Maiocxx

Tales from the World of Cody and Lucas III

The Neuro-stim

Chapter 1
How We Got Into This Mess

The summer I turned thirteen, he had to make a company trip to Cairo and he took Mom and me and nine-year-old Andrew with him.

While Dad was in meetings, we three did all the tourist sites: The Great Pyramid, The Sphinx, the museums and so on. But the last day before we were to fly back to England, he arranged a 'private tour' through a friend of a friend of a friend. We would go to an area quite a bit away from the usual tourist haunts but our guide promised us 'sights we had never seen before'. He was certainly right, but not in the way any of us expected. So, despite warnings from Dad's Egyptian colleagues, we set out.

About 30 km [18 mi] south into the desert, the highway deteriorated into little more than a rough track, but we pushed on. Ahmed our guide… everyone seems to be named Ahmed in this country… assured us we had only a little bit to go.

Suddenly, we were surrounded by a group of horsemen waving rifles and forcing us to stop.

"Not to worry!" Ahmed assured us. "I go talk to them." And he began to confer with one of the tribesmen who had dismounted and was clearly the leader.

Dad understood a little of the language and he suddenly exclaimed, "He's selling the boys to them!" Jumping out of the car, he ran toward them shouting "NO!" He was about halfway there when the tribesman pulled a pistol from under his robes and shot Dad through the forehead.

Mom, Drew and I were shocked into complete hysteria. The tribesman casually walked over to the car and motioned us out. When we didn't comply immediately, he and several of the others pulled us roughly from the vehicle and left us sprawled in the sand. Ahmed walked over to us and explained, "Young boys are slaves, now. Must do what Great Chief says. Please to get up and remove clothes."

"NO!" screamed Mom. That was the signal for all the men to drag her off to the side, tear her clothes off and rape her as Drew and I watched in fascinated horror. Actually, I don't think Drew saw anything as he appeared to be in deep shock and wasn't functioning at all. But I sure did.

Ahmed repeated his command, "Please, young slaves, to remove clothes." When I hesitated and Drew didn't move, Great Chief, again drew his pistol and aimed at Drew. "No! Stop! I'll strip him. Please don't hurt him!" A few moments later… Drew was completely submissive to being stripped naked… our clothes lay in heaps in the dust.

One of the tribesmen produced two canvass sacks and a number of ropes. I watched in terror as they hog-tied my brother and placed him in one of the sacks, tying the top shut. The sack was hoisted onto his mount.

Then it was my turn, and I ended up in the same fashion on another of the tribesman's mount. The last thing I saw was Mom being thrown back into the car with Dad's body. Then I heard a whoosh and felt the heat from the fire that was quickly consuming them.

The sack I was in was filthy, smelling of urine, feces and vomit and it was all I could do to keep my gorge down. It was hotter than all get out and I was frightened for Drew. I wasn't sure he would be able to stand it. Thrown over the back of the tribesmen's mounts, we began a journey that seemed to last forever.

Finally, we stopped and we were both dumped out of our sacks and left lying in the sand as the tribesmen prepared to camp for the night. Drew was still out of it and I couldn't move enough to help him, so I lay in the dust completely terrorized. A boy about my age was dispatched to feed us both some kind of evil gruel and we were allowed to drink from one of the skins the tribesmen carried. Then, we were left alone for the night.

Back in the sacks the next day, I endured the heat and jolting journey, wondering if my little brother was still alive. About the time, I decided I couldn't stand another jolting minute, we were again dumped out on the ground as the tribesmen prepared to camp. At the orders of the leader of the band, the boy cut our bonds. I guess they thought there was little likelihood we would try to run off.

They were right.

As soon as I could move my arms and legs, I crawled over to where they had dumped Drew and took him in my arms. He was conscious… barely… and I held him and tried to comfort him. "Where are we?" he asked. "When are Mom and Dad going to come for us?"

I decided right then I had to be honest with him. "Drew, Mom and Dad can't help us. We've been kidnapped. I don't know what will happen to us, but I'll do my best to save you."

"Oh!" he replied. "Have Mom and Dad gone to heaven?"

That set me off and I cried like I haven't done since I was a baby.

That night, I was given a bowl of something and I fed us both as best I could. Shortly, Drew slept in my arms.

Three or four days… I'm not honestly sure how many… went by in the same fashion. A jolting, bone jarring ride during the day and naked, frightening existence at night.

One night, after our daily 'repast', the young tribesman came over to where we lay. Removing his loincloth, he waved his erection in my face. When I didn't respond, he moved over to Drew. "All right, I'll do it," I croaked. He seemed to understand and plunged his prick into my mouth. Somehow, I managed to swallow his offering, while Drew watched fascinated.

When he was finished, he called out to the men in the group and I soon found myself sucking every one of them. When the last of them had finished, I simply emptied my stomach on the sand and passed out.

When I came to, Drew had my head in his lap and was gently stroking my chest. Instantly frightened, I asked him, "Did they do anything to you?"

"No," he replied. "They just showed me how to take care of you!"

And I'm the one who is supposed to be taking care of him.

Finally, after six or seven days on the trail… actually I lost count… they stopped about mid-day. and dumped us both onto the hard packed clay of some sort of prison camp.

"Welcome to our little holiday resort," greeted us as we tried to look around.

Our greeter was an Iraqi doctor who ran the place and he had a staff of guards, trainers and one nurse. "This is a place for training young slaves and you will be living here for some time. We like our slaves to be obedient and you will soon learn that is the best policy. On your feet!"

When we didn't react as fast as he wanted he nodded to two of the guards who applied cattle prods to our bare asses. Drew immediately screamed and jumped to his feet, dancing and rubbing his posterior. Incensed, I ignored my own discomfort and made a dive for the guard who had shocked Drew. That earned me a zap right on my prick which knocked me flat again. The doctor erupted into a screaming tirade… not at me, at the guard who had nipped me… and one of the guard leaders handcuffed him and led him away. Apparently injuring my genitals was a no-no.

That was comforting.

The facility consisted of a few wooden sheds which were used as barracks for other boys and a brick building where we were held. Surrounding everything was a high barbed-wire fence topped with razor wire. There was a secured gate and guard towers at the four corners. Obviously escapes were rare, although the other boys were taken outside to work in fields and herd the numerous sheep and goats. Quarters for the guards and other staff were 'outside'.

Without further explanation or cattle-prodding we were herded into the brick building. Our 'quarters' was a windowless room, not quite so stifling hot as outside. I quickly noticed television cameras at the corners of the ceiling. Obviously we were going to be 'observed'. In the center was a cage with a sleeping mat inside; just big enough so Drew and I could wiggle in. A bucket in one corner served as a toilet and another corner held a trickling shower which only worked once a day for a few minutes.

A guard explained the facts of our daily existence in broken English, "Here young slaves eat, sleep and piss. No talk when Doctor come in room. Do everything told or shock on ass."

Throughout this introduction, Drew said not a word. I could tell he was absolutely terrified and was still in shock from everything that had happened to us. I wanted to go to him, but the guard waved me back. After the guard left, I quickly took Drew into my arms and tried to comfort him. We both cried and I decided right then and there that Drew's well-being would be my only goal. After all, I had been just marvelous at that so far!

Yeah!

It took both Drew and me about a month to get used to the stifling heat and the choking dust which seemed to coat everything. Although neither of us were used to going naked, lack of clothing was a blessing. The sun was merciless and we were given a lotion to prevent sunburn. We were instructed to rub it on each other all over. And I mean all over, so we gradually lost our tan lines in favor of tan all over.

Each day, we were put to work at hard labor… digging holes and trenches seemed to be their favorite… so that by nightfall we were both exhausted. The food was adequate… barely… but we didn't go hungry. That seemed odd, since the other boys were routinely starved. It took me two weeks to keep from gagging when they set our daily bowl of mutton stew before us. If I never have to eat lamb, mutton or goat again, I'll not complain. Drew, on the other hand, scarfed it all up and even ate some of mine. But he was just a kid and needed it.

All right, so was I.

We were kept strictly apart from the other boys. They were a mixture of blacks and Asians with few white kids thrown in. They were treated much more harshly than we were. Brutal beatings with a whip were common. Each night several were dragged off to the guard quarters outside the fence and returned the next morning, often bloody. It didn't take me long to figure out what their 'training' was. If any of the staff ever tried that with Drew, I swore I would kill him.

Me? Well, I would probably hate it, but I could take it. I was tough!

Yeah!

During the day outside the room, we were usually tethered together by my right wrist and his left wrist. Sure! One of us was going to run away and leave the other behind! But, if needed, the tether was removed so we could do the work assigned. Two guards, with their ever-present cattle prods watched over us and 'encouraged' us to work harder.

Every other day, we were both taken to another room in the building for what I can only describe as a torture session, presided over by the Doctor. We were usually hung by either our hands or our feet off the ground. They clipped electrodes to various parts of our bodies… their favorite was our nipples… and gave us electric shocks while the Doctor monitored.

