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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
Note: I would like to thank Colin and John for their continued support and patience while I try to write this story. Their support and efforts at editing and correcting my errors not only keep me in line, but contribute significantly to a better story.
Ch Fifty-Seven: New Horizons
"Amos," the judge bellowed out congenially, "since when did you start showing up at these family law hearings?"
"Randall," Amos Crawford answered calmly, "this isn't just any regular hearing. A lot of people will tell you this case is not only special, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. This case is so special that the hallway is filled with the press. In fact, we'd like to invite a couple of the reporters in here to witness the proceedings. With your permission, of course."
"I should hope that you wouldn't bring them in here without my permission. After all, it is still my office." The judge turned and winked at the crowd before he added, "isn't it?"
"Amos, I understand that Jonathan will be joining us from civil division. Now, I know this is an unusual case, but would you care to enlighten me as to why I received a call from not only your office, but the governor's office as well? Describing this case as special seems to be an understatement." Amos looked at his old friend and smiled.
"I'm sure you're aware of the injunction that was issued and subsequently upheld regarding the sale of boys for their parents' debts?" Randall nodded while listening intently. "Do you know who the plaintiff and the plaintiff's counsel are in that case?"
It took only a moment for Judge Randall Jacobson to understand the message Amos Crawford was giving him. He looked at the petition before him and the name of Arthur Sinclair became very obvious to him. The boy's slave code affirmed he was one of the children that fit that category. As the two men sat discussing old times and the many changes they had witnessed over the years since their college days, Judge Jonathan Lewis entered the chambers.
"Jonathan," Randall called out as he extended a friendly hand. "Good to see you again, and welcome to our unusual proceedings." Judge Lewis quickly accepted the proffered hand shake.
"Randall, it's been a while." Judge Lewis then turned to Amos Crawford. "Amos, I haven't seen you since college, read a lot about you though. If my files are correct, seems we are about to make a little history here if things work out."
"Jon, don't talk like that. You make me nervous." Amos replied with a smile; Jonathan only returned the smile.
"Jon," Randall began seriously, "I think what you and I do is going to be interdependent. You can't free the boy unless you know there will be a qualified party to assume responsibility. I can't grant guardianship papers on a slave, he needs to be free. My suggestion would be that I qualify the Sinclairs first and then issue a conditional order granting them custody and control over the boy subject to the state rescinding his slave status. Will that work for you?"
"What are you going to do with the natural parents' termination status?" Jon asked.
"Nothing. As you know, the boy is part of a unique law suit that has opened previously unexplored grounds. The Sinclairs are his actual masters at this time, but want him to be free. They are having the boy meet with a counselor and have allowed him freedoms most slave boys don't get, such as having friends who are free boys. Have you heard of Daniel Thompson and New Horizons?"
"Isn't that the group that started stirring all this anti-slavery rhetoric up several months ago? I've heard of them, but never had the pleasure of meeting Thompson."
"Well, let me tell you this much about him. He is Linda Sinclair's son and the person behind a lot of what is happening now. He's also a freed slave, himself."
"No shit!" A surprised Judge exclaimed.
"I'm serious. His father had him enslaved on his thirteenth birthday. Actually, before then because he went to court about a month earlier and had the papers signed enslaving the boy as soon as he turned thirteen. The boy was acquired by a sadistic master and his sons. When they thought they had tortured him into being useless, he was sold. Fortunately, his new master turned out to be a highly benevolent college professor. The Sinclairs want to do the same thing for the boy you'll see today." Jonathan nodded his head and sat back in deep thought.
"Jonathan," Amos Crawford interjected, "I know Daniel Thompson. I also know his father. You should sit down and talk with him for a while. He's not only highly intelligent, he's very persuasive and doesn't let go once he feels he's right. He fought more politicians than I can count to get New Horizons up and running. He took in thirty- eight boys for us not far back. Boys who needed to be returned to their parents, but we couldn't locate them. I know Daniel's seen to it that at least half, maybe more, of those boys are back home."
