New Horizons

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This story contains descriptions of consensual sexual contact between males, adult and minor. As such it is homoerotic, designed for the entertainment of mature adults. If you are not of legal age to read such material, or if the subject matter would create irresolvable personal moral dilemmas, please exit now.

Chapter Four: New Horizons

I'm still reeling from the sight in the dining hall. I can't believe anyone would even consider keeping that type of torture setup in a juvenile facility, much less consider using it. My impression so far is the stage is used fairly frequently; unfortunately, the suggestion is the guards look at it as entertainment.

Michael has let me know his review of the infirmary reveals a lack of adequate supplies for this many boys. Also, there appears to be a lack of any procedure or discipline to maintain sanitary conditions. The use of most medications and supplies would be questionable.

Barry's report on the kitchen area is about as bad. The area is not cleaned on a regular basis. There is no schedule for sanitation. The counters have dried food in several areas, but primarily in the day to day food prep surfaces. There is a refrigerator that contains palatable food including beef, pork and chicken; the door to this unit is labeled "Staff". The kids are served a gruel that's best described as watered-down slave chow. The slave chow is sometimes referred to as kibbles because of its resemblance to a commercial dog food. I'm definitely regretting not having driven over last night, but there's no need to be looking back now.

The phone rings and someone lets Jim know the boys are being taken to the dining hall. I ask if the chain gang is being brought in and he says yes. I think for a moment; I'm real concerned over those two boys. My original intent was to address the issue in the dining hall in front of everyone. I'm still extremely upset and know the guards are not my employees and I can do nothing to embarrass them. If I make the call in front of everyone I risk a backlash from Jim and his other employees. Deciding it's best to handle the situation here and now, I ask Jim if he can have the guards bring the chain gang to his office. I then turn to Jeff, "Do you have the footage we shot earlier ready?"

The camera is set on the desk; Jim is watching the brutal fuck given the boy as well as the beating. The film only lasts a couple of minutes. Jim looks at me like he can't believe what he's seeing. I'm wondering if he is that naive. I press the replay button and tell him to look one more time. There's no doubt it's brutal and the boys are being hurt. Jim says that after the telephone call yesterday the guards were told "hands off" on the boys. If a boy did something wrong they could be punished, but none of this type of activity.

Seven boys enter the office wearing only a slave collar, chain, and fear. Two also show a lot of hurt and look like they have really been through hell. I notice a guard is missing ^Ö the one I'm really gunning for; Jim sends someone after him. I ask for the keys to the collar and Jim tells the guard to hand them over. Jim is getting about as upset as I am, but he's sitting back and letting me deal with this at the moment. The collar is removed from the two boys, and then I lead them by the hand to a chair on the other side of the office.

"Boys, I'm Mr. Daniel, you don't know me but I am your friend. I saw what happened to each of you a little while ago." I look first to the one that took it up the rear, tears have begun to flow. "What's your name, son?"

"Paul, sir" he manages to get out between the quick breaths and sniffling.

"How old are you Paul?"

"Nine, sir"

I look to the other boy that was beaten, "..and your name?"

'Scottie^Å.it's really Scott but there's a big boy named Scott, so they call me Scottie," he stops for a moment to get his breath between the sobs, "I'm ten, sir."

I'm holding both of them with my hand down around their little butts. "It's okay boys, let it out, it helps." While I'm holding them I realize how dirty they are; wonder why the guards wouldn't have them clean up before going to the dining hall? I motion for Mark to come over.

"Okay guys, this is Mark. He's going to walk you down the hall to see Dr. Mike. Scottie, stand with Mark for a minute while I talk to Paul." He doesn't say anything but immediately reaches for Mark's hand. When I look at Mark I think he's about to break down with them. "Paul, before the guard hurt you did he say anything?" The boy nods between quiet little sobs. "Can you tell me what he said?" Paul looks at me and then over his shoulder at the guard. The guard is glaring at him and you can feel the boy tense up. "Don't look at him. He isn't going to hurt you any more, I promise; but I need to know what he said. We don't want him hurting any of the other boys." He tries to tell me between sobs but I can't understand what he's trying to say. I'm holding him close now. My left hand is around his little butt and he's practically sitting in my hand. I'm trying to sooth him by gently rubbing his back.

Scottie comes to Paul's rescue, "Mr. Daniel, sir, I know what he said, I heard him. He told Paul that somebody was gonna pop his cherry real soon and he didn't see why he shouldn't be the one to have the fun. I told him he couldn't do that and that's when I got whipped for talking back."

"Paul, is that what the man said to you? I need for you tell me yes or no." The boy nods his head; I think that's about all he can handle right now. "I need for you to trust me. I need to look and see how bad your hurt," the boy's still nodding his head and I'm not sure if he really understands what I'm saying. "Lie in my lap and let me look at your bottom, okay?" Without me saying anything else the boy steps around my leg and leans over my lap. I reach down and open his cheeks to check him. When I do he whimpers and I just gently pat his back. There's dried blood coming out of his hole. When I look at the guard he knows I'm pushing beyond mad. "Paul, go with Mark and Scottie, you'll be okay and I'll see you again in a few minutes." I wait for Mark to take the boys out.

Then I walk up to the other five boys. "Guys, let's gather round." I have one hand on each of the boys standing on the end, "I know this is supposed to be punishment time. Now, I don't know what you did to get here, but we will talk about it and no one's going to bother you until we do talk. I understand you are supposed to be in the dining hall waiting, is that true?' They all nod. "Okay, go on over there and wait for me. I want to look at your files and then we'll talk."

Lewis is the only guard there I'm not upset with. "Lewis, take them over and stay with them; remember, no one, and I do mean no one, is to touch them."

"Yes, sir"

When we are alone with the two guards that have hurt the boys I take the camera off the desk, point the viewing screen at the guards, and press play. When they view the film I repeat the procedure. We do this four times. "Gentlemen, are there any questions?"

