18
I hadn't talked to Paul since before Rick died. I still feel bad about that, but I had been having a hard time dealing with it myself. I had sent a note, but never heard back from him. I could feel his pain, grief from losing Rick and hurt, I'm afraid, caused by me.
By the time I felt I could deal with him, he was gone. His 'obituary' had appeared in some of the New York papers. Maybe I should have made more of an effort to track him down, but it's damn near impossible to keep track of all my descendents, human and otherwise. I spent a great deal of time searching for him, but had very little luck.
After trying the normal channels, I was left with little more information that I had started with. I contacted some bears I knew in the New York area. Once in a while, one of them had hooked up with him, but he didn't provide them with any idea where he might be headed. I was pondering my next move, my fingers drumming on my chair, chewing my lip in frustration when the silence was broken by the sound of my phone.
"Hello?"
"Grandpapa?" a familiar voice said. "It's Jim."
A grin split my bearded face. Perhaps just the lead I needed.
"Jimmy! It's good to hear from you."
"I...need some advice. Well, it's actually Paul who needs it."
I sat bolt upright in my chair.
"He's found himself a cub," I said.
There was a long pause.
"Well, he's found someone. He was planning on talking to him, explain about...us. But I don't know if...," he said.
"Oh, he has, my boy. He has."
"Figured you'd know before me," he chuckled. "The thing is.... Well, I want you to see this."
I gave him my current e-mail address and he sent me a picture. It seemed to be a painting of Paul and a handsome, bearish man. Above them was a mustachioed man beside...Rick. And above the four of them was Rick as a bear.
I felt a tear run down my face into my beard.
"Grandpapa?" Jim said.
"Got it," I replied in a strangled voice.
"Paul came out here after he met this guy...," he began.
"Brian," I supplied.
The line was quiet for a moment.
"How did...? Never mind. I don't want to know. Paul doesn't know how he knew about Rick. Paul hadn't told him much of anything about him. Certainly not enough to know what he looked like as human, much less bear. Paul doesn't think he had inadvertently changed him before he came here...."
"He didn't. He was changed this morning."
"Will you quit doing that?" he grumbled.
I just laughed.
"He got back there yesterday and found this painting. How...how could he know?"
"I have my suspicions, but I'm not quite sure yet," I temporized. "How would you like some company?"
"You?" he chuckled. "That'd be fine. The boys are driving me nuts. Think I know now why Rick didn't push Paul to become a papa himself."
"I heard you were a grandpa," I teased.
"Again."
"Where are you at now?" I asked.
"In the Seattle area. I'll send the address and directions."
"Thanks. I have some things I need to take care of here first. Should be there in about a month or so."
"That long?" he said, worry evident in his voice.
"I want to make sure they have time to bond before we show up."
"We?"
"What? You don't want to spend some time with your Grandpapa?" I teased.
"Okay," he laughed. "See you soon."
19
We were relaxing on the couch that afternoon. I was idly running my hand through the hair on his chest.
"Have you always been like this, or is it just me?" he chuckled.
I thought a moment.
"Dunno. I guess I've always been horned up. Used to bother Joe how much I'd jack off. Just didn't want to force myself on him."
"Suppose I can understand that," he said. "You're a lot to take."
"Me?" I glared at him.
He laughed and hugged me.
"I'm kidding. I love having that big thing of yours up my ass. I'm just trying to fill you with as much of my cum as I can."
"Will that speed my change?" I asked.
"No. Just like fucking you," he laughed, running his fingers along my crack.
He slid a finger into my hole.
"Mmmm. Nice and slick," he purred.
"Well, considering all the cum you've dumped up there, what did you expect?" I said, pushing back, forcing his finger deeper.
"I should call Mike," he said suddenly.
"Well, don't think you dropped your phone in there, did you?"
"Talk about your phone sex," he chuckled, getting up from the couch to get his phone.
"D'you want some privacy?" I asked hesitantly as he dropped back down beside me.
"Not at all," he said with a sly grin. He grabbed the back of my head and pushed me into his crotch. I didn't need much encouragement and sucked his meat into my mouth.
"Hello?" said a man's voice on his phone. He hit the speaker and set it down.
"Hey Jim. It's Paul."
"Hey, what's up?"
He chuckled.
"Well, looks like we've made the decision. Brian, say hello to your uncle," he said.
I slurped off his dick.
"Hello, Uncle Jim," I said then went back down.
"Oh my God," Jim said. "It's about damn time. How does it feel?"
"What? His ass or being a papa? Either way it's great."
