"Talk to me, Ethan! It's me, Levi! Talk to me!
Ethan didn't remember how he got back to his room. It must've been his room, because Levi's was littered with scraps of clothes. He was only partially conscious, his mind still reliving the chair experience.
Levi's face twisted with concern. "What did they do to you? Did they...did they wash your brain?"
Blinking slowly, Ethan mumbled, his words barely distinguishable, "I'm fine."
"Ethan, seriously, talk to me. You're scaring me," Levi's voice cracked.
"I promised I'd come back to him," Ethan's voice was distant, almost hypnotic, "You have to help me."
Levi's frustration was palpable. "We'll get you out of here, you have my word. But now, you must rest. You will see Spencer soon."
The mention of this name made Ethan narrow his eyes. "Who?"
"Spencer. Your fucking boyfriend. You remember him, don't you?" Levi smiled but his eyes were full of worry.
Ethan struggled, as though reaching into a foggy memory. After a moment, a recognition flitted across his eyes. "Oh, him."
"Yes, him! Who were you talking about?!"
"The spirit of the chair. He and I are one now."
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Levi was pleading now. And, for the first time, Ethan finally looked him in the eyes and placed a hand on his cheek.
"I'm no longer a virgin, Levi. The spirit showed me what it's like to love and be loved. He can teach you too, if you want. Just let him inside your heart."
Levi stared at his friend for a few seconds, the hope that it's all one big joke slowly fading. He pursed his lips, and without a word started pacing around the room. "Shit, shit shit. Those fucking basteards. I will kill every last of them, I swear."
Meanwhile, Ethan rubbed his own shoulders. He massaged them gently, recollecting the feeling the chair gave him. In just a minute, he drifted back to a deep sleep.
He woke up shuddering. He was shaking and freezing cold, as if someone had forgotten to close the window on a cold winter night.
Levi next to him looked like he didn't get any sleep. "You're awake!"
"Cold..."
Levi grabbed his hand. "God, Ethan, your skin is so cold." He touched his cheek and then his forehead. "You're all cold, man. Shit, what have they done to you?"
"Why is it so cold, Levi?" Ethan asked weakly.
"Take off your clothes," Levi commanded and without waiting, started undressing too. Ethan didn't move, so Levi took charge and took off his pants for him, and then pulled off his shirt through his head. Both of them naked, Levi lay on top of Ethan, covering his body with his own as completely as he could. Ethan's skin was cold underneath him and Levi felt his heat transferring to the younger boy. Slow minutes passed in silence before Ethan's breath calmed, but he was still shaking.
"Are you okay now?" Levi asked.
"Better, but still cold. Like, inside."
"I'll keep you warm, okay? Just rest."
Ethan's heart beat faster from the skin contact. Unlike Levi, he was already hard, and the hardness seemed to have sucked heat from the rest of his body.
"I need to go back there. To the chair. Or I'll freeze."
"Dude, you don't know what you're saying. It did something to you!"
"You... you don't understand..." Ethan whispered and tried to push Levi away, but the older boy only held him stronger.
"No, YOU don't understand, because they did something to your brain. You have to wait it out. We have to wait it out."
"I can still feel it... and hear it."
"You'll be fine," Levi said, hoping for it to be true. "If they come for you, I stab them."
Ethan's eyes opened with mild curiosity. "With what?"
"With that pen you stole. I still got it. Pen to the neck," he said and made a stabbing gesture.
"You're crazy," Ethan said and closed his eyes again. Levi hugged him tighter and sighed with relief. Maybe Ethan wasn't a lost case yet.
When Ethan woke up later, he was fully dressed again, and alone. Confused, he looked around the room. He felt better. The coldness that was draining him was gone. Levi, the screening chair, was it all just a dream? He pinched himself to make sure he was still alive and then he felt it. It was still inside him, filling him from within. And the feeling was pleasant -- despite the dire circumstances, it put a smile on his face. But what was it that made him feel so good and whispered to him so soothingly... so lovingly? He closed his eyes and relaxed, hoping to hear the voice again. Hoping it would comfort and guide him. But it wasn't there. Maybe Levi was right. They were trying to brainwash him. Make him a sex slave to their vile construction. But this voice couldn't belong to anyone evil. It was selfless and... so caring. He had to hear that voice once more... talk to it. It surely was just a matter of time before they took him there again. Did they even know about the voice?
