FYI: Santa Cruz Beach & Boardwalk was used for the 1980s filming location. Santa Cruz, during the 1970s, was nicknamed the “murder capitol of the world.”

PART ONE

“People are strange

When you’re a stranger…”

He wondered if Atlantic City was like this place. It had a boardwalk. But he’d never seen anything like Santa Carla. A small town on the California coast, with a beach, and cozy buildings. An amusement park with rides, what they called the boardwalk, a lot of shops and arcade games and places to eat. Right above the beach; all you had to do was walk down a few stairs to reach the sand. There was even a grandstand on the beach, facing the boardwalk, for concerts, and a nearby pier contained restaurants and more shops. People with boats or wanting to rent kayaks or fish off the pier, went there. For Michael, this was a long way from the Arizona desert.

This was Michael’s first night on the boardwalk, his first night in town. Moving from Phoenix with Mom, brother Sam, and Sam’s dog, Nanook, they’d arrived today, and hadn’t much to unpack from that short rental they were hauling. Only clothing and a few other things. No furniture; nothing like that. His brother’s comic book collection, of course. His own records and weights. Mostly, for him, his pride and joy was his motorcycle. He wouldn’t have left that behind. And it gave him mobility. Not that there appeared to be a lot of mobility needed for this town. It was small, odd, condensed. Not splayed out like Phoenix. A tourist attraction, but not for tourists. More as if people from surrounding areas came into town, to hang out at the boardwalk. Kind of a relaxed atmosphere, and he could see why his mother liked it. Hippie-land. Hippies would be happy here, and Mom was an ex-hippie, along with Dad. Blend in, even with the more conservative types, like himself. And Michael had never thought himself conservative before, but this relaxed environment, the sea air or something, made him feel he was standing out, but not in a good way.

And how much weed was growing around here anyway? You had a feeling everyone had a garden.

No jobs. He didn’t know how they were supposed to keep going, with no jobs. His mother needed to work, and so did he. He wasn’t a kid anymore. Already, he was wondering if he’d have to suggest to Mom he find a job further inland, maybe in San Jose, maybe even go to school there in September, though she’d said it was too far away, too dangerous to negotiate those hills on his bike. But Santa Carla didn’t seem to have much going for it, and he needed spending money; couldn’t be making do with handouts from his mom. San Jose wasn’t far away, and he was old enough. After he graduated, he’d probably be moving there anyway. He couldn’t be acting as babysitter for his thirteen-year-old brother all his life. Besides, Sam wasn’t that young anymore, and he was pretty clever, even if Michael loathed admitting it. He sometimes had to lecture himself: “He’s brighter than me. I’m just average in the brains department. He’ll be a multi-millionaire someday. I’ll be riding my bike between jobs.”

Meanwhile, it was the Emersons in Santa Carla.

Sam hadn’t been enthusiastic about moving here, either. They’d had a few long brother-to-brother talks about it even before packing. They weren’t going to be living with their dad, and Mom was even letting him out of child support payments, though both his sons were under-age. Their father didn’t have to pay their mom alimony, and with Mom not having a job, either, she couldn’t afford to be making rental payments. So the necessity had arisen that Mom bring them to California to live with their grandfather. Neither Michael nor Sam had ever been to California, and they barely knew their grandfather, who wasn’t interested in traveling, even if it meant going to Arizona to stay with his only family. “Well, your grandfather has his own life,” is how their Mom put it. To the brothers, that just meant their grandfather wasn’t interested enough.

“I don’t think Grandpa really wants us, Mike.” Sam had moaned a little, while they were taking stuff out of drawers, disposing of everything they could, as a couple of used furniture dealers were coming around to appraise the stuff.

“Well, Dad doesn’t want us either. We’ll just have to stick together.”

That was okay with Sam, because he was used to relying upon his big brother anyway.

“At least Mom’s great. We’ll be fine, you’ll see.”

And Sam, teary-eyed, nodded acceptance.

Sometimes Michael was reminded just how young his brother really was.

In recalling that conversation, from a week earlier, Michael was aware he was suffering from mild depression, but he was smart enough to know why: It was all about these strange faces, and new customs to be understood. He wasn’t sure how he’d fit in yet, that’s all. He’d been popular in Phoenix, someone who didn’t have to beg anyone to spend time with him. But he’d never been arrogant about it, he was sure. Okay, maybe a little arrogant. He wasn’t used to having to push himself, and here he was now, wondering what to do next, who to talk to, and who’d want to talk to him.

Why did everyone keep moving in groups, or pairs?

“Faces look ugly

When you’re alone…”

Like, there were some guys his age, or not much older, over there. Cool bikes. Powerful. Faster than his. His bike couldn’t keep up. His mom wouldn’t mind him making friends, but… He couldn’t keep up. But he was probably too straight-laced to interest them, anyway, too young: They were out of his league. He was curious, but with his own grandfather growing pot on the windowsill, Michael didn’t know what to make of anything.

It was bad enough he hadn’t seen any girl who didn’t appear to be half of a couple. Like that blonde over there, the clerk selling pop out of a box. She was pretty, and Michael was certain she’d given him a look, but then a guy walked up to her, and they were still talking, and it had been at least five minutes already.

One of the bikers had long dark hair. They weren’t noticing him, which was good news and bad, since Michael was scanning the party. Really white hair on another guy, swept to the back, straight to the shoulder. So white, the hair wouldn’t go dark in the water, Michael thought, wondering if it could be natural, while the guy was smoking a cigarette, the very image of ultra-cool – if Michael was to fall for that.

There were a couple of others, a couple of blonds, one with really long hair, kind of thin or stringy looking – or maybe it needed to be washed. Michael smirked, his mouth naturally pulling to the right.

They were dressed in layers, but it was both more casual and stylish than what he was wearing – he felt like a hick.

Everyone was wearing jackets, or nearly everyone on the boardwalk, so it was surprising these Californians wore more clothes here than in Phoenix, but that was desert territory. Here, it was about the ocean. Maybe when it got warmer, would be all those bikinis the Beach Boys kept singing about.

The one with long dark hair was staring at him, and that got white hair turning his way, too, so Michael quickly turned his head to glance at a window display.

Why wasn’t anyone talking to him? Nobody in the stores; nobody he was passing by. No one was friendly out here. Here he was, stuck in a foreign land. He’d have to make the best of it. Mom had enough problems without adding him to the list.

Finally turning his head, with the shock of white hair, David had known they were being watched, but that happened a lot, so he’d been in no hurry to survey the terrain. He wasn’t sensing danger. On the contrary, David knew he and the others were an eye-catching foursome, and that was all right. It meant they were familiar to the locals, and the locals were the ones they – usually – left alone.

It was the visitors they preyed upon. They were safe.

The locals didn’t bother staring at them, whether they disapproved or not.

So who was it? Someone had caught Dwayne’s attention, and David followed the companion’s gaze.

His sharp and pale blue eyes began searching the crowd lingering at the line of shops, and he noticed the sharply averted profile of someone standing alone, the longish dark hair, probably medium-brown; very wavy, shaggy, ending above broad shoulders. Whether this had been the guy checking them out, was worth betting on. Not that it mattered. But the boy looked to be about his own height and, though it was hard to tell through the loose clothing, perhaps the boy’s build was good as well. David couldn’t make out his features, though. It didn’t matter. He was only thinking about lunch. One hardy individual could feed the four of them.

He could feel the others scanning the crowd in general, while Dwayne was now talking to Marko, so David studied this possibility in peace.

Michael was feeling like an idiot. What was he doing looking at women’s swimsuits? He’d a right to be checking out the crowd. But he had the feeling white hair was still looking around, so it took a little defiance springing up, giving him the impetus to face the gang leader – to stare, if need be. After all, he had nothing to be ashamed of. He may feel he was out of their league, but, come on…

David would have sworn, the lights from all those windows were directing their combined beams to illuminate that extraordinary face. He was stunned. The boy, courageously facing him, had smooth soft-looking skin, strikingly rich blue eyes, perfect features, ill-defined cheekbones within a wide jaw, and – most important and incredible of all – the single most fantastic mouth David had ever seen. The lips, at first glance, were very full and seemingly even, but David had the idea – one he’d personally love to research – if he looked at that mouth, those luscious lips, often enough, eventually the lower one would assume even more tempting proportions; the guy just had to relax. Edible? David smirked. How to make that boy pucker up?

But the boy looked young, younger than he usually played games with.

No wonder Dwayne had been staring at him.

David’s distraction caught the others’ interest, especially Dwayne’s, as he returned to staring at the boy following his remarks with Marko. Dwayne knew he was the one who’d gotten David looking at the boy, while the other two merely followed their leader’s gaze, finding – without much effort – the person who was David’s focus. Though they – Marko and Paul – didn’t share the same curiosity in the newcomer, they had no trouble surmising their leader’s interest. It was true the boy was a looker, but lookers got tiresome, when they were human. Who knew if the boy was amusing? He was young, still a kid, after all.

So, could David be thinking of taking a human lover – again? It never worked out, David growing tired of the diversions soon enough, and the secrecy involved in maintaining a human dalliance... Human sex only, without the sublime sharing of blood, which the companions occasionally indulged in with each other, but never involving David, who kept himself aloof, as David was not intimate with anyone, really. Still the others knew, for David, this newcomer was definitely attractive enough to make it worthwhile. And it was intriguing how David and the one with wavy hair were keeping up a steady stream of silent communication. Something was definitely happening there.

That thought made the others ravenous.

David tossed the cigarette aside.

Michael was waiting, wondering at the reaction, the sensation of time standing still.

White hair was the leader, Michael knew that now. He felt the others were observing the by-play between the two of them. And, besides, white hair was too self-assured to be anything but the leader, and a nice-looking boy, his mom would have said, even with his thin pale beard and mustache. Or, maybe the guy had just stopped shaving for a few days? How much older than Michael was he? A few years or several? Suddenly, Michael felt very young, but he didn’t back off, or make a move of any kind.

So two sets of blue eyes were staring into each other, like animals issuing a challenge. But it was David who couldn’t prevent the delighted smile curving his lips or lighting his pale eyes, or the casual shy lowering of his head. No challenge at all. Nor could David hold back a pleased chuckle, as he was thinking, “You walked out of a dream, boy.” And it was safe. He knew the other – that lovely youth – was confused, perhaps defensively antagonistic. No matter the invitation of his beauty, the boy didn’t comprehend his attraction or the true purpose behind David’s regard. But the boy was recognizing David’s station by not avoiding or looking past him, and that meant he was smart; he had backbone. It meant the boy had an inner strength, and also – just maybe – an instinctive reaction to recognizing when he was under personal threat, regardless of how subtle. No matter the straight preppie costume, the boy – late teens? - wasn’t a pushover.

There wasn’t even a signal passed between any of the foursome, that Michael witnessed, but they all started their engines about the same time, blasting away, the two blonds taking the lead without a backward glance in his direction. Then it was the guy with dark hair, who was staring at him again, just as white hair was, only this time with a sober expression. At least white hair wasn’t laughing at him anymore as he finally sped off, assuming the rear.

Michael felt strange. What was that all about?

And where was his brother anyway? He’d probably have to haul him out of that comic book store he’d victoriously crashed.

Zooming away on his bike, David was preoccupied as well as triumphant.

“Women seem wicked

When you’re unwanted…”

Sam came upon his brother, out on the porch, in his shorts and a T-shirt, lifting weights. It was a good thing they’d arrived when they did, as Phoenix had cooled down while this place heated up.

He watched for a while, then said, “Mike,” to get his brother’s attention.

The elder brother was intent on working out his frustrations through exercise.

“Yeah?” But Michael wasn’t slowing down.

“I know you’ve got different things going on, but…”

Michael sat up, putting the weights down. “What?”

“I was just wondering,” Sam was stumbling over his words, “how old were you when you…”

“What? Oh. Why, you developing a complex or something?”

“That young?”

“No, listen, well, yeah, but… Everyone does it at their own time. Sometimes there are special circumstances.” Michael was remembering when he was that age, a young teen, and how easily bruised his ego was.

“What special circumstances did you have?”

“It’s just something that happened, Sammy. I was with someone, and that was it.”

“You were dating?”

“I was dating pretty young, but it wasn’t really dating, if you know what I mean.” Obviously, to Michael, Sam didn’t. “It was more about hanging out together, sometimes at her house, when her parents weren’t around. That’s all.”

But Sam was making another connection. “This is the first time you’ve been without a girl, isn’t it?”

That realization had already caused Michael some squirming, prior to leaving Phoenix. He hadn’t spoken of his disappointment – or fear – to his mother or brother about coming into a new territory. He knew it was all about status, and now he didn’t have any. Mom and Sam had their own problems. Sam had to start a new school, as well, and try to fit in there. Mom was trying to get two cents together.

“It’s okay, I’ll get by.”

“Sure you will. You’ll get another girl in no time. I was just wondering when I’d…”

“Be getting your first girl? I don’t know. That’s up to you.”

“Isn’t it up to them?”

“It’s not one-sided.”

“Well, let’s face it, I’m the brains of this outfit.”

Michael smiled. “It’s not about how you look. You remember when I was dating Cyndi Howell, and she wasn’t the best-looking girl in school? Hell, she wasn’t even the best-looking girl in class, but she was fun, you know? That’s important.”

“I remember you joking how Patricia Flores was after you. That made you feel good.”

“That’s because she was the best-looking girl in school. But she didn’t get me, either, because it’s not all about looks, okay? Besides, you’re a cute kid. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

The brothers shared smiles and understanding, then Michael returned to working out, but not for long, Sam distracting him again.

“Hey, Michael, you know it’s really strange around here, what Grandpa said and everything.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know, that stuff about if all the corpses buried around here stood up, we’d have a population problem.”

Michael smiled, remembering. “Oh, yeah. Well, it’s probably not that bad.”

“Yeah?” Sam was distracted now, about a confession he intended to make. “That comics store I found, there are a couple of guys my age in there, brothers.”

The weights stopped. “You made friends already?” Michael was a little put out, trying not to show it.

“Not exactly. I mean, they’re weird too.”

“Nobody’s perfect. So, who are they?”

“Their parents own the store.” With an embarrassed grimace, Sam admitted, “Edgar and Alan.”

Michael shared the expression. “I haven’t met anybody yet. Guess you’ll have to keep me company.”

“You’ll be the big man on campus as soon as school starts.”

“Maybe.” He was putting the weights away, out of sight in the enclosed area. The porch was well lit, he hadn’t had any problems. At least the weights were easing some of his stress.

“We can always go for more rides. There’s lots of hills around here.”

“Yeah.” Michael settled beside his brother, back against the wall. Phoenix was all flat-land. “Yeah, it’s great. There’s all sorts of stuff to check out. Wish I had a better bike, though.”

“What do you mean? Yours is great.”

“Thanks, but it’s not. I saw some great ones tonight, though. Mine’s okay for street driving, but it’s not really tough, you know, not powerful enough, not for all the dirt and hills around here. I can’t get a new one, not for a long time.”

“I thought you loved your bike.”

“I do.” But Michael was experiencing a twinge about it, as if he were intending to be disloyal.

“Not as much as before, huh?” When Michael didn’t say anything, Sam continued. “When you get your new one, you can give me this one, okay? I mean, it’s a good bike. I like it.”

“I’d probably trade it in.”

“Don’t do that.”

Michael saw his brother was serious. “Okay. I won’t. You get my bike. But I’m warning you,” he hugged his brother close by reining him in with an arm around his neck, “it’s going to be a long time before you get my bike. Years. Decades.” He was laughing now. “I haven’t got a job, remember? I need to be able to pay for it.”

“I know. But you can leave it to me, right?”

“Leave it to you? As in a Will?” Michael pulled away to study his brother’s face. Where did this provocation come from? “Are you and Mom keeping secrets from me?”

Sam realized he was making an idiot of himself. “It’s just what Grandpa said...”

“Is that all?”

“And those guys I met are saying the same thing, about how it’s dangerous around here. Like we have to play Sherlock Holmes or something.”

“What are you talking about?”

Sam was cringing now. “Well, they tried giving me a horror comic, as if it was really important, more important than the good stuff. This place is strange, Mike, I gotta tell ya. Maybe Santa Carla’s populated by aliens or something.”

“And now we’re all under a death sentence – or just me?”

“I’m sorry I said anything.”

Michael took pity on his brother, seeing the boy was turning red. “Look, Sam, a comic is just a comic, and everyone in town may be weird, I don’t know. But I don’t think there’s a serial killer out to get us, or monsters or whatever.”

Sam was growing to the theme. “Grandpa’s growing weed.”

“Right. Everyone in town may be on drugs, how do we know?”

“Yeah, okay, Mike, I’ll take it one day at a time. No assumptions, okay?”

“Okay.”

The brothers stood up, Sam grabbing at Michael’s stomach, so the teased elder chased his brother through the yard, their high energy revealed by shared laughter, until they slammed their way into the house. A few moments later, the porch light went out.

There was a flutter from the trees, and then David and his companions were aloft. There were several more hours to their day, and that was plenty of time.

For David and the others, the priority was food.

The four of them, David, Marko, Paul and Dwayne, had been keeping tabs on the couple, the healthy looking blonde chick and her monstrous loser of a boyfriend. They were fresh meat; the new target on the beach. David had been rebuffed in his previous humorous attempt at claiming her interest on the merry-go-round, but then David enjoyed the invitation to battle. His baiting had been deliberate. That couple, they were ripe for the picking, and ready for the bikers’ revenge.

Not David, nor had any of the rest of them, wanted her anyway.

The joy of subtlety was forgotten as they attacked the couple in their car, ripping the roof off the vehicle, lifting the kicking and screaming bodies into the air. Between the four of them, they bit their way into the bodies, staying aloft over the dark bay, and when they were finished, they let the remains fall into the sea, where the sharks would be sure to finish the job, or leave little enough for anyone to care.

Santa Carla was the perfect town.

The car was something else. But they’d long practice in eliminating that kind of evidence, as well.

“The car,” David reminded them, and they ceased their motionless altitude, gathering speed to carry them to shore. They’d push it over the cliff.

David had another mission for the coming night, now his appetite – for flesh – was appeased. There was that boy, the one whose flesh aroused him to quite different purposes, who inspired a hunger not easily assuaged, and unless that boy was a one-night-stand to the boardwalk, he was sure to be there again.

When the next evening came, Michael left off the pullover entirely, wearing a T-shirt, trying for a more relaxed look while checking his pocket money. He had a special purchase in mind, while he was in a more positive mood, ready to tackle anyone and anything.

Cruising the boardwalk, Michael spied yet another beautiful girl who was already attached to someone. He was beginning to think the only way he’d get himself a new girlfriend is if he set himself up as a romantic rival for one of these girls going steady. But that option didn’t appeal to him, possibly because he hadn’t seen anyone here who attracted him that much.

So he’d been moved to California, a fucking beach town, most people’s fantasy, but now he was a loser, he thought with a self-deprecating smile. He knew it was stupid, and likely temporary. Michael was determined to keep his spirits up. After all, this was a pretty wild place, offering all sorts of stuff he could take for granted, like sun and sand and games and all that went with it. It was relaxed here. But, on the other hand, to explain why he felt a loser, he hadn’t quite managed to fit in yet, though he did feel better than he had the previous night, when he was really just the new kid in town.

Sam, he knew, was also doing fine, not even complaining about Grandpa not having a TV.

This afternoon, arriving on the boardwalk, they’d first taken in the rides, having a great time until Sam got sick, and Michael was – truth to tell – a bit queasy himself. So they’d met up with Mom, and were now aimless, rides forgotten as they’d split up.

Too bad, but there wasn’t a concert tonight, as there had been on the beach last night. They’d taken in a few minutes of that. It was fun. Like attending a fair. But that was last night.

Hell, he’d spent more time examining that white haired biker than he had any of the women he’d come across. That was a sad thing. Of course, the guy did have a great bike. And maybe the guy didn’t mean trouble for laid-back types like himself. He, and guys his age, were out of the biker’s league, anyway. Beneath notice. He could smile about it now.

It was a mistake, of course, buying a leather jacket when he was low on cash, and he was losing interest in finding a job, yet his mother had yet to find one, this town not having a lot to offer, its being so small, so internally fueled. Not that Mom was quick to give up, eternal optimist she was. She was near the boardwalk tonight, searching out the stores for available opportunities, while he and Sam split up on the boardwalk, looking for fun. So his mother was obviously fitting in just fine, but he was still misplaced and intent on correcting that situation. He did feel better than the night before. This leather jacket was great for instilling confidence, and possibly an earring was next in store. Maybe the packaging would help him fit in. He’d noticed the biker wearing a prominent earring in his left ear, as well as the black pullover. Michael owned lots of pullovers, and the light T-shirt he was wearing now, would do. A new locale, he thought, meant an all-new image was in store. Even if he had to buy it.

He wondered how long it was going to take to find himself a new girl or to make friends, since he was accustomed to a pretty hectic social life. Or was he going to have to go to San Jose for a girlfriend as well as a job? Wow, when your parents got divorced, everything changed. At least they did when your geography shifted.

This place was fun, and he knew he was looking good, but Michael was at loose ends, so he wondered if his brother was up for going on any more rides. Or, if he got back early enough, he could always do another session on the weights. He was proud of his build. At least he shouldn’t be getting sand kicked in his face when he finally hit the beach. As soon as he got acclimatized, he’d be hitting the surf. Right now, it would be just too cold.

David and the others parked at one end of the strip, sauntering their way past the shops, and the arcade games, David on the hunt, but not for fresh kill. The others knew who their leader was searching for, and they were keeping an eye out as well.

David was growing tense, getting worried. When he was off the bike, he was clenching his fists encased in the usual leather gloves. They were nearly to the end of the strip. What if the boy wasn’t here? David should have taken him last night, no matter the risk. He shouldn’t have granted a reprieve. Taking things for granted was what a fool did.

Finally. Relief. David stopped in his tracks, thereby halting the others. Now, he could puff contentedly on his cig, staring at the boy standing a few yards away. His target was talking to the younger boy, strangely dressed, a little too chic to be believed. It seemed the beautiful boy functioned as babysitter for his kid brother. That raised the interesting issue of family. If they were too close, it could be too bad. If they weren’t, the bonds could be broken. Beauty was destined for a different brand of brotherhood.

By their gestures, it looked like they were discussing whether to go on a ride. By their expressions, neither was happy.

David would love to go on the tunnel of love with that one. But he wondered if the boy could be talked into the haunted house.

The brothers appeared to settle their debate, setting off towards the pier.

David and the others hung back, David not wanting to talk, not right now, with the kid around. He was a little disgruntled the beauty didn’t notice him as he passed by. So he and the others trailed behind, David straining to pick up a word or two of the conversation taking place up front.

