“It’s about John Stone.”
“Yes?”
Mr. Black sighed, “Unfortunately the school cannot help him and his mother as much as we would have liked to. I realized that during our last conversation. Which is why we decided to send him to a special school, as you had suggested.”
“Thank you.”
“The sheriff wants to see him. I have contacted the authorities, like you suggested in your report. They will probably take him away tomorrow morning.”
“It is much sooner than I had expected.”
“His mother will be sent to a rehab. It will be a secure location. Not even John will know where she is for the next six weeks. But the special school is the best option for him. You have done what you could, Adam.”
“John needs to take a break from his mother.” Adam responded. “Trust me, I know the feeling.”
Mr Black leant back. “Also, on a more personal level . . .” He looked through his papers and then at his computer screen. “I am delighted that the students’ response has been positive toward you. Couple of parents phoned me. Others emailed me. They have started to notice a change in their children’s attitude.” He looked back at John. “I just want to thank you for everything you have done so far, especially as far as John is concerned.”
Adam felt optimistic, but knew there was still a long way to go.
“Thank you Mr. Black. I appreciate it. I will go to the sheriff’s office tomorrow morning when the transfer takes place.”
The school bell rang.
“That will be all, thanks, Adam. I will speak to John as soon as he arrives for school.”
Adam left the principal and walked back to his office.
An hour later there was a soft knock on his door.
“Come in.”
It was John.
“Hi.”
“Morning, John.”
But John didn’t enter.
“Why so shy?”
“I am not shy.” he shouted.
“Yes, but I texted you earlier. Are you okay?”
John leant against the office door. “With going away? That means I am going to lose you—my only friend—the only person who listened to me. The only guy I could really trust!”
On the one hand Adam was touched. On the other he was getting more worried by the minute. But at least he was beginning to break down the walls around John. He was actually starting to communicate with him on a more personal level, gaining more of his trust. But it was almost too late. John was going away. At least he had a hand in that.
“John. We will always be friends and I will stand by you throughout this process. Believe me it is better for you.”
John sighed and walked in. As he sat down, he didn’t make eye-contact.
“But the place they are sending me to . . .”
“You are going to a school where you will have your own room, a safer environment, counselors, teachers especially trained to work with your problems, and on top of that, your mom is finally getting help. You will also be able to make new friends at the school—guys who are going through the same problems as you.”
John’s now looked up for the first time.
“How do you feel about that?”
“I never liked this school anyway. And the other guys treated me like I was sick or something.”
“In your new school you are all in the same boat. Believe me. It is the best that we can do for you.”
“But still. Nobody understands me like you do.” John pleaded.
“There are highly qualified teachers and counselors there who will be dedicated to helping you. You will be fine. I will come and visit you.”
“Promise?”
“I promise. This is the best I can do for you. Eventually, you will thank me for this.”
John got up and walked up to Adam suddenly. He hugged him. Then he actually managed a grin.
“You know what?”
“Tell me?” Adam responded.
“I might even become a psychologist one day.”
Adam laughed.
“Then you will know what this feels like to be me!”
John now had a new purpose in life, something to work toward.
“Just promise me that you will stay out of trouble from now on, John.”
“I promise.”
“The only thing you need to do now is work hard and believe in yourself.”
“I guess.”
“I will stand by you, John. The social worker will be waiting for you at the station tomorrow, but the sheriff will explain everything. Now go back to class. Mr. Black will call you after school.”
“Thanks, Mr. Young.”
“Good luck, John.”
John looked at him for a beat, then left the office.
Adam’s cell phone beeped. It was a message from his mom.
Going for a walk – then I am going to buy you some take ways. You only have healthy snacks and coffee! If I don’t look after you, nobody will!
He just hoped his mom wouldn’t get up to any trouble while she took her walk.
***
It was only later that Adam learned what had transpired that fateful morning.
Darlene made a list of everything her son might need. She asked the janitor for directions to the nearest super market and took her shopping bags.
As she walked, she studied the buildings. Not such a bad town after all, she thought. Her son could actually be happy here.
Poor Adam.
She smiled. She held her son close to her heart. But his sudden move to this town, his extreme reaction when he and what’s-his-name broke up (as she’d warned him would happen), and his irrationality troubled her. If only she could do more for him.
His behavior last night toward Pastor Ken had been the last straw. But perhaps she’d over-reacted by bringing the pastor to his apartment. She shouldn’t have done that. But she was desperate. She had no other choice.
She stepped off the pavement to cross the road. Suddenly a Ford Sedan honked right next to her.
“Get out of the road you fucking old bitch!” Somebody threw something at her.
Darlene stumbled and fell.
The sedan with a group of laughing men disappeared down the road. She managed to get part of their registration number.
Darlene finally managed to get up. Then she saw another vehicle approaching.
The car stopped next to her.
