Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 19:14:57 -0500 From: T.K. Walters <writtenbyachild@hotmail.com> Subject: All For Him, Chapter Eight Hello, before you read the chapter below, I wanted to give a few character profiles. I'll be adding on every now and then, probably whenever a major character comes into the picture. ********** CHARACTER PROFILES Name: Nick Atkinson Birthday: January 7 Astrological Sign: Capricorn Blood Type: O Favorite Color: Purple Birthstone: Garnet Starstone: Onyx Hobby: Listening to music Favorite Food: Tiramisu Least Favorite Food: Liver Favorite Subject: Business/Computer Classes Worst Subject: Math Has Trouble With: Insecurities Strong Point: Romantic -- Name: Pete Atkinson Birthday: August 18 Astrological Sign: Leo Blood Type: B Favorite Color: Gold Birthstone: Peridot Starstone: Ruby Hobby: Swimming Favorite Food: Risotto Least Favorite Food: Hotdogs Favorite Subject: Physical Education Worst Subject: Literature Has Trouble With: Monogamy Strong Point: Sex -- Name: Jake Collins Birthday: July 9 Astrological Sign: Cancer Blood Type: A Favorite Color: Silver Birthstone: Ruby Starstone: Pearl Hobby: Guitar/Music Favorite Food: Burgers/Deli meats Least Favorite Food: Milk Favorite Subject: Music Worst Subject: Math Has Trouble With: Keeping focus on anything Strong Point: Loyalty -- Name: Deither Orin Birthday: August 9 Astrological Sign: Leo Blood Type: O Favorite Color: Orange Birthstone: Peridot Starstone: Ruby Hobby: Archery Favorite Food: Hot dogs Least Favorite Food: Anything fancy Favorite Subject: None Worst Subject: All Has Trouble With: Artistic views Strong Point: Lustful -- Name: Daniel Orin Birthday: August 9 Astrological Sign: Leo Blood Type: O Favorite Color: Violet Birthstone: Peridot Starstone: Ruby Hobby: Archery Favorite Food: Spaghetti Least Favorite Food: Tofu Favorite Subject: Math Worst Subject: History Has Trouble With: Remembering Strong Point: Organized and Thorough -- Name: Jared Fehr Birthday: December 17 Astrological Sign: Sagittarius Blood Type: O Favorite Color: Maroon Birthstone: Turquoise Starstone: Topaz Hobby: Miscellaneous drungs Favorite Food: Dark chocolate Least Favorite Food: Favorite Subject: Sociology Worst Subject: Math Has Trouble With: Authority Strong Point: Rebellion ********** Chapter Eight It was a clearing in the middle of the woods. The party was, that is. Tents had been set up, at least two dozen of them, and lanterns were strung up on trees and along lines tied to branches lighted the way. At the center of the grassy field, a bonfire had been lit. Even without the lanterns and bonfire, I suspected that there would've been enough light since it was the night after the full moon. Above us, a pumpkin moon watched carefully. Where we were was part of the only forest near the main port city of Andrewsberg. Pete, Jake, and I had gotten there two hours after we had left the house, so you can tell that it was pretty far away from where we lived. Even in correlation to the city of Andrewsberg, the clearing was still quite far from the small knit community. As we got out of the car, which was seated with ten others, Jake and I looked at each other, then at Pete. He must've known we were nervous, but from the looks of his face, nothing but excitement radiated from him. The moon calmed me, though, and I as I saw Jake's eyes glazing over the fire, I knew he had settled down a bit, too. We approached the settlement with caution, not knowing what to expect, but was quite surprised to realize that everyone was dressed and were sitting around with either beer bottles in their hands or wineglasses. Using short sentences, Pete acknowledged those he knew, and guided us to our hosts. Only once did I see someone I knew, and that was just a passing glance at the boy who left the middle school after our sixth grade year. He was a junior in high school now, same class as Pete, and still looked as amazing as when he was an eighth grader, may even more. We found Daniel and Deither in the midst of pouring drinks to two girls, and once they saw us, they immediately left them in the dust. "You made it, fantastic!" Deither said as he held out his hand to shake ours. I took his first as he was closest to me, and Daniel took Pete's. "Thanks for inviting us," I said, not knowing what else to say. It came to me that they must not have known Jake, so I introduced him. "Oh, this is Jake, my best friend." I snuck in that last part as I wanted them to know that if he goes, I go. But that wasn't the case as Deither quickly took a liking to Jake, and offered to show him around. I wanted to follow them, but Pete's hold on me kept me by his side. Jake and I shared a look while he walked away, his shoulder being guided by Deither's strong hand. Fear was still on our faces. First thing that Daniel showed us was the drink table that ranged from wine, beer, and hard liquor. He handed Pete a beer, but I didn't take any. There was something about being a cheap date walking around a sex party that I didn't quite trust. Other than the weird vibe I got whenever I passed a group of people, the place was quite amazing. "Does your family own this land?" I asked. "Yup," Daniel