Now the brothers appeared to be laughing.

Beauty – Michael – had a deep voice. He appreciated it.

Michael was wondering if he’d be crossing paths with the bikers every night he appeared on the boardwalk. He wasn’t looking forward to it.

Self-consciously, he came to his bike, his brother climbing on behind him. As he gunned the motor, he forced himself not to look back, to see if the bikers – especially that one who appeared to be the leader, that one with the white hair – were still watching him or if they’d only happened to be keeping pace behind him.

It was a grinning David who turned to his companions, noticing they also had reflective smiles on their faces. It was the bike the boy referred to last night, while he envied them theirs. Beauty might fit in just fine, without fine tuning. At least they had motorcycles in common. It was an excellent opener.

David wasn’t sure when he’d decided this wasn’t only about his intended being his romantic victim, the target of his seduction, for however long that was made to last, but possibly about an arrangement – a brotherhood – which would be of much more permanent duration.

You just never knew, when you got up in the evening, what was going to happen in your day.

But David didn’t confide his deeper plans to his companions. For one thing, he wasn’t completely decided. About the romance, yes. But about anything more permanent… He hadn’t tested the other’s metal. Just how tough was he? That sort of detail was important: It meant survival. And David’s respect. Besides, the others would know his real intentions towards the boy, when it was time, and not before. In the meantime, David mustn’t grow foolhardy, but would have to grab any chance he could.

As if an angel heard his request from on high, the kid forced David’s attention back to the brothers, as the boy was climbing off the bike to run into the comic book store owned by the Frog family.

“Sammy!” shouted David’s intended, but it was useless.

David grinned. The Frog boys were weird, in his opinion, but the boys usually stayed in the shop and out of his way. Still, it was an interesting development, if only because David now had a clear field. Since little Edgar and Alan were the kid’s (Sammy’s) friends, the boy could be a long time in that store.

Michael came off the bike as well, not wanting to leave it running. Maybe he’d go into the store himself, to look around.

Determinedly ignoring the blond biker, who he sensed was watching him again, Michael’s desperate attention was caught by someone selling pierced earrings. That was something he’d been thinking about. It looked like she did the piercing right there.

“Streets are uneven

When you’re down…”

Michael was concentrating on the preparation for a hole in someone’s earlobe, advertising without pain involved, when he heard, “You interested?” It was a strong male voice, firm, and he turned to find the white haired biker less than a foot away. He hadn’t heard him approach.

“I’m thinking about it.”

“It’s nice.”

Michael figured white hair meant an earring. Of course, Michael hadn’t even thought about an earring before seeing him.

“What you going for?”

Michael frowned.

“One hole, two, three?”

“I haven’t decided.” Forced into conversation, Michael was ill-prepared, his tone huskier than usual.

“Nice jacket, by the way. I’m David.” He held out his hand.

Carefully taking the offered hand while frowning at the glove, Michael was confused by the confrontation. “Michael.”

David was noticing the instinctive caution in the boy, and he was also appreciating the boy was even more beautiful up close. With most people, it was just the opposite. “Good, biblical names, huh?” David thought that lower lip was more appetizing than his fantasy, and Michael parted his lips often, which was even better. Michael was making it easy for him.

Deciding on his strategy, David grinned. Michael’s insubstantial years meant every attitude a boy took could be anticipated.

There was a grin on that small mouth, prominent in the narrow face, and Michael was disconcerted. He felt he was being challenged, but he didn’t know the game. The pale face opposite his seemed too striking combined with that straight white hair and solid black apparel. Too affected? The biker was just that; not a rock star. “You have a great bike.” The bikes seemed the safest, and possibly the only thing they had in common, and there was no use pretending they hadn’t previously checked each other out. Regardless of the biker being forthcoming now, Michael had the feeling there was a world of difference between his life and the other’s.

“You want to get your ear pierced, or go for a ride?”

“I’m waiting for my brother.”

“Let’s go for a ride.”

Michael was feeling he didn’t have a choice. But maybe this was what he was waiting for, the opportunity to connect with someone. “I’ll let Sam know.” He was hoping the other would get the message: A short ride, to cement the acquaintance, that’s it.

“Great. We have to get our bikes, anyway.”

Michael had nearly forgotten the others. But with a twinge of excitement, Michael watched as David rejoined his companions, and then the four walked off, presumably to get their bikes.

Michael entered the store and advised his brother on taking his time. “I’m going for a ride with some guys I met. I’ll be back.”

Sam was clearly distracted by his new acquaintances. “Okay, Mike.” There was a Superman comic in his hand.

“But if I’m not back in half-an-hour, go home with Mom, okay?” They both knew where to find her.

Sam was annoyed at his big brother’s sudden over-protectiveness. “No big deal, Mike.”

So his brother didn’t need him either. It should have been a relief. It seemed they were both being initiated into clubs. Comics and bikers. Life was looking up.

Michael was at his bike when he heard the others roar up.

“You know where Hudson’s Bluff is overlooking the Point?”

Barely. Michael was beginning to have second thoughts. “I can’t beat your bike.”

The light blue gaze hardened. “You don’t have to beat me, Michael. You just have to try and keep up. Let’s go.”

They were off, racing down the stairs, along the sand, and over the dunes.

Michael had better be following him. But David wouldn’t look back. Michael would rise to the challenge, or he wouldn’t.

And Michael did keep up, following his initial hesitancy. No contest, then.

There was no conversation, they were traveling too fast for that, but this is what Michael liked best; the speed and the wind slicing his hair, that cold wind purely invigorating. The others, too, he suspected felt the same way.

Michael grew concerned when he was parallel with David, racing beside the leader, with him and the bikes now enshrouded with fog. The extent of his view was only a few yards ahead, and he was growing agitated. David wasn’t slowing down, but the others had fallen behind. Why? To leave him riding parallel with David? Maybe this was a test after all.

If so, Michael failed the test, as he spun his bike out, dumping it, rather than risk going over whatever cliff was up ahead. The game of chicken, that’s what this had been.

Or had it?

David calmly turned his bike to a stop, seeing the end of ground through his night vision, and it was just a short distance from where Michael engineered his collapse by braking to a stop, turning his bike aside.

The others were slowly drawing near.

David was exhilarated. Michael had kept up, and either his instincts were superior, or he was slow to panic, because it had been nearly the point of no return when Michael had given up the race. Good. Of course, if Michael had gone over, the bike would have been lost, but David would have flown off his own, capturing the other before he’d descended too far. It would have meant revealing who and what he was sooner than appropriate, since Michael hadn’t been broken in yet, but Michael had never been in any danger.

Of course, Michael had no way of knowing that.

For Michael, all he noticed was the white haired biker had deliberately led him to this point, as if Michael had been expected to stop on a dime at the same moment as David, and that would have been taking too much for granted. Even in ditching the bike, Michael could have fallen off the cliff. So David may be comfortable risking his own life, but Michael didn’t like David risking his.

David was climbing off his bike, no longer smiling as he faced Michael.

“What the hell you doin’, huh!?” Michael lunged at the biker, striking a strong blow with his right fist. The others had run up behind him, making to grab him, but he was tense and he threw them off easily, and maybe there was something about David, and so they stayed back, as if it would be left to the two of them.

It surprised the others, David’s lack of instant revenge against Michael. It didn’t look as if their leader was teasing the boy, but it was possible David was playing a different game, since Michael was the object of their leader’s lust. But, it was weird, since they’d assumed the reason for bringing Michael out here was so he’d be completely at their mercy as David claimed him. But instead of leaping for Michael, devouring him sexually and any other way, David leaned against his bike, smiling at Michael, not at all vengeful, but looking upon him with pride, as Michael kept issuing the challenge, “Come on, just you!”

Formerly, this had always been the amusing part, when they would gleefully reveal their true nature, enjoying the victim’s comprehension and fear, and then the attack. That was the fun, and they were missing it now, because the timing was off, as David hadn’t even struck back. Instead, David was ignoring them, staring at Michael, as if transfixed. Certainly David should be tired of flirting with this one by now? Floor show over, it was time for possession.

There was something going on here, and the companions were confused.

“How far you willin’ to go, Michael?”

And it was quiet, as the companions wondered at the turn of events. What challenge did their leader have for Michael now?

Michael wondered the same.

With just a few words, they all got back on their bikes, David leading the way – at a more sedate pace, to prevent Michael’s turning even more volatile on him – to their lair, the resort hotel which had sunk into the fault line during the big San Francisco ‘quake. The entrance was on the surface, with posted notices of danger, but it was secure for them, and as exotic as they could wish for, representing the travesty of excess and the moral of decay.

As they were negotiating the threshold, Michael was pointing out, “I need to get my brother.” Michael hated mentioning any such thing, as it made him appear young, especially in comparison to these guys, who obviously functioned completely independently – except independently of each other. Did any of them have jobs, or were they criminals or what? Coming into town, he’d asked about work only to be told there was “nothing legal” available. Of course, the bikers could be awake twenty hours of the day, having day jobs, and hanging out on the boardwalk at night, for all Michael knew. The boardwalk was pretty much it, in this town.

But Sam was providing Michael a needed excuse. A time limit. A chance to break away. A reminder someone was waiting for him.

David put his arm around Michael, leading him deeper into their lair, as oil drums were lit by a torch, and then dozens of candles. Without electricity, this was the source of their abode’s illumination. It wasn’t a hardship, since they enjoyed the ambiance. “I thought you’d like an introduction to the place. You’re going to be around a lot.”

With their leader bringing the new one here, that was all they needed. The companions knew where David was going with this one.

“So check it out, Mikey!”

“That’s Paul,” the one with the long blond hair, “and Dwayne is over there. He won’t be talking much.” Dwayne was dark: hair, eyes, skin. There was one other, but his introduction to Michael was through David’s command of, “Marko, food.”

The best ice breaker was food. Besides, for what David had in mind, it was imperative.

David was wondering.... complete seduction or trickery? Since Michael picked off his arm as if it was distasteful, and barely accepted the offering of a toke – as if a matter of course – David opted for trickery. This one was too suspicious to take time with. Michael was like a pendulum, David sensed, swinging either way at the slightest provocation. Too high strung, that was his problem.

“You’ll like it here, Michael.” Not the less respectful Mikey, not from him.

David led him to a chair.

“So where you from, Michael?”

Michael was noticing how David’s chair was like a thrown, even if it was something shabby on wheels. There was a peculiar majesty about the setup. “Phoenix. My parents split up. We moved in with my grandfather.”

“A local?”

“Yeah.”

It was good news and bad. It confirmed his observations. Still, the decision wasn’t being left to Michael, so the family couldn’t intercede. “So how many years you got on this planet?”

“I’m seventeen.”

“You still in school?” This last, said with a smile.

Michael was thinking the leader smiled too much. “Another year.”

“Must be tough. I haven’t been to school in years.”

“I figured.”

And that was a statement you could take either way, David noted. Definitely not forthcoming, was Michael, as if he was only grudgingly present. Weird attitude. Still on the defensive, perhaps feeling too inexperienced? The almost monosyllabic replies meant Michael was trying to contain information. Why? Suspicious? Self-conscious of his age, when the others had years and experience on him? Still, David and the companions were casual and welcoming. Shouldn’t Michael be more relaxed by now?

The challenge race had, unfortunately, been a necessity, even if it had put Michael on the alert. And he’d accompanied them here. Michael passed with flying colors. Outnumbered, even, the boy hadn't backed down or turned tail and run. He’d been prepared to take on all four of them, if necessary.

But, since Michael was being difficult: “Still want your ear pierced? Marko can do it.”

“Not right now.” He hadn’t completely decided on it, for one thing, but even if he did go for it, he didn’t feel comfortable with David or one of the others doing it. Still, they all seemed to have great personal style; Michael couldn’t help being impressed.

“Maybe after dinner.”

David was striving to keep it mild. This one was too sensitive, maybe because David was too eager, rushing it. Or maybe it went with the looks or the youth. It was hard to remember those days he wanted protection, or needed it. In an odd way, though, he was feeling protective of this one. Was that in spite of Michael’s antagonism or because of it? Either way, Michael was going to be a lot of fun. There was an untamed quality about the boy.

As David was the one doing the talking, playing host and trying to put him at his ease, Michael was confused about his purpose for being here. He didn’t have anything to offer these guys. No money. His bike didn’t come close to equaling theirs. It didn’t figure him being in demand. Why did he buy that jacket he didn’t need? Had it been to impress these guys – David?

Michael realized he was stuck for awhile. It wasn’t late and Sam was having a good time with his friends. Still, there was something weird about this setup. He wasn’t sure he needed to make new friends this badly.

Why did David keep staring at him? To see how Michael fit in? The apparent acceptance was flattering if disconcerting. Had he misunderstood David’s interest all along, and the biker was just a good guy who meant no harm?

The others stayed out of the conversation, but commented sporadically on what David and Michael were saying, leaving Michael feeling the focus of attention. It was like he was on-stage, and it was uncomfortable, with everyone facing him, like watching a movie whose plot you couldn’t figure out.

Eventually the food arrived, and David coaxed Michael into accepting boiled rice from the box container. “Tell me, Michael, how can a billion Chinese people be wrong? Come on.” Then he suggested to Michael he was eating maggots. Michael was doubting his hearing, then he looked into the box and spat out the contents. Of course, on the dirt floor was boiled rice. But David laughed with the others. The victim’s extreme reaction was amusing. Quickly, however, David recollected himself. He wasn’t proud of what he was doing; found his own performance distasteful. Making Michael an object of ridicule was a necessity, however, if Michael was to be put in the right frame of mind. A shamed and bewildered Michael would be craving acceptance, no matter what.

Of course, David would have preferred an honest seduction, just like he’d been honest with his companions about what he was and what he had to offer. He hadn’t tricked them. But Michael was stubborn, and he had people he cared about. He wasn’t lonely or desperate, those situations which made one vulnerable. Even if David only wanted him for sex, Michael didn’t give off the vibes of being inclined in that direction. On the contrary. If Michael knew what David really wanted, even if only about the sex, he’d be capable of flight all on his own, probably shooting out of that chair with only a hasty but firm, “No, thanks.”

The others were eating out of the cartons, and Michael realized they had food, but no one was drinking anything. No soft drinks, milk, nothing. Unless he was imagining that, too. Was there something in the atmosphere around here, a mold affecting his senses? The others might be immune to it by now.

David offered the takeout box he was holding. Michael, looking in, saw “They’re worms,” but David assured him it was only noodles. Michael witnessed him eating the noodles, and took the box to verify what was in it. David stared at Michael, the confusion and vague wondering that was taking place behind those blue eyes, the skin so pure there was this illusion of innocence.

But Michael had meant to caution him; to be friendly. This meant David was wearing the beauty down.

“Now drink some of this, Michael. Be one of us.”

Within David’s home, Michael was even better-looking, and when David offered the bottle containing his blood, he gazed into Michael’s face, seeing how the lips pursed, the lower lip so prominent and the eyes so brilliant, and David wished he could preserve this moment forever, but the best he could manage, with his power, was to preserve Michael himself, at assuredly the height of his strength and beauty. Keeping these thoughts hidden, however, David focused on formality and the firmness of his resolve, since Michael was nearly within his grasp.

Michael barely noticed as David was served with the bottle, and then David was challenging him to drink from it, with the blond reverently surrendering the bottle to him. This was one of those great moments; that’s what was written on David’s face. Something solemn was taking place. This was the initiation ceremony. Still, Michael wouldn’t have drunk from the bottle, even distrusting his own instincts now, if he hadn’t seen David sip from that very same bottle just a moment earlier.

The others were chanting his name over and over, and almost immediately he swallowed his first portion, admiring the flavor. Michael felt strongly disoriented, and gathered enough of his thoughts together to wonder if the wine or whatever it was had been drugged. This was a severe high or something, but something was weird. Wonderful, but weird.

The companions were celebrating along with their leader.

Paul and Dwayne were entertained by the notion here was a new member of their very elite club.

But Marko, he had deeper concerns since he personally served the leader, David. It was incumbent upon Marko to be especially accepting of Michael, their master’s consort, as David’s demands would often involve Michael in the future, and that meant they all, but especially Marko, would have to be attuned to Michael’s needs, as well.

It was fortunate for them all they were favorably impressed with their leader’s choice, for the boy was attractive, but had other qualities with which to recommend him. He’d been proven to have strength and courage, going up against them at Hudson’s Point, because Michael couldn’t have foreseen this outcome. None of them had, not knowing David’s true purpose. And Michael had accompanied them here, entranced, perhaps, by David’s charisma, into a position of open vulnerability. The boy – the fledgling – was charming, they all thought so.

Michael was barely upright, and he eventually slid into David’s waiting arms, David having kept an eye on him. “Now for the conclusion of the ceremony,” he said. “Marko, you ready?”

Now there was no reason for alcohol, as Michael wouldn’t be receptive to an infection. The task of affixing an earring to Michael’s left ear, just as the others wore, was shortly completed. Michael was marked and when he awoke, he’d find himself a new man.

David had the luxury of time now. He’d made Michael one of them, accomplished at least that first step towards being one, until Michael began to feed. Rapidly, Michael would feel urges and find himself with new talents he’d have to perfect, and that was where Michael would need to rely upon his master, David, who would be his lover, as well. In time. And David could afford a few days now.

But for the simple momentary pleasure of it, David reached out a hand and stroked the side of that smooth face, resolving to stay clear of the temptation of that mouth, because for now it would be like kissing the dead until Michael revived.

When Michael awoke, he arched his neck, and in the process of doing so, realized there was something around his ear besides his hair. The others laughed and smiled as he put up a hand to check it out. Then Michael laughed as well.

He realized he was still a little out of it; a little dazed. He didn’t even mind their presumption anymore, or the way David grabbed him, insisting it was time for another ride. But then he remembered Sam. “I got to go back.”

“Don’t worry, Michael. We’ve only been gone a couple of hours. It just seems longer.”

Now they were ready to let him go, he wasn’t in such a hurry to leave. “He might have gone home with Mom.” Actually, Michael was in a wonderful mood, and only wanted to express it somehow.

Afterwards, Michael would remember the next part of the evening as a bit of a blur, for he was still disoriented, intoxicated… with what?

They’d journeyed, the five of them – and he was one of them now – to an elevated railroad track. David was grabbing him, but Michael was experiencing a feeling of security about that now, and then one-by-one they were dropping off the side of the railroad tracks, into an apparent abyss. David was the last to go. “Come with us, Michael,” the leader coaxed with great confidence. Michael felt there was something he was missing, but it was all right. They were calling him, and Michael saw they were clinging to steel cables below. He joined them, since that’s what they wanted and what they were doing, but he carefully climbed down, David observing all the while. But David was always watching him, and it didn’t bother Michael anymore.

Besides, Michael remained disoriented and was grateful David was taking care of him.

But then the train came over the tracks, and the others were dropping off into that abyss, while he clung for dear life. When the train was gone, he was left hanging, too weak to pull himself up, and he heard David calling his name, calling for him, and then David’s laughter as Michael was forced to let go, forced to join them.

He remembered the fall, but it was as if in slow motion. It was a fall, but wasn’t. And he came to the ground, beside the others, with them looking at him with amusement and something else, as if there should be something specific to look for on his face, and Michael didn’t know whether to feel more than relief he’d made it to the bottom. He was only happy he did, and that the drop – the length of which was obscured by thick fog – couldn’t have been that huge. He’d landed with a soft thud, after all, and he was uninjured, so it couldn’t have been that bad. He got the impression the others were smug, however, as if they landed – all four of them – on their feet.

“You’ll get it perfect, Michael,” David was saying. “Don’t worry.”

As if to save Michael the difficulty of forming a reply, the disorientation began anew, and proved overwhelming. He passed out.

David’s reflexes were quick, and he scooped him up, lifting off with the others, so they quickly stood again on top the railroad tracks. From there, they walked back to the bikes, Michael being held in David’s arms all the while. “Just as well,” David was saying. “I don’t know how I would have gotten Michael to fly back up here.” That earned a chuckle from the others, but it forced David into the realization he was pushing too fast; wasn’t thinking out the consequences of his actions. Dangerous. It was fortuitous Michael had fainted, because otherwise how would he have explained things? It was time to slow the pace a little. It was time to let Michael go home.

Sensing Michael was about to awaken, David positioned him against the motorcycle, holding Michael up, bracing his body lengthwise against the other’s, as if in an embrace, looking forward to the day he could have Michael on his own, all alone. “Hey, Michael, wakey-wakey. Time to go home, huh?”

Michael came round, disengaging himself from the other almost immediately, automatically rejecting David’s support, the pressure of those thighs against his own. “Sorry. I don’t know what happened.”

David snapped, “Happens to all of us,” betraying his testiness, and perhaps his impatience. “Really strong pot, by the way. The best. You’ll get used to it.”

“Will I?” As Michael was negotiating his way onto his bike, he was remembering the earring he now had, which he couldn’t remember getting.

“Yeah. Why don’t you follow us back to the intersection. You’ll know your way home from there.”

Michael was agreeable. “Great.” He needed time to think.

“When you’re strange

Faces come out of the rain…”

At the intersection, Michael assured David he would be able to get home, and he sped off, the ride seeming to have given him needed assurance he was back to normal. Once Michael was a safe distance away, David parked his bike behind foliage, saying a quick good-bye to his companions, intending to take flight and follow Michael, to continue seeing him as much as possible, wanting to realize the life Michael would be giving up. Even though Michael belonged to him now, it didn’t hurt to understand Michael in the process of taking him.

David was in flight when he felt the first drops of what developed into a hard rain. It was a surprise, though the heaviness of the fog could have been an indication of forthcoming weather. He hadn’t realized, perhaps because his focus was elsewhere – upon Michael – the cloud formations in the sky, and the unnatural darkness of the night. A peculiar rain, out of the ordinary for this time of year.

Glancing below, he wondered how it was affecting Michael, who was maintaining a steady rhythm on the road.

Michael was surprised by the rain, but it had a bracing affect on him as he sped home. So at first he was cold, but welcoming it. Then, he recollected the last thing he needed on his new leather jacket was this. It must be a Santa Carla curse he’d been hit with, or something.

Then there was this earring. He knew Sam would tease him about it, though Sam had a stud earring of his own. But Mom was cool. She was always cool. And he liked the earring. He liked the new look. He liked the excitement of his new friends. He might, after all, very much like his new life in Santa Carla.

Once home, Michael checked on his brother, and Sam was there all right. Michael even heard the bath water running and was sodden enough to envy Sam his bubble baths. He didn’t envy him his singing ability though, and Sam always picked the dumbest songs.

The rain hadn’t been too bad, but he was wet and Michael knew he’d feel better stripping to bare skin. His mother would want his clothes hung out to dry, anyway.

