Date: Wed, 16 Dec 2020 17:11:04 +0000 (UTC) From: Albert Collins Subject: You were there - part 32 Disclaimer: This is a romantic love story about love between young adolescent boys. There are some explicit sex scenes in the story but they are not the main focus of the story. So if you are looking for a story with a lot of explicit sex action, you are in the wrong place. If you like to read a sappy romantic tory with occasional kinky sex scenes, then please sit back and enjoy! Thanks again to all those who wrote with comments and feedback! Of course, as usual, comments and constructive criticism are welcome! albert.c87@yahoo.com ************************ I wonder about the tears in children's eyes And I wonder about the soldier that dies I wonder will this hatred ever end I wonder and worry my friend I wonder, I wonder, wonder don't you? 'I wonder' A song by Dennis Rodriguez -------------- When Luke and Diego arrived at the workshop building, Mr Ellis, Manny and Raphael were already there. Mr Ellis was a short heavyset bald man in his sixties. His rough tan skin was darkened by constantly working outdoors. Diego found Mr Ellis' appearance to be slightly intimidating but underneath the gruff exterior the old carpenter had a wry sense of humor and his face was often creased by a sly smile. That day Mr Ellis and Manny planned to work on making some carved decorative wooden panels, and Raphael was going to help them and learn in the process. "So, Luke, Manny tells me you're gonna make a scratch post today," Mr Ellis remarked with a slight chuckle, "for your new three-legged cat. Sounds like a grand idea!" "That's right, Mr Ellis, Sir!" Luke enthused. "Her name is Roxie and she's a super cool cat! She's still recovering now at Mr Frank's house. But she'll be ours in a few days and I wanna surprise her!" "Sounds like a grand idea," Mr Ellis repeated, smiling. "Listen, kid, here is some rope you can use to fix all the way 'round the post." He handed Luke a large roll of rope. "And here's a hot glue gun to attach this rope with. It's a special type of glue that doesn't stink. Should be good for cats, they are picky 'bout that sort of thing." "Oh, thanks, Mr Ellis, thanks a lot!" Luke accepted the glue gun gratefully. "I hadn't thought of that, but you're right. Thanks!" Luke turned to Diego and beamed at him happily. "Okay, good deal then," Mr Ellis added. "Manny will help you boys with the saws when something needs cutting. Holler if you need anything, we'll be here, just a few feet away. And Luke, you remember 'bout goggles and safety, right? Diego is sorta new at this, so you'll be in charge of him today, okay?" "All right Mr Ellis, we'll be good, don't worry, I swear!" Luke winked and gave a small salute, before departing quickly with Diego. "So, boss, what's the plan?" Diego asked with a sly smile as they stopped by one of the carpentry benches nearby. "Ah, the plan, my young padawan, is this," Luke explained, nonplussed. "We make a base from that piece of plywood over there. We cut the post itself from this piece of 4-by-4. We glue the rope Mr Ellis gave us all the way around the post in rows. And then we screw the post to the base. And that's the plan!" "Sounds easy," Diego commented suspiciously. "Does it now?" Luke chuckled. "Well, you'll have to see!" He gave Diego a light punch in the shoulder. Diego was thrilled to see Luke so happy. Even more than usual, Luke's happiness and enthusiasm felt particularly infectious today. And even though carpentry was not really his cup of tea, Diego was also getting excited about making this scratch post for Roxie together with Luke. Under Manny's supervision, Luke and Diego cut a square base-board piece from pine plywood. Right away Luke set Diego on sanding the base piece, while he himself started walking on the post. Diego stood at one of the carpentry benches, sanding the base, and throwing admiring glances at Luke. Luke was busily measuring and marking the 4-by-4 and placing it at the circular saw stand, getting ready for Manny to make the cut. Diego stopped working for a moment and looked at Luke more closely. Luke was wearing a pair of blue jean cut-off shorts and