Back to Part Two Part Four Story Links Page Zoo Entrance
The rooms still weren't much to look at, though the apartment wasn't nearly as empty as it had been his first night there. He had discovered that he didn't really need very much to make himself happy; a few books, something to look at, a little music and some basics were all it took. Paul stretched, his hand reaching back to touch the wall behind his headboard, before thinking about getting out of bed.
He glanced up at the ceiling and smiled; the poster he had taped up there was one of the few decorations his apartment had, but it was placed in just the right spot. Tony had laughed at him when he saw the picture of the Grand Canyon, but Paul hadn't expected him to understand. The other boy's idea of fine art was what most would call pornography. Paul didn't need to have pictures of naked people around his sanctuary, he saw enough of those every night as it was. This apartment was the one place he could get away from all of the demands placed upon him by others and enjoy what he liked. He wasn't going to spoil that if he could.
He sat slowly, letting the remaining edges of sleep slip from his mind, and got out of bed carefully. He swayed for a moment as the world shifted into a working order and began to get ready for the evening. If he was lucky he would have time to run up to the roof for a moment before going out. That was the only other place he ever felt really comfortable in.
The few plants that he had managed to find and the seeds the Norwegian had given him weren't much, but it was a nice, peaceful little garden. The work to keep the plants healthy and to provide a little food for the city birds gave him a small measure of comfort and a sense that he could control something in his life. It had pleased the Norwegian too, though she was quite surprised when he had asked permission to build the little spot of country. Paul had the feeling that she was watching him even more carefully after that, and that she had approved of his choices.
He sighed softly and turned to go down to the street, but stopped for just a moment to get a mental picture of the newest flower bud. If he could think of that later he might be able to make it through another night.
The streets weren't quite empty, but most of the people he saw were hurrying to one place or another and not giving him a single glance. Not unusual for the summer crowds in the city. The club wasn't too far to walk to and it was a warm evening so he took his time. Robbie was across the street talking to one of the most vapid girls he had met in Gothik, but they saw him and waved so he had to be polite. He was about to cross the street to talk to them, but was intercepted before he took more than two steps.
The man stepped around him carefully, keeping eye contact as they circled each other. A twinge in his gut told him to get away, but he waited to hear what the man had to say.
"You out for the night?" His fingers reached towards Paul's wrist and closed on air.
"No." He tried to step around the old guy and was blocked, a hand pushing at his shoulder.
"That's not what I heard from your friend Spider." He tried to pull Paul closer, but was suddenly pushed away from the young man. Robbie and the chick he was with had crossed the street. They took positions on either side of Paul and all three faced the angry man. "What is this? Getting a little uppity for being whores. Aren't you supposed to want to make money?"
"Not from you." Robbie pulled out a chain with the wolf silhouette and the man backed off, almost running across the street.
"Thanks you guys. I wasn't sure what to do." Paul looked up at them, a small smile playing across his lips. "I suppose you're gonna get a cape and wear some freaky costume now, huh?"
The other boy grinned, "You mean you've never seen me in one before? Now why don't we all go to the club and get something to drink before the evening really starts. I want to tell the Norwegian about that guy."
*
"I knew that it wasn't impossible, Spider, but you still won't try will you?" Paul turned over to look at his friend. The shadows were creeping up the wall and soon it would be full night; time to go out to the streets again.
"I don't want to. I mean, what's the point? Get my G.E.D. and a minimum wage job? I'd make more money staying here. I'd rather have a little comfort, and besides I don't exactly mind the sex you know." His lop-sided grin was usually so hard to resist, but Paul couldn't accept that anyone would want this life.
"You know that I'm leaving. I can't do this anymore. I just can't...but you'll still be my friend, won't you?" Paul shifted his weight a little and Spider's arms wrapped around him again.
The older boy sighed, "Sure I will. You know, not everyone is gonna just disappear on you. Sometimes you gotta trust people. Besides, I wanna see what kinda crazy things you come up with on that computer. If you hack into anything really exciting I wanna hear about it."
*
He should have known that Spider was right. He couldn't handle the job, but he wouldn't go back to the streets again unless there was no other choice. He could get by with the computer. The rent for the apartment was already paid for the next two years and there was very little difficulty in the way of getting more money from the corporate structure of the country.
The Norwegian had approved of his activities when he had talked to her the week before and now at her request he was trying something new. Some of the biggest polluters in industry were going to have nice little surprises from a mysterious environmental group when they opened their offices and accounts the next morning. He wished that he could see their faces when they realized what the media implications would be.
Paul stretched and sat up a little straighter. There wasn't much more that he could do for the night; a diversion was in order. He grabbed his coat and headed for the other side of town.
Illusions wasn't very crowded, too late in the evening he supposed. There was plenty of room on the dance floor, and while he didn't really feel like dancing alone he went out to the spotlights and swayed a little to the music. A few men caught his eye, but he wasn't interested and let them know with a small shake of his head.
He was about to go to the bar and get a cranberry juice when he felt a chill crawl up his spine. Someone was staring at him, he knew that sensation very well. He loked up and his eyes locked with the light blues of a young boy. A beautiful young boy. Paul stopped in his tracks and stared back for a few moments, wondering what to do. This boy seemed so much like himself; so fragile like he had been, maybe...he took a chance and went over to the younger man.
"Hi, I'm Paul...I..." The boy took his hand in a sudden movement and started kissing his fingers. "Ummm...I don't think we should, I mean...I don't know you."
The boy stopped for a moment, "I'm Jesse and I think that we should."
Paul pulled his hand away, changing his mind again." No. I don't do that anymore and I don't go with hustlers." He began to turn away when the boy grabbed his shoulder and forced him to turn back.
"I'm not a hustler, I just had a strong feeling about you. If you don't want to have sex with me, could we at least talk? Please? Maybe it's stupid, but you seem so very familiar and I think that I like you a lot. Will you at least give me a chance?" He frowned slightly and looked into Paul's eyes, betraying the uncertainty and pain that lingered there. "Please, all I am asking for is a chance."
Paul nodded, "Okay, we can talk."
*
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