From outside, David watched through the window as the lovely boy matter-of-factly stripped off his shirt and clinging denims, revealing a nearly hairless chest, smooth tan, and the graceful yet strong musculature which David discerned previously. It was blatantly obvious Michael kept in shape, and David was gratified.

This beauty – his choice – was hard as well as tough.

The rain wasn’t bothering David as he perched in the tree. Without fear from sharks, he and his companions bathed in the cold water of the midnight Pacific, and their bodies were perpetually cold anyway. But David realized the other boy was shivering a little, quickly drying himself with a towel, probably unaccustomed to fog and rain, and how it can chill someone to the bone. David missed the glistening of moisture on the smooth looking skin as it was stroked away, but he fantasized he was that towel, going where it roamed, though he could imagine he saw goose flesh decorating his adored. It was too soon for Michael’s body temperature to have adapted to his new state, after all. Within a few days, or until Michael made his first kill, that would be a different story. It was as well for Michael to keep himself dry and warm, though there was no necessity for it. Michael could have ice thrown over him, and it wouldn’t cause illness. But for David to explain everything, Michael’s new status, would be precipitous and possibly damaging – psychologically – for Michael at this time. Possibly, Michael would rebel. He was a strong young man, and quick to take offense. It was one of the reasons David was so attracted to him. But afterwards, following all the explanations and adjustments, David looked forward to midnight bathing, and having that dark wavy hair growing darker as it framed the lovely face as it did now.

“You are just too good to be true.” He knew he’d lost it. He’d been chuckling quite a bit to himself lately. But he also knew the sentiment was no exaggeration.

He couldn’t wait much longer, his sexual hunger for the boy was growing, and he wasn’t disciplined in self-denial. He’d have to make his move, and soon. But there had already been too much to this night; more, the fledgling couldn’t handle. David would have to force himself to stay away, until Michael was subjected to the changes of his body, the different tolerances, and then Michael would come to him – he’d have to. Tomorrow night? David wanted Michael coming to him voluntarily, out of need and desire, to eliminate any rebelliousness. But it might be better for Michael, if David was around to guide him, from his first steps.

It had better be soon, Michael’s capitulation, because the physical manifestations could begin at any time, and Michael would have need of him if he was to survive.

In the meantime, David was forced to practice self-control.

In his bedroom, Michael was changing into a set of dry clothing; more denim and another T-shirt. It was late, and he should be tired, but instead he felt invigorated, and wondered what else he could find to do. He also felt David and the others were still up, and wished he knew if they were riding around or what. Probably, he should have stayed out with the guys, returning with them to that strange hotel lobby in which they lived.

“When you’re strange

No one remembers your name…”

Jesus, what a weird day. Of course, last night had been a weird night. And it was going to be another weird night. Michael didn’t even feel like going out, though he’d been ordered – by Mom, who’d made a friend – to stay home. It was the babysitting chore, while his mother was out.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, his brother had been annoying him since this afternoon, with Sam being very vocal with his complaints about Michael, and directed point blank to Michael, as if Michael cared.

All-in-all it wasn’t a good day.

“What is with you?”

Sam was confronting him again. But Michael wasn’t interested enough to worry about it. He knew he’d been unresponsive since being pulled from bed, and then he’d suffered teasing by Grandpa for behaving like he had a hangover because he was walking around the house with his sunglasses on. Everyone had been looking at him funny, even the dog, Nanook.

It was evening now, and the shades were off, but still...

Sam was complaining about his attitude, just because he wasn’t in the mood for fun and games, and – especially – food, and he was damn well having a bad day, all right.

Once again, Michael presented his brother with the gift of his middle finger.

“You’d better not do that with Mom around.”

But, again, irrationally good-natured Sam was offering to make him a meal.

“Is that all you do, eat?” Michael countered.

Sam ignored the comment. “Anyway, are you going out tonight?”

“Mom says no, remember?” Oddly, he wasn’t planning on going anywhere anyway, with or without his brother in tow. Last night had been too weird, and he knew he was feeling odd, especially since the last thing in the world he wanted to do was talk to anyone. It was as if the world required too much of his patience, and he’d none to give.

“That’s good. You wouldn’t want to offend people. You’d better stay home with me.”

“You can take care of yourself.”

“Hey, listen, I know that. Jeez, Mike, what is with you?”

Michael hoped David wasn’t expecting him to show up tonight, because Michael was thinking some space between them was a good idea. Last night had been too intense, David requiring more of him than he probably knew.

He had it right the first time as they were out of his league.

He’d gotten his ear pierced, but when it came right down to it, had he actually decided he wanted it?

Suddenly, there were lights from outside, the thunder of the motorcycle engines, and whoops and hollers, and David calling his name. It sounded and looked intimidating, as the house itself seemed to shake, and Sam was scared wondering if they were being terrorized or if it was an earthquake, but Michael knew they didn’t have anything to be frightened of, though he was disturbed by the implications.

David was summoning him, wanting him, demanding his presence. David’s voice was a siren’s call, as it had been last night. That’s what this was about. Though he wasn’t sure he could handle David and the others, Michael didn’t like his brother being frightened, nor the implication he belonged to anyone, that they had rights to him. And he didn’t want this behavior affecting his family. With a firm resolve, Michael moved to the front door, intent on putting a stop to the harassment by taking a stand, but when the door was opened, the sounds and the lights were gone. It was like magic, the way they vanished without a trace.

“What’s going on, Mike?” It was Sam at his shoulder.

“Go take your bath.”

But the noise hadn’t been imaginary, nor the lure of David’s voice, and the thrust of the motorcycles had caused the blinds in the living room to agitate as if in a storm.

Still, this wasn’t anything important, except maybe about Michael having gained membership into a fraternity to which he didn’t belong. He’d have a talk with David, let him know he wasn’t fitting in, that Michael wasn’t quite up to the lifestyle the bikers ordained. That should do it. After all, he’d only known them briefly. So they’d each made a mistake, that’s all.

But David’s insistence on Michael’s being one of them, had Michael worried. Would David and the others allow themselves to be rejected?

So David had been calling for him. Michael wouldn’t respond. That should be enough to put David on notice about where Michael was at. And what did David want from him anyway? What kind of club was this?

But as the night’s happenings turned more bizarre, Michael knew his determination to put distance between himself and the bikers couldn’t hold out. He needed them now, since this was about survival, and getting back to normal.

He was worried, though he wasn’t nearly as freaked as his brother, who’d been reading far too many comic books to be making sense, in Michael’s opinion.

The trouble began when he was about to sip milk from the carton, so Mom would say he’d been doing the wrong thing anyway, but his stomach muscles clenched as if in protest. The pain caused a collapse to his knees. But what happened afterwards was worse. He’d nearly attacked his own brother, for a purpose he didn’t understand, but there was a hunger driving him, and only the intervention of Nanook saved Michael from doing god-knows-what to his only brother.

Nanook bit his hand, and it was Michael’s blood Sam saw. “He was protecting you,” Michael explained.

Sam freaked. Totally.

Since Michael’s reflection was transparent in the mirror hanging on the wall, Sam ended up screaming about creatures of the night, and Michael didn’t know what the hell Sam was screaming about.

Sam locked himself in his bedroom.

Michael, exhausted for no reason except a previous late night, was contrarily agitated with the adrenaline flowing through his heart, the sound of those extremely loud beats becoming a torment to him. But, lying atop his bed, he almost immediately relaxed into a light sleep.

He awoke when he felt a pressure against his face, a hard surface, and he wondered if he’d fallen out of bed, though he hadn’t done that since he was a kid, but he was kissing the ceiling instead. He looked around, in panic, trying to grab hold of something, and he was yelling for help, because he didn’t know what else to do.

Pacing and panting, suddenly hearing his brother’s shouting, Sam was wondering what to do. He’d never been truly scared in his life before, until tonight, with Michael. It was like Michael was becoming another person or something and he didn’t know what. He only knew he was in danger. So was Mom. And he’d be calling Mom now, but he didn’t know how to reach her. Mom had thought her sons would be safe in the company of each other. What a joke.

Of course, Edgar and Alan talked Bela Lugosi, and a minute ago they’d told him – after he’d made the mistake of calling them for advice, but this was an emergency – to drive a stake into his brother’s heart. He didn’t think so. So the Frogs were weird. Michael had said so. Michael?

Sam couldn’t hold out any longer, since his brother’s voice was definitely full of panic, and Michael kept assuring him he was safe. When Sam left his own bolted room and entered his brother’s, he couldn’t believe it. His brother was actually floating inside the space of his bedroom, like in a Disney movie or something. Peter Pan, that’s it. Michael was screaming about it too, relieved he’d shown up. Finally, coming out of shock, Sam grabbed hold of his brother’s arm, pulling him down, with Michael hanging on for dear life. With Michael’s genuine confusion reassuring him, Sam didn’t experience any hesitation with Michael’s holding onto him, as the brothers clutched each other on the floor of Michael’s room.

Sam was saying, “We have to do something about this, Mike,” while Michael was wondering what had happened to him the previous night with David. “I have to leave. I can’t stay here. I have to find out what they did to me.”

Sam remembered Michael saying he was going for a ride with someone. “Those friends of yours?”

“Friends? I don’t know, Sam. I have to go. You’ll be okay, when I’m not here. They won’t come back.”

“You take care of it, Mike. Just come back okay, okay?”

Michael nodded.

It was the brothers sticking together, Sam having sworn he wouldn’t tell their mother what was going on with Michael, though this promise had taken a lot of coaxing. But Michael couldn’t deal with his mother now, too, when he already had enough going on with David and whatever it was they’d done to him.

Not human? That’s what Sam thought. But was it possible? Michael didn’t know. I’ve got to be human, he was thinking, otherwise what is there? What am I if I’m not me, Michael, with Mom and Sam, and girls and bikes?

Grandpa was arriving home, and Michael definitely didn’t want to be answering any questions. He started the ignition on his bike only after he’d coasted it down the lane.

Michael went looking for David, but he went first to the demolished hotel they called home, then he went searching the boardwalk, bypassing the pier full of restaurants altogether. They never mentioned the place to him, and he knew them well enough to know they wouldn’t be caught dead fine dining, even if they were allowed through the door.

He spied them suddenly, their presence given away by their distinctive clothing. He looked down, and there they were, their backs to him, but not making themselves stand out in any way. Maybe that would change, as Michael headed down the stairs, intent on accosting them, demanding to know what was going on. So fixated upon the white hair was he, Michael shoved one of the others aside, with David turning to face him in the same moment. Had David sensed his arrival?

Michael grabbed hold of David, clutching him so he was less than a foot away, no way of escaping or avoiding Michael’s anger. Not that David appeared to find any of it intimidating. On the contrary, he clutched Michael’s collar in turn, as if content to remain that way, all night, if that was Michael’s wish.

Having been caught on an exhale, David had no recourse but to blow the smoke in Michael’s face.

Since Michael hadn’t come to him before the trouble started, David knew he should have anticipated an extreme reaction. At least Michael had come to him now, voluntarily, in desperation, since the changes would have already begun, without his guidance. Now there was Michael’s uncomprehending fury. But it was better than nothing. At least Michael was here now, though it was obvious Michael hadn’t wanted to see him, and that prompted David’s earlier assault upon the house. But he’d have to play it smart, or Michael could take to avoiding him completely, to the point of self-destruction. As it was, Michael was resisting the attraction, resisting him.

Michael ignored the smoke, though he hated smoking. David probably knew that, too. That didn’t make Michael feel any better.

David couldn’t help smiling. He really did enjoy looking at that face. “Cool it, Michael. What’s wrong?”

This was too casual, and only made Michael more angry, especially as David wasn’t taking him seriously. “You tell me. What’s going on? What did you do to me?”

Fortunately, Michael was keeping his voice low, as was David, so they weren’t attracting anyone’s attention, as a state of confrontation would have been obvious to onlookers. Not wanting to rouse Michael’s ire any further, because of his state of confusion, David forced himself into maintaining control, not surrendering to reflexive anger of his own. It wouldn’t solve anything if they both lost it. There was a lot at stake here, if Michael only knew it.

“Michael, why don’t you meet me back at the hotel, huh? The guys and I have something to take care of first, something that doesn’t involve you, and I’ll be back. I’ll answer all your questions. Promise.”

The blue eyes and reasonable approach took much of the temper out of Michael, and he found himself sighing and agreeing he’d wait for David.

David watched Michael’s back as he walked away. Michael wasn’t happy, but it would have been better if Michael had answered the call David had sent earlier, circling his house, trying to tempt Michael into making a move. If Michael had come with them, during a time when it was so hard to predict how and when the symptoms would manifest themselves, David and the others could have led him through it.

Maybe he should have kept Michael, and not given him back. But David had hoped Michael would have returned to them after sundown, needing David, even his company. Instead, Michael was nowhere in sight, and David feared he was at home, disinterested in his new friends. Disenchanted, because David hadn’t been enough for him. That development, David hadn’t foreseen. Now David was worried. This wasn’t going according to plan. Then again, he had nothing to base this on, having never experienced tricking someone into becoming like himself. The others – Dwayne, Paul, Marko – he’d known them for a while first, and they knew what he was, and they wanted it as well. There weren’t the surprises and the shocks which were coursing through Michael right now.

Why hadn’t David tried seduction? And he’d the opportunity to realize, this night – when Michael hadn’t returned to him – the answer. It was because he was scared Michael would refuse, and he’d have lost him entirely. In tricking him, David was nearly assured of success. Who would say no to what he had to offer? True freedom and immortality – as well as love and companionship – what more was there anyone could offer? And it was his to bestow. Who’d turn that down?

“David?” It was Marko, who’d been patiently waiting to regain the leader’s attention.

Paul and Dwayne were trading glances, not needing to verbalize their suspicions. They all knew Michael was becoming a problem, but they were confident David would take the good-looking boy in hand, subverting whatever rebellion seemed to be going on. And they counted on this, for David had always done the right thing in the past, proving himself a capable leader worthy of their obeisance.

So, if not a disaster, for the companions perhaps there was a lesson in this. Maybe Michael was really too young, or tricking him hadn’t been the right thing to do. Or maybe David should have tried seduction, or force, by abducting the boy, since he wanted him so badly.

In a moment, David came back to his surroundings, vaguely registering Marko’s voice, realizing he was still staring after a figure who was long gone. “Let’s eat,” he said, and the others responded with smiles and slaps on the back. There was nothing more fun than attacking a good meal. And it would help to take their minds off Michael.

Michael was on his bike, subdued, realizing for the umpteenth time, those guys didn’t talk much. It was the strangest thing, since they seemed to move in sync all the time, even when David wasn’t taking the obtrusive position of leadership.

Thinking about them, and David’s return, was calming him down, so he looked forward to reaching the hotel, making his way down the rock into the entrance. Then there was that bed in the alcove. Maybe he’d lie upon it, waiting for David.

It was some plan, anyway.

“When you’re strange…”

Back at the collapsed hotel, with its intriguing assortment of frayed tapestries and decorations of pop culture, Michael was finding the cracked remains of the antique bottle he’d flung earlier, when he’d been here looking for David. It had contained the liquid he’d drunk the night before, whatever it was. He should have taken the bottle, given it and its remaining contents – the few drops, since he must have drunk most of it – to his mother to have it analyzed or something.

Weird, but being here he felt more confident, less out-of-it than he’d been at home. Why would he be feeling comfortable in this place, where he’d been tricked or betrayed? What magic could it hold?

What magic had been in that bottle?

At least he wasn’t flying around this room. Maybe the whole thing had been a nightmare. Not a chance. Sam had pulled him down, to prevent his being carried away, like sand upon the tide.

It was taking a while for the others to arrive, and Michael wondered what David was doing, and why he had dismissed Michael, sending him here. He was a member of the club, wasn’t he?

Michael amused himself investigating more of the place than he had when he’d been under David’s escort.

It was like some weird flop house, he supposed. There were a few mattresses scattered around, just like the rest of the furniture. Nothing matching, more as if they were pieces collected as the necessity arose. There was one side room, though, which was pretty interesting, since it offered the illusion of privacy, being apart from the central area and you’d have to be entering the room to actually see into it. The bed in here was complete with sheets and cover, and there were candles providing illumination. Since this setup was the more standard one, Michael assumed it was David’s, or where any of the others would bring their dates, if they brought girls back.

There were candles and oil drums all over the place, a few kept permanently lit, it seemed, to enable comings and goings in the dark. Or the place was lit as a welcome to Michael, and he almost took that for granted now. Even that private alcove was lit, as if awaiting an occupant.

Every area was lit, actually, except this one room of mostly rock which seemed to contain.... nothing. There were beams and a ladder, but to Michael, carrying a torch, it seemed more like a cave. He couldn’t imagine the others finding a use for it, and they probably didn’t, since there were no candles positioned here.

Moving on, Michael noticed other details he hadn’t taken in last night: Probably because of the lack of electricity, no appliances or refrigerator or anything – there was no food in storage. The guys must be living on takeout and chips, occasionally doing a cleanup in the place, as the rice he recalled spitting up the night before was no longer in evidence. As for takeout, they would have the money for it, since they wouldn’t be paying rent on any place the post office didn’t recognize.

Some clothes were laid out on top a large table. Michael remembered how David always wore black; a deliberately striking appearance. The guys probably went to a laundromat in town. Except for David, the assortment of clothing may mean the other three shared, since the styles were colorful and therefore interchangeable; almost timeless in the elaborate designs, like kids playing at dress up. Michael assumed they bought their clothing at rummage sales.

Wondering how long it’d been, and growing weary – his previous rest having been disturbed by his personal in-flight movie – Michael returned to the alcove with the bed and lay upon it, intending only to rest his body until the others returned.

But Michael was asleep when they arrived.

Stepping down into the entrance, the companions fell into silence as they knew their leader’s focus was upon Michael.

Where’s Michael? David was wondering, glancing around, disturbed at not seeing him though the bike was parked outside. But he was sensing him. Then it occurred to David Michael may not have abandoned his bike, leaving on foot. Since Michael’s body would be in a state of flux, the particle confusion was possibly inspiring unusual episodes. Though it was still too early for one-of-their-kind to seek rest, it was possible Michael had collapsed into sleep. How the symptoms manifested were peculiar to each of their species. He remembered having taken on all the characteristics within the span of a day, and he’d also taken his first kill just as quickly. The ones he’d made, except for Michael, had full knowledge of what they were inviting, and they’d enjoyed the hunt immediately, as well. But Michael had been brought in for more than companionship, and because he was different, David hadn’t followed his usual procedure.

“I’ll check on Michael.”

Some instinct told him Michael had taken the “master bedroom,” as they called it. Actually, it was his bedroom, the few times he took to using it. Mainly, however, David preferred hanging from his feet, alongside the others, when it came to rest. There was more security in being with the others, and David had never taken Paul, Dwayne or even Marko as his lover. When he used the bed it was with his human sexual partners, and they would be gone before dawn, before he and the others would take to feeling weightless and free. And, unfortunately, vulnerable.

That blonde girl, the one they’d recently destroyed, he’d seen her before spotting Michael, then he’d devoured her prior to making Michael his own... She could have been one of his partners. For a short time. She’d been attracted to him, staring at him before he’d even noticed her. And she’d enjoyed his attention, not liking it when her boyfriend interfered. David grinned. Yes, she could have been one. She’d have been up for anything, not even minding two-timing her ugly boyfriend. But David hadn’t wanted her, except for a moment, mostly because she wanted him and she would have been fun to play with. But he’d seen Michael, and wasn’t interested in diversions anymore.

David’s instincts were correct, and he hadn’t had to track Michael to find him. Lying there atop the bed, on his back, looking beautiful, of course.

“Oh, Michael, what are you doing to me?” David was amused by his own reaction.

Michael began stirring. He was yawning and opening his eyes to find David sitting beside him on the bed. This put him at a clear disadvantage. “Is it day or night?” As he rose to a sitting position, his fingers combed through his hair. He noticed the blond was finally minus the skin tight black gloves he habitually wore. The hands were nice; not deformed at all. So why the gloves all the time?

“Late. I don’t wear a watch. Are you hungry?”

Michael thought about it. He should be hungry, but, “No.”

David was abrupt. “What’s wrong?”

“I was going to have something earlier, but then I just...”

“Pain?”

“Yeah.”

“As you get older, your body changes. Maybe whatever you were going to eat wasn’t going to agree with you.”

“It was only milk.”

“Gotta watch out for that Vitamin D kick.”

“Uh-huh.” Michael was recovering his anger. “Look, David, what did you make me drink last night? What was I eating?”

He grinned. Someone had told him it was a million dollar smile. Whatever. As long as it had wattage. “You didn’t eat anything, remember?” This was going to get difficult, not touching Michael, especially under these circumstances.

“What about whatever was in that bottle?”

“What do you think it was?” David wished Michael would get off the bed, putting temptation at a distance, but really needing to grab hold of Michael, putting his hands into that lush hair, and then down over that strong body, all the while having his mouth on that mouth, his tongue seeking that throat.

Michael was sick of David’s control over everything, and especially over him. He leaned across, as if to grab hold of David’s neck, and David was tempted to let him. Then, because of his own frustration, he took hold of Michael’s wrists instead, frightening Michael with the exhibition of his speed and strength.

They were both on their knees atop the mattress, facing each other, staring in challenge, a mockery of how they met, when David slowly released Michael’s wrists. “I’m the only one who can help you, Michael.”

Michael’s question was posed in surprisingly gentle fashion. “What have you done to me, David?”

David directed his attention elsewhere. “What have you done to yourself?”

His bandaged hand. “The dog bit me. He’s never done that before.”

“You should have told me you had a dog.”

“What have you done to me, David?”

“Made you one of us. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

Michael shook his head. “I don’t know what I wanted. You decided for me, didn’t you? Why?”

Remembering that blonde again, and stroking her face, having predicted her reaction, David knew Michael’s reaction would be quite different. Still, it was time. “Come with me, Michael.” It was time, but in a different way.

Michael rose from the bed, walking beside David, past the others, who gave him barely a glance to indicate their acceptance, and then he and David were outside and David was turning to confront him. “Have you flown?”

“Flown? I found myself kissing the ceiling, if that’s what you call it. Very Jimi Hendrix, only I wasn’t stoned.”

“No. I should have kept you with us last night. I shouldn’t have let you go.”

Was David asking for forgiveness within this not-quite-an-explanation? The other’s tone was softer than usual. “David, what are you talking about? I thought we were friends.”

“We’re going to be much more than that.” David held out his hand, even knowing it would be rebuffed. “Come to the beach with me, Michael. Let’s swim in the sea.”

