Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 06:31:50 EDT From: Benji Oh <blue478@hotmail.com> Subject: Mind Games .. Chapter 1 - Preliminary MIND GAMES By Benji Oh. <Blue478@Hotmail.com> Okay, guys. Here's a good one for you to sink your teeth into. You shouldn't read this if you're under 18, blahblahblah you know the deal, so just be responsible! Another slight warning, the story line's a little screwed up, and the sex is not quite there yet. It's coming, though. So if you're looking for steamy stuff and no plot... this isn't the place. Though if you're in one of those moods you're probably not even READING this.. Ah, well! C'est la vie! Tell me what you think, feedback is always greatly appreciated. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The sound of laughter and fun was enough to drown out even the loudest of yells. So it was that when Chaz wanted to talk to his younger sister he had to lean down right next to her and yell at the top of his lungs. "What ride next!!!?" "WHAT!?" Chaz sighed and shook his head. There was no point here. He had to find somewhere else to talk to her. He looked around carnival, trying to spot a nice, quiet place. His eyes rested on a small alley in between two game stands, and, figuring it as good a place as any, took his sisters hand and pulled her to the alley. "Sorry about that.. Anyway, what ride you wanna go on next?" "Chazzy...?" "Eh? Something wrong?" Chaz blinked and looked at his little sister with a little worry, taking a quick glance around the alley, worried that his choice had been ill. "I.. I.." Her eyes were wide and staring at one spot behind him. Chaz turned around, fretting, and saw nothing in particular... just a busy carnival fairway. "What? I don't get it.. What's wrong, Lee?" He turned back around to watch her turn around and hide her head behind a garbage can and lose the two hotdogs she had had a while ago. "I dun feel well.." Chaz grinned. "No kidding." He walked up behind her and patted her back, "Maybe we should go home so Mum can take are of you..?" "Naw! I'm okay! Come ON!" "Che.. Liana.. Mum's gonna worry if we're not back soon." "Awwww.. Pleeeeeeaaaase?" She gave him that puppy-dog look and he sighed. "This is why I'm never gonna have kids." She blinked but didn't relent. "...Okay, okay!" "YAAAAAAY!" She wiped her mouth with her sleeve and grabbed his hand, hurrying towards the busy fairway. "Hey!.. S..Slow down!" He stumbled along behind her, trying to get her to stop, though she only did when she finally got to the middle of the fairway. "Phew.." He took a second to look at his watch. It was already ten, his Mum had said she wanted them home by eleven.. They'd have to head back soon. "Lee.. Where are we?" "I dunno.. I just sorta picked it." "Uh.." He craned his neck to see in front of the couple people ahead of them, but all he saw was the line of about a half-dozen in front of him and the weird hut that they were about to enter. It stood not too tall.. about 5 feet; he would have to stoop to go inside. It was a dark maroon/purple and had no external signs, posts or any kind of title to the odd little hut. "Okaaay.." Still, it was the spooky atmosphere he liked, but he wasn't sure about Lee. "You sure you wanna go on this one?" "Yeahhhh! Look, we're next!" The last couple entered the hut ahead and they walked up to the entrance. There was no attendant, but the automated gates opened and closed on their own. "This is weird.. I have a feeling this is going to be interesting.." "Eh? Waddya say, Chaz?" "Oh, nothing. Come on, the door's open." "Huh? Oh! Yeah!" She grabbed his hand and pulled him past the open gates and into the darkness beyond. "Slow down! You're going to run into something..!" He pulled his hand from hers and looked around, trying to get his eyes to adjust to the darkness. "...Lee??" There was no answer. Silently, he felt the floor beneath him shudder, then recede like an elevator. When had he gone on an elevator? And why was it still pitch black?? Chaz put his arms out and walked a little, until his hands touched the unseen wall a few feet ahead of him. Following the wall around, he realized he was completely enclosed. Where had he walked in, then? Confused, he sat down with his back against one of the walls and sighed. The gentle humming and the moving stopped abruptly, though he still couldn't see anything. He stood up, waiting for something.. a door to open, a light to come on, his sister to respond. "Lee? Lee!?" No answer. Nothing. Like he was the only one for miles. Tired and frustrated, he sat down against a wall again.. whether it was the same one as before, he neither knew, nor cared. This stupid ride.. why did she have to pick this one? He sighed and brought his knees up, hugging them to himself.. what ever this was, there was obviously no heating system.. and it was getting colder by the minute. It had been extremely quiet before, but now there was this weird hissing sound. What was that? Why was the air so thick? And why was he so tired all of a sudden? His heavy eyelids stopped the thoughts and he leaned his head back against the wall, falling asleep almost instantly as the tranquilizer took affect. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * His eyes opened slowly and were fuzzy. His head hurt. The light was blinding.. Light! He tried to reach up to rub his eyes to clear them, but the moment he moved one of his limbs he groaned and decided against it. His arms felt like they were going to fall off. Why were they so sore? All he remembered was that hissing and the falling asleep.. Gas! He swore softly and painstakingly rubbed his eyes on his shoulders to help clear them. He hadn't moved, oddly enough. Or, at least if he had, where he was now was very similar to where he had been before. He was sitting in the same position as before, leaning against a wall, though now there was light coming from a hole in one of the walls. He was enclosed in some kind of large elevator.. Around him towered four huge walls.. must be close to twenty feet tall. They were rough and white, as if carved roughly from stone to resemble basic walls, then painted. Though what he was on didn't feel like stone. More like hard plastic. That's all there was to it, though.. no holes where the gas would have to come out of .. only the one light. He tried to stand up.. though the attempt was futile. Even to sit up was next to impossible. He groaned a little and sat back, aching. Why was everything so sore? Maybe the gas had something to do with it.. Whatever it was, he didn't care too much, all he knew now was that he was in a lot of pain. He lifted his arm slowly and looked at his watch.. but it wasn't there. He blinked and looked around on the ground for it, swearing he didn't remember taking it off. He sighed again and leaned back against the wall heavily. "Lee... Where are you?... Where am I? I don't get any of this.." Chaz sniffed and put his head on his knees. Before he could realize what was happening, the wall behind him lifted suddenly and he found himself on his back. "Unh..!! Wha?" The light was blinding; He could barely see anything but a silhouette over his head. His vision swam and he slipped in and out of consciousness. "Hey! Don't fall asleep you little freak. Wake up!" He felt himself being pulled roughly to a sitting position. "Unh.. Where..?" Eventually his vision stopped swimming and the light diminished. He tottered precariously, and would have fallen over had he not been held from behind. "Jesus.. a little nerve gas and you're as helpless as a leper! Get a grip!" Whoever it was whacked him upside the head, and being limp as he was, Chaz just fell over with hardly a complaint. It felt like hours that he lay there with his head in his lap. His mind wandered and his thoughts ran into each other, keeping him from thinking too much, but he still managed to sit himself up. He was in some kind of big white room. The walls looked just as blanched and flawless, but the roughness of the elevator was not apparent on these walls. Though it was a lot smaller vertically, the room was actually quite large, and he was seated in the middle. He must have been moved when he had been unconscious. There were no furnishings in the room, and only one door in the wall he was facing. It was hard to spot as the line around the doorframe was miniscule, but he could notice it. Slowly and painfully, Chaz pulled himself to his feet, gritting his teeth the whole way. He steeled his wobbling legs and staggered over to the door step by step, fighting his aching muscles every second. Finally he reached the door and fell against it, breathing heavily, trying to open it. Then he came to realize what the door's main flaw was. It had no handle. No doorknob. Chaz whimpered and pounded on the door with his fists, ignoring the pain, desperate to get out. "Let me out! Please!.. I.." Nothing was happening. Where was that person who had talked to him? He couldn't take it anymore. He let the drug take control and sank to the ground against the wall beside the door, crying into his knees. "I just want to get out of here.." With his head on his knees, Chaz couldn't see the silent door open slowly. Nor could he see the young man walk into the room. He was about 20, 4 years older than Chaz, with blonde hair and an impressive build. The man quietly closed the door behind him and watched Chaz cry for a while, looking guilty. He sighed and walked in front of Chaz, kneeling in front of him. Chaz yelped and looked up, still crying. "Please don't cry.. I'm sorry." Chaz blinked and sniffed. "I.." The man reached forward and wiped the tears from Chaz's face. "Are you okay?" His green eyes were staring hard into his own. "Y..yeah.. just.. kinda numb.. who..?" The man sneered. "Heh.. I told him to dilute it.. Stupid moron.." He looked down and shook his head. He laughed again to himself, then looked up to say something, but saw the dumbfounded expression on Chaz's face and laughed aloud. "Sorry." He put his hand on Chaz's knee. "I'm Hahn. I've been assigned to keep you healthy." When he saw the look on Chaz's face only get worse, he became confused himself. "Didn't Wren tell you?" "..T..Tell me? Tell me what? Who's Wren? Where am I??" Another tear fell and Hahn went to wipe it off. ".. I guess he didn't." Hahn sighed. "No surprise.." Chaz pulled away from Hahn this time, though, and Hahn blinked. "Go away! What did you do to me!? Where am I?? Where's Lee? Let me go home!!" He tried to sit up again but his last action had destroyed all that was left of his motor skills and fell back against the wall, crying again. The man sighed. "Hey.. calm down, okay? The effects of that stuff will go away soon.. Why don't I leave you until them, okay? Try to rest.. get some sleep..." Chaz didn't answer, just put his head in his knees and stayed silent. Hahn stood up and walked to the door, running a hand through his hair while watching the boy from afar. "I'm going to kill Wren.." He sighed again and pushed a secret panel, opening the door for him, disappearing from Chaz's world. Chaz looked up when he heard the door close, trying to look for some way out of there. He couldn't move, though, so that was kind of out of the question. Where was he? What was going on? Who was that guy, Hahn? Moreover, who was Wren? Why was he here and what were they doing to him? Was Lee going through the same thing somewhere else? Too many questions flittered about his head and it hurt. He wanted his questions answered, but he had been too confused to ask Hahn and now there was no one. He guessed the best thing for now was just to go to sleep like Hahn had suggested. He laid his head back on his knees and tried to imagine himself at home, away from this weird place. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * He woke up laying supine on a soft surface. At first, he had hoped it had all been a dream like the ones that you always see on the TV. That he really was just lying in his bed with a dream-inducing fever and one of those weird things on his forehead. But when his head cleared and the dull throbbing of his muscles returned, he knew that wasn't the case. With a silent sigh, Chaz opened his eyes to what he had hoped very much not to see. The white fluorescent lighting of the odd place he'd been shoved in. Though why was the ground soft? His muscles were dull with pain, but it wasn't too bad, and could now certainly move about. Hahn had been right... he had needed some sleep. He mentally noted to thank him later. Chaz sat up and looked around. He was in the middle of the room now. And there was a sleeping bag under him with a nice pillow at its head. Someone had gone out of their way to make him comfortable. He noticed a figure fiddling with something on the other side of the room, wearing the white clothing that Hahn had worn and smiled. He was feeling a lot better, maybe now he could get some questions answered. "Hey, Hahn!" He called. The young man turned and walked toward Chaz, who stared. He indeed `looked` like Hahn, but.. The inquisitive yet caring sparkle in his eyes was replaced with more of a lust or power. This was not the same man. "Awake, hm? Ah, good. We can start. What's your name, boy?" "I.. Uh.. Chaz.. I'm Chaz Janough. What is this place?" "Shut your mouth. I'll ask the questions. My name's Rune, but you call me sir. Got it?" "Um.. yea.. I think so... sir." The older boy grinned. "Excellent, Chaz. First thing you do is wait here. I'll be back in a minute." With that, Rune left the room via that baffling door. Chaz sighed and put his face in his hands. This was way too confusing for him. Twins? What's going on? Where was he? Where was.... No! Stop that.. that line of thinking is only going to confuse you again. He sighed again and hugged his knees, resting his chin on them. Before he could think any more, though, the door opened again. Rune stepped in and made his way towards him. Or was it Hahn? Did it really matter?.. He closed his eyes and listened as whoever it was approached him, flinching slightly when a warm hand touched his forehead. "Calm down, boy. We're not going to hurt you." We're? "Just take a couple deep breaths for me, okay, Chaz?" "Okay, sir.." Chaz did as he was instructed without opening his eyes. He felt the man stand and walk behind him, gently tugging his long brown hair back and tying it into a ponytail with something. He waited as the man walked back around to his front and kneeled before him again. "Okay, kid, listen up. Do you know what electrodes are?" Without opening his eyes, he answered. "Those funny circle things that measure electrical output from a person?" "That's right. I'm going to put a couple on you on your face, neck and chest, and we're going to run a few tests. If you co-operate, you can see your sister again soon." At that, Chaz's eyes popped open and he looked at the man before him fiercely. "What did you do to her?? Where is she!?" "Hey! Slow down, Chaz. Just calm down. She's fine. She's home safe. She answered the questions we asked her easily enough and we let her go home. Not to worry, you'll go home too. As long as we don't need you.." "Need me..? For what?" "Never mind that now. Just close your eyes again. It's easier for me without you watching." He grinned sheepishly and Chaz did as asked. He had tried not to notice the luster of power in his eyes. He tried not to note which one it was. He just didn't care. He heard his own sharp intake of breath as Rune spread some of the cold jell onto his forehead and jawbone. When he felt a hand fiddling with his shirt, his eyes popped open again. "..What..?" "Now, Chaz. I told you what I'm doing. I can't put these things on cloth, you know." "Yeah.. I guess." "Now co-operate." Chaz closed his eyes again and lifted his arms so the older man could take off his shirt. "There's a good boy." Chaz lay back and let his mind wander as Rune continued with the procedure. He didn't know when Rune kneaded the jell on his chest a little more than he really needed to. He didn't know when Rune placed the suction-cup-like electrodes on his face and chest. He also didn't know when Rune left the room to start the tests. All he knew was he wanted to be home more than anything else. And if that entailed co-operation, then that's what he'd give. A peal of thunder sent him jumping about six feet in the air. Thunder? Indoors? What's going on? He sat up and looked around in bewilderment. He was outside. Where, he didn't quite know. But he was out of that awful place and damn glad! He smiled widely to himself and stood up, stretching his muscles, which were no longer sore. Maybe it WAS all a dream! How amazing! But.. Where was he? Maybe.. he had been thrown from the ride or something and had been unconscious for a while.. The ride! Liana!! He swore softly to himself and ran out of the alley he was in to see if he could recognize where he was. Nothing. Not only