Paolo

Zero

The Special-Needs Slaveboy

Chapters 12-14

[½ kg of Gold for 4½ kg of Flesh]

"You gotta sell this old Soul…
for all that you can get!"
– Meat Loaf.

Uncle, there's nothing to eat in here!

Really? Well, this time that little ghost of a voice was right!

All in all, it had been a quiet afternoon. Zero napped through most of it, and then watched cartoons when he woke up. There was no indication of a headache, but he was very quiet and subdued. He was also looking rather smug about something. What was going on inside that head of his? (Besides the growth of a bio-interfacing computer chip?)

Mark also took a nap while Cory pottered around in the yard. As it was fenced in high wood plank with no way in or out except through the house, I wasn't worried that someone would try to snatch him again. He seemed content, and the weather had indeed turned nice once the frontal system had passed. He took all the trash out. He picked up sticks, cleaned out the pool, and finished tidying up from the previous night's celebrations. He swept the walks. Then he pruned the roses. He did all of this dressed only in his gear, twisting his cute little bubble butt around a lot as he tried to get used to the idea of having a small plug in it. "A baby plug!" Henry would have called it. Even his ankle chain didn't slow him down. He'd learned to walk with it already, and I guessed he was trying to keep busy to keep his mind off of it all.

I could relate to that.

His father had stayed in town that night, as the police were still swarming all over his house now that it was daylight. He'd stayed, explaining it to Cory in a few more phone calls than was normal, Cory said. He'd come to my place after getting off of work to see the boy and speak with Mark about the break-in.

Then we'd have to explain this whole mess to him.

"I'm all done, I think, Master Don?" Cory informed me, standing there at the door. His bare feet were muddy, his chain had lawn debris caught in it, and he was dancing on the spot. But, he didn't come in. "Sir, may I pee now?"

"Did Sebbie teach you that?" I had to ask, grinning. Hell, with Zero, you never knew when he was going to pee! Cory nodded. "Go and pee on that annoying grass between the paving stones, see if you can kill it!" I laughed.

Cory seemed embarrassed about peeing outside, especially since he now had to squat like a girl to do it. But he did as he was told, his face red when he was done. Then he laughed about it. I hosed him off, as the weather had been nice that day. It had reached a sunny +82F/28C, and the humidity was high. Cory was sweaty and dirty and smelled of earth and funk. I turned the hose on him. He squealed at the cold water, but it was all in good fun. Zero woke up and joined him. The heater to the pool had been on all night, and it was (with the sun's help) as warm as bathwater now. I stripped them down to pods and told them to swim. I was going to put Zero in a lifejacket, but he hurriedly jumped in and yelled, "UNCLE! Tee? Uncle, Sebbie dit!"

Zero was swimming. I was so proud of him. I had much to be proud of, considering that only a week ago, he'd been little more than a wild animal. Taking him to Collins, and letting him meet Sebbie and Henry, had been the best therapy in the world for him.

But what of Cory?

I pondered it while the boys swam and splashed and I made soup. Bill Higgs was going to come home from work, off another double shift, to find his only son – his only family – wearing slave gear and being the property of a cop that had probably once written him a speeding ticket. I wondered if Zero had transferred enough CR's for Bill to buy Cory back?

But would Cory let him?

That was the question.

I knew years ago that Cory was submissive. He was a sweet little kid. Too sweet, if you asked me. Maybe that's why I always thought he was a little con artist. But no, it had been his fears of being sold off into slavery to cover his dad's debts that had made him that way. Or was it? He was always so willing to please. And when he'd met the boys, he'd donned their style of gear and gone right into it with them! It was frightening, how he blended right in. It was as if Cory had been born to be a slaveboy.

If he got the right master, that is.

I wondered what sorts of things that Mark had seen that had polarized him so? He'd been so passionate in explaining to me what 'mean' was. I thought of his tirade at Cory, his test. I had thought that to be mean. But no, that was a kindness. It was something that had to be done, a test that Cory had to pass.

And he had passed.

Of all his past life, all he'd thought to take with him when he'd surrendered himself to Mark was his old teddy bear.

A teddy bear, which right now, was held in the crook of Mark's arm as he napped on the sofa.

Cory and Mark and Zero hadn't seen one another all day long, since Mark had been out looking for clues all night long, and Zero was exhausted from his 'whatever he did to the computers'. Cory had lonely worked his cute little butt off in the yard all day, and now that I could see it, bare, yes it was cute! I wondered at the prize that had been hidden under his clothing all these years. I was aroused.

Uncle! Teddy told me his football [soccer] coach had sex with him! And he liked it!

I looked out the door as the meat was sautéing. No, Zero was far, far away from that yet. He might have a plug, and seem to like it, but he was a long way from full-blown sex with me. I sighed.

I went back to slicing vegetables, discarding the bad tips and spots for Sebbie's rabbits, and thought back to my plan. How had Zero done it? I'd never gotten the chance to tell him of the idea I'd formulated about him hacking into the Slave Database and making Cory appear to be Mark's new slaveboy. Had he come up with it on his own? Hell, I hadn't even been sure that I could make him comprehend it. Was he really that brilliant, even though he only showed that he was a mathematics whiz?

I looked up again. There was a white rabbit hopping across my lawn, nibbling clover! Feral rabbits were not white and so large.

Then it hit me -

"SEBBIE!" I gasped. Of course! The little snots had been together all evening long, cuddling, touching, and whispering. They'd been alone in the bath. They'd been making enough noise in the pool to cover their whispers. And Sebbie had cuddled up to Mark when he'd been scared. Scared? Sebbie? No… it had all been an act! How devious! I couldn't help but to laugh.

Poor Cory! Both Sebbie and I had been plotting to ensnare him.

What's the old saying? "You can't rape the willing"? I told myself that if anyone was willing to be a slaveboy, it certainly was Cory. It was impossible to miss the looks he gave Mark. And vice-versa. From the moment that Mark had grilled him about seeing anything odd around here, Cory had been his boy.

But how was Bill going to take it?

Actually, it didn't matter. There was nothing he could do, unless he had the money and Mark agreed to sell Cory back to him. And I didn't think that Mark would do that. He would probably judge Bill's character, based upon him getting himself into this mess to begin with, as an unfit parent.

But there was also the matter of the money. Where had Zero heisted 64 million CR? Surely someone was looking for his or her money by now?

Zero and Cory were swatting each other with pool noodles now, having a grand time. I smiled. I'd seen Cory's house. There was a TV, a loveseat, and one computer. That had been it. I wondered what was in Cory's bedroom? What did he have, that he'd chosen to leave behind for his new life? Did he have anything to leave behind?

"Only his father," I shrugged, as something grabbed my trouser cuff.

There was a large, brown, lop-eared bunny in my kitchen!

I drew in a breath to yell, but stopped. Why? I was clearly beaten. A week ago, I'd been a lonely, bored middle-aged man whose only child had left the nest for good. Now my nest had two slave boys in it, a cop on my sofa, and two (only two?) rabbits running around in it. And I was almost out of groceries again. Good God, but Zero could eat. I checked the time. I would let the boys swim. They'd sleep good tonight. I hoped.

How much more was Cory about to be put through tonight? Hell, how much more were we all going to be put through, since someone apparently wanted these two boys bad enough to try and kidnap them?

The phone rang. I thought it would be Marv, bitching about the answering machine calling him an 'asshole', but it wasn't.

"Hallo? Is dis Meester Jimisahhhhhn?" A heavily accented voice asked.

"Yes, how can I help you?" I inquired of what sounded like a very large, perhaps Jamaican black man.

"Dis is bein' Master Ralphie. Doc Collins sez to be callin' you! Me GPS seems to not find you sir."

"Collins?! Is something wrong?" I exclaimed. Was it Zero? Had he found something else?

"Nah, is all OK," this Ralph-person assured me. "Ah iz alzo da bah-bahhh." Did he say 'barber'? I listened harder. "Ah done Zero's hair. Master Collins say you haz new slaveboy what need tattoo right now?"

"What?!" I croaked. Was he coming to do Zero's mandatory chest tattoo? There was no way that Zero could handle that. I started to explain it to him, but he cut me off.

"Nah, nah, sir! I means da butt-tattoo for leetle Coreeeeey," He drawled. "Master say it imper-ah-tive to gets it done NOW! I drivin' over, but get lost."

His GPS couldn't find me? That was damn near impossible. It smacked over electronic tampering. It sounded like Zero's handiwork. "How do I know you're legitimate, sir?" I asked. After the two kidnapping incidents, I was taking no chances.

"Lemme talk to leetle Zero, sir," Ralph said, so I yelled for him.

Zero ran right in, dripping all over. I handed him the phone. "It's Master Ralphie," I told him, and he lit up at once. He started babbling at the phone, tugging at his braids to show me with his other hand. He was dancing on the spot, then fiddling with his gold earrings.

"Waff! Waff!" He literally cheered. Well, that was proof enough. I gave Ralph directions, and he was there in ten minutes. He was dressed in a very loud floral shirt and green shorts, and he was huge. He filled the doorway with his body, and his booming voice and presence filled the room.

"Ah is havin' da orders here, sir," he declared, after Zero was done mauling all over him. He was now wet, too, but he didn't seem to mind. Cory just stood at the patio door, waiting, watching his feet, dripping. His brown hair was flat and in his face. He could use a trim, I thought.

Ralph also had his own slaveboy with him. He was a taller teen, naked except for shining copper looking gear, with a very small pod. He was also tattooed here and there, and bald, carrying a doctor's black bag.

All the ruckus had awakened Mark, and he greeted Ralph with a hearty man-hug. He smiled at his boy, who smiled back and nodded. Mark read the data padd. "Seb's in a rush, isn't he, sending you over?" Mark asked. "A barber/tattoo housecall?"

"He say it were eee-mer-gincy," Ralph replied, "Special caze. He say to get Cory's butt tattoo righ' now, 'for someone contest him." Ralph looked up and pointed. "Iz dat wet boy him?"

"Cory, come here, boy," Mark held out his arm. Cory looked around quickly. I threw him a dishtowel. He was drying as best he could as he came up to them and bowed, hands behind his back. Mark lifted his chin and kissed him firmly. Cory's knees buckled. "Cory, you know the law about the barcode tattoo that goes on your butt, like the boys all have?"

"Yes, sir," Cory nodded. "I know. I'm ready, sir."

Ralph appraised him. "Might I?" He asked, and Mark nodded. Zero was fascinated as Ralph felt Cory all over, then began examining his butt cheeks as if he were purchasing a side of beef. "Yah, very goood," Ralph declared. "Need more light. Nice day, we do it outside?"