Michael slapped at the proffered hand. “Are you kidding? It’s freezing.” Maybe not to the locals, but he was from Phoenix, and he wasn’t going anywhere without a jacket on. If anyone was swimming, it had to be during the day.

“You won’t feel the cold. Trust me.”

Michael decided he would – at least – accompany David to the beach, but he wouldn’t be swimming. “Okay.” He moved towards his bike, expecting David to do the same. Instead, Michael felt himself encompassed by strong arms, imprisoned, turned around so he was face-to-face with his sometime nemesis. So engrossed was Michael in his fury, and then his helplessness at not breaking the shackles which David’s arms had become, it took a moment for him to realize there was something unsettled beneath his feet. For instance, he could flex his feet, and no problem, no resistance. His eyes moved from David’s fierce blue and steady gaze, to the wickedly grinning mouth, and finally to the side and down, afraid to confirm the inevitable. They were aloft, David clasping Michael to his chest, somehow controlling their direction and speed, not like Michael earlier, when he was desperate to know what was going on. David was the picture of cool, almost lax, confidence. Absurdly, a vision of Superman and Lois Lane, with Superman having caught her, flashed into his mind. “This can’t be happening,” his mind kept saying. He didn’t even know he’d said it aloud.

“I’ve got you. I won’t let go.”

Then they were landing, softly, upon the sand, and David was releasing him, stepping back, as if awaiting Michael’s decision, Michael’s next action. But Michael didn’t know what to do. Fight? Fight what? He didn’t even know what was going on. Or who this was? Was this some trick, like when David and the others had jumped off the train tracks only to be found by Michael swinging underneath? Of course, how had they caught themselves? But this was more fantastic than that. Suddenly, Michael’s earlier disorientation came upon him again, and he settled into the sand, awaiting David’s judgment.

“Let’s go for a swim, Michael. Forget about the sharks.”

Michael shook his head again, wondering if he was in the company of an alien. That would explain it. He’d stumbled upon an alien race living in Santa Carla. But he stood up, automatically removing his clothing, stripping off his jacket, then his shoes and socks, finally starting on his shirt and jeans. It wasn’t until he’d removed his briefs, he thought to look at David.

In turn, David was studying Michael, but not to focus upon the youth’s body, which he’d seen in detail before, though it was probably at least as beautiful graced by moonlight. For David, this was a solemn occasion, more solemn than the ceremony of Michael drinking his blood. So he was looking at Michael, not in lust, or joy, but to fathom what was going on in the other’s mind, trying to determine how far to take this, where he could take Michael tonight, on his search for truth. Dawn wasn’t far off, and there wasn’t much time. When dawn came, David had to be home, but he had to be confident he had Michael, as well. Not that he’d lost him, which he never wanted to do.

Michael was disconcerted at the seriousness he found in the other’s face. But he couldn’t prevent his rising curiosity, and from the vicinity of the white hair, like a beacon to the sky, Michael’s gaze self-consciously lowered, to take in the pale long limbs and muscular form. Like all men, he couldn’t help noticing the genitals, seeing they were as perfectly formed as the rest of him. David, Michael suddenly knew, was as attractive a man as he’d ever met. But Michael had never been attracted to men before, and though he’d been guilty of surreptitious glances in the locker room, just as he suspected others looked at him – too long to satisfy mere curiosity, some of them – he’d never been attracted to a man. And he wasn’t attracted to David, either. It was the strangeness of this night, and the mystery David represented.

David knew what Michael was seeing as the blue eyes searched his form, fleetingly yet precisely. David knew his appeal, had known it since he was human. And he looked human now, his beast remaining dormant unless called upon. That included his feet, which he had no need to shelter from this one’s gaze. Until he was with the others, to rest, what humans would mistake as deformity wouldn’t exist.

David led the way into the ocean, looking behind him once, to reassure Michael.

The water wasn’t freezing, which amazed Michael, and he was in nearly up to the waist now. When David began swimming, the strong strokes taking him further out to sea, Michael knew there was nothing to do but follow, though he wasn’t as sure a swimmer, and was relying upon David to realize his limitations. David, he knew, never seemed to have any.

Though he wasn’t feeling numb, or tired, Michael was growing breathless, and he waded in the water, turning to look back at the beach, amazed at the distance they’d covered.

“It makes you feel you can do anything!” David sensed Michael’s hesitation and returned to his side. They were both treading water now.

“I don’t know.” Michael voiced real concern. “We’re too far out.”

“Don’t worry. The sharks won’t bother us.”

“Sharks?” And Michael remembered there had been shark attacks reported in this region but when David first mentioned that, he’d thought he was joking.

“Don’t worry, Michael,” David repeated with a chuckle. “We’ll kill them before they kill us.”

Again, Michael was wondering if David was insane, or if he was for following David. His mother always said, “Just because your friend jumps off a cliff, doesn’t mean you have to.” And hadn’t he been jumping off cliffs and doing all sorts of strange – dangerous – stunts simply because David kept telling him to? Since when had he become such a wimp, anyway? How did he let David get control? How did he give it to him? The funny thing was, he was always worrying about what David said and did, but he’d do it anyway. Like that train… He didn’t know what was beneath the fog.

Every ounce of him wet, Michael thought he must be cold as well, and he began swimming back to shore, uncaring whether David stayed with him or not.

David realized he’d made another mistake, reminding Michael of his human nature so the boy clung to it. But the swim hadn’t been a mistake, for David felt cleansed and refreshed, in body and mind.

It was time to deal with Michael.

Michael was near shore, walking through the last yards of water, feeling the sand shifting beneath his feet and between his toes. A beach was foreign to him. Sand was the desert dirt covering rock. He was shivering when he reached his scattered clothing, but there was no towel around; they hadn’t brought one. So now he knew, when David said they were going for a swim, they were going for a swim.

Michael was bending over his clothing, picking up his briefs, about to step into them, while David was watching the shivering form, the backside displayed for his gaze. It was as if Michael was so engrossed in himself, he’d forgotten David’s existence, let alone his own vulnerable position. “Come here, Michael.”

Michael was looking at his hand. They held the briefs, but this was the hand which had been bitten by their dog. The bandage had come off in the water. There was no sign of injury, and yet it had bled profusely.

Softly, David repeated the summons. “Michael.”

Michael turned to face him, briefs in hand.

David smiled, and this time he allowed his gaze to roam the other’s body, but not in precise mimicry of Michael’s attitude before the swim, instead allowing his tension and heat, his pleasure in Michael’s beauty, to show. His penis hardened while David stared at Michael’s lax one, his smile faltering, though his lips remained parted as he planned on taking that cock between his lips, into his mouth, the head of Michael’s gorgeous cock sliding past the back of his throat as he swallowed it whole.

Michael had been viewed that way before, but never as intensely, and always when he’d been clothed, that shield around him, so a guy passing him on the street could cruise him, but Michael would turn his head, or breathe an insult, and it would be gone. He’d known about gays a long time, but he’d never been forcibly subjected to one. That excused his ignorance of David, and David’s motives. But there was still the question of what David did to him.

Standing his ground, as usual with David, Michael bent to slip into his briefs. He didn’t know how he’d be getting answers from David, if sex was David’s payback, but he’d have to do something.

Michael’s footing was a little unsure, his self-consciousness increasing.

David was reading determination and rejection, both in equal measure. But Michael wasn’t running away. Of course, Michael had a different agenda in being with David tonight. Michael hadn’t wanted to be with David, but needed to be. And David had been gentle with him all along.

“Come here, Michael.”

Michael was reaching for his jeans, thinking wet legs and dry denim was not a good combo. “You got whatever you did to me, you’re not getting anything more.” He didn’t even look at David. He was disgusted, really, that that’s what this had been about.

No one ignored David.

When a sudden strong force pushed against him, Michael found himself on the sand, stunned but unhurt. He was looking up into the snarling face of David, the constantly amused smile wiped from the pale narrow features as if it had never been, the civility gone from his demeanor as if it had never belonged. What else had Michael been tricked about? What was David and his friends? Michael was defiant as well as angry. But, pushing against David, not being able to budge him, Michael was also frightened, though determined not to show it.

David knew. He’d let Michael play his machismo games, and appear to win, only because it amused him, lulling Michael into a false sense of security. For the moment, due to his anger, David overlooked his craving for gentleness with Michael, for understanding. Now, it was about conquering. Michael would learn who was Master, just as the others had never needed the lesson.

With a strength Michael could only wonder at, the briefs were ripped from him exposing his genitals, and even his weight-strengthened muscles could not budge David from the position of dominance. He felt the weight of David settling upon him again, and he swiftly turned his face aside as the two struggled, determined to keep his virgin mouth from any kiss or anything else David would force upon him. But then his arms were giving out, David’s strength in that lean body being superior to his own, as David continued to press down upon him, and Michael’s arms were driven into the sand at his sides, while David was not betraying any strain.

“No, David!” Michael was shouting, knowing he had nothing left.

But David had waited too long, especially since it was obvious Michael would never come to him on his own, never offer him what he desired.

Michael gasped and groaned, revulsion obvious as the face he’d averted was still victim to David’s tongue, and finally his lips. Grasping both Michael’s wrists above his head with one of his hands, David was able to grab onto Michael’s hair, pulling his head back, so his mouth – Michael’s mouth, which David was now obsessed with – was available to him.

Michael’s mouth was open, in protest, and too swiftly for him to close it again, David had settled upon him, the tongue which had tasted the side of his face, was now tasting the inside of him, then pausing, only to nip at the full lips with an intensity which tantalized Michael. It was as if David would never surrender his mouth, having claimed it. Michael groaned again, desperately trying to pull away, no matter the consequences, when he suddenly felt a new strength coming into him, and he gained a little advantage, not much, but his wrists broke free from their combined hold, and then David was looking down at him, his face breaking out into a smile which was really a snarl.

Reacting without forethought, Michael pushed against David, intent on experiencing the advantage, knowing for once he could win against David at something.

David held on as Michael pushed back, taking the dominant position, and David was intent on remaining strong but not in vanquishing his opponent by revealing his true strength: Not to become the beast. Instead, David fought by refusing to give in, to surrender. They rolled in the sand, their clothing forgotten as their naked bodies became adorned with the fine grains.

As Michael put back his fist to slam it into the blond’s face, David grasped the wrist, stating irrevocably, “Oh, no, you don’t.” Then the battle was concentrated upon their shoving against each other, their legs more entangled than combative, until Michael realized what he really wanted, and that was David’s throat, his blood, any flesh which could feed his sudden hunger.

David saw the beast in the changed eyes and knew what Michael intended to do. Since Michael was unaware of the implications, David was forced to regain control of the situation before it got out of hand. Before he set loose his own anger, and this became a blood match.

The blond began to chuckle as Michael continued his aggression, pressing upon him, until Michael heaved himself off the inert form, to agonize over what had just happened. What it was he’d wanted to do. He’d wanted to rip David’s throat out. That would have been his way of controlling the uncontrollable.

David remained calm, not wanting to disturb Michael as he came back to his senses. He slowly sat up, brushing sand from his body.

It was him, he’d changed. Michael could feel it. His body was different; his needs were different. He felt he could beat David, now, if David insisted on pushing this. He had more muscle than that lean frame, and that had to count for something.

But did he really want to beat David so badly it would leave him bloody, possibly dead?

The thought of blood caused an unfamiliar yearning in him, and Michael groaned as he fought its unfamiliarity. This was a new battle for him. David was almost completely forgotten about.

Stuck in his own evaluations of the past few minutes, David moved onto his knees, subjecting Michael to a hard stare. Neither the seduction nor the rape had been accomplished, but now he had a different internal focus: keeping his beast at bay, so the two of them didn’t end up at each other’s throats. There was David’s desire for retaliation or to renew the attempted rape. David was too easily manipulated by Michael’s inexperience and confusion, his lack of knowledge and understanding. He had to remain sane for both of them, and David was unaccustomed to maintaining self-control for longer than it amused him. And there was nothing amusing about his relationship with Michael, not any more. The play at seduction was long gone. There were higher stakes on the table, now.

In an attempt to salvage the situation, he tried to reach out to Michael. “You’re feeling what you are now. What I am. That is what I did to you, Michael. For you. I gave you strength. I gave you power. I gave you immortality. You are one of us now. Your human existence is over.”

But Michael wanted to scream rejection. Sensing this, David reached out to turn him, and Michael allowed the touch, probably afraid of his own potential to ignite into violence. When Michael faced him, David turned his head aside, then in a moment looked back, but with his beast face on. “See me, Michael. This is you.”

Good god! This was more than he could take in. How could David be that? Yet, David was only a few inches away, but the threat wasn’t there as it had been. “You have to put me back.”

“I can’t, Michael. When you make your first kill, you’ll change further, and gain control over your powers. I’ll help you, with all of it.”

“I won’t kill!” Michael was firm about that.

“Then you won’t last long. Is that what you want, to die?” David realized what the sole objection must be. He confronted him with it. “If it’s about food, have you ever been vegetarian, Michael?”

“I’m not a cannibal.”

“You’re not a human anymore, either. You refused to be a cannibal when you backed off from feeding on me.”

That gave Michael pause, such a simple statement of fact. A declaration; a new state of being.

“Listen to me. Look at the ocean. Forget your anger. Forget the hunger you don’t understand. When you do that, the beast will go away. It can be controlled.”

David extinguished his beast while waiting the few minutes necessary for Michael to regain mastery of his body. He continued, when it was done. “You can control anger, the expression of it. You can control hunger, until it serves you. But it’ll be difficult for you until you gain in experience. All fledglings are like that. But we’ll help you, me and the others. That’s why I tried calling for you. I didn’t want you going through this confusion.”

“You wanted me with you, because you want me.”

It was true, of course. What other reason did he have for forcing the change in Michael? “Your family may have been important, but not now. When you were with them today, weren’t you out-of-place? They bore you, Michael, just as all humans will.” David allowed his voice to settle into a well-practiced seductive timbre. “You can’t go back to what you were, Michael. Why would you want to? You can never be satisfied with them again. Do you remember what it was like, riding the bikes with us? The exhilaration; the freedom. We seek out all the thrills we want, because none of them harm us. We can go anywhere at anytime. We are not governed by their rules or their morals.” Allowing the implications to sink in, he was pleading, “Stay with me, Michael.” He wanted this one. What harm could there be in showing it? He wanted the chance to prove it. He would become Michael’s security.

“Careful, David. That makes you weak.”

It was cruel, but Michael was thinking over what David had said, and he saw that. “We’re vulnerable to each other, Michael, but not to anyone else. That’s a choice we make.”

Could Michael forget the beasts? There was fear in this for David, though there wasn’t fear from Michael.

“I gave you my blood. You’re part of me now. This is the rest of your life, Michael. Stay here a few days. Don’t leave us. You’ll find yourself here, I promise.”

Michael was thinking about his brother, but he couldn’t confess that to David. What if David found out Sam’s suspicions? Would David kill Sam? Or his mom? There wasn’t a way to turn him normal again – human – unless there was a way, and David wasn’t telling him. Could he trust David, or maybe he’d have to be with him awhile, to learn all the secrets? That might be the best option.

David’s hand was on his neck, journeying into his hair. Looking at David again, Michael remembered the price he’d have to pay, and it made him cringe, but he let David’s hand continue its journey, feeling drawn to David’s magnetism despite himself.

Everything Michael had been feeling, the calculations going through his mind, David was aware of. He would have predicted them. But there was no going back for Michael, not while David was alive. But mystery was its own aphrodisiac.

Meanwhile, there was David and Michael, and their family comprising of Marko, Dwayne and Paul, and shortly Michael would forget his human family except as a dim memory. That was the way it went, no matter what Michael’s motivations were now. But, in the beginning, it was almost a necessity, in preserving one’s sanity, to cling to human ways and associations. And it came in useful, the identification with something human, when they occasionally involved themselves in human relationships. Otherwise they would be too alienated, too easily dissociated from the ones they lived alongside.

Once Michael let go, he would thrive on his new life and all it represented, for Michael had the courage and the lust in him to brave anything, and resented settling for less than he could have. David was counting on his innate knowledge of Michael’s character.

“Michael.” This time, it was with asking permission, David moved in for a gentle kiss.

Surprise left Michael without defense, as he didn’t want to move away, not only that he’d told himself to remain still. There was curiosity now, and wonder, replacing the sense of mystery David had carried for him since the first time he’d seen him. He’d wanted David’s acceptance, through it all, he realized, no longer explaining away his acquiescence to David’s demand the other night, that he become one of them.

As David’s face moved towards his, slowly, it gave Michael time to appreciate its beauty, especially now the beast was out-of-sight. Yet, Michael also contained that beast. And, he knew – to David – he also contained that beauty.

Actually, Michael had never felt so desirable, knowing his desirability to this man, this creature, who could secure anyone with his strength and passion, and yet had chosen him. Even though David had tricked him into being what he was, and what he would be, leaving him no decision or control, Michael was flattered by the knowledge no one else had ever wanted him this badly, would go to such extremes. This wasn’t for a night, but for a lifetime, the consequence of David’s action.

Voluntarily, with lips pressing upon his, Michael opened his mouth, allowing that tongue to gain entrance, even pushing forward, hoping the strong arms would come around him. It wasn’t as he had expected: There was nothing revolting about it.

He wouldn’t have understood this a moment earlier, but Michael was enjoying the release, and enjoying David’s expertise. Soon, he would be able to reciprocate. For now, he would do the best he could, his hands moving over the flesh of the all-too-human form, caressing the solidity and the smooth, deceptively vulnerable looking skin. The sparse beard felt soft against his face, while David’s cold skin felt hot to his touch.

His hands were moving through the damp hair and down over the strong shoulders and back, and David was enjoying the texture of the silky skin, and the purity of this moment, with the night as witness. Michael was responding, to his own surprise undoubtedly, but it was heartening to David, since this meant no pretense, but that desire came naturally. As he stroked the small of Michael’s back, close to the swell of buttocks and one source of true ecstasy, Michael groaned, and David took it as just reward. He’d discovered a weakness of Michael’s, probably a desire he’d never suspected he had. It would be Michael who’d surrender himself this night, Michael who had that need. In taking him, David would be staking his final claim, but Michael would be his. Whether Michael realized it or not, there would be no turning back.

As Michael sighed, David grinned, but was careful so Michael wouldn’t see it. Then he pulled back from the embrace, though he kept his hands on the other’s waist. “Don’t get angry, okay?”

In a second, Michael made the connection. “Far from it,” he murmured, leaning into David again, wondering how much closer they could get. Frowning, he renewed his exploration of David’s skin. For Michael, this was an epiphany, for he’d never felt so sexually alive before, so at the mercy of his sensual nature. He’d had lots of sexual experience, but always with girls, certainly none with men, or even whatever David was.

But David pulled back. “Not here.” As he rose from the sand, he held onto Michael’s hand, so he’d rise with him and follow him into the sea, not to swim, but to splash at each other, until they were both clean again.

At play in the water, Michael understood, not only about patience, but about the sand, and he didn’t complain, but laughed, as he enjoyed David’s laughter for the first time ever. This time David wasn’t laughing at him, but at the circumstance, and Michael could share in that humor now.

Embracing each other in the surf, they pulled apart when David said, “Home.”

And they were back at their clothing, hurriedly pulling it on over wet skin, stealing glances at each other, because that was part of the fun. David smoothly pocketed the torn briefs as if it was a token, as Michael stood hesitant, but David merely smiled, holding his arms wide, and Michael stepped into them. This time, Michael enjoyed how they rose into the air, and David gave him a quick kiss upon the lips, as if to catch his attention, then said, “Are you ready to try it? You did it before.”

The fall off the railway cables, he hadn’t been injured.

“You can do it, Michael.”

Hesitant, but knowing his lover wouldn’t put him at risk, Michael slowly drew away from David, and they were holding arms, then hands, pausing in the air so Michael could learn this new discipline. “Just relax. Like floating in the water. Learn that first. Like when you fell last night. Later, I’ll teach you direction and speed. Know how to survive now, at will. It’s all about thinking where you want to go, and turning, but short distances are easiest, in the beginning. It takes practice. Just watch me.” And David released Michael’s fingers, but remained close, staring Michael in the eyes as he always did, mesmerizing him.

Michael was so caught up in watching David watching him, totally entranced, it took him a moment to realize he was on his own. He was fine. They weren’t moving, but were over the beach, near the incline which led to his new home, where David lived. And he observed how David breathed, as if it was normal, and so he did too. Then Michael risked reaching out an arm, and that worked, it didn’t cause him to falter. He was touching David’s shoulder, in experiment, and David was smiling encouragement.

David observed with pride how Michael took his next step, turning in the air, and a sideways attempt became a somersault, but that was okay. He’d probably done the same himself. But Michael made the attempt; he was eager to learn all he could.

David was in love with Michael, and Michael would fall in love with him. But they were both already in love with the life.

Staring at his love, David couldn’t wait any longer, and he was almost sorry his attempted rape of Michael had been interrupted. Of course, he would have been satisfied, but at what cost to his relationship? He would have lost Michael’s trust, certainly lost all chance of earning his love. And now look at the potential there was before him, the future they were assured.

“Michael.” He was distracting the other from his entertaining experiments. “Let’s go home.”

He looked at David a moment without seeing him, then looked him over and grinned. “Yes.”

With a laugh, they came together, David embracing Michael so they could proceed on their way, David’s hard-on pressing against his thigh, pressing against Michael.

For Michael, there was still Sam and Mom, and he wondered what life would be like without them – without him? Would Sam tell their mother what had happened to her first-born, or leave her to think her son was abducted or had run away? Probably the first scenario, Michael thought, because Sam had been wanting to tell their mother from the first. But would she believe him? No.

Michael didn’t know if David had thought further than seducing him into this life, so he’d know Michael couldn’t possibly remain in Santa Carla after this.

When they arrived back at their home, they found the lobby of the ancient hotel deserted.

“They’re sleeping,” David explained, accompanying Michael when Michael automatically headed for the bed he’d occupied earlier.

David smiled behind Michael’s back, appreciating more than Michael could comprehend how this simple action confirmed Michael’s acceptance of his new life, his new station in life as David’s consort.

Casually, they began disrobing, the lassitude in their limbs increasing as the sun forced its way through the clouds.

Michael nearly fell into bed, his weariness a combination of his physical condition and stress, David suspected, because David was alert, though fading, as was his desire for physical expression. He ruefully thought on how he must have miscalculated the time, Michael being such a potent distraction. Nearly as tired as Michael, he lay down beside him, pulling the covers over them both, content to hold him though he’d wanted so much more of this night.

