Date: Fri, 27 May 2011 01:36:14 +0100
From: darnemoon@gmail.com
Subject: I'm Not Dying Chapter 6

I'm not dying!

By Darne Moon.

I'm not dying! is an adventure tale that contains graphic sexual content
between men. If you are not permitted to read such content please refrain
from reading any further. I currently don't have an editor, and do have
dyslexia so please be patient with grammatical mistakes etc. This is the
first time I've written anything of this magnitude in this genre. If you
enjoy this chapter please let me know at darnemoon@gmail.com, and I'm
always interested in constructive criticism comments and ideas.

I've also recently started a Yahoo Group, with all sorts of stuff about I'm
Not Dead. You can find it at: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/im_not_dead/
Hopefully see you there :D

Chapter 6

To witness such a scene of destruction in person is very different to
seeing it on TV. We can only begin to comprehend the terror through the TV,
you need to experience the heat, the smell, the sounds, to truly grasp the
horror of such an attack. I'm stood staring at the ruins of Central
Station. Ian is fighting his way out of the back seat. Cale and Carol
remain in the car. We're all in shock, some people handle it better than
others. Ian is immediately at the drivers side window which has
shattered. He gently states her name and slowly she turns to look at
him. He smiles as softly as he can.

"I'm not doing that again!" She states. A quick inspection of her forehead
reveals she hasn't sustained to much damage, but despite Ian's
encouragement to visit a hospital she declines, pointing out there are
going to be a lot more injured people than her needing the hospital
soon. Satisfied Carol is only a little shook up Ian turns his attention to
Cale who is still in the back seat. He hasn't moved.

"Cale, you all right?" Ian asks cautiously.

"Fine"

"Are you sure?"

"Yep"

There was nothing much else he could do whilst Cale is speaking
monosyllabic. He turned his attention to those injured around. I followed
him to see if there was anything I could do to help. He was currently
speaking to a young woman. He face was a marble of blood and tears. Her
left armed looked crushed and her left leg was... somewhere just not with
her. I felt like I was going to be sick. Ian looked up at me.

"Can you tourniquet her wounds and keep her company?" He asks me.

"What should I use, you know for the tourniquet?"

"Your shirt" I look down at it. I like this shirt I've had it for
years. I'm suddenly racked with guilt, there's a young woman whose bleeding
to death at my feet, probably, and I'm here concerned about my £100
shirt. Ian slowly hands me a small penknife. I never even thought he would
carry something like that. I take it and look at the small blade, and then
cut into my shirt and tore a sheet of material free. I look down at the
girl, her face is a picture of fear. I kneel beside her and Ian walks off
to another victim.

"Am I... Am I going to die" She asks me as I begin to tie the stretch of
fabric around the top part of her arm.

"Not if I can help it" I say forcing a smile. She smiles back and looks up
to the sky. Why, I wonder, why do this, we're innocent people. I warn her
that things could get a bit painful as I pull against the fabric to tie the
tourniquet. She screams and I'm horrified at how it seem to gurgle in her
chest. I tear another strip of fabric from my shirt. I find myself welling
up with tears.

"Your crying" she says to me

"I'm sorry" I mutter back as I lift the remaining stump of her leg up and
begin to tie the fabric as tightly as I can.

"What have you got to be sorry for" she manages. Her face is increasingly
pale. As she looks at me I see her pupils glaze over. I tie the knot as
tightly as I can, and check the pulse on her good arm. It's there but weak.

"Hay, hay" I say patting her face, "Stay with me! Your going to be all
right" I keep repeating, the tears are flowing freely now. I look up and
see Ian is treating someone else. Above me there is the chop chop of a
helicopter. A quick glance up confirms this and slowly out of the smoke
filled sky falls a white helicopter bearing a bright red cross. It had only
been minutes after the incident but here they were, the Red Cross.

They land in a seemingly unaffected area of the street. By now there were a
number of onlookers gathering in the streets. All their faces a picture of
horro and shock. Despite the noise of the Red Cross helicopter and the dust
and smoke that the propellers were churning up, high pitched sirens could
be heard. The emergency services were on their way. But still in my own
little pocket of reality all was silent. I looked down at the girl crushed
and bleeding before me. I watched the rise and fall of her chest. Her
panicked expression. To her the whole world had come to an end, and even a
fool could tell she wouldn't have her leg any more. As for her arm. I
looked closely at it, the sinew and muscles were clearly visible twitching,
trying to gain control of a limb quite clearly useless now. My heart bled
that moment for her.

