Survivors

 

 

Robert Charles sat under a tree eating some pilfered food.  He thought about the last few days and how he managed to get under the tree. He also pondered what he planned to do next.

 

He remembered the night Vordkan and Orzano were caught.  To his surprise they ended up in his cell.  These Hakaanen dudes really have no clue at all, he thought.  They all act so good they don't know how to handle anyone who is bad.  That was the reason the Shkah would have run all over them if that asshole Douglas had kept his nose out of the whole affair.

 

He had many reasons to escape the jail, but the biggest one was to get every ounce of revenge he could on Douglas.  He wanted to make that preppy asshole's life as miserable as his own life now was.  He wanted to make Douglas wish he had never challenged his leadership.  He wanted make the little asshole wish he had never been born.

 

Vordkan and Orzano were with him for only one night, but he learned a lot from them.  He learned when their trial was.  He learned that Vordkan and Orzano would be staying at Orzano's uncle's house until their trial.  He learned Vordkan knew of a large cave in the mountains on the east side of the Big Valley which would make a perfect hideout.  He also learned that three-way sex with Vordkan and Orzano was some of the best sex he’d ever had, even if it was in a jail cell. After that night he continued with his escape plans.

 

He’d worked to set up the Hakaanen for a long time. His sad sniffling and his defeated look at the trial was part of his plan.  He wanted the Hakaanen to think he was broken and finished.  As careless as they were, he wanted them to be even more careless.  They would never expect him to escape, because he had nowhere to go.

 

The Hakaanen jail cell was actually roomy and comfortable. But, it was still a jail cell, and he had no intent to live in it. He also had no intent to live in the desert camp the Hakaanen planned to send him to. He was a leader, not a prisoner. He was going to be like that Napoleon dude who escaped an island to go back to war. 

 

Every day he was taken outside for an hour of exercise.  Scooter had told him what the result of the trial was since he couldn't understand the stupid language the pointed eared freaks spoke.  How he wanted to grab the little blond haired shit by the throat and shake him when he came into his cell to explain the result of the trial in detail. 

 

He knew that he wouldn't be sent to exile in the valley until after Vordkan's trial.  Orzano was probably going to get a slap on the wrist because he was so young, but Vordkan could easily end up joining him at the desert camp.

 

Robert Charles had also heard all about the shuttle flights.  He wasn't sure if it meant the group was leaving Inferno, but he knew if they planned on leaving, he needed to act fast.  Plus, he had to escape before the trial so that he could get Vordkan's help finding the way to the cave.

 

He thought about his escape the night before.  When his exercise time came he indicated he didn't feel well and started showing some tears.  Then, using the little bit of Hakaanen that he knew, he asked if he could exercise later.  The guard nodded yes and left.

 

After dinner, Robert Charles asked for his exercise time.  The guard opened the door and led him to the courtyard in back of the jail.  While the courtyard was surrounded by a fence, Robert Charles knew the guards never locked the door back to the jail.  When the guard came to get him, he put on his sad look and hunched his shoulders.  He looked totally defeated.  The guard, taken in by his feigned sickness, let Robert Charles lead the way out to the courtyard.  The round-eared boy had been so quiet and sick he didn’t think there really was much to be worried about.

 

Once they got to the courtyard, Robert Charles started his walk.  He walked slowly with his head down, circling the courtyard.  The guard sat on a bench by the door, thinking what a nice ass the boy had, and wondering how a round-eared boy would compare to a Hakaanen boy sexually—not that he’d touched a boy since he was a boy himself. Still, the thought intrigued him and made him horny. 

 

While the guard was lost in his thoughts, Robert Charles cut his walk closer to him.  Before the guard knew what was happening, Robert Charles leaped on him, grabbed the guard's Billy club jamming it hard into the guard's stomach, making him grunt.  He pushed hard, knocking the guard to the ground. A blow to the head knocked the dazed guard unconscious.

 

The Hakaanen jail wasn't well guarded.  The usual population of the jail was one or two prisoners who were usually incarcerated for minor crimes.  Crime was virtually nonexistent on Inferno; the rare prisoner was usually compliant.  Robert Charles was able to walk right past the unmanned desk and out the front door. He had picked evening for his escape because the gathering darkness would help conceal his round ears and smooth neck until he could reach the woods.

 

He wasn't very familiar with Orkyl, but he knew the jail was close to the edge of town, and if he headed south he would soon be in the country.  He took off to the south, and quickly found himself in forested land.  He headed west toward the airport. He wanted to pick up something there.  Nothing at the airport was guarded and it didn't take him long to take care of business.

 

Fuck, he thought with amazement, it sure is easy to be a criminal on this sorry excuse for a planet.

 

That night he quietly broke into a farm house (which wasn't hard, since the Hakaanen never locked their doors), and stole some food out of the kitchen.  He found a satchel hanging on a hook and shoved as much food as he could inside of it.  He grabbed a spoon and an opener, placing them into the satchel, as well.  He then took off into the woods and found shelter in the forest. He had fallen sleep quickly and slept until the expected rains started—even with the protection of a large tree he got wet.