answered. "Actually, that's the only reason why we have these parties here. My parents are very keen on their privacy and there are huge trespassing signs that keep people from entering." "We didn't see any on our way here," Pete said. "If we did, we probably wouldn't have come." "Which is exactly why we had them taken down for the night, at least the one at the entrance. The others are still up." Daniel led us to the bonfire, where people gathered around a safe distance away. Though it was night, it was still the middle of summer. In the crowd, I saw the same junior when I first came through the party. His name was Jared, I think. As far as the group was from the fire, doubling that would be how far I was from Jared and that's where I planned to stay. There was something about this older kid that wasn't at all like Pete or the friends I keep. He presence was like a dark cloud. He was a torrent of storms and I didn't know if I'd get sick under his rain. Plus, the look on his face scared me. Never had I seen such intensity in such light blue eyes. Unfortunately, Daniel and Pete weren't taking it like that. They walked up to the group, which was composed of seven girls and five guys, one of them being Jared. Pete stopped when he realized that I was still stuck in my spot. "What's wrong?" he asked. "I don't wanna go there," I said, rather quickly. "Why?" "I just don't wanna," I said, rapidly again. "Nick," he said, "you wouldn't want them to think you're a snob, do you?" "It's not that," I said. I that unless I tell him what's up, he wouldn't stop badgering me. "I know that guy there." I pointed to Jared. "Who? Jay? How do you know him?" "We used to go to school with him, remember?" I asked. "You know him, too?" "Yeah, sometimes we hang out. Not a lot, mind you, but yeah. Why? You don't like him?" "No, it's not that," I lied. "It's just . . . look, I don't wanna go there, okay?" "Alright, alright," Pete said. "I thought I saw Jake and Deither down that way." He pointed to the direction behind me. "If you take this path, you'll find them. Stay with them and make sure that you don't go anywhere without Jake. I'll come looking for you in half an hour okay, Kiddo? I'll just make an appearance." "Okay," I said, turning around and almost running away from Pete and Jared. I made sure to stop when I saw the drink table and I grabbed a quick glass of an amaretto. It went down smoothly, so I didn't stop until I finished the whole glass. I was out of breath when I stopped. Looking around, I knew that no one saw me. My jitters calmed, I walked around, looking for Jake. At first, I thought that he had left since I couldn't find him at all--and I didn't want to strike up conversation with anyone there--so I began to worry. But that was stripped down when I saw that he was in the woods, lantern in hand, and Deither by his side. I sighed relief out of my lungs and quickly ran over to them, but taking one lantern with me. I heard them laughing several meters away from them. Stopping and hiding behind a large oak, I eavesdropped. I hated doing this to Jake, but curiosity got the best of me. "So how long have you known the Atkinson boys?" Deither asked Jake. "Most of my life, to tell you the truth," Jake answered, before taking a sip of the beer in his hand. "I met Nick in third grade, in a way that's kinda personal, so I'd like to keep that part secret." I knew what Jake meant. How we first acted around each other still made us embarrassed, so neither of us liked to talk about it. "Fine, I won't ask about that," he said. "Well, now it's my turn, to ask, right?" Jake said. Deither nodded. "Alright," Jake started, "how long have you and your brother . . . you know." As I strained my ears to hear, I was startled by a voice behind me. "It's not very nice to listen in on people's conversations." I turned around, wide-eyed at being caught. There, high up on a branch, was Jared. He was on the tree, several feet above me. When I looked at the other trees around us, I saw one fallen log leaning on the oak we were both hiding in. "Especially here," he said. "Very much into privacy these people are. I doubt they'd want a Wandering William spying on them." He jumped down and made no noise. His catlike reflexes astounded me since it was well over ten feet from the branch and the ground. Not even a small thud was heard by the boys in the back. "I-I-," I stuttered, "wasn't." "Don't lie," Jared snapped. His eyes connect with mine, shining brightly with the luminance from the lantern. "I don't like liars." "Sorry, I didn't mean to," I said, maneuvering around him to get back to the labyrinth of tents. When I thought I'd be able to get away with a clean break, I was mistaken as he grabbed onto my arms. "Hey! Let go of me!" I said, trying to yank myself from his strong grip. "Not until you realize how wrong you are," Jared said. It was bizarre; though it was probable that Jared would be one of the people who would be likely to slit my throat, I didn't feel threatened. Though his hold on me was much like a vice, it did not cause much pain. The look on his eyes toward me conveyed confusion and I knew I reciprocated that same expression, although