Drew would be shocked first and I was made to watch. He would scream until he passed out. They told me I screamed, too, but I don't remember much. Afterward, I would hold him in our cell and think about how I had failed to protect him. I kept asking the Doctor, "Why are you doing this to us?"

His stock answer was always, "You are a slave and you don't need to know."

We did get sort of a shower once a day and I must admit rubbing Drew's sensuous body was the only pleasure I had. He said he enjoyed doing me, too. But our pleasure was short-lived; the shower quit after about five minutes.

After our one meal, were free in our cell to hold and comfort each other… all right, I needed it too. Drew kept asking me, "What's going to happen to us? Why are we being punished? Will we ever see…?" He still hadn't accepted fully that Mom and Dad were dead and we only had each other. I think I was saddest when I couldn't answer his questions. I wanted so much to be able to tell him things were going to be ok. But I couldn't lie to him.

At night we had to sleep in the cage. It was just another way of humiliating us. How would two naked boys get out of our cell and where would we run to? The cage was barely big enough to us to lie side-by-side and too small to turn around in, so we crawled in at night and backed out in the morning. Usually a smart slap on our bare rumps awaited to start the day properly.

Lying there beside Drew with my arms around him, I could almost feel good. But we were usually so exhausted, that we didn't even talk much. Pressing our naked bodies together was the only comfort we could give each other. Sex? Impossible! Yes, I was thirteen and had enjoyed all my friends back home, but this was different. With Drew, I didn't even get hard.

Nor did he! I checked.

One morning, I was already out and both Doctor and Nurse were there waiting for Drew to back out. Drew had just emerged with his little ass in the air, when Doctor stuck him with a needle. Before I could even react, Nurse picked him up and carried him out of the room.

I jumped up, "Where are you taking him?"

"You do not need to know."

"Why?"

"You do not need to know."

I stood there stunned as Doctor left. What were they going to do to him? Why had they taken him away? Nurse came back into the room and motioned me over to one side. "They take little one for to have surgery," she whispered. "He be ok. Do not worry. Is nothing you can do."

"Surgery!" I squeaked back. "What kind of surgery?"

She shook her head. "He be back soon, ok." And she left.

He was gone for four weeks! The worst four weeks of my life. They worked me almost to death, had to use the prod on me to keep me moving. At night, I was frightened. I had no real idea what they might do to my poor brother. Some of the things I imagined frightened me to death.

Finally, late one afternoon they brought him back and Nurse placed him gently in my arms. "Be gentle with him," she whispered.

I looked at him; he seemed to be sleeping peacefully, obviously drugged.

And then I saw what they had done to him! My worst nightmare!

His boy parts were missing!

Gone completely!

All of them!

Where they had been was smooth skin with a barely visible scar down the middle. and a small gap at the bottom, obviously meant for him to urinate thru.

My beautiful little brother! They had made him a eunuch! It was more than I could take and I sat there and sobbed.

Presently, Drew awoke and gazed up at me. He began to cry, long, hard choking sobs. "Chrissie, did you see what they did to me? I'm not a boy any more," he bawled. "I'm a freak! I'll never be a man! I just want to die! I'm ugly and no one will ever love me."

I managed to pull myself together enough to say, "Drew, you are my brother and I'll always love you. You're a beautiful boy and will be a beautiful person! I will hold you close and comfort you forever."

The rational part of me said that, in time, Drew might come to accept what had been done. But the irrational part of me was filled with hatred and revenge. I would never accept what they had done to him. To my dying day, I would find these animals and strangle them with my bare hands, for what they had done to Drew! I had never before felt such hate.

And it frightened me.

The next several days they left us alone. We spent most of the time weeping… Drew for what they had done to him and I for his maiming, too, but mostly for my failure to protect him. How could I ever face myself after what they did?

And then one morning they came for me.

I tried to fight them off, but a quick stab in my ass with one of their needles ended that as everything went black.

When I woke, I was lying in our cell with my head in Drew's lap and he was sobbing as he gently stroked my chest. "Oh Chrissie! Please don't die! You're all I have. You're the only one who loves me!"

"I'm OK, bro!" I assured him as I struggled to sit up, frightened at what I might see.

Or not see!

But they were still there. All of them!

Drew saw where I was looking and assured me, "Nurse said they just put a chip in your head like mine."

I had been so busy focusing on what had been missing from him, I had not noticed the small scar at the base of his skull. And, now I had one like it.

The hard labor continued and so did the 'torture' sessions. But the shower functioned better… obviously they wanted us clean to forestall any chance of infection. So, at least we could have that small pleasure at day's end, rubbing and stroking each other everywhere except for my genitals… and the space where Drew's used to be.

One evening, however, I decided Drew needed to be clean all over, so I soaped that part of him too. As I touched the area just above his pee-slit, he suddenly gasped. "I'm sorry! Did I hurt you?"

"N-N-No! It-it-it felt strange! It felt good!" he assured me. "Please do it some more!"

As I rubbed his 'empty place' he began to breathe sharply and his face showed that he liked what I was doing… a lot! His body began to shake uncontrollably and he threw his arms about me and softly moaned, "So good! So good! Don't stop! Please don't stop!" It was like he was having an orgasm!

At nine years old? And without a cock and balls?

Finally, he squealed and collapsed into my arms and we both sat down, letting the water play over us.

After a while, he stirred and said, dreamily, "Oh that felt so good! Better'n anything I ever felt. What was it Chrissie?"

I had no better explanation, so I told him what I thought, "I think you just had an orgasm. All boys have them. When I have one it feels real good and I squirt my cum… that's the seed a boy puts into a girl to start a baby."

"I know about that; we studied it in school. But how can I…?"

"I don't know," I replied, "but at least you can have the good feeling."

"Can I make you have the good feeling, too?" he asked.

Yeah, he was my little brother, but what the hell! He was enjoying himself for the first time in months. So I showed him how to stroke my prick and he giggled when I shot cum all over his chest.

Well, one thing led to another and it wasn't long before I was licking him and he was sucking me… every night. Yeah, I knew they were watching us, but I didn't care. They could broadcast the whole thing on the Internet if they wanted to. It was the only pleasure we had and I wasn't about to spoil it.

One morning they came and got me and took me to the clinic. One of the guards… a kid not much older than me… was left to mind Drew. The Doctor examined my chip scar and pronounced it healed. But that was all. He still wouldn't tell me what it was for and the guard herded me back to our cell.

We had been gone about an hour and Drew's 'minder' had decided to have a little fun with him. He had gagged him, shackled him to the floor, spread-eagle, and was zapping him repeatedly on his 'empty place'.

Screaming my rage, I broke away from my guard, grabbed Drew's guard by a shoulder, spun him around and buried my fist in his solar plexus. All those muscles I had developed paid off; he went down like a deflated balloon. I dropped to the floor, too, just holding Drew tight and trying to comfort him. My guard released Drew's shackles and gag and we both lay there crying our hearts out.

Shortly, the Doctor arrived and my guard explained what we had found… at least I guess he did. Drew's guard was still gasping and trying to catch his breath, when my guard… at the Doctor's instruction… placed his prod on his compatriot's temple and blasted him full force. The kid quivered once and lay still; I'm sure he was dead.

Turning to me, the Doctor said, "You are very brave, but I must punish you for striking one of my staff." He nodded to the remaining guard and I gritted my teeth waiting for my 'zap'. Instead it was just a tickle… 'justice' had been done.

It took me several days to undo the shock and harm that pimple-faced brat had done to my Drew. And, once again, I had not been able to protect him.

A few days later, we were both taken to the 'torture' room and hung by our wrists. There was a new person there, an Englishman… I could tell by his speech. Had he come to rescue us? I started to say something and got a stinging slap across my face. "Slaves do not speak unless they are told to."

"Very good, Doctor," said our visitor. I guess that answered my question.

Our friendly technicians put us both through every shocking torture they could think of as we both screamed in agony. Our visitor watched intently, nodding appreciatively. Drew was completely 'out' when they finally stopped and I was just hanging there barely conscious when I heard him exclaim, "You have done well, Doctor. I can see the boys are well prepared. We'll take them with us."

Chapter 2
The Neuro-Stim is Real

When I awoke, I was strapped to a bunk in a large room and I could see Drew strapped to another bunk a few feet away. The man I had seen in the camp stood looking at us.

"Welcome to Scotland. I can promise you…"

"Are we going to be freed?" I interrupted him, hopefully. I could tell we were no longer in Iraq as it was cold and damp.

"Be quiet, slave," he retorted. "You will speak when I have finished."

Hope died!

"No, you will never be freed. You will be slaves for the rest of your lives. You are here to aid us in the development of a new and important device for controlling the human body."

"So we're to be guinea pigs!" I retorted.

He grimaced but continued. "If you behave yourselves I'll try to make your testing as painless as possible. And when we are finished with you, I will find you a master who will take care of you."

"And if we don't cooperate?"

"Well, then we will simply put you down. The choice is yours."

Some choice!