They promptly set up a table on the patio, and 'boy' began cleaning and sanitizing. He threw a cloth over the table and sprayed it with something. He spread the tools out, then cleaned them. Needles were in sealed bags, and he hooked up a portable autoclave unit. He spoke not a word as he worked, except to ask for a pillow. Zero fetched him one.

Cory just stood and watched, trembling. He knew it would hurt, I suppose, but he put on a brave face for his new master. The adoration was clear on that perfect face. He wanted to please Mark more than anything. I entertained a niggling doubt that it was just all because he was so starved for affection.

Master Ralphie, as he preferred to be addressed, then took the boy in his arms. He was so large that Cory looked like a baby, almost. He carried him to the table, and laid him out gently, his large hands moving over Cory's slightly tanned back. His arms and legs were darker, though, from working outside in the sun. I think they called it a "farmer's tan" once? Cory shivered, and giggled once.

"Do ah needs to straps you down, boy?" Ralphie asked him.

"No, sir! I promise I won't move, sir," Cory answered him solemnly.

"Dis will hurt," Ralphie warned him again. "If'n' you move, I has to begin again. You have scars and hurt long time, boy."

"Yes, sir."

He then pulled on gloves, took up his tools, and began. Mark knelt and held Cory's hands. Zero stood by him, just staring, standing as he'd seen Cory do.

When the tattoo needle first pierced Cory's creamy white cheek, he screamed. But only once. 'Boy' put a gag in his mouth for him to bite.

"Dat were jus' sah-leen, to test you. Ha ha! Massah gots you! Now we begins," Ralphie said, loading the special ink. He didn't tell Cory that it had a bit of mild anesthetic mixed in. Ralphie, it seemed, had a soft spot.

How such huge hands could do such delicate work, and so quickly, I don't know. Ralphie was indeed a master. He put a transfer sheet of some kind on Cory's butt, for a guideline, and then he began. The tattoo gun buzzed.

Cory never moved.

He moaned into his gag, but he did not move even a toe.

I tended to my cooking as Ralphie worked. I did not want to watch. I didn't want Zero to watch either, but he adamantly refused to move from his friend's side. I cooked slowly, for better flavor and texture. I was mixing the ingredients into the pot when 'Boy' came in. "Master Ralphie requests a glass of water, good Master," he said in a very high and childish voice. "He half done."

"Tomato sauce, up there, please?" I pointed to the cabinet behind him. He reached up for a large can, his arm looking like some stretchable superhero's. Remember 'Plastic Man'?

"Taste that," I told him, offering a spoonful of soup. He looked confused, but did it.

"Blahnd," he drawled. "Need hot peppers, sir!"

I got him that glass of water. He smiled and nodded, and left. I found a hot pepper to toss in. He was, I had to confess, so very exotic with that bald head and those colorful tattoos in vivid ink on black skin. I wondered if he'd been castrated early on? His limbs were so long, and his voice high for one of his height.

The soup was done by the time Master Ralphie finished with Cory. I threw in a generous amount of coconut flour, added more water, and turned it into a hearty stew. There would be enough for all of us. I picked out a strong white wine and found a package of gluten free rolls.

"Uncle?" Zero tugged on my shirttail. There were tears in his eyes, but he was still smiling. "Koh-wee ah'dun!" More new words. I hugged him. "Zee-whoa?" He then asked, pointing.

"No, baby, not now, not for you," I told him. "You have a barcode already."

"Zee-whoa wat dat, eer," he pointed at his bicep. He pointed out the doorway. "Taj? Peees?" He whined. Was he asking if he could get a 'fun' tattoo?

"No, it's dinner time."

"Eeet!" Zero crowed, clapping his hands. I hoped he'd forget the tattoo idea.

When I again saw Cory, Ralphie was just putting a gauze patch on his butt cheek, but he hadn't cut his hair. "Tahj, you be cleanin' up now," Ralphie ordered him. So that was his name. He helped Cory up. Then it hit me. Tahj had tattoos on his biceps. Zero thought the older boy was cool. Here we go…

Uncle, just one? Please? Teddy's getting a cool tattoo!

"Be quiet," I told that ghostly little voice, that hadn't been speaking so much the past few days. I made a mental note to call Peter.

Cory stood and looked at his feet, hands behind his back. He was still gagged, and his face was red with tearstains. He was panting. Mark bent down and removed his gag. Cory sucked in a breath, and let out one choked sob. "I'm sorry, Master, I tried not to cry." Whether his knees gave way from exhaustion or shame, I don't know. Mark caught him up and held him on his hip, wary of his wound. He kissed away his tears then brought him to the sink to clean his face.

"No, my boy, you were perfect," Mark assured him. "You know you're a real slaveboy now, Pinocchio? Master Ralphie scanned your tattoo in. You're all registered, just like Sebbie, Henry, and Zero. I am so proud of you. You were very brave!"

Cory just cried into his new Master's shoulder, but when he looked up, he was smiling.

"We'll call 'em the rabbit gang," I sighed, as a red satin [breed] went hopping by the patio door. That was three. Soon there would be three hundred. "Master Ralphie, I would be honored if you and Tahj would join us for dinner?" I offered. He began to protest, but Zero got to him first.

"No!" He pointed at the door. Then he pointed at his hair. I almost fainted. We had to work on this 'no' issue.

Master Ralphie, however, howled in mirth. His laughter was deep, and he laughed with his whole person. His joy was contagious. "I lahhhhhve dis chile!" He said, grabbing Zero up. Zero kissed him, passionately and wetly, on the mouth. He sniffed him. "Leetle Zero haz been swimmin'!"

"My home is your home, sir," I offered, and the mountain of a man bowed back.

"Boys," Mark then said, "Prepare the table."

The boys jumped to it.

I insisted on serving. I had prepared the meal, and I was scared that someone would break a glass. Not good with barefoot boys in the room! I had them use my antique set of wooden bowls. Besides, I needed something to do, too. Cory's father would be there at eleven when his double shift was over. Five hours to go.

"Dis stew be mahhh-velouz!" Ralphie complimented me. Tahj stood behind him, and Zero behind me. Cory, of course, had NO desire to sit anywhere. He stood by Mark, seeing to his every need. He never touched his stew until Mark pushed his own bowl away. Mark offered him his wine glass. Cory looked shocked, but sipped it and made a face. The boys then ate, and cleared the table. Zero had even used a spoon. I was so proud, even though Cory had to help him at first.

With the mess cleared, and the sun still out, Mark ordered the boys outside to sunbathe. Ralphie kept Zero behind, examining his braids. His huge hands then did their magic again, deftly fixing his beads and braids as Zero sat still on his lap. He then requested a razor, and trimmed up Zero's nape and sides. "He zo booo-tifull," Ralphie caressed Zero's body. "Soon you do his chest marking, sir?"

I nodded. "I don't want to, but…"

"Ah kin put him to sleep," Ralphie assured me. "Zero be speh-shul, Ralphie know dis," he added, rolling the "R" exotically as he spoke. "He feel nah pains."

"Perhaps when you do Cory?" I asked. No, there would be no more payment in flesh tonight.

He nodded, then pulled a bottle of tonic from his bag.

"Dis fer Zero's hairs," he told me. "I tink you bring him to me each two weeks, no?"

Zero turned in his vast lap to face him. "Wuv-ooo, M-mah-terr Waff-ee," he tried so hard to say it. And of course, he kissed him again. I was getting jealous. Then Zero poked him in the groin! I nearly fainted.

Ralphie laughed again, booming laughter. "Nah, leetle one, you asks yo Massah first!"

I had no clue what Zero wanted to do, but I figured it involved sex. I nodded. If Zero wanted to do it as a 'thank you', I would let him. After all, there was nothing that said that Ralphie had to take special steps for his chest tattoo. He was going to do it out of kindness, and that was a blessing.

Zero took Ralphie's hand, so very much bigger than his, and led the man outside onto the lawn. He motioned for Tahj to come too. He showed them all around. He found a black rabbit nibbling at the daisy clump. (I was going to murder Dr. Collins, thank you very much! Yes, Hasenpfeffer was now on the menu!) Then Zero sat down in the grass, the warm evening light making him look more bronze and rich than before. I could see his African side then, and he was all the more beautiful for it. How could anyone have ever thought to just toss him aside like garbage? Zero patted the grass.

Ralphie sat down, motioning Tahj away. He'd removed his shoes at the door when he'd arrived, and Zero tugged at his brash, flowery shirt. He unbuttoned it, his fingers unsure, but the large man nodded at him. Zero undid his pants next, tugging them down slowly. I gasped.

Master Ralphie was indeed stereotypically huge! He was heavy, but muscled with only a bit of fat. His uncut penis rose up, slowly exposing the glans as it did. He wore a large golden PA ring, and another thick golden ring encircled his entire package. His scrotum was large, plump, and very full with a smaller golden ring pierced at the perineum.

He lay back in the grass, and Zero – naked but for his pod – straddled him. His whole body was about as long as Ralphie's legs. It was a perfect fit, his little feet against the tops of Ralphie's large ones. His mouth moved carefully over the swelling dark head of the artist's cock, his fingers exploring him gently.

"Ah, yes, leetle man, you do watt you wishes to do, no wan mekk you do it," Ralphie assured him, his enormous hands touching Zero's backside all over. I glanced over to see that Cory had fallen into a nap, which was a good thing, since he needed to stay up for his father's arrival. Tahj was just watching from the pool, a strange look in his eyes. I wondered if were because this was something that he could never experience – such a huge erection and that type of pleasure?

Zero kissed Ralphie's glans, and when he drew back, there was a string of precum connecting his lips to it. He giggled, his slim fingers still working, touching, feeling those enormous, potent balls such that he would never have himself.

I realized it then – no, Zero could never grow up into such a man. I would never have him castrated, but this was something that Zero would never be able to deal with, I somehow knew. Puberty and testosterone would be the end of him, surely. Something as beautiful and loving as Zero could not be contaminated with such things as the desires of intact men. It would ruin him.

It would be enough to let him explore his own budding desires, short of hurting himself, that is.

He then took the glans, impossibly, into his mouth. He couldn't get much of the shaft in, it was simply too large. He stroked the shaft with his fingers, his tongue, I knew from experience, teasing at the foreskin. Master Ralphie was in heaven.

He then reached for Zero's plug, touching the phalange with one thick finger. As Zero sucked him, Ralphie tenderly touched the plug and began to press on it. He would release it, and Zero would shudder. But the boy never stopped his own ministrations. He moaned and breathed hard through his nose. As he gave pleasure, so did he receive it in return.