a white A-shirt that really complimented his lean athletic physique. He had a tool belt around his waist that was hanging around his limber hips, and his eyes were covered with protective goggles, as Mr Ellis instructed. "My boyfriend is sexy as hell!" Diego thought as his smile grew wider and his heart raced. "My boyfriend!!" As the day that Luke made the wooden hand sculpture for Diego, Luke's face was clear, focused, determined. But it was happy and joyous too. A light sheen of sweat appeared on Luke's face, arms and shoulders. His muscles glowed with excitement. Luke raised his goggles covered faced and noticed Diego staring at him. "What?" Luke inquired with a grin, as he stopped working for a moment. "I so wanna kiss you!" Diego whispered loudly, leaning forward. "Why fight it?" Luke giggled in response. "I wanna do more than just kiss you!" Diego countered. "Why fight it?!" Luke repeated slyly. "Oh, you!" Diego shook his head and went back to sanding the board. "Ready, dudes?" Manny asked as he walked up to them. "Oh, yeah, go ahead, Manny!" Luke enthused, pointing at the 4-by-4 positioned at the circular saw stand. "I know that Roxie's only got three legs, but I decided to make her a really tall post, two and a half feet! Maybe she'll want to stretch a bit, you know!" "He-he, very considerate of you, little dude," Manny chuckled approvingly. "Okay, now stand back." He turned on the saw and brought it down, making a clean cut in the 4-by-4 where Luke had marked it. "Here, Luke, buddy, now you've got your post," Manny handed the post piece to Luke and turned the saw off. "Cool, thanks, Manny!" Luke exclaimed. "Isn't it the greatest, Diego?!" He lifted the post piece triumphantly. "Yeah," Diego chuckled, happy to see Luke so psyched, "thanks, Manny!" "Later, guys!" Manny walked away towards the corner where Mr Ellis and Raphael were working. Luke helped Diego finish sanding the base piece. "Okay, boss, now what?" Diego asked, smiling. "Now we put the edge bending tape around the edges," Luke explained. "You know so that it's not so sharp." Luke applied the tape around the edges, put an aluminum foil on top and then pressed it with a hot iron on top. "The glue in the tape, it needs heat, you see, to activate," Luke instructed. As Luke put the iron down, Diego embraced him from behind and gave him a quick tender peck on the cheek. "What? What's that for?" Luke looked up in surprise. "For knowing all this!" Diego replied with a giggle as he hugged Luke tighter. "For looking so sexy knowing all this! And for doing such a super job for Roxie!" Diego let Luke go. "Well, thanks, babe, thanks, he-he," Luke grinned happily turning around towards Diego. "But we are not done yet, not by a long shot!" Luke and Diego put some acrylic paint and water on the base piece to give it a whitewash, and then, after drying, Luke covered it with shellac. By the time the base piece was done, Diego was also covered with sweat, and his admiration for Luke's carpentry skills increased to worshipful heights. Still, they weren't finished yet. Luke brought over a roll of rope and a hot glue gun that Mr Ellis gave them. The boys started attaching the rope to the post with the glue, going slowly all the way around, row-by-row. Diego would spread the glue and Luke would press the rope on it and turn the post. Finally, Luke drilled some holes in the base piece and the bottom of the post and screwed the post to the base with four screws. "Voila!" Luke declared, putting the finished post on the floor. "A super-duper scratching post! You think Roxie will like it?" "It's amazing! Of course Roxie will love it!" Diego exclaimed admiringly. "I can't believe you made it, and so quickly!" "We made it, Diego," Luke corrected him. "Come on, babe, don't sell yourself short! You helped, and more than a little. We made it!" "Okay, okay, we made it," Diego consented as he grinned at Luke. They took the scratch post to Mr Ellis and Manny for the final inspection. "Well, well, boys, that looks like a pretty good piece of work," Mr Ellis complimented as he checked how well the base was attached to the post and made sure that the rope was glued on securely. "I