"You may call me, 'Director'. Now, if you promise to behave, I'm going to release you." I nodded and he released the straps and helped me to sit up. Walking over to Drew he looked down and shook his head. "It's too bad they nullified your brother. That was a mistake. They misunderstood my instructions. Well, no harm done! We can still use him."

"NO HARM DONE?" I screeched. "THE MONSTERS CUT OFF HIS COCK AND BALLS AND YOU SAY 'NO HARM DONE'?"

"Watch your mouth, slave!" and he dealt me a stinging slap. Then reconsidering, "I guess that remark was a bit unkind and I apologize. But don't ever think your or your brother's wishes or feelings are of any interest to us. You are here for a purpose and that is all."

He left me to wait for Drew to wake up. He woke up screaming and it was all I could do to comfort him and try to calm him without getting in that condition myself.

The room we were confined in had two bunks, a table and some chairs, and a bathroom with shower in one corner. It was definitely an improvement from our 'quarters' in Iraq.

Later that day they fed us a meal; nothing fancy, but much better than mutton stew. And that night, I held Drew close and told him what the Director had said. He cried a little, but then went to sleep with my arms around him.

The next morning we were taken to what was called the 'Test Room'. Oh how I came to hate the sight of it. The one wall was one-way glass so the Director and his staff could watch us.

We were told to stand in the middle of the room as the Director entered.

"If you fail to follow my instructions," he told us, "this is what you will feel." He nodded toward the window and suddenly I felt the most horrible pain throughout my body. I rolled on the floor screaming. And then, suddenly it was gone!

I heard Drew suddenly scream and I knew he must be going through the same thing. Even after it was shut off, he continued to cry. So I crawled over to him and took him in my arms, glaring up at the Director who just stood there observing.

"Now you know what will happen if you don't behave. That was only one-tenth power, so be warned; it can be much worse."

I suddenly felt so powerless that I bawled in frustration. How could I possibly protect Drew from these monsters?

"I can make you feel good, too."

Suddenly a wave of good feeling engulfed us. But it didn't last long and we were back to weeping in each others arms.

Over the next few weeks, we were 'treated' to a lot of things the device could do. Like make us blind. Or deaf. Or mute. Or without a sense of touch.

It could also 'freeze' us in whatever position we were in. No matter how awkward. We were forced to hold weights with our arms outstretched for hours no matter how much it hurt. And it did hurt horribly. After one session, I had to rub Drew's arms all night before he could move them.

They decided to try a combination. They made us stand with our hands behind our necks and then 'froze' us in that position. It wasn't too bad, but then they blinded us, made us deaf and mute and insensitive. I couldn't see, hear or feel a thing and they kept us in that condition for twenty-four hours. The only thing I could do was work my mind; I recited the multiplication tables over and over and worried about how Drew might recover. I was deathly afraid he might be permanently damaged.

When they released me, I collapsed in a heap; my body was sore but at least my mind was intact.

When they released Drew, he fell to the floor and started screaming.

I carried his wildly thrashing body… I wasn't sure if his mind was there anymore… back to our room and laid him on a bunk and tried to comfort him. But his screams continued throughout the night and all the next day. Had they damaged him permanently? Would he recover at all? And, once again, I had failed to protect him and I felt like shit.

Finally that night he subsided into sobs and I could tell that he felt me holding him, but it would be weeks until he showed some semblance of normalcy. Whatever that was in this chamber of horrors.

So, gradually, they demonstrated that our bodies were just puppets. With a voice command, they could make us do anything no matter how painful or disgusting. One time, they made me drink Drew's piss; another time he had to drink mine. We were slowly being stripped of our humanity.

When we were 'frozen' the voice command could make us attempt to do things that were simply not possible… or so we thought. Both of us were made to lift heavy weights that were simply too heavy and our bodies suffered. One afternoon they 'froze' Drew on a chair and then instructed me to pick it up and hold it at arms length. I managed to get the chair up and then they made Drew jump. My right shoulder popped out of its socket and the chair tipped hurling Drew to the floor.

Fortunately, except for a few bruises, he wasn't badly hurt, but my right arm hung uselessly at my side as the tendons tried to make it go up again. The pain was indescribable and I passed out.

When I awoke, we were both back in our room and Drew was holding me in his lap. Yeah, I know; I was supposed to be comforting him. They had reset my shoulder and strapped my arm and he was being very careful. I just put my other arm around him and hugged him tight. He didn't cry; I think he, at last, had exhausted his supply of tears.

I couldn't raise my arm above my waist for several weeks and I can't throw a ball to this day. But the tests went on and sexual stimulation was next on their list.

They had us sit on chairs and 'froze' us. For a while nothing happened. Then, Drew began to gasp and his whole body shook and he lifted off the chair, squealing. I had seen his orgasm enough times to recognize it. They were making him cum with the device. In a few minutes, he recovered and slumped back into his seat. He looked at me with shock and fright.

Suddenly, I cummed and shot my load clear across the room! A few minutes later, they did it again. Three, four, five, ten, fifteen times they made me cum. After the fifth one, it began to hurt and by the time they left off, my prick was raw and my balls were so sore I couldn't even bear to touch them.

Then they started on Drew. By the sixth time, his squeal of pleasure had turned into a scream of pain. But still they continued stimulating him.

Finally, risking punishment, I shouted, "Stop it! You're killing him!" The Director nodded and they left off. Drew just slumped in his chair unconscious.

The Director walked over to me and slapped my face. "That's for mouthing off. But I was interested to see how long you could remain silent."

Once more, I carried my unconscious brother back to our room and tried to comfort him. He woke up soon, but lay in my arms and sobbed. As I rubbed him, by accident, I touched his 'smooth place' and his scream echoed throughout the building. Even though weeks passed, we never had sex again; it was too painful. And then one morning came the most diabolical, the most painful, the most degrading test of all. I didn't know it was our 'final exam' until it was over.

We were taken to the test room and 'frozen' in place in the center of the room, about twelve feet [4 m] apart, facing each other. Two naked little black boys, about six years old, were led in and told to stand in front of us, facing us. The techs fastened their hands behind their backs and shackled their feet together. The little guy in front of me looked up at me with a mixture of pain and terror in his big brown eyes. He knew what was going to happen to him; I could only guess.

"Put your hands around his throat," came the command. My mind went numb. "No! Please!" But I was powerless to resist.

"Now, strangle him."

I felt my fingers tightening about his throat and he uttered a gurgling scream and began to shake violently. I could see Drew watching from across the room, white faced and crying.

I felt the little boy's windpipe collapse and he sagged against me. "Harder!" I obeyed and he soon stopped shaking as I squeezed the life from him. He became completely limp and peed all over me. At last all movement stopped, his eyes clouded over and he just hung there.

The Director nodded and released me.

I dropped the little boy and fell to the floor on top of him. I tried to make him breathe again but it was no use.

He was dead!

I had killed him!

Looking up through my tears, I saw that Drew already had his hands around the other little boy's throat. "Please, sir, don't make him do that! I'll do anything you want! Just don't make him kill the little boy. Please, sir, I beg you!"

The Director looked at me quizzically. Then he must have ordered Drew to remove his hands and turned to the tech and said, "Take him back to his cage. I have another test in mind." The tech unshackled the little boy and led him out.

The director took control of me again, made me rise and move over to Drew. "Noooooo! He wouldn't! Please, noooooo!" I shrieked before he muted me.

As I reached for Drew's throat, he screamed, "Chrissie!"

But I was powerless to resist. My hands around his neck, I began to choke Drew and he began to suffocate.

Suddenly the director released us both and I passed out.

When I awoke, I was on my bunk and Drew was cradling my head in his lap. "Oh, Chrissie! I knew you wouldn't hurt me!" he bawled.

Yeah! Like I could have stopped if the Director hadn't stopped the test. I just pulled him tight and wept.

But that really was our last 'test', because the next morning the Director told us, "The Neuro-Stim is now perfected and you have contributed to that and were mostly cooperative so I shall find you a master who will take care of you. You might be interested to know that you two were chosen before your family ever left Britain. One of your father's colleagues tipped us off. We rewarded him suitably, but unfortunately he was killed in an auto crash a few days later." The cold-blood evil of this man was unbelievable!

For the next few days we were subjected to a few more exercises with the hand held device. It was just as painfully effective as the big computer.

Finally, one morning we were hustled into another room in the facility and placed in a slave transfer case. A butt plug was stuffed up each of our rears and catheters inserted into my prick and Drew's pee slot. We were firmly fastened to the base of each cage and Drew had already been anesthetized when the Director leaned over mine and told me, "Your new master is Hyrum Johnson. He is a retired officer of Bio-tech and he will care for you well."

Before I could ask any questions, I felt the all-too-familiar stab in my leg and darkness descended.

When I awoke, I was hanging by my wrists in some sort of a dungeon. I could see Drew hanging beside me, crying softly. "Don't worry, Drew. I'm here," I tried to console him. After what seemed like hours, we were cut down and left to sleep on the cold, hard stone floor.