 

In the morning, the warm sun helped dry out his light clothes as Robert Charles finished his meal and stretched.  He had wasted enough time thinking of his escape—now he needed to look to the future.  He set out to find Vordkan, hoping the Hakaanen teen could tell him where to get a laser gun.  He grabbed the satchel, shoved the club into his shorts to the strap and started the walk through the woods and fields toward the north end of town.

 

It took him most of the day.  He checked the map Vordkan had drawn for him that showed how to reach his uncle’s house.  That was on a road at the outskirts of a neighboring village.  Robert Charles sat in the woods and waited until it got dark.  He was learning patience.  Being patient would get him what he wanted, which was the total destruction of Douglas.

 

 

Kallama drove Scooter and Douglas to school.  With Robert Charles on the loose again, everybody knew it was now unsafe to walk there until he was caught. The boys held a meeting before school started.

 

"Now what?" Mike asked.  "We're right back to where we were before the shootings."

 

"I think the person he wants is me," Douglas said.  "You guys will get escorts to and from school. Kallama said that Scooter and I will have guards with us twenty-four seven.  The house will be guarded all night front and back." Since Douglas had seen how good Hakaanen guards were, that didn't exactly make him feel completely safe.

 

Alex had a worried look.  "I gave him a pretty hard time, maybe more than anybody.  None of you peed on him after all.  He might want me, too. He's threatened me more than once."

 

"Good point Alex.  I'll talk to Mayor Andorn and see what can be done.  He's taken charge instead of the governor since he will be governor in a few days.  I think if we asked the governor for help he'd send us a guard vort and that would be about all."

 

They discussed whether or not they should be armed.  They decided not to be, hoping to avoid another shootout.  Armed or not, if RC wanted them he would get them was how they saw it.  Besides, they had guards, even if they were Hakaanen and not much as fighters.

 

After school a large van drove up in front of the building.  It looked like Mayor Andorn had found something in a garage.  Since it was like a small bus, all of the boys could fit into the vehicle.  They noticed that the driver was one of the policemen and that he was armed.

 

Scooter and Douglas were the last two dropped off by the van.  Kallama was at the door to meet them.  The house across the street was still empty and it was being watched.

 

After dinner all the boys settled into their various homes, where adolescent horniness took over each of them. Travis and Ryan were at it before dinner.

 

Scooter and Douglas were watching a Hakaanen vid.  It was old and had been filmed on the home planet. Not many original Hakaanen disks were left.  Both boys could see that Hakaan was a beautiful planet in every way. The cities and the country were neat and clean.  The buildings of the cities soared, and there were airplanes and fast trains to transport people from place to place. They wondered if the planet was still like that.  Something still wasn't right there or a starship would have visited Inferno since the "Paxton" had made its voyage.  Douglas and Scooter stayed interested throughout the movie, which was an adventure story that they could almost follow.

 

 

Robert Charles went behind a shed that was close to the woods near the town of Shattock.  Vordkan had told him that this would be their meeting place if Robert Charles managed to escape. He told Robert Charles he would check there every night until his trial.  Robert Charles waited for Vordkan to keep his word. Just after dark he saw two people leave the house and come his way.  One was tall, the other short, and he knew exactly who they were.

 

Vordkan and Orzano walked to the shed.  The boys exchanged hugs and Vordkan led them into the woods, where they found a small clearing.  Vordkan opened a box and pulled out a large blanket which the three boys sat down on.  Vordkan saw the club sticking out of Robert Charles's satchel.  Since Orzano had the same mental gift as Scooter, he could do the translating.

 

Vordkan had brought some food and water, and Robert Charles ate and drank quickly.

 

"Thanks, buddy.  You're the best.  So, do you have the map and all the stuff I told you I needed?"

 

"I remembered everything you told me."

 

“I need a laser gun, too.”

 

“That will be very difficult,” Vordkan frowned. “I think the Shkah still have a couple left. I would have to steal one, but I don’t know where they are.”

 

“So, do it tonight.”

 

“Just to start with, they would be in the small valley, and there is no way I can get there.”

 

“What about your uncle? Could he be hiding one?”

 

“My uncle is not Shkah. His Meshanna made him leave the Shkah when he was thirteen.”

 

Vordkan had told Robert Charles he would have a map showing how to get to the cave in the eastern mountains.  The Shkah had used it as a hiding place after some of their raids.  It wasn't far from the valley, but was well hidden.  He said some Shkah raiders found it by accident after a raid, and decided it was a great place to hide themselves and supplies. They could start a new raid from there and not have to go all the way back to the small valley. He was certain they had food and water stored there, and maybe even some weapons.

 

“You mean like guns?” Robert Charles asked.

 

“Probably bows and arrows.”

 

"I can’t shoot those fuckers—they are worthless for me. By the way, why didn’t you have to stay in jail?" Robert Charles asked.  "I didn't get to stay in some house."

