I grabbed them both and hugged and kissed them tightly. “I thought I lost you! I have been hearing all these things,” Tiana said, distraught. “What’s happening? And who is this?”
I told Tiana Dain was a good friend of mine and that this was all a serious misunderstanding. I told Tiana she needed to stay at her mother’s, while I took care of a few things. I opened the car door for Tiana and Taylor.
I walked to the back of the car, where Dain was putting his things back in the trunk and asked, “How the hell did do that? Did you really just hand him over $80,000?”
Dain replied, “It’s all taken care of. He won’t be an issue for you anymore.”
“You’re kidding! I can’t even tell you how grateful and thankful I am! How much do I owe you?”
“We will figure that out later. Focus on your family, now. No need to worry, it’s taken care of.”
I was floored. I hopped in the backseat with Tiana and Taylor as Little Taylor smiled and kissed me and held my hand.
“Where are we headed to now?” asked Dain.
“Oh sorry, just keep going, I’ll tell you,” I replied.
On the way to Tiana’s mother’s house, I told Tiana I was in trouble. Distraught, Tiana insisted on calling the police. I told her not to call yet and assured her they were okay now, Taylor was safe.
“I have to go take care of something and I’ll be back in a few days. Stay at your mom’s until I come get you. I’ll call you tonight and explain everything. Trust me, everything is okay now,” I said.
“Just keep me posted,” she said. “I’m very worried.”
“Don’t be. It’s all okay, I promise.”
I could see the confusion and worry on her face. I hated that I had to put her and Taylor through that. We drop off Tiana and Taylor safely at her mom’s around 2:45 a.m. I told Dain, “Head back to the club. We have to go back for Max; he’s just a kid and has no car. I’m hoping my keys were found. Can you call your friend Siy’ra?”
Dain said okay and tried calling Siy’ra, who didn’t answer.
We got back to the club, which was closed. A few employees were walking out and I asked them if my keys were found. Surprisingly, someone did turn my keys in. I asked the two employees if they noticed a young Latin kid with a San Diego charger hat. They had no clue.
Maybe he found a ride home. Either way, Jr. was gone.
With Tiana and Taylor now safe, and Jr. gone, and I guess at home, I knew I had to stay away for a bit. The police will come looking for me. I just want to settle up with Dain, and get away.
“Thanks again for this, man. I can’t tell you much this means to me. So how much do I owe you now?”
Dain replied, “So you need a place to stay for a few days to lay low? You can stay at my place with my other siblings until all blows over. Also, I think I can help you with your situation you have going on. C’mon, we can discuss all of that at my place, follow me.”
His house? I know Dain helped me and all, however, going to some stranger’s house is not something I want to do. But, I know he helped me and saved my family, and I owe him money. I felt obligated. And really, what else was I going to do? I’ll go to his place, settle up with him, and leave.
“All right, that sounds good. Do you live far?” I asked. Dain said he didn’t live far and with nothing to lose, off we went to Dain’s house.
19
A new friend
Through winding dirt roads and thick trees, we drove up a hill to a three-story house. It reminded me of Jr.’s place. Only this house had a dark and sinister look to it. It was a black, old-fashioned house with no lights at all. The awnings looked exaggerated with what appeared to be claws over the windows. It was surrounded by a black gate made with bizarre shapes, and two leashed dogs in the yard, barking.
That’s weird. The dogs’ bodies have all white fur and black heads?
We got out of our cars and headed up the stairs, and I instantly felt my nose run. It was blood.
“Hey, your nose is bleeding. You all right?” Dain said. I told him I was fine.
The dogs lunged, barked, and snapped at me.
“Vex, Rue! No! Shut your ass’s!” yelled Dain. “And those are my dogs. Rue, she’s the one with one red eye and the other white. Vex, he’s the one with yellow eye’s. Depending on his mood, his eyes changes to all black when he’s upset. Weird, huh?”
“I’ve never seen dogs like them before. What kind of breed are they?”
“Cachorros Morto’s. For some reason they bring great fear on people. I don’t know why? There very mellow, actually.”