The guard who hurt Paul looks at me, "We didn't do nothin' wrong. We're free and they're slaves; we can take pleasure if we want." The guy realizes he's made a mistake when I glare at him. He's about five feet eight inches, two hundred fifty pounds of pudge; I'm six feet two inches, two hundred ten pounds solid. What's more, I'm spitting' mad.

"You've got no rights! You are absolutely the lowest, sorriest, slimiest excuse for a man I've ever seen. You take pleasure on a nine year old child. You just saw how hurt he is, and I don't just mean from bleeding inside from what you did. The boy is shattered emotionally; it's going to take a lot to bring him back around to trusting an adult. These boys are New Horizon boys, they are not slaves and are exempt from auction and pleasure taking. What you have done is rape a child. Suppose we press charges. Do you know the penalty? It's slave for life! What I would rather do is take that damn stick you carry and dry fuck you with it. When I start pumping it in and out of your ass the way you were doing that boy, how long before you start crying and call for your mama? One advantage to you. You don't work for me, unfortunately, so I'll leave it up to Jim to decide what to do with you. I would suggest you keep a distance from me and don't you dare get near one of these boys again! "

"Daniel, I'm as upset as you are. Gentlemen, I'm placing you on leave until we can hold a hearing in this matter. You are not to return to this facility until after the boys have been transferred. You are not to go near the boys or anyone affiliated with New Horizon when they do leave. Violate those conditions and I will be the one pressing the rape charges as well as excessive cruelty for the beating to Scottie." The guards glare at both of us, and then leave.

During the walk over to the dining hall I ask Jim why so many of the boys don't have any clothing. He explains the authorities take their regular clothes when the boys are processed. The boys are brought over wearing standard slave uniforms of light grey shorts and a t-shirt. When delivered the authorities take the uniforms back to be used on the next group. It isn't uncommon for a uniform to be used on ten or twelve boys before it is too worn to recycle. Those uniforms unfit for recycling are left with the last boy to use it. When delivered to the facility the boys have been put under slave rules so they are not required to be clothed. Most of the boys don't have to be clothed anyway because they fall within the statutory age group that is allowed to stay nude full time. These boys can go anywhere they want nude without anyone bothering them. But the bottom line for the state is economics.

As Jim and I enter the dining hall Mark comes in. "Michael says Scottie is just bruised and sore, no broken bones. Paul is damaged the same way I am. Michael's cleaned him up some and applied ointment. He's given both of 'em a pain killer that should make them sleep through the night; they'll stay in the infirmary for tonight. Oh, Michael also wanted me to let you know both boys were real dirty, and not just from today. He thinks it's been days since they've had a bath."

"Thanks, Mark. Grab a couple of plates and go back to Michael. I'll stop by to check on the boys in a while. Jim, we've noticed, and now my doctor is sending me word, that these boys don't seem to have had a bath in several days. I know there are restrictions on but I thought they were allowed to bathe every other day."

"They are, but with the current dry spell we've been stretching that out. When we get word to send them over to the final processing center that preps them for the auction we clean them up some then. You'll notice they have all been given the slave haircut, that's done before we get them. Daniel, I know you don't agree with the program but the bottom line attitude is that these kids are now, for all practical purposes, slaves. It's just a matter of who will own them and how much can the state get for them. Again, the bottom line is economics. I know you disapprove of the way we feed them or administer punishment; we're just trying to introduce them to what they will be facing for the rest of their lives. You're looking at them as though they are normal boys with normal lives ^Ö they aren't. That's part of what you are going to try to give them, isn't it?"

He's right and I know it, but I'm still not willing to give to the point they have. I look at the staff table where our plates are set. We are being served pork chops with green beans and mashed potatoes. The kids are getting a bowl of something. I think about Oliver Twist, bet he wouldn't be asking for more. I let the staff member setting our plates know my staff and I will have the same thing the boys are eating. I see a surprised look coming from staff members and some of the boys.

Most of the boys have been served and found a seat. Jim taps on the table to get their attention. The room goes quiet. "Boys, look up here. I know you have seen some visitors here today. The gentleman next to me is Mr. Daniel Thompson. The other people you have seen today work with Mr. Thompson. They are part of the New Horizon project. I know you don't know what that is, but it has a profound effect on you. I'll let Mr. Thompson explain."

"Thank you Jim. Boys, as you heard my name is Daniel Thompson. You may address me as Mr. Thomspon or as Mr. Daniel, either way is fine with me. Since I don't know your names, you'll just have to be patient with me. Before I can fully explain New Horizon, I need to ask you a couple of questions and I need answers. Do you boys know why you are here?" No one moves to answer me, they just look at one another wondering who will stand up to answer. Finally, one of the older boys answers.

"Sir, this is a holding compound for kids the law doesn't know what to do with. We are being classified as runaways unable to take care of ourselves. That means we will be sold at auction; we'll be slaves for life, sir."

I take a deep breath and let it out. "What's your name son?"

"Jonathan, sir"

"Well, Jonathan, I'm afraid you have just about explained it as plainly as anyone could." I'm looking around the room as I speak and spot my little flirt from this afternoon. When I wiggle my fingers at him he points his face down while looking up at me and there's that grin again. "We at Genesis do not agree with the process Jonathan has so clearly described. The reason things move as quickly as they do is the state doesn't believe it has the resources to take care of you. They also believe that if you were living on the streets you must be runaways from the court or the slave lottery. Therefore, all boys age six and over are sold into slavery for life with the money from the auction going back to the state to pay for other things. Is there anybody here that doesn't understand what I just said, except for the little ones of course?" No one raises their hand, and then I hear a cough behind me. I remember my five miscreants on the stage. I step up on the stage and stand behind the boys.

"I almost forgot about our friends here. I understand they are to be punished for something today. Can someone hand me their files, please?" I take the files but don't open them. "New Horizon signed an agreement with the state yesterday. As of six o'clock last night all boys in this facility became our responsibility. However, if any of you choose not to come with us, you may stay here and follow the state's routine of being sold into slavery. Now, since you are our responsibility right now, that means these five fine young fellas are ours to deal with."