Yes, our Master cared for us 'well'. We were well starved, well beaten, well worked to exhaustion and well tortured. And constantly told we would be slaves for the rest of our miserable lives.

Every day we had to work like dogs cleaning, cooking, repairing Master's house until we were ready to drop. If we didn't move fast enough or our work wasn't to his satisfaction… never… he punished us using the Neuro-Stim. Food was some sort of vile tasting glop; no use spending good money on slaves was his credo.

Despite the fact it was cold and damp, we had no clothes. And we were made to sleep in the dungeon, on the stone floor without any blankets. I tried to keep Drew a little warm with my body, but most mornings we both, with our teeth chattering, arose to a bone-chilling shower.

Within a few days of our arrival, Master had rings pierced through our nipples and noses… without anesthesia of course. In addition, he had one put through my tongue and installed a very effective chastity device on me. A ring was pushed through the head of my prick and connected tightly to another ring on the edge of my asshole. It hurt like hell and made it impossible for me to get an erection. It also meant that I peed all down my legs every time I had to urinate. That meant another cold, bone-chilling shower. Just walking was sometimes an agony when my balls would get trapped between my legs.

It was quickly clear why he had not put a ring in Drew's tongue.

First thing every morning, Drew had to suck him off while I watched and seethed. At his bedtime, he took me up the ass and then made Drew clean my shit and his cum off his prick with his mouth.

After which Drew usually emptied his stomach onto the floor and then we were both obliged to clean it up with our mouths.

Master enjoyed torturing me by 'freezing' me and then raping Drew while I was forced to watch. In a short time his little ass was torn and bloody. I tried to comfort him after he was done with him, but it was an increasingly desperate situation.

By now our bodies… front and back… were covered with hundreds of welts from Master's whip. He particularly liked to whip Drew's 'smooth space'. That resulted in two screams: one from the whip connecting to the tender flesh and the other when Drew's body responded with an orgasm.

When Master held parties, we were obliged to serve… and endure the seemingly endless abuse of his guests. I lost track of how many times we were both raped, and both our asses were torn and bloody.

One party in particular set a new standard for debauchery. Master made me stand in the center of the room and gave me a tray of drinks and glasses to hold. Then he 'froze' me and blinded and muted me so I would have to stand there all evening holding the bloody tray. Next he made me get an erection and hung a towel over my protuberance.

The guests were encouraged to help themselves, both to drinks and to me. The worst were two little girls who delighted in twisting my nipple rings and yanking on the 'towel holder'.

Meanwhile, Drew was obliged to serve all the guests. I could hear him rushing about, gasping for breath as he strove to keep up with everyone's completely unreasonable requests. His screams, as he was lashed repeatedly for not moving fast enough, cut through me like a knife.

"Listen to him. He cries like a little girl," I heard someone say.

"Daddy," protested one of my tormenters, "I don't scream like that when you whip me!"

"It's because he's a nullo, don't you know. They're not real humans. Just cowards and sissies. Perfect for slaves."

I wanted to scream, "STOP IT, YOU PERVERTED GOD-DAMNED BIGGOTS!"

But, of course, I couldn't. All I could do was stand there shaking with rage, trying not to drop any of the glasses. Of all the things Master did to Drew, this was the most cruel.

The high point of the evening's entertainment, however, was a demonstration of the Neuro-Stim's powers. Master let me go soft so the towel slid off and then boned me up again. Holding a cup in front of me, he made me cum into it and then forced me to drink it. "That's what is known as recycling," he told his guests. Everyone thought that was hilarious. All the other men then had to get into the act and my stomach was soon filled with a vile blend of their cum.

When the guests finally left, he released me. I knew if I dropped a single glass, we would both be beaten senseless. Fortunately… much to Master's sorrow… I managed to avoid that pitfall. That night Drew massaged my shoulders and arms for two solid hours before I could make them work correctly again. He explained to me that not all his screams were from whipping. Someone had discovered he could be made to cum if they stroked his 'smooth place' and everyone… even the two little girls… had to try it.

Weeks went by and the continuous beatings, abuse and starvation food continued.

I could see Drew slowly starting to sink into complete depression. He rarely cried any more except in my arms at night and had a blank expression most of the time. He rarely spoke to me but still wanted my arms about him at night. It was getting harder and harder for me to rouse him in the morning.

Most nights I managed to get him warm enough so he could sleep a little. But he whimpered in his sleep and kept calling my name. After one really bad nightmare, he cried and shook in my arms until daybreak. "Oh, Chrissie," he sobbed. "I thought you were gone and I was alone with no one!"

"Drew, I would never leave you," I tried to assure him. "You know I wouldn't!"

"I thought you had died!" he shrieked.

The idea that I might die and leave him alone I refused to think about.

The struggle to keep him alive occupied all my thoughts and all the feeble efforts I could muster. Indeed, the struggle to keep him alive was all that kept me alive. I simply couldn't face the thought of him dying! Yet I couldn't bring myself to lie to him, either, and tell him that things would be better.

And then, suddenly they were better!

Which left me in a state of confusion.

We were given a pad to sleep on and blankets! The shower was warm and there were soap and towels! The daily sex abuse and beatings ceased! Even the food improved; our gruel was at least palatable! A vet even treated the worst of our bruises and welts and they began to fade. We still had to work hard, but suddenly our efforts were acceptable. Drew bought into it, "See how much better things are. Why didn't you didn't tell me?"

My nightmare was that this was just a cruel trick and it would all be yanked away again. I was sure that shock would kill my brother.

But there was another reason.

One morning we were summoned to Master's office. From our positions on our knees, he told us to stand up and listen. "Because of the device you helped to perfect, the government has taken an interest in Bio-tech. An inspector may visit us and we must make certain preparations."

We both listened with alarm. It was the first time he had said anything civil to us.

"You will have new names," he continued. "You are Ronald Proctor," he told me. "And you are his brother, Donald," he told Drew. "You are my nephews, my sister's sons, whom I am training at her behest whilst she is out of the country. She expects you to be perfect slaves when she returns. Remember those names; your lives depend upon it."

"Master, yes Master!" we answered.

"If a governmental inspector should come, you are not to say a single word unless I tell you. And then, only to confirm your new identity. If you fail to do so, I will turn the pain module to its highest and leave it on. Do you understand me?" I had felt the highest setting one time, but only for a tenth second. A continuous dose at that setting would quickly either kill us or turn us into vegetables.

"Yes Master, we will do as you say," I assured him.

The inspector never came, but our friend the Director did.

"Hyrum, there is a serious problem. The Neuro-Stim has been outlawed in all of Europe and North America. We have moved the operation to Iraq leaving nothing behind. But your presence here will subject you to embarrassing questions. You will take the two slaves and emigrate to North America. The authorities there are fools and you will be much safer."

"But what about my estate?" Master asked.

"We have already sold it at quite a nice profit and secured you a comparable place at a town called Norristown, near the North American city of Philadelphia. Your pension has been reinvested and will not be traceable to us. Your passports, visas and other papers will be here tomorrow. You, by the way, are Henry Jackson, a retired insurance broker. Take good care of your 'nephews'; Your 'sister' expects you to."

Two days later, a Bio-Teck aircraft, with it's markings obscured, whisked us away to North America. This time Drew and I were awake, clothed, somewhat comfortable, although we wore slave collars and cuffs. We had been warned again not to talk.

Formalities at Philadelphia Airport were few. The agent asked us a few questions which Master answered with the explanation that we were 'in training' and forbidden to speak for a full month. Could he please not break the regimen?

He acquiesced but, unknown to any of us, took DNA samples from each of us.

The ride to our new home was boring… it gets that way when you are 'blinded'. What our 'new life' might be like was a constant, gnawing worry.

"Chief, I think we might have a problem, here!"

"What is it Inspector?"

"Port admitted one Henry Jackson, from Britain yesterday. He was traveling with two boys, ostensibly his nephews, who are in slave training."

"That's not especially unusual. There are often slave boys brought here prior to being freed. Our laws are a bit more lenient."

"Except that 'Henry Jackson' isn't in our data-base."

"Well, that's not all that unusual, either, sorry to say."

"The thing that caught my attention was the two boys. 'Ronald Proctor' and 'Donald Proctor' aren't in our data-base either. That's almost unknown for boys of that age. But their DNA did make a match."

"Oh?"

"To two boys who were killed with their family in Egypt two years ago. Authorities there assured us it was a random terrorist attack."

"Hmmmm! Why don't you pay a visit to 'Mr. Jackson'. I'll get you some backup."

"I'll get right on it, Chief."

I answered the door at our new home and found a uniformed officer asking to see Master. I politely asked him to wait in the sitting room and took his card to Master.

"Hmmmm! Gerald Whillams, Customs and Immigration. This can't be good! Just remember what you are not to do," he admonished us. Going to his desk, he pocketed our controller and a small pistol.

"Ah! Mr. Jackson! Good of you to see me. Gerald Whillams, CIE."

"Get to the point please, young man. I haven't all day."

