Todd picked up his boots and shirt and headed unsteadily for the doors.
“Nooo way, brah...I already got my ass belted for not listening, I ain't ready for a rematch."
Todd was steered to the big onyx table. A glass of water was placed in front of him. “Here, this will help.”
Todd took a deep drink. “Thanks.”
Looking around at the huge room. He was sat down at the long black table before he fell down. There was a window that took up the back wall, floor to ceiling. By the looks of the buildings across the street he was up pretty high.
Tugging his boots on he tried to remember anything from last night. “Where am I?”
“Sherman Towers. Uptown. Way uptown from the Zone, Dude."
Todd’s head was still foggy. Why would he be uptown? “Sherman Towers?”
The other kid just shook his head at him, like he was dense. "Sherman..Sherman Towers...as in J-a-r-e-d Sherman."
Holy shit!. The tank had him. Why, when? No matter, time to jet.
“Dude.. fuck! really, I gotta get out of here.”
The little blond just shook his head. “That’s not happening.”
Todd laid his throbbing head down on the table. It’s cool surface felt good on his skin. “Man, you don’t understand.”
His breath fogged the black shiny tabletop. Todd couldn’t remember ever feeling this sick. And sore...his body was so stiff. He couldn’t remember why. It was beginning to piss him off.
Mouse looked at the kid slumped over the table. Even if he did open the door. Todd wouldn’t make it 10 feet. “You got that right, brah,I don’t. But you're stuck here until Deek or Jared get back any way. One whuppin’ is enough for a 24 hr period.”
Todd raised his head. He looked the other guy over. He was kinda short with blonde spiky hair and blue eyes. Compact build. Not skinny or chunky, nice build. Cute. Not his type, but cute. Where had he heard that word before....put like that...whuppin’?
“Whuppin’? Dude, how old are you?”
“Twenty ”
Todd’s eyes widened. “Whoa...back up the bus! Dude, you're 20? And you got your ass beat?”
Todd stood up on wobbly legs, he didn’t give the other guy a chance to answer. Were Jared and this guy in some sort of sick cult he wondered. He wasn’t planning on hanging around to find out.
“I gotta get the fuck outta here.”
Stumbling rather than walking he made his way to the doors. He tried to open one then the other. They were locked together but they did move a bit.
“Fuck. Dude! Where’s the key, man?”
“It’s locked.”
Todd glared at the shorter man. “Not for long.”
Getting no help from the other guy in the room, he rammed his shoulders into it a few times. There was some weakening. “Hey! Dude! Chill man, knock if off.”
Mouse tried to yank the skinny kid back to the table. He was a lot stronger
than he appeared, even sick as he had just been, Todd was able to brush
off Mouse’s attempts to drag him away from the doors. Todd moved back to
the table to make a run at the door. Mouse tried to make a grab for Todd
but was flung off just as Todd rushed the door. Todd tucked his head and
braced himself as he
shouldered through the doors.
The wood cracked under force as he plowed through them. Todd flew out
the doors and landed on a marbled floor. His momentum sent him wildly sliding
into contact with a marbled wall. Todd hit the wall, hard, painfully he
rolled onto his stomach only to find a pair of boots just inches from his
nose.
Jared and Deek stepped out of the elevator just as the doors to the
executive board room doors exploded open and a body hurled out of them.
Jared was in front of the crumpled form before he realized he was running.
It groaned and rolled over, Visions of last night flashed fresh in his
mind. Todd and his bike sliding across the roof in slow motion, Todd landing
in a heap, unmoving, with the bike pinning him down. Shaking the visions
and the cold chills that accompanied them off, he looked down into the
startled brown eyes peeping out from the dark bangs that fell over them.
Todd looked up.....way up, the long powerful legs, the muscled torso
and chest, into intense, green eyes. Jared’s eyes. He lowered his head
onto his arms just for a second to get himself together. He was determined
to stand up to Jared bravely, feeling anything but. Just as he reached
his feet, his whole left leg cramped into a Charley horse. Making him cry
out and grab for it. So much for standing his ground in front of the tank.
Jared was surprised by Todd’s cry of pain and grabbed him as he toppled forward off balance. Deek helped him get Todd back into the room. Todd hopping on one leg, head flung back with teeth bared in pain. Mouse was babbling on about trying to stop him and how sorry he was, it wasn’t his fault and so on.
“Mouse....Mouse! It’s all right...it’s cool. We got him. Go on, it’s all right. Deek and I can take it from here.”
