Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2006 11:37:37 -0400
From: Dwedno Smith <dwednomail@hotmail.com>
Subject: Chapter 2 Of Beyond Tunnel.

Hi,

Welcome to Chapter 2 of BT. So far feedback to me has been mixed. Mostly it
has been favorable with readers wanting both stories. Some who wrote didn't
think another story was needed, just more explaination of who the current
boys were... seemed to be the main request from most of them and then there
were a few who didnt care as long as the story continued. I want to thank
all of you for your time and e mails. I am not "begging" for them as one of
you put it, but I am trying to get an idea of what you, the readers want
from the story. I don't mean story line I mean direction... Guess I am just
looking to see if everyone who reads is still satisfied with how the story
is going. That appears to be what I found as I read most e mails. Lots of
opinions about things and idea were thrown in and I appreciate all of them
but for now I am just going to give this a try and see how it goes. Thanks
again to everyone who took their time to offer their thoughts to me. So
here is Chapter 2 of BT. This will be followed by chapter 67 of Tunnel in a
few days as I continue to do my best and keep everyone happy with the
storyline. Looking forward to comments as usual. Till then enjoy BT and
Tunnel. Dwedno.



Chapter 2.		The excitements and disappointments.



He finally reached his home and he ran to the door and it was unlocked he
opened it and ran in screaming for his mother or father or even Benjy but
no one answered. After checking the entire house for anyone he sat on the
couch and wept. All this for nothing he thought. I busted my ass to get
home and find nothing but house and memories. After he wept for a bit he
gathered himself and decided to look around for things to see if anything
was there or stuff to remember them by. He entered the kitchen and found a
little mess and dishes in the sink. Mom never would have left a dish in the
sink but Ben would have. He was big and lazy and a typical older teen in
many ways. He talked to his brother not to long before the comet hit and
promised him he would be home to visit as soon as he saved enough money and
got time off from the job to travel. That was all he had left in the world
really... his brother. He loved his mom but she was pretty much under the
thumb of her husband, his father and after all he was the one who threw him
out and probably told his mother to leave him be. He wrote a few times but
no one answered probably because his parents kept the letters from Benjy he
thought. The other thing that passed quickly through his mind was that if
Ben wasn't alive there would be no reason to carry on especially after the
mess he had made before he left town. Now as he stood at the kitchen sink
with the dishes in it he wondered who made them. Was it Ben or mom and she
just didn't get to clean them before the comet hit. The house smelled the
same as always just a little musty now. He ran some water washed his hands
and face and turned to grab a towel. He didn't think there would be any
food but he went and looked in the fridge anyway and it reeked of spoiled
food. Then he shut the door and got the surprise of his life, his glimmer
of hope that finally someone was alive. It was a note scribbled and hung up
on the refrigerator door.

It read:

Mom, Dad or Bryan: I am alive and so is Luke. Someone came and found Luke
and he found me. If you ever get this I moved away with them and we are
going to be someplace safe I just don't know where or what the name of that
town is. I will try to come back and check here occasionally if Tommy
doesn't have a problem with bringing me back home sometimes. If anyone
finds this please leave another note here for when I return. I hope you can
find me some day. Love, Benjy.

"HE IS ALIVE!!!" Bryan yelled out loud. Benjy is alive!"

He thought to himself how can I find him where could he be there is so much
land out there I will never find him! After thinking long and hard he
collected some things from around the house and put them in his car. Since
there is no reason to stay he wrote Benjy a note and placed it on the
refrigerator next to his saying he was alive and okay and he was going to
be heading to the big mall in Minnesota to live. He thought to himself how
odd that idea was but right now it was really all he had and at least while
he was there he could get new clothes and anything else he needed. He
packed the car well and then he had a thought... why should I take this
when I have my father's old truck in the driveway. Dad always drove a big
vehicle. He looked over and sure enough sitting there next to his mom's car
was what looked like a brand new truck. He walked over and tried the door
and it opened. It even smelled new. He checked the odometer... 2467
miles. It is brand freaking new! The bastard had just bought himself a new
SUV before the comet hit. Must have been nice he thought. He certainly
didn't spend much on the house or family but in the end he finally did get
something for Bryan... he thought to himself. I got me some new wheels!!
After unpacking everything he wanted and repacking the truck he had lots of
extra room now and a front seat that was wide open too. He got in on the
other side and started that baby up. In this neighborhood you left the keys
in your vehicle. No one was stealing anything and everyone was friendly or
a friend that lived close by so he had little to fear by leaving the keys
in the ignition. He fiddled with the radio just for the hell of it and
found one station still on the air. Weird he thought but as he listened all
he heard was music and no one talking. It must be programmed and somehow
still running he thought. He fooled with the buttons and found out that his
father had a satellite radio and as he played with the buttons found he had
lots of music now and plenty to listen to. Again somehow almost every music
station he tried was working.

"I guess this radio system must be all computerized or something he said
out loud."

It didn't matter no one heard him as he looked around after saying it and
feeling a little foolish. Now that the truck was running he decided to take
a spin around the neighborhood and check out a few of his old hangouts just
to be sure he was alone before he left town. He took his gun out of his
belt and put it on the seat next to him only a quick reach and he was
holding it. He felt safe and secure now so after a quick glance at the gas
gauge... (He wasn't about to let himself run out of gas again after the
last time!!) He decided to go fill up and check out the neighborhood before
leaving. He had no time table to follow so he figured what the hell...what
else is there to do? Besides there were a few houses and places he really
wanted to see. A couple of girl's houses that he went to school with he
wanted to check and who knows maybe break in and grab a few pictures as
something to remember them by. He had a few friends too he thought
about. Maybe I can stop by everyone's house I want to remember and grab
something of theirs he thought to himself. His brain was going wild now as
he thought about everything he could do before he left. Good thing it was
early and the only really important thing he needed was food. He hadn't had
a decent meal in weeks and candy and crap was holding him but starting to
get old real fast now! He took off and drove a few minutes stopping at the
first girl's house that he wanted to check. Barbara Ann... he thought about
her... boy was she fucking hot in high school. He grabbed his gun after
parking the truck and got out. Slowly he approached the house. This was new
to him and inside he felt that is was wrong even though he knew no one was
there and nothing could stop him. He went to her front door and opened it.

"Hello!"

