Todd woke up the next morning...alone. He was buried deep in the downy, bedding and warm. His shoulder was achy and sore but not too bad. Getting up, he went to go do his morning business. Stepping from the bathroom he walked into the front of the cabin.
One big room divided only the furniture, a living room area, a kitchen table, a washer and dryer against the wall behind it and the kitchen that was cut off from the rest by a breakfast bar. All homey and warm.
It was day two and that was two too many for Todd. He didn't see the tank anywhere. Looking around he considered escaping but only for a moment. He'd never make it to the garage. His head spun just standing there. He saw his clothes, clean and neatly folded on the dryer. Just as he moved to grab them, the cabin door burst open, and the human tank walked in with an armload of wood.
Seeing Todd he just smiled and dumped the load in the wood box.
"Morn'n. Sleep okay?"
Todd nodded and reached for his clothes.
"They're in pretty bad shape, kiddo." Indicating the worn clothes. "But I patched the shirt as best I could, in fact I think I may have some around here that should fit close enough. The jeans? Well you're on your own there, Toyboy. I don't have anything that small."
Todd flinched at the use of what seemed to be his newly acquired nickname. Jared walked the short distance over to Todd and took the clothes from him and winked.
"Sorry, Todd, it just seemed to fit ya."
Jared chuckled as Todd just rolled his eyes in a perfectly teenage way.
"You won't be needing these just yet." Taking the clothes.
"Hey!"
"You're still on bed rest. So let's get you back in bed and doctored up. Todd's shoulder slumped and he headed for the bed. Jared had very little problems doctoring Todd this time. While Todd didn't exactly volunteer his backside, he did not fight Jared pulling him over his lap.
While his temperature was taken, Jared just rubbed and massaged the kid's rigid back and apologized for the embarrassment and reassured him that it was necessary.
"_d_a_m_n_!"
Reaching back immediately after the thermometer was removed to pull up his sweats, Todd looked over his shoulder at Jared who was scowling at the thermometer.
"What?"
"Fever is still not down. It's not up any higher, but it barely went down."
Todd just buried his head in the pillows and groaned. There would be more tempts taken then. For the next day or two this was the routine. Todd was doctored every morning and evening and he slept a lot during the day. Jared spent most of his time watching the kid. Rapidly coming to like the little stray rebel. He wasn't sure why. Todd was quiet and surely at rest.
His mind wandered several times back to the obscene offer of _s_e_x_ual favors. He had obviously seen what few adults, let alone a child, should have seen and quite possibly done. Jared had a feeling that life had been anything but Disney for him, as hard and introverted as the kid was.
Throughout history, life on the street was never easy. Each century people had more to lose making the streets meaner to the next generation. Jared wondered what Charles Dickens would have wrote about this century's orphans. No telling. But one thing was clear. Todd Ansley was no Oliver Twist.
Watching Todd glare at him as he readjusted his sweats after being medicated Jared thought Todd was more like the Artful Dodger.
Todd was frustrated. No two ways about it. This guy was different. He was bossed, pushed and bullied around by the tank for days now, but never harmed, well except for the spanking he got. Jared didn't seem to want anything in return. Eat this, drink that, and every morning and evening without fail, he got his temperature taken and his ass dosed. He hated that. Jared didn't seem to care for it either but got it done anyway.
Todd did like the rubbing during the time over the large man's knees. The guy had great hands, great big hands. Todd offered no more fights. Those same big paws that felt so good on his body could also hurt like hell on his butt. He had been here for four days now, Jared kept him in bed....alone. Except for that one night. He fed him, put him in that sauna thing daily... that was the best. He was coughing less and his head was not so stuffy. His shoulder was still a little sore and he wore the sling when he was "allowed" out of bed. He had not seen or heard Jared this morning. He could hear him moving around in the front of the cabin.
"Hey, kid. Look what I just found this morning out in the garage."
Jared stood in the doorway, grinning at him. He held up a thermometer, an oral one. He had been rummaging around out there, unloaded the kid's bike; it was not in bad shape at all. He found the empty gas cans on the floor by the side door. Little thief stole some of his generator fuel. Jared also found an emergency kit that must have been his dad's.