They laughed. Me, my mouth was otherwise occupied.
"So, just calling to brag?" Jim laughed.
"Actually, was calling about Mikey."
"Fuck! He and his cub are driving me nuts. Caught them doing it on the kitchen table last night. Again."
"You're getting old, man," Paul chuckled.
"Hey! You're older than me. You helped raise me, remember."
"Yeah, but who's a grandpa and who isn't?"
"Fuck you, Bro," he laughed. "So what do you want Mikey for? Tired of your cub already?"
"Oh yeah?" he said, grabbing the phone. He flipped me on my back and straddled my face. I wasn't sure what he was doing, but I wasn't going to complain. I licked at his nuts, my nose buried in his crack.
"Holy shit!" Jim said, his voice muffled. "Damn nice looking cub you got there."
"What did you do?" I said, turning my head to speak.
"Just wanted to show your uncle what he's missing."
"So long as it doesn't end up all over the web," I said, going back to chewing on his sack.
I heard laughter above me.
"We're going to be here at least until he changes. Was thinking Mikey and his new cub might be interested in renting his house."
"Hmmm. I'll ask. Mike!" he roared.
We heard muffled voices through the speaker, and Paul lifted off my face, leering down at me. I grinned back and he pulled me up. He dropped down onto the couch, hard cock slapping against his furry belly. I stepped across him, running my swollen head across his lips. He opened his mouth, sucking me in, running his tongue along the underside of my shaft.
"Hey, Paul," came a new voice. "What's up?"
"We are," I said. "He's got his mouth full at the moment. Just a second."
I pulled my dick from his mouth with a pop as Mike burst into laughter.
"Hey Mike. Think you're ready to head out on your own?" Paul asked as I humped my dick through the hair on his chest.
"Yeah, haven't really decided where to go, yet."
"Well, I've got a proposition for you."
"I bet you do," Mike said with a leer.
I squatted down, reaching back to grip his dick, aiming it at my aching hole.
"Brian here's got a house in town. Not sure what he's going to want to do with it yet. Was thinking you might want to rent it for at least a while," he said, then let out a low moan as I worked his cock up my ass.
"Are you doing what I think you're doing?" Mike laughed.
"Dunno," I grunted. "If you think we're playing charades, then no. If you think I've got his dick up my butt, then yes."
"Sounds like you got a hot one, Paul," Mike laughed.
"You have no idea," Paul growled, running his hands up my sides as I ground my ass against his pubes.
"When were you thinking?" Mike asked.
"Probably some time this week. We're going to need to get our stuff up here."
"What do I need to bring?"
"Up to you," I grunted, working his cock with my ass muscles. "Figured I'd leave most of the furniture if you want it."
"We can talk rent when you get here," Paul laughed, then leaned forward and licked my tits.
"Well, so long as I can find a job there. Usually not to hard for a good mechanic."
"Okay, then. I'll send you the address in a couple of hours. When we're done here."
Mike chuckled.
"Talk to you later. Welcome to the family, Brian. Looking forward to meeting you."
With a final laugh, he hung up.
"Well, that's taken care of," Paul said, wrapping his arms around me.
"My turn," I said, squeezing my sphincter tight around the base of his cock.
20
"Tom wants to know if we'd like to go out for dinner tonight. He and Larry are leaving in the morning."
"Where are they going?" he asked.
"I thought you knew. Tom got transferred."
"Oh, yeah. Think he'd said something about that," he nodded. "That was quick."
"Well, his company's paying for the relocation. Might be the last time we ever see each other," I said wistfully.
"In a few months, he won't even recognize you," he said, stepping up behind me. He wrapped his arms around me, kissing my neck.
"So what about dinner?"
"Sounds good to me. Though I suppose that means we're going to have to put some clothes on," he pouted.
"Well, they only say 'no shoes, no shirts'...."
He laughed and slapped my ass.
I sent off a text and soon got a reply.
"Do you like Italian?"
"Dunno. Is he hot?"
"There are Italian men who aren't hot?" I said in surprise. "So that's a yes?"
He grinned and nodded.
"He's going to make reservations for five. Which means we might be seated by six."
"Huh?"
"He wants to go to Maria's. The food's great, but the wait, not so much. Think they want people to spend more time waiting in the bar."
"Typical. But sounds good. So what time you want to leave here?"
"Well, it'll take about an hour and a half to get home. Are you sure you want to start moving stuff tomorrow?"
"You'll be at work, so might as well be doing something constructive. Any idea when you'll be home?"