Paramedics ran to me and Ian. Ian had by now assessed a lot of the victims
out of the train station. He shouted quickly and passionately pointing at
various stricken people across the road and walkways. I remained steadfast
with my ward. I felt like if I could do one thing in my life that was
worthwhile, I was going to make sure she would survive. Carol and Cale by
now had emerged from Tino. They were both looked like they were
petrified. I glanced at Ian and he looked back at me. His face was a
picture of seriousness. I realised he was in work mode. I stayed with my
vigil as a paramedic approached. I quickly explained what I had done and
stood back to allow them to do their work. I watched the girl as the
paramedic did everything he could. I knew she wasn't going to die. I knew
it. I couldn't tell you if it was my pregoc telling me that or if it was
just my own hope. A stretcher was produced and carefully the paramedics
loaded her onto it. As they carried her away I had to ask if she would be
OK. I was told I had done a good job and with luck she could do. I'm filled
with a want to help more but as the emergency services arrived I felt there
was little I could do more. I returned to Tino, and stood beside Carol and
Cale. I continued to watch Ian. He had taken complete control of the
situation outside the train station. I suddenly felt very humbled.

How long we stood there just watching the initial rescue mission I don't
know. But it seemed like forever. I suddenly think that it could have
easily been my friends and I in the debris being pulled free by the fire
service. I am not a religious man by any standards but I send up countless
prayers to anyone who would listen to save these victims.

I watch nearly heartbroken as police and the fire service being exploring
the ruins of the train station. It seems to me there are very few survivors
that they bring out of the crumbling building. Dark times, I think to
myself, truly dark times.

A handful of hours later I find myself in the RVI (Royal Victoria
Infirmary) being checked over by a young doctor. After being declared
remarkably unharmed physically I'm discharged. I check my phone for the
first time. A selfish act I feel, to have ignored it so long, but then I
was in no state previously. There are nearly countless missed calls from my
dad. I ring him back.

"Oh thank god!" he says, "answer your fucking phone! We've all been worried
sick!"

"I'm sorry things were just... hectic"

"Your all right though! Your all all right yes?" He asks the desperation in
his voice abating.

"Yes, Cale, Carol and Ian are fine. We were there when it happened... but I
saw it just before" I mutter. I'm suddenly aware of the people around
me. I'm outside the hospital having a sneaky cigarette.

"Excellent, that's amazing, that your all fine, we've been out of our minds
down here"

"We're fine, Ian's helping in the hospital. Cale and Carol are in shock,
especially Carol she was driving when it happened we just managed to
avoid... everything" I say. My dad sighs, then I hear him place his hand
against the receiver and though muffled I hear him tell Wendy and the twins
we're all right.

"I'm coming to get you" He said quite abruptly, "All of you, your all
coming here, where its safe" The words warm me, I'm shook up but the shock
has worn off now, it'd be nice to see my dad and the family. Another twang
of guilt floods through me.

"I want to see mum" I say, I realise at this moment this could seem selfish
but its true I want to see her. For fuck sake I've just witnessed something
that could have easily killed me had Carol not been so obsessed with Izzy.

"I'll take you don't worry about that everything will be all right" my dad
states. "Where are you?"

"The RVI, in town, but I'm sure we'll all be going back to Carol's shortly,
I'll let you know what happens"

"Right I'll leave now, be about four hours. May be more depending
on... things" I suddenly hear Wendy in the background, she doesn't want my
dad to go. She offers to drive herself but my dad insists on account of her
wrist. I feel terrible.

"You know we can find our own way down dad" I say, but he's having non of
it. In fact I can here him retrieving his car keys. We say our goodbyes and
I hang up. Standing in the car park of the ridiculously busy RVI I take a
moment to think. I send another silent prayer for the girl I tried to
help. I then make a solemn oath to myself to do everything I can to protect
as many people as I can.

I return to the hospital to find Cale has been released after checks, he's
like me, somehow remarkably unscathed. Carol arrives later, mild concussion
and a stitch in her forehead, but she seems marginally jovial. I learn
later that she has managed to not only get the phone number of a doctor but
also a sick note from work allowing her at least a month off!

I find Ian looking very stressed out and very tired. He has been helping
out where he could in the hospital. Thankfully, in my case at least, a
doctor had told him to go away and get some rest.

I tell them of my dad's intentions and we decide to find our way back to
Carols house. As this is both more relaxing and homely than the
hospital. It also allows Carol to get Izzy sorted for the trip. I had
forgot to mention the cat to my dad. I also forgot to think where the hell
everyone would stay whilst down in Wales. My dad only has a small box room,
and I have my mums room. However first things first, get back get clean and
get ready.

The hours drag by, we ended up walking back to Carols which was an epic
trip as it was, let alone the countless other people trying to find their
way home. Thankfully we did manage to hitch a lift the final few miles. I
found myself full of nervous energy, I needed to do something and so I
cleaned. I cleaned Carol's kitchen that was pretty much spotless anyway, I
then cleaned her bathrooms and her bedroom. As the sun began to set I
attacked what little garden she has. Ian, Carol and Cale had enough sense
not to question me or tell me to stop. They all remained indoors. Cale
pretty much immediately turned on the TV. Carol consumed so much tea it was
ludicrous and Ian had countless showers.