Mouse nodded and glared for a moment at Todd who was being laid out on the table. He was withering in what looked like a lot of pain. Mouse weakened and blew off his anger.
“Can I help? Want me to do something? The kid gonna be okay?”
Todd even in pain took offense to the reference. “I ain’t no fucking kid!”
A huge hand pushed his head roughly back down on the table.
“Todd, shut up and relax. He’s going to be fine, Mouse. You could go make me one of my power shakes with bananas. Okay?"
Mouse nodded and hurried off. Todd was in so much pain. His whole left leg from ankle to hip was one big electric knot. He could hardly stand it.
“Todd, listen to me, try to relax. I know..I know it hurts... but try. Deek help me get his pants off.”
Not what Todd was expecting to hear or have happen. “NO!! GET OFFAME FREAK!!!!! LEGOAME!!! STOP!!! FUCKERS!!!”
He tried to fight them off but Deek had him pinned easily to the table
while Jared removed his boots and then the jeans. His struggles only added
to the pain and they where completely useless. Jared had him undressed
in seconds. The onyx table was cold under his skin. He wasn’t given time
to be embarrassed about his near nakedness as Jared began to massage his
leg, firmly rubbing out the
cramps.
“Take it easy, Todd. Just try to relax. Nothing is going to happen to you.”
Strong hands held him in place; he couldn’t move or fight them off.
It took a while to register in his brain that he wasn’t in danger. That
he was just being held down and nothing more. His straining muscles screamed
at him to be released from their frozen form. Todd watched Jared a moment
or two. Afraid to let down his guard, Jared just massaged his spasmed leg.
Unable to fight against his situation
Todd tried to relax back down on the cool table. Deek let go of the
kid when Todd stopped struggling and lay back. He moved back to the other
end of the table and began to massage the knee, calf and ankle while Jared
tackled the thigh and hip.
Jared worked fast. Todd was in real agony, he had an arm up over his eyes hiding tears of pain and one hand white knuckled, gripped the edge of the table. Another wave of cramps hit and Jared had to pin Todd down and hold him while Deek rubbed and massaged the leg.
“Yeah. That's it. See, we're just trying to help.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to let Jared know that he didn’t need
or want help.
White hot pain coursed down Todd’s leg from low back to toes. But it
didn’t last as long as the first couple cramps. Deek's hand worked hard
and fast, rubbing and squeezing out the cramping muscles.
Jared kept him from flying apart. Jared held him down and coaxed him to relax. Sweat popped out on Todd’s brow and upper lip. Jared brushed the damp bangs away from pain filled eyes.
“How you doing, Kid?” Deek asked as he continued his massaging.
Jared surprised Todd by answering for him and wiping the tears off his face before Deek could see them.
“He’s hurting, but the rubbing is helping. Huh, Todd...it’s helping?”
Jared looked down into Todd’s glassy eyes. Wait...could that be gratitude he saw. Just for a second then it was gone and the cold reserve was back. "Yeah...it’s...it’s helping.” Todd answered barley above a whisper.
Shaking his head with mild amusement, Deek continued to work on the kid's leg. Never had he seen his friend so...he didn’t know the word for it. Jared was holding down the boy and murmuring soothing words to him. Concern reflected in Jared’s eyes. Man, the guy had it bad for this kid. Deek could get no reading off the boy. Just pain and some major attitude.
Todd lay back and let the two men knead his leg, soon the cramping gave up it’s grip on his leg. He sat up with the help of the huge men. Sandwiched between them as they walked him around the room to test the leg. It worked...barely but it would support his weight. With Jared’s help to keep him upright, he put his jeans back on but Jared left him sock footed.
“Just in case, Todd. I don’t want to fight all those damn buckles again.” Todd’s motocross boots had several buckles up the calves.
Mouse returned with a tray of food, coffee and the shake Jared asked him to make. “Sorry it took so long. I made a pot of coffee and some toast. Uh. I also called the Doc and he’s on his way.“
“Thanks, Mouse. Good job.”
Mouse watched closely as Jared walked with Todd. It was odd to see this side of the big man. Mouse handed out the coffee and toast. Todd declined and kept pacing the room. Jared took a cup of coffee and some toast but his eyes never left the person hobbling laps around the room. Mouse offered Todd the shake, but refused it, too. Mouse groaned inwardly. How stupid was this kid. Not too many people refused Jared’s orders.
