New Horizons

All rights reserved. Other than downloading one copy for personal enjoyment, no part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, except for reviews, without the written permission of the author. As in real life, the sexual themes unfold gradually and are kept to a realistic level. Comments on the story are appreciated and may be addressed to the author, Dwight Wilson, at adm2780@yahoo.com

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.

Chapter Sixty-One: New Horizons

Driving from Orlando, Mark's thoughts jumped from one subject to another. As they left the city and headed into the country, Mark laughed to himself as he listened to the boys sharing their experiences with the senior citizens. The boys thought it was funny that most of the seniors had told the boys to call them 'grandma' or 'grandpa' or a similar name of affection; one older gentleman preferred to be called 'opa', which Mark had learned was German for grandpa. There was no doubt that the seniors enjoyed the boys' visits and particularly enjoyed being able to hold or touch the boys. All the boys agreed that in the beginning they weren't too sure how they felt about having a much older person, particularly a senior with all those wrinkles, caress their butts or wrap an arm around them. It didn't take long for the boys to realize the seniors were just being affectionate, even if they were simultaneously indulging their own fantasies. A couple of the boys thought it was particularly funny when one of the 'grandparents' would lean over, smell them, and then comment on how young and fresh they were.

"Yeah, ya know none us gets the feelin' up and action that TJ and Evan get from Grandpa Smith. That old man's got a thing for them two and they seem to love it."

"I know." One of the boys interjected. "You ever hear the sounds comin' from that room? Ya can't tell whose havin' the most fun. The pisser is that they don't share." All the boys laughed at the remarks.

Mark laughed to himself as the boys continued to talk amongst themselves. He could see the boys in his rear view mirror and knew a couple of them had already started undressing. Without saying anything, he looked around till he could see Jeremy and his friends. It was obvious from the looks on their faces that they were really caught up in the boys' stories. It was also obvious that Ted and Derek were making a detailed visual inspection of the boys as they undressed. Jeremy seemed to accept the various states of undress very casually. Mark heard one the boys say something about it was alright to get naked if they wanted. Ted and Derek looked to Jeremy. Jeremy looked up front at Mark and Kevin. When Mark saw him he mouthed that it was okay and the boys stripped. Mark smiled at the boys and returned to his own thoughts as he glanced over at Kevin, who was seated next to him.

Seven months earlier Mark was a college student without a care in the world. He came from a comfortable family capable of giving him a good education without the sacrifices many students were required to make. Mark had seen many slaves out working on the streets or moving through the shopping districts with their masters, and never gave them much thought. Only now, when he gave it thought, did he realize many of these slaves were younger boys. Only now did he understand how or why many of these young boys were enslaved and what their duties most likely entailed.

A stupid juvenile stunt involving a water fountain and soap caused his world to be taken away from him. Faster than he could think about it, he was about to become a slave himself. Raped, naked, used; he was to be one of the lost. Daniel Thompson saved him from that fate; he also did more. Mark now understood that with time he had grown to better appreciate what these lost boys endured and what it took for them to just survive. Daniel was determined to give the boys at New Horizons a chance and all boys that would have wound up like them, or worse.

While he visited his parents, they commented on how he had changed. Mark didn't initially understand what they meant. Family members came to visit. All of them knew Mark's story and knew he was on probation. All of them thought he stayed at New Horizons to avoid going to jail or being enslaved. That part was true; it was part of his probation. Mark also knew something was different, but he couldn't quite identify what it was until he was about half way through his visit. The difference was that he was no longer the irresponsible boy his parents had sent to college the first of the year. Under Daniel's tutelage, Mark had gained focus and responsibility.

All during college Mark was the care-free partier. He was fortunate to be bright enough that he survived with a minimal amount of study. This left him with plenty of time for fun. Not knowing what he wanted to do in life and not having to worry about money or make any sacrifices for his education left plenty of time for partying. If practice made perfect, Mark was the model partier everyone else sought to emulate. Those days were gone.