The sun had well and truly set when I was digging up (with great passion) a
thistle, in Carol's front garden, when my dad arrived. By now Carol had
managed to coax Izzy into her carry case and packed two suitcases one of
clothes and essentials one full of cat food. I was still wearing all that I
had with me. My shirt now devoid of a fair few inches. Ian was blood
stained and pale but more than well. Cale was, well just Cale. He's the
kind of man that could take anything in his stride.

I looked at my dad's aged face, his dark eyes filled with concern and
immediately I broke down. There is always something remarkable about the
site of a parent when the world is crumbling. I drop my spade and fling
myself at him, tears freely falling. Ian emerges out of the little house
and greets my dad quite formally, but after I release my dad from my hug,
my dad pulls Ian into a long and thankful embrace. Carol is next to appear
and my dad advances on her and gives her a long hug lifting her from the
floor. Cale slowly emerges, but my dad drags him out and hugs him.

"Are we all ready" he asks

"Pretty much" I answer leaning against the body of the Land Rover, "we've
got another to our number though"

"Yes sorry Mr Moon" Carol begins, allowing my dad the moment to chastise
her as he always does for calling him Mr Moon, and to refer to him as Dan,
"But it's Izzy" My dad nods slowly, well aware of the importance of the cat
to Carol.


"Well come along then, lets get you all back to the safety of Wales!" My
dad declares and he helps Carol with her belongings. As we pile into the
Land Rover Cale speaks.

"Can you drop me off near York please Dan?"

"Are you not coming down with us?"

"I want to... sort things out in York first. My parents, Jimmy that sort of
thing" He seems sullen and distant, but then we've just witnessed something
horrifying, and we've all reacted in strange ways. My dad agrees, he doesnt
question Cale's motives any further.

Some two hours later we drop Cale off. The journey is quiet except for Izzy
consistently reminding us with shrill meows that she's in the back, in a
cage and not happy about it at all. Carol continually apologises for Izzy.
When we part with Cale I feel a strange weight descend on my shoulders. His
departure reminds me of the oath I had made to myself and I steel my
thoughts on how I can do it. It's very late when we arrive at my dad's
house. I see Ian's black motorbike first its oddly warming.

Although its near 1am now the lights at my dad's house were ablaze. As we
pull in to the carport Wendy appears at the door, the twins stood behind
her. I swear they've gotten taller in the two days I've been away. As we
clamber out of the car Wendy lunges forward and hugs me hard then she
accosts Ian and with a cry of joy Carol. We enter the house and we sit
around the dinning table. Wendy and my dad disappear into the kitchen and
arrive moments later with big bowls of stew, bread and rice, and three
generous glasses of red wine. Ryan and Franco sit opposite us waiting to
hear of our adventures. However they don't ask any questions, their clearly
under strict instructions not to pester. We eat in silence occasionally
taking a sip of wine. It's near 2am by the time we finish, full and
satisfied but non of us are tired. Our bodies still recovering from the
shock of the events of the day.

"Why dont we sit in the Conservatory" Wendy suggests as she tops our
glasses. My dad excuses himself for a moment to check on the caravan. We
learn this is where Ian and I are going to stay for the evening, Carol in
the spare room. Izzy is now prowling her new territory with a determined
investigatory manner. We settle down in the conservatory, Ian and I sat on
a lounger. Carol perched on my old rocking chair, Wendy and dad are looking
after for me. Wendy takes her usual throne before all of us, Franco and
Ryan sat on the floor.

"I've got something to say" I declare quietly, "I've made a promise to
myself, I'm going to help as many people I can to survive this thing. I
don't know how yet, but I know its not going to stop soon, and as of
yet... I haven't seen anything else" Wendy nods slowly, as does Ian and
Carol. Then Wendy embarks on explaining the other attacks that had
occurred. It seems that Newcastle was not the only target and that various
other cities and numerous airports, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham
amongst the main ones. The death toll was already in the thousands. The
airports were blown up by hijacked planes, and the city centres by bombs
placed on trains. I am not completely surprised by all this news. However
Carol and Ian were aghast. We had all decided to avoid any news till the
shock had worn off.

"What's the strangest is that they've not attacked London yet!"

"I think I know why" I say somewhat surprised with myself, "They know
London will be on high alert, plus its more scary to attack random places,
London is... obvious... and... I get a feeling" an idea like a wisp of
silver begins to writhe and dance in my mind. It begins to take on a shape
I recognise but don't yet comprehend, "they're saving London for
something... big" I sigh to myself, its true I know they are, but what. I
notice Carol's gaze on me. It's quizzical almost fearful, but that could be
for a variety of reasons. I smile at her, she doesn't return it. Wendy
arches her fingers before her. Her eyes following mine and she looks upon
Carol.

"Carol..." I say, "you remember a few months ago when I fell ill" she nods,
I'd gone up to see her but she couldn't get any time off. In fact out of
spite it would seem my former boss sent Carol on a training course whilst I
was visiting the Newcastle. In the end I decided to came home a few days
earlier and I then fell ill. "It would seem that that infection was in
fact..." I take a deep breath, "aliens"

"Right..." she mutters, I glance at Wendy and her eyebrow raises.

