Prelude to Chapter Four
Retired Four-Star General Theodore ‘Ted’ Burgess anxiously awaited Dr. Cromwell’s arrival. After nearly twenty years he would finally have the information necessary to restart Project Glass Hand, except this time it would be under his direct command and not some panty waste doctor! He still had contacts at the Pentagon, and with the financial backing of his new benefactor he could recreate the Spec Ops team and use them however he wanted.
His new patron wouldn’t meet in person, and so far communications were one-sided, but they shared a common goal and the General was practically willing to sell his soul to get revenge on Dr. Thomas for ruining his career. Little did the General realize his soul was precisely what his new patron wanted as payment.
Dr. Thomas covered his tracks so well that even after twenty years, the General was still unable to discern his whereabouts or the identities of any member of the Glass Hand Project. His new benefactor must have deep pockets and even deeper contacts because he not only managed to identify former Lt. Commander Bruce Dutcher, now Ken Habersham, he also located one other member of the team, a Lt. Alan Whetherson, now known as Brad Wilson.
Of the two, Dutcher was the one he wanted. If he managed to duplicate Dutcher’s physical attributes and abilities, he could create an unstoppable team. Then he would discover who this so-called benefactor was and take him out so he could run things the way he wanted.
Grumbling to himself, he wished Cromwell would hurry up. It was blistering hot outside, and the air conditioner in his Escalade couldn’t keep up with Georgia’s summer heat.
A few minutes later another vehicle pulled up, and looking in his rear-view mirror, the General watched Cromwell’s tall, thin form get out of the car. The General wanted to get their meeting over quickly; Cromwell reeked of pipe tobacco, which always made his nose itch.
Lowering the window as Cromwell approached, he gruffly asked, “Do you have it?”
“Yes, General, I think you will be most pleased with the results. My team is still deciphering data, but we have enough to move forward, perhaps as soon as next week.”
Dr. Cromwell handed him a small flash drive.
The General’s usual gruff demeanor didn’t change, but internally he was elated. Finally, revenge on Dr. Thomas was within his grasp! Once his team was assembled, Dr. Thomas and the original Glass Hand operatives would be his first targets, then his new benefactor, and then… well, he had a list.
“Just keep the data coming Cromwell, and keep me apprised of your progress. I want to know as soon as we can start work on live subjects.”
“Yes, General. I am sure it will not be long.”
<><>
General Burgess couldn’t wait to get home and look at the contents of the flash drive.
As soon as he arrived home, he hurried upstairs to his office and plugged the device into his PC. When the icon appeared a window to enter is encryption code followed, and as soon as he typed in his PIN the contents of the drive appeared. Excited, he clicked the summary file first.
Upon reading the header, his fist slammed so hard on his computer desk the keyboard popped up and nearly fell to the floor.
He couldn’t believe it! It had to be a joke! What the hell was Cromwell thinking!?
The title across the top of the page read, “Calculating the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow.”
Undoubtedly there was some mistake! He yanked the flash drive out and looked at it. The number 42 was handwritten on the outer casing of the flash drive. In his haste to put it in, he must have missed it. Cromwell was an idiot, putting the encryption key on the outside for anyone to find.
He entered ‘42’ instead of his standard PIN, and the screen blanked out. After a short delay, text started appearing a letter at a time in a large font, spelling out:
“So long, General Burgess, and thanks for all the fish!”
The General’s eyes turned white, and his face went blank. He sat perfectly still as runes placed inside the casing of the thumb drive activated, erasing the memories Dr. Thomas wanted gone. General Burgess then got up, flushed the flash drive down the toilet, and went downstairs to polish his golf clubs, all thoughts and knowledge of Project Glass Hand erased from his mind.
Dr. Cromwell was now in charge of a team of top-secret scientists spending billions of taxpayer dollars to calculate the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow, both the African and the European variety in case there was any doubt of the speed between the two
Chapter Four
Brad was going downhill fast, and Ken didn’t know what to do. That day, while on assignment with Kevin, Ken texted the doctor and asked to meet at the lab in the afternoon. It was a 711 message, and the doctor texted him back immediately, saying he would be available all day and to come as quickly as time allowed. Ken was on edge the rest of the afternoon, anxious to talk to the doctor.
When Ken and Kevin finished with their client and were walking to the car, Ken said, “Kev buddy, we need ‘ta swing by the lab on the way ‘ta the office.”
“Ken, you’ve been distracted all day. Is there something going on you want to talk about?”
“Brad’s been actin’ weird the last few weeks, and it’s gettin’ worse. He’s not sleepin’ good, and he won’t talk ‘ta me about it. I want ‘ta talk to the doc.”
“Shit, man, I’m sorry. You know if there’s anything Bill or I or any of the guys can do, all you have to do is say the word. I’m sure the doc will figure out what’s up.”
“Yeah, I hope so, Kev.”
After a slight pause, Ken mumbled under his breath, “Fuck, I really hope so.”
With a heavy sigh, Ken stared out the window as Kevin drove, worried about Brad and what could be wrong. His gut told him it was something serious.
<><>
When Ken walked into the lab, he was surprised to see Lane and Bryan in the doctor’s office with the door shut. As soon as the doctor saw Ken, he quickly brought things to a close.
Ken hadn’t seen his buddies for a few days, and when they walked out of the office, Lane looked exhausted and his hair was disheveled. He nodded to Kevin and Ken, giving them a subdued “Hey, fellas” as he walked by, but his usual grin was absent. Bryan followed with a frustrated, helpless expression on his face and gave Kevin and Ken passing backslaps as he passed by.
Staring after his friends, Ken muttered, “Shit! Is everythin’ goin’ ‘ta pot? What was that about?”
The doctor, standing at the door to his office, said, “Nothing you need to be concerned about Kenneth. They will be fine, and you will know more soon enough. Trust me, it is not a bad thing. Now, come in and have a seat.”
Kevin told him, “Take your time, Ken. I’ve got plenty of paperwork to catch up on. Just let me know when you’re ready to leave.”
Ken went in, shut the door, and sat down with a sigh as the doctor asked, “Now, what is it you wish to discuss?”
Ken lowered his head to collect his thoughts, and taking a deep breath delved right in.
“Doc, it's Brad. Somethin’s goin on with him. He keeps sayin’ he’s okay, but he’s havin’ nightmares and not sleepin’ well. Every time I try ‘ta talk to him, he says he doesn’t remember what they’re about.
“He’s been havin’ these cold spells where he shivers, and then other times his body just starts tremblin’, but he’s not cold. Sometimes I’ll catch him standin’ still starin’ at nothin’, and when I ask him what’s goin’ on, he tries ‘ta hide it and act like everythin’s okay.”
Once Ken started talking, everything came out in a rush.
“Doc, he’s pullin’ away from me. I can feel it. I mean, I can literally feel it. It hurts like hell, and nothin’ I do seems ‘ta make a difference.”
Ken rubbed a hand roughly over his face in frustration, his eyes red and bright with unshed tears.
There was a short pause as the doctor observed Ken’s expression and body language.
“Kenneth, why did you wait to talk to me about this?”
“Brad made me promise not to. I’ve tried talkin’ with him, but he insists everythin’ is fine and said he didn’t want ‘ta bother you.”
The doctor cocked an eyebrow, and Ken felt like a little kid in the principal’s office being brought to task.
“Kenneth, I am sorry to ask, but it is pertinent. How are you and Bradford doing in bed since this started?”
“Well, at first everythin’ was normal… hell, better than normal. With that new bondin’ trick sex with Brad has been amazin’. But the last week has been… I dunno… strange? It’s hard ‘ta describe. On one hand, he seems ‘ta be pullin’ away emotionally, but when we’re makin’ love he almost seems desperate. The other night he was holdin’ on ‘ta me like his life depended on it, but when we aren’t makin’ love, it’s like he’s afraid for me ‘ta touch him.”
The doctor’s voice was full of concern as he sat back and asked, “And how are you doing with all of this, Kenneth?”
“I’m holdin’ myself together for now. I’m tryin’ ‘ta do everythin’ I can to give him some alone time and sleep in since he’s been so tired, but I’m pretty much doin’ everythin’ by myself. I’m scared for him, kinda pissed at him, and hurt. I don’t understand what’s happenin’ or why he’s actin’ like he is. It hurts like hell that he’s shuttin’ me out and not lettin’ me help him, and ‘ta top it all off, after seein’ Bry and Lane, I feel like I’m neglectin’ the guys.”
The doctor moved to the chair beside Ken, placing a hand on his shoulder and giving him a tight squeeze.
“I know it hurts, son, but based on what you have said, I do not think Bradford is himself right now.”
Ken’s brow furrowed, and he looked intently at the doc.
“Wait doc, do you know what’s goin’ on with him?”
“I am not entirely sure, no. I have some suspicions, and I was dreading something like this might happen. I have been waiting, and hoping my fears would prove fruitless.”
“Spill it, doc!”
With a sigh, the doctor looked long and hard at Ken, staring into his eyes as if looking for something, and when he didn’t find it, his suspicions were confirmed.
“Kenneth, how much do you remember of your abduction and what you experienced up to the night we rescued you?”
“Doc, we’ve gone over this, what does that have ‘ta do with Brad?”
“Please, Kenneth, answer the question.”
“Well… I haven’t thought about it much ‘ta be honest. I don’t want ‘ta remember. I… well….”
Ken frowned, looking confused. He didn’t care to remember that horrible time, but now that he tried, he could barely recall any of it other than the fact it occurred. Everything seemed hazy and detached, mostly bits and pieces, and the worst parts were missing altogether, leaving gaps in his memories.
Ken’s eyes went wide, and with a bewildered look on his face said, “Doc! I don’t remember much at all!”
Nodding, the doctor replied, “I thought that might be the case.”
“What’s goin’ on? Why can’t I remember!?”
“There are many possibilities Kenneth, but two seem most prominent. one, you suffered severe mental and physical trauma, and to protect yourself, your unconscious mind has sealed off the experience and made the memories unavailable to you. It is a known type of self-induced amnesia, a defense mechanism many people employ for self-survival. The other possibility is the memories are no longer there, which leaves us the questions of where they are, who or what removed them, and how.
“I designed you to be resilient Kenneth, mentally and physically, but the type of torture you experienced, made possible because of your augmented physiology, was beyond imagining. I was terrified that by the time we rescued you, your mind would be broken beyond repair, yet here you sit, in full mental and physical health mere weeks after an experience that should have left you dead, or at the very least, insane.
“My boy, you and your brothers have exceeded my wildest expectations, but even your recovery is too much for me to take credit for. You are still human, even if you are the pinnacle of human potential. By all accounts, you should not be sitting here.”
Ken wasn’t sure how to react. What do you say when someone tells you that you should be dead?
Brad, what the fuck have you done?!
“While you were in an induced coma the second day following your rescue, we found Bradford in your room sleeping on top of you. He was also in a coma, yet he managed to disengage himself from my equipment, enter your room, and climb in bed with you. The next morning, the parts of your bodies that were touching seemed outwardly healed.
“I still do not know precisely what Bradford did, or how, but he should not have been able to move, let alone accomplish what he did. At first, I thought it might have been some physiological reaction between your body chemistry and his, but only you were affected. Whatever he managed to do took its toll on him, and for a time I was as worried about losing him as I was you.
“When your heart stopped briefly during the rescue, Bradford almost died as well when the connection between you severed. I believe he discovered a way to re-engage your bond but in a non-reciprocal manner. There is still much I do not know or understand about what happened that night, and I am guessing at much of this, but so far the results support my hypothesis.”
“So, what are you sayin’, doc? What did he do ‘ta me?”
“I think he not only saved your life but your mind. The question is, at what cost to himself?”
Ken was shocked, leaning back in his chair with a stunned look on his face. What had Brad done to him? No, not to him… for him. It was so humbling… and infuriating! As a multitude of emotions boiled to the surface, Ken felt like he wanted to throw up. The only thing he could think of was he was going to lose Brad, and it was because of him.
The doctor had known Ken for nearly twenty years and understood his thought processes well.
“Doc…”
“No, Kenneth! You are NOT responsible for this! Do not go there, son. Bradford did this of his own volition. He did it because he loves you. You would do the same for him, so do not blame him either. Accept what he has done and let us find a way to help him.”
Ken took a deep breath, trying to get himself under control. His only objective for the time being needed to be Brad and helping him.
“Alright, doc. What do we do for starters?”
“I need to examine him, but it will take time to prepare and recalibrate the equipment. You and Kevin return to the office, and then you and Bradford come back here after dinner. You can pick up food for me on your way back. It will be a long night. I will let everyone know you and Bradford are excused from work until further notice.”
“Doc, can you wait ‘ta tell everyone until after we get back here tonight?”
“Certainly.”
“Doc, what do I tell Kev and the rest of the guys?”
“Nothing, yet. They must be told, but let me worry about that. You are not neglecting them Kenneth, and do not feel as though you are. You are one man, but as strong as your shoulders are, you cannot carry the weight of everything on your own.”
After he finished with the doc, Ken found Kevin at his desk still doing paperwork. Kevin saw Ken was upset but knew his buddy would talk when he was ready. Kevin was Ken’s oldest friend from the Navy, and they knew each other as well as any two men possibly could.
Ken asked him, “Ready ‘ta go?”
“Yeah, man, let’s head out.”
Kevin put an arm around Ken’s shoulders as they walked to the car. It was a gesture of comfort Ken appreciated, and it reminded him he wasn’t alone in whatever he faced. His brothers would always be with him and have his back, just as he would always have theirs.
The drive back to the office was quiet. Kevin kept stealing glances at Ken with a worried expression on his face. Ken was his Captain and still their unofficial leader, aside from being one of his best friends. It unsettled him to see Ken so troubled, and he wasn’t sure what he could do to help.
<><><>
Bill was waiting at the door when Kevin dropped Ken off at the entrance to their building. Ken and Bill exchanged fist bumps as they passed, and Ken took the stairs from the lobby to the fifth floor. Sally was on the phone when he walked by, so he waved to her on his way back to the office he and Brad shared. The door was open, and when he walked in Brad sat at his desk facing the window.
Ken’s greeting was subdued as he said, “Hey B, you ready ‘ta head out?”
Brad spun his chair around slowly, and Ken noted the vacant, faraway look in his eyes like he was somewhere else. Brad blinked and focused on Ken, his expression changing immediately. It wasn’t lust in his gaze… it was something Ken couldn’t identify. If he didn’t know better, he would say it was hunger.
Brad stood up aggressively, grabbing Ken by his tie and pushing him down into his chair. Kicking the door shut with his foot, he locked it with an audible ‘click.’
“B, look man, it’s been a long day, and I…”
Brad held his finger up to his lips.
“Shhhh…”
Brad knelt between Ken’s thighs and started running his hands up and down Ken’s legs and over his crotch.
“B, what the fuck? We don’t have time for this.”
Unzipping Ken’s pants, Brad boldly stuck his hand through the opening to fondle him. Usually, Ken would be hard in seconds at Brad’s touch, but after everything he learned his libido shut down. Brad tried desperately to get Ken hard for a few minutes, stroking and sucking, but Ken sat in the chair with a stony look on his face and remained soft. When Brad realized his efforts weren’t getting any reaction, he seemed to become desperate and tried even harder.
Ken finally said, “Look, B, just give it up. I’m tired, and the magic ain’t happenin’. I’m sorry.”
Brad looked sad, and in a strained voice, he mumbled, “Not as sorry as I am.”
Unlocking the door, Brad walked out. Ken stuffed himself back in his pants, zipped up, and walked to the lobby where Brad waited for him. An awkward silence hung between them as they walked to the car. Brad usually drove, but Ken quickened his pace and jumped in the driver’s seat before Brad had a chance to get in.
Ken noticed the side glances Brad gave him as soon as he realized they weren’t going home.
“Where are we going?”
“We need ‘ta pick up some dinner for the doc and swing by the lab ‘ta get a few things. I say we get somethin’ for us too. I don’t feel like cookin’ tonight.”
Brad turned away, looking out the window, and remained silent.
They swung through the Long John Silver’s drive-in for the doctor, and Ken called in an order from their favorite Chinese takeout for himself and Brad.
Brad knew something was up, but Ken was being careful and kept an eye on him. He didn’t have a chance to run, and besides, there was no way Brad could overpower or outrun him.
The doctor ate in his office, leaving Brad and Ken in the kitchen by themselves to eat their dinner. Instead of sitting at a table, they stood, leaning against the counter.
Brad kept glancing at him, but Ken’s eyes remained downcast, intent on eating. Ken had removed his tie, undid the top few buttons of his shirt, and rolled up his sleeves. Brad looked at the open collar of Ken’s shirt, at his muscular neck, and watched Ken’s jaw and temples move as he chewed. He noted how the muscles in Ken’s forearm danced under his skin as he used his chopsticks. The healthy glow of his darkly tanned skin, his five o’clock shadow, the hair on his forearms, his face in profile… to Brad, Ken never looked more handsome. He drank in the sight, wanting to remember the perfect features of the perfect man he loved more than anything.
Ken, remembering the expression on Brad’s face at the office, couldn’t make eye contact with him. He focused on his food, literally jabbing the chopsticks into his dinner.
Finally, Brad broke the silence saying, “If you aren’t careful, you’re going to poke a hole in that box and make a mess.”
Ken remained silent, chewing angrily.
Brad continued staring, going over every detail of Ken’s handsome face and body. He knew it was only a matter of time before his emotions would twist, and his eyes turned glassy.
“God, Ken, I’m going to miss you so much.”
Too late, Brad realized he said his words aloud. They were barely a whisper, but perfectly clear to Ken’s enhanced hearing and Ken froze, turning white as a sheet and his stomach clenched like he got punched in the gut.
With a steely glint in his eyes, Ken looked at Brad and said, “Look, B. I’m gonna say this once and only once. I don’t know what the fuck you’ve done, but you aren’t goin’ anywhere, and neither am I!”
As he spoke, Ken moved in front of Brad, poking him hard in the chest with each word, pushing him back until Brad was nearly bent backward over the counter. As he finished, with a choked sob, Ken fell to his knees, grabbing Brad around the waist with his face pressed against Brad’s stomach. He held on tight, sobbing helplessly, while Brad had a stunned, almost terrified look on his face.
His hands tentatively touched Ken, running his fingers through his short hair. It started as a comforting, loving gesture, but Brad’s hands quickly started trembling, and he frantically tried to push Ken away like his touch was painful.
Brad started breathing heavily and could barely talk, but Ken heard him mumble, “Don’t touch me! I… I can’t handle it!”
Ken let go and slumped to the floor with his back against the cabinets, holding his head in his hands and sobbing quietly. The rejection in Brad’s tone hurt more than anything, and he was confused over what was happening.
After hearing Ken’s outburst, the doctor went to the door of his office and witnessed most of their exchange, his heart breaking for the two young men he loved as if they were his flesh and blood sons.
In a quiet but firm voice, he said, “Bradford, come with me. Kenneth, come in when you are ready, son.”
The doctor led Brad into one of the exam rooms saying, “Strip down to your underwear and get on the bed.”
Like a zombie, Brad did as he was told, his movements mechanical and lifeless. As he got on the bed, the doctor noted his eyes were bloodshot and bright with tears.
The doctor proceeded to give him a general physical. Brad’s pupils were non-responsive, his blood pressure low, he showed evidence of mild hypoxia, and he was slightly hypothermic. The doctor drew blood, and as he was leaving to put the vials in the centrifuge, Ken walked in the room now wearing jeans and a t-shirt. His eyes were red and puffy, and he looked pale.
Brad shied away when Ken entered the room, so he stayed by the door. In a weak voice, Brad looked at Ken and said, “You need to leave.”
His voice hoarse from crying, Ken responded, “I love you B, no matter what. Surely after all this time, you know that, right?”
Hanging his head, not knowing what else to do, Ken left the room to find the doctor.
“He told me ‘ta leave, doc. He doesn’t want me in the room.”
“Kenneth, I know this is painful, and I am sorry for both of you. If you wish, you can observe on the monitor at your desk. Bradford does not know I have turned on the camera. I think you should watch if you can bring yourself to do it.”
The doctor went back to the room where Brad was waiting.
“Now Bradford, while the tests are running you are going to tell me, from the beginning, what is going on. If I feel you are being dishonest with me in the slightest, I will resort to drastic and unpleasant means.”
Brad seldom heard the doctor use such a serious tone and noted the steely look in his eyes that plainly said he was not joking.
“Just keep Ken out of the room, or I won’t be able to do this.”
“You know, Bradford, you are breaking his heart? How can you not see what you are doing to him?”
Brad sniffed loudly while he was talking, his eyes swimming with tears.
“At least he’ll be alive. He’s such a great man. He’s my best friend. I didn’t think it was possible to love someone so much until I met him.”
“You say you love him, and yet you are doing this to him. Bradford, you are one of the brightest men I know, how can you say this when you know it does not make sense?”
“Are you familiar with Superman, doc? He gets his power from the yellow sun, and kryptonite is his weakness? Well, imagine Ken is both of those things to me right now. He’s keeping me alive and killing me at the same time.”
“Explain yourself.”
“You see doc, when Ken and I were connected and I knew what they were doing to him, I was desperate to save him. You said there might be consequences from the bond between us staying up so long. You were right. I’m still not sure, but I think the connection left an imprint on my mind because it was active so long.
“When you suppressed that part of me… God, I never felt so alone! It was more than I could take. It sounds silly to talk about, but the intensity was soul-crushing. I think we love more intensely than ordinary people because of all the changes we’ve been through. I also think, because of that, we feel the opposite more too. When Ken’s presence left me, I wanted to die. I couldn’t imagine living without him. You know the human brain perceives time differently when it’s asleep, and while I was unconscious for only a few minutes, it seemed like days to me, and I was on the verge of losing my mind.
“I’ve never been so desperate. So, my unconscious mind discovered a way to reconnect us. By the time I figured out how to do that, only shreds of Ken’s mind were left and what I connected to was almost unrecognizable as the man I love. The last shred of his sanity was begging Kevin to kill him and stop the pain.
“I didn’t know how else to save him, doc, so I took all his pain, all the broken pieces, his death wish, and pulled it into me. I know what a remarkable man Ken is, and I knew he would survive the physical torture if his body had a chance to do what you designed it to do. The problem now is that all of that is in me, and it wants out. It wants to get back to Ken and destroy him. It’s relentlessly pushing, trying to find a way out through the connection I have with him. I’m holding it back, and it’s killing me, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to let it out! I’m going to die with it in me so Ken can live.
“When he touches me… this thing in me can feel it and starts clawing like a wild animal in my mind. That’s why I can’t have him around me right now. It feeds off my love of him, and I know how strong that love is, so I have to keep him away. But at the same time, the boost I get from Ken when we make love makes me stronger.”
The doctor listened in silence as he took in Brad’s words, his vast knowledge and intellect trying to formulate a solution. He was stunned at Brad’s bravery and foolishness and by what he managed to accomplish. The part of him that created this circumstance was supposed to be dormant for years to come. With proper training, the current situation never would have happened. How could events advance so quickly and so coincidentally? First Ken discovering how to link their nervous systems, now Bradford, and Lane making his discovery… the doctor would have to consider everything carefully and devise a new strategy moving forward, assuming he could find a way to save Brad.
Ah, Albrecht, I miss you more than ever.
“Doc!”
Ken’s shout from the other room shook the doctor out of his thoughts, and he reached over, squeezing Brad’s arm, saying, “You were foolish to try and handle this alone, my boy. I am not saying I know what to do, but I would have had more time to work on a solution if you had confided in me earlier.”
“In my defense doc, early on I wasn’t in complete control, and it fought me tooth and nail to not let anyone know what was happening. I’m sorry.”
“I understand. Rest and be still, and I will be right back.”
With that, he went to find the reason for Ken’s outburst.
“Did you hear?”
Ken choked up as he spoke, shaking badly.
“Yeah, doc, I heard everythin’! That stupid son of a bitch is killin’ himself ‘ta save me!”
“I need to check Bradford’s test results. What were you yelling about?”
Ken lowered his head, blushing in embarrassment, holding something in his hand the doctor couldn’t make out.
“Well… I heard what he said about the sun and kryptonite, and I had an idea. Uh… well, I figure I can give him what he needs without touchin’ him.”
Ken set a cup on the counter.
“Is that…?”
Ken blushed a deeper shade of red, nodding his head.
“Yeah.”
It was a sample cup full of Ken’s semen.
“Kenneth, that is brilliant.”
“I was thinkin’ you could start with this, but maybe make a serum or sumthin’ that would make it stronger and last longer.”
“Kenneth, that is also brilliant. Perhaps I should let you take over my duties? Such a simple solution. No pun intended, of course.”
Ken gave the doc a sheepish grin and said, “Well, there’s plenty more where that came from, so just let me know…”
The doctor reached over and picked up the biggest empty beaker within reach and shoved it into Ken’s hands.
“Get to work, my boy. Remember to drink plenty of liquids so you don’t dehydrate yourself.”
The doctor filled a syringe with the contents of the cup and hurried back to Brad’s bedside.
“Bradford, this is a bit unorthodox, but I see no reason why it will not work. Please turn over.”
Brad saw the syringe and practically shouted, “No! Your suppression serum won’t work on this, and I can’t take any sedatives. Weren’t you listening?!”
“Calm down; this is neither. If anything, I would consider it a stimulant.”
He jabbed the needle into Brad’s butt, and when he pressed the plunger Brad’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Doc, what the hell was that?”
“Is it helping?”
“Yes! The pressure is letting up!”
“You can thank Kenneth. This was entirely his idea.”
The glazed look in Brad’s eyes faded, and he sighed in relief, his body visibly relaxing as he absorbed Ken’s DNA and received a boost to his strength and resolve. With the temporary reprieve from fighting the creature, Brad lay back on the bed, closed his eyes, and fell asleep in seconds.
<><><>
When Brad woke the next morning, the first thing he saw was a tired looking Ken sitting by his bedside, watching him. Exhausted, his eyes were red, his hair disheveled with a cowlick on top, and he needed to shave, but to Brad he looked as handsome as ever. It was his Ken, the Ken he saw every morning when they woke up together, and he smiled, but his thoughts woke the beast and immediately he tried to move away. He was exhausted and groggy himself, and before he moved too much Ken held up a hand.
“B... It’s okay. The doc gave you a shot an hour ago. You didn’t even wake up.”
Brad stared at his feet, afraid to make eye contact lest the creature fight him even harder.
Ken spent all night thinking about everything Brad explained to the doctor. He still didn’t know what to say but knew he had to say something, determined to fight for Brad and their relationship.
“B… Before I say anythin’ else, I wanna tell you again how much you mean ta’ me. You don’t have ‘ta look at me, but I’m gonna have my say, and you aren’t budgin’ from that bed ‘til I’m done.”
Fighting his emotions, Ken held back tears, struggling to tell Brad what he needed to say.
“First off, I can’t imagine bein’ in this world without you. I want you ‘ta know I understand what you did, and why. I wish I could stay mad, but I know I would’ve made the same decision. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt like hell when you won’t look at me and I know my touch causes you pain, but we’re in this together, and with the doc’s help we’ll figure a way out.”
Brad still couldn’t bring himself to look at Ken, and the pain in his voice took all Brad’s willpower to stay on the bed and not rush over and grab Ken and hold him tight. While Ken spoke, Brad sat up, pulling his knees to his chest as tears rolled down his cheeks.
Ken watched Brad curl up on the bed, and the effort not to take Brad into his arms was almost more than he could bear. The strength of his emotions had Ken breathing hard, and his body trembled.
“God, B, bein’ apart like this is killin’ us. Don’t you know there isn’t anythin’ we can’t handle if we’re together? I can’t stand sittin’ here watchin’ you suffer ‘cause ‘a me.”
Brad’s shoulders slumped, and he quietly said, “I wish I were as strong as you, Ken. I’ve never been as strong as you.”
His words were a shock, and Ken blurted out, “What the fuck are you talkin’ about? You’re the strongest person I know! My God, man, how can you say that? You have no idea, do you? For someone so smart you can sure be a dumbass sometimes!”
There was a silent pause while each of them thought about what the other said.
Taking a gamble, it was Ken who broke the silence first.
“Okay, Brad, here’s the way I see it. The reason we’ve made it all these years is we complement each other. For instance, someone has to be the handsome one, so that’s obviously me…”
Brad’s head snapped up, and he instinctively replied, “Oh fuck, no! No way! Not with those Dumbo ears of yours!”
Brad stopped when he realized he fell for Ken’s ploy, and the brief grin on his face faded as he mumbled, “Douche” under his breath.
Ken had a hint of a smile on his face, but his heart leapt in his chest at Brad’s smile, as brief as it was. It was the sign he needed that the situation wasn’t lost, and Brad had more in him than he realized.
“Okay, B, seriously. We do complement each other, and we’ve always been there for each other through good times and bad. This time isn’t any different. It’s probably the worst fuckin’ situation we’ve ever been in, hands down, but still. We’ve learned ‘ta lean on each other, and right now you need ‘ta lean on me. I don’t care how fuckin’ hard you have ‘ta lean on me, you keep pushin’ until I say uncle or you break my back. I know I can’t touch you, but I can deal with that as long as I know you’re fightin’ for us. If you don’t give up, we can figure out a way ‘ta win this. Do you hear me?”
A glimmer of hope sparked in Brad. Being so close to Ken was hard as hell as the beast clawed and pushed, trying to break out and destroy Ken, but his renewed hope gave Brad the strength to drive it down.
Brad looked up, looking directly into Ken’s eyes, and quietly said, “Okay.”
“You promise?”
“Yeah, I promise.”
“Damn! That means I’m gonna have ‘ta run ‘ta the drugstore.”
“Why?”
“I need ‘ta stock up on lube. Do you know how many times I’m gonna have to jack off ‘ta keep you goin’?”
“You know you love it or you wouldn’t be bragging about it.”
“Hey, B?
“Yeah?”
“Isn’t this better than both of us cryin’ like babies?”
The hint of a smile returned, and he said, “Yeah. Hey, Ken?”
“Yeah?”
“Come here.”
Ken moved over, and Brad shifted to the edge of the bed, wrapping his legs around Ken’s waist. Leaning forward, he lowered his forehead until it rested against Ken’s chest.
Taking a deep breath he smelled his partner, the scent he was so familiar with and loved, and muttered, “Fuck, this is going to hurt.”
Reaching up, Brad took Ken’s face in his hands, feeling his strength, and brought their lips together. The kiss was short but intense, and they were both breathing hard when Brad pulled back. Reaching around Ken, he pulled them together in a tight hug, squeezing as hard as he could. Ken’s arms surrounded him, holding Brad’s head more firmly against him, and he felt Brad’s warm breath through his t-shirt.
They both said, “I love you” at the same time, which brought a smile to their faces.
Their bodies were reacting to the physical touch, and when Ken leaned down to kiss the top of Brad’s head he saw the strain on his face and realized how much the display of affection cost him, so he pulled away.
“B, I’m sorry, but I need ‘ta cool off, or I’m gonna rip your clothes off.”
“Yeah, I love you, but that hurt. I’m not sure I can do that again anytime soon.”
“You hungry?”
“Yeah, I’m starving.”
“Alright, I’ll be back in a bit.”
Brad watched Ken as he turned to leave, his blue jeans and t-shirt hugging his big frame.
I promise I’ll hold out as long as I can, Ken. I’ll give everything I have for you. For us.
However, deep down, Brad already had an idea of what was happening to his body and didn’t know how much time he had left.
<>
When Ken got to his Explorer he started shaking, and instead of getting in he collapsed on the ground with his back against the front tire. Events of the previous night and the morning repeated in his mind, and the front he put on for Brad shattered. Crossing his arms over his knees, he put his head down and fell apart. He had to get the worst of his emotions out of his system, and he couldn’t do that in front of Brad. He had to stay strong and be the rock. He knew Brad wasn’t out of the woods by a long shot, but at least now he felt like they had a fighting chance.
A car pulled up, and Ken heard Bryan and Lane get out.
It took Lane a second to realize Ken’s condition, and he said, “Hey Ken… fuck bro! What’s wrong?”
Ken was a wreck, his face wet with tears, his cheeks unshaven, and his eyes bloodshot. Lane and Bryan both rushed over, their faces masked with concern. Ken had to clear his throat a few times before he could talk, and his voice sounded rough.
“Hey, guys… sorry, I wasn’t expectin’ anybody ‘ta pull up. I was just gettin’ some shit outta my system. Brad’s not doin’ so good.”
As soon as he started vocalizing what was happening, his throat closed up and the tears started again. Bryan pulled Ken into a tight hug, whispering, “Take as long as you need, Ken. We’re here.”
Lane joined the hug from the other side, and the two big men sandwiched Ken between them, holding him until he stopped crying. Ken’s arms went around them almost desperately, needing their support and comfort.
Once Ken calmed down enough to talk, Lane said, “Okay Ken, we know something’s up. The doc’s been tight-lipped, but it’s obvious to all of us there’s some leftover shit going on.”
Bryan held up a hand, interrupting Lane and asking, “Where were you going?”
“I was headin’ out ‘ta get some food for me’n Brad and the doc.”
“Get your ass in the car and tell us what you can on the way. We want to know everything you can tell us so we can help.”
On the drive, Ken filled his buddies in, leaving nothing out. He wasn’t sure the doctor wanted anyone else knowing what was going on, but Ken badly needed to talk to someone who could relate to what he was going through or at least understand how he felt.
When he finished, Ken noticed a look pass between Bryan and Lane, and he asked, “Is somethin’ else goin’ on? Fuck, I don’t know how much more I can take!”
Lane piped in quickly, “No, Ken! It’s nothing like that. Look, the doc didn’t want us talking about this quite yet either but with everything you just told us… Well, I don’t know, I think you should know too.”
“Know what?”
“Well, me and Bry, we tried that bonding trick you and Brad figured out, and it’s as awesome as you said.”
Bryan’s grin expressed just how awesome it was.
Lane continued, “But in the last few weeks something else happened. I started having this dream after me and Bry finish making out. You know how much into music I am, right? Well, in my dream I’m working on a song, but when I wake up, I can’t remember the words or the music, but here’s where it gets weird. While I’m working on the song, I’m sitting on a big rock outside in the sun. I don’t know where it is, but it’s beautiful and peaceful. There’s this big river flowing by, and Brad’s on the other side looking like he wants to cross but can’t. Bry’s there too and all the guys except you and the doc. It’s like we’re camping. Everyone’s talking, but no one except me sees Brad. I’m feeling frustrated with the words to the song when all of the sudden, I hear this horrible scream from the woods across the water that sounds like you. That’s when I wake up every time.
“We were on our way to talk to the doc more about this when we ran into you.”
“So, what does he think?”
“He thinks it’s another ability manifesting; some kind of precognition. The thing is, outside the dream I feel the need to finish that song, and it’s driving me nuts.”
In between their conversation, they picked up food for them and hit Long John Silver’s for the doc on the way back. As they got out of the car, Ken gave both his buddies another heartfelt hug.
“Thanks, guys. I feel better talkin’ about all this with someone who can relate. I love the doc, but sometimes I’m not sure he gets everythin’ on the emotional side.”
Lane put an arm around Ken’s shoulder and squeezed hard.
“Look, Ken, you and Brad are family, and you know you don’t have to go through any of this shit by yourself. I know you want to be all macho and studly like you don’t need anybody’s help, but that’s bullshit. Lean on us as much as you need to. We mean that. That goes for Brad too, that dumb fucker. If you don’t, we’ll have to kick both your sorry, ugly asses. You got that?”
Ken laughed and shook his head at the irony of Lane’s words.
Lane asked him, “What’s so funny?”
“That’s pretty much what I said to Brad before we left.”
Lane laughed, saying, “See!? You need to listen to your own bullshit!”
<><><>
Bryan and Lane spoke with the doctor, but Ken wasn’t privy to their conversation. Before they left, they stopped to see Brad and soundly berated him for being a dumbass while giving him a big hug. Brad got the same speech as Ken, and they made Ken and Brad promise, again, to let them know how they could help, no matter what it might be.
Moving forward, Brad and Ken were able to spend more time together. They had to maintain a physical distance, but the emotional tension was gone. The doctor increased the potency of Brad’s injections, so Ken didn’t have to jerk off as frequently. Ken could always tell when Brad needed another shot and joked that Brad was hooked, and Ken was now his ‘dealer.’
The next day the doctor called Ken to his office. As he shut the door, Ken noted the look on his face and braced himself for bad news.
“Kenneth, I have enough data to form a prognosis. I will continue to run tests in case there are any changes, but right now it looks as if Bradford’s organs are shutting down. Whatever this thing inside of him is, it is slowly killing his body.”
“Doc, how can that be? It’s not even real.”
“There, my boy, I think you are wrong. We have stepped beyond science here. What Bradford accomplished he should not be able to do, at least not yet. It was not only the memories of the pain he took from you; he took the part of your soul that was damaged into himself. The creature is a part of you, and it is real and very much alive. It has intellect, of that I am now certain, and it is killing Bradford because it wishes to return to you. It believes we will not allow Bradford to sacrifice himself, and in essence, it is holding him hostage.”
Ken’s stomach knotted as he listened, and he struggled to keep his voice even as he asked, “How long?”
“It is not exact, perhaps another few weeks. I can partially counter the effects and slow it down, but at this point the end result is inevitable. I am sorry.”
“I don’t wanna tell him, doc. He has enough on his plate and doesn’t need this.”
“As you wish. I think Bradford already suspects, but I will not bring it up if he does not. Know, Kenneth, I am not giving up, and there are other forces at play that are still unknown. Again, I am faced with what appears to be a coincidence, and I feel that Lane, Bryan, and perhaps the others still have a role to play I cannot yet see.”
<><><>
Brad was beyond tired, his soul exhausted from the constant battle to keep the beast caged within him. He wished Ken was with him, but at the same time was glad he wasn’t; kryptonite and yellow sun.
Unable to stay awake, Brad drifted off to sleep…
<>
… and found himself on the bank of the River. It was a beautiful place, peaceful and serene, a place filled with wonderful memories from his childhood. It was one of the few memories he cared to remember from the time before his mother died. The bubbling sound of the water soothed and refreshed him.
Within seconds of his arrival the beast screamed, and Brad walked down the narrow path from the beach to its prison. Its cage was an old fort Brad and a friend built when they were kids. The rickety structure rattled as the beast fought to free itself, and some of the boards were starting to come loose, but it held. The strength and happiness of his memory were still too strong for it, keeping it confined.
Using a few dead branches on the ground nearby, he shored up the little fort as best he could. As he worked, bloody fingers poked through knotholes in some of the boards. Attempting to get a better look at the creature through a knothole, a piercing green eye appeared, startling him. Jumping back in surprise, he lost his balance and almost fell over.
In his dream, as the creature grew stronger, Brad became weaker in the Physical Realm. It was changing, evolving, and taking on more aspects of Ken from the night of his rescue. It had all the broken bones, the flayed and burned skin, and dark, wet, blood covering its tortured body. Brad knew it wasn’t Ken, not his Ken, but a part of Ken he needed to keep trapped. If Brad died before it escaped, it would die with him and Ken would be safe.
On his way back to the beach Brad heard music. It was faint but sounded like someone playing a guitar. When he reached the shore, he looked around and saw a man sitting on a large rock across the river with a guitar in his lap. The song was hauntingly beautiful, and Brad stopped to listen. Strangely, the music tugged at his mind, making him stronger.
As is often the case in dreams, Brad’s perception shifted, and a group of men were now on the far bank camping. His blood ran cold when Ken walked out from the tree line and stopped at the water’s edge. Brad didn’t understand why he didn’t recognize the others at first, but as soon as Ken stepped out, their identities became clear. All the guys were present now; Kevin and Bill, Pat and Darren, Ricky and Loy, Bryan and Lane, and Ken. It was important everyone was there. He didn’t know or understand how he knew that, but he did.
It was Lane on the rock playing his guitar. He was a great musician and always played and sang for them at their get-togethers. Bryan occasionally played the bongos and even sang if he had time to practice beforehand; his deep baritone harmonized with Lane’s tenor beautifully.
Lane seemed to be the only one aware of him and raised an arm in acknowledgment. When the music stopped, Brad snapped back to himself and rushed to the edge of the water, frantically yelling at them. Ken had to get away from the River, or all his efforts would be for nothing and Ken would die!
The creature screamed again, a long howl filled with rage and frustration. It sensed Ken and wanted to break free and devour him. Brad turned to run back to the fort...
<>
… and jerked awake. He sat up in bed trembling and sweating, unsure of the time, but the lights were out. Ken slept in a chair by the door but woke immediately, sensing Brad’s panic and sudden motion.
Even though he had been asleep, Ken sounded alert when he asked, “Hey B… you alright? Another nightmare?”
Ken was shocked at how rough Brad looked. Earlier he looked tired, but just then he looked like death warmed over.
His voice tinged with concern, Ken asked, “You need me ‘ta get the doc?”
The creature hit Brad hard, and his eyes widened in panic, his chest heaving.
“Ken! Hurry! I need a shot now! No time to get the doc!”
Desperate and exhausted, his body shook violently with the effort of holding the creature back. Sensing his weakness, it clawed at his mind, pushing relentlessly against his will trying to break free.
Brad was already on his side with his shorts pulled down, and Ken grabbed a syringe from the small glass refrigerator next to the door, jabbing the needle into Brad’s butt cheek and pushing down the plunger. Ken backed away and after a few seconds, Brad’s breathing slowed and his trembling subsided.
“Better?” Ken asked tentatively.
The strain in Brad’s voice was painful to hear as he weakly responded, “Yeah.”
Brad reached over and turned on the bed lamp, then fell back on the pillows with his eyes closed, completely drained. He didn’t see the tears or the look of desperation on Ken’s face.
<><>
Ken woke before Brad. The lamp was still on, and he moved to Brad’s bedside, looking closely at his lover. He looked tired but not as bad as a few hours ago. The nightmare took its toll, but after the last shot he seemed a little better.
Ken heard the lab door open and quietly left the room to find Kevin and Bill arriving with breakfast. Ken knew he looked rough and probably smelled but didn’t care.
As soon as Kevin laid eyes on Ken, he said, “Come here, buddy,” pulling him into a tight hug.
Bill said, “Bry and Lane called everyone together at the office last night and filled us in. We all knew something was up but didn’t realize how serious it was. Fuck, man, we’re sorry. How’s Brad this morning?”
“He’s asleep right now. We had a close call in the middle of the night, and if I hadn’t been sleepin’ in the chair, things might’ve gone south quick. I’m gonna talk ‘ta the doc when he wakes up, but I don’t think we can leave him alone anymore.”
Bill moved behind Ken, pushing him down onto one of the lab stools and started rubbing his tense shoulders.
“I’m sorry to break the news to you, but you look like shit. You need to take better care of yourself if you’re going to be of any use to Brad.”
No one noticed the doctor until he said, “You are quite right, William, and I agree Kenneth, Bradford should no longer be left unattended. I will prepare a schedule and email everyone. Lane and Bryan are on their way to take you home for a few hours. No argument, my boy. Kevin, you and William can start now and stay with Bradford through lunch.”
Ken didn’t want to leave, but the doctor was adamant, and it wasn’t long before Lane and Bryan showed up and drove Ken back to his house. Ken was quiet and moody on the drive, and Lane stopped trying to keep a conversation going. When they walked into the house, he was in a stupor and stood in the den looking around, tense and sweaty, his eyes glassy.
Bryan came up behind him and ruffled his hair, saying, “Get some clothes together, you’re coming to our place.”
Ken sniffed, holding back tears, and said, “Thanks, Bry. This place is too empty without Brad.”
Bryan and Lane didn’t live far away, and fifteen minutes later they pulled into their driveway. Bryan was quite the gardener; his flower beds were in full bloom, and his vegetable and herb garden looked incredible. Ken didn’t notice the looks of concern between his buddies over his behavior. He stood, staring into the backyard through the sliding glass doors with tears slowly falling down his face.
Memories of how happy he and Brad had been the last twenty years filled his mind. He thought about his buddies and their lives together, and even after everything they had gone through, he never imagined something like what was happening. All of the sudden everything was uncertain, and the thought of a life without Brad scared the hell out of him. In a matter of days Brad would be dead unless they could figure something out, and the doc was fresh out of ideas.
Lane watched Ken standing at the back door staring into the yard. Ken was a strong, resilient man, but the situation was taking its toll on him, and his friends saw how drained he was. Lane motioned for Bryan to follow him out to the garage so they could have a private conversation. He whispered his idea to Bryan, who didn’t hesitate to nod ‘yes.' Bryan leaned down and kissed Lane on the lips and then popped him on his ass as he turned to go back into the house.
In the den, Lane took Ken’s hand, pulling him down the hallway to the bathroom. He started the hot water running in the huge bathtub and squirted something into the bathwater. Untucking Ken’s shirt, Lane lifted it over his head and tossed it on the floor.
He started unbuckling Ken’s belt but hesitated, saying, “Ken, I don’t know how to say this other than to be blunt.”
Ken looked at his friend, his brow creased in curiosity.
“I know you’re a stud, and you’ve been jerking off like a zillion times for Brad, but that’s not what you’re used to. How long has it been since you and Brad made out?”
“Honestly, I don’t remember. Weeks, I think.”
Lane put his hands on Ken’s thick shoulders, kneading them. His body was like a rock, the tension clearly visible.
“I’m not pushing this, but I know how highly sexed you are, just like Bry and the other fat asses. Your needs aren’t getting taken care of like you’re used to. So, I’m offering that to you if you want me to help you out. Bry is totally cool with it before you ask.”
Ken sniffed and teared up again, this time out of love for his buddies and what they were willing to do for him.
“Thanks, Lane. You don’t know how much I appreciate that. Fuck! I want to, but I can’t. It’s not you, bro. You’re one seriously good lookin’ man, and I couldn’t ask for a better friend, but if Brad’s goin’ without, then I am too. It sounds weird, but it’s another way I’m tyrin’ ‘ta support the sacrifice he’s makin’ for me.”
“Okay, I respect that.”
Lane grinned and added, “Honestly, I was hoping you’d say yes because I’ve had the hots for you for a long time. The offer stands until Brad’s better, but after that it’s back to both of us being off-limits.”
Ken laughed and said, “Okay. I doubt I’ll change my mind. Just don’t parade around naked in front of me, or we both might be in trouble.”
“You got it. Alright, now that’s out of the way, I’m taking over Brad’s other duties. Strip and get into the tub.”
Ken took off the rest of his clothes and stepped into the hot water, now full of soapy bubbles.
“A bubble bath? Really?”
“Don’t be dissin’ Mister Bubble, he takes care of business.”
Ken sank into the hot water and moaned as the heat surrounded and washed over his body.
Lane took off his shirt so he wouldn’t get it wet or soapy, grabbed a washcloth, and started washing Ken. Lane was very thorough, and Ken enjoyed the sensation of someone else taking care of him. Closing his eyes, Ken relaxed in the care of his friend, soothed even more by a song Lane hummed under his breath. He was sure he hadn’t heard it before, but at the same time it seemed oddly familiar.
With Lane’s empathy, the same as with Brad, his concern and care for Ken bled through with his touch, and the emotional comfort added to the physical ministrations as Lane took care of him. Once Ken was clean, Lane rolled up a towel and laid it down as a headrest.
“Lean back, put your head on the towel, and relax.”
Lane knelt at the edge of the tub leaning over him, so when Ken opened his eyes he was staring upside down at Lane’s muscled chest, admiring his body.
Lane saw him looking and grinned.
“Quit peeping. Close your eyes and relax. You’re getting the full service.”
Lane giggled and added, “Except for the happy ending!”
Doing as he was told, Ken closed his eyes, enjoying Lane’s ministrations. The next thing he knew, Lane smoothed hot shaving cream over his face and neck. Ken hadn’t had a hot shave in years, and it felt amazing. He had Ken lean forward to get the back of his neck, and when he was finished, Lane wiped off any remaining lather and wrapped a steaming hot towel over his face for a minute.
“Ok, now for part two. You have some serious bedhead going on, and you’re way overdue for a haircut.”
Lane was a great barber and had Ken looking like his old self in no time.
“Alright, let’s get you dried off and come with me. You can keep a towel on if you want, but I’m sure Bry would enjoy the show if you want to leave it here.”
Lane chuckled and said, “He’s already jealous I’ve been handling the goods.”
Lane took Ken to their bedroom, which had the same massage chair Ken and Brad had in theirs. Again, Lane was very thorough and spent a good hour going over Ken’s body, working the stress out of his muscles. Lane hummed the same tune as he worked, and with his calming voice and strong hands, Ken was so relaxed he fell asleep shortly into the massage.
By the time Lane finished, he was dripping sweat. He was also horny. Careful not to wake Ken, he padded down the hallway to get Bryan.
“Hey, Bry, he passed out in the chair. Can you get him to bed?”
Bryan got off the couch where he had been reading the new issue of Organic Gardening on his tablet and headed down the hall to their bedroom.
Bryan saw Ken on the massage chair and leaned over, whispering in his ear, “Relax, Ken. You’re exhausted and need to take a nap, so I’m putting you in our bed.”
Ken was like putty in Bryan’s arms, so exhausted he was like a little kid that never really wakes up when they are taken out of their car seat and put into bed. Bryan moved Ken to their bed, lifting his head gently onto a pillow and pulling their comforter over to cover him up. He quietly shut the door to let him sleep.
When Bryan got back to the living room, a big grin crossed his face. A very sweaty, very handsome Lane stood by the couch, wearing only a towel tented out at full mast. Their eyes flashed white as Bryan stripped off his shirt and pulled Lane’s towel off. They tried hard to be quiet over the next few hours and not wake Ken up.
<><>
Ken’s stomach woke him out of a deep sleep with a loud rumble, and it took him a second to remember where he was. It was dark outside, and his clothes, washed and folded, sat on the dresser. Bryan and Lane let him sleep himself out, and he felt like a new man.
Bryan and Lane were in the kitchen, and before Ken’s feet hit the floor, he heard the clanking of plates and silverware being put on the table. The source of his rumbling stomach became obvious as the smell of Bryan’s famous lasagna hit him. Taking a deep breath, he also identified garlic bread, Greek salad, and that craft beer Lane liked so well. Bryan’s deep voice greeted him as soon as Ken emerged from the hallway.
“How’d you sleep?”
“Like a fuckin’ rock. You guys shouldnt’a let me sleep so long.”
“Everything’s fine, and you needed the shut-eye. I talked to the doc a little while ago; Ricky and Loy are with Brad, and he’s doing fine. We’re supposed to take some lasagna in for them. Don’t worry, I made two pans. Grab a plate and dig in.”
Ken eyed the food, and another wave of hunger hit him from the smells.
“Shit guys, this looks fantastic.”
Lane opened the fridge and asked, “What do you want to drink? We have red wine, beer, sweet tea, Coke, Dr. Pepper, milk, water, apple juice, grape juice, and orange juice.”
Ken chuckled, saying, “What a menu! Beer sounds great.”
“Beer it is. There’s plenty in the fridge if you want more. In fact, there’s plenty of everything, so eat and drink your fill. I’m going to take a look at that fine stomach of yours after dinner, and all I want to see is bloat, no abs.”
Ken knew what Bryan and Lane were doing and loved them for it. After events over the last few weeks, Ken relished the normalcy of a good dinner with two of his best friends, joining the constant banter between his buddies, just like it was with him and Brad. Ken didn’t realize how badly he needed what they gave him and felt a twinge of guilt that Brad wasn’t with them.
As they finished eating and were clearing the plates, Ken pondered the situation with Brad. The doctor always said the human mind was a funny thing, and in the time Ken spent with his two friends, he arrived at a conscious decision he realized he had already made but hadn’t admitted to himself. He would stand with Brad, and they would defeat the creature together or die trying.
Ken helped clean the kitchen and get the extra food packed to take back to the lab. His disposition shifted slightly when they pulled into the parking lot, but his friends had done wonders for him and he didn’t let his mood get the best of him. Now that he had made his decision, a tremendous weight was off his shoulders.
Bryan and Lane dropped Ken off with the food, and he received a long supportive hug from them before they left.
When they got back to the house, Lane pulled out his guitar to work on the song from his dream, frustrated because the words and music seemed just out of reach.
Since Lane and Bryan spent all afternoon making out, they only had one round of sex before bed and Lane fell asleep with his head on Bryan’s chest, listening to his heartbeat and letting it lull him into a deep relaxing sleep.
<>
At 0300 sharp, Lane shot out of bed and ran to the den.
Startled, Bryan growled, “What the fuck?” and took off after him.
He found Lane on the couch, naked, guitar in hand and strumming a song.
Bryan stopped and stared, unsure of what was happening. In the darkness of the room, to Bryan’s enhanced vision, Lane’s dark brown eyes were almost white. Looking directly into Bryan’s eyes, Lane exclaimed, “Fuck yeah, Bry! I got this son of a bitch!”
A satisfied smirk crossed Bryan’s face. He was very proud of Lane and his abilities and was confident Lane would figure everything out.
“Play it for me, Little Buddy. I want to hear what all this fuss has been about.”
Lane started playing, and the song was both beautiful and haunting at the same time. Before the end of the first stanza, Bryan’s green eyes flashed white, and his mouth opened in surprise. The music tugged at his mind, and warm sunshine covered his face while a gentle breeze flowed over his naked body.
<><><>
As soon as Ken got back to the lab, he found Brad asleep. At Brad’s bedside, studying the man he loved, Ken saw the gray tinge to his skin and haggard lines on his face. The desire to reach out and touch him was strong, but he knew it was a bad idea, so instead, he sat in a chair by the door and stayed with Brad through the night, sleeping lightly in case he needed anything.
In the middle of the night, Brad woke to go to the bathroom and saw Ken sitting nearby. As Brad moved towards the door, he smelled Ken and instinctively inhaled deeper. Even in the dim light, he noticed Ken was clean-shaven and had gotten a haircut, most likely from Lane. As soon as he inhaled the clean, fresh smell, the distinct smell of Ken, he stumbled. Ken’s scent was like crack to the creature, and it went wild, ripping and clawing at his mind. Stumbling, he reached out to try and regain his balance, grabbing Ken’s shoulder.
As soon as he touched Ken, Brad had a full-body seizure. Losing control, his back arched and he would have fallen if Ken hadn’t caught him. Ken was prepared, ready, and waiting with a syringe, expecting something like that to happen. Pulling Brad to his chest with one arm, he jabbed the needle into Brad’s butt with the other and set Brad on the bed as quickly as he could before moving away. It took longer than usual for Brad to recover, and he was breathing hard, exhausted by the ordeal.
As soon as he could talk, he mumbled a weak, “Thanks.”
“Do you need me ‘ta get the doc?”
“No, I can manage.”
Brad got back out of bed, but it took him several minutes to make it to the bathroom, his movements slow and deliberate, grabbing onto things as he got close to help stabilize him.
It was hard to watch, but this time Ken’s tears weren’t from sadness, they were from anger.
Hold on, Brad, just one more day. Tomorrow night we’re gonna’ end this one way or another.
By the time Brad got back from the bathroom, he was white as a sheet and fell asleep immediately. Ken left the room and watched Brad on the monitor at his desk, keeping some distance so Brad could rest more comfortably.
Ken didn’t sleep the rest of the night but was still sharp and wide awake the next morning, waiting for the doctor.
A couple of the guys dropped off food for Brad, Ken, and the doctor, and once he finished, the doctor went to his office, motioning for Ken to follow. He shut the door and sat down, astutely looking at his young charge.
“You have something to say.”
It was a statement, not a question.
“Yes, sir.”
“You have made a decision?”
“Yes, sir, but I don’t want Brad ‘ta know what’s goin’ on.”
“That is wise.”
“Doc, I can’t take watchin’ him slowly die in front of me like this. Tonight, I wanna have everyone over for a cookout. I’ll tell Brad it’s for him, ‘ta get him out of here for a night and be with the guys. That’s not a lie; spendin’ time with Bry and Lane last night did wonders for me.
“Doc… This is my decision, and I take full responsibility for both of us. Brad’s gonna die anyway if we don’t do anythin’, and I can’t envision a life without him. I’m gonna force a showdown with the creature tonight. I think we can beat it if we stand together. If we can’t, then we’ll both still be together, just not here, and that thing’ll be gone either way.”
The doctor looked at Ken long and hard, his eyes bright when he finally spoke.
“No matter what happens, Kenneth, I want you to know how much I love you and Bradford. You are like sons to me, and I am proud of all you have become. I respect your decision, and frankly, I have no alternatives. The only issue, and I beg your forgiveness, is that I cannot be there.”
Ken didn’t expect that and asked him, “Why not?”
“I am not permitted to be present. I wish that were not so, but it is, and I can say no more at this time.”
“Alright, doc. If Brad and I make it through this, we’re gonna sit down over a beer, and you can explain to me exactly what you meant by that.”
<><><>
Ken got in touch with everyone, and the guys said they would be at his place that night come hell or high water. He asked them to arrive early so he could explain his intentions and asked Kevin and Bill to pick up Brad after the meeting.
When he went to Brad’s room, even though his eyes were closed, Ken knew he was awake. His breathing was shallow, and his skin yellow from jaundice.
“Hey B, how ya doin’?”
There was a long pause, and Brad’s voice was weak and thready when he finally responded.
“Tired. I’m sorry, Ken. I’m still fighting, but I don’t know how much longer I can hold on.”
Ken hung his head and sighed, saying, “I know B. I know.”
Taking a deep breath, he continued, trying to sound upbeat, “Hey, I had an idea. Last night Bry and Lane took me to their place. Just bein’ out of this stuffy lab for a few hours did wonders for me. What say we have a little gatherin’ tonight at our place? All the guys wanna see you. I’ll have some shots there if you need ‘em, and I’ll give you plenty of space to make it easy on you. The doc said it was okay if you feel up to it.”
After a minute Brad replied, “I’d like that. I wasn’t sure how to bring it up because I don’t want you to think I’m giving up, but I’d like to see all the guys. It might be my last chance to say goodbye.”
Ken lowered his head again, his throat tight with emotion.
“Yeah, there’s that. I’ll c’ya tonight. Kevin and Bill will be by around 1900 ‘ta pick you up. I love you, B.”
If Ken’s hearing wasn’t enhanced, he wouldn’t have heard Brad’s reply.
“I love you, too, Ken. More than you can possibly know.”
Ken left before he lost it again. Seeing Brad in such a condition and hearing his words tore him up, but it also strengthened his resolve to win this fight and save them both.
Ken picked up groceries on his way home, going against protocol by traveling alone. Seething over events, he dared anyone to mess with him, even wishing someone would show up and claim responsibility for everything so he could beat the shit out of them. It took most of the day, but shortly before everyone was due to arrive he had the house in order and the food prepared.
As he stepped out of the shower, as an afterthought he put on Brad’s favorite cologne, knowing it would piss off the creature. He just finished changing clothes when everyone started showing up.
Ken noticed Lane brought two guitars, one acoustic, and one electric, and Bryan had his bongo drums under one arm and Lane’s amplifier under the other. Ken and Brad loved to listen to their buddies play, and he was grateful they planned to.
The den seemed full with all the big men packed into the room. The four couples sat together either on the couch, the floor, or in chairs. Ken noticed, maybe because Brad wasn’t there, that everyone was touching, either holding hands, an arm around the other’s shoulder, or leaning against each other.
They were all openly affectionate with one another, but that night especially he realized why; the idea of losing any one of them drove home how much they meant to one another. Instinctively they sought the comfort of touch to remind themselves they were together, and it made Ken wish Brad was there with him all the more.
Their usual banter was minimal given the seriousness of the situation. Most of the guys had a beer or a glass of wine in hand, looking at Ken expectantly. He was their Captain, and they waited to hear what he had to say.
“Thanks, guys, for bein’ here. It means the world ‘ta me, and I know it will ‘ta Brad too. You all know the basics of what’s goin’ on. Brad’s in a bad way. He made a decision ‘ta save me, and that decision is costin’ him his life. I can’t stand seein’ him suffer like he is ‘cause of me, and I can’t stand the thought of livin’ without him.”