I approach the first boy, he's not sure what's about to happen, and he's right. "Son, what's your name?"

"Samuel, sir"

"Samuel, why are you listed for punishment?"

While he's answering me, I find his file. He's been picked up off the streets. Seems he was placed here only last week. He's been declared homeless and is to be sold. "Fighting, sir."

"Fighting? With who?"

"Tim, sir" he's pointing to the boy next to him. I look at his file and he's in the same position for the same reason.

"What were you fighting about?"

There's a real pleading look on his face. "We were just trying to get some extra food one of the guys left on the table."

"You were fighting over wanting more food? Alright, I'll come back to you." I'm stalling for a little time to think about their situation and how I'm going to deal with this.

I stand in front of the next boy, he doesn't even wait for the questions. Gordon, sir. I, uh^Åwell,uh^Å" he whispers" I wet the bed, sir."

I'm a little startled, that's not what I expected to hear from any of them. "Gordon, is this something that happens often?"

"Sir, no sir. I don't know why it happened, it just did." I have an idea how I'll handle this but make a mental note for Michael to be sure this boy doesn't have a medical problem.

I move to the next one, he takes a cue from Gordon, "Jimmy, sir. I fell asleep on duty assignment, sir."

"You fell asleep, why?"

"Yes, sir. I was tired?"

Well, Jimmy, let me ask you this: Did you get your work assignment completed or did someone else have to finish for you?

"One of the other boys helped me sir. He knew I was tired, and^Åwell, he helped me."

I move on to the last boy. "And your name and offense?

"Ben, sir, I talked bad to an adult. I was disrespectful"

"You talked 'bad' or you talked 'back'?"

"Both sir. He wanted a blow job and I told him to 'fuck off'?" I thought I was going to fall in the floor laughing.

"Ben, do you know if you were sold into slavery and a free man asked that, you would have to do it or face severe punishment? They would probably hang you up and give you about twenty lashes with a whip and you would have no say in the matter." Ben takes more than one big gulp, looks a little pale and you can see tears forming.

"Ben, I want you to go to that rack behind you and bring me back the lightest paddle you find; then add one medium paddle and one heavy paddle." Ben looks more than a little afraid, but does as he's told. I want to buy some time with him, I think there's more to this than he's telling me right now.

I approach Samuel and Tim. I'm thinking about what Jim said about these boys not having a normal life. How do you punish boys for wanting more food? I'm standing behind them, I have one arm over each boy's shoulder and stand there rubbing their chests. I feel Samuel leaning into me, he's enjoying the attention. Tim is just looking up at me waiting to see what I'll do. "Guys, you know I can't approve of the fighting, but I also understand where you're coming from. What I'm going to suggest is that next time rather than fighting and trying to get the whole thing for yourself, each of you remember your both in the same situation and should consider taking care of one another; in other words, learn to share." The boys then receive one hand swat to their little butt; each turns to me with a little "oooh, that stings" look and rubs the offended cheek. I think they put on a good show, the swats were more like the fun love pats my dad used to give me. They're sent off for their dinner.

I walk up behind Gordon and placing three fingers under his chin tilt his head back to look up at me. "As for you, don't drink any water at least an hour before bed time and at bed time be sure you take a pee." Then more quietly, "I want you to let the doctor know what's happening when he gives you your physical exam, ok?" He nods. I give him the obligatory love swat on the butt and send him off to dinner.

"Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy. I don't know why you were tired; however, if this keeps up I want to know about it and you and I are going to figure out what the problem is and get you some help. In the meantime, let's assume it was a one shot deal. Next time you are working I want you to work extra hard and finish early, then go to the boy that helped you and offer to help him. If he doesn't need your help look around for someone who does, and help them. I'd rather have you learn to support one another than learn what one of these paddles feels like on your little backside. Deal? " He smiles with a nod, I give the obligatory swat and he's off.

Now we are down to Ben, this is the one I've dreaded. I can't let Ben get away with showing that kind of disrespect, it sends a bad message to the other boys. At the same time I can't help but feel there's more to this than I'm seeing now. "Ben, you know I'm going to have to give you some swats with the paddle, I can't let you or the other boys get away with what you did." He gives me a nod while looking down. I look at this boy and realize he truly is a lost puppy at this moment, but I don't know why. I see a very sad boy, dirty, his posture says he's given up, and very vulnerable at this point. I hold him at the upper arms and want him to look at me. "Ben, you know what you did was wrong. Not what you said, but that you defied someone who is in charge and that you are supposed to obey." He nods but gives me that lost pathetic look that's more of a call for help. "Ben, I think there's more going on here; I can't help if you don't talk to me." He exhales and seems to fall within himself. He's still looking at me from the corner of his eye and I can only hope to break through. Ben is holding the paddles, shuffling them nervously. "Ok, you picked up three paddles, which do you think I should use?" I know which one he wants me to use and this may seem silly, but I just want him to communicate with me. He hands me the medium weight paddle. This is the old ploy of don't make me mad by giving me the lightest paddle, but don't take the chance I'll keep the heaviest paddle if offered. I hold the paddle. Balance it like I'm trying to get the feel and take a couple of practice swings. He doesn't like the practice swings and frowns when I shake my head no. He then gives me the heaviest paddle with a serious look of trepidation. "Ben, do you think I'm sadistic or are you a masochist?" I doubt if he knows what a masochist is. "Do you enjoy getting punished and feeling a paddle on your butt?" That evokes a shaking of the head. I just reach out for the paddles. The lightest paddle is found and the rest discarded. I squat down on my ankles and hold him by the hips. "Ben, let's get this over with and then hopefully we can find out what else is bothering you. I want you to bend over and hold the back of your knees. I'm going to give you three swats; they'll be hard enough to let you know I'm not playing, but there's no way I'll be brutal. We are going to make this quick and get it behind us." He nods and I can see the tears beginning to well up. He's not sure what to expect, but he knows this isn't going to be fun. As I stand up I motion for one of the boys to come over and tell him to get me a cold wet towel. I stand beside Ben and hold his left shoulder, and then I give him the first swat. He gives a slight grunt but doesn't move. I wait a moment and deliver the second swat that produces a little whimper. Another moment and the final swat is delivered eliciting a whimpering 'ow'. The boy is crying now, not a loud sob as you would expect from one of the little guys, but the tears are definitely running. I put the paddle down and taking his left arm pull him around to face me. I have to lift his chin to get him to look at me. I'm cradling the side of his face in the palm of my hand. "Ben, I know I didn't swat you that hard. Do you want to tell me what else is wrong?" The boy just looks at me and the tears begin to flow more freely. It's only takes a moment before he steps up against me and wraps his arms around my waste. I hold him and tell him to just let it go. The wet towel I requested has been brought over and set on the stage. Reaching down I pick him up, cradling him in my arms while keeping his face in my right shoulder. He's set in my lap as I sit down on the steps. With my right arm I cradle him into my shoulder; he's still crying; his back and side are rubbed gently to settle him. This kid is carrying a lot more luggage than he should have to worry about at his age, most of these boys are. After two or three minutes I can tell he's slowing down and trying to regain control. The wet towel is pressed against his little bubble butt. "Does that help take the sting away?" He nods while keeping his head against my shoulder. He's looking out now but still leans into me; gradually he has begun to just melt against my body. It's best to let him decide how long he will stay there.