 

"I'm not a round-ear and I never killed anybody.  They are going to decide what to charge me with tomorrow.  Until then, I'm staying here with Orzano's aunt and uncle.  Orzano probably isn't going to have anything happen to him because he’s so young. He'll probably go back to the small valley tomorrow."

 

"Are you going to help me get Douglas?" Robert Charles asked.

 

"I said I would," Vordkan answered.

 

"It has to be tonight then, since you have your hearing tomorrow."

 

“It’s just a hearing—it’s not my trial. We need to plan this out, to make sure we all know what to do.  Orzano will stay back and be there if we need to communicate."

 

"Why can't I do it with you?" Orzano was liking the adventures.  "I'm twelve.  I'm old enough."

 

"Kiddo, this is going to be dangerous.  And there is going to be big trouble when you and Vordkan are missed. Your uncle’s house is one of the first places the police are going to look for me.” Orzano was upset about not being part of the action. He figured that if he was old enough to have sex with the two teens, he was old enough to fight with them.

 

Vordkan said the police chief had stopped by and told them to be on the lookout for Robert Charles. He never suspected they planned to meet with him.

 

Robert Charles laid out his plans and Vordkan repeated them back.  They had a good idea of what they were going to do.

 

Vordkan led Robert Charles to the road that led to Orkyl and the two teens started hoofing it. It was past midnight when they arrived at Kallama’s house.  Robert Charles left Vordkan a few houses away with the club and snuck into the woods behind the abandoned house across the street from Kallama’s house.

 

Vordkan approached the house from the street and saw a guard in front of the house.  All the guard saw was what he thought was a Hakaanen teenager coming up the street. Vordkan walked right up to him and clubbed him across his ribs with the bat. Vordkan saw that the guard had a laser pistol, which was not something he and Robert Charles had planned on. Before the guard could recover, Vordkan grabbed the pistol. He saw it was set to stun and shot the guard with it.

 

In the back of the house, Scooter and Douglas were sitting on the deck in the warm night. They couldn’t sleep, and even though it was late they sat outside on a love seat swing, cuddling and kissing and talking. They knew there was a guard in front and a guard somewhere in back.  They both thought how great it was that on Inferno they could sit here and make out some while they talked and nobody cared—it was simply what boys did. The guard who was guarding the back hid in the darkness watching them and wishing he was home with the man who was his Meshanna and partner. The round-eared boys had made him incredibly horny.

 

"Do you think Robert Charles is going to try something soon?" Scooter asked.

 

"I think in the next day or two," Douglas answered.  "It's the reason he escaped."

 

"Could he come tonight?"

 

"Maybe, I don’t know.  But let's not worry too much about it."

 

Vordkan found Robert Charles hiding in the brush right behind the yard of the abandoned house. Robert Charles gave Vordkan a big grin when he saw the laser gun. They decided to sneak behind Kallama’s house to see if there was another guard. 

 

When they came up behind the house they couldn’t tell if there was a guard there since there was a wooden fence around the yard.  Robert Charles got a boost from Vordkan so he could look over the fence. 

 

He couldn't believe his luck when he saw Douglas and Scooter sitting in the back in a swing chair. He was certain they’d be in bed this late.  Then he saw somebody right underneath him inside the fence.  It was the other guard, who was sitting on the ground watching Scooter and Douglas on the swing.

 

Robert Charles motioned Vordkan for the laser gun and Vordkan handed it up to him.  Robert Charles made sure the firing switch was on stun. The guard heard the boys behind him and turned just as Robert Charles pointed his gun down and fired right at the guard’s head.  The guard jerked momentarily and dropped to the ground.  Robert Charles jumped up on the fence and then down into the yard.

 

Douglas and Scooter saw the quick flash by the fence.  They knew instantly what it was—a laser gun.  Douglas started to get up, but Robert Charles aimed the gun at the top of the swinging chair and sliced through the chains holding it.  Douglas and Scooter fell to the deck. The boys froze as Robert Charles ran over to them.

 

"Well, well, look who I just happened to run into," Robert Charles said as he pointed the gun at them.  "I didn't know you guys lived here,” he smirked.

 

"Cut the act, RC," Douglas said.  "What do you want? Are you going to use that toy in your hand or just talk us to death?" Douglas spoke as loudly as he could, hoping that the noise would wake Kallama or Gorgio, even though their bedroom was at the front of the house.

 

"Hahaha, you're stupid as usual, Douglas.  No, I have plans for you.  I am going to make you suffer.  Killing you now is too good for you.  You destroyed my life, asshole, and I'm going to make you pay in blood, one drop at a time."

 

"You leave my lover alone," Scooter said.

 

Robert Charles backhanded Scooter as hard as he could, knocking him to the ground.  "Shut up, shrimp!  The first drops of blood will be all yours. I'm going to make his life miserable, and part of that misery is that he is going to be seeing you suffer."  As Scooter attempted to stand up, Robert Charles pushed him into the broken love swing and he fell over it.  Robert Charles noticed a light go on in the house and grabbed Douglas.

