Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2007 04:45:31 -0700 (PDT)
From: adm2780 <adm2780@yahoo.com>
Subject: New Horizons  Chapter Forty-One

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

This story contains descriptions of consensual sexual contact between
males, adult and minor.  As such it is homoerotic, designed for the
entertainment of mature adults.  If you are not of legal age to read such
material, or if the subject matter would create irresolvable personal moral
dilemmas, please exit now

Note: I would like to thank Colin and John for their continued support and
patience while I try to write this story.  Their support and efforts at
editing and correcting my errors contribute significantly to the reader's
pleasure.

Like 'feel good' stories?  Go to Adult/Youth section and try "Brad's Idol"
or "Never Take Love For Granted".  One is another of my stories, the other
is written by a talented friend.


Chapter Forty-One: New Horizons

The judge signed papers granting temporary custody of Connor and Peter to
New Horizons.  Custody had to be temporary until a final determination was
made regarding next of kin and a plan worked out for the boys' future.
Daniel's first priority was to get the boys away from juvenile hall and
someplace more pleasant.  Elizabeth suggested they all go to her place for
an impromptu cookout.  Hopefully, the homey atmosphere, and her two sons,
would allow the boys to relax and feel more at ease with everything
happening around them.

When Elizabeth got out of her car and headed for the door she turned and
looked at Daniel, smiling, "Daniel, you remember my boys and know what to
expect, right?"

Daniel thought for a moment and then broke into a laugh before
answering. "Actually, I had forgotten.  This will be just like home to my
boys.  It'll be an interesting test for the other two."

As soon as Elizabeth entered the house, two young, naked and well tanned
boys ran up to greet their mother.  Elizabeth introduced her two sons to
the other boys and let her sons know she expected them to be good hosts.
Daniel had watched Connor and Peter for a reaction and was surprised as
they took everything in stride.

Elizabeth told the visiting boys they could get comfortable and go swimming
if they wanted.  Daniel's boys looked at him and when he nodded his
approval, Jamie and Jimmie stripped to their birthday suits.  Gerry stood
there taking the younger boys' clothing, but doing nothing about getting
comfortable himself.  Connor and Peter looked at one another, shrugged
their shoulders and stripped.  Daniel was the one surprised and who
reacted.

"Connor, is there something you want to tell me?"  Daniel asked.

"Sir?" replied the boy questioningly.

"Connor, it isn't often boys will strip down as quickly and easily as you
and Peter just did, particularly when you're among strangers and in a
strange house."  As Daniel spoke he lifted Connors arm to look at the pit,
more precisely, to look at how much tan the boy had in that area.  "You and
your brother seem to have pretty good tans which tells me you spend a lot
of time outside.  I also notice a lack of tan lines?"

"Looks as though they'll fit right in, Daniel," Michael interjected.

Connor blushed and looked down at the floor; then he began to put his
clothes back on.  Peter followed his brother's lead.

"I'm sorry, sir.  We understand." Was all Connor said.

"Connor, what are you and Peter getting dressed for?"

"Sir, aren't you sending us back to Captain Jackson?" the inquired.

"Why would I send you back?  Do you think it's because I think that maybe
you didn't tell me everything?"  Daniel was very careful to keep any hint
of dissatisfaction out of his voice; he was trying to give the boy an
opening.

"Sir.  I didn't tell you everything.  I kind of lied about where we were on
holiday."  The boy looked Daniel right in the eye as he spoke.

"Son, I don't understand why you think you had to lie to us.  Don't you
understand that we're trying to help you and Peter?"

"Sir, yes, sir, we understand.  Mum and dad said we shouldn't talk about
where we'd been.  Some people think it's wrong and it might cause trouble.
You see, sir, we were at Disney World, just like I said.  We left there and
drove somewhere where we got on a boat late in the afternoon.  The next
morning we were someplace else.  We were at a camp where nobody wears
clothes.  That's the part I didn't say.  We just got back and were driving
somewhere else when the lorry hit us."  The boy stated very simply and
matter of factly.