"These aliens, known as the Gifters, live inside me, they feed on my
emotions and in return they let me see the future"

"They're parasites?" Carol asks.

"And I'm the host"

"They must allow you to see the future to protect you... to protect
themselves" Wendy suggests slowly. Franco and Ryan shuffle on the
floor. Carol places her face in her hands and rubs her frustration out.

"I know how hard this is to believe Carol" I say, Izzy takes this moment to
rub up against her leg. "But I saw Washington, I saw Dublin, and I saw
Newcastle go up in flames... I don't want this but I can see"

"I'll just go and check on your father Alex. More wine anyone" She asks as
she leaves the conservatory. Above us I hear the pitter patter of rain fall
on the plastic roofing. Its a soothing sound. Moments later my dad emerges
carrying a tray of drinks. There's only four. He apologises for Wendy whose
gone off to bed. I'm surprised she hasn't said good night it's unlike
her. My dad tells the twins to go and get ready for bed. They hug me good
night and promise they wont say a word about anything. They say goodnight
to everyone else and disappear.

"Carol I know what your going through, we all sound like lunatics but
please believe me when I say, I've seen Alex do a lot of things and say a
lot more... but I know deep down in my heart he's telling the truth" My dad
says.

"Oh I believe Alex, I just don't believe... it... all." The rain starts to
fall quite heavily. It's rhythmic beats quite hypnotic. I start to grow
weary. My dad runs me through the Caravan protocol, the same routine he
goes through every time I sleep in it. After a while Carol excuses herself
for bed. Her face is a picture of confusion and worry. I don't think she
will sleep much tonight. My dad leaves for bed not long after. The drone of
the rain is starting to take its a affect on me and I yawn leaning my head
on Ian's shoulder.

"Shall we go to bed as well?" I ask, he nods slowly before kissing me
softly on the lips. As we walk through the kitchen Izzy looks at me
expectantly. I don't know what she wants so she not getting anything I
decide, we rush out the door closing it quickly behind us so that the cat
cant escape, and dart across to the caravan. Flinging the door open we step
in. It's amazingly warm. We begin to undress checking all the blinds are
down in the windows. Then we snuggle up on the surprisingly soft bed. The
rain is pounding the exterior of the caravan, but inside we feel safe,
curled up in our own cocoon.

"Ian?" I ask softly rolling in the sheets to face him.

"Hmm?"

"Do you have to go to work tomorrow?"

"Uh huh" He replies sleepily.

"Oh..." I whisper disappointed. I turn back round and Ian spoons me.

"Why?" He asks a little more awake now.

"I don't want to be alone" This is true the thought of being alone is
starting to worry me. I like the idea of having people around it sort of
validates everything, so I know I'm not going insane or this is all some
twisted dream.

"You won't be alone I'll make sure of that baby" He whispers into my ear,
"Now get some sleep" He kisses my neck, but then something catches the
corner of my eye, out of the small skylight above us I can see the gable
end of my dads house.

"That's odd, Wendy's office light is on" I say. Ian shrugs his shoulders.

"Probably forgot to turn it off" he suggests with a yawn and he pulls me
closer to him.

"Hmm... maybe" I agree. I give the back of his hand an affectionate kiss
before I began to drift off asleep.

The black Eye leads the way down the path, its flanked by the Monkey and
the Lion. Behind the Owl flies and the Dog trots and behind them are the
two Chicks. The Lizard and Hen are bringing up the rear. Both cautious of
the other. All around them the black darkness swirls like a thick mist. As
the precession advances, the black Eye absorbs more and more of the
darkness. Occasionally great bolts of red lightening flash and crackle
followed by booms of thunder above them. The animals cower but the Lion and
Monkey keep driving them on. Far in the distance the Kuala is following on
a Great Bull with golden horns. Wrapped around the glittering horns is a
large green snake with eyes of fire and a bladed tail. They are far behind
but slowly catching.

I wake early on the next Day. It's a Monday and I have along with the usual
Monday blues (despite my life of leisure) I also have the hangover of
everything the weekend has brought. I'm also surprised to find Ian
gone. I'm saddened by this, my companion has left me for another four
days. I get dressed some what flippantly, I still have nothing other than
the clothes I've been wearing all weekend. They are somewhat ripe by now. I
stumble out of the caravan and find my dad in the kitchen. He greets me
warmly and pops the kettle on.

"Surprised your up so early" he says, I am known as a bit of a late riser I
have to admit, "Carol is snoring away upstairs. Not surprised you had a
hell of a weekend" The kettle clicks off, and my dad makes the tea. I
glance at the clock its coming to 9am. The twins and Wendy will have left
for school and work. I start to cut a loaf to make some toast. My staple
breakfast. "Peanut Butters on the top shelf" My dad offers and I go to find
it, "Ian's already left, was gone about 7am said he had to get ready for
work"

"Yeah... he said last night" I reply disgruntled.

"Everything all right?"