"Not sure. Depends on how the meeting goes."
"Guess we'll play it by ear. Figure I'll be gone...five, six hours."
"Was thinking we might load your truck up this afternoon. Then you can just get up and go in the morning."
"So long as I'm sleeping next to you, I'm fine."
"Can't stand to be without me?" I teased.
"Well, that too," he chuckled, pulling me to him. "Don't want you sleeping alone for the next few months. You're going to have some pretty weird dreams until you change. I want to be sure I'm there to reassure you."
"Awww, ain't you sweet," I said, pinching his cheek.
"You're also going to be horny as hell. But don't worry. I'll take care of you."
"Now that sound more like you," I grinned.
"So, what you're saying is we might want to get dressed and leave?"
"Sure," I said, walking to the bedroom. "Should give us enough time for a nice, long shower before dinner."
I looked back over my shoulder and winked.
"May just have to real dirty before we get clean."
"Anything you need out of here?" I said, gesturing to the pile of boxes stacked in the dining room.
"Nothing that won't wait a little longer," he said with a shrug. "Just need some clothes till we get settled in there. How dressy is this place?"
"Dressy casual," I said with a shrug.
"I should have something that'll work. Just a matter of figuring out which box they're in."
"Speaking of which, give me your dirty clothes. I'll toss them in the wash."
"What about this?" he said, pulling down his waistband to show me his jock.
My nostrils flared.
"No. I'll take care of that later," I growled.
He laughed and began carting the boxes out to his truck.
"Didn't we just do this?" he griped.
"Well, that was when you were moving in with me. Now we're moving in together."
I started the laundry and helped him finish loading up his truck.
"Well, we still have a couple of hours till we meet them," he said. "What should we do till then?"
"We could start packing my stuff, or decide what we want to take, or see how many loads we can shoot."
"Now you're talking," he growled, stepping close to me.
He stripped my shirt off, running his fingers through my fur. I thrust my tongue into his mouth, clawing at his tight ass. He stuck his face into my pit, his hand roaming across my chest. We began tearing at each others clothes. I wondered anew at his sex-drive. You'd might almost believe he hadn't been fucked five times this morning. He was easily my equal.
He latched onto my pec, suckling like...well, a cub at a tit. I pushed him to his knees. He opened my pants, pushing his nose against the stretched out pouch of the jock.
I amazed me that as hot as he was, he didn't seem to realize it. Could be an act, but I really doubt it. He seemed to see the best in others and the worst in himself.
Would have to work on the latter, I thought with a chuckle, shoving his face into my crotch. He sucked on the damp fabric, pulling my pants down to my ankles, his hands squeezing my ass cheeks.
I pulled away and shuffled to the chair so I could get my pants off. I loomed over him as he stripped. I pulled him up, grinding our cocks together.
I bent him over the arm of the couch and began rimming his hot ass. I worked my spit into his hole, getting it ready for me.
I stood back and pulled the jock off. My dick fell out, slapping onto his ass. I leaned over, reaching around to stuff the jock in his mouth. He moaned, then grunted as I forced my way into his hole.
"Think you're starting to get used to this," I snickered. "You're taking it a lot easier."
He pulled the jock out of his mouth.
"What do you expect," he said with a grin. "I've lost track of how many times you've plowed my ass just this weekend." He bit back down on the jock as I forced my dick deeper up his chute.
"Gotta make sure you know who your Papa is," I grunted. His ass wrapped my dick like a glove.
I was fucking him so hard the couch was shifting across the floor. Before it could run into anything, I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him tight against me. I twisted around, keeping my dick in his ass and dropped onto the couch. I grunted as his weight drove me deeper inside him. He howled and the jock fall from his mouth. I caught it as it fell and wrapped it around his dick. I started jerking him off as he rode my cock wildly. His ass tightened as he shot his load into the strap, his cum oozing through the mesh, covering my fingers.
I wadded up the cummy jock and shoved it back into his mouth. As I licked his sticky load off my fingers, his clutching ass brought me off. As I relaxed back into the couch, he pulled off my dick, his face dropping into my lap, licking me clean.
"This isn't getting us ready," I chuckled, then shuddered as he stuck his tongue into my foreskin.
"Let's get our shower," he said, easily pulling me to my feet.
"Huh. You're stronger than you look," I said, quite pleased.
"Yeah. I like to lift heavy," he shrugged.
"So all those weights weren't just for looks? That's good."
"Actually, with Tom leaving, I could use someone to spot me."
"I spotted you across the bar, didn't I?"