He yelled in but as he suspected no one answered. He entered cautiously and
started snooping around. He saw a picture of Barbara on the mantle and
pictures of her family next to hers.

"Anyone here?" He figured one more yell won't hurt.

 No reply so he grabbed her picture and put it into a pillow case he
grabbed from one of the bedrooms on the first floor. He looked around and
found a few other things of interest but nothing worth taking so he
left. He did this for several other friends and soon he had a small
collection of pictures to remember his close friends by, or at least the
friends he cared the most about. This process took almost the entire
afternoon between driving in the snow and trying to remembering where most
of them lived and of course the snooping inside their houses. He did find
some interesting things including some sex toys and some decent amounts of
cash that he helped himself to. Never know if that might be needed again
someday... he thought to himself. Around 3pm he was hungry so he took a
ride over to the local market and after checking it out to see if he was
safe he looked for something to eat. A few TV dinners and a quick trip to
the break room inside of the store gave him a full belly for the first time
in weeks. He felt good for all of an hour and then the sudden strain from
eating so much caused him to puke most of it back up while he was in the
parking lot of the food store trying to decide where to go next. After his
episode with losing his food he decided he had enough of home and plenty to
remember it by so he headed back to the place he slept the night before. He
figured the motel would be the best place to get a good hot shower once
again and the bed he slept in wasn't all that bad. So he took the short
ride back to that hotel and went back to the same room he used
previously. With boredom setting in quickly he got onto the bed and lay
down. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep and the next thing he knew
he woke up to darkness. He sat up and fumbled for a light and after
knocking over something in the room he finally managed to get a light on. A
vase on the floor was damaged but it really didn't matter. He looked out on
the truck and after seeing everything was okay he stripped down and took a
hot shower which included jerking off and blowing his wad. Shortly after
drying off he was in bed and made an attempt to fall asleep once more. He
lay there for a while but not sure whether the shower or the sleep before
did it he was wide awake. Not wanting to drive at night he decided to play
with his cd player he grabbed from one of his friends houses. He popped in
one of his favorite musical groups, put on the headset and cranked up the
tunes. That did him well for a bit as he sat on the bed with a few pillows
behind him and sang aloud to the music playing in his ears. Finally he
started to feel a little tired and stretched out on the bed and before long
the headset fell off and he rolled over for some sleep.

Morning came and he was awakened by the grumbling of his belly so he got
up, took care of his morning piss, and washed the sleep from his face
before getting ready to leave his room for the last time. He opened the
door and looked outside to a new snowfall of several inches that covered
the truck from front to tail.

"Great!"

He said out loud with disgust. More work! Now I have to clean the snow off
the truck! Eventually his father's new truck was clean and he was back
inside of it and warming up. Damn, he thought to himself I could use a cup
of coffee before I go. He let the truck warm and he went back inside. By
the kitchen counter was a pot and a packet of unmade coffee with some sugar
and creamer in another packet. After he put the pre-made coffee and filter
together into the holder he poured the water into the top and turned it on
to brew. He stood there patiently as the water turned to coffee and slowly
filled the cup below. A few minutes later he had a nice hot cup of strong
hair raising coffee to drink. He brought it to his lips and sipped it
making an awful face after the strong brew hit his pallet.

"Man this tastes like shit!" he said aloud.

He took another sip just to make sure it wasn't him and left the rest on
the counter as he turned to leave. Shutting the door behind him a cold
blast of air literally smacked him in the face as it began to flurry once
again.

"This just sucks!"

He said as he got into the truck and turned up the heat. A few minutes
later it was toasty warm inside after letting it idle for almost ten
minutes while he waited for the crappy cup of java. Slowly he drove away
from his home town looking back once in the rear view mirror as he wondered
if or when he might ever come back home again. Bryan drove for hours as the
snow remained light and barely dusted the road in places. He drove on but
the closer he got to his end target the deeper it began to get and heavier
it also began to fall. He started looking around for shelter but decided to
put the truck into four wheel drive and keep going. He drove for another
two hours before he had to pee and was hungry so he stopped at a truck stop
and got out with his gun drawn and went inside. The place was deserted and
elevator music played from the speakers above. He searched for something to
eat but everything was either stale or spoiled. He went through their
refrigerator and found a lot of spoiled food and finally came across some
meat in the freezer. He took it out and brought it to the grill and threw
some patties on the grill. As they thawed out the smell was awesome as it
overtook his own sense of smell and made his mouth water. He checked
another freezer for some bread and found some frozen buns and popped them
into the microwave to thaw them. About twenty minutes later he was eating
several hamburgers and enjoying something solid. This time he ate a lot
slower and he seemed to be able to hold this food down after he
finished. He turned to leave and the snow was falling steadily now. It had
created a fine cover on the truck and he didn't bother to do anything
except let the wipers take care of it.

Soon he was on his way again and felt full but not sick this time. He drove
for another two hours and was close to his target now as dark began to get
close. He thought about going there but decided to wait one more day just
to be safe. He wasn't about to enter a mall that could be full of crazy
half baked people after dark. Even though he had a gun it just wasn't in
him. He found a motel and a sign together that said `Mall of American' and
under it 10 miles. He pulled off into another parking lot and after turning
the truck off got out with his gun drawn and began to check out the
place. He found some clothing inside the front room but no one around it
and he looked for a key and once again took room 10. He felt good about
that after last time. He headed back in the snow and put the key in the
door and turned it. The door opened to a cold, dark room. This time the
heat was off but the control was right on the wall next to the door. As he
sat on the bed he heard the radiators start to make noise and eventually
the cold room started to heat up and he took off his coat. With little else
to do he made up the bed, checked on his truck, and locked himself into the
room for the night. He stripped down naked, turned off the lights and got
into a cold bed which quickly warmed up after a few minutes of him under
the covers. He closed his eyes and a full day of driving and stress finally
overtook him causing him to fall asleep. He slept well and didn't wake till
it was close to sunrise. He opened his eyes as the room began to brighten
and he pulled the covers back. The room was warm and he was curious to see
how it looked outside whether more snow fell or things were okay. He pulled
back the curtain and quickly closed it as there was a live person looking
at his truck with his back to him.