dare say your new cat shouldn't complain." "Thanks, Mr Ellis, thanks!" Luke beamed back. "I almost wanna scratch on it myself, he-he!" After saying their goodbyes, Luke and Diego dropped off the freshly made scratch post at the clubhouse and headed back to their room. They still had a little time left before dinner. "Oh, man, I am beat!" Luke exclaimed as he plopped onto his bed. "And I stink!" He pulled off his t-shirt and his shorts and lay on his back, folding his hands behind him. Luke's athletic body was still glistening with a sheen of sweat. Diego regarded Luke's form silently for a few seconds a suddenly started quickly peeping off his clothes as well, undressing to just his briefs. "Diego, wait, wha ...?" Luke lifted his face with an uncertain smile. Before Luke could finish, Diego plastered himself on top of Luke stretching his arms forward and during his face above Luke shoulder. "Ah-a-a-a-a-h!" Diego sighed, and his body shuddered and then relaxed like jelly. "Diego, dude, what are you doing?" Luke chuckled from underneath. "Mmmm-mm," came the nonverbal response. "Aha, okay, I get it," Luke chuckled again. He stroked Diego's hair with his right hand. "But you know I really do stink. Maybe we should clean up first ..." "Nnnmmm," Diego protested as he pressed harder against Luke and wiggled his pelvis. "You're getting more and more articulate," Luke quipped. "I think I like it." "I'm absorbing your energy," Diego lifted his face. "Oh, stealing my demigod magic, are you?" Luke replied jokingly as he caressed Diego's face. "No, not stealing, sharing!" Diego protested. "You know what you skin does to me, right?" "Come on, Diego, babe, I'm just messing with you!" Luke kissed Diego's nose. "Anyway, my magic is yours, to share or to take, as you like. Remember, my Cap and Bells, my Heart and Soul, babe, you got them!" Luke stroked the small of Diego's back gently. "And it does feel awfully nice ..." Diego cooed softly and put his head down again. Luke continued to slowly stroke Diego's hair with his right hand and caress Diego's slender back with his left. "Oh, god, you're always so warm, so ...," Diego whispered and melted deeper into Luke. "He-he," Luke kneaded Diego's neck. "Umm, Diego, dude, I'm kinda getting all hot and bothered under here. And I might need to pee ..." "Nnnmm-mmm," Diego pressed harder into Luke and spread his slender body wider on top of Luke's strong frame. "Oh, okay," Luke chuckled. The boys remained glued together for a few more moments, skin to skin, and their breathing gradually slowed. Suddenly Diego raised his head again and gazed at Luke with a fiery sparkle blazing in his wide open brown eyes. Luke looked back with a surprised smile. Diego started gyrating his pelvis, grinding his package against Luke's as their heat was now only being separated by the thin fabric of the briefs. Luke began to meet Diego's movements by short upward thrusts. Diego brought his hands down and frantically peeled his briefs off. Luke quickly followed. Diego locked his eyes on Luke's smiling face and resumed thrusting his hips, mashing their hard hot dicks together. Luke reached out with his hand to caress Diego's cheek and the side of his neck, stroking tender silky smooth skin. Diego whimpered as his longing urgent gaze met Luke's gentle loving playful smile. Diegos' thrusts became frantic, almost desperate. The boys' lips drew closer and finally met. Ah!!! Diego collapsed on top of Luke, panting heavily, and buried his face in Luke's shoulder. Luke locked his arms behind Diego's back and caressed it softly. "Wow, Diego, babe," Luke whispered with a gentle chuckle, "that was just ... Wow!" Luke rubbed his cheek against Diego's. "I needed it," Diego replied in a muffled voice without lifting his head. "Couldn't fight it." "Well, I'm definitely glad you didn't," Luke embraced Diego tighter. "Just that we've got two stinky boys to clean up now, he-he!" Luke slowly started to get up. "Wait, Luke, wait," Diego pushed him back down. "I wanna clean you up ... And I wanna taste." "Wha...?" Luke rose up on his elbows. Diego quickly slid down Luke's body, crouched over and took Luke's semi-soft