Waking up facing complete strangers and being in a strange bed, Todd was really scared and confused. Never taking his eyes off either person in the room, he swung his feet to the floor.
Todd struggled to hide what he was feeling. Frightened and sick...very sick. Just as Todd was about to say something he covered his mouth. The younger guy pointed fast to the executive bath and the two followed Todd at the run.
Todd made the toilet just in the barest of margins. Violently sick.
"Ugh!!!! Dude! That's nasty!" Mouse turned just as Todd heaved.
Deek was right behind them. Mouse had a hand over his own mouth and nose. The kid had his head in the bowl and sounded like he was puking up his toenails. Deek grimaced, as he watched the boy on the floor. Poor kid, he looked so shocked when he woke up. He hid his fear well, but not completely. Deek guessed he was in for more surprises this morning.
"Mouse, stay with Todd. I'm going to go get Jared."
Jared? Something set off alarms in his pounding brain. He was too busy being sick to concentrate on it. Todd tried to say something but yanked his head back over the bowl instead.
"Just call him!" Mouse yelled from the doorway.
"He's not answering. Must be in the shower. Just stay here."
"Me? Why...why don't I go get 'em? What if he gets away from me?"
"He had better not. He might be more at ease with you than waiting with me. You both had better be here when we get back. Don't worry I'll lock the doors."
Mouse just looked at Todd and nodded. "Fine. ugh..yuck.. But hurry!"
Deek laughed at Mouse's pinched and panicked face. He was sure Todd was not going anywhere, but he locked the double doors together, just in case.
Jared was just exiting his apartment when Deek stepped out of the elevator. "Morn'n Tank."
Rolling his eyes at his friend Jared walked past him towards the elevator. "The names, Jared, or boss...you know the guy that signs your check."
Deek just chuckled good-naturedly.
"How is he?"
"He's awake, scared and sick."
Jared gave himself a mental shake. Todd sick? "What do you mean sick?" He sounder calmer than he felt.
"Yeah, sick as a trash eat'n dog."
"And you left him alone?"
Deek scowled at Jared. "Yeah, sure I did. Gave him the key to the limo and the company checkbook, too. Asshole. I left Mouse with him. We better get down there; Mouse didn't want to hang out. Poor boy is ready to toss his own cookies. Relax, would ya? Doc said he might be sick in the morning and surprise! He is."
Jared followed Deek to the elevator. He was a little crabby from lack of sleep, and worry over what to do with the kid, might have something to do with that. Jared actually only grabbed an hour or so of sleep. He spent most wee hours delving into the files Deek had compiled on Todd. It didn't shed anymore light on Todd than before. Maybe he'd have some more answers now...from Todd. He didn't count on it though.
"Rough night? You look like _s_h_i_t_."
Jared just glared at his friend. "Nice. I didn't get much sleep."
"What now, Jared? Know what you're going to do with the kid?"
Letting out a long, tired sigh, Jared looked Deek in the eye and nodded. "Yeah. I'm keeping him."
Deek was quiet a moment. "Jared he's not a puppy...he's not just some stray off the street. He's a man...well, nearly anyway. What if he don't want to stay."
"I know he's not a puppy...but neither is he a man. Not for a few months yet, probably not for some time after that, but until then he's mine, he'll stay here."
Deek didn't push it any further. Once Jared made up his mind that was that. He knew this about Jared and so did the rest of the building. Deek hoped Todd would catch on quickly or they all would have some tough months coming.
Jared and Deek stepped in the elevator. Jared felt his stomach tighten, signaling the arrival to the executive floor. Once off the elevator Jared knew his life would be different, Todd's as well. Jared had few doubts now he was doing the right thing....for both of them.
Todd was worn out from heaving his guts. His head was pounding and he had little energy at all. A wet cloth was handed to him. He lay down on the tile floor. A clean, tile floor, just for a moment to rest and wipe his face with the cloth. Then he levered himself up, with help.
The kid about his age had an arm under him hoisting him up.