 

"Let's go assholes.  I have plans for you both."  He pointed the gun at Scooter, who was shaking as he got up.  He was a little shook up. 

 

The guard Vordkan had stunned was waking up.  He yelled and reached for his gun, which was gone. Robert Charles shot the guard with the gun Vordkan had taken from him first.  His body shook and dropped. 

 

Robert Charles and Vordkan grabbed Scooter and Douglas and led them across the street and behind the abandoned house.  The last thing Douglas saw was Kallama and his partner coming out the front door of their house.  Robert Charles turned and fired toward the house.  He missed, but the two men ducked back inside the door. They could do nothing but watch as the boys disappeared into the dark.

 

Vordkan and Robert Charles made their way back to Orzano's uncle's house.  They scouted the area carefully for police before heading to the barn. Orzano met them in the barn and he and Vordkan saddled three unicorns.  Robert Charles gagged Scooter and Douglas.  Robert Charles had Scooter, who was the smaller boy, sit with him on one unicorn while Douglas got his own to ride.

 

"Remember, Dougie, I have the gun.  You try taking off, Scooterkins here gets the message," Robert Charles warned. “I’ll let you figure out if the gun is still on stun or if I set it to kill.”

 

Vordkan and Orzano shared the third unicorn.  They rode slowly out of the barn and the courtyard, and then took off into the woods, heading west.  After a couple of miles of riding, they headed south, and then later, back east.  Robert Charles planned to ride all night and into the day along the road so they could reach the edge of the valley by noon.

 

When daylight arrived, they left the road and headed through the woods, keeping to trails as much as they could, and going around farms so they wouldn't be seen.

 

When they got to where the trail reached the valley wall, they found a shady spot off the road to rest.  Robert Charles tied Douglas and Scooter to a couple of trees but removed their gags. He lay on the ground to sleep.  Vordkan and Orzano took turns watching.

 

"What do you think is going to happen to us, Douglas?" Scooter asked.

 

"I don't know, but I know Robert Charles is crazy and we have to get away from him."

 

"Shut up!" Vordkan whispered.  "He's just going to scare you.  I won't let him hurt you."

 

"What makes you think you can stop him?" Douglas said.  "He's crazy.”

 

 It was early evening when Vordkan woke up Robert Charles and then woke up Douglas and Scooter, who had finally fallen asleep.

 

Robert Charles instructed Vordkan and Orzano to head south, and if they were asked to say he had gone up a south path somewhere toward the small valley.  In fact, they could go there themselves and throw the police totally off.

 

 

Vordkan was three years older than Robert Charles, but it was obvious to both Scooter and Douglas that Robert Charles dominated him. Orzano and Vordkan got on their unicorn and rode off. Vordkan knew he was going to be in big trouble for missing his hearing, but it was worth it. He loved the excitement of being involved in another adventure.

 

"You know where to find me," Robert Charles said.  "And be at our meeting place each night until I get there."  He looked at Douglas and Scooter.  "By then I will be ready to bring two more round ears to the cave."

 

The three boys watched Vordkan and Orzano ride off to the south.

 

"Well, it's up and out of the valley for us.  I have the map, and you're gonna love where we're going, Dougie."

 

"Don't call me Dougie....RC."

 

Robert Charles walked over to Scooter and slapped him across the face. Scooter yelped with surprise.

 

"Don't piss me off, Dougie!  Cuz when you do, I'm gonna take it out on your little boyfriend here."  He looked at Scooter, who was wiping blood from his lip with his hand.  "I bet he has a hot, tight ass.  I can't wait to find out."  Scooter spit at the ground, hitting Robert Charles's foot.

 

"Oh, so that's how it's gonna be, Shrimpo.  I'm going to be sure to fuck you extra hard for that.  I can be patient.  But you will pay for it Shrimpo. Big time!  Now, get on your horsey, Dougie, and you hop on mine, Shrimpo.  It's time to do some hill climbing."

 

Douglas and Scooter were hungry and thirsty.  They watched Robert Charles pull out his water bottle and take a long drink of water.

 

"Want some?"

 

They both nodded yes.

 

"Tough shit, guys.  Just doesn't seem to be enough to go around.  Guess I've gotta ration it, just like some asshole did in the desert.  And I'd feed you guys, but damn if I didn't bring only enough food for one person.  And I forgot about you guys and ate it before I woke you up.  I'm really sorry, guys.  Really, I am."  He gave them an evil smile.

 

"Well, you will be out of food soon too," Scooter said.

 

"There is plenty where we are going. Vordkan says there is a stockpile of food and water there.  And who knows, I might even share some with you."

 

Again, Scooter was on Robert Charles's unicorn, sitting in front of him, and Douglas was on his own unicorn.

 

"Do you plan on going up the path in the dark?" Douglas asked.

 

"Of course.  Do you think I want to advertise?  I've learned that unicorns can see in the dark pretty good, and they are very sure footed.  You’re going first, so if it goes over the edge at least my life will be spared.  And me and your boyfriend can still have fun."  Robert Charles squeezed Scooter’s butt.  "I bet you can't wait, huh baby?"