"You were at a nudist camp?"  The boy nodded.  "Can you tell the name of
the camp?  Connor, they usually check out their guests very thoroughly and
may have information on who we contact to help you, like a family member."

"No Sir, I can't say the name, it was very strange.  I think I would know
the name if I saw if though."

"Good boy," Daniel responded. "Right now, why don't you and Peter take your
clothes off and join the other boys at the pool?  While you boys play,
we'll prepare some supper."

The boys ran out to the pool.  Daniel turned to Michael and asked him to go
on line and look up the names of nudist camps or resorts in the area. The
hope was that Connor could recognize the name.  If not, Daniel would call
each camp and ask if the family had been there.  If the camps wanted to use
privacy or privileged information as a shield, there was always Captain
Jackson.

"Mr. Daniel," Gerry interrupted, " I'm pretty good with a computer.  Can I
help?"

"Gerry, why didn't you get comfortable and go with the other boys?"  Daniel
asked.

"Well, you see, Mr. Daniel, I don't mind goin' naked back home, actually, I
like it.  But I've never been naked in front of anyone except the guys, and
you and the staff ^Å. Sir."

"Gerrrrryyy" Elizabeth intervened teasingly, "are you telling us you're
embarrassed?  Did you see my two boys when we came in?  I'll let you in on
a little secret, I've even seen Mr. Daniel and Dr. Mike get naked and get
in the pool.  Also, the house rule here is that anyone that is not an adult
is not allowed to wear clothes in this house.  I suggest you get
comfortable before you insult your host."

Daniel knew Elizabeth was just trying to make the boy feel more
comfortable.  While she talked, both Daniel and Michael tried to remember
if Elizabeth had ever seen them naked.

"Gerry," Michael intervened, "do you want to make us look bad by breaking
the house rules?  I tell you what; we'll turn our backs and not look until
you're in the pool.  Will that work?"

"Dr. Mike," Gerry tried to whisper in Michael's ear, "that's not the
problem.  Ms.  'lizabeth, you know, well, ,,, Dr. Mike, she's a pretty lady
and when I see her, well, sir, I can't help it, I just ^Å."

"Gerry, are you trying to tell me you get a hard-on when you look at
Ms. Elizabeth?"  Michael demanded, trying not to smile or break out
laughing.

"Yes, sir," answered a very embarrassed and blushing fifteen year old.

"Gerry, come here," Michael whispered and directed the boy away from the
others, "if it starts getting hard, turn your back to her and thump the
head real hard using the middle finger and thumb."  Michael thumped the boy
on the arm to demonstrate what he said.  'The best thing for you to do is
not think about it and it probably won't happen.  Remember, she's almost
old enough to be your mother.  Would you get a hard-on looking at your
mother?"  A shocked boy shook his head vigorously.  "Then get naked and get
out there and relax.  Remember, we're counting on you to keep all the
little ones in line and you can't do it in here."

Michael waited for Gerry to get outside with the others before he broke
down laughing.  He told Elizabeth and Daniel the boy had the hots for
Elizabeth and was worried about developing an erection in front of her.

"What did you tell him to settle him down and get him moving?" Elizabeth
asked.

"I told him you were almost old enough to be his mother and then asked him
if he'd think of his mother like that."

"Michael!  You didn't!"  An astonished and somewhat insulted Elizabeth
stated.  Daniel and Michael were holding there sides that hurt from
laughing so hard.

***

Come and get it fellas, supper is served.  The boys darted from the pool as
though they hadn't eaten in days.  Daniel watched Connor and Peter.  Both
had smiles on their faces.  Their troubles had been set aside for the
moment.  Gerry seemed to have forgotten his concern over embarrassing
himself in front of Elizabeth.  That, or his empty stomach demanded a
higher priority.