He had meant to consummate their relationship, claiming his consort utterly and completely so there would be no restrictions, no going back, but Michael was weary, too drained of events, it would be too much to ask of him now. And, with the sun’s approach, this long night wearied David as well, and he wanted duration and tenderness with Michael, when he finally claimed him. He wanted a night of love; of excess.

With his last alert moments, David was musing on how his existence was altered, by this one young man, lying beside him now. A few days ago, he didn’t even know Michael, and now they were mated. But there would have to be changes; adjustments in the family. For instance, the others were in the darkened room of rock and wreckage, hanging from their feet, in repose. David would have joined them, but if he left Michael now, perhaps he’d be gone before David awakened. Though they’d shared love, and some truths were stated, Michael was unpredictable, and David couldn’t take the chance, couldn’t afford to be complacent, couldn’t afford to take Michael’s company for granted. Maybe not ever. But, for now, Michael, prior to his first kill, still had the ability to remain in the sun, while David would be burned to ashes. If Michael decided to leave, David might never get him back. That was his disability. David and his kind hid from the sun, while humans hid from everything else.

David would remain in bed. He wanted to anyway, entangled in the sheets alongside Michael’s gorgeous body, enfolding his lover in his arms. With Michael here, perhaps he’d never retire with the others again.

Tomorrow, perhaps, he’d take Michael on his first hunt. Michael was probably conditioned for it now.

PART TWO

“Before you slip into unconsciousness

I’d like to have another kiss

Another fleeting chance at bliss

Another kiss

Another kiss”

Michael wasn’t asleep for long. It might have been the strangeness of his surroundings, but he awoke with David at his side, lengthwise along his back. Remembering vividly the events of the night before, leading up to the struggle and encounter on the beach, to returning here for the night – his new home? – he wasn’t surprised the blond had taken it upon himself to enfold Michael in his arms.

But this wasn’t Michael, the person he claimed to be every day, and the comfort these arms gave him wasn’t the place he wanted to be. So he began to pull himself free.

How heavy a sleeper was David? Michael slowly disengaged himself from the long, lean limbs, not wanting David to awaken, definitely not wanting that confrontation. Whenever there was a battle, of wills or strength, David won. Michael was weakened, and – whatever else was going on – Michael deeply resented being made to feel weak.

So he was in bed with David, and they were both nude, but there hadn’t – quite – been the sexual experience Michael would have thought. Not that he knew a lot about it, but he knew enough, and instinct could supply the rest. Michael’s instincts had definitely been working in David’s favor the night before, that was for sure. After his initial reaction – rejection – he’d fallen into line, prepared to succumb.

He knew, if he stayed with David, the danger he was in. If he was with David, with David’s influence over him, he’d cease to be what he wanted. He’d lose that freedom.

How could he even consider – for a moment – leaving his mom and Sam? They needed him now more than ever.

With self-disgust igniting him, Michael finally made it free of the bed. Without being accosted, thank God, he carefully replaced the covers over the silent blond, not if he knew if David – with that cold body – would actually catch a chill, but it seemed the thing to do.

They’d caressed each other the night before, and he’d enjoyed it.

His clothes were easily pulled on, though it caused him discomfort to recall why his briefs were missing. They were probably still on the beach, he thought, and that would be amusing somebody. Oh, wait, David palmed them.

Michael made it to the front entrance without interruption, but he hesitated upon reaching it, not because of any doubts about leaving David behind, but because the day was blinding. The light was shining in, and the nimbus at the entrance would have been beckoning to him before all this started. How long would it take him to re-adapt to the sun, even using electric lighting in his bedroom, instead of the candle he had been using lately? Candles. He didn’t even like candles. Next, he’d be using incense.

Good thing he carried his sunglasses in his jacket pocket.

Walking out with stubborn determination his only shield, Michael grumbled internally about how it would have been too much to hope for, a nice cloudy day, what the guys on TV referred to as “partly cloudy” or “overcast.” Not with the luck he’d been having.

At least his bike was outside, and he shaded his eyes with his hand as long as he could, climbing onto the bike, his eyes forming slits as he started the motorcycle to be on his way. He couldn’t ride all the way home, with one hand, but through his shades, the world was too bright.

He didn’t like leaving David behind, but he didn’t want to see him again. It was too disturbing around David, the things he said and did. Even if Michael believed it all, and he supposed he did, it was too much to take in all at once, and what if David wasn’t telling the truth, anyway? About wanting Michael, sure that was the truth. It was the only explanation that made sense. From day one, such a short time ago, so many details should have given it away, how David wanted him, but Michael had been intent on his own deficiencies. It had never occurred to him David would want him, because it was a mystery why David was making time for him at all.

Maybe David was wrong about this thing because Michael didn’t feel a beast. If David could control it, so could he. He wasn’t like David. He was outside, and though the sun was intense, it wasn’t hurting him.

He really liked David, but if being the beast was what it took to be David’s friend, he’d have to find another friend. It couldn’t all be beasts or victims in Santa Carla.

On reaching home, there was still an obstacle to his immediate piece of mind, which involved reaching the welcome sanctuary of four walls as quickly as possible. His mother was waiting for him, not even pleased to see him. Michael realized how confused she must be about all this, about him, just as Sam had complained about his changing, but at least he’d kept his mouth shut to Mom. As she sat there, enjoying the view of daylight from the porch, there was no accusation about his being a creature of the night. No, she only wanted to know if he was having girl problems – yeah, right – or what was going on. All he could do was reassure her. His main position right now, his main thrust, was getting into that house, behind that door, so he could get away from the scalding glare, which he could feel burning away at his pupils, like his eyes were drying out. Every moment with his mother was exceedingly uncomfortable, but he couldn’t let her see that. It would raise more questions, and he didn’t want to be providing any answers. He could handle his mom, when it was about school and girlfriends and unimportant things, but the acute discomfort he was experiencing at removing his sunglasses so his gaze could meet hers, keeping up the pretense everything was normal, was nearly untenable.

If he couldn’t manage a conversation with his mom in the rays of the sun, how could he live the rest of his life, unless he disappeared, existing during the night. He might as well be like David, with him, if that was the case.

Either the talk with his mom, or the strength of the daylight itself, was sapping all the energy from him, and Michael finally entered the house, his brother looking at him with suspicion from the table, and Michael had nothing to offer him.

His brother wanted him cured. Well, he wasn’t. What was he supposed to do, stake himself? Which brought up an interesting point. He still hadn’t eaten anything. Not since the night before last. He would be able to eat, he should be, he’d seen David eating Chinese noodles. Or had he?

But he wasn’t hungry. The last time he’d felt hungry was when he was on the beach, in combat with David, their nude bodies scraping each other while getting lacerated by the sand.

In his bedroom, pulling off his clothing, there were no marks from the sand on his skin, the texture being as smooth as always. Just like what had happened to his hand, the almost-instant healing. And he hadn’t remembered being in real pain, though it should have been painful, but what he’d experienced was the shock, the realization of what he’d almost done to his brother. Attacking Sam, and he hadn’t known why. Now he knew why, and he’d have to make sure he didn’t lose control again.

Obviously, he could continue to live this in-between state, since he’d been doing it for more than a day. The change was two nights ago, and there was no saying he’d have to feed, the way David must feed. There was no indication, now he knew the danger he was to others, he couldn’t control himself.

He’d have to reassure his brother, though.

Sam was at the door.

He was grateful his brother was still talking to him. “Hi, Sam.”

“I can help you, Michael. I’ve talked to some friends of mine, and they know all about this stuff.” Sam talked more, about the need for finding out who the “head” was, since elimination of the “head” – the master – would disable all those in his direct line. It sounded weird to Michael, but life hadn’t been proceeding at a Happy Days pace lately. But Michael didn’t like one thing: It sounded like a hunt for David. He’d kissed David last night; he was attracted to David in more ways than he could explain to anyone. It was like David was part of him now.

Of course. Michael scoffed at his own sentimentality: David had ensured Michael was part of him, tricking Michael into drinking his blood. He owed nothing to David, not really. He hadn’t even liked the blond when he first met him. Knew, instinctively, the biker was trouble for him somehow. Never in his wildest dreams… ‘Course, it was Sam who was the dreamer.

“Well, Mike? Who did ya?”

How weird. Sam wouldn’t even realize the sexual connotation to such an ordinary question. Who did him? David, of course, who was most definitely the leader of the gang he’d partied with. The coolest, most stylish guy on a bike you’d ever hope to see. A role model. And Michael had been impressed, no doubt about it, though he’d been resenting that admiration all along. It was as if he’d worshiped David and that style. He could be honest with himself now. He’d wanted David’s approval from the moment he saw him. David appeared like those heroes in movies, without prior expectation, but out of the blue. In this case, out of the night. Like lightning. Like his hair, super-nova. In comparison, Michael had been afraid he didn’t measure up, that he couldn’t fit in, though he was flattered when David treated him as an equal. The standards were set high, though, higher than he’d been able to realize from the outside looking in, and he was right – as he was, he hadn’t fit in.

“It was those guys you went for a ride with, right?”

Sam was pressuring him, extremely excitable, and Michael was already drained.

Sam wanted his brother back, and Sam was not thrilled knowing his own life was in danger. “I mean, you seem to be missing the big picture here, Mike. I mean, this is the ‘murder capitol of the world,’ right?”

“I guess.”

“Well, what does that tell you?”

“I haven’t murdered anybody.”

“Yet,” his brother pointed out. “And what about those guys last night?”

Michael was intent on bed. The sun had been out for a while now, leaving him totally unfocused. “What guys?”

“Where have you been?”

“Not watching the news, all right?”

Sam swallowed his agitation, speaking calmly, as if his brother had gone dense, as well as everything else. “A whole party of them; the bodies were burned. I guess they were dead first, though.”

“This was last night?”

“Yeah.”

He’d found David and the others on the boardwalk, but David had dismissed him, sending him away. There was something they had to do without him. David had been calm on the boardwalk, and in the bedroom. But David could turn his beast on at will. “Any details?”

“Not really. They were burned. What else are you gonna find out? But, Michael, when was the last time you heard of something like that happening? Huh? You think it’s a coincidence?”

Michael capitulated. “I guess not.” He’d been too tired to think, and now he felt drained for another reason. Fear. What if he couldn’t control his beast as David had? What if the beast came back, and made him try again for Sam, or Mom, or someone else? “If you kill David, it’ll go away?”

Sam jumped on it, offering swift assurance. “I have been guaranteed that is the case.”

“I can take you there.” He’d gone numb, as he said it.

“You’re okay in the sun and all?”

“There’s no choice. You’ll have to do it while they sleep. There are four of them. You can’t walk there – it’s too far. One of them, well one of them isn’t sleeping with the others. I’m not sure where the other three are, but one of them – David, the one you’re looking for – he’s in a bedroom, the master suite,” he offered with a cryptic smile, “I guess.”

“Well, that makes sense.”

Then Sam was running off to get help from his friends, the Frog brothers.

Michael slept while they were gone. Then they all started out for the hotel, Michael driving. Having gotten some rest, he was alert for the drive out, but he couldn’t enter the condemned location with them. He was too tired, and he didn’t want to take part in the killing – of his once-friends – himself.

Sam assured him he could take care of himself.

But the master wasn’t in the bedroom the boys were searching for, because David had awoken not long after Michael’s departure. A warmth was missing from his body, a sense of security, and the disturbance, though subtle in his normally deep sleep, had been enough to rouse him.

Immediately, he’d discerned Michael’s absence.

In emotional agony, he realized Michael had woken up, experiencing no love for him, but instead an intense loyalty to his old life, and that pulled him away. All he could hope for, was regaining Michael’s trust, re-claiming him to such an extent Michael couldn’t abandon him again.

With this resolve in mind, David wouldn’t consider the possibility of miscalculation.

On his way to hang with the others, in their private chamber, he faltered in step near his clothing, which he’d shed so easily upon the floor. His body must have been reacting ahead of his mind, because it took him a moment, then he smiled, bending to pull Michael’s torn briefs from the pocket. He held it up to his nose, his more sensitive-than-human sense of smell giving him the scent of Michael to a refined degree. Michael could never escape him, not even if he regained his humanity, which wasn’t possible.

Then he dressed and joined the others, having re-pocketed the briefs. It was a piece of Michael, after all.

When he awoke, it was with the shout and experience of pain being felt by Marko, as he was gored in place, the smallest among them falling to the ground in agony before achieving the final death.

They were all disturbed, and they raced after the three boys who had dared enter their sanctum and declare war.

At the entrance, David caught up to the one he recognized as Michael’s brother, and this caused an anger in him. But now was not the time for thought, for wondering how killing this boy would affect Michael. War had begun with Marko’s death. This was about retaliation and revenge, for they’d killed Marko, intending to hunt them down while they slept. And now some were escaping. He wanted at least one to wreak vengeance upon. He, Paul and Dwayne were owed that. They owed it to Marko.

He’d even suspect the boy of having killed his brother, but David’s senses were alert now, and he could feel Michael was alive, and at peace. Perhaps Michael was a conspirator, but he wasn’t fighting them, or trying to kill David himself.

Michael’s susceptibility was something he’d experienced, exploited, and Michael’s brother had done the same.

The other boys – the Frog brothers – were holding onto Sam, pulling him free of the entrance, into the light, and David was forced to let go as the sun seared his arm. The terrified attackers were allowed to escape, as David and his remaining two companions were imprisoned by the act of day.

As the burn began to heal on his arm, David looked into the light, the heat of it, the pain of the burn, Marko’s death, and – worse of all the torture – Michael’s betrayal, causing tears to fall from his eyes. He turned away, to address the others who remained. “Tonight,” he promised. He knew they’d frightened the boys enough, they wouldn’t return this day.

Paul and Dwayne took for granted David would be leading the way.

When night fell, they immediately started out, and David was in the lead, and the first to spot Michael’s dark form as he ran to assist his brother. David slowed the remaining companions so they trailed behind Michael, rather than overtaking him, as Michael, his brother Sam, and a dog, raced their return to the house, even stumbling at one point. Others, the ones who’d killed Marko, were shouting for them to hurry, and David thought it amusing, because he had been merciful, as Michael had been vulnerable to them his entire run. Though Michael betrayed them, as his siding with Marko’s killers was obvious, Michael wasn’t destined for anything but the mildest revenge. It was only the others David had told his companions to target: “Michael’s confused, but he’s still one of us.” They hadn’t liked it, at least Paul hadn’t, because Marko was dead, and so they all could have been, but David was the leader, the master, and no one else had a voice in this.

In truth, what David didn’t tell them was that he was prepared to sacrifice both of them, for Michael, if he had to. He’d gone way too far, had fallen too deeply in love with Michael, to turn back now.

In black pullover and blue jeans, Michael made it into the house in time to pull the front door shut. But relief didn’t last long, however, as the Frog boys made it upstairs, while he and Sam were trapped on the first floor as one entered through the fireplace – Dwayne – his long dark hair flying as he clutched at the ceiling light fixture, swinging to kick at both Sam and Michael, or it would have been both of them, or Sam alone, but Michael pushed his brother out of the way. Michael absorbed the full impact of the blow, which knocked him to the floor and he lay there, unconscious, as the chandelier collapsed with a crash, and Sam had to battle their nemesis on his own, that battle being engaged when he was pulled away from Michael as he was trying to rouse him. When Michael regained consciousness, still a bit dazed, it was to the sight of the former biker being electrocuted by impalement to their stereo system.

The rest of the battle was taking place upstairs, they could hear it, and the brothers started up the stairs, but were halted by the sound of an explosion in the kitchen. Michael wondered what it was, and paused, but Sam hurried up the stairs ahead of him.

David, having arrived unnoticed during the battle, remained for Dwayne’s destruction, allowing Michael to lie undisturbed. He even allowed Sam to pass below him, on the stairs, but he swiftly dropped down to block Michael, confronting him face-to-face, stunning Michael, who – for some reason – hadn’t expected to see David again.

Or maybe it was that David wasn’t capable of frightening Michael.

Michael was knocked down the stairs, springing up quickly, but David was gone from view.

With the speed of the wind, David – who was angry with the knowledge words hadn’t worked so far with Michael, and how dare Michael think he could ever escape him, his fate – kept attacking him, hitting him in the face, out-of-sight before Michael could blink.

“Are you afraid to face me, David?!” Michael shouted, then when the silhouette came into view, a soft, “Come on.”

“I tried to make you immortal.” He was calm, in direct contrast to the fledgling.

“You tried to make me a killer!” Michael was remembering what he’d almost done to his brother, what David and the others had done the night before, and then David had come to him afterwards, to express anger and love.

David struck out again. Then he sensed Michael’s change. The beast was back. “You are a killer.”

At that moment, Michael could only agree.

They battled, Michael fighting for his salvation, and freedom from the incredible influence David would have over him; David fighting in desperation, not about anger, but to regain Michael, to figure out where he went wrong, and to make it right.

But Michael wouldn’t be argued with. In a moment of weakness, when David was more intent on the failure of his argument, than upon the battle, Michael was able to overcome him with a surge of incredible strength, flinging the blond upon one of the dozens of sets of mounted antlers from the trophies his grandfather collected.

David’s beast slowly faded, but Michael’s did not. He was rid of anger now, rid of the desire for revenge, but nothing happened, except an overwhelming sadness came upon him, the new burden he must carry. It didn’t interest him what was going on upstairs, for all he could see was the unnatural brightness of David fading to something surreal. It was time standing still again, like the first time he’d seen the white haired biker, too sleek and obviously sexy to be believed. But he’d wanted to believe, and he couldn’t believe it now, seeing him dead, David, the one he would have made love to the night before.

Gradually, his beast faded, and he was seemingly normal as his brother came downstairs to victoriously exclaim the undead head count, the celebrations beginning as Mom and Grandpa came home.

The explanations were horrendous, of course, but Grandpa, who’d lived forever in Santa Carla, helped out.

The Frog brothers were proud of themselves, and there was a hell of a mess to clean up in the house – including structural damage and the necessity of a major plumbing overhaul – but Michael held the biggest secret of all, that killing the master didn’t destroy the aberration in the offspring. And when he thought about it, it made sense. Otherwise, if all it took to kill the undead was killing the main guy, how could there be any around at all?

Michael was back to battling his demons, but he sensed he could exist this way indefinitely, and, if the immortality aspect was true even for him, who didn’t feed, indefinitely is how long he’d last. But how long would he want to live, with this insatiable hunger driving him?

He’d felt so alive with David. What did he have now?

“The days are bright and filled with pain

Enclose me in your gentle rain

The time you ran was too insane

We’ll meet again

We’ll meet again”

When Sam wanted something from him, Michael fought not letting his annoyance show. His brother was readily suspicious, and it was taking a major acting job daily on his part, with or without shades, to convey the impression he was okay. The last thing he wanted or needed was those Frog brothers coming round, staking him or giving him an acid bath of holy water and garlic.

Michael was angry all the time and trying not to show it.

They’d discovered with Dwayne’s remains, all those sections, that putting the flesh in the sunlight caused it to dissolve, and there hadn’t been anything left of Paul to dispose of, since he’d merged with the plumbing. When it came to Marko, Michael wondered if that’s what the others had done for him, somehow placing his body in the sun, because he didn’t find anything of Marko when he returned to the resort, checking it over, remembering that first night he was here…. noticing the ‘60s memorabilia and trying not to betray his nervousness, and the last night…. when he’d slept in that bed.

A bridal chamber, it would have been, but there hadn’t been a consummation of this love affair.

This is where Michael placed David, atop the bed, having covered him with blankets when transporting him from the house while the others were cleaning up. The mess left by the battle had been enough to convince their mother of the truth of all this, and Dwayne, of course. They’d let Michael, on his own, carry David to a place of destruction. But he hadn’t been honest with them. He associated David with this place, that mutual state of exoticism, and he found this to be the most appropriate resting place. It was a knowledge almost instinctive, and with David he’d been relying on instincts all along.

But it had been three days now since the battle, and Michael didn’t know how much longer he could maintain the fiction of sleeping during the midnight hours. It was possible he’d be forced into leaving his home, soon and for always. He was gradually convincing himself of the necessity of such a move, though his original intention when leaving David, after the night they’d spent together, was to abandon this new life entirely, returning to the old. It was ironical, then, how it hadn’t worked out.

So much for disposing of the past. He hadn’t buried David, but left him atop the bed, visiting for several hours at a time. Michael didn’t know if it was normal, the lack of decomposition, for David’s corpse looked the same as it had when David’s chest had been run through, after the beast.

It was a sweet face, really, strangely angelic. What had David been like before his alteration? Michael would never know, now.

Tears of regret formed in his eyes, not for the first time, as Michael gazed upon that inert form, and then away. This ruin was like a shrine to David, he mused, since it was dormant and yet still vibrant. So like David.

He should be burying him or something. It was incredibly perverse, his behavior, which is why he couldn’t admit it to anyone.

Again, Michael couldn’t bring himself to make a move towards that purpose. David would remain on the bed. That was his pyre.

What was wrong with him?

He was staring at a fallen and faded drapery when he felt the movement behind him. Turning, he didn’t hurry, as Michael figured it was only Sam having followed him, and the excuse he would have to come up with, completely forgetting this would be too far for his little brother to go on his own.

“Is it day or night?”

Michael was nearly past the point of expressing surprise. “Night,” he croaked.

“Good.” David rose from the bed.

Finally, Michael realized, after everything which had happened to him in the past week, he was still sane. “Why are you…?”

“Still alive – so to speak?”

“Right.”

“I am alive, Michael. I always was. Our kind have just evolved, that’s all.”

A science lecture, now? Michael frowned.

Standing, David was straightening out his clothing. “Antlers are not wood, Michael.”

So simple. And he’d seen lots of Christopher Lee movies.

David smacked that superior grin onto his face. “So you see, I was down, but not out.”

“That explains why I didn’t change back.”

“Not that nonsense. You know, you’ve got to start listening to me, and not those kids you talk to. If I had died, you’d still be where you are right now, crying at a curtain.”

So he was right the first time, when he thought he’d killed David.

“But the others are dead.” David was stating a simple fact.

“You know that?”

“They drank my blood, too. I miss Marko; he was my favorite.” Marko was also the one who served him. “Now they’re all gone, except you. Your killers were very good, for amateurs. I guess you’re still fooling them.”

Michael felt as if his skin was crawling. Maybe he hadn’t killed David, the only failed slaying of the attempted four, so he didn’t have to feel guilty about that. But now he could feel… shame?… regarding the others. No, never shame. “We’re all killers, you said so yourself.”

“Mind if I check something out?”

Who was he to mind anything? David was lord of the manor.

David walked out the entrance but quickly returned. Michael had trailed him to the former lobby and waited.

“At least the bikes are still here.”

“Is that all?”

“What do you want, Michael?”