The walking helped Todd’s leg some. When Jared asked him to sit he didn’t
want to take the chance of any more cramping so he kept pacing. Jared took
the shake from Mouse and handed Todd the frothy drink. Not sure if it would
stay down right now, Todd refused again. That familiar set to Jared’s jaw
warned him trouble was headed his way. Knowing that a lecture or something
was coming, Todd stared at the floor and tuned out everything. A little
trick he was very good at. Standing his full height and crossing
his huge arms. Jared gave Todd clear warning.
“Ansley, you can stand if you want. You can walk around if you want. But you are going to either drink that shake on your own or I’ll “help” you drink it. Your choice.”
Jared’s calling him by his last name always gave away his annoyance.
Snapping Todd back to attention. Last time he was given such a choice he
chose wrong and it cost him a sore butt. Todd looked around the room. Deek
and whatshisname...Rat? were standing there waiting. Todd knew he was in
a losing
battle....again. He didn’t want anything to eat, but he didn’t want
any trouble with Jared, especially with witnesses.
“What is it?”
“Milk, banana and a protein powder....now drink”.
Todd took the glass and sniffed it. Smelled like banana and took a small
sip. Jared hid his grin, as surprise lit up those dark eyes. Todd was surprised
it was good, a little gritty but good. Todd couldn’t remember the last
time he had anything banana flavored, let alone any real bananas. Too expensive.
He
set the glass down, empty. He looked up into three pairs of laughing
eyes.
“What?”
Deek raised a hand to his own face and pointed at his upper lip. Ah shit. Todd wiped the milk moustache off with his sleeve. Todd caught the gleam in Jared’s eyes. Great. Why was it every time he tried to assert his manhood he just proved the opposite?
“The shake will get some potassium in you. It will help with the leg cramps, and get something in your stomach. Leg feel’n better, Kiddo?”
Todd tested his leg, still sore and achy but no longer cramping.
“Yeah. Better.”
Jared rubbed the back of his own neck. It had been a busy day and it was only 11:00 am.
“Kid, just once I’d like us to meet without the need of first aide.” Shaking his head, he looked at the young man hobbling around his boardroom. Todd kept darting his eyes to the doors, and each lap was getting closer to them as well. Jared moved to the back of the room. A strategic move. Time for some questions and answers.
“Well, Ansley, you're a little worse for wear from last night's activities.” Uh oh there’s that tone of voice. There was just something about it, Jared’s use of his last name that made him want to run for cover. Made him feel squirrelly. Last night was still a fog.
“Last night?”
Todd tried sitting. No cramping just a deep ache. His head was pounding. Jared watched patiently as Todd sat down at the table. Obviously stiff and sore.
“They work for you or something?”
Todd indicated the other men in the room with them. Jared allowed the momentary change of subject. “You could say that and more. The blonde, who you have already met this morning, is William Mauhser or Mouse as we all call him."
Mouse stuck up two fingers in a peace sign.
"The big guy is Deacon. You met last night or don’t you remember us crashing your little party?”
The large black man nodded at him. “Call me Deek. Nice to meet you. Todd.”
The fog that had been the last 9 or 10 hours refused to clear. Todd looked from Mouse to Deek and settled his gaze there. “Party? I..I remember you. I’ve seen you around.”
Deek grinned at him. “Probably. I’ve been tailing you."
Todd swung his gaze to Jared, confused. “Why?”
Deek knew this was between Todd and Jared. He tapped Mouse on the shoulder and nodded at the door. “Well, Mouse and I have to get to work.”
Jared met Deek’s eye’s and caught the unasked question. “Okay, thanks. We’ll be fine.”
Deek and Mouse left. Leaving Todd alone with Jared. Jared began to fold up the hide-a-bed. Todd just watched and waited. Letting it soak in that Jared had looked for him and found him. That he lived here in Denver. He was about to ask Jared what all this was for, when Mouse came back in.
“Jared, the Doc’s here.”
“Good. Send him in.”
A slender older man came in the room with a large black plastic case and shook hands with Jared. “Ah..so he’s awake. I’m Doctor Kingman. Just call me Doc. How do you feel young man?”
The doctor walked over to Todd and reached out his hand. Todd jumped out of his chair so fast it fell back and he nearly with it. Both the doctor and Jared were looking at him like he was crazy. Cursing at himself for over-reacting and giving away his nervousness. He tried to reclaim his cool reserve.
“Cramp.“
One glance at Jared and he knew Jared wasn’t buying it.