There was a light knock on the door and Judge Jacobson's judicial assistant entered to let the judge know that all parties were present and in the hearing room. In addition to the parties, two reporters were in the room. The reporters were Elizabeth Risler and Walter Andrez. Amos left to join the parties in the hearing room. The bailiff followed Amos. The gavel struck twice and all rose as the judges, now in black robes, entered and took adjoining chairs. The judges looked around and observed all the parties present.
Jeremy stood between Linda and Arthur; each of whom had an arm wrapped around his shoulder. The boy didn't know whether he should assume the slave rest position, but opted to go to slave rest as best he could. If he didn't, and it was required, he both knew and dreaded the consequences. Both judges could see the boy and also see that he was so frightened that he visibly shook. Standing behind Linda and Arthur were Daniel and Dr. Kelley Richardson, Jeremy's counselor.
"Bailiff, call the case." Judge Lewis directed.
"Your honors, the subject of this hearing is Boy 32265. There are two cases pending. One case is in regards to restoring the freedom and rights of citizenship to the subject. In that file we have two letters, copies of which have not been provided to your honor. The first letter is from the Governor and strongly supports granting the petition. The second letter is from the Director of the Department of Corrections and also supports granting the petition." The bailiff paused a moment to allow the judges to review the two letters.
"The second case your honors is a petition for guardianship of the boy if he is freed. The Honorable Amos Crawford, Director of the Department of Children and Families is personally present for that case."
"Jonathan." Judge Jacobson spoke quietly to his colleague and motioned for him to look at Jeremy. "That child is scared to death. We need to do something to calm him."
Judge Lewis looked at his colleague and friend, and then at Jeremy. Judge Jacobson took the initiative.
"Boy," The judge stated in as gentle a tone as a judge can find, "I want you to come over here and stand by me." When the judge called him, Jeremy immediately tensed up. He held on to Arthur's arm while Arthur whispered reassurances in his ear. Jeremy approached the judge and assumed slave rest.
"Son, I want you to look at me." The judge paused while he waited on Jeremy to respond. "I know that you're frightened, but there is no reason to be. No one in here is going to hurt you. We need to speak with the Sinclairs and with Dr. Richardson. We'd like for you to go with Mr. Thompson and try to relax. When we finish talking with the Sinclairs, we'll want to speak with you. It'll just be the two of us judges and no one will ever know what we talked about, okay?"
"Sir . . . yes, sir." Jeremy answered through a shaky voice and a tear running down his cheek. Jeremy then left with Daniel. When the door closed behind Jeremy and Daniel, Judge Jacobson resumed the hearing after first conferring with Judge Lewis.
"Gentlemen, and ladies, since this is obviously a highly unusual hearing, I'm going to suggest that we conduct the hearing in a highly unusual manner. We will dispense with the normal formalities and let's discuss the boy and his future. Does anyone object to the suggestion?" Everyone remained quiet.
"Okay, then. Amos, I'll assume that you are here to endorse the guardianship proceedings?"
"Absolutely," Amos replied. "I can't think of two people better qualified than Arthur and Linda to assume responsibility for the boy."
"What about the boy's natural parents?" The judge was aware that part of this discussion had already taken place in chambers, but that was off the record. This discussion formed a part of the official record of the proceedings.
"They do not have any voice in the current proceedings. A TPR, or termination of parental rights, was conducted at the time of the boy's enslavement and that order remains in place. Until the related litigation can be taken to its conclusion, we really have no idea what the natural flow of rights will be."
"Your honor," Arthur spoke up to get the judges' attention and then proceeded. "My wife and I visited the natural parents last night. As you know, Daniel Thompson is my wife's son and an ex-slave, himself." Both judges gave Linda a quizzical look.
"Your honors," Linda began, "having been in their position, by that I mean having lost a son to slavery, I felt the only way we could proceed with our plans and feel everyone was being treated fairly, was to contact the parents. We put together a package of photos we made of Jeremy for the brief time he has been with us and gave it to them. We also explained to them how we got Jeremy and our plans to set him free and become his guardians."