What? I thought. Damn psycho dogs.
We got up the stairs and to my surprise I heard smooth, catchy music. It was very different, a type of slow grunge with minimal lyrics I couldn’t understand. I’m digging this music. It sounded like there was a party going on inside.
“They’re partying at almost four a.m.?” I said.
Dain replied, “Always.”
Always? Damn.
Inside the house I was blown away how everything looked. It was almost 3D-like. There were sinister tapestries, statues, and paintings, and caged, unfamiliar creatures. I was unable to keep my eyes off the striking décor, as if it pulled me to it. The furniture were in the shapes of bizarre creatures. The statues, figures, and creatures, and the strange hieroglyphics and writings, were from another time.
I felt uneasy. Maybe it’s because I have never seen anything like that before, I thought. The allure of all the dark and bluish coloring completely mesmerized me. What the hell is this place? I wondered.
I followed Dain through hallways and corridors of the dark mansion. I felt a gust through each room and an odd attractive aroma. It all gave off a creepy, yet curious feeling. “This way,” Dain said as I followed him to the enormous living room. As I walked in the dimly lit room, mist filled the air. I saw many people, all of them familiar in appearance.
They were all young and good-looking, like models. They were gothic like, with an appealing, dark mystique about them.
Are these people some kind of high-class gypsies?
Like Dain, all of them were tatted up with some piercings with extremely cool clothes I had never seen before. They had subtle grins as they stared at me with looks that drew me into them while they drank and smoked joints. Over there, I saw a girl and a guy snort lines of another girl’s stomach. I can’t believe I’m seeing this, I thought. It was four a.m., and the partying showed no signs of stopping.
It was as if I’d walked into a dark, mist-filled, sinister nightclub with strobe lighting. Everyone was laughing, while others shot up unknown drugs. Some of the women were topless and others naked as they danced to the sensual catchy music. They were unbelievably beautiful and sexy with a dark, alluring appeal.
I looked over at the couch and I saw a woman performing fellatio on someone. Another woman was on top of a man, gyrating and grinding, looking right at me as they moaned in pleasure. They were drawing me into them. Damn, I love this. I want them! I was dangerously curious, and I wanted it all. In spite of the appeal, however, I had an uneasy feeling and didn’t feel right. Something told me to get out.
I turned to Dain, to tell him something had come up. I had to leave, but he was gone. Standing in his place were two half-naked, exotic women, both with wicked fuck-me-now smirks on their faces. They handed me a drink as they began to dance and grind on me, feeling me up all over. I became aroused and instantly felt powerless before their beauty and charm. I partook of an unknown drink that was handed to me as one of the girls pushed me onto the couch behind me. I was swarmed by other beautiful young women who kissed and caressed me all over.
A mist of smoke and sharp beams of light covered the dark room that was filled with laughter and celebration. The secondhand smoke of an unknown drug was exhaled into my mouth by another girl, followed by a sensual kiss. An intense feeling of arousal hit me like never before.
I was feeling good. I wasn’t going anywhere. Out of the mist, Dain appeare
d.
“My family…” Dain said as the music and partying stopped. “This is my good friend Caleb. Caleb is our brother and our guest of honor,” Dain added. Everyone clapped and cheered and made me feel right at home.
“Caleb, these are my brothers and sisters…” Did he just say brothers and sisters? I thought. Like it’s his real family? They can’t be!
“Caleb, these are my flesh and blood siblings, so you better watch your hands with my little sisters, there,” Dain said with a sarcastic laugh.
What the fuck? I’m in the midst of a freak show, I thought.
Dain waved his arm, pointing at one of his brothers, sitting on the stairs, and said, “Caleb, this is my family…”
One of the young men said, “A pleasure. I’m Joxel, the sly eldest.”
A girl standing next to him said, “I’m Zitaya, the haughty,” and smirked.
Dain said, “Over there are my two brothers, Stadiel, the conceded shit and the gluttonous pig Gibborim. And there is my easy sister Zariall, who can’t get enough. They laughed.