"Thanks..I... Todd picked up his boots and shirt and headed
unsteadily for the doors. "Nooo way, brah...I already got my ass
belted for not listening, I ain't ready for a rematch." Todd was
steered to the big onyx table. A glass of water was placed in front
of him. "Here, this will help." Todd took a deep drink. "Thanks." Looking
around at the huge room. He was sat down at the long black table before
he fell down. There was a window that took up the back wall, floor
to ceiling. By the looks of the buildings across the street he was
up pretty high. Tugging his boots on he tried to remember anything
from last night. "Where am I?" "Sherman Towers. Uptown. Way uptown
from the Zone, Dude." Todd's head was still foggy. Why would he
be uptown? "Sherman Towers?" The other kid just shook his head at
him, like he was dense. "Sherman..Sherman Towers...as in J-a-r-e-d
Sherman." Holy _s_h_i_t_!. The tank had him. Why, when? No matter,
time to jet. "Dude.. _f_u_c_k_! really, I gotta get out of here." The
little blond just shook his head. "That's not happening." Todd laid
his throbbing head down on the table. It's cool surface felt good
on his skin. "Man, you don't understand." His breath fogged the
black shiny tabletop. Todd couldn't remember ever feeling this sick.
And sore...his body was so stiff. He couldn't remember why. It was
beginning to piss him off. Mouse looked at the kid slumped over
the table. Even if he did open the door. Todd wouldn't make it 10
feet. "You got that right, brah, I don't. But you're stuck here until
Deek or Jared get back any way. One whuppin' is enough for a 24 hr
period." Todd raised his head. He looked the other guy over. He
was kinda short with blonde spiky hair and blue eyes. Compact build.
Not skinny or chunky, nice build. Cute. Not his type, but cute. Where
had he heard that word before....put like that...whuppin'? "Whuppin'?
Dude, how old are you?" "Twenty " Todd's eyes widened. "Whoa...back
up the bus! Dude, you're 20? And you got your ass beat?" Todd stood
up on wobbly legs, he didn't give the other guy a chance to answer.
Were Jared and this guy in some sort of sick cult he wondered. He
wasn't planning on hanging around to find out. "I gotta get the
_f_u_c_k_ outta here." Stumbling rather than walking he made his
way to the doors. He tried to open one then the other. They were locked
together but they did move a bit. "_f_u_c_k_. Dude! Where's the
key, man?" "It's locked." Todd glared at the shorter man. "Not
for long." Getting no help from the other guy in the room, he rammed
his shoulders into it a few times. There was some weakening. "Hey!
Dude! Chill man, knock if off." Mouse tried to yank the skinny kid
back to the table. He was a lot stronger than he appeared, even sick
as he had just been, Todd was able to brush off Mouse's attempts to
drag him away from the doors. Todd moved back to the table to make
a run at the door. Mouse tried to make a grab for Todd but was flung
off just as Todd rushed the door. Todd tucked his head and braced
himself as he shouldered through the doors. The wood cracked under
force as he plowed through them. Todd flew out the doors and landed
on a marbled floor. His momentum sent him wildly sliding into contact
with a marbled wall. Todd hit the wall, hard, painfully he rolled
onto his stomach only to find a pair of boots just inches from his
nose. Jared and Deek stepped out of the elevator just as the doors
to the executive board room doors exploded open and a body hurled
out of them. Jared was in front of the crumpled form before he realized
he was running. It groaned and rolled over, Visions of last night
flashed fresh in his mind. Todd and his bike sliding across the roof
in slow motion, Todd landing in a heap, unmoving, with the bike pinning
him down. Shaking the visions and the cold chills that accompanied
them off, he looked down into the startled brown eyes peeping out
from the dark bangs that fell over them. Todd looked up.....way
up, the long powerful legs, the muscled torso and chest, into intense,
green eyes. Jared's eyes. He lowered his head onto his arms just for
a second to get himself together. He was determined to stand up to
Jared bravely, feeling anything but. Just as he reached his feet,
his whole left leg cramped into a Charley horse. Making him cry out
and grab for it. So much for standing his ground in front of the tank. Jared
was surprised by Todd's cry of pain and grabbed him as he toppled
forward off balance. Deek helped him get Todd back into the room.
Todd hopping on one leg, head flung back with teeth bared in pain.