 After the initial shock of seeing someone wore off he pulled back the
curtain again just enough to check out the truck and make sure this person
wasn't doing anything to the truck or worse. Surprised by no one being
there he stared out the window for a bit looking to see where this person
went. From the right side of the window and out of no where came this
hideous thing that suddenly turned and stared directly into the window
scaring the ever loving shit out of him. It was a half baked evil messed up
face of a man who looked like a half dead person with flesh hanging off his
face. One eye was missing and the other had just a pure evil look in
it. Other then the window there was nothing separating them as they looked
at one another eye to eye. Bryan fell back onto the floor from having the
shit totally scared out of him from this beasts face literally in his and
the shock and fear alone was enough to cause him to almost pass out. He
already had to pee from waking up and the fear alone from what he saw
caused that to come out of him and fly all over him and his
surroundings. He now was on the floor, stunned with his own piss all over
him and the surrounding area. As he tried to gather his thoughts the beast
from outside the window began to pound on the glass shaking it
violently. He quickly recovered from the mess he was in and tried to get
up. As he attempted to get up the window broke into a million pieces
scattering glass on top of everything around including him. He jumped
practically out of his skin onto the bed to grab for his gun which was on
the night stand on the total opposite side of the bed as the half baked guy
started to climb through the window. As Bryan fumbled for the gun the beast
grabbed him by the foot and let out some kind of barely discernible and
inaudible words. It sounded more like listening to Chewbacca talk with
laryngitis more then anything else. The half baked monster began tugging on
his foot and leg as he tried in vain to reach for the gun. He turned back
looking at the hideous being behind him holding his left lower leg and
kicked and kicked with is free foot. He finally broke free and grabbed for
his gun and then he turned and fired three shots into the beasts head
blowing the top of his off and his brains all over the wall behind him. He
dropped the gun onto the bed next to him and he sat there stunned for a few
seconds. He began to cry from the shock and fear this beast put upon
him. He was breathing so fast and hard that he almost lost control of
himself and passed out. Slowly he caught his breath as reality came back in
view.

"Wholly mother fucking shit that was close!" he yelled out.

He stood up on the bed and realized what a total mess he was. He was
standing in glass from the shattered window still totally naked and he
reeked from pissing on himself.

"How the hell do I get out of this one?" he said out loud.

He stepped off the other side of the bed and pulled the bed spread off the
bed and threw it onto the floor covering most of the glass, blood, piss,
and body of the beast. Then he walked over it to get to the door. He
realized his clothes where on the other side of the room but he was still a
bit disorientated from this disaster. He also realized he was in the wrong
part of the room and there was no protection from the outside any longer as
he began to get very cold. He stood there naked and freezing for a bit
trying to gather his wits and finally he jumped back on the bed and grabbed
his clothes and headed out of the room and up to the front office to get
the key to another room doing all this while totally naked and freezing. He
quickly ran to the office and inside. It was a little warmer in there and
he grabbed a key to another room. He took room one which was right outside
of the office but he realized in his haste to get out of there he left his
gun in the room. He wasn't sure if he wanted to get a shower first and then
go back until he noticed he didn't have his shoes and the rest of his stuff
too so he went into room one and put down his clothes and headed back out
still totally naked and back into room ten. He jumped onto the bed grabbed
his gun and shoes and then ran back out and down to the other room. Once
inside he locked the door and headed immediately for the bathroom to
shower. He took the gun with him as he locked the bathroom door behind
himself. He started the shower and quickly got in. Thankfully he wasn't cut
any place as he checked his body and feet as the water ran on him. He let
the hot water run all over himself as he tried in vain to wash away the
horror that he had just dealt with a little while ago. Slowly he started to
feel better as he grabbed the soap and started to wash. As the smell of
soap mixed with the steam he was creating in the bathroom he slowly
regained his self confidence and knew that he would be okay. After he
scrubbed himself clean he got out and dried off. Eventually he dressed and
once more was ready to leave the room. He put on his coat and cautiously
opened the door this time before he walked out he checked both ways. The
coast was clear and it was apparent this was an isolated incident. He
headed back down to room ten and slowly entered to gather the few things he
had left behind. Once he was all packed and in the truck he took off like
his tail was on fire not wanting to look back or ever see that place
again. There wasn't much new snow on the ground and he was just nine miles
from the mall now and as he thought he realized he now had another whole
set of new things to think about. His fear grew as he got closer thinking
he could easily confront another one of those monsters or many more. He
pulled over he checked his ammo to see how much he had left. He also
refilled his gun. He still had a decent amount of bullets left as he put
the truck back into drive and headed closer to his final destination.

The closer he got the more signs he saw for the super mall. Finally he was
on RT 71 and close to his final target. He pulled up and looked at a huge
building and drove almost a half mile from one end to the other as he
checked it out from the parking area. There was little doubt this place was
big the only question on his mind was did he have to see anymore of the
beasts he had encountered back at that motel. He parked at one end and took
his coat filled with ammo and his extra gun as he walked from the truck. He
stuffed the main gun into his belt and covered it with his coat for now. As
he approached the main door he took it out and entered. Not sure what to
expect he slowly entered the main lobby of the mall. No one and nothing but
music playing in the background was what he encountered as he walked
in. The further he walked the more comfortable he started to feel. He
noticed store after store of fine things and wanted to check them out but
right now the only thing on his mind was finding a safe spot to hide in and
check the mall as best as he could for others. He walked for a while
passing store after store and not much else.

Occasionally he would look at something that caught his eye and make a
mental note of it so he could stop back and get it another time. Finally
somewhat content with his safety about an hour into his walk he spotted an
ice cream store and went in for some. It wasn't quite as fresh as the day
old made yesterday kind he was used to but he tasted it and it did bring
him back to days when he was a kid and got his treat off the ice cream
truck. He sat at a table for a bit and enjoyed his flavorful
treasure. Eventually he finished and got up and threw out his garbage. He
wasn't about to make this mall a mess. Even something that small mattered
to him right now. He continued to walk and check out things for hours until
he was tired of looking. He entered a major chain store and headed to the
furniture section. He looked around for a bit and found a chair he liked
and brought it to a wall in a corner of the store where no one or nothing
could get behind him. As he sat and thought he was surprised the power in
the mall was still on but that thought quickly passed. He got up and looked
around for a bit and then eventually sat down and all that walking he did
eventually did him in. He fell deep asleep in that chair. Hours later he
awoke when he thought he heard some noise but other then the store music
there was no one around. He thought about his decision to coming here and
if it was still a wise choice. He didn't feel good having to live like this
and worry that every time he closed his eyes he would open them to a
monster or someone new in front of him. Finally he got up off the chair and
started to search for a more private area. This was all so new to him. He
spent the next few hours looking and time suddenly became a non factor or
issue to him. It didn't matter anymore for all the thoughts he had the
biggest was that he was now home. All he did want was to find a safe place
to live at right now inside this mall.