In it were more bandages, scissors, and an oral thermometer. As much as he enjoyed the view of the kids tattooed tail, he did not enjoy the embarrassment the kid felt. This should help. There still was the antibiotics. Todd stared at the thermometer a moment.
"Yessss!
Todd's face brightened for a moment. Then remembered the medication.
"Hey! That's one down, and the other good news is that we're down to the last four bullets."
Well that was good news. Todd just wished it was down to none. Todd's temperature was normal or close enough to it for the first time in days. The doctoring was working. Jared told him that he didn't think he'd need to take it again unless he started to feel hot. But he couldn't get out of the suppositories. He tried, pleaded, argued and nearly got his butt smacked again for it. Jared won again. He was really beginning to resent the tank and his take no prisoners attitude.
Todd was not use to taking orders from anyone. He was his own man, if he didn't like the party, he left. Todd was allowed out of bed only to be placed on the couch. It was at least a different set of walls to look at and more windows. There were several books on a slim shelf in the corner by the fireplace. Todd could read the titles, most of them, his reading was poor. He had no education past age 12. And little prior to that. A fact that came in handy two ways, and he played on both. People....adults or police let....him off easy many times because he was "stupid." What little reading he could do kept him in the know and in some money too. People would trust a kid who can't read to deliver stuff and not worry about any information leaks. It was a dangerous game that paid well and he was convincing.
"Want a book to read? Help yourself."
Todd just shook his head. They didn't have any pictures. Only on the covers. Cowboys and horses. Didn't interest him much.
"Don't like books much."
"Really. Why not?"
Shrugging his good shoulder, "Duno. Just don't."
Jared tried to bring Todd out of his shell some. The kid was the brooding type. Kept his thoughts to himself. He had a quick wit and a real smart mouth. There was something about the kid though. He could feel Todd watching him when the kid thought he wasn't looking. The kid gave no obvious indication towards _s_e_x_ual preference. But he sure took an eye full when he thought Jared wasn't looking. Not that it bothered Jared.
"Ever play chess Todd?"
"No."
"Want to learn? I've got a board here."
"Whatever."
Todd was a good student. He picked up on the game fast and had promise. With some practice he could offer some real challenge. It was a good Way to pass the time, to talk and to see how the kid ticked, how his mind Worked while Todd remained his usual closed off, cold self. His eyes lit up with animation during these games. He could almost envision the kid's mainframe behind those big brown eyes calculating and recalculating the possible moves.
Jared also used that time to study and draw out what information he could about the kid, in small talk. Easily enough done when your opponent is concentrating on a move. He may give away something that normally he would not. In this case it worked to a small degree.
"Where were you headed, Todd?"
Todd just shrugged his shoulders.
"Dunno. Denver I guess."
"Denver is nice, or as nice as any city could be."
Todd's eyes never left the board as he considered his next move.
"I wouldn't know, never been there."
Jared quickly found out what subjects the kid would and wouldn't talk about. On certain questions Todd would look up from the game, but Jared made a point of pretending indifference and kept his own eyes on his pieces, like it didn't matter whether or not Todd answered.
He found out that Todd was from Arkansas. He wondered about that due to the kid's mild drawl. He moved to Arizona and lived there for a few years.
"What made you move?"
"Wild hair. Got on my bike one day and ended up in Arizona."
Jared had the distinct feeling that there was a whole lot more to that story.
"Yeah? What age? If you don't mind me asking."
"Nope. I don't mind. A month before I turned fourteen."
Jared leaned back and looked at Todd, head down, closely studying his pawns.
"By...by your self?"
The rich brown highlights of Todd's hair caught the firelight as he nodded his head, still pondering his next move.
"At thirteen you drove to Arizona from Arkansas?"
Jared was completely shocked. Todd looked up at Jared then. He shrugged his shoulders like no big deal. Well not to him anyway.
"Yeah. So. I was fourteen..close enough any way."
"What about your family, your parents?"
"Can I make this move, or do I have to wait till that guy is out of the way?"
Todd neatly shut him back out. Todd completely avoided any and all questions about his family. All Jared had been able to glean from these sessions was that Todd at 13---okay 14---left Arkansas, just him and his bike and hundreds of miles of danger and moved to Tucson. Where he floated around there and Phoenix until a month ago.