"Have you eaten anything today?" He shakes his head. "How about if you and I share a bowl of food, I haven't eaten either." That's a lie but if it will help get him to open up I'll go for it; he just shrugs his shoulders. I signal for my bowl to be brought over. I straighten him up in my lap but he keeps his left arm around me and continues to lean against me. The towel is used to wipe his face and the snot running from a crying boy's nose. I'm sensing this boy is regressing to being a little kid again and letting an adult take some of the pressures off. While holding him I've noticed the satiny touch of his skin. There's a light down coating over his body that is silky to the touch; he still carries a touch of baby fat. There's no doubt he is still just a boy who has had too much of his innocence stolen away.

I take a spoonful of the mixture, God, no wonder this kid isn't eating. "This isn't the best dinner I've ever had," I whisper to Ben. I can tell from his body movement that I just got the "no shit" chuckle. . I choke down a little more. Then I get about a half spoon full for Ben. "Come on Ben, let's try just a little, if I can choke this down you should be able to take a little too; don't let me suffer alone" I get another chuckle and he takes what is offered. I think I'm getting somewhere with this boy. While Ben and I share the bowl, I balance the bowl in his lap so he can use his free hand to eat and resume my talk with the other boys. I make a mental note to find Barry and talk with him about this food. .

Fellas, let me return to what I was saying earlier. New Horizon does not agree with the state's policy on dealing with boys found living on the street or abandoned. The state believes you are a liability they can not afford to carry. New Horizon made a proposal to the state that requires we prove within a three year period that we can establish and maintain a totally self-sufficient program to care for you; the proposal has been accepted and approved by the state. The boys in this facility as of six o'clock last night will make up the initial group of New Horizon boys. Now, you are not required to be part of this group, you may choose to opt out of the program and the state will continue to process you as originally planned. If you want to opt out you need to let us know by tomorrow morning; if you don't say anything by then we will assume you're in.

The program includes being able to get adequate training for future employment so you can take care of yourselves as adults. Of course, if you are not able to take care of yourselves, then you again drain the public bank account and would be sold as slaves. How do we reach self-sufficiency? We have leased a facility about sixty miles south of here. A member of our group is there inspecting the facility now; he will file a report with us this evening. Our hope is the facility is suitable to move everyone there within the week. After we receive tonight's report that decision will be made. The facility contains over one hundred acres of land, most of which is unimproved. We will use part of this land to grow much of our food. That's right, we are going to plant, cultivate and harvest a vegetable garden. In addition, there will be a small citrus grove. What we grow but do not need will be sold or bartered for things we do need. We are looking into acquiring a few head of cattle and poultry to supplement what we purchase from the outside.

Barry walks through and I'm able to catch his attention. I want to know if there is sufficient food in the pantry to feed these kids a more appealing diet. When Barry says the pantry is almost barren I ask him to make a trip into town and get enough food to at least feed them breakfast and lunch tomorrow. We'll worry about additional meals when the time comes. One of our corporate sponsors is a major grocery chain that provides us with crates of goods damaged in shipment. We can pick out the portions not damaged for our use and discard the rest. Hopefully the discards will be minimal if we acquire some cattle or other livestock that will eat the discards. Meat and dairy products 'are provided on the day after their "sell by" date. Most products are still good for consumption if consumed right away. With this large group of boys we are not worried about spoilage from non-consumption. We have the advantage of a good diet for the boys, the sponsor has the advantage of a tax write off plus excellent publicity as a civic minded company ^Ö something fairly rare these days. I ask him to let Paul know we need to get a head count soon. We are supposed to have eighty-seven boys and I want to be comfortable we have them all.

"Kev'n^Ånot^Å." Comes through a whimpering whisper.

"Ben? Take a deep breath and talk to me, okay?"

Ben does take a deep breath and after a couple of sniffles tells me "Kevin's not here, he's gone."

"Who's Kevin and why should he be here?" This is the first time Ben has been willing to open up a little.

"He's my friend. He's helped me since I joined the gang. We came here together and he watched out for me. He got taken away this morning." I'm sensing Kevin has acted like a big brother or mentor for Ben while they were on the streets. It isn't unusual for one of the older boys to 'adopt' a younger member of the group. Part of the protection is to keep the younger boy from having to entertain johns for as long as possible; they are trying to protect the younger boy's innocence. If this is true, this may very well explain Ben's withdrawal. The head count now becomes a top priority.

"Ben, can you tell me who took Kevin away, and were any other boys taken with him?"