He walked on and found a directory that led him to some executive offices
on the other side of the mall. He followed the lead it set and after
another twenty minutes of walking finally saw a sign hanging up that read
"Executive Offices" and an arrow that pointed up. He walked over and there
were steps to climb about 35 of them. Slowly he began to climb with gun in
hand not knowing what to expect at the top. He reached the top and was high
enough to see the ground, level in front of him. So he cautiously took the
last few steps to the top. He felt uneasy as he placed his first foot on
the landing in front of him. Then he stood there for a few seconds to
listen for anything. It was all quiet so he took one more step and out of
no where on both sides came two people both holding some kind of shotguns
on him. He was in no position to shoot back so he raised his hands. He
could only hope they were friendly and not half baked people.

"Put the gun down mister."

One of them shouted out to him. Whoever they were all you could see was gun
and hand the rest of their body was hidden around a corner.

"Please don't shoot!" He yelled out.

Bryan bent over and put his piece on the floor.

"Now the coat!" the next order was barked out at him.

He took his coat off and put it on the floor.

"Good now take off the shirt. Put it on the floor too."

Once again he did as he was told. He dropped his shirt and looked back down
at them.

"Turn around." They barked at him.

They immediately saw the other gun and demanded he throw it down on the
ground too.

"Okay now your pants."

"Come on man why my pants?"

"Because we want to make sure you aren't one of those half baked guys we
see now and then."

That gave him a small level of comfort as he hoped they were telling the
truth. He unbuttoned his jeans and dropped them to the floor and stepped
out of them. This left him with just his boxers on and he was glad he wore
them today.

"Okay great now arms back up and walk to us." They said.

He walked about twenty feet.

"Stop! Turn around slowly. He did as he was told. Okay now face us. He
turned once more and was looking back at them. Walk this way again." One of
the voices said.

He was now standing ten feet from the guns that were drawn on him.

"Come on guys I have done everything you asked how about something in
return?"

They looked at one another and agreed. First the one on the left came
out. He was a boy about 5'6 and skinny he looked no more then fifteen. As
he held the gun on Bryan the other one came out. He was about the same
size, 5'6 or 5'7 and a little bit heavier, probably same age or so.

"What's your name mister?" They asked.

"Bryan, Bryan Van Mister" (pronounced van MY-ster)

The taller one approached Bryan.

"Please turn around."

The boy checked him out.

"Okay turn back and put your arms down."

As he kept a gun on him he partly turned his head.

"He's clean Cody he is one of us."

Cody walked closer with his gun facing the floor. He had dirty blond hair
that jutted out from the sides of the cap he wore. That too was dirty and
so were the boy's clothes. They both looked like they hadn't bathed in a
while.

"Sorry to do that to you Bryan but we have to be careful and protect the
others. You can get dressed now."

"Thanks Cody."

Bryan turned and grabbed his clothing and put them back on and then picked
up his guns. After that he went back over by the boys.

"So I know your name, what is yours?" he said to the taller of the two who
also had a hat on but had what looked like short dark hair under it.

"My name is Keith."

Bryan stuck out his hand to shake and Keith extended his. They shook and
Bryan looked at both of them.

"How old are you boys?"

"We are both fifteen sir."

Things quickly calmed as they began to talk and the guns were put down.

"So how long have you two been here and how did you manage to survive the
comet?"

"We've been here for week's sir, Cody said. Sorry again about pointing the
guns at you but like Keith said we have others to protect up here. We can
talk about the comet another time if it's okay with you. That is still a
really sore subject with a lot of the boys."

"Sure I understand but you said others? How many others?"

"There are seven of us here and on the other side of the mall there are
about ten more."

"Wow! And all of you live here?"

"Yes we do it's the only place we have tried to live so far. Each of us has
a story about how we got here but we can always tell you that some other
time since there is so much going on right now. I know we could probably go
back to our homes but there is so much stuff here it's just easier to live
and eat here."

"I see." he said as he looked at Cody.

From the way Cody looked a good bath or shower would probably do him well
and he looked like he might clean up really well and be a real looker. Of
course that isn't what Bryan is into but he did take notice of the boy's
chiseled features.

"Wow, said Bryan as he thought it all over in his head... so there are at
least seventeen boys here?"

"No sir... there are fifteen boys and one older girl and she has a baby."

"Very interesting, and where is she?"

"With the others Bryan." Keith said to him.

"So a girl did live through all this and she has a baby. That is amazing!
Do you get along okay with the other group of people?"

"Yup, sure do some are school friends. We decided to split and live this
way just to keep both sides of the mall as safe as possible. They watch one
end and we watch the other. We have two way radios just incase there is
trouble."

"Have you had any trouble?"

"Yeah lots. We have killed at least a dozen of those creepy looking people
since we got here but we are pretty sure that the mall is clean now. Other
then both ends we have pretty much locked every other door to this place
but we didn't feel right locking all of them so we decided to leave both
ends open incase anyone like you came along to help or save us. If you
don't mind me asking how old are you Bryan?"

"I am 21."

"Then you are the oldest now and if you want after we introduce you to the
others you will be in charge here. We all agreed if an adult came we would
make them the person in charge."

"Well that is mighty nice boys but I just got here and I am not ready to
give anyone any orders."

"That's okay Bryan we feel better having someone even a little older
here. The girl with the baby is nineteen but she doesn't do much except
protect and feed that kid. She is the oldest over there but there are a few
kids that are seventeen and the rest are younger. There is even one kid who
is nine or ten I think."

"Nineteen huh? Interesting he thought to himself. Same age as her
but... nah there is no chance it could be her and his son. Do you know if
the baby is a boy or girl?"

"It's a boy sir."