"Yeah, just wished he didn't have to work" I mutter feeling a bit selfish
as I spread my butter then peanut butter on the fresh toast. I every time I
make peanut butter sandwiches or toast, I remember an old friend, Adrian's
mother telling me she didn't understand why people had butter and peanut
butter. Because there is butter in peanut butter... I remember thinking
even in my youth, what an ignoramus.

"Well you know he's an A&E nurse, he's used to... the dramatic scenes I'm
pretty sure if he didn't have to go he would of stayed. So tell me... what
are your plans?"

I shrug, "Thought I'd wait till Carol woke up. I need to change" I point to
my clothes whilst I stuff my face with toast. Naturally I cover my mouth as
I speak, I'm not an animal, "and get clean. There's no point until I can
change" I say through a mouthful of food. I take a sip of tea. Tea and
peanut butter is the best pick me up in the morning.

"I can lend you some clothes" My dad offers.

"Thanks but I'd prefer my own stuff, wont feel quite the scruff" I laugh.

"Fair enough, well I can run you two up... I also... took the liberty to
renew your provisional driving license. It arrives in a week" I smile my
dad is very determined to get me driving, or riding at least, "and when you
see Ian next tell him the new parts should be hear by Thursday"

"Cool, I'll text him later" I say as I start to make more toast. I just
love peanut butter.

"How's your mother?"

"I... I don't know I want to see... its been awhile she wasn't so pleased
last time I visited" My dad nods slowly as he washes last nights plates.

"I can run you over and wait in the Car Park after you've changed, then you
can come back here afterwards, family meal etcetera"

"Thanks dad, but I think I would like to be at the house tonight, somewhere
quiet just to think and you know... think things through" My dad continues
his nod at the sink, when I hear the tell tale shuffle of Carol emerging at
the kitchen door. I smile as she enters the ends of her pyjama trousers
trailing behind her. They're clearly to long for her.

"Tea?" My dad offers, "It's Yorkshire"

"Oh yes thank you" Carol nods making a beeline for a stool. She's wiping
the sleep from her face.

"Toast?" I offer producing the half a loaf that I'm gradually working my
way through.

"Got any ceral"

"Yep, its Shreddies or Wheatabix" My dad offers. Carol goes for the
Wheatabix option and I hunt for them through a cupboard as my dad produces
a bowl and the milk. She eats in silence as I make a third round of
breakfast.

"I'm running Alex up to his mum's later" My dad says, Carol nods as she
munches on her cereal and drinks her tea like a ravenous dog.

"I was thinking, if you'd like to stay with me up there?"

"I was going to suggest that" Carol says between mouthfuls, "I'm thinking
of renting a car"

"Cool... cool, yeah because I don't think Ian could get three on his bike
despite how small you are" I say with a cheeky grin. My dad laughs as Carol
growls. Izzy appears from somewhere, I assume she's taken residence
somewhere in the lounge.

"I'll have to pack the little miss up again" Carol says, "but that wont
take long" She takes a deep draft of tea and sighs contentedly, "that was
great thanks" she declares. My dad clears her bowl and cup away popping
them in the dishwasher.

"I want to visit mum later" I say to Carol who smiles and nods.

"If you don't mind Dan, whilst Alex is seeing his mum, could you run me to
a rental place. Might as well get the car ASAP"

"Sounds like a plan" My dad says, "Well when your ready Carol we can set
off" She nods and shimmy's off the stool. She excuses herself to get
herself and Izzy ready. I take a seat in the conservatory and pick a random
book to help pass the time. I find rather than reading the life and times
of Marlon Brando I'm staring out the window at nothing in particular. I
take the time evaluate the current events. My thoughts seem to stick on Mrs
Wrinklethought and I pull out the business card she gave me.

PMI Predictive Marketing and Investments.  CEO Mrs Wrinklethought Flat 5
Paradox Palace. York.  A part of Inscope Incorporated.

I turn it over and find a phone number and email I address. I decide when
I'm home I should send her an email asking for more information of the
phases of infection. Might as well learn as much as I can about it, if I am
indeed infected with these Gifters.

I hear the the determined wails of Izzy as Carol fights to get her into her
carry cage. The usual profanities from Carol drift through the house. I'm
glad the twins aren't here. Carol can be quite inventive with her swearing.

Once the cat is safely locked away we're piling into my dads car. Wendy
uses the Land Rover for work so my dad has a small run around that he uses
during the day. We head off for Afondiwedd at a steady pace. I'm sat in the
back with the cat, Carol has already handed me what seems like a years
supply of allergy pills.

Afondiwedd is seems remarkably quiet, we pull up outside the little cottage
and I hop out carrying Izzy, Carol digs her luggage out of the boot and my
dad curious to finally see inside the Dragon's den follows me in doors. Mum
and dad hadn't seen each other since the final court case deciding their
divorce settlement. It had been a messy situation that stretched over a
number of years.