"There's a bit of a puzzle about your two slaves." Both Drew and I gasped. "Would you have them come in please?"

"This is ridiculous," answered Master, but he called us in and told us to stand but not speak.

The inspector eyed us for a few seconds. Then he looked directly at me and asked, "You're not really Ronald Proctor, are you Christian?"

I froze and Master began to reach for his pistol.

And then, Drew made his move. Deciding to end our little charade, he grabbed the controller and flicked it on, believing it was set for himself.

But the pain enveloped ME!

As I dropped to the floor, writhing in agony, darkness began to take me. I was sure I was dying and I didn't even hear the shots ring out and Drew's scream.

Chapter 3
Neuro-Stim – The Aftermath

When I awoke, I was strapped to a bed. "I must be back at Bio-tech again." I thought. Then I noticed IV needles in my wrist and tubes feeding them. I was in a hospital room!

And a kind-looking man dressed in green surgical scrubs was looking over me.

"Good morning, Christian," he greeted me. "I'm Doctor Malone and you are at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Some people call it CHOP; but that's not too encouraging is it?" How wonderful it sounded to be called 'Christian' again by someone who was not going to beat or otherwise hurt me, for I new immediately I could trust this man.

"You've been here for two days, now. We kept you asleep so you could recover from whatever it was that knocked you out."

Wait! Where was Drew? "Where's my brother? Is he all right?" I asked, pinning all my hopes on the answer I wanted to hear.

Dr. Malone looked at me sadly and gave a big sigh. "No Christian, he's not OK. He was caught in the exchange of gunfire that killed your kidnapper and wounded the customs inspector. The bullets smashed his spine and we don't expect him to make it."

The final failure!

"Where is he? Can I see him?"

"Yes, indeed. He's been asking for you. We're amazed he's made it this long. I think he wants to say goodbye."

The doctor released the straps and helped me to my feet. My legs started to give way and I would have fallen except for Dr. Malone's strong arms supporting me. He led me to the adjoining room where a little boy lay festooned with tubes and markers.

I leaned over and started to take him into my arms. The nurse started to pull me away, but Dr. Malone told her, "Let him be. They need to be together."

Drew opened his eyes and we gazed at each other.

"The doctors say I'm dying," he told me.

"No! You can't die! How will I live without you? I don't want to live without you!"

"But you must be brave and strong just like you always are. You must live for both of us. Promise me you will live for both of us."

"Oh, yes, but…" And my sorrow overtook me and I cried with my head on his chest.

After a while he whispered, "Hold me, Chrissie. I'm so cold." And I clutched him to me, trying to force my life flame into him. I held him long after the monitor beeped its alarm that he had 'flat-lined'. My little brother was no more. I had failed him!

Dr. Malone and the nurse carried me back to my room. "I want you to sleep, now. And we'll talk tomorrow," he told me.

"You don't understand! I failed him! He's gone and it's my fault!" Before I could say anything else, the drug kicked in and I was out once more.

When I awoke, there was Dr. Malone again. "Welcome back, Christian. It's been two days and we were concerned you might not join us again."

"I don't want to join you again. I just want to die!" I wailed.

"Hey, young man," he chided me. "I heard you promise your brother you would be strong and live for both of you. You don't strike me as the kind of boy who would break that promise."

"But I failed him, Doctor! I didn't keep him alive!"

"Your brother told us quite a bit about what you went through. You couldn't stop them from hurting him… no one could… but you were always there when he needed you most. Like when they cut off his genitals and when they tortured you both and at the end. You may not believe this, Christian, but you're a hero. You kept him and yourself alive for all those months and I would say that was pretty damned heroic."

"But I…"

"Christian, there are some things you need to know. Andrew's death was probably a blessing. Even if he had not been wounded, he would have soon died a truly horrible death."

I looked at him with disbelief. Was he just trying to make me feel better. No, this man would not do that.

"When we did the autopsy, we tried to remove the chip from his head. Unknown to us, it had a self-destruct circuit and it went off. Sooner or later, it would have done so and probably would have turned him into a zombie. And another thing. Boys who are castrated or nullified that young and are not given hormones immediately rarely live beyond puberty. Puberty just overwhelms the boy's body and he dies in great pain. Andrew suffered almost no pain from the time he was wounded. We made sure of that."

The room was quiet as I tried to absorb all of that.

"We have another concern. You have a chip also. We believe we can remove it without triggering the circuit. But it's not one hundred percent. We'd like to do it this afternoon."

Why not? What did I have to loose? If it killed me, I would be with Drew again. So I gave him a 'thumbs-up'.

When I woke again, he was there with me. "Well, doc, I guess it didn't go off, huh?"

"It did," he replied. "After we got it out of you. It's just a bunch of melted wire. We had hoped to be able to study it. If it really did what you told us … well, maybe it's better if we don't know about such things."

I certainly agreed with that.

I spent the next few days being 'interviewed' by some government intelligence types. Dr. Malone stuck with me the whole time and leaned on the agents when they got too intense. In a way, I felt better for having told our story to someone, but I got a bit testy when they kept asking me to repeat it. I could tell the Doctor was upset by the tale I told and I didn't like hurting this wonderful man.

But finally the agents left and I could breathe again. The next morning Dr. Malone swept into my room, pulled me out of bed… I had gotten into a bad habit of sleeping late… and sat me down on a chair and pulled another up facing me.

"Well, now that you are rid of the impossible men and are reasonably healthy, we need to think about your future," he said.

What future could I possibly have. Me? A failure? Who couldn't keep his brother alive! And I began to weep. "The only thing I want is to personally strangle the bastards who did all those things to Drew."

He waited until I had cried myself out. "That's not a very positive goal, Christian. And anyway, I'm afraid someone else has beaten you to it."

God! I couldn't even avenge my brother! My failure kept getting worse and worse. "What do you mean?"

"When Bio-tech fled to Iraq, the took everything with them… every last piece of equipment, every last record and notes… down to the last paper-clip. Our government leaned on the Iraqis so they sent an army group to capture the camp where you were held. Unfortunately, the undisciplined troops destroyed everything."

He paused and I could tell he didn't want to tell me something, but he sighed and went on. "And massacred every living soul, including all the young boys."

"Oh God!" I cried. "Everyone?"

Doctor Malone nodded sadly, "Everyone. And then to top it off, the seared the whole area with a nuclear device. I'm told it's just a big crater full of radioactive glass."

To tell you the truth, I guess I was glad I didn't have to extract punishment on those bastards. When I thought about them I was so filled with hate, it frightened me. I definitely didn't like that feeling.

"Tell you what," said the Doctor. "Think about your future for the next few days. You can stay here for as long as you want, but you really need to think about moving on."

"Yeah! Like where would a slave my age go?" I snapped and was immediately ashamed.

"Oh Lord! I guess you don't know! Christian, you and your brother were never slaves, not legally. And another thing! You're probably one of the richest thirteen-year-old boys around."

"I have money?"

"Well, your late father was a rich man. He had a lot of stock in his company and it was sold last year and the proceeds invested. It's all in trust until you're of age, but you can draw on it for expenses. You have enough to keep you well for years. You'll need a guardian, that's all."

"That's all?" I thought. "Who would that be?"

"Right now, the hospital administrator, John Williams, is your temporary guardian and the trust is safe."

"What do you mean 'safe'?"

"The government has been trying to have you declared an orphan so it can get its hands on the money. But we won't let them. Our solicitors have made sure of that. You're old enough that you will have the last say about who you want for both your guardian and the trustee for your trust."

Well, it was a bit of a shock to suddenly find out I was a free person and a rich one to boot.

But that did nothing to quell the gnawing doubts I had. To assuage the grief and guilt I felt. But then, Dr. Malone did something that would perhaps start leading me back into the human race again.

"Christian, I said you were welcome to stay here as long as you need, but a hospital is not place for a healthy young teen. If you would like to, I'd like you to come home and visit my family this weekend."

I sat with my mouth open. Not only was this strong, gentle man interested in healing me physically and emotionally, he was inviting me for a short time into his family's life.

The whole idea scared the shit out of me! But, before I could reply, he continued, "Before you decide, there are a few things you should know."

"Mrs. Malone and I have twin boys, nine-years-old. I'm sure they might trigger sad memories of your brother. If you would not be ready to face them, I would understand. But I think it would be good for you to come and meet them."

"We had an older son, Peter, who was taken by leukemia about a year ago. One day he was a healthy, vibrant teen about your age and six days later he was gone. It's been a sad time for us recovering from that tragedy, but I'm afraid the twins have not. I'm sure you can relate to their loss; Peter was their Big Brother, their hero and he loved them fiercely. When he died, their world ended. It's not fair of me to ask you to visit them unless it would help both you and them to move beyond your sorrow. You are a very brave and compassionate young man and this just might be what you need. And their mother and I hope fervently just meeting you might help them, too."

"I've told them about you and they can't wait to meet you."

No pressure, right! But I knew this kind, gentle man spoke from his heart. Still, my mind said, "No thank you!"