Everything else Cody told him for the next minute seemed to go right over
his head as he thought about the girl and baby. He thought to
himself... more coincidence? What are the chances? Way beyond his wildest
dreams that the girl and baby could be his... he had a few wild thoughts go
through his head but quickly he focused back on the others.

"Bryan? BRYAN..." Cody yelled finally breaking his train of thought.

"Sorry I was thinking, I sorta floated away mentally for a second. What's
up?"

"Nothing much I was just telling you a few more things about them but you
can find out when you meet them."

"Sounds good to me. So you boys want to take me to the rest of your group?"

"Sure, follow us."

He followed then down the hall and around a corner. They opened a door and
entered into a room with windows. He looked around the room and on the
couch sat three boys and then there was one at each of the
windows. Probably lookouts for new people that wonder in.

"So from what I can tell you guys knew I was coming long before I hit the
steps didn't you?"

"Yup we sure did. We had a gun on you till you were out of sight and then
we were waiting for you where you found us."

"I see. So who are the others in here?"

The room was semi lit and you could make out some things but mostly all you
could see was outlines of each boy.

"Over on the couch is Danny Junior, we just call him JR for junior, in the
middle is Steven and next to him on the right is Calvin. JR is thirteen,
Steven is twelve and Calvin is eleven. At the left window is Phil, we call
him Philly he is thirteen and at the right window is Denny, he is
fourteen."

"Hi boys." He said to them.

They all got up off the couch and came over and said hello to him and shook
his hand one at a time. The semi-darkness of the room made it difficult to
see much of their features.

"You are gonna have to go over to Phil and Denny they aren't allowed to
leave their post at all without someone replacing them. It's not a
punishment; it's to keep us all safe. We take turns watching out the window
and this hour they are both up for their turns."

Bryan walked over to each of the boys at their individual window and they
also shook hands. All of them seemed to be well mannered so far.

"Why is it so dark in here?"

"Because with any lights on you can tell someone is in here from down on
the floor so we always keep it dark and if you need something you just go
out in the hall or anywhere else where the light is much brighter."

"Oh, that makes a lot of sense. Good thinking guys."  "Thanks but we
already know that sir." Said one of the boys on the couch.

"I see. So where do you guys sleep Cody? Where did you get all the gun?"

"Follow me."

He followed him into another room and on the floor was nothing but
mattresses, pillows, and blankets.

"In here, he said. We took most of them from one of the stores."

"And the guns too?" Bryan asked.

"Yes, there is a sporting goods store in the mall and it took a while but
we finally broke into the guns and ammo and stocked up." He said as he
walked to a closet and opened the door.

"Damn look at all that!"

In front of him was shelf after shelf of ammo and up on top where guns. On
the floor of the closer stood several shotguns. They appeared ready to
fight a war.

"Did you take everything?"

"Just about, Keith said. He followed them into the room. We took everything
we could including a small refrigerator. We a big one down the hall and
that is stocked with water, soda and beer."

"Beer? Wow you guys drink?"

"Sometimes but we set strict rules for beer no one has more then two at any
time and three in one day. If you don't stick to that you have to leave."

"Let me guess that happened after someone got drunk and started fighting?"

"Pretty close Bryan but you have got the idea. A few of the guys like to
have one sometimes but most of them are on the young side and don't even
like the taste of it."

"That will change as they get older."

"I guess so Cody but you are right to keep some rules in order."

"Some? Barked Keith. Cody is or was in charge here because he is the oldest
on this side and he has so many rules that we have argued over that too."

"It took a while to get everything together, Cody said. We started out as a
group of three after the comet hit. It was just Keith myself and Denny we
usually hang or hung together and at the time it hit we were in Denny's
basement playing games and since his house is built on a mountainside we
were sorta protected by that I think. We will never know Bryan and now it
doesn't matter but his mom was upstairs and his sister and younger brother
were in their rooms. We went up later and no one was there just their
clothes and we didn't know what happened until Kathy explained it to us.

"Wait a minute who is Kathy?"

"The girl with the baby on the other side of the mall."

"You can't be serious Cody."

"What do you mean Bryan; I am not lying to you."

"No, no I don't mean it that way...her name... you said Kathy?"

"Yes why, what is so big about that?"

"It's a long story but could you please do me a huge favor and take me
there?"

"Sure I guess so but I don't get it."

"I'll explain on the way."

"Sure, do you want to walk or take a cart?"

"Is this cart faster?"

"Yeah of course, said Keith. It will save you about twenty or thirty
minutes of walking to the other side."

"Then let's take it. is it okay for now if you and I just go Cody?"

"Um, sure I guess. He turned to Keith. You are in charge if anything
happens use the two way and get me right away."

"Sure Cod I know."

"Yeah but I feel safer saying it."

"I know Cody I know." Said Keith.

"Ready? Bryan asked."

"Sure, follow me."

He followed him out and downstairs. Around a corner was a cart. It was
plugged into a wall and charging. He took it off charge and we got in. it
was just like one of the golf carts they used at the course and as we took
off he asked what was so important.

"Well you might not believe this but here goes... I left to go work out
west and what I left behind was a pregnant girl. From what I know she moved
out of state shortly after I left and went some place with her family. Now
I know the odds of this being her is really out there Cody but she is 19,
her name is Kathy and well you know she has a baby and that baby would be
around 18 months old now I think."

"Wow that is a lot to take in man. What are you gonna do if by some chance
it is her?"

"I don't know but that would mean she had to survive the comet and be here
the same time as I am. That is just asking way too much Cody, way too
much!"

"Yeah but so was us finding you and so on Bryan. It might be a million to
one odds or more but so far we have twins here that survived and I guess
that says a lot there."

"Yeah it sure does. My brother survived too but I don't know where he is. I
sure miss him too."

"What's his name?"

"It's Benjamin. Benjy we call him."

"Kewl, neat name."

"Yeah I like it. Hell I love it since he is alive some place."

"I know what you mean. I wish my family was live."

That was all that was said after that. Cody fought back tears thinking
about his family and Bryan grew antsy as they got closer.

"We will be there shortly Bryan, it's just ahead now."

"Great, thanks."

They drove a bit more and he stopped the cart.

"Okay we're here."

"Where?" he said as he looked around and saw no one.

"Up there. As Cody pointed to basically the same kind of windows that were
back at their other home or whatever you call it. Their place is just like
ours only bigger. That's why they are here and we are over there. There is
a lot more room here for them and lot more kids too."