In addition to being a partier, Mark was known as the resident lover. Each night he could have a different girl. There had been many weeks where he did have a different girl each night. The girls always wanted him to fuck them; his skills with a generous endowment were known throughout the campus. To Mark, it was not romance. To Mark, the accomplishment was in the conquest and physical satisfaction. During his time with New Horizons, and Mark wasn't exactly sure when, his perception of sex and his acceptance of himself changed.

During junior high and high school, Mark had always noticed the other boys. He didn't particularly think of them sexually, but observed their physiques and equipment. Each day he would arrive home and as he changed out of his school clothes, into more comfortable 'hanging out' attire, he looked at his body and equipment; mentally measuring himself against the other boys. He was well aware that his package was larger than most and that he had a well formed body.

Mark knew that despite the fear he had felt while in jail and the defeat at the thought of becoming a slave, he found it exhilarating to be naked in public. He enjoyed hearing the comments of passersby, particularly of boys who envied his body. Raped and threatened with beatings and the possibility of a gang-rape, what he initially thought would be pleasure, became torture. The thought remained with him until he found Kevin; or he and Kevin found each other. It was Kevin that helped Mark change his self-perception and accept who he was. It was Kevin that taught Mark how to enjoy who he was.

Kevin was the oldest boy at New Horizons and the boys had appointed him to be their leader. Soon to turn seventeen, he was as mature, and in some areas more mature, than Mark. There was a natural chemistry between them. Mark remembered back to the day Daniel took off for the slave auction to rescue Kevin, Frank and Roger. The moment Kevin appeared, Mark knew there was something special about him. At first, they sneaked around to enjoy being with one another and have sex. Daniel gave Mark permission to occasionally walk around naked with the boys; he enjoyed doing that, mostly with Kevin by his side. Kevin taught Mark to consider someone other than himself.

Kevin had a rough life. Boy whore struggling to survive. Abandoned, unwanted, looked down on by society. Picked up by the police and sentenced to a life of slavery because no adult would take responsibility for him. Yet through it all he had managed to retain his smile, his enthusiasm for life, and caring for others. In the beginning, they were two young men who could sit and talk. Mark subconsciously placed a hand on Kevin's thigh and smiled. This was no longer the beginning. Now, there was a special bond between them. Before Mark left for West Palm, it was physical sex. Last night, when Mark returned, it was sex motivated by caring. Last night they didn't fuck; last night they made love to one another. Mark could only wonder what lay ahead for the two of them. He also knew he needed to appreciate what they had now.

When Mark parked the bus, Jeremy and his friends looked to him for direction. It was too early for supper and Mark wasn't sure of the arrangements for the boys. They could stay in one of the modular units, or it was possible Rick had set up beds for them in the dorms. As they unloaded, the regular boys stood around, waiting to see if they could help. Tanner, Sean, Devon and some of the other boys came to greet them. Mark asked Kevin to take charge and show Jeremy and his friends around after the boys placed their bags in the office.

"Holy cow! Look at all the naked boys." Derek commented, sounding amazed. "All them live here and go naked all the time?"

"Derek!" Ted responded, somewhat embrrassed. "Don't look now but you didn't hesitate to get naked when Mr. Mark said it was okay. You don't really think he'd let ya ride in the van naked and then tell ya to get dressed when we got here, do ya?" All the boys started to laugh. Jeremy watched his friend and had his own private laugh. He was accustomed to seeing a lot of naked boys in one place.

"Kev'n! . . Kev'n!" a young voice called out as the boy ran across the field. Kevin turned just in time to catch Ben as he bumped into his big brother, knocking him backwards.

"Oooofff!" Was Kevin's first response. "Ben, easy man, you almost knocked the breath outta me." Kevin gave Ben a hug and a pat on his back as he turned to the other boys. "This is Ben, my little brother. Did anybody tell ya about the little brother/big brother program?" The three boys shook there heads.