"How did they react to your plans?" Judge Jacobson inquired.
"They were not aware that Jeremy is actually the named plaintiff in the pending suit, although they were aware of the suit itself." Arthur continued to explain. "In the suit he is identified by his SIN only so they would have no way of knowing. We told them that Jeremy is under the care of a counselor and on his advice we are moving ahead with the plan to free Jeremy. They were both hesitant and confused. We think that, like any parent, they wanted there son back but also understood that he has been through a lot and needs help. We sat with them and talked at length. Linda told them of her experience and how she felt when she learned her son would be set free and her feelings when she was asked to consent to his adoption." Arthur paused for a moment and looked at his wife; then continued.
"Yours honors, we understand, and explained to the Marshalls, that for us to try and adopt Jeremy right now might be detrimental to him. We also believe, on advice of his counselor, that it would be detrimental to just try and place him back where he came from. It was Dr. Richardson's opinion that a slave, when freed, cannot just go back and pick up where he left off as a free person. Discussions with Daniel reinforced that feeling for us. Before we left the Marshalls, we all agreed that, in time, Jeremy would need to make his own choice. Someday, maybe Jeremy can understand that he has two sets of parents that care about him and want only the best for him. With that in mind we felt the best way to handle this situation was for us to become his guardians. Hopefully, we can avoid putting any unnecessary pressure on him."
"Mr. Sinclair, assuming we grant this request, have you made any agreement with the Marshalls about them being able to see the boy?"
"Yes, we have. However, when that will happen will depend on the boy's progress and the advice of his counselor."
"Dr. Richardson," Judge Lewis speaks up, "why do you think it's in Jeremy's best interest to free him now? Why not next week, or next month?"
"Your honors, Jeremy has made tremendous progress since we began the counseling. Initially he would only give me the standard short, to the point, answers slaves are trained to give. It didn't take long for him to begin to open up and actually talk to us. However, he is a slave and he knows it. He fears leaving the house. He knows that if he were to break any of the slave rules he could be severely punished and if the violation was observed by an officer of the court, he could be sent back for a forced sale." Kelley paused to be comfortable that the judges understood what he was saying.
"The most important thing for Jeremy, right now, is to relearn what it is to be a normal boy. To learn to be a normal boy he needs to know that he is free and can be normal; that also means being free to make a mistake and not fear being punished as a slave would be. The plan is to allow him to visit New Horizons with Daniel and the boys he has there. The big consideration is the fact that there are a number of law enforcement officers volunteering time to work with the boys. The officers are obligated to enforce slave law. If they knew that Jeremy was a slave and he violated a rule, then they . ."
"I think we get the picture Dr. Richardson, thank you." Judge Lewis interrupted and then turned back to Arthur.
"Arthur, I'll assume you've consulted with the court and are satisfied that freeing the boy will not adversely affect the other case you have going?"
"Yes, your honor. We have consulted the court. The case has class-action status and the court affirmed that freeing the boy will not interfere with the ongoing suit."
"Randall, I guess the decision is ours now, unless you have any more questions."
"I think we should talk to the boy, first."
Daniel and Jeremy walked down the hall to the concession stand. Daniel could feel Jeremy's body shaking with fear and nerves. As they walked Jeremy looked about anxiously. Not since he was enslaved had he seen so many people wearing uniforms and carrying sticks used to beat slaves and tasers. Each time they passed a person in uniform and they glanced at him, he was sure they were going to punish him for something. Why wouldn't they? That's the way his life had been for the past two years. Daniel got each of them a drink at the concession stand and they sat down to wait.
"Jeremy, you don't need to be so afraid. No one is going to bother you." Daniel tried to reassure and calm the boy.
"Sir, I'm scared. They all keep looking at me. They know, I'm sure of it, they know."
"They know what, Jeremy?"