As Ken spoke his throat tightened, and he had to clear his throat a few times to keep talking. Looking at his buddies, he saw the brightness of their eyes.
“As the sayin’ goes, desperate times call for desperate measures. I’m gonna end this tonight one way or another. Either I save us both, or me and Brad die, tonight, along with that thing inside him.”
Whispered ‘oh shits’ and ‘fuck me’s’ were heard around the room in reaction to his statement.
Kevin asked, “Where’s the doc? Even if you win this fight, you might be in bad shape.”
“The doc can’t be here tonight.”
Confused looks crossed all their faces at Ken’s remark.
“It’s cool, guys. I talked with him this mornin’, and there’s a reason he can’t be here. He won’t be far away and can be here quickly if he’s needed.
“Brad doesn’t know any of this, and I couldn’t tell him because the thing inside him would know too, and I don’t wanna lose the element of surprise. Honestly, I don’t know how any of this is gonna go down, and I’m not sure what’ll happen when this starts or what you’ll see or hear.
“I want you all ‘ta know how much you mean to Brad and me. If tonight goes south, well, this is goodbye. Brad thinks tonight is about sayin’ goodbye, but if we’re gonna have any chance of success, I need every ounce of strength he has in him. I think together we can beat this thing.”
Raising his hand to get Ken’s attention, Lane said, “Ken, I’m not sure how this is going to play out, but I finished the song last night, and I know it’s somehow connected to what’s happening to Brad. I think it will help; I just don’t know how. I only know I need to play it tonight.”
Trying to lighten the mood, Ken smiled and said, “I don’t know how anythin’ that’s been brewin’ in that wacky brain of yours can help Lanester, but beggars can’t be choosers. I’ll happily take whatever you got.
“Okay, ladies, time to use the Kleenex and shut off the waterworks. Remember, tonight is about Brad. The better he feels, the stronger he’ll be. Everyone be your usual fuck-up selves and make him happy.”
Rick, Loy, Pat, and Darren covered the majority of the security jobs the last week and were the most out of the loop, so while Kevin and Bill left to pick up Brad, Ken did his best to fill them in on more details of what was happening. While they talked, Lane set up his amp, and Bryan fired up the grill.
Even with their genetic enhancements and abilities, what was happening was uncharted territory, and everyone remained quiet and pensive. The thing in Brad wasn’t an enemy they could shoot or fight with their hands, but every one of them reiterated to Ken they were there for him and Brad in any capacity and would do whatever was needed or required. After everyone had a chance to express their support, Lane pulled Ken aside to talk privately.
“Ken, I’m going with my gut on this. After dinner, me and Bry will play some songs as usual. Just give me the sign when you’re ready, and I’ll start… and hold on to your hat when I do.”
“What do ‘ya think’s gonna happen? Should I be worried?”
“Hell yeah, you should be worried. I don’t have a fucking clue how this works, but the doc said to trust and have faith in myself. He also said he thinks all this is more than coincidence, which is scary as hell, so I’m trying not to think too hard about that.”
It wasn’t long before Ken heard Kevin and Bill pull into the driveway with Brad, so he made himself scarce.
Brad was weak and moved slowly, but insisted on making his own way, and as soon as he entered the kitchen he was greeted loudly and happily by all his brothers. The guys covered their emotions well, but they were shocked at Brad’s appearance. He had lost weight, his skin was yellow, his face haggard, and his eyes dark and bruised.
He received a tight hug and back slap from each of them, expressing their love and support through the strength of their arms, ruffling his hair, or kissing a cheek. As soon as their arms wrapped around him it was apparent how weak he was, but they acted like it was just another summer get-together, one of many with many more to come. He wasn’t sure who, but someone shoved a beer in his hand.
Brad kept glancing around looking for Ken but didn’t see him, and smiled sadly as he headed to the backyard where Bryan manned the grill. Their house was the primary gathering place for most of the get-togethers, so he and Ken invested in a large patio grill. Bryan had steaks on one side, and ears of corn wrapped in foil, baked potatoes, and fresh asparagus coated in butter on the other. Brad smelled bread baking in the kitchen and hoped it was Bryan’s famous yeast rolls. He hadn’t had much of an appetite for days, but his stomach rumbled from all the smells.
Unexpectedly, a pang of sorrow hit him at the sound; he was going to miss the cavernous rumbles of Ken’s stomach when he was hungry.
Someone started the fire pit, and he sat close to soak up the warmth, reclining against the short brick retaining wall that made up part of their flower garden. He hadn’t felt warm in days and missed the warmth of Ken’s body more than ever. Even with his melancholy thoughts, Brad felt better. The heat of the fire and the sound of his buddies around him was nice. Ken was right; getting out and seeing everyone was good for him, but it just prolonged the inevitable.
Once the steaks were ready, Rick brought him a lap tray filled with more food than he could possibly eat even when he was completely healthy. Brad did his best to make a dent but was full after only a few bites.
Everyone moved to the backyard and found a place near him, wanting time with him to catch up on things. Of course Brad didn’t have much to offer, but he listened to what had been going on with them at the office. They had new funny stories about clients and talked about Sally’s latest boyfriend troubles, and Brad found himself laughing more and more as the night went on.
While Brad stayed put, everyone chipped in on clearing the plates and getting them into the kitchen. An odd feeling of contentment washed over him from the heat of the fire, the clean, fresh air, and the voices of his friends. The only thing missing was Ken.
Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes. He was tired, but for the first time in what felt like forever it was a normal tired, and he felt like he could drift off to sleep, wrapped in the comfort of his friends. He knew what they were doing and loved them all the more for it. They put on a good front, but he knew them well and saw the cracks in their demeanors when they thought he wasn’t looking.
Lane broke out his electric guitar and started playing, taking requests if anyone wanted to hear something specific. Bryan sang with him if he knew the words, and it was clear he had been practicing.
Brad drifted in and out of sleep for a while but woke when Ken’s hand gripped his shoulder. He smelled Ken even before he opened his eyes.
“Hey B, scoot up a little.”
Ken practically picked Brad up and moved him forward, putting his back to the wall and then pulling Brad back against his chest. A needle stuck in his arm, and then Ken’s strong arms wrapped around him.
For a brief second he relaxed against Ken, thinking everything was normal, but his mind snapped back to the present and he started to panic.
“Ken…”
“Relax, B. I know what I’m doin’.”
Ken looked at Lane, indicating it was time. Lane put down his electric guitar and picked up his acoustic one.
Brad noted the look between them, and the usual infectious grin Lane often wore appeared, and he winked, saying, “Here goes nothing!”
Absolute silence fell in the backyard as all eyes turned to Lane. His eyes closed briefly before his fingers started moving across the strings, and a beautiful, haunting melody came out of his instrument. Before the end of the first stanza, Lane’s eyes turned white. Bryan started on the drums, and his eyes turned white as well as their mind’s opened, transcended by the music.
Nature, Nurture, Heaven and Home,
Sum of all and by them driven,
With all ten of them present there was a tangible difference, and this time Lane’s soul lifted out of his body, taking Bryan with him. Lane had never experienced anything like it in his life, and it was beautiful. In his mind the music was visible in the air around him, emanating from his guitar and through his body, igniting something in him, in all of them, that could never be extinguished.
Each of them felt the music. It wasn’t just a song; it had some deeper meaning that tugged at their minds, unlocking something within them, a gateway to a place that could never close. Ken felt it and knew it was time to start his plan.
<>
None of them yet had the perception to see or hear the giant robed form of a man crouched by the hedges. Even kneeling, his head nearly reached the roofline of the house. A cowl covered his face as he watched intently, and as soon as Lane started playing, the man stood and looked skyward. His massive head nodded once, and he went on bended knee in homage to the humans who were unaware of his presence. After a moment he stood and vanished back across the veil.
<>
Ken leaned forward and kissed Brad’s cheek, hugging him tighter.
“I love you, Brad. I can’t stand this anymore, so we’re endin’ this tonight one way or another. Don’t fight me, B… Help me kill this thing.”
Ken squeezed his eyes shut and buried his head against Brad’s shoulder.
Brad panicked, trying to move away, but Ken’s grip was too firm.
“Fuck! You idiot, you don’t understand…”
To conquer every mountain shown
But I've never crossed the River…
Brad’s voice faded as he lost consciousness, his eyes white. He slumped against Ken while the song carried them out of their bodies and to the River.
<><>
Ken no longer felt the bricks against his back. He opened his eyes, surprised to see he was sitting by a huge bonfire on a beach next to a river. The moon, full and bright, illuminated the cove.
Ken realized Brad wasn’t with him but heard him yelling some distance away. It took him a few seconds, but by the light of the full moon he saw Brad on the far shore waving his arms frantically.
Fuck! We were supposed to be together!