"It's simple. Older guys help take care of the younger guys. If Ben has a problem he comes to me. If he feels sick, he comes to me. I make sure he gets a shower each night, does his school work and brushes his teeth. Sometimes we'll sit around and talk or I'll just hold him for a while."

"He let me sleep with 'im a of couple times, too." Ben offered with a smile.

"Yes, I did, but it's been a while hasn't it?" Ben nodded. "All of us are in the same boat. We are all we have. It gets a little rough sometimes; you get lonely or down because you've been thinking about the way it used to be and wonder, why? The younger ones particularly have a rough time once in a while. When that happens to Ben, I keep him with me. I just try to make sure I don't spoil him too much. I don't think I've been very successful either; right little brother?" Kevin smiled at Ben as he rubbed his back a little more. "Ben, you wanna go with us while I show these guys around?"

"Yeah." Ben answered as he took his mentor's hand. "Can I stay with you tonight?"

"No, not tonight. Maybe another night, okay. Mr. Mark's back and he's tired. We don't want to disturb him, okay." Kevin could tell that Ben was disappointed and felt bad. Kevin knew when he was given the private room that he would share it with Mark. He also knew that Ben would want to stay with him occasionally; something he had yet to work out with Mark. He felt like he was caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. It had been a while since Ben asked to stay with him and Kevin hated letting the young boy down. Kevin also wanted some alone time with Mark and Ben didn't need to be a part of that.

Kevin showed the boys the dorms and explained how they all slept. Beds were assigned by age groups and older brothers stayed in the same dorm as their little brothers. He also explained that the private rooms in the dorms were once used by the staff but since the modulars were put in, the older boys were given the private rooms. The rooms were shared by two of the boys. The only exception for the staff members was Mr. Mark who remained in a private dorm room.

"Mr. Mark sleeps with Kevin." Ben volunteered, causing Kevin to blush.

"Yes, Ben, we heard." Ted commented as he looked at Kevin and laughed.

"Damn, look at the head." Derek commented. "It looks just like them army barracks you see in the old war movies. Even the shitters is wide open for everybody ta watch ya!" All the boys broke out in uncontrolled laughter because the innocent way Derek expressed his observations revealed his naiveté.

"Well, they probably look like old army barracks because they are old army barracks." Kevin replied. "This used to be an army reserve post. By the way, it's called a 'head' in the navy and a 'latrine' in the army."

"But, Kev," Derek said, hesitatingly, "I mean, man, with no privacy, not even a stall ta take a shit, how do ya . . you know . . . sometimes a guy needs to . . ." Derek began to blush with his question and looked for a way out. It was too late. The other guys knew exactly what he was referring to and just smiled, enjoying the spot Derek put himself in.

"Ingenuity, Derek. Ingenuity." Kevin answered. He walked off but continued to talk to the boys. "You'll find around here that these boys are just as normal and 'in need' as any other boys. As I once read in a book, there's no rule in the army as to how long you can or can not wash any particular part of your body. Mr. Daniel and the staff acknowledge natural desires. They don't encourage it, but they don't tell us not to get satisfaction. Mr. Dan'l knows it's gonna happen. Be patient and you'll see how."

Kevin then took the boys over to the mess hall and explained how the boys shared kitchen duties on a rotating basis. They also shared responsibility for keeping the dorms and bathrooms clean. Dorm duty also meant laundry duty. When Kevin mentioned laundry duty the boys looked at him, wondering why since all the boys were naked. Kevin then reminded them that even naked boys needed linens and towels.

After the mess hall they were shown the recreation room and some of the rooms with computers. Kevin explained that the boys used the computers for school work doing research as well as lessons and tests. The youngest boys attended a special class conducted mostly by Mark. School was three and a half hours each day for the younger ones. The time for the older boys varied depending on the program designed to let them catch up to their age group. If anyone needed extra help, then one of the staff members or one of the other boys that was familiar with the subject tutored.

"Does everybody hafta go to school?' Derek asked.