"Sir, they know that I am still a slave. They are just waiting for me to do something wrong so they can use those slave guns on me. Sitting here drinking like this is against the rules for me. They hurt, Daniel. They hurt real bad." Jeremy remembered what it felt like to be hit with a taser and tears formed in his eyes. He had witnessed more than one boy writhing on the floor in pain because of those things. Worse, no one even knew what the boy had done to be treated like that.
"Daniel, were you this scared when you were freed?"
"I remember being nervous and, I guess, afraid. You need to understand that it was different for me. I was with my master for over two years before I was freed. He was then, and is now, a very loving and gentle person who showed nothing but compassion for me. I grew to love him and respect him a great deal. I guess he felt the same way about me; that's why he adopted me."
Jeremy sat at the table looking at his hands that were folded and resting on top of the table. Occasionally, he looked up at Daniel. When Daniel glanced over and saw Jeremy looking, the boy quickly looked down again. Daniel understood and said nothing. The two sat their quietly until Jeremy decided to speak.
"I think Mr. Arthur and Ms. Linda really do care about me. Mr. Arthur and I spend a lot of time together outside and in the pool. He is teaching me to swim." Daniel saw a little sparkle return to Jeremy's eyes.
"Being with them has been nothing like the past two years. Mr. Arthur has never tried to use me to satisfy his desires like other men did. He acts the way you'd want a father to be. At night, Ms. Linda tucks me into bed. Sometimes I will lie on the sofa with my head in her lap and it feels nice when she rubs my back. It feels . . I don't know . . I guess it feels warm and safe. Can I ask you a question?" Daniel looked at Jeremy and waited on the question.
"When you were freed, did you think about your first parents?" Daniel had a feeling this is what had really been bothering the boy.
"Some." Daniel spoke in a soft tone as he remembered back. "My father was the one who deliberately had me enslaved. I really missed my mother. Of course, we did get back together. You do know that Ms. Linda is my mother, right?" Jeremy nodded.
"Is that what's bothering you now? Are you thinking about your parents?"
"Some," Jeremy answered, despondent. "The thing is that I'm really happy that I might be free again, but I'm afraid, too. I'm afraid that maybe this is all a dream and I'll wake up or that I might do something wrong and not even know what it is and wind up a slave again. Sometimes I look at Mr. Arthur and Ms. Linda and then think about my mom and dad and think I'm wrong for what I'm feeling; sometimes I can't figure out exactly what I am feeling; except sad."
"You need to understand that everyone that's here today is here to help you. We all understand that you've been through some rough times, but you survived, Jeremy. You survived to keep on living, and now look, you're about to be free again. All I can tell you about how you feel is to suggest that you shouldn't worry about it right now. Take one day at a time and give things a chance to work themselves out. In time, you'll know how you really feel, and you'll know why."
Daniel's cell phone rang and he answered it. After a few seconds he hung up and looked at Jeremy, offering a friendly hand for the boy to clasp.
"It's time."
When Jeremy and Daniel entered the room, all eyes turned on them. Again, Jeremy felt as though he was being watched and was afraid. Afraid of everyone and everything, except Arthur and Linda. The judges saw the look of trepidation, particularly when Jeremy looked at the bailiff who was in uniform. Judge Lewis spoke.
"We have decided that we would like to speak to the boy before rendering our orders. In private. We want the boy to have every opportunity to feel that he can speak openly and freely without fear of being hurt or of hurting anyone's feelings. Jeremy, do you think you could talk with us for a few minutes?" Jeremy looked at Judge Lewis and then at Judge Jacobson before turning to look at Arthur and Linda, both of whom nodded their encouragement.
"Sir . .I think so sir." Jeremy answered hesitantly, then added, "Sir? Could Mr. Dan'l stay with me, sir?" Judge Lewis looked at Jeremy and the pleading look on his face, then nodded with a smile.
"Ms. Risler and Mr. Andrez. It's only fair to tell you now that we have already decided to seal these proceedings at the end. If you would like to stay and hear what is going on, we have no objections so long as the boy agrees. However, there is a condition. We will ask that you understand there are a lot of people that will be affected by what happens here today. We need to exercise discretion and show them respect."