He lay there for what could be hours, happy with the solitude, with his body and mind. I'm introspecting, he thought to himself as he lay there. He didn't long for his phone, for his friends, even for Spencer or Levi. He was at peace. Yes, he was hungry, but he only knew it factually. It didn't really bother him. He remembered when it was the last time he had a chance to pee.
When the door creaked open, and Dabrowski entered, Ethan's body stiffened instinctively. "Wakey, wakey," Dabrowski's voice was sugary sweet "How did you sleep? I heard you caused quite a commotion down there."
"Really?" was all the boy could say.
"You don't know much. It's wise to go out of Anderson's way when you see him rushing through the corridors these days. I don't know what you did, but I swear the old man is losing his hair. Better watch out."
"I will," Ethan said, calm as a lotus flower.
"But really, time to move your pretty butt. You got a day off after your session but it's time to get back to work."
"Okay," Ethan said and was surprised how easily he stood up.
"You alright?" Dabrowski asked.
"Yeah, why?"
"You do look a little different. They forbid me to ask you about what happened down there, but feel free to tell me without asking."
"Yeah, no. Maybe another time."
"I hope so. Now, I'm supposed to get you moving. How about a quick round of hoops?"
"Can I go swimming?" Ethan asked without thinking.
"Swimming?"
"Uh huh." For the first time, something resembling a smile appeared on Ethan's face.
"I'll see what I can do. But you'll have to be extra nice to me, capiche?"
"When was I not nice?"
Dabrowski gave him an extended look and beckoned at the door.
47255018 was as much as Ethan could remember from the elevator pass code that Dabrowski entered. He knew they had to write it down asap, otherwise they'd be stuck here forever. Ethan realized their plan was doomed from the start. Even if somehow they managed to leave the building, they were inside a military base in the middle of nowhere. They'd never escape, But planning kept his mind occupied and he was willing to keep the act for as long as he could, even if just for Levi's sake.
The elevator stopped on the sixth floor. It was as close to the surface as he had been since his abduction. He took a deep breath, but the air didn't taste any fresher than it did down there. The scent of chlorine hit him even before the doors slid open, revealing the dimly lit pool area. Despite its sterile appearance, the water beckoned.
"Won't you get in trouble for this?" Ethan asked, hesitating.
The door at the end of the corridor opened to an underground swimming pool. The lights took a while to light up and still left the pool only dimly lit. It was as simple and bare-bones as you can only imagine, with dirty gray walls and a hole in the other wall leading to the toilets and showers.
"Is it always so empty?" Ethan asked. He faintly remembered he's not supposed to feel safe around Dabrowski anymore.
"Mostly. We come here two times a week. It's staff only, you know."
"Won't you get in trouble?" Ethan asked and started undressing before it became awkward.
"I'm in charge of your well-being and recovery. The means are up to me."
"Thanks, I guess."
"You'll thank me later," Dabrowski said, but Ethan didn't hear him as he slid into the lukewarm water.
The water felt wonderful, cool but not too cold, striking a perfect balance. At home, Ethan wasn't one for long baths. He usually settled for a quick shower, occasionally drawn out when he craved alone time with his growing body and privacy away from his ever-curious twin siblings. But now, he felt like he could stay there forever. He swam a bit back and forth in freestyle, feeling light and fresh. Swimming always felt as close to flying as he could get.
"You're not coming?" he asked Dabrowski who was watching him with his arms crossed.
"I don't think so. I forgot a towel."
"Same."
"We should've thought of that," Dabrowski chuckled, "but I did bring fresh clothes for you. Your old ones should work for drying off."
"So are you coming or what?"
"Maybe later. The view's better from here."
Normally, this comment would embarrass the boy, but after all that had happened to him, such feelings seemed trivial. He just shrugged and swimmed back and forth at snail's pace, losing himself in reflections of home, family, and Spencer. They all felt like distant memories. Would they even recognize the person he'd become? He thought about the spirit of the chair. With every hour, it all seemed to him like a weird dream. Maybe it was all in his head after all.
A soft splash interrupted his contemplation. Dabrowski was now in the water, swimming in front crawl on the other lane. Ethan had to admit the man was fit. Too bad he turned out to be another creep in this creepy place. They swam independently for a while, and Ethan gradually relaxed.