When everyone was in doors I released Izzy who bolted off madly confused at
her second change of scenery. I immediately moved Bernie to my room and
shut the door. I got a quick shower and changed. It's an amazing feeling,
being clean and wearing fresh clothes. I had started to feel very filthy,
my whole body had started to feel like it was caked in dust. Judging from
dirt gathering in the Shower base I wasn't far wrong.

I return downstairs feeling greatly refreshed and ready to rock. I pinned
back my hair with a pair of sunglasses and we set off once more, leaving
Izzy to explore her new temporary abode. The drive to the "facility" was a
pleasant one. The building had in a previous life been quite an auspicious
property belonging to an enterprising farmer from the late nineteenth
century. The roads to it were typical country lanes, a mix of hawthorn,
bramble and privet. It's little enclosed entrance was lined with tall fir
trees and after a minute or so the grand old building that had been the
wealthy farmers home came into view. This was the "facility".

It's a beautiful well kept establishment from the outside however inside it
bore the same sterile severity of a Hospital. Patients were not allowed in
their first months to have anything of their own. It was in this time the
doctors evaluated the patients needs. Following this initial Deduction
Period as they termed it family members were allowed to bring any wanted
items that had been permitted or approved by the doctors before hand. It
was a severe place in my mind, stark, empty, quiet. Only occasionally was
the solemn atmosphere penetrated by a wail or a sob. It broke my heart to
think my own mother was in here, at my hand as well.

They had said, after was first admitted here that recovery was likely to be
six months, and in the weekly reports they posted me she was making
commendable progress. On my first and last visit, after the Deduction
Period, the doctors presented me with the list of suitable "home comforts"
that I could bring in for mum. It was blank. I learned from her doctor the
reason for this is that they wanted her to become aware of situation and
resent it for the rest of her life. I personally thought this was harsh and
said so quite adamantly, but they insisted after their treatment my mother
would not ever need to spend any time in a place like this again. I laughed
at this comment, knowing full well the first thing my mum would do with her
freedom would be to buy her body weight in wine and drink it. I was
informed that after their treatment she wouldn't want to drink ever again.

"She'd sooner die" I replied at the time.

"You will see" Was their response.

I entered the facility and signed it. Before I was escorted to my mothers
room, the prudish nurse reiterated the rules. No discussion of latest
events, no discussion of release, no discussion future plans, and no
gifts. Then we went of the long walk through white corridors to my mothers
room. It was more a cell than a room. Needless to say mum had made herself
comfortable. Apart of her therapy was working in the grounds and she had
acquired a vase or two for some flowers she had picked.

"Miss Moon, your son Alex is here" says the nurse as she allows me to
enter. My mum turns in her bed and looks at me. She smiles. Something she
didn't do the last time.

"Hello Al!" she says buoyantly.

"I'll leave you to it" says the nurse and she closes the door. My mum does
seem happy to see me.

"I saw your brother the other day. He says you have a new boyfriend" I nod,
I'm surprised to hear Charlie has been up, the last I knew he was still
down in London, "says he's a nurse. Now what have I told you, you should be
going for doctors!" I laugh taking the seat next to her bed and cross my
legs.

"I'm working my way up" I joke

"So what's he like" she asks. The change in her from the last time is
remarkable.

"Nice, really nice, he's been keeping me company since..." I gesture to the
room.

"I bet he has" My mum says with a wink she folds her arms around her head
and falls silent a moment. I glance around the room. There's a small CCTV
camera in the corner looking directly at us.

"So what's it like here" I ask.

"Awful, truly, you know they wont let me have anything other than these
sodding flowers. All I want is a picture or two of you and your brother,
maybe some music, a couple of books. Something to pass the time you know"

"Mum you don't read!" I comment. She laughs.

"This place does strange things to you I can tell you. I've longed to read
something anything, even a bill would be nice something to inspire the
mind!" I laugh at this, mum's aversion to bills and letters is next to my
own. I'd rather someone or something else deal with it, "But tell me hows
the garden?"

"Good really good actually, I've had plenty of time in there recently" she
nods happily. Due to the rules conversation is difficult. I'm constantly
aware of the camera and probably microphone observing us. After an hour or
two a different nurse appears to inform me my lift is here. I kiss mum good
bye and reluctantly leave. She seems strangely peaceful about being here
now rather than angry. As I enter the main reception area I ask if I could
see the doctor. The nurse nods and moments later returns with a very tall
slender man in a white coat. A pair of rimless spectacles similar to Mrs
Wrinklethought's are perched upon his long narrow nose. He was a gaunt man,
with shallow skin and eyes as black as pitch.

"Good afternoon Mr Moon" his voice was shrill and cutting, it oozed
condescension.

"And you are?" I ask a hint of anger boiling up inside me.

"Dr. Rent. You may call me Dr Rent. I am the chief of staff here at the
facility. How may I help you?" There was something odd about this man,
something odd about all of this. I note three more CCTV camera's pointing
at me. They certainly don't want anyone to get out. Poor mum.