penis, still slick with cum, into his mouth. Luke exhaled sharply. Proceeding with extreme delicacy and care, Diego cleaned up Luke sensitive dick with his tongue while looking up at Luke's gently grinning face. Luke reached forward, run his hand through Diego's silky black hair and then caressed the underside of Diego's jaw and chin. Diego sat back and stared at Luke with a hungry fire still flickering in his brown eyes, as Luke beamed back. "Diego, man, that was really ...," Luke started but was interrupted again. Diego lunged forward and started lapping up a small puddle of love juices pooled on Luke's chest. "Ah!" Luke exhaled and he sank his fingers into Diego's hair again. When Diego was done, his tongue travelled up Luke's left peck and neck and towards his lips. The boys shared a long tender kiss. "Hi!" Diego whispered with sudden bashfulness as he came for air. "Hi!" Luke responded, smiling widely as he held Diego close. "Did you enjoy you Luke and Diego milkshake, he-he?" Luke kissed Diego on the nose. "Yeah, yeah, it was good," Diego blushed slightly. "But you know what," he continued more confidently, "I have decided. Nothing that comes off you is gross. It's all delicious. Everything. I don't care. I want all of it." "Promises, promises!" Luke chuckled. "But, seriously, Diego, babe, you know, that's exactly how I feel 'bout you, right?" "Yeah," Diego admitted, nestling next to Luke, "yeah." He put his head on Luke's chest and sighed slowly. "Ah, Diego, everything okay?" Luke inquired with concern suddenly present in his voice, as he gently traced the contour of Diego's ear with his finger. "Good, I'm good," Diego replied softly. I just ... really needed you now ... Thanks, Luke." "Anytime, babe, anytime," Luke leaned down and kissed the top of Diego's head. The boys stayed together quietly for a few minutes. "Diego, we really need to clean up or we're gonna miss dinner," Luke pulled Diego up with a guilty smile. Diego smiled silently as Luke led him into the bathroom. He turned on the shower and they hopped in. The warm cleansing water felt deliciously good against their naked bodies as Luke embraced Diego gently. Their feet, chests and heads touching. Ah, so nice! Suddenly Diego pressed his body against Luke's torso with hungry urgency, grabbed Luke's head with his hands and locked his lips with Luke's in a burning, desperate kiss. "Mmm-mmmm-mmph," they both eventually came up for air. Luke felt Diego's slender body tremble next to his skin under falling warm water. Luke held Diego around the waist and looked at his face searchingly: "Diego, babe, what's going on?" Just then Luke realized that Diego's face was wet not just from the water falling from above but also from the tears rolling from his eyes. "What's the matter?" Luke repeated gently as he kissed Diego's cheekbones softly. "What's gotten into you?" Diego threw his arms around Luke's neck and buried his face in Luke's chest. "I'm sorry Luke," he whispered. "It's just that it only hit me today, I mean about what you said before ... That they could have tried to take you away ..." Diego trembled and pressed tighter against Luke's naked body. "I can't lose you, Luke," Diego sobbed into Luke's chest. "Not now. Tell me I won't lose you ..." "Oh, my sweet bunny, come here, babe, come here!" Luke cradled Diego's slender honey-covered body and rocked him gently. "Shhhh-h, baby, shhhh-h, I got you now," Luke cooed gently in Diego's ear as Diego clung to Luke's strong frame under the warm water falling on them from the shower head above. Diego's trembling body gradually began to relax as Luke rocked him and caressed the small of his back. "You know that's not gonna happen now, right?" Luke separated from Diego a little. "Nobody is taking me away from you, ever. Not the coppers, not the lawyers, not the fucking CPS, nobody. And if they ever fucking try, I'll crawl back to you through fucking shit and glass and fire, I promise you, Diego, love!" "Promise?" Diego smiled at Luke wanly. "Promise!!" Luke repeated emphatically and embraced Diego tightly again. "Thanks, Luke," Diego exhaled in Luke's chest. "Sorry for going mental on you again ...," Diego