Cody yelled up the steps that we were coming up, not that it mattered I was
sure they already knew and probably saw us and heard us. That cart isn't
loud but it certainly isn't quiet either. We climbed just about the same
amount of step and after that nothing was the same. The rooms were all
different on this end. Lots more of them I suppose that was because the
other side was executive offices and this side was just general office
management according to the sign. Two kids holding guns met us at the top
of the steps. Cody did the introductions as we hit the top step.

"Bryan this is Travis and that is Matt. They are the two oldest here on
this side outside of Kathy."

We shook hands. Both boys were well put together and other then dirty were
pretty cute older teens.

"Hi I am Travis nice to meet you Bryan." He said as he held out his hand.

"Travis, nice to meet you." Bryan said.

"Hi." Was all Matt said as he shook hands.

 He seemed to be quite shy from what he could tell. Travis stood about 5'10
and maybe 170 pounds. Well put together. He had blond hair that was still
on the short side and piercing blue eyes. Quite a muscular build. Matt was
maybe 5'6 or so about the same height as Cody with brown hair and a hat
on. He had brown eyes and was on the skinny side too, maybe 125 pounds or
so. Definitely more on the quiet side. so far other then saying hi, Matt
said nothing else.

"So how old are you guys?"

"I'm 17, said Travis and Matt over here, the quiet one just turned 16 a few
weeks ago."

"Well happy birthday Matt."

"Thanks." He smiled as he said that.

"Okay, Bryan said. I don't want to rush this but I am dying to find out if
Kathy is..."

He stopped talking as he looked at Cody and Cody nodded his head and walked
on. Bryan followed Cody. Travis and Matt trailed them. Cody walked in and
yelled for Kathy. She came out yelling for him to shut up.

"Cody please be quiet I just put the baby to sleep and..." she stopped cold
and stared as she saw Bryan standing there.

Bryan looked at her and they ran to each other and hugged. After a good hug
they broke apart and Kathy was crying. It appeared he found his girl.

"Oh my God Bryan what? How? It can't be you!"

"It's me Kate."

She backed away from him as the shock of seeing him hit her and a huge
level of reality set in. Out of no where she took a step forward and
smacked him hard across the face causing the entire room to let out a loud
gasp.

"You bastard!" she yelled out as she began to cry and once again went to
him.

The smack of course was because he just up and left her before the baby was
born. He knew why she did that though as he grabbed his face and held it
after the sting set in. She was so flooded with emotions right now that it
really didn't matter she would work all that out later. The entire room was
confused at this point except for Cody who at least knew most of the
story. Kathy and Bryan hugged for a bit and then broke apart once
more. This time Bryan backed up incase another shot was coming from her.

"Its okay Bryan, I won't do that again but we really do need to talk as
soon as the shock from seeing you wears off!"

"I know Kate, I know." He said.

She turned to the room and made what became a huge announcement.

"Everyone this is Bryan, he is baby Joel's father."

The room grew loud and very uncomfortable after she said that and she had
to yell over everyone to quiet them down since Joel was sleeping... Or at
least he was asleep before that... he was now crying in the next room.

"Well since they all woke him up would you like to see your son?"

"Yeah... was all he said. Total shock came over him as she said the one
word to him...SON... MY son? I actually have a son..." he said to himself.

He followed her into a room and there in a crib was a young baby in a
diaper and shirt crying as he lay there in bed.

"Go ahead you can pick him up if you want to."

"I do Kate but I don't know the first thing about holding a baby."

"Oh, okay, I'll show you."

"You named him Joel?"

"Yes I did."

"Wasn't that your brother's name?"

"You remembered?"

"Yes I did, I mean do. I remember everything from then and I am...he paused
trying to take all this in... I guess this whole thing is way too much to
take in right now I am just gonna be quiet."

She smiled at him.

"Yes after the comet hit I changed his name to Joel, I figured he would
never know the difference besides its not much of a change I just reversed
his middle name and first name."

"Really what is his middle name?"

"You really don't want to know Bryan."

"Sure I do Kate, please tell me."

"It's... Brian... I named him Brian after you. I spelled it the other way
just to try and keep the peace at home but my father was so mad he almost
threw me out when I did that but eventually he got over it. My mother
didn't mind other then the fact he was BJ and she got a little chuckle out
of that but now that they are gone and I thought you were too I just
figured Joel would be okay and I would have something to remember my
brother by."

He was smiling widely now as what she said ran through his mind. She named
him after me! That was all he thought over and over until she lifted the
baby up and it brought him back from the shock from that.

"Its fine with me Kate, I don't care one bit, I am just a little
overwhelmed by all this."

"Yeah I am too Bry, I am too!"

She turned to him while holding the baby and explained to him how to hold
him this way. He did as she said and was now holding his son.

"Joel say hi to your daddy." She said as she smiled and looked at him.

Bryan was beaming and had the attention of every kid in the room as they
all watched him hold his son for the first time. They slowly gathered
around him.  He was getting a bit bigger at 18 months but was still on the
small side for his age overall. Probably a little undernourished with
everything that has happened since the comet hitting and all but still
healthy. He just stood there dumbfounded as the others watched his every
move with his son. He looked at his boy, his arms, and his fingers his toes
and every part of his body. Then he stared into his son's face amazed at
the turn of events and everything around him. He was a beauty! Brown eyes
and little dark tuft of hair on his head. He fell instantly in love with
his little one.

"He is a real cutie Kate, Totally awesome."

"Yeah and he almost looks like you already Bryan."

"Oh I almost forgot in all this excitement... he said as he walked a few
step away from the group surrounding him. Kate!!! Ben is alive... he
blurted out as he finally looked up from his son and at her. Joel has an
uncle."

"Oh my God really? Ben is really alive? Where is he? How do you know?"

"I stopped home before I came here and he left a note on the refrigerator
what I guess was a few months ago."

"I really don't know what to say. That is amazing what did the note say?"

"I have it in my pocket I was gonna leave it but I changed my mind and took
it with me. Reach in and take it out for me I don't want to let go of Joel
just yet."

The baby was starting to fall asleep almost like he knew the person holding
him. he opened the folded note and read it and then looked at him.

"Are you sure the people he went with are good people?"

"I wish I knew Katie I know he is smart but at least he wasn't alone."