The one subject the kid almost wouldn't shut up about was his love for motorcycles. Dirt bikes especially. That was how he survived mostly. Competitions, races and the "I get by." Jared really wanted to press that issue. "I get by". Gave the imagination horrible scenarios.
Todd never asked Jared any questions, except was this his home before the blackout and when could he leave. For some reason Jared lead the kid to believe that he lived here all the time. He couldn't quite figure that out, why he didn't tell the kid he lived in Denver. Each day he became more reluctant to let the kid go. He tried to tell himself that he was being noble, a good citizen. Truly, he wanted Todd off the streets and in a safe home, cared for, protected. The idea of Todd leaving and going out into the unknown sent chills down his spine. But the motivation behind that was his growing attraction and feelings for the brat.
His attraction for Todd could be controlled. He was a grown man with a will to be reckoned with. His urges did not run his life. So in that respect he had no doubts about taking care of Todd at least until he came of age in several months. But his feelings for Todd surprised him at how fast they materialized. This morning he had just about had a heart attack. He woke to find Todd gone. He looked all over the house, nothing, Todd's pack was still in the corner and so was most of his clothes. Jared walked outside and immediately headed for the garage. Testing his will power, he refused to run. He found the side door open and there was Todd, tinkering with his beloved bike. He was in his jeans and Jared's own robe.
Composing himself he walked in. Todd was sitting on an overturned bucket and had Jared's tools all laid out on a rag. Jared watched as Todd chose each tool like a surgeon would medical instruments. Todd had his arm out of the sling and was using it gingerly.
"Think you should be using that arm boy?"
Todd didn't flinch, Todd knew Jared was there, he could feel him the moment he stepped in the doorway. He could also feel that he was not happy. Todd's body belied the unease he really felt with the nonchalant shrug he gave. His spine stiffened but a moment or two.
"Look , I needed to do something alright? I was going nuts just sit'n around. I got..huh.. house fever or somethi'n. So go a head and blow a gasket. I don't care."
He turned to face Jared. And wished he hadn't. That face, the most handsome he had ever seen had a very stern look on it.
Jared was very tempted to make sure that "sit'n around" won't be so boring let alone possible, but Todd's use of his arm made Jared think that a "little" exercise is not a bad thing.
"That's cabin fever, and I'm not going to blow a gasket. Just don't overdo that shoulder. Or "sit'n around" won't be an issue."
Todd just nodded and returned to working on his bike. But not before Jared got a clear glimpse of the fire in Todd's eyes. Todd wasn't at all cold under that frozen exterior. A temper burned hot, one that had to be monitored or he'd get himself into some trouble here.
Jared then walked back out the door. Leaving Todd to his bike.
"Who died and made him God. Asshole, I'll overdo what and when I want...."
Todd continued to mutter and grumble, irritated by the tank. Sherman sure was the right last name for the jerk.
"I heard that, kid, you have one hour before breakfast."
Surprised at being overheard, especially at that distance, Todd swung his head around at Jared. Jared grinned at a stunned Todd. He didn't hear a thing, but the kid didn't know that. And by the look on his face, Jared guessed right.
He was a kid once too. He walked in the cabin and closed the door. What a fright he had had. He was terrified that Todd had left. Well it was coming down to the wire here soon. Todd was nearly over his flu, they were done with the daily dosing and to the relief of both. Though Jared truly missed having that hot body over his lap and under his hands. He had that tattoo memorized as well as each scar and the birthmark just under the hair at the nape. Every scar on that back. He was sure not all of them came from Todd's bike. Some time he would have to ask Todd about them. But he doubted he'd ever hear the truth. He was unsure of what he would do when the time came when Todd would want to leave. Todd would never give up his freedom or what he saw as freedom. He would rebel.
Jared had no delusions about that. Nor did he doubt the outcome. Todd would lose. The kid was such a mystery and was full of demons that hunted him like a wounded animal. He was so closed off. Jared had to move slow, wounded animals are dangerous.