Mouse was babbling on about trying to stop him and how sorry he was,
it wasn't his fault and so on. "Mouse....Mouse! It's all right...it's
cool. We got him. Go on, it's all right. Deek and I can take it from
here." Mouse nodded and glared for a moment at Todd who was being
laid out on the table. He was withering in what looked like a lot
of pain. Mouse weakened and blew off his anger. "Can I help? Want
me to do something? The kid gonna be okay?" Todd even in pain took
offense to the reference. "I ain't no _f_u_c_k_ing kid!" A huge
hand pushed his head roughly back down on the table. "Todd, shut
up and relax. He's going to be fine, Mouse. You could go make me one
of my power shakes with bananas. Okay?" Mouse nodded and hurried
off. Todd was in so much pain. His whole left leg from ankle to hip
was one big electric knot. He could hardly stand it. "Todd, listen
to me, try to relax. I know..I know it hurts... but try. Deek help
me get his pants off." Not what Todd was expecting to hear or have
happen. "NO!! GET OFFAME FREAK!!!!! LEGOAME!!! STOP!!! _f_u_c_k_ERS!!!" He
tried to fight them off but Deek had him pinned easily to the table
while Jared removed his boots and then the jeans. His struggles only
added to the pain and they where completely useless. Jared had him
undressed in seconds. The onyx table was cold under his skin. He wasn't
given time to be embarrassed about his near nakedness as Jared began
to massage his leg, firmly rubbing out the cramps. "Take it easy,
Todd. Just try to relax. Nothing is going to happen to you." Strong
hands held him in place; he couldn't move or fight them off. It took
a while to register in his brain that he wasn't in danger. That he
was just being held down and nothing more. His straining muscles screamed
at him to be released from their frozen form. Todd watched Jared a
moment or two. Afraid to let down his guard, Jared just massaged his
spasmed leg. Unable to fight against his situation Todd tried to relax
back down on the cool table. Deek let go of the kid when Todd stopped
struggling and lay back. He moved back to the other end of the table
and began to massage the knee, calf and ankle while Jared tackled
the thigh and hip. Jared worked fast. Todd was in real agony, he
had an arm up over his eyes hiding tears of pain and one hand white
knuckled, gripped the edge of the table. Another wave of cramps hit
and Jared had to pin Todd down and hold him while Deek rubbed and
massaged the leg. "Yeah. That's it. See, we're just trying to help." It
was on the tip of his tongue to let Jared know that he didn't need
or want help. White hot pain coursed down Todd's leg from low back
to toes. But it didn't last as long as the first couple cramps. Deek's
hand worked hard and fast, rubbing and squeezing out the cramping
muscles. Jared kept him from flying apart. Jared held him down and
coaxed him to relax. Sweat popped out on Todd's brow and upper lip.
Jared brushed the damp bangs away from pain filled eyes. "How you
doing, Kid?" Deek asked as he continued his massaging. Jared surprised
Todd by answering for him and wiping the tears off his face before
Deek could see them. "He's hurting, but the rubbing is helping.
Huh, Todd...it's helping?" Jared looked down into Todd's glassy
eyes. Wait...could that be gratitude he saw. Just for a second then
it was gone and the cold reserve was back. "Yeah...it's...it's helping."
Todd answered barley above a whisper. Shaking his head with mild
amusement, Deek continued to work on the kid's leg. Never had he seen
his friend so...he didn't know the word for it. Jared was holding
down the boy and murmuring soothing words to him. Concern reflected
in Jared's eyes. Man, the guy had it bad for this kid. Deek could
get no reading off the boy. Just pain and some major attitude. Todd
lay back and let the two men knead his leg, soon the cramping gave
up it's grip on his leg. He sat up with the help of the huge men.
Sandwiched between them as they walked him around the room to test
the leg. It worked...barely but it would support his weight. With
Jared's help to keep him upright, he put his jeans back on but Jared
left him sock footed. "Just in case, Todd. I don't want to fight
all those _d_a_m_n_ buckles again." Todd's motocross boots had several
buckles up the calves. Mouse returned with a tray of food, coffee
and the shake Jared asked him to make. "Sorry it took so long. I made
a pot of coffee and some toast. Uh. I also called the Doc and he's
on his way." "Thanks, Mouse. Good job." Mouse watched closely
as Jared walked with Todd. It was odd to see this side of the big
man. Mouse handed out the coffee and toast. Todd declined and kept
pacing the room. Jared took a cup of coffee and some toast but his
eyes never left the person hobbling laps around the room. Mouse offered
Todd the shake, but refused it, too. Mouse groaned inwardly. How stupid
was this kid. Not too many people refused Jared's orders. The walking
helped Todd's leg some. When Jared asked him to sit he didn't want
to take the chance of any more cramping so he kept pacing. Jared took
the shake from Mouse and handed Todd the frothy drink. Not sure if
it would stay down right now, Todd refused again. That familiar set
to Jared's jaw warned him trouble was headed his way. Knowing that
a lecture or something was coming, Todd stared at the floor and tuned
out everything. A little trick he was very good at. Standing his full
height and crossing his huge arms. Jared gave Todd clear warning. "Ansley,
you can stand if you want. You can walk around if you want. But you
are going to either drink that shake on your own or I'll "help" you
drink it. Your choice." Jared's calling him by his last name always
gave away his annoyance. Snapping Todd back to attention. Last time
he was given such a choice he chose wrong and it cost him a sore butt.