chuckled weakly. "That's all right, babe, that's all right, you've got plenty of reason," Luke chuckled back. "No, you aren't getting rid of me that easy, elf-boy!" he joked. As if on cue, both boys' dicks, which had been pressed against each other, suddenly twitched almost simultaneously. They both laughed. Diego looked up at Luke with a widening grin on his face. He wrapped his arm around Luke's waist and started thrusting his pelvis forward and upwards. Luke's green eyes sparkled playfully as he locked his eyes with Diego's shining brown saucers and began thrusting back. The boys beamed at each other playfully, joyfully as they gradually increased the speed. Their boyhoods rubbing against each other, silky skin against silky skin, pointing upwards like young proud rockets. Warm wet bodies coming closer together. Diego's smiling eyes glued to Luke's emerald sparkling gaze. Hearts pounding. Ah, ah, ah, ah! So! Good! So! Sweet! Ah! Ah! AH!!! An explosion came followed by a burst of happy laughter as Diego collapsed in Luke's arms. "Oh, my god!" Diego exclaimed continuing to laugh. "How is this so good?! And how is it that I didn't know this before?!" He kissed Luke's muscular pec and gently held the length of Luke's slowly deflating dick in his hand. "See, how can I not love my sweet horny elf-bunny!" Luke quipped while still panting hard. "Hey, hey!" Diego exclaimed in mock protest. He rose his face and kissed Luke tenderly, "Thanks, babe. Thanks." "Now, that's better!" Luke kissed Diego back. "But now, Diego, man, we really have gotta stop and get out of the shower. Otherwise we'll never make it to dinner," Luke added with a giggle. "Okay," Diego consented with a sigh. "But Luke, you know, I really love that you can do all this stuff at the workshop. Like making the scratch post for Roxie today. Love it!!" Diego pressed against Luke again, grabbed his butt with both hands and planted a long kiss on Luke's lips. "I've gotten the coolest boyfriend in the world!" "Why, thank you, Diego, babe," Luke laughed back, "and I definitely got the sweetest one!" Luke stepped out of the shower, turned off the water and gave Diego a light playful slap on the butt. "But now we really need to scram to get ready for dinner. And I still have to take a dump first. And trust me, Diego, whatever you said before, you aren't gonna want to see that!" "Oh, I might!" Diego giggled, also stepping out of the shower. Before Luke could respond, Diego grabbed a towel and quickly left the bathroom. When Luke was finished his business, he dried his hair, put on fresh briefs and reentered their room. Diego was lying on his back on Luke's bed, naked except for a pair of white briefs. He was sound asleep. "Amazing," Luke wondered mentally, "how can he still do that?! Whatever, it's good." Luke sat carefully at the edge of the bed and took Diego's hand gently. Diego shifted slightly but didn't wake up. Luke smiled as looked intently at Diego's sleeping face. Diego's soft tender skin got a little darker and richer since the day he arrived at Green Oaks. Fresh air and sun were doing him some good! His black hair, that was quite short when he came, was getting long and even a little unruly. "He really needs a haircut," Luke chuckled mentally. He twirled a longish lock of his own brown hair. "We both do!" Luke looked at Diego's face again. The sweetness, the soft delicate elvish beauty, it was still there, just more familiar, more dear, more precious. He knew that face now, or thought that he knew, every line, every gentle curve, every tiny dimple. And yet ... There was still a mystery there too, some secret magic, a hidden light, something unknown, magnetic and even a little frightening. Something that Luke saw in Diego from the start and that was still there. Yes, he could definitely see it. That mysterious light that was making Luke's heart beat faster and slower at the same time. "I'm a lucky bastard," Luke thought to himself with another chuckle, "a fucking lucky trailer trash bastard! ... Just need to keep him safe ... and happy! Right, little turtle?" He glanced at the turtle pendant laying on Diego's chest. "We've got to keep Diego safe. And