"The men in brown clothes took him. There were two other boys but I don't know who." Ben has done real good telling me what he knows. He's still crying and the tears have grown, but he's kept the sobbing under control. Of course, I'm still holding him in my lap and his grip has become a little tighter.

Jim is sitting close enough that I can let him know we appear to have a serious problem. According to Ben at least three boys were taken out of here this morning. The description Ben has given makes me believe they've been taken to the slave processing center. No boy was to be removed from the facility after six o'clock yesterday ^Ö these boys are exempt by agreement with the state. Jim claims the order was given for no boy to be removed. However, the officer in charge of transfers was the same officer that we filmed doing Paul. Jim goes to his office to verify some records and make a couple of phone calls.

Ben has put the bowl of food down. It isn't empty but I can tell he did eat some of it. This latest revelation on Kevin and possibly other boys has his attention focused somewhere besides how he's feeling. I ask him if he is ready to join the rest of the boys or is he staying with me. He tightens his grip on me and whispers "stay". I pick him up and place him on my side. His right cheek is cradled in my right hand, he's wrapped his legs around my waste and is holding on. He can't weigh more than about sixty or sixty- five pounds, and I doubt he's more than four feet tall, which I think is small for his age.

Walking amongst the boys I see my little flirt again. He's still peeking up at me while looking down. I smile at him and he returns a grin. This time when I see him I notice he has the deepest hazel eyes that appear green when viewed from a different angle. The eyes are recessed a little with an arching eyebrow. The little pug nose and puffy red lips give him an almost angelic look emphasized by an olive toned complexion. If I didn't have Ben in my arms I'd reach out to him; there will be other opportunities.

"Listen up. We need for everyone to stay in their seats, no moving around. We need to conduct a head count to verify no one's missing. If you know of someone who was here last night at supper, but is not here now, we need to know who that is; so, if you know of a missing friend, please let us know now."

Sir, Kevin is missing. He was here early this morning, but I understand he left this morning. Also, sir, Roger is not here. He was here earlier, but^Å."

"Okay, we heard about Kevin, assuming we are talking about the same boy. Roger is a new name. Ben, do you know Roger that he's talking about?" Ben nods his head and lets me know he thinks that's the name of one of the other boys taken by the men in the brown clothes.

I look to the boy that just identified the two missing boys, "Do you know how old Kevin and Roger are?"

"Not sure, sir, but I think fifteen or sixteen." That answer convinces me even more that the boys have been taken to slave processing for the auction.

"Sir, Frank is no longer here. I saw him taken out this morning by men from the slave auction." Before I can act, I need the final head count and for Jim to finish what he's doing.

Paul has finished his count. "Daniel, we have eighty boys here plus the two in the infirmary and the one you have ^Ö that's eighty three accounted for, four missing." I ask Paul if he's sure and he says he counted twice. We are fairly sure three are at the processing center, what happened to the fourth boy? I realize there is probably only one answer.

"Guys, I need for you to think very carefully. We all know that sometimes an adult will take a boy home with him. Do any of you know if that happened today?" No one is answering, most are looking down. This tells me they are afraid to talk; the fear must be related to retribution from one or more guards. "I understand you not wanting to cause or get into any trouble. When New Horizon agreed to take responsibility yesterday part of the agreement is no boy is to be taken away from here for pleasure or any other reason without our consent. There is a freeze on this activity for at least sixty days. Now if you know something we would like to get your friend out of that situation and bring him back here."

"Officer Williams, sir." One boy has stood with the information. Now others are nodding their heads to confirm what he has said.

Jim returns with a grim look on his face and carrying some papers. "Three boys were removed by the slave processing center. The boys are scheduled for auction tomorrow afternoon at the latest. I spoke with the center's night manager and he's only giving out vague answers ^Ö he won't even make a conditional commitment to return the boys. He claims the boys are of age and must be auctioned by law."

"What time does the center close and how long will it take us to get there?"

"They process round the clock. It would take about forty-five minutes to get there. But how are you going to get him to cooperate?"

"Jim, I'm going after those boys. Believe me, we have the power to get his attention and make him cooperate. My main problem is I don't know these boys on sight and they don't know me. After what they've probably been through today we need some credibility." I get an idea and tell Paul to bring me five fully activated New Horizon identification collars. "Ben, how would you like to go for a ride with me?" The boy looks surprised and definitely has a 'are you kidding' look, so does Jim.

"Jim, Ben knows two of the boys, one is very special to him. With Ben I have definite credibility with Kevin and some credibility with Roger. Those two will take care of the third boy, Frank. The collars you just heard me ask for are specially encoded. If someone tries to stop any of the boys the encoding lets them know these boys are not slaves and in the event of any questions they are to call New Horizon; backup numbers are DCF and DOC. Our leverage with the night manager ^Ö we have private twenty-four hour numbers for Ron Wilson and the governor, I'll use them if he doesn't want to accept the letter of agreement. We have another problem; an Officer Williams may have left here with one of the boys today."

"Daniel, that's the same officer that you confronted in my office and the same officer that released the three boys. He's liable to be looking for a little vengeance after this afternoon. Assuming he does have one of the boys we have to decide where to go first. The processing center is over near Tampa while Williams lives to the southeast. I don't know how familiar you are with the processing centers but there is no set time frame for holding the boys. How long it takes to process depends on how busy they are. The boys could be gone tonight or tomorrow. Once the processing is complete the boys are placed in the inspection area and run through the next sale. The whole program is based on maximum production."

Jim's description of the process has left us with no choice but to go to the processing center first. On the way out I've grabbed a red t-shirt I plan on using on Ben. He's still naked, a fact I think he's forgotten about now, and I don't want to chance having him get separated from us and someone thinking he really belongs there. He's no longer sitting in my lap but he's close enough you might think he's glued to me. I pick him up and set him in my lap to put the identification necklace on.

"Ben, I'm going to put this necklace on you, it identifies you as part of the project. If^Å"

"Sir, it looks almost like the collars I've seen slaves wear." He has a worried look on his face.