Is this a joke? Am I freaking out from that drug I inhaled? Whatever it was, the crude humor these guys have is hilarious, I thought.
Dain added, “And the envious Ithuriel, my sister, with my idolizing brother Humatiel. Next to you is my crafty witch sister Amitiel, my deadbeat sloth of a brother Rahmiel, and my drunk brother, Gadriel. That’s the hateful Valoel, my sister, along with my depressed brother Kasbiel, who is on sui watch as they say.” They laughed.
What the hell kind of names are these? I wondered.
Here next to me is Sorush, my brother who’s wanted for murder, and my other rebel brother Jyrel. And, of course, you already met my sons, Vex and Rue, my dogs. Like I said, they really are sweet.
There was an awkward silence.
I looked around the room as they all returned blank stares.
Hell no. Joking or not, I wanted to leave. However, I was high and out of it. I knew I had to play it cool. I said, “It’s a pleasure to meet everyone. I’m going to go on a limb here and say you guys are not from around here, right?”
Everyone laughed. Zitaya said “They’re funny, huh? Here,” and passed a joint to me. I looked at this mystery drug in my hand, unsure. Zitaya seductively gazed into my eyes and moved my hand to my mouth, and I took a hit; one… two… three…four…five and six. I held the hit and exhaled. I began to cough and my head became clouded.
“Of course we’re not from around here. Now that you’ve met the family, it’s time to sit back and enjoy the show,” said Dain, as he emerged from the shadow. Instantly it hit me as everything came to a slow blur. I felt lightheaded and started hallucinating. Dain stood before me with an evil smirk and took a hit from a joint. He exhaled, blowing a puff of smoke toward me that turned into a demonic figure.
Like some great showman, Dain began performing magic. A blue, electric orb appeared out of nowhere on both of his outstretched hands. Music and laughter rang louder and louder in my ears and everything seemed to be in slow motion. The misty room grew darker as Dain’s sisters continued to fondle and lick me all over, talking to me in some other language.
No! No! I told myself, wanting it all to stop. I knew I had to get out of there. I wanted to go home to Tiana and Taylor. Fuck all of this! I tried to get up but one of the girls pushed me down, unzipped my pants, and began to perform fellatio on me. I was mentally drained, weak and powerless in every way. I closed my eyes, leaned back, and no longer resisted.
“Caleb…hey, man!” I heard someone yell next to me. I opened my eyes and saw daylight. I found myself sprawled out on a couch with drool all over my arm. I quickly recalled where I was and why I was there. Settle with this guy, and get back to Tiana and Taylor, I thought.
“How’d you sleep?” Dain asked.
“Okay, I guess. Oh, I feel like shit. Where did everyone go?”
“They crashed out upstairs somewhere. Yeah, last night was pretty wild. You hit it hard.”
I started to recall some of the night and I was still trying to comprehend it all.
“That magic and stuff you were doing last night? That was some hardcore trippy shit you did. What the hell was that? Are you some kind of sorcerer?”
Dain laughed and replied, “Maybe…” with a smirk. “What did you see? I remember showing you a few little basic tricks and stuff. I’m pretty sure what you saw had a lot to do with what you smoked.” He laughed.
“I don’t know. Whatever it was, hallucination or not, it all seemed damn real,” I replied.
I thanked Dain for the offer to stay a few days. I told him I was good though, and I really needed to get back home to my wife and daughter. I asked him again about repayment. To my surprise, he said not to worry about it.
Don’t worry about it? Is this guy for real?
I was blown away and so grateful when I heard that. I felt compelled to open up to him a little more before I left.
I told him of my problems back at home, with work, and how I lost family through a severe financial crisis. Dain was sympathetic, hearing my issues and hardships, and I could see he was concerned. It was as if he understood me.
Is this the same person I was with yesterday? I wondered.
“Your family is being destroyed? Oh yes, don’t worry. I’m going to help you with that,” said Dain.