“Not to worry, son. You had a rough night. I hear a rough morning too. Let’s have a look.”
Todd looked to Jared and then back to the doctor. “I’m fine.” He said firmly and brushed off the doctor’s hands.
“Let’s have Doc here make that determination.. hmmm?” Brown eyes
slid back over to green. Not missing the flash of anger that extinguished
as fast as it
appeared in the mahogany depths. Jared watched Todd closely, waiting.
Todd had no options open. As stiff and sore as he was, he would have
a hard time taking on the doctor, who was old, to Todd anyway and slender.
So the tank was completely out of the question. There was nothing he could
do. Todd shrugged.
“Cool, whatever.”
Jared could see it was anything but cool with the kid. Todd gave in because there was no way out. Stepping back near the doors to give Todd and the doctor some privacy. He didn’t miss the look Todd gave him knowing that the only exit was cut off. Frustrated little rebel.
The doctor took his vitals and had him strip off his shirt. Jared just rested a hip on the end of the long table and made a couple calls. Had more coffee and some papers delivered, seemed to be uninterested in the exam.
Todd tolerated Doc Roy as he was invited to call him, poking and prodding. He had several large bruises and a few scrapes. He was doing fine until the doctor touched his back, low on the left making him jump and stiffen involuntarily.
“Sore, son?”
Todd shook it off. “Nah..... cold hands.”
“Bullshit.”
Both Todd and the doctor turned towards the deep voice in the back of the room. Jared laid the file he was reading down and looked at Todd. He jerked his head at the doctor. Wordlessly telling Todd to fess up. Todd blew Jared off. He looked the doctor in the eye firmly and lied. “It’s cool. I’m fine, really.”
“Oh, reeeeally?” Jared got up and walked over next to Doc Roy. One small glitch in the lie, Todd had a witness. “ So you're fine, even though Deek and I spent nearly an hour rubbing out cramps in your leg.”
Jared then tapped the Doc on the shoulder and whispered in exaggerated volume. “That’s the left leg Doc. Just in case you're interested.” Then he walked back to his papers and sat down. Not once looking back. He left Todd to face alone, a not so happy doctor.
“Son. It’s not a good idea to lie to your doctor.”
“Not good to lie at all, grumbled Jared from the far end of the room.
Todd ignored that and shot back. “You're not “my” doctor.”
“He is now and you will co-operate Ansley. Fully.”
The room sizzled with tension as Todd and Jared carried on a silent
battle of wills. Doctor Kingman kept his own counsel. Having raised four
boys, he knew a little about strong willed young men. He stepped back and
let the two battle it out.
After a long moment Jared got up again and his long legs carried him
over to Todd in just a few strides.
“Fine. Roy, this morning Todd busted through those doors and crashed into the hallway wall. When he stood up or rather tried to stand his left leg spasmed. Bad. It took two of us massaging for an hour to stop the cramping.”
The doctor looked at Todd sternly. Todd couldn’t maintain the eye contact and looked away, heat flooded his face.
“I see. Any further cramping or other symptoms I should know about?” Asked in an icy tone. The question was directed to Jared, not Todd. They began to talk as if Todd were just a plant in the room. A very angry plant.
“No. But he is feeling some strong twinges from time to time.”
“Any back spasms, pains?”
Jared ignored Todd out right. “No. Sore from the crash though. And he doesn’t seem to remember much the last 24 hours.”
The doctor turned to Todd. “Hmmm. I see. Let’s have a look son.”
Todd let the man feel around his head and look in his ears and eyes. “Well, Jared I don’t find anything amiss here. I would imagine it has to do with the narcotic he took last night. I believe it will pass."
Pissed off at having them talk like he wasn’t standing right in the
middle and the fact that the drugs loosened his tongue. “Whoa! Man,
I don’t do drugs...I”
The doctor walked away again giving Jared and his young friend a moment
of privacy.
“Todd. You weren't high last night you were in orbit! Don’t you remember anything?” Jared’s voice was stern but at the same time warm and concerned.
Todd scowled and tried to focus on last night. Forcing small fragments to the surface. “I don’t remember taking anything, Jared. I’m not a tweeker, I...”
“Well, you didn’t take it exactly, Todd. Someone slipped it in your soda....Hac I think you called him.”
Disjointed bits came back to him. Nothing he could piece together. Nothing but Hac anyway. He chided himself for being sloppy and careless around that idiot.