were the streets absolutely desolate, but he had no idea where he was. On top of that, rain was starting to pour and all he had on were the shorts and T-shirt he had put on for the Carnival. It hadn't called for rain today. Oh well. When the weatherman can accurately predict the weather, Bob Sagat will tell a funny joke. Defeated and resigned, Chaz started off in no particular direction. Keeping to what looked like the 'main' streets. Though there wasn't a soul in sight. Eventually, he realized he must've been moved. There was no way he could have landed so far away. He knew the area the Carnival had been in like the back of his hand. His thoughts were interrupted by a loud sneeze and he noted he was shaking. This wasn't good. He was soaked to the bone and probably going to catch some icky disease your parents always told you about like pneumonia or something. He picked a random house along one of the streets, put on his best 'pity-me' face and knocked on the door. There were lights on in all the houses, but the street was eerily quiet and no one answered the door. He banged a bit louder. He rang the doorbell once.. then incessantly. Nothing. This was getting frustrating... And cold. He sneezed again and went next door, though the neighbours were as missing as the first house. Something was wrong. This couldn't be happening. He sat on the curb of the street and hugged himself, sneezing, feeling and looking perfectly wretched. After a minute or two of self-pity, Chaz heard something odd. Music. At first he thought he was fooling himself. How could there be music playing? He had heard nothing a few moments before. And now... unmistakably. Someone was playing some kind of harp or something. The haunting melody played up and down a Minor scale, sending shivers down Chaz's spine and compelling him to look for it. He closed his eyes and listened carefully, then went for where he thought the music was coming from. He got to a house which looked no different from the others, and although the music was no louder at all, he was sure it was coming from inside. Carefully, he raised his hand and knocked on the door. Instantly the music stopped and Chaz's heart sank. He had had a chance, and he blew it. Great. He sank to the floor right there, not caring he had just sat in a rather large puddle, and sighed.. though it was interrupted by a sneeze. Chaz put his face in his hands again and was about to weep before he heard a voice. ".. Someone there?" Chaz blinked and looked up. There was a woman standing in the doorway. He couldn't believe it. He even rubbed his eyes to make sure they were not deceiving him. They were not. "Merciful heavens! There IS someone here! Jon, come here! This poor boy looks terrible! Are you alright, child?" "I.. I think so.." "Come here, boy. Come inside, please. You poor thing. Caught in the rain storm like this." Chaz stood up shakily and walked up to the lady, still not fully sure she was real. "Young man?" Without thinking, Chaz gave the woman a large hug about her waist, squeezing with all his might. "Thank god.. someone's here.. I.. there's... no one.. and .. the music.. I couldn't.. cold.." The woman, who realized what he was going through, patted his head gently, trying to soothe the boy, not caring she was getting soaked. "It's okay. Please, slow down. I can't understand you." Chaz looked up at this woman, blinking away his tears. "Thank you. Thank you so much. I.. I owe you my life.." "Now, now. Don't say such silly things. My pleasure to help." She smiled down at him motherly, and he realized how much she did remind him of his mother. She looked about the same age as her - about 45 - and had raven black hair that was long and turning gray. She was very tall for a woman, around 5'11", and she had an aura about her that radiated inner beauty and kindness. She smoothed back his long hair and held him to her. "It's okay, now. You'll be alright." At that moment, a boy walked down the stairs, munching on something. "You called me, Ma?... Who's that?" Chaz could help being fixated. The boy was definitely gorgeous. He had raven black hair like his mother, though he had put golden streaks in it for effect. It was cut long, like his own, and he was wearing it in a ponytail. The boy was about his age, and his eyes danced of their own accord. A brilliant emerald green. "I don't know, actually. I found the poor boy on our porch, soaked through to the bone and looking miserable. Fix him a bath, would you?" "No prob. Be right back." The boy bounded back up the stairs, and Chaz found his breath again. "Oh, no.. I just needed to warm up. Please don't bother yourselves. I have to find my house." "Nonsense, child. Stay here a bit longer, I insist. What do you mean find your house?" "Well..I.. I'm kinda lost.." Chaz looked down, ashamed of himself. "I don't remember much.. I was in the Markham Carnival with my sister, and she chose to go on a ride.. but all of a sudden I was in an alleyway, apparently I had been lying there for a while.. my clothes were a mess.. well, I got up and wandered about in the rain, knocked on a couple doors, but no one would answer.. then I heard that amazing music from no where.. and it just called me here. That's basically ......" He trailed off as he looked up and realized the boy was standing there, watching him. When Chaz met his gaze, the boy looked away quickly, like he was trying to hide something. "Wow.. that's quite a story." Replied the woman holding him. "Well, I don't know where Markham is, this town's called Bowville Gate. But the reason why you couldn't find anyone is because they're all away on vacation! By