But my heart said, "Yes thank you."

And my heart won out! But how could such a failure as me help two little boys who had lost their guiding light. I was about to discover the answer to that!

"Only thing," I said, "I don't have any clothes. I don't suppose I can go out in this hospital gown; it's much to small and always leaves my ass hanging out."

He smiled at my attempt at humor and replied, "I hoped you would say yes so I brought you a pair of sweats. Yes, they were Peter's, but it was all we had that would fit you. We'll stop on the way home and pick up some duds of your own. After all, you will need clothes. It gets pretty cold in the winter in Philadelphia."

We left shortly after lunch and he drove down-town to a store which catered to boys, teens and young men. After a short argument, Doctor agreed to let me spend some of my funds. If I was rich, no way was I not going to pay my way. In short order, there were several pairs of my first-ever blue jeans and some knit and western style shirts on the pile, plus underwear, socks and shoes. At his urging, I picked out a 'dress-up' outfit, too and a skimpy swimsuit called a Speedo. I mean, I had been used being naked for over two years, but I should go out in public in that? Dr. Malone assured me it was high fashion for boys my age.

I wanted to take something for the twins. There was one shirt in particular we both liked, so I bought two more smaller ones. You would be able to spot the three of us from at least a block away.

Laden with packages, we set out for their family home in Bryn Mawr, a short distance from the city proper.

Their house was set in a wooded area, well back from the highway. It had a 'lived-in', comfortable look. Dr. Malone's wife, Diedra (or Mom Deedee once you have been introduced), was waiting in the doorway. I was no sooner out of the car than she threw her arms about me, cradled my head against her breast and said, "Christian, I'm sooooo glad you decided to visit us. Welcome! Welcome!"

Wow! It'd been a long time since I was hugged by a 'mom' figure. In fact my own mom had never hugged me quite that way.

And it felt WONDERFUL!

Hiding behind her… sort of… were two carrot-topped little boys, to whom she handed me off. They were a bit shy but greeted me warmly, too. One was David and the other Tommy, but I never did learn to tell them apart that weekend. Without being told… I suspect there had been some pre-arrival coaching… one of them picked up my packages and the other led me into the house and to the room next to theirs that I would occupy.

"This used to be our brother Peter's room," they told me. "But he's not here any more. He's with Jesus, now."

It was getting harder and harder for me to hold my emotions in check, but I knew neither of these two angels would have knowingly said or done anything to cause me pain. They were just helping me to know everything necessary for a good visit. So, I was able to navigate those rapids without falling overboard or crashing on the rocks.

Dinner was a marvel! Mrs. Malone's roast chicken and trimmings were the best meal I have ever had. I kid you not! The twins were anxious to tell me all about their school and other important little boy factoids and they sort of monopolized the table conversation. But after dinner, they excused themselves and went to their room to watch TV. Probably to compare notes on this visitor, too.

Dr. Malone, Mrs. Malone and I sat in the family room and I told them about my life pre-Egypt and they filled me in on a lot of their family history. When I mentioned Drew, sadness almost overwhelmed me a few times and I could see their sadness when they talked about Peter. But it was peaceful and the room was full of love.

When Twins' bedtime arrived, they trooped into the room in colorful pj's and accepted kisses from their parents before turning to me. No less than full hugs and kisses for each was acceptable and I did my best. Holding those two little boys in my arms did me in and their mother quickly led them off to bed leaving me to weep. She told me later that the boys cried, too.

"It's tough, isn't it Christian?" asked Dr. Malone when I had regained myself.

"Yes," I sighed. "But it was so loving and wonderful for them to want me to hug them! I'm sure I reminded them of their big brother and it was tough for them, too."

He nodded his agreement. "It's tougher still, seeing them so sad and withdrawn. And not knowing how to help them cope. I've seen the same in you, Christian, and I hope you won't think ill of us for plunging you into this."

"No Doctor. Today has been the best day of my life! Truly it has. And I can't thank you and Mrs. Malone enough for inviting me. And those two little guys? Wow! I haven't felt such love since Drew died." Oddly, that statement didn't trigger sadness.

Mrs. Malone returned from her duties and rejoined us. "They were so excited they didn't want a bedtime story tonight. They just wanted to pop into bed and get to sleep so tomorrow comes. It was almost like it was Christmas eve. I think, Christian, you are the youngest Santa I have ever seen."

The door separating my room from the Twins was ajar when I retired and I peeked in on them. They were sound asleep in the bottom bunk. The top bunk, I learned, was rarely used.

That night I slept well, feeling warm and loved.

Saturday morning, Dr. Malone had to check on some patients at the hospital, so I had a short time alone with Mrs. Malone before two very demanding little boys took over my care. We played a few hands of cards… they were demons at blackjack… and tossed a North American style football around. I had trouble with it's odd shape, more like the ball used in rugby.

When Dr. Malone returned we all set out for a nearby place called French Creek Park for a family picnic. The Twins went 'skinny' in Six Penny Lake and I donned my new Speedos for the first time. It sure doesn't hide much!

The boys were a bit shy in the water at first and I wasn't supposed to get the still-healing incision in my head wet, but I did go wading with them. The little sunfish nibbling at their legs and feet drove them into gales of laughter. I glanced back at the shore once just in time to see Dr. Malone tell Mrs. Malone, "Yessssss!"

It was after dark when I helped their dad carry two sleeping boys to their room, undress them and get them into pajamas and into bed. I'd never done that before and I was astounded to see hard it was to undress and dress a completely limp body. Both their nakedness this afternoon and again this evening demonstrated one thing: they were simply gorgeous! There would be no bedtime story this evening, either.

Sunday morning I was invited to go to church with the family. "You don't have to go with us if you don't want to," I was told. But I wasn't about to miss even a second with this wonderful family. I had never been to a church service in my life and the Twins had to help me with hymns and responses… when to stand up and sit down. But I felt a quiet peace and the pastor seemed to be talking directly to me.

After the service, Pastor Swensen greeted me warmly. "Christian, it is so good to have you worship with us. You are an example to all of us! I'm sure God will bless you and keep you in his hand just as he has your brother. May peace go with you." He and I evidently agreed on one thing; Drew was some place wonderful, without pain and sorrow, just waiting until I should join him some day.

The rest of the day was was quiet. We just enjoyed each others company… and Mrs. Malone's exquisite cooking. We did play a bit of backyard football (soccer). The Twins skunked their dad and me. I'm a bit rusty.

At bedtime, I was summoned by two very insistent little guys to do tuck-ins and story. I had read Swiss Family Robinson years ago; it was one of the first 'big' books I had read. But reading it aloud to two excited little boys who hung on every word was a new experience. Two chapters later, I kissed them goodnight, pulled the covers up over them and said, "Thank you for a wonderful weekend, guys."

"Thank you for coming!" they replied. And then, "We love you Chrissie."

I don't know if it was their use of Drew's special name for me or just the trust and love they projected… or the tears in their eyes… that set me off. I simply had to withdraw to my room… Peter's room, I reminded myself. If their parents wondered why I didn't reappear until breakfast the next morning, they never asked. Somehow they knew that all was right with my world.

Back at the hospital the next day, I tried not to show the letdown I felt. I busied myself with some of the books that hospital staff had kindly lent me. But that night, I felt lonely and abandoned once more.

The next day would solve that problem.

Dr. Malone came into the lounge where I was reading and sat down beside me. "Thank you for being our guests that past weekend. Mrs. Malone and I loved having you and I guess you know you were the hit of two young lives."

I was so choked up I couldn't manage a reply.

So he continued, "I said you would need a guardian, Christian, and I believe I have found you one. Could you, would you do us the honor of coming to live with us and allowing both Mrs. Malone and me to be your guardians?"

The silence was so complete for a few minutes that it seemed almost holy.

I threw my arms about him and hugged him while I stammered my reply.

"I'm not sure what you said," he laughed, "but I take it that means 'Yes." I simply nodded dumbly. "Thank heavens," he gasped. "If I had come home without you tonight, two little boys would have come after you. And they would not have taken 'No' for any answer. They would have hog-tied you and dragged you the whole way to Bryn Mawr. They've already told all their friends they have a new Big Brother."

I laughed even though I had trouble believing what was happening! I was going to have a FAMILY again!

And I rode 'home' in a daze.

The welcome that afternoon… I simply can't begin to describe it.

Peter's room… no, my room now… had been emptied except for one chair and a bed and his library. I was astounded and pleased at the variety of it. One shelf was labeled, 'For Reading to the Littles'. Swiss Family along with Black Beauty, Harry Potter, The Camiloud Chronicles, Ender's War and a whole host of others, some of which I had read and others I could only guess at. My literary knowledge was about to be sorely tested.

Monday morning the Twins demanded a kiss from me as well as their mother. After they dashed off to school… probably to tell all listeners that I could walk on water and turn lead to gold… we went shopping.

I needed clothes and after a feeble argument, I was permitted to spend some more of my millions. The pile grew high on the counter, but I truly needed everything from shoes to hat. I had been warned that winter in Philadelphia was harsh compared to my birth land.