"Yes I see who is Luke?"

"That is one of the kids that Ben hung out with when he got out of the
house now and then."

They went on to discuss a few things as the other boys finally started to
give them some space. They talked about what he was doing back in Oklahoma
and he told her how he survived the comet. She told him that she was in a
basement at the time washing clothes and when she came upstairs no one was
around and nothing seemed right anymore she didn't know what happened but
was extremely scared because he felt so alone and vulnerable without anyone
else close by. He went on to tell him that he only lives a quarter mile or
so from the mall and if he wanted they could go there and be a family. They
headed out and away from the others to have some private time so they could
talk further.

"Boy's I am going to go talk with Bryan. We need some private time so keep
things safe and keep watch over the door while we are gone okay?"

They told her no problem as they headed out and down the steps. Cory stayed
with them but kept his distance. Apparently he was going to be some kind of
body guard and watch out for them. He followed at a distance but close
enough to watch them.

"What's with Cory following us Kate?"

"He protects me when I am away from the others Bryan; he likes me and
really likes Joel so anytime I go any place he has decided to be my
protector."

"Awww isn't that sweet." Bryan said sarcastically.

"I can see some of your personality hasn't changed one bit Bryan Van
Mister!"

He smiled at her.

"Nope not much has changed about me including the fact that I still care
about you."

"Then why did you leave?!!?" She screamed out at him causing Cory to look
at them.

"I'm really sorry I did that. I was scared hurt and confused Kate and I
don't ever want to leave you again. I, I... he paused as the words didn't
come out. I love you Katie and I really want to be with you and Joel
forever! Especially now with everything that has happened."

She looked at him and beamed.

"Oh Bryan I have waited so long for you to say that. If you would have told
me that before we left I would have stayed with you and not went away with
my family. I love you too!"

"Yeah but who knows what might have happened Kate, if you did stay I might
have not gone away and we all could be dead now. This might have actually
been a good thing to have happened even if it was totally by accident."

He looked at her but she said nothing more. She moved a step closer to him
as their eyes remained fixated on each other. There was little doubt these
two were in love. She moved towards him and with the baby in between they
kissed. It was their first kiss since months before the baby was born. Cory
watched the whole thing and his heart sank a little in his chest and the
hard-on he always had in his pants for Kate went a little limp too! He
secretly lusted for her and now knew that the girl he had taken an extreme
liking to was with her man and he would never be able to win her away from
him. He thought to himself... I might not have her but I am not gonna give
up without some kind of fight! As long as she is here I am gonna do
everything I can to prove to her that I am better then him!

So with that thought strongly embedded in his mind it now appears we have
something brewing and at least two hearts are trying to own one girl. One
has her heart and the other has dreams of what it would be like to be with
her and no longer be a virgin anymore. Even at fifteen Cody has only been
with one thing so far in his short life and that is his hand. He has never
been with a girl but has asked a few out in the past but always been
rejected. Once again it has happened and he feels a little anger inside now
that he has lost his chance at what appears to be the last girl in his
life. All the time he has spent caring for her and helping her with Joel,
changing his diapers and watching over him as he slept suddenly seems to be
for naught. As he steamed a little inside he stood there and continued to
watch the two lovers together with their baby at a safe distance
away. Safely out of sight his hand wandered down to his semi swollen cock
and he started rubbing himself through his jeans as he watched them kiss
and wished it was him in that spot instead of Bryan. With the love birds
having a strong lock on each other he felt secure that he wouldn't be
spotted while he fiddled with himself. He continued to watch them as he ran
his hand over his hardening cock over and over again.

"I don't really think that is a good idea to leave here right now Kate. We
have help here and even though you might want some privacy or some place to
call home with me and the boy I feel a little safer here right now
especially since I don't know the area we are in yet."

"I guess I understand Bryan but it would be nice to set up a house and call
it our own now that we have a choice of anything around."

"I agree but... tell you what for now let's stay here, I want to get used
to my surroundings and then in a week or two we can go and look for a place
of our own."

"Okay I guess I can wait a little longer. The boys give me some privacy
when I feel Joel but some of them try to sneak a peak when I feed him and I
am getting tired of them trying to look at my breasts or even watch me
while I feel him."

"I'll take care of that. I'll have a little talk with Cody and Keith and I
am sure they won't mind backing me about talking to the others about that."

"Great, thanks you are a dear, that should help a bunch."

"Ready to go back there or do you have other things you want to talk about
Katie?"

"We have forever to talk Bry, let's go back for now and relax. I want to
feel Joel now anyway and with you here I feel a lot more comfortable now."

They turned and headed towards Cory. He watched as they came and both were
looking at him as they approached.

"We re ready to go back now Cory thanks for watching out for us."

"Sure thing Katie you know I will always have your back." He said as he
looked at Bryan with disgust on his face.

Neither of them read anything into his reaction after his comment and they
all walked back and upstairs together."

"So Kate now that Bryan is here where are you going to stay, this side or
my side?"

She looked at Bryan.

"I don't really know Cory, Bryan where are you going to stay?"

"I haven't given it much thought since I have only been here for a few
hours. Which side has more room Cory?"

"Well this side has more room but more people. Our side has a fewer open
space but we could fit you in over there if you want."

Bryan looked at Kate.

"You are already settled in over here why change things I can stay here
with you if you want."

"That's great Bryan. We have a queen bed and box spring and there is plenty
of room for you to sleep with me if you like."

Cory's face immediately went from content to a look of total disgust as she
said that to Bryan. His wheels were spinning as he thought hard to come up
with some reason to get him away from her.

"Bryan don't you think you might be more comfortable on the other side
instead of here, I mean I'm not trying to tell you what to do but we
certainly could use you over there."

"Then choose one of the other boys to go with you if you are short handed
Cory. Katie practically shouted at him after his sly suggestion. I want him
by my side now."

"Ummm sure Katie, he stumbled for words as he looked at her with a stunned
look on his face. I am sorry I didn't mean anything by that I was just..."

She cut him off mid sentence.

"Its okay Cory I didn't mean to yell or upset you its just that I finally
got him back and I don't want him leaving to live on your side okay?"

"Sure Kate whatever you want I wasn't thinking."

Actually he was but he wasn't about to tell her why he wanted her man away
from her. He even had thought about him screwing her tonight after they
went to bed but as she said something else to him it broke his train of
thought.

