Discovering A Mute Boy
Chapter 04
Mute Boy
WARNING: this story contains sexual content, and contact between young boys. If the subject matter offends you, is not to your tastes, or if you are under legal age for your area, then find something else to read. In the following story all names and events are completely fictional. Although I may mention specific locations, places, or persons any resemblance to said people, locations, or places is completely unintentional.
Feel free to email me at ([email protected]). I respond to all of my readers.
This work is copyrighted © by Hunter Woods. No part of this story may be transmitted or reproduced in whole or in part in any form including mechanical, electronic, photocopying, and recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the express written consent of the author. For those of you who just blow this off and decide to steal anyway keep these thoughts below in mind:
“Intentionally using the quotes of others without author attribution is plagiarism and contributes to illiteracy.”
- Rain Bojangles
“Most plagiarists, like the drone, have neither taste to select, industry to acquire, nor skill to improve, but impudently pilfer the honey ready prepared, from the hive.”
- Walter Colton
“Borrowed thoughts, like borrowed money, only show the poverty of the borrower.”
- Lady Marguerite Blessington, Countess of Blessington
*************************************************************
EXCERPT FROM CABIN FEVER
After a while I fell into a rhythm with my body adjusting to the strain and before I knew it I could see the outline of the cabin in the distance. It spurred me forward and I once more kicked it into high gear expending the last of my reserves. Rounding a corner in the trail I began shouting at the top of my lungs. I could see my grandfather exit the cabin and cup his hand over his eyebrows as if trying to figure out what all the commotion was about. Even from this distance I could see his face drain of all color when he noticed it was me and the way I looked. I’m sure I was a bloody mess from my tumble not to mention completely soaked through and through with steam rising from my overheated body due to the overexertion of my twenty five minute flight down the side of the hill.
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MUTE BOY
Everything erupted into total chaos when I came stumbling into my grandfather’s arms with both of us trying to talk over one another. He was trembling out of fear for me and began checking me over for injuries while asking me questions in rapid succession, his doctor instincts instantly kicking into gear. At the same time I was hollering for him to hurry up and get the ATV. It was total chaos for several long minutes until my grandfather finally managed to calm me down while he checked over my arm and face. With his attention focused on my condition I was able to calmly explain just what the hell was going on and why I wasn’t wearing hardly any clothes.
Now as we made our way up the main pathway in the ATV with the small flatbed trailer attached on the back I began telling PopPop in greater detail what had happened. After I had calmed down enough at the cabin I managed to get out how I had found a kid freezing and half dead just off the main trail on the way up to the top of Cold Springs Lookout. He had seemed to hesitate for a moment as if debating whether or not this was real or if maybe I had one of my zoning out moments with my mind simply believing something which wasn’t real. It had lasted only a second or two before he ordered me inside to get into dry clothes and warmed up.
Within moments I had changed into a set of dry warm clothes. I even peeled off my filthy underwear taking the time to wipe a damp rag across my privates and right leg. Strange, I thought to myself, how my piss only managed to run down the right side, but I suppose maybe it was because that is the direction my pecker tended to angle towards when it was soft and tucked away inside my boy’s briefs. Thank goodness I had taken a piss shortly before coming across the boy or I’m sure an entire river would have down my leg. As it was it didn’t seem like my bladder had released a lot because the sticky urine was mostly confined around my goods and small patch of pubes with just my right leg being slightly tacky.
Finishing up I tossed my filthy underwear into my dirty pile of clothes in the corner and pulled my pants back on since they didn’t seem to have gotten too messed up before slipping on a regular jacket and running back outside to help my grandfather. In typical boy fashion it had only taken me a couple of minutes to get cleaned up and changed. When I arrived he had insisted I wait in the cabin while he went and checked things out, but I refused urging him to hurry up. Once again he hesitated, but could tell arguing wouldn’t get him anywhere so with a bit of apprehension he grabbed his medical bag, blankets, and some other items getting them secured on the back of the small trailer before heading out with me holding on to him from behind.
Our ATV now rumbled up the hill in what I thought was a slow snail of a pace and I began excitedly telling my grandfather how I had found the kid. I told him about the Bald Eagle and some of the other things I saw on my trek even explaining how I had taken the side loop lucking out with a fantastic view because the skies had opened up for a short while before sitting down for my lunch. Of course I left out the whole exhilarating moment thing of me lowering my pants and underwear around my ankles and jacking off with my meager amount of boy jizz arching over the ledge into empty air. I did explain how after eating lunch I made my way back on to the main trail and just before I got to the top things became really strange.
It was like the air had become heavy with this tingling sensation all over the place making me edgy. If that wasn’t bad enough, then there had been this odd smell which alarmed and frightened me because I could tell something wasn’t right. That’s when I had spotted the boy wearing nothing but a pair of threadbare pajamas with me thinking he was dead. Instead, when I approached him I discovered he had still been alive, but near frozen to death. I managed to set up a temporary shelter getting him out of the rain and gave him my hot cocoa and soup along with my warm clothes before deciding it was best to get help right away. That’s when I had taken the spill; I told Pops while he nodded his head and concentrated on driving the ATV along the wide bumpy track.
“Can’t you go any faster?” I urged PopPop seeing him shaking his head before I heard his reply.
We were both wearing helmets, but we didn’t have to scream because they were set up with microphones and speakers. The helmets muffled most of the exterior noise from the engine, but we still had to speak up a little in order to be heard because of the straining roar from the ATV’s motor steadily climbing up the gradual slope.
“It’s too dangerous Latham.” I heard my grandfather respond. “With the trailer attached we have to be a bit more careful.” He explained with me knowing he was right.
Without the trailer we could have made better time, but then how would we get the boy back down into the warm safety of the cabin. Even if my grandfather had gone alone there was no way he would be able to safely hang on to the boy while navigating back down to the bottom. PopPop must have thought things through while getting everything together. If it had been me I might have forgotten half the stuff including the trailer. I suppose being a doctor he had learned to make critical decisions under pressure.
What had taken me close to thirty minutes only took about ten minutes in the ATV as we rounded a small curve close to where I had left the boy. Suddenly my grandfather came to a stop catching me by surprise. I tried to figure out why he was stopping so leaned over and flipped open the protective visor on my helmet gazing up the trail. I felt the blood drain from my face and revulsion seizing my insides because right in the middle of the track there were three large wolves fighting over a shredded carcass. It was horrifying and I began sobbing. Without even thinking I leaped off the ATV and like a wild beast began running towards the wolves that were tearing at the dead body of the boy I had tried to save.
There was a yelp of shock from my grandfather, momentarily forcing its way into my thoughts, but I was beyond being able to make sense of it because from somewhere deep down inside of me a roiling rage bubbled up to the surface. Charging towards the wolves with my arms flailing all about I could hear the wild animalistic roaring of a wild beast, dimly aware it was coming from me, while sheer fury coursed through my veins. Two of the wolves took notice and started to shy away trying to figure out what was going on, but the larger one was standing his ground not willing to give up its meal.
Suddenly there were three rapid cracking sounds piercing the air making even me jump and crouch down protectively because it was deafening despite my own furious yelling. My heart literally leaped into my throat before lurching back down into place thundering wildly in my chest. It took me a moment to realize my grandfather must have pulled out his .357 magnum as I craned my neck wondering if he had actually pointed it towards the wolves taking a chance of hitting me in the process. Of course I should have known he wouldn’t do such a thing noticing it was pointing in an upwards position with him now lowering it to his side while gazing admonishingly towards me. Ignoring his look I glanced back up the trail realizing the wolves had suddenly disappeared. Staggering back to my feet, the rage which had gripped me suddenly gave way to grief and I began to sob. I could feel my feet stumbling towards the shredded carcass, but I never reached it because my grandfather had caught up and wrapped his arms firmly around me.
Huge sobs began to boil from deep down inside of me with my whole world collapsing and my body shuddering. My grandfather continued to hold me tightly and I was vaguely aware of him speaking as if trying to tell me something important to get me out of this gut wrenching state of mind. The overpowering sense of helplessness was such a horrifying feeling, evoking harsh memories of the past which I had thought long buried. I’ve experienced this sort of thing before, the horrible sensation of anxiety pressing down heavily on me, and I could feel myself spiraling out of control. I used to get these anxiety attacks all the time and was medicated for it a few years back, but things had gotten so much better for me. Now, I could feel that sinking feeling once more trying to take hold.
Suddenly I felt a sharp stinging sensation across my cheek, along with the resounding sound of a slap, which penetrated my thoughts piercingly bringing my brimming damp eyes back into focus. I immediately knew my grandfather had slapped me and was now shaking me vigorously trying to bring me back to the land of the living before I sunk down into one of my melancholy states I had fought so long and hard to prevent after all these years. He hadn’t hit me hard, just strong enough to bring me back to my senses because in the past there were times I’d drop into such a depressed mood for days on end. It had taken PopPop and my grandmother years to bring me to some semblance of emotional stability.
It wasn’t as if my emotional turmoil had been visibly noticeable to people around me in my every day life, but at home it was a different matter. My grandparents had sheltered me during those trying times so it wouldn’t become common knowledge because that would have resulted in some harsh teasing at school from other kids. For the most part I had always been an easy going type of kid, but there were times I had become an emotional basket case for days on end with me slipping into such a depressing state of mind it had become dangerous for my mental stability. Those had been difficult times, but through the love and affection of my grandparents I had slowly climbed my way out of that period in my life.
“Latham!” I heard his deep voice penetrating my thoughts with me nodding my head letting him know I was still here while he wrapped me up in his strong arms. “I’m sorry Latham.” I heard him tell me gently when I buried my face into his chest not really sure if he meant for hitting me or because of the dead boy while I began to softly cry for the poor kid I had so recklessly abandoned.
“Stop it.” I heard his deep voice once more penetrating my thoughts not because I was crying, but now because I was complaining how everything was my fault. “You did everything right.” He told me forcefully when I felt him stiffening up.
“It’s not him!” He suddenly gasped with me looking up and following his gaze. “You see, up there.” He pointed up at the top of the rise with me noticing for the first time the scorched smoldering remains of the huge red pine tree that had once stood at the topmost part of the rise.
Blinking my eyes I couldn’t believe how I had missed the blackened splintered trunk of the tree earlier when I found the boy. It looked like the damn thing had been dynamited and blown into huge chunks. Then it dawned on me how this must have been that huge flash of lightning and thunder which had woke me up last night. I stood rooted in place for a second in complete shock until PopPop pointed out the carcass of a Moose partially buried under a huge chunk of the tree. It must have fallen right on top of the large animal and my eyes now trailed downwards realizing the wolves had torn off a huge chunk of it which is what they had been eating. Glancing off to the side of the trail I could make out the makeshift shelter I had set up for the boy and started to head in that direction but felt my grandfather’s grip on my arm stopping me.
“Come-on,” he hissed urgently dragging me back to the ATV and the trailer. “Get the ATV turned around.” He ordered grabbing one of the blankets.
When I started to protest his stern gaze left me standing there with an open mouth. “Quickly Latham.” He snapped before softening his tone and tried to explain. “The wolves…I’m sure they haven’t gone far and they are hungry. Before long they will be back and much more aggressive.” He clarified before rushing over towards my makeshift camp.
The idea of the wolves coming back had me very frightened and on edge now. When we first came across them I hadn’t been thinking and after the fact I knew what I had done was a stupid ass thing to do. Shoving the mistake aside, I quickly unhitched the trailer and within moments had our ATV turned around all the while my eyes scanning the edges of the trees for any sign of movement. Once the ATV was pointing back down the trail I swiveled the trailer around and just when I got it hitched back up I saw PopPop swiftly making his way towards me with the boy all bundled up in the blanket.
With a small grunt Pops lowered the boy into the bed of the small trailer. The kid’s face looked very pale, but I thought I detected some color in his cheeks so finally exhaled in relief. I hadn’t even realized I was holding my breath until that very moment as I watched PopPop quickly reaching for his medical bag his eyes scanning the surrounding woods. Automatically my own eyes began to scan the trees with me flinching when I saw a shape and some movement. Pops noticed my alertness and glanced in the direction I was looking before putting his focus back to his medical bag rummaging through it before retrieving a bottle and syringe.
“They are close Latham.” I heard PopPop’s hushed deep toned voice while I nodded my head and he found what he was looking for. “Keep a sharp eye out and if you see a wolf coming out of the trees don’t hesitate to use the gun.” He instructed setting the gun down next to me while I once more nodded my head but left it sitting there because the idea of touching a gun revolted me.
I had an aversion to guns that ran deep down inside of me. The idea of picking one up and using it made me sick to my stomach, but I’d do it in a heartbeat if it meant defending myself and PopPop. My grandfather had taught me how to shoot, pointing out how here in the backcountry it was necessary for protection.
Of course he knew I loathed it and had my reasons, but he had insisted so I had learned how to handle a weapon safely along with learning how to curb my disgust. I did it because I knew he was right and a person never knew if he would need a weapon out here in the middle of nowhere. It sure had come in handy just a few moments ago. Besides, it wasn’t as if I was per se against people owning guns understanding it was part of our American culture and heritage with there being a time and place for it. Rather it was more a personal issue I had with guns.