Jove.. Walking around in March in shorts and a shirt.. You poor thing.." "Bowville? March?? Uhm.. I'm sorry, I've gotten you all wet, Ma'am .." Chaz pulled away, ashamed of himself, and confused, staring at his feet. "Ma'am? Oh, goodness, where are my manners? I'm Alys, and this is my son, Jon. Sorry to have forgotten." "I'm Chaz. Nice to meet you Jon, Mrs. ..." "No, Just Alys is fine. Follow Jon upstairs, Chaz. He'll take you to a nice bath. After that, you can eat dinner with us. I was just waiting for dinner to be ready when I was playing my harp." The harp. That must be what he had heard. "Come on, Sport." Jon snapped him out of his trance. "We'll get you all washed up." He gave Chaz a smile that could have melted glaciers and headed upstairs. "Go on." Instructed Alys, "I'll finish dinner." Chaz nodded and followed Jon up the stairs, looking around. It was a modest home, though decorated very nicely, with a homemade touch that made it look very homey and comfortable. He wandered after Jon, looking around the hall before walking in to the bathroom. He looked at the bath and his jaw hit the floor. For a modest house, the bath was huge! The largest Jacuzzi Chaz had ever seen was nestled comfortably in front of a large shower stall and two sinks. Jon saw his expression and giggled. "Yeah, my Mum loves baths. So when she got some extra cash, she bought this monster. Neat isn't it?" Chaz just nodded dumbly and Jon grinned. "Well..?' Chaz blinked and looked up. "Eh? Well what?" "Are you going to get in?" Chaz turned beet red. "I.. uh.. I.. I mean.. uh.." Jon laughed, "I'm just joking, silly. Put your dirty clothes in the laundry room at the end of the hall, and you can wear the blue robe on the hook on the door. It's the guest one.. don't worry, it's washed all the time." He grinned and waved. "Take your time, feel nice and refreshed, then come downstairs when you're ready." With that, Jon left the bathroom and closed the door behind him. Chaz stripped and stepped in the hot bath, instantly feeling 100% better. He soaked for what felt like hours, though it had only been twenty minutes, with all but his face engulfed in hot water. The dirt vaporized, the pain sublimated, and he felt amazing. Finally, Chaz got out of the bath and drained it, putting on the guest robe and throwing his dirty clothes where he had been instructed. He walked down the stairs and was suddenly hit with a smell of good, home cooked food. He just stood on the stairs and basked in that smell for a moment, and he caught a bit of his saviors' conversation. "...looked on a map. Markham is 1500 kilometers away or something.. It's in Ontario!" Alys was saying. "Woah! That's far! How'd the poor kid get all the way here?" "I've no idea, but the Markham Carnival he was talking about opened in June!" "Wow.. That would explain the summer clothes. So.. he's.. really far from home, isn't he?" "Unfortunately so.." "So.. that means.." "Yes. He can stay here until he finds a way home." "YEAH! Oh, THANK you, Mom! He's just so cute I could cuddle him all day long!" A chair scraped like someone got up. "I'll go get him!" Fifteen hundred kilometers! How the hell..? And.. cute? Chaz blushed to himself. What was going on here?.. "AH! Oh, uh.. Chaz!" Chaz jumped and looked down at the bottom of the stairs where Jon was, blushing fiercely. "How long were you standing there..?" "Oh.. Just came down." Chaz smiled and walked the rest of the way down the stairs, padding into the room he had heard the voices come from. It was some kind of kitchen/eating room. The modest kitchen had all the accessories and a pantry, with still enough room for a table. On the table was a large plate of roasted chicken. Chaz's favorite. "Well you're looking radiant, young man. Come, have something to eat." Chaz eyed the food hungrily for a moment, then shook his head. "No... really.. I can't impose like this.. I really appreciate the thought and the bath and all but I.." "Oh stop that. I'm as good a host as the next person, and I'm not about to let you go so easily. This place you said you live.. Markham? It's in Ontario, isn't it?" Chaz nodded. "Yes, but.." She interrupted him again. "Well, I don't know how you did it, but now you're in Manitoba, and if I let you go, you'll just get lost again. So.. until you can contact your parents and/or find a way home, you're staying here and that's final! Got it?" "I.. I don't know what to say.." His heart felt light and he was so happy that he couldn't believe his luck. "How about if you like white meat or dark meat?" Jon asked. They all laughed and Jon tugged him to a seat. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * After a wonderful meal, Chaz sat back and thought to himself with a smile on his face. It had been a while since his last good home meal like that. He was going to say just that when he opened his eyes, but Alys and Jon had left the table. Chaz blinked and stood, looking around, when a hand grabbed his shoulder. He yelped and spun, to look into Jon's very amused face. "You're easy to startle, you know?" Chaz blushed and frowned and Jon laughed, "Hey, Chaz.." Chaz blinked and looked where Jon was pointing to his slightly open robe. Chaz tightened it about him quickly and blushed further. Jon laughed again and took a couple more plates into the kitchen. Chaz sighed at himself and walked out of the dining room, looking around again, when he realized that even after his bath, his hair must've been a mess. He walked into the bathroom and took a look in the mirror. Sure enough, his hair was tangled and messy. He peeked under the sink and found a suitable brush and tilted his head, brushing