 

"You know, when we get to the plateau and it gets daylight they will have the flier out looking for us.  Mayor Andorn will see to that.  He's going to be the governor real soon."

 

Robert Charles opened up the satchel and pulled out a dozen computer boards.

 

"I took a little side trip by the airport and look what I found in the flier. They were so pretty I decided to take them with me. I have a feeling, knowing how they don't have much in spare parts around here, that the flier is going to be sitting right on the ground for a while." Robert Charles knew better than to destroy the circuit boards—he might need that flier himself in the future.

 

Douglas felt his heart sink.  Robert Charles had had nothing to do in jail but plan this, and he had planned it very well.  While he was afraid, he was more afraid for Scooter than for himself; he didn't want to see his lover get hurt again.

 

The boys started up the hill, with Douglas in the lead.  It was true that unicorns could see well in the dark and were sure-footed, but the path was narrow, and it was a steep drop down the side—treacherous even for a unicorn.  Douglas was certain they were on the same path they had followed down when they first came into the valley.

 

Because it was dark, the trip was slow.  Douglas had received some riding lessons from Bandar, but he had little practical experience. Scooter was an experienced horse rider and took immediately to the unicorns—Douglas wished Scooter was the one riding solo. Robert Charles was an experienced rider as well.

 

 Douglas was nervous about riding up the side of the cliff in the dark.  One of the two moons was three quarter full, and that helped give some light.  Douglas peeked down into the valley as they climbed up higher.  He could see the lights of towns and farm houses, but most of the valley was dark.

 

After what seemed like forever they reached the plateau.  Douglas knew the path ended here.  He wondered where they were heading.  Robert Charles went away from the cliff, then told Scooter to get off his unicorn.  Scooter obeyed and then he had Douglas get off  of his.  Robert Charles dismounted and instructed both boys to stand still so he could tie them up.

 

"Time for a nap boys,” Robert Charles told them.  “We need daylight to find the place we're looking for."

 

"You mean the place you're looking for.  We want to go back home," Douglas said.

 

“Shut up, Dougie.”

 

But, Douglas went on: “I think we needed daylight to see our way up that fucking cliff—good thing we were riding unicorns that are smarter than you are, RC.”

 

Robert Charles slapped Douglas across his face. “I told you to shut up. You think you’re this great fucking leader, but you ain’t shit. Remember, I was the one who won the first election.”

 

Douglas didn’t bring up the fact that the election had been rigged. “All I remember is you panicking and pulling the release that blew us off the side of the ‘Starkeeper’”.

 

This time Robert Charles walked up to Scooter and slapped him hard, drawing some blood again.  "I thought I told you not to get mouthy with me, Dougie.  You wanna talk, that's fine, but just remember that from now on your lover boy here takes the punishment.  And I don't think you want to see his face all bloody and rearranged do you?  I mean how can you love somebody with a mangled face?"

 

Robert Charles made sure the boys were tied securely. Then, he gagged them so they wouldn’t be able to plan anything behind his back. Once they were safely secured, he looked for a smooth spot, laid down and quickly fell asleep.

 The sun shining in Robert Charles's  eyes woke him up.  He looked around real quickly to check on his two prisoners.  They were still safely tied up.  He woke them up, reached into his saddle bag, pulled out a packet of food, and washed it down with water.  He made sure they both were watching him. He could see the look of yearning on their faces.

 

"Oh, were you guys thirsty?  Damn.  I'm sorry, I should have shared.  And I bet you're really hungry.  I'm being such a bad friend."  He looked at Douglas.  "I mean friends are guys that send people out into the desert to die, because they wanted a little extra water, right?"  He kicked Douglas hard in the ribs.  Douglas grunted with pain.

 

"Your lover is going to suffer.  You're going to suffer.  In the end, Dougie, you're going to end up just like you wanted me to, only with nobody coming by to rescue you.  You're gonna wish from the bottom of your soul you never messed with me."

 

He untied the two boys.  Douglas got up painfully, but he forgot his pain when he saw his lover's swollen lip and bruised cheek.

 

"You can kick me all you want," Douglas said.  "You can do whatever you want to me, I don't care, but let Scooter go."

 

Robert Charles backhanded Scooter, making him cry out.  Douglas winced.

 

"I thought I told you not to talk, Dougie.  You sure are a slow learner. If you keep jabbering, your lover boy here is going to be hating you because he's gonna think all you want to do is get him beat up."

 

"Don't listen to him, Douglas," Scooter slurred through his swollen lips. "I love you."

 

Robert Charles slapped Scooter again.  "And shutting up goes for you too, fairy boy.  Now get up on your horses."

 

Douglas had two feelings deep inside of him.  One was his love for Scooter. He was hurting so much for his lover.  Every time Scooter got slapped it was like he was feeling the slap as well.  He could feel the pain in Scooter's brain.