Pops pulled aside the top part of the blanket and paused for a moment as if trying to do some mental calculations. Sticking the needle in the small vial he had retrieved from his medical bag he put a small amount into the syringe and removed it. Mumbling to himself about not giving the kid too big of a dose, only enough, he squeezed a little out to get rid of any bubbles and stuck it in the boy’s thigh giving him the dosage. I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I heard PopPop also mumble something about adrenalin and when I looked at the label on the bottle it read epinephrine.
Watching the needle sliding into the boy’s thigh made me wince, but the little guy didn’t even wake up, completely oblivious to what was going on around him. He did it right through the boy’s pajamas before immediately covering the boy back up with the blanket. I suppose he was in a hurry and didn’t want to stick around here waiting for the wolves to make a meal out of us. In a way the boy not moving kind of frightened me and I wondered if he was even still alive.
Tucking things back into his bag my grandfather must have read my mind. “Don’t worry Latham he’s alright. His breathing is steady and strong, but I can’t check him over any better because we’d best be moving along. I want to avoid another confrontation with those wolves out there.” He stated simply and shoved his bag back into the corner of the trailer before nimbly hopping on to the ATV starting it right up.
For a man in his seventies he was still very fit and moved like a very agile cat. Sometimes I’d forget how old he was because he simply didn’t act or move around like someone his age. Most of PopPop’s friends his same age looked and acted their age; time having caught up to them with their bodies slumped over slightly and their minds no longer sharp while their movements remained a bit more hesitant and slower.
“What about my stuff?” I asked with him shaking his head.
“We’ll come back for them when it is safer” He replied while I paused for a moment not because of my gear, but trying to decide if I should sit in the trailer with the boy in case he woke up.
A few moments later we were puttering down the wide path with me sitting in the back of the trailer. I had the boy’s head propped up on my thigh and another blanket wrapped around my shoulders and head making a sort of cover for us. It had been drizzling on and off in typical fashion, but I could see how the clouds were beginning to get thicker and darker. I knew it wouldn’t be long before another thunderstorm dumped on us again.
Now that we were safely away from the threat of the wolves I finally relaxed and glanced down at the boy cuddled up under his blanket. It was the first time I could really take a closer look at him so I studied his damp pale face. The boy looked frail and small with a tiny build. His features were gaunt with that sort of neglected sickly look to it. Despite it all I thought he was kind of cute with a round chin, round full type of face, and soft features, which currently sort of had this pale paper-thin translucent sallow sickly quality to it. Even though he had been tucked under a protective cover when I had left him earlier his hair was still damp and I couldn’t really tell what color it was for sure right now; although, it did appear to be some shade of brown. It was also kind of long and stringy like he was in a dire need of a decent haircut. By the look of his overall build and still young boyish features I’d have to guess he was probably around eleven years old.
Even though the path was fairly smooth it was still pretty bumpy and rocky sitting in the trailer and every once in a while I had to hold on so I wouldn’t get knocked about too much. The cart suddenly jolted when it hit a rut in the path making me reach out to steady myself and hold on to the boy tighter while my grandfather puttered down the trail probably unaware of us getting bounced around back here. Getting my balance, it wasn’t really a big deal with my eyes automatically glancing down and noticing the boy’s eyes fluttering open. Getting tossed around like this probably finally woke the boy up and his green eyes opened wide in panic for a split second before calming down slightly when he gazed up into my face. I could tell though that he was still frightened even though his features suddenly became neutral.
“It’s alright, don’t worry.” I spoke up glad I hadn’t put on my helmet which would have probably scared the kid shitless waking up to someone looking at him in that contraption. “We’re heading back to our cabin.” I leaned down closer to his face so he could hear me better over the roaring sound of the ATV’s engine and rattling of the trailer.
There was that panic in his eyes once more even though the rest of his features remained totally blank. Not knowing what else to do I held my lips close to his ears deciding to sing hoping it would calm him down. It needed to be a soothing kind of song and my mind instantly went to the one my school choir was practicing at the moment called “In the Arms of the Angel.” So with my voice trembling at first from the strain of trying to hold the notes, I began to sing. My throat was slightly hoarse from when I had gulped down the cold air into my lungs on the run down from the hill, but soon enough my vocal chords adjusted with the notes chiming true.
Feel free to email me at ([email protected]). I respond to all of my readers.
This work is copyrighted © by Hunter Woods. No part of this story may be transmitted or reproduced in whole or in part in any form including mechanical, electronic, photocopying, and recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the express written consent of the author. For those of you who just blow this off and decide to steal anyway keep these thoughts below in mind:
“Intentionally using the quotes of others without author attribution is plagiarism and contributes to illiteracy.”
- Rain Bojangles
“Most plagiarists, like the drone, have neither taste to select, industry to acquire, nor skill to improve, but impudently pilfer the honey ready prepared, from the hive.”
- Walter Colton
“Borrowed thoughts, like borrowed money, only show the poverty of the borrower.”
- Lady Marguerite Blessington, Countess of Blessington
*************************************************************
EXCERPT FROM CABIN FEVER
After a while I fell into a rhythm with my body adjusting to the strain and before I knew it I could see the outline of the cabin in the distance. It spurred me forward and I once more kicked it into high gear expending the last of my reserves. Rounding a corner in the trail I began shouting at the top of my lungs. I could see my grandfather exit the cabin and cup his hand over his eyebrows as if trying to figure out what all the commotion was about. Even from this distance I could see his face drain of all color when he noticed it was me and the way I looked. I’m sure I was a bloody mess from my tumble not to mention completely soaked through and through with steam rising from my overheated body due to the overexertion of my twenty five minute flight down the side of the hill.
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MUTE BOY
Everything erupted into total chaos when I came stumbling into my grandfather’s arms with both of us trying to talk over one another. He was trembling out of fear for me and began checking me over for injuries while asking me questions in rapid succession, his doctor instincts instantly kicking into gear. At the same time I was hollering for him to hurry up and get the ATV. It was total chaos for several long minutes until my grandfather finally managed to calm me down while he checked over my arm and face. With his attention focused on my condition I was able to calmly explain just what the hell was going on and why I wasn’t wearing hardly any clothes.
Now as we made our way up the main pathway in the ATV with the small flatbed trailer attached on the back I began telling PopPop in greater detail what had happened. After I had calmed down enough at the cabin I managed to get out how I had found a kid freezing and half dead just off the main trail on the way up to the top of Cold Springs Lookout. He had seemed to hesitate for a moment as if debating whether or not this was real or if maybe I had one of my zoning out moments with my mind simply believing something which wasn’t real. It had lasted only a second or two before he ordered me inside to get into dry clothes and warmed up.
Within moments I had changed into a set of dry warm clothes. I even peeled off my filthy underwear taking the time to wipe a damp rag across my privates and right leg. Strange, I thought to myself, how my piss only managed to run down the right side, but I suppose maybe it was because that is the direction my pecker tended to angle towards when it was soft and tucked away inside my boy’s briefs. Thank goodness I had taken a piss shortly before coming across the boy or I’m sure an entire river would have down my leg. As it was it didn’t seem like my bladder had released a lot because the sticky urine was mostly confined around my goods and small patch of pubes with just my right leg being slightly tacky.
Finishing up I tossed my filthy underwear into my dirty pile of clothes in the corner and pulled my pants back on since they didn’t seem to have gotten too messed up before slipping on a regular jacket and running back outside to help my grandfather. In typical boy fashion it had only taken me a couple of minutes to get cleaned up and changed. When I arrived he had insisted I wait in the cabin while he went and checked things out, but I refused urging him to hurry up. Once again he hesitated, but could tell arguing wouldn’t get him anywhere so with a bit of apprehension he grabbed his medical bag, blankets, and some other items getting them secured on the back of the small trailer before heading out with me holding on to him from behind.
Our ATV now rumbled up the hill in what I thought was a slow snail of a pace and I began excitedly telling my grandfather how I had found the kid. I told him about the Bald Eagle and some of the other things I saw on my trek even explaining how I had taken the side loop lucking out with a fantastic view because the skies had opened up for a short while before sitting down for my lunch. Of course I left out the whole exhilarating moment thing of me lowering my pants and underwear around my ankles and jacking off with my meager amount of boy jizz arching over the ledge into empty air. I did explain how after eating lunch I made my way back on to the main trail and just before I got to the top things became really strange.
It was like the air had become heavy with this tingling sensation all over the place making me edgy. If that wasn’t bad enough, then there had been this odd smell which alarmed and frightened me because I could tell something wasn’t right. That’s when I had spotted the boy wearing nothing but a pair of threadbare pajamas with me thinking he was dead. Instead, when I approached him I discovered he had still been alive, but near frozen to death. I managed to set up a temporary shelter getting him out of the rain and gave him my hot cocoa and soup along with my warm clothes before deciding it was best to get help right away. That’s when I had taken the spill; I told Pops while he nodded his head and concentrated on driving the ATV along the wide bumpy track.
“Can’t you go any faster?” I urged PopPop seeing him shaking his head before I heard his reply.
We were both wearing helmets, but we didn’t have to scream because they were set up with microphones and speakers. The helmets muffled most of the exterior noise from the engine, but we still had to speak up a little in order to be heard because of the straining roar from the ATV’s motor steadily climbing up the gradual slope.
“It’s too dangerous Latham.” I heard my grandfather respond. “With the trailer attached we have to be a bit more careful.” He explained with me knowing he was right.
Without the trailer we could have made better time, but then how would we get the boy back down into the warm safety of the cabin. Even if my grandfather had gone alone there was no way he would be able to safely hang on to the boy while navigating back down to the bottom. PopPop must have thought things through while getting everything together. If it had been me I might have forgotten half the stuff including the trailer. I suppose being a doctor he had learned to make critical decisions under pressure.
What had taken me close to thirty minutes only took about ten minutes in the ATV as we rounded a small curve close to where I had left the boy. Suddenly my grandfather came to a stop catching me by surprise. I tried to figure out why he was stopping so leaned over and flipped open the protective visor on my helmet gazing up the trail. I felt the blood drain from my face and revulsion seizing my insides because right in the middle of the track there were three large wolves fighting over a shredded carcass. It was horrifying and I began sobbing. Without even thinking I leaped off the ATV and like a wild beast began running towards the wolves that were tearing at the dead body of the boy I had tried to save.
There was a yelp of shock from my grandfather, momentarily forcing its way into my thoughts, but I was beyond being able to make sense of it because from somewhere deep down inside of me a roiling rage bubbled up to the surface. Charging towards the wolves with my arms flailing all about I could hear the wild animalistic roaring of a wild beast, dimly aware it was coming from me, while sheer fury coursed through my veins. Two of the wolves took notice and started to shy away trying to figure out what was going on, but the larger one was standing his ground not willing to give up its meal.
Suddenly there were three rapid cracking sounds piercing the air making even me jump and crouch down protectively because it was deafening despite my own furious yelling. My heart literally leaped into my throat before lurching back down into place thundering wildly in my chest. It took me a moment to realize my grandfather must have pulled out his .357 magnum as I craned my neck wondering if he had actually pointed it towards the wolves taking a chance of hitting me in the process. Of course I should have known he wouldn’t do such a thing noticing it was pointing in an upwards position with him now lowering it to his side while gazing admonishingly towards me. Ignoring his look I glanced back up the trail realizing the wolves had suddenly disappeared. Staggering back to my feet, the rage which had gripped me suddenly gave way to grief and I began to sob. I could feel my feet stumbling towards the shredded carcass, but I never reached it because my grandfather had caught up and wrapped his arms firmly around me.
Huge sobs began to boil from deep down inside of me with my whole world collapsing and my body shuddering. My grandfather continued to hold me tightly and I was vaguely aware of him speaking as if trying to tell me something important to get me out of this gut wrenching state of mind. The overpowering sense of helplessness was such a horrifying feeling, evoking harsh memories of the past which I had thought long buried. I’ve experienced this sort of thing before, the horrible sensation of anxiety pressing down heavily on me, and I could feel myself spiraling out of control. I used to get these anxiety attacks all the time and was medicated for it a few years back, but things had gotten so much better for me. Now, I could feel that sinking feeling once more trying to take hold.
Suddenly I felt a sharp stinging sensation across my cheek, along with the resounding sound of a slap, which penetrated my thoughts piercingly bringing my brimming damp eyes back into focus. I immediately knew my grandfather had slapped me and was now shaking me vigorously trying to bring me back to the land of the living before I sunk down into one of my melancholy states I had fought so long and hard to prevent after all these years. He hadn’t hit me hard, just strong enough to bring me back to my senses because in the past there were times I’d drop into such a depressed mood for days on end. It had taken PopPop and my grandmother years to bring me to some semblance of emotional stability.
It wasn’t as if my emotional turmoil had been visibly noticeable to people around me in my every day life, but at home it was a different matter. My grandparents had sheltered me during those trying times so it wouldn’t become common knowledge because that would have resulted in some harsh teasing at school from other kids. For the most part I had always been an easy going type of kid, but there were times I had become an emotional basket case for days on end with me slipping into such a depressing state of mind it had become dangerous for my mental stability. Those had been difficult times, but through the love and affection of my grandparents I had slowly climbed my way out of that period in my life.