"Oh, yeah." Kevin answered. "Here, you'll find that most of the boys don't object. You have to remember that all of us were street kids that didn't go to school. We couldn't. If the police got us, it was off to the slave house. Most of us were eventually picked up by the cops, but we lucked up with Mr. Daniel. There's a few here that came in voluntarily, but they were on the streets too."

"How'd you get them to come in?" Ted asked.

"The police know where the boys are. Most police, at least the ones we know, don't like the system any more than we do. Unless the boys start causing a lot of trouble they try to leave them alone. The last big group that came in, the police had orders to make a raid. They came to us for help. We went with them and talked to the boys about this place and how they could have a chance at a decent life if they came with us. One kid had a warrant on him, he couldn't come. Mark told us he took care of the kid, but since the injunction was issued, he was able to go back home." Again, Jeremy smiled to himself.

The boys walked through the original sports area. Ted and Derek liked the pool. They passed a lot of boys as they strolled the grounds. The boys all waved or called out a friendly greeting to the strangers. Walking through the basketball courts, they approached the garden and orchard where several boys worked. Kevin again explained the rotating duties and how they grew some of the food they ate. He also explained that most of the boys liked working in the gardens and feeling that they were in some way contributing to their own care.

A number of the boys recognized Jeremy and ran up to him with a warm greeting. A few of the boys attached themselves to the walking tour and helped explain some of the things that happened on a day to day basis. Everyone was so anxious to tell about what happened at New Horizons and what the boys did that there would be two or three conversations going simultaneously. The boys would invariably ask where Jeremy and his friends were sleeping and always received a "dunno" answer.

Beyond the garden and orchard were the baseball fields. Kevin described how Captain Jackson and some of his men had come out and mostly built the fields for the boys. Now, the men came on weekends as volunteers and coached the different teams. Two teams were on the field playing a game for fun. Kevin and the boys stood and watched the game for a few minutes. Kevin was distracted by Ben pulling on his arm. Ben tried talking quietly to his mentor, but Kevin couldn't hear him, so he squatted down to talk to the boy.

"Kevin . .uh . ." Ben hesitated and looked down at the ground. Kevin knew this was either important or Kevin wanted to ask him something the boy wasn't sure he should ask.

"What is it, Ben? Haven't I always said you could talk to me about anything?"

"Yeah . . but . ." Kevin didn't say anything, this had to be important. "well . . can I stay with you after you and Mr. Mark play?" Kevin looked at Ben, dumbfounded.

"Ben . . what are you talking about?" Kevin hoped beyond hope that Ben wasn't talking about what Kevin was sure the boy was asking.

"You know . . after you and Mr. Mark fuck . .can I . .?"

"Ben!" Kevin immediately regretted speaking so sharply when he saw the tears form in Ben's eyes.

"Don't be mad at me . .please? I'm sorry . . .Kev'n, I jus' wanted . . ." Too late, Ben had begun to cry.

"Easy, little bro, I'm not mad at you. I promise." Kevin held the boy to calm him. The other boys stood by quietly and watched. "Where did you learn that?"

"Other boys. They say you and Mr. Mark like to play. When I told 'em you'd let me play too, they laughed at me and they said you have lots of sex and fuck. I can play, too."

"No, Ben, you will not play, too. At least, not with Mr. Mark and me. I think you and I need to sit down and have us a little brotherly talk."

"What's kinda talk?"

"You'll know tomorrow. Now I don't want to hear any more about it tonight, okay?" Rather than wait for Ben's answer, Kevin quickly slipped an arm between the boy's legs, grabbed one arm, and flipped the boy over his shoulders in a fireman's carry. Ben squealed with delight and laughter. Kevin was thankful for a slight reprieve. He knew he needed to talk to Daniel.