"Cory will you make sure there is room for everyone here."

Without waiting for an answer she turned to Travis and looked at him.

"Travis dear could you please help me to make more room inside so I can
have plenty of room for him."

"Sure Kate anything for you."

Kate headed off with Travis into her room as Bryan took over watching and
caring for the baby for the moment. He stood holding the baby as he
surveyed the area. Boys were walking around and chatting with each
other. The air was filled with a smell that was half mall scent and half
stench from these boys needing a bath or shower. It appeared that none or
most of them haven't showered in quite some time. Bryan walked into the
room near Katie.

"Kate? Not that I want to bother you while you fix things up but can you
tell me how you live with the smell of those boys day after day?"

"What do you mean?" she replied.

"I was standing out there holding Joel and I noticed that it kind of smells
like someone hasn't showered in a long time. Do they take care of
themselves? Is there a place to shower in here?"

"Yes there is and most of them do shower occasionally."

"But don't you have any say in trying to keep this place clean?"

"Of course I do. Most of them listen and do their own thing dear. I just
guess I have been so busy with Joel that I never gave it much thought. You
can take care of that if you want Bryan you are big enough and old enough
to tell them to shower if you want. The room is down the hall on the right
once you go out the front door."

"I know I could Katie but I just got here do you really think they want to
hear it from me. I haven't even talked to most of them yet."

"Okay then as soon as I am done in here I will talk to them okay?"

"Sure that sounds great."

He stood and watched her straighten out the room while he held Joel. Travis
was helping quite a bit and after five, maybe ten minutes the place was
clean and almost habitable. After she finished she went outside and called
the boys over and told them that she thought that it might be a good idea
if all of them showered today. A few of them moaned and groaned about it
but after Travis took it a step further and told them they didn't have a
choice the complaining stopped and they talked about who would go
first. Todd and Ryan the twin brothers decided to go so they went to get a
change of clothes where they slept and then headed off to the shower. This
went on for then next hour and although no one kept track it was assumed by
the change of atmosphere that most if not all the boys had eventually had
some contact with soap and water. The rest of the day went quickly as Bryan
got used to his surroundings and Cody eventually headed back to the other
side to be with his guys. They all went to the food court for dinner as a
group which was a normal thing to do on more nights. After eating and
meeting up with the boys from the other side some chatting was done about
the new guy and the boys talked mostly in private about their feelings
concerning Bryan now being in charge and the oldest one there. As the
majority of them sat at their usually table Mike one of the boys that Bryan
hadn't met yet came over and voiced his opinion.

"Bryan, my name is Mike. I wanted to tell you that most of the guys have
had a get together to talk about you being here and I was elected or I
guess you could say I am the one that was told to come over and tell you
that even though we don't know you yet we feel that we want to welcome you
to our home here at the mall and on behalf of the guys we just want to tell
you that we would like it if you would be our leader since you are the
oldest. Then he turned to Kate. Nothing against you Kate but we just
thought that since you are taking care of the baby and all it would be
proper for your boyfriend to run things for all of us."

Kate looked at Bryan.

"Well leader stand up and talk to your boys. They did a nice thing by
deciding that they wanted you so you might want to say something back to
them."

He stood up and looked at everyone. All the boys were there that lived in
the mall. He cleared his throat and spoke.

"Thanks to all of you for offering your leadership to me. I will do my best
to keep things safe and everything under control in here but I am going to
need everyone's cooperation to do that. Since I hardly know any of you
maybe we should start with some introductions so I can get an idea of who
is who."

He pointed at one table and the boys either stood up or just raised a hand
and yelled out their names one at a time. Then it went to the next table
and then finally the one he was sitting at. Fifteen boys had given their
names by the time they were all done. With Katie holding Joel and himself
that made a total of eighteen people alive and counted for.

"Well its nice to meet all of you he went on to say, and I hope that we
don't have any major disagreements anytime soon but I would like to just
say a few things about living here. Since I am new to this I just want to
make sure that like today everyone is clean and showers as often as
possible. I don't want to have to keep track of your habits when it comes
to being clean but I believe that when you stop taking care of yourself
then things happen and it's a sign that you are losing control of
everything so I guess it's a good place to start from. I would love it if I
got to know each of you and find out your likes and dislikes over time and
we can go from there. This is all new to me so again I thank you and hope I
can do well by all of you at doing this now. it seems you have all ready
had a good start and found your way here some how and I am sorry that all
or most of you had to lose loved ones and that all this had to happen but
if we stick together I am sure that we will be fine from now on. I guess
that's all I have to say."

He sat down and the boys applauded for a few seconds.

"Okay I think we can move on to other things, I know I would love to see
some of the mall and get some new clothes on my body."

"Sure Bryan, said Kate I would love to take a walk with you through some of
the mall and show you around."

"Great then lets go."

They got up and the other boys followed. They said their good byes to each
other as they took off to go their separate ways to their end of the
mall. Katie, Joel and Bryan walked back, she got her stroller and then
three of them set out to check out the mall for stuff and this time Cory
stayed behind. Bryan was carrying his guy and Kate assured him that the
mall was pretty safe now since they have checked almost all of it out
several times. They walked and looked at things for the next few hours and
Bryan picked out a bunch of clothes and other things he thought he could
use. The mall clock read 9pm and they both appeared to be tired now after a
full day of excitement. They headed back to the executive offices and about
thirty minutes later they were climbing the steps and with help from a few
of the other boys everything that Bryan and Kate got today was brought up
to their room and then they were left alone as they got ready for their
first official night together as a family. Joel was put in his crib and
then mommy and daddy got into bed together. It was almost 10pm when they
gave each other a quick kiss good night and then placed their heads on
their pillows and drifted off to sleep. It should be interesting to see how
Cory deals with this and how the rest of the boys learn how to live with
their new leader. Only time will tell if this will work and Bryan will be
able to run the mall or if he failed and has to take his family and go live
on his own with them. Either way doesn't sound too bad but one thing is for
sure there are bad things out there and eventually some of them are going
to happen as will a bunch of good things but for now we will put a close to
this first full day at the mall. Good night.



To be continued..


Next up...the boys in Tunnel get ready for some problems as they set out to
head to the mall.



dwednomail@hotmail.com