“Latham!” I heard his deep voice penetrating my thoughts with me nodding my head letting him know I was still here while he wrapped me up in his strong arms. “I’m sorry Latham.” I heard him tell me gently when I buried my face into his chest not really sure if he meant for hitting me or because of the dead boy while I began to softly cry for the poor kid I had so recklessly abandoned.
“Stop it.” I heard his deep voice once more penetrating my thoughts not because I was crying, but now because I was complaining how everything was my fault. “You did everything right.” He told me forcefully when I felt him stiffening up.
“It’s not him!” He suddenly gasped with me looking up and following his gaze. “You see, up there.” He pointed up at the top of the rise with me noticing for the first time the scorched smoldering remains of the huge red pine tree that had once stood at the topmost part of the rise.
Blinking my eyes I couldn’t believe how I had missed the blackened splintered trunk of the tree earlier when I found the boy. It looked like the damn thing had been dynamited and blown into huge chunks. Then it dawned on me how this must have been that huge flash of lightning and thunder which had woke me up last night. I stood rooted in place for a second in complete shock until PopPop pointed out the carcass of a Moose partially buried under a huge chunk of the tree. It must have fallen right on top of the large animal and my eyes now trailed downwards realizing the wolves had torn off a huge chunk of it which is what they had been eating. Glancing off to the side of the trail I could make out the makeshift shelter I had set up for the boy and started to head in that direction but felt my grandfather’s grip on my arm stopping me.
“Come-on,” he hissed urgently dragging me back to the ATV and the trailer. “Get the ATV turned around.” He ordered grabbing one of the blankets.
When I started to protest his stern gaze left me standing there with an open mouth. “Quickly Latham.” He snapped before softening his tone and tried to explain. “The wolves…I’m sure they haven’t gone far and they are hungry. Before long they will be back and much more aggressive.” He clarified before rushing over towards my makeshift camp.
The idea of the wolves coming back had me very frightened and on edge now. When we first came across them I hadn’t been thinking and after the fact I knew what I had done was a stupid ass thing to do. Shoving the mistake aside, I quickly unhitched the trailer and within moments had our ATV turned around all the while my eyes scanning the edges of the trees for any sign of movement. Once the ATV was pointing back down the trail I swiveled the trailer around and just when I got it hitched back up I saw PopPop swiftly making his way towards me with the boy all bundled up in the blanket.
With a small grunt Pops lowered the boy into the bed of the small trailer. The kid’s face looked very pale, but I thought I detected some color in his cheeks so finally exhaled in relief. I hadn’t even realized I was holding my breath until that very moment as I watched PopPop quickly reaching for his medical bag his eyes scanning the surrounding woods. Automatically my own eyes began to scan the trees with me flinching when I saw a shape and some movement. Pops noticed my alertness and glanced in the direction I was looking before putting his focus back to his medical bag rummaging through it before retrieving a bottle and syringe.
“They are close Latham.” I heard PopPop’s hushed deep toned voice while I nodded my head and he found what he was looking for. “Keep a sharp eye out and if you see a wolf coming out of the trees don’t hesitate to use the gun.” He instructed setting the gun down next to me while I once more nodded my head but left it sitting there because the idea of touching a gun revolted me.
I had an aversion to guns that ran deep down inside of me. The idea of picking one up and using it made me sick to my stomach, but I’d do it in a heartbeat if it meant defending myself and PopPop. My grandfather had taught me how to shoot, pointing out how here in the backcountry it was necessary for protection.
Of course he knew I loathed it and had my reasons, but he had insisted so I had learned how to handle a weapon safely along with learning how to curb my disgust. I did it because I knew he was right and a person never knew if he would need a weapon out here in the middle of nowhere. It sure had come in handy just a few moments ago. Besides, it wasn’t as if I was per se against people owning guns understanding it was part of our American culture and heritage with there being a time and place for it. Rather it was more a personal issue I had with guns.
Pops pulled aside the top part of the blanket and paused for a moment as if trying to do some mental calculations. Sticking the needle in the small vial he had retrieved from his medical bag he put a small amount into the syringe and removed it. Mumbling to himself about not giving the kid too big of a dose, only enough, he squeezed a little out to get rid of any bubbles and stuck it in the boy’s thigh giving him the dosage. I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I heard PopPop also mumble something about adrenalin and when I looked at the label on the bottle it read epinephrine.
Watching the needle sliding into the boy’s thigh made me wince, but the little guy didn’t even wake up, completely oblivious to what was going on around him. He did it right through the boy’s pajamas before immediately covering the boy back up with the blanket. I suppose he was in a hurry and didn’t want to stick around here waiting for the wolves to make a meal out of us. In a way the boy not moving kind of frightened me and I wondered if he was even still alive.
Tucking things back into his bag my grandfather must have read my mind. “Don’t worry Latham he’s alright. His breathing is steady and strong, but I can’t check him over any better because we’d best be moving along. I want to avoid another confrontation with those wolves out there.” He stated simply and shoved his bag back into the corner of the trailer before nimbly hopping on to the ATV starting it right up.
For a man in his seventies he was still very fit and moved like a very agile cat. Sometimes I’d forget how old he was because he simply didn’t act or move around like someone his age. Most of PopPop’s friends his same age looked and acted their age; time having caught up to them with their bodies slumped over slightly and their minds no longer sharp while their movements remained a bit more hesitant and slower.
“What about my stuff?” I asked with him shaking his head.
“We’ll come back for them when it is safer” He replied while I paused for a moment not because of my gear, but trying to decide if I should sit in the trailer with the boy in case he woke up.
A few moments later we were puttering down the wide path with me sitting in the back of the trailer. I had the boy’s head propped up on my thigh and another blanket wrapped around my shoulders and head making a sort of cover for us. It had been drizzling on and off in typical fashion, but I could see how the clouds were beginning to get thicker and darker. I knew it wouldn’t be long before another thunderstorm dumped on us again.
Now that we were safely away from the threat of the wolves I finally relaxed and glanced down at the boy cuddled up under his blanket. It was the first time I could really take a closer look at him so I studied his damp pale face. The boy looked frail and small with a tiny build. His features were gaunt with that sort of neglected sickly look to it. Despite it all I thought he was kind of cute with a round chin, round full type of face, and soft features, which currently sort of had this pale paper-thin translucent sallow sickly quality to it. Even though he had been tucked under a protective cover when I had left him earlier his hair was still damp and I couldn’t really tell what color it was for sure right now; although, it did appear to be some shade of brown. It was also kind of long and stringy like he was in a dire need of a decent haircut. By the look of his overall build and still young boyish features I’d have to guess he was probably around eleven years old.
Even though the path was fairly smooth it was still pretty bumpy and rocky sitting in the trailer and every once in a while I had to hold on so I wouldn’t get knocked about too much. The cart suddenly jolted when it hit a rut in the path making me reach out to steady myself and hold on to the boy tighter while my grandfather puttered down the trail probably unaware of us getting bounced around back here. Getting my balance, it wasn’t really a big deal with my eyes automatically glancing down and noticing the boy’s eyes fluttering open. Getting tossed around like this probably finally woke the boy up and his green eyes opened wide in panic for a split second before calming down slightly when he gazed up into my face. I could tell though that he was still frightened even though his features suddenly became neutral.
“It’s alright, don’t worry.” I spoke up glad I hadn’t put on my helmet which would have probably scared the kid shitless waking up to someone looking at him in that contraption. “We’re heading back to our cabin.” I leaned down closer to his face so he could hear me better over the roaring sound of the ATV’s engine and rattling of the trailer.
There was that panic in his eyes once more even though the rest of his features remained totally blank. Not knowing what else to do I held my lips close to his ears deciding to sing hoping it would calm him down. It needed to be a soothing kind of song and my mind instantly went to the one my school choir was practicing at the moment called “In the Arms of the Angel.” So with my voice trembling at first from the strain of trying to hold the notes, I began to sing. My throat was slightly hoarse from when I had gulped down the cold air into my lungs on the run down from the hill, but soon enough my vocal chords adjusted with the notes chiming true.
Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay
There's always some reason
To feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
Or a beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins
Let me be empty
Oh and weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight
In the arms of the angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here
So tired of the straight line
And everywhere you turn
There's vultures and thieves at your back
The storm keeps on twisting
Keep on building the lies
That you make up for all that you lack
It don't make no difference
Escaping one last time
It's easier to believe
In this sweet madness
Oh this glorious sadness
That brings me to my knees
In the arms of the angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay
There's always some reason
To feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
Or a beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins
Let me be empty
Oh and weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight
In the arms of the angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here
So tired of the straight line
And everywhere you turn
There's vultures and thieves at your back
The storm keeps on twisting
Keep on building the lies
That you make up for all that you lack
It don't make no difference
Escaping one last time
It's easier to believe
In this sweet madness
Oh this glorious sadness
That brings me to my knees
In the arms of the angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here
When I sat back up the boy had once more closed his eyes and I could tell he was drifting away. There was an excited tingling sensation inside of me because when I gazed down into his face he looked so adorably cute. These thoughts kind of caught me a bit off guard not to mention the way it made me feel. Lately a lot of things were beginning to confuse me about how I felt regarding certain things. Reflecting back, even my dreams of Joey last night were now beginning to be a bit uncomfortable.
The sudden jolt had roused the younger boy out of his state of limbo. When the strange boy had found him he had been kind of happy about it even though it also frightened him a little. Then he had been given something warm to drink which tasted so wonderful that it had tickled at a distant memory. His ‘parents’ never gave him anything like what he drank out of that metal jug the other boy had offered him. For a long time now the only thing he ever got to drink was plain water out of the faucet, but what he had been given earlier tasted sweet and very delicious forcing a memory of before, from a long time ago when he had tasted something similar. He no longer recalled what it was called; only that it was very delicious. The boy had drunk it down slowly, a feeling of warmth spreading all along his insides.
A feeling of sadness had followed when the other boy announced he was leaving. The boy had promised to return, but somehow he didn’t really believe it understanding the situation since he was basically a nobody; someone who was of no concern or importance to anyone anyway. At least the other boy had left behind another container, this one filled with something just as tasty. It wasn’t sweet like the first drink, but it too was familiar. It was also warm and he recognized it as a sort of soup. His ‘parents’ had fed him something similar at times, but this somehow tasted different. The stuff he ever got was straight from a can and tasted different from what the boy had given him making him wonder briefly why. It was way tastier and he had taken his time to slowly drink it down. Afterwards he felt much better and thankful to the boy even though he had been left all alone once more. Slowly he had drifted off to sleep no longer afraid and in a way content.
The sudden jolting motion had finally forced its way into the boy’s foggy mind and he now slowly opened his eyes. Everything around him was moving setting him in a panic for a moment until he saw the familiar angular features of the boy who had left him earlier. For some reason it sent a strange tingling sensation all up and down inside of him providing him with a sense of well being.
It was an odd sort of emotion, something he doesn’t ever recall feeling except for maybe something similar a long time ago that it was now just a fleeting memory. On top of this he also felt a sense of invigoration, almost like a warming sensation inside of him, which seemed to have started only a short while ago. His thigh ached a bit as well for some reason, but he felt much better almost like there was warmth spreading throughout his insides and he had a bit more energy. Still, his eyes felt a bit heavy and overall there was a sense of fatigue. He was tired and all he wanted was to sleep, but when the boy told him everything was fine and that they were heading to his cabin he began to panic again because this meant other people.
Then something magical happened and the sweetest sound ever poured out of the other boy. It was a song, the word for such a thing once more flooding the smaller boy’s memories. Even the tune seemed to sound familiar, his mind trying to recall why until he realized that it was the same melody he’d hear in his mind with the words having been lost to him a long time ago. The voice and tune was so soft and tender, similar to the one in his memories. It made him feel all calm and warm inside so he simply closed his eyes and faded back into nothingness with a sense of well being wrapping itself around his frail body.
With the smaller boy falling asleep in my arms it didn’t take us long to arrive at the cabin. It was mid-afternoon by this time when my grandfather carted the younger boy inside setting him on top of the small table in the small room. Shutting the door behind me I heard the rumbling beginnings of another stormy deluge with rain now suddenly hammering our cabin. The sound of rain pounding on the walls and roof made me sigh in relief because we had just made it in time to avoid getting pelted. The muted light filtering through the windows seemed soft and welcoming despite the rainy weather outside, and along with the warmth from the stove that wrapped us up in its gentle embrace made the cabin feel like a welcoming gift. Shucking off my jacket I hung it up on the peg by the door and walked over to the table setting down my grandfather’s medical bag on the chair while he too peeled off his jacket handing it to me to hang up.
He quickly got to work on the boy unraveling the blanket from him and managing to get my Gore-Tex jacket off without too much trouble. Once the jacket was removed I could truly see the state of the kid’s thin and tattered pajama bottoms. The wet material clung to his body tightly, barely managing to conceal anything about him, and I gawked at his near nakedness. It was obviously clear that he wasn’t wearing any underwear because even the pale skin coloration was visible through the near opaque cottony fabric. So much so I could clearly see the outline of his small tightly balled up boy bag which was about the size of a ping pong ball, maybe a tad bigger.