 

The other feeling was scary, and he didn't know what it was at first, but he soon figured out what he was feeling.  It was hatred.  He hated Robert Charles and wanted nothing more than to see him dead.  He had never felt anything like it in his life. He realized what he was experiencing was the opposite of the love he felt for Scooter. And he hated himself for feeling it, but he couldn't help it.  He hated Robert Charles.

 

They rode across the plateau.  After a while, Douglas saw a large rock up ahead that he recognized.  It was the horse rock Matthew had seen so long ago from the window of the "Moonduster", and they seemed to be heading straight to it.

 

"You recognize it, Dougie?" Robert Charles said.  "Is that the horsy little Matthew saw?  The one that brought you to the Big Valley?  The horsy that got you elected leader over me?  Isn't it funny that you're going to die inside that horsy.  Because that's where the cavern is.  Under that big tall horse rock."

 

When they arrived at the base of the rock, Robert Charles looked at his map.  "When Vordkan told me about this rock, and how it looked like a unicorn without a horn, I figured that the horsy was real.  It proved you were right, Dougie, and that totally pissed me off.  When you kicked me out into the desert, I was hoping you were wrong and the whole bunch of you would die up in the hills somewhere.  Now, I guess I'm going to get my wish.  When I get done, you'll both be dead and buried up here on the plateau under that horsy."

 

When they got to the east side of the rock the boys dismounted. Robert Charles tied the unicorns to a rock that was jutting out and got a flashlight from his pack along with an electric lantern.  He ordered the two boys to go into the cave.

 

"Be careful. According to Vordkan there is a drop off near the entrance.  I guess it's a long way down.  I would sure hate to lose one of you before we have fun together."  Robert Charles started laughing and his evil laugh echoed throughout the cavern.

 

They came to wide area where boxes of foodstuff and potable water were stored.  Robert Charles tied up the two boys next to each other. Douglas felt a rock digging into his back and tried to squirm off of it. But then he realized that it might be something he could use to his advantage and decided to use his body to hide the rock from Robert Charles. 

 

Robert Charles opened one of the water barrels, filled his canteen with water and drank, taking greedy gulps.  He cracked open a box of crackers and sat on the ground enjoying an impromptu picnic. "You know guys, back on Earth, I smoked pot sometimes and then I'd get the munchies.  I got so hungry.  That's how I feel right now.  I bet you guys feel the same way."

 

He went over to Douglas and sat on his chest.  He was heavy, and Douglas grunted as the weight added to the pain in his ribs.

 

“You know what I’m gonna do, Dougie? I’m gonna make you suffer by watching me fuck your fag boy lover. I’m gonna stick my steel rod so far up his tight ass that he’ll choke trying to cry out in his pain. I’m going to do it as often as I can so I can listen to you beg me to kill you. Yes, by the time your fucking lover has passed out from the pain of my cock up his ass, you’ll be pleading with me to kill you and let him go. You’re that kind of guy – a nice guy who will do anything for your cock sucking buddy. But, it won’t do you any good. I’m just going to let you beg while I pound your buddy’s rosy red ripped little ass again and again and again until he passes out from the sheer agony of his suffering and isn’t worth it any more.”

 

He held out some bread.  "You want some?"  He put it close to Douglas's dry mouth, then yanked it back, laughing wildly.  "Look over there at your poor lover.  Doesn't he look sad, his mouth all swollen up like that?  Wait until you see his ass all swollen after I rape him over and over."

 

He reached for his canteen and put it to Douglas's lips.  "Drink up.  Who knows when you'll get water again."  Douglas greedily drank from the canteen.  The water tasted so good and wet and cool on his dry lips and mouth, soothing his parched throat as it went down..

 

Robert Charles abruptly yanked the canteen away. He was not going to let

Douglas actually satisfy his thirst. Water dripped down Douglas's dirty chest. Robert Charles set the canteen down in front of Douglas and smiled.

 

"Doesn't Scooter get any?" Douglas asked.

 

Robert Charles laughed again.  He turned and slapped Scooter hard in the face again.  "Fuck no!  I'm gonna take his ass while he's hungry and thirsty.  Look at him!  Mouth swollen!  Lips dry! Face all bruised!  Where is your beautiful boy now?  Your lover?  All there is to see is ugliness. And I'm going to make him uglier. I'm gonna rip him open raping his tight ass."

 

But Douglas didn't see ugliness at all.  He only saw Scooter's beauty, his inner beauty and sweetness that nobody could touch.  The hatefulness was in Robert Charles's face and filled whatever heart he had.   But Douglas felt his own hatred growing inside of him, filling him up.  He knew he was hating Robert Charles with every part of his being. The hatred was burning in him. His only thought was to kill the boy who was sitting on top of him.

 

‘I love you, Douglas.  I love you.’  Scooter's thoughts hit him for the first time since Robert Charles had abducted them.  He could feel Scooter’s love coming through all the hate inside of him.

 

‘I love you Scooter.  You are so beautiful.  You will always be beautiful.  I love you.’ Douglas sent his thoughts back to Scooter.