Ben continued to squeal with delight as they walked along. Kevin intentionally bounced the boy on his shoulder, causing him to squeal louder. Some of the bouncing hurt but Ben really didn't care. He was getting the attention he wanted. As they approached the pool, Kevin spotted Frank and signaled that he was going to toss Ben into the pool. Holding a leg in one hand and an arm in the other, Kevin began to run. Just short of the edge of the pool he ducked his head and let Ben fly through the air. Ben squealed so loud that everyone within earshot stopped to see the big splash. As he surfaced, Frank had to grab the boy who couldn't stop laughing. The other boys enjoyed a laugh with him.

Ted and Derek jumped in the pool. The boys had a new game going they called 'boy toss'. The boy in this case was little Ryan. Ryan's biggest problem was that he was having so much fun that he had trouble staying in the balled position. After watching the boys play for a couple of minutes, Jeremy touched Kevin's arm to get his attention.

"Can I ask ya a question?" Jeremy asked timidly.

"Sure. What's up?" Kevin tried to answer in an upbeat tone. Kevin knew Jeremy's background and had been cautioned by Daniel that the boy might act a little withdrawn. It was considered important to get him to interact with the other boys.

"All these boys. They don't care about me being here?" Kevin looked at Jeremy, a little confused.

"Care? Why would they care, Jeremy?"

"Well, you know." Jeremy looked down, not sure if he should continue. Then, he took a deep breath to finish what he needed to say. "Because I was a slave and pleasure boy. Most people don't like being around a slave and what they think is a dirty whore." Kevin studied the boy before answering.

"Jeremy, let's walk for a minute, okay?" The two boys slowly strolled away from the crowd. "You need to realize that every boy in here was about to be a slave when Mr. Dan'l found them. All of us did the same as you. We were pleasure boys. We were street whores. We did it to survive; it's what we had to do. Just like you; you did what you had to do. One way or another we were all slaves to the system. Understand?" Jeremy stood and stared into Kevin's eyes. Jeremy knew the eyes reflected if a person was lying.

"Mr. Dan'l rescued me from the auction house. He even had them delay the sale so he could find me. The same with Frank and Roger. TJ was taken out of the holding place by one of the guards who took him home and tortured him. TJ thought he was a goner. There's one other thing that might help you. You remember the boys that stayed back in Orlando with Mr. Dan'l?" Jeremy nodded. "They were slaves, too. We have two younger boys here we just call 'the twins' that were slaves. Here, nobody will judge you for what you were or did. What's important is what you do now to help yourself to a good future. Understand?" Jeremy looked at Kevin with a slight smile and hope in his eyes.

Rick had made provisions for Jeremy and his friends to stay with the boys. They were to help Jeremy learn how to cope with his past and be a normal boy again. Giving him special treatment by placing them in a modular would not contribute to the goal.

The boys rinsed off before entering the dining hall for supper. All the boys were nice to them and offered to let them move ahead in the line. The boys declined and said they would wait their turn. Likewise, all the boys offered to share table space with them. Paul asked the boys to sit near the front and called them up for introductions after everyone had been served. After dinner, it was back to the pool, volleyball courts, basketball, or whatever the boys wanted. The only special treatment extended to the three boys was when Paul asked the all the boys who was the best skateboarder in camp. Patrick and Brad were nominated the best by the boys and volunteered to teach Jeremy how to skateboard.

"Kevin? Are you alright?" Mark asked in a soft, caring tone.

"Yeah, I was just thinkin'. You know, I hadn't thought about that night that Mr. Dan'l pulled me out of that auction house in a long time. Now, I can remember it like it was yesterday. I don't think I'd ever been so scared in my whole life." Kevin lay next to Mark with his head in the crook of Mark's arm. Mark turned and pulled Kevin into him and let him talk.

"When they came and got us and loaded us on that truck I thought my life was over. They took us to the processing area and made us strip. Then they had us lock our fingers together behind our necks and cuffed us. We were showered and shaved. Slaves scrubbed us down with something that felt like a wire brush; I thought they were gonna skin me alive. I remember after they showered us, they made us go to another area where they gave all of us enemas. The way they did it was to shove the nozzle of a hose up my ass. I thought my guts was going to explode. At the same time I felt like I was gonna puke everything I'd ever put in my stomach." Kevin lay on the bed with Mark holding him. Tears ran down his cheek as he remembered the horrific night.