Even the outline from his bullet shaped penis was clearly visible as it poked straight outwards from his body pressing up against the clinging wet fabric. It left very little to the imagination and I felt my own penis respond to the near naked state of the younger boy with it plumping up slightly and pressing against my pants at half mast. Thank goodness I was wearing a long shirt, which did a good job of covering it up, or I was sure my semi-hard bulge would have shown.
At first glance he seemed kind of puny down there even for an eleven year old boy. Then I remembered how small my own penis and balls got when I took that Polar Bear plunge on New Years about two years ago when I was only eleven. Every year the town of Eelee had their yearly tradition on New Year’s where some of the local residents would take a cold plunge into the frigid waters of their local lake to start off the New Year fresh and new. One of the local kids had dared me and it was the one and only time I had participated. The plunge into the frigid lake water had been literally ice cold and if my teeth hadn’t been chattering so much I would have probably screamed like a little girl.
As it was I barely managed to strip out of my bathing suit and into dry clothes because I was shaking so much. Pulling down my wet bathing suit kicking them off from my ankles even the blanket around my body had been little comfort. It was then I noticed what had happened to my other body parts. At eleven I wasn’t all that big down there to begin with, but after taking that plunge I literally didn’t even have a ball sack anymore with my testicles having been sucked up inside my body leaving only a small little patch of tightly brown wrinkled skin in its place. Not only that, but all I could see of my pecker was my pale white little knob barely sticking out from my tight white patch of flat skin just above where my small sack normally was located.
It had sent me into a bit of a panic because I was sure they had frozen and shriveled away for good. My grandfather had laughed at my expense saying how it was the price for doing something so foolish on a dare, before adding, when he saw the panicked look on my face, that it would eventually get better once I warmed up. He was right of course, but it had taken several hours before I finally managed to sigh in relief when my little marbles plopped back down and the rest of my penis loosened up showing more than just my shriveled up knob, which at the time wasn’t all that much more. Still when you were that small down there every fraction of an inch mattered; especially, to a boy.
In a way I suppose this is what must have happened to the smaller boy. If he wasn’t hypothermic he was probably close to it and I imagined it would have the same type of effect on his own set of marbles and pecker. For most eleven year old boys they really didn’t have all that much down there anyway, at least not until puberty sets in. Sure some kids are naturally bigger down there, but at eleven years old for the most part there wasn’t all too much to brag about.
When my grandfather reached for the boy’s pajama bottoms it dawned on me he was about ready to remove the kid’s wet clothing leaving him stripped naked and my jaw dropped down to my chest while my penis twitched excitedly. The damn thing had a mind of its own and immediately jerked into a full blown erection. My face got hot and I flushed a bit embarrassed by the way I felt and what was about to happen. I stood rooted in place not knowing if I should stay or leave.
It wasn’t like I sort of didn’t already know what he had down there even though his privates were covered by his pajama bottoms, or like I haven’t seen other naked boys, but this somehow felt different from sort of knowing what he had and actually seeing its fleshiness for real. A part of me wanted to stay and watch, while another side of me felt it was kind of wrong to feel excited about this sort of thing; especially, since he was in such a bad way like being sick or possibly even hypothermic. Deep down a part of me knew it was wrong, but I was a typical horny teenager so knew in some ways these sorts of feelings and curiosity was relatively normal.
These thoughts flittered in my mind within a fraction of a second and I watched PopPop start to tug on the boy’s pajama bottoms while I still debated the issue. Suddenly it became a mute personal debate because the boy woke up and immediately clamped his hand reflexively along his waistband protectively. He began scrambling backwards his eyes widening in fear when they settled on my grandfather’s face. It happened so quickly that PopPop didn’t even have time to reach out and grab the boy before he suddenly lost table top space and went tumbling off the edge. I watched in horror when the smaller boy landed hard on his shoulder which made me gasp and wince because it looked like it must have hurt. To my surprise there wasn’t any sound other than the loud thumping noise of the boy’s body hitting the floor. It seemed kind of odd because if it had happened to me I’d be screaming bloody murder in pain and probably balling my eyes out.
It all happened fast, within a split second, so PopPop and I had stood there gaping while the boy scrambled on the floor until his back was pressed up against the wall of the cabin. He drew his legs up to his chest in a protective position wrapping his arms around his knees. I could see the pain etched on the boy’s features for a quick moment with some tears welling up before his face simply turned neutral. Not a sound escaped his lips and I suddenly came to my senses crouching down lower approaching the smaller boy slowly and stopping a few feet in front of him.
“S…sorry, p…please don’t be afraid. That’s PopPop, I mean my grandfather and he’s a doctor. We were only trying to get you out of your wet cloths so we could get you all warmed up.” I tried to assure the boy who continued to grip his pajama bottoms tightly and shook his head as if to indicate ‘no.’
“Really, it will be better if we get you into something dry. You’re all wet and half frozen to death and could be hypothermic.” I added with him scrunching up his face at what appeared to be an unfamiliar word which didn’t surprise me all that much.
It appeared like the boy wasn’t about to let us strip him naked and in a way I couldn’t blame him. I mean if it were me I’d be a bit embarrassed too, getting stripped out of my clothes in front of complete strangers even if I was told one of the other people was a doctor. Hell, even when I had gotten a physical at the beginning of the school year it had been embarrassing as hell for me.
The boy looked nervous, and I was too in a way, so I took a deep breath to calm down and I tried again, but this time using a different tact. “Anyway, I’m Latham and that’s PopPop or Pops. I mean he’s my grandfather, but I call him PopPop. I suppose you can call him PopPop too.” I smiled seeing him relax a little and glance over towards Pops for a second before his green eyes settled back on to my face trying to gauge me.
We both looked at each other for a second or two before I tried to encourage him to speak up. “Anyway, what’s your name?” I asked seeing the boy cock his head slightly and furl his eyebrows in thought or perhaps debating.
When the slumbering boy had felt someone tugging on his clothing he had immediately woken up in a panic. He had been warned not to ever be seen naked for as long as he could remember so instinct had simply kicked in and he scooted backwards a bit disoriented. Suddenly the floor seemed to have given way and he went tumbling downwards to land in pain on his shoulder. He was too afraid though to take much notice and scrambled backwards completely confused. Then he saw the boy and everything seemed much better, but he was still afraid. The other boy had a very pleasing voice and when he announced his name a sort of tingling sensation went all up and down his insides. It was like knowing the other boy’s name somehow mattered. It was a nice name too and he rolled it around in his thoughts.
Then the other boy wanted to know his name. It’s been such a long time since someone wanted to know that, not even his ‘parents’ ever used a name simply calling him ‘boy,’ well when they weren’t referring to him as little shit, filthy animal, or some other such thing. It was odd, but now that he thought on it he couldn’t seem to recall his own name, not off hand, but deep down he knew it was there just at the tip of his tongue if he could even speak. The other boy, Latham, he was speaking again bringing him out of his own thoughts so he focused his attention back on to the other boy.
Gazing at the poor little guy I realized just how frail he really was at the moment. He had gaunt features and it wasn’t just from being cold, but rather almost as if his pallid state was the result from a long period of neglect. The expression on his face made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end for some reason. It was such a forlorn kind of look, like the boy was totally lost and alone out in a big cruel world.
The look on his face broke my heart so I tried again to reach him. “Really, it’s alright, but it would be nice if I knew what to call you.” I prompted noticing the boy giving me a sort of pleading look like he wanted to tell me something, but simply couldn’t.
When he didn’t say anything I shrugged my shoulders. “You can talk right?” I asked more by way of keeping this conversation going than it being a real question.
Asking was more a formality type of thing to get him to talk not thinking anything significant about the question, but it suddenly became very important when I noticed him shaking his head no. This time it was me who scrunched up my face in uncertainty. I mean everyone can talk, well as far as I knew. I guess some people who are deaf don’t talk and use sign language instead, but it was obvious the boy wasn’t deaf and I glanced over towards my grandfather who had fallen silent letting me try to get through to the boy since he didn’t seem so afraid of me. Now though even my grandfather furled his eyebrows in thought and glanced my way, his look letting me know to continue.
“I…um…I don’t understand. Are you saying you can’t talk?” I asked with the boy nodding his head and then covering his mouth and shaking it no.
“Oh, I see. Well I suppose it does make things a bit awkward huh?” I tried to lighten the mood a bit and chuckled. “That is about finding out your name. Maybe there is another way. How about you writing it down for us?” I asked with him shaking his head. “Does that mean you won’t write it down or you can’t?” I asked with him staring at me blankly while I giggled nervously shaking my head. “Right, you can’t answer both can you?” I snorted seeing him looking at me his own face lighting up a little the first sign of him not being so serious. “Um…can you write?” I asked seeing him shrug while also shaking his head no, but with a bit of uncertainty making me wonder exactly what that meant.
“Can you read?” I asked the question seeming redundant, but this time his eyes lit up and he nodded yes which seemed odd to me, but it didn’t matter because maybe this could help.
The younger boy tried to answer Latham’s questions, but he could see in some ways it puzzled the other boy. When he glanced at the older man it even seemed to confuse him too. Even for the boy some of the questions and answers he could give were tricky since he didn’t exactly know how to answer properly. Latham wanted to know his name, but even though there was a hint he knew it deep down, at the moment he couldn’t recall. When the boy asked him if he could write he wasn’t actually sure about that either. It’s been a very long time since he’s even written anything. There was a time when he could read and write, but that had been long ago. He could still read because sometimes his ‘parents’ would give him an old comic book to look at and there were times when he found other things to read, but to actually write anything he hadn’t done that in a very long time so wasn’t sure if he could do it correctly anymore.
Sighing, I took a seat on the floor and crossed my legs trying to get more comfortable. Seeing me trying to get into a better position, the other boy began to relax a bit as well while I tried to figure this all out. My grandfather remained in the background letting us work things through when I suddenly got an idea.
“Charades,” I announced. “Well not exactly charades, but if you can read it means you can spell and you know the alphabet. So for your name I’ll just go through the letters and when I hit the correct one you can let me know, alright?” I asked noticing him hesitating a moment before finally nodding his head.
The smaller boy wasn’t sure what to say about this latest event. He wasn’t even sure if he could recall his own name. It was right there at the tip of his tongue, but for the life of him it just didn’t seem to come to him since it’s been so long.
Glancing over towards my grandfather I saw him smiling at me encouragingly. “Alright then how about the letter ‘A’ like in Adam, Albert, Anthony.” I began the boy emphatically shaking his head no.
When the younger boy actually heard Latham using names with the alphabet letter he became a bit more excited. Hearing names along with the letter made it easier and he immediately knew somehow his name didn’t start with the letter ‘A,’ because it just didn’t seem to fit with what he remembered.
Slowly I began to go through the alphabet using examples along the way. When I got to the letter ‘J’ I thought maybe I had hit on something because the boy had hesitated before finally shaking his head no. I added a few extra ‘J’ lettered names just in case because it was like he hadn’t been totally sure, which was odd because it simply seemed like he didn’t know his name.
“Are you sure it doesn’t start with a ‘J’ because you kind of hesitated when I first brought it up?” I asked just to be sure seeing the boy frown and shrug his shoulders before shaking his head no.
Sighing I continued on until I got to the letter ‘M’ and suddenly he perked right up as if something tickled at his memories. “Matthew, Michael, or maybe Mark?” I asked with the boy scrunching his eyes in thought and looking up when I came to the last name. “Mark, is that your name?” I asked with him cocking his head to the side before shaking his head no, but not so emphatically like the other names. “It’s not Mark, but sort of close?” I asked with him nodding his head as if something seemed familiar now. “Mark, Mark, Mark, what other names are like Mark…um…how about Marvin?” I asked with him shaking his head, but looking intently now motioning for me to name a few more. “Crap…PopPop anything you can think of?” I asked with him speaking up for the first time.
“How about Martin?” He asked with the boy scrunching up his face and first nodding then shaking his head no.
“What…does that mean yes or no?” I asked getting excited when I saw him nodding his head again but then shaking it no like something finally clicked and he knew.
“So, sort of I think. Not Martin, but close.” I spoke more to myself than anything else when I suddenly blurted out, “Marty, is it Marty?” I asked seeing his eyes light up and nodding his head while bolted to my feet jumping up and down excitedly at the simple thing of knowing this boy’s name, screaming it out loud over and over and over again.
“MARTY! MARTY! MARTY! Yahoo what a wonderful name. I screamed out loud seeing my grandfather grinning from ear to ear at my happiness.
“M*A*R*T*Y!” I spelled it out enthusiastically and extremely happy over this one little thing getting caught up in the excitement and giving my grandfather a big hug. “Did you hear PopPop, his name is Marty?” I asked breathlessly glancing over towards the boy noticing how he had cocked his head to the side and was watching me closely with a strange look as if not sure what to think.
It made me blush and I quickly settled down. “Um…yeah…anyway, nice to meet you Marty.” I stated walking up to him and leaning down extending my hand.
The boy stared at my hand for a moment before gazing up into my eyes as if unsure what to do. Slowly he put his hand in mind and I shook it a bit excitedly pulling him back up to his feet.
The entire thing had only taken about ten or fifteen minutes, but it had sort of drained me emotionally. “Um…Marty are you cold?” I asked taking a step back and looking at his wet pajama bottoms.