"Thank you, your honor." Elizabeth replied. "We will turn our recorders off and give our word that nothing will be revealed that happens here today without the participants' consent." Elizabeth and Walter then took seats against the far wall.
Judge Jacobson pulled a chair over next to his seat. The chair was angled so the person sitting there could see both judges and they could see him as they spoke. Judge Jacobson then looked at Jeremy and smiled while he patted the chair. Jeremy looked at Daniel and then stepped over and sat in the chair.
"You know," Judge Jacobson began, "we aren't even sure what to call you right now. Technically you are Boy 32265, but that doesn't seem quite right under the circumstances. It's very important that you understand that we need for you to speak to us very openly and very honestly. We want to assure you that no matter what you say in here today, you don't have to worry about getting in any trouble. Do you understand that?" Jeremy looked at the two judges and then nodded and he whispered "Yes, sir." Judge Jacobson continued.
"I'm going to give you three names. We want you to tell us as much about those names as you can." Jeremy nodded. "Remember to talk to us as you would anyone else. The names are: Theodore Marshall, Allyson Marshall, and Keith Marshall." Jeremy was initially shocked, tears formed in his eyes. He refused to cry.
"Sirs, Theodore Marshall and Allyson Marshall were my parents." The look on Jeremy's face told everyone that his mind was drifting far off to another time. "They were the ones who cared for me and loved me when I was a person."
"Why do you speak of them in the past tense?" Judge Lewis asked. Jeremy looked at the judge, confused.
"Sir, when I was made a slave, one of the first things I was taught is that only free boys have parents. Slaves do not have parents; they do not have any family. Slave boys are no longer people as most people think of others; slave boys are things to be used. I am property to be used and traded at somebody else's will."
"You said 'I am'. Do you still regard yourself like that?"
"Yes, sir. I am a slave. I have been allowed to do many things that are forbidden to most slaves, but I am a slave. I have a slave identification number and I am chipped. I am a slave."
"Can you tell us more about your parents? Do you think of them now?"
"Sir, sometimes; but only recently again. In the beginning I didn't understand what was happening and why they didn't save me. After a while I understood that no one could save me and I stopped thinking about them, it hurt too much. Now, sometimes I think I want to see them, but I'm afraid. When they found out what I had been doing, they might not love me anymore. Then I have times that I think I am not the boy they knew as their son and they would not love me any more. I'm different now; I have a different life now. I'm sorry, sirs, I don't know how to explain it."
"You haven't said anything about Keith Marshall. Can you tell us about him?" Jeremy looked off into nothingness, thinking, before he answered.
"Sirs, Keith Marshall is gone, he is no more. He died more than two years ago. Most of the time I think that is the best thing. I used to think about him a lot, but not any more."
"Who was Keith Marshall?"
"He was me, sir. I used to be Keith Marshall." The judges looked at Jeremy, trying to read his emotions.
"Son," Judge Jacobson leaned over to look Jeremy in the eye, "I want to ask you something and I want you to think about the answer for a minute before you say anything. Understand?" Jeremy nodded. "When Judge Lewis and I sign these papers today, you will be a free boy again. Who do you want to be, Keith or Jeremy?"
Jeremy didn't answer, but looked at both judges as though he was pleading for guidance. He didn't want to give the wrong answer. The wrong answer might mean that he was not freed. But, what was the right answer?
"Your honors," Dr. Richardson interrupted, "If I might say something at this point?" The judges looked to the doctor and nodded. "We are here today on my recommendation to the Sinclairs that the stigma and shadow of slavery be lifted from him. The program we are following is to allow the boy to discover who he is and where he wants to go. As you may, or may not, know is that when a boy is trained as a pleasure slave, the intent is to strip him of his former identity. He is trained to do what he is told, when he is told, without question. He may not think for himself. As his counselor it is my opinion that the boy can not really begin to re-identify himself and answer your question at this time."