the knots out and the extra water into the sink. Jon watched from the hall for a while, transfixed. After a moment, he snapped himself out of it and walked behind Chaz and gave him a smile in the mirror. Chaz jumped a little and put the brush down hastily, turning around. "Oh, I.. I was.. just borrowing.. I .. I mean.." Jon giggled. "Really, Chaz. Help yourself. Here.." Jon reached around him and took the brush, handing it back to him. Chaz smiled. "Thanks.." He turned back around and continued brushing. "Hair like this is kind of a hassle, eh?" "Sometimes. I really like it, though." Chaz grinned in the mirror. "Me too." He put the brush down and reached for his pocket but realized he wasn't wearing his normal jeans. He sighed. "I'll be right.." He turned around to tell Jon he needed an elastic, but he had apparently guessed it and was holding out one to him. "You can borrow this." "Oh.. Oh, no, I couldn't, I have one upstairs, I can just go run and.." Jon sighed and shook his head. "Chaz.. There are two things you should know while you're here." Chaz blinked and went silent, listening. "One: My mum and I don't take 'no' for an answer. Especially from our guests. Two: While you are a guest here, we're going to treat you like you're family, okay?" Chaz was smiling sheepishly. ".. I don't.. Thank you, Jon.. I.. I don't know what to say.." Jon shook his head again. "You don't have to say anything. Here." He handed Chaz a hair elastic and he took it, smiling, then turned around to put his hair in a pony, but when he reached back to pull his hair, his robe threatened to come undone again. Seeing this, he eeped and pulled it tight again. Jon giggled behind him and took the elastic back from his other hand. "Jon,.. I'm sorry, I.." Chaz started, but stopped himself when Jon reached up and started gently pulling back Chaz's long hair for him. He handled it expertly, which made sense since he mostly likely did the same thing to his own hair frequently, not hurting Chaz in the least. He finished pulling it back and tied the elastic around nicely. Chaz turned around and smiled. "Thank you, Jon.." "Don't mention it." Jon smiled back, then took Chaz's hand. "Come on, you should get dressed." He led Chaz up the stairs and into a nice room with windows on all walls but the one with the door. "This was the add-on when my Mum hired a live-in sitter for a while.. It sort of juts out into the backyard, so there are windows on all three walls. Hope you don't mind sunshine." Chaz giggled and shook his head. Jon grinned, too. "Good. There are some of my clothes you can borrow for now. Come downstairs when you're ready so we can go." He smiled and headed for the door. "Uh.. Wait, Jon." He paused and leaned against the doorframe. "Hm?" "Go.. where?" Jon laughed. "Oops.. I didn't tell you, I guess. My Mum said she felt like seeing a movie, so we're going to catch a late flick, if that's okay with you.." Chaz smiled. "Absolutely." Jon beamed. "Cool. Come on down when you're ready." He left and closed the door behind him, and Chaz got into his newly borrowed clothes quickly, collapsing on the bed with a huge grin on his face after he was changed. "What a babe.." -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * It was really comfortable where I lay with my hands behind my head on the side of that hill. Watching the clouds roll by lazily was really relaxing. I smiled and shot a look over at where Liana was playing with her little friends, shaking my head with a grin. Little kids play so weird. I went back to watching the clouds. Before I could get too absorbed, one of the kids tripped over me and landed on my stomach. "..Oof!" I blinked and looked up at the kid. "Are you okay?" The kid sniffled and sat up on my stomach. This is why I hate little kids. He started to bawl something fierce. "Aww geez.. Uhm.. crap.." I had no idea what to do, so I picked him up and sat up. "Hey..! Uhm.. stop? Please?" I frowned and was about to stand to find his mother or whoever, when the kid stopped very suddenly. I blinked. "Well.. that's better, isn't i.." Then the kid started to laugh. He stood up and was joined by bunch of kids also laughing. I scowled at them all. "Your brother is soooooo gullible, Lee!" "I know, he's pathetic, eh?" I sighed and looked at Liana, who was laughing just as hard as the rest of them. I gave her a disappointed look and she just shrugged. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "...Chaz?" He opened his eyes groggily, and a blurry image came to him. "..Unhh?" There was a giggle. "Good morning, silly. You must have fallen asleep, eh? You sure you want to see that movie..?" Chaz blinked and rubbed his eyes, brining himself back into reality. That.. that must have been a dream. It had seemed so real.. that day was one of the most dreaded days in all his life.. "You okay, man?" "Eh? Oh!" He focused his eyes and saw Jon was leaned over him with a worried expression. He smiled. "Yeah, I'm okay. It's thoughtful of you, though." Jon smiled. "I'm glad you're feeling better.. You tired?" "Oh, no, I'm fine. I actually feel a lot better. Come on, let's go downstairs, your Mum's probably waiting." Jon looked slightly relieved. "Oh, okay. Here.." Jon took Chaz's hand lightly, helping him up, then led him out of the guest room and down the stairs. "I'm not sure what we're going to see.. My mum's the one who wants to go the movies." He grinned and shrugged. "I guess it's up to her. Oh.. Did you want to see anything in particular?" "Uhm.. All the movies I know are probably not playing here.." "Oh yeah. Good point." They got downstairs and Alys called them from the other