"Mum, Miss Moon, she seems to be in good spirits, are you sure there's
nothing I can bring in that she can have?" I ask

"Absolutely. Miss Moon, your... mum" he pauses on the word mum like its
distasteful, "is currently under the impression that she can
delude... trick us.  She wants us to believe she has accepted her fate. She
has not, she is in fact deluding herself" He chuckles at the apparent irony
of the situation. I don't find it humorous at all.

"I'll be back" I say before leaving. Dr. Rent says nothing more and returns
to where he came from. Hell in my opinion. He made me feel very
uncomfortable. I try to convince myself that this is the best for the
Dragon. I find Carol waiting patiently besides her rental car, a rather
swish looking hatchback in charcoal grey. She smiles as I approach.

"Everything all right?" She asks, "how is she?"

"Hmm, not sure, they're pretty harsh but mum seems OK with everything. I'll
visit again next week" I look back at the big old building, "funny thing is
Charlie's been visiting her, I didn't even know he was up"

"Well he's always been a bit of a... dick" She smiles at me, "Come on lets
get back and get something to eat. You can show me this garden of yours" I
nod and hop into the car. It's a dramatic improvement to Tino, however it
doesn't seem to have any affect on Carol's driving. I'm sure we nearly hit
a tree about four times but she seems perfectly in control. I thought she
would have been to shook up from yesterday for driving. We chat idly,
mostly about Carol's insurance company umming and ahhing over the damage
Tino received yesterday. Apparently they can't decide if a terrorist attack
is an act of god or not. An insurance term I've always been dubious of,
surely depending on your religious preference and extremity of belief
depends on your opinion on an act of god. I'm starting to think insurance
companies should state what their religious background is. I think I would
go with a Buddhist company. What if their atheist then by definition they
believe there is no god for them to act. I make a mental note to research
further into this, but despite all the religious connotations I can't
believe that insurance companies have not defined a terrorist attack within
their policies especially after all the attacks over the past fifty years.

We arrive at the cottage and I'm instantly hunting for food. Hunger has a
strange habit of sneaking up on me. Carol takes a seat at the kitchen
table. She lights a cigarette offers me one and I happily accept. The
cupboards aren't bare as such just... sparse. I do have however an
abundance of spices and stock cubes. Shame there's not a lot you can make
with just them I muse. I discover I have some dubious bacon in the fridge
and a rogue onion. With further hunting I turn up a tin of peeled plum
tomatoes.

"An amatriciana ok?" I ask, the Dragon always insists on using the real
meal name. Carol looks at me blankly as she produces a bottle of wine from
her large handbag, "Bacon and tomato pasta with a little bit of
chilli". She nods, and I begin chopping the onions and bacon. I fry off the
bacon first and then the onions adding the tomatoes and chilli as the
onions go soft. I leave that to simmer for a while. In the meantime I
produce two wine glasses and show Carol around the garden quaffing the dry
wine as we go.

She seems genuinely surprised at the amount of progress I've made with it
in the year I've been here. I pick some runner beans and urge her to try
them after running them through some water, I also cut some lettuce and
being preparing a rudimentary salad. We chat and drink throughout the
evening especially after eating. We retire to bed quite early, Carol in my
mums room I to my own. This is quite unnatural to me, usually going to bed
this hour denotes a massively early rise, six or seven AM to be precise.

I climb into bed relishing in its coldness. I love the feel of the cold
duvet around my naked body, but I find myself wanting. I miss Ian. I miss
his closeness and the comfort I find in him being there along side me. I
try to get off to sleep, its fitful at best but eventually I nod off.

The train of creatures proceeds, the Lion and Monkey alongside the Black
eye, Dog and Owl behind followed shortly by the two Chicks. The Lizard and
Hen constantly locked in a staring contest. They're all travelling down the
endless road the Black eye is clearing for them. The black mists before
them churned and spiralled like a tornado, being sucked into the Black
Eye's pupil. The thunderous red lightening crackled and flashed about. From
behind the Lizard and Hen a sheep appeared, shortly followed by
another. Occasionally from the dismal mists around one or two more
appeared, and yet far behind approaches the Kuala seated atop the great
Bull with golden horns and the Snake intertwined.

I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder. I stir slightly.

"Al?" I hear a familiar voice say.

"Eugh... go away... sleep now I grumble" I hear a muffled chuckle and my
sheets lift. Suddenly I'm awake and thrashing about in the duvet like a
lunatic. Ready to pounce on any bastard trying something funny. I'm
shocked. It's Ian. Now I'm embarrassed, flushing rapidly red from head to
toe. He's looking at my naked body and smiling.

"How cute are you" he whispers. I growl!

"You don't norm..."

"Shhh!" Ian chastises me, "Carol let me in. Thought you would be missing
me" He says.

"I was now get naked and get in" I help him out of his trousers and with
great desire pull his beautiful naked body against mine.

"Wow... someone's eager!"

"Damn right!" I grasp his arse cheeks and relish their firmness. His eyes
flare up with desire. My deft fingers quickly hunt out his arse hole, "I'm
going to have you tonight, fuck you senseless" I whisper to him,
"punishment for surprising me" I smirk.