Todd looked around the room. Deek and whatshisname...Rat? were standing
there waiting. Todd knew he was in a losing battle....again. He didn't
want anything to eat, but he didn't want any trouble with Jared, especially
with witnesses. "What is it?" "Milk, banana and a protein powder....now
drink". Todd took the glass and sniffed it. Smelled like banana
and took a small sip. Jared hid his grin, as surprise lit up those
dark eyes. Todd was surprised it was good, a little gritty but good.
Todd couldn't remember the last time he had anything banana flavored,
let alone any real bananas. Too expensive. He set the glass down,
empty. He looked up into three pairs of laughing eyes. "What?" Deek
raised a hand to his own face and pointed at his upper lip. Ah _s_h_i_t_.
Todd wiped the milk moustache off with his sleeve. Todd caught the
gleam in Jared's eyes. Great. Why was it every time he tried to assert
his manhood he just proved the opposite? "The shake will get some
potassium in you. It will help with the leg cramps, and get something
in your stomach. Leg feel'n better, Kiddo?" Todd tested his leg,
still sore and achy but no longer cramping. "Yeah. Better." Jared
rubbed the back of his own neck. It had been a busy day and it was
only 11:00 am. "Kid, just once I'd like us to meet without the need
of first aide." Shaking his head, he looked at the young man hobbling
around his boardroom. Todd kept darting his eyes to the doors, and
each lap was getting closer to them as well. Jared moved to the back
of the room. A strategic move. Time for some questions and answers. "Well,
Ansley, you're a little worse for wear from last night's activities."
Uh oh there's that tone of voice. There was just something about it,
Jared's use of his last name that made him want to run for cover.
Made him feel squirrelly. Last night was still a fog. "Last night?" Todd
tried sitting. No cramping just a deep ache. His head was pounding.
Jared watched patiently as Todd sat down at the table. Obviously stiff
and sore. "They work for you or something?" Todd indicated the
other men in the room with them. Jared allowed the momentary change
of subject. "You could say that and more. The blonde, who you have
already met this morning, is William Mauhser or Mouse as we all call
him." Mouse stuck up two fingers in a peace sign. "The big guy
is Deacon. You met last night or don't you remember us crashing your
little party?" The large black man nodded at him. "Call me Deek.
Nice to meet you. Todd." The fog that had been the last 9 or 10
hours refused to clear. Todd looked from Mouse to Deek and settled
his gaze there. "Party? I..I remember you. I've seen you around." Deek
grinned at him. "Probably. I've been tailing you." Todd swung his
gaze to Jared, confused. "Why?" Deek knew this was between Todd
and Jared. He tapped Mouse on the shoulder and nodded at the door.
"Well, Mouse and I have to get to work." Jared met Deek's eye's
and caught the unasked question. "Okay, thanks. We'll be fine." Deek
and Mouse left. Leaving Todd alone with Jared. Jared began to fold
up the hide-a-bed. Todd just watched and waited. Letting it soak in
that Jared had looked for him and found him. That he lived here in
Denver. He was about to ask Jared what all this was for, when Mouse
came back in. "Jared, the Doc's here." "Good. Send him in." A
slender older man came in the room with a large black plastic case
and shook hands with Jared. "Ah..so he's awake. I'm Doctor Kingman.
Just call me Doc. How do you feel young man?" The doctor walked
over to Todd and reached out his hand. Todd jumped out of his chair
so fast it fell back and he nearly with it. Both the doctor and Jared
were looking at him like he was crazy. Cursing at himself for over-reacting
and giving away his nervousness. He tried to reclaim his cool reserve. "Cramp." One
glance at Jared and he knew Jared wasn't buying it. "Not to worry,
son. You had a rough night. I hear a rough morning too. Let's have
a look." Todd looked to Jared and then back to the doctor. "I'm
fine." He said firmly and brushed off the doctor's hands. "Let's
have Doc here make that determination.. hmmm?" Brown eyes slid back
over to green. Not missing the flash of anger that extinguished as
fast as it appeared in the mahogany depths. Jared watched Todd closely,
waiting. Todd had no options open. As stiff and sore as he was, he
would have a hard time taking on the doctor, who was old, to Todd
anyway and slender. So the tank was completely out of the question.