room. "Oh, hey guys. You awake now, Chaz?" Chaz blushed slightly. "Yes, ma'am." She came into the hall with them from another room. "Please stop that. Alys is fine. What movie do you want to see, hon?" "Uhm.. I was just telling Jon, I don't think any of the movies I know will be playing here.." "Hm. You're right. Okay, let's go to the theatre and just see, okay?" Jon nodded. "Sounds good to me!" "Okay." Chaz agreed. "Good. I'll get the car warmed up." She waved and headed out the door. Jon went into the closet and brought out a black coat. "Here. You can wear this." He helped Chaz into it and pulled his hair from it gently. "How does it fit?" Chaz tugged at it a bit, testing it. "Actually, not bad. Thanks. Where did you get this..?" Jon shrugged. "It was an old one of mine.. but.. it was too big." Chaz blinked and shot Jon a weird look. "Oh, okay..." "No, no! That's not what I meant! I mean it was too long is all. Geez.. I didn't mean to offend you." Chaz grinned. "Nah, don't worry about it." "Come on, Mum's waiting." They got their shoes on and went outside, sitting in the back seat of Alys' Buick. "You know, Chaz dear.." Alys started when they were off. "We still don't know that much about you. Why don't you indulge us a bit, hmm?" "Eh?.. Uhm.. no, I don't think.. eep!" Jon poked him in the side. "Aw, come on, dude. You're not going to bore us or anything." "Uhm.. You.. sure?" "Yeah! Come on, dude!.." "Well.. Okay. Uhm.. Like I told you, I was born in Markham.. Well, Toronto, actually, but I was raised in Markham. I'm a Virgo mainly, though my rising is Pisces, so there's a lot of influence.. Uhm.. What else?" "How old are you, exactly, hon?" "Oh, I'm sixteen. September fourth." "Fourth??" Jon was surprised. "Yeah.. Why?" "Hehe.. Mine's the second." "Of September??" "Yeah! Neat, hunh?" "Hm, yeah. Another Virgo, eh?" "You bet!" They had a laugh together and Alys just shook her head. "Teenagers.." -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * At the theatre, there wasn't much choice. There were only a couple ones that sounded good to Jon and Chaz, and Alys felt like seeing a gushy one neither of them really wanted to see, so she gave them enough fare for two and went to hers. It came down to a choice of two: A scary one that Jon had seen already, but liked, or another Bond movie that Jon really liked. "So? Did you want to see that new Bond flick..?" They were standing at the box office, with only a few minutes left until either movie started. "I.. I guess so.." Chaz really didn't like Bond too much, though he could tell that Jon really wanted to see it, so he decided to see it with him. It couldn't be TOO bad.... Right? "Eh? Something wrong, Chaz?" "No.. Let's see it." Chaz flashed a smile and crossed his fingers behind him. He wasn't a very good liar. Jon gave him a funny look and nodded. "Okay, stay here. I'll get the tickets." Jon went to the woman at the box office and got a couple of tickets. Chaz was trying to convince himself that the movie wouldn't seem so bad. Jon took his hand and led him towards one of the theatres, smiling. "Come on, come on." Chaz giggled. "Okay, okay. You really want to see this movie, don't you..?" "Hehehe. Yup. Here, in here!" Jon pulled him in quickly and they looked around the room.. Empty. "Neat! Private viewing." "Well.. uhm.. The movie's been out a while and it IS late.." "Out a while? I thought this was just.." Jon pulled him along. "Ah, forget it. Where you want to sit?" "Hey! Slow down.." Jon giggled and pulled him into a seat. "This okay?" "Looks good to me." Chaz grinned and got comfortable while the lights started to dim. "Oh, perfect timing." The movie started right away, the guys upstairs figuring it pointless to run ten minutes of promos for two teenagers. To this, both of them cheered playfully, giggling afterwards. For a few minutes, Chaz was confused. The beginning didn't look like any kind of Bond movie. The music was creepy and the beginning images were kinda dark. Then it hit him. They weren't in the theatre for the Bond movie. They were going to see the horror film he had wanted! "Oh, Jon!" He smiled and threw a hug around his shoulders. "Why did you..?" "Hehehe.. Shhh.. We're gonna miss it." Chaz giggled and hugged Jon again, settling down to watch the movie. Jon threw a look in Chaz's direction, smiling in the dark and congratulating himself. As the movie wore on, there came a part where Jon knew the murderer popped from nowhere and gave the audience a good scare.. Provided, of course, that the audience didn't know what was coming. So, Jon leaned slightly closer and waited. The moment came and indeed, Chaz yelped and jumped.. Right into Jon's waiting arms. Jon grinned in the dark and Chaz held on tight. Throughout the spooks and startles, Jon was there for his young friend, smiling to himself while Chaz clutched to him during all the nasty parts. Afterwards, when the credits were rolling, Chaz relaxed slightly, sighing. "Wow.. That was a good movie.." "Hehehe.. I can tell." Jon grinned down at Chaz, who was relaxed comfortably lying in Jon's arms. "Hm?" He realized where he was and he sat up quickly. "..Sorry.." For a moment, Chaz was glad the lights were down otherwise Jon would have seen him blushing terribly. "Heh.. Really, Chaz, don't worry. I don't mind." Chaz smiled a little, but turned away when the lights started coming on again. "..? Chaz?" "I'm.. okay. Don't worry." Jon reached over and took Chaz's chin in his hands, turning it so he was looking him in the eye. "What's the matter?" Jon blinked and grinned. "You're blushing..!" Chaz blushed further and looked away. "Never mind. Let's go