. "You okay?" Eric asked looking deep into Avery's eyes. "Perfect." Avery breathed. Eric slipped his hand into the shorts down over his thigh. It was a tight squeeze and Avery giggled as Eric struggled to move his hand. "Here." Avery said impatiently as he unzipped his shorts. "Um... thanks." Eric laughed. Avery lifted up slightly so Eric could slide the shorts off him. He'd never let anyone see his erection before, it was exhilarating. However, thoughts of his mother's teasing entered his mind. What if he was tiny? He dared to look into Eric's face; the man didn't seem shocked or disappointed. Avery leaned up and kissed him, he was so happy. "What was that for?" Eric whispered. "Because, you make me happy." Eric laughed. "You are such an angel." Avery giggled and relaxed back into the soft couch. Eric moved his hand on top of Avery's erect penis, and wrapping his fingers around it. Avery moaned and tightened his buttocks. Eric was gentle as he slowly stroked Avery's erection. With his other hand he ran his fingers through Avery's hair and stared lovingly down at the boy. Eric leaned down and kissed Avery on the cheek and then his nose, all the time still stroking his erection. Avery closed his eyes to remember every detail of this perfect moment. He listened to the rain hitting the window, the sound of the movie on TV. Avery concentrated on the tingling feeling as Eric played with his hair and on the deep warmth of Eric's fingers caressed his penis and the electrifying kisses Eric was planting around his face. Putting all this together, Avery knew he was in paradise. "Eric?" A voice yelled from the front door. "Shit!" Eric pushed up Avery and jumped to his feet. "Shit, Avery its Pearl." He whispered in a panic. "Get dressed." "Eric, where are you?" "Coming." He called to his aunt and before leaving the living room, glanced apologetically back at Avery. "Eric, I was honking my horn didn't you hear me?" "No, I'm... I'm afraid I didn't. What do you need Pearl?" Avery pulled on his shorts, he had wicked thoughts of leaving them off, wouldn't that blow Mrs. Randell's mind, however, decided not to cause waves. The movie was over, he had missed the ending, but he didn't really care, he was more interested in the conversation between Eric and Pearl. "I picked up some things for you at Wal-Mart. I left them in the car, you'll have to get them." "Um... thanks, you shouldn't have." "It's just a bath mat and some towels." "Well, let me run out there and get them." "They're in the back seat, Eric." Avery heard the front door slam, now he was nervous. He was alone in the house with Mrs. Randell. For some reason, that scared him. "Oh!" Mrs. Randell blurted as she entered the living room. "Mr. MacDowell, I'm somewhat surprised to see you here." She gave him a weak smile that slowly turned to a snarl.