There was nothing he could do. Todd shrugged. "Cool, whatever." Jared
could see it was anything but cool with the kid. Todd gave in because
there was no way out. Stepping back near the doors to give Todd and
the doctor some privacy. He didn't miss the look Todd gave him knowing
that the only exit was cut off. Frustrated little rebel. The doctor
took his vitals and had him strip off his shirt. Jared just rested
a hip on the end of the long table and made a couple calls. Had more
coffee and some papers delivered, seemed to be uninterested in the
exam. Todd tolerated Doc Roy as he was invited to call him, poking
and prodding. He had several large bruises and a few scrapes. He was
doing fine until the doctor touched his back, low on the left making
him jump and stiffen involuntarily. "Sore, son?" Todd shook it
off. "Nah..... cold hands." "Bull_s_h_i_t_." Both Todd and the
doctor turned towards the deep voice in the back of the room. Jared
laid the file he was reading down and looked at Todd. He jerked his
head at the doctor. Wordlessly telling Todd to fess up. Todd blew
Jared off. He looked the doctor in the eye firmly and lied. "It's
cool. I'm fine, really." "Oh, reeeeally?" Jared got up and walked
over next to Doc Roy. One small glitch in the lie, Todd had a witness.
" So you're fine, even though Deek and I spent nearly an hour rubbing
out cramps in your leg." Jared then tapped the Doc on the shoulder
and whispered in exaggerated volume. "That's the left leg Doc. Just
in case you're interested." Then he walked back to his papers and
sat down. Not once looking back. He left Todd to face alone, a not
so happy doctor. "Son. It's not a good idea to lie to your doctor." "Not
good to lie at all, grumbled Jared from the far end of the room. Todd
ignored that and shot back. "You're not "my" doctor." "He is now
and you will co-operate Ansley. Fully." The room sizzled with tension
as Todd and Jared carried on a silent battle of wills. Doctor Kingman
kept his own counsel. Having raised four boys, he knew a little about
strong willed young men. He stepped back and let the two battle it
out. After a long moment Jared got up again and his long legs carried
him over to Todd in just a few strides. "Fine. Roy, this morning
Todd busted through those doors and crashed into the hallway wall.
When he stood up or rather tried to stand his left leg spasmed. Bad.
It took two of us massaging for an hour to stop the cramping." The
doctor looked at Todd sternly. Todd couldn't maintain the eye contact
and looked away, heat flooded his face. "I see. Any further cramping
or other symptoms I should know about?" Asked in an icy tone. The
question was directed to Jared, not Todd. They began to talk as if
Todd were just a plant in the room. A very angry plant. "No. But
he is feeling some strong twinges from time to time." "Any back
spasms, pains?" Jared ignored Todd out right. "No. Sore from the
crash though. And he doesn't seem to remember much the last 24 hours." The
doctor turned to Todd. "Hmmm. I see. Let's have a look son." Todd
let the man feel around his head and look in his ears and eyes. "Well,
Jared I don't find anything amiss here. I would imagine it has to
do with the narcotic he took last night. I believe it will pass." Pissed
off at having them talk like he wasn't standing right in the middle
and the fact that the drugs loosened his tongue. "Whoa! Man, I don't
do drugs...I" The doctor walked away again giving Jared and his young
friend a moment of privacy. "Todd. You weren't high last night you
were in orbit! Don't you remember anything?" Jared's voice was stern
but at the same time warm and concerned. Todd scowled and tried
to focus on last night. Forcing small fragments to the surface. "I
don't remember taking anything, Jared. I'm not a tweeker, I..." "Well,
you didn't take it exactly, Todd. Someone slipped it in your soda....Hac
I think you called him." Disjointed bits came back to him. Nothing
he could piece together. Nothing but Hac anyway. He chided himself
for being sloppy and careless around that idiot. "Well you won't
need to worry about him, Todd. I made it very clear high altitude
is not healthy for him." Jared made other things clear to the man
but didn't expound on them. Todd could only imagine what was done
or said. "We'll talk about this later, Todd." Todd wanted to dispute
that but chose not to at this time. "Let's let the doc finish up
here." Doctor Kingman approached Todd again. "Okay, Todd. I'll need
you to lower your pants, son, so I can..." "No!" Jared put his
hand on Todd's shoulder and guided him away from the doctor. "Todd,
just the jeans, that's all. I'll go back over there. All right?" "No
_f_u_c_k_ing way!" "Todd just let the Doc check you out." "_f_u_c_k_
that! If I want some old dude getting his rocks off, I'll......" Jared
gave him a sharp shake and spoke close for only Todd to hear. "Listen
up. You watch your mouth in front of that man. You show him some respect." Todd
pinned his gaze to the floor. Jared could see the lights dim in those
beautiful eyes. The little _s_h_i_t_ was tuning him out. Well he'll
have none of that. "....Or so help me I'll show him your backside.......
