Date: Fri, 8 Oct 2010 21:39:34 -0500
From: Alan Bock <abock2010@gmail.com>
Subject: After Today - Intro

Disclaimer: This is a story of pure fiction. It contains gay sex. If you
are offended by this topic or under the legal age, please stop reading now.

	The sun was starting to rise. Bane began to look around the
desolate desert landscape. All he could see were Joshua Tress and
thistles. He only had about an hour before the day would be swelteringly
hot and while his skin had darkened over the past weeks, he could not
afford to be in the direct sun for too long, lest he face dehydration or
sun poisoning. He also needed water. He had drank his fill right before he
had set out at dusk, but that had been ten hours ago.

He knew it was essentially a death sentence to set out across the desert,
but it would have been death to stay at the refuge camp as well. He had
finally manged to escape the Lancaster Camp three days ago. He had spent
the first night at some abandoned buildings in the abandoned Air Force
Base, and had made it to the ruins of Barstow yesterday morning. There were
rumors that Las Vegas still had some semblances of civilization, and so he
had started out on the near impossible trek.

Suddenly Bane heard a fumble behind him. "Shit" he thought.  There was no
place to hide. Then, resignedly, he realized that if it were a tank, it
wouldn't matter, they'd be able to "see" his heat signature. The temp
hadn't yet reached the safety zone of 100.  Looking back over his shoulder
resignedly, Bane was relieved to see it wasn't a tank, but a beat up Ford
truck. Earlier 60's he guessed. No newer, or it wouldn't be able to
run. Bane weighed his options, then realizing he only had one, he quickly
pulled off his shirt and positioned himself squarely on the side of the
road.

Before, Bane had never been a standout. He had run track and swam on the
swim team, but in the looks department he considered himself middling. He'd
had a steady girlfriend, they'd messed around some, but nothing below the
waist, so to speak. But After... well he had come to realize that his body
could be shaped into an asset. In truth that had been how he'd survived so
long in the Refuge Camp.

Now, as he stood on the side of the road, he put his thumb out, he raised
his arm so that his pit was showing. If it was the right type of guy, this
never failed. Bane was 6' 1", 175# and, especially after the last month,
had very little fat. Thanks to his constant sit up and push up routine, his
abs were tighter than they had ever been, and his arms were well
formed. His sandy brown hair had lightened in the constant sun, his hazel
eyes caught the light of the rising sun and sparkled.

The truck slowed down as it approached and stopped.  A man in his late 30's
opened the passenger door and said simply, "Climb in".

Bane stepped on the running board and stopped staring at the man. He had a
rugged look, yet not unkept. He wore a wife-beater undershirt, yet
surprising clean. He had dark hair that was shaved close but sported a well
trimmed goatee and looked to have a day's growth of stubble, but even that
looked planned and groomed, not an oversight. The inside of the cab was
well maintained and blessedly the air conditioner was actually working! But
that wasn't why Bane stopped. The man was rubbing his crotch.

"You OK with the price?" He asked.  "If not, it a long walk to Vegas. And I
can tell you there is nothing between here and there."

That was when Bane noticed the other hand, the one that had been flung up
on the back of the passenger seat held a small beamer. The man saw Bane's
eyes travel to the weapon, a small cigarette carton shaped item that would
vaporize a man in under a second. He smiled wryly for a moment. "It's only
for protection. I won't make you do anything you don't want to do
willingly. But, if you want this ride, you have to be willing to provide a
ride of your own, boy."

For Bane, there really was no decision.  He hopped in the truck, and closed
the door.

***** That's all for now. Just a teaser of things to come. This is my first
attempt writing.  Please give feedback.  Comments to abock2010@gmail.com