“Ma’am, are you all right?” It was an old man with a cap on his head.
“I think so.”
“You don’t look too good, if you don’t mind me saying so.”
“Can you please take me to the police station?”
The man helped her into his car and drove off.
Darlene’s heart was pounding heavily. She tried to answer her good Samaritan’s questions, but was too emotional to really talk. Five minutes later he stopped in front of the sheriff’s office and helped her out.
She had to wait for about ten minutes to see the sheriff, and when she finally walked into his office, he got up.
He looked pleasant and imposing at the same time.
“Good morning, ma’am. I am Sheriff Todd Johnson.”
Darlene had no time for pleasantries. “Good morning, Sheriff.”
“How may I help you?” he asked when she didn’t introduce herself.
“I was nearly run over by a madman, driving a Ford Sedan. But I managed to take down part of the registration plate.”
“Good for you. I will send out a message to my officers immediately.”
She passed the piece of paper to him with part of the registration number on.
“I didn’t expect this kind of behavior in such a tranquil town.”
“I’m afraid every town has that element,” the sheriff replied.
“Well. They could have killed me.”
“Are you ok?” asked the sheriff as he picked up the phone.
“For the moment, I am good, yes.”
The sh
eriff reported the incident and asked his men to be on the lookout for the car.
As they talked about the incident, Darlene studied the friendly sheriff. He was quite a handsome and solid man. Big and strong with broad shoulders and lots of authority. If only she had a daughter to introduce to him, she thought.
“Are you sure you’re not hurt?” he asked when she rubbed her arm.
“No. Through the grace of God I am fine, thanks for asking.”
He looked at her enquiringly. “By the way. Are you from out of town?”
“Yes, actually I am.” She held out her hand. “Sorry. I didn’t introduce myself. My name is Darlene Young. I am visiting my son, Adam. He is a counselor at the school.”
“Oh.” The sheriff lifted his eyebrows, but said nothing more. “Can I take you home?”
What an incredibly nice man, Darlene thought; handsome and gracious. That takes some doing!
“Well, if it’s not too much trouble.”
“No trouble at all, Mrs. Young.” He smiled.
Darlene was smitten. “Thanks for being so considerate and kind.”
“Unfortunately not everybody in this town thinks so.”
She noticed a wedding band on his left index finger. Lucky wife, she thought.
“Shall we go?”
She gave him the address but he didn’t even write it down.
“I’ll take you there.”
And she couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was now more interested in her than when she’d first reported the incident.
Chapter seven
At twelve thirty that afternoon Adam got a call from his new landlord, Mr. Lockhart. If he wanted to, he could occupy his new office as soon as he wanted to.
Adam couldn’t believe his luck. Finally, things were beginning to fall into place.
He made an appointment with the landlord to get the keys that afternoon, even before he signed the lease.
“I’ll see you at half past one,” said the landlord.
“Thanks, I will be there.”
He barely got over the surprise when his phone rang again. Adam was a bit annoyed, as he still had to complete his notes on one of the boys he was counseling.
“Hello. Adam Young speaking.”
“Hello Adam.” He recognized the sheriff’s voice immediately. “Are you busy?”
Adam’s heart skipped a beat. The way the sheriff talked to him was friendly, even gentle.
“I will be at the station tomorrow to support John with the transfer, Todd.”
“That’s not why I phoned.”
Adam tried to control his breathing.
“I don’t understand.”
There was a short silence.
“I was just wondering whether you were doing anything over lunch.”
Adam could barely answer.
“Adam? Are you still there?”
How he loved the way Todd said his name.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m still here.”
“So?”
He thought carefully before answering.
“I am going to my new office. It seems that I can move in sooner than I’d expected, so I am going over there to take one final look.”
The sheriff sounded disappointed.
“So, you are busy.”
Adam tried to remain calm.
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“Okay. No problem. Have a nice afternoon.” He disconnected the line.
Shit. Perhaps he should’ve invited him over. Perhaps he should have been friendlier.
Fuck!
At one fifteen Adam drove to his new office where the landlord was waiting for him.
After a few pleasantries, the older man handed him the keys, reassuring that they will sign the necessary papers the following day.
Adam walked through his new office like a kid surveying a new playground. The more he looked at it, the more he liked it. This was exactly what he needed.
“I hope you will be very happy here, Mr. Young,” said the landlord.
“I’m sure I will, thanks, Mr. Lockard.”
The landlord left and Adam sat down on the floor. He studied the walls. It would need a new color scheme.
He took out a notebook and started making notes of changes he would like to make in the room which was going to be his new office.
Once again he couldn’t get Todd out of his mind.
It was extremely hot, so he took off his shirt and put it next to him.
He was just about to get up and walk to the next room when he noticed a movement. For a moment he was petrified. He was completely alone and after his experience with the gang, he now felt even more vulnerable. He slowly reached for his cell phone.