“Well you won’t need to worry about him, Todd. I made it very clear high altitude is not healthy for him.“ Jared made other things clear to the man but didn’t expound on them. Todd could only imagine what was done or said.
“We’ll talk about this later, Todd.”
Todd wanted to dispute that but chose not to at this time.
“Let's let the doc finish up here.”
Doctor Kingman approached Todd again. “Okay, Todd. I’ll need you to lower your pants, son, so I can...”
“No!”
Jared put his hand on Todd's shoulder and guided him away from the doctor. “Todd, just the jeans, that’s all. I’ll go back over there. All right?”
“No fucking way!”
“Todd just let the Doc check you out.”
“Fuck that! If I want some old dude getting his rocks off, I’ll......” Jared gave him a sharp shake and spoke close for only Todd to hear. “Listen up. You watch your mouth in front of that man. You show him some respect."
Todd pinned his gaze to the floor. Jared could see the lights dim in
those beautiful eyes. The little shit was tuning him out. Well he’ll have
none of that.
“....Or so help me I’ll show him your backside....... over my knee.!”
Todd’s eyes locked onto Jared’s. In the green eyes he found absolute
sincerity.
“As I recall, it wouldn't be the first time you’d be doctored over
them.”
A sandy brow arched in challenge. Todd said nothing more and just stared at the floor. He began to undo his jeans, like a robot, cold and emotionless. Only the jerky movements of his hands gave way his anger. That and the red that was climbing the boy’s neck. Jared was unsure how much was anger or embarrassment.
Jared walked back to his chair, leaving Todd to Kingman’s examination. Removed but close enough so if Todd got out of hand he could step in. He tried his best to keep his attention on his papers. He looked up and caught a glimpse of Todd's slender legs and trim waiste as the doctor looked Todd over.
“You have some interesting art work, young man,” Doctor Kingman said, trying to ease Todd's mood. Jared was tempted to tell him he was wasting his breath, but left the two alone. Todd’s back was to Jared so he had a fine view of that tattoo of Todd’s in the small of his back. He couldn’t help himself as his body began to respond to the way it framed those tight globes encased in those worn out briefs. Forcing himself to concentrate on the paperwork in front of him Jared resumed his task at hand still keeping his ears open to the others in the room.
Todd was speaking tersely in one-word sentences. Yes, no, ect. “How about here, Todd, hurt?”
Todd endured the prodding. It wasn’t too bad, until the doctor poked a tender spot. Snapping Todd off of autopilot.
“Ahhh!. fuck!...shit !.. shit yes it hurts!...alright?”
Todd spun into a defensive stance ready to fight off any more probing. Catching the stern look he was getting from the far end of the table, Todd lowered his eyes and mumbled a sullen apology. “Sorry....can I get dressed now?”
Doctor Kingman smiled apologetically. “Soon, Todd. I’ll be more gentle there. Trust me.”
Jared saw something flicker in Todd’s eyes. Fear? Just for a split second. Todd slowly turned around for the doctor who continued his exam.
“You have some interesting scars. How did you get these? On your bike?” Pointing to the pattern of small scars Todd had along the side of his ribs. Todd jerked away and put a hand over them and shrugged.
“Don’t remember. Are we done now?”
“Yes. We're done now, son.”
Turning away Todd pulled up his jeans and readjusted everything. When he turned back Jared was waiting with the doctor. He listened in as he pulled his shirt back on.
“Well, it’s minor. Probably a pinched nerve in his low back causing
all the cramping. No doubt from the spill he took last night. Of course
crashing through doors could have something to do with it as well. I’ll
give you a prescription for some muscle relaxers. It will help with any
further cramping. Have Deek
swing by in about an hour and I’ll have it ready.”
The doctor scribbled on a piece of paper and handed it to Todd. “Here, follow these instructions...closely, young man. NO alcohol. NO riding or driving on these," he said firmly. Todd looked at the note and scowled. Jared saw the truth all over Todd’s face. He really couldn’t read.
“I’ll hold onto that for ya, Todd.”
Shaking Todd’s hand the doctor said good bye. “Take care, Todd. I’ll check with you in a couple days.”
Todd doubted that but said nothing, as he reached for his boots.
“Thanks, Roy. Deek will see you out.”
When they were out of earshot from Todd, the doctor motioned to Jared to speak quietly. “Jared, what do you know of this young man?”
Confused by the question Jared frowned at the older man. “Not a whole lot. Is there more to the cramps.”