It seemed timeless. I was caught up in the scene of the dark man making love with the lighter boy, my own arousal making me ache. I might have been able to pay the man with CR's for his future services, but Zero was paying him from his endless little heart. It was clear that my boy was doing this because he wanted to, because, as he would say, "wuv-ooo".

Ralphie made to stop him, as I could tell that he was near climax. Zero would not allow it, though. He held fast, and even as he shivered with his own impending orgasm, Ralphie filled his mouth with his copious seed. I saw Zero's throat move. He was swallowing it.

And I did something that I had not done since I was thirteen years old – I had a spontaneous ejaculation in my trousers!

"Now you come offa me," Ralphie said softly, his organ softening, and his hand still working Zero's plug. He pulled him up closer, covering Zero's mouth with his own. Zero went rigid, and a keening little wail escaped him into Ralphie's mouth. His mouth covered even Zero's nose, and they breathed as one. Perhaps they shared semen as well? I don't know, but they shared an orgasm. And perhaps more. Yes, I was jealous.

Zero convulsed, cried out again, went rigid, then limp.

In one graceful movement, Ralphie rose up from the grass with Zero pressed close to his naked, dark flesh as one body. He walked softly for one so large, and laid Zero out on a deck chair. Then he turned to me.

There were tears in his eyes.

"Massah Don, you is bein' a rich, rich man," he whispered. "Massah Ralphie be so very honored to do all leetle Zero's work, now an' for-evah! No one touch him but us."

He bowed.

"Tahj, you be rested? Massah give you hard time tonight, yes?" He called to his boy.

Tahj smiled at him and nodded. Apparently it was OK to share a master?

"You swim now, boy, I come in soon, too." He then asked for the bathroom, citing that he smelled of sweat and lawn, and I could have sworn I heard him weeping when I closed the door.

"My God, Don, what have you got there?" Mark asked, as he looked up from watching his Cory sleeping.

"A piece of priceless treasure someone else was going to toss," I mumbled.

Cory found out the hard way that chlorine stung his fresh tattoo, but Master Ralphie assured us it was good to kill germs. They swam and played until well after dark, the monstrous man acting like an overgrown child himself. He was infectious, and Mark and I had to join them. When they took their leave of us, he assured me that we would see one another again soon. I didn't know why, seeing as how Zero's hair was all fixed.

We settled in the living room, and the 10PM news droned on about problems with various nation-states and alliances bickering with one another. What else was new? I always watched the world news, and I don't know why I do. It's always depressing. More talk of Egypt, which couldn't decide if it wanted to be in the African Union or the Mid East Alliance.

"… and today, President Kabila of Africa cited insufficient funds for any military moves in Egypt, which sources rumor to be caused by problems with banking issues in Europe, but failed to elaborate. Asia Pacific has agreed to an advance payment for food…"

"We must think of our people first," Kabila was saying, as they cut to a feed of him. He wasn't black, as in almost blue as some Africans were. He was more of a deep, rich brown with thick black hair, his eyes hidden by mirrored sunglasses. He was not quite as dark as Ralphie. "Expansion into Israel and Gaza through Egypt is not an issue right now, as our limited revenues must be used to for the coming fertile harvest of the terraformed Sahara region, and transport up the Nile. Rest assured, if these are rebels who have somehow infiltrated our treasury, they will be found and they will be punished! We will recover the funds, as we will someday recover my…"

I perked up at that one. Surely the Swiss bankers hadn't made an error and lost President Kabila's money? Then I froze. I felt a chill. I looked over to Cory lying across Mark's lap, on his tummy, of course. Mark was stroking his back, and Cory looked like he was about to fall asleep again. So did Mark. I had a feeling that he was going to be very tired very soon.

Zero, however, was staring at the TV. His eyes were glazed, and his pupils wide for staring into such a bright source. His mouth was open, his tongue out like a middle lip, his brow furrowed in concentration. He then pointed at the TV. "Dat!" He gasped. "Uncle, dat!" He shook his finger, frustrated that he couldn't say what he wanted to. "Err dat aht, derrrrr?"

They cut to a commercial, a sexual aids ad.

"Where is that man at?" I asked. Zero nodded fast. I explained it to him, and then remembered that somewhere in that room of his was a lighted globe from when Nephew had been in school. I ran to get it, and showed Zero where Africa was. He stared at the globe, fascinated with it. He spun it. He found Africa again. He ran a finger all over the continent marked in orange, and I remembered when it had been very multicolored in various nations before the Grand Unification. The Brits hadn't liked that one, but oh well. Old Mr. Shaka Zulu would have been proud. Zero was pecking his finger on the Nile River, near the very southwestern border. "Dat, derrrrr," he declared.

"Zero, I don't know where he's at, I think he lives in the capitol city," I pointed down to what was once Kenya, at Nairobi.

"Kab-b-bi-bil-la-la," Zero stuttered. He took a deep breath. The TV shut down. Mark yelped as his phone tried to play every tone it had all at once. "KABILA!" Zero then said clearly. "Dat Kabila!"

"Yes, he's the President of Africa, Zero. That's his name. President Kanoro Kabila," I told him. "Why?" Zero was visibly upset by the news, and I had to wonder why. What had upset him so about it?

"What's wrong, Don?" Mark asked, nonplussed, as he was aware that electronics sometimes went mad around Zero. "Is Zero all right?"

"Dat, imm!" Zero pointed at the blank TV. I unplugged it and reset it. It came back on, but the news was now about a massive earthquake in Asia somewhere.

"Dat… man… KABILA!" Zero repeated, rubbing his forehead.

Mark flicked an eyebrow up. "The Swiss lost President Kabila's money, did they?"

"Mark, you don't think that…?" I paused.

He seemed to get my meaning. "Don, Swiss banking codes are ridiculously complex binary strings," Mark told me. "They're worse than the ones used here. Hell, it's every techno-geek's dream to get a security job with Euro Financial," he informed me. "A whole troop of digital Boy Scouts, per say, couldn't untie a Swiss bank knot. Know what I mean?"

I got the metaphor at once. The codes were complex. It was silly. There was no way a boy with a smartphone could possibly break into a Swiss bank account – was there? And besides, Kabila might have nearly bankrupted himself with social reforms, but 64 million was nothing compared to a national budget.

Then again, there was no way a boy with a laptop could hack the Slave Database and register a free boy as a brand new slave, was there?

I looked at Cory. I looked at the clock. The news was almost over. Cory's father would be there soon.

"Uncle, ow-wee," Zero rubbed his head. I got him a pill and rocked him for a bit.

Bill Higgs arrived just before eleven. It was obvious that he had to have been speeding, as we were about an hour out of the city. I knew that Bill had worked in construction, mainly infrastructure. That was one field that had suffered from a great loss in jobs to the institution of slavery, too. Why pay workers when slaves and prisoners could do it for free? Bill had seen his once lucrative business in consulting reduced to minimal due to computer modeling, and his workforce eliminated by the slave labor. He now consulted, and mainly supervised work gangs for much less than he'd made before.

We exchanged cursory greetings, then got right down to it. Cory stayed in the living room with Zero. "Officer, when is that Johnson fellow going to let me back into my house?" Bill asked.

I noticed it right away – something was wrong. My first question would have been a desperate "Where's Zero?" Not his.

Mark appraised him with a cop's eye. Bill wasn't tall. He was probably 5'5" tall [1.68 m] at best, and it was clear that he was exhausted and ill-tempered from his day. "And where's Cory?" It sounded like an afterthought. "I've got to drive back to the city, another hour, make arrangements for him…"

"He's in the living room with Zero," Mark told him.

"Who?"

"My boy," I supplied helpfully.

"Oh, you bought a slave, too?" Bill snorted. "You couldn't just get a dog?"

While I could understand Bill's dislike for slaves, I was offended. I didn't know him all that well, just the usual neighborly things, but I didn't like him now. "I didn't buy a slave, I rescued a child," I clarified it. "You, of all people, should appreciate the fact that it's not impossible – actually, somewhat common – for innocent boys to end up as slaves," I reminded him. Then I thought of something: How did Bill NOT know? Hadn't he been notified when Cory's social standing had changed? Hadn't he checked his bank account? There was no way he couldn't know, unless Zero had covered his tracks somehow? Was that even possible, given today's computers?"

Computers don't have a human brain behind them, either, like Zero, I told myself. Computers were just mindless drones, but Zero was… what?

More.

"Look, I know I got money problems," Bill defended himself, "But I wouldn't, if it weren't for the slave labor issue. I'd not be in such a mess, and… CORY?" He yelled.

"And you'd not be in danger of creditors taking Cory as payment at auction?" Mark interrupted him. He looked at me. "Bill, can I call you 'Bill'?"

"If I say 'no', am I under arrest?" Bill sniffed.

"No. I'm just really a nice guy with a thing for donuts," Mark joked, but Bill didn't laugh, "Seriously, Bill – when was the last time you looked at your bank account?"

"I'm overdrawn," Bill mumbled. "OK, so I'm in debt, all right? Lots of guys are! My goddamn wife left us, took half of the worth, I had to finance that, and it's all I can do to hold onto my house when I've got that payment and utilities and Cory, and … where is he, anyway? Your people told me someone tried to kidnap him!"

He'd just now realized that?

"Cory," Mark then said loudly.

"Dad!" Cory called, dashing into the room. Mark had dressed him in Zero's red hoodie, shorts, and had removed his chains. High socks hid his cuffs, and the hoodie hid his collar. Zero followed him in.

Cory hugged his father, but it wasn't a long hug. He didn't touch him, really, nor kiss him. Bill was clearly relieved to see him, but that was about it. I tried to blame it on his being tired.

"Oh, so that's your new toy," Bill glared at Zero. "How many jobs is he gonna kill when he grows up?"

"You have no idea, do you, Higgs?" Mark said, his voice lower now. He glanced at Zero.

"No," Zero shrugged, "Zee-whoa dit, Koh-wee," he added, holding out his hands.

"What is he babbling about?" Bill asked. "C'mon, Cory. You're fine, and I'm taking you home – cops or not! Did Mr. Jameson pay you yet?"

Pay him? Did he not even realize that Cory was wearing Zero's clothes? Clothes that had gone out of fashion twenty years ago?

"Excuse me?" Mark stopped him, holding up his tablet. "Don't you have a copy of this?"

"Copy of what?" Bill snapped, grabbing it, his eyes then going wide. He dropped Cory's hand.

"D-dad?" Cory asked in a very small voice. "We had to d-do it, Dad. There w-wasn't any other way.

Joyful Cory was now Frightened Cory. Mark saw it too.