“Aren’t you angry? Don’t you want to hurt me – kill me? Your friends are dead, David.” Michael was resentful he hadn’t been getting more of a reaction from the resurrected blond.

David made to reassure him. “I know that, Michael. I mourn in my way. We were together a very long time, longer than you want to know.”

Michael swallowed nervously, running his tongue over his lips. “So you don’t want revenge?”

“I could, but that would mean taking it out on you, and that’s not in the cards.”

“I almost wish you would.”

“Penance, Michael?” David maintained his distance, as he circled the room, just as he had when giving Michael the introductory tour. “The others are dead. I don’t think that bothers you.”

“If you never died, why were you lying here for three days?”

“It’s been three days? I don’t know, Michael. Just because I wasn’t dead, doesn’t mean I’m perfect. You’ll find out yourself, someday.” He halted his tour, examining Michael again. “Stop being confused. I admit it’s attractive, but try living in the moment.”

“I don’t feel alive at all.” Michael’s gaze fell to the floor, near the area where he’d spat up the rice. It wasn’t that long ago, but it felt like years.

“Will the former Michael Emerson please stand up?”

“What?”

“You make me feel alive, Michael, so why is it you don’t?”

“I killed you. I thought I did.” And that meant everything to Michael. “I became the killer you said I was.”

“Get over it.” David came up to him. “As Spock said, we’re all killers, even vegetarians.”

“You would get along great with Sam.”

“Somehow, I don’t think so.” David grinned, but just as quickly lost it. “Are you going to tell them I’m alive?”

“I didn’t tell them I’d brought you here. I won’t tell them, David.”

“But you don’t feel good about that.”

“You’ll keep killing, to stay alive. It’s murder.”

“I keep explaining why it’s not. We’re higher on the evolutionary scale. You need to get used to it.” Stepping close to him, David grasped both Michael’s arms in his. “Tell me, can you kill me again?”

It was instinct. “No.” But Michael didn’t look him in the eye. He was ashamed he couldn’t find a solution to any of this. If David could be made human, would Michael find him acceptable, would David still carry that charisma with him wherever he went? If David were human, they’d probably never have met, but if they had, it would have been completely different. In human terms, he didn’t even know how old David was. Was it a coincidence, this room was so widely decorated with paraphernalia from the ‘60s? Maybe David was his parents’ age, or even older. Michael didn’t want to know. And there was the rest of it. He lifted his eyes. “I don’t want to love you, David.”

Awed at the admittance of such genuine overwhelming emotion, David slowly raised a hand to Michael’s face. He was gratified the boy allowed it. “That’s why you were crying.”

Michael turned away with a slight laugh, having amazed himself by his own admission. It wasn’t something he’d articulated, even to himself. “You see? I can’t live with you, can’t live without you. I am totally screwed.”

Grinning, David had a responding twinkle in his eye. “I’d say something about not being screwed yet, but I think you’ve had enough shocks for one day.”

Was David promising – or threatening – to fuck him? Michael was dazed. He hadn’t even thought about sex between them, pushing out of his mind the memory of how wonderful it had been, the few moments when he’d accepted David.

“You know, Michael, since I’ve met you, you’ve been utterly charming, antagonistic, deliciously confused, threatening, and sexy as all get out, and I can’t even tell you what my favorite is.” As if to prove his observation, David observed as bewilderment settled over the broad features, as Michael tried to figure out whether David’s statement contained compliments or derision. “One thing you always are, however, is gorgeous.”

Michael blushed. He couldn’t help himself. But David had such a direct way of getting straight to the point sometimes.

David moved away, subjecting the piled up clothing of the lost ones to a critical eye. “Well, I won’t be wearing any of this stuff. I guess we can burn it all.” He would have added the instruction, “Outside,” but he didn’t want Michael thinking he didn’t trust him to do it right. Most of the problems he’d had with Michael had been his own fault. He’d thought he’d been gentle, and patient, but it hadn’t been enough. The commitment had progressed too far for Michael, too fast, and David sensed Michael was a boy who had never run away from home.

Michael wasn’t quite sweet sixteen and never been kissed, that mouth having obviously been used a lot. But Michael was still only seventeen.

“You want to do it now?”

For a moment, David wondered if Michael was reading his thoughts, then he swiftly backtracked the conversation. “No, it can wait. You can do it while I’m sleeping, if you’re still getting around in the day. Or, it can wait until some other night.”

At a loss, Michael felt like one of those whom David was silently mourning. “What do I do now?” He wasn’t used to asking anyone that question.

“Since you’re not staying,” the implication being obvious, “you should go. Keep up the pretense at home, for as long as you can.” Or as long as he cared to, was the implication.

His motorcycle was parked near the others, the ones he’d never driven. There was, however, the second night he’d come here, visiting David’s corpse, examining the motorcycle, stroking the leather where David had sat. Of course it wasn’t warm. It wouldn’t be, would it?

Getting onto the bike, Michael turned the ignition key and gunned the motor. He’d been making a special point of coming in early. At this rate, he’d be home before midnight. Sam would be reassured, since he was keeping such a close eye on him.

The motor was humming, but David stopped Michael before he could leave. “You’d better keep your brother off the boardwalk.”

Michael understood. Sam had been a threat to David, and David would never forget that. Also, if Sam saw David was still alive… It wasn’t good for any of them.

Michael would try not to think why David wasn’t hiding.

“Oh tell me where your freedom lies

The streets are fields that never die

Deliver me from reasons why

You’d rather cry

I’d rather fly”

The next night, Michael returned to the hotel, eager to accomplish his and David’s obliteration of the past. When he called for David, however, there was no reply. He even dared visit the chamber he’d been told was where David and the others had been found, dangling, by the Frog brothers and Sam. But there was nothing there.

Could David already be on the boardwalk?

He hadn’t thought to check on the motorcycles, so Michael returned outside, realizing now what he should have noticed – David’s bike was gone.

He’d have to look for him. In public. His experiences with David had only marginally taken place in public, it now struck him, when he was getting onto his bike again. That’s why he wasn’t looking forward to finding him.

Having traveled to the end of the boardwalk and back, Michael hadn’t seen any sign of the white hair or the bike. He was beginning to worry David had deserted him, leaving the hotel for good, with that final instruction on burning the evidence. Maybe it would be serving him right, since he had tried to kill David, and David couldn’t possibly trust him now. Why should David say good-bye first, anyway? Why not leave Michael right where he was, in the fix he was in?

Frustrated beyond belief, but also resigned to his fate, Michael journeyed down the steps he and the others had taken, in his race with David towards Hudson’s Bluff. But there was no point in going out that way. Instead, Michael headed in the opposite direction, and perhaps instinct was serving him right yet again. There was David’s bike up ahead, he’d know it anywhere.

But David wasn’t alone.

Michael gentled his bike’s engine, purring to a stop. He wasn’t interrupting them, what was happening, but David – of course – had heard him arrive and knew he was there. The white hair was angled in his direction, the gaze hot and steady, freezing Michael where he sat, poised on the bike.

He saw enough through the moonlight to know David’s beast face was on while the black gloved hands were caressing the breasts of the woman angled in his arms. Michael couldn’t see her face, and her head was listless, exposing her neck. She wasn’t returning the caresses with any of her own, and David quickly bent to his task, having verified Michael wouldn’t interfere.

David was feeding his hunger, that was all.

But Michael’s heart hardened, not at her fate, for he cared nothing for her, but at David’s tenderness. Previously, he would have said if it was necessary, make it as peaceful for the victim as possible. Now he only wished for David to hurry the task, finishing it, getting that thing out of his sight forever.

He needed it himself.

Whether it was jealousy spurring the hunger, or not, Michael didn’t know, and didn’t think it mattered. His own beast was threatening to overwhelm him. As if sensing this in him, David dropped the female, turning to face him. What was revolting to Michael was how, with David’s witnessing it, he had to bite his lip to keep from crying out.

What would it be like to consume someone like her, to take her, with David watching?

How had David felt, with him watching?

David walked up to him, the beast locked away.

But Michael’s beast was free, the hunger consuming him. As the human form walked towards him, Michael realized his hunger was specifically directed towards one figure: David.

David must have seen, must have sensed this happening, but he didn’t halt, continuing his stride, stopping less than a foot from Michael, this part of the beach so dark, if someone was looking at them they couldn’t even know their sex.

Michael leapt at David, knocking him off his feet, David allowing Michael’s domination as his coat was pulled down around his shoulders, exposing his neck to the other’s quick grappling. The groan David released was as much to inspire his attacker, as it was a natural reaction to the assault.

But David’s blood, sublime though it was, wasn’t enough to gratify Michael. His appetite was aroused, and partially satisfied, needing a further outlet, an outlet a part of himself understood to be revolting to him, the desire to consume flesh, be one with his victim as the victim faltered and died. This wasn’t possible with David; there was no safety, no true gratification, here.

With a shout of self-disgust and tears in his eyes, Michael pulled himself from David’s embrace, David watching as Michael turned away.

“I could have told you.”

Sometime, during his sobbing, the beast turned aside, while David waited patiently for Michael to calm down. It was disheartening to him, his prospective lover’s refusal to face reality; to fight the nature which ruled him. There was no turning back for Michael, and David didn’t know how much longer he could live in this situation. Time didn’t appear to be healing any wounds.

As for his wounds, his neck was healing, the torn flesh becoming smooth again. There was some blood staining his coat, but it was the coat he’d worn when he’d been impaled by the horns, so the garment was going to have to be replaced anyway. A shame, though, ‘cause he really liked it. Then again, maybe it was time for a change in image, though he was rather fond of this one, and had perfected it over time.

Michael, though, Michael’s problem was he didn’t know what he was, or even what he wanted to be. It was especially frustrating for David, because he thought Michael should have learned by his example. Instead, it seemed he’d failed Michael, unless Michael’s attack upon him could be considered a victory, a minor one.

He didn’t know it yet, but having appeased part of his appetite, having conquered the thirst, Michael’s hunger would return even stronger, and the thirst. If Michael didn’t acquire sustenance in a short while, it would cause insanity. If Michael’s intention had been to ignore his hunger for as long as possible, succumbing to the lure of David’s blood, inspired – no doubt – by David’s lust for his own victim, Michael had just done the worst thing for himself. He’d confirmed his status, instead of remaining in-between.

Rising, David wiped at the sand clinging to his clothing, sighing as he remembered the days when it was just him, the three guys, and his bike. Those were the days. And he’d thought Michael’s presence, his arrival in this place and therefore his life, signaled heaven. It was a good thing David had always appreciated irony.

Slipping out of his coat, David decided it was time to get down to business. At least Michael was wiping at his face now, the weeping over with. For now. “You staying here, or are you coming with me?”

“Where?”

With a smile, David turned to the sea. Then he returned to the body, carrying it – and his now-tattered coat – with ease as he rose into the air.

But Michael didn’t follow. He hadn’t been allowing himself to experiment with flying, just as he’d been taking food into his room at home, only to flush it down the toilet later. It was all about subjugation and pretense.

What had just happened, to that woman, he’d let happen, right before his eyes. And yet he couldn’t say he regretted it. Like all beings, David had to eat, and humans were what he fed on. Perhaps Michael should only be counting himself lucky David had never fed on him, or any of the people he felt close to. After all, he’d just fed on David, and the memory of that intoxicating flavor was still with him. He wanted more.

“They’re safe, because of you.” While Michael had been deep in thought, David had returned, coming to rest beside him.

Michael turned to him. “How did you know what I was thinking?”

“An obvious association. But, don’t get me wrong.” David was firm to the point of intimidation. “If any of your family comes around me again, I will kill them.” Then he smiled. “And how are you feeling, by the way?”

There was no point in lying about it. David would know the truth. “Hungry.” His appetite was returning. It seemed he was insatiable.

“Well, I could let you feed on me again, but that would be delaying the inevitable. And, for us, it’s a different experience. It’s mating, as in sex. I can’t satisfy you, Michael. You must feed. That’s our life.”

“Did you mate with the others?”

“No.” David grinned that Cheshire grin that stated he had a secret.

“That’s why it doesn’t bother you.”

“Believe me, Michael, if someone killed you, I’d want to rip them limb from limb, but I wouldn’t.” David enjoyed the shadow of disappointment clouding the dark eyes, but then he concluded, “Because death would occur far too quickly.”

“You enjoy killing.”

“Haven’t you enjoyed it, when you’re starving, and you’re given food?”

“You put her in the water?” Since it was rhetorical, David didn’t answer. “Another person gone missing.” He saw David’s coat was gone, too.

“Don’t you remember what they told you?” David was snide. “It’s not the length of your life which is important, but the quality of it. I am not responsible for how anyone chooses to live their life. I, on the other hand, live a great life. You'll get no complaints from me.”

It seemed to Michael that’s all he had lately, complaints, since before leaving Phoenix, since before his parents split up.

David knew Michael was off in some mental wandering of his own, so he recaptured the boy’s attention with a hand on his arm. “Ready to go?”

They both got onto their bikes, their silent agreement carrying them back to the old hotel.

Walking in the entrance together, David put his arm across Michael’s shoulders, holding him close, but in a loose embrace. It was as much as he was daring, for a while, until Michael’s confusion died down. His near death experience having served as a wake-up call, David was being more careful about applying pressure. But he vividly recalled the time he could have claimed Michael completely, in a way Michael could never divorce, that hour on the beach.

Life was full of regrets, even for him, but fate wasn’t working for them that night, the timing was completely off. But how many more chances could he have with Michael? And how many more days could Michael be starving himself? Just as he’d fantasized before, Michael would be forced to come to him, and David would take care of the boy’s needs, arranging satisfaction…. that resolution a fait accompli. And Michael had needs the boy hadn’t yet realized, but David, with his experience, was one step ahead of him.

Recovering a joint which had been rolled days earlier, David offered it to Michael, who accepted it in a preoccupied fashion, somewhat a parody of Michael’s first time here, David thought. But he lit it for Michael anyway.

Michael was wondering if David, with that dangerous mouth of his, had kissed that woman tonight. David was a hell of a kisser, likely to take one’s breath away.

He saw David’s neck was fine; the pale skin smooth.

“So, Michael,” said David, taking a seat, “tell me, are you still as confused as always?”

Did he really strike David that way? He guessed he was confused. How else could you describe someone who didn’t know where to go, what to become, or even what he was? Not to mention what to eat.

Not getting a response, David tried another approach. “Did you feel anything about that woman I was with?” It was important, in Michael’s progress, that he not feel sympathy for their victims, any of them.

“Feel? No.”

“You didn’t want to scream, or shout, or tear her away from me?”

It was almost funny, and Michael’s crooked involuntary smile took them both by surprise. “I wanted to tear you away from her.” Then he asked what he’d wanted to know. “Did you kiss her? I saw you touching her.” Kissing seemed more intimate than anything else that could have happened.

Bravo. Hip hip hooray. Finally. David could have sighed and collapsed with the news. But he couldn’t betray how important the admission was, because Michael probably wasn’t ready for the implications. “Of course I kissed her, Michael. Romance is what she wanted. And she was pretty. I don’t know why she was on her own, but that’s fate. I guess you could say it was her time. Just like it was destiny you and I met, and even how you killed me, since it proves I wasn’t meant to die.”

Michael wished there was something to drink, because his thirst was beginning to drive him mad, and he felt so dry, as if he was used up. Ever since he’d smelled that woman’s blood on the beach… No, it was since David’s blood. David, on the other hand, was looking as vibrant and contented as Michael had ever seen him, and David had a way of making his presence felt, even when he wasn’t trying. Now, he seemed to be deliberately intense.

Sinking into the chair he always seemed to occupy, across from David, Michael complained, “You enjoy everything. Nothing bothers you.” It was maddening, since he seemed to be residing in a permanent state of frustration. David’s survival had eased one path of suffering; that’s all.

“There’s nothing wrong with the world, Michael. Everything has a purpose. We all fulfill a function, even me. But you know things bother me. Just because I survived my death, doesn’t mean I’m a saint. You should know that better than anybody.”

Was that what Michael was doing, trying to configure David into a saint to justify his existence, to justify Michael’s failure in freeing himself from him? Michael slumped in the chair, holding his head in his hands. It was true, his own experience with David proved the blond wasn’t virtuous, he’d probably none of those qualities Michael would deem virtuous. David had tricked him, even tried to rape him. Not counting whatever he did to anyone else.

“I have quite a temper,” David was continuing, even though it was causing the boy’s torment. “You have no idea what I do when I get really angry.” It was time they both stepped off the throne, hitting the earth at warp speed, a reality check overdue. “You’ve seen me when the beast is under control.”

But he hated it, watching Michael like this. Not all of this could have been inspired by his words. The boy must be attempting to get it all out of his system, all the frustrations. The boy couldn’t survive as he was.

He moved to the chair, crouching in front, pulling Michael’s head into his chest, to offer support for the dejected figure. David had lost his three companions of many years, but he didn’t have the pain in him this boy did. “Growing up is painful,” he whispered into the ear covered by soft curls.

Michael pulled away, looking into David’s eyes, searching for a truth to be found there. Compared to the others, whom Michael barely knew, David always seemed to embody great sophistication, grand knowledge. The others, they were like kids he knew in school. There’s a pack and there’s always a pack leader.

David tried to hold Michael’s gaze, but he was distracted by the luminous features, shiny from previous tears and the drama of it all. There were the super-bright eyes, the sniffing nose, and – most of all – the puffy lips. This boy was the greatest danger he’d ever experienced. No wonder he’d gotten so sloppy he’d nearly been killed. Could it be only a week ago, they were racing side-by-side towards Hudson’s Bluff? This furious child had struck an extremely powerful blow against his face. If he hadn’t been what he was, he would have been knocked down, possibly out.

Sometimes you had to reach rock bottom before you could begin again. Maybe it was like that with Michael, who was attempting to rebuild his life, and the only individual he could count on was the one who was responsible for its destruction.

Not resisting the temptation, David moved behind Michael, strong hands kneading tense shoulders. As Michael allowed the practiced touch, relaxing into it, basically giving himself to David, David gave into another impulse, bending to inhale the fine fragrance of the heavy mop of hair, then parting his lips, moving those extra inches necessary to bestow a kiss, closing his eyes at the luxury of it.

For Michael, he wondered first why the relaxing massage had stopped, and would have said something, but then he felt the kiss, what had to be a kiss. He knew he’d better pull away, or he’d be lost again, surrendering to David as he would have done at the beach, when it was skin against skin... He had to stop this.

As the form beneath him stiffened, David drew away. He wasn’t offended, because he knew of Michael’s attraction to him, involuntary though it may be. And the boy was a sensual creature, able to ignite at the slightest touch. What a joy it would be finally claiming him!

When David was in view again, Michael felt a peculiar recognition which he’d formerly only felt with family and long-time friends. But that didn’t exist anymore, and it was only David for him now. How come he felt at home when he was with David, and felt an alien with his own family? “You’re not human anymore,” David would have told him, so Michael didn’t ask. Instead, he gazed around him in confusion, embarrassed as hell he’d given himself away like this. He’d always dreaded appearing weak to David, but there was the possibility David didn’t care. “I wish I knew why you like me so much.”

That caused David to laugh so hard he pulled away. “Who knows, Michael, who knows.”

“Seriously.”

But David had an answer for him. “I like your aggression. You’re always doing something, turning some corner, and you make me keep up with you.”

“When did you figure that one out?” It was something to consider.

But David was too smart to get caught in that trap. Instead, he gave one of his superior smiles, offering a flirtatious distraction. “But first I noticed your looks. Then I noticed your body. Then I noticed you were a moody, angry son-of-a-bitch, and that’s always fun.”

Michael squirmed. On the other hand, he did work out regularly, and had always enjoyed the advantage of good-looks. His shyness now seemed hypocritical. “On the beach.”

“If you say so.”

Michael stared at him, frowning. But there was nowhere to go with this. “What is it really like?”

He leaned forward, pinning Michael with his stare. “It doesn’t take much for you to be me,” David pointed out, leaning back, as if dismissing the intensity. “I pressured you, taking you too fast. My mistake.”

“It’s not as if I have a choice,” Michael argued, but softly, not wanting the other to take offense. That was the last thing he needed, when David was the only one he could turn to.

“Why do you fight it so hard, Michael?”

And David sounded as if he really cared about the answer, which made Michael wonder why he was so resistant. Obviously if David couldn’t comprehend his reluctance, he hadn’t gone through the same hesitations, the same inward struggles.

What had caused him to break free? Was it the realization of what David had done to him? The fact David had been so presumptuous with his person – his liberty? David’s manner of survival, the killing? Was it David himself? But because it was David, not one of the doomed others, was why he was still here. The others, he never cared about. He barely remembered them, except blond Paul was flaky and putting him down, while Dwayne was silent, always staring at him with hard eyes. They didn’t offer David’s dimension; they so clearly served him. Especially Marko, who Michael recalled more vividly than the others. It was Marko who was especially friendly, who seemed to like Michael personally, and not just accept him. It was Marko who’d called, “Don’t be scared, Michael!” when they were at the train tracks, and Paul had chosen to fall, letting go the cable in grandiose style. Marko had been trying to reassure him, and it was Marko who was closest to David.

“It’s a shame leaving this place,” David was saying, rising to take in his kingdom once more. No more court jesters now.

“What?”

“The memories.” David sighed. “We were never bothered here. It was perfect.”

“You’re leaving.”

“I have to, don’t I? You expect me to keep hiding away from the Frogs, not to mention your own brother? They know where I live. All it takes is one of them spotting me, just once. Santa Carla isn’t that big a town.”

“Where will you go?”

“North. San Francisco’s wide-open; lots of traffic. Maybe something near a cliff.” Daredevil David loved the excitement cliff dwellings offered. Also, seclusion. That was very important, being able to shut the door on the outside world. “I’ve staked out the territory.”

Michael was faltering. “You have a place to go? Friends?”

“Not really. But I have a connection. I’ll have to see if there’s a place. San Francisco is fine; there are so many tourists and residents, it’s a real smorgasbord.” David began pacing, wandering around, saying good-bye to the collection of possessions. This had been a good place. Maybe he could return someday. “It’s a good idea to move every few years, though sometimes you can last a little longer. It depends on how visible you become. You can’t be twenty-four forever, Michael.”

“Or seventeen,” murmured Michael. “But you can live somewhere else. Somewhere around here. I can find you a place.” He managed some mobility during the day.

“It’s not practical. No, I’ve got to move on, and it’s a little more complicated for me than it is for most. Can’t take the sunlight, as you may have noticed. It does put a crimp in one’s plans. Still, it can be managed. I’d just as soon get away, anyway. Relax, Michael, I’ve done it before. It’s a necessity, when you don’t age.”