When Ethan's fingertips began to prune, he exited the pool. He looked down on his dripping body. There seemed to be less fat on it than when he got here. He liked what he saw. And he wasn't the only one. He felt a pair of eyes watching his every step on the way to the showers.
He didn't hear Dabrowski walking in after him but he could sense him - even before he felt his strong hands on his shoulders. Ethan stiffened, but didn't move. He let the young soldier massage his neck and arms, ready for whatever was coming. And only when Dabrowski slid his hands down to cup his butt, the boy turned around and pushed him away, causing the man to nearly slip. Ethan gave him a mean face. It caught him off guard. His college bro body and face suddenly felt out of place, with his erection still pointing upward.
"I thought you were different," Ethan said, without fear, although they were alone and the man was towering above him. "I'm not your whore boy to fuck whenever you please. So back off."
It was a while before Dabrowski's startled face was replaced by a sly smile. "You just don't know what you're missing. You know you'd love it."
"I hate it here, don't you understand?! I wanna get out of here, not get raped and used on every corner. I thought you cared about me!"
Ethan hadn't realized he was screaming until he stopped, and his voice echoed from the far walls. He bit his lip, but it was Dabrowski who looked away in shame.
"Try not to get horny being surrounded by so many cuties," he said after a minute, but it came off unconvincing. Ethan didn't even look up at him, focused on washing himself.
Two more minutes of palpable silence had passed before Dabrowski spoke again. "You can't get out of here, for the record. Don't try. Pro tip? Just lay low, do what they tell you and you'll be out of here in no time."
"How many weeks?"
Dabrowski hesitated. "A few, at most."
A few weeks. Ethan wasn't interested in talking to him anymore. By that time, he'll have his brain washed completely. He had to do something.
"If you help me and my friend get out of here, I'll do anything you want," he said slowly.
Dabrowski gave him a look of pity before turning his head away. "You have no idea what this place is, do you?"
"Well..."
"Nobody's escaping. Trust me. Don't even think about it. Ten years ago... I had a friend who tried. An accident happened to him. Don't be like him. Keep your head low for a few weeks, and be a free man."
Ethan made the saddest puppy eyes. "Please."
Dabrowski turned off the water and grabbed a towel. "Hey, you're not stupid. You know it's not possible, right? How do you expect me to help?"
Ethan couldn't argue with that. He just turned around and got lost in thoughts.
"Hey, listen," Dabrowski moved behind him but didn't touch him this time. "You didn't hear it from me, but there will be some sort of a test. I don't know the details but... don't just try to solve it with your brain. Use your heart, too. That's all I can say."
"Thanks," Ethan said quietly as the man left the room.
Later, he watched Dabrowski type the passcode in the elevator. 4725501833. There were about ten more digits he didn't catch. But at least now they could write them down.
"You can feel the button under the wallpaper. Just a bit to the left..." Levi guided Ethan's hand until he felt the bump. "Go on, press it."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, that's how I entered."
Ethan hesitated; something didn't seem right. But with Levi smiling encouragingly, he pressed the button. The door buzzed and swung open.
"See?" Levi laughed. "We can go in and out whenever we want."
"But... Why didn't they just remove these buttons? Or deactivate them?"
Levi scratched his head. "They probably didn't expect someone like me to meticulously examine every wall. Clearly, they underestimated me."
"Unless..."
"Unless what?" Levi leaned against the wall, his posture casual and aloof.
"Unless they wanted us to find it," Ethan mused.
Levi raised an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"
"I don't know, I just... I think they know. Don't ask me why."
Levi grinned. "You're just jealous that I figured it out first. But remember what my granddaddy used to say: It's not about who finds the door, but who has the courage to walk through it."
"Wow. Your Granddaddy was spitting some serious life hacks."
Levi playfully poked Ethan's chest. "Never mock Granddaddy Sullivan."
"I was only joking. I bet he was awesome. Just like you."
Levi's smile broadened, and he pulled Ethan closer. There was a sudden heat between the boys and Ethan felt it radiating from Levi's midsection. They went into a not-so-innocent hug, hands and lips suddenly adventurous and excited. But as Levi leaned in for a kiss, Ethan gently pushed him back.
Levi looked at him, puzzled. "What's wrong?" His unsatisfied dick was twitching inside his pants.
Ethan sat down on the floor. "Sorry... I don't think we should. I mean, I don't think I should."
