Halloween Series 2022

The Chosen

“Hell is empty and all the devils are here.” – William Shakespeare

Thomas followed Kenneth out of town, riding their bikes along Chestnut Street. They had been in downtown at the town square where Kenneth’s father, Mayor Wentworth was giving a speech in front of the courthouse. They took it as an opportunity to slip from his supervision. It frustrated Kenneth how his old man kept constant tabs on him, he a senior, eighteen years old, and a man in his eyes. But his father didn’t consider him a man, but instead something that had to be watched, always fearful he would do something to embarrass him and hurt his chances at another term as mayor. Kenneth also knew those that were guilty of breaking the law of Middlefield suffered severely with the sense of justice that would be meted out.  

Thomas knew how Kenneth felt, for his own parents smothered him, typically didn’t let him out of their sight, unless he was under the watchful eye of the mayor and his wife. He wasn’t going to break the law. He wasn’t a thief or a rebel rouser. He was just a timid shy guy who sought some attention from someone else. For the last three years, that attention came from Kenneth.

They rode out of downtown and through the residential neighborhood of New Britain until passing the Johnson apple orchard, signifying they had left the town limits. Legs pumping the pedals of their bicycles, they made their way all the way to McAllister Bridge. Kenneth led Thomas off the road, down the ditch until on the small level clearing where people came to fish the creek. Thomas put his bike in the edge of the woods, leaned against a tree and Kenneth came up behind him pushing his bike to the opposite side of the tree.

“You want to swim?” asked Kenneth.

Thomas looked at Kenneth feeling both excited and afraid. He wanted more than anything to swim with him, for it meant Kenneth would strip naked. There had been a time they skinny dipped all the time, but they were twelve and thirteen. When they turned fourteen, he had refused one time, afraid of how he would respond to seeing Kenneth naked. That fear of revealing his secret, one his cock could betray him by growing erect by his response to seeing Kenneth’s body. Kenneth seemed to sense what Thomas meant by his refusal, so over the next four years there had been no trips to the creek.

Thomas stood on the small sandy strip along the bank of the river looking across the cool swirling waters, then back to Kenneth.

“Yeah, sure,” Thomas replied, suddenly desperate for the opportunity to see Kenneth naked.

“Let’s go downstream to that small island of sand so no one will come up on us,” said Kenneth.

“Do you think it is still there? We had those storms last winter and-“

“It’s still there. I came down here last weekend to fish when you went down to the beach with your folks.”

“Oh, okay,” Thomas replied as he followed Kenneth under the wood bridge. On the other side the banks were grown up and they took off their shoes and waded in the shallowest part of the creek, stepping over a small fallen tree that lay across it. Soon the bridge was out of sight because of the curving creek bed and the heavy growth along its banks.

Thomas watched his friend wading ahead of him. The sandy brown hair that was long enough to cover half his ears, something his own father considered a sin, something that looked feminine, making Thomas wear a crew cut, sides so short the skin was visible. Then there was the body. Kenneth was at least six foot tall, two, maybe three inches taller than his own five ten, and his body was more muscular, more masculine. Kenneth even had to shave regularly, and it had not escaped his noticed the dark brown shadow of a beard along the jaw and chin. He wondered what it would feel like against his own skin. He wondered if Kenneth ever considered him in the same way. If so, what did he see? A guy shorter, skinnier, with black hair and green eyes and pale skin. A guy who didn’t feel masculine, but still felt like a kid.

“I forgot how far downstream that island is from the bridge,” said Thomas as they made their way around a sharp bend in the creek. He had to stop thinking of it, so he lured Kenneth into a discussion.

“When I came last weekend I thought the same thing, but when we go back, you’ll see it’s not that far.”

“How big is the island? Last time I saw it, it wasn’t very big. Maybe twenty to twenty-five feet long and I doubt it was eight feet wide.”

“Actually, it’s a bit bigger, and there is vegetation growing on one end of it. I bet its nearly forty feet long, but it’s still narrow.”

“Is that deep area just upstream of it?”

“Yep. I bet it is ten feet deep or deeper.”

“I hope no one else comes down here,” Thomas whispered.