happy!" Unable to withstand the temptation any longer, Luke slowly put his head down on Diego's chest. "Hey!" Diego woke up and run his fingers through Luke's hair. "Hey!" Luke turned his smiling face towards Diego without lifting his head. "Sorry that I woke you. It looked like you needed a nap." "It's okay," Diego smiled sweetly as he caressed Luke's face with his fingertips. "I like waking up like this!" He brushed away a messy lock of wavy brown hair from Luke's forehead and Luke's eyes shone warmly. "Yeah," Luke caught Diego's palm and pressed it to his cheek. "But now you really do have to get up. Dinner!" "Dinner," Diego agreed with a slight yawn while stroking Luke's cheek. "But this is so much better!" -- The scratch post was a big hit with the Green Oaks kids during and after dinner. Even Ritchie was impressed. When the meal was over, the boys gathered in the common room to admire the post. "Luke, man, I gotta hand it to you, this thing is a bitching good piece of work," Ritchie complimented. "I think I really wanna use it myself!" Ritchie sat on the floor next to the post and started scratching his back against it like a bear. "Hey, hey, hey, Mr Sumo Champ, get away from it!" Luke protested as he pulled Ritchie away from the post. "We didn't make it with your weight category in mind, did we, Diego? You're gonna break it before Roxie ever gets the chance to use it." "Aww, you're no fun," Ritchie pouted. He turned around to face the post and clawed its surface with his fingers. "Feels nice! Scratchy!" "Ritchie, please leave the post alone," Frank admonished as he entered the common room. "You really could break it." Ritchie got up muttering something under his nose in protest. "Luke, the scratch post, that's really excellent work!" Frank patted Luke's shoulder. "Well done kid! I'm sure Roxie will like it." "Thanks, Mr Frank," Luke replied gratefully. "But it wasn't just me. Diego helped too!" Luke pulled reluctant Diego by the sleeve of his shirt. "Well, it's good work, boys," Frank chuckled, "I sorta understand why Ritchie wanted to try the post out ..." "Umm, Mr Frank," Diego interjected, "when is Roxie gonna move here?" "Well," Frank scratched his chin, "we'll take her to Dr Richard's next week to get those stitches out. After that, if all goes well, I think she can move here. She's already quite a bit better. Has been meowing to go out ..." "That's my girl, Roxie!" Luke declared approvingly. "I had a feeling she wasn't really a couch cat. Still, we'll make her a nice base of operations here, right, guys?" The kids enthusiastically shouted their approval. "One more thing," Frank continued. "Tomorrow is Saturday, and we are all going on a field trip. To see some waterfalls in the White Mountains." "Waterfalls, cool!" Devon exclaimed excitedly. "That's right, buddy," Frank confirmed. "So be here at 8am tomorrow morning for breakfast, dressed for a hike, and bring your backpacks with the stuff we usually bring for the hikes. Toby, you show Yasha what to do, all right, buddy? I'll probably have Gregg stop by your room in the morning, just in case." Frank waved to the kids, bade them goodnight and left. After the initial excitement about the news of tomorrow's trip subsided a bit, everyone quieted down and spread around the room. Danny, Devon, Ritchie and Raphael began watching a DVD. Diego settled in one of the big chairs in the common room, with Toby sitting on his lap. Diego started reading him a story from a pile of children's book lying on the table. Yasha sat on the carpeted floor next to Diego's chair, listening intently, with his chin resting on his folded upturned palms. Yasha's usual stony faced expression gave way to a look of engaged interest. The book Diego picked was about the Adventures of Nils and the Flying Geese. Luke quietly watched from a chair across from Diego. He only read the story of Nils after coming to Green Oaks and always secretly regretted missing out on it when he was Toby's age. Luke observed the excited expression on Toby's face as they listened to Diego's rhythmic melodious voice, carrying an air of mystery and suspense. Toby hugged Diego's neck while peering at the