over my knee.!" Todd's eyes locked onto Jared's. In the green eyes
he found absolute sincerity. "As I recall, it wouldn't be the first
time you'd be doctored over them." A sandy brow arched in challenge.
Todd said nothing more and just stared at the floor. He began to undo
his jeans, like a robot, cold and emotionless. Only the jerky movements
of his hands gave way his anger. That and the red that was climbing
the boy's neck. Jared was unsure how much was anger or embarrassment. Jared
walked back to his chair, leaving Todd to Kingman's examination. Removed
but close enough so if Todd got out of hand he could step in. He tried
his best to keep his attention on his papers. He looked up and caught
a glimpse of Todd's slender legs and trim waiste as the doctor looked
Todd over. "You have some interesting art work, young man," Doctor
Kingman said, trying to ease Todd's mood. Jared was tempted to tell
him he was wasting his breath, but left the two alone. Todd's back
was to Jared so he had a fine view of that tattoo of Todd's in the
small of his back. He couldn't help himself as his body began to respond
to the way it framed those tight globes encased in those worn out
briefs. Forcing himself to concentrate on the paperwork in front of
him Jared resumed his task at hand still keeping his ears open to
the others in the room. Todd was speaking tersely in one-word sentences.
Yes, no, ect. "How about here, Todd, hurt?" Todd endured the prodding.
It wasn't too bad, until the doctor poked a tender spot. Snapping
Todd off of autopilot. "Ahhh!. _f_u_c_k_!..._s_h_i_t_ !.. _s_h_i_t_
yes it hurts!...alright?" Todd spun into a defensive stance ready
to fight off any more probing. Catching the stern look he was getting
from the far end of the table, Todd lowered his eyes and mumbled a
sullen apology. "Sorry....can I get dressed now?" Doctor Kingman
smiled apologetically. "Soon, Todd. I'll be more gentle there. Trust
me." Jared saw something flicker in Todd's eyes. Fear? Just for
a split second. Todd slowly turned around for the doctor who continued
his exam. "You have some interesting scars. How did you get these?
On your bike?" Pointing to the pattern of small scars Todd had along
the side of his ribs. Todd jerked away and put a hand over them and
shrugged. "Don't remember. Are we done now?" "Yes. We're done
now, son." Turning away Todd pulled up his jeans and readjusted
everything. When he turned back Jared was waiting with the doctor.
He listened in as he pulled his shirt back on. "Well, it's minor.
Probably a pinched nerve in his low back causing all the cramping.
No doubt from the spill he took last night. Of course crashing through
doors could have something to do with it as well. I'll give you a
prescription for some muscle relaxers. It will help with any further
cramping. Have Deek swing by in about an hour and I'll have it ready." The
doctor scribbled on a piece of paper and handed it to Todd. "Here,
follow these instructions...closely, young man. NO alcohol. NO riding
or driving on these," he said firmly. Todd looked at the note and
scowled. Jared saw the truth all over Todd's face. He really couldn't
read. "I'll hold onto that for ya, Todd." Shaking Todd's hand
the doctor said good bye. "Take care, Todd. I'll check with you in
a couple days." Todd doubted that but said nothing, as he reached
for his boots. "Thanks, Roy. Deek will see you out." When they
were out of earshot from Todd, the doctor motioned to Jared to speak
quietly. "Jared, what do you know of this young man?" Confused by
the question Jared frowned at the older man. "Not a whole lot. Is
there more to the cramps." "No, nothing like that. Just something
about some of those scars." Concern puckered Jared handsome brow. "I
can't say for sure, Jared, but they look suspiciously intentional." Taking
a quick look over his shoulder at Todd who was concentrating on getting
his boots buckled, Jared asked quietly, "What do you mean... intentional?" "Jared,
I think we are dealing with signs of some abuse here." Alarm clearly
visible in Jared's face, the doctor quickly assured him. "They are
old scars, son, long healed. It's just .I know of no other explanation
for them and some appear to be more like burns of some kind. I don't
mean to alarm you, but I thought you should know, with your...er...uh...association
with the boy. I don't know how I missed them last night." Jared
forced a warm smile and patted the man on the back. "Thanks, Doc.