He was wearing my warm sweater over his pajama top, but I knew it had to be wet as well with the boy shrugging his shoulders and then shaking his head indicating he was warm enough. “I know it is warm inside the cabin Marty, but it was cold outside with you being completely soaked and wet to the bone. We should really get you out of those wet clothes so you don’t get sick.” I insisted with the smaller boy immediately taking a step back a bit guardedly while I bit my lower lip and glanced towards my grandfather who still stayed out of it, but encouraged me to try convincing the boy.
“Listen, I know it is a bit awkward and all, but I do have other clothes for you to wear. I’ve got some older clothes from a year or two ago which should fit you well enough. We’ve got enough hot water sitting on our stove and I could take you to my room and you can get cleaned up with some warm water and changed into something dry.” I encouraged him, this time not waiting for an answer, but taking a step forward and taking his hand in mine.
It felt small when my fingers curled around his. He seemed to hesitate, but when I lead him towards my room he simply followed me. From the corner of my eyes I could see my grandfather getting up and removing the large pot of hot water we always kept on the stove while I led the other boy down the three steps into my room. It was slightly cooler in my room, but I motioned for Marty to take a seat on my bed and made my way over to my pot belly stove. I quickly added some wood closing it back up and could feel my room warming up rapidly.
Kneeling down next to the boy I opened up one of my drawers under my bed, while he watched me closely, and rummaged around finding what I was looking for. It was a fresh pair of folded pajamas, which I set down on the bed next to the boy. Standing back up I walked over to my door where my grandfather had set down the large pot of hot water along with two basins, a bottle of liquid soap, and a couple of washcloths carrying them over to the boy and setting everything down on the floor. My grandfather showed back up by the door this time carrying a pail of cold water which he had freshly pumped out along with a dry towel. Walking back over to the other boy I set the towel on the bed and the bucket of water on the floor.
The smaller boy watched me closely while I placed the two basins next to each other and poured some liquid soap into the first one before adding hot water in both of them. I then added some cold water into both basins dipping my hand in and testing the temperature to make sure it wasn’t too hot. Glancing up at the boy I smiled at him encouragingly and picked up the wash cloth in the basin with the soapy water in it squeezing out the excess water from it. Reaching out I took his left hand in mine and began wiping it clean. I dropped the cloth back into the basin and took the one with just plain warm water in it and wiped the soapy suds from his hand. I did the same thing with his other hand before focusing on his face.
“Alright, close your eyes so the soap doesn’t sting them.” I instructed taking care to wipe his face noticing how layers of dirt began to cake the wash cloth.
It took me several times to get his face all cleaned up before I could use the plain water to wash away the soap. “Wow, you clean up really nice.” I spoke softly to him when he slowly opened up his eyes the green colors sparkling a bit more lively in his clean face.
Without thinking I reached out towards his sweater to help him get out of it, but he immediately flinched and pushed away my hand. “Oh…um…sorry Marty. I forgot you are kind of shy and all. I guess I was the same way at your age” I told him taking a step back because he was beginning to panic.
“It’s alright…really…I understand. Listen, I’ll leave you alone so you can get undressed and washed up with the warm water. If the water starts to cool down just add some hot water, but be careful not to burn yourself because the pot is hot. When you finish just dunk your head inside the basin to wash off your hair, and then use the towel to get dried off. I set down an old pair of my pajamas which still may be a tad big on you.” I told him noticing him looking around nervously still unsure about the whole undressing thing.
“Don’t worry; I’ll close the door so you can have some privacy. No one will bother you, I promise. When you are done just join us in the other room. Are you hungry?” I asked with the boy’s eyes now snapping towards me and gazing intently into mine.
He hesitated and then nodded his head while I smiled. “Alright, I’m sure PopPop can put something together for us. I’m kind of hungry too.” I admitted before turning, climbing the steps, and closing the door firmly behind me.
My grandfather was sitting at the table and I noticed he had pulled out the short wave radio. We didn’t have any phone reception out here so we had a battery powered short wave radio in case of emergencies. He was just finishing up with talking to someone on the other end when he spotted me standing there and got up wrapping me up in his arms.
“Oh Latham you did a fine job, yes indeed, a very fine job.” He announced with me realizing he had already set a pot of something on the stove for us to eat before my eyes settled back on the radio.
PopPop stepped away noticing me staring at the short wave questioningly, and exhaling softly, waved his hand dismissively. “It’s alright Latham. I just put in a call to the authorities to see if there is a report of a missing boy.” He told me gently.
“But,” I began getting a little concerned and paused not knowing if calling had been such a good idea. “PopPop, something isn’t right about this whole thing. I mean, he’s afraid and what if someone is trying to hurt him? What if the people who report him missing are the ones hurting him?” I asked a bit anxious before adding one more thing. “And what’s with him not speaking?” I wondered seriously.
“Latham, no matter what, Marty won’t be going with anyone until there is a full investigation. I won’t let anything happen to him, I promise.” He assured me. “As a doctor I told them he would first be going over to the hospital to get checked over. Besides, in this weather he won’t be going anywhere.” He added with a bright flash and the crack of thunder reminding me about the storm raging war outside the cabin.
Even though it worried me I knew Pops was right and we had to get the authorities involved if nothing else to find out who he really was and why he went missing. At least for now, in this weather the local authority won’t risk coming across the lake so would wait either until we brought the boy into town or the weather had cleared up enough. So the way things stood at the moment Marty would be safe with us at the cabin and maybe we would be able to get a bit more information out of him.
“As for him speaking, I can’t be sure Latham, but I think he’s mute.” He explained holding up his hands when he saw me begin to say something. “I know it sounds strange Latham, and it isn’t really common, but it’s the only explanation for now. I won’t know if it is something psychological or physical that happened to him until we can get him to the hospital and tested.” He sighed with me doubting something like that would be easy to do considering how apprehensive, wary, and distrustful the boy was around others.
We continued to chat while I cleared away the shortwave radio and set the table and he focused on the large pot on top of the stove. The flavorful scent began to fill up the entire cabin and I smiled immediately knowing what it was since it was a favorite of mine after a chilly damp day outside. He must have prepared the fresh batch of chicken soup just for me while I was gone on my hike knowing it was one of my favorites and setting it aside to reheat for dinner. While he stirred it around I noticed all the chicken wings and drumsticks he had plopped inside the pot to cook up. My mouth began to water because I knew it would be really flavorful because of the meat, bones, and all the spices he would have added to the recipe. Since he didn’t add those really fine noodles I knew he must have also chopped and thrown in chunks of potato, which with both meat and potato would make for a very hearty and filling meal for us.
A few minutes later my bedroom door opened and I watched Marty hesitantly step into the room. It became extremely obvious for the first time just how thin and frail he really was by the way my old pajamas hung so loosely on his small body even though his shirt was tucked inside his bottoms and the drawstring tied holding it in place around his waist. Despite it all I had to admit he surely did clean up nicely and I stood rooted in place gawking at him for a few seconds noticing just how cute he really was standing there all apprehensively. This was the first time I could really study Marty closely without the boy being soaked to the bone and all wrapped up.
He was a few inches shorter than me and a good twenty or twenty five pounds lighter, if not more in his emaciated state. His straight semi-dry long length hair was the color of golden mahogany and reminded me of chocolate caramel, which the thought now made me furl my eyebrows wondering why on earth I was acting like a girl in regards to his hair. Shrugging that thought aside I continued to study him noticing how strands of it hung over his forehead and into his eyes in the front. They also draped well over the sides of his ears to shoulder length and down the nape of his neck in the back. Along the side of his face the long hair wrapped around his cute face. It managed to emphasize his soft charming features which had a good sprinkling of freckles over his small average kind of nose and into his smooth rounded cheeks.
Even from where I was standing by the table I noticed how he had a few larger freckles which drew my attention. Not in a bad way, but rather more in a cute kind of fashion. The first one was on the tip part of his rounded left cheek, the second one along his upper left eyelid, and the third one along his bottom left eyelid. Those nail head sized freckles only further called my attention to his muted green eyes with splashes of silver that currently gazed back at me in an almost haunting kind of way. It was as if behind those green orbs was a deep-seated hidden truth just aching to be revealed. Shifting my eyes away from that haunting gaze they now settled on his plump pinkish lips that currently showed no emotions making me wonder what kind of smile he had to offer.
Something about him drew me towards the boy, my legs automatically crossing the small space between us while I smiled broadly before wrapping him up in my arms giving him a proper and heartfelt hug. The boy stiffened up in surprise and even I was a bit shocked at my overt display of such affectionate behavior towards a virtual stranger, but I was caught up in the moment because he was too damn cute all spruced up and clean. I suppose some of the emotion of this moment was because of him being alive and with me having played a small part in it. He even smelled much better; although, there was still an underlying lingering rank kind of odor, which I noted probably only a proper shower could remove.
After Latham left Marty alone in the room the smaller boy had sat there for a few moments unsure of what to do. It had felt really nice when the other boy had washed his hands and face with the warm clean rags. It wasn’t just the washing away of the dirt and grime, but also how the warmth felt on his skin spreading a kind of soft glow inside of him. Looking around nervously he decided to trust the other boy so did what he was asked and stripped out of his clothes dumping them all in a pile on the floor. He quickly washed himself clean as best as possible, including dunking his head into the warm water like he was told, before slipping into the clean set of pajamas the boy had been kind enough to give him. They were really thick and warm even though they hung on him a bit too large. He thought it was really nice of the other boy to give him such a nice pair of pajamas for him to wear.
Now he had to go back into the other room with the others. He was a little nervous when he climbed the three stairs on wobbly legs and stepped into the larger room. He noticed Latham staring at him and he gazed back at the other boy feeling almost shy about the close scrutiny. Then suddenly and without warning the boy had crossed over to him. At first he thought Latham was going to hit him and he flinched slightly before his instincts once again kicked in and he stood there rock still getting ready to take whatever punishment was due him, but to his surprise he felt strong arms wrapping around him holding on tightly. He didn’t know what to think or do about it because his ‘parents’ had never done anything like this.
An odd sensation overcame him and he realized he kind of liked what Latham was doing. The other boy’s arms holding him like this felt kind of nice not only on the outside, but inside as well. A long lost memory flittered along the edges of his mind with a fuzzy image forming in his thoughts. He couldn’t make anything out since it was a memory from a long time ago. All of this felt familiar, from the time before when things were different. His arms twitched along his sides and began to move on their own and he now lifted them up wrapping them around Latham and squeezing the boy lightly in return. This too felt really nice with a warm glow radiating outwards all around inside of him before he suddenly recalled that this was called a hug.
Then he felt the familiar awkward stirring down below, just beneath the surface of his pajama bottoms. Lately his thingy’s been doing this more frequently and this always frightened him about it being found out. It felt wonderful holding on to the older boy like this and it made his thingy feel wonderful, but he was starting to become alarmed because it was rapidly becoming firmer. He was about to release the older boy so he could try hiding it and hoping it would deflate before he got caught, but suddenly Latham was speaking and released him by stepping back. He felt a sense of relief, but also a bit sad about it for some reason.
Marty had flinched when I first hugged him, but after a few moments I felt him wrapping his arms around me returning my embrace, which made me feel all tingly inside. Naturally, it also began to affect me in other ways with my typical teenaged horniness kicking in and I felt myself begin to chub up. I couldn’t help it as I gave him a firm squeeze and chuckled.
“You sure do clean up nice don’t you?” I teased stepping back and noticing the slight tenting in his pajama bottoms before the boy crossed his arms in front of him effectively concealing what was obviously the beginnings of an erection.
Thank goodness my shirt covered up my own twitching slightly chubbed up erection, but the boy’s shirt was tucked inside his bottoms so he was desperately trying to conceal himself up in a different way. I knew exactly how he felt and not wanting to embarrass him I ignored it and grabbed him by the wrist quickly dragging him to the chair so he could take a seat and conceal his impromptu little boy stiffie. Thank goodness PopPop was focused on the large pot of soup as he lifted it off the stove and placed it on the table.
“Oh man, it smells really good Pops. I can’t wait to dig in, how about you Marty?” I asked noticing the boy gaze at the contents inside the large pot before he glanced my way, but otherwise remained still.
He lowered his head and sat there in his chair with his hands folded in his lap. I thought it a bit strange as I grabbed the ladle and began scooping it into the bowl in front of the boy until it was full of meat, potatoes, and broth before scooping some out into my own bowl. Handing the ladle over to PopPop he began scooping some for himself while I dipped my spoon inside my bowl and took a taste after blowing on it a few times to cool it down.
“Oh man it’s delicious Pops.” I sighed glancing over towards the boy who was looking down into his lap making me frown. “What’s wrong Marty? Don’t you like Chicken soup?” I asked with him hesitating a moment and glancing towards me with a strange look on his face before gazing at the large bowl of soup sitting in front of him.
“Marty?” I asked as he sat there just staring at the food and flinching when he felt my fingers wrapping around his hand. “Marty?” I asked for a second time, but more softly, with him slowly turning his head and looking at me his eyes telling me more than I had ever wanted to know.