Todd grumbled a little more quietly after Jared went inside. _d_a_m_n_ tank, has radar for ears. He stayed out longer than he knew he should....just a little. Small defiance. Just so Jared knew he was his own man. A man who was pretty jumpy at breakfast. He waited for Jared to blast him for being late. Jared just piled his plate high with eggs and bacon, and a huge glass of milk. Rice milk.
Jared had a stash of the stuff like he was for anything. It was pretty good. He had MRE's, canned goods, rice milk, powdered eggs, though these were the real deal. After breakfast Todd felt warm, full and very sleepy. With a huge yawn he stretched and winched as he moved the shoulder.
"Huh....did you overdo, kiddo?"
"No. Just sore still."
Todd lied. He could see that Jared didn't buy it for a minute and he was overtaken by another yawn. Maybe he did have too much exercise or fresh air. He had been in bed for almost a week straight, his body let him know it too. He was sure ready to go back right now.
"Why don't you take a nap. It's going to be a nap kinda day. It's looking like rain out there. Rainy days are good for napping. I'm tempted myself."
Todd just nodded and went to bed. Jared cleaned up and stoked the fire high and stretched out on the sofa with a good Louis Lamour book. One that he had read so many times that he could nearly quote page by page. Later that morning, he and Todd played a short game of chess. Todd was shut tight today. He got not one peep out of him, but one of the best games Todd played yet. Todd seemed deep in his own thoughts after, and they looked to be troubled ones. Jared got the distinct feeling that Todd was waiting or wanting to say something. He also knew exactly what that something was and battened down the hatches for the storm.
Hurricane Todd.
Todd felt antsy all day. He was ready to leave. He had to. The longer he stayed the more he wanted to stay. He couldn't lie to himself. It wasn't all bad staying here. He could get into steady meals, soft beds and frequent "hot" showers. It had been so long since he had anyone took care of him or wanted to. His interest in Jared grew stronger with each hour. "Holy _s_h_i_t_!" he was attached to the tank!
For him it was a dangerous attraction. Attraction, affection or trust didn't come easy to Todd and never without a price. Too many times the price was too high. He didn't quite know what to make of Jared. Most times he seemed straight as any arrow, then others....What he did know is that Jared is _d_a_m_n_ pushy and bossy. Always treating him like some kid. He was 17, practically 18, a grown man. Sure as hell didn't need someone making rules for him...not now.
He was deep in angry, confused thoughts when he was startled out of them.
"Did you hear me?"
Todd looked up into Jared's concerned green eyes and serious face. A face he could get used to. This was it. He had to go, it was time.
"No."
Suddenly all the frustration he was feeling bubbled to the surface and popped right in Jared's handsome face.
"Thanks for all you did for me and all...um...I..well. I'm leaving in the morning."
Jared just sat quietly and let Todd go on about how he was grateful for everything but was leaving now. Calming his own stormy insides. Right then and there he knew he would not let Todd go.....not on his own anyway. His feelings for Todd and what exactly they where, could wait a while but he was not going to let the kid just ride off into sunset. Hell no! In a very calm, quiet voice, Jared answered him.
"No. I'm afraid you're not."
Todd just stared at him. Not totally unprepared.
"I'm sorry, Todd, but I can't let you do that. Not on your own. That's just not going to happen."
Todd's expression stunned stony. His eye's darkened to nearly black. Jared braced for impact.
"Jared, you can't keep me here, and I'm gone in the morning." Said very low, very tightly, while Todd just looked at his hands clenched together so hard the knuckles turned white. Jared just watched him a second or two. Todd didn't look like he was breathing his breathes were so shallow. Just holding in whatever was ticking away in side.
"Todd, look at me."
Brown eyes burned from a face that could have been made of marble. Only a tell tale faint clenching of the jaw muscles gave away anything. Jared spoke more firmly this time, still in a calm tone.
"Yes, Todd, I can keep you here, and you will be here in the morning."
Then the fuse was lit. Todd got up so fast that his chair fell over. He slapped his hands on the table in front of Jared. A _d_a_m_n_ brave thing to do as far as Jared was concerned. His little rebel was nothing if not brave. Not real smart, but brave.
"I'm NOT staying."
"You are. Quit acting like a kid...."
"That's just it...I'm not a kid...stop treating me like one! I'm a man. I do what I want, when I want, where I want, and who I want!"
