| * * * Honker stared at the ceiling, unable to sleep. He felt so dirty he wanted to scream. He let it happen again, but even worse, he enjoyed it somehow. Maybe Tank was right�he had to be perverted to have made such a devil's bargain. Although there was no pain this time around because Tank had used lubrication, Honker still hurt all over with the shame of his actions. No matter how he tossed and turned, he still couldn't sleep knowing Tank's semen was still in his sheets as well as his body. Finally, he pressed the call button, unable to stand the torment inside his head. Moments passed by and Honker whimpered impatiently as he continued to toss and turn on the bed, almost throwing himself from side to side. "Hey, hey�calm down. I'm here. You can't sleep, right?" A tall, brown-haired nurse walked in, carrying a tray as he came in. Honker's eyes widened in surprise as he noticed that the nurse was a man. The nurse smiled companionably as he set down the tray onto a nearby table. "Yeah, yeah, I know what you're probably thinking. It was either this or being a dental assistant. Seriously, can you imagine my hairy hands in your mouth? C'mon!!" Honker managed a weak smile as he stared over at the taller man. The nurse was busy flipping through Honker's chart. "Wow, says here that you aren't much of a talker. That's okay; I'll talk enough for the both of us! Your name's Herbert�I bet you don't like that name." Honker's smile grew a little wider as he shook his head. The nurse watched him from the corner of his eye, afraid to intimidate the boy. Not only had the chart told of Honker's inability to speak, but also it mentioned that a rape kit had been used on him and the test had come back positive. Who could do such a horrible thing to a kid like him? "So what should I call you?" Honker pointed to his nose. "Schnozz? That's a funny name!" The boy's timid grin grew again as he shook his head. "Okay, it's not schnozz�how about beak? Nose? Bill?" The nurse had such a confused look on his face that Honker couldn't help but chuckle. Unfortunately, no sound came out. Honker's face fell as he tried again. Nothing. Again. Still nothing came out. He growled in frustration, pounding his leg with a fist. "Hey, hey�it's okay. Your voice will come back when it's needed; it just needs a rest now. These things take time. At least I got to see you smile. You're so handsome when you smile, ya know?" The nurse sat next to him on the bed briefly, putting a comforting hand on Honker's shoulder. Honker looked up into the brown-haired man's eyes and was lost in a sea of the deepest blue he'd ever seen. They were nothing like Tank's, whose icy eyes sparkled with a gleam of hatred. No, these were beautiful eyes. "You alright? You looked really far away there for a second. I told you my name, but you were so gone, I thought you missed it. Just to remind you, I'm Jeremy, but all my friends call me Nosedive. I used to play Hockey before I moved here to St. Canard." Honker smiled shyly, blushing for such a lapse in manners before he moved away and searched his nightstand table for a pad of paper and a pen. He set them down on his movable table and began to write. When he finished, he gave the pad to Jeremy to read aloud. Jeremy frowned, looking at the pad his young patient was holding out. "What, you want me to read this? Out loud?" Honker nodded and leaned back on the bed to wait. Jeremy shifted his feet and cleared his throat uncomfortably before he began to read. " It's nice to meet you, Jeremy. I'm sorry that this is the only way I can convey my thoughts, but you're right. I'll get my voice back when I need it. My friends all call me Honker, but I'm sure you knew that. It was really nice of you to help me cheer up. I need some happiness in my life, especially after everything that's happened recently. A fifteen-year-old like me should be at home studying or hanging out with my friends at the park, not sitting in a hospital bed. Could you do me a favor before you leave? I'd sleep a lot better if you could change my sheets. I think I might have had an accident, but I'm not sure." Jeremy winced inwardly. It must have been hugely embarrassing for Honker to admit that he'd peed the bed. At least he'd been honest about it, just like what he'd said about not belonging in a place like this. Honker was right, he shouldn't be here, but unfortunately, he was. "Sure I'll help you, Honker. Why don't you go sit in your chair while I fix up the bed? Do you need a hand up or anything?" Honker brightened up as he shook his head. The teen's whole body shook as well as he gingerly got to his feet and walked, painfully, the few feet between bed and chair. //See Jeremy, I can do it.// He began to mouth the words to the nurse, but Jeremy had already left the room for some linen. The room was quiet except for the occasional noises outside Honker's door. It felt good to hear the silence now. Maybe they would let him sleep after Jeremy had fixed his bed up again. Soon, the bed was re-sheeted and Jeremy had Honker lying down on it. He said his goodbye to the blonde boy and went on with the rest of his nightly rounds. Honker yawned and burrowed under the covers, able to sleep securely knowing that Jeremy was nearby. next back |