Then he heard a familiar voice behind him. It was Todd Johnson.
“Excuse me, sir. You ordered take-out?”
“Todd!” He couldn’t help himself. He turned around with a smile of relief.
Todd put two pizzas down on the floor. Adam couldn’t believe his eyes.
“Mind if I join?”
Adam could see how Todd looked at his chest and flat tummy.
“Not at all.”
Adam started feeling insecure.
“You look great, Adam.”
“Oh, thanks.”
Adam put his arms over his chest as if trying to shield himself from Todd’s intense stare.
“Please don’t.”
Adam removed his arms but Todd kept staring.
“Is anything a matter?” Adam asked.
“I see you like working out.”
“Well, I haven’t worked out as much as I would have liked to, lately.”
“You look fantastic.”
“Uhm. Oh. Thank you.”
Still feeling a little self-conscious, Adam reached for his shirt.
“Leave it.”
“Excuse me?”
“Why would you possibly want to cover yourself up? Fuck, you’re sexy.”
Adam was at a loss for words again. He looked at the pizza. He was just about to reach out for a slice, when Todd took off his shirt too.
Adam couldn’t help but stare at those powerful abs, the little hairs just beneath his tummy, the bulging muscles in his strong arms.
Todd dropped his shirt next to Adam’s.
He moved his shoulders vigorously as if preparing for battle, flexing his muscles, his body glistening with sweat.
Adam reached for his shirt again.
“I said don’t. And that is an order.” Todd growled softly.
“But I—”
“If you continue to cause any more trouble, I will have to arrest you.”
“But I have done nothing wrong,” Adam exclaimed.
“Oh, but you have.”
The sheriff took out handcuffs and started stroking them.
“What do you mean?”
Todd continued to caress the handcuffs.
“You have seduced the sheriff.”
Adam’s cock was beginning to stiffen.
“Don’t move.” The sheriff stared at Adam’s crotch. “Another movement, and I will have no choice but to take action.”
Adam was helpless. His cock moved to full erection fighting against his pants.
Todd stared at the moving bulge in Adam’s pants.
“Not following orders, Adam?”
He faintly responded, “I really don’t know what you are talking about.”
Todd still stared at Adam’s crotch.
“I think you do.”
Suddenly losing control, Todd grabbed Adam, pulled him up and spun him around to face the wall. Then he took Adam’s hands and pinned them behind his back.
“Shit . . .”
Todd quickly and expertly handcuffed Adam.
Adam’s erection was now getting painful, begging for a release. He started breathing heavily as Todd pressed him against the wall, Adam could feel Todd’s erection against his back through his pants.
“Okay. If you continue to complicate this arrest . . .”
Todd suddenly pulled down Adam’s pants, followed by his boxers. It took a while for the boxers to slide over his erection. Todd now pressed his erection against Adam’s back, just above his cuffed hands.
“You are in even more trouble than I thought,” said Todd.
Adam could scarcely speak. “What do you mean?”
“With an ass like that, you could easily seduce a man.” He shifted against Adam’s butt cheeks. “Any man. Especially the sheriff. And need I remind you that that is against the law.”
Adam started getting weak at the knees, his thighs tensing.
“Guilty as charged, officer.”
Todd stroked Adam’s ass. It felt like heaven—those big, strong hands, against his bare skin. Then he felt the sheriff’s stubble against his back and his pants against his legs. It was so intense, with a pleasurable roughness that almost made him come.
The sheriff pulled down Adam’s hands and slipped his index finger through Adam’s crack, gently forcing it open. The finger inside him was strong and sure, probing upward, until it reached his prostate.
Adam moaned softly.
Todd slowly retracted the finger.
“Confess.”
He slowly massaged Adam’s prostate.
“Confess what?”
“How you feel about me.”
“I . . .” Adam tried to get his breath back. ”I . . .”
“In that case, if you still don’t want to confess . . . my delicious prisoner—” His breath was hot against Dam’s butt cheeks; warm and wonderfully sensitive. “Then I will just have to force a confession out of you in another way.”
Todd bent down and started rimming Adam.
Adam let out a moan of pleasure. He started shuddering uncontrollably, his legs almost giving way, his sphincter twitching as every nerve end stood to attention.
Todd slowly pulled his tongue out.
“Was that a complaint I heard?”
“Oh god . . .”
Adam couldn’t form any more words. Peter had never gone this far with him, so it took him a moment to get used to the feeling and control himself.
“Say again?”
“No officer.” The pleasure was almost unbearable.
“May I continue?”
“With the arrest?”
“With studying the prisoner.”
“Oh yeah.”
Todd’s tongue moved into him again and Adam groaned even louder. This was better than anything he had felt before.
Todd slipped two fingers inside him again and Adam cried out.
Battlefields: Everyone has battles Page 9