But Michael wasn’t worried about him. It seemed he had regained his world, with David’s resurrection, only to be losing it again. Sam would say it wasn’t fair. Michael had begun realizing nothing was fair since he’d left Phoenix.

“The crystal ship is being filled

A thousand girls, a thousand thrills

A million ways to spend your time

When we get back

I’ll drop a line”

And what about David? How would Michael cope without him? How did he cope now, living an existence – not a life – of subterfuge with his family? But David hadn’t said he wanted Michael with him. Should Michael be taking the invitation for granted? What kind of life would he have with David anyway? Probably a lot of fun, he was forced to admit, remembering how David was always exhilarated, so full of life, without the constraints which hindered most people, causing them to pause and ponder and hesitate. Michael never liked that about people, and with David, he’d felt a freedom and an approval he’d never experienced before.

Michael wanted him desperately. His back was against the wall. If he went with David, he couldn’t hold out for long, from feeding. The temptation would be too great with the access and provocation David would provide. Resistance was getting more difficult all the time. Besides, “Can I continue to live without feeding, without becoming the beast?”

“You can, for awhile, if you feed on me. But that would only increase your hunger for real food. I could sustain you, Michael, but not satisfy you. And you would weaken me, physically and mentally.” He would keep to himself the prospect of insanity, for a while, anyway. “And, you won’t like this, but I’d have to feed more often, in order to accommodate you.”

In other words, Michael would still be making humans his food, whether he did it directly or not. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place…

“I could search for a place for you to live in, in San Francisco.” He was still shy at making this offer. David hadn’t proposed he accompany him. “I can still manage.”

“Not for long,” David pointed out. “Your sensitivity is increasing all the time. You’d have to remain in the shadows all the time, anyway. And, I’m sure you haven’t been noticing this, but you’ve become thinner, and pale. You are not healthy. You’ll be dropping on your feet, and you don’t have energy during the day. Whether you feed or not, you’ll become more like me.”

He felt the truth of David’s words. It had been a reality he was denying to himself, having no visible evidence of his own deterioration. There were no mirrors at home, undamaged, so he’d managed to avoid being any place his reflection would carry. When it came to his family, they believed he was still recovering from the events, the ‘temporary’ illness he’d suffered. None of them had a manual, after all. David was the only rule book.

Ceasing his wandering, David settled on his haunches before the chair, looking up into Michael’s face. “You can come with me, Michael. That’s what I’ve wanted all along. It’ll be the two of us, instead of the family.” In time, maybe they’d add to their family again, so there would be companions. Or, maybe they were better off this way, with only each other to look after. Being one of four hadn’t improved anything, David having survived by pure luck, and the humans’ own misunderstanding of the situation. “Down, but not out,” as he’d said. But he realized Michael still didn’t comprehend, when David had told him, during their struggle, he didn’t want to kill Michael, that he was engineering their battle alongside the only weapons at hand – the mounted trophies – quite deliberately. Since their struggle was more a battle of wills, with Michael the victor, there was no way he could kill Michael or Michael kill him. Michael had never wanted to kill him, anyway, David knew that all along.

“I don’t know what to do next,” Michael confessed. “There’s still Mom. She needs me now. Dad’s gone, and there’s only Sam and me.”

Did the mother need the boy or the boy need the mom? Came the obvious suggestion, with David standing up to deliver it. “Why don’t you do what you want to do, instead of what you think you’re supposed to do.”

But there was an added pressure forcing his confusion. “I wanted her,” Michael was struggling anew, with his hunger and the thirst which had developed, the dryness which made his eyes drop to linger on the evidence of his smooth skin, looking for apertures. He’d taken David, instead. Because of hunger or desire?

“I know,” acknowledged David. “I’ve never seen anyone who battled it as much as you. You’re incredible, Michael, and you ask me why I want you. I thought things would be so simple, but you’ve been anything but easy. I wanted you for my lover, to be by my side. I still do.” For a moment, David allowed himself to feel pity for the Emersons, for the loss of this extraordinary boy they’d loved, but couldn’t have appreciated. David had been witness to Michael’s insecurities, had preyed upon them, and the magnitude of Michael’s vulnerability seemed out of proportion for anyone so mentally and physically gifted. Contrarily, the boy had a strength which David knew to be equal only to his own. How else to explain someone needing so much, yet accepting so little. The boy was fighting to maintain his independence, not understanding David wasn’t claiming his freedom, but claiming him.

There was one thing which had worked before. David’s mistake had been in not doing it sooner, or never having followed through. Patience was sometimes the worst quality to cultivate. He’d never gotten what he wanted by being patient.

David’s hand settled against the side of Michael’s face. For a moment, Michael settled into the touch, then he shifted aside, his automatic resistance surprising after all he’d been through. “I don’t,” he began, and it was almost an apology.

But David knew what to do now. He pulled Michael from the chair, forcing him into an embrace, and, with maniacal purpose he claimed the full lips, that mouth which had tormented him from the first moment. And the other wasn’t resistant, but wasn’t cooperating either, not at first. So David held him forcefully, aware Michael’s arms were down by his sides, not returning the embrace, while his mouth was passive, allowing the invasion of David’s tongue. But David’s purpose was to ignite Michael’s passion, not his passivity, even if that passivity implied tacit agreement.

It wasn’t quite kissing, as David put his mouth on the boy’s face, the minimal difference in their heights making it easy to reach every aspect of Michael, taking in the eyes, the wide jaw, the surprisingly sculpted cheekbones. He ground his hips against the boy, his hardened penis seeking its mate, and the way home. With a sudden desperate maneuver, David spun Michael around, wishing Michael was already undressed, but instead it became a dry hump, David pulling up Michael’s shirt to reach inside to the masculine chest, the nipples puckering under the direct stimulation applied by David’s assured touch.

But this wasn’t enough for either of them, David needing to claim this flesh as his territory, in a way Michael could never deny.

His hands moved down the chest, over the taut abdomen, causing a rippling sensation in their wake, as he clutched at Michael’s groin, finding the burgeoning appendage without difficulty, the exceptional cock being contained within the tight denim. David used his right hand to stroke at the penis, its outline, finally coming to the head, which he teased through the cloth. As he heard the boy’s groan of ecstasy, David chuckled, continuing to slide up and down the penis with his hand, always taking a moment to tease at the blunt head directly, while his left hand was busy, lodged at the juncture of front hip and thigh, holding Michael in place. Finally, as the pressure of non-direct contact was driving him as crazy as it was Michael, David took his hand away, still holding onto Michael, keeping him from turning when he would have protested. Instead, David’s hand was diving into the front of the jeans, deep enough to tug at the short hairs lodged against the soft skin, but no deeper. Experiencing the frustration of denied access, David continued to bury his face in Michael’s lush hair, breathing in its fragrance, his hands creeping to pull down the zipper as the boy arched his back, surrendering himself to David’s manipulations. Surrendering himself to David’s will, as David bent his head, pushing Michael’s lax head forward, enabling David to lick along the nape of the neck, sucking on the succulent skin, and this or the other was causing Michael to gasp and moan, while pushing his rear into contact with David’s pronounced erection.

Seemingly in control, David was ready to scream from the torture he had initiated.

Michael continued to groan, totally receptive and left to do nothing but stare at the wall, while enjoying the sensation of David’s expert manipulation, the excitement of the blond’s commanding insistence. If left on his own, Michael would never have chosen this for himself, but the excitement, the thrill, and even the anticipation, was something he couldn’t deny.

But Michael wasn’t normally passive in any situation, and blissful though these moments were, while he was being catered to in this position, his mouth was being denied access to the other’s, so he pressed against David, not so much to encourage him, but so he could face him again. Immediately upon turning, like a salmon returning upstream to spawn, Michael was reaching for the blond hair, pulling David’s mouth into his, his own lips parted wide, allowing full access to the tongue which ignited him like fire.

David pressed the advantage, holding Michael’s head to his for a moment, as if Michael would get away, then moving down the youth’s still-exposed back, sliding over that healthy, silky skin, his fingertips alive with the electricity of their chemistry.

He remembered the lower back, and smiled inwardly, since his mouth was preoccupied with those luscious lips, which he’d pulled back a bit to stroke and nip at. This mouth, this boy, could drive him insane. His smooth hands began stroking down the curve of the strong back, reaching into the denim clad rear and past the briefs to tempt Michael and satisfy himself. David was still pushing against Michael, and could feel how rock solid the boy’s cock was, especially since it had no purchase to rise, David holding the boy so closely. They merely pressed into each other, ironically holding Michael’s loosened clothing in place as the boy began holding onto David, gripping his back, as if his life depended on it.

They couldn’t continue this way. With a major effort at control, David pushed Michael away from him, the boy looking obviously stunned at the rejection while those full lips were noticeably bruised, swollen. Oh, to keep him like this forever, David thought, while amazed at his own exhibition of resolve, but there was no guarantee of holding onto this glorious boy, even though the first battle had been waged and won. Tricking Michael into drinking David’s blood was the battle. Now was the war, the fight to keep Michael eternally youthful, an eternal beauty for him to enjoy. To his heart’s content. He hoped so.

Michael was disoriented, not knowing why he allowed the kiss in the first place, since it would never have stopped with a kiss, nor why he was shoved aside when he hadn’t offered a protest. On the contrary. Michael was beginning to wonder if sex could ever be as good for him again as it was with David.

Was this a game of David’s, though they were both noticeably hard and breathing erratically? But, while Michael was amazed he could breathe at all, David was standing there, looking at him, staring, assessing, obsessive as always when it concerned him. Just like before the change, and after. He hadn’t lost David. So what was it?

His shirt bunched beneath his armpits, Michael shivered.

“Take your clothes off, Michael.”

It was a shock which registered, David’s words and the flat tone. To be ordered like this, as if he had no choice, or did he? Of course, he could always walk out the door. David would let him go. Even if they fought, Michael could counter, and possibly win – like last time, when it hadn’t really sunk in, David would have to die. But what did it mean now? If Michael returned the next night, would David be here?

He really wanted David, though he didn’t understand it, and maybe never would. Michael was becoming resigned to the never-ending confusion his sexual responsiveness to David caused. Having never wanted a guy before justified his confusion, Michael thought, and of course David was no ordinary guy. Michael would only take that thought so far. They’d kissed; it was heavy petting, nothing supernatural about it. So far.

Michael hated thinking, when he couldn’t think, since his balls were tied in knots. Oh, he didn’t give a shit about anything right now, not even about tomorrow, as long as he and David got back to what they were doing.

Without further calculation, while staring directly into David’s bright blue concentrated gaze, Michael began disrobing. It was as if he had surrendered, realizing no will of his own, or maybe he didn’t need one now. David was in command, and accustomed to it, and Michael needed David. Wanted David’s hands and that mouth returning to what they were doing before he’d been shoved aside. Take his clothes off? Yeah, that made sense. How far could they get the way they’d been going? The floor, the bed, who cared.

Besides, whatever Michael had been doing on his own, had never worked out. Resistance was futile. Didn’t David always win? Michael had even tried killing him, for God’s sake.

Though he was becoming aroused as the muscle-hardened form was displayed for him, David stood frozen.

When it was down to his briefs, Michael stopped, disturbed by the other’s lack of response or the light of fire dying in his own eyes. David was simply standing there, waiting to what? Fuck him? He’d never done that. Why should he let David, just because that’s what David wanted? It seemed David got everything he wanted. Why should Michael be the one to give in? What did he owe to David? Nothing. Because he’d hung out with the guy and his friends one night, they’d taken control of his life. Well, no more. It didn’t matter how hot the blond made him, Michael was onto that now.

The jeans he’d let fall to the chair, Michael snatched at, defiantly attempting to stare David down as he stepped into them. He knew now it wasn’t the fucking that bothered him.

David wasn’t saying anything, but Michael wasn’t allowed a victory, with David turning his back on him and walking towards the alcove. Michael made the association immediately. It was David’s do-or-die, put-up-or-shut-up. Join him in the bedroom where they’d almost had sex – should have had sex – or walk out that door, never to see David again, to be totally on his own. This time David wasn’t granting concessions.

For David, this wasn’t about a power struggle, though he knew that’s what Michael was making of it. Neither of them were concerned for Michael’s virginity. This was about forcing a commitment out of Michael, because they couldn’t continue as they were, for everything David had said to the boy about needing to move on was correct. And, when it came to Michael himself, David was omitting the most important card in the deck, that Ace of Spades. It frightened him, what he would have to deal with should Michael refuse him.

Of course, David could wait until Michael was ill enough for manipulation. Michael would be like a child for him for carry, and David would see the boy fed. Afterwards, maybe the boy would be grateful, his new life being irrevocably established for him, or perhaps he’d rebel, and leave David anyway. For David, this was about Michael becoming what he was meant to be, even if David’s preoccupation with him had been the instrument of Michael’s self-perceived destruction. It was time, because they were running out of time, and David needed it to be Michael’s desire for him and this life, once and for all, knowing there was no turning back. Once Michael made that commitment, on his own, David knew there would be no regrets – there never was. Not when the changing was consensual, though Michael’s decision was being forced upon him, since it was after-the-fact.

As it was, it was painful for David to have pushed Michael aside, testing the boy’s control, utilizing every ounce of his resolve, and the determination he needed to push Michael for his decision. His balls were in knots just as he assumed Michael’s to be. If anything, his were in worse shape. He’d been craving Michael for so long, and denying himself, but Michael hadn’t truly ever wanted him for more than a moment’s gratification. They couldn’t survive on that, Michael occasionally allowing a desirous touch, conceding David that minor victory. Neither could David settle for friendship with someone he lusted after, and yet yearned to cherish and protect. He’d been caring for Michael since the race with the bikes, when Michael had slugged him and proved himself worthy, and he couldn’t see himself backing off, even if Michael came to resent it, mistaking David’s protectiveness as a signal David feared his competence. That was the irony, if that was the case, Michael fearing David looked down on him. Michael was the first one he’d ever considered a permanent union with, and he’d hardly have made it happen if he thought Michael any less than what he was, someone too vibrant and courageous to be contained within a human’s vulnerability.

What would he do if Michael didn’t follow him now? David wasn’t used to losing. In fact, he never lost. A part of him still thought he should rape the boy and have done with it, but the consequences would be far-reaching, and too unpredictable. He’d have to see what Michael did now, how Michael maneuvered around the corner he’d forced him into.

The physical symptoms of his arousal having diminished, Michael was dealing with the sensual rush David always inspired in him. He’d never had cause before to feel this total arousal, this intensity, as if every cell within his body was primed with energy. He knew the cause to be David, and if David disappeared from his life, he would be comparing any future lover to this potential one. He knew he’d be a fool if he lived that way.

Nude, Michael followed David into the alcove, finding David standing and watching for him, still dressed, waiting for Michael to make the first move. Michael came up to him, pulling David against himself, enjoying the feel of the blond’s torso fitted against his own. David may have waited for Michael to lay claim to him, but it was a question whose mouth sought out the other’s first, as they came together, pulling each other as close as they could be, their arms wrapped around each other. Hands journeyed over two backs, both strong, one covered, one not.

Michael did battle with David, trying to conquer that mouth, the shiny teeth and glistening tongue. There was no easy victor, as David took the initiative, holding Michael’s head in place as he ground their mouths together. They maneuvered enough to remain breathing, and after a moment, David’s frustration with only having two hands drove him to abandon his tension on Michael’s mouth, his hands returning to stroke along the bare back, into the curve, to tease a finger along the crevice, awaiting Michael’s reaction. He was relieved when Michael arched his back, responding with the same passion he’d had on the beach, as if encouraging David’s investigation, inviting increased depth.

It was frustrating, experiencing so many sensations, some of them conflicting. He’d wanted to keep kissing David, sucking that mouth and tongue, his torment since meeting David. But now there were those fantastic hands on his back, torturing him with their teasing path. He wanted to lift a leg, or stand taller on his toes, anything to make this easier. Instead, he pulled away, and David grabbed the chance to pull back long enough to be kicking his boots into a corner, all the while watching Michael’s mouth, how the lips were wet with their combined saliva, tempting him with the image of those lips encasing his hard cock. It would be like sheathing a sword, giving it a home, placing it between those fantastic full lips, just as full and wet as they had been before, when Michael was spitting the rice onto the floor as a result of David’s teasing. God, how he’d wanted to take him then, but not with the others there, and not only for sex. He was forced to delay, but God, he’d never felt this way about anyone.

He grabbed for Michael again, not risking the beauty cooling down, and now they were of the same height, Michael pushing the blond onto the bed, taking the dominant position, encasing the other’s hips with his thighs.

But they couldn’t get close enough this way, with the blond remaining dressed, and though it was extremely sexy for them both with Michael being openly vulnerable in his nudity, their activities were progressing too fast for that. But David made a mental note as to a game they could play when they had time, a game of mutual pleasure.

They pulled apart, Michael assisting in the necessary unbuttoning and unzipping, David lifting himself off the mattress to enable the articles of clothing to be stripped off him. They were thrown onto the floor by Michael, who never turned his attention from David.

“Oh, Michael,” David breathed, turning his face aside so he could lick at Michael’s throat as he pulled him back down, Michael once again bracketing his hips. He whispered, “Beauty.”

“What?” Beauty? Yeah, David was a beauty. But Michael forgot his question as his face was against David’s, his lover’s mouth licking along the vulnerable area of his throat, and then his carotid. He felt a moment of panic, and stiffened, but David let him go.

It was too soon for that, and David’s mouth moved over Michael’s ear and cheek, the bone more pronounced with the fledgling’s recent hunger, then up beside one brilliant blue eye, which closed to him in readiness.

Michael’s cock was at the ready against the other’s stomach, as David pulled him down against him, but the friction wasn’t tight enough, and Michael pulled away from the oral caresses, his mouth open as he sat atop David, positioning their shafts against each other, not knowing what else to do. His calves supported his weight, and David’s hands reached up to stroke over his chest and stomach, returning to tweak at his puckering nipples. He knew he was the amateur here, and David knew everything, while he’d be the recipient, but David didn’t look as if he was suffering, not by the evidence of his labored breathing and full cock.

The lean hands moved down to settle upon Michael’s hips, encouraging movement, something rhythmic, and Michael quickly caught on. They spent a few delicious moments this way, but David knew that wasn’t enough, it wasn’t the mind-blowing sensation he knew it had to be, if he was to capture Michael forever.

Lifting from his subservient position, David maneuvered Michael so they were reversed, Michael’s head at the foot of the bed and Michael’s back against the mattress. He settled over Michael, licking and kissing his way down the muscular body, the pronounced pecs, licking at the nipples, taking each one in turn between his teeth. He smiled as Michael emitted a groan, and moved his mouth further along, needing to pace this. To not take Michael too far, too fast. At the flat stomach, he inserted his tongue into the navel, and this caused vibrations beneath the skin. Of course, Michael was sensitive or ticklish.

Then his wet mouth worked on the short hairs, taking a few between his teeth, gently pulling at the skin, but Michael’s hand fell against the blond hair, as if pushing him away. David took the hint.

Finally, it was time, and the blond, still in control, shifted on the mattress, turning so his rear was over Michael’s head, his balls dangling over the brunet’s mouth. With Michael’s state of arousal, more than obvious with the evidence of a solid tense cock to equal David’s own, he wouldn’t be able to resist reciprocating.

And it took only a moment, a moment past David’s selective tormenting along Michael’s strong shaft, before David felt the lips encompass his head. He wished he could watch this happening, view what Michael was feeling, as his fantasy was being lived out, even as the brunet delicately began his explorations.

Mostly, Michael played it safe, knowing what it was he liked, and working it out that way. So he put one hand on David’s rump and the other began sliding over the cock, his hand sure as he gripped it, his mouth moving to tease at the testicles, finally yielding to the temptation to do something he’d never been able to do on his own: coaxing one into his mouth, sucking slightly, playing at the friction, the soft skin and the weight of it. He was wondering what would be happening to David, how it must feel.

David groaned at the action, nearly losing his purchase upon Michael’s shaft, having swallowed it completely, taken it in whole as his lips were against the base. He was moving up and down, and when Michael had taken him by surprise – totally unpredictable, hadn’t he already discerned that about Michael – it had been when only the head remained between his lips, and so David had gasped, nearly dropping it completely. “Michael, you’re making me lose it,” he cautioned.

Michael grinned, returning to lick along the standout vein, wanting to try and do the wonderful thing David was doing, taking it down his throat, because it felt so good, so divine, exactly what he wanted for David… But he knew he couldn’t do it the way David was doing.

David felt he knew what was going on with Michael. Taking a couple of necessary moments to figuratively catch his breath as well as his thoughts, David came up with, “You can try it, Michael. Whatever you do feels great to me.”

That gave Michael the confidence he needed to attempt coaxing David’s shaft not only past his lips, but towards the back of his throat.

Though he took it slow, and tried to relax his throat, as he figured that’s how it would be accomplished, Michael felt the retching sensation and knew he had to back off. David was quick to assure him, “No one says you have to do everything in one night.” So Michael knew he was okay, especially as David reminded him with an unmistakable smile in his voice, “We have a lot of time to work on it.”

Then David really set him off, keeping a tight grip on Michael’s cock, pulling it taut, as if to wrench it off, making sure Michael wouldn’t cum, not with the pressure along its length. Directing the weeping head towards his mouth, the blond stuck out his tongue to lick at the pronounced slit, teasing it carefully, then pushing hard against it with his tongue, so Michael groaned, almost in pain. David was causing this deliberate pressure, creating the sweetest agony for him.

Almost with a laugh, both of them glistening with sweat, David finally let go. If he kept at this much longer, they’d both be losing it much too soon. There was still so much left.

Hoping his words made sense, Michael gasped, “What next?” He’d never experienced anything like that before. He couldn’t believe how fantastic David was.

David scrambled around to face him. “I know what I’d like to do.”

The blue eyes faded as Michael considered it. “Okay.”

But David didn’t do it immediately. Instead, he parted and lifted Michael’s legs. Then his tongue crept into the virgin orifice, the tight ring of delicate red flexing at Michael’s involuntary response to the blond’s manipulations. Then David bit a small piece of flesh off his finger, the smooth skin giving way immediately to the dark liquid, and the blond smeared it at the opening, sticking his finger into the bright anus, working it in and out, providing lubrication as well as relaxing the muscle. To torment Michael with excitement, as well as release the tension which would be collecting, the finger smoothly passed over the gland which was the source of enjoyment to any man being penetrated in this fashion. Girls rarely knew of it, or if they did, rarely practiced the knowledge, so it was a secret delight, something one man gave to another. David did this now, and his satisfaction was in Michael’s slight jump of surprise.

“What was that?”

The blond grinned in triumph. “What you’re going to get a lot more of. And me,” David promised him, so Michael would know theirs would be an equal relationship. “So be good, Michael.”