I told Dain to pardon my skepticism, but I knew he couldn’t help me. Dain looked at me and said, “Oh, I can help you, and I will. In fact, the next time you and Tiana see each other, it will all be different. For now, though, we’re going to chill one last night, and I’m going to help ease your mind.”
He’s going to save my family again? How can he say these things? Who is this guy? I wondered.
Dain added, “Consider this a part of your repayment. Call your wife and check on them. Let her know all is well and you will be home tomorrow.”
What was it about him? He had a very smooth way and carried himself well. He was convincing and made me feel so comfortable. I don’t know why, but I did just that.
I called and checked on Tiana and Taylor and they were safe. I assured her everything was okay and to have her mom take her home tomorrow and I would be there. She cried and insisted I come now and that she was scared. I reassured her that it was all going to be okay and I had to do this. I told her to be strong for Taylor, and that I loved her and would see her tomorrow.
I hated hanging up with her that way, but I had no choice. I knew she and Taylor needed me.
“Now, if you thought last night was a good time, wait until you see tonight,” said Dain.
I looked at Dain, thinking, a good time? Oh no, I don’t want to do more of that shit! And how the hell can any party get as wild and crazy as last night?
It could and did. We all went to exclusive, hidden under-clubs that were simply mind-blowing.
Club to club we went, and I had never seen anything like these places. Everything was in abundance and handed out freely. Anything we desired was at our disposal. Alcoholic drinks, drugs, and food of all kinds were everywhere. I looked across the way and saw, in the next room, naked women and men having an orgy.
Through the smoke, I could see Dain standing in front of me as he directed traffic: who was to go where, or do what. With a wave of his arm, he sent three girls to me, who handed me an unknown joint and a drink.
I didn’t feel right, I did not want anymore. I was stuck.
One of the girls straddled me and started grinding on me, as the other two kissed and fondled me all over. I looked at Dain, who gave a nod and a wicked grin.
Everywhere we went, people threw themselves at Dain as if he was some kind of rock star. As the night progressed, in these dark and hidden many places, it was easy to see Dain was like a god.
20
Round one
That next day, while trying to recover again from yet another wild night, I thanked Dain. I told him I couldn’t thank him enough for having me and for all he had done for me and my family. “It’
s all my pleasure, man. I think you’re pretty cool and could tell there was something about you, different perhaps from all the others,” Dain said.
This mysterious house, Dain’s odd family, those parties, and what he’d done for me were all so overwhelming and hard to comprehend. I was intrigued, and wanted to know more about Dain.
“So, do all of your siblings live here? Where do they all work? This is all so, well, different to me.”
Dain replied, “Differently cool, right?”
I said “Do you know Jr.’s family as well? It’s so crazy that you both have a large family. How does one meet two big families within a week?”
“Yes, all my siblings do work, and they all live here. And, oh yes, I do know Jr.’s family well. Speaking of your friend there…”
I replied, “Yes, Jr., it’s really bothering me not knowing if he is okay and if he made it home the other night. I’m going to check on him when I get home. Again, thanks for everything. I better head back.”
Dain hesitantly replied, “Of course. Before you go, I think you should know something of what I was trying to say about your friend Jr. there. I hate to even tell you this. You may want to keep your guard up and watch it when you’re around him.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“I have a close buddy that was with us the other night at the club, who hung out with Max Jr. after we left. Later that night, my buddy said Max Jr. was bragging about how he was with Siy’ra, taking her to a hotel.
“And at that hotel, Jr. raped and beat Siy’ra pretty bad.”
I was dumbfounded. I said, “No way! Is she okay? Your buddy has got to be mistaken! I just met that kid and still I can tell you he would not do that shit. That can’t be!”
Dain said, “Yeah, she’s badly hurt but recovering. I’m just as shocked as you are. And, yes, about his large family you spoke of. Jr. and his family are all well-known to everyone. They’re whack-jobs.”
“What? I cannot believe this! He and his family all seemed so nice and decent. They all helped me, and even prayed and talked about God and stuff. I just don’t believe any of this.”
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