“Oh God Marty?” I whispered tears beginning to tumble down my cheeks. “They made you watch while they ate and literally starved you.” I stated out of the blue with my grandfather giving me a hard stare wondering why I would say such a thing before gasping in shock when he saw the look on Marty’s face.
We all sat there for several long seconds before I squeezed Marty’s hand. “Listen Marty you are safe with us now and you can eat as much as you want.” I told him gently with the boy looking at me hesitantly not so sure about it. “Go ahead…try some. It’s my favorite on a day like this, and you need to eat in order to get your strength back up.” I encouraged him and watched while the boy picked up the bowl and lift it to his lips. “Careful, it’s hot.” I warned him holding my breath while he carefully took a small sip.
Glancing towards my grandfather neither one of us said anything about him slurping the contents inside his bowl instead of using the spoon. When he finished with the liquid portion he scooped up the potatoes with his fingers and shoveled it inside his mouth before starting in on with the meat on the chicken leg. We ate silently and watched him from the corner of our eyes while he finished his first bowl. When he looked towards the pot a bit longingly I wordlessly pushed his bowl over towards it and filled it once more.
Halfway through his second bowl I could tell everything was finally catching up to him when his head slumped forward before he jerked back upright. With his stomach now full he was feeling the typical side effect of sleepiness with his body now going into overdrive on digesting the food. I also got the sense that the adrenalin shot my grandfather had given the boy earlier was beginning to wear off now.
“Are you tired Marty?” I asked with the boy glancing at his half eaten bowl of soup a bit sadly as if he was afraid of leaving any left uneaten. “Don’t worry about it Marty. If you are hungry when you wake up we will make you more to eat…I promise.” I told him a sadness creating a knot in my stomach at how someone could do such things to an innocent kid, but knowing in this world it wasn’t such a far fetched thing because simply put there were evil people all around us.
“Come-on, how about we get you to bed, alright?” I asked with him gazing at me for a moment before furtively glancing at his bowl and finally nodding his head.
Glancing towards my grandfather who nodded his head indicating it was a good idea; I stood up and helped the boy to his wobbly feet. “Here put your hand on my shoulder.” I instructed him wrapping my arm around his thin waist to help stabilize him while we walked into my bedroom.
I led him towards the side next to the stairs and pulled down on the bed separating it from the wall. It was another one of my grandfather’s designs which he got from the idea of those Murphy beds. It was only a small bed attached to the wall and folded up against it with the legs also folding into place. Now as I pulled it away from the wall the two legs unfolded and settled on the floor. There was already a mattress on it along with sheets and a warm blanket held in place with straps. I unhooked the straps and tossed open a corner of the blanket helping Marty slide inside and covered him up.
The boy watched me with drooping eyes while I made my way to the pot belly stove humming a soft tune placing some logs inside to burn which would help keep the room all toasty warm. It was still raining outside, the soft pattering noise against the walls and window sort of making it seem peaceful in its own unique way. The thunder had stopped a while back leaving behind thick layers of gray clouds which released its waters over the entire region.
Finishing up with the stove I closed it back up and made my way back to Marty’s bed. “I know it isn’t much, but you should be warm and comfortable enough. Later on when I go to bed I’ll add some more logs on to the fire. I’ll be out in the other room and when I go to bed I’ll be sleeping right over there.” I pointed towards my own bed as he followed my gaze recognizing my bed since he had sat on it while washing up. “Promise me if you need anything you will come to me.” I pleaded noticing him furling up his eyebrows a bit hesitant about my request. “Promise?” I asked with him finally agreeing and nodding his head making me smile.
Leaning over I kissed him gently on the forehead the gesture managing to confuse the other boy as he frowned at me in thought. Sighing, I stood up and made my way over towards my bed kneeling down next to everything that had been left there after the boy had cleaned himself up. I dumped the dirty water into the larger pale of water and started setting everything on the other side of the door in the main room. I picked up the last of the things including the damp towel and dirty clothes which meant mine as well. Marty watched me through sleepy eyes and finally no longer able to keep them open drifted off to sleep. Sighing and shaking my head sadly I stepped out of my room closing the door softly behind me.
It was then when it all caught up to me and I started to sob for the other boy. Dropping the dirty clothes on the floor next to my feet I wrapped my arms around my grandfather and quietly cried in his shoulders.
“Oh PopPop, what happened to Marty. I feel so awful for him.” I sobbed with my grandfather holding and slowly rocking me in his arms while a deep kind of sadness filled the small main room of our cabin until we both busied ourselves with getting things cleaned up. It was still early with bed time several hours away so we tidied up before sitting down and having a serious discussion about what we were going to do now.
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End of Chapter Four: Mute Boy
Coming soon Chapter Five: The Calm
Comments are always welcome at ([email protected]). Please keep all comments clean. I enjoy friendly criticism and of course positive reviews or just plain simple correspondence, but will not tolerate any rudeness.
The sudden jolt had roused the younger boy out of his state of limbo. When the strange boy had found him he had been kind of happy about it even though it also frightened him a little. Then he had been given something warm to drink which tasted so wonderful that it had tickled at a distant memory. His ‘parents’ never gave him anything like what he drank out of that metal jug the other boy had offered him. For a long time now the only thing he ever got to drink was plain water out of the faucet, but what he had been given earlier tasted sweet and very delicious forcing a memory of before, from a long time ago when he had tasted something similar. He no longer recalled what it was called; only that it was very delicious. The boy had drunk it down slowly, a feeling of warmth spreading all along his insides.
A feeling of sadness had followed when the other boy announced he was leaving. The boy had promised to return, but somehow he didn’t really believe it understanding the situation since he was basically a nobody; someone who was of no concern or importance to anyone anyway. At least the other boy had left behind another container, this one filled with something just as tasty. It wasn’t sweet like the first drink, but it too was familiar. It was also warm and he recognized it as a sort of soup. His ‘parents’ had fed him something similar at times, but this somehow tasted different. The stuff he ever got was straight from a can and tasted different from what the boy had given him making him wonder briefly why. It was way tastier and he had taken his time to slowly drink it down. Afterwards he felt much better and thankful to the boy even though he had been left all alone once more. Slowly he had drifted off to sleep no longer afraid and in a way content.
The sudden jolting motion had finally forced its way into the boy’s foggy mind and he now slowly opened his eyes. Everything around him was moving setting him in a panic for a moment until he saw the familiar angular features of the boy who had left him earlier. For some reason it sent a strange tingling sensation all up and down inside of him providing him with a sense of well being.
It was an odd sort of emotion, something he doesn’t ever recall feeling except for maybe something similar a long time ago that it was now just a fleeting memory. On top of this he also felt a sense of invigoration, almost like a warming sensation inside of him, which seemed to have started only a short while ago. His thigh ached a bit as well for some reason, but he felt much better almost like there was warmth spreading throughout his insides and he had a bit more energy. Still, his eyes felt a bit heavy and overall there was a sense of fatigue. He was tired and all he wanted was to sleep, but when the boy told him everything was fine and that they were heading to his cabin he began to panic again because this meant other people.
Then something magical happened and the sweetest sound ever poured out of the other boy. It was a song, the word for such a thing once more flooding the smaller boy’s memories. Even the tune seemed to sound familiar, his mind trying to recall why until he realized that it was the same melody he’d hear in his mind with the words having been lost to him a long time ago. The voice and tune was so soft and tender, similar to the one in his memories. It made him feel all calm and warm inside so he simply closed his eyes and faded back into nothingness with a sense of well being wrapping itself around his frail body.
With the smaller boy falling asleep in my arms it didn’t take us long to arrive at the cabin. It was mid-afternoon by this time when my grandfather carted the younger boy inside setting him on top of the small table in the small room. Shutting the door behind me I heard the rumbling beginnings of another stormy deluge with rain now suddenly hammering our cabin. The sound of rain pounding on the walls and roof made me sigh in relief because we had just made it in time to avoid getting pelted. The muted light filtering through the windows seemed soft and welcoming despite the rainy weather outside, and along with the warmth from the stove that wrapped us up in its gentle embrace made the cabin feel like a welcoming gift. Shucking off my jacket I hung it up on the peg by the door and walked over to the table setting down my grandfather’s medical bag on the chair while he too peeled off his jacket handing it to me to hang up.
He quickly got to work on the boy unraveling the blanket from him and managing to get my Gore-Tex jacket off without too much trouble. Once the jacket was removed I could truly see the state of the kid’s thin and tattered pajama bottoms. The wet material clung to his body tightly, barely managing to conceal anything about him, and I gawked at his near nakedness. It was obviously clear that he wasn’t wearing any underwear because even the pale skin coloration was visible through the near opaque cottony fabric. So much so I could clearly see the outline of his small tightly balled up boy bag which was about the size of a ping pong ball, maybe a tad bigger.
Even the outline from his bullet shaped penis was clearly visible as it poked straight outwards from his body pressing up against the clinging wet fabric. It left very little to the imagination and I felt my own penis respond to the near naked state of the younger boy with it plumping up slightly and pressing against my pants at half mast. Thank goodness I was wearing a long shirt, which did a good job of covering it up, or I was sure my semi-hard bulge would have shown.
At first glance he seemed kind of puny down there even for an eleven year old boy. Then I remembered how small my own penis and balls got when I took that Polar Bear plunge on New Years about two years ago when I was only eleven. Every year the town of Eelee had their yearly tradition on New Year’s where some of the local residents would take a cold plunge into the frigid waters of their local lake to start off the New Year fresh and new. One of the local kids had dared me and it was the one and only time I had participated. The plunge into the frigid lake water had been literally ice cold and if my teeth hadn’t been chattering so much I would have probably screamed like a little girl.
As it was I barely managed to strip out of my bathing suit and into dry clothes because I was shaking so much. Pulling down my wet bathing suit kicking them off from my ankles even the blanket around my body had been little comfort. It was then I noticed what had happened to my other body parts. At eleven I wasn’t all that big down there to begin with, but after taking that plunge I literally didn’t even have a ball sack anymore with my testicles having been sucked up inside my body leaving only a small little patch of tightly brown wrinkled skin in its place. Not only that, but all I could see of my pecker was my pale white little knob barely sticking out from my tight white patch of flat skin just above where my small sack normally was located.
It had sent me into a bit of a panic because I was sure they had frozen and shriveled away for good. My grandfather had laughed at my expense saying how it was the price for doing something so foolish on a dare, before adding, when he saw the panicked look on my face, that it would eventually get better once I warmed up. He was right of course, but it had taken several hours before I finally managed to sigh in relief when my little marbles plopped back down and the rest of my penis loosened up showing more than just my shriveled up knob, which at the time wasn’t all that much more. Still when you were that small down there every fraction of an inch mattered; especially, to a boy.
In a way I suppose this is what must have happened to the smaller boy. If he wasn’t hypothermic he was probably close to it and I imagined it would have the same type of effect on his own set of marbles and pecker. For most eleven year old boys they really didn’t have all that much down there anyway, at least not until puberty sets in. Sure some kids are naturally bigger down there, but at eleven years old for the most part there wasn’t all too much to brag about.
When my grandfather reached for the boy’s pajama bottoms it dawned on me he was about ready to remove the kid’s wet clothing leaving him stripped naked and my jaw dropped down to my chest while my penis twitched excitedly. The damn thing had a mind of its own and immediately jerked into a full blown erection. My face got hot and I flushed a bit embarrassed by the way I felt and what was about to happen. I stood rooted in place not knowing if I should stay or leave.
It wasn’t like I sort of didn’t already know what he had down there even though his privates were covered by his pajama bottoms, or like I haven’t seen other naked boys, but this somehow felt different from sort of knowing what he had and actually seeing its fleshiness for real. A part of me wanted to stay and watch, while another side of me felt it was kind of wrong to feel excited about this sort of thing; especially, since he was in such a bad way like being sick or possibly even hypothermic. Deep down a part of me knew it was wrong, but I was a typical horny teenager so knew in some ways these sorts of feelings and curiosity was relatively normal.
These thoughts flittered in my mind within a fraction of a second and I watched PopPop start to tug on the boy’s pajama bottoms while I still debated the issue. Suddenly it became a mute personal debate because the boy woke up and immediately clamped his hand reflexively along his waistband protectively. He began scrambling backwards his eyes widening in fear when they settled on my grandfather’s face. It happened so quickly that PopPop didn’t even have time to reach out and grab the boy before he suddenly lost table top space and went tumbling off the edge. I watched in horror when the smaller boy landed hard on his shoulder which made me gasp and wince because it looked like it must have hurt. To my surprise there wasn’t any sound other than the loud thumping noise of the boy’s body hitting the floor. It seemed kind of odd because if it had happened to me I’d be screaming bloody murder in pain and probably balling my eyes out.
It all happened fast, within a split second, so PopPop and I had stood there gaping while the boy scrambled on the floor until his back was pressed up against the wall of the cabin. He drew his legs up to his chest in a protective position wrapping his arms around his knees. I could see the pain etched on the boy’s features for a quick moment with some tears welling up before his face simply turned neutral. Not a sound escaped his lips and I suddenly came to my senses crouching down lower approaching the smaller boy slowly and stopping a few feet in front of him.
“S…sorry, p…please don’t be afraid. That’s PopPop, I mean my grandfather and he’s a doctor. We were only trying to get you out of your wet cloths so we could get you all warmed up.” I tried to assure the boy who continued to grip his pajama bottoms tightly and shook his head as if to indicate ‘no.’