"S-sixteen m-million?" Bill spluttered. "Where did I get that kind of money? Is this a joke?" But didn't he look relieved? No. He only looked annoyed.

"From me," Mark informed him. "For the sale of your son as a slave. Page two?" He suggested.

Page two was Cory's new slave dossier, complete with webcam photo from my laptop.

Bill just stared as Cory pulled off the hoodie. He was staring at the locked black leather collar and wrist cuffs. Then Cory pulled off his shorts to reveal his belt and removed the socks to show his ankle cuffs. He just stood there, naked except for his gear, but his head was held high. Zero moved to his side and grabbed his hand.

"WHAT'S THE MEANING OF ALL THIS SHIT?!" Bill shouted at us. "You can't just send the Storm Troopers in to grab my son and sell him without due process or my consent! Creditors have to file liens; it has to go up in front of a judge! It takes months!" He glared at Cory. "You get your stupid ass out of that getup, boy! This isn't funny, and if this is your idea of a joke, you're in for it! I work all day to try and keep you out of…"

"ENOUGH!" Mark shouted back at him. "Face it, Higgs! Anyone who can do fourth grade math would be able to see that you're in so deep that you'll never get back out before Cory turns forty! You lost him six months ago to the numbers, when you went to that bookie. Admit it! This is worse than a 30 year mortgage!"

"But you can't…" Bill began again.

This time, I cut him off. "No, Bill. Cory was going to be seized as an asset within those six months, right along with the house. We all know it; you just didn't want to face it. What Cory did, with some help from his friends, is make sure that he ended up with an owner that would be good to him, and not some pervert or sadist that would simply delight in hurting him and extracting every ounce of work they could from him!"

"You sold yourself, son?" Bill wondered.

Cory just nodded. "Yes, sir," he lied smoothly, and I figured that he didn't want anyone else to know about Zero. Smart boy. Neither did I.

"Where did you get that kind of money?" Bill asked Mark.

Mark shrugged. "I'm a corrupt cop," he snorted, making it clear that he thought very little of Cory's father. In fact, I was beginning to think less of him by the minute. The more his mouth ran, and the looks he was giving his son, were making it easy to do. Or did Mark know something else? What had his men found out from earlier?

"Cover up, boy," he snapped at Cory. "You're indecent. And put some clothes on that black kid, Jameson. It's rude!" When no one moved, he shouted again. "Go put your goddamn clothes on, Cory!"

"No, sir," Cory shook his head. "I don't wear clothes unless I'm told to. And I can't take orders from you anymore, either. I'm sorry, Dad. I have to do what he says," he nodded to Mark.

Bill's face was getting redder and redder. It was clear that he wasn't taking it well at all. But still, something else was wrong. He wasn't acting like a distraught father should. Not with what his family had been facing, that had just exploded in his face.

"HE – IS – MY – SON!" Bill shouted in Mark's face.

Cory wasn't taking it too well, either. It was clear that he loved his father, and that he needed him, but that he was also coming to the realization that he wasn't going to get that which he needed. Bill's view of slaves was very, very clear to us all.

And his actions just weren't right either. All he seemed to care about was taking Cory back to his hotel room in the city. Was his house damaged? Was his son all right? Was the criminal in custody? None of that, no…

"He is my slaveboy now," Mark answered him calmly. "And it's a good thing that he is. Shall I tell you what Doctor Collins thinks of him? He thinks he's malnourished," Mark began, but then he stopped. "If you'd just stop and see the logic of it, Higgs, you'd see that he's better off! He's got friends now. He's got a Master to look after him, instead of sitting at home alone day after day, or working for all the neighbors. He can have a first rate education, the best recreational facilities, and protection that no one else can give him."

"And all the dick he wants?" Bill snorted. "Slaves? Educated? HA! I work with the animals all day long. They're dumb as bricks! You expect me to be happy that my son's a faggot that sold himself to a pervert?"

Cory flinched.

"I would expect you to be happy that he saved your sorry ass from total financial ruin," I pointed out to Bill. "Or do you fancy a stay at a debtor's prison? Maybe you'd like to work on a gang that you supervise?"

Cory was crying again, and Zero was looking angry. He was making that face again that he'd made at Mark when he'd tested Cory. It frightened me.

"And protection?" Bill scoffed. "From what? Who's gonna protect him from YOU?! I know what you people do when you buy a boy!" He spat. "C'mon, Cory. This is over. Get away from that halfwit nigger and let's go!" He glared at Zero. Zero glared back.

"No, Dad, it's not over. Not for a long time, maybe never," Cory sniffled, now showing no respect toward his father at all. "I… I thought it'd be OK. Master Mark would let you see me any time, the bills would get paid, and no one would be after us. You'd have money, too, and keep your house, but I guess… that wasn't enough. We had it all worked out," Cory looked at Zero, who nodded at him. "Master Mark was even gonna move, too, down the way."

"Bill, he would have been on the auction block in six months, if that…" I tried to reason with him, but it was no use.

"NOW, Cory!" Bill repeated. "If you don't mind me, boy…"

"Cory, turn around, and show him," Mark then told him.

Cory did that, peeling off his bandage to reveal his black barcode tattoo. His father gasped.

"You had that disgusting thing put on MY BOY?!" He yelled. "You've ruined him! I'll sue you!"

"He is owned now, Higgs. Cory voluntarily entered this agreement. He is no longer your son," Mark reminded him yet again, "He could have been, had you just sat down and listened instead of going off on us. We would have made arrangements for custody and visits. In fact, you'd have been welcome in my home anytime. I'd hoped we'd be friends, because it would have meant a lot to Cory and made it easier. But you've lost that, just as you've lost everything else now." Mark shook his head. "Go and call your bookie, Higgs. Tell him to come collect the debts. I don't even want to try and talk you into working with us to bust the rest of them that were in on trying to kidnap Cory. It's clear that you don't care. I just hope that 16-mil is enough to pay them all off before they decide that you need to sleep with the fishes in the bay!"

"Th-they went through a lot, D-dad, for me," Cory tried one more time. I guess that a boy never really gives up on his daddy? Despite Bill's reaction, it was clear that Cory still loved him. "I… I'm safe now? We both are?"

"Don't you get it, man?" I had to add, "If Cory hadn't been here, after you left him alone last night, they'd have gotten him! Do you even want to see the police report about what they found on the guy who came for him?"

But that was it, wasn't it? Bill had left him home alone.

"Yes, why did you leave him alone, Bill? I've dealt with these kinds of people before. They have a tendency to warn their victims that they're coming to collect, yet you did nothing to protect Cory?" Mark asked bluntly.

"I want my son," Bill snorted, ignoring him. "He and I are none of your concern. I'll thank you to take your CR's back, and get the fuck out of our lives!"

Zero then approached him, and Bill took a step back. "Tee!" Zero snapped, and the tablet buzzed. Page three was the police report.

My borrowed phone vibrated in my back pocket, but I ignored it.

"A specially made long range transport car, complete with thermal lining to fool scanners and oxygen and heat for the kidnapped boy," Mark explained, as Bill studied the report. "This is a professional racket you've fallen into owing money to, Bill. It's big time. I'm afraid that if you don't cooperate in this one, I'm going to have to book you for obstruction of justice. Kidnapping and selling free boys is a serious offense these days, what with the slave problem you pointed out?" Mark smiled darkly at him. "And the fact that they probably know that you're dealing with me? Looks like you sold their property out from under them? It's all over the Network by now that Cory is a new slave, and who owns him. Public data, remember? Your would-be boy snatcher is gonna be pretty pissed at you, Billy-boy! I wonder if you were really at work last night?"

I heard Cory gasp.

"I owed money to a bookie, all right? Gambling is legal!" Bill retorted, but he was looking desperate now, not just angry. His eyes were darting.

"But trafficking free white boys isn't!" Mark snapped back at him, "You're an accessory after the fact! WHERE were they going to take Cory?"

"STOP IT!" Cory screamed, now openly crying. "Why'd you have to fuck it up, Dad?! You fuck everything up! EVERYTHING! First mom left, then you started gambling, then you left me!" He was still yelling, his voice getting hoarse. "You think I like working yards? You think I like eating garbage?"

We all looked sharply at Cory, who had now bowed his head.

The storm had passed. The secret was out.

Cory had been taking care of himself, working and scavenging.

"I'm not stupid, Dad," He whimpered. "And I'm not a poker chip. You just gambled me, didn't you? You knew they'd take me?" He bobbled his head. "'Oh, I'll win next time?' You ALWAYS say that!" He swallowed hard. "How much were you gonna get back when they sold me? Or did that man last night win ME in a card game?"

"How dare you?" Bill breathed, and he moved towards Cory, his hand raised.

But for as fast as Mark was, Zero was faster.

Zero brought his right arm up hard, slamming the weighted metal cuff into Bill's head from the side. When his head went down, Zero brought his left cuff up hard into Bill's chin. His head snapped back, he swayed, then went down. Zero fell on his chest, and with a sharp open-palm jab to Bill's face, shattered his nose. Blood flew.

"Dat f'ah'Koh-wee," He sniffed, nodding. "Sebbie," he added.

It figures that that was where he'd learned it.

Mark hauled Bill up. "Last chance," he offered. "It's not too late to save this, and I'm about to play 'bad cop'."

"Yeah, it is, Master," Cory interjected. "It's over."

He'd said it. He'd said it in front of his father. Up until now, it had always been 'sir'.

Have you ever seen love die? I mean, literally? Have you ever seen the look on a child's face change at the moment when he finds out something so terrible about someone that he cares so deeply about? It was like Cory had said – he wasn't stupid, and he'd just added it all up.

The love fell right off of his face.

Had it been made of glass, it would have shattered.

"Cory, take Zero and wash him up," Mark ordered.

"Yes, Master!" Cory snapped, taking Zero's hand. "Goodbye, Mr. Higgs," he added sharply. "Have a nice life, sir!" He spat the last word.

"You're going to pay for this!" Bill threatened me nasally, holding his bleeding nose, as he backed towards the door. "That slave attacked me!"

"You want your copy of the bill of sale?" Mark smiled at him. "Or are you going to take us up, since we're making you an offer that you can't refuse? Best get ready to transfer some CR's to the guy who won Cory last night?" He smirked. "Oh, and the law clearly states that a slave has every right to defend himself in his home. And you were attempting to steal his friend's property. I'm afraid the law will be on Zero's side in this one, but go head and make an ever bigger fool of yourself."

"You can have the little faggot!" Bill retorted, "And yeah, you were right, smart guy! You cops always are, aren't you?"

"You're dismissed, Higgs. Go home. We're done here," Mark sneered at him.