“Me too,” Kenneth replied likewise, as if it were a secret between them that made them to want to be alone.

After a familiar bend, the outer side an eroded bank six or seven feet high revealing the bands of soils, Thomas saw the island. It was longer, and on the far end small trees and other plants were covering it, but there was still twenty feet or more of bare sand, and in front of it, the dark waters of the deep section.

“Come on, lets wade around it and get on the island to take off our clothes,” said Kenneth.

Thomas stood in his tighty-whities embarrassed by how his cock pushed outward, but he couldn’t stop looking at Kenneth as he had stripped. And he kept looking as he reached for the waistband to take his briefs off. He saw a more muscular body, pecs and biceps showing definition and a narrow waist leading down to a long flaccid cock. The cock was darker than the rest of Kenneth, although Kenneth did have a nice, tanned skin tone compared to his own pale white complexion. He turned his back to Kenneth and slipped his briefs off, tossing them on top of his clothes.

There was a splash behind him, and he looked over his shoulder seeing where Kenneth had dived in and bubbles rising in a line going away from the island. Thomas turned and rushed to the water’s edge, but before he could dive in, Kenneth surfaced facing him. For a moment, the briefest of time, Thomas was standing on the bank with a half hard cock in full view. Then he dove quickly hoping Kenneth hadn’t noticed.

Thomas cut through the water, down, then curving upward until he broke through the surface. He wiped his eyes and looked around finding Kenneth to his side looking back. Despite the cold waters and his fear of being seen aroused, or maybe because of it, his cock was still hard and sticking straight out. He worried about how long he would have to stay in the deeper waters to conceal it.

Kenneth slowly paddled toward Thomas, only his head visible. Thomas dog paddled in place, not wanting to move to shallow waters and soon was face to face with his friend.

Kenneth smiled. “You got a hardon.” It was stated so matter-of-factly, Thomas wasn’t sure how to respond. But Kenneth continued with a lowered voice. “I’m getting one too.”

“You are?” Thomas blurted out.

“Yeah, being naked, I think.”

“Yeah, I think so too.”

“Race you to the island,” said Kenneth, and Thomas suddenly no longer felt embarrassed or felt his old fear. “On three,” Kenneth added.

They swam as fast as they could, Thomas initially in the lead, but Kenneth was stronger, his rhythm slightly better, and he pulled ahead then raced through the swallow waters at the island’s edge until standing on dry sand.

“I win,” Kenneth exclaimed.

Thomas came up beside him and saw Kenneth was indeed just as erect, his penis swelled thick and curving upward. He found himself staring at it, unable to take turn away.

“Yeah, mine curves upward while yours is straight as an arrow,” said Kenneth stepping closer. “But we’re both really hard, aren’t we?”

“Yeah,” Thomas uttered. He felt so tempted to reach out and touch Kenneth, he was flexing his right hand.

“Is your skin as tight as mine,” said Kenneth, slowly stroking down his cock pulling the skin tighter.

“Right now…it’s tight.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Can I feel it?”

Thomas found himself holding his breath, shocked and excited that Kenneth just asked to touch his cock. He wanted to touch Kenneth and now he had his opportunity.

“Can I touch yours?”

“Yes, let’s do it together.”

Thomas held his breath as Kenneth touched his cock at the same time he touched him. At first, they just rubbed their index fingers along the other’s cock, then Kenneth toyed with the head of Thomas’, and Thomas grew bolder, circling his fingers around the hard shaft, feeling it flex in his hands, and he stroked it once, base to the head back to the base. He saw Kenneth’s toes curl and heard the gasp.

“Do it again,” Kenneth uttered, “only don’t stop.”

“Will you do me?”

“Yes.”

At first, hands moved tentatively on hard cocks. They were afraid to show how much they wanted to do manipulate the other. But it felt too good, so fucking good, and Kenneth leaned forward until his forehead was against Thomas’ forehead. They could feel the shaking of the other with the movement of their hand as they grew bolder, more focused, each breathing hard. They watched the other’s hand on their cock, then watched their own hand on the other’s cock.

“It feels good, doesn’t it?” whispered Kenneth.

“Yes,” Thomas whispered in reply.

“You want to do something else?”

“What?”

“I don’t know…maybe we could…”

“Could, what?”

“Will you do it too?”

Thomas realized Kenneth was as scared as he. Neither were prepared to admit to something that was queer, but he wanted to try anything Kenneth was willing to do.

“Yes. What do you want to try?”

“Will you put it in your mouth?”

“Will you?”

“Yes.”

They moved slowly further up the island and lay on the warm dry sand. They took the other in hand and for a moment just stared at flared heads and how the slit was gapping open. Kenneth went first, stuck his tongue to Thomas’ cock head, then slipped the head through his lips. Thomas shivered and moaned, then took Kenneth in his mouth, pushing forward, sinking it deep into his mouth until the head pushed into his throat.

They sucked each other, tentatively at first, then gaining confidence pushed by their arousal. At times noisily slurping the head of the other’s cock.

Thomas lifted his head and looked at Thomas on his cock. He balled his fist tight and watched Kenneth, how he moved up and down feeling every move.

Kenneth…Ken! I’m going to cum,” Thomas exclaimed.

Kenneth pushed his mouth down on Thomas all the way, then pulled up until on the head was in his mouth and sucked, hard. Thomas cried out, shoved upward and came. He watched his flexing cock in Kenneth’s mouth, some cum trickling down it. Kenneth squeezed the shaft from base to the head drawing out the last of the cum and Thomas watched him lick it off.

“It’s not bad, Thomas. Can we try something else?” asked Kenneth

“Yes. I’ll do what you want,” Thomas replied.

Kenneth moved up between Thomas’ legs, lifting them to his shoulders. Thomas felt him touch his opening, rub cock over it until he began to lose his fear and wanted him to do it.

“Go on, Kenneth,” Thomas whispered.

Kenneth pushed and Thomas felt cock stretch him open. Painfully at first, the cock penetrated him and eased into his depths.

Kenneth was rough, out of rhythm, fucking Thomas with irregular thrust but it was still arousing. The feel of cock inside him. Thomas pulled Kenneth down and kissed him, not caring if Kenneth didn’t want to do it. But Kenneth kissed him back, tongue dueling with his own. He took his own cock in hand, stroking it as Kenneth fucked his ass.

“Thomas,” Kenneth uttered, and Thomas knew what it meant. He saw how Kenneth began to jam cock into his depths, banging against his ass harder and harder. He stroked his cock faster and faster, then he slammed his head back and came as Kenneth cried out while trying to push deeper into his hole.

For a week, Thomas followed Kenneth to one desolate place or another, where they took off their clothes and experimented in the ways one man could pleasure another. Exploring fingers and mouths, the positions one could take another’s cock, and how many times they could endure it.

The next Friday, Kenneth’s family were at a council meeting, the special session called every five years the first of October for organizing the selection of the Chosen One. Kenneth led Thomas up to his room, this time so different from the past when it was to play games and just hang out. This time was going to be different for it would be the first time they could have sex in a bed.

They didn’t waste any time getting naked, and while standing by the bed, Kenneth took Thomas’ cock and stroked it as they kissed. Once hard, fully erect, Kenneth pushed Thomas down on his bed and crawled up between his legs.

“You’re so horny, now you’ll do what I want,” said Kenneth with mischief in his voice.

“Yeah, Kenneth, do it. Put it in me,” Thomas whispered as he raised his legs to Kenneth’s shoulders.

In no time, Kenneth was over Thomas, fucking him. He would tug out nearly all the way, then shove back into him. The bed squeaked and rocked as his pace increased. He intertwined their hands and held him down as he banged cock into Thomas’ upturned ass.

“What is going on here!” bellowed Kenneth’s father, standing in the doorway, red faced, furious with anger.

The town came out, gathering around the square. Only those eighteen or older were allowed to attend so it was the first time for Thomas and Kenneth. They stood to the side, away from those leading the ritual. Neither knew what to expect, only that one person was selected every five years to be the Chosen One.

“What do they have to do?” asked Thomas in a whisper.