“Really, it will be better if we get you into something dry. You’re all wet and half frozen to death and could be hypothermic.” I added with him scrunching up his face at what appeared to be an unfamiliar word which didn’t surprise me all that much.
It appeared like the boy wasn’t about to let us strip him naked and in a way I couldn’t blame him. I mean if it were me I’d be a bit embarrassed too, getting stripped out of my clothes in front of complete strangers even if I was told one of the other people was a doctor. Hell, even when I had gotten a physical at the beginning of the school year it had been embarrassing as hell for me.
The boy looked nervous, and I was too in a way, so I took a deep breath to calm down and I tried again, but this time using a different tact. “Anyway, I’m Latham and that’s PopPop or Pops. I mean he’s my grandfather, but I call him PopPop. I suppose you can call him PopPop too.” I smiled seeing him relax a little and glance over towards Pops for a second before his green eyes settled back on to my face trying to gauge me.
We both looked at each other for a second or two before I tried to encourage him to speak up. “Anyway, what’s your name?” I asked seeing the boy cock his head slightly and furl his eyebrows in thought or perhaps debating.
When the slumbering boy had felt someone tugging on his clothing he had immediately woken up in a panic. He had been warned not to ever be seen naked for as long as he could remember so instinct had simply kicked in and he scooted backwards a bit disoriented. Suddenly the floor seemed to have given way and he went tumbling downwards to land in pain on his shoulder. He was too afraid though to take much notice and scrambled backwards completely confused. Then he saw the boy and everything seemed much better, but he was still afraid. The other boy had a very pleasing voice and when he announced his name a sort of tingling sensation went all up and down his insides. It was like knowing the other boy’s name somehow mattered. It was a nice name too and he rolled it around in his thoughts.
Then the other boy wanted to know his name. It’s been such a long time since someone wanted to know that, not even his ‘parents’ ever used a name simply calling him ‘boy,’ well when they weren’t referring to him as little shit, filthy animal, or some other such thing. It was odd, but now that he thought on it he couldn’t seem to recall his own name, not off hand, but deep down he knew it was there just at the tip of his tongue if he could even speak. The other boy, Latham, he was speaking again bringing him out of his own thoughts so he focused his attention back on to the other boy.
Gazing at the poor little guy I realized just how frail he really was at the moment. He had gaunt features and it wasn’t just from being cold, but rather almost as if his pallid state was the result from a long period of neglect. The expression on his face made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end for some reason. It was such a forlorn kind of look, like the boy was totally lost and alone out in a big cruel world.
The look on his face broke my heart so I tried again to reach him. “Really, it’s alright, but it would be nice if I knew what to call you.” I prompted noticing the boy giving me a sort of pleading look like he wanted to tell me something, but simply couldn’t.
When he didn’t say anything I shrugged my shoulders. “You can talk right?” I asked more by way of keeping this conversation going than it being a real question.
Asking was more a formality type of thing to get him to talk not thinking anything significant about the question, but it suddenly became very important when I noticed him shaking his head no. This time it was me who scrunched up my face in uncertainty. I mean everyone can talk, well as far as I knew. I guess some people who are deaf don’t talk and use sign language instead, but it was obvious the boy wasn’t deaf and I glanced over towards my grandfather who had fallen silent letting me try to get through to the boy since he didn’t seem so afraid of me. Now though even my grandfather furled his eyebrows in thought and glanced my way, his look letting me know to continue.
“I…um…I don’t understand. Are you saying you can’t talk?” I asked with the boy nodding his head and then covering his mouth and shaking it no.
“Oh, I see. Well I suppose it does make things a bit awkward huh?” I tried to lighten the mood a bit and chuckled. “That is about finding out your name. Maybe there is another way. How about you writing it down for us?” I asked with him shaking his head. “Does that mean you won’t write it down or you can’t?” I asked with him staring at me blankly while I giggled nervously shaking my head. “Right, you can’t answer both can you?” I snorted seeing him looking at me his own face lighting up a little the first sign of him not being so serious. “Um…can you write?” I asked seeing him shrug while also shaking his head no, but with a bit of uncertainty making me wonder exactly what that meant.
“Can you read?” I asked the question seeming redundant, but this time his eyes lit up and he nodded yes which seemed odd to me, but it didn’t matter because maybe this could help.
The younger boy tried to answer Latham’s questions, but he could see in some ways it puzzled the other boy. When he glanced at the older man it even seemed to confuse him too. Even for the boy some of the questions and answers he could give were tricky since he didn’t exactly know how to answer properly. Latham wanted to know his name, but even though there was a hint he knew it deep down, at the moment he couldn’t recall. When the boy asked him if he could write he wasn’t actually sure about that either. It’s been a very long time since he’s even written anything. There was a time when he could read and write, but that had been long ago. He could still read because sometimes his ‘parents’ would give him an old comic book to look at and there were times when he found other things to read, but to actually write anything he hadn’t done that in a very long time so wasn’t sure if he could do it correctly anymore.
Sighing, I took a seat on the floor and crossed my legs trying to get more comfortable. Seeing me trying to get into a better position, the other boy began to relax a bit as well while I tried to figure this all out. My grandfather remained in the background letting us work things through when I suddenly got an idea.
“Charades,” I announced. “Well not exactly charades, but if you can read it means you can spell and you know the alphabet. So for your name I’ll just go through the letters and when I hit the correct one you can let me know, alright?” I asked noticing him hesitating a moment before finally nodding his head.
The smaller boy wasn’t sure what to say about this latest event. He wasn’t even sure if he could recall his own name. It was right there at the tip of his tongue, but for the life of him it just didn’t seem to come to him since it’s been so long.
Glancing over towards my grandfather I saw him smiling at me encouragingly. “Alright then how about the letter ‘A’ like in Adam, Albert, Anthony.” I began the boy emphatically shaking his head no.
When the younger boy actually heard Latham using names with the alphabet letter he became a bit more excited. Hearing names along with the letter made it easier and he immediately knew somehow his name didn’t start with the letter ‘A,’ because it just didn’t seem to fit with what he remembered.
Slowly I began to go through the alphabet using examples along the way. When I got to the letter ‘J’ I thought maybe I had hit on something because the boy had hesitated before finally shaking his head no. I added a few extra ‘J’ lettered names just in case because it was like he hadn’t been totally sure, which was odd because it simply seemed like he didn’t know his name.
“Are you sure it doesn’t start with a ‘J’ because you kind of hesitated when I first brought it up?” I asked just to be sure seeing the boy frown and shrug his shoulders before shaking his head no.
Sighing I continued on until I got to the letter ‘M’ and suddenly he perked right up as if something tickled at his memories. “Matthew, Michael, or maybe Mark?” I asked with the boy scrunching his eyes in thought and looking up when I came to the last name. “Mark, is that your name?” I asked with him cocking his head to the side before shaking his head no, but not so emphatically like the other names. “It’s not Mark, but sort of close?” I asked with him nodding his head as if something seemed familiar now. “Mark, Mark, Mark, what other names are like Mark…um…how about Marvin?” I asked with him shaking his head, but looking intently now motioning for me to name a few more. “Crap…PopPop anything you can think of?” I asked with him speaking up for the first time.
“How about Martin?” He asked with the boy scrunching up his face and first nodding then shaking his head no.
“What…does that mean yes or no?” I asked getting excited when I saw him nodding his head again but then shaking it no like something finally clicked and he knew.
“So, sort of I think. Not Martin, but close.” I spoke more to myself than anything else when I suddenly blurted out, “Marty, is it Marty?” I asked seeing his eyes light up and nodding his head while bolted to my feet jumping up and down excitedly at the simple thing of knowing this boy’s name, screaming it out loud over and over and over again.
“MARTY! MARTY! MARTY! Yahoo what a wonderful name. I screamed out loud seeing my grandfather grinning from ear to ear at my happiness.
“M*A*R*T*Y!” I spelled it out enthusiastically and extremely happy over this one little thing getting caught up in the excitement and giving my grandfather a big hug. “Did you hear PopPop, his name is Marty?” I asked breathlessly glancing over towards the boy noticing how he had cocked his head to the side and was watching me closely with a strange look as if not sure what to think.
It made me blush and I quickly settled down. “Um…yeah…anyway, nice to meet you Marty.” I stated walking up to him and leaning down extending my hand.
The boy stared at my hand for a moment before gazing up into my eyes as if unsure what to do. Slowly he put his hand in mind and I shook it a bit excitedly pulling him back up to his feet.
The entire thing had only taken about ten or fifteen minutes, but it had sort of drained me emotionally. “Um…Marty are you cold?” I asked taking a step back and looking at his wet pajama bottoms.
He was wearing my warm sweater over his pajama top, but I knew it had to be wet as well with the boy shrugging his shoulders and then shaking his head indicating he was warm enough. “I know it is warm inside the cabin Marty, but it was cold outside with you being completely soaked and wet to the bone. We should really get you out of those wet clothes so you don’t get sick.” I insisted with the smaller boy immediately taking a step back a bit guardedly while I bit my lower lip and glanced towards my grandfather who still stayed out of it, but encouraged me to try convincing the boy.
“Listen, I know it is a bit awkward and all, but I do have other clothes for you to wear. I’ve got some older clothes from a year or two ago which should fit you well enough. We’ve got enough hot water sitting on our stove and I could take you to my room and you can get cleaned up with some warm water and changed into something dry.” I encouraged him, this time not waiting for an answer, but taking a step forward and taking his hand in mine.
It felt small when my fingers curled around his. He seemed to hesitate, but when I lead him towards my room he simply followed me. From the corner of my eyes I could see my grandfather getting up and removing the large pot of hot water we always kept on the stove while I led the other boy down the three steps into my room. It was slightly cooler in my room, but I motioned for Marty to take a seat on my bed and made my way over to my pot belly stove. I quickly added some wood closing it back up and could feel my room warming up rapidly.
Kneeling down next to the boy I opened up one of my drawers under my bed, while he watched me closely, and rummaged around finding what I was looking for. It was a fresh pair of folded pajamas, which I set down on the bed next to the boy. Standing back up I walked over to my door where my grandfather had set down the large pot of hot water along with two basins, a bottle of liquid soap, and a couple of washcloths carrying them over to the boy and setting everything down on the floor. My grandfather showed back up by the door this time carrying a pail of cold water which he had freshly pumped out along with a dry towel. Walking back over to the other boy I set the towel on the bed and the bucket of water on the floor.
The smaller boy watched me closely while I placed the two basins next to each other and poured some liquid soap into the first one before adding hot water in both of them. I then added some cold water into both basins dipping my hand in and testing the temperature to make sure it wasn’t too hot. Glancing up at the boy I smiled at him encouragingly and picked up the wash cloth in the basin with the soapy water in it squeezing out the excess water from it. Reaching out I took his left hand in mine and began wiping it clean. I dropped the cloth back into the basin and took the one with just plain warm water in it and wiped the soapy suds from his hand. I did the same thing with his other hand before focusing on his face.
“Alright, close your eyes so the soap doesn’t sting them.” I instructed taking care to wipe his face noticing how layers of dirt began to cake the wash cloth.
It took me several times to get his face all cleaned up before I could use the plain water to wash away the soap. “Wow, you clean up really nice.” I spoke softly to him when he slowly opened up his eyes the green colors sparkling a bit more lively in his clean face.
Without thinking I reached out towards his sweater to help him get out of it, but he immediately flinched and pushed away my hand. “Oh…um…sorry Marty. I forgot you are kind of shy and all. I guess I was the same way at your age” I told him taking a step back because he was beginning to panic.
“It’s alright…really…I understand. Listen, I’ll leave you alone so you can get undressed and washed up with the warm water. If the water starts to cool down just add some hot water, but be careful not to burn yourself because the pot is hot. When you finish just dunk your head inside the basin to wash off your hair, and then use the towel to get dried off. I set down an old pair of my pajamas which still may be a tad big on you.” I told him noticing him looking around nervously still unsure about the whole undressing thing.
“Don’t worry; I’ll close the door so you can have some privacy. No one will bother you, I promise. When you are done just join us in the other room. Are you hungry?” I asked with the boy’s eyes now snapping towards me and gazing intently into mine.
He hesitated and then nodded his head while I smiled. “Alright, I’m sure PopPop can put something together for us. I’m kind of hungry too.” I admitted before turning, climbing the steps, and closing the door firmly behind me.
My grandfather was sitting at the table and I noticed he had pulled out the short wave radio. We didn’t have any phone reception out here so we had a battery powered short wave radio in case of emergencies. He was just finishing up with talking to someone on the other end when he spotted me standing there and got up wrapping me up in his arms.
“Oh Latham you did a fine job, yes indeed, a very fine job.” He announced with me realizing he had already set a pot of something on the stove for us to eat before my eyes settled back on the radio.
PopPop stepped away noticing me staring at the short wave questioningly, and exhaling softly, waved his hand dismissively. “It’s alright Latham. I just put in a call to the authorities to see if there is a report of a missing boy.” He told me gently.