"I should surprise you more often!" He responds. I can feel his member
pressing against mine. He kisses me, pinning my wrists to the pillow, "But
first let me taste you" He slips down my body quickly devouring my cock. He
sucks at the tip savouring any precum I've been producing. I love the
feeling as his lips slide down my shaft. His nose brushing against my
trimmed pubes. The sensation of his throat adjusting to my cock. It's
amazing. He thrusts himself further onto my phallus nearly choking himself
before lunging quickly up my body so we're face to face. He grins
manically, a slightly trickle of saliva running down from the side of his
mouth. "Truth is I couldn't stay away from you" He whispers. I throw him
off me. Pinning him down as he did to me and I like from the middle of his
chest, up his neck and kiss his mouth. I can taste the mild saltiness of
his sweat. He raises his thighs to rest on my hips. My cock naturally
aligns with his anus. I can feel its heat tempting me. His gaze bores into
me. He doesn't have to ask I know what he wants. I press my cock against
him and his ring opens slowly to accept me. It was strange at first, the
warmth. I had in my past fucked a fair few people, but this felt different
somehow. I allowed him some time to adjust before I began my gradual fuck,
but it felt more like he was letting me adjust to him. He looked at me with
wanton eyes. I gave and thrust my cock deep into him, no waiting nothing
just pure unadulterated penetration. He growled deeply with pleasure, I
felt like his whole body was wrapped around me. I withdrew slowly, watching
his face for the subtle little changes that tell if your doing a good
job. When I'm just about to pop out I thrust hard back in. His beautiful
dark eyes glitter magically with lust, I withdraw slowly once more and
drive back in.

"Just fuck me you sexy bitch" He growls under his breath. His guttural
tones tone driving me into a wild animal. I thrust and pound away pinning
his arms behind his head and kissing him every inward thrust occasionally
biting his lower lip as I withdraw.

I soon grow bored of the missionary position we have adopted and flip him
over and I fuck him doggy. I love this position, I like how I can hold onto
his shoulders and really hammer my cock home. The bed starts to creak and
rock with my pounding, but Ian's moans and groans encourage me on. Fuck
Carol if she can hear this I think in my head, not literally mind. Ian
raises his head and twists slightly awkwardly. I lean in and kiss him on
the lips. My little ass still bobbing up and down with great
passion. Pulling almost completely out then pushing right back to the hilt,
my nuts bouncing off his. Then all to soon that tell tale sensation builds
within my loins. I know it's coming and I cant avoid it or prolong it as
much as I want to. I grip his hips and pull hard against him thrusting in
and out at great pace. For a brief moment, I realise our sex has gradually
gotten a lot more intense recently, I'm not saying I'm complaining.

I reach round and grasp Ian's throbbing cock, I can feel the large head
that crowns his long and slender dick pulse as I slide my hand up and down
furiously. That curious tingling sensation begins to thrive in my groin and
lower body. It's churning and ready to pounce. It only takes one moan from
Ian, one long low and sexual groan for me to go over the edge. It was as if
he calling my orgasm from me. I rammed into him harder and harder, pumping
my spunk into him. Jet after jet I pushed it in. It had been just under two
days since I had cum and I was full. I heard it squelch and could feel it
dribble out of him I continued to pound him and wank him. I began to grow
soft and I still hadn't succeeded in making him cum. I was hugely
disappointed however I withdrew from him and flipped him back onto his back
and dived down onto his cock. He had been oozing copious precum and I
lapped it up. I sucked his cock head, then licked at his nuts, I could
taste more sweat. I ran my hands all over his hot body, tweaking his
nipples here and there.

As I tongued his swollen dick head, lavishing in the sweet salty taste of
his precum I find one of my fingers searching for his abused arse hole. I
quickly slip to fingers in and instantly hes writhing and groaning with
delight. I probe deeper, mouth still clasped tightly around his dick my
other hand tweaking his nipples. I'm hunting through my own cum for his
prostrate, its a strange but exhilarating sensation and when I find it I'm
thanked with more precum. I probe his prostate more.

Ian's hands clasp at my head hard, holding me where I am. He begins to fuck
my mouth in such a manner I don't even need to move my penetrating fingers,
he's fucking my face, and fucking himself at the same time. He makes a
noise I can only describe as a purr, before I feel the swollen head of his
cock finally erupt its hot juice. It takes me by surprise and I struggle
against the huge amounts that are being forcefully pumped into my mouth. It
tastes amazing and I eagerly swallow it all. As his orgasm subsides we look
each other in the eyes. I not moving from my place in his crotch. I grin
stupidly happy.

"I'm glad you came" I say, Ian winks at me.

"So am I" We fall asleep in that position, he lain out on the bed barely a
thread covering him, I happily rested in his crotch, the duvet gathered
around my waist, his dick playfully resting against my lips. I know what
I'm having in the morning I say to myself.