“No, nothing like that. Just something about some of those scars.”
Concern puckered Jared handsome brow.
“I can’t say for sure, Jared, but they look suspiciously intentional.”
Taking a quick look over his shoulder at Todd who was concentrating on getting his boots buckled, Jared asked quietly, “What do you mean... intentional?”
“Jared, I think we are dealing with signs of some abuse here.”
Alarm clearly visible in Jared’s face, the doctor quickly assured him. “They are old scars, son, long healed. It’s just .I know of no other explanation for them and some appear to be more like burns of some kind. I don’t mean to alarm you, but I thought you should know, with your...er...uh...association with the boy. I don’t know how I missed them last night.”
Jared forced a warm smile and patted the man on the back. “Thanks, Doc. I appreciate all you’ve done.”
Todd looked up as Jared opened the door for the doctor and there was Deek. He realized that the large man was there outside the whole time. Jared caught the cold glare from Todd and just winked at him. After the doctor left, Jared piled up his papers and grabbed his coffee cup.
“Grab your pack, kiddo.”
Todd grabbed his stuff. “Where we go’n?”
“My place.”
Todd followed him out into the hall. Last time he didn’t get a real good look at it. The hallway was over 10 feet wide. The marbled floor and walls he remembered well, painfully so. They passed other offices. One office door was open and they stopped. A stout woman sat at a desk. She looked up and smiled. The neat twist of brown hair had stands of silver mixed in it and the hazel eye’s crinkled slightly at the edges. The scent of something sweet...vanilla...hit Todd’s nostrils.
“Todd, meet Meg. She’s my secretary, friend and den mother to all of us."
She waved Jared’s words away. “Hello, Todd. Nice to meet you. Don’t listen to him, sweetie. I am his friend and secretary but I claim maternal rights only to that rascal, Mouse.”
Todd didn’t respond, he spared her just the slightest of glances. He looked around to get his bearings. Meg and Jared locked eyes, unspoken conversations took place in mere seconds.
“Meg. I’ll be out of the office all day.”
Looking at Todd who was looking around not paying much attention. Or so it looked. “Uh, make that the rest of the week. I’ll be at home if you need me. C’mon, kid.”
Meg smiled in understanding. “Not to worry.”
Todd tried to figure out the best escape route. He located the stairs. A word he knew well. Stairs, exit, he knew well. A large hand around the back of his neck stifled any ideas of escape. He’d have to think his way out of this one. Running wasn’t an option right now anyway. Todd was ignoring the part of him that didn’t even want to run. He’d check in to that later, just not right now.
They passed one other person. A pretty brunette sat at a huge horseshoe shaped desk in front of the elevator. Todd was quickly introduced to the executive receptionist, Jan.
Then he and Jared walked to a smaller elevator door than the one in front of the desk. Todd was able to make out the word penthouse. What young man didn’t know that word. Jared lead him inside and hit the button with the big “P” on it. It was a short, quiet ride. Neither spoke. Both wrapped up in their own thoughts. When the doors opened. Todd stepped into a dark entranceway that was paneled in rich colored wood. Big bushy green plants here and there along the walls. The floor was a combination of rock tiles and wood, giving way to decorative Navaho area rugs. Jared let Todd take in the sights. He was proud of his home. He worked hard to model it to his tastes. He would have been disappointed if he could have read the kid’s mind. Todd was impressed. His internal calculator was assessing the street value of the items in the room. Dude was crazy rich. Or crazy and rich, that would explain much. Lots of freaks out there. Why not a rich one.
Jared opened a closet in the hall and took Todd’s pack from him and set it inside. Todd was led from the entrance down a wide hall just as richly decorated with western painting and paintings of animals. Other wide corridors led to the left and right. Further down the hall he was lead to a room closed by heavy double wood doors, they had some kind of Indian designs carved in them.
Jared opened the doors and waited for Todd to enter. Todd looked down the hall, he could make out a large open room at the end. All he could see was huge windows sending bright sunny light down the hall. Then he glanced back at the dark entrance, toward the elevator.
“I’ll give you the grand tour later. C’mon in."
Todd brushed aside any thoughts of mental illness, the green eye’s he looked into were sharp and clear. No, the tank was operating on full batteries.
“We need to talk."
Why is it that nothing good ever came from those four words? Todd rolled
his head back and forth popping the tension out of his neck and walked
in. A chill crawled up his spine as Jared closed the doors with a solid
click.
On
to Part Ten of Y2K12
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