I also insisted on getting Speedos for the Twins. One red and one blue. At least I would be able to tell them apart when we were swimming. Mrs. Malone took one look at them and dissolved into giggles. "Oh Christian," she gasped, "they might just as well go skinny."

I convinced her that wasn't the issue; they were 'big boys' now and just had to have swim gear like me.

"Well I'll tell you mister, if I were twenty years younger and not already happily married and you wore yours in front of me, well…" She just rolled her eyes. I had never considered myself a sex object before. But I knew she was just teasing me.

But the furniture and computer she picked out for me at Ikea she firmly insisted in paying for. Bedding and several posters rounded out that store and we returned home with an overflowing van.

That night after I read a few more chapters to my little charges and sent them off to dreamland, my new mom and dad sat in the living room and we discussed family stuff. The rules of family life were simple. They expected me to honor their word and decisions about my life, but would always listen to what I said. If I screwed up, I could expect to be held accountable. I was expected to try hard and sometimes I might fail, but I had to go on no matter what. I had never realized there were parents like this and I felt so loved and cherished I kept wondering if I was dreaming. No, it was real. I would have chores to do, much of which was concerned with my 'littles'.

The privacy rules for me and the Twins were simple. If the door was closed between our rooms, they couldn't enter. If it was open, they could ask . Worked out just fine.

Later that night, I overheard a short conversation between Dr. and Mrs. Malone. "Terry, I think you made a marvelous choice. He is just what the boys need… what we all need. And I am certain he needs us, too."

"Yes, I think we were rapidly getting to the end of our rope. If he had decided not to come, I'm not sure the Twins would have ever recovered."

"Dear, there's a reason he was brought to CHOP. It certainly wasn't the closest hospital. There's a reason you got to be his physician. You have an assignment, dear. Directly from Our Lord, don't you think?"

That was all I heard. So I'm on a divine mission? That's a bit frightening. But I knew these were people I could count on… for all eternity… and I was thrilled.

We … my new folks and I… talked off and on that week about school. I had been out of school for more than two years and getting back in the swing of study would take some work. Being around all those kids my age was going to be my hardest task. But, I would start the following Monday… no postponing that.

Well, Monday came and with it my first experience in a North American school. Churchill Academy which served both lower school [elementary] and upper school [junior and senior high] students was a short walk from my new home and I was duly escorted there by two little boys, one on either side of me tightly clutching my hands. I'm not sure whether they were afraid I would run away or not… but they weren't taking any chances.

I was finally able to give each a hug and shed my 'minders' and walked into the upper school to find that my reputation had preceded me. The other students looked at me as though I were some sort of exotic visitor, probably from outer space. They weren't unfriendly, but who knows what stories the Twins had told… probably that I could part the seas or some such.

The headmaster welcomed me and I spent the morning being tested to see what level I would fit in. I hadn't been inside of a school for almost two years, so I was obviously running behind my age mates. They decided on Ninth Year [freshman] and I went to meet my classmates. They all looked at me sort of warily, but I chose to chalk that up to the fact they had just met me.

One effect of my prolonged lack of adequate food was that I hadn't grown very much. So I was physically about the size and development of the other boys despite being a year or two older. Having been denuded, I would always appear much younger than I actually was. That has both positive and negative aspects.

Mid afternoon, there was a 'break' and I was on the way to the library when I was accosted by one of the upperclassmen.

"So you're the one," he said and then smiled and extended his hand. "You don't look much like a hero, but I guess you are from what I hear."

I took his hand and replied, "I'm sure my two 'little brothers' have completely exaggerated things. I can't fly or leap tall buildings no matter what they may have told you. I'm certainly not a hero."

"Well, I read the accounts in the newspapers and I would say keeping yourself and your brother alive all that time and being tortured and resisting it was pretty heroic!"

OK. Who was I to argue?

"I'm Zac, by the way." And he paused to swallow, "Pete was my best friend!"

"I'm Chris," I replied. "I hope you don't think I'm trying to…"

"Like I said, Pete was my best friend. We were sex buddies when we were younger. But we kept on being best friends even after we both started liking girls. Right up to the day he…" I could see him starting to tear up.

"I was deeply honored when his folks asked me to help carry Pete to his final place. It was the saddest day of my life. But I 'spect you know something about that. Anyway, welcome to Churchill."

"Thanks, Zac. I guess I've got pretty big shoes to step in."

"The thing that most of us remember about Pete was how he loved those two littles and how they just worshiped him. I sure wish I had a little brother like them; mine is a whiny brat. I guess I got to just try harder with him. I think you've inherited a lot of their love, but I suppose you already know that. They're neat kids and I hope you can bring them back to life; they were hurt a lot when he died."

"No question about that," I assured him, "and I'll do my very best. You can't image how much I've taken to them, even after only a few days."

"No, I guess I can't. But you have lost someone very important, too, so I think you'll do OK."

We both walked on quietly for a bit, but I could sense he wanted to tell me something else.

"We used to have a few older guys who were real pricks," he explained. "They got their jollies by picking on the little kids… even physically… and most of the rest of us just stood by and did nothing. But not Pete! You could razz the Twins a bit, but you didn't ever want to lay a finger on them unless you were into pain. It took a few split lips, one broken nose and countless bruises before the pricks suddenly decided that it wasn't nearly so much fun after all. And the rest of us started to take care of our littles too. Most of the pricks are gone, but there's still a few around."

"Well, I have the same policy," I answered. "You so much as bend a hair on either of those two little heads and you'll wind up just short of hospital fare." I found out shortly one advantage of having a 'rep'. If Peter had intimidated the pricks; they were terrified of me!

"You can count on me," Zac assured me.

And I knew I had made a friend.

A few weeks later, Zac took the Twins and me swimming at the local rec center. Whiny little brother didn't come along. "Mom wasn't sure he would fit in with the 'big boys'," Zac reported disgustedly. "I swear she'll make him into a complete dork."

It would be the first time the Twins' new Speedos were introduced in public. "Holy Shit! I thought you said you bought them swimming trunks," Zac teased. "Those don't even qualify as a g-string. They might just as well go skinny 'cause they don't hide a thing. What happens if they get a boner?"

"I guess it'll stick out," I replied. "The main thing was that they had to be like mine."

"Well, you don't hide much either." So he was turned on by my sexy Speedos, too. It certainly wasn't my body and I'm sure not very big down there.

That weekend, there was a party at Zac's house. There were girls present as well as other guys… I was the youngest… and we all had a good time. Whiny brother had been packed off to Grandma for the night. Since it would be late when the party broke up, I was staying over.

After all the others had left and we both bid goodnight to Zac's 'rents, we were alone in his room. As we undressed for bed, I felt the first stirrings of sexual feelings since Scotland. I remembered his remark at the pool and I could tell he was ogling me. Maybe it was my imagination!

"Chris," he suddenly blurted, "I think you're beautiful."

No, I wasn't imagining it. He was turned on by my body. My little puny body?

"Please don't be mad at me," he begged. "If you're not comfortable with this, tell me and it will go no further. I'm a bisexual. Yeah, I like girls… and guys, too… but you're the first guy I really wanted since Peter."

Comfortable? No! Excited? Yes! Hungry? You bet.

I jumped on him and we wrestled each other out of our few remaining clothes. For the longest time we just sat with our legs intertwined and stared at each other. Finally, he picked me up and carried me to his bed. Laying me down he proceeded to use his tongue on every part of my body. And, then I returned the favor. It was the greatest, most mind-blowing sex I have ever had.

As we lay there in the afterglow, he suddenly asked me, "Chris have you ever done anything with the Twins?"

'If you mean more than hugs and goodnight kisses, no," I replied. "They're much too young."

"Hah! Don't kid yourself, my hunky friend!"

Me? Hunky?

"Just before he got sick, Pete decided to 'expand their knowledge' a bit. Problem was, they wanted to know EVERYTHING! RIGHT NOW! He was still exhausted when he told me about it." Then, his face fell and sadness overtook him. "Within a week, he, he was gone."

"I've often wandered," he went on sadly, "was he being punished by God for doing the Twins."

"No!" I asserted firmly. "God doesn't work that way!"

Hello! It's me the expert theologian!

"He was showing them his love and how they could begin to show their love. God would never punish you for that. He would welcome it!"

Zac looked at me through his tears. "I've never shared that with anyone before. Do you really believe that?"

I nodded, and I could tell a great fear had been lifted. This would be a special night as we rolled together and slept in a tangle of arms and legs.

But, alas it would never be repeated although we remain good friends today.

When I got home the next morning, the 'dynamic duo's' first question was, "Did you have fun?"

I nodded and they giggled. "More than you could ever guess," I thought. Then I had a frightening thought, "How much did they really know. How much could they really guess?"

I never asked them.

As time went on, I managed to control my grief most days. But there were times when I just had to retreat to my room and suffer behind a closed door. The whole family… including the Twins… understood and never violated my privacy.