pages. "Really, I'm a lucky bastard," Luke thought with a quiet smile watching Diego and Toby, "a damn lucky bastard." The night passed restfully and peacefully. Luke and Diego cuddled in Luke's bed and Luke could swear that he could see Diego's smile light the room in the dark. In the morning Luke helped Diego pack for the day hiking trip. They took their backpacks, water bottles, bug spray, a few munchies, a first aid kit, pen knives and light jackets for colder weather. After breakfast all the kids filed in front of the entrance to Green Oaks where Frank was waiting for them. He borrowed a mini-bus from one of the local churches that was larger than his van and could easily sit the entire group. Apart from Frank and the boys, two of the counselors, Gregg and Rose, were also coming along. Luke and Diego made their way to the back of the bus and settled there. It was going to be a longish ride to the White Mountains and they wanted a bit more privacy and a bit more legroom too. Danny and Devon were sitting in front of them. About thirty minutes had passed since they left Green Oaks. The bus was smoothly gliding along the winding road. Diego started slowly nodding as his head rested on Luke's shoulder. Suddenly the bus lurched wildly. "Christ!" Frank slammed on the breaks hard, and the mini-bus jerked and came to an abrupt stop. "Oi", Danny hit the seat in front of him with his forehead. "Everybody okay back there?" Frank turned his head from the wheel. "Yeah, we're fine, Mr Frank," Luke shouted from the back row, "What was that?!" "Don't rightly know," Frank replied. "The car in front of me stopped all of sudden. I suppose we'd better take a look. Just be careful and stay with Gregg and Rose, okay?" Everybody slowly got off the bus, with Greg and Rose herding the kids to the side of the road. Frank walked to the car that was stopped just in front of the bus. An elderly man in his sixties or seventies was standing next to a green Dodge with a shocked blank expression on his face. "It just jumped out in front of me. I didn't see it coming, I swear. I didn't see it coming ...," he kept repeating. "Sir, are you all right?" Frank asked with concern, taking the old man by the elbow. "Did you hit something? What was it?" "I didn't see it coming, I swear," the man repeated, "I swear ..." "What was it?" Frank pressed. "What did you hit?" "I think it was a ... moose," the man offered. "Just jumped out in front of me. I didn't see it coming." "Gregg, Rose, could you look after the kids?" Frank requested. "I think I need to call the police. And I'll try to help this gentleman here." Frank helped the elderly man back into his car while Diego and Luke walked to the edge of the ditch by the road. "Oh, my god, Diego, look!" Luke pointed a little further ahead. There, in the ditch lay a large bull moose. Before Luke could react, Diego jumped into the ditch, and Luke followed him. "Kids, where are you ...?" Rose tried to stop them but not in time. The boys slowly approached the injured moose. It was lying on its side, partly covered in blood, panting heavily. Steam was rising from the moose's nostrils and its breathing was labored and uneven. Diego got closer and extended his hand towards the moose's head. "Diego, you sure?" Luke interrupted him. "Yes, I'm sure," Diego replied quietly but firmly. He extended his hand again. The moose snorted loudly but didn't move. Diego slowly and gently placed his hand on its cheek. The moose snorted once more but then grew quieter. At that moment both Gregg and Rose caught up with the boys. "Kids, what in the world are you ...," Gregg started asking. "Ssssh-h, Mr Gregg," Luke shushed him, "Diego is helping him, see!" "But Luke, honey, it's a moose, it's still dangerous," Rose countered worriedly. "And it's too badly hurt anyway. Look, it's two back legs are broken. I'm sorry, bud, but I don't think it can be saved." "I figured that already," Luke replied curtly with pain in his voice. "But Diego is making him feel better. Look!" They all looked at Diego and the moose. Diego's hand was still on the moose's cheek, stroking it lightly. Diego's eyes were shut and he was whispering something