Note: I’ve been thinking a lot about fathers recently. What makes a good one and what makes a bad one? This story is an exploration of that question, brought to life in a particularly vivid way. Bear in mind that I’m not trying to present Dan as a good or bad father; I’ll let you figure that out for yourselves. It takes a little while to unfold but you’ll see my trademark fingerprints all over the plot once you get into it. Enjoy!

Themes: Cock shrinking, nubbing, penis reduction, small cock, muscle growth, dominance/submission, mild incest, father-son, shaving, humiliation, sadomasochism, feminization, weight gain

Quick links:

• Chapter 1 – Scroll down
• Chapter 2
• Chapter 3
• Chapter 4
• Chapter 5
• Chapter 6
• Chapter 7
• Chapter 8
• Chapter 9
• Chapter 10
• Epilogue

***

Chapter 1

The divorce was final and Dan Hughes and his best friend, Kevin Sanchez, were celebrating. After a bitter custody battle, Kevin had won custody of his son, Matteo. Kevin couldn’t help savoring his victory.

“Ah, fuck! Freedom at last!” he yelled, causing a few people in the park to look over in their direction. 

“Hold it down, man,” Dan chided. “Children are present.”

Their thirteen-year-old sons, Jack and Matteo, were tossing the football back and forth beside the river nearby. Hamburgers were simmering on the grill and Dan and Kevin were chilling together at a picnic table, sipping on beer. It was an early June evening in Michigan when the sun seemed to stay up for hours. Dan loved this time of the year, not the least because he had the next several weeks off from work. Plenty of time to relax and hang out with friends.

Sanchez gazed over at their boys, waving his hand dismissively, “Pffft, Jack and Matteo ain’t kids no more, dude.” 

They watched the boys, both of whom–it was obvious just from looking at them–would soon take after their fathers. Long and gawky at the moment, they already possessed the telltale signs of their future brawn. Dan and Kevin were both assistant coaches for the university football team and had played together in college on the same team. The two biggest linebackers in the college’s history, they’d helped lead the team to two finals in a row, taking home the glory both times. They totally destroyed the opposing team’s defense, blowing through the line and sacking the quarterback more often than not.

“I’m not talkin’ ‘bout them, asshole.” Dan smiled to soften the insult. “I’m talkin’ bout the children over there.” He jerked his chin over at a bunch of tiny kids playing soccer, or at least running around in the field, earnestly attempting to kick the ball. They were within earshot, although so noisy in their own right that Kevin’ profanity probably didn’t register.

“My bad.” Kevin didn’t look particularly chagrined. “But the sentiment stands. I feel so fuckin’ good, bro! I mean, look at us! We’re bachelors again!”

Dan looked down. “Tell me ‘bout it.”

“Aw, bro.” Kevin leaned forward across the table, beer on his breath. “Still sore ‘bout Kendra?”

“Yeah.” Dan clenched his beer can, remembering his ex-wife and her infidelity. “I’m still mad at her.” He lowered his head, ashamed. “And the truth is that I…miss her.” He looked back up at Kevin and then quickly away, eyes red.

Kevin reached across and patted him in the arm. “S’Ok, buddy. You’ll get over it.”

“I know.” Dan swallowed and then looked back at Kevin, forcing himself to smile. Kevin was just so happy about the end of his loveless marriage that he didn’t want to spoil the vibe. “I’m glad, though, that you’re free and feelin’ good ‘bout it.”

Kevin clinked his beer can against Dan’s before leaning back and putting his hands behind his head. The early June sunlight slanted through the trees over their picnic table, dappling his face and torso. Kevin had grown softer since college but he was still very muscular and in decent shape for a dude in his early thirties. Dan and he had been young fathers, still just sophomores, when their boys were born only a month apart. They’d grown up as men and as fathers together, sharing the joys and heartbreaks along the way. Kevin’s broad face was handsome in an ex-jock sort of way, his features rounded and pleasant. He was watching Dan through lidded eyes, a smile on his lips.

“Hey, bro–?” he started to say but was cut off by a distressed bark from Jack.

“Dad!” the boy wailed, giving Dan an exasperated look. “The burgers are burning!”

“Oh, shit.” Dan stood up and hastily flipped the hamburgers on the grill. “They’re not too bad. It’s just one side.” He lifted his giant shoulders apologetically. “Sorry!”

Jack scowled and flopped down on the picnic table beside him. Matteo joined his dad on the other side. Both boys were clearly hungry and annoyed that their dinner wasn’t ready yet. Dan ignored their glares and looked back to Kevin, “What were you about to say, bro?”