He slammed the door on his way out.

The computer lit up.

"Reviewing bill of sale, slaveboy Cory Andrew Clemens, age 12. Change of surname, confirmed. Sex, male. Race, Caucasian. Date of sale, today. Custody transfer from Higgs, William, account balance, ZERO…" the computer paused.

I gasped and grabbed my phone. My bank had emailed me. I had another +16 million CR from one "Bill Higgs". I turned to see Zero at the sink with Cory. He was staring at my laptop, left on and forgotten on the kitchen table. 1' and 0's streamed all across the screen. He seemed unaware that Cory was washing his bloodied hands for him. His pupils were dilated again. The he slumped.

"Uncle, bett," Zero whimpered, and we sent the exhausted boys upstairs. It had been a big day. Once they were cleaned up and tucked in, Mark and I went outside and sat on the front step to talk.

"You figured it out?" I asked him.

"The clues were all there. Cory's a smart kid; I think he saw it coming," Mark sighed. "Well, now we know why Doc was so upset with Cory's first enema, huh?"

"I always thought it was Mrs. Perkins's cats getting into my trash," I shook my head.

Bill Higgs then reemerged from his house, pausing to make an obscene gesture at us, and got into his car. He was waving his free hand around, talking on his phone the whole time. We could hear him shout, "WHAT?!" as he looked closer at the phone.

When he started the motor and dropped it into reverse, the car exploded.

"Tha's unfortunate," Mark muttered.

As I was low on food, I did a web search to find slave-friendly eateries for breakfast that morning. It was, when I thought about it, a special weekend. Not only was it Zero's one-week anniversary, but it was also the first real full day of Cory's enslavement with his borrowed gear and barcode tattoo. He was going to see firsthand what life was like for a slaveboy outside of a home environment.

I hoped it would go well. Or at least, better than Zero's had.

We were up at the usual time. The boys had only had about 8 hours of rest, but it was the best we could do. We got them cleaned up and ready. Zero sort of outshone Cory in contrast of gear, and I was surprised to see him asking to switch with Cory. Well, he was babbling and gesturing, but I got the point.

"I think we should buy Cory his very own gear," Mark smiled at him, tussling his hair, "And maybe some other surprises?"

"You don't have to do that, Master," Cory said softly, but he was grinning. He got his first surprise of the day when Mark took him in his arms and kissed him. It was tentative at first, surprising the boy, and Cory finally returned it. It moved from a simple father/son type kiss to much more, quickly. I guess he'd decided that he liked it. Zero was affectionate, as always, but when Mark and Cory didn't come up for air, I cleared my throat loudly and suggested we get ready. Cory looked pretty surprised when Mark put him down.

I wondered just how he'd react to the rest of his surprises that day?

I armed the security system when we left the house, making sure I had Dr. Collins' spare phone with me. Mark made some calls to the police station, but if he was on to anything, he didn't say. I was still called off work as ill, and I hoped that Marv didn't see me! Then again, if he did – screw him. I had millions of CR's now, and/or I might be in jail soon! It didn't matter if I got fired at this point.

"So instead of hiding, we're going out?" I asked Mark.

"Hiding in plain sight," Mark explained. "I doubt anyone will try anything again in public, but I hope they do!"

We stopped at a small restaurant in the little town about halfway between home and the city proper. It wasn't too crowded, but I saw Cory gulp as he got out of the car, naked except for his gear and flip-flops to keep his feet clean. We were greeted by a sign on the door that read "SLAVES WELCOME – AND THEIR MONEY TOO!" I guess the proprietor felt that a slave's CR was just as good as any? Zero held Cory's hand as we walked in, and he jumped when the scanner at the door got his butt tattoo. Of course, Mark almost forgot and had to uncover it. Then the scanner exploded in a puff of smoke. I don't blame that on Zero at all, no… surely not. "I can fix that?" I offered lamely.

"Damn things," our waitress waved it off. She was a bit on the old side and perhaps a bit deaf as she greeted us loudly. "Table for four?" She looked at the boys. "Well, ain't they cute? You rent 'em out to do dishes?" She smiled, pinching Zero's cheek.

A week ago, he'd have gone nuts. I wouldn't even have brought him. This time, he blushed and hid behind me, grinning. Cory was staying close to Mark, holding his hand. The other patrons glanced up at us, but went back to their business almost at once.

"See? Nothing to worry about," Mark assured him.

"I don't carry slave loaves," our waitress warned us. "They either eat real food, or ya'll can leave," she informed us. "The boys are welcome on the breakfast buffet, too. Of course, you Masters know you have to get their food for them. Some people get upset, but yet they'll go somewhere else and be served by a slave?" Then she recognized Mark without his uniform or sunglasses. "You finally got one, Honey!" She congratulated him, "I didn't know you in plain clothes, Clem!" She looked at Cory again. "You're one lucky little boy, Mister!" She added, pinching his cheek too.

Cory blushed. "Thank you, Miss."

"Oh, and ain't he the little charmer? 'Miss'?" She laughed.

"'Clem'?" I had to ask.

"I'm a regular," Mark fumbled. "Stop in a lot. Small town, you know?"

"I see! Four," I smiled at her, "And you may want to charge double for this one," I pointed at Zero.

"That cute little thing?" She smiled. Boy, was she in for a surprise. We were, however, seated in the 'Slave Section'.

I got Zero's plate first. I saw that Cory had moved towards the back corner of our table, looking around nervously. That, and he was sitting and he was sore. I suppose that being naked in public for the first time was a bit difficult. However, he didn't have to get up to get his own food, so he was all right. Once he saw Zero eating, and Mark told him to go ahead, he ate. Boy, did he eat.

"Funny I thought that slaves served us," Mark joked.

They lost money when the boys were done. I still don't know where it all went. Then again, Zero had clearly been starved, and Cory had been eating garbage for who knew how long. It almost made me lose my appetite, but I was happy to see them eating. I just made sure they chose items that fit with Dr. Collins' diet plan, namely no gluten-containing breads and lots of protein.

"Last time I eat here," some man mumbled on the way out, shooting us a dirty look.

"Pardon me," Mark excused himself, catching the man at the door. He didn't say much. He simply showed him his badge, and made a note of his car's plate number. "Have a nice drive home," he said in parting. (We would find out later that night when Mark got an email saying that the driver had been ticketed for speeding, reckless driving, a broken tail light, resisting arrest, and assaulting an officer.) OK, the guy deserved it. And Cory had just gotten his first lesson in prejudice.

We met another family coming in as we were going out. Cory politely held the door for them without being asked, and the lady patted his head. Their teenage son lingered. "Mister?" He asked Mark, "May I?" Mark nodded warily. "You should get him an ankle crossbar instead of a chain, that'd be really hot!"

"I'll think about it, thank you!" Mark smiled at him. "That boy thought you were hot," he told Cory, once we were in the car. Cory's face flamed. "You're a beautiful boy, Cory, don't you forget that," Mark told him. "You've even got teenage boys checking you out!"

"Yes, sir!" Cory smiled nervously at him.

"Pweee, Koh-wee!" Zero told him, and he leaned over and kissed his cheek as I got him belted in. So far, so good.

We decided to head on into town for shopping, as the local convenience grocery store was simply too expensive. It was one those places you only shopped at if you realized that you were out of something that you had to have right now. The boys were quiet most of the way, except for the occasional squeak of excitement from Zero as he watched the landscape zooming by.

Grocery shopping was a bit of an adventure, but the boys didn't seem to mind being put in their 'body bags'. I was still disgusted by some of the people there. Our boys were clean. Many of the free kids weren't. Our checkout lady even remembered us, and Zero blushed again. He also added up the total, and caught an error in it.

"No," he piped up, pulling the bag of grapes from the counter and putting it back on the scanner. He was right. And I'd spent another ~500CR on food for the little professor. High protein diet or not, 25CR/Lb. [50CR/~1 kg] was a bit steep for meat. "He's so amazing!" She complimented him, "Must have been another item touching the scale! I'm so sorry!" Then she spied Cory. "Is this your friend? He's a cutie," she smiled at Cory. Mark nudged his ribs.

"Thank you, Miss," Cory blushed too, but didn't look up.

"Why are all the pretty little boys always slaves?" She sighed, as we sacked up and headed to the doors.

"No sign of pursuit," Mark informed me. I noticed that he and Zero had been glancing around nervously. Mark checked his dispatch tablet. "Odd, they just called in a surveillance camera system failure here," he looked at Zero, who was all innocent as he put the groceries in the car. "Well, should we head to Daddy's Boys for some gear and toys?" He asked.

"Huh?" Cory squeaked in alarm.

"You have to give Sebbie his spare work gear back," Mark reminded him, "And you need a real plug for that cute little butt of yours – not some tiny little enema nozzle. And maybe some other little items to torture you with?"

Zero laughed at him. "z'OK, Koh-wee, tee dat boy der!"

I wondered if Zero remembered Boy, the owner's son at the slavewear shoppe? And it was another sentence. Well, for Zero it was.

"Y-yes, sir," Cory nodded, fidgeting in his seat. "T-torture?"

"You'll love it, we'll find you a nice narrow teasing plug to make you horny," Mark warned him, leering at him in the rearview mirror. Maybe a harness with hooks, so you can hang from the ceiling?"

Cory looked as if he couldn't tell if Mark were joking or not. I didn't think he was.

We arrived at the store to find that it wasn't busy at all. In fact, we had the run of the place. The door chimed as Cory held it open. The burly bear of an owner came out to greet us at once with his boy, Boy, who was so reminiscent of Tahj. I wondered if they could be cousins? Or if Ralphie and this fellow were friends?

"Officer Clemens!" He greeted us. "You didn't?" He leered at Cory, who hid behind Mark. Mark dragged him back out.

"I did, Nick! And he's a bit shy. First day out," he said behind his hand to Nick. "Cory, don't hide from admirers."

"Yes, sir!"

Then he spied Zero. "I know you! My, but you're looking different now, Zero! And Mr. Smith?" He greeted me with a wink. "Handsome lad, now that he's cleaned up?"

I cleared my throat. "I guess the scanner gave me away?"

"You're the only man in town with a slave named 'Zero'," he informed me, but I have a lot of Smiths who shop here," He smiled. "It's all in good fun! Now, what can we do for you?" He offered his hand to Zero, who shook it. "Are you going to be OK this time?"

"Dahsss Koh-wee, dit diss," Zero pointed all around, nodding. Then he saw Boy and hugged him.

"You're looking very well, little sir," Boy hugged him back. "You chose very nice gear."

For what it cost, I thought, it should have been nice!