not through such flawless features. His steely blue eyes pierced me over and over again. His hair, straight and long, parted in the middle and covered most of his face in a dark brown veil. On his face, there was another feature that I always thought endearing, a beard. Not Gandalf-like, but some black scruff. "Please," I pleaded, "let me go. I really am sorry I spied on them." Jared didn't release me right away, though. "I'll only let you go if you promise not to run away this time," he said. I answered quickly, nodding my head. He let me go and I dropped my arm. "Thanks," I said, shooting him a dirty look, which he didn't see as he was digging in his pockets tot pull out a cigarette pack. He pulled one out and lit it with a Zippo lighter with a pot leaf on it. After finally getting annoyed by meeting up with the person who I was determined to avoid all night, I asked, "Are you following me? I mean, wherever I go, I see you. First when we arrived, then at the bonfire, then you're in a tree. Just tell me, what do you want from me?" Taking a deep puff of his cigarette, he said, "I don't want shit from you, alright? Those first few times were destined to be, but for the last one, yeah, I was following you then. Why the fuck did you scutter off when you saw me?" While he spoke to me, he never once looked over. His gaze was now away from me and was out staring into the night. "I don't scutter," I told him. "I just don't like heat. I get sweaty very easily." Directing the half used cigarette to me, he said, "Take it." I did reluctantly since endless hours of Pete warning me not to. I couldn't figure out why I felt so compelled to do whatever he wanted me to, but when I took my first inhale of smoke, I realized that this might've been a mistake. "Easy," Jared said, patting my back as I coughed. "Guess I shouldn't have picked you." "Picked?" I asked, still slightly wheezing. "What do you mean?" "Look, you're a newbie here," he stated, "so I'm not really supposed to tell you every little shit that you're gonna do for tonight. But since I know you, I'll bend the rules. The newbies are usually the only people who have to choose those moronic bowls of necklaces and watches. Once you've gone through that ordeal once, you get to just choose who you want to be with for the night. But every now and then, the twins let the older kids just pick up a newbie and let them be their mentor." "Much like the ancient Greeks?" I said, leaning on a tree. I stood far from him, before he tried to offer the cigarette back to me. "In ancient times, Greek men used to take young boys under their tutelage and teach them how to be a man. They'd even have sex with them, the boys being the . . . oh." "Yup," Jared said, his eyes boring into me again, "much like the ancient Greeks." "I've never--" "I know, which was why I chose you. No offense to anyone else here, but I wouldn't trust them to be very careful." "Wait," I said, as a thought hit me. "Only the older kids get to choose?" "Yeah, and there are only five people here that can. Deither, Daniel, me, Patricia, and Amanda are the only ones that can choose. Three have chosen already. Patricia, me, and--" "And Deither," I said, finishing his sentence while turning my head to where my best friend stood. They were still in conversation, laughing it up, while I was here, suffering from my dark mentor-to-be. "I'm still confused about these rules. Do I have to go with you?" "No, you don't," he said. "But really, think about it. Would you want people to know that you're gay? Right before you enter high school?" "How do you know I'm not gonna go for the necklaces?" "Don't fuck with me," he spat. "Do you think I picked from the necklaces when we started this shit?" "What're you trying to say?" I spat back. Sighing, he threw the cigarette butt far from us and grabbed my biceps, harder than before. He stepped up right in front of me, my nose nuzzling the silk cloth of his burgundy shirt. It was then when I realized how much bigger he was than me. Not at all buff, maybe even having even a smaller build than me, but there was firm muscles under those clothing. He was tall, much taller than me or Pete. I had a hard trouble looking up at him without getting dizzy from the height. Although, come to think of it, I don't think it was the height. It was his scent, woody and masculine. "Sandalwood," I said, pushing my head into his chest and breathing deeply. "Incense," he explained. "I keep some in my tent." Clearing my throat, I said, "Trying to keep people from knowing you smoke pot?" I moved away from him as he was taken aback and clearly appalled someone would talk to him like that. "In case you haven't heard," Jared said, "they already know. Looks like you're the last to know, Kiddo." When he called me by Pete's signature, he used such mockery that I knew he overheard him talking to me earlier. "That's not my name," I snarled. I didn't know why he got to me so much, but just the fact that he can think about calling me Kiddo pissed me off. "Fine," Jared said. "All I wanted to do was to make sure that you didn't get stuck with having to choose from that stupid bowl. If you want to, go right ahead." He