"The fuck?" Levi gasped. "Don't tell me you're now faithful to the brainwashing chair."
"No, it's not that. It's Spencer, you know."
"The mythical boyfriend from NYC?"
"He's real," Ethan became serious again. He was very sure Spencer existed, even if everything that had happened to him before the abduction felt like a blur.
Levi kneeled next to him. "I know, I know. Just... I think there's a spark between us, Eth. And trust me, I know when I see it. I felt it when we kissed and when we had sex. And this feeling... it's kept me going in this shitty place, you know? Don't you feel it too?"
"I do, but..."
"Once we're out of here, you can run back to him, I don't give a damn. But right now, we have each other. Whatever happens here, stays here, right?"
"That's the thing," Ethan met Levi's gaze. "I don't want secrets. I want to be able to share everything with Spencer without feeling guilty."
Honesty in Ethan's eyes made Levi look away and swallow nervously. He knew Ethan was right but his little head wasn't happy with the verdict. But he had his rules, too, and it wouldn't let his dick take an upper hand. He flinched when he felt Ethan's hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, you're great," the blond boy smiled softly. "I'm really grateful for you and I'm happy I had my first time with you. And you turn me on a lot." Ethan knew he sounded a bit strange as he forced the words out of his mouth. He was only learning to talk about his feelings and it didn't feel natural yet. "What happened, happened, and I don't regret it, but I can't cheat on my boyfriend just because I met someone cool."
Levi nodded without looking at him, torn by resignation, self-pity and horniness. Then, he sprang to his feet. He went to the far corner of the room, dropped his pants and started jerking off. Ethan tried to ignore him through his moans and slapping sounds, but he kept peeking every few seconds. He looked away for good after Levi came with a loud grunt. Ethan sighed. He knew how much he was missing but deep inside he knew he was making the right decision.
They were led through unfamiliar corridors, their footsteps sluggish and uneven. Ethan attempted to make eye contact several times, but everyone either stared at their feet or into the distance. A few threw nervous glances around but quickly looked away when they met Ethan's gaze. The fear was palpable. Have all of them got to experience the chair? He hoped not. He was thinking clearly again, but he didn't forget the feelings that the chair gave him. And he wanted to believe he was the only one it whispered to.
Soon, they arrived at a spacious hall, the largest room Ethan had seen since arriving underground. Ten doors lined the opposite wall. Simple office chairs were scattered about the center of the room.
"Take a seat," commanded the young soldier who had guided them. He had a soft, Hispanic face and big brown eyes that suggested he was still in his late teens. Once everyone was seated, he stepped aside. After a brief pause, the familiar figure of the suited man entered. Ethan's heart beat faster, and at least a few other boys shrank in their seats. But the man had a jovial, warm smile on his face, his eyes covered by omni-present dark sunglasses.
"Welcome, boys," he began, his voice echoing. "I trust you've found our facility... accommodating?"
He made a pause, but the boys only looked at their feet.
"I'll take it as a yes. I brought you here today for several reasons. First and foremost, I'd like to thank you. You must know that your eager cooperation has been invaluable in our scientific efforts. While we're all just tribes in a bigger machine, know that each of you has done wonderfully. We repeatedly pushed you out of your comfort zones, and you took it like real men. For the most part. But fear not, we're all humans, and emotions are a vital part of who we are. It's alright to cry, be lonely or feel pain. It all but connects us with our true selves. Helps us experience life and connect with our cores. Many of you have discovered - or rediscovered - your sexualities. You understood what gives you pleasure, pain, or both. And we're only just starting."
He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in.
"Secondly, I'm here to address your questions. Why are you here? What are we working on? Who am I?" Some heads lifted, gazing at the Suited Man with a mix of fear and curiosity. They clearly had a lot they wanted to know, but fear held them back from asking. "I can't provide all the answers at this moment, time being a constraint. But you should understand that Project Swordfish stands as one of the most pioneering undertakings not just in scientific history, but in the annals of human civilization. You would have observed that the experiments you've been part of center around your intimate desires, fantasies, and experiences. Here, under this roof, each of you has experienced profound moments of pleasure. We've meticulously recorded your neural reactions and collected physical samples. Our team is pouring over this data, including video records. Believe me when I say we now know you on a level few, if any, ever will -- perhaps even more than you know yourselves."