"I see that your boy here is probably needing some gear?" Nick wondered.

"Yes, he's borrowing some from a friend. We have CR's to blow, so Cory gets what he wants." Mark looked all around. Cory looked perplexed. "Consider it twelve years of missed birthdays, son," Mark kissed his cheek.

Nick snapped his fingers, and Boy began measuring Cory all over at once, moving him to the center of the room to a small dais. I wondered if they had shows or something? "He's an average size, Master Nick," Boy pointed out. "I think we should have plenty of gear in stock to fit him, or with minimal adjustments, sirs. Let's get his weight, too, so we can scale his gear for you." They did all that.

Cory just gazed around, stunned. He had no idea what to pick out, and neither did I. I figured that Boy and Zero would help him, so long as they stayed away from some of the more wicked looking items. There were dildoes that you could have played baseball [cricket] with as bats.

"Remember, Cory, you are the customer here," Nick told him, patting his unbandaged butt cheek after a nod from Mark. "You may ask questions of us, try things on, and just have a good time."

"Thank you, sir," Cory nodded mannerly. If he minded being touched, he didn't let on.

"Such a good boy," Nick praised him.

"Master, I dunno," Cory whined, after about five minutes of looking at basic gear kits. "What do you like?"

"You," Mark smiled at him, bending down to see things from his perspective. "'Boy' looks good in copper. Zero, in gold."

"But I'm white," Cory sniffed. "I don't even tan good. Wish I did, sir." Then he spied a chrome harness/belt combo. "Can I try that, Master?"

He did, and it fit. It came with matching cuffs that were quite wide, lined in red velvet. The collar with the setup was a high one, thicker than Zero's, and it integrated with the harness via two chrome rods that limited the tilt of the boy's head somewhat like a posture collar. But it was not so restrictive. The rods ran from shoulder arches to the collar and were adjustable. It also came with a set of bicep cuffs and short chains. The other 12" [30 cm] chains were shining chrome as well. I had to admit, it was erotic, seeing all those reflections on Cory's gear once Boy got him into it. He certainly looked shaky, too. I was sure he was aroused, and helpless to relieve it. Zero was stunned. He couldn't even babble. Cory was a vision in heavy metal.

Even the small chastity pod was like a mirror, and Mark picked out a set of four plain starter plugs made of soft rubber. "No one can see it anyhow," He justified it. The smallest plug was about double the size of Cory's little enema nozzle, though, and that was still giving him fits, I could see. Yes, Cory was going to be in for some rough days!

He read the package as Boy weighed and adjusted his ankle cuffs. "'Wear plug #1 for one week, then move up to #2, repeat for steps 3 and 4,'" Cory read. "'For the new slaveboy, no anal intercourse should be attempted until the boy can comfortably take plug #4 without pain.'" His eyes went wide. He gulped again. "'Suitable for ages 8 to 10?'" He wrinkled his nose. "These are for little kids!" He went back to reading the directions. "There's even a p-penis size guide matched by plug number, like if you're too big to fu-…" he blushed. "Well, you know?"

"I know," Mark sighed. "Cory, have you ever, you know… had anything… in there?" Mark seemed suddenly embarrassed. "Because if not, too large a plug could hurt you. That's why you train with plugs at first, because intercourse right off would hurt you."

"No, sir."

"Not even a thermometer?" Mark asked. Cory shook his head. "But you knew that slaveboys get… fucked… on a regular basis, when you volunteered?" He seemed stunned. Zero snorted, but kept browsing.

"Yes, sir. I… I like it when… people touch me." He glanced at me. "Master Don hugs me sometimes," he fumbled. "Dad never did," he finally admitted, hanging his head. "Sir, I miss Peter," He added dismally. So did I. I just hadn't realized how much. Cory must have felt like he'd lost his older brother, too.

"Cory, getting fucked is a lot more than just being touched," Mark reminded him. "You know how it all works? You know where Master's cock goes, and what happens?"

Cory nodded. "I… I watched some videos, Master," he replied. "I… I wanted to do it," he blushed so red that it was comical. "Good grief," Mark sighed. Nick laughed.

"He's gonna be a tight one," Nick nudged Mark.

I was watching Zero as he wandered about, but I saw that his eyes were busy. He was taking it all in, obviously remembering this 'Mr. Bridger' who had been here before when we had. No doubt he remembered the taser. So was Mark. He asked Nick about it as Boy was consulting with Cory on different external chastity device accoutrements to go with his gear and showing him to how to use chrome polish.

"Of course his ID was stolen," Nick informed us. "Never seen him before. That's why I sent all the records to you," he said to Mark. "We do for all new customers. You never know when you'll run across a stolen slaveboy, and I do like rewards!."

I glanced up sharply. "What about Zero?" I asked. "Did you turn him in, too?"

"Yes, sir," Nick agreed, "And funny thing is, Zero didn't exist, per say, until you brought him in here. 'Boy 000' and a sale date; that's all what came up, other than a description and the Clearing House seal. I can see that was wrong. He's certainly not retarded!"

I snorted. "Thanks," I muttered, as Zero picked up a small bottle of red oil. He uncorked it and sniffed it. He sneezed.

"NO!" He declared, putting it back. "That's hot pepper oil," Nick informed us. I was shocked. "Fuck a boy with that, using a condom, of course, and he'll burn for days!" He laughed. "Or you can make a killer chili with it!"

Boy shivered. Cory froze. "For first timers, I recommend the coconut oil based gels," Boy offered. "Very soothing, and we have some with added lidocaine, sirs."

"L-let's get that, then," Cory nodded, still reading up on his starter pack of plugs as Boy packaged up his new cuffs. "I'm not wearing it home, Master?" He asked Mark, confused.

"No, not yet," Mark smiled. "I thought we'd have a little party tomorrow night for you? Formally present you with your gear?"

"At Sebbie's?" I just knew it, but asked anyway.

"You're very perceptive, Don!" Mark exclaimed. "I've even called and invited Mason!"

The mysterious Mason I'd heard about, yes. I remembered that name. After meeting Henry, I was wondering… what the hell would we have next? A killer ginger, a blond eunuch, and now… ?

"SEBBIE!" Zero yelled, clapping his hands and dancing on the spot.

"That boy scares me," Nick shook his head seriously. "I think it's the eyes."

"Amen," I nodded, as Boy was getting Cory back into his plain borrowed gear.

"Sirs, would you like the add-on chrome back hooks for suspensions?" Boy asked. "They're only CR350 more?"

"S-sure," Cory stuttered, squirming in his pod and trying to get comfortable again. He seemed a bit embarrassed at being the center of attention, but he didn't seem to mind so many hands on him. "Master, is there a rod like that boy at the restaurant said to get?"

"Good boy!" Mark patted his back. "Now, we won't use this often, but," he held up a red ball gag. Cory nodded and Mark fitted it. Then he removed it. That was one thing I would not do, was gag Zero. He shook his head, but said nothing. Somehow, I got the feeling my little prince was doing more here than he let on.

By the time we were done, Cory had picked out a special massaging plug that was white and somewhat small with a hump to the curve of it. Boy called it a 'reward plug', which meant that when you had it in, you could flex your butt and sometimes even cause an internal orgasm. I was surprised to also see Cory pick out a soft blindfold, and also a lighter set of 'play gear' made of black patent leather with silver eyelets.

He also picked out a small padded bench and a bright green enema kit with an assortment of nozzles, and a restraint kit to fit a twin-sized bed. The kid was going all out. The last item Cory picked out was a hard rubber paddle. "For if I'm bad, Master," he offered, bowing his head. "Sometimes I screw up."

Zero snorted, but I ignored it. I couldn't imagine having to punish him. I didn't think I could do it.

"Good boy," Mark praised Cory, and Zero tallied up the damages at CR3,983.59. He was right, of course. Then Mark turned to Nick. "I would be honored if you and Boy could attend tomorrow night," he asked them. "I know it's short notice, but I just got Cory last night. It was sort of a spur of the moment sale!"

"How so?" Nick was intrigued. "I noticed you didn't have gear to send back. There wasn't an auction?"

"I… I volunteered, sir," Cory explained. "I… I wanted to go with Master Mark, sir."

"We'd love to come!" Nick agreed, smiling at Cory. "I'll call you later, Mark?"

Mark nodded.

Nick offered the boys complimentary candy. "No, takks, Oww-wee," Zero pointed at his tummy. He chose gum instead. Cory bashfully accepted a very small chocolate lollipop-cock. I explained that Zero had gotten sick on the last one. We all had a laugh, except for Zero, who looked mightily offended. "It's funny, now that's it over, Zero," I had to explain.

"No," was all he said, but it was all right again when I hugged him. He kissed Boy goodbye, and warily shook Nick's hand. He then carefully patted the thick hair on his belly. As I said, Nick was a bear. "No," Zero's nose twitched. He patted his own tummy. "No."

"You're not gonna grow up to be a hairy bear?" Nick teased him.

"No!" Zero reassured him.

"What about you, Cory?" Nick asked.

"I… I dunno, sir," Cory answered shyly, looking down at his still-hairless form.

"We'll talk about that later, Cory. Of course, when it does start to grow in, we'll have to wax it off. Slaveboys can't have body hair," Mark told him. Poor Cory. He was having a rough time of it! I think the whole ordeal was a real shock to his system. And why wouldn't it be? Being paraded around nearly naked, a slave now, and having all these men touching him? He seemed to be bearing up well, though. He looked like he loved the attention.

So we said our goodbyes, Zero hugged and kissed Boy again and finally let Nick hug him. He squealed and squirmed as Nick cuddled him and rubbed him with his beard and hair, but at least Zero didn't pee on him! I'd have just died…

Cory was a bit embarrassed, I could tell, but he smiled when Nick put him down. He was squirming again when Boy hugged him. "S'matter, little sir?" Boy asked.

"I can't get hard," Cory whined, tapping his pod.

"Oh, I haven't been allowed to or been able to for like five years, little sir," Boy nodded. "But the shots help."

"Huh?"

Nick nodded at him. "I get Testroxil shots, shrinks my junk up, but it wears off. Master Nick said he'd take me off of it if I started get all gawky and tall."

"Boy's dick hardly even pops out of him anymore," Nick grinned. "But, he won't need it for another five or six years, though." He sighed. "I guess they all have to grow up sometime."

I turned away. I looked at Zero.

Would he ever grow up, though? Would the Luprox shots that would trigger the eunuch-type growth effect help him, even if he were genetically a little person? And who were we to deny him his future manhood? Was it right to even make him wait, for the sake of being taller?

We pulled out and decided to head back home before all those groceries went bad. Mark kept checking, but no one was following us.