Gerry used his hands and arms to press himself up out of the water.  As
soon as he stood he placed his hands in front of himself in an attempt to
be modest.  Elizabeth understood the boy's predicament and decided to walk
over to the other boys, thinking Gerry would be more comfortable if her
back was to him.  He didn't realize she could look out of the corner of her
eye and see his reflection in the patio door.

"Elizabeth, you're being cruel to that boy, you know that don't you?"
Michael stated.

"Michael, it's been a long time since I teased a boy.  Remember, I'm old
enough to be his mother, so he shouldn't care.  Isn't that what you said?"
Michael cringed at the tone in her voice.  "Besides, I feel somewhat
flattered a boy his age would find me arousing."

"Daniel, it's already a little late, why don't you stay here tonight and
drive back tomorrow.  We can go through some of the pictures I have for the
news spots.  The boys would enjoy a little fun time of their own."

***

At Fort Ogden, during supper, Paul let the other staff members and the
priests know that Daniel had called to let them know he was staying in
Orlando but planned to return the next morning.  Daniel asked that the
priests wait for him to return before leaving.  Paul explained to the
priests what he knew about the two boys Daniel and Michael had gone to pick
up.  The priests understood and expressed a hope they could help them.

After supper, the twins watched their mentors jump in the pool.  When they
thought no one was watching they walked in to the woods.  They were soon
followed by twelve year old Alex and then thirteen year old Jimmy.  Just
inside the edge of the woods, Alex stood behind a tree waiting on his very
special friend.

Alex stepped out as Jimmy approached.  Jimmy placed an arm around his
friend's shoulders while Alex wrapped an arm around Jimmy's waist, allowing
his hand to come to rest on the top of Jimmy's cheek.

"It's good to be able to walk out here and be alone some times."  Alex
commented to his friend.

"Yeah." Jimmy responded, "I like feelin' we can walk someplace and be alone
without havein' to worry about bein' attacked.  Back in the city we
couldn't even stick our head outside without bein' afraid some bozo was
gonna try and rape us."

"Jimmy?"  Alex asked with some trepidation.  "You gonna do what we said.
Are you gonna let me try and maybe teach me?"

"You know I'll do ya.  You don't gotta try and do me.  You know that?"

"Yeah, I know.  But, I wantta learn.  I'm old enough; I'm twelve and a half
and I can shoot some.  I'm startin' ta get some hair down there too; just a
little, but it's startin.  My brother's just bein' a prick; he's tryin' to
keep me from growin' up."

The boys talked while they walked through the woods.  Their conversation
was enough for both boys to get excited; a fact neither could hide.  They
found a secluded spot where they sat.  Jimmy sat with his back to the tree.
Alex lay on the ground with his head in his friend's lap.

"Your brother would have a shit fit if he saw us now.  Know that?"

"Yeah, I know."  Answered Alex, sounding despondent.  "You know, we had ta
sneek around in the city and I thought here he'd leave me alone.  It's not
like I was havin' ta go out and do anythin'.  I understand it was hard and
he got hurt some, but it's not like that here.  Besides, you ain't gonna
hurt me.  Timmy needs ta lighten up some."

Jimmy didn't respond right away.  Jimmy had been on the streets.  At Alex's
age he was givin' blow jobs to survive.  He remembered what it was like to
hafta meet some strange man in an alley just to get a few bucks.  So many
of them smelled of booze; so many just smelled.  Worse, almost all of them
weren't as clean as you'd want and tasted bad.  They didn't care.  You were
boy trash givin' head.  Jimmy looked down at his friend and rubbed his
hands gently across his friend's chest.  With a finger, he outlined Alex's
jaw.

