Caged

by E. M. Leya

  Danny nodded.

  "How is it living there?"

  "Good. He doesn't make me go out if I don't want to. I've tried a few times, but I keep worrying Larry will show up and find me."

  "That would probably be something I'd fear too if it was me. Does Marshall know you're scared of that?"

  "Yeah, he's got a good alarm system and even guns in his room, but I still get nervous. Sometimes I lay in bed at night worried Larry will sneak in and find me."

  "Are you sleeping enough or does this fear keep you awake?"

  "I think I sleep enough. Sometimes it's hard to get to sleep, but once I do, I sleep a long time." Danny relaxed a little, leaning back into the couch.

  "What else have you been doing?"

  Danny smiled. "I'm helping Marshall paint his basement and he's going to teach me how to put up walls in one of the other areas. We play a lot of video games too, and he's teaching me how to use his computer."

  "Do you like that?"

  "Yeah. I can look up everything on there. I missed so much, but I can just type in a year and see what happened. I feel like I missed things I need to know."

  "You did. You missed a lot of growing up in the way most boys grow up. You still grew, but you didn't have the experiences most of us did. That's got to be hard. Maybe makes you feel like you have a lot of catching up to do, but I don't think you do."

  "You don't?"

  "Nope. A lot of those experiences don't really matter and are part of being a certain age. The time's come and gone already for you to do those things. I think you're better on focusing on the man you are now, the person you grew up to be, and making new experiences from now on. You can't go back, only forward."

  "But how will I know what everyone else knows?"

  "You'll learn it. You'll experience it. There's no reason you can't go to school and learn things. You said yourself the internet is amazing. I did half my schooling online. It was better than having to be stuck in a stuffy classroom all of the time." Gary got up and went to a cupboard under his bookcase. "Would you like a drink? I have soda, water, or I can make coffee if you like."

  "Water, please. My stomach is still adjusting to all the other stuff."

  "Guess that means you didn't eat well while being held?"

  "Mostly oatmeal once, sometimes twice a day."

  "Yuck. That would get old fast." Gary handed him a bottle of water. "Mind if I sit at the other end of the couch?"

  Danny shook his head as he twisted the cap off the bottle.

  "So, since we'll be meeting here twice a week, is there anything you want to talk about now?"

  Danny shrugged, then lifted his gaze to meet Gary's. "I don't know what to talk about. I don't want to talk about Larry or the time I was held."

  "Okay, then we won't. So that means you want to talk about things going on now, how you're adjusting?"

  "Yeah. I want to talk about feeling normal, not being scared. I want to get a job, make some money so Marshall doesn't have to take care of me. I want to learn to drive."

  "Good goals. Doable goals." Gary opened his can of Coke. "What is normal to you? What would make you feel normal?"

  Danny had thought about this a lot. "Not having everyone know who I am or what happened to me. Not having people feel sorry for me, or worse, blame me."

  "Who is blaming you?" Gary's voice was a bit louder with the question.

  "No one yet, but I'm sure they will. I saw some of the stuff online. People saying that I liked it and that's why I stayed so long. Others saying I was paid to do those things."

  "People can be mean, and online, they are even meaner. They say things there they'd never dare say to your face. Don't go looking online at all the lies and stuff. If you have to look, stick to real news sites. You do know that you're not to blame, right? This wasn't your fault."

  "Everyone keeps saying that."

  "You don't believe them?"

  "If I hadn't gone with Larry to play with the puppy, he wouldn't have taken me."

  "You know that's not true. I mean there's a chance he wouldn't have, but there is also a chance that he would have just found another way. In my experience, most pedophiles pick who they want. They take the time to watch your routine, see where you will be, and plan out a way to take you. I'm guessing if the puppy hadn't worked, he would have tried again some other way." Gary frowned. "People like him are criminals who know what will happen if they get caught. They have a plan. Very few act without thinking. I bet when he took you, he had the house all set up and ready for you. He knew what he needed to prepare before he got you there."