Kevin shrugged his own giant shoulders. “Nuthin’, bro. Nuthin’.” He was still smiling at him, his eyes dancing. He knocked back his beer and finished it, reaching over to pop the tab on another.

“Papa,” Matteo cautioned, looking worriedly at the beer. “That’s the last one, Ok? You gotta drive home after this!” He looked over at Dan for backup.

“Yeah, buddy,” Dan chimed in. “Easy on the beer.”

Kevin grinned, his eyes a little glassy. “Ok, Ok! We’re not leaving right away. I’ve got time for it to wear off. But, fuck, does it feel good to have a buzz goin’ and hang out with my boy and my best bro in the whole world!”

“Hey, asshole,” Jack growled, obviously struggling to lower his voice because it hadn’t begun to crack just yet. The kid delighted in imitating Dan’s gruff tone; it was super cute. “What ‘bout me?”

“Annnnnd my boy’s best friend,” Kevin added, placing his beer down unsteadily and reaching across the table to muss Jack’s hair. Annoyed at being treated like a child, Jack pulled away with a huff.

“Alright, sorry it’s late.” Dan placed the tray of burger down in front of the ravenous teenagers. There were buns and condiments and a tub of potato salad laid out before them. Soon, the boys were devouring the burgers, polishing off the entire platter while Dan and Kevin were still working on their first. Dan exchanged a bemused look with Kevin, getting back up and putting another four burgers on the grill, asking, “You guys want more?” Neither Matteo nor Jack deigned to respond in words; they merely grunted while continuing to stuff the food in their mouths. Teenagers!

The boys flopped down on the grass after stuffing themselves, rubbing their swollen bellies and scrolling through Instagram. They would elbow each other when they found a particularly beautiful babe. Dan and Matteo watched them, sipping cola now and enjoying the cool breeze. The sun had set and night was falling. A lone heron stalked in the cattails on the other side of the river while a pair of wood ducks flew up into the tree limbs overhead, getting ready to roost for the night.

“C’mon, bro. There’s sumthin’ I wanna show ya.”

Kevin got up from the picnic table and motioned for Dan to follow him. Curious at his bro’s conspiratorial tone, Dan got up and trailed along behind his buddy as he wandered toward a little gravel nature trail that wound through the undergrowth. Kevin walked along the winding path until he reached an enormous oak tree. Its gnarled limbs spread overhead, twisting into the sky. New leaves, still pale green, graced its branches.

“What’s up?” And could tell from the tone of Kevin’ voice that he wanted to talk about something, probably about a woman.

Kevin leaned against the wide trunk of the tree, folding his arms and gazing back at him. “Now that the divorce is over and I’m finally free, bro, I need yer advice.”

“Oh?”

Kevin nodded, looking off to the side. “See, there’s this person I’ve got a crush on. I’ve known ‘em for years and had a thing for ‘em since the day we first met.”

“Really?” Dan was curious. “What’s her name? I’m sure I know her.”

“They’re everything I could ever want in a partner,” Kevin continued. “Physically, they’re ideal: Tall and curvy with big tits and an ass that won’t quit.” He made a face. “Their snatch is too hairy–I like a shaved pussy–but we can work on that. Otherwise, they’re a walkin’ orgasm.”

Dan grinned wolfishly. “Sounds nice!”

“Ikr? I get hard whenever I’m around ‘em.” Kevin returned Dan’s wolfish grin. “And I really wanna fuck ‘em in the worst way but, you see, this person’s special. I don’t wanna blow it by coming on too strong. Plus, I don’t know if they’re into me.” He paused, “And, bro, they’re more than juss beautiful. They’re super sweet, super smart, super adorable. Juss an all ‘round nice person.” He lowered his head. “I don’t wanna screw it up by doin’ or sayin’ the wrong thing.” He looked Dan in the eyes. “That’s why I want yer advice. What do I do to make ‘em notice me?”

Dan was touched that Kevin wanted his opinion, not that he was an expert of relationships. He’d thoroughly blown his marriage with Kendra and told Kevin as much.

“Kendra’s a whore,” Kevin spat, making Dan frown. He reached out and put his hand on his shoulder, leaving it there. “Sorry, bro. I never liked her. She’s a climber. Only latched onto ya ‘cuz she thought you’d go pro. When you turned down the NFL draft and took the job as assistant coach, she lost all interest.”

Dan’s jaw tightened. Kendra was a sore spot. He knew she’d been using him but he’d still loved her. A lot.

“Anyway,” Kevin continued, squeezing Dan’s bicep. “Let’s forget ‘bout her. What do I do? How do I let this person know I’m interested?”