before your mother worries." "Yeah, you're right." They left the private screening together and headed for the front door where they were going to meet Jon's Mother. Her movie hadn't let out yet, so they sat on the front steps of the Theatre, talking and ignoring the fact that it was freezing outside. It had only been a couple minutes so far, and their conversation was still going well, but for apparently no reason, Chaz stopped talking in the middle of his sentence. Jon blinked. "Hey? Chaz? What's up?" Chaz had been looking over Jon's shoulder while talking when he had spotted a man wearing a white overcoat. At first it had only rung a bell, but then it hit him. Hahn. Or Rune.. whatever. Whoever it was, it meant that that whole thing had not been a dream.. and that the man in white was approaching them. Jon was getting worried. "Chaz? What're you..?" Jon caught on and turned to look, seeing the man walking towards them. Jon, no doubt, was confused. "Uhm.. Can we help you, sir..?" "No. Only he can." Chaz noted the light way in which the man spoke, and the not-so-intense glitter in the man's eyes. "Oh, yeah? Who the hell are you?" Jon was starting to really worry. Men in white overcoats were after Chaz? Didn't sound too good. "Hahn.. Please.. Leave me alone.." Jon blinked and stared. "You.. know this guy?" "Yeah.." Hahn ignored Jon completely. "Look.. Chaz, I'm helping you here. You have to come back. If you don't co-operate, Rune is going to come get you and he's not going to be gentle." Hahn's eyes were staring hard into Chaz's, pleading him to come now before Rune came and things got ugly. Chaz sighed and Jon spoke up. "Look, man.. Just.. Leave us alone, okay? Chaz isn't going anywhere, no matter what you, or anyone else wants." "Jon.. Please.." "Please what? You.. You're not thinking of .. going with him, are you..?" Chaz didn't answer right away, but stared hard at his feet. He didn't have much of a choice. He knew from the couple of hours he had been around these people that they could do a lot. They had gotten him all the way over here without him even noticing, not to mention gotten him into that place he had woken up in to start the whole ordeal. He sighed again and looked up into Jon's eyes sadly, starting slowly. "Jon.. You see.. I really have..." Jon was stunned. "You ARE!? Are you nuts!?" Chaz's eyes were full of water. "Please, Jon.. I .. I don't want to go.. but I don't have a choice.. Please understand." Jon looked astonishingly from Chaz to Hahn, then narrowed his eyes and stood up, storming back inside to the theatre. Chaz stood up to follow, but Hahn took his arm. "We have to go now, Chaz.. Or else Rune will come soon." Chaz looked down, freeing the droplets of water that had formed in his eyes. He half-heartedly tugged at Hahn's grip and Hahn only sighed. "I wish I could help it, Chaz.. You know I can't. I even gave you more time than Rune had originally planned. Please just co-operate and it will all be..." Chaz whirled on him, tearing his arm from Hahn's fingers. "What do you mean, 'gave me more time'?? What the hell do you think you're doing to me!? I can't stand this anymore! Just let me be for Christ's sake!" He sank to his knees on the cold ground, putting his face in his hands and sobbed heavily. Why were they doing this to him? It was so unfair. He thought he had found something here. A place people were nice to him and a boy who understood him for who he was and wanted to be with him as much as he himself wanted the same. Why couldn't they just leave him?? He felt Hahn's warm hand on his shoulder and didn't care at that point. Didn't care that the few people around were tossing them looks as they passed by, or that Hahn was begging for him to get up softly. He felt Hahn's other hand gently pull his own from his face, revealing Hahn's face inches from his. Chaz's face was streaked with wet trails, with more on their way, his hair fell into his eyes and it had started to rain again. "Please, Chaz. Come with me." Chaz looked longingly back at the Theatre, then to Hahn who was still kneeling in front of him. He was truly torn; his intention was neither to cause any trouble, for Hahn or for Rune, no matter how cranky the latter was, nor was it to leave Jon and this place he had grown to be comfortable in. Hahn could see the indecision on his face and decided to nudge him a bit. He leaned forward ever so softly and kissed Chaz. Jon, who had been watching from inside, broke into his own tears and ran from the doors, trying to find a dark corner into which to crawl and die. Chaz looked up at Hahn, his tears momentarily subdued, confused and very curious. Hahn flashed him an innocent looking smile and shrugged. "Come on, Chaz." Hahn gave his arm another tug and Chaz complied, more out of a stupor than any real will to obey. For Hahn, it would have to be good enough. He pulled the stunned boy around the corner of the Theatre and started fiddling with some gadget. What was that..? Hahn? He kissed me .. I.. What about Jon? I don't want to leave him, either.. He came back to the real world just in time to see Hahn lift his hand over his eyes. "This won't hurt if you don't squirm.." "Hunh?" There was a brilliant flash of light and Chaz squinted and closed his eyes. "ACK!" -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Yup! That's all for now! Thanks for reading and hopefully some good comments will come of this one. Any ideas or criticism? Glad to hear it! Gimme a shout! Also, tons of thanks to Lael. He's seen me through tons of crap and has provided mental refreshers and lots of inspiration. Thanks, dood, you ROCK!! TTFN!! -----Benji Oh