"Thank you doctor, we do understand your position and reasoning." Judge Jacobson stated and then turned to Jeremy. "Son, I'm going to make this easy for you, I hope. When you walk out of here today, as a free boy, what name would you like to be known by?"
Jeremy had not even thought of his name as being an issue. He had only prayed that the judges would let him be free. As a slave, someone else made all the decisions. Now, they have asked him to decide. Now, he was not only frightened because he didn't want to hurt anyone, but he was confused.
"Sirs, can I be both? I can not be just Keith Marshall, because he is gone. Mr. Arthur and Ms. Linda have named me Jeremy. As Jeremy they have been kind and shown me nothing but caring and love. But, at the same time, I think that not to keep part of me as I was before is not right to my other parents. Some day I hope things work out so that I can know them again, too; when the time is right." Jeremy then gave the judges a look of a lost puppy needing help.
The judges then asked for everyone to return to the room. Jeremy moved back over to stand between Arthur and Linda. Judge Jacobson spoke first.
"On the petition of Arthur Sinclair and Linda Sinclair to become guardians of a twelve year old boy formerly known as Keith Marshall, it is the opinion of this court that both parties have met or exceeded all the qualifications set forth by this court and the Department of Children and Families. Therefore, it is the order of this court that Arthur Sinclair and Linda Sinclair shall become the plenary guardians, until such further order of this court, of Boy 32265 upon his being freed from the status of slave and restored to the status of a free person with all rights and privileges thereto. Upon the boy being restored to the status of a free person his name shall officially be Jeremy Marshall. If there are no questions or objections, this order shall be deemed final."
Judge Lewis looked at all parties in attendance and then to Jeremy and his future guardians.
"Before I enter my order, Arthur could you tell me your preference for removing the boy's tattoo and chip?"
"Your honor, we would prefer to take him to the hospital for the procedures. We assumed the only other choice was to take him to the processing center and don't think that would be good for him now."
"I agree. Boy," Judge Lewis spoke softly and with a smile, "I want you to stand tall and look straight at me." Jeremy did as he was told. "It is my pleasure to inform you that as of right now, you are no longer a slave, but a free person. Your status as a free citizen is hereby restored together with all the rights and privileges, and responsibilities, of a free citizen. Henceforth, you shall be known as Jeremy Marshall and shall be the ward of Arthur Sinclair and Linda Sinclair. The Sinclairs are hereby assigned, and have accepted, the responsibility of having your SIN tattoo and chip removed within the next forty-eight hours." The judge then added with that special look in his eyes, "Jeremy, from someone who is a father himself, God bless you and good luck."
Jeremy stood looking at the judges, stunned. It had happened, really happened; he was free. He stood there and looked into space as his lower lip began to quiver. Suddenly, he collapsed into tears. The last time he cried this hard was when he was enslaved; this time, they were tears of joy. Jeremy melted into Arthur, who held his boy tightly.
During the ride home, Jeremy looked at everything he could see through the car's windows. What he saw was the same as on many previous trips, but with a new perspective. This time, he didn't see things that were forbidden to him, but things that offered new and exciting experiences.
If he wasn't looking at the many things they passed, he watched the vehicles that followed them. Three vehicles followed close behind. They carried the people who cared about and supported the boy. He had friends, a free boy's privilege.
When they arrived home Jeremy noticed several vehicles parked in the driveway. Jeremy sat in the car while the others got out. He looked around some more. Home, it was a new term for him. It wasn't his master's home or the place he was loaned to for entertainment. It was now his home.
As they approached the front door Elizabeth let Daniel know she needed to remain outside for a few minutes to make a quick public interest announcement. The proceedings with the judges had been taped and editors were busy compiling a brief clip to be used on the evening news broadcast. The remaining members of the group joined Arthur and Linda and Master Jeremy Marshall, formerly Boy 32265, in a celebration of new life.
End Ch Fifty-Seven
To Be Continued: comments welcome; contact Dwight Wilson at adm2780@yahoo.com