"Don't worry, this is not a slave collar. If for some reason you get separated from us and someone tries to treat you like you belong there, there's two things I want you to do. First, tell them you are part of New Horizon and are here with Mr. Tomlinson and me. They can scan the collar and it will tell them everything they need to know including phone numbers. Second, and don't even wait to see if they are going to call us, squeeze this necklace where it fastens together, right here." I show him the little pressure switch built in to the unit. "You don't have to squeeze right on that exact spot, just near the edge of it and the collar will activate. It sends out a high pitched sound that pulsates and lets us know there is a problem. At the same time it will send a signal back to the our equipment at the center that allows us to locate you and alert people wherever you may be about who you are and who to contact so we can get to you. In other, words, I'm making sure we don't lose you." That last comment elicits a grin. We head for the van. "One more thing, I want you to wear this inside. You don't need clothes but in there almost everybody is naked; I want you to stand out so I can spot you easier." I put the red t-shirt on him which almost swallows him. He stands in the van trying to see him self in the rear view mirror. Paul turns around and gives him a reaffirming smile. I begin to lightly scratch the side of his butt. Ben becomes almost totally relaxed until we approach the center.

Approaching the center I feel knots in my stomach. The last time I was in one of these places was for me to be processed and sold. I was a little younger than the boys I'm looking for, and I'm sure not nearly as tough physically or emotionally, but this has to be scary for anyone. Ben wants me to hold him, I can tell by the look on his face he would rather not be here. He holds my hand with both of his. He has a death grip, this kid is going to make sure he isn't left anywhere. I look at him in that red t-shirt that goes almost to his ankles and have to smile. "Don't worry, in that shirt I can spot you anywhere."

Jim is speaking with the guard at the main entrance. The guard is shaking his head and seems to be uncooperative. Jim has pulled something out of his pocket, it looks like an identification card. As I approach, the guard studies me for a moment and then glares at Ben. I feel Ben cutting off the circulation in my hand.

"Mr. Tomlinson, neither you nor Mr. Thompson are on my list of people authorized to enter here. I can't let you in without authorization."

I read the guard's name on his badge. "Officer Jackson, rather than argue about the authorization, why not call inside and let them know who is here. Now, if that doesn't work tell whoever you are speaking with that I will have no hesitation to get Ron Wilson on the phone. I'm assuming you know who Ron Wilson is; in case you don't, he's the man in the capital that is the director of the department you work for. We need to get in and speak with the director^Å. now."

The guard turns his back to us as he picks up the phone. We can't hear everything that's being said but do hear him tell someone how insistent we are being and threatening to call the director of DOC. After a couple of minutes the guard turns around and hands Jim, Paul and me visitor forms to fill out. When he looks at Ben I let him know we need a pass for him too. I don't like the way this guard is looking at Ben, it's almost as though he thinks we should leave him here, but that isn't going to happen. I fill out a form for Ben and list his name as Thompson. I dare them to try and challenge him or me.

I hear an electronic release. We are passed through to the security checkpoint. There are no problems, but one of the security guards looks at Ben a little too long for my comfort. I wait to see if he wants to make a challenge but he passes Ben through with the pass. There's a man dressed in business casual attire waiting for us; I'm assuming this is the director we are looking for. He introduces himself as Bill Atkins, the deputy director on duty. Jim and Paul deal with the situation at the moment, so I step back. If he doesn't want to cooperate, I'll step up. While Jim and Paul deal with the Atkins I decide to speak with Ben.

"Ben, do you have any idea what to expect when we walk to the back." Ben gives the expected shake of his head. "This is where they process men and boys to be sold into slavery. There are a lot of them back there. There may be boys older than you or younger than you, there may be grown men back there; we have no way of knowing at this time. When we go back it is very important for you to try and ignore what you see happening, we need for you to be on the look out for the three boys. I know you can identify Kevin and Roger on site, do you think you can identify Frank, too?"

"I don't know for sure, but I think so."

"Just do your best, okay? The problem may be that they all will look almost alike. None will have clothes, the boys may be with others their same age and size, and all will have slave style haircuts. So just be alert, and try, we can't ask more; and don't worry, I'll be with you the whole time." Ben stands in front of me and I wrap my arms over his shoulders and cross my hands on his chest to keep him secure.

While speaking with Ben I've glanced over to Jim and Paul and saw Jim showing Bill Atkins the copy of the paper work we found on the boys that shows when and who picked them up. Paul has also shown some papers that I'm sure are the state papers granting New Horizon custody of the boys. The important thing here is for Atkins to understand that although the boys may be subject to slave rules they carry an exemption from sale. The boys also came into our custody before they were received for processing here. Jim and Paul step over to speak with me.

"Atkins is a deputy director; he's calling the senior director now. At first, he denied knowing anything about the boys. We had to be emphatic about the point we were not accusing anyone here of any wrong doing at this time and given the volume of files they have to deal with we could understand he wouldn't know about the boys. However, that does not mean they aren't here and there has to be paper work on them. When he saw the copies we had where they had been picked up, he began to soften his position. He tried giving us a little argument about New Horizon having custody. Again, we had to soft peddle the situation and explain this just happened yesterday, but the boys were given to New Horizon and are exempt from sale. Our big concern now is a sale is scheduled shortly. According to Atkins after the slaves are processed they are divided into groups of ten. The group for night sales will consist mostly of criminals or multiple repeat offenders charged with misdemeanors but sentenced as felons. To make the group more attractive they will include a couple of the young guys. If the buyer doesn't want all ten the buyer will sometimes re-consign those not wanted for resale at a later auction; the state collects a percentage of the resale. The part that worries us is Atkins claims some young ones brought in today will be sold tonight. Right now they are in the inspection area with the first sale to begin in about fifteen minutes. He isn't willing to stall the sale without his superior's consent or direction. "

"Tell him we expect to be in the inspection area in less than five minutes with ample time to confirm the boys we are after are not sold or removed from this facility. Make it clear that in four minutes I will have Ron Wilson, the governor and anyone else I need to stop this and I don't give a damn about his schedule."