inaudible. Luke's glance travelled to Diego's face. Diego's features, usually so soft and sweet, were more gaunt, and yet still peaceful, almost serene. Luke felt goosebumps crawl at the back of his neck. Gradually the moose's breathing slowed and the steam coming off its nostrils disappeared. The moose closed its eyes although its chest continued to rise and fall rhythmically. "He's hurt pretty bad," Diego looked up at Luke, without removing his hand. "I think he knows he's dying." For once, Luke was speechless and he continued to gaze at Diego in awe and wonder. "Well, I'll be damned," Gregg mused, scratching the back of his head. "Luke, I guess, you were right, Diego is making it feel better." Gregg redirected himself towards Diego: "Diego, buddy, you be careful down there, okay?" Diego nodded silently. At that moment two police cars with blaring sirens arrived. One of the officers went to talk to Frank and the driver of the Dodge, while the other approached the ditch with the injured moose. When the policeman saw Diego, he shouted in shock: "Oh my god, kid, what in the world are you doing down there? Get away from it this instant!!" "Sir, please, Diego is just helping to soothe its pain," Luke tried to explain, stepping forward. "Son, I don't give a fig what he thinks he's trying to do," the policeman cut him off, "it's too dangerous!" "Hey, kid, I said get away from there now!" he shouted again towards Diego. "Now means now!!" Diego let go of the moose and slowly climbed out from the ditch. The policeman shook his head and rejoined his colleague who was talking to Frank. "Cops!" Luke scoffed in a low voice, grabbing Diego's hand. "Diego, you okay, babe?" "Yeah," Diego replied in a low voice, "just tired." Luke grabbed Diego in a tight embrace and held him close. Frank rejoined them shortly and walked up to Luke who released Diego but was holding his hand. "Well, we can leave now," he explained, "the police took my statement and they don't need us anymore. The game wardens will arrive soon to take care of things. I don't really want the kids to be here for that ..." He looked down in the ditch towards the wounded moose and then exchanged knowing glances with Gregg and Rose. "You can say it, Mr Frank," Luke spoke up with a note of bitterness in his voice. "We are not chimps, you know. The wardens, they'll have to put the moose down. I get it." Diego, who was standing next to Luke, holding his hand, kept strangely quiet. He was looking down with a gaunt and weary expression on his face. Luke gave him a quick worried glance. "That's right, Luke," Frank sighed. "I'm afraid it can't be helped. The moose, it's too badly injured. Now way to help it. It's suffering now. Gotta put it down. Sorry, kid." "I know that," Luke replied still holding Diego's hand. "Like I said, I get it. But Diego was helping him. Helping the moose, I mean, making him feel better. Not hurt as much. Until the stupid cop chased us away." "What?!" Frank furrowed his brow. "Luke, boy, what are you talking about?" "Frank," Gregg took Frank's elbow, "the kid is speaking the truth. Diego was doing ... something. I can't explain it. But the moose, it did quiet down. So whatever that was, it did help. No matter, we do need to get going ..." "Well, well, it seems that I missed a bundle," Franked eyed the group with bemusement. "All right, everybody, let's go!" The kids loaded back into the bus and Frank drove off. The mood in the cabin was somber as Gregg and Rose explained to the rest of the boys what was going to happen. Luke and Diego again settled in their seats in the back. Diego still hadn't said much and kept pretty quiet. He leaned his head on Luke's shoulder and pressed closer to Luke, feeling his warmth. Luke took Diego's hand and held it to his chest. A few minutes later they saw a game wardens' truck drive past them towards the scene of the accident. Thankfully they were too far to hear the shot, but a little while later Luke felt Diego suddenly flinch. Diego's hand tensed briefly in Luke's arms and then relaxed again. Luke stroked it wordlessly as the bus rolled towards the White Mountains. ************************************************