Alex looked up at the boy who had been his best friend since they were on
the streets.  Alex could remember nights Jimmy would come back with red
marks across his back and face where people hit him.  Sometimes he got hit
because that's what a john wanted; other times he was robbed.  Sometimes
his brother, Timmy would come back with those marks, and more.  Many times
he came he would just lie down and cry.  Timmy told Alex he couldn't go out
because he didn't want to see Alex hurt that way but, now, Timmy was
hurting Alex another way.  Alex was just entering puberty and wanted to
learn about all the fascinating feelings he heard other boys talk about.
While he was thinking, and remembering, Alex circled Jimmy's nipple with a
finger and watched it get hard and be surrounded with little goose bumps.
He watched Jimmy roll his head back, take a slow deep breath and close his
eyes.  Alex wanted to know those feelings.

The two boys enjoyed their time alone.  Neither made demands on the other;
both could be comfortable with their thoughts.  Then, they heard sounds
coming from not too far off.  The sounds were from young boys; they weren't
alone.  Listening carefully, they identified the direction the sounds came
from.

Moving quietly so as not to let anyone know they were there, the two boys
crept towards the sound.  Soon, looking through the bushes, they saw the
twins.  Both boys were bouncing up and down in shorts movements.  It took
only a moment for Jimmy and Alex to realize the boys were probably riding
something or someone.  Their giggles said they enjoyed what they were
doing.

Creeping in closer, Jimmy and Alex could see two sets of feet, the owner's
obviously lying on the ground.  There was no doubt now that the twins were
giving themselves to two other boys.  Alex shifted to see who was on the
ground.  He took a sharp breath when he saw it was his brother, Timmy,
fucking one of the ten year old twins.  The two boys continued to watch the
scene in front of them.  Each boy reached for his friend's package and
began the familiar male right of masturbation.  After a few minutes they
crawled away, both now extremely excited.

When they thought they were away from the scene they had just witnessed the
two boys again reached for the other.  Alex had been after Jimmy to teach
him how to give good oral sex.  Jimmy was reluctant, knowing how Alex's
brother had always threatened to beat up anyone that touched Alex.  Jimmy's
raging hormones now over rode any fears the boy may have had.

Facing each other, the two boys began manipulating the other's nipples.
Normal gentle movements became more urgent, fueled by their desires.  While
hands were busy stimulating extra-sensitive nipples, hips moved to cause
their erections to caress each other.  Without saying anything, the boys
slowly dropped to their knees to belly rub.  They pressed against each
other.  Each boy holding and pulling the other boy's cheeks.

Jimmy bent his head and kissed Alex's neck.  He continued to give the
younger boy thrills and felt the boy going limp.  Jimmy guided his friend
to the ground.  Kneeling over him, Jimmy shifted to give his friend the
thrills of oral manipulations.  Alex shifted, wanting to get his first
taste of another boy.

"YOU FUCK WAD!!"  screamed Timmy as he kicked Jimmy in the stomach, almost
lifting the boy off the ground.

"AAAAAGGGGHHHH!!" Jimmy cried out as he doubled over, grasping his stomach.

"I TOLD YOU WHAT I'D DO TO ANYBODY EVER TOUCHED HIM.  YOU FUCKIN' WHORE!
HOW COULD YOU?"  Timmy raged on kicking at Jimmy.

Alex, at first, was in shock.  The attack was too sudden and unexpected.
Then he saw what his brother had done.  "NO!  NO!  STOP! TIM, STOP!"  Alex
cried, tears running down his face, fear in his voice.

Timmy was in a rage after catching Jimmy having sex with his brother.
Timmy continued the attack, oblivious to his brother's pleas.  When Alex
grabbed Timmy's arm, Timmy flung his brother aside, striking him on the
side of his face.  Frank, the other boy with Timmy and the twins, wrapped
his arms around Timmy to pull him off.  As Frank tried to stop Timmy, Alex
threw his body over Jimmy to protect him.  Timmy stopped before he hit his
younger brother.  All the boys were shaking; their expressions and
breathing revealed the fear and tension each felt.

Timmy stood there, looked at his brother and Jimmy, and realized what he
had done.  Jimmy lay on the ground, doubled over and writhing in pain.
Alex had blood trickling from his lower lip.