Jim delivers my message and Atkins turns to look at me. I deliberately pull out my cell phone and open it. The code is punched in and I'm ready to go for the power needed to stop this. It is in Atkins' best interest to believe what I'm saying. I don't care whose toes I have to step on or who gets steam rolled ^Ö I want those boys back. Ben knows things are tense and I'm getting mad. He's now standing at my side holding onto my belt. I reach down with my right arm to pat him on the shoulder as a sign everything's okay. I don't have time to do much explaining at this moment.

Atkins hangs up the phone and picks up a microphone. We hear the announcement the start of the auction will be delayed fifteen minutes. He walks over to us, "You heard the announcement, we have twenty minutes now, which should be plenty of time. There are seven groups assembled for the first sale, they're all in one general area. I'll go with you, it will avoid any delays from the guards." We enter the inspection area.

As soon as we enter, Ben freezes. I bend down to remind him how important it is he concentrate on the faces and ignore everything else. This group appears to be a mixture of ages. I suggest to Atkins this would be faster if the guards had all slaves below the age of twenty step to the front. Atkins gives the order and two or three step to the front.

"FRANK,,,FRANK," screams Ben. The boy reacts for a moment and then remembers he must look down and not move. The guard makes a move for the boy but Atkins calls out for him to stop. I walk up to the boy with Ben, actually Ben has pretty much pulled me to him. Ben looks up at me and tells me it's Frank from the center. Ben then turns to Frank, "Where's Kevin?" Atkins tells Frank to step out of the group and come with us. When we leave the area he looks at us and asks if this is one of the boys we are looking for. Jim acknowledges it is and tells Frank he can relax.

"Frank, this is a complicated story so just accept for now you do not have to stay here. Do you know where Kevin and Roger are?"

Frank looks at me, then Paul and Jim, and finally at Ben. He recognizes Jim and Ben, but is really dumbfounded by what's happening. "Sir, I haven't seen them since this morning. I was put into a rush group for tonight. Sir, am I going to be sold?"

"Only if you want," I tell him. He looks at me with an astonished look and slowly shakes his head. Ben grabs him by the hand and looks to me with a 'where now' look. We are still missing two boys. Atkins leads down a corridor with electronic doors. The sign reads "holding".

"This is where they are kept overnight or until we are ready to complete the processing and grouping stages. If your boys were not in the inspection area they should be here. Let me caution you there are a lot of bodies in here, but we separate them into age groups. This way when we need to assemble a multiple group with a specific number from each age group we can just walk through and take the next in line." I suggest we have the group containing the teens step away from the rest. Atkins acknowledges with a nod.

As we walk through the electronic doors Ben stops to look. At first he's shocked by the number of bodies in the area and there are some younger boys gathered in a group. The younger boys appear to be Ben's age if not a little younger. He looks a little dejected as he slowly moves forward trying to view all the faces. Suddenly he shouts "KEVIN" and breaks away from us running towards a group. When a guard moves to stop him Atkins waives the guard off. Ben literally leaps at one of the detainees and puts a death grip around the boy's neck. Kevin looks in shock and not sure how to react, he knows this could lead to serious punishment in this place. As I approach Kevin tries to assume the slave rest position, but this is difficult with Ben hanging around his neck, and Ben is not going to let go. Kevin is trying to get Kevin to let go before they both get in serious trouble.

As I approach Kevin I can't help but smile. "So, this is the Kevin that has caused me so much worry." He tries maintaining the slave rest position that all the surrounding detainees have assumed. "Relax, Kevin, you can move and speak freely. We know who you are even though you don't know us. We brought Ben here looking for you. He was supposed to let me know when he spotted you, which he did; maybe I should have been a bit clearer on how he was to let me know. When we find Roger this will all be explained."

Kevin is smiling now and hugging Ben. "Hey little man, you surprised me. Where did you get this shirt?" He knows Ben is crying silently on his shoulder. "That's okay Ben, I missed you too, and didn't think I would ever see you again."

Our time is running tight, I still need one more boy from here and have to pay a visit to our friend Officer Williams. "Kevin, do you know where Roger is?" He points to another group further down the line. I have him come with us; he is now carrying Ben. We find Roger and have him accompany us to an interview room.

"Boys, believe me when I say we are all glad we found you. We were concerned you may have been processed through and shipped out. We don't have much time so I'm giving you the capsule version. We are with the New Horizon project. Our project has made an agreement with the state that obligates us to create a totally self sufficient home for boys such as you. The agreement granted control of all boys in your detention facility at six o'clock last night to us. One of the conditions is you are exempted from the slave auction for two years or longer if we meet the criteria. I don't have time to go into the criteria now, we haven't had time to explain it to the rest of the boys in the facility since we found there were four of you missing. Your option is simple: you can return with us and be a part of the New Horizon project or you can stay here and be sold. I need verbal answers, now."

"With you, sir," in three part harmony.

"Mr. Atkins, if you and your superiors are satisfied with what's happening here I'd like to have these slave collars removed and take the boys away."

"You've been cleared Mr. Thompson. While we were looking for the boys our office has verified everything. Using the paper work Mr. Tomlinson brought in we are preparing their release papers now. If you will have them follow me the collars will be removed."

We follow Atkins to a processing area where they are collaring some younger boys. I turn to Paul and tell him to keep Ben out of here. When Ben wants to protest Kevin steps in and tells him to stay with Paul and they can get this done faster. Ben looks a little dejected, but complies.

"Boys, when those collars are removed I'm going to replace them with our identification necklace. The big difference is these have an alarm built in at the point where it fastens. If someone tries to bother you simply press the connection and a signal will go off here and at our central control office. I'm not anticipating trouble but I want you marked so no one thinks you are escaped slaves or something else that could slow us down."

"Sir, you said four were missing?"