“Do you know what she likes?”

Kevin nodded, smiling. “Yeah.”

“Then ask her out on a date where you do something with her that you know she’ll enjoy.” He sighed. “Spend time with her. Show her you’re interested in her interests. And just be you. Don’t try to impress her.” God, this was just about the blandest advice ever! It made him feel embarrassed to utter such shallow and banal nonsense. He really wasn’t the guy to turn to for advice on love. Every time he’d been in love, he’d fucked it up.

Kevin’s eyes, however, lit up with these words and he nodded eagerly. “That’s a great idea! Hey, bro, wanna go mountain biking with me tomorrow on the trails near Chelsea? I hear they’re killer.”

“What? Yeah, that sounds like fun! I’ve been wanting to get out there but haven’t had a chance yet…” His voice trailed off as a thought occurred to him. “Hey, wait, why’re you changing the subject? Weren’t we just talkin’ bout–?” Then he got it. Fuck. How could he have been so dense? Placing his hand over his forehead, he breathed, “This person’s me, isn’t it?” 

He met Kevin’s soft gaze and his friend nodded. “Yep, bro. It’s you. It’s always been you. I was juss too chicken shit to tell ya.”

“Dude,” Dan said softly, mind reeling with this completely unexpected information. “I’m straight?”

Kevin grinned. “Is that a question, bro?”

“No?” Dan cleared his throat. “I mean, no.” 

Kevin edged closer to him. “Dude, don’t lie to me. I know ya better than anyone else alive. Better than Kendra, better than Jack, and way better than yer own mom. We’ve been together half our lives and have shared everything. I know all of yer secrets, even the ones you haven’t tole me ‘bout.” His eyes narrowed as he whispered, “All of ‘em, bro. And I love you for ‘em. Fuck, I love you so bad it hurts!”

“This is…” Dan couldn’t finish because he was too freaked out. Did Kevin know about–? He shuddered, horrified. He’d been so careful! He thought he’d put everything behind him.

Kevin’s eyes were deep pools in the waning light. He took him by the shoulders, staring intently at him. “Dude, I didn’t tell you this to use it against you! I’m tellin’ ya ‘cuz I want you to know I got yer back. I’ve had yer back for fifteen years and I’m gonna have yer back for the rest of yer life, too, if ya let me.”

Dan sagged and would have collapsed if Kevin hadn’t been holding him up. When Kevin hefted him back to his feet and propped him up against the oak tree, he met his gaze, saying, “Gimme some time, bro? I don’t know how I feel right now. I had no idea you were so into me. I’m not saying no and I’m not saying yes. I juss don’t know.”

Kevin nodded, eyes glowing with happiness. “I know. Still, I had to tell ya. It’s been eating me alive. I couldn’t say nuthin’ until after the divorce was finalized ‘cuz I didn’t want Audrey to find out and use it against me. Now that it’s over and Matteo’s all mine, I’m free as a bird and I’m ready to tell the whole world: Kevin Sanchez is in love with Dan Hughes!” He laughed before sobering at Dan’s shocked expression. Holding up his big hands, he placated, “Don’t worry! I’m a patient man. I can wait for you to decide. Shit, I’ve been waiting for fifteen years, what’s another few weeks or months? Take yer time, bro. Take yer time. I’ll be here waiting for ya.” He paused, searching Dan’s face. “We good?”

Dan felt like the earth had just tilted on its axis. Somehow, he’d never guessed that Kevin was gay. It had never entered his mind, let alone the fact that his best bro was hot for him. He couldn’t believe it! “Yeah,” he said, reaching out to pat Kevin on the bulging deltoid. “We’re good. Thanks, man. I’m glad you told me.”

“The offer still stands.”

He looked up. In the fading light, it was hard to see Kevin’s face. “Huh?”

“To go biking tomorrow, dude,” Kevin replied, laughing. “What’d ya think I meant?”

***

“Dad, what’s wrong?”

Dan shook himself, looking back over at his son. Jack’s face glowed blue in the dashboard lights. They were driving back to their apartment after taking leave of Kevin and Matteo. The long June twilight had finally given out and the car was bathed in darkness. “Huh? Oh, nuthin’. Juss thinkin’.”

Jack put his smartphone aside, looking up at him. “You an’ Kevin were gone a long time. What were ya doin’?” 

The boy was slouched in the passenger seat, baseball cap askew on his head. Wearing a t-shirt with the sleeves ripped off and a baggy pair of shorts, he was a quintessential jock. He was also dressed almost identically to Dan. It was an open secret that Jack idolized him. At a time when most boys were trