Bara Produktions

The Houseboys

Chapters 7-12

Chapter 7

Danny awoke the next morning as Craig straddled his chest, looming over him. Danny took the hint and wrapped his mouth round Craig's rampant cock. Danny had his own morning hard on but could do nothing about it. Instead he tried to concentrate on pleasuring his master. From the rapt look on Craig's face and his contented grunts and groans, Danny guessed that he was succeeding. He was learning to take Craig deeper and deeper into his throat and mouth as his tongue and lips massaged the increasingly rigid pole. As Craig got closer to the edge his gentle humping became more intense causing Danny to gag and choke.

Craig pulled back slightly but Danny's distress pushed him just that little bit further and he came, shooting his load into Danny's mouth.

Almost immediately Craig rolled off Danny to collapse onto the bed leaving Danny to swallow his cum and recover his breathing.

"Still sure you want this?" Craig asked idly as they lay there.

"Yes sir," Danny answered, "I'm completely at your mercy and it's exciting."

"I'm thinking of having the cellar converted into a dungeon. How exciting would that be?"

"Tying you to the rack until you promise to let me cum every day." Danny laughed, "I guess it could be exciting."

"You really should learn who is in charge," Craig retorted. The menacing tone was diluted by the laughter that was also present, "I think I'll keep you in a cock cage all weekend."

Danny gulped hoping his master was not too serious about his threat.

Adam and Paul had woken at about the same time and had settled into a slow and sensuous 69, both intent on giving the other maximum pleasure.

Much to Adam's disappointment Paul had to get up. It was his responsibility to get the household moving. Luckily for Paul, Craig allowed slow starts to Saturdays and Sundays.

Reminding Adam to start his morning routine he headed off to rouse the others. He tapped on Craig's door and looked in. Seeing that Craig was awake he enquired whether Danny was still needed. Paul had been aware of Craig's increasing interest in bondage and the like and loved him the more as he realised that he had held back, knowing that Paul hated it. Paul was glad that Craig had found a partner for his activities and had no problems working with it.

Craig told Paul to deal with Danny so Paul uncuffed him and sent him across to the bunkhouse. As Paul made his way through the house, he found Tom in the kitchen getting ready to start breakfast.

He headed across to the bunkhouse waking everyone. The only real resistance he encountered was when he tried to get them under the shower and Ethan insisted that Rick shower separately. Once he understood the problem Paul left them to it.

Obviously there were day to day variations but this was a typical start to the morning. The strangest part of the routine, for Liam, Rob and Rick was, seeing that it was Saturday, no one bothered getting dressed and padded around naked. Liam could imagine his mother, looking horror struck, screaming that visitors would think they're all graders. Liam grinned. He had slept in a grader bunkhouse with a bunch of graders and criminals awaiting sentencing and none of them were from the right families.

As they sat around the table eating their breakfast, Paul explained the programme for the day. Those at school had to do their homework. Danny had already done his when he was with James and of course Rob did not have any. They were assigned to Tom. His wine collection was being delivered that morning and he was going to be very busy. The others were assigned other jobs when their school assignments were done. The newcomers were surprised when Paul asked Adam what plans he had.

"Adam is ungraded," Paul explained, "If we go out then us graders have passes saying we're assigned to him. Liam, you're the oldest so by rights that should be down to you but Adam's proved he can handle things.

"It's cool," Liam replied, "Mum keeps saying you have such peculiar ways of doing things."

Craig grinned.

"I bet she does." he retorted, "I'd like Rob to start on the top landing and finish the apartment divide. You can choose a couple of guys to help you, Rob. Tom needs some help with his wine. That's arriving this morning. Mr. Brassom is coming over to help as well. Maybe Paul and Liam should be with them and make sure they don't get too drunk."

"Dad never gets drunk on wine." Liam said, "He says that you should not waste quality on something so crass. Like I say, that's what he says."

"Danny and I have something we want to check out in the cellar under here."

The others looked knowingly at each other but did not say anything.

"Whoever's left can do the housework."

If a parent asks a child to take out the rubbish then there's likely to be a massive argument then the parent may watch as the child happily takes out the the garbage and mows the lawn for a neighbour. Why can't you do this at home they cry and there never seems to be a good answer. There was a sense that they were working for themselves so while Ethan and Jake happily helped Rob, Adam and Rick got on with their chores. Since part of those tasks seemed to consist of pushing each other in the water as they cleared up the barn, maybe Saturday chores were a bit more interesting. At least until Paul checked up on them.

Paul satisfied himself with a stern warning and the day continued. It was not exactly routine but not remarkably different from an average Saturday though with David and Ryan's arrival with the wine there was more confusion than usual.

They were in their late twenties or early thirties and were graded in their early teens. The younger grader was David who was 26 years. Everyone was shocked by the scars covering his body. They were all old and it was obvious they would never fade completely.

Tom's wife had not approved of graders. She thought it fashionable to have the grader is automatically scum point of view so she had hired ungraded staff and attempted to treat them as much like graders as possible. Tom had originally taken on a grader for the gardens. He had been a great success and had become such an expert that Tom had sold him on to one of firms looking after the public gardens. He was supposed to have trained David but David had lacked the same green fingers. Tom had not realised just how badly David had been affected by his treatment and how he was incapable of seeing anything beyond his next punishment.

In desperation he had taken on Ryan to help and things had improved enough for Tom to let matters ride. He had seen his first grader just before his arrest and knew that he was extremely happy. He had felt responsible for Ryan and David and was grateful that Craig had taken them on.

The first few days were extremely confusing for David and Ryan. After so long as graders they were used to simply obeying orders from their guardian. They could not get used to the informality Craig's household enjoyed.

Since Tom was their old guardian and the only one to be normally dressed, not to mention the only real adult, it was difficult for them to accept that he was not in charge. When they met Craig, he was naked, filthy from clearing the cellar with the bruises on his back were still visible. Paul, a grade two took charge of them and showed them the bunkhouse and explained their duties while obvious fivers were doing a lot of the hard work.

It was not so bad while they helped shift the wine but when everyone sat around the table for lunch they were completely lost. At various times Craig, Paul and Tom told them to help themselves. They did half-heartedly expecting someone to yell at them for misbehaving. In the end Tom just asked them what they wanted and when he got an answer scooped generous portions onto their plates.

The conversation started off innocently until Rob asked Craig what he was doing in the cellar.

"I bet he's building a torture chamber." Ethan laughed. When Craig blushed he yelled, "He is. He's building a torture chamber."

David and Ryan turned pale at thought. Rob was sitting next to David and felt him trembling.

"Don't worry. It's Craig who wants to be the victim. You got a couple of new bruises today, haven't you? On your stomach."

Craig blushed again.

"I fell against a table down there. That's all."

Adam grabbed his wrist, tracing a red mark round it.

"And this?"

Craig snatched his hand away amidst the laughter.

"Let him be." Danny said angrily, "Every one expects him to punish his graders. Why laugh at him because he's got interested in it all. You didn't laugh when he beat me. That was normal."

"We do understand, Danny." Tom said, "Something's been woken in Craig. It could have turned into something nasty and vicious hurting us all. You've helped turn it into a release. If you want help building your dungeon we'll give it but if Craig acts all shy about it he's going to get teased."

"I did fall against the table," Craig said sheepishly, "Danny had tied me to it to see if it was big enough to be spread-eagled on it. When he let me up I turned to pick up the ropes and tripped over some rubbish."

"You're in charge and you're great at it," Rick said, "Why do you let yourself get treated like a grader?"

"Because he needs to escape sometimes." Ethan answered, "I know my brother. He worries about all of us and everything he's got to do. Next week he's got lawyers, school and all that business stuff to deal with and he's going to do all he can for Rob and Danny. There's some that would say that's weird."

"I think my wife is one of them, don't you agree, Liam?" Mr. Brassom said with a grin, "I must admit I found this conversation most disturbing but Ethan has a point. Craig has a lot of responsibilities for a boy his age. Maybe he should be treated like a kid when he doesn't have to be an adult. I think Ryan has something to say."

It was first time in the eighteen years that Ryan had been a grader for that he had sat down to eat in any sort of family atmosphere. Even before he had been graded, if he was lucky, his mother would dump some food in front of him on her way out. If he was unlucky he have to search for any scraps left over.

Guardians were people to be feared, not teased and made fun of. It was the first time that he had thought about guardians or masters having fears and worries but one comment had struck a chord and he had almost spoken out. Only Mr. Brassom had noted the slightest of chinks in his guard.

Ryan felt nothing but terror at having attention drawn to him in this way. He had definitely earned himself a punishment but would it be worse if he denied it or admitted it.

"I'm sorry, sir." he managed to stammer out, "It was nothing important. I'll be more careful in the future."

"We have the csc breathing down our necks waiting for us to slip up," Craig said gently, "You don't know us very well yet but I listen to anything, anyone has to say because it helps me understand things."

Ryan felt completely trapped and lost. He saw no choice but to answer and face the consequences.

"It's what that boy said about being treated like a grader," he whispered, not daring to raise his voice any louder, looking at Rick, "You're either a grader or you're not. You can't be treated like one."

"I know what you mean," replied Paul, "Once that chain's around your neck the whole world is different isn't it?"

Ryan nodded still waiting for the anger and punishments.

"Craig doesn't understand that world. No one does until they're graded themselves."

"I don't want to be a grader," Liam said, "but I love slobbing around in just shorts not caring if I'm impressing the right people. You won't tell mum, will you?"

Mr. Brassom grinned. "Not unless you tell her I'm going to be having a few drinks with one of those grader people."

While Ryan had begun to believe things might be what they seem to be and he could be a part of this group, David cringed in his seat waiting for the meal to be over. His experiences in the brothel and the master he had been passed onto had destroyed any spark he may have had. His time on Tom's estate had been a paradise that had ended in confusion and uncertainty. All he really understood was that Craig liked torture so his life with Tom had been just been a brief respite.

The conversation drifted on no one seemed inclined to do move. Ryan relaxed enough to risk asking whether David and he should be naked.

"That depends," Craig replied, "Are you an old man like Tom or are you youngsters like us?"

"Not so much of the old if you don't mind," retorted Tom.

"Why not?" countered Craig, "When was the last time you came to the barn? Have you ever been swimming?"

I don't need to flounder around in the water to prove I'm fit," Tom said huffily.

"If it's OK then I'm one of the youngsters." Ryan said cautiously, still expecting to find himself in trouble for his rudeness.

"Maybe us gay ones should take him down the barn and check him out." Adam giggled, "Don't look so jealous Paul. I've seen you eyeing him up."

"Maybe Craig wants to take him to his dungeon first." Ethan said also giggling fascinated by Craig's interests.

"No! Craig must be disappointed," Rob added, "He's not a new grader so Craig doesn't have to initiate him."

"No but I can start on you and Ethan," Craig replied slightly irritated, "Chastity devices for a month if you mention it again."

The boys knew Craig well enough to know that he would carry out his threat if they challenged him.

They began to drift away from the table. Tom set David to clearing away and discretely ushered Craig out of the kitchen. Ryan had no idea what to do and waited for instructions. Craig had intended to spend some more time clearing the cellar and sent Danny on down. He was uncertain how to handle Ryan then sent him after Danny while he made his way to the barn. He was beginning to understand what Tom had meant about them lacking initiative.

Craig dived into the pool and swam hard and long until he was exhausted. He tended to swim like that when something was bothering him. As he climbed out of the pool he decided to accept that Danny and he liked their games and would continue them. His cock swelled as he began to plan how he would fit the dungeon out.

Inevitably it was not long before Paul entered the barn. He discretely sat in one of the loungers, some distance from Craig, as if taking a break but Craig knew Paul was there in case he wanted something.

"Come and sit next to me, Paul." he said.

"Does it worry you that I want a dungeon?" he asked as Paul settled down.

"No!" Paul replied, "Danny seems happy enough playing around like that. I think Rob and Liam might want to join in a bit. Not too much. Spankings rather than whippings if you see what I mean. Just be careful talking about it around David."

"Ethan seems curious as well," Craig said, "That bothers me a bit."

"Not really! He's fascinated that you are but the two I mentioned always seem to get hard when we're talking about it."

They sat in a companionable silence for a time before Craig suggested everyone come down to the barn until the visitors left. The day drifted on and everyone had fun. Even David. Tom always made sure there were plenty of drinks and snacks. He asked David if he would like to help and for the rest of the day David stayed close by him except when solemnly serving the others. He could relate to what he was doing and felt comfortable serving his old master.

Without thinking Craig asked Ryan whether he was going for a swim or just take it easy. For Ryan it was an incredibly complicated question. He had not been expected to make decisions for a long time nor had it mattered whether he was having fun. Now he had to choose how to enjoy himself. Craig waited patiently while Ryan tried to decide but in the end pushed matters.

"You see that corner over there." he said, "From now on you go and stand there with your hands behind your head if you have to decide something and you stay there until you have."

Craig expected some sort of protest at his instructions and was surprised when Ryan meekly trotted off. Ryan stood in the corner for at least five minutes before returning to Craig.

"I haven't swum since I was graded." he said, "Could I try a lap or two then just sit it out."

Craig nodded, "You should take your shorts off first."

Ryan had asked about being naked but stayed dressed, simply because he had received a clear instruction. He swam his laps and climbed out of the pool. Instead of heading for a chair he hesitated, looked at the corner where he had to stand to make a decision, then took a deep breath and approached Craig and asked if he could stay in the pool a bit longer. Craig nodded looking as serious as he could, telling Ryan that he could stay in until he was ready to come out. Ryan nodded just as seriously knowing he had another decision to make later.

Sunday was another relaxed day. Miriam and Allan arrived early and spent time in Adam's and Paul's apartment chatting. Paul had David wait by the door to fetch refreshments from the kitchen. After lunch Allan joined Tom in his apartment to sample some wines while Adam and Miriam took a walk to admire the scenery. Paul would have gone with them but it was difficult filling in his pass without a destination. Regular trips such as the school runs and the park were simply duplicates. They were all looking forward to going on a bike ride without deciding where they were going first.

For once Paul was able to sit alone in his own living room. It was a moment of solitude that normally a grader could only dream of but his years as a grader had left their mark. It was not long before he felt as though he should be doing something and was feeling restless so he headed downstairs to find Craig who found it quite easy to loaf around the pool.

While Craig and Paul were chatting, Rob approached them and asked if he could stay on permanently.

"The main problem is, I won't have a job. I'd need a car or motor bike or something to get to work each day."

"You have an apprenticeship, don't you?" Craig asked.

"Kind of. They put you on an assessment course for a year first to get all round experience. Then they decide the best trade for you."

"So you could do that year anywhere to do with building?"

"Yeah but it's not really what I want to do." he replied, "I was getting interested in computers when I was still at home. Until my step-dad got drunk and smashed all my gear up." Rob said bitterly, "He told me to stop wasting time, get a job and clear out."

Paul excused himself leaving Craig and Rob alone.

"I have learnt a bit on the sites," Rob said, "I could help you build your dungeon."

"And test it out?" Craig asked.

Rob blushed but did not say anything. He did not have to. Craig saw the surge in his his cock.

Craig talked to Rob trying to make that it was what Rob really wanted until Paul returned.

"I've just spoken to Mr Crosis." he said, "I knew he was having trouble finding a maintenance man and he's willing to give Rob a go. I've explained Rob's situation and he says that he can work full time until his hearing clearing the backlog and then we can sort some courses out for him. He says there's a load of old computer stuff in a store room that he'd found when clearing places. Rob's welcome to it to see what he can do with it."

Rob hugged Craig and rushed off to tell the others. He then phoned his foster parents to explain that he had found a permanent home. He reassured them that he would contact the csc as soon as possible and phone his old employers. Once they knew that they did not have to deal with the csc they were happy for him and wished him well. They wanted to know when he would collect his things so they could say good bye properly.

Apart from that, the day was quiet. Only David was unable to enjoy a quiet Sunday. He made sure he was quietly out of sight and huddled up as small as possible. Paul knew where he was and kept a discrete eye on him, making sure that no one else disturbed him. He only found any sort of peace when they were back in the bunkhouse and the others were settling down for the night.

The following morning Paul and Adam overslept. Normally Tom might have realised something was wrong but he was having his own problems with an unexpectedly early delivery from the food store. By the time he had packed away the groceries and recovered the breakfast that he had been in the middle of cooking it was getting late. When he finally realised that the place was silent and that David had not arrived to help he knew something was wrong and hurried off to check on Adam and Paul.

At about the same time Craig woke up and heard Tom trying to rouse them an reached the landing in time to see a horror-struck Paul rushing off to wake the others. While the others were eating a much belated and spoiled breakfast Craig entered the kitchen.

"I'll deal with this after you've done your homework tonight, Adam." he said.

"I'm sorry, sir," Paul said, "I won't let it happen again."

"Adam. Who was responsible?" Craig asked.

"I was, Craig."

"Explain why."

"I'm in charge in my quarters and so it was my fault Paul was late."

"Good! I'm glad you understand. Paul will give you six strokes of the cane. You go and collect Jake and Paul can take the others direct to school. They shouldn't be late that way. You can explain that it wasn't Jake's fault so he won't be punished for lateness."

Craig paused. Adam and Paul were both extremely upset at having messed up so badly. The incident had shown up another problem though.

"In future, Paul, you will see to it that everyone is up at the same time as Tom. I know he likes to get the food ready on his own so if necessary you can line up outside the kitchen ready for him. He should at least have help standing by."

On a scale of one to ten David's terror of his master had just dropped to eight the night before from ten he had endured on his first day. The suggestion that he had been laying in bed when he should have been working pushed his terror off the meter. Never mind that every one else was just as much at at fault, Craig had a reason to punish him.

Craig could see the effect the situation was having on David and tried to ease the tension.

"David, don't worry," Craig said as gently as he could, "We haven't been here very long and these are called teething troubles. Only Adam has been careless enough to get punished."

Singling David out was a bad mistake. Instead of reassuring him it had the opposite effect and he lost control of his bladder. It had one beneficial effect. No one felt inclined to finish breakfast and even Adam and Jake made it to school on time.

Leaving Tom, Paul and Ryan to clear the kitchen, Craig took David over to the bunkhouse and made him shower. David could not swim so Craig took them out to the field below the patio and they jogged around it with Craig setting a fairly fast pace. Although David could do hard manual labour all day or sprint when summoned by an irate master a long distance run was just strange enough for him to work up a sweat by the pace set by a boy ten years his junior.

When Craig had run enough laps to tire him he took David to the showers in the barn and insisted they help each other wash and then towel each other dry. He quietly ordered David when to stand or when to do something and then headed back to the kitchen and got them both a drink. Craig then headed to the office to start his studies. Not having been dismissed by Craig, David followed him across and stood by the door, hands behind his head, waiting to serve Craig.

David had enjoyed his running session. Washing his masters back in the shower had been a routine command. When he had turned away from Craig he had expected to be fucked or beaten and the gentle washing had been the nicest sensual feeling he could remember. He had felt the same with the towelling and being given a drink of juice from the same bottle that his master had taken his drink from was as luxurious as drinking the most expensive champagne. He knew that such gentle treatment could not last but he was grateful for Craig's display of kindness.

And it did not seem as if it was going to. Craig began to struggle with one of his maths problems and his irritability showed itself when he through his pen down in disgust before screwing up the paper he had been working on and flinging it at the bin. Seeing the fear beginning to appear on David's face helped calm him and he sent his servant through for a drink making sure David knew to fetch one for himself.

The brief interlude had it's effect because as he stood to stretch the solution flashed across his mind. He hugged David and kissed him on the forehead. Luckily David had set the drinks down on a side table. Craig quickly wrote down the solution before he forgot it then stood and handed a confused David his glass remembering to tell him he could drink and downed his own glass before settling down to work.

Spending the morning with Craig was helping David more than Craig had hoped. David's fear factor had peaked at a mere nine when Craig had seemed angry and dropped as low as five when they shared a drink.

Paul and Ryan spent the morning on the housework. Paul was feeling guilty about letting Craig down and pushed himself and Ryan harder than he normally would have done. Given a task Ryan would perform it to the best of his abilities. He only needed to be shown once and he would remember. Tell him to change the bed then pick up the dirty clothes he could be left to do it but tell him to tidy the room and he would just stand helplessly wondering what to do first.

Paul now understood what Tom about them lacking initiative.

Tom was also uneasy about the morning and he was ashamed of his treatment of Ryan and David when he had been guardian compared to Craig's. Although he had treated them well, Tom had simply accepted that they had been graders for too long and had made no effort to help them. Craig was actively trying to give them back their individuality.

He had volunteered to do the cooking. He had told Mr. Brassom in confidence that he wanted to be sure of having decent food and discouraged anyone from messing around in his kitchen. On the other hand he had not bargained on feeding so many people so maybe he was going to have to have an assistant. Even so he could return to his apartment and relax until Craig had finished his school work.

Before his arrest, Tom had appointed a manager, Aaron Bulton, who had proved capable enough to keep his business affairs ticking over during the uncertainties of Tom's grading, his wife and partner's attempt to salt away the funds and then Craig's appearance as owner. It was due to his astuteness that so much of Tom's money had been recovered.

Tom and Craig had agreed that Aaron should continue to handle the day to day running and had given him a substantial raise. They had full access to the books via the Internet and held conference calls if problems cropped up. Tom and Craig invested the surplus funds and handled those accounts themselves. The result was the business had gained a new confidence and was flourishing.

When Craig was finishing his school work Tom would prepare lunch. Anyone at home at that time would sit around the table and eat. After lunch Tom and Craig would go through the days business.

Lunch was subdued that day. Paul had trouble looking Craig in the eye, David could not hide unobtrusively in a corner and Ryan had the feeling he was not meeting Paul's expectations.

"This is our first working day with the building finished and everyone here," Craig asked Paul, "How do you think it will settle down?"

"I think it will work out well," Paul replied, "I really am sorry about this morning. I just forgot to set the alarm."

"That's between you and Adam. In your apartment, you're the servant and Adam is in charge."

"I know," Paul replied, "It sounds weird though. I'm going to punish Adam because he forgot to make me do something. I really don't want to cane him."

"I'd enjoy it," grinned Craig, "but it's your punishment. You'll both be more careful in the future."

Talk about punishment and canes always upset David so they changed the subject. Even Ryan ventured a comment about how much he had enjoyed swimming the day before.

Towards the end of a meal Craig decided to push David a bit further.

"David." he said, "You've been quiet. Ask me a question."

Strangely, David was resigned, almost relieved. The kind period was over and whatever he asked would be turned against him so would be punished and tortured. He had nothing to lose so he let the resentment at Craig's cat and mouse games appear.

"Why do you make us sit around this table and talk about punishments as if we were friends?" He asked, surprising the others with his passion.

There was a startled silence before Tom replied.

"We have a conversation like this at least once a day. Let's just say that masters have to discipline graders and we accept it. Paul's been punished by Craig before and so have I. I also have tremendous respect for what Craig is doing for us all. Does that answer your question?"

David nodded hardly daring to speak. "I'm sorry I was rude, master. Please don't punish me too much."

"Only Paul calls me master and that's when he wants to be cheeky," Craig replied, "I gave you an instruction and you obeyed. Why should I punish you?"

David burst into tears. Craig rushed round and held him while David sobbed and sobbed until there were no more tears left. As Craig let go David managed the first smile Ryan and Tom had ever seen on him.

The rest of the day went smoothly. Graham rang to say that Placement was happy with Rob's new arrangements Since both sides were happy to waive the three month rule the case could be heard very quickly, possibly that week.

When grading first started the court system speeded up amazingly. The defence lawyers complained that they did not have time to prepare cases and were ignored. The police started to complain that when they caught someone for a minor offence and they were still investigating the graders involvement in other offences he'd already disappeared into the placement system. The three month rule was introduced. A case had to wait three months before being heard unless both sides agreed to a waiver.

Spending cuts in the court system meant many cases were delayed further resulting in delays up to a further six months. Waivered cases were fast tracked as they tended to be the simplest.

The three month pause had become something of a mantra, applied to any rule or regulation to be on the safe side which is why Paul had to wait three months before being regraded. There was no clear reason for it.

Tom and Craig worked on their business interests with David standing waiting to serve them. Although he scarcely moved except to hurry to obey a command, something had changed in David's demeanour. If it's true that you can smell fear then David no longer exuded that smell.

Paul left to collect his homework gang as everyone had started to call them. Rob faced long walks on his own as he did not have a bike. Craig had phoned the shop and the manager would be delighted to bill him if Rob called in and chose a model. Much to everyone's surprise he was allowed to pedal off on it straight away when he called in after work.

Adam looked strained as he did his work, aware of the cane that Paul had already fetched. Tom was already preparing dinner. Craig took David down to the cellar.

Going down the stairs was terrifying for David but he calmed down as they started work washing the walls. It eased David's mind that the cellar was empty except for a table not much smaller than the one in the kitchen. As they worked David thought back to the shower they had taken that morning and his cock began to swell.

Stress can reduce performance and of course his first masters had insisted on controlling even that, the simplest of all pleasures. It collapsed the moment he realised that Craig had seen it and Craig became aware of his fear again.

The discovery that he could have that sort of control was a definite turn on and Craig could not resist experimenting with it.

"If I told you to lie down on that table, on your back and with your hands behind your head, would you believe me if I said I wasn't going to hurt you?"

David had no idea what to say. He was beginning to trust Craig or, at least, believe that Craig would not be among the worst of his owners. He hesitantly nodded and at a command from Craig laid down as he had been told.

Bringing a male to a climax was not something that normally excited Craig. However this time was different because, instead of using him for his own pleasure, Craig was trying to comfort and calm David. Craig's own shaft was pushing outwards, stimulated by the idea that he was controlling the situation and could just as easily be trying to destroy David. He began stroking David's cock which returned to full alert in seconds. Craig stepped up the pace and David squirmed under the pressure building up in his balls.

He found himself on the edge of losing control.

"Please master, let me cum." he begged, "I'm trying to be good but please, I can't hold out much longer."

By answer, Craig bent down and took the cock in his mouth. He had never given head before and found he could only handle the first few inches but it was enough for David to cry out with the sensations coursing through his body. Craig raised his head watching the cock spring down onto David's stomach as he resumed his stroking.

"You can cum now." he whispered.

Almost immediately thick creamy streams shot from David. None landed on his stomach, some on his face but most hit the table above his head. As the pressure was released so the first strands appeared on his chest. Craig straddled David, lowering himself onto his elbows so that his cock was squeezed between their stomachs. He rubbed himself up and down David's body gradually raising the tempo until his own balls released their load and he collapsed onto David.

As he returned to normal he saw the tears David's face.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked.

"Oh no, master." sobbed David, "It was just so wonderful."

"I've told you. Don't call me master," Craig said softly, "I won't let you cum again if you do. Call me Craig or sir if you must."

Craig felt David tense and then relax.

"I'm sorry master, I mean sir," David tensed again but it seemed that Craig had not noticed his mistake, "I'm trying to be good but you're so different to my other masters."

"Listen to me carefully. I do not punish my boys because they make an honest mistake. I punish them when they so disobedient or careless that they put us in danger. Do you understand?"

"Master Tim said the same thing when I first went to him. He was kind too. Then he went away."

"Bad things happen and we can't stop them. All we can do is make sure the things we can control don't turn bad and there is something you can do for me."

"Yes sir! Anything you want. I'll do it."

"You're a grown man and I'm a kid ten years younger than you. I think it's wrong that you should be so scared of me. Will you try to trust me a bit more?"

Craig felt the tension again as David realised that his master seemed to rebuking him and this time the tension did not go away.

"Just try," Craig said.

"Yes Master," David replied.

Craig climbed off the table. He seemed to have undone all the progress he had made. Telling David to follow him he headed for his bedroom ignoring Tom's curious stare as they walked through the kitchen.

They showered together in Craig's bathroom and David relaxed again enjoying the gentle attention they gave each other.

Adam had not enjoyed himself so much. Paul knew why Craig had kept David out of the way. The homework gang worked quietly as usual but they all cast surreptitious glances at Adam and Paul.

Finally they had completed their assignments and waited for Paul. First of all he told them the news about Rob who had returned home while they had been working then he told Adam to stand tell them why he was to be punished.

Adam, like most of the others, had already stripped off. As Paul picked up the cane he swallowed nervously and bent over a table. Paul stood slightly to one side and took aim. Hating what he was about to do he swung down with all his strength leaving a bloody line across Adam's backside. Adam screamed in agony, scaring Ethan and Jake. Paul swung again with a little less force. Adam still screamed again but there were fewer spots of blood on the the welt. With the third blow, Adam was in tears desperately hoping he could hold on. The last three blows struck Adam's thighs with the last two low enough to be visible when he was wearing shorts.

As soon as was done, Paul had Adam lay face down on one of the loungers and began to treat the wounds. They would all heal completely and the lotions would ease the pain.

He had Adam stand up briefly so that he could lay down then had Adam lay on top of him and held him tight in his arms until Adam's tears stopped and he rested quietly. At that moment he Paul hated Craig with a deep burning anger. Part of him accepted that Craig was right but Paul had become as protective of Adam as Craig was of Ethan.

Things were very tense as they sat down for dinner. Adam chose to stand at a worktop. Craig tried speaking with Paul but was taken aback by the surly responses. David reacted badly to the tension waiting for the graders to be sent away and the rest were just uncomfortable.

"Craig was right, you know." Adam said to no one in particular. "I had to give my change of details to the office and they asked loads of questions about the set up here. In the end I told them I was in trouble with Craig for making a grader late for his other duties and they all sort of lost interest.

"How do you do that, Craig? How do you know how to keep them off our backs?"

Craig shrugged. "I don't fight them and I wish I did. Playing around with Danny is one thing. Anyone can oversleep. You didn't deserve that."

"Like Tom said. It's the world we live in." Adam replied, "I had a choice. I could have gone home and refused to come back here. I don't think you'd have stopped me but if I want to be with Paul then I have to do things your way. Otherwise it wouldn't be safe for you, would it Paul?"

"I'm sorry, sir," Paul said, "I've been rude. I hated hurting Adam like that and I hated you. I still do a bit but I'll get over it."

There was silence for a while.

"I've had masters who would have whipped us all," David suddenly blurted out to everyone's astonishment.

David panicked at the sudden attention and huddled up in his chair. He had been worrying about Craig's command not to be so scared of him. Craig had not realised that an order was an order. If he was ordered to cum he would cum. If he was ordered to do the washing up, he would do the washing up. If he was ordered to be less scared then he should become less scared but he couldn't and Craig could see he was disobeying him.

He was relaxed enough to follow the conversation and was amazed that anyone could complain at such a mild response for disturbing their master's day. The surprise and the worry came together and he managed after a desperate struggle to make his comment.

"That sounds like a good idea, David," Craig grinned, "Do you think I should try it?"

David could see everyone was laughing or grinning so he was able to manage a quick shake of the head.

Tom looked at Craig with open admiration. He was working miracles with David. Even Paul looked impressed. David felt vaguely pleased with himself because he could see that Craig was looking happier.

The evening continued as normal except Adam and Paul headed for their apartment immediately after dinner. As Adam passed Craig he hugged him and kissed him full on the lips. Paul could not stay angry and hugged Craig as well.

Adam was right about school the next day. Grader shorts tended to be thin cotton while school shorts were grey flannel complete with pockets and and fly. Whatever shorts he wore, the stripes on his legs were clearly visible. The school was concerned that Adam was being forced by a grader but it was reasonable that Adam be punished if he failed to control graders in his own apartment. If the logic seemed hazy then at least school performance targets were not threatened.

Later that evening Graham phoned to say that they had found a possible candidate for the sting against the mall manager and a supervisor from placement would be phoning about it in the morning. Craig knew what that meant, more problems.

Chapter 8

Craig was working on his school projects and David was in his usual position by the door when Graham phoned. As Paul had been allocating jobs for the day after breakfast, David had moved determinedly to stand behind Craig. He had not said anything but it was clear that he wanted to attend Craig the way he had the previous day.

Paul accepted it and told Ryan to start tidying the bedrooms while he took the others to school. Rob would accompany them until he had to turn off to reach Mr Crosis' office.

It was settling quickly into a routine with few problems but Craig was finding it all very difficult. Danny tended to be exhausted by his long days of school and community service and would fall asleep as soon as he was in bed leaving Craig frustrated. David was proving a strain. He found some satisfaction that David had started to respond but he was aware that any progress could be destroyed by the wrong word or wrong move.

He was also worried about Danny's future. Craig had grown fond of the other boy and hoped they could help him but it would mean taking on another problem.

The incident with Paul and Adam had upset him more than he wanted to admit even though it seemed to be over but if he had not given them the apartment he would not have had to punish them so he felt as if he was to blame.

David had seemed surprised when they had made their way straight to the office and when Craig asked why David nervously mentioned the run and shower the previous day. It seemed like a good idea to Craig and that's what they did. Craig was still restless when they finally reached the office.

"If Danny was here I'd have him on his knees under the desk to give me a blow job," Craig said.

"Yes master," David replied.

"Remember what I said about calling me master?"

"Yes master but you ordered me not to be scared of you," David replied, "I'm trying to obey you, master."

Craig was thoroughly confused by the answer but at least David had a bit of life to him.

"I said I would punish you for calling me master. You're lucky I haven't carried it out yet."

"Yes Master, I know," David replied, "I'm used to chastity and you did that wonderful thing for me yesterday. I know it will be a long time before I'm allowed pleasure again."

"Come here!"

Craig pushed his chair back from his desk and spread his legs making David stand close between them.

"Now I want you to jerk off and cum all over me."

David looked surprised but grabbed his cock and started stroking. Craig just sat with his hands behind his head, not helping in any way. He watched David's muscles as they tensed and heard his grunts as the pressure increased and suddenly white strings shot out landing on Craig's chest with one or two landing on his face.

David was worried that hitting Craig's face would get him into trouble but Craig merely told him to spread it all over. When his chest and face was shiny from the layer of jism covering him Craig looked David.

"Is it true masters mark their slaves?"

"Yes master."

"You've just marked me. Shouldn't I be calling you master?"

David was at a complete loss how to answer. He'd heard how Craig sometimes wanted to be the servant but not to a useless nothing like him.

"Please don't trick me like this," David replied eventually, "I'm trying not to be scared of you but I'm just a slave. I'm not worth anything more."

"That's a pity," Craig replied, "You see I need someone who wants to suck me off. If you're just a slave I don't know whether you want to or are just obeying me."

Luckily for David, Craig had not asked a question so he could stand in silence. He had no idea how to respond. They could have stayed like that all day if the phone had not rung. It was a Mr. Thompson of csc Placement asking when it would be convenient to bring the boy over.

Craig suggested late afternoon so that he could meet the others which suited Mr. Thompson very well. It seemed that the boy, Brian had been the victim of an inter-departmental wrangle. He had originally been fostered when he started skipping school and getting into trouble.

It was one of the ideas behind grading that youngsters be given a fresh start, somewhere new.

Every thing went well. Brian settled down and they would have tried to return him to his parents soon. Then one of his foster parents had a heart attack and could not continue looking after him. An inspector visited and confirmed that Brian had to be moved but the report said that Brian had been originally fostered for being a troublemaker and the foster parents could no longer cope with him. As a result he ended up in a home for unmanageable children. Placement knew the true situation but the Inspectorate was insistent that Placement could not know the full facts.

Placement were obliged to follow the Inspectorate's recommendations but could formally appeal or seek further discussions which is what they tried to do. Unfortunately budget restraints and a lack of interest by the Inspectorate slowed the process. In the meantime Brian had become increasingly angry and bitter about his treatment. To be accepted by his peers he had to start behaving like them and it all came to a head when he struck his supervisor.

Brian had been given a temporary grading to allow the staff to handle him more easily and he was charged with the assault. Encouraged by the Inspectorate, who saw the incident as a vindication of their decisions, the home was insisting that it was a deliberate and malicious attack which effectively meant that Brian was heading for grade one.

Mr Thompson had dealt with Brian since he had first been fostered and had done everything possible to help him. Brian's case was the final straw and he was resigning from the csc. He had heard of Craig's search, had made enquiries, and could see that this was their last chance of salvaging anything for Brian.

Officially, the csc would reprimand him for allowing a participant to take part in such a risky venture. Unofficially the paperwork would be stalled until after he had left.

While the phone call had gone on, Craig had been idly stroking David's thigh and was vaguely aware that David was becoming aroused again. What he did not see was the conflict in David's mind. Instead of punishing him for getting hard, let alone cumming, Craig seemed to encourage it. He had spent the last two days in close company with Craig and Craig had missed so many excuses to punish or torture him. He still had a dull dread that it would happen but he could convince himself that it would not be this time.

Craig's constant presence and gentle touches had re-wakened his sexuality and he wanted to respond to Craig's attentions by going down onto Craig, but how could he do that without making a move on his master without any sort of permission?

While Craig was on the phone he waited. Interrupting while two masters talked was a step too far but as Craig put the phone down, David knelt down and took Craig's member into his mouth.

The anger and the blows he risked never materialised so he began a long slow servicing of his master that Craig would remember for the rest of his life. Craig scarcely believed how his cock could penetrate David's throat while David could breathe in time to his head rocking up and down. As David's tongue and lips massaged his cock so the sensations created electrified his body.

Whenever Craig was about to cum, David eased the pace just enough to bring him from the edge before resuming the rhythm making the sensations more urgent than before. Finally David sensed that this time he could not pull Craig back without more drastic action and increased the pace.

Normally Craig grunted and groaned but this time yelled out as the force of his climax took complete control of his body. He arched his body lifting himself off his seat and lifting David with him until he collapsed, spent and exhausted back into the chair.

David knelt back on his haunches, with his hands behind his head, waiting for his master's verdict. Still nervous that he had overstepped the mark, he was reassured that Craig was not displaying any anger.

Craig recovered quickly. He would not be getting much school work done that day. It did not matter too much as he was slightly ahead of his program but after carefully kissing David on the forehead sent him to fetch Paul and Tom and drinks for all four of them. He had seen the look in David's eyes and the kiss had been to reassure him. Craig relayed the information he had about Brian. He wanted Danny to meet Brian so Paul needed to arrange for Danny to come straight home for once.

Once Craig started on his school work he felt relaxed and alert. He succeeded in making a little ground and so the he felt quite satisfied with his morning. Lunch also went well. Neither Ryan nor David contributed much but the atmosphere was far less strained than the day before. Tom was happy for their business activities to be shorter than usual and Craig had time to shower and dress ready for his visitors.

Craig was shocked at the sight of Brian. His shorts were torn up one leg leaving his genitals visible. A chain ran from his grader chain down his body. There was a ring in the chain just below the line of his nipples to which metal cuffs were attached keeping his hands up to his chest. The chain split just below his knees linking shackles around his ankles. His body was covered in cuts and bruises but in spite of his treatment Craig could see the fire in his eyes.

Brian was surprised that he was standing in front of someone his own age but it was enough that the csc official was treating Craig as an equal and he launched into a wild tirade on 'fucking do gooders and how they could could kiss his arse'. Craig was sure he said a lot more but it was rambling and almost incoherent.

Craig had never had such a flood of hatred directed at him before. The csc official rolled his eyes up in despair and began packing the papers back in his bag. When Brian finally paused for breath Craig called Paul in and had him stand where Brian could see him and picked up the tawse.

"This is my home and you do not speak like that to anyone while you're here. Craig said quietly. "Bend over that desk."

"No fucking way. You can fuck off. I'll talk how I fucking like."

That was gist of Brian's reply taking out the repetitions and general insults. Again Craig waited for a pause.

"That's two lots of six you've earned. You can try for a third and then Paul will bend you over and I will double your punishment."

Brian looked across to Paul then back to Craig. The interview was not going how he expected it to go. Craig was not trying to be all friendly and telling him how, this time, things would be different. He had heard all that before when someone was promising to help him. He could not face the disappointment of more broken promises so he rejected everyone in authority. His first plan was not working so he needed to change tactics.

"You're just a kid like me. Why should I do what you say. Who's in charge here, your dad?"

"My dad is dead," Craig replied trying to sound calm and steady, "I inherited this place so I'm in charge."

"Sorry about your dad. Do you really own this place?"

Craig nodded.

"Paul will show you around after your punishment. Bend over that desk."

Brian was thoroughly confused by now. Craig had stayed calm and in control and had not sent him away. He looked at Mr Thompson, the csc official. Mr. Thompson seemed as uncertain as he was. He seemed ready to go but had remained seated.

Brian was beginning to see that he had talked himself into trouble that he was not going to get out of.

"I'm sorry I was rude," Brian said, "I'll be careful how I speak until we go."

"I say this to everyone who stays here," Craig replied, "My brother Ethan is my first concern. I want to keep him away from the csc so they can't mess him up."

He turned to Mr. Thompson, "Sorry! I think I was rude to you, then."

"Not at all, Mr. Ryder," Mr. Thompson grinned, "I wouldn't like my children to enter the csc. We do our best but it's not ideal."

"Everyone thinks I'm a kid so I have to prove I can keep control. Now bend over the desk, Brian."

Brian surrendered and bent over allowing Craig to yank his shorts off. His last hope was that Craig would go easy on him and that hope vanished with the first blow. By the end of the first six blows across buttocks he was crying and howling in agony. After the next three it felt like the fires of hell were burning across his buttocks. The last three were the customary blows across the back of his legs that would be visible even when he was wearing shorts.

"Could I have the keys to his restraints, please?" Craig asked.

Taking them from Mr. Thompson he passed them onto Paul.

"Take him to the kitchen and get him something to eat and drink. Then show him around. You can keep him cuffed or release him as you see fit. Oh! See that there's a new pair of shorts for him when he leaves.

"Tell Tom we'll have tea in the living room."

When Craig and Mr. Thompson were settled, Mr. Thompson asked, "Are you still thinking of taking him on after all that?"

"Most of the others will be home from school soon. Rob works and Danny normally does community service. Usually Paul fetches them but I thought I might need help with Brian. I'd like him to be around the others for a while and see how he gets on."

"I see. It makes sense. I know how you want to use him and I told him you'd have an unpleasant job for him but I've not said how that will help him."

Craig nodded. "That's OK."

They heard the hubbub of the boys arriving then it went quiet as they settled down to homework. There was no sign of Paul or Brian so Craig and Mr. Thompson continued to sit and chat. It was a bit awkward at first as Mr. Thompson was asking about the their life there but he pointed out that, apart from needing some background for Brian's file, he was genuinely curious. Things relaxed when he pointed out that allowing Brian to be used for a sting was completely against every protocol and regulation. It was only because his case had been so badly handled that they wanted him to have one last chance.

Craig described the incident in the mall and how he had dealt with the salesmen in the estate agents and the workman who had wanted to rape him and Danny. The time passed and Ethan put his head round the door to say dinner was ready.

Tom had obtained some extra chairs and all twelve managed to sit around the table though even Craig found himself with less space than usual. Craig and Mr. Thompson were pleased to see Brian sitting, free of his chains, between Rick and Danny. The table fell silent as they began to eat but as the meal came to an end the conversation picked up again.

"Paul's told me what you want me to do," Brian said a little aggressively, "Why should I? I'm gonna be grade 1 and that means dead."

"Probably," Craig replied, "The law says that if you help with a more serious crime your sentence can be reduced. It was meant to get a drug dealer say who their supplier was. Stuff like that. Our lawyer says it's never been tried like this but he thinks it may work."

"Yeah! May work," Brian snarled, "I'll stay five and have a home for more than five minutes.

"How about two and placed here?"

Brian stared at him.

"Another of your toys, I suppose. Like Danny. I'm surprised you haven't got him in my chains already."

"You can put them on me if you like, Brian," Danny giggled, "but Craig might want to try them first."

While the rest of the table laughed with Danny, Craig blushed with embarrassment, Mr. Thompson was a little unhappy listening to this sort of talk while Brian wondered how his jibe had been turned around so much.

"OK then. I'll do it if Mr. Ryder spends a week in those chains."

"That's enough, Brian." Mr Thompson snapped. "We can forgive you being rude but you shouldn't put our host on the spot like that."

"Why not? If he's so keen on helping Danny and me let him prove it."

"First! My names Craig. I don't like being called Mr. Ryder," Craig said quietly. "Second I can't wear them in business hours. I have school work, I'm learning about business from Tom and I have to meet people to do with running this place and looking after everyone."

Brian stared at him. He had expected Mr. Thompson or someone to try and rescue Craig so he was not surprised by Mr. Thompson's remark but Craig had not taken the escape route, at least not completely. Craig did have a point a point about needing to be able to work but would he back out of the rest of the time?

"OK! We'll do it like a grader," Brian said, "You can have enough restraints removed to work but you have to be under supervision. Paul can do that but for the rest of the time you're restrained. You sleep in the bunkhouse and you get no privileges."

"Don't agree, Craig," Rob exclaimed, "You do a load of stuff for us. You shouldn't be treated like that.

The other boys nodded and called their agreement and the hostility against Brian began to worry Tom and Mr. Thompson.

"How will it prove anything?" David asked quietly. "Master Craig will help you anyway."

"Everyone says they'll help me but I'm just a case file," Brian sobbed, revealing his emotions for once, "They go home in the evening and forget me. Why shouldn't someone show they care."

Mr Thompson was uncomfortable because he knew Brian was right. Everyone was looking at him expecting some sort of denial.

"You're right about staff leaving their work behind them when they go home at night. It must seem as if they don't care but you're still wrong to put Craig on the spot like this."

"Maybe I am and maybe he just likes to sit at this table and have everyone tell him how wonderful he is."

"I think it's time we went," Mr. Thompson said, "I'm sorry we've wasted your time, Craig. I do appreciate you seeing us."

Craig had seen the look on Brian's face and could not understand it. Disappointment possibly? Fear certainly. Acceptance that Craig was just like the others?

"Could Brian stay the night and we'll take things one step at a time?" Craig asked.

"That means he'd stay under csc jurisdiction. He'd have to be restrained or supervised all the time. I've stretched a point letting you release him now."

Craig took Mr. Thompson through to the office where he signed the necessary papers and saw the csc supervisor out.

Returning to the kitchen he kissed David on the forehead.

"Well done!" he said, "But stop calling me master."

David thrilled to David's touch and was so delighted at the praise that he answered automatically and without thinking, "Yes master."

Calling Danny over, Craig then stood in front of Brian making a point of standing in the respectful 'at ease' position.

"Mr. Thompson says you can just be supervised until we go to bed then you must be restrained until morning. It's do with you sneaking off while we're asleep. I'll be your grader until breakfast. Danny will supervise us both and we'll be treated the same when we're restrained for the night. Until then Danny is our master but I am to serve you."

"Then why is Danny in charge? To make sure I go soft on you?"

"No! Work together," Craig replied, "Don't forget, somebody needs to supervise you as well."

This was not what Brian had expected. Craig was actually going to give up his evening for him and share his ordeal of being secured for the night. He'd noticed the happy atmosphere during the meal and the way they had defended Craig. Maybe he had misjudged Craig.

"No one else is wearing clothes," Brian snapped, "Why are you?"

"I dressed for the meeting with Mr Thompson, sir," Craig replied.

"Fair enough. He's gone now, so strip."

Craig undressed and waited for Brian but Adam interrupted by saying they had given dinner long enough to settle and they could all go for a swim.

"Not you," Brian said still very brusquely, "I need to talk to Danny first."

Beckoning Craig to follow him, Brian led Craig outside then made him stand facing a wall with his hands behind his head. Craig stood, slightly erect with excitement but nervous about what Danny and Brian were planning. He could hear the noise from the barn and sometimes footsteps as someone returned to the house for something but nobody came for him.

Craig began to feel a bit cold. His erection had long faded with boredom and his arms were aching and still he stood there. He tried stretching to ease his muscles.

"Stand still!" a voice commanded. He thought it was Rick who had been on his way to the kitchen. "Unless you want Danny and Brian to know you're misbehaving."

Time moved slowly until he heard the visitors leave. He hoped Danny and Brian had been waiting until then before coming for him but still he was left standing. Finally when he was thoroughly cold miserable and ready to go look for them he heard Danny and Brian approach talking happily to each other.

"It's been fun," Danny said, "and I really am grateful that you'll help. I wish I didn't have to do this to you."

"It's cool," Brian replied, "It's a pity we didn't get around to Craig but like you said, we had fun. How do you want to do this?"

"Craig, put your hands down by your side. Danny ordered then added, "Stop complaining. You've not been here that long."

As Craig had moved his arms he had groaned with pain as his muscles reacted to their treatment. Danny had Brian stand next to Craig and before he realised what had happened, he and Brian had been handcuffed together. They were led down into the cellar.

Rob was already there waiting for them holding some ropes while an open sleeping bag lay on the table. On Danny's instructions, Craig and Brian climbed onto the sleeping bag, lying facing each other. Rob tied their ankles together and ran the ends of the rope through to holes in the bag under the table where he tied the ends together. Danny handcuffed their free wrists together then looped a rope round the two pairs of cuffs, tying the end off round the rope securing their ankles. Danny zipped up the bag.

"You can probably get out of that bag if you want to. Take my advice. Don't." Danny said as he and Rob left, turning out the lights.

"What happens now?" Craig whispered.

"We try and get some sleep I suppose," Brian replied, "What else?"

"I just wondered what you wanted to do to me and when it's going to happen."

"You don't get it do you? Graders get handled like packages. Danny's told me about the trouble he's in and how I can help him. I've agreed. Paul's already phoned Mr. Thompson and he'll being coming over tomorrow with the paperwork for you to sign. The P.I. will be coming tomorrow, as well, to tell me what to do. How does it feel to be out of control?"

"Scary and it's going to get scarier. I need a piss."

"Oh shit. I never thought of that."

As realisation came he added, "Paul did though. He said something about sharing each others problems. Why didn't you say something?"

"Speak without permission, you mean," Craig retorted, "I might like playing games but I'm not going to give you an excuse to punish me. Besides I thought there'd be a chance after you'd done something to me."

"Can you hold out until morning?"

"I'll have to."

"I'm sorry, Craig," Brian said, "I was only trying to show you what it's like to be ignored. Are you sure you want me to stay after this?"

"Be careful what you ask for. It may be given to you," Craig said.

"Huh?"

"It's something Paul said once. One of his supervisors used to say it a lot when he was at the centre. Make sure you want to stay before you ask."

Brian was thoughtful for a moment.

"This place sure is different." he said, "Do you think I'll be able to stay here after the trial?"

"We'll all do our best if you do your best for Danny. How does that sound?"

"Fair. Your best is fucking better than being told everything will be OK, don't worry."

"Watch the language," Craig admonished gently, "Ethan needs to watch his behaviour and graders could get whipped. I have to be so careful about these things."

"OK! I'll have to learn anyway. Let's try and get some sleep in case that causes trouble later on."

Brian had touched Craig's cock as he spoke and not getting a rebuff left his hand where it was.

They were both uncomfortable and slept fitfully. It was worse for Craig as the pressure in his bladder steadily increased. He lay still trying not to disturb Brian concentrating on not losing control but it was a losing battle.

Brian moved restlessly in his sleep and trapping their shackled hand between them pressed against Craig's abdomen. As he moved again Craig tried to give him some space and the movement was all his bladder needed. Once started nothing could stop the flow. Brian was woken by Craig's embarrassed squirming and the wetness. They lay there, the pungent smell in their nostrils, increasingly uncomfortable in the pool of cooling liquid they were lying in.

"Rob and Danny will understand," Craig said hopefully, "They set us up."

It was a long and very unpleasant hour before even that small hope evaporated.

"Phew!" Ethan yelled as he came down the stairs, "You stink. Hey Danny. They've pissed themselves. I don't have to untie them do I?"

"Just cut the rope like I told you." Danny yelled back, "You'll have to open the bag until you can drop the keys by their hands. They can clean their own piss up."

"You sure you don't want him graded one?" Brian muttered.

"I'm sure," Craig replied, "He and Ethan had better be very careful what they ask for though."

They struggled to free themselves from the handcuffs and ropes. Ethan kept his distance telling them to clean up with the rags he threw down and take the soiled sleeping bag to the bins.

With what dignity they could muster they hurried past the assembled boys, dumping their load before rushing to the bunkhouse to shower. They headed back to kitchen to find everyone else seated.

"I thought you'd like to eat with us this morning," Paul said with a glint in his eye. "Craig. In future please be more careful with the games you want to play. And Brian. We don't like Craig being put on the spot like that. Do you both understand?"

They both nodded sheepishly. As he sat down Craig realised that he was back in control and it was a great relief. Brian had had enough of testing Craig. Paul was also relieved that Craig approved all the arrangements he had made and the day went as planned.

All the papers were signed. Brian's temporary grading was lifted and he officially became Craig's ward.

Craig kept Danny home from school that day so that they could go with Brian to the lawyers office to see the private detective.

The detective, John Fletcher, had been busy. The owners of the mall were not to happy with the manager, Neil Smith. They had noticed irregularities in the records there had been a number of unrelated problems. They had no objections to a proper check on him.

John had spoken to nearly a dozen boys. Mrs Brassom had been particularly helpful and Rick had found a couple more at school. It had been enough to establish a pattern. The incidents mainly happened on a Thursday afternoon. One boy had been adamant that he had been attacked on a Tuesday. It turned out that Thursdays was the manager's secretary's day off but she was off sick one Tuesday which tied in with that boy's story.

Neither did it happen every Thursday. John had done some more delving and had found that all attacks occurred when one of two guards were on duty. One of them had been the guard that Craig had trouble with and who had been fired.

While Craig sat with the adults, Danny and Brian stood respectfully in the 'at ease' position against the wall. Brian felt some resentment at the unequal treatment but relaxed as he could see how easily Danny accepted the situation. He had also developed some grudging respect for Craig. Every so often he thought of Craig failing to hold his bladder and had to stifle a giggle at the contrast.

Every organisation involved was now taking the allegations very seriously. The police and placement were holding back on cases where other attacks may have happened. Danny was going to be a test case which may affect all the others.

When John had finished speaking, Graham asked Danny if he had anything to say. Danny shook his head, close to tears. From having to control his anger and bottling his story up, he had been completely believed and something was going to be done.

When his turn came, Brian asked how many boys had been attacked.

"We don't know for sure," John replied, "It could have been going on for ages. It's a mess."

"So I'm not just doing this for Danny. I'm doing it for a lot of boys."

"That's right," John replied, "If you go ahead you're probably going to get raped. Even after you've been arrested you can back out by blowing your cover. Once you're stripped and they're obviously going to fuck you you can protest as much as you like. That way there's no consent. Do you understand?"

Brian gulped nervously, obviously scared.

"But it gives me a chance to get out of grade one, doesn't it," he asked, "and even if it doesn't, I'm going to get far worse aren't I?"

"The answer to both your questions is yes." Graham replied, "Please believe me. I'm working on your case as hard as Mr. Fletcher is working on Danny's."

"I trust you because Craig does," Brian said quietly. "At least I'm helping those other kids. What's the plan?"

"You're going to get caught doing a spot of shoplifting. You might get caned in the shop which would be pretty convincing and then the guard we're interested in will take you to the manager's office.

"The owner is only too happy to cooperate because she reckons she's losing trade with all this going on. Ideally one of the staff will catch you and call the guard. If not the shop owner will do it. That means two people will be play acting so there's more chance the guard will notice something. She won't know it's you or which day we're doing this so you could be a real shoplifter.

We've got copies of video showing real shoplifters. You'll study them and we'll set up a mock shop so you can do some dry runs. You'll be wired so you'll receive messages as well send data. You'll need to respond to instructions without getting confused.

"It sounds like a military operation," Brian said, "Is all this necessary?"

"This can affect a lot of kids," John replied, "If we raise suspicions then it's all over. Even with all the evidence we've got, kids are just graders even if they are fives, and it would be difficult to get a conviction on their say so alone. We could get a search warrant and hope something turns up and we could hope the missing footage turns up.

"Missing footage?" Danny asked.

Surveillance footage is kept for a year on hard drive. We've checked the footage for the manager's office and guess what? Some's missing. It's for Thursdays other odd days, and all the odd days ties in with the secretary being away and the two guards being on duty."

"Can't you check other records for those days and see if you can find anything?"

"How do you think I found the boys we have?" John replied. "A lot of boys we approached won't talk. Most who talk came from the orphanage and that's only because of Mrs Brassom. She was wonderful at reassuring them and encouraging them to speak.

"The manager's been there for five years, one of the guards for seven and the other one for four. Finding earlier victims is going to be almost impossible."

There was silence as everyone considered the implications.

"All this because I wanted to buy a computer," Craig said.

"No you stumbled on this because you went to the mall looking like a voluntary grader on the wrong day. The guard saw you as a trouble maker so who would believe you? You've got a good head on your shoulders and you spotted something was wrong. Then you went and found Danny."

"My brother found Danny."

"You still set the ball rolling and it's to your credit that's something being done." Graham said.

"What do you call it, circumstantial evidence? Brian seemed to be thinking out loud, "You've got enough of that to get a search warrant but not enough to arrest them. If you do search them you might not find anything. If I go through with this and it works then you've got everything you need but it's got to go right. Isn't there a sure way of getting them?"

"Unfortunately, no," John replied, "Whatever happens he's going to be fired. There's enough to do that but he could get a job as school caretaker. I'm out to get him off the streets."

"Me too!" exclaimed Brian, "I feel better that there's a plan B in case I foul up but I'll really do my best to nail him. I wish I could do it before he nails me though."

They're permitted to make an internal search," Graham said, "but that doesn't entitle them to get their cocks out. Once they do that we've got them especially if you're bent over. If you can fight off the penetration for a few minutes maybe it would give us time to move in. In fact, once you know it's his cock, the more you resist the better."

"It proves I'm not consenting."

"Precisely."

There's just one thing, Craig." Graham asked, "He'll probably end up grade one. Do you have problems getting someone graded?"

"I have problems when someone is unfairly graded. If he falls for this I wouldn't care if they cut his balls off."

"If he switches the cameras off then how do they record Brian?" Danny asked.

"It looks as if he deletes it later but it doesn't matter. I've tapped the feed and I've been recording the cameras in my office for a week."

"If he grabs another kid, I lose my chance don't I?" Brian asked. "If you're recording you'd get him instead."

"No, not necessarily." Graham replied, "He'll probably be scared enough to agree to anything. Consent could give the defence some scope. We'll give you a go anyway. Two witnesses are better than one. It'll be enough to give me an opening for you in court."

Brian smiled his thanks.

"What happens if they say something like, 'either you let us fuck you or we'll see you're graded one'?" Craig asked.

"I've got an expert on evidence gathering on call," John said, "He'll coach Brian in how to respond to various situations.

"The final thing I need to ask is whether we should inform the police. In this case I think we should. They've been sympathetic so far and they could help. In fact we should arrange a meeting of all the people involved but it needs to be somewhere discrete."

"How about my place?" Craig suggested, "Even if anyone noticed it could be a party."

"No! Thanks all the same," John replied, "I don't want Mrs Smith recognising any of your boys especially Brian."

The meeting drew an end, allowing Craig and his companions to head for home. Both Danny and Brian seemed less worried about their futures so they were a cheerful group.

The next couple of weeks were something of an anticlimax. Craig's household settled into a contented routine and the few interruptions were happy ones though the csc made it clear they were still interested in Craig.

Rob's hearing almost went through without a word being spoken except the Inspectorate requested time to make it's own report and submit it to the court. When Graham pressed them on why they were concerned they mentioned the number of violent graders in Craig's household.

When Graham pointed out that one was about to upgraded to four, the second did voluntary work and the the third had his temporary grading removed by placement the csc's application collapsed.

Ethan's temporary grading came to an end and Paul's upgrade came through.

Paul was almost overwhelmed when he took the boys to school the next day. The other parents and guardians congratulated him, gave him cards and presents. Even Mrs Brassom handed over a congratulations card and shook his hand. Ethan, Danny and Adam all felt comfortable with Paul taking them and no one had talked about changing the routine. The school principal sent a message asking to see Paul and after offering his own congratulations asked whether he would be registered as a tutor to take on more boys in his homework gang. He needed to talk it over with Craig of course but the idea interested him as it meant he would be expected to work for qualifications of his own.

Craig had no objections apart from a couple of logistical ones. So far they had managed using bikes and hiring a car when they needed one. Although nearly everyone owned a bicycle Paul would have to provide for anyone who didn't. It had been a long pleasant summer but, possibly because of the lie of the land shading them from the rising sun, it could become quite chilly by the morning.

Ethan was beginning to complain about lining up naked while waiting for breakfast. Being Craig's brother entitled him to complain first even though it had done no good so far. When the new school year started, it would be getting cooler and Paul would have to wear more than just shorts on the school runs but for now he could cope. Even if there was snow on the ground they would probably stay naked in the grounds. The insides of the buildings were warm and comfortable so it would pointless dressing to go to the barn just to strip off again.

It was time find vehicles and a driver. Tom would have to make enquiries about his license and Paul would have to take driving lessons as they had discussed once before.

The other problem would be seating arrangements. If they put any more tables around the pool where they usually did their work it would get too crowded.

Craig was content that for now the problems were simple and that others could deal with them.

He felt confident enough to throw a party. He still wanted to get together with Lindsay and in his heart knew that she was no longer interested. Her invitation would be his last attempt to get together with her.

Ethan was excited by the idea while at the other end of the scale Tom initially looked upon the idea with horror until Craig suggested that he might like to start off the evening with a dinner party of his own before the adults took to supervising the main event.

David looked forward to the party almost as much Ethan. Somewhere along the way he had learned not to be scared of Craig and had come to love him. The fear was never far away and a look from Craig could still bring it back. It was the dull permanent dread that had gone and he was happy. The party meant he could serve Craig and treat him with the respect and reverence that he deserved. It never occurred to him that Craig would be just as informal meeting with fellow guardians and masters.

The party was roughly split into three groups. The youngsters and their school friends, the parents who came along to help and Tom's dinner guests.

Craig chose to greet his young guests in the barn. Since it was a swimming pool then it was quite in order for him to be naked. David had stationed himself just behind and to one side of Craig ready to serve him. He made the mistake of answering Craig's first request for refreshments with 'yes master' whereupon Craig pushed him into the pool. Everyone else took the hint and for the rest of the evening, if he referred to Craig as master he found himself pushed or thrown into the pool. Any pretence at proving himself to be a loyal and obedient servant vanished and he had to be content with seeing Craig laughing and enjoying himself.

Tom's dinner party consisted of Mrs Williams, Tom's lady friend, Mrs Sanders and Harry, Mr. and Mrs Brassom, Mr. Crosis and his partner/grader Mark, Danny's and Adam's parents with Ryan serving them. The meal was relaxed but began to break up as various parents decided they should help supervise their offspring.

Tom was happy in his new quarters. His only responsibilities now were cooking and teaching Craig about the business. He realised he had friends who were friends and not for what they could get out of him.

Mrs Brassom found the evening confusing. Craig was was a wealthy and very eligible young man who had made a very positive mark on the community. He was, therefore, one of the right people and an invitation to dinner was an honour. Discovering that her host would be Tom, a grader, while sitting next to Mark, another grader, had definitely tarnished that honour but looking around and realising that she was included in a select group closely connected to Craig she decided that she could live with it.

As the parents drifted away Tom took her husband and Mark down to his cellar while others drifted off to find the third part of the party leaving her to chat with Mrs Williams. They settled firmly into Tom's living room, waited on by Ryan and ignored the rest of the world. If they commented on the noise or occasional interruptions it was as if they were discussing a passing thunderstorm.

The living room and kitchen in the main room had been opened up for the adult guests. There was a bigger range of drinks. Allen and Mr Crosis were particularly pleased to find the whisky bottle. They had enjoyed Tom's hospitality but were not connoisseurs like the three in the cellar.

The youngsters were more closely watched than at Mr. Crosis party. Swimming nude may be acceptable but it made parents more nervous when couples were obviously trying to find time alone together though some of the adults were also in the water.

Adam was torn between spending time with his parents, joining in the horseplay with the younger boys and spending time with Paul. Liam was nearly eighteen wanted to drink beer with someone his age so Paul was torn between Adam and Liam.

Adam and Paul settled their problem by going their separate ways and kissing and hugging each other like long lost strangers every time their paths crossed. They were extremely happy together in their apartment and seemed to be working through any problems caused by the younger boy being in charge because of Paul's grader status.

Danny spent the evening with his family describing his life with Craig. He came out to them that night and was relieved to find they still accepted him. They could also understand how the incident at the mall had affected him so badly as he had been trying to come to terms with his sexuality. Danny carefully omitted any references to bondage and the games they played but his parents knew the relationship between him and Craig was closer than they expected.

Danny and Brian were in a sort of limbo. Both faced the the possibility of being graded one as any form of assault was taken very seriously but they could see Craig actively trying to help them and they felt involved. Both boys were more concerned about being taken away from Craig than being graded.

Brian had never seen anything like it before. His parents had been remote and disinterested, more concerned with themselves than Brian. Parties had been stilted affairs meant for being seen, not for having fun. His foster parents had been much friendlier but were shy and withdrawn. Watching adults and youngsters mingling and sharing in the fun was a new experience. People came up and chatted, getting to know him, accepting him as one of Craig's boys.

The party was a success marking the end of a hectic three months with changes beyond Craig's wildest dreams. School would be breaking up for the summer holidays soon and he would be able to spend more time with Ethan. He was proud of his brother who had finally come to terms with the idea that his big brother was in charge. He had settled down and was doing better at school than he had ever done. Craig wondered whether he was making out with his friend Jake but he suspected that Jake was more of a tease than anything and seemed to be looking at girls more and more.

Craig spent a lot most of the evening talking to various parents who were grateful for the support their sons were getting also managing time with his friends and household. Danny's parents were particularly happy that he had some sort of chance of getting through the trouble he was in.

At one stage Craig was able to step back and survey the bedlam in and around the pool taking stock. He looking forward to having more time playing games with Danny but he still had to look out for the others.

Ryan had been fairly graded because of burglary. He had accepted his situation and after all the years of being graded just accepted his situation. He did the housework knowing Paul would be after him if he he did not do a good job but was content to sit quietly out of the way if he had no work.

David would die for Craig. For the first time since his grading for drug possession he felt like a human being. The scars of his ill-treatment would stay for ever and he would never think much beyond how to serve Craig but there were changes. His insistence on calling Craig master was his way of showing he was not scared of Craig which is what Craig had ordered him to do. Craig had noticed that whenever David thought he was in trouble he called him sir.

Rick and Liam were still part of the homework gang and enjoyed their time at Craig's place and a few other boys had joined as well but apart from Liam's interest in Danny's and Craig's games together they were content to be in a place run by themselves without constant adults attention.

Rob had settled in happily and was getting on with his computer projects as well as proving a useful worker for Mr Crosis. The last of the outhouses had been converted into work rooms where they could study and indulge in their hobbies.

On the whole Craig felt good about his life and the prospects he and Ethan now had. It felt good to be sharing them with others and his time with Danny was exciting. His one big disappointment was that Lindsay did not come to the party. Craig was beginning to suspect that something was wrong. There was something about her father's attitude that bothered him, though he was not sure what it was, but it was obviously time to move on.

He was also worried that the csc had intervened at Rob's hearing. It had been unnecessary and Craig could not help wondering they had bothered.

Chapter 9

Brian Hollis was enjoying his time in Craig's household. He had people he could talk to and they all had a genuine interest in his future. From the age of thirteen onwards he began to realise that he could not meet his parents expectations.

He could just about keep up at school, never achieving the first prizes that his parents could boast about. Like Mrs Brassom, they wanted their son to mix with the right people but unlike Mrs Brassom who quietly threw her hands up in despair when Liam made bad choices and unlike Mr Brassom who had taught Liam to see his mothers good points and make his own choices, Brian's father had been as bad as his mother and it was difficult to believe that either one of them saw Brian as anything more than a fashion accessory.

The crisis came when the Hollis family moved to be closer to Mr Hollis' boss. The boss was a very astute man and had discovered that Mr. Hollis' sole talent was to be able to steal other people's ideas and present them as his own. The only member of the Hollis family he liked was Brian. He was also aware that his own son, Joey, was a spoilt brat who was heading for grading. He, half seriously, wondered whether Joey and Brian had been swapped when they were babies.

Mr. Hollis' boss encouraged Joey and Brian to play together. He hoped some of Brian's qualities would rub off on Joey while he was happy to let Brian relax and be himself for a time. Brian had an open invitation to visit whenever he wanted and obviously, his parents were delighted. They coerced Brian into visiting even though he made it clear that Joey was trouble.

Joey's father had badly underestimated Joey's viciousness.

One day Joey and Brian went to the shops together. While browsing around a shop Joey suddenly shoved something into Brian's hands while yelling "run" but as Brian turned, Joey pushed him causing him to stumble. Before he could follow Joey, a guard had grabbed him.

The guard had seen the other boy running off and asked for his name. Brian was frightened and automatically replied. He was taken to the police station while his parents were called and Joey's parents were also contacted.

In the meantime Joey had managed to get home and had tearfully told his mother how Brian had talked him into shoplifting and he had been too scared of Brian's bullying to refuse.

Once they were assembled in the police station, Mr and Mrs Hollis took Joey's mother's side apologising profusely for his behaviour especially after all their kindness to him. Brian was in tears still not sure what he had done wrong.

Luckily for Brian the whole incident had been filmed, including a scene where the two boys were arguing, followed by Joey dragging Brian into the shop. Joey's shoplifting plus the push were also clearly taped.

Joey altered his story slightly saying it was some sort of dare but that it was still Brian's idea and that he was not dragging Brian but was pushing him back and he lost his balance.

Looking at the the playback, it was just possible enough to keep Brian implicated though neither Joey's father nor the police believed it. It was obvious that Joey had not been intimidated by Brian.

Brian's involvement remained on record but he was allowed to go home despite protests from Joey's mother.

Joey's father managed a few moments alone with Brian.

"It's not your fault, son." he said, "It's mine for not sorting Joey out sooner."

Brian's parents were less forgiving. He had let them down, made them look bad in front of his father's boss and it would be impossible for to have the right friends in the future.

Brian never worked out what he had done that was so wrong. The whole incident left him with the feeling that it did not matter what he did, it would be bad so he may as well do it anyway. It was the start of him getting into trouble.

Brian's parents softened towards when they reasoned that Brian's bad boy image could be attractive to girls and began to revise their accounts of what had happened making Brian seem a little adventurous but naive. They then set about seeing that he met the right girls.

It might have worked except that Brian tended to look at boys more than he looked at girls. Being branded as a bad boy meant people expected bad behaviour so having nothing to lose he made some unwise approaches to good looking boys.

Getting beaten up was not so bad. Being grounded almost permanently and being told how useless he was, made his life a misery. He was almost suicidal when he crept out of the house and made his way to see the the only man who had believed in him, Joey's father.

Unfortunately he was out and he was confronted by Joey's mother who called the police. His parents declared him unmanageable and he was handed over to the csc.

His foster parents had helped him as much as possible and he had begun to feel better about himself. Then he had been moved on until he had finally ended up with Craig.

He had rebelled against the idea of being brought to see Craig and had ripped his shorts on the car door as he struggled to get away. It was lucky that he had not seriously injured himself.

From the moment he had met Craig, Brian knew that he was different. Craig had immediately expected certain levels of behaviour from him. He had not been patronised or told that he would be restrained for his own safety. He either behaved or took the consequences. Seeing Paul a grade two having considerable responsibility further upset his ideas. A grader being trusted? It was unheard of. And as for the other boys, they had leapt to Craig's defence when he had said anything against him. Yet all he could see were contented lively guys who were not cowed or defeated in any way.

Brian had relaxed enough for Paul to remove the restraints. Brian considered running, not that he had anywhere to go but just to prove he was not beaten. It was nice to be free of the chains and maybe it wouldn't be so bad joining everyone for dinner. It was strange how everyone took it for granted that he would behave instead of assuming he would cause trouble.

He still was not sure why he had challenged Craig. Probably he had still been looking for an excuse not to trust him and putting a do-gooder on the spot was a good way of driving them away. Not only had Craig accepted his challenge but when he had tried to express his feelings about not being in control of his life and feeling useless Danny and the others, especially the graders, understood him and thought it a good lesson for Craig.

He thought ruefully how Paul had added his own twist to the challenge making him share in Craig's humiliation but a shared ordeal can form strong bonds.

Part of not being in control was being told not to worry and everything would be all right. The supervisors at the home were overstretched. They did not have time to deal with his case properly and Brian was worried because he knew everything would not be all right.

Craig had spelled out immediately what he could aim for and what he wanted. He answered his questions and had got things moving. Brian understood that Danny needed his help and he would get help in return. The speed and energy with which Craig got things moving was more reassuring than any promise.

He was impressed when he was bought a bike and set to work as a servant in Graham's offices. At least he was when he realised that it was a cover to work with John. He watched film of other boys who had been caught shoplifting while John explained how they had resisted and then given in. The actual arrest had to be convincing and Brian could see that some of his ideas on how to to behave would have seemed very unnatural.

John also took him through interrogation scenarios giving him a chance to react to unexpected questions. It reminded Brian of the spy stuff in some of the movies he had watched and it was exciting to be involved.

There was one small change. The owner of the shop would be in the control centre. The police were worried about consent to Brian's shoplifting so wanted her actively involved in the decision making.

When they all got together for the final planning Brian was there too, with a place for him at the table, and he was treated like an equal by all the adults.

All that was needed were the right conditions. Brian was keyed up ready to go. He knew how important it was for Danny and he was proud of the responsibility he had been given. When he thought about his own situation he could not help wondering whether his whole life had not been intended for this one act and he was going to show everyone what he could do.

There was one brief interlude which amused Craig. One morning David looked terrified every time he looked at Craig. At first Craig tried to pretend not to notice hoping that David would calm down but if anything he became more agitated as time went by. Finally Craig asked him what was wrong.

"I've done something so bad, sir. You're going to punish me and I know I deserve it," David cried.

It took a little while to get the whole story from the beginning but Craig eventually succeeded.

David often sat in the bunkhouse in the evenings. Craig was surrounded by everyone else and did not need him. He still lacked the confidence to relax around a crowd like that. The previous evening he found Brian there quietly weeping. Brian still faced being graded one and at times his fear overwhelmed him. David had tried to comfort him and they had held each other. As he calmed down, he became distracted by Brian's body and started feeling it and the touching turned into kissing.

Craig had released David's sexuality by their own encounters and David was not used to dealing with it. The kissing became more passionate and Brian ended up fucking David before taking him into his mouth for a long slow blow job.

Craig was amused by the story and not least bit angry but he knew that if he just brushed the incident off, David would think he was just biding his time before unleashing his fury.

"Did you force Brian to fuck you?" Craig asked sternly

"No sir," David exclaimed.

"But you made him suck you?"

"No sir," David cried, "We both wanted it to happen. I'm sorry I was so disloyal to you, sir."

"Brian felt felt bad about it afterwards and was still scared."

"No sir. I held him and he fell asleep. He seemed a lot happier when he woke up."

"If you made Brian happier and more comfortable, what did you do wrong?"

"I had sex without your permission. After your kindness, I failed to control myself and betrayed you."

"Have I ever said that you could not have sex with someone else?"

"No sir, but other masters would have castrated me."

"So I'm like other masters, am I?"

"Oh no sir. You're a wonderful master. You look after us all."

"And you followed my example and looked after Brian?"

For once David paused, considering his answer before replying, "I suppose so, sir."

"Danny belongs to me like a slave because he has chosen to," Craig said carefully, making sure David understood, "If he was to mess around with someone without my permission I would punish him and enjoy doing it. You don't want to belong to me like that so you can make your own relationships. Look after Brian in anyway you think will work. That is an order. Do you understand."

"Yes master. Thank you."

David rushed round the desk, knelt in front of Craig taking his master's cock in his mouth. Craig had already cum inside Danny's arse before they got up that morning but there was something about David's attention that sent shock waves through his body building up to a climax as if he had not cum for a year.

Apart from that incident the days passed smoothly until John Fletcher phoned to say the sting was set for the next day. That evening Brian was visibly nervous and there was an air of tension about the place. Everyone did what they could to make Brian comfortable but he seemed to want to stay close to Craig.

That night he slept in Craig's bed between Craig and Danny. For once neither one was shackled to the bed and the following morning Paul did not call them until everyone else was out of the way. Danny was kept home that day because he was so closely involved, it would be unfair to expect him to concentrate on school.

Craig took David to one side to tell him it was his responsibility to look after Danny. If anything happened between them it was OK. Although he would not be punished, Danny might be but would probably enjoy it. David looked surprised. No one ever mentioned, in front of him, the games Danny and Craig played and he knew it was because of his bad experiences in the past. He was proud that Craig thought he could cope with them now and would do what was needed.

Shortly after lunch John arrived in a large white van. He handed Brian an ordinary looking music player and watched as Brian pedalled off. Craig joined the others in the back of the van. A representative of the mall's owners was present as well as the owner of the shop and a policeman who Craig did not recognise.

They parked in a car park and John joined them in the back. There was a bank of monitors against one side of the van together with some recording equipment, computer and radio links. The police officer was impressed complaining that he would not be able to get a set up like it for such an operation. John looked pointedly at Craig and replied that when you've got a client willing to pay it was easy. The mall representative explained that they had a duty of care and so would discuss meeting the costs.

Craig was not interested in business at that moment. He was too worried about Brian and told them to sort it out with Graham later.

Luckily Brian arrived at that moment and the conversation ended. They watched as Brian sauntered casually into the mall.

"He's seen you," John whispered.

The guard was slightly behind Brian and some distance away so apparently Brian did not know he was there. With boyish impetuousity Brian took a short run and jumped to brush his hand through the leaves of an ornamental tree.

"Good! You've got his attention. He'll be keeping an eye on you now."

Brian headed for the shop with the same cocky saunter heading for the pocket games which were so popular. It was obvious one had caught his eye. He picked it up looked at it, then glanced at the shop assistant who had already noticed him before putting the game back. Brian wandered around the shop before returning to the game and examining it again.

Craig noticed that one of the shop cameras had stopped randomly switching scenes and was permanently focused on the games section. Brian left the shop and sat down on the bench. He had aroused plenty of suspicion, the mall control room, the guard and the shop were keeping a discrete eye on him.

"Let's do it," Brian muttered, startling everyone who did not realise that the music player was a two way radio as well.

There was no bravado in his step this time. It was obvious from the change in attitude that he was up to something.

"He's doing well," John said to the onlookers. "I'm convinced he's a stupid kid who's seen a game he wants."

The mall representative nodded, "That guard should be intervening by now. He could give that boy a scare and we'd never see him in the mall again. We could use the boy for staff training."

Brian had returned to the game by then and picked it up as if to study it again. He glanced at the shop assistant who was busy with a customer and slipped it under his shirt and into the top of his jeans before hurrying for the door.

The assistant had seen it on his monitor and was hurrying after him before the control room had signalled a warning.

"Excuse me, sir," the assistant called out.

Brian was genuinely scared and followed his instinct to get out but he was too late. As he rushed out of the shop he ran squarely into the guard. Brian had been told that he should try to escape. Not to do anything would be suspicious. He had been only to pleased to comply even if it meant only showing up the guard's incompetence but as he looked for an opportunity he could see he was trapped and he slumped in surrender.

It had all been thoroughly convincing. Thanks to a combination of John's training and his natural fear, everyone, including Brian, had almost forgotten that it was all a set up.

Craig knew how Brian was feeling as a small crowd gathered to watch. The guard made Brian take off his shirt revealing the game tucked into his jeans. On the guard's instructions he handed it back to the shop assistant and then reluctantly removed his jeans and finally his underwear. He turned round allowing the guard to handcuff him who then checked his clothes for other contraband..

"Company policy would be to wait for his parents or guardian so that he could be caned in front of the shop," the mall representative said, "it's not really good for business to go for grading for such a minor thing."

The guard scooped up Brian's clothes and led him away. Brian was visibly embarrassed by all the hostile looks from the passers by. John had not dwelt on this part of the proceedings because Brian's natural reactions would be quite convincing.

So far the guard had done nothing seriously wrong. Brian could be suspected of other offences and the guard was going to check. The clue that their plan was working was when the guard made a quick mobile call.

"I've got a likely bird." was all they heard inside the van, courtesy of the bugged music player the guard was holding. The cameras showed the manager receiving a call at the same time.

Once inside the lift and the doors closed the guard grabbed Brian's balls and squeezed hard. Brian tried to double up from the pain but simply pushed against the guards shoulder.

"Attacking a guard while under arrest," the guard laughed, "That's got you grade two at least."

"Please sir," Brian pleaded, "You took me by surprise. I wasn't trying anything."

The guard replied by slapping him in the face.

"Come on!" he said, as the doors opened, "You're going to meet a friend of mine."

Inside the van the relief was obvious. The bait had been taken. The police had not been able to act until then as there was no acceptable proof that a crime had been committed. The guard's behaviour in the lift was enough and plain clothed officers began infiltrating the mall gathering near access points to the manager's office. One policeman entered the control centre and shut it down banning all outgoing calls.

The control centre staff had begun to wonder at the small groups but did not have time to react. They only monitored cameras in public areas. The cameras in the office areas were only to provide information in a crisis. It was a privacy issue that the manager had exploited.

Brian was standing in front of the mall manager's desk.

"He's a ripe one," the guard was saying as he locked the office door, "He's not used to being handled."

"Good," the manager replied, " Behave yourself and you'll get out of this without even your parents knowing."

He stood up and walked around behind Brian.

"Very nice." he said, "I'm going to remove the cuffs. If you think you can overpower the two of us and break through the door or jump three storeys from the window then you're welcome to try. Otherwise you put the palms of your hands flat on my desk and you will keep them there until we have finished with you."

"Are you ready to go in?" Craig asked, "He's going to need some help soon."

"No! Not yet. We'll know when he's had enough."

The manager was feeling inside Brian's crack with a finger and then reached between his legs feeling his balls. Even across the video link it was obvious that Brian was tense and unhappy."

"You're getting a nice little hard on. That's good. Maybe you're gay and will enjoy this."

To the watchers amazement the manager stripped while the guard played with Brain.

"We should stop this," Craig insisted.

"No! He's coping," John snapped, "When he uses the code word or the sound goes, we'll move in. Until then he's got his own case to consider."

"What code word?" Craig asked. "And what about his case?"

"Volcano!" John replied, "If he starts yelling that then the officers move. The longer he stays the stronger out case will be which will make a better impression on his own judge."

The guard was stripping now and the manager had picked up a heavy strap.

"First we'll deal with your shoplifting. It'll soften you up a bit ready for some fun."

Both men were hard and the look in the managers eyes worried Craig especially when Brian screamed with the force of the first blow. The blows rained down on his back, his buttocks and his legs until finally his tormentor tired. The manager was drooling as well as being rock hard and leaking precum. He moved around behind behind Brian and moved forward. At the touch of his cock, Brian straightened up yelling no. He was rewarded with a vicious slap to his head and was pushed down again.

"He's done it," John yelled gleefully, "There's no doubt it's rape."

He reached for the mike saying "Volcano! Go! Go! Go! It's volcano."

In spite of his pain Brian understood that his job was over so he stood up again yelling volcano over and over again. The unexpected shout confused the two men long enough for the door to come smashing open and the police to burst in.

Craig was out of the van in an instant charging through the mall past startled shoppers wondering about all the commotion.

He was stopped as he reached the office by a policeman.

"I'm Brian's guardian." he shouted, "The code word was volcano."

It was good enough and Craig was let through.

The guard had collapsed in tears while the manager was blustering about him not penetrating Brian.

"It doesn't matter." one of the officers replied, "Whatever you were doing was sexual and the boy had said no."

Craig could see Brian. He was trembling with tears in his eyes. An officer had put a blanket around him and was holding him. Craig saw his clothes and grabbed them. Kneeling down in front of Brian he started to dress him.

Brian jerked as Craig guided his underwear over his cock but smiled as he looked down and saw Craig.

"I don't want to make Danny jealous." he said softly.

"Don't worry about that," Craig replied, "It's what you want that matters for now. How about getting you dressed and out of here?"

"Please. Can we do one thing first. Can we go to that shop tell them what was going on, please?"

"Of course. There that's your jeans. I'll just get your shoes and socks."

Brian was feeling better from Craig's tender care. He was still in pain but it was beginning to sink in that he had done it. The police wanted him to go to hospital for a check up but he refused. He just wanted to go home. Craig compromised by arranging for the police doctor to come and see him later.

They had to go down the stairs as Brian refused to use the lift. As they reached the shop the manager came out with her staff and gave him a round of applause. They tried to shake his hand but it was getting too much for him. Craig called a taxi and they headed off.

Craig took him straight to his own bedroom and helped him to undress before laying him on the bed. Brian lay on his stomach gripping Craig's hand and fell asleep. Craig lay quietly beside him until Paul arrived to say the doctor had arrived along with some other visitors.

David had been waiting quietly just outside the door. Craig had not seen him but knew he would be somewhere in earshot and called him in. Telling David to stay with Brian and obey the the doctor, he set off to see his other guests.

He recognised John and Graham and waited to be introduced to the third man.

The man ignored the courtesies and before anyone could speak announced that he was from the csc and that Craig needed to answer concerns about his treatment of his wards. Craig should produce Brian Hollis immediately for examination.

"He is being examined by a doctor," Craig replied, "He'll see you when he feels well enough."

That is nowhere near good enough," the man retorted, "As I'm a member of the Inspectorate, you have a duty to comply with my requests without argument."

"And as Brian's guardian I have a duty to look after his well being," Craig snapped angrily, "This is my house and I'd be grateful if you showed some manners while you're my guest."

The man turned bright red, looking as if he could hit Craig.

"I'll see you graded for that, you little shit." he snarled, "I know you think you can run roughshod over the Inspectorate but you're dealing with me now. You and the rest of your crew of crooks will be down in placement before you know what hit you."

"In that case, perhaps we should introduce each other. This is Graham Baxter, my lawyer, and this is John Fletcher a private investigator who's working for me. Perhaps you would like to tell us your name now?"

"How dare you have a lawyer present without my knowledge," the man snarled, "That is against all procedures. I will not conduct an interview under these conditions."

"Would you like some tea before you leave?"

"I'm not leaving. They are."

"So far, I do not even know your name and I think that may be against the rules. If you had introduced yourself properly at the start we might have sorted this out. I don't think it is possible now."

"There's nothing to sort out," the man snapped, "I'm calling the police and I'm having you all arrested for obstruction."

The door opened and the doctor entered the office.

"Brian should be fine," he said, "Your grader, David, he's looking after him for now but he's insisting on coming down for dinner."

"In that case he's well enough to be interviewed my me," the man said.

"And you are?"

"csc."

"Is that Mr. csc or doctor csc?" the doctor asked sarcastically, "I would appreciate some professional courtesy."

"Hm! Oh yes, of course," the man grunted, "I'm Mr. Redmond from the csc and I'm here to investigate a report of a grade five being sexually abused. I need to start steps to have him removed. You can help. It will make the process much easier."

"If you are referring to Brian Hollis I would be against any such move. Excuse me for a moment."

The doctor turned to Craig.

"Like I said he's fine." he continued, "The police will need a statement as soon as possible and they'll need to question him. You should be present. Reassure him that it's a witness statement and he'll cope. Apart from that he should rest and under no circumstances should he have any interview that is in any way confrontational. I've read his case notes and I think anything to do with him being relocated could prove harmful mentally."

"Thank you, doctor," Craig replied, "I'll follow your advice even if I have to ask Mr Baxter to get an injunction against the csc for me."

"I'll start drawing up the papers straight away." Graham said, "A csc guy turned up at the mall just after you left and John phoned me. That's why I'm here."

Mr. Redmond was at a loss. His usual bluster normally intimidated people enough. He had never known a united front against him like he was experiencing now and for once he was the one beginning to feel intimidated.

"You'll be hearing more about this." he said and left.

"Sorry about that," John said, "He showed up at the mall, as I was leaving, demanding to see Brian and telling us to call the operation off. I phoned Graham and we all seemed to arrive here at the same time. You managed without us though."

"How did the inspectorate get involved?" Craig asked.

"It was a little bit of a cock up," John replied ruefully, "Brian's case was still open with the Inspectorate so when the police became involved officially it was flagged at the csc. They sent someone charging down to investigate. Luckily it was all over by the time he arrived or that guy would have gone charging into the manager's office and blown the whole thing."

"Shouldn't they have checked with the police first?" Craig asked.

"Oh yes!" John replied, "But that would have meant cooperating with someone and we are talking about the csc Inspectorate."

John answered his mobile which had rung before speaking to Craig again.

"That guy did not delete the surveillance footage he kept it. He'd replaced the standard camera with a high definition one and adjusted his desk so that it showed everything. It's brilliant. His cock was touching Brian's anus both times before Brian protested.

"The film was all dated with names and we've found Danny's. There's not been time to view it yet but we're grabbing the public footage and we'll see what happened. The police are using me as a consultant since I've been pretty successful in dealing with some of the other victims."

"So a search warrant would have done it," Craig said, "We needn't have put Brian through all that."

"Then he would have ended up grade one," John replied, "and we didn't know he would keep the evidence.

"Would you mind if I stayed for a while. The police need a statement as soon as possible and I'd like to see if he's up to it, tonight."

"That's fine. Stay to dinner."

There was a real party atmosphere as everyone sat down to the meal. Brian was greeted with applause and cheers when he arrived. Craig and Danny were not that sympathetic with his physical injuries, they weren't that much worse than they had inflicted on each other, but they admired the way he had carried the plan through even though he could have backed out at any time.

The sleep had done Brian a lot of good. He was in pain from the beating but Danny had told him about his beating from Craig and Craig's beating from him. It helped Brian put things into perspective. His reaction had been due partly to relief that he had succeeded without messing up. His parents had convinced him that he was a worthless good for nothing so he was sure that the plan would go wrong and it would be his fault.

He had hated the men groping him and invading his body. He could cope with being searched but he had no wish to give them any pleasure. He had been tense and frightened and feeling the man's cock pushing into him left him feeling dirty and used.

Only Brian could have chosen the right moment to stop. Too soon and the evidence would have been less than perfect. Too late and he would would have been ripped and left bleeding by the invading cock. He would have instinctively resisted the men's invasion and they would have forced their way in without giving him any chance to accommodate them.

It had sunk in that his ordeal was over. He was enjoying being treated like a hero and the way David was fussing over him. Now that the threat of rape was over he could think of a problem that had been bothering him for some time. Who was going to take his virginity?

It had come down to a choice between Craig and David. Craig was definitely the sexier of the two and he could almost feel himself opening, ready to accept that beautiful cock whenever he thought about it. On the other hand, David was so gentle. He would be slow and patient not minding if Brian was too nervous and inexperienced to perform as well as his other partners.

The only thing Brian was sure of was that if his court hearing went wrong it would be the last major decision he would ever make and he wanted to get it right.

The doctor had played up Brian's stress simply to get one over the csc. Like everyone else he hated the Inspectorate's high handed attitudes and had been more than happy to support Craig in his argument with Mr. Redmond. Brian was quite well enough to be interviewed and John could see that.

Brian almost enjoyed giving the statement and answering the police's questions. Again he was treated as something of a hero and actually being asked his opinion on aspects of the operation. It made him feel better about himself than he had ever done before.

Brian was a handsome young man with his blond hair and the sort of body you see on statues of youths from Ancient Greece. He could turn the head of any man or woman he wanted. Now he was seen as bold and daring. If a football star could attract hero worship then it was hardly surprising that Ethan started to see him in a new light.

There was something more. Ethan was not a naturally jealous person but at thirteen he was beginning seek his independence and find his position in life. Tom was a grader who had his own substantial quarters and could come and go as he pleased. Adam and Paul had their apartment while Ethan just had his bedroom. He liked his room since moving into it after his temporary grading had been lifted. He had plenty of material things but he felt uncertain as to his status in the household.

He wanted a personal servant. Craig had started with Paul then moved on to Danny and David. Paul and Adam had each other. It was not a master, servant relationship but it could look that way. His own servant would be a badge that he was closer to Craig's position than anyone else.

Ethan did not begrudge Tom or Paul, their privileges. He knew what he owed them but he could not help the deep, almost subconscious feelings that were forming.

He realised now that Jake was all talk and no action and although they stayed friends there would never be more than a few mutual jerk offs.

All of these thoughts and feelings were coming together as he jerked himself off that evening dreaming about Brian being his servant.

All this may have stayed as an amusing fantasy but with the real prospect of Brian being graded Ethan began to think about turning it into reality. Brian would have to agree. Craig would see to that and of course, Ethan was sure that Brian would not be interested in a kid like him.

While they were in the barn that evening both Brian and Ethan were thinking about their respective problems and naturally found themselves becoming hard. It was not unusual for any of the boys to have their cocks behave in this way but for once neither Brian nor Ethan felt like discussing it with the others.

It had happened to Brian first and he had made his way to the patio to watch the sunset. Without realising he would not be alone Ethan had headed for the patio as well. That night the sky was beautiful full of colour and with clouds dramatically lit from below by the sun so low in the sky.

For both boys the scene was dramatic and symbolised the changes in their lives. For Ethan it was such a far cry from the town houses and flats he had lived in until so recently and he could see all the chances laying before him. Brian could see the temporary beauty of his his own life before it too finally set at his grading.

Brian had noticed Ethan standing quietly watching.

"Lovely isn't it," he asked quietly.

Ethan started, then relaxed and turned to Brian nodding.

"Yes, it is and so are you."

"Everyone thinks so today," Brian said, not fully understanding Ethan's meaning, "Tomorrow things will start getting back to normal and I'll be graded soon and then I'll just be another useless piece of shit."

"Not to me you won't. You look beautiful and you act beautiful. I don't want you to leave here."

Brian smiled, "Do you think I want to leave all this?"

"No! I'd hate to leave now. I can't believe how wonderful things are here. I could be so happy."

"Could be? Instead of talking from across there, why don't you pull up a chair beside me?"

"Didn't you want to be alone?"

"Maybe at first I did but it's OK now. Come and sit down anyway."

Ethan obeyed by sitting on Brian's lap, leaning into him with an arm around his neck.

"How's that?" Ethan asked.

"Awkward," Brian laughed, "I came out here because I was getting a bit of a hard on. This isn't going to help it."

"Oh! Do you mean I'm going to squash it or make it grow?"

"I don't know yet. So what's bothering you?"

"It doesn't matter. It seems silly compared with your problems."

"So let's think silly. I'll help me forget mine."

Hesitantly at first, Ethan explained how he felt sidelined by Craig and just a hanger on. He was careful to point out that he knew it was not true and others had real problems that made them the centre of attention. As he spoke, he realised he was more upset that he could not control those feelings and said as much.

"So you're looking for a set up like Adam and Paul?" Brian asked.

"No. They're in love. I want a servant. I don't want to do the things Craig and Danny do. I just don't want to be the only one who always takes orders and never gives them."

They were quiet for a while. Brian's thoughts were leading off in a new direction. Being graded had seemed like the end of his life. Even as a four life could be pretty miserable and Craig did not need any more graders. Even if Craig kept him on he would would be just a hanger on, feeling the way Ethan did only many times worse.

Maybe he could be Ethan's servant and help John with other undercover operations. The mall people had said they'd like other centres checked. He'd be willing to do it.

In his heart he did not believe he would stay ungraded so school was out of the question. Grade fours could go but only if their education had been uninterrupted. It was was not worth the time and effort letting them catch up. Temporary and voluntary graders had no problem.

Ethan was asleep. It had not occurred to him that he could manoeuvre Brian into doing what he wanted. He just felt happy to have had someone to talk to.

They were still there when Paul arrived to close the place up for the night. With Paul's assistance Brian stood up and carried the sleeping boy to his bedroom and slid him under the covers. His parents had not really wanted him and although his foster parents and Craig had welcomed him, he could actually contribute something to Ethan. He lay down on the floor and tried to settle down not being used to sleeping on such a hard surface. He was still tired from the day's adventures and it felt right to be trying to do something for Craig and his brother, so he was soon asleep.

Paul and Adam were woken the next morning by a persistent ring of the front door bell. As steward Paul greeted visitors so a repeater bell had been installed in their quarters.

Mr. Redmond and a policeman stood on the doorstep.

He would have marched straight in pushing Paul out of the way if Paul had not seen him on the security camera and used the safety chain.

"I've a warrant here that allows me to see Brian Hollis. Let me in at once."

"I can take you to the office waiting room, sir," Paul replied, "but you must see the master first."

Paul touched his grader chain as he added, "It's all I'm authorised to do."

"More time wasting. You're all just storing up trouble for yourselves. Officer, force the door."

"I can't do that, sir," the policeman replied, "The boy's request is perfectly reasonable and the warrant is to be served on Mr. Ryder."

The csc Inspector angrily followed Paul across the archway to the Office suite and sat heavily on one of the chairs.

"Paul turned to the officer, "I think Mr. Redmond is in a hurry, sir. If you'd like a coffee feel free to make some but I'd better go get the master. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all," the policeman replied, "May I make one for Mr. Redmond, if he wishes it."

"Of course sir. It's for all our guests."

"Fuck the coffee. Get the boy here now." Mr Redmond yelled. He had missed the look the other two had exchanged and did not realise that the slow and genteel politeness was simply to needle him.

Craig had heard the noise and was already up so Paul hurriedly explained what was happening.

Craig headed over to the office just as the policeman was pouring himself a coffee.

"Good morning, gentlemen," Craig said as he entered the waiting room. "Would you care to come through to the office? Constable. I don't suppose you would be so kind as to pour me a coffee as well would you?"

Craig had been well briefed by Paul so it was no accident that he was using the same courtesy to infuriate Mr. Redmond. The policeman had dealt with Mr. Redmond before and hated the sight of him. Most people were completely intimidated by him and so the officer was delighted that, at long last, he seemed to met his match. He brought the cups in and took the seat offered by Craig.

At that moment Paul returned looking worried to say that Brian was not in the bunkhouse.

"More obstruction." Mr Redmond shouted, "I demand that you arrest these boys for obstruction."

"Any idea where he could be?" Craig asked.

"No sir," Paul replied, "He likes looking across the fields. Maybe he got up to see the sunrise."

"Run off, more like," the csc man sneered, "Officer. You'll have to organise a manhunt."

"The warrant forbids me from preventing you from interviewing him. Is that correct?" Craig asked.

The policeman nodded.

"I'm not preventing you," Craig continued, "and Brian is grade five so he has a perfect right to go where he pleases."

"Paul, Any ideas?"

"The last time I saw him was last night and he was with Ethan. Should I wake him and ask him if he knows anything?"

Craig nodded.

"If I find him, I promise, I'll bring him straight here."

"No!" Craig snapped, "Make sure he's awake and knows the Inspector's here and see that he has breakfast if he hasn't had it already."

"Officer. That is blatant obstruction. I demand that you arrest these brats immediately. Mr. Redmond said very calmly and clearly.

"I'm not sure that it is," the policeman replied, "I said before we came that I thought it inappropriate to turn up at dawn like this. We're not arresting a drugs baron."

"You see what this place is like. It's a hot bed of corrupt, disobedient youth and the sooner it's closed, the better. I have never seen such rudeness and disrespect for the csc in my life. I had hoped to take them unawares and get some order but your incompetence has prevented that."

Paul returned.

"I've found him." he said, "He was sleeping in Ethan's room. Don't worry. He was on the floor. He getting something to eat and drink and he'll be through shortly."

"You allow graders to molest your brother, do you?" Mr. Redmond sneered with a triumphant look. "He needs to go to a place of safety."

"For a start, I said that Brian was sleeping on Ethan's floor so wash your fucking ears out," Paul snapped angrily, "Ethan seemed pleased that he was there so I doubt that he was molested. You've got a bit of paper that says you can interview Brian. Do it and get out of here, you fucking little worm."

Craig had never seen Paul angry before. He took everything in his stride with a calm acceptance. Even if he hit his thumb with a hammer he would be embarrassed if he said more than 'ouch'.

While Craig had been astonished, Mr. Redmond was apoplectic. The policeman thought he might have a stroke. He had also noted Craig's expression The scene was pure farce and he was doing his best not to laugh.

Fortunately Ethan came into the office at that moment.

"Is everything all right?" he asked innocently.

Chapter 10

"Get out boy," Mr. Redmond yelled, "Unless you want a dose of what's coming to these two."

"This is my house," Craig yelled back, "You do not tell my brother what to do."

"Your brother? Ethan?" Mr. Redmond asked more quietly and calmly. "You're right! He should stay. Strip off and bend over that desk, boy."

"No way!" Ethan retorted, "You've not said who you are but with that attitude, I guess you're csc."

"Officer. I want that grader arrested for gross insolence to a citizen and I want that one arrested for obstructing a csc Inspector. Restrain them so I can examine that boy for signs of abuse and teach him some manners."

"Paul wouldn't be insolent to a rat, let alone a citizen. Still, if he was talking to a csc Inspector…"

Ethan let the implied insult hang.

Not so long ago the policeman's sister had phoned him in tears after a visit from a csc Inspector. Unlike Craig, she had been bullied into signing the papers thrust in front of her and as a result her son had been sent to an assessment centre for a month which recommended he be fostered for further observation. He had only been returned home because there was a shortage of foster homes. While he was home, stories about Craig standing up to the csc began to circulate and they gave the officer's sister the encouragement she needed to see a lawyer.

It turned out the original papers had simply referred to ongoing monitoring and not residential assessment and his nephew stayed with his parents.

The policeman was therefore very grateful to Craig and intended repaying his debt.

"I'm not arresting anyone," the officer said, "Mr. Redmond. Since you have arrived you have been aggressive and provocative. Mr Ryder has tried to arrange for you to see Brian Hollis and has done his best to treat you like a guest."

He turned to Craig.

"Mr. Ryder. May I ask Ethan a few questions?"

Craig nodded.

"Ethan, did you know that Brian Hollis was in your room last night?"

"No. Paul woke me up as he tried to wake Brian."

"Do you think he touched you or interfered with you in any way."

"No. We'd been swimming then I sat on his lap watching the sunset. If anything I was touching him." Ethan giggled, "Squashing him, more like."

The policeman smiled, " Why do think he slept on your floor last night?"

"I don't know. We were talking about me having a servant. Sorry Craig. It's just some weird thoughts I've been having. Anyway, I wake up this morning and Brian is lying on the floor as if he was one."

"Rubbish," Mr. Redmond shouted.

Before he could say anything more the officer snapped, "Be quiet. You are interfering with an official police investigation. Interrupt again and it'll be you I'm arresting."

He turned back to Ethan.

"Did you feel threatened by it at all?"

Ethan shook his head.

The officer turned to Craig.

"That's settled then. Next. We've been here a while now. Would it be in order for Ethan to go and hurry Brian along?"

Craig nodded. He was upset by all the shouting and arguing and was glad that the policeman was organising things.

The policeman turned to Paul.

"Your rudeness to a citizen was unforgivable. Consider yourself severely reprimanded. I'm recommending to your guardian that you be severely punished. If you ever behave like that again."

"Yes sir," Paul said contritely, "I'm very sorry for being so rude in front of you and my guardian."

"Then that's the end of it providing your guardian agrees."

He turned as the door opened.

"I take it this is Brian Hollis."

Craig nodded.

"Good. Mr. Redmond needs to ask some questions about your involvement with Neil Smith's arrest.

Seeing the puzzled look on Brian's face he added, "The mall manager."

Mr. Redmond had been a csc Inspector for twenty years. It had been very rare for a client to challenge his decisions until a few months ago. Ever since Craig's hearing things had changed. His clients had become more difficult and did not automatically accept his pronouncements as law. He had seen Brian being put at risk of sexual abuse as the best chance of bringing Craig down.

He had underestimated Craig and had finally understood that Craig would not be bullied and he had to change tactics. He had kept quiet over Paul's insult in his apology and was going to concentrate on Brian.

Brian stood in front of Mr. Redmond in the 'at ease' position politely waiting for Mr. Redmond to begin.

"I think Mr. Ryder may have misled you, Brian" he said trying to sound kind but not very convincingly, "You won't be let off because you helped the police."

"I know," Brian replied, "I could still end up grade one and sent a long way away."

"I've been looking at your record. It seems your case has been badly handled. I could speak to the supervisor you struck and persuade him that you did not mean to attack him."

"I'd be very grateful if you'd that for me, sir," Brian said. "I didn't mean to hit him."

"Of course not. There's two things though. Firstly you should never have been taken out of the home. You'll have to agree to go back there and you'll have to make a statement about how Mr. Thompson forced you to come here."

Brian went to speak but Mr. Redmond put up his hand.

"The second thing is you'll have to tell how Mr. Ryder has used you like a grader making you serve his brother in all sorts of humiliating ways and how he makes you work for other people forcing you to have sex. The Inspectorate would recommend that the charge be dropped because you have been punished enough."

Brian was in turmoil. He did not trust Mr. Redmond. The sudden friendly attitude was more suspicious than reassuring but it did offer the chance of not being graded. He might have taken the offer but the policeman spoke up.

"Excuse me but you can't do that." he said, "If the supervisor has given a statement and signed it he can't change it now without being charged with perjury."

It was a law that had been introduced to stop witnesses being intimidated. If a witness was murdered, his statement would still be valid and it simply meant that the accused could not cross examine. It also made it harder for a witness to admit to making a mistake, providing they could be persuaded to sign the document in the first place.

The policeman's comment was enough for Brian. He realised what Mr. Redmond was trying to do.

"You fucking bastard." he yelled. "You wanted me to lie about people who care about me and you lied to me about helping me."

He lunged towards Mr. Redmond but was grabbed by Paul

"See that?" Mr. Redmond shouted gleefully at the policeman, "He attacked me. Arrest him."

"The boy just tripped. I can't arrest Mr. Ryder for having uneven floors," the officer replied, "I'd have more chance of arresting you for promising to interfere with a witness and attempting to bribe another."

There was something quietly menacing in the policeman's voice which alarmed Mr. Redmond.

"I cannot conduct an interview in such a disruptive atmosphere." he said, "I'm making a full report to my superiors and they will decide what is to be done."

He turned to Craig.

"Don't worry. You'll be getting what you deserve before long. We're just waiting for the right time and place so you don't wriggle out of it."

With that, he stalked out of the office.

"I'm sorry about all that," the policeman said, "My orders were to see that you did not prevent him from interviewing Brian about the mall."

"That's OK," Craig replied, "I was grateful for the support."

"I'd like to give him a few minutes to get clear if you don't mind then I'll leave you in peace."

"That's OK. I'm going to see if there's any breakfast left. Would you like some?"

As they entered the kitchen Craig was surprised to see everyone sitting waiting for them.

"I've phoned the school and explained what was happening." Adam explained, "In the circumstances they said it was OK to arrive late. I've phoned Mrs Sanders and Mr Crosis so we're covered.

"I'm sorry Craig. We couldn't go until we knew what was happening."

Craig nodded.

"You're winding down to the summer break anyway. I don't mind. We're all OK for now but I can't help feeling the csc's out to get me.

"I'm having breakfast in the dining room with the officer. I'm sorry I don't know your name."

"Ollie, short for Oliver."

They shook hands and left Paul, Ethan and Brian to tell the others what they knew.

"You're right about the csc Inspectorate." Ollie said as they ate, "They hate your guts. You don't hear much about the enquiry you started but we get bits and pieces over the grapevine. Things are coming out that have shocked the top boys in the csc and the final report's going to be dynamite."

He paused for another mouthful.

"They've flagged the names of everyone living here so any record about you goes to them as well. I don't know what but they've got something on you. They're pretty confident about it and it's bad. Sorry. That's all I know so just be careful."

"Thanks!" replied Craig, "I appreciate your help today and if I can do anything for you, let me know. I wish I didn't feel so vulnerable though.

"We've talked about you at the station. Even if we are policemen we all have relatives or friends who've had trouble with the Inspectorate. We're all on your side if that helps. There is something you could do but it's a massive favour so feel free to refuse. No hard feelings."

"Tell me about it."

Ollie described the problem his sister and nephew were having.

"He was only going through a cheeky phase or something and it got blown up out of all proportion after he said something at school.

"They're still pretty shaken up by things and my sister and her husband are terrified of letting Lewis out of their sight. They're coming to stay with my wife and me over the summer and I was wondering if I could bring Lewis out here. He'd have a chance to mix with guys nearer his age without his parents worrying."

"It wouldn't affect me as Paul or Adam would be supervising but I don't see that it will be a problem. Some of the homework gang have said they want to come over as well during the holiday. How old is he?"

"Ten." Ollie replied, "Nearly eleven. I know he's younger than your lot but otherwise he'll be lucky if he gets out the house this summer."

"Like I say one extra won't make much difference unless you've got kids that would want to come too."

"My oldest is five." Ollie replied proudly, "It's just Lewis."

"When your sister gets here why don't you all come over for the day. We're pretty informal so don't bother with clothes going to and from the pool. Would there be problem with your wife or sister?"

"You have a pool? My wife and I love to swim. So does my sister. My wife's a bit shy and wears a swimming costume but the rest of us don't see the point in getting clothes wet."

The house was quiet as they finished chatting as the boys had headed off for school and work leaving just Brian with nothing to do.

David had taken up position just outside the dining room door while Ryan began on the bedrooms. Tom had gone back to his apartment to begin checking their business interests.

As Brian stood with David he began to shake uncontrollably. As he stumbled David caught him. Brian wrapped his arms round David and burst into tears.

"Sir," David called out, "Sir, Craig come here please."

Craig came rushing out followed by Oliver. Oliver put his hand on Brian's forehead to check his temperature.

"He's in shock. It must be a delayed reaction to the last twenty four hours."

"Take him up to my bedroom and put him to bed," Craig ordered, "Get in with him if you like but hold him. Make sure he knows he's safe. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir," David replied. "I'll stay with him until he's better."

"Good," Craig acknowledged, "Well done, David. That was good work."

Oliver looked at Craig quizzically.

"David was very badly treated when he was first graded." he said, "It took a lot of courage for him to call me like that."

"I see." Oliver replied, "I should be going now. I've taken up enough of your time.

"I suppose you're still on duty," Craig replied, "I can't help feeling that guy will be back and I'd like a bit of adult support."

"What about Tom?" Oliver asked, "From what I've seen of him he's capable."

"He is but he's a grader. I'd just feel happier if there was an adult around for a while."

Oliver walked away and spoke into his radio then came back to Craig.

"They know where I am and if anything happens I'll have to leave but the sergeant thinks it might be an idea if I stayed here for a while."

Craig looked at him with dread wondering what new disaster is on it's way.

"The Inspectorate have released a story to the press about Brian's involvement in yesterday's arrest. It's not very flattering to you but it was meant to coincide with Mr. Redmond 'rescuing' Brian."

As he spoke he raised his hands to indicate the quote marks around rescuing so that Craig understood it was the csc's word and not his.

"The station's taking calls already so you might be getting some here. Brian's a witness so there's an intimidation issue here."

The idea of the press and television crews camping out on his doorstep was an exciting one for a sixteen year old boy. It was also a relief to know he wasn't going to have another confrontation with the Inspectorate.

Craig had no idea how to handle things so he headed for the kitchen and told Tom what was happening and telling him to phone Paul to get him back as soon as possible and to warn the school and Mr. Crosis because of Rob working for him. He also told Tom to phone his lawyer, Graham Baxter. Then Craig did what he always did when he had a problem, he headed for the barn to swim lengths until he was exhausted then sat quietly on the patio knowing he could leave Tom to call him if he was needed.

When he felt ready to face the world again he headed back to the kitchen. He was relieved to find Brian and David sitting around the table. David's ideas on looking after Brian had turned into a gentle sixtyniner which proved more therapeutic than any medicine as it progressed to it's wonderful climax.

Craig guessed that something had happened between them by David's guilty look but Brian looked contented so he was happy.

Tom had been busy. Not only had he made the calls Craig had wanted but he had also hired a van to transport everyone. His driving license had been returned to him a couple of days before so it was only a matter of getting into town to pick it up.

Paul had arrived a few minutes before and confirmed that a couple of strangers were already hanging around in the lane. They had called out to him but he had pretended not to hear as he cycled past.

Tom had already fielded some calls from reporters in between making his own and so it seemed as if they were right to take precautions.

As Craig was being brought up to date the phone rang again. Paul answered it while Paul replied to the person at the other end with non-committal yes and no answers before finally asking them to hold the line.

"It's the WWC news. They want to know if they could do an exclusive interview and film some background material of us all."

Craig looked helplessly at Tom and Oliver.

"It's worth a thought." Tom said, "If you cut an exclusive deal then the others will leave you alone. It depends on what their angle is going to be."

Paul still had the phone to his ear.

"They heard that Tom. They're interested in Craig's crusade against the csc. They're also interested in Brian's part in Smith's arrest."

"Get a number and I'll phone them back," Craig ordered, "I'll have to talk to Graham first.

"Oliver. What's your opinion? I've never thought of myself as having a crusade."

"Brian may be called as a witness so he would have to be very careful what he says but the csc have already compromised him. I know one or two officers who have been interviewed by WWC. They reckon they were treated pretty fairly."

Ryan shrugged and said he did not know when asked. David smiled and said that he always knew that his master was an important man. Brian was excited at the prospect of being on TV. Paul was concerned at how it would affect the others.

"The homework gang will probably be kept away by their parents and we'll have to be careful going to and fro until it all blows over. The big question is what happens if we let the TV crew in?"

There was silence until Graham arrived shortly after. He had read the csc's press release and it was on the lines of Craig colluding with a representative of placement to put would be citizens, grade fives, into moral danger and at risk of sexual abuse. There was concern that Craig could be corrupting his brother and other grade fives by forcing them into sexually sensitive situations and allowing them to be bullied by violent graders in his care.

The release finished up by saying it was their duty to investigate any such allegations and protect those at risk. There was also concern Craig had committed serious sexual crimes for which he could soon be arrested. They would carry on with their prime duty in spite of the efforts of slanderous and criminally motivated efforts to undermine them.

"What's it all about," Craig asked, "Why are they after me like this?"

"There has not been much in the press about the enquiry you forced. The csc have kept quiet hoping it'll all blow over and the investigators didn't want the thing turned into a circus. A couple of opposition politicians have given the enquiry some support but they're more scared of not being seen on the side of law and order."

Graham paused for a drink of water.

"It turns out that the Inspectorate is a complete shambles. They've had it their own way for so many years and it's made them easily the most sloppy and incompetent organisation there has ever been. Even the politicians are beginning to see some gain in going after the injustices in the system.

"Craig's case when he was nearly put into care is quoted so often now as an example of unfairness of the system and how it must be revised."

Graham paused again to gather his thoughts.

"If they can prove that Craig is incapable of managing his affairs or controlling all these graders and kids then they could say they were right and Mrs Jones original assessment was not only right but shows the perceptiveness of their inspectors in seeing his faults when no one else could.

"It wouldn't stop the inquiry but it would discourage people from jumping on the bandwagon."

Craig nodded.

"OK, I understand that," Craig said, "But what's all this about me being arrested sex for crimes?"

Graham shrugged.

"I don't know. They've got something up their sleeve and it's worrying. Do you know why you have insurance?"

"In case something happens and we don't lose everything."

Most people go through their lives without ever claiming but they still keep the payments up."

Craig nodded again still unsure where Graham was leading.

"I think you should make a will. Sort out what would happen if you couldn't run this place any more. The trust can do so much and would have to try and guess what your wishes are but it would give the csc an area of concern to investigate."

"Are you saying they'll try to kill me?" Craig asked looking scared.

"No. Even they can see that it would make you a martyr but it would suit them if you were graded for some sleazy crime. Like I say, I'm talking insurance. Unless you've done something I know nothing about and was completely out of character then I'd say that you're in the clear."

"It's normal to make a will, I suppose," Craig said thoughtfully, "I'd leave everything to Ethan. Maybe get Rob to help him until he's older. Would that be possible?"

"It's a good plan." Graham said, "The trust might want to put in someone older than sixteen but you've set a good precedent. I'll draw up the papers."

While they had been talking the front door bell had rung and Ollie had answered it.

"There's quite a crowd gathering." he said, "There's at least two film crews and a crowd of reporters."

"I'll check and see who owns the lane." Graham said, "It might be private property and they'll have to move down to the main road. I think that an exclusive interview might be a good idea. I'll speak to an expert in media law and get him to set it up."

Graham headed off, only pausing to tell the reporters that a statement was being prepared and would be available from his office. He took Tom with him to pick up the hire van.

Ollie ended up staying for most of the day. He fielded phone calls and rings of the door bell politely and calmly always repeating that a statement would be available from the lawyers office.

Paul could see that Craig was badly upset by the mornings events. He suggested that Craig go to the barn with Brian who looked equally shaken. Paul smiled as David determinedly followed them ready to serve them and look after them.

David was was so much more confident than when he first arrived. He never talked about his experiences when he was first graded but they had affected him badly. There were ancient scars all over his body though they did not seriously detract from from his natural good looks. Whatever had happened to him had left him muscled and strong. He turned everyone's eye. Male or female.

He accepted Paul's authority without question in spite of being eight years older and it was obvious he loved Craig. Paul had never figured out whether David was gay or straight. He just gave his body to his master and whoever his master directed him to.

Ryan was simply lazy. Paul had spanked him on occasion because the work he did was not up to scratch. He was content to sit now, contributing nothing. Paul would have understood if a thirty two year old man resented taking orders from an eighteen year old like him but he simply did not care and refused to show any emotion or initiative.

Paul was worried about events and unusually irritable.

"You've got work to do." he snapped at Ryan. "There's no one to help you today so why are you still sitting there?"

Ryan shrugged.

"Get busy now. Forget about lunch work through it. When you've finished the bedrooms fetch the tawse from the office and report to me. If you don't want to feel it on your back then work quickly and thoroughly. Now Move!"

Ryan had not heard Paul speak in that tone of voice before and knew he meant business. He did not understand what all the fuss was about. Craig might be kinder than some but he was still a master and if he went, there would be a new master. So what?

Paul kept everyone supplied with refreshments and kept an eye on Ryan. As usual Ryan had done the barest minimum to the bedrooms. Normally it would have earned him a severe telling off and made to do them again. Today Paul was in no mood for Ryan's games so he bent him over the nearest table and laid into him with the tawse. The pain was bad enough for him to yell and cry like a child but it finally dawned on him that something had to be badly wrong if Paul was so badly upset.

When Ryan was sent to prepare the living rooms for visitors he worked far harder and made sure that Paul would not have anything else to complain about.

The rest of the day dragged slowly for everyone. Tom stayed in town. He spent some time with Graham. Because Tom had been wrongfully graded the trust had some responsibility to look after him and he was the nearest thing to an adult at Craig's place. The situation was much as Graham had already described it but they discussed Craig's will in some detail.

Tom then picked up the van and did some shopping. By the time he was done there was little point in going back home then returning to pick up the boys. As he approached the school Liam flagged him down.

"I was sent to wait for you." he said, "There's a load of reporters at the school trying to get something from the gang. You're to drive straight in through the gates and pick them up from the office."

Liam jumped aboard and they drove off. The school gates were crowded and there was a policeman present to keep order. Tom collected the boys as ordered and was surprised to see that all of the regulars were there. These included Liam, Rick and Jake plus a couple of others that had joined. There were a couple more who came with them some nights and one of them was coming with them even though he he did not usually go with them on a Friday.

Graham had discovered that the lane was owned by a farmer who lived at the end of it. Craig had certain rights of access as did a couple of other houses along it but the farmer was only too pleased to keep the reporters off his land.

Tom had to navigate a crowd at the entrance to the lane but it was all peaceful at the house.

Craig and Brian had spent most of the day quietly lazing around and talking. David had stood discretely in the background ready to serve. The other two had tried to get him to relax but it was impossible.

As the homework gang arrived Danny made a bee-line straight to Craig to check on him. He knew that Craig was fond of him rather than loved him as he loved Craig but they were close enough for Danny to see the pain Craig was feeling.

"OK Craig." Danny snapped, "Dungeon! Now!"

Their relationship was an open secret. Everyone knew that they were building a dungeon where they played master/slave type games. Danny's order was the first time they had done or said anything in public.

"For the rest of this evening all Craig is going to worry about is how much of a punishment he's going to get from me. Paul can deal with any problem and if he can't then it can wait until tomorrow."

No one argued as Danny led Craig away. They had seen the immediate reaction in Craig's cock. Danny returned a short time later with a broad grin on his face as he got on with his homework. When they were done and filed to kitchen for dinner they stared in amazement at Craig.

He had a heavy metal collar round his neck from which hung two chains attached to cuffs on his wrists. His ankles were also shackled, held by a chain long enough to allow him to walk but not to run. His cock was held in a cage that prevented any sort of a hard on and something protruded from his anus which made it impossible to sit down.

He looked uncomfortable as he finished laying the table and began serving the food under Tom's instructions. Paul was directed to Craig's usual place at the head of the table leaving Craig to wait on them.

Danny had been right in deciding what Craig needed. His attention was firmly on the pressure in his cock and balls. It was difficult to focus on the problems the csc was causing when he was dealing with the humiliation of being discussed as if he was not there. The arguments with Mr Redmond seemed less important than what Danny was going to do to him in the dungeon.

Ethan took things further when he tried feeling Craig's balls and checking to see just how firmly his cock was confined. When Danny snapped a warning to Craig to behave, Craig stood meekly as Ethan humiliated him further.

Some of the other boys were asking why Craig was being treated like this but it was Paul, Tom or Danny that answered. Following Ethan's lead they wanted to examine the cock cage as well. Had it been free, Craig's manhood would have swelled to it's full size with all the attention. Instead it just added to Craig's increasingly desperate need for release. Ethan had also discovered the dildo and the the extension made a useful handle. Craig knew that Danny would use any resistance on his part as an excuse to punish him.

Paul used the meal to announce that the film crew would be there tomorrow afternoon to interview Craig and Brian. They also wanted to film some background footage so the rest should carry on as usual and ignore the cameras. Again there were questions about how it would work but Paul made it clear that he did not know but that hopefully Graham would be briefing Craig and Brian in the morning. Not even Tom had been involved in anything like it before so it would be an experience for everyone.

Paul followed Craig's habit of making sure everyone around the table was involved in the conversation. Craig was the only one excluded. It was a further frustration to realise that Paul was taking calls and making decisions on his behalf.

The only time he was allowed any sort of involvement was while the conversation was about Craig's 'enslavement'. David obviously wanted to contribute something but would not do so without Craig's consent. Danny allowed Craig to reassure David.

David began drawing circles on Craig's chest with his finger working towards his nipples. Realising the entire table was silently watching him in fascinated silence, with no one reprimanding him, he took one of Craig's nipples between his finger and thumb and played with it leaving Craig to cope with the new sensations.

Of course Ethan wanted a go followed by everyone else leaving Craig with a sore chest, pronounced nipples and worried because David had mentioned clamps and Danny, Rob and Liam were discussing how to improvise some.

Craig was left to clear up with instructions that everything was to be finished by the time Danny returned. Danny graciously allowed him to eat the leftovers but a horde of hungry teenagers don't leave much so it looked as if hunger was going to be an added discomfort. Tom took pity on him and added some food that was due to be cleared from the fridge then left him to it.

The only real pleasure left to Craig was planning what he would to Danny the next time they reversed roles.

When Danny returned to take him to the cellar, he was accompanied by Rob and Liam. Craig was tied to the table. The chains he was wearing were not removed. His limbs were pulled out as far as the chains would allow and the ropes attached to rings on the shackles.

Paul had come to his rescue by warning them not to leave any marks that would be visible the next day because of the filming. His three would be tormentors spent a time discussing alternatives.

Liam noticed how Craig jerked when he rubbed his finger across the bottom of his foot. It was enough to get them started exploring his body to find other sensitive spots and tickling or lightly whipping him until Craig was close to tears or writhing so much they feared he might hurt himself.

Sometimes they thought he might be putting it on and experimented on each other. They were all enjoying themselves, except Craig, and their cocks were pointing stiffly outwards or upwards. Danny was going to fuck Craig that night and it would be the first time. Somehow Craig knew that and accepted it but Liam and Rob had simply enjoyed tormenting Craig. They settled for straddling Craig and rubbing themselves up and down Craig's body until they came. Liam went second and as he collapsed onto Craig's body exhausted by the violence of his climax Craig thought he was going to be crushed by the bigger boy.

Danny pulled the dildo out and with the others help turned Craig over and pulled him back so he was bent over the edge of the table.

It was the first time that Craig had been fucked. Danny had used dildos on him but he had seen his anus as the last bastion of his straightness. He still thought more about girls than boys in his fantasies but they often did the things that Danny actually did. Once he had been fucked he would have to admit that he was bi.

As Danny entered him and began the long slow strokes he felt as if his body was no longer belonged to him. The torments and humiliations of the evening had drained him emotionally and now as his prostrate was massaged his desperation for relief became even more intense and the cock cage increasingly became the worst torture in the world. Danny massaging became more and more intense until after the last few violent thrusts he collapsed in his turned onto Craig.

While he recovered, Liam and Rob tied Craig back into his original position and removed the cock cage. They took it in turns to stroke Craig's cock until it was about to climax then squeeze it, slap it or flick it until he lost the edge. Craig was groaning, almost weeping with the frustration.

Finally Danny straddled him and impaled himself onto Craig's desperate pole. Craig bucked as far as his bonds would allow and Danny picked up the rhythm clamping himself around his friends rigid cock.

It did not take long before Craig thrusts turned into convulsive jerks which went on and on as he shot string after string of his cream deep into Danny. Liam and Rob looked on in amazement and awe at the sheer power and strength they were witnessing. Gradually the spasms subsided and Danny clambered off his friend.

They untied Craig but when he tried to get up he could hardly stand. He was exhausted. Wrapping his arms around Craig, Danny helped to the bedroom and into bed, clambering in beside him. Craig was immediately asleep and slept deeply and contentedly until morning. Danny was not awake for long before dropping off into an equally peaceful sleep.

The following morning Craig woke feeling better than he had in a long time. The tensions and stress from worries of his responsibilities were gone and he felt ready to face the world. His body ached and he was sore in places but even that was satisfying, almost like the afterglow of a good hard workout.

He had breakfast alone in the dining room content to take things in his own time and consider his plans for the day. When he had finished eating, he sent for Paul and discussed the interview and how to handle the film crew.

He was a little put out to discover that Paul, with Tom and Adam's help, had everything in hand.

He said as much to Tom.

"There's an old saying," Tom replied, "The graveyard is full of people who thought they were indispensable. If you knocked yourself unconscious in the swimming pool and drowned we would try to carry on what you started. I hope things follow their proper course and you outlive me. You will guide things along and all our lives will be better for it. You're not producing a bunch of Ryans who have no initiative. You're producing fine young men who can think for themselves and accept responsibility."

Craig was quiet after that. He valued Tom's opinions and was pleased that Tom approved of the way he was handling things.

"What about the things Danny and I do?" he asked, "Are you OK with them."

"I've got no problem. Don't kid yourself it teaches you what it's like to be a grader though. You're playing games. Grading is for life."

"David's happy to stand around all day waiting on me. I try not to keep the others waiting though and that business where I pissed in the sleeping bag," Craig shuddered, "It was so easy to bring me right down like that. I felt like a grader then."

"I was wrong. You are learning something," Tom replied, "but you can't feel the despair when you realise that is as good as it's going to get for the rest of your life."

They were silent for a moment.

"Thanks to you I've never been happier. I've met Hannah. I can mess around in my kitchen and cellar. I've still got the business but it's not a millstone round my neck any more. It's a pleasure to work with you and I don't have the feeling that things are going on behind my back all the time."

During the course of the day various parents showed up so there was quite a crowd when the film crew arrived. Adam showed them around while they spoke to various people. Rob showed them his computers. He had turned part of one of the work rooms into a workshop and was delighted when they began the filming with him working on one of his latest projects.

When it was announced that the TV channel would be showing an interview with Craig they had been flooded with calls. Three quarters of them had been support for his stand against the csc and the receptionists who had fielded the calls had been overwhelmed by the hatred and anger against the Inspectorate. Nearly everyone knew of an incident where lives had been ruined. The remaining quarter were complaining about the company encouraging Craig's attempt to break down law and order and destroy the peace and security they all enjoyed.

The TV company rescheduled it's broadcasts for that evening leaving a gap for a full documentary.

It started with general shots of the grounds while a voice over summarised events. It then switched to interviews with some of the boys. Rob who explained how he came to be living there, his computer projects and studies. Paul was next describing his duties as steward. Paul was a little disappointed that part of his interview was edited to leave out how he was graded but he was content that it suggested that Craig had seen the potential of a grade two and had turned his life around. Adam was next. He described his living arrangements with Paul. It was the most controversial topic so far until Adam described the morning they had overslept.

"Didn't you think it was a little unfair being punished because Paul was late?"

"Oh no!" Adam exclaimed. "Paul is a grader so I'm in charge in our apartment and it was my responsibility."

"So when he's off duty as steward and in your apartment he's your servant."

"That's right!" Adam replied. "We love each other but we both know that there has to be a firm chain of command."

"What's the worst thing about discipline here?"

"Craig never punishes us when he's angry." Adam said carefully, considering his answer, "And he has this knack of getting us to explain to everyone why we should be punished. I almost feel as if I'm talking myself into a worse punishment than I would normally have got."

The camera picked up others nodding agreement. The producer nearly cut Adam's interview. There was no doubt about the sexual activity between Adam and Paul and there could be questions about Adam's consent because of his age. In the end it was included. Adam had spoken so confidently and had emphasised the strict discipline so clearly that he was considered an asset to the programme. A little bit of sexual innuendo would not do any harm and it was a good response to the discipline question.

Brian took them through the sting, describing his feelings and reactions to various moments. Following the csc divulging so much of the case, the police had released an edited version of the videos. This version hid the faces of the accused and some of the officers involved and excluded one or two operational details. The csc's press release had included a photo of Brian and so it had seemed pointless trying to conceal his face in the video.

The interview with Brian also included cuts to interviews with the shop assistant and his reactions to what was happening. When asked about accepting the beating he admitted he had nearly backed out until he remembered Danny and the others were relying on him. He looked embarrassed watching his screams and sobbing during the punishment then again when his attacker pushed his cock towards him.

The video was shown without any editing. The audience had been warned that the scene might be disturbing but public beatings and humiliation were not unusual and so the scene did not push the limits too far.

The interviewer reassured Brian that he had nothing to be ashamed about. People should remember that he could have used the code word at any moment.

"There is one last question that you might find difficult," the interviewer said, "There's some who would say that you only did this to avoid being downgraded to one."

"I haven't avoided it," Brian replied, "I have stopped other boys being hurt and I'm glad I've done it. That's definite. I hope the judge at my hearing takes it into account but it's not definite."

Finally it was Craig's turn. He recounted how he had come to be head of such a large household at such a young age. Then the questions turned to his opinion of the grading system, the csc and discipline in general.

"Smith is innocent until proven guilty but if he has attacked that many boys then I hope he is graded one as soon as possible and his first master castrates him."

The reference to castration was also a bit contentious but the producer let it stay. Permanently maiming graders was a sensitive subject but it did seem a reasonable comment here.

"My worry is people who get wrongly graded. Like Tom. People have been graded for framing him. Why should he still be wearing a chain?"

The interviewer moved on. Tom was a good clear cut example. Other examples might prove to be less certain.

"So you don't object to the grading system in principle?"

"No!" Craig replied, "Providing it remembers to give people a fresh start."

"And the csc?"

"Placement tries but it's under funded," Craig said, "The sooner the Inspectorate is graded one and disappears for good the better. Other parts seem to work well. I get on OK with the Neighbourhood Patrol."

Craig became an overnight star. Most of the audience were amazed that a sixteen year old could be so mature and relaxed in front of the camera. Many were relieved that he was not seeking to disrupt the whole structure of society. Opinion swung from seventy five per cent to ninety per cent in his favour.

The homework gang had dispersed to their various homes by the time the programme was shown. As in so many homes across the country their parents asked how Craig could be so calm and confident while their sons stifled a quiet giggle while they remembered how he 'relaxed' the previous night.

Craig was satisfied by how he had got his ideas across in the programme. The following day he was surprised that parts of it were being shown on other channels and that senior politicians, some of them known for their very conservative views, were saying how worried they were about abuses in the system. Tom, or Tim Everington as he was referred to, had become a cause célèbre.

Mr and Mrs Hollis watched in amazement as their son became a hero. They decided it was time for him to come home and contacted the csc.

Chapter 11

Sunday was quiet and an anticlimax for the boys except when they watched television. The TV company had sold the documentary and it seemed to be on some channel all day. Every discussion and political programme seemed to be discussing them and the issues raised. Phone in programmes were dominated by people talking about their own experiences with the Inspectorate.

During the day discussions switched to Brian and his hearing. Everyone agreed that he had acted bravely and had seen a difficult task through. When the conversation turned to how much it should affect his sentencing they tended to break down into arguments for and against grading. No one wanted to commit themselves.

Danny's parents visited while Paul and Adam spent the day with Adam's parents. Adam had more or less announced that he was gay on national television so they spent the day fielding questions from bemused relatives and family friends.

Rob had got a phone call from the foster parents he had originally stayed with, congratulating him on how well he was doing. Much to his surprise he also got a phone call from his mother. It was the first time he had spoken to her since his step-father had chucked him out. It was a happy but tearful reconciliation for them both. Then his step-father spoke to him asking him to come home.

Rob could tell from the tone of his voice that he was only only making the offer on his his mother's insistence. He had got used to sleeping in the bunkhouse. He did not like Ryan much because of his sullenness. Since Rob was ungraded David automatically treated him like a master and was always willing to serve him or just talk. Like Brian and Ethan he wanted to feel as though he wanted to contribute something and was proud to have been asked to help Ethan should anything happen to Craig.

He heard the relief in his step-father's voice when he made it clear that he wanted to stay with Craig but they did agree that they should visit each other.

Brian and Ethan discussed their relationship with Craig.

"Why do you want to be Ethan's servant?" Craig asked

"When I'm graded that's all I'll ever be," Brian replied, "This way I get to choose my master. I've seen how you treat Paul, David and Ryan. They feel part of things and not just slaves."

"You know the rules with Adam and Paul. Adam is in charge which means he gets punished if Paul fouls up. He has to punish Paul. That's because if they want sex then Adam must call the shots. Do you understand?"

Ethan and Paul nodded.

"I might feel differently later," Brian said, "but all my decisions seem to have got me into trouble. I'd like Ethan to make them for me for a while."

"Your decision making at the mall was pretty good. You timed everything just right."

Craig turned to Ethan.

"Depending on what happens at his hearing Brian may do more work for the P.I."

"That's OK." Ethan replied, "It's like Paul being your steward and Adam's servant. Adam has to let the steward thing come first."

Craig gave his approval to the arrangement and the boys trotted happily off.

They were now well into the school summer break except for Craig who still needed to complete his catch up program and so Craig found himself busy in the office. Rob still worked for Mr Crosis and Danny continued his voluntary work during the day. Only Adam and Ethan were free to enjoy summer. Brian joined in with their fun but he found himself doing a lot of fetching and carrying.

On Monday afternoon Craig was still in the office with Tom when Graham, their lawyer, rang to tell them that the Hollis' had applied for custody of Brian and that a hearing had been set for Wednesday.

"The csc's learning." Graham chuckled, "They haven't bothered to come storming up to you and demanding you sign their papers."

Brian nearly had hysterics when he heard the news. He was just beginning to feel settled and as if he belonged somewhere. He did not want to be uprooted again.

Craig recognised Reg Lyons from the previous hearing. He liked Reg and was willing to chat to him.

"I've had enough of the csc." Reg said, "I'm going back into private practice. This guy Redmond is collecting a load of papers which he says has only just come into his possession. I don't know what they are and all he wants me to do is cover his back with any legal support he needs."

Reg continued, "He can make a fool of himself if he likes but he could drag me down as well."

"It's time to go in." Graham said, "I won't go after you more than I have to."

Reg nodded his thanks as they entered the courtroom.

They were before Judge Winters again and he greeted the two lawyers before smiling at Craig.

"It's good to see you again, young man." he said.

Brian's ideas of courtroom procedures came from TV dramas where everything seemed so confrontational. It seemed strange that it was so informal.

"Are you ready with your case, Mr. Lyons," the judge asked.

"Mr Redmond has most of the papers connected with the csc's case, Your Honour, "Reg answered, "Mr and Mrs Hollis have applied for custody of their son Brian. He is a ward of Craig Ryder and Brian has indicated that he would prefer to stay with Mr. Ryder."

At that moment Mr. Redmond arrived and sat down with Reg.

"Just in time, Mr. Redmond," Judge Winters said coldly. "What are these papers that could not have been disclosed before."

"I'm sorry, Your Honour." Mr Redmond replied, "It was a clerical error and they were mislaid. There have been a number of resignations lately. Good people who have been driven out by the investigations and the shortages of experienced are beginning to cause real problems."

"I'll accept that argument as I am aware of the results of some of these investigations. Brian Hollis will be granted an adjournment if he needs time to refute any argument."

"Thank you, Your Honour. Mr. and Mrs Hollis have applied to have their son returned to their custody. The csc supports this application.

"One of the few good results from the investigations into the Inspectorate is that we think that the original investigation into Hollis' assault on his supervisor may have been faulty. We think the investigator may have been over keen to produce a clear statement and accidentally put words into his mouth. We think Brian should be returned home so we can look into this further and prepare a proper defence for him. His parents have indicated that they will make him cooperate in another investigation which involves the behaviour of Craig Ryder and his fitness to act as guardian. If I can submit these statements against Mr Ryder?"

"Let's deal with these issues one at a time." Judge Winters said. "You're saying that the supervisor may have been intimidated by one of your inspectors and his statement exaggerated the incident.

"I wouldn't say intimidated, Your Honour," Mr. Redmond replied, "When Brian is returned to his parents we'll be able to investigate the matter."

"Why can't you investigate the matter now?"

"The Ryder boy has a history of defying the csc and non-cooperation. Any investigation would be hindered and disrupted by him which would be harmful to Brian Hollis."

"I accept that argument. I am aware of the bad feeling between Mr. Ryder and the Inspectorate. After last Saturday's broadcast I think the whole country is.

Judge Winters continued, "However, we do not accept that an investigation should be conditional on Brian returning home.

"This case is a custody hearing and we cannot deal with the assault now. I am prepared to make time later in the week to review the statement. I will speak to the supervisor and I will agree that any errors in his written statements were as a result of bad procedures and will not result in his prosecution for misrepresentation."

"Your Honour. I wish to object to that decision. The boy will not return home without some persuasion."

"Mr. Redmond. I could interpret that statement as blackmail. Either the statement is wrong or it is not. I will investigate it but it will not affect my decision here. Before you argue further I suggest you take advice from your counsel."

Mr. Redmond sat down and sorted through his papers.

"You wish to challenge Mr. Ryder's fitness as a guardian?" Judge Winters exclaimed impatiently."

"Yes, Your Honour. There is evidence of inappropriate sexual activity at the Ryder residence. The boy Adam Smith would appear to be at risk from a grader with whom he is forced to share his quarters. This grader has a history of violence.

"Most seriously of all I have a statement from a Lindsay Tyler and a supporting statement from her father saying that she was raped by Craig Ryder."

There was a stunned silence in the court room. Craig lost all the colour from his face as he considered the implications of the accusation. It was a clear grade one offence.

"That is very serious accusation. Have the police been informed?"

"No, Your Honour." Mr Redmond said confidently, "I have convinced Mr. Tyler that it would be better if the csc investigated the matter and decided what provision could be made for Lindsay and the baby. I'm sorry, I should have said. She's pregnant.

"In the circumstances, I submit that the Ryder household is not a suitable environment for Brian Hollis to remain in when he could be returned to his parents."

"Mr. Baxter?" the judge asked.

Graham had quickly read through the statement. He looked puzzled as he checked he his diary.

"Your Honour." he began, "Could you check the court computer. I need to verify the date of Craig Ryders case before this court."

Judge Winters was beginning to get annoyed. Mr. Redmond had obviously ambushed this case and now it looked as if Graham Baxter was going off on his own tangent. The irritation showed in his voice as he supplied the information.

"Thank you, Your Honour. I'm afraid I must ask for that adjournment as Mr. Ryder needs to instruct another lawyer. I'm afraid that I can't represent him on this matter."

For Mr. Redmond this was his moment of victory. He thought that Graham was abandoning a lost cause. So did others in the court.

"That decision puts your client in a bad light," Judge Winters said, "Would you explain, please."

"The statement says that the incident occurred on the night of Craig's appearance before you at a party at the residence of Mr. Crosis. I was at that party and I will probably be called as a witness for defence. I cannot be a lawyer and a witness in the same case."

Reg Lyons, stood up, "Your Honour, I can no longer act for the csc. I was at that party and I would also expect to be a defence witness."

Judge Winters looked furious.

"Mr. Redmond. I don't know what you think you're playing at but I will not have you disrupting my court in this manner. Those papers should have been sent to the police ages ago. You initiated this hearing. Either you knew that the papers were not ready, in which case, you should have applied for a later date or you deliberately set out to use this court for your own ends.

"You have only succeeded in embarrassing two respected members of the legal profession. You will be held by the court bailiff while I consider whether you are in contempt of court."

Judge Winters continued in a calmer tone, "Mr. Baxter. Mr. Lyons. This is a custody hearing. We do not have to question the contents of these statements and compromise your position. I would be grateful if you would continue for the sake of Brian Hollis."

"Thank you, Your Honour." Graham replied, "I can continue on that basis.

"Your Honour, I cannot continue to represent the csc under any circumstances. If I had been made aware of these documents beforehand I would have advised against revealing them here for the first time. My situation has been too badly compromised for me to continue."

"I understand." Judge Winters replied, "Since Mr. Redmond has conducted this case without the benefit of legal advice, I see no reason why he should not continue to do so."

The judge paused.

"Perhaps we can return to the case in hand. If Brian was a female then the statements might be more relevant but he has been a member of the Ryder household for some time and by Mr. Redmond's own admission, he will not leave freely of his own consent.

"I think that this would be a good time to speak with Mr. and Mrs Hollis. Where are they?"

"They are not here, Your Honour," Mr. Redmond replied, "They thought it best to leave things to the csc."

"Leaving it to the csc is one thing. Showing no interest is another. Have they had any contact with Brian or have they applied for any? There's no reference to it in your documents."

"None that I know of," Mr. Redmond replied.

All of his tactics had worked before in previous cases. Now none of them seemed to. He had successfully made the accusation against Craig as public as possible but he realised he was in deep trouble. Even now, he did not see what he done wrong. He had tried to look after the Inspectorates interests and tried to ensure that all these brats were kept firmly in line. So what if he had cut a few corners. If it had not been for these fucking lawyers Craig and his gang would be under control and all the fuss would die down.

Judge Winters began his summing up.

"Very well. I see no reason why Brian should be moved at this stage. Whatever faults Craig Ryder might have in other directions, boys seem to flourish under his control. The faults I am referring to are, in any case, allegations which may be rigorously denied. I will however waive the three month rule and allow the case to be brought back if the police investigation produces sufficient cause for concern. This case is now dealt with."

Everyone expected the judge to rise but he remained seated and spoke again.

"Mr. Redmond, I am very concerned that you used potential evidence in an attempt to coerce an individual before this court. I will pass the details onto the team investigating your department and let them deal with it.

"You may leave now."

As Mr. Redmond made his exit the judge spoke again.

"Craig, I would like to speak to you. If it is convenient would you and your friends join me in my chambers."

As they followed the Judge Winters, Craig wondered what was going on.

After they had all made themselves comfortable the judge spoke again.

"It's obvious the Inspectorate are after you. If there's any truth in these statements you would do well to deal with csc. If you're innocent then you should fight it. You've got a couple of powerful witnesses which will give you a pretty strong defence."

Craig nodded, relieved that Judge Winters seemed to be on his side.

"I can't do much to help you but Mr. Baxter's enquiry about dates refreshed my memory of the previous hearing. It is this court and not the Inspectorate who should monitor your behaviour.

"It does give me an excuse to have this conversation. Do you object to me talking to you, Craig?"

"No sir, I mean, Your Honour," Craig replied, "I need any help that I can get."

"I would like you to consider temporary grading through this court for your own protection. The police and the Inspectorate would be answerable to me for your treatment. I expect the csc to apply on the grounds that you may not willingly cooperate with the police investigation and the police could also apply if they thought it could help. In either of those cases the Inspectorate would be responsible for your treatment.

"I have another case. Stay here and discuss it with Mr. Baxter. You might want to consider possible nominees and get in touch with them."

When the judge left them Craig turned to Graham desperate for reassurance.

"It's not a bad idea," Graham said, "The nominee represents the court and you'll be answerable to him or her. It depends who would be acceptable."

"How about Rob and Ethan like we said in the will," Craig asked.

"I suggest someone who can't profit or lose out of all this. I'm not saying Ethan would misuse the the situation but I'm a lawyer and you need someone who can't take too much advantage."

"Liam or Mrs Brassom. Liam would be better if he could move in."

"I know the Brassom's. I can't say Mrs Brassom is such a good choice and I can't see her agreeing to get involved in anything as sordid as a rape case. We'll give it a try. If you've got their numbers I'll give them a call."

To Mr. Baxter's surprise, Mrs Brassom not only agreed, she would come straight to the court. Liam was out with friends but she promised to phone him and ask him to join her there.

Judge Winters next case lasted longer than Brian's which allowed time for Liam and Mrs Brassom to arrive. He had also left instructions that anyone asking for Graham should be shown to his chambers so Mrs Brassom was quite happy when she was met by an usher, escorted past large signs saying 'No admittance to the public' and the tea she was offered came in china cups rather than the plastic ones found in the cafeteria.

As Graham explained the morning events she was shocked that Craig might have done such a thing then began to understand the impact of the csc's actions.

"If these statements had been handed to the police they could have handled it more delicately as befits a person of Craig's position," she said, "He could have made his statement and the witnesses given theirs. Now he has to be treated as a common criminal, arrested and everything because everyone will be watching and the police have to be seen doing their job. Is that the situation?"

"That just about sums it up." Graham replied, "I can't comment on what we saw until after I have given my statement but I do not believe there was any force used."

"I know everyone laughs at my attitudes but I'm doing my best for my family," she said, "I will not act as nominee because if it goes wrong for Craig then it would hurt them especially Liam. I'm not happy about Liam being involved in this sort of thing but if the judge agrees then I think he should do it."

"Why can't you forget the right people crap for once." Liam snapped, "You know you like Craig so help your friends for once."

"She is helping," Craig said quietly, "Your mother is protecting you while you are protecting me. If it does go wrong for me she can blame you being involved on misguided loyalty or something."

"I was going to look for a holiday job. This'll be more fun but I'll have to move in, won't I?"

"Let's wait and see what Judge Winters says about it all before we get into details."Graham said, "He may think Liam is too young.

"Craig's two years younger and he has to deal with everything," Brian exclaimed.

"Craig took it all on because of circumstances almost by accident." Graham replied, "Don't forget this all started because the csc was concerned about his age."

They lapsed into a thoughtful silence until the judge returned.

He knew Mrs Brassom from various functions they had attended and greeted her warmly. Graham explained their idea of making Liam nominee.

"Laws regarding appropriate ages date back to before grading. Minimum age for a driving licence, buying alcohol and that sort of thing. When it comes to more general situations, there are guidelines going back but the basic question comes down to individuals taking responsibility for themselves.

"In this case the guidelines would say that Liam is too young. Craig meets the self-supporting requirements which means he does not need a guardian. He is responsible for his own future and I can be guided by his decision.

"I only have one concern which can easily be dealt with. I suggested Craig take temporary grading as it is only way of providing him with a guardian on a short term basis.

A guardian has a right to be informed of anything that happens to his ward and can intervene if his interests are at risk. The law is a bit strange but technically Craig is his own guardian which means he knows what's happening to himself but he may not be in a position to intervene.

"Normally the csc would intervene and in their usual tactful way Craig would be invited to sign his rights over to them. Surprisingly enough, this part of the system usually works well. Even the Inspectorate has to be careful when dealing with the police."

"Which brings me back to my concern. Would Liam be forceful enough to insist on his rights, or rather the courts rights when dealing with the police?"

"I'm used to forceful authority" Liam smiled, "I have to stand up to mother all the time."

"This is serious." Judge Winters said sternly in spite of the laughter in his eyes. "You would have to call Mr. Baxter at the slightest problem even if half the local police and the Inspectorate were staring at you."

"I'm not joking if I say that mum supports Craig," Liam replied firmly, "If I fouled up like that my life wouldn't be worth living."

"Well, you're standing up to me at the moment so that's a good sign. If it's what Craig wants I'll agree."

"Excuse me but I don't think it's fair that Craig should be graded like this," Brian suddenly interjected, "He's done nothing wrong so why should he be punished?"

"If the judge doesn't get me, someone else will," Craig replied trying to cheer Brian up, "Would you prefer Mr. Redmond to be the nominee for the csc?"

"No way," Brian yelled then in a calmer voice, "It's just until the investigation is over, isn't it?"

"I'm making the order out now." Judge Winters replied, "You can read it for yourself before Liam takes it to grading. How does that sound?"

As their lawyer, Graham read it first, followed by Mrs Brassom before the boys solemnly took their turn. Judge Winters and Liam signed it at the relevant parts before Liam headed over to grading to pick up the chain.

Craig swallowed nervously when he saw it but picked it up and attached it around his neck himself.

The meeting was over and Judge Winters began checking his calls.

"It seems that Mr. Redmond could not restrain himself." he said grimly, "It seems that he has handed over the statements to the police and has applied for their own temporary grading. It's the tracker in this chain that was activated first so it's the one that's valid.

"Craig will be arrested as soon he leaves these chambers. Liam! Inform the arresting officer that Mr. Baxter is a witness and demand that he makes a statement immediately. If Mr. Lyons is still available then do the same thing. They don't have to take those statements at your request but make it clear that I will be monitoring events. Craig will not be allowed a lawyer while he is in police custody but you're entitled to one to monitor his handling and can demand reasonable time to find one.

"That should be enough to show that you mean business."

Liam nodded nervously. When they left chambers and were confronted by the police and Mr. Redmond, Liam handled himself extremely well. Mr. Redmond was furious that he had been out-manoeuvred again but the policeman took it in his stride. He was almost apologetic as he made Craig strip and then restrained him as Brian had been on their first meeting. It was standard procedure for a grade one offence. A second officer had covered Craig with a taser stun gun but once Craig was secured he disappeared on other duties.

He put Craig into a cell and disappeared. Unbeknown to Craig he was was looking for Reg Lyons in order to get his account of events.

If Craig had been over twenty five he would have been treated with far more respect. He would have probably been taken to the café and sat chatting to one officer while the other went to find Reg. At his age, even if he had stayed grade five Craig was treated as if he was already two or one. It was a serious crime and it would be investigated thoroughly. Craig's needs were not a concern.

The cell was dark and quiet and featureless except for a hole in the floor in a corner with the word 'Toilet' written on the wall above it. He noticed that the floor sloped gently towards the hole and had noticed the hoses on the corridor wall opposite the cells.

While Craig contemplated the plumbing arrangements of the cells. The police officer was sitting comfortably with Reg in the cafeteria drinking coffee and listening to Reg's account of the party. Reg was explaining how Craig and Lindsay spent most of the evening in each others arms and were loving and passionate when Lindsay went home with her father. He also explained how when they had disappeared into the garden together, Lindsay had been pulling Craig along. His guess was that they had been careless over contraception and Lindsay had panicked.

The officer got a similar story from Graham except that Mr. Baxter refused to speculate on Lindsay's motives for making the story up.

The investigating officer had said that now that Graham had given his statement he would have no objections to Graham continuing to look after Craig's interests. Craig was not entitled to speak with anyone or have representation until after he had made his own statement. Graham could watch the proceedings via cameras. A member of the inspectorate was entitled to observe together with a member of the independent complaints commission.

The interrogation would be an ordeal for Craig but there were rules the police had to follow. For example, in order for the tapes and any statement Craig made to be admissible in court, Craig would have to give information that the police did not already possess. This meant the police had to be careful about leading questions or planting a name in order to bully Craig into implicating him. The basic idea was that any information supplied would be sound and reliable but there would be little concern for Craig's well being until the police were sure that he had divulged everything he knew.

The csc Inspectorate were deemed to be helping their clients and so checks and balances like this had been considered unnecessary.

Graham advised Liam and Brian to go home. They would not be allowed to see Craig before he was taken to the station. He told them that the the csc had put the police in a difficult situation and that the Inspectorate were as arrogant towards them as every body else so, if anything, the police were on Craig's side but they would they would have to be careful and thorough.

All Craig knew was that he was taken to the police station and down into the interrogation area. It reminded Craig of the inspection room at the placement centre. It comprised a room half carpeted and office like while the other half was bare concrete and fitted with shackle points, a punishment horse and a display of whips, canes and straps. There was a door leading to the cell area which was a copy of the courthouse cells.

If anything the cell that Craig was put into was smaller than the one at the court. He could just about stand in it and lie stretched out only if he positioned himself diagonally across the floor. It was bare of all fittings and Craig could only sit on the floor. The floor sloped to a hole in the corner like the court cell. When the door was shut, the cell was in almost complete darkness except for a small night light embedded inn the ceiling.

A camera was also embedded in the wall. Every time Craig moved a blue indicator on it lit up. At first he moved around just to get a response and the feeling that someone was at least watching him but after a time the fear took over and he stayed still trying to stay inconspicuous.

The officer had told him not to worry if he wanted to shit. They could hose him down when they collected him.

If the idea was to demoralise and scare the prisoner then it succeeded as far Craig was concerned.

While time slowed and almost stopped for Craig as he waited for his questioning the police were busy. They interviewed Adam, Mr Crosis and Mrs Sanders, then having obtained their names, visited some of the other guests.

The csc Inspectorate had issued another press release explaining how their diligence had finally cracked Craig's image and shown him for the vicious little thug he really was. Copies of the statements appeared on the computers of some reporters though no one ever found out who sent them. In the short term it helped Craig as the police felt obliged to give the case priority and far more manpower and resources were available to the investigating officer than he would normally expect.

In twenty four hours the investigating officer had all the information he needed and Craig was brought through for questioning. He was wet and cold from the hosing he had needed and one by one his hands were released from from chain attached to his neck and ankles and fixed to manacles hanging from the ceiling. He was not stretched tight as his hands were only just above his head.

In the observation room Mr Redmond was rubbing his hands with glee. Like Craig he was unaware of the thoroughness of the police investigation. He was convinced that the police had seen sense and accepted the csc's estimation of the situation.

As intended Craig felt exposed and vulnerable. He was tired and scared. He could not take his eyes off the punishment horse and canes and was in no mood to argue. He would have agreed to being Jack the Ripper just to get some peace.

In fact the police officer began very gently, talking him through the events of party. Craig admitted to going out into the garden and that they 'did some stuff' but emphatically denied forcing Lindsay in any way.

"You did more than just some stuff, didn't you?" the officer asked quietly, "Tell me about it."

Craig was beyond humiliation even when his cock betrayed him and began to swell. He was after all a young man talking about sex but he let the officer take him through this, the most private of his experiences so far.

"So you are still denying rape?" the officer asked, "It's not too late. The csc could still negotiate some arrangement with Lindsay and make it easier on you. All you've got to do is describe the events you've left out so far."

"I did not rape her, sir," Craig sobbed desperately, "Please believe me there is nothing more."

"I have a video here," the officer said, "Once I've shown it to you it will be too late. This is your last chance to confess."

"I don't know what to say," Craig cried. He could not imagine what the tape would show and he would have gladly confessed if he had known what he was expected to say, just to end his ordeal."

The officer turned a screen so Craig could see it and everyone else.

The scene showed Craig and Lindsay in Mr. Crosis garden. The picture was taken through some bushes as leaves and branches broke up the edges of the scene. Craig's jeans were down around his ankles and he was supporting Lindsay who had her legs wrapped around his hips and her arms around his neck. Her skirt was drawn up high on her legs and the jerky movements of the cameraman showed her panties on the ground.

On screen Craig staggered and fell backwards swinging his arms to keep his balance. As Craig fell Lindsay fell on top of him before rolling off laughing happily.

"That's the way I described it," Craig exclaimed, "What does that prove?"

"OK! You can take him back for now."

The guard who had been standing next to Craig and released his hands from the chains fixed to the ceiling and re-secured them to the chain hanging from his neck, before leading him back to the cell area.

It took Craig several seconds to realise that Liam, Danny and Ollie, the police officer he had spoken to the previous weekend were standing in the corridor.

"It's over, Craig," Liam said quietly, "You're in the clear. We're here to look after you."

As the words sank in Craig fainted. As the nervous energy he had been existing on faded away he was simply overcome with exhaustion. He came to while Ollie was carrying him up some stairs and again as he was laid in a bed and something was pressed against his arm.

When he finally woke up, he found himself spooned up somebody who had his arm and leg wrapped protectively around him holding them together. He felt safe and protected as the memories came flooding back. He realised that his protector was Danny but he was in a strange room and a strange bed.

"You awake?" Danny whispered.

"I think so. What's going on? Where are we?"

"We're in the the soft interview suite at the police station. It's got a small apartment for important witnesses and you're an important witness. I'm going to get the others. They can explain."

As Danny pulled away Craig gripped his arm.

"No! Call them if you like but keep holding me."

"I can't stay in bed with you while they're talking to you."

"Why not? Your cock wants to. I can feel it."

Craig shifted slightly then pulled Danny's hand down until it was on his cock.

"You know what Paul and Tom have said about them using sex to control you. Well, they're not controlling it now. We are. It's important. Please, Danny."

Danny could feel Craig trembling and called out for Liam. He lay there, red faced with embarrassment as Liam and Ollie grinned at the scene. They pulled up a couple of chairs and sat down. A doctor had come in with them but satisfied himself with checking the pulse in Craig's neck and taking his temperature.

"He seems OK." He said with a grin as he left, "There's no point in checking his blood pressure. It looks as though it might be high anyway."

"I'm sorry we put you through this interrogation Craig," Ollie said, "but we had to be sure. Everyone at the party said how close you two were at the end of the night. Rape victims can't stay in the same room as their attacker let alone kiss them goodnight. That's another picture we have by the way. There was no way we could charge you with rape on the evidence but we could not have cleared you. A question would remained on file.

"Luckily your friends used their cameras planning to tease you when you returned to school. The pictures prove your innocence so you're completely clear."

Ollie paused. Craig had moved his arm so that it rested on Danny and one of his fingers could just reach round to explore his crack. Danny jerked slightly as Craig suddenly pushed against his ring. Ollie noticed Danny start but continued with his tale.

"Had Lindsay and her dad made their complaint to the police then I don't think you would have been arrested or if you had been arrested you may have been questioned here in the first instance. Normally you would only have been taken downstairs if holes started appearing in your statement."

Craig nodded. What energy he had recovered was diverted to his finger exploring Danny's anus and his own swelling pole. There was not much left for speaking.

"Our problem is that the csc Inspectorate have made such a big thing of your arrest and how you should be charged as soon as possible for the sake of the Tylers. They're admitting to some mistakes and that maybe one or two Inspectors abused their position but it was only them who saw you for what you were really like. If the judge at listened to Mrs Jones at your care hearing Lindsay would not have been attacked."

Craig sat up and the duvet fell away. It was difficult to take his obvious fury seriously because it was obvious what Danny was jerking his hand from and Craig had used the hand wrapped around Danny's buttock to help pull himself up.

Like Liam, Ollie was trying not to laugh at the scene in front of him but he was satisfied that Craig would accept the unwitting part he was playing in the ongoing police operation.

"We could leave you two to finish what you've started." he said lightly.

"No! Fucking tell me how we're going to nail these bastards," Craig snapped, "Why the fucking hell haven't you told them the truth."

Danny knew that Craig only swore when he was angry. The language Craig had just used scared him. Instinctively he put his arm round Craig's waist but Craig stood up almost pushing Danny away as he stood glowering at Ollie. Luckily, Craig's hard on had vanished with his anger otherwise his cock head would having been pointing at Ollie's mouth just inches away.

"Sit down, Craig." Ollie said quietly, "We know what we're doing even if we're improvising as we go along."

"Improvising what?" Craig asked, the anger still evident.

"Sit down and I'll explain."

Craig settled back on the bed and began stroking Danny's thigh. It was partly instinctive and partly an act of defiance. Danny tentatively tried to wrap his arm around Craig again and left it there when there was no opposition. He nestled into Craig as tightly as possible.

At that hearing of yours, Judge Winters was on the point of retiring and offering his services to the Wilberforce Foundation. Your case had a unique combination. A judge who was ready to take on the Inspectorate and a defendant, you, with the courage to demand some sort of action.

"Between you, you got the investigation going and almost without trying it found so much dirt that even top government leaders accepted that something had to be done The investigation is far more extensive than you could have imagined. It's been kept secret to stop a load people diving for cover.

"Two inspectors are being arrested for grading kids to order. Want to adopt a nice blond girl to decorate your bed. No problem. We know of one whose school work is falling off. We can blame it on her home life.

"Do you get the idea?"

Craig nodded. Danny and Liam were listening, fascinated by what they were hearing.

"You're worried about kids being wrongly graded but as you can see, there's a lot more to it."

Craig nodded again as Ollie continued.

"We know that some of the local Inspectorate are involved. Your Mrs Jones maybe. We think she may have had a customer for Jake. Funnily enough, we think Mr. Redmond is just a pompous idiot who's being used by someone. It doesn't stop him facing grade one for his activities but he's just a foot soldier."

"Our real target is the director of the csc Inspectorate at Warren Street. He's the guy who got Mr. Redmond to try to ambush Brian's hearing yesterday and organised the press releases. He's got links to some very shady adoption agencies and his life style is far more expensive than his salary would allow.

Craig was calm now. He was laying back into Danny and his stroking was no longer defiant proof that he was in control but a comforting soothing action.

Ollie was aware of the subtle changes in Craig's body language as he continued.

"We knew these people were after you but had no evidence and didn't know what their plan was. They wanted vengeance for the damage you have done but like I've said, bringing you down would severely damage the opposition you've generated against them.

We'd warned Judge Winters as best we could which is why he kept you in the court until you were graded. The Inspectorate had already got their application in even though Mr. Redmond was claiming it was a last minute rush because of an administrative error.

He was in the observation room while you were being questioned. He was so pleased that you were finally getting what you deserved, he couldn't keep quiet. He was talking about the plan coming together, getting rid of you and how everyone was going to start listening to the Inspectorate again."

Ollie grinned.

"There was a commotion with another prisoner during the bit about the video. I think he may have missed it. We couldn't stop him observing but we managed to arrange a distraction. He's quite sure that you're being kept in the cells to soften you up until you're questioned again.

"So the questioning was a set up," Craig said thoughtfully, "You've used me for a sting like we did with Brian."

"Not quite." Ollie replied, "There was a slight chance that you may have done something that we don't know about. That's why we had to interrogate you and you came through it completely clean. It didn't hurt to let Mr. Redmond think that we beginning to cave in and would do things their way. They think their plan is working.

"So everyone thinks I'm chained up in one of those cells and that I'm going to be charged with rape."

"And we'd like everyone to carry on thinking that until tomorrow."

"Why?"

"Because Brian's hearing has forced the issue and we're preparing an operation against the Warren Street Inspectorate. It's due to start tomorrow morning.

"It's Thursday isn't it?" Craig said, "What's the time?"

About five in the afternoon." Ollie replied, "We questioned you at four o'clock this morning. It's when most people are the least alert. As it turned out, so was Mr. Redmond."

Craig turned to Danny.

"Have you been with me all the time?"

"Except for a couple of toilet breaks, I have."

Craig bent down and kissed him.

"Thanks." he said.

"So you want me out of sight until tomorrow. Does that mean you want me to stay here?"

Ollie nodded, "We'll make you as comfortable as possible and Danny can stay with you."

"And if I refuse?"

"Strictly speaking it's not up to you. You're a grader so it's Liam's decision and we could restrain you if we wanted to because technically you're still under arrest. Please don't put this operation at risk."

"So when can I get this damned chain off?"

"Judge Winters wants to talk to you about that." Ollie said carefully. "We need to assess what risks you face. A lot of the Inspectorate are facing grade one. They've got little to lose and they may blame you. We think you should consider yourself as needing grade two type supervision if you go out during the next few months."

"You're joking."

"We don't know but if that chain comes off and the Inspectorate can think of another excuse? What then?"

Craig was silent almost sulky.

"It's not fair. Why should I have to go through all this?" he muttered. "What do I get out of it?"

"Me!" whispered Danny, "I know you want a girl friend but I love you. So does David but he's too scared to tell you. Paul and the others love you too even if they don't want to go to bed with you. Come to think of it, Paul, Adam and Ethan might want to as well.

"We're in a police station," Ollie laughed, "Careful what you say about his brother. Especially in front of a policeman."

Craig smiled, "It's nice to think they may want to. Sorry if I sounded a bit selfish then. Are you still bringing your family over on Sunday, Ollie?"

"If we're still welcome after all this." Ollie replied.

Craig frowned, "And if my guardian approves. I don't like this grading business."

"When you get home you might not be in charge but everyone will know you're keeping an eye on things." Liam said, "Paul and Tom know how you want things done so we'll leave them to it. They'll be glad to get your guiding hand back though."

"So you just get to lead me around in chains," Craig laughed, "I bet Danny's hoping you'll delegate that job as well."

Craig's hand was still wandering around Danny's thighs. Danny's cock was pressed into the small of his back making it difficult to reach but he could reach round Danny's legs into his crack. Danny had not protested but found the scene embarrassing in front of a policeman. Craig's remark caused him to blush furiously and he nudged Craig in the ribs as a warning.

"What's the problem? I'm the grader you're not. Master."

Ollie was beginning to find the conversation embarrassing especially as he could see Craig's cock swelling and and becoming rigid though Danny was beginning to see some interesting aspects to the situation. Craig had always insisted the non grader was in charge and should punish graders if necessary. This even applied to Adam and Paul where Adam was three years younger but Paul was the grader. Brian had to agree to the same condition before becoming Ethan's servant even though Ethan was thirteen and Brian sixteen.

"In that case you should be standing respectfully in front of your betters not slouching around on my bed."

"I think I'll leave you to it." Ollie said quickly.

Liam left as well satisfied that all was well with Craig. Danny had the boy he loved all to himself with no one to interrupt them. At that moment his biggest problem was, should he fuck Craig or should Craig fuck him. It was not much of a problem. As much as he had enjoyed holding and comforting Craig after his ordeal it was time to feel Craig's power and reassuring presence. As Craig slid into him Danny knew all would be well.

Chapter 12

Despite the bantering, Craig was definitely the one in charge. Danny sucked him and was fucked by him receiving little more than a jerk off while Craig's balls recharged themselves.

Sometimes they would relax in a sixty nine and once Craig insisted on Danny laying still while Craig licked his entire body but these moments were just interludes before Craig penetrated Danny again.

At times Craig would escape from his responsibilities by being submissive towards Danny but this was an occasion when he needed to establish his dominance in the pack. Danny faced an uncertain future with his hearing not so far away and was happy that the one person who had believed in him and tried to help him was back in charge.

Despite all these under-currents to their emotions they displayed a tenderness and affection towards each other that both boys found extremely satisfying so that when at last they were both exhausted they fell into a deep refreshing sleep wrapped in each others arms.

Ollie made a point of waking them himself the next morning. After the way the conversation had gone the previous night he was a bit worried about what he may have found.

He need not have worried. Danny was spooned up against Craig who had an arm wrapped protectively around Danny. Ollie woke them and while they showered, cooked them breakfast.

"It's all going to plan," Ollie said while the two boys ate, "The arrests were coordinated so no one could warn anyone else. We got everyone we wanted and they didn't get a chance to sort out their stories with each other.

The Warren Street records have been subpoenaed and again no one had a chance to delete anything. Their homes are being searched now."

"Does that mean I can go home now?" Craig asked.

Ollie nodded. "How do you feel about being part of the press conference first?"

"I'm a grader so do you mean I have to be part of it and you just want me to agree without arguing or do I have a choice?"

"The Inspectorate has been going on about having clear and irrefutable evidence that you're a rapist. The least we can do for you is publicly deny it. It would help us too because they were saying that, in spite of the evidence they supplied, we were going soft on you and giving you a chance to wriggle out of it."

"I'll do it but I won't be naked and I won't be restrained. This collar's bad enough."

"Supervised will do. There'll be enough policemen around to do that."

"Liam and I will have to speak to you about your attitude while you're a grader." Danny said with a glint of anticipation in his eye. "We can't have you undoing all the good work you've done. You've got to set an example, you know."

Craig's cock woke up in anticipation of what be happening while his brain was less happy thinking about what Danny had said.

A car was despatched to fetch Craig's clothes. Ollie stayed with Danny and Craig relaying information about the raids as it came in. Mrs Jones was arrested. This time it was for procuring youngsters by malfeasance.

The boys looked blankly at Ollie.

"Unlawful abuse of authority. She was wrongly grading kids for a price."

He looked at his computer again.

"Did Ethan ever do any modelling?"

Craig nodded, "I found out about it when I gave him his temporary grading."

"It's funny how things are connected. We got some names off of Neil Smith's computer. You know the guy arrested at the mall. One of them was an amateur photographer. Among other stuff, he'd sent Neil pictures of Ethan with another boy. The email described an auction and asked whether Neil wanted to put in a bid. It had been sent before you met Mrs Jones but it made it clear that Ethan would be available from the 9th April. Wasn't that the date of your inspection by her?"

All the colour drained from Craig's face.

"Graham said it had something to do with performance targets."

"Keeping in the national band, you mean. It does happen and I bet she used it as a fall back excuse when things went wrong."

Liam arrived with Craig's clothes. Tom had insisted that Craig should be at his smartest and had packed his newest and most expensive business suit with everything else to match. Danny insisted on helping him wash and dress and when he was finally satisfied Craig looked impressive. Young he may be but definitely an executive who meant business and would not stand for any nonsense. The grader chain which had to remain visible could have been a chain of office for some business club or lodge. There was no real mistaking what it was. It just seemed inappropriate on Craig just then.

Tom had sent fresh clothes for Danny as well and although he was smart and handsome as well he was just not in Craig's class. It seemed natural for him to stand a couple of places behind Craig's left shoulder.

There was no doubting the police's glee at the success of their operation during the press conference. They detailed the arrests and and indicated the amount of evidence they had gathered waiting to be sorted. They talked about the coordination between various stations and specialist groups and they hinted that more was to come.

Craig had stood along side the senior officers while a spokesman read out the release. He felt as though he was intruding until an Inspector stepped forward to the microphones.

"Over the last days Craig Ryder has become something of a public figure. Members of the csc Inspectorate have tried to use the courts and the police to tarnish his reputation. We have investigated the complaint against him and, unlike the Inspectorate, examined ALL the available evidence. I don't think Craig wishes to be reminded of his own interrogation."

Craig shook his head violently to the chuckles of everyone present.

"Arrests have been made over the alleged incident. All of the charges relate to perverting the course of justice. We have no evidence or even a suspicion of wrong doing on the part Mr. Ryder.

"I repeat that the investigation has been thorough and exhaustive in spite of pressure from the Inspectorate to accept their findings. It is unfortunate that sections of the press and media saw fit to take the Inspectorates opinions as fact. It caused a lot of distress to Craig's family and friends.

"It may seem unfair that Craig has been temporarily graded but we have all tended to forget that the grading was originally intended to help and guide youngsters when they were having difficulties The draconian laws that are still in force were intended as a stop gap while a bad situation was brought under control.

"Craig needs all our help. He needs our help to get his life back to normal. That chain means it is a contempt of court to obstruct that aim and you can express your thanks for his part in ridding our community of so much corruption and evil by helping him recover his life."

The Inspector's statement galvanised the press conference into new life. His criticism of the grading system and the Inspectorate was unheard of. Gradually the reporters turned their attention to Craig. He was uncomfortable talking about his arrest and the Inspector intervened to divert the questions. Craig repeated the views about grading he had given in the first interview and expressed his relief that the csc was not out to get him any more. It was one of the last questions that really threw him.

"How do you feel knowing that your girlfriend is going to be graded one because of her statement?" a reporter asked.

Again the Inspector moved to intervene but Craig stopped him.

"That question sums up all that is wrong with the system," Craig replied, "We do not know what pressure Lindsay was put under to make her statement. We don't know how willing she was yet you assume she will be graded. How do you feel knowing that you don't care?"

The conference had gone on for some time so maybe it was coming to it's end anyway but Craig's reply seemed to finish it. After a couple more routine questions it broke up.

Danny was sent to collect their gear from the apartment they had stayed in and while a car was fetched to take them home. While they stood outside the station waiting a small boy rushed towards them.

"You're Craig Ryder, aren't you. You're on TV because you help kids." he cried, "My brother's been arrested. He's all I've got. Can you help us, please?"

One phase of Craig's life was closing. He had fought to keep Ethan with him and he had won. Rob, Brian, Danny, Rick and others had accepted his help but there had been some sort of contact beforehand. The policeman, Ollie, had seen him as someone who could help his nephew but only after he had got to know Craig. This was partly because of his age. He could empathise with the other teenagers problems. It was also because he was mature enough to run his household and earn the respect of adults as well.

The small boy in front of him marked a new development. He was the first to seek Craig out simply because of his fame. Others would follow.

As the boy had approached Liam and Danny had closed protectively around Craig and it was Liam who answered.

"Craig has got a lot of problems of his own at the moment." he said, "Why don't we find a lawyer for your brother then we'll go and get something to eat. You can tell me all about it."

As he spoke he looked at Craig for reassurance.

Craig nodded, "You're in charge for now. I just want to go home."

Liam took the boy's hand and they walked a little distance away as Liam made a phone call.

The car arrived and soon Danny and Craig were home. Craig was mobbed by the other boys which included nearly all of the homework gang. Many of the parents were also there to offer their congratulations.

Although he could not conceal his happiness at seeing Craig, Paul tried to look stern and authoritative.

"Get out of those clothes then come and see me in my office." he said after allowing everyone time to offer their congratulations.

He had been given a room in the office area. As steward he had learnt how to keep accounts and pay the bills. He managed a bank account set up for this purpose. Since he was in charge of the homework gang, parents sometimes wanted to talk to him and when school started again he would be an official tutor. Paul was lost by some of the work the boys were doing but he could recognise when they were doing their best and when they had problems distracting them. He had only moved in a couple of weeks ago but already, if any of the boys were summoned there, they knew they were in trouble.

Some of the onlookers seemed startled by Paul's attitude but Craig was grateful for a chance to escape the fuss and did as he was bid.

Paul's office was spartan. There was a desk, with his own comfortable chair some more chairs against a wall which he could move to the front of the desk to seat guests and a punishment horse with an array of canes and straps on the wall behind it. Even some of the parents were relieved when they were invited to sit.

Paul had everything he needed on his computer so he did not need much filing space and so far no boy had needed more than a good talking to in those austere surroundings.

Before when Craig had entered Paul's office, Paul had smiled and invited him to sit down. This time Craig found himself standing in front of the desk looking at Paul's unsmiling face. Instinctively Craig drew himself up and adopted the correct 'at ease' position.

"It's just not fair that you've got that grading," Paul said, "and it's no good saying it's for your protection. You're still the last person on this earth who should get that chain."

Craig relaxed mentally but instinctively he maintained his pose. Paul was giving out mixed signals and he needed to know where this was all going.

"You've always said that you should start out strict then relax later," Paul continued, "That's why I'm treating you like this. You've always followed your own rules when it comes to discipline so is that the way you want to play it now?"

Craig could see Paul's point and was relieved that he was being consulted. He started to relax his pose but stopped as a disapproving look clouded Paul's face.

"What's a petard?" he asked, then seeing that Paul looked puzzled, added, "People say 'hoist by your own petard' and I'm trapped by my own rules."

"Like I said, no one thinks it's fair," Paul replied, "If we ignore the chain which we all want to do then Liam will be in an impossible situation."

"This is something else I'm supposed to do, isn't it," Craig laughed ruefully, "Get people to talk themselves into a worse punishment."

"I learnt from the master," Paul smiled, "Even when we were at the placement centre when you were selecting me you listened to my opinions and told me why you wanted things done. I've never forgotten that and I feel as if I've been involved in every decision you've made. Liam, Tom and I agree. We can't keep this place going as it should be run without your help and advice."

"We'll do it your way but I'm tired," Craig said, "I'd just want to go to my bedroom for a while and lay down."

"You can lay down as much as you like but you're in the bunkhouse. Liam is in a guest room. Only non graders get their own bed, don't they?"