"We have reason to believe Officer Williams may have taken a boy home for his pleasure. It wasn't authorized, that is another activity that will be brought under control. We will pick him up on our way back to the detention facility."

"Sir, Officer Williams took me home one night. He has a playroom in his house that he brags is sound proof. He enjoys inflicting pain." This part worries me and increases the level of urgency for me.

We are on our way to Williams' house. I can here the boys talking and laughing in the back seat. Ben is laughing because they don't have any more hair than he does. He laughs even harder when they tell him all the areas that got shaved. Kevin is holding on to Ben and Ben isn't protesting a bit; there's no doubt there's a bond between the two. Kevin teases Ben about the red night shirt. Ben lets him know I gave it to him so I could spot him in the crowd. He also tells Kevin about the paddling he got. Kevin looks a little concerned and looks at Ben's bottom. I do hear Ben tell him why he got it and he tells Kevin that I deliberately didn't hurt him much and held him after I did it. The last I heard from Kevin was "Little man what am I going to do with you." Ben was sitting in Kevin's lap leaning against his chest. All I could think of was, "The same thing you are doing now." I also noticed that somewhere along the way Ben shed the t-shirt. Great, now I'm riding through Florida with four naked boys and looking for a fifth^Ö hope we don't get stopped.

My mind now turns to the fifth boy. "Jim do you think we will need to get the police involved? I can make the necessary calls for support."

"After the trouble Williams got himself in this afternoon, I think we can hardball our way through. I heard what Roger said about the playroom. I also know his wife and doubt she approves of this. Daniel, I know you're concerned over what Williams may be doing with this boy, I am too, but all we can do is get there. If we had done this first there is a good chance Frank would be gone and beyond our reach. We'll be there in a few minutes and I'd like to keep surprise on our side."

While riding along I decide to call the detention facility to check on matters there. Barry has returned with everything we needed for tomorrow and more. After we left they told the boys to go about their normal routine and verifying this would not include a bath; we want to keep the boys the way they are for pictures. Larry and Jeff have set up the equipment for pictures tomorrow morning. Mark has solicited the help of one of the boys that knows computers and typing to set up two lap tops to create new files on the boys. I hear all the news and ask the big one, "Did Rick call in about the new facility?"

Rick reports the facility is in much better condition than we had expected. Everything has been represented as functional, but we will need to do some general house cleaning like mopping, dusting, waxing, and so on. The place will need to be stocked with food, daily necessities such as soap and toilet paper, cooking utensils and so on. He will be working on that tomorrow and hopes to have it ready to occupy and clean the following day. I'm relieved things are moving well. Now, just let us get the fourth boy back.

We drive by William's house to see what there may be to be seen. The house sits on the side of a low hill and looks as though it could have a basement ^Ö a rarity in this state. Everything looks normal, but we park the van across the street and two doors down. Jim asks me to let him deal with this since he also knows Williams' wife, Helen, and doesn't believe she would allow this to happen. I don't want to tell him how helpless a wife can be with a domineering husband ^Ö I'm thinking of my mother and how helpless she was against my father. I acknowledge Jim's request and ask Paul to stay with the boys. The boys are told not to get out of the van under any circumstances. Jim and I step up to the house and ring the door bell.

The door opens, it's a lady I assume to be Helen Williams. Jim greets her, "Good evening Helen. I'm sorry to be calling unannounced, but this is important. Helen, I don't know how to make this easy. We have reason to believe your husband brought one of the boys home with him this afternoon. It wasn't authorized. Helen we don't want trouble, just the boy." Helen contemplates what Jim has said and without a word steps back and points to a door.

Jim and I open the door and see stairs going down. The area is dimly lit but we can hear someone crying and whimpering. An ugly voice says "What's wrong pretty boy, can't take it like a man?" What I see next makes me sick.

Williams is there dressed in leather pants and a harness. He also has spiked wristlets on and a spiked collar. A boy is secured to an 'X'-frame. The boy's body shows signs of flogging, he's gagged. Alligator clips have been attached to his nipples, and a butterfly board sits behind his balls. There's about six needles piercing the scrotum and securing it to the board. The bastard wasn't even a third of the way around.

"You filthy bastard!" I scream. I grab Williams by the harness and throw him against a brick wall. A fist catches him square on the side of the jaw and a well placed knee in the groin sends him to the floor crying in agony. I look down at him "The agony you feel now isn't enough to pay for this."

Jim and I remove the clips and gag. I tell him to take a breath and let me get these pins out. The boy is almost completely out of it. He grimaces as the pins are removed. When the shackles holding him to the frame are removed he almost collapses. Jim looks at me "This is TJ. He's only fourteen."

I pick TJ up and carry him out of the house. He's too far out of it to stand on his own. Paul sees me and brings the van over. The other boys gasp when I lay TJ on the floor of the van. I signal Kevin to keep Ben from looking. A call is placed to Micheal. When asked if the boy has been drugged I let him know I'm not sure but don't think so. Michael thinks he may be in shock from the experience and with rest and fluids, should recover. We speed back to the facility where we carry TJ to the infirmary. Michael confirms his suspicions and can't believe someone could be this evil.

The other boys have been sent to their normal quarters. Paul said Ben insisted on going with Kevin so Kevin said he could sleep with him tonight. The staff has stayed up waiting for us to return. When Michael says TJ will recover we start looking for a place to get some rest. I decide to stay with Michael and Mark in the infirmary. The others find an empty bed in the boys' barracks. Before catching some rest I walk through the sleeping quarters.

The boys are sleeping on bare mattresses with no covers and no pillows. The boys are pretty well divided by age groups. A couple of the guys see me and look up with a grin, some wave. I know everyone knows what has been accomplished tonight; the guys would have shared the good news with them. Walking through the last area containing the older boys I spot Kevin. He and Ben are spooned together. Kevin has his left arm stretched out as a pillow for Ben and his right arm is wrapped around the younger boy's chest. Kevin looks up at me and smiles; he'll stay awake all night if necessary to keep that position. Ben sleeps soundly.

End Ch Four