He slapped my ass as he led the way upstairs.
He went to the toilet and lifted the seat.
"Wait," I said.
"What? I gotta piss."
I grinned and grabbed his hand.
"I want to try something," I said, pulling him into the shower. I knelt in front of him, looking up expectantly. "Go!"
"Didn't know you were into water sports," he chuckled. "Did you and Joe do this?"
"No. He wasn't interested in trying it. I want to see what it's like."
He licked his lips, pushing his heavy skin forward, covering his head. He aimed it at my chest and a thick stream of hot piss sprayed down on me. It wet my fur, running down my belly. Rivulets cascaded around my swelling dick, dripping from my nuts, leaking down underneath to mix with the cum still oozing from my hole. His eyes lit with glee, giving me enough warning to close mine. He aimed his hose at my face, soaking my beard and hair. I opened my mouth and it quickly filled with his salty piss. It spilled over my lips until I swallowed, savory this new flavor. The stream slowed to a dribble and I sucked on his skin, my tongue seeking any remaining droplets.
"You're a mess," he laughed evilly. "So what did you think?"
"I think I like it," I grinned, wiping my eyes as he pulled his dick out of my mouth. "Not sure if I'd want anybody else but you to do it to me, though."
"Well, I guess you're marked as mine, then," he said, turning the hot water on. Slowly the stench of piss cleared from my nostrils. He pulled me to my feet, running his nose through my beard.
"That was so hot," he said, grabbing my dick. "Looks like you really liked it."
He ran his thumb around the head, making me shake and begin to leak. He grabbed the soap and began lathering my bush. A wet, slapping sound filled the room as he beat my meat.
"You're going to make me cum again," I growled.
"Not yet," he leered, turning to place his hands against the wall, thrusting his meaty ass out.
I didn't need any more encouragement. I pressed my seeping head against his hole and pushed through into his ass.
"Oh, yeah," he groaned, pushing back on my dick. "I really needed that."
"Been too busy fucking my ass," I grunted, pumping his butt. "Don't worry. I still got plenty for you."
My soapy hands slid around him, lathering his pecs as his ass squeezed my rod.
"Bite me!" he shouted suddenly.
I froze, my dick throbbing inside him.
"What?" I said.
"Bite me! Bite my shoulder!"
I wrapped him tightly. I licked his wet, hairy flesh, then pressed my teeth into his skin.
"Harder!" he ordered.
I bit down and tasted coppery blood. He shook and began shooting his load. I caught as much of it as I could, letting it slide from my palm down my tongue as I blasted him full.
I leaned against him, catching my breath.
I could feel him laughing beneath me.
"Think we're going to be late again?" he chuckled.
"Let him wait," I said, pulling out of his hole and dropping to my knees. "I'm not done yet."
21
We got to the restaurant about a quarter after five. Tom and Larry were seated at the crowded bar.
"This is getting to be a habit," Tom groused.
"Sorry. Had to wait for his clothes to dry," I said innocently.
Tom just snorted and we ordered something to drink.
"Cola?" Paul asked.
"I drove," I replied with a shrug. "Go ahead and get whatever you like."
We chatted, mostly about Tom's impending move. Larry was a bit less enthusiastic, though.
"So, when did you get back?" Tom asked Paul.
"Got back in the area Friday morning. Got to spend some quality time with my family, but was glad to get back to him," he said, jerking his head towards me.
"So, seen much of the city yet?" Larry asked.
"Mostly the inside of his bedroom," he chuckled, giving me a wink.
We all shared a laugh.
"So, what do you do?" Tom asked.
He looked at me archly and I choked on my drink.
"What kind of work do you do?" he clarified as Paul pounded me on the back.
"Done a lot of stuff in my life. Worked for the New York Fire Department most recently."
"Firemen," Larry said, waggling an eyebrow.
"Getting a little old for that line of work," he said, scowling as I stifled a laugh. "Though if necessary, I could fall back on that."
About that time, we were shown to our seat.
"Finally," Paul growled. "I'm hungry enough to eat a bear."
"Would have thought you already did," Larry said, casually scanning the menu.
"Stop doing that," I said, having spit my drink back into my glass. "You trying to kill me?"
"Not at all," he grinned.
"Want to just get the Fiesta dinners?" I asked, not even picking up my menu.
"Sounds good," Tom said.
"What's that?" Paul asked.
"They've got two Fiesta dinners, steak and pasta. Served family style."
"Sounds good to me," he said, putting down his menu.