Jared just leaned back in his chair and folded his huge arms over his chest. Who was he trying to fool? Man? the boy was only 17 and months away from 18. Course Todd didn't see it that way.
"Well...you;re not a man...not yet. And I'll stop treating you like a kid when you stop acting like one throwing a tantrum. Now sit back down so we can talk......."
That did it. The timer ran out, the fuse hit the powder. Todd blew up.
"Yeah? "
Next thing Jared knew he was flying over backwards as Todd shoved the table on its side. Chess pieces flying across the floor.
"You wanna see a tantrum asshole!.. I'll show you a _f_u_c_k_'n tantrum!"
Todd began to ransack the place he swept everything from the breakfast bar. The pots and pans from breakfast that were drying there now were missiles. Taking full advantage of Jared's stunned state he grabbed his backpack from off the bar stool and headed for the door.
"I'm outa hear....loser."
He stepped quickly around the huge man on the floor who was looking at him like he grew a second head or something. He was almost to the door when the rug was yanked from under him. Literally. Jared rolled to his knees just in time to grab the rug and give a mighty yank. With his strength he had half the area rug in his lap and Todd crashing to the floor. Hard. Todd landed hard on the wood floor, luckily on his butt and no injury to the healing shoulder. Though the jar from the fall was painful enough to steal his breath. Before he could regain a clear head he was snatched up by two huge fists, and jerked into a very unpleasant face.
"Well I think that answers the man or child question. Right, Toy BOY?"
Todd's temper flared. He wasn't about to back down. He pushed his face right up in Jared's.
"I ain't no f-u-c-k-i-n-g boy."
Todd tried to shrug off Jared's hold. No chance. Fists of iron held him tight. Not one to give up easily, he fought to control the fear creeping up his spine. Turning fear into anger was something he was a master at. It kept him sharp and alive for four years.
Jared stared dragging him back to the overturned table. Todd stared to kick and thrash and spew every imaginable profanity in several languages. All the good it did him was wear him down. Which is why Jared let it go on for as long as it did.
"You can't stop me, _f_u_c_k_er. You got no right. Lemego pecker."
Having had more than enough. Jared just placed his big palm over Todd's mouth.
"Oh...I can stop you. I have every right, you broke into my home and stole from me, for starters. I will make you stay until I figure out what I'll do with you."
Jared removed his hand. Testing Todd.
"Yeah...asshole! Well you can just suck my di...mph....
Todd failed the test and Jared covered his mouth.
"Not now maybe later. Right now we have something to iron out."
Like some defective marionette. Todd was half carried half dragged to the couch. Jared kicked the overturned chair out of the way. Todd struggled widely making Jared work a little to get him there. Little _s_h_i_t_. He forgot how strong Todd really was. "It's the little ones you have to watch out for." His brother used to tell him. Fast and stronger than they look. Jerking Todd up to his face, nearly nose to well....nose if he bent down.
"Let's take care of that little temper tantrum problem of yours...huh kid?"
In one move he sat and brought Todd down with him. One minute Todd was looking right in those hard green eyes, next right at the wood grain in the floor. Anger left immediately and was replaced with the fear that caused it. Given no time to react, Jared's large, hand began it's assault on his butt. Todd allowed himself but a few yelps and clenched down so hard on his teeth he feared they would shatter.
"Act like a brat...WAP...WAP...WAP..WAP. I'll treat you like one. WAP..WAP.. You will stay..WAP..WAPWAP WAP WAP...I have every right as an ADULT to keep you the CHILD, here and safe. WAP..WAP WAP WAPWAPWAP. I'd be well within my rights to haul you in to town and turn you over for theft."
Jared scorched the kid's butt. He didn't pull the kid's pants down. He didn't want to add to the fight that way. This was a humiliating enough loss for Todd. Not that he won't yank down the pants if the kid persists in pissing him off. He continued to spank Todd's jean-clad butt good and hard. Todd gave no indications the spanking was having any effect. The boy had only made a couple "Ouch's" and then closed shop. Jared stopped and rested his hand on Todd's bottom. Heat radiated even through the denim. He could feel Todd shaking, he was holding in all that anger and hurt. Pain from more than just a roasted ass. He no doubt felt betrayed by Jared. Jared understood and would have felt the same. Todd was furious that he was powerless to do anything only added fuel to the fire of his temper. His temper wasn't the only thing hot. His ass burned. Jared's hand could do some real damage even through denim.