"Mark, I was never so scared in my life. I was stuck, fingered, probed, and hit with a whip. One kid said something without permission. Next thing we knew he was on the floor screaming in pain where they'd got 'im with an electric prod. You could smell the flesh burning. He lost control and shit all over the floor. Last I saw of 'im the guards said he was gonna have to lick his mess up or they'd prod him again. Those damn guards took pleasure in making us suffer. They told us we weren't anything but animals, now. They were the animals."

Both young men lay in the bed, neither saying anything. Mark continued to hold Kevin and lightly rubbed his back. Neither of them slept or moved. Mark hurt for his friend. Kevin just hurt. Kevin broke the silence.

"They put all of us in a cage. We got separated for who knows what reason. They made us line up a little while later and put what they said was temporary collars on us and cuffed our wrists to the collars. When we were moved into the display and inspection area, they cuffed our legs to rings in the floor. I wondered if an animal felt so helpless and low."

"We heard the announcement about them delaying the sale and didn't know what was happening. Of course, we really didn't care. We were going to be slaves then or fifteen minutes later; what difference did it make? Then, I heard Ben's voice. When I heard his voice and thought he was going to be a slave, I never felt so lost in my whole life. Then, I realized he wasn't naked. He was wearing this shirt that was ten times too big for him and running at me." Kevin allowed himself a quiet laugh as he pictured Ben in that oversized shirt running toward him. "Then I figured a guard was going to get us with a prod. The guard pulled me out and uncuffed me. We left, looking for Frank and Roger. You know, I don't even know how I got out of that place? I remember them taking the collar and cuffs off and bein' pushed out into a van. Hell, I don't even know if I was still naked at the time." Kevin chuckled to himself.

"I was sixteen when all that happened. Sometimes, it seems like it was a lifetime ago. If I was that scared, can you imagine what Jeremy must have felt like? At least I'd been on the streets and heard what happened in those places. That poor kid was just taken straight from a good home and made a slave. A little kid made to perform sex with grown men who thought the boy was just trash to be used and thrown away. Sometimes life ain't worth shit." Kevin gripped Mark's hand that lay over his chest and held it. When they had come to bed it was with the idea of making passionate love to one another. Kevin even knew how he wanted to tease and excite his lover. Two young boys interfered with those plans. One boy was Jeremy; the other, Ben.

"Mark, Ben came to me this afternoon and wanted to stay with me. It was the first time he'd asked in a long time and I said he couldn't. He wanted to know if he could come in after we 'fucked'. I think the little guy is starting to learn a little more than I'd like for him to right now. I sure wish he could stay innocent for a little longer." Kevin laughed to himself. After a moment, Kevin felt Mark push him from the back and pat him a couple of times on the butt. No words needed to be spoken. Kevin pulled Mark's hand up and kissed it gently as he got off the bed.

Kevin found Ben curled up on his bed in a fetal position. He pulled the sheet off the young boy and rolled him onto his back. Ben managed to open his eyes a little and saw Kevin, he smiled and reached up to wrap his arms around his big brother's neck. Kevin lay the boy on his bed and then lay behind him. He pulled Ben into him in a spooning position. Ben rolled over and wrapped an arm over Kevin's chest and a leg over his big brother's leg. Kevin held him close and kissed him lightly on the head. Kevin and Mark looked at one another and smiled. There would be another night for them.

When Daniel and the boys left the police station, Daniel knew the boys were really down. To talk about the face to face meeting and have the opportunity to vent the many months of pent-up frustration was one thing, to actually stand face to face with a family member who disowned and betrayed them, was another matter. The boys had talked for days how they wanted to let Jamison know what a prick they thought he was. They even bragged about rubbing it in that they had survived without his help and would have a good future in spite of what he had done to them. In the end they thought the whole thing was futile.