  Danny had never thought about that, but it was true. The locks were in place, the windows had been cemented in. Everything was prepared. "You're right. I never thought about that before. Do you think there were others before me?"

  "We have no way of knowing," Gary said softly. "So, our hour is almost up. Was today as bad as you thought it would be?"

  Danny smiled. "No. I thought you'd force me to talk about everything."

  "No one can force you to talk. I'm here if you need someone to listen, but I'd rather just hang out and talk about life and what's going on. I'll share some of my life, you share some of yours. In time, our conversations might get more serious, but talking about some of this stuff takes trust, and I sure as hell don't expect you to trust me that way in an hour."

  "This was a lot easier than I thought it would be," Danny admitted.

  "So you'll come back?"

  Danny laughed. "Yeah."

  "Good. Next time you can tell me about the painting you're doing and I'll tell you about my weekend and what I did."

  "Sounds good." Danny stood, shoving his hands in the pockets of his pants. "Thanks for making this easy."

  "You wouldn't come back if I didn't." Gary stood and smiled. "Come on, I'll walk you out and you can introduce me to Marshall if you want."

  Danny nodded and headed out the door. He took a deep breath, glad things hadn't gotten too intense. He could handle this. He was slowly seeing that the things he worried about most turned out to be easier than he thought. People seemed to understand he couldn't be pushed. As he walked into the lobby to find Marshall waiting for him, he was thankful that he'd ended up with people who could understand.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  "They all know I'm here, right?" Danny asked as Marshall lit the tiki torches around the backyard.

  "Yep, they all know I have a new roommate. They're excited to meet you. You've met Rani already, but I think you'll like the others. They're good people. Remember I told you I went through some shit after my aunt died and ended up dropping out of college? Well, it was these guys who helped me pick up the pieces, find a good job, and refocus my life. If they hadn't stepped in, I'd probably be arrested for hacking by now because I was getting very close to taking a couple jobs doing that right before Jeremy called me." Marshall was excited to introduce Danny to the team. He couldn't really tell him what the team did. He was leaving it at computer programing and keeping it simple. Still, he hoped the team would help Danny relax a little, and give him a few more people to call friends. He walked over and placed his hands on Danny's shoulders. "Just breathe. You have no reason to be nervous. They're going to love you. This is the best group of people I've ever known. No one is judgmental. They're going to get to know you, ask what you like to do, maybe even kick your ass a time or two playing video games. You'll have a good time."

  "Won't they want to know about—"

  "They already know all they need to from the news. They won't even bring it up unless you do." He hoped he was right. He couldn't see anyone in the group pushing for information or trying to make Danny talk about his past.

  "So what do I do?"

  "You have fun. You help me bring food out when the time is right. You laugh and smile. If it gets too much, you grab a book or the laptop and go to your room to escape. Other than me checking on you, no one will bother you there." Marshall smiled. "You're worrying about nothing."r />
  "I do that a lot."

  "It just takes getting used to new things and new people. I predict by the time the group leaves tonight you'll consider them all friends. Remember, we all have stuff in our past we don't like. You're not the only one. Focus on the here and now. Just enjoy yourself and get to know these guys. They're a big part of my life, and as long as we're roommates, you'll have them around from time to time." The doorbell rang, and Marshall gave Danny a supportive smile before turning and going to open the door.

  "Hey!" Jessica grinned as she stood alone on the porch. "This house is so cute. I love it. The second I pulled up I imagined it in the spring with a ton of flowers around the porch." She held up a cake pan. "My famous better than sex chocolate cake."

  "You know the way to my heart." Marshall grinned, taking the cake. "This is all for me, right?"

  She slapped his arm. "No way did I go to all the work to make it not to get a bite."

  "Come on in." He gestured to the living room. "You're the first to arrive."

  "Men are always running late." She winked as she moved into the room and looked around. "Very nice, though it could use a woman's touch."

  "And I am guessing you're that woman?" Marshall teased.