“I have no idea,” Kenneth replied.

“Ladies and gentlemen of our fair town, tonight it is time to select a Chosen One. Someone to represent our town in celebration of our bounty of the last five years, and the desire for five good years to come,” said Mayor Wentworth, his eyes falling on Thomas over and over, making Thomas nervous. “We shall draw lots to see who it shall be. Arthur, will you bring the box forward?”

Arthur Jones came from behind the crowd carrying an old wooden box and once at the front, he flipped open the top and set it on a small table.

“We shall now commence to draw lots. I think since it is Thomas and Kenneth’s first time they should go first. Thomas, you can draw, then Kenneth.”

“What?” Thomas uttered aloud.

“Thomas, draw a lot,” came a couple of voices from the crowd.

“Yes, Thomas, it is your duty as a citizen. Come draw a lot, then Kenneth can follow, until someone draws the one with the red circle on it,” said the mayor.

Thomas sensed the mayor was setting him up. Ever since getting caught with Kenneth, the mayor has been gruff with him, forbidding him to see Kenneth until today. But he knew the ritual had been practiced since the town’s founding back in the late 1700’s and refusing to participate wasn’t an option. He moved to the front of the crowd and reached into the box. Hand shaken, he fished around the paper inside in and finally took one between his fingers pulling it out.

“Open it, Thomas,” said the mayor, then the crowd repeated it, building up into a chant.

Thomas unfolded the square, once then twice seeing a red circle in the middle of it. He felt his heart racing and short of breath, for he had no idea what it meant.

“Thomas has been selected. He is the Chosen One,” the mayor called out over the crowd. He looked at Thomas and smiled. “Prepare him for the sacrifice.”

Thomas was tied up to the end of long plank. They were on the bank of the pond that sat just south of the town square in a small park. Everyone was crowded along the bank where they could watch.

Kenneth ran up to his dad, shocked at what he was seeing.

“Dad, no. You can’t be serious!”

“Get back and stop interfering. That boy corrupted you and must pay for his sins and being the Chosen One will be his repentance.”

“But this is…”

“Shut it!”

Kenneth watched as two men pushed down on the opposite end of the plank lifting the end with Thomas. He watched them swing it out over the lake then lower it into the water, submerging the screaming Thomas.

Kenneth couldn’t watch, and he ran, ran as hard as he could until he found himself back in the town’s square. He walked up to the table with the box, the one still containing all the other paper for drawing, and he kicked it over. The box hit the ground causing the paper to spill out. He bent down and picked up a few, unfolding them. Each one had a red circle. His father had tricked them into picking Thomas.

He balled his fist up with several wadded up in it, and ran, heading back to the pond. He ran to the pond’s edge where the men held the plank raised up on their end, with Thomas submerged. He pushed one to the side and punched the other as hard as he could, knocking him to the ground. He pushed down on the plank lifting Thomas out of the water. Thomas lay lifeless on the end, and he swung it around and set it on the bank of the pond as his father rushed up to him.

“You can’t do this!”

“Fuck you. You rigged it so Thomas would be selected,” Kenneth yelled, throwing the paper squares with red circles into his father’s face. “Now you get away from me,” Kenneth continued to yell as he pushed his father to the ground and rushed to Thomas.

Thomas lay gray and lifeless, and Kenneth fell to his side and caressed his face.

“No, no, no, Thomas, you can’t die on me. Wake up. Wake up,” Kenneth pleaded then he kissed him to the shock of the crowd.

Thomas choked, spit up pond water as he turned his head to one side.

“Thomas,” Kenneth whispered as he began to undo the rope.

“You can’t do this,” Kenneth’s father uttered in a defeated voice.

Kenneth ignored him as he got Thomas free, helped him to stand, then led him away. Two people came up along side him, then one more and Kenneth looked over to see it was Thomas’ parents and his mother.

“Can we come to your house?” Kenneth asked Thomas’ mother.

“Yes,” she replied, and it was then he saw the red eyes and tears.

Kenneth hoped it was the end of the ritual, that no one else would suffer its cruelty, and knew if he had any say in the matter, it would be.