***

The boys put the groceries away when we got home, and we stripped them down to pods and exiled them to the pool. I saw right away that the rabbits had demolished several of my plants. I counted five this time. I was going to have words with Sebbie – and not just about the rabbits either. In effect, he was just as responsible for Cory being a slave as any of us. I was interested in hearing his story.

"So when does Cory get his gear?" I asked Mark.

"Tomorrow night, I think he deserves a special ceremony," Mark replied. "You should come and bring Zero. He loves the boys, you know. In fact, I have to insist. I can't very well leave you alone right now, and I can't book a guard for the evening."

"Who is this 'Mason'?" I asked.

"Friend of the family, so to speak. He's thirteen, good kid. Been a slave since he was seven. You'll like him," Mark assured me. Forgive me if I had my doubts. Then Mark remembered something, and called Cory back in.

"Let's put your starter plug in, son," he told him, and Cory gulped again. We went back out, as Cory was still quite wet. Mark took out the small nozzle, and examined it. Deeming him still clean enough, he unwrapped plug #1 and the small bottle of lubricant. "In case you didn't know it yet, son, your hot little butt is going to get a lot of attention now." Cory blushed yet again as he was ordered to bend over and grab his ankles. He did that, trembling, as Mark lubed him up.

He worked one finger in and out, and Cory whimpered. Mark was teasing him, just bumping his prostate, but not putting pressure on it. Then he got two fingers in, gently expanding them, working more gel up into Cory's hole. "Not this time, kiddo," Mark told him, and Cory sighed hard. "You'll be addicted to it soon enough!"

Then he slowly pressed the plug to Cory's anus. It wasn't any bigger than Zero's plug, but as Cory was so tight, it took a bit of work to get it into him. Mark kept telling him to relax. Zero came over and patted his back. "No… ak-ak-uh-dints," he managed. Did he mean 'no accidents'? Was he still remembering messing his pants that second day?

Cory squirmed and whimpered as the plug began opening him up. He did relax, finally, as the tip got in. Mark pressed gently, the phalange stretching him. Then it just popped in with a slight sucking sound. Cory stood up with a startled yelp. He clenched his jaw and eyes.

"Ow, ow ow!" He exclaimed, doing sort of a little dance on the spot. But no matter how he moved, the plug was still there, as he soon found out. He couldn't escape the sensations it was giving him. "Master, I'm gonna pee!" Cory whined.

"Over there," Mark pointed, and Cory ran for the paving stones where the grass was. He peed, but didn't look relieved.

"It feels hot!' Cory moaned, fidgeting.

"You get used to it, son," Mark reminded him, "And don't try to take it out." Then he picked him up carefully, cuddling him, and pressing the plug with his other hand. Cory squealed, whether in pleasure or pain, I wasn't sure.

"Don, I hate to impose, but I need to head to town. I have some loose ends I need to tie up before I take Cory home, and there's no sense in just dragging him around all day while I work. I'll have Johnson keep an eye on the place. Do you mind?" He put him down.

"Of course not," I told him. "Zero seems to have bonded with him, so it's all good."

"You have no idea," Mark smiled. "Thanks." He then took all of Cory's new things and put them in the bags of his bike. He got it outside and ready, then called Cory over and explained it to him.

"Uh, OK, sir," Cory agreed, still looking uncomfortable. His goodbye hug was a long one. I could tell he was going to be one of those with separation anxiety, which was odd, considering how his own father had neglected him. But yet Cory didn't even ask about him. As Mark turned to go, the adoration was obvious on his face. That worried me. I sent them back to swimming, oddly delighted in the funny looks on Cory's face as he tried to adapt to the somewhat larger plug.

Mark called later in the day, while the boys were in the process of making dinner. Of course, I wouldn't let them near the grill, but they could get the meats ready and clean the vegetables. He asked to talk to Cory, explaining that he wouldn't be home for dinner. He was very busy preparing a surprise for him – a big one.

"Be a good boy for Master Don, Cory," Mark told him. "Have him give you a small enema tonight, and make sure you take the meds that Dr. Collins left for you at bedtime." Then he told him he loved him. Yeah, I was listening over speakers. Mark had insisted upon it. He told him he loved him and how proud of him he was. Cory was embarrassed again. "Miss you, Master," he said in closing.

And so it was a quiet night. Cory couldn't sit still to save his life, bless his heart! That plug was making him crazy. No matter how he moved, it was there, reminding him of its presence and the fact that he was owned. I figured that it was also stimulating him, and if the boy was indeed gay and had wanted to try sex, then he was getting an excellent trial run. I didn't recall Zero making such a fuss, but then again, they said he'd been trained when I got him. Cory's was more like on the job training.

Once it was finally time for bed again, I was exhausted. Taking care of Zero was a full time job, but at least Cory was somewhat self-sufficient. He cringed at the idea of the liquid medications being infused into his rectum, then held in by the plug, but he accepted it. I had no idea what they were. Cory commented that the protein shake that he was to drink at bedtime tasted like bacon. He shared it with Zero. I politely declined.

Zero insisted that he sleep with him again, so I linked them together in Zero's bed. They were out in minutes.

I was back in the kitchen when I heard it. A klunk. Wood breaking? I carefully crept out the front door, making a show of sweeping the step, and glanced around. It was dark, but in the glow of the security lights, I could see something next door: the front door to Cory's old house had been kicked in. I called the police, but Johnson (wherever he'd been hiding) found no one.

***

"Master J., where is he?" Cory was whining, while waiting after lunch for his meal to digest before he could get back in the water. He was currently floating, naked except for his pod, on a pool raft with Zero and soaking up sun as per doctor's orders. He's also taken to calling me 'Master J.', which I thought was cute.

"Preparing a big surprise, remember?"

"Oh, yeah," Cory nodded.

"'Pwize!" Zero echoed me.

I looked at my phone again. It had been about a half hour since the last text from Officer Johnson, who was watching the house. He'd also advised me that while the Higgs house had been ransacked, nothing else had happened since we'd called in the initial break-in. Every vehicle that ran through the neighborhood so far was just that – a neighbor.

Mark returned about an hour before dinner in a cruiser. Cory was thrilled to see him, and after a happy greeting that involved a lot of touching and kissing, he told the boys to head to the bathroom. Once they were cleaned inside and out, Mark got Cory back into his borrowed gear and replugged. Cory squealed some, but he never once complained. I got Zero cleaned up, fixed his hair with Mr. Ralphie's tonic, and we shined up his gold gear.

"I feel like a bum, Master," Cory finally spoke up, pointing at Zero. "Where're we goin'?"

"It's a surprise," Mark reminded him, taking in the sight of a now-shining Zero. I was going to have to get him some lighter play gear, I thought. But like Cory, he never complained once.

The boys got their flip-flops, and we loaded up in the cruiser. It was the first time I'd ever been in one, actually. The boys were fascinated as Mark buckled them into the back seat. There were also eyelets built into the seats and floor to connect to their cuffs, and straps that went across their foreheads. They couldn't move a bit when Mark was done with them. I was waiting for Zero to explode, but he never did.

"ash noh'a'bett?" He asked.

"No, it's not a bed," I agreed. I was learning to speak 'Zero' pretty fluently. "It's to keep you safe back there."

"Uh huh," Cory snickered.

"You want a gag, there, smart guy?" Mark threatened him, but he was smiling.

"Yes, please!" Cory tried to squirm, but all he could do was wiggle his fingers and toes. So Mark gagged him with his red ball. Zero just stared at him, then he laughed.

"You asked for it," Mark told him, as we drove off.

"Ooo akd frit," Zero giggled.

Not quite an hour later, as Mark could get away with speeding, we arrived in town. After one turn, I knew where we were going. Apparently, the party at Sebbie's was all ready.

Zero was literally bouncing when he pushed the doorbell to get in. There was no greeting this time, but the door opened and we took the lift up. Zero pushed the floor button marked with a red sticker. We emerged onto the floor that I assumed was for physical therapy instead of the arboretum. Sebbie stepped out from behind the reception desk, and we gasped.

He was dressed in his best shining brushed-metal gear, complete with matching harness. His collar was high, and looked heavy. He was barefoot, as always, and instead of chains he wore 12" [30 cm] metal spreader bars. He walked deftly with them, however, his hands held apart in front of him. He also had thinner low-bicep and thigh cuffs, attached with ornamental chain too long to impede him. His hair was freshly trimmed and gelled, spiked and vividly orange. His freckles, it seemed, had been accentuated with makeup, and his lips shone blood red. His eyes were outlined in black eye liner, with light blue eye shadow, just a touch, and he was also wearing his clip-on septum ring. The rest, I knew, were real. He then turned, flexing his arm, to reveal a new tattoo on his upper left bicep – it was a black circle with a gothic 'S' in the center, outlined in deep red. His chrome body jewelry shone against his skin, attracting the eye. As he held up his hands in greeting, saying nothing, I saw the wide chrome rings on his index and middle fingers. Yes, Sebbie was dressed to kill.

It appeared that Master Ralphie had been busy today.

"My Master is pleased to welcome you to our home, my friends," Sebbie greeted with us with a low bow. I wondered what kept him from falling forward.

The boys didn't say a word. Well, Cory couldn't, but he looked thunderstruck. Zero bowed back. Then Cory did.

"We are honored to accept your gracious invitation, little Master Collins," Mark returned the formal greeting. I assumed he meant 'master' as in the legal – and not slave – prefix?

"This way, sirs," Sebbie said, leading us on past the doors to the Olympic sized swimming pool. I wondered at the reinforcements that must be in place to hold up that much water on such a high floor. We went down the corridor, turned, and down a ways again. We stopped at a set of double doors, where we met Henry.

Henry was dressed in the same heavy, shining gear, but it was dark; perhaps hematite. He was similarly made up, and on his bicep was a circled 'H', shining with a coating of healing gel. His blond hair had been freshly buzzed short, making him look almost bald. He wore bars instead of chains as well, and his little gold acorn had been replaced by a flat chrome shield that pressed his useless little penis back into his body and made him appear totally sexless. I found it arousing. I am sure that Mark did, too.

"Gentlemen, if you would please come with me, so that we may entertain you while you wait for the guest of honor to get ready?" Henry asked with a curt little bow. Henry stumbled a bit, but it was cute. I wondered if he'd be punished for that, because he looked anguished as he opened the door.

We went on in to what appeared to be a large hall for something as large as a wedding reception, or perhaps a graduation ceremony. The room was huge, and various older slaves in black work gear were finishing up the final touches on a long buffet. Tahj and Boy were there, wearing white chef caps, ordering them about. All of the working slaves were gagged, shaven, and chained. I wondered whose they were, but thought it rude to ask. Mark didn't seem surprised.