“That’s great,” Michael was able to get out, before expressing further satisfaction as David continued the maneuver. It didn’t even bother him, David being inside him. And he knew there was more to come.

Without warning Michael, David changed position, maneuvering the head of his penis against the blood smeared opening he’d been agitating. It was time, and judging by Michael’s reaction, as well as his own tense state, they wouldn’t be able to hold out for much longer. If David was going to claim Michael this time, it had better be now, before they each lost it completely.

There was still the question of the fledgling’s self-control since Michael hadn’t fed, and therefore wasn’t master of his desires.

Michael grunted as he felt the pull of something larger at his anus, struggling to get in, instead of maneuvering to get out, which previously was all the consideration he ever gave that part of his body. “Oh, God, David,” he moaned, not quite in protest, but confused at the sensations which were invading him.

Keeping one hand on his penis to aid its insertion, David began stroking Michael’s chest and stomach, adoring him, hoping to placate the beauty, as one gentled a fidgeting mount. “Stay with me, Michael. I’ll never hurt you.”

The sincerity in the other’s voice soothed him immediately, and Michael began trying to assist David in his purpose, raising up on his arms to push into the penis, biting his lower lip, concentrating on their mutual fulfillment. Something in what David had been doing earlier, in his probing, had assured Michael there was great enjoyment to be had from this thing they were doing.

David continued to stroke the lovely slick flesh, his stare intent on Michael’s glowing face, that pure skin which advertised the boy’s youth, though the muscular body suggested maturity and tension.

But that lower lip, which David had already sucked and nipped at, he’d taken it into his mouth often enough it should have lost its appeal, but it hadn’t, and David’s gaze settled first upon the beautiful and earnest blue eyes, as they focused on what he was doing, and then onto that gorgeous mouth which David could never get enough of.

His own focus having switched, it took a gasp issuing from between those delicious lips for David to realize he’d penetrated Michael fully. There was now one other action to take, for Michael to be ready for him, and David grasped Michael’s thighs, holding him in place as he lifted the ass to him more firmly, ensuring he wouldn’t be slipping out. He shifted his hips, causing the circling motion of his cock inside the tight passage, broadening the area, forcing the relaxation of the muscles.

Michael could feel what he was doing. He released a pained groan. “David.” But then David hit that spot again, and Michael gasped.

“It’s all right now,” David assured him, beginning the age-old pattern of moving in and out, moving slowly so there would be less discomfort for Michael, and less chance for a muscle to spasm in shock. He risked leaning down to capture Michael’s mouth with his. “You’ll do it to me, I promise.” Then he resumed what he was doing, making sure he was stroking at the prostate as often as possible, so the gliding motion of his cock would gently push Michael beyond the edge of control, but not into insanity.

His hand returned to stimulate Michael’s cock to completion, as Michael was concentrating upon this new experience, and the coordination of his limbs.

After a while, Michael was stimulated to the point he could accept a faster motion, initiating a more demanding response, and David saw to it, taking command again, staring directly into Michael’s eyes, challenging Michael to stay with him on this, not allowing Michael to hide, not his responses, nor anything else. David was claiming him totally, obsessively, wanting everything and nothing of Michael to remain hidden from him.

Michael soaked it in, the other’s possessiveness, frightened of its intensity, almost overpowering, to the extent he nearly forgot where he was at, what they were doing, and the increased stimulation of his cock. Or maybe it wasn’t the tactile stimulation, but David’s intensity which took Michael over the edge, instigating the strongest orgasm he’d ever experienced in his life.

Michael’s satisfaction released David, and he could enjoy his own, his eyes still on that face, taking it all in as Michael blinked and gasped, shifting slightly with a grimace.

It was more than he’d ever had before. It was more than he’d ever experienced in his life. It was almost too much. Michael couldn’t believe he could have this – have David – every day, every time, if he wanted it.

And was he enough for David? Apparently he was, as David achieved his own orgasm, and in doing so, David changed into the beast, lowering his head to Michael’s, his mouth settling into the brunette’s throat, the fangs sinking in. This released Michael’s beast, which he only now realized had been trying to emerge, but his own confusion and distraction had kept it leashed. Now, there was no reason for it, and Michael’s fangs sank into David’s inviting neck, as they accommodated each other, signaling a different type of orgasm, one of the same intensity, the same emotional violence as the physical one.

At its completion, they breathed hard, settling against each other, David curling into him, thrilling at the luxury of being able to hold his love to him, without reservation, forever.

Except not. Michael sat up in bed, holding his stomach, turning into the beast, convulsions causing him great pain. “David,” he managed to plea, and as the blond grasped the hand he held out, the agony subsided.

David knew what it meant. They were nearly out of time. Michael had to feed. He wouldn’t last until San Francisco, not after having partaken of David’s fresh blood.

“We have to, Michael. It’s now,” he said firmly, to ensure the other didn’t escape him on this.

He dragged Michael from the bed, since Michael was complacent, unlikely to initiate anything. “Get dressed,” he ordered, putting action to words. He could only trust Michael would follow his example. He could lead, and he could instruct, but in the end it was up to Michael, and what Michael would now accept about himself.

Michael was dazed, and only followed his lover’s instructions. David was telling him it was time, and he must dress, and so he did. A part of him was realizing what this meant, but another part was shutting down, ignoring the consequences. Another piece was settling inside him; eagerness. He wanted whatever it was David was leading him to, just like he’d wanted what had happened with David this night. The claiming of his body, the initiation, the completion, it was satisfactory in a way he’d never experienced before. Now his body was demanding the satisfaction of a different hunger, one it was necessary he control. “David, help me.”

“I will, Michael. Come with me.”

They wouldn’t be riding the bikes; it was far too easy to be noticed and identified. No, they would fly into town, as it was too late for the boardwalk or the beach. They would check the parking lots, especially around the motels off the beach. It was risky, but they had to take that chance. There was no predicting the agony or the loss of control which the fledgling would suffer if he wasn’t fed.

Grasping Michael’s wrist, David took off with the fledgling in tow. They circled over the tourist area, finally spying a couple coming out of a parked car. The lot was lit, but there wasn’t a lot of activity. It was as safe from passersby as they could manage.

“Watch me,” David told Michael.

At the same time he changed into the beast, and they swooped down together, David separating long enough to grasp the man, lifting him high into the air, biting into the forehead so dark liquid spurted into his mouth, past his fangs, and also fell onto the pavement below.

The woman was terrified, screeching, and Michael knew it was up to him to stop the creature’s caterwauling; hating her sound, her panic, hating her. His hunger as bad as it had ever been, the previously tightened stomach muscles loosened as if in anticipation. Instinctively, Michael followed David’s example, lifting the woman into his arms, putting his hand over her mouth. Carrying her, still alive and kicking at him, he began laughing as they flew to the bay, David following him, the corpse in hand.

Once out to sea, David immediately dropped his bundle, and observed as Michael bit into his victim’s face, as if that was the way to shut her up. Or maybe she’d bitten into Michael’s hand and that had caused the snarl of discomfort. Then the back of her head was ripped into, as her neck was carelessly thrust into a weird angle, and David was able to enjoy his triumph. He hung in air as Michael let go the woman’s body, Michael taking a child’s enjoyment in watching for the splash as it hit the water, the force carrying the body deep beneath the waves. David knew it may rise later, as its mate would, or they would not. It was of no consequence.

Michael was fully changed now, fledgling no more. And Michael belonged to David.

As they headed for home, Michael was licking his lips and the drops which had settled on his hands, remaining the beast until he was clean.

When they entered their abode for what David knew must be their final rest in this place, he turned to Michael with a congratulatory smile on his face. “You’ll come into all your powers now.”

And Michael beamed back at him, no hesitation in those blue eyes.

The next evening, they awakened to love and expressed themselves, but there was no time for grandiose play, as there were other details to be worked out.

With David leading the way, he and Michael settled outside, examining the five motorcycles, Michael’s and the ones belonging to David as well as his deceased companions.

“I want you taking one of these,” David was saying, gesturing to the more powerful motors. They both knew Michael’s standard one couldn’t stand the pace David’s set. Besides, Michael would want one of these anyway.

There was no question now of Michael’s not remaining with him, and David had already made plans for where they could take shelter the following day.

Together, they examined the motorcycles, David waiting to see which one Michael would choose for his own, while Michael was saying, “I want to leave my bike with Sam. We can deliver it later tonight.” He was remembering his brother saying – about a week ago? - how much he wanted it. Of course, Sam was too young to be handling it, but he could learn, on that large piece of property Grandpa owned.

“Like Santa Claus,” agreed David.

Michael was still hesitating when it came to his choice of bikes. “I guess it doesn’t make any difference.”

“Don’t take that one. Or, I wouldn’t.”

Michael hesitated at the one he’d been about to try. “Why?”

It took a moment, then David stated, “It was Dwayne’s.”

Michael frowned. “So?”

Shaking his head, David laughed, but at himself. “No, go ahead. Take whichever one you want. You can have mine, I don’t care.”

“David.” Michael was firm.

“Dwayne wanted you. Didn’t you notice he never talked while you were around?”

“But he knocked me out, went after Sam.”

“Yeah, he didn’t go after you, did he? And there you were, lying there, so easily damaged. He could have shoved your brother aside.”

“Dwayne.” Michael was wondering at it. He’d thought the brunet kind of quiet, especially in comparison to Paul, who was irritatingly noisy. He’d assumed they were opposites.

“Yeah, Dwayne fell into that strong, silent type mode, but he wasn’t shy. You were mine. He and Paul had orders not to harm you. He didn’t mean to knock you out – that was your fault.”

Now he thought about it, Michael realized that first night, when he and David were staring at each other, out of the others it was the dark biker who’d kept looking at him. So if David, being the leader, hadn’t claimed him first... “What would have happened if you hadn’t…?”

“Wanted you? Dwayne would have gone for you, but how, I don’t know. I guess it would have depended upon how irresistible you were, what he would have done with you.” The blond began laughing again. “Told you, you were fated.”

“Fuck.”

“You got that right. ‘Course, if you were ugly, you wouldn’t have these problems, so it’s your own fault.”

“I seem to be guilty of a lot of things.” Michael waited until the laughter died down. “I’ll take Marko’s.” Even though Marko had been a favorite, even the leader’s servant, it was still preferable to taking either Paul’s or Dwayne’s seat. “So what are we gonna do with the other bikes?”

“We’ll go into town, make phone calls, find a dealership in San Jose which is open at night. We’ll drive the ones we’re selling, then fly home. No problem. The cash may come in handy. Even we need cash occasionally, you know. New clothing is a high priority.” Even his favorite black pullover had holes in it, and he was already wearing the spare. What he really needed was a new long coat, hopefully one which was functional as well as had personality. Besides, a change of clothing always came in handy. Maybe he’d go with a change of style, too, though he really liked the black. Of course, he was all in black when it came to Michael. Black could be a good luck charm.

Michael was pointing out, “I have clothes at home.”

“Better not go in there, just in case. It’s bad enough we’re leaving the bike. We’ll fly there, carrying it between us, and drop it off. You can’t risk waking them up.” He also didn’t want Michael entering the house, possibly being spotted or tempted to leave a note, or taking clothes which could be missed. The way he remembered it, a mother always had her son’s clothing memorized.

A clean break was recommended; no turning back.

Michael knew how dangerous it was, if he was going to be seen, and possibly intercepted, by any of his family. They’d be trying to capture him; and try and destroy David. He couldn’t afford the risk, so he’d do what David suggested. David was the one with experience.

“When we’re in San Francisco, we can shop for clothes.” David hesitated. “How likely is it your family will look for you up north? If they will, we can go further. It’s best to stay in tourist areas.” He didn’t need to explain why.

Michael knew, from what David had said, there was a place for them in the city. It seemed David had been in touch with an acquaintance, but whether the acquaintance was human or not, Michael hadn’t been informed. It was enough there was somewhere safe they could be, before morning and its scalding rays. Now Michael was like David, completely changed, he didn’t have that luxury of surviving under the light of day. It was all about shadows, now.

Though he couldn’t guess his family’s plans for once things settled down, Michael assured him, “They’ve never talked about going into San Francisco. There’s no reason they’d look there.”

“We have enough MISSING in Santa Carla, I think they ignore us up north. Word shouldn’t get out unless your mom makes a stink.”

“I think they’ll know what happened, they’ll figure it out.”

“And they won’t bother? Parents can be weird, you know. Sometimes they don’t let go.”

“It’s not like I’m a little kid.”

David came up to him, fingers stroking the other’s cool cheek. “I hope so.” He leaned in for a kiss, gratified his lover responded to him so freely now. It had been a fight with Michael, but at least those days were over. It wasn’t as if there hadn’t been sacrifices, after all, but the strong survived, and he and Michael were well-matched. Together, looking after each other, they’d conquer anything.

Michael lifted a hand, holding David’s in place, putting this image of tenderness together with the more formidable one he’d carried with him since first seeing David, sitting there on the bike, that cigarette moving back and forth between firm lips. “What now?” With a reflective smile, he realized David had cut down on smoking, so Michael wasn’t having to tolerate the habit as much. Not that he was in danger of getting cancer, but.... He never had liked the stench. It used to give him a headache.

Sighing, David knew what he wanted to do, what he knew the other would find acceptable, but they were on a strict time table, ever since he’d come back from the dead. “The clothes. Let’s burn ‘em.”

Gathering some wood, and utilizing the torches which normally facilitated the lighting of their abode, Michael started the bonfire as David gathered the clothing together, tossing the discards onto the flames. As the blond looked into the radiance, his eyes shown clear and bright, but there weren’t any tears. Michael watched as the gathering of the flames cast shadows over the pale skin, while David remained expressionless as he concentrated upon the clothing, as section by section caught the sparks, darkening, shriveling and dying. Was David seeing the destruction of the clothing, the burial of the past, or was he reliving the deaths of the others, his chosen companions, who’d died at Michael’s instigation? Michael could only wonder.

Michael’s glance moved to the fire he’d created, but he wasn’t seeing the flames, either, but remembering the past, wishing he hadn’t orchestrated the battle which resulted in the others’ deaths, or the threat upon his family.

“Don’t,” David commanded softly.

Michael hadn’t been aware the blond had come up to him. Had he utilized the speed which Michael hadn’t experimented with yet? Probably. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. Why shouldn’t David be aware of his regrets, when David’s mind must have been visiting the same territory?

“I cared about them. They were my family, my chosen family. They were a lot of fun, Michael, but I wasn’t in love with any of them. Neither were they deliberate sacrifices. It only worked out that way.” He put his arm across Michael, clutching the opposite shoulder, pulling his lover to him.

“I made the decision for you. You would have been dead, too.”

“You never thought about me being dead. I saw the shock on your face, on the stairs. It never once occurred to you, I’d have to be dead too.”

“I wasn’t thinking. I needed to take care of myself, and my family.”

David pulled him round to face him. “I know that. Don’t you think I was behaving exactly the same? But there is a difference, Michael, you were never in danger. I would never have sacrificed you. The others had their orders. The others were expendable. Your friends even made it easy for me, since Marko was the one who’d have been difficult to part with. But you and Paul would never have gotten along. And I don’t know how Dwayne would have reacted over time, wanting you himself. It could be he’d have made things difficult.”

Michael’s mind was busy. “You mean, he’d have gone after you or me?”

“No, none of them could have done that. But he might have made it difficult for him to remain with us. And if you and I ever argued, or we were vulnerable, there could have been a problem, he could have tried to take you, with or without your consent. But it would have been hard, without your consent, once you were one of us. You could have held your own against him, easily.”

“You were thinking about that all the time.”

“That’s part of being a leader, Michael. You have to know your men.”

Michael backed away, but not enough for their loose embrace to fall. “It’s a relief for you they’re gone, isn’t it?” Ruthless, and relentless, if true, David being revealed to be as hard as Michael had taken the biker to be.

“Their deaths served a purpose, just as their lives did. Don’t try to make it worse than it is, Michael.”

But Michael couldn’t let it be, not yet. “I couldn’t sacrifice my family.”

“The bonds are different.” He wouldn’t tell Michael what experience had already taught him, that just as Michael’s feelings for his family had been drifting, soon Michael would come to feel no attachment whatsoever to them. Already, Michael’s feelings were surviving through memory, that’s all. “My brotherhood with you is different from what I had with them, so don’t confuse yourself with them, not ever.” He hoped the message was clear, that he wasn’t implying any insult to his former companions, but only stressing how his and Michael’s relationship was different, superior.

Michael looked at the flames. “I think it’s time to put it out.” The fire, he meant. The clothes were gone. They couldn’t risk a fire, since that would bring onlookers.

They already had containers of salt water standing by, and they each grabbed one, dousing the flames, watching the dark smoke as it curled toward the sky.

David looked at the sky, Michael realizing the blond was studying the position of the moon, that being David’s preferred way of estimating the passage of time.

“Let’s make some calls in town. Then we’ll deliver that bike to your brother.”

They went to the center of town, off the boardwalk, consulting the phone directory alongside the public phone. There were listings for San Jose businesses, and it took only a couple of calls before David located a place which would be open another hour. At this time of night, it would take less than half an hour to get there.

With David riding Dwayne’s bike and Michael Paul’s, they sped through the several miles of winding highway, finally spying the white lights which advertised San Jose and its suburbs. Michael followed David the entire way, though they rode side-by-side. David, fortunately, had checked out this territory in the past, and knew which route to take.

When they showed up at the dealership, David also knew the value of the models they intended for resale. Accepting payment in the form of cash, David split the amount with Michael, both of them pocketing it.

Outside, Michael asked, “What if he’d insisted on giving you a check?”

“No deal.” David grinned, putting his arm around Michael’s shoulder, leaning in close to whisper, “I have no ID.”

They were effectively stranded in San Jose, unless… David looked around, leading the way into a side street, and said, “Let’s deliver that bike to your brother.”

With greater confidence than he’d displayed previously, Michael took the initiative, leading off and leaving David to catch up to him.

They went very high, to avoid onlookers, and though the night was clear, hopefully there weren’t any stargazers around. Even if there were, however, who would believe the story they’d tell?

For the first time, Michael realized there was a strange high-pitched whine, uneven, as they flew, and he decided it was the speed of their bodies interacting against the wind. It created a strange caterwauling, like when cats fought, and he remembered hearing it before, that night when David had been calling for him, circling the house.

But mostly he enjoyed the view, looking down without fear, being as high as an airplane in flight, but too small for radar to pick up on, he thought. What a strange, exciting life he would be living, with literally the entire planet at his disposal. There it was below, Earth, with only him and David to enjoy and take it in. The humans down there didn’t know what they were missing. He owed all this to David, because without the blond’s insistence, he would have been like those down there, with nothing to show for it his entire life.

When they arrived back at their home, they didn’t pause for a rest. Between them they grabbed each side of the bike, lifting off and taking the relatively short flight to Grandpa’s ranch on top the hill at a calm pace. There was no hurry, and they were balancing this bulky item between them. Their combined strength, and the way they managed the wind, kept the weight of the bike from controlling them.

They left the bike there, Michael’s agreed-upon gift to his younger brother, Michael taking a moment to say, “Good-bye, Sam” to his brother’s window, while David stood by.

“Michael,” David prompted, coming up to him.

It was okay. That life was over. This life had begun.

Together, they returned to their cliffside home.

Michael was wondering what stuff David would want to take with them.

The huge poster of Jim Morrison, the late singer’s face, caught David’s attention as he surveyed his surroundings one last time. He turned to Michael, including him with a smirk. “You look a bit like him, you know.”

“’Light My Fire?’”

“Yeah. Well, we can’t take much with us on the bikes.” The blond was casual. “We’ll pick up stuff as required. Any last minute concerns?”

“None that can’t wait.”

David approved. “Good.”

It was important they leave now, before morning, not risking another day in Santa Carla. With the bike’s being dropped off, Sam would guess what had happened. It was altogether likely Sam would come searching for him, with or without the aid of his friends. If Sam found Michael, he’d also find David.

They didn’t have time to lose.

All important evidence having been destroyed or disposed of, David and Michael took a moment to stare at each other, silently contemplating the new life they were moving into. Then they got onto their bikes, heading to connect with the coastal highway and from there into the 280 freeway. It would take them north, over the hills, towards the West Bay and San Francisco – to their new home.

EPILOGUE

On a day the boys were sleeping in their new home on the outskirts of San Francisco, in their private-entrance loft with the double-set of blackout curtains, Lucy Emerson was posting a MISSING notice to the common area of a storefront on the boardwalk. Her face was sad, tears blurring her vision as she gazed at the reproduced photo of her son, her eldest, her beautiful boy, Michael.

Her youngest had been saying Michael was gone forever, because he wasn’t human anymore, but a monster, like the others they’d destroyed. That was why the bike had been forgotten or Michael had deliberately left it for him. According to Sam, it was Michael’s choice to leave, because he’d changed, and the process couldn’t have been reversed as they’d all taken for granted. And it was true they hadn’t seen Michael doing normal things like eating, and Sam had been trying to catch Michael in a mirror, even one of the broken ones. A mirror wasn’t among the highest priority of items to replace. Maybe that was a mistake, but who was thinking about it then? So it was possible Sam was right, and it wasn’t a coincidence, Michael’s disappearing when he did, at a point where he couldn’t fake it anymore. She hoped Sam was right, anyway, because then it meant it was Michael’s choice to disappear, and he was somewhere, hopefully safe and happy, rather than the alternative, which left her little hope.

Regardless, her own course of action was dictated by following the path of any parent with a missing child. She was consulting with the police, and posting notices of her own.

But it was with awkwardness Lucy held her head up, remembering when she’d taken her first walk on this boardwalk, more than a week ago. There was a lady she saw then, the woman about her own age, posting a MISSING notification, the face on the poster a man of middle years, probably the woman’s husband. Lucy had been embarrassed being caught noticing the woman, as if she’d been intruding on a private moment, offering curiosity or pity. But the woman hadn’t been self-conscious of her blatant misery. Now Lucy understood the grieving woman had more important concerns than embarrassment.

It had never occurred to Lucy, at that time, she’d be going through the same experience, being a member of an exclusive fraternity.

She hated to think of him, her adorable Michael, all alone out there, on his own, with no one to turn to.

No matter what, her son was always welcome at home.

THE END

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BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

NatashaBarry

Summary:

Work Text:

“People are strange

When you’re a stranger…”

“Faces look ugly

When you’re alone…”

“Women seem wicked

When you’re unwanted…”

“Streets are uneven

When you’re down…”

“When you’re strange

Faces come out of the rain…”

“When you’re strange

No one remembers your name…”

“When you’re strange…”

He’d felt so alive with David. What did he have now?

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