Jamison's attitude let the boys know that he didn't care what they thought or did. He was so blind to the mistakes and sins he had committed against his own family, that he would never comprehend the wrong. He would never comprehend what he had thrown away; all for money.

Daniel pulled away from the police station. The boys were eerily quiet; each boy caught up in his own thoughts and grief. There was little anyone could do for any of them; they needed to work this out for themselves. As they drove down the highway, Daniel spotted a Denny's that didn't appear to be too busy, and pulled in. When he parked, the boys looked at him like they really didn't care. Daniel reminded them they hadn't eaten since breakfast, and even though they may not feel very hungry, each of them needed to eat something. The boys wouldn't argue with Daniel; they just followed him inside. When the boys acted as though they weren't sure what they wanted, Daniel ordered three club sandwiches for them to share and a milkshake for each boy. They sat quietly until Daniel broke the silence.

"Guys, I'm sorry." Daniel stated quietly. "I really didn't realize it would be this hard on you. I was really kind of hoping each of you, in your own way, would find some closure."

"Mr. Dan'l," Brian spoke quietly while looking at the table, but at the same time looking no-where, "before you can find closure, don't you have to accept what's happened? I mean, like, when somebody dies, you need to accept that they are dead; then look for closure. I thought I knew what happened and accepted it. This afternoon, I figured out that I could tell somebody what happened, but there was always something in my head that tried to make excuses. I think I always hoped that one day he'd come back for us. Today, I learned better." Daniel listened to the boys express their feelings. Life had made them grow up faster than they should have; they were mature beyond their years.

"Yeah, me too." Randy added. "I guess I never really understood why he'd do to us what he did. Some part of me wanted to believe it was all just some big mistake. All the time we spent on the streets, every time I let a john take me, each bruise and each cut, it was just for a little while. Somebody would see the mistake and come save us. What a joke; and the joke was on me."

"Evan, are you alright?" Daniel asked.

"Kinda, I guess." Evan responded sullenly as he leaned into TJ's arms. "When I walked in I thought that I could tell him it was alright and I forgave him. Part of me does, but part of me doesn't. What happens now, Mr. Dan'l?"

"Now? Life goes on, Evan. It goes on for each of you. If the man is smart, he'll take the deal that was offered. The police will recover most, maybe all, of your money for you and it will go into the bank to guarantee each of you a chance at a good education and decent life. He'll have to serve some time and then have the rest of his life to think about how he threw away the most valuable asset any man could have, loving sons." Daniel paused for a moment while the waitress served their food and drinks; then continued.

"Each of you feels bad for your own reasons. It may sound harsh now, but the reality is that that man didn't care what happened to you. If you will recall, each of you was about to become lifetime slaves. I know this may sound strange, but my suggestion would be that you try to remember back to a happy time. Search for some good memories; memories that bring a smile to your face. There was a time when each of you had that, just like there was a time like that with me and my father. I think of them once in a while, and I smile or laugh. The rest I have been able to push aside and accept that I've been able to move on to something worthwhile and he didn't. It will take some time, but you can do it."

"Mr. Dan'l," Josh looked at Daniel, hesitatingly, "I know this may not be the right time, but do you know how much money we're talkin' about? I mean, Randy and Evan's dad talked like there was a lot. Is there really enough for us to get an education and not worry about bein' made slaves?"

"Josh, it's your money; well, yours and your brother's and cousins' anyway; and let's not forget the twins. There's not enough for you to be able to live life like a party animal, you will have to work sometime. There is enough for each of you to get a good education and a good start, though."

"Oh man, damn!" Brian suddenly interjected. "I was hopin' to be one of them world wide partiers. You know, part of the jet set. I think I'd be real good at that. Man, the way I'm equipped and with my skills, they'd be beggin' for me."

"Yeah, as long as 'they' was the dogs in the kennel!" Randy teased his cousin. "It was me that made you look so good."