Craig had made Ethan sleep on the kitchen floor when he had first been graded. He shrugged and headed off, too tired to argue.

David did not question Craig being relegated to the bunkhouse. In a way it made it easier for him. It was the only room he entered without permission. He stood outside Paul's office and would have waited outside Craig's bedroom. Craig would have known he was there and would have called out if he needed anything. Now he could stand and watch over Craig while he slept.

Dinner that evening was a little awkward. Craig had often thought that the table should be triangular with him, Paul and Tom sitting at the corners with the graders sitting either side of Paul, non graders beside Craig and any adults around Tom. In reality it was rectangular and Paul and Craig sat at the two ends while Tom sat in the middle. Craig woke as it became time for dinner. As he entered the kitchen he stood uncertainly seeing Liam standing equally uncertainly. Paul gestured for Liam to sit at the head of the table then pointed to a seat next to Ryan for Craig to sit.

While they ate Liam recounted events at the station after Craig had left.

The boy who asked for help was Philip Browning and his brother who was in trouble, Joe. Joe, who was fourteen, had started running around with a group of older boys who thought it great fun to dare him to do ever more stupid stunts. Philip already knew about it and had tried to warn Joe but Joe was too scared of seeming to be a baby.

He had been arrested for breaking into a house which was supposed to be empty but the occupant had returned from work early. In his panic to escape Joe had pushed the man who had staggered and bumped his head causing it to bleed. The police had already been called by an eagle eyed neighbour and Joe was immediately caught and arrested. Thanks to Philip approaching Craig, his interrogation was watched by Graham, Craig's lawyer. The Browning's could not afford a lawyer of their own so normally a csc Inspector would observe.

As Graham said when he phoned later, if Craig is anyway connected they won't put a foot wrong and Graham could not fault the interrogation. It started off easily enough in a normal interview room and it was obvious even to Graham that Joe was hiding something. He could find no reason to object when Joe was taken down to the hard interrogation room.

Craig shuddered at the memory of the place and was relieved when Liam announced that Philip's parents had collected him and taken him home.

"I had to explain that Mr Baxter was on retainer." Liam said, "So it wasn't really costing you anything for him to represent Joe."

"That's not strictly true but it'll do," Craig replied, "I'll want him to concentrate on Lindsay's case though."

There was an uncomfortable silence. Ollie had warned Liam and Paul that the police were looking into the possibility that Lindsay had set Craig up to get hold of his money.

"Where's Danny sleeping tonight?" Ethan asked hoping to change subject.

"He's lost his job as servant for now so he's in the bunkhouse as well," Paul replied.

"Tom's got his own apartment and he's a grader so why can't Craig have his room?" Brian asked.

Tom and Paul do important jobs for Craig," Ethan replied, "so they're entitled to special treatment. Or rather they're doing it for Liam now. Craig's just Craig at the moment so he'll probably be helping David and Ryan with the housework."

The household settled into a routine for the rest of the school break. Craig continued learning the business with Tom. Graham and Liam were co-signatories while Craig was graded and it became a routine for Liam to visit the lawyers office in the late afternoons to get everything signed.

Ollie's family visited as arranged and Lewis, Ollie's nephew, had a marvellous time. He attached himself to Ethan who closest in age and was thoroughly spoiled by everyone else. Ethan was bemused by his new shadow at first but came to enjoy the young boy's attentions.

There was considerable embarrassment for Ethan when they sat down to dinner that day. Lewis had picked up on the relationships between various boys including Ethan's and Brian's. Ethan did his best to explain but he was not sure what Lewis' parent's attitudes to gay sex were.

Finally Lewis' father came to rescue.

"You're getting to an age where doing very private things with another person will be very important to you. Your questions are not very polite because they are about these private things."

Lewis was quiet for a minute then asked, "If I do these private things with Ethan, does that mean I should not tell you or mum?"

Craig was waiting for Liam to intervene. He thought of saying something himself but Ethan had always been fond of embarrassing his brother and Craig was enjoying the moment too much.

In the end it was Paul who replied.

"Ethan could get into a lot of trouble if he did things with you and your parents did find find out. You must wait until everyone knows without any doubt that it's what you want."

Lewis stayed quiet and thoughtful after that. He became a regular visitor during the remainder of the holiday staying in the bunkhouse on occasion. His parents were fairly certain that he did do some 'private stuff' but he became more relaxed and at ease with them since before the trouble at school so they were content that he was safe, out of the clutches of the csc and adopted a don't ask, don't tell policy.

For Craig, Lewis was a turning point. He understood that it was his way of doing things that made Lewis so happy but he did not make any decisions or have any responsibility towards him. It brought home to him that, for the time since his parents died, he had no responsibilities not even towards Ethan.

Even after they had moved to the farmhouse and Ethan had settled down again the nagging doubts about his ability to cope had never been far below the surface. Danny had managed to ease the stress when he had taken him to the dungeon and given him far more urgent and physical things to worry about but he could see Lewis and his problems as an onlooker, detached and uninvolved and not as a new responsibility.

For a couple of days that freedom left him wanting to do very little except sleep but as he recovered his spirits a reaction set in. For nearly a year he had been scared that any misbehaviour on his part would put Ethan in danger and he resented the chain around his neck. He became rebellious, argumentative, rude and sullen. His mood was not helped when he learned that Lindsay was being charged with assault.

Lindsay had lied about being pregnant, even her father had believed it which was how she had persuaded him to lie about how upset she was about the 'rape'. The assault charge came from her willingness to have Craig graded. Now she faced grade one and her father grade four.

Craig's also felt a terrific sense of betrayal which added to his dark mood. His sudden change in attitude took everyone by surprise.

The crunch came when one of the homework gang's parents tried to speak to Craig just to ask him how he was coping. Craig replied by telling him to fuck off. Paul overheard.

"Craig! My office. Now!" he snapped.

As Craig glared defiantly at him Paul acted. Before Craig had realised what had happened he was in an arm lock and being frog marched to Paul's office. He had forgotten that Paul was two years older than himself and far stronger. On instructions from Paul, David ran ahead and opened doors so that Craig was not released until he was bent over the punishment horse and David had managed to secure his ankles by the securing straps with another strap across his back.

Paul took Craig's arms one by one and secured them in turn so that each of Craig's limbs was secured to a leg of the punishment horse. Paul left leaving David to keep an eye on him.

"Please, master," David cried, "Why are you like this? Are you ill?"

"I just don't want to turn into a crawling little fucker like you."

"No master. I don't suppose you do."

The one thing that could make Craig feel bad was the hurt in David's voice.

"David, I'm so sorry," Craig said desperately, "I don't know what's wrong with me."

"You're scaring everyone," David replied quietly, "This will all fall apart without you."

"Maybe that's the trouble. Everyone wants something from me. I've lost Lindsay and I've been graded. Why should I care about everyone else when I lose everything?"

"My first masters thought I was dirt and didn't care what I felt. You do care and I love you for it. You've got so much love inside you I can't believe you'll never find the right girl."

Craig stayed silent thinking, not only about what David had just said but about the passionate way that he had said it. Paul returned with Liam.

" When you're back in charge we won't be able to stop you destroying everything you've built," Paul said quietly, "but until then you are going help us keep things going."

Paul released the strap over Craig's back and selected the heaviest and most vicious of the tawses and laid into Craig's back. He had moved so quickly that the first blow was completely unexpected. Craig yelled in protest and struggled against his bonds. The second blow followed in quick succession and the pain spread like a fire as his nerve endings overloaded. Soon Craig was whimpering then crying begging for his ordeal to end. When Paul was satisfied that any further blows to Craig's back would do permanent damage he shifted his aim to Craig's backside and finally his thighs.

When Paul finally released Craig, he collapsed to the floor. David was told to help him up and walk him around while he calmed downed. When Craig had regained his composure Paul sent him out to the the barn where all the others were and to stand in a corner with his hands behind his head. If anyone spoke to him he was to turn round and face them.

Paul made it perfectly clear what would happen if Craig disobeyed him. For once he was scared of Paul and was not prepared to challenge him so he headed off in spite of the humiliation he faced. He knew that he gone too far insulting an adult even as he had spoken and expected some reaction. Paul was not angry but determined and worried. Craig had set himself on a collision course with Paul and in the present circumstances he was going to come off the worst. He tried to dismiss Paul's and David's worries about him as concern for their own future but knew that was only partly true. They would die for him if they had to and he felt bad at what he had said to David.

The first person to approach him was the person he had been rude to.

"I'm sorry," Craig said, "It's this chain. I've done my best to stop the csc putting one round mine and Ethan's neck, yet it feels as if they've done it anyway."

"Put it like that and I can see why you hate the world," the man said.

"Just don't tell me it's for my own good," Craig said, smiling for the first time in days.

The man laughed. "You won't look back on it and laugh or don't worry, it won't be off before you know it."

Craig's laugh was cut short as the battered muscles in his back protested.

"What do I do about Lindsay though."

"Was she your first girlfriend?"

Craig nodded.

"When I broke up with my first girlfriend, I swore I'd kill the next person who said I'd get over it. I saw her recently. She was fat, ugly and I wondered what I ever saw in her."

Craig nodded.

"Thanks," he said.

The man held out his hand. Craig was not sure whether he was allowed to lower his arms but decided Paul had warned him not to be rude so they shook hands.

David shyly approached him next. Craig who had turned back to the corner did not hear him until David asked him whether Craig was still angry with him.

"Of course I'm not," Craig replied, turning round, "I'm so sorry for being so rude to you. I didn't mean it."

Craig forgot his instructions and hugged David. Paul looked on relieved that his stratagem had worked. His beating hurt too much for him to dare risk more of the same so he was careful not to be rude or dismissive as the others came up to make their peace with him. He might have tried to be cold or aloof, rejecting their friendship but he could not escape the fact that they really liked him and were genuinely concerned for his well being.

Paul had made sure that the others could get close to him so that he could not resist their love for him. Paul's main concern was the long passionate kiss Craig and Danny shared. It was overtly sexual and made several people uncomfortable but somehow everyone was too relieved that Craig seemed more like his old self to care.

There were always members of the homework gang around as well their parents, swimming and relaxing in the informal atmosphere. There was also the thought in the back of their minds that it was the one place where they were safe from the csc.

Paul was the last one to go up to Craig.

"How do you feel?" he asked gruffly.

"Like a heel," Craig replied.

"Don't! I think giving you a temporary grading was a mistake. The csc might not be able to touch you but even without court protection you can handle them."

Craig nodded, "Thanks."

They hugged and Paul allowed Craig to relax. Craig continued to rebel against the chain until it was finally removed. Twice Paul hauled him into his office for a talking to and once put Craig over his knee and spanked him. Paul knew that Craig was enjoying his time as a rebellious teenager. It was his way of protesting about his temporary grading but he had learnt the consequences of pushing the limits too far.

Craig gradually recovered his natural good spirits and began taking an interest in things again. Tom found their business meetings getting harder and harder as Craig skills really began to develop and he began to assume more authority. Before his 'breakdown' as everyone called it, he did everything out of determination to keep the csc away. As he rested and then gradually took back the reins he did so with an adult purpose, something that he wanted to do.

Danny and Brian were next to face their fate. It was arranged for them to be tried on the same day. Much of the evidence was the same and their stories were interconnected so it seemed right.

Danny's hearing was first. It was predictable until Graham questioned the officer that Danny had hit. He agreed that he had crept up on Danny to catch him. He even admitted that he had been taken aback by the look of absolute terror on Danny's face. When he saw the the video of Danny's rape by Neil Smith, the mall manager, he stated quite clearly that had he known he would have approached Danny differently.

The mall owners had withdrawn all complaints for the vandalism and acknowledged Danny's part in stopping Smith.

Graham presented the argument that victims of crime should not be penalised for their reactions. The prosecution tried to argue that the law only applied to victims defending themselves or a degree of spontaneous vengeance and that Danny's was planned and deliberate.

The judge ruled that Danny sought to draw attention to the crimes being committed and since the mall owners accepted this then there was no charge to be answered. The assault would not have happened if Danny had not been dealing with the consequences of his rape and again the policeman accepted that it was a major factor in the incident. Since Danny's community service reports were highly commendable and showed that he could now deal with people in a proper manner then they further indicated that the assault happened while Danny state of mind disturbed due to his rape.

The judge ordered the case dismissed providing he continued his therapy by living with Craig until he was twenty five. There was a few minutes confusion when the judge realised that Craig was temporarily graded. When he understood the reason and Liam's role even that small hiccup was overcome.

Brian's case followed. The judge warned that an assault on a superior was a grade one offence and it was not going to be treated so leniently. Brian looked scared and may have run if Ethan had not looked encouragingly at him. The judge accepted the supervisor's revised statement and agreed that he might consider an application for grade two.

Graham presented his argument about Brian assistance in the arrest of a far more serious assault.

The prosecution argued that Brian only helped to get his own sentence reduced, that the crimes were unrelated and that Brian had been wrongly taken away from csc control for the sole purpose of using him.

The judge agreed with Graham's reply that drug addicts don't have a sudden flash of conscience when they accuse their dealers in the hope of a higher grading and that there was no mention of related crimes in the law. He also ruled that the tapes of the sting indicated that Brian was fully aware of the risks he was taking and it was difficult to believe he was forced.

How Brian became involved may be subject of an investigation but there was no question of coercion.

He finally decreed that because of the bitterness Brian felt because of the unfairness of his treatment grade two would be the appropriate sentence without other factors. Before Brian had a chance to react the judge added that his help had been invaluable and his willingness to put himself at risk rather than just offering a name as an addict would do more than qualified him for extra consideration. He graded Brian four and allowed an application that he stay with Craig.

Craig was not sure of Brian's reaction at first. Misery at being graded or relief that it was not worse until he saw a broad grin cross his face.

He looked at Ethan and said, "I'm here, master."

During the mandatory three month period before trial the suicide rate was extremely high especially amongst those facing grade one. Officially it was a grave cause of concern while unofficially it saved a lot of work and expense. Joe was just as desperate as those who took their own lives but he chose to run. In the days of face recognition cameras it was a futile effort and he was caught. His effort cost him his last couple of months of freedom and rather than be held in custody his three month wait was waived and so a few days later Craig was back in court with Danny as his supervisor.

At the back of the court was a barrier the width of the room. The centre half of the the barrier was extended to the ceiling by metal bars. As accused facing grade one, Danny and Brian had sat behind the bars as Joe was doing now with a jailer sitting where the bars ended and only the low barrier remained. Each man had a taser electric stun gun so that if the accused chose to run he presented his back to one of the jailers.

Graham did his best but he just did not have any ammunition to fight with. Joe was graded one. It upset Craig to see the desperate look on Joe's face as he was told to strip. Philip, Joe's younger brother looked desperately at Craig as he clutched his weeping mother while Joe had to stand with his feet in white circles on the floor while leaning forward and gripping white marks on the bars so that he was spread-eagled until the chains were fetched. As a four and with his future guardian Brian had been allowed to leave the dock and wait in the body of the court.

Joe was trembling as the grade chain was fitted around his neck and then his arms and legs were secured before being led away. His cry to his parents for help ended in a yelp as an electric prod stung him.

It was the first time Craig had seen someone graded one and it came as a shock to realise that he could save everyone.

Joe's parents shook Craig's hand and then Graham's, thanking them for their help. Even Philip thanked him for trying. Philip and his parents stayed in touch with Philip becoming part of the homework gang.

Liam and Tom had made it clear that he would not be allowed to attend Lindsay's trial and now he understood why. Part of his recovery process had been to accept that Lindsay had initiated the accusation against him in order to grab his money. She had been as much an enemy as the csc was part of his old life and nothing to do with his new. Females were treated just the same as males and his cock surged when he imagined Lindsay's breasts as she was spread against the bars.

He might have been worried about being turned on by her forthcoming humiliation but his love had turned into a desire for vengeance for her betrayal.

Finally there were trials of Neil Smith and the five guards who were involved. Brian and Danny attended along with many of their victims. Smith and three of the cases were formalities and they left the court grade one. Two of the younger guards had been recruited by Smith and claimed that they were victims, dominated by Smith and the others.

One of the cases was over as soon video was shown of the man terrorising and attacking boys in the lift and taking an active part in the rape.

The other one was not so clear cut. The records showed that several boys had 'escaped' while he had been escorting them on the crucial days and the only boys taken to the office had been when he had been accompanied to the lift by another guard.

There was never any bad treatment on the way up and on the way down he was obviously trying to comfort the boys. It was also evident that he only undressed when Smith was standing over him and that he rarely got an erection.

He had been attacked and raped by Smith when he was sixteen, four years ago. He was an excellent student until then but had left school shortly after, giving up the chance of any qualifications. The csc had found the job for him and made it clear that he was expected to make a go of it. They had been more concerned about him sitting idly around than dealing with any problems he might have.

He lasted for three months before disappearing. He had been arrested while working as a farmhand. His employer described him as a recluse who was known to drive children away if they got too close to him.

The judge started looking irritated as a buzz of whispering spread through the spectators in the court. A number of victims were present including Danny, Rick and Brian. Craig had gone along to support them and the judge could see that the whispering centred around them.

"Can we help him?" Danny was asking, "He seems to be a victim. I don't know what I would have done if I'd been made to work for him."

"It's always good to see you in the court, Mr. Ryder," the judge said, "but you do seem to be causing a disturbance."

Craig stood up.

"My apologies, Your Honour." he said, "There seems to be an argument over whether he's a victim or a perpetrator."

"I think that's for me to decide but I would have been happier if he'd accepted legal representation."

The accused, Brett Young suddenly yelled out, "I don't want a defence. Just grade me so it's all over."

"Be quiet or I'll have you gagged," the judge snapped, "Under ordinary circumstances you would have a csc lawyer acting for you. I respect your choice not to be defended but you must respect mine to listen to your victims opinions.

The judge looked at the prosecution lawyer as he tried to stand.

"Yes, yes! I know. These are not Young's victims but they are all connected to this case. It may not affect the final decision but I think we should have some explanation of his behaviour."

He turned back to Craig. Brett tried to yell out but on a signal from the judge he was handcuffed and gagged.

"Mr. Ryder. You're young and aren't a lawyer but you have attended court enough times recently to understand the procedures and you have shown an ability to present your arguments. If I was to adjourn for half an hour could you gather a consensus of opinion from the victims of these crimes who are in this court and present them with your own views.

He saw the prosecutor rising again.

"I know, I'm going well beyond my prerogative to call witnesses. The defendant has pleaded guilty and faces grade one. If you begrudge him the chance of a higher grading then I will hear your objection."

The prosecutor shook his head and sat down allowing the judge to adjourn.

If there is any such thing as destiny then that was the final event that shaped Craig's adult life. Some twenty years later as he sat on the patio enjoying the evening he shuddered as he thought just how badly things could have gone wrong for him, his brother and his friends. Instead he was wealthy. Tom had taught him well and assets swelled faster than he could spend them. He was famous. He campaigned constantly for changes to the grading laws and he was also a successful lawyer. He specialised in grading law and the majority of his case were done for free.

The laws had been changed. Guardians of graders later shown to be innocent could apply to have their chains removed and courts could impose temporary gradings.

Although he did not know it at the time Craig's presentation at that trial was instrumental in getting the changes through. Various politicians claimed the credit but it was Craig who changed public opinion enough for the laws to be accepted.

Brett Young's trial had not aroused much media interest. His was the last of several hearings and Neil Smith's had been the main event which had received full coverage. However, there was still considerable interest in Craig and the media began to fill the court when they learned that he was about to speak.

Craig was a little nervous when he stood and he faltered a little but everyone listened.

"I have to make a report as part of my school work on the history of grading." he began, "It was introduced at a time when people were scared to go out because of the high rates of crime and it was seen as a way of helping everyone. Those who committed crimes were considered as being unable to look after themselves and needed guidance rather than punishment to be able to fit into society. People could begin to feel safe again.

"In theory a violent criminal can be restrained at grade one and as his rehabilitation progresses so he can be upgraded.

"This scheme has never been properly implemented for two reasons. First, the deterrent aspects and the speeding up of the justice system were emphasised to ease the crisis. Today our crime rate is roughly five per cent of what it was then but our leaders still talk of the crisis in crime.

"The second reason is that people seem scared of the final step of giving convicted criminals complete freedom.

"The victims of Neil Smith cannot agree what should happen to Young. Should he have stood up to the csc and refused to work for Neil Smith? If he had refused to participate in their training schemes he could have been graded and ended up working for him anyway.

"We agree that the whole business has ruined his life but we don't agree that he deserved it. My own view is that he should be remanded to a guardian who will ensure that he gets therapy and be properly assessed. I wouldn't argue if he was shown to need grade one, neither would I argue if it was proved that he could cope with five status. Unfortunately we don't have that option.

"I do argue that it's unfair that he'll still be graded for life when there is evidence of his own rape and that he was then pushed into an impossible situation."

Craig's views were popular because he concentrated on the unfair aspects of the system. He thought Neil Smith got what he deserved and he had admitted previously that fear of grading had spurred him to get to grips with Ethan so he was hardly trying to bring the system down.

The judge was aware of the massive upsurge in anti-grading feeling and like many of his brother judges enjoyed using the increased discretion they now enjoyed.

"I agree that there is evidence of Young's own bad experiences but there are many other victims who need closure and cannot understand that there is any excuse for Young's participation.

"It is wrong to say that the courts cannot impose temporary grading. It can be imposed for the protection of the person concerned or to impose restrictions on someone awaiting trial. The misconception arises because it has never been considered a punishment.

"If Mr. Ryder agrees to become guardian and ensure that Young undergoes suitable testing and therapy then I will grant him temporary grading for one year. I expect interim reports on a monthly basis and his future will depend on his ability to cope with the world as well on the extent of his own trauma."

Craig suspected the judge was challenging him to put his money where his mouth.

"Your honour, I will accept guardianship and I will pay for him to be admitted to a private hospital if it can be done today. When it 's judged that he can cope with others especially teenagers there will be place for him in my home."

Even the csc Inspectorate made capital out of Craig's comments saying it proved that their organisation was needed. It did continue but was drastically reformed and became subject to the same scrutiny as the police. The pro grading lobby complained that Craig wanted to be soft on crime while the anti lobby complained that he was supporting an inhumane penal system. However, politicians on all sides of the argument could not avoid Craig's popularity and general approval of his plan hence the two modest changes to the law.

As he rested on the patio taking a break from planning his campaign for further changes, he thought of the people who had affected his life.

Paul and Adam were fugitives, facing grade one if they were ever arrested.

When Adam had gone to University, Craig had signed Paul's guardianship over to him. After graduating with honours in engineering he had decided to travel to consider his options. Paul could have a restricted passport which allowed him to travel to countries that recognised the grading system.

Unbeknown to anyone Adam had been offered a job in a country hostile to grading and who agreed that Paul was no threat to anyone. While on their travels they slipped across the border and a customs official helped them cut Paul's chain. Once established in their new home, Paul had completed his education and then qualified as a teacher. They had adopted a couple of boys and were still very happy together.

Craig often visited them and the boys had spent holidays with Craig.

Ethan had become a doctor. Craig had transferred Brian's guardianship as he had with Paul. Brian was still very much the servant, tolerant of his masters frequent boyfriends but he managed a few adventures of his own and there was a warm companionship between them.

Tom was 65 when the new laws had come into affect. He enjoyed his life, had his own friends and had become the elder statesman of the Ryder household. He saw no reason to change and never asked for the chain to be removed.

Danny completed his education but stayed on as Craig's steward.

Rob stayed until he found an apprenticeship in the electronics then moved on. Craig rarely saw him but they were still friends.

David remained the dedicated servant happily fussing over Craig and his son.

Craig's one regret was that he had never found a girl to fall in love with and marry. Maybe his experience with Lindsay had scarred him too deeply. The closest to a permanent relationship he had managed resulted in his son, Timothy.

Tim was fourteen now and had spent the last hour tied to a St. Andrews cross in the dungeon. Craig and Danny had always kept the dungeon carefully locked but when Tim was ten, they had slipped up and Tim had taken the opportunity to explore his father's playroom. He had not said anything for about a year and then started asking questions.

It was obvious that he had his father's interests and they had given him simple but physically demanding challenges and adding tickling then light spankings as he became more involved.

The school noticed some bruises and occasional rope marks on his wrists and ankles but, since Tim was thriving, top of his class, a fine sportsman and socially confident, they could not have interfered even if they had wanted to as obviously, it was simply firm discipline.

Brett spent a year in hospital and then came to live with Craig. There was no doubt that he had been traumatised by his experiences and, using Danny's case as a precedent, the judge dismissed the charges against him. After six months convalescing he took up his studies again and went on courses linked to child care before becoming an Inspector with the csc. Craig was a little worried at his choice of career but the Inspectorate's reorganisation had been really effective and they had started to do useful work.

Other boys boys like Lewis, Philip and Rob visited or stayed just long enough to sort themselves out. Many others spent time at Craig's often referred by the new Inspectorate and the bunkhouse was often full.

They still had the homework gang. Nowadays it was run jointly by Danny and Tim. Kids were constantly coming and going. Craig's, Danny's and now Tim's games were an open secret and the homework gang were very wary of getting into any sort of trouble as they imagined the possible punishments.

In spite of his failure to find a girl who would make him happy Craig was content. He led a busy and fulfilling life and he was surrounded by people who loved him. He relaxed enjoying the view as he sent David for another drink.

"Yes master," David replied.

"Don't call me master," Craig retorted.

The End