 

Robert Charles saw the two lovers looking at each other.  He misread the way Douglas was staring at Scooter.

 

"Ugly, huh?  You want to beg for your lover’s life, Douglas?  Your lover is the first one you can save—all you have to do is beg."

 

"He's beautiful," Douglas whispered, and then realized his mistake.  Robert Charles got off of Douglas and kicked Scooter in the stomach and ribs.  The sound of Scooter's scream of pain tore at Douglas’s heart.  His body shook with Scooter's pain.

 

‘I love you, Scooter, I'm so sorry.  This is all my fault,’

 

‘It hurts, Douglas. It's not your fault.  Save yourself.’

 

‘Scooter, I will die for you. We're getting out of this alive and in one piece.  I swear it.’

 

Robert Charles looked at Douglas and Scooter and smiled.  "Well, it's been a long day.  I want to take care of business when I'm fresh and rested.  I want you both to look forward to tomorrow.  I want to make sure Scooter is plenty thirsty and hungry, so he can enjoy what I have to give him even more."

 

"You can't get it up, RC," Scooter whispered through his swollen lips, "unless you go out and fuck the unicorns."

 

"Scooter, no!  Please, don't make him madder.  He's crazy—he’s gonna hurt you worse."

 

"He wants to do more than hurt me, he wants to kill me. But I know I can save you first."

 

"No, Scooter, no. We’re in this together."

 

"You've got a bigger mouth than Dougie does, Shrimpo.  Must be some kind of faggot thing.  Take a look at this."  Robert Charles was wearing a loin cloth the way a Shkah teen would.  He pulled it off and showed Douglas and Scooter his steel hard member.  "I guess you want it pretty bad right now—and as you can see, I can give it to you."

 

"RC.  Please, don't..." But Robert Charles kicked him in the ribs again.  Douglas felt something crack inside and the ribbons of pain shot up through his ribs.  He fought hard not to vomit.

 

"Don't call me RC, asshole.  I was the leader you know!  Me!  Not you, you candy ass faggot.  Me!  I'm the stud.  I'm the one who was raised to be a leader. They fucking followed you across the fucking desert and so you thought you were so fucking awesome.”

 

 Robert Charles became increasingly agitated. “I took some extra water—big fucking deal."  He gave Douglas another kick.  Douglas moaned from the jab of pain. "The little boy was useless.  He was dying.  A good leader would've left him behind to help save the group. I needed the water more than him—I was fucking worth more than him. It was just water, you little prick—it wasn’t like it was gold or something. You fucking sent me into the desert to die for drinking water for a boy you left behind buried in the sand to die!  So who is the killer?  Who's gonna die now? Who deserves to die, faggot?  It sure the fuck isn't me!  You're the killer, not me."

 

"You knocked down his tent," Douglas replied. "It was you who buried him, not me."  Douglas had been moving his hands back and forth on the rock that was digging into his back. He hoped if he kept Robert Charles angry the older boy might not notice.

 

"Shut up!" Robert Charles yelled, his voice echoing throughout the cavern. "Shut up!  I never touched the tent!  Shut up!"  He gave Douglas another kick in the ribs.  Douglas was close to passing out from the pain.

 

"You want to rape somebody?  You want to kill somebody?  Then it's gotta be me.  You said it.  I stole your position as leader!  I'm the killer, just like you said.  I was ready to kill you so you couldn’t take my place as leader. So come and get me asshole and leave Scooter alone!"

 

Scooter could feel all of Douglas's pain on top of his own pain and hunger and thirst.  He knew how hard it was for Douglas to talk around his pain. He could feel Douglas’s pain, he could feel his love, and he could feel an emotion he’d never experienced before—an ugly emotion that he knew was what Douglas felt for Robert Charles. 

 

Scooter knew in his pain-filled brain that he was feeling the emotion of hate.  And as much as Robert Charles had hurt him, as much as he had hurt Douglas, and as much as he was planning to hurt them even more, Scooter could not hate Robert Charles.  He felt pity for him.  He knew Robert Charles was a lost, lonely boy who had lost touch with his soul, and for that he couldn't hate him.

 

 He knew if he couldn't hate Robert Charles, he couldn't hate anybody.  He was not capable of hating.  But he realized that Douglas was capable.  He knew how Douglas could lose control of his emotions sometimes, but the feeling of hate was stronger than anything he’d ever felt from Douglas. The emotions coming out of Douglas's mind made all the pain inside him increase. Scooter tried to suck the hate out of Douglas, but he couldn't—Douglas had become lost in it.

 

Robert Charles dropped his loin cloth to the ground.  His erection stood out in front him, full of ugliness and power.  He untied Scooter's legs, spread them, and got down between them. Scooter and Douglas had been naked when Robert Charles and Vordkan had taken them from Kallama’s back yard and still were.

 

"I was going to let you guys have the night to look forward to what I was going to do, but I am so fucking horny I can't wait!"

 

Scooter watched Robert Charles move up between his legs.  He had visions of what had happened when he was a little boy, the ugly sex that Douglas had helped him to forget.  Now it was going to happen all over again, but he still couldn't hate Robert Charles.