"Cory, if you will come with me, little sir," Sebbie ordered him, taking his hand. "Master Mark, if you would come with me for just a minute, too, please, sir?"

They did that. Mark would later tell me that Sebbie led them to a smaller dressing room of sorts. There, Sebbie relayed Doctor Collins' orders to remove Cory's gear and gag, leaving him naked – even his pod was removed – with Sebbie. His plug was removed, too, leaving him utterly empty and naked. Sebbie assured him that since they were under video surveillance, and that he himself would be 'severely' punished if Cory touched his genitals, that nothing was going to happen.

"Sebbie's getting Cory ready," Mark told me when he came back. "Having a little talk with him."

"Bit late to change his mind, isn't it?" I wondered.

"It's all a ceremony, Don," Mark told me, "Sort of a 'welcome to the family' thing for Cory."

"I see. 'Family'?" But Mark didn't explain.

Zero was sitting there next to me, taking it all in. He'd been doing so well without a diaper, and not having any meltdowns so far that I wasn't really worried. He was eyeing the buffet greedily, and waving at Tahj and Boy, who were trying to sneak him little greetings without being seen.

Collins and the others were nowhere to be seen, though.

"Don, I'll be blunt," Mark began, as Henry asked what we wanted to drink, then scampered, taking Zero with him. "Why the hell did you buy Zero?"

"Where's he going?" I asked, startled.

"With Henry," Mark replied shortly, his tone hard, "I asked you a question, Don?"

I was taken aback. "I… they were going to send him to a pharma lab, or just put him down like a stray dog," I fumbled, "What's that got to do with your party tonight?"

Mark nodded. "Logical. Compassionate. But why'd you even go to the auction to begin with? Morbid curiosity? Because you were lonely? Peter was gone? You could have just gotten a cat, you know. Someone like you probably should have."

"Excuse me?! What gives, Mark? And pardon me, but what business is it of yours?" He was looking at me like he was going to arrest me.

The boys brought our drinks and fled without a word.

"Zero's fine, don't worry. Oh, let's see – you bought a slave, cheap, no prior ownership experience; you've never even been to an auction before. Said slave is a defective, with a possible falsified dossier, which you didn't pursue. The slave also has a top secret, highly advanced self-replicating computer chip in his left-brain, and he can telepathically hack computers with it. He's got altered DNA, also defective, which hides certain traits. He's a Custom, meaning he was intentionally created in a lab, which is illegal, mostly, without proper authorization. And since no one registers Defectives, he could also be a failed illegal Clone. He's embezzled 64 million CR from someone, hacked several bank accounts, and registered a free boy into slavery without any consent or legal action. And, to top it all off, you treat him like the family pet instead of a real live slave. How's that for starters?"

"I… I thought you all were looking into this?" I stammered. Good God, how much trouble was I in? I had no idea that I was doing anything wrong.

"That's just it, Don, WE ARE. What are you doing? Cooking dinner? Watching your boy give Master Ralphie the god-damndest blowjob I've ever seen? Going shopping? Minding the pool?"

"I… I don't know! Just trying to watch Zero! What am I supposed to do?"

"That's the kicker, isn't it, Don? What are you supposed to be doing? How about this – you plan to quit your job and just stay in that house with Zero until he's of age? Then what? Sell him? What are you going to do when he's grown? What are you going to do in a couple years, when he hits puberty? Or are you going to block it? Are you even considering anything about how Zero will take care of himself someday, if you emancipate him? What if something happens to you? Hell, he doesn't even know his real name! Just for starters, then – what are you going to do Monday when you have to go back to work? Put him in a cage all day?"

"You can't leave Zero alone like that!" I protested.

"Exactly, and you can't take him to work, either," Mark countered. "So why'd you get him? A work slave? A sex toy? What?! Inquiring minds want to know, Don."

"As we said before," Collins spoke up, coming up behind us. He was dressed in a fine suit; very reminiscent of some of the men I'd seen at the auction. "Raising Zero isn't going to be like raising Peter was, and if you try it that way, you're in for a shock. You just can't take him to school, pick him up, take him to soccer [football], then go home and eat and do homework until it's time for bed. That doesn't work with a slaveboy."

"Why do you guys think I even want to treat him like a slave?" I asked. I still had no idea why they were attacking me.

"'cause he BE a slave, Don," Ralphie said, as he came over from checking the buffet steam table. "He be the most amazin' leeetle slave chile I ever see. Massah Ralphie haz seen Zeeero's hahrt, an' he have the hahrt of a slave." I started to object, but he cut me off. "We have dis party fer leetle Coreeey, yahhh, but we also have it fer Zero, an' you."

"Me?"

"You need a bit of direction, Don," Collins said, "Like Mark said, you should have gotten a cat. There's more to Zero than just trying to keep him happy."

"Peter turned out all right!" I protested.

"Zero iz nah Peter!" Ralphie pointed out, and he was right. Peter had been a top student. Zero could hardly talk. "But you don' see da needs ov da boy. All you see iz da needs of YOU! You does not see tha boy'z hahrt."

"No one is faulting you for saving him, Don," Collins went on quickly, before I could protest. "Any one of us would have done that if we'd been there. But honestly, I don't think you're cut out to be a Master. You don't have a firm enough hand, and you have a very Laissez-faire attitude with Zero. You also don't have a clue as to his needs. Add to that the fact that he can't articulate his needs, and there you have the problem. Hell, you didn't even know that the kid next door was taking care of himself and eating the neighborhood garbage because he was neglected!"

"Cory wasn't my kid!" I defended myself, "How the hell was I supposed to know?"

"Good God, man, Cory had red flags all over him," Mark cut back in, and I supposed he was right. I should have seen it. I was starting to feel sick.

"Zero isn't a trophy, Don. You don't just buy a slaveboy to take him out and show him off like a new car," Mark added, "You have to take care of him, and yes, you do a good job of that. But you have to train him, Don. You have to make sure he can be self-sufficient, and that he's educated and healthy. You want him to end up on a work gang for the rest of his life, if something goes wrong? You made any legal plans for custody of him yet, if you take ill or die?"

"No? It's only been a week!" I protested again.

"You should have had that in place when you got him," Collins snorted. "What did you have in place for Peter, then?"

I drew a blank.

"All that effort to get him back from the flesh peddlers that are child services, and you didn't have a safety net to keep him from going back in?" Mark was amazed, and frankly, looking back, so was I. It had been a foolish thing to do. "Are you seriously that oblivious, Don?"

"An' 'ow many times you has sex wit leeetle Zero?" Ralphie asked me.

I blushed. "Pardon me?"

"Sex, Don," Collins added, "Zero may be on Luprox, he may be a kid, and certainly a toddler academically and behaviorally, but he's at that age. Hugs and kisses are great, Don, but the boy has urges and needs. It's natural. Hell, Henry is a eunuch for Christ's sake, and he cries himself to sleep because his Master ordered him chastened for two weeks! Why do you think Zero kisses like he does? The boy loves to be loved, Don, and you're ignoring that!"

"I DO love Zero!" I retorted, and by now, I was getting angry.

"Yoo'v 'ad him but fer a week," Ralphie disagreed in that annoying drawl, "Kin you reeely say you loves 'im?"

"Sebbie loves his bunnies, too," Collins pointed out, "But they're pets. You're treating Zero like a pet, which granted, is better than some slaves have it. But like I said, if that's what you want to do, you should have gotten a cat or dog. You're totally unprepared for raising a slaveboy, and certainly a very special one like Zero. Right now, you're doing him more harm than good, Don. He needs attention and structure, rigid discipline to establish a routine, and he's not getting it."

I didn't know what to say. I felt like taking Zero and leaving. I could call a cab…

"Don't you dare accuse me of not loving that boy!" I snapped back. "You don't know the hell I went through when Peter's folks died! You weren't there to see Zero on that stage!"

"And you don't know what it's like to lose a child, either, Don," Mark said, more softly. "Which is what's going to happen if Zero gets sick. Think about it – SHC won't pay for slaves. I found that out with Jian. If he gets sick, you pay for it. To say nothing of your newfound wealth, when the owner comes looking for it."

"Which takes us back to square one," Collins supplied. "You have any idea what I could legally bill you for, for services on Zero by now? And with that thing in his brain? I'm putting my own arse in a sling here, Don. I am legally obligated to report this, and I have not! Zero's going to need constant attention, and at least weekly scans, Don." He paused, looking at Mark. "I busted my arse for Jian, and I'll do the same for Zero," he continued, "But know this, Don – Zero needs training. He needs a Master. And his current Master needs training, too. If you're not up to it, then you need to let him go – tonight. Either you crack the whip, figuratively, or you turn it in. Choice is yours."

"'cause none o'us is gon' stand by an' watch you mezz up Zeeero's life, any mo' dan it be," Ralphie added. "What if dem men comes back? What if dey grab Zero? Who stop dem? You?" He laughed. "Massah Mark not be der all da time an' protict yous!"

"He's a special child, Don," Mark cut in, "He needs to be trained to protect himself. He needs to learn to talk. He needs a lot of work, and he needs a lot of love, too."

"And I'm just dying to figure out where he came from," Collins sounded like he was almost attempting a joke. Then he looked hard at me. "This is big time, Don. You know that the chip in his head is the apex of computer engineering! It's a cyberneticist's wet dream! That's what you do, isn't it? Build new chips? Make new designs? Hell, Zero should be perfect for you, if you'd just open your eyes to what he needs!"

"So I should just fuck him, then?" I snapped at them. "Is that it?"

Mark shrugged. "If that's what he's trained for, and he wants to…"

"Which he clee-arr-ly do," Ralphie cut in.

"Don," Collins said, "I admit, I sort of took you and Zero in because I was curious. Very curious. It's my nature. That, and Sebbie was just taken with Zero. I admit, I indulge him. BUT, I also keep him on a very short leash. Literally."

"You built him to be your sex toy!" I accused him, "You told me as much!"

Collins shrugged. "I had every right. Sebbie was what I wanted. So why'd you buy Zero, Don?" He repeated.

I sat back down. My glass was empty.

"I felt sorry for him," I confessed. "And I was lonely."

They were silent for a while, until Tahj came over and announced that the buffet was ready and that guests would be arriving soon. I glanced up to see Henry and Zero at the door. Apparently, Henry had taken Zero and dolled him up a bit more. They looked like little S&M ushers at some bizarre wedding.

What the hell am I doing here? I wondered.

"Then for Zero's sake, man, let us help," Collins offered his hand.

NEXT PART