When the waiter came, we ordered two of each. They started out by bringing us plates of both garlic and cheese breads. Then came a huge Italian salad tossed with plenty of olives and sausage. We were nearly through that course when they brought the main courses. Paul and I split one of the steaks and Tom and Larry shared the other. In addition, there was a huge bowl of mostaccioli and one of tortellini both in a rich marinara sauce. Also included was a plate of Italian sausage and another of meatballs.
"Damn," Paul said, pushing his empty plate away. "That was good." He let out a loud belch.
"Pig," I said with a grin.
"You're one to talk," he laughed.
When the waiter brought the bill, Paul grabbed it.
"It's on me," he said, over our protests. He pulled out his wallet and started pulling bills out.
"What?" he said, grinning at me. "You think I was broke?"
He paid the bill and we walked out to head to our cars. One problem with Maria's is it has a small parking lot. Customers always end up parking along the poorly lit neighborhood streets. Another was that it wasn't in the best part of town. Should have known better.
We were a couple of blocks from the restaurant when a bunch of street thugs stepped out of the shadows, blocking our path. Glancing back, I realized more had closed in behind us.
"Looks like we got some faggots to take care of," one of them said, showing a knife.
"Stay back," Paul and I said in unison, pushing Tom and Larry between us.
"Look out, Paul," Larry cried.
I spun to find a baseball bat swinging for my head. I put out a hand, stopping it mid-swing. The look on his face was priceless. It was slightly less priceless when I ripped the bat from his hands, slamming the butt across his jaw, sending out a spray of blood and tooth fragments. As his buddies screeched to a halt, I snapped the bat in half and hurled the pieces at them. They grabbed their injured buddy and fled. Typical bullies. Stand up to them and they show their true colors.
I turned and was stunned. A couple of the guys were on the ground at Brian's feet. For a big guy, he was swift and agile. In a blur of motion a third fell at his onslaught.
When Larry cried out a warning, I made the mistake of looking back. I saw one of them swinging a baseball bat at Paul. Then I hissed as I felt a knife ripping through my shirt. Fury flared inside me as the jackass came at me again, but this time I was prepared for him. I slipped aside, catching his wrist and twisting, hard. The knife flew out of his hand and I brought my fist down on the back of his elbow. The loud crack was followed by his scream. I twisted him around, throwing him into a couple of his buddies. Another swung at me, but I ducked under his blow, then rose up, my fist connecting with his chin. He flew back, landing with a heavy thud. I was faintly aware of shouts behind me as well as my torn shirt flapping wetly against my side. Another tried to rush me, but ended up with my boot in his guts. As he folded, I brought my elbow down on the back of his head.
The remaining punks turned and ran. I turned to find Paul wiping his hands as the ones behind us fled as well, leaving their friends on the ground.
"Brian! Are you all right?" Tom said.
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" he said and I realized his shirt was covered with blood.
"Let me see," I said, stepping toward him before they could move. I carefully lifted the ripped cloth, but was surprised to find a nearly healed wound. I wasn't sure what to make of it. As I watched, the wound healed and the scar slowly faded. I healed that quickly, but he'd taken my cum only yesterday. True, sharing blood could accelerate healing, but that hadn't happened. Well, he had bitten me earlier, but that wouldn't have been enough to cause this. However it happened, I was glad. It looked like he would have been half gutted. I grinned up at him, hiding my uncertainty, my hand falling against his hip, feeling his erection throb against my fingers.
I schooled my expression when I turned back to the others.
"He just got nicked. Looks worse than it is. I think I better get him home and patch him up."
"What about them?" Tom asked, gesturing to the unconscious bodies on the ground.
"Leave them. Call the cops. I don't care," I said expressionlessly. I knew what I wanted to do with them, but.... "I just want to get him out of here."
They weren't happy, but they left. After a quick search, I found a bloody knife on the ground. I knew we couldn't leave anything that might be used to identify us. Couldn't do anything about any of his blood that might have dripped on the ground, but it wasn't likely to be noticed.
"Let's go," I said, holding out my hand for the keys.
"But you've been drinking," he protested.
"But you've been stabbed," I growled back, holding up the bloody blade. "I want to get you home and make sure you're okay."
"Yes Papa," he said, suddenly meek, tossing me the keys.
He followed my directions and we were soon home.
As soon as we got inside, he pulled my shirt off. Looking at the size of the rip and the amount of blood on my shirt, I suppose I could understand their concern.
He knelt beside me, licking the blood from my skin. However, there was no sign I had even been injured.