 

Douglas felt the rope snap from sawing it on the rock underneath him. His hands were now free. His pain had him close to blacking out, but Robert Charles was not going to get Scooter; he was not going to hurt his lover any more.  Douglas had all kinds of emotions firing at once: his complete unconditional love for Scooter, his unadulterated hatred for Robert Charles, his anger, his fear, his strength, all intertwining through him.   

 

He called on everything he had ever learned in sports about winning in the last minute of a game, about how to control one’s emotions and focus on the goal of winning.  He rolled onto his knees.  He saw Robert Charles's hard, leaking erection, ready to push into Scooter's beautiful, perfectly formed rose.

 

Robert Charles paid no attention to Douglas.  He was so focused on raping the boy underneath him he wasn’t even aware of what Douglas was doing.  Douglas lowered his head and pushed himself forward, head butting Robert Charles in the back, knocking him over.

 

"What the fuck?" Robert Charles grunted.

 

Douglas twisted and kicked him in the balls with his still bound feet.  Robert Charles got up, moaning in pain.  He took some steps toward Douglas, but Douglas rammed his feet into Robert Charles's knees.  Robert Charles fell over backward, just a few feet from the edge of the ledge.  Douglas knew it was a long way down to the bottom of the pit.  He also knew Robert Charles had all of the advantages—he was bigger, stronger, older, not tied up, and didn't have broken ribs.

 

As Robert Charles tried getting up again, Douglas rolled his body into him, knocking him down one more time.  But his momentum carried him right to the very edge of the ledge.  He heard rocks break off and drop. It took a long time before they could be heard hitting bottom.  The pain Douglas felt in his side was incredible. He could barely move and felt like vomiting.

 

Robert Charles crawled toward him.  "I've had it with you! Let's forget the games.  I'm taking you now and ending this!"  The hatred Douglas felt for Robert Charles didn't even touch the hatred and evil that was inside Robert Charles.  The teenager had lost almost everything that was human in him.  He was fueled by pure hatred.

 

He approached Douglas with the intent of pushing him over the edge and into the pit.  He was on his hands and knees, ready to lift Douglas up and roll him over the side of the cliff.  Douglas hurt so much he couldn't move to avoid Robert Charles.  He knew that there was now nothing he could do to stop him—that he was as good as dead. 

 

Suddenly all the pain left him and he felt nothing, but Scooter's love filling his brain.

 

Just as Robert Charles lunged at him, Douglas managed to roll away. Robert Charles twisted and his legs went over the side, knocking rocks into the pit. Robert Charles managed to grab on to the side of the cliff, hanging on by his fingers.

 

He looked up at Douglas with pleading eyes.  "Don't let me fall.  Don't let me die," he begged.  "Save me."

 

Douglas looked at Robert Charles through the miasma of hatred in his own brain. Robert Charles deserved only one thing and that was to fall off down into the abyss and die.  Douglas knew that all he had to do was stay where he was, doing nothing but look at his enemy, and in a few seconds it would all be over. Douglas watched Robert Charles trying futilely to raise himself up. He told himself to put out his hands to grab Robert Charles and help him up.

 

"Oh, God, I don't want to die!  I'm so sorry for what I did,” Robert Charles cried out desperately. “I’ll make it all up to you, just help me!

 

In a daze, Douglas reached out with his hands and grabbed Robert Charles's wrists.  He tried pulling up as Robert Charles tried to get a foothold and help bring himself up to the ledge. 

 

Scooter watched the struggle.  His body was full of his own pain and all of the pain he had pulled out of Douglas.  He was tied up and couldn’t move.  He could do nothing but watch and try to keep Douglas's pain inside of himself.

 

Even though the pain was gone, Douglas was hurt and weak. He tried hard to pull the bigger boy up without losing his own hold on the ledge.  He could feel Robert Charles slipping from his grasp.  "Pull up, RC.  Pull and you can make it up"

 

Scooter felt waves of blackness go through him.  The combined pain became more than he could handle.  His little body shook.  He had saved his lover's life, and he now was trying to help his lover save another life, as worthless as it was. He tried to stay conscious to help Douglas succeed.  His body shook again and Douglas felt a flash of pain shoot through him causing his hold on Robert Charles to slip. His body started moving to the edge of the ledge.  Then the pain left him again and he was able to make another grab for Robert Charles.  Once again Robert Charles worked with his feet to scramble up.

 

"Get your arms up on the ledge, RC—we’re gonna make it."

 

Then all the pain hit Scooter again and he blacked out. Douglas could feel his whole side catch fire.  Waves of pain shot through him—his hands wouldn't stay closed. Robert Charles struggled, and almost had his elbows up on the ledge. Douglas tried grabbing his forearms, but he felt them slip out of his grasp.  The last thing he remembered was the sound of a long scream as Robert Charles fell into the darkness and the rocky bottom of the chasm.

 

NEXT: Healing and Thinking

 

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