started walking away from a stunned me. I don't know why I did it, I sometimes consider it a moment of incredible stupidity, but I cried out for him. "Wait, please," I said, stretching my arm out to touch his arm. Solid muscle and I almost forgot about what I was about to say. "I'm sorry. It's just . . . I only allow one person to call me that." When Jared smiled, I almost had a heart attack. "Wow, I didn't know you could do that." "Do what?" he asked, baffled. I touched the side of his mouth that had picked up first. "That. You should smile more." Jared's smile disappeared but not from disappointment or from anger. His eyes focused on me again and my knees fell weak under his scrutiny. When both of his hands clasped my still pointed one, I shivered from his touch. He held on to me, not saying a word, and guided me away from my best friend and his new acquaintance. To the tents we went, slowly slipping away from everyone and inside what I assumed to be his. The same smell that emanated from Jared's body was also in the tent and I inhaled deep, trying to make a memory of that night, that place, that bed. After he placed the lantern we brought on a small stool, Jared sat cross-legged on the small cot that was placed on top of a wooden table which was about a foot and a half off the ground. On the bed next to him was his stuff, a duffle bag. He began rummaging through it, pulling out a change of clothing. But that wasn't what he was looking for. He pulled out a cigar box and placed it on the bed. He put his clothing back into the duffle bag, which he tossed down onto the ground. "Sit," he ordered, and I took my place to his left. The cigar box was on his lap and he began to open it. The unmistakable scent of marijuana seeped out of the opening and soon he had pulled out a large baggie full of the stuff. Inside of the box, there was also a baggie of white powder. I didn't bother to ask what that was. Jared rolled a really fat blunt and handed it to me. "No one's forcing you. Certainly not me." Holding the joint in-between my thumb and index finger, I pondered over the possibility. It was still damp from his saliva. Looking from the joint to him, I noticed him staring at me again. With my free hand, I reached for his pocket. Not bothering to ask, I shoved my fingers in it and pulled out his lighter. "I don't keep one with me," I explained. Placing the joint between my lips, I lit it up. The first puff was okay, and the taste wasn't at all unpleasant, but the second one, where I thought I'd be able to take more into me, caught in my throat and I began to cough and gag. "Easy," Jared repeated, taking the blunt away before dropped it and burnt myself. He rubbed my back and every now and then patted it until I started to feel better. "It's strong," I said, between aftershocks. "I only use the best," Jared explained. When he took a drag out of it, he made it seem so effortless. I envied him. He jutted his hand toward me and said, "Want to try again?" Taking back the white wrapped goodie, I tried it again. This time was much smoother as I didn't take more than a quick puff. It smelled great and I began to feel very calm. We passed it around several times before I was very giggly. Time seemed to fly by and I couldn't determine whether we had spend ten minutes or two hours in that tent. "Oops," I said, finishing the joint, "all gone." Jared chuckled and moved closer to me. We were sitting side by side now, both cross-legged and without shoes or socks. I didn't know how that happened but only realized it when my bare flesh touched his. While my soles were soft from not having seen much use except in the water, his were calloused, like a runner's. Sighing, Jared began to take off his shirt. "It's hot," he said, to no one in particular. I watched as his chest rose and fell. His light brown nipples were the size of nickels and contrasted greatly against his milky white skin. I licked my lips, hoping to taste him. I realized that I was very parched, and I looked from his face to his glistening torso. Sounds from outside started to get louder, sounds of anticipation, but I couldn't really register it. All I thought about was wanting to touch his body. "They're starting," Jared said, using his shirt to wipe off the excess sweat from his body. "Come on. We have to be there for the ceremony and afterwards we can come back here, okay?" Nodding, I watched as he pulled out a spare shirt from his bag and put it on, much to my dismay. Jared pulled me up to my feet and tried to get me steady. "Alright, there?" he asked, trying to get me to put on my shoes. I forgot all about my socks. "Damn, boy," he chuckled, "you're wasted." "Your fault," I accused. "Well, sober up! Wouldn't want your friend and brother to see you like this, would you?" "No," I whispered, as I tried to fix myself. When I thought I was presentable, I leaned on Jared and used him to keep me up. "Hey," he said, taking my head in his hands, "look at me. None of this happen, alright?" I nodded; I couldn't speak, my mouth was too dry. As if knowing exactly what I was going through, Jared said, "Let's get a drink before we go to the bonfire." At the drink table, Jared