"Oh, My God! Jimmy, I'm^Å.Oh! My God, what'd I do? Jimmy?  Jimmy? Alex?"

"GO AWAY!"  Alex screamed at his brother.  "You've hurt him.  He wasn't
doin' nothin' that I didn't want him ta do.  GO AWAY!  LEAVE US ALONE!"
Alex screamed at his brother.  He then turned to his friend.

"Jimmy?  Please, Jimmy?"  Alex called to his friend hoping for some sign of
recognition.  "Get help.  Somebody, get some help, he's hurt.  Jimmy?"
Alex continued to cry and cover his friend for protection.

"Alex, move, let me get to him and check him."  Timmy was trying to get his
brother to shift over so he could see how badly Jimmy was hurt.

"NO!  You've done enough.  Leave him alone!"  Alex cried out through his
tears.

While Timmy was trying to handle Alex, Frank was able to get behind Jimmy.
He didn't try to move the injured boy, but bent over to talk into his ear.

"Jimmy.  It's Frank, can you understand me?"  Jimmy nodded and answered
with a moan.  "Jimmy, can you straighten up?  Can you sit up?"

"AAAGGHHH!"  was the only sound Jimmy made when they tried to move him.

"We need help.  I'm goin' for Mr. Mark."  Frank said as he ran towards the
compound.

When Frank left, Alex moved behind Jimmy.  Gently lifting his head, Alex
placed his legs and set Jimmy's head in his lap.  Alex continued to hold
his friend, softly calling his name, pleading for him to answer.  Timmy
stood and watched, still shocked at what he had done.  Neither boy knew how
long they stayed in that position.  Their trance like states broken only
when Mark came running up with four other boys carrying a stretcher.

"Please, Mr. Mark.  Help Jimmy!"  Alex pleaded through his tears.

Mark fell to all fours in front of Jimmy.  Mark immediately noticed the boy
appeared pale, his breathing was quick and shallow.  Checking his pulse,
Mark determined the boy's heart was rapid to the point of racing.

"I think he's going into shock.  Let's get him on the stretcher and to the
infirmary."

"Mr. Mark ^Å Mr. Mark, I'm sorry, I didn't mean ta hurt him like that.  I
swear, Mr.  Mark, I didn't^Å..," no one listened to Timmy's pleas.  No one
was interested at the moment, especially his brother.

Jimmy moaned with almost every step.  Mark was glad the boy could feel
something and respond.  As they entered the compound, boys followed them.
In the infirmary they placed Jimmy on a bed and quickly covered him with
blankets and elevated his feet.  Mark again checked Jimmy's pulse while he
dialed Michael.

While he talked to Michael, Mark began checking the boy's blood pressure.
Jimmy lay flat on the bed while Frank held his feet in an elevated
position.  Mark related what he knew of the incident and answered Michael's
questions as best he could.  Jimmy wasn't spitting up blood; that was a
good sign.  When Mark pressed on the boy's side, he quickly responded as
though he were in pain.  Michael guessed the boy had one or more cracked or
broken ribs and was in shock due to the severity of the attack.

After a few minutes the boy's color began returning to normal and his blood
pressure rose.  Michael told Mark it sounded as though the boy was coming
out of shock.  They were to keep him covered in a blanket and hydrated
until the boy regained consciousness.  When Michael was comfortable the boy
was out of danger, Daniel took the phone and told Mark what he should do.
Mark hung up the phone and looked at Timmy.

"Mr. Mark, I swear, I didn't mean to hurt him like that, no way.  I
wouldn't do that; not on purpose."  Timmy pleaded.

"You did do it, Tim.  It doesn't matter at the moment if you did it on
purpose or not, you could easily have killed him.  Dr. Mike will be here
tomorrow with an x-ray machine so we can tell how badly he's hurt.  I can
tell you that right now it looks kind of bad.  Daniel said you are to
return to the dorm and stay there.  You don't go to your bunk, you go to
the spare room in Building B.  Stay there and you don't come out and you
don't see anyone without permission.  Is that understood?"  Mark said in an
even tone.