"Now I'm glad I let you talk me into changing you," he said, licking my blood from his lips. He seemed calm but I caught a flicker of...something when he glanced up at me.
"Why? It was just a scratch."
"No it wasn't," he said, looking up at me seriously. He held up the knife and showed me how deep it had cut.
"Isn't that normal?" I said with a shrug. After all, this wasn't the first time I...well, I didn't want to get into that point of my life, yet. If ever again.
"I'm...not sure," he said, a grin growing across his lips. "For some of us, though, it's what saves us."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I'll tell you later. What I want to know is where you learned to fight like that?"
I could tell he was pleasantly surprised.
"Well, I realized I was gay when I was, like, seven years old. Haven't always been built like this," I said, flexing into a most muscular pose and growling ferociously.
He laughed, slapping his legs.
"I had some idea what I had to look forward to, so begged my parents to let me take some self defense classes. Took to it like every other course I've ever taken. Got to second Dan Black Belt."
"So in other words, don't piss you off," he grinned.
"Well, let's hope it never come to that. Besides, I have something I want you to help me with."
"What?" he said.
"This," I answered, opening my pants, my hardon flopping out. "Must have actually hurt even if I didn't really feel it."
"I forget how much you like pain," he grinned up at me. He slipped the head into his mouth.
"Sometimes I need the pain to remind me I'm still alive."
"Sean? It's Grandpapa."
"Hey!" came the voice over the phone. "'Bout time you got out of bed. What can I do for you?"
"I need you to get my bike out of storage and make sure it's road worthy. Going to be putting some serious mileage on it."
"Whoa! What's going on?"
"Well, I'm going to visit a new grand cub."
"Really? What's the occasion? If you went to visit every new grand cub...," he chuckled.
"Well," I temporized, "He's Paul's."
"Ah. Good for him. It's about time. How is he?"
"Don't know, yet," I laughed. "Just heard from Jim. I want to meet the man who captured Paul's heart."
"I take it he didn't change him the usual way?" Sean leered.
"Well, they used the much more pleasurable way, if that what you mean. For both participants."
"So how long are you going to be gone?" he asked.
"Not sure. Might be a while. Was hoping you might keep an eye on the place."
"Sure thing. Papa's been getting restless, so a change of scenery might be in order. Need us to pick up up?"
"If you don't mind."
"Mind? It's a pleasure, I hope," he laughed suggestively.
"Not one to say no to such a nice offer," I replied with a chuckle.
"It'll take a while to make sure it's ready. He's swamped at work. You know what spring's like up here."
"That's fine. Got to get some paperwork ready before I leave anyway. Why don't you just swing by in the morning?"
"Sounds good. I'll give you a call when it's ready and I'll head on up to pick you up. See you in the morning."
I hung up and pulled open a drawer in the filing cabinet.
"Let's see. Will need Canadian and American licenses. Passports. Here we go," I chuckled to myself, pulling out one of my favorite ID's. "Need to check on the cards. Should still be open. Need to pack some clothes. Can't go out like this, unfortunately."
I pulled out a duffel bag and tossed in a few shirts and a couple pairs of overalls. They're easy to get in and out of. Some socks. I dug out my helmet. Not sure yet where I'll end up and what their laws were, so better safe than sorry.
I got online to plan my route. I uploaded the maps to my GPS and transferred some funds around. The Internet is a wonderful, though sometimes frustrating tool. Makes things so much easier, but others much more difficult. Much more distracting, as well.
I found myself back at Bjorn's site. The more I read, the more disturbed I became. Followed some of the links to other site with more were stories, some written with other people. Wonder how wide spread this was.
It had been a long time since I ventured out. Maybe things had changed.
"Oh, well," I thought. "Sounds like I might not need to be quite so isolated for much longer."
A sudden pain stabbed through my side, followed by a wave of searing rage, suddenly cut off.
"Brian!" I cried out loud, straining to reclaim that elusive thread of thought. Panic clawed at my throat at the thought I might have lost him already. Long practice allowed me to push away my own emotions, sending my awareness out to try to find him. It was incredibly frustrating that I couldn't find him. But I was able to find Paul. I could feel his own anger and panic swiftly fading. I was able to see through his eyes and what I saw made my pulse quicken.
He was looking up at the bearish man from the painting. He lifted a bloody, slashed shirt, revealing a rapidly healing wound. I could feel relief mixed with confusion flooding Paul's mind.
I withdrew from his mind, excitement coursing through my veins.
"He's healing that quickly already," I mused. "Paul's definitely going to need my help."