  "Maybe." She looked up as Danny stepped into the room. "Ah, and you must be the new roommate, Danny." She walked over and paused right in front of him. "I'm a hugger, but I won't if you don't like them."

  Danny blushed. "It's okay." He opened his arms to her and they hugged quickly.

  "Danny, this is Jessica. She's the brave one who dares to be the only female at work surrounded by a bunch of crazy men."

  "You're not that hard to put up with." She grinned. "So how are you two getting along?" She asked Danny. "Tell me all of Marshall's secrets. Does he snore loudly, scratch his balls as he lounges on the couch, eat some weird mixture of food?"

  Marshall rolled his eyes.

  Danny laughed. "Isn't it against the roommate rules to give away such information?"

  Marshall grinned. "See, you can't get shit on me."

  "I will. Danny hasn't tasted my cake yet. Once he does, I can bribe him for information on you with my wonderful baking skills." Jessica smiled. "Seriously, Marsh, this house is so cute. I love it. Makes my old place look like a dump."

  "Thanks. It needs a little work, but I love it. Danny and I have been working on finishing the basement. That will give us a rec room, two more bedrooms, and a bathroom."

  "You can move the whole team in." Jessica grinned.

  "Don't get ideas. Danny and I like our peace and quiet, and there is no peace when the team gets together." Marshall turned as the doorbell rang again. "As Danny is about to find out."

  He hurried to open the door.

  "Nice place, Marsh. After seeing your apartment, I was a bit worried about the house you'd pick." Jeremy grinned.

  "Anything I picked would be better than my old apartment." Marshall stepped back and let D and Jeremy into the house. "Welcome to my abode."

  "Nice." D looked around. "I see you already set up the entertainment?" He walked over and picked up the video games and started looking through them.

  "I warned Danny it might be a night of video games." Marshall laughed.

  "Where is he?" Jeremy asked.

  "Jessica is trying to bribe all my secrets from him." Marshall gestured to the kitchen.

  "She beat me to him." Jeremy smiled as he headed the way Marshall had gestured.

  They all followed, and he was pleased to find Danny and Jessica sitting at the counter, laughing about something. He didn't dare try to guess what. Whatever it was, he was sure it was about him and some stupid thing he'd done at work. He was sure to hear about it later. "Hey, Danny, I'd like you to meet my bosses. This is D and Jeremy."

  "Hi." D offered his hand. "It's nice to meet you. Take my advice and don't believe anything Jessica tells you. She's just trying to stir up trouble."

  Danny took D's hand.

  "You going nuts living with this guy, yet?" Jeremy offered his hand.

  Danny took it as he laughed. "Not at all. It's been great. You guys know stuff I don't? You make it sound as if he's trouble."

  "Nah, he's a good guy for the most part." D shoved Marshall in the shoulder playfully. "Now that he's out of that nasty apartment, we can actually visit. The place is nice, Marshall."

  "Thanks. It will do until I can get some fancy place like you have." Marshall was aware that Jeremy and D had homes bought for them by the California team. The houses were huge. Jeremy had recently sold his and moved in with D, and Marsh wished he'd considered buying Jeremy's place, but honestly, he didn't need that much room. This place was perfect for him.

  "You live at work most of the time. No reason to waste your money on fancy when you sleep in an office chair," Jeremy teased.

  "I'm finding I like being home now that I don't have to hear the drunks fighting or the drug dealers demanding money. I could get used to this life. I might have to cut back my hours." Marshall went to the fridge. "Beer, soda, water?"

  Once everyone had their drinks, they moved to the backyard, sitting around the deck, enjoying the afternoon sun. Marshall watched Danny closely, looking for any signs of discomfort, but he was sitting with Jessica, talking about flowers and what kind they should get for the yard. It was such a simple thing, but that was what Danny needed, simple, casual conversations.

  The doorbell rang again but before he could get to the door, Rani called in, "it's just me and Patrick. We come in hopes that Jessica brought cake."

  "You're in luck," Marshall told them as they came into the house.

  "This place is fantastic. It makes me want my own place." Patrick looked around.