The boys shifted uncomfortably. Someone behind Ethan whispered "Project Swordfish?" Judging by a satisfied smirk on the Suited Man's face, this was just the effect he wanted to achieve.
"So what is it all for, you may ask? Well, just a few months ago, we've made a ground-breaking discovery... a discovery that would create a global commotion, maybe even hysteria, if unearthed. Forgive me that I can't delve into specifics, but one of the opportunities unveiled with this discovery is a revolutionizing male sexuality. The technology we've accessed could profoundly magnify the depths and intensities of the sensations you're capable of experiencing. And I don't mean a better quickie in the shower, as pleasant as you may find it. It would be a waste of time." There were some forced chuckles in response. "The pleasure I'm talking about will reach the very depths of your souls. It will surpass everything anyone has ever felt, even in the moments of pure ecstasy. You boys are truly fortunate. Some among you have already sampled this sensation, but that was just the beginning. The coming weeks promise experiences that will likely be the pinnacle of your lives."
He paused. There was a total silence, but several groins responded eagerly.
"Currently, we're in the process of mastering this technology. Harnessing it remains a challenge. It's not devoid of risks. We're navigating a realm that's previously unexplored. If this journey were to be mapped, the only inscription would probably read, `Here be dragons.' However, our intention is clear: We want every one of you to return safely to your homes and families. I believe most of you will. And for those who might not, they will be immortalized as pioneers and heroes in this quest."
The room was thick with tension; every gaze was fixed on him. While most eyes reflected fear, a few sparkled with anticipation.
"I understand you have many more queries. We've merely brushed the tip of the iceberg. But time is against us today. Today, we are doing something different. You might have realized by now that our staff was explicitly told to prevent any conversations among you, ensuring that you remained strangers to each other. Though I suspect some might have disregarded this rule." The Suited Man looked Ethan straight in the eyes and he had to look down. "Today, that changes. The test you're about to undergo can only be done in pairs. Go on. Stand up and pair up with whoever you like. I bet you've done it before at school."
Initially, the boys just stared at one another, hesitant, wondering if making the first move might be another test. Levi was the first to act, prompting others to do the same out of fear of being left out. Ethan attempted to join Levi, but Levi was already connecting with a good-looking, slightly smirking boy with dirty blond hair. Ethan stopped in his tracks. It was clearer than ever. Levi will only be his friend if he sucks his dick. He didn't even spare him a fleeting glance.
By the time Ethan snapped out of it, most had already formed pairs. The two boys who had given Levi dirty looks when he'd become Maddox's deputy were talking in hushed voices. The chubby boy and the tall one with braces stood quietly together. Then Ethan noticed Peter, the small blond boy, number 11. He was still sitting on his chair with sad, empty eyes. Ethan's heart sank and he approached the boy slowly, as if not to scare him away.
"You want to team up?" Ethan asked after clearing his throat. At first, he thought Peter didn't hear him, but then the younger boy stood up and nodded. When he didn't say anything, Ethan asked, "What do you think it's gonna be?"
"I don't know," Peter said simply.
"Me neither. Just trying to guess."
"Someone's gone," observed Peter.
"Huh?"
"You're 21," Peter indicated the badge on Ethan's shirt. "You were the 21st boy. Now there's only 20 of us."
Something about Peter's calm voice gave Ethan chills. He looked around discreetly. Each boy had a pair and no one was left out.
"Maybe there were just twenty to begin with," Ethan offered, but Peter shook his head.
"I think his name was Jared," he whispered.
Ethan had to take a few deep breaths to calm down. He looked over at Levi laughing with his partner. He didn't mind Peter, but he felt much more secure around careless and optimistic Levi. As the boys talked among themselves, several soldiers entered and directed them toward ten identical doors. It appeared the 'no-talking' rule was lifted, at least temporarily.
"You probably ask yourselves, what you're supposed to expect over there. Well, as with everything in Project Swordfish, expect the unexpected. Your goal is to get to the door on the other side. A nice surprise awaits for those who manage to make it. Remember, your success depends on how well you cooperate and how much you trust each other. The rest is up to you. Good luck."
Simultaneously, all doors hummed to life and swung open. With some trepidation, the boys entered one after the other, leaving behind only the Suited Man and his military escort. The man walked to one of the soldiers.
"Inform Dr. Anderson to secure footage from all cameras. I have a long night ahead."
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