"Bull shit!!" Evan interjected, surprising everyone with his boldness. "I'm the one that had ta stand there and keep control and then time it so I'd shoot off at just the right time to make you guys look good. If I hadn't had a good imagination and made pictures in my head of some real sexy dude, you guys would still be standin' on that stage tryin' ta figure out how to make me shoot off! In fact, I think I oughtta get a bonus."

Daniel sat back and listened as suddenly the boys seemed to come out of their somber mood. They were boys being boys. They teased and jabbed at one another, all laughing as one by one they all got embarrassed over something through the stories. Daniel thought teenagers were remarkable; down in the dumps one minute, on top of the world the next. With the sudden and extreme change in attitude came a sudden change in their appetites. Daniel had to order more sandwiches and more milkshakes.

The boys sat at Denny's and exchanged jabs and stories until Daniel could tell they were getting tired. He looked at his watch and knew it would be late when they got back to Fort Ogden. Finally, Daniel, told the boys to take care of any personal matters that needed attention because they wouldn't be stopping any more until they were home.

"Mr. Dan'l, I got a matter needs handlin' real bad, but I don't think we can do it here." Evan burst out with a surprise statement.

"Then you just better hold on to it till you're home, don't you think?" Daniel answered, surprising all the boys who responded with fits and howls of laughter.

When everyone was back in the van, Daniel told the boys that since it would be so late getting in, they should stay in one of the new modulars rather than disturb the other boys. They had barely cleared town when Daniel looked in the mirror and saw a couple of the boys removing their clothes. It wasn't long before all the boys had removed their shirts and it appeared there was several pairs of shorts over the back of seats. Daniel smiled, satisfied that the boys were returning to normal. He continued to watch in the rear view mirror as one by one, the boys fell asleep.

Evan and TJ sat in the very rear of the van. TJ sat with his back against the side of the van and the back of the seat. It was evident that Evan sat between TJ's legs and leaned back into what everyone knew to be his lover. Evan was a special concern for Daniel. He was extremely sensitive and trusting; a boy who could too easily be hurt. With TJ the boy had found security. He needed to be loved and TJ filled that need. The two boys melded together. Evan let his head roll back and rest on TJ's shoulder while TJ lay his head against Evan's cheek and the two boys drifted off to sleep.

As much as he had tried, there had been no way to fully prepare the boys for what they might see, hear or feel when they faced Jamison. Daniel hoped they could find some closure, and it appeared they did. There would be more heart ache as the boys recounted their past occasionally, that was part of life. What was important now was that they have some peace and focus on their futures.

When they arrived at New Horizons, the camp was quiet. The boys looked out through eyes that said they were still half asleep. A couple of the boys had just enough rest that they were almost fully awake. Daniel thought it best they move to their beds and lie down again as quickly as possible. He showed them which modular they could stay in for the night so they didn't disturb the other boys. The older boys had private rooms and went to their own beds. TJ and Evan went to the modular and a private room.

The bedroom was furnished with a double bed and softer than the bunks the boys normally slept on. TJ and Evan were both awake and decided to walk through the unit to satisfy their curiosity. When they looked in the master bedroom and bath, they were both amazed to see the large Jacuzzi style tub. The boys grinned at one another, knowing they shared the same thoughts. Within minutes the tub was filled with warm water that shot out through jets to caress their young bodies. Again, Evan situated himself between his lovers legs and leaned back as TJ began the age old ritual of foreplay.

Evan closed his eyes and enjoyed the feel of his lover's fingers playing with his body. As TJ's fingernails traveled up and down Evan's sides, Evan arched his back and reached back for his lover. Twisting his head, the two boys locked their lips together in a passionate kiss. They stayed in the tub feeling every inch of the other's body until the water turned cool. When they got out, Evan prepared himself for his lover. Tonight TJ would fill Evan and satisfy their every need. There would be no more worries, no fears. Tonight there was only room for love.

Tomorrow would be another day.

End Chapter Sixty-One

To Be Continued: comments welcome; contact Dwight Wilson at adm2780@yahoo.com