I appreciate all you've done." Todd looked up as Jared opened the
door for the doctor and there was Deek. He realized that the large
man was there outside the whole time. Jared caught the cold glare
from Todd and just winked at him. After the doctor left, Jared piled
up his papers and grabbed his coffee cup. "Grab your pack, kiddo." Todd
grabbed his stuff. "Where we go'n?" "My place." Todd followed
him out into the hall. Last time he didn't get a real good look at
it. The hallway was over 10 feet wide. The marbled floor and walls
he remembered well, painfully so. They passed other offices. One office
door was open and they stopped. A stout woman sat at a desk. She looked
up and smiled. The neat twist of brown hair had stands of silver mixed
in it and the hazel eye's crinkled slightly at the edges. The scent
of something sweet...vanilla...hit Todd's nostrils. "Todd, meet
Meg. She's my secretary, friend and den mother to all of us." She
waved Jared's words away. "Hello, Todd. Nice to meet you. Don't listen
to him, sweetie. I am his friend and secretary but I claim maternal
rights only to that rascal, Mouse." Todd didn't respond, he spared
her just the slightest of glances. He looked around to get his bearings.
Meg and Jared locked eyes, unspoken conversations took place in mere
seconds. "Meg. I'll be out of the office all day." Looking at
Todd who was looking around not paying much attention. Or so it looked.
"Uh, make that the rest of the week. I'll be at home if you need me.
C'mon, kid." Meg smiled in understanding. "Not to worry." Todd
tried to figure out the best escape route. He located the stairs.
A word he knew well. Stairs, exit, he knew well. A large hand around
the back of his neck stifled any ideas of escape. He'd have to think
his way out of this one. Running wasn't an option right now anyway.
Todd was ignoring the part of him that didn't even want to run. He'd
check in to that later, just not right now. They passed one other
person. A pretty brunette sat at a huge horseshoe shaped desk in front
of the elevator. Todd was quickly introduced to the executive receptionist,
Jan. Then he and Jared walked to a smaller elevator door than the
one in front of the desk. Todd was able to make out the word penthouse.
What young man didn't know that word. Jared lead him inside and hit
the button with the big "P" on it. It was a short, quiet ride. Neither
spoke. Both wrapped up in their own thoughts. When the doors opened.
Todd stepped into a dark entranceway that was paneled in rich colored
wood. Big bushy green plants here and there along the walls. The floor
was a combination of rock tiles and wood, giving way to decorative
Navaho area rugs. Jared let Todd take in the sights. He was proud
of his home. He worked hard to model it to his tastes. He would have
been disappointed if he could have read the kid's mind. Todd was impressed.
His internal calculator was assessing the street value of the items
in the room. Dude was crazy rich. Or crazy and rich, that would explain
much. Lots of freaks out there. Why not a rich one. Jared opened
a closet in the hall and took Todd's pack from him and set it inside.
Todd was led from the entrance down a wide hall just as richly decorated
with western painting and paintings of animals. Other wide corridors
led to the left and right. Further down the hall he was lead to a
room closed by heavy double wood doors, they had some kind of Indian
designs carved in them. Jared opened the doors and waited for Todd
to enter. Todd looked down the hall, he could make out a large open
room at the end. All he could see was huge windows sending bright
sunny light down the hall. Then he glanced back at the dark entrance,
toward the elevator. "I'll give you the grand tour later. C'mon
in." Todd brushed aside any thoughts of mental illness, the green
eye's he looked into were sharp and clear. No, the tank was operating
on full batteries. "We need to talk." Why is it that nothing good
ever came from those four words? Todd rolled his head back and forth
popping the tension out of his neck and walked in. A chill crawled
up his spine as Jared closed the doors with a solid click.
More stories by Frost Spinner