Leaning over he spoke into Todd's right ear. "It doesn't have to be this way Todd, we still can talk about this. What do you say? Can we talk about it now?"
Being treated like a kid and the temptation to bawl like one on top of the loss of control over his own life was too much. He lost what little control over his temper he had.
Todd snapped his head around. If looks could kill Jared would drop dead right now.
"G-O F-U-C-K Y-O-U-R-S-E-L-F-"
"Uh hu..okay s-u-i-t yourself, tough guy."
Jared's palm cracked down harder yet on the already sore bottom. Todd struggled hard to get away. Jared had him in too tight a grip to break from. Over and over the hand spanked him. It hurt. Not like a beating did. With a beating Todd learned he could block out a lot of the pain. They still hurt like hell, even make him cry but only from the pain.
They couldn't reach the part Todd locked away. This was different. Todd was having a hard time keeping his emotions hid. It was making him feel panicky. There was something too emotional about being spanked. Each swat built on the last, each swat hurt more than the last. He couldn't help the involuntary kicks he gave.
Jared's hand slapped his ass painfully over and over with steady rhythm. Jared just shook his head as he spanked the stubborn ass under his hand with building force. Todd was showing "some" response this time. Small signs that he was feeling the heat. A few kicks, fists clasped together occasionally pounding the carpet . Anything to keep from crying out. Tough, stubborn, little rebel. Todd was straining so hard to keep control that his muscles screamed. It had to stop soon or he would loose what he was fighting so hard for. He couldn't help move a little but still didn't cry.
Jared stopped. The boy's shaking was worse. He could feel what it was costing Todd to keep his composure. Todd's breathing was so shallow he almost wasn't.
"Tantrum over?"
The brown head nodded slowly, almost reluctantly. With ease he lifted Todd up and set him on his feet, a last show of just who the kid is up against. Todd's face was pale and pinched. He kept his eyes glued to the floor. Standing himself he pulled Todd in a bear hug. He might as well have hugged a tree for all the response he got. He let him go. Todd just walked stiffly over to the table and set it back right. He then bent..gingerly to pick up the chess board and pieces he sent flying earlier. Seeing Todd's hands shake, he stopped him. Todd still couldn't look him in the eye.
Todd lost the battle, but not the war. He swore that to himself. His seat really hurt. Well he didn't humiliate himself like before, 'course this wasn't bare either. He felt ready to burst into tears any moment. He was furious at Jared and himself. Jared for obvious reason's and himself for being a wuss. He was a man _d_a_m_n_ it. But he didn't quite feel like one right now. The same hand that just roasted his butt was now lifting his chin.
Jared stared down into brown eyes drowning in unshed tears.
"Thanks for the clean up, but I can get the rest. I want you to go lie down. We will talk about this later. Go on now."
He sent a more than willing Todd back to bed. After he finished up fixing the mess they made in the living room, he sat down on the couch. Okay, he had the kid , now what? Todd removed his jeans and put on the borrowed sweats. He couldn't help rubbing his sore bottom. It really stung. He went into the bathroom to wash his face. He looked at himself in the mirror. His hair was a wild mess, eyes watery and red, he was in a huge flannel shirt and sweats, rubbing his butt. He looked like a little kid. He felt like a little kid. What was happening here?
"Get a grip wuss." Todd scolded himself. It didn't work. He felt so close to bawling. That was just something he'd never do. Todd finished in the bathroom and climbed in bed. A bed he was wishing he never got out of this morning. A million wishes were made. Soon he surrendered to the downy comfort of the bed and drifted off. Jared checked in on Todd. He was sound asleep. Jared lightly brushed the bangs away from that pretty face. Adorable in sleep. Todd jerked and rolled away. For a moment Jared feared he woke him, but Todd just snuggled deeper in the blankets. Shaking his head he left the room. Even in sleep, the kid rejected affection. What has he gotten himself into.