But one evening, some chance remark at dinner… I don't even remember what it was… set me off. Grief and sadness seized me and I ran to my room and threw myself on my bed. It was so horrible, I had forgotten to close the door between our rooms.

I didn't even hear the Twins come in and get ready for their bedtime. The door was open, so two pajama-clad little boys knocked gently. "Chrissie, would it help you if we came and slept with you so we could hug you all night."

My mouth wanted to scream, "NO! GO AWAY!" but, instead I somehow nodded. They slid in on either side of me and wrapped me in their tight embrace.

I cannot tell you, even today, how they could have known how much I needed them. Those two little warm bodies next to me was the comfort I desperately needed that night and we soon were asleep.

The next morning David asked, "Did it help you to have us with you?"

"Yes!" I replied gratefully. "How did you guys feel?"

"It was nice!" answered his brother. "We haven't slept with anyone since… since… since!" I guess it was therapy for them too. Blinking back his tears, Tommy asked, "Can we do it again?"

"Well, we better talk to your mom and find out if it's OK."

And, after breakfast, we three sat and told her what had happened.

She looked at all of us thoughtfully. "Did it help you, Christian?" I nodded for it had given me a peace I had not had for a long time.

"And how about you?" she addressed the Twins. "Yeah!" answered David. "And we'd like to do it again," added Tommy.

She looked at me questioningly. "They did sometimes when Peter was still here," she told me softly.

"I think it might be good for all three of us." I replied. "But not every night."

"That's reasonable," she agreed. "How about Friday and Saturday nights and then only if you all feel right?"

So the agreement was hatched and for several weeks all was well. The Twins and I looked forward to the weekends when they snuggled up against me and we all benefited from the arrangement.

One Friday night, however, things changed dramatically. They were already in bed when I slid down between them to encounter not two pajama-clad bodies but two very naked little boys.

"Hey! What's this all about?" I gasped as all sorts of alarms went off in my head.

"We did this with Peter and it was fun," explained Tommy. "We thought it might be fun with you. We'll get dressed again, if you want," added David.

I thought for a long moment. Was I being seduced?

Better judgment to the winds, I croaked, "No. It's OK. I was just a bit surprised. Drew and I used to sleep this way all the time." I was amazed that didn't trigger sadness.

"Are you going to be naked, too?"

I gasped! Yes, I was being seduced and I was enjoying it immensely. It was only after we snuggled down that I admitted how absolutely exotic their bare skin was, pressed against mine. I had to lie on my stomach to hide my erection because, I now hungered for their bodies and that frightened me.

Saturday night, I approached the bed naked, but trembling. How much further would this go? How much further did I want it to go? Despite all sorts of head alarms, I decided I couldn't hide my lust any longer.

"You've got a stiffie!" observe Tommy. "Just like Peter did!" added David. "Can we touch it?"

I was beyond any rational thought by that time and they took my silence as consent. I felt one small hand snake around my prick while one from the other side played with my balls.

"How come you don't have any hair like Peter did?" I managed to gasp out the reason and that seemed to satisfy them.

But the next question nearly did me in. "Would you like to touch us?"

They thought I was strangling, but pressed on, "Please Chrissie! Please play with us. It'll feel sooooo gooood!"

My hands had a mind of their own; it was almost like they were being controlled by the Neuro-stim. I reached out on either side and took hold of two hard little poles. When I did that, they purred. We all stroked and played for a while… what they lacked in technique, they made up for with enthusiasm… and then mouths and tongues took over. These were obviously not the 'innocent lambs' I had thought. Peter had been a very thorough teacher.

The attention to my raging hardon soon sent me to another plane of existence. Once I had returned to earth, I suddenly was concerned about my cum; it should have made an awful mess in my bed.

But they had taken care of that: they swallowed it! Every last drop and then sat there grinning at me, looking like two kittens who had just invaded the cream-pitcher. Like I say, Peter had been thorough.

Returning the favor, I used my mouth to bring them both to shattering dry cums. Then we just hugged until sleep at last overtook us.

But morning came with cold, hard reality. I had violated them! Never mind that Peter had before me. I was a pervert! I would probably be thrown out on the street or even sent to jail. It was all I could do to drag myself to their mother and throw myself on the floor before her.

She looked at me with surprise as I sobbed. I couldn't seem to get the words out. But, then, somehow, she understood.

"You touched each other sexually last night, didn't you?" she asked gently.

"Yes!" I bawled. "It was wrong! I knew it was wrong! I'll have to leave the family! I can't be trusted!"

She gathered me up and quieted my sobbing.

"Christian, do you have any idea how much good you have brought to this family?"

I looked up at her, not believing what I was hearing.

"When Peter died, we all grieved. He was our son and brother and we all loved him very much. It was hard for Terrance and me to go on, but we had to. We had two other little boys to care for. And Terrance had a career on which a lot of people depended."

"But when Peter left us, David and Tommy's world collapsed. Their big brother was gone! Their big brother whom they worshiped and loved. Their hero! The one they could always count on."

"Yes, we loved them and they loved us. But the love of brothers is different, isn't it?" I nodded through my tears. "The weekend you spent with us was the very first time I saw them happy again since that terrible time. Even though we hadn't asked you yet, they had a big brother again. Not Peter. Christian! I'm not sure what they might have done if you had turned us down. And they really have a big brother again… a different one, but a wonderful young man who has lifted them back into life again."

"But, Mom." It was the first time I called her that. "I still should not have taken advantage of them! I should not have …"

She placed her finger on my lips. "Christian, they are at an age when they're starting to have feelings they don't understand. Those feeling are exciting, but scary, too. Peter would have been the one they turned to to help them understand. But now you're their big brother so the tasks fall to you."

"But how?" I asked.

"I grew up with four brothers; I was the only girl, the oldest. So I got to see and know what boys do. One day our father caught my two oldest brothers… they were ten and eleven… masturbating each other. He almost went bonkers and wanted to punish them. But my mom stood up for them. I remember her asking him, 'Weren't you a boy their age once? Have you forgotten what boys do? That's part of their growing up!' They all are fine men with their own families, now."

"You are a fine young man, too, Christian. Brave beyond our knowing. But loving and compassionate, too. You have suffered a terrible loss of your little brother and they have lost their big brother. I can't think of anyone else Terrance and I would like to be their mentor."

"Teach them about sex, Christian. Show them the good things and how to avoid the bad ones. Just be gentle with them. Don't rush them. Let them grow up. And always remember; we love you too."

I couldn't believe it! This wonderful woman… my new mother… was not angry at me for violating her two little boys. No, indeed, she approved of what I had done. In fact, she encouraged me to do more. And I now hungered for their gentle touch, their warm inviting bodies.

We were on school holiday that week and our nights together were warm and loving as we explored each other. They were eager to please me and I wanted our times together to be exciting and sensual. Before the week was out, we had become 'experts' in pleasing each other.. And I showed them how they could please each other when we were not sleeping together.

One morning a few weeks into the new year, Mom stopped me as I was getting ready for school. "Last evening, Terrance went in to say goodnight to them and he found them sucking each other. What you call 'sixty-nine'. They said you taught them."

Oh boy! I had really crossed the line! This was it! I would be banished!

Seeing my look of terror she simply held out her arms to me and I fled into them. "Don't you go thinking we're going to disown you, Christian. You don't get off that easily. You're stuck with us," she said with a wicked grin.

I gulped.

"They're a bit young for oral sex," she sighed, "but I'd rather they learned it from you rather than from some of those horrid boys at their school. Just tell them to be more discreet. Right now they are completely male oriented and I sense you are, too. That could change some day, but if it doesn't Terrance and I are OK with that. We just want them to be happy… and you, too, Christian. Just promise me one thing."

"Anything, Mom," I gasped. I had been redeemed again!

"Please don't ever fuck them."

I was speechless! I would not have thought she would have uttered the 'f-word' aloud. Wrong! Don't ever mess with this mother bear! "Mom," I assured her, "I would never do that to any boy. Let alone one I loved."

"Did we get you in trouble?" they asked, fearfully, that evening.

"Guys," I told them, "when you want to have sex with each other, do it privately. It's for you to share and no one else. You don't need to tell me about it… or Mom and Dad either. And, when we're together, that's for us alone to know about. The only thing is I want you to do it only among ourselves until you're older."

"Who else would we do it with?" David asked with a look of horror.

It was a 'school night' so I was alone… at least I thought so. Suddenly, I heard Drew's voice.

"Hi, big brother. Looks like you done pretty well for yourself.

"Drew! Is it really you?"

"Yep! I like your two little brothers; they're cool. I've met Peter and he's cool, too. Yeah, I wish I could be with you. But I want you to be happy. You saved me so many times. You deserve it. You didn't fail me when I needed you most, so please stop thinking bad thoughts about yourself. You're still my hero and always will be! And you're a hero to two other little guys who need one, too."

Next morning, when I told the Twins about my visitor, they were filled with awe. "See! We told you so! You really are a hero!"

The End