  Patrick was still living with Rani at the team house. He said he wanted to get to know the area better before buying a place, but after a year, he still hadn't even started looking. Which was fine. It was nice to have people living at the team house to interact with when Marshall was putting in long hours.

  "There's four on this block for sale," Marshall told him. "I could handle you as a neighbor."

  "Here." Rani handed him a plate covered in aluminum. "I made some halva for tonight. Don't get used to it. I hate being in the kitchen."

  "But it's so good." Patrick licked his lips.

  "I agree. He should make it more often for us." Marshall loved the sweet treat that was common in Oman and other areas of the world. He'd never tried it until Rani had been bored and made a batch for the team one night. Now, he couldn't get enough of it. "Thanks." He set the plate beside Jessica's plate. "Everyone is outside."

  They made their way out, and Marshall paused with an arm around Patrick. "Danny, this is Patrick. He's the last of my co-workers for you to meet."

  "Last but not least." Patrick grinned, going over to Danny and offering his hand. "Nice to meet you."

  "You too." Danny smiled. "So it's a really small company?"

  Marshall glanced at Jeremy and D before answering with as basic an answer as he could. "We like it small. We take on projects that can take some time. The smaller the team, the easier to focus. Too many people involved and things tend to get confusing. With a small team, we each have an area to focus on and it seems to run smoothly."

  "I like that. It's probably why you guys are all so close." Danny glanced at the group. "Maybe Marshall can teach me what he knows and I can work for you someday."

  Jessica smiled at him, her eyes soft with affection. "You'd fit right in."

  Marshall wished it was that simple. Danny could never know what the team did. It was the first rule. They didn't share team business with anyone, no matter how close they were. If there ever was a time someone needed to know, it would only happen after the entire team agreed. If one person thought the person shouldn't know, the subject was dropped and everyone remained silent about it. It was too risky to have anyone know that they were castrating pedophiles in the area. While most would cheer them on, there were some who thought it went a step too far
. As far as Marshall was concerned, anyone who hurt a child deserved to die. He refocused, needing to get off the subject of work. "You guys ready to eat?"

  "Starving." Jeremy smiled.

  "Can we start with Jessica's cake?" D asked.

  Jessica laughed and leaned close to Danny. "They've all tried to talk me out of the recipe, but I won't share."

  "I'll get it from her somehow." Marshall grinned before glancing up at Danny. "Help me bring stuff out?"

  "Sure." He followed Marshall into the house.

  Once in the kitchen, Marshall turned to Danny. "You okay? Not too much for you?"

  "No, it's good. They seem nice. I really like Jessica."

  "Me too. I'm glad you like them. If they get to be too much, just sneak away for a bit. No one will question it." He gathered a plate of steaks that were ready to go on the grill. "Will you grab the stuffed mushrooms we made and the salad?"

  "Yep." Danny dug into the fridge, pulling things out.

  Jessica walked in. "What can I help with?"

  "Steak sauce, dressing, condiments we might need." Marshall hip bumped her as he headed out.

  He loved these guys. They were all so different, but somehow, they fit together. Odd puzzle pieces that fit together to make everything work just right. He'd never found a group like that. Even with his old high school friends, there were always problems. One didn't like the other or someone was causing drama. That didn't happen here. They just accepted each other, and that was why they were perfect for Danny too.

  As he put the steaks on the grill, he heard Danny laughing. It wasn't the short laugh he heard from time to time, but a hard, heavy laugh. He glanced over to see him with Jessica, both of them wiping their eyes of tears from laughing so hard. This was exactly what Danny needed. It was the first time he'd seen him relax and let his guard down. He wished he could take him to the team house to hang out while they worked, but that wasn't possible.

  "Make mine rare." Patrick came up beside Marshall at the grill.

  "Bloody it is." Marshall flipped a steak. "What's new?"

  "Not much. Really like the house. I'm thinking I need to start looking for my own place. Do you think you'd go house hunting with me, show me how you found yours? I know nothing about buying a home," Patrick asked.