“But,” I began getting a little concerned and paused not knowing if calling had been such a good idea. “PopPop, something isn’t right about this whole thing. I mean, he’s afraid and what if someone is trying to hurt him? What if the people who report him missing are the ones hurting him?” I asked a bit anxious before adding one more thing. “And what’s with him not speaking?” I wondered seriously.
“Latham, no matter what, Marty won’t be going with anyone until there is a full investigation. I won’t let anything happen to him, I promise.” He assured me. “As a doctor I told them he would first be going over to the hospital to get checked over. Besides, in this weather he won’t be going anywhere.” He added with a bright flash and the crack of thunder reminding me about the storm raging war outside the cabin.
Even though it worried me I knew Pops was right and we had to get the authorities involved if nothing else to find out who he really was and why he went missing. At least for now, in this weather the local authority won’t risk coming across the lake so would wait either until we brought the boy into town or the weather had cleared up enough. So the way things stood at the moment Marty would be safe with us at the cabin and maybe we would be able to get a bit more information out of him.
“As for him speaking, I can’t be sure Latham, but I think he’s mute.” He explained holding up his hands when he saw me begin to say something. “I know it sounds strange Latham, and it isn’t really common, but it’s the only explanation for now. I won’t know if it is something psychological or physical that happened to him until we can get him to the hospital and tested.” He sighed with me doubting something like that would be easy to do considering how apprehensive, wary, and distrustful the boy was around others.
We continued to chat while I cleared away the shortwave radio and set the table and he focused on the large pot on top of the stove. The flavorful scent began to fill up the entire cabin and I smiled immediately knowing what it was since it was a favorite of mine after a chilly damp day outside. He must have prepared the fresh batch of chicken soup just for me while I was gone on my hike knowing it was one of my favorites and setting it aside to reheat for dinner. While he stirred it around I noticed all the chicken wings and drumsticks he had plopped inside the pot to cook up. My mouth began to water because I knew it would be really flavorful because of the meat, bones, and all the spices he would have added to the recipe. Since he didn’t add those really fine noodles I knew he must have also chopped and thrown in chunks of potato, which with both meat and potato would make for a very hearty and filling meal for us.
A few minutes later my bedroom door opened and I watched Marty hesitantly step into the room. It became extremely obvious for the first time just how thin and frail he really was by the way my old pajamas hung so loosely on his small body even though his shirt was tucked inside his bottoms and the drawstring tied holding it in place around his waist. Despite it all I had to admit he surely did clean up nicely and I stood rooted in place gawking at him for a few seconds noticing just how cute he really was standing there all apprehensively. This was the first time I could really study Marty closely without the boy being soaked to the bone and all wrapped up.
He was a few inches shorter than me and a good twenty or twenty five pounds lighter, if not more in his emaciated state. His straight semi-dry long length hair was the color of golden mahogany and reminded me of chocolate caramel, which the thought now made me furl my eyebrows wondering why on earth I was acting like a girl in regards to his hair. Shrugging that thought aside I continued to study him noticing how strands of it hung over his forehead and into his eyes in the front. They also draped well over the sides of his ears to shoulder length and down the nape of his neck in the back. Along the side of his face the long hair wrapped around his cute face. It managed to emphasize his soft charming features which had a good sprinkling of freckles over his small average kind of nose and into his smooth rounded cheeks.
Even from where I was standing by the table I noticed how he had a few larger freckles which drew my attention. Not in a bad way, but rather more in a cute kind of fashion. The first one was on the tip part of his rounded left cheek, the second one along his upper left eyelid, and the third one along his bottom left eyelid. Those nail head sized freckles only further called my attention to his muted green eyes with splashes of silver that currently gazed back at me in an almost haunting kind of way. It was as if behind those green orbs was a deep-seated hidden truth just aching to be revealed. Shifting my eyes away from that haunting gaze they now settled on his plump pinkish lips that currently showed no emotions making me wonder what kind of smile he had to offer.
Something about him drew me towards the boy, my legs automatically crossing the small space between us while I smiled broadly before wrapping him up in my arms giving him a proper and heartfelt hug. The boy stiffened up in surprise and even I was a bit shocked at my overt display of such affectionate behavior towards a virtual stranger, but I was caught up in the moment because he was too damn cute all spruced up and clean. I suppose some of the emotion of this moment was because of him being alive and with me having played a small part in it. He even smelled much better; although, there was still an underlying lingering rank kind of odor, which I noted probably only a proper shower could remove.
After Latham left Marty alone in the room the smaller boy had sat there for a few moments unsure of what to do. It had felt really nice when the other boy had washed his hands and face with the warm clean rags. It wasn’t just the washing away of the dirt and grime, but also how the warmth felt on his skin spreading a kind of soft glow inside of him. Looking around nervously he decided to trust the other boy so did what he was asked and stripped out of his clothes dumping them all in a pile on the floor. He quickly washed himself clean as best as possible, including dunking his head into the warm water like he was told, before slipping into the clean set of pajamas the boy had been kind enough to give him. They were really thick and warm even though they hung on him a bit too large. He thought it was really nice of the other boy to give him such a nice pair of pajamas for him to wear.
Now he had to go back into the other room with the others. He was a little nervous when he climbed the three stairs on wobbly legs and stepped into the larger room. He noticed Latham staring at him and he gazed back at the other boy feeling almost shy about the close scrutiny. Then suddenly and without warning the boy had crossed over to him. At first he thought Latham was going to hit him and he flinched slightly before his instincts once again kicked in and he stood there rock still getting ready to take whatever punishment was due him, but to his surprise he felt strong arms wrapping around him holding on tightly. He didn’t know what to think or do about it because his ‘parents’ had never done anything like this.
An odd sensation overcame him and he realized he kind of liked what Latham was doing. The other boy’s arms holding him like this felt kind of nice not only on the outside, but inside as well. A long lost memory flittered along the edges of his mind with a fuzzy image forming in his thoughts. He couldn’t make anything out since it was a memory from a long time ago. All of this felt familiar, from the time before when things were different. His arms twitched along his sides and began to move on their own and he now lifted them up wrapping them around Latham and squeezing the boy lightly in return. This too felt really nice with a warm glow radiating outwards all around inside of him before he suddenly recalled that this was called a hug.
Then he felt the familiar awkward stirring down below, just beneath the surface of his pajama bottoms. Lately his thingy’s been doing this more frequently and this always frightened him about it being found out. It felt wonderful holding on to the older boy like this and it made his thingy feel wonderful, but he was starting to become alarmed because it was rapidly becoming firmer. He was about to release the older boy so he could try hiding it and hoping it would deflate before he got caught, but suddenly Latham was speaking and released him by stepping back. He felt a sense of relief, but also a bit sad about it for some reason.
Marty had flinched when I first hugged him, but after a few moments I felt him wrapping his arms around me returning my embrace, which made me feel all tingly inside. Naturally, it also began to affect me in other ways with my typical teenaged horniness kicking in and I felt myself begin to chub up. I couldn’t help it as I gave him a firm squeeze and chuckled.
“You sure do clean up nice don’t you?” I teased stepping back and noticing the slight tenting in his pajama bottoms before the boy crossed his arms in front of him effectively concealing what was obviously the beginnings of an erection.
Thank goodness my shirt covered up my own twitching slightly chubbed up erection, but the boy’s shirt was tucked inside his bottoms so he was desperately trying to conceal himself up in a different way. I knew exactly how he felt and not wanting to embarrass him I ignored it and grabbed him by the wrist quickly dragging him to the chair so he could take a seat and conceal his impromptu little boy stiffie. Thank goodness PopPop was focused on the large pot of soup as he lifted it off the stove and placed it on the table.
“Oh man, it smells really good Pops. I can’t wait to dig in, how about you Marty?” I asked noticing the boy gaze at the contents inside the large pot before he glanced my way, but otherwise remained still.
He lowered his head and sat there in his chair with his hands folded in his lap. I thought it a bit strange as I grabbed the ladle and began scooping it into the bowl in front of the boy until it was full of meat, potatoes, and broth before scooping some out into my own bowl. Handing the ladle over to PopPop he began scooping some for himself while I dipped my spoon inside my bowl and took a taste after blowing on it a few times to cool it down.
“Oh man it’s delicious Pops.” I sighed glancing over towards the boy who was looking down into his lap making me frown. “What’s wrong Marty? Don’t you like Chicken soup?” I asked with him hesitating a moment and glancing towards me with a strange look on his face before gazing at the large bowl of soup sitting in front of him.
“Marty?” I asked as he sat there just staring at the food and flinching when he felt my fingers wrapping around his hand. “Marty?” I asked for a second time, but more softly, with him slowly turning his head and looking at me his eyes telling me more than I had ever wanted to know.
“Oh God Marty?” I whispered tears beginning to tumble down my cheeks. “They made you watch while they ate and literally starved you.” I stated out of the blue with my grandfather giving me a hard stare wondering why I would say such a thing before gasping in shock when he saw the look on Marty’s face.
We all sat there for several long seconds before I squeezed Marty’s hand. “Listen Marty you are safe with us now and you can eat as much as you want.” I told him gently with the boy looking at me hesitantly not so sure about it. “Go ahead…try some. It’s my favorite on a day like this, and you need to eat in order to get your strength back up.” I encouraged him and watched while the boy picked up the bowl and lift it to his lips. “Careful, it’s hot.” I warned him holding my breath while he carefully took a small sip.
Glancing towards my grandfather neither one of us said anything about him slurping the contents inside his bowl instead of using the spoon. When he finished with the liquid portion he scooped up the potatoes with his fingers and shoveled it inside his mouth before starting in on with the meat on the chicken leg. We ate silently and watched him from the corner of our eyes while he finished his first bowl. When he looked towards the pot a bit longingly I wordlessly pushed his bowl over towards it and filled it once more.
Halfway through his second bowl I could tell everything was finally catching up to him when his head slumped forward before he jerked back upright. With his stomach now full he was feeling the typical side effect of sleepiness with his body now going into overdrive on digesting the food. I also got the sense that the adrenalin shot my grandfather had given the boy earlier was beginning to wear off now.
“Are you tired Marty?” I asked with the boy glancing at his half eaten bowl of soup a bit sadly as if he was afraid of leaving any left uneaten. “Don’t worry about it Marty. If you are hungry when you wake up we will make you more to eat…I promise.” I told him a sadness creating a knot in my stomach at how someone could do such things to an innocent kid, but knowing in this world it wasn’t such a far fetched thing because simply put there were evil people all around us.
“Come-on, how about we get you to bed, alright?” I asked with him gazing at me for a moment before furtively glancing at his bowl and finally nodding his head.
Glancing towards my grandfather who nodded his head indicating it was a good idea; I stood up and helped the boy to his wobbly feet. “Here put your hand on my shoulder.” I instructed him wrapping my arm around his thin waist to help stabilize him while we walked into my bedroom.
I led him towards the side next to the stairs and pulled down on the bed separating it from the wall. It was another one of my grandfather’s designs which he got from the idea of those Murphy beds. It was only a small bed attached to the wall and folded up against it with the legs also folding into place. Now as I pulled it away from the wall the two legs unfolded and settled on the floor. There was already a mattress on it along with sheets and a warm blanket held in place with straps. I unhooked the straps and tossed open a corner of the blanket helping Marty slide inside and covered him up.
The boy watched me with drooping eyes while I made my way to the pot belly stove humming a soft tune placing some logs inside to burn which would help keep the room all toasty warm. It was still raining outside, the soft pattering noise against the walls and window sort of making it seem peaceful in its own unique way. The thunder had stopped a while back leaving behind thick layers of gray clouds which released its waters over the entire region.
Finishing up with the stove I closed it back up and made my way back to Marty’s bed. “I know it isn’t much, but you should be warm and comfortable enough. Later on when I go to bed I’ll add some more logs on to the fire. I’ll be out in the other room and when I go to bed I’ll be sleeping right over there.” I pointed towards my own bed as he followed my gaze recognizing my bed since he had sat on it while washing up. “Promise me if you need anything you will come to me.” I pleaded noticing him furling up his eyebrows a bit hesitant about my request. “Promise?” I asked with him finally agreeing and nodding his head making me smile.
Leaning over I kissed him gently on the forehead the gesture managing to confuse the other boy as he frowned at me in thought. Sighing, I stood up and made my way over towards my bed kneeling down next to everything that had been left there after the boy had cleaned himself up. I dumped the dirty water into the larger pale of water and started setting everything on the other side of the door in the main room. I picked up the last of the things including the damp towel and dirty clothes which meant mine as well. Marty watched me through sleepy eyes and finally no longer able to keep them open drifted off to sleep. Sighing and shaking my head sadly I stepped out of my room closing the door softly behind me.
It was then when it all caught up to me and I started to sob for the other boy. Dropping the dirty clothes on the floor next to my feet I wrapped my arms around my grandfather and quietly cried in his shoulders.
“Oh PopPop, what happened to Marty. I feel so awful for him.” I sobbed with my grandfather holding and slowly rocking me in his arms while a deep kind of sadness filled the small main room of our cabin until we both busied ourselves with getting things cleaned up. It was still early with bed time several hours away so we tidied up before sitting down and having a serious discussion about what we were going to do now.
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End of Chapter Four: Mute Boy
Coming soon Chapter Five: The Calm
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