"Yes, sir."  Timmy answered meekly.  Then turning, "Jimmy, man, I'm sorry,
I really am."  No one could tell if Jimmy heard him.

As Timmy left the infirmary, the other boys separated to give him a path.
No one said anything or looked at him.  For now, he was alone.

***

Arriving early the next morning, Michael and Daniel entered the infirmary
to find Mark and four boys sitting with Jimmy.  The boys immediately moved
away from the bed to give Michael room to examine the boy.  Jimmy appeared
to be half conscious and moaned.  Michael didn't find any obvious injuries
so he knew the injury had to be internal.  There was no swelling to suggest
extensive internal bleeding, if any at all.  When he pressed on the side of
the boy's rib cage, Jimmy arched his back and cried out in pain.  Michael
moved the x-ray machine into position.  The other boys were told to leave.

Mark handed Michael the chart showing the boy's vitals during the night.
Jimmy's blood pressure, respiration and pulse were steady and in an
acceptable range.  Mark had given the boy strong sedatives as instructed
which helped explain his semi-conscious state.  The x-ray would help define
the situation.

Michael placed the image against the lighted glass; it showed two broken
ribs and one cracked, but there was no evidence of additional internal
injuries.

"Daniel," Michael stated somewhat dejectedly but also relieved, "he's going
to be one hurtin' young man for a while.  I was really worried about
whether we had any additional internal damage.  Mark's information last
night suggested we didn't, but I always feel better looking at the picture.
If I'd been really worried last night, of course, I'd have asked Mark to
transport him to the hospital."

"With his ribs messed up he'll hurt every time he breathes or tries to
move.  The ribs that aren't broken or cracked are badly bruised.  He has a
lot of tissue and muscle bruising too.  I'll need help wrapping his rib
cage.  Someone will need to be with him round the clock for a while.  It'll
probably take a couple of months for him to fully recover."

While Mark assisted Michael in setting and taping Jimmy's ribs, Daniel
stepped outside to let the boys know Jimmy's condition.  After assuring the
boys that Jimmy was in capable hands he suggested they go about their
normal routine.  Daniel then walked over to Building B.

Timmy sat on the floor, leaning against the wall.  He was up all night
thinking about what he had done and his fate.  Timmy believed Daniel would
most likely send him away.  He knew that Daniel stressed the point that he
would not tolerate physical abuse; he really screwed up this time.  When
Daniel walked in, Timmy jumped to his feet, both anxious and fearful of
what Daniel would tell him.

"Timmy, I'm told you and Jimmy were not fighting; you attacked him without
warning, is that true?"  Daniel looked the boy straight in the eye as he
asked.

"Yes, sir."  Timmy answered, looking down at the floor.  Timmy then looked
up, took a breath and started to say something, but stopped.  Daniel looked
at the boy a moment and then continued.

"Why, Tim?  You know the rules.  Why would you attack one of the boys, and
Jimmy was in your group."  Daniel was both perplexed and angry, but fought
to maintain control and hear the boy out.

"Mr. Dan'l, I really didn't mean to hurt Jimmy like that, I swear.  It's
just that, well ^Å when we was out there I always protected Alex.  He
thinks he knows what me and some of the others done, but until you've had
to do it, Mr. Dan'l, there's no way he could really understand.  There was
a lot of times people wanted him, but I wouldn't let it happen; no way.  It
was bad enough for me, I just didn't want him goin' through it if I could
help it.  Anyway, I always told everybody that my brother was off limits.
I guarded him Mr.  Dan'l, I tried ta protect him from losing everything."