poured us both a stone sour, which apparently was his favorite drink. It eased the cottonmouth I had been tortured with so I downed the drink easily. He took the glass from me, and whispered in my ear. "Slow down." I nodded and we both made our way to the bonfire, which was still keeping away the heat with blistering inferno. I saw Jake and Deither at one end of the swarming mass and a very angry looking Pete at the other. He started toward me but I didn't want to be caught with Jared, so I met him halfway. "Where were you?" he asked in a forced whisper. "Sorry, I got lost," I said, trying my hardest not to appear high. "I found Jake, but he was with Deither and I didn't want to bother them so I left." Pete looked past me. I realized quickly that he was looking at Jared. Holding me close, Pete sniffed me. "Dammit, I knew I shouldn't have left you alone. Wait here." "NO!" I said, grabbing onto him as he started to leave. "He didn't do anything. He didn't!" "Nick, he made you smoke pot! What do you mean he didn't do anything?" "Please," I begged, trying to pull him back to no avail. He was just too strong and he ended up dragging me along the way. "Just let it go, Pete! He didn't make me do anything. I chose to smoke it!" "But he didn't need to supply you with it," he said, finally stopping. Sighing, he continued, "I shouldn't have brought you with me. Come on, let's go home." "No, please, you were looking forward to this for so long!" I cried. "I'll just stay in one of the tents and not see him anymore. Okay? It's fine with me, I've had enough experience for tonight. I don't need to fuck around with anyone." "I'm not gonna do anything," he said, ignoring my pleas. "I just wanna talk to him." I hated to do it, but I had to play my trump card. "Pete, if you really wanna help me, then you'd leave him alone." I let him go. "But if you don't trust my judgment the same way that I trust yours, then go. I won't stop you." Narrowing his brow, he looked extremely annoyed with me. "Stay away from him," he ordered. He put his arm across my shoulders and pushed me in the other direction, away from Jared. "Come on, stay close." The group silenced as Daniel stepped onto a podium and commanded everyone's attention. With a giant smile on his face, he spoke. "Welcome. Tonight we have fourteen initiates. Can the elders come up for the opening ceremony?" Four other guys and girls moved up to the stand, next to Daniel, who stepped down and went inside the closest tent. When he returned, he had with him five lawn torches, which he staked into the ground. Each elder stepped up to their respective torch. Daniel lit a hand torch and raised it up. "Tonight, we christen fourteen new men and women." "Are they kidding me?" I asked Pete, trying to stifle a laugh. "Shh!" people cried from around me. "Nick," Pete said, shushing me with his eyes. I shut up and listened. Looking at the five people in a line, I caught Jared's gaze and blushed. He was staring straight at me. They began to light the torches. When the last was lit, Daniel started to speak again. "Only when the last flame is doused is anyone allowed to leave," he said. "If every initiate would step forward." We were lined up in front of the five. I could feel the air of nervousness but it was nowhere near me. I felt totally calm and easy. Jake was a few people down the line and I could almost sense him fidgeting. "Alright, it's time to choose people," Daniel said, smiling to the people on the podium. Like kids in a toy store, they all smiled and ran for their tasty treat. As I had assumed, Jake was picked up by Deither. He was standing next to my best friend, his hand on Jake's shoulder. Patricia chose Pete. Daniel chose a girl at the far end who was older than me by what appeared to be a few years, maybe even older than Daniel. She was blushing when she was picked. Amanda chose a bright eyed boy with blond hair. It was the second obvious choice, minus Pete. The last person to choose, Jared, took his time. Slowly pacing back and forth, he inspected each person, male or female. When he came to me, I dropped my head. Pete's feet started to move, but stopped. I looked up and saw that Jared and Pete were staring each other down. "Um," I said, hoarsely, trying to find my voice. "I pick him," Jared said proudly, his eyes on Pete but his hand on my shoulder. I could feel the psychic whip that emanated from Pete's mind and it stung. Jared couldn't have felt it but I did see him shift his weight from one leg to another. Daniel left the girl he was with and got on the stand again. "Do you denounce your mentor?" he asked the ones who were chosen. This was my chance. I could listen to Pete and stay away from Jared. I could listen to my head and stay away from Jared. But I didn't. I held my tongue and kept my vision away from Pete's. "Alright, then," Daniel said, sounding very happy. "Let's begin." ********** To Be Continued Send all thoughts, critiques, or grammar changes to the address above. Thanks for taking the time to read this story. I know it's not exactly the best story ever, but I'm trying. I do get points for that, right? Well, I hope you aren't too harsh. And again, thanks. -MKP