"Me and Frank was in the woods.  When we was comin' back we found them.
Jimmy was blowin' Alex and Alex was tryin' to get under Jimmy.  Alex was
gonna do what I always tried to guard him from."  Timmy stopped a moment to
take a deep breath and wipe away some of the tears.  "I swear, Mr. Dan'l, I
really didn't mean to hurt him like that.  It's just that when I saw 'em,
I^Å.."  Timmy's voice trailed off, he didn't finish his statement.

"Mr. Dan'l? ^Å Sir?" Timmy asked very timidly, "am I gonna be sent off?"

"I don't know, Tim."  Daniel opened the door to leave and then turned
back. "Tim, what am I supposed to do?  I'll say this right now, no decision
has been made to send you away.  We don't like the idea of a boy being made
a slave for one mistake.  But, no decision has been made not to send you
away.  We'll call a meeting of the disciplinary board for Tuesday."

"Tim, you should understand that we have over one hundred boys here that
look to us for security and protection.  If they wanted to live in fear,
they could be on the streets instead of here.  How am I supposed to believe
that you won't lose that temper and attack another boy?  I can appreciate
you wanting to protect your brother.  You need to appreciate that we want
to protect all of you."

"Right now, I need to get a feel of how the other boys are reacting to all
this.  We don't need any of them going crazy and trying to pull a vendetta.
If I let you out of here this afternoon, can I trust you to keep your nose
clean and not try to run?  You know, if you try to run, that'll just make
things worse."  Daniel pointed to the side of his neck to remind the boy
that all of them were chipped and could be tracked.

"Yes, sir." Tim answered meekly.

***

Connor and Peter sat on the sofa with Jamie and the other two boys.  All
the boys were naked.  Concerned about the incident, Daniel had forgotten
about the boys.  When he saw them he had to chuckle, they were not the
least concerned about being naked.  Actually, they seemed to enjoy it.

"Jamie, didn't you take your new friends out and show them what we have?"

"No, sir," Jamie quickly answered.  "I didn't know where they was gonna
stay.  They gonna stay with us, in our building?"

"Would you like for them to stay with you in your building?"  Jamie nodded.
"Suppose Mr. Rick didn't set up a bed for them there.  What do we do then?"
Jamie stuck his finger in his ear while he thought.  His expression changed
when he thought of an answer.

"Me and Jimmie can put our mattresses on the floor next to each other.  All
four of us can sleep on them sideways."  The boy beamed with pride at
having come up with a good answer to Daniel's question.

"Okay, and who is going to mentor the boys?"  Daniel was curious to see if
he could stump Jamie.

"That's easy, Gerry."  Jamie smiled from ear to ear.  He knew Gerry
wouldn't mind even if he hadn't asked him.

"Well, it sounds to me like you have this all worked out."  Jamie's chest
began to swell.  Daniel decided he better end this before the boy
over-inflated and burst.  "So, why don't you take Connor and Peter out,
introduce them around, and show them where all the fun stuff is?"

Jamie just grinned and signaled for Connor and Peter to follow him as they
ran out of Daniel's office.  Daniel knew they were out when he heard the
door slam.  He laughed to himself as he realized this was not the first
time he thought about changing the name of the project to New Horizons
Nudist Camp.

***

Daniel walked over to the dining hall.  It wasn't lunch time yet, but he
knew a cup of fresh coffee would taste real good; he also needed the
caffeine.  Paul and Rick sat at a table, evidently having had the same
thoughts.

"How's Jimmy?"  Rick asked.

"He's going to be one sore kid for a while, but Michael says he'll make it.
Our big problem right now is Timmy.  What do we do with him?"

"Don't you think it might be a little dangerous keeping him around?"  Paul
asked. "You know, I've thought that we've been pretty lucky with these boys
so far.  Quite honestly, I thought we might lose a couple of them before
now.  Don't misunderstand, it's not that I want to lose any of them.  It's
just that ^Å well, look at the background.  These are not what one would
refer to as highly stable kids."

"Aren't we overlooking something?"  Daniel asked, "Timmy is a problem, a
big problem.  We can't ask the other boys to have to live in fear of him
losing his temper, that wouldn't be fair.  What about Alex?  What happens
to Alex, what effect would it have on him, if we send his brother away?
All these kids know that if we do that he'll be a life-long slave.  Suppose
Alex starts blaming himself for that?"

"Right now, we need to sit on this until we can talk to Alex and Frank.  I
firmly believe that when a boy loses it the way Timmy did, there's
something else there; but what?  No one ever said this was going to be easy
and I don't like the idea of throwing a boy away which is what would happen
if we send him off."

"Let's change the subject.  How'd our boys do with the tests yesterday?
Everybody tested that needed to be tested?"

"They all took the test, but most of them weren't thrilled about it." Paul
said laughing.  "The priest also brought reports on the progress of all the
other boys.  Want to take a guess which ones are running way ahead of
projections or standards?"  Daniel shrugged his shoulders; there were over
a hundred boys he could guess from.

"Evan and the twins.  All three seem to be soaking up knowledge like a dry
sponge dropped in the river.  Of course, there are many others doing real
well, also, but who would have thought about those three?"  Daniel looked
astonished, but pleased.

"Will these kids ever cease to surprise us?"  is all Daniel could say.
"Speaking of the priests, I'd like to talk to them about the two boys we
just brought in.  Any help we can get identifying relatives will be
appreciated.  Last night we found out some new, and interesting,
information.  They told us the family was vacationing at Disney.  We also
found out it was a family of nudists, and they spent part of their vacation
at a nudist camp. I thought a priest that shepards a nudist camp might be
of help."

Daniel left his staff to locate Alex and Frank.  He needed to know what
precipitated the attack on Jimmy and any additional background information
that might affect the decision on Timmy's future.

Daniel recognized the nature of the attack was almost vicious.  The other
boys had a right to live at Fort Ogden feeling secure with where they were.
As Daniel thought about the situation, this was looking more and more like
a circumstance of having to sacrifice one to protect the many.  He knew a
time like this might come and had promised himself he would be strong
enough to make the best decision for the majority if he had to.  Regardless
of how much he talked to himself or how much he tried to prepare himself
for that moment of decision, this would not be easy.  Also, how would Alex
be able to handle the situation?  He was too young to separate the
responsibilities.

Daniel decided to wait until he talked with the disciplinary board; the
boys might have a different perspective.  He wouldn't ask them to make this
decision, but he would let them have an input if they so chose.  They would
all meet privately in mid-morning to discuss the situation.

Timmy would be allowed out of the spare store-room.  The boy didn't need to
feel he was ostracized by the staff or other boys.  However, there was some
concern over how the boys would react to him.

After talking with Frank, Daniel walked the grounds trying to get a feel
for how the boys were reacting to the incident.  Whenever he approached a
group of the boys, they either stopped talking or dispersed.  Daniel knew
this was not good.  Staff members also walked the grounds and were able to
speak with some of the boys.  Those who would talk said Timmy had committed
a cardinal sin.

If there had been an argument going on between Timmy and Jimmy, the fight
and it's outcome would have been accepted.  There was no argument; Timmy
attacked one of their own.  The act was unforgivable.

Daniel decided to take a chance and let Timmy out at lunch time.  Before
telling him to come out Daniel faced the boys in the dining hall.  He told
them what he was doing and that he hoped they would treat Timmy fairly.
When Timmy walked into the hall the boys were quiet, not a sound was made.
Tim was nervous, he knew what the quiet meant.  After being served he
turned to find a seat.  Not one of the boys would say anything to him or
even look at him.  Daniel noticed Tim was getting frightened and was
shaking.  Tim dropped his tray and ran from the hall.

Daniel stood and looked at the boys.  His expression told them that Daniel
wasn't pleased with what they had done.  The silence continued.  Daniel
grabbed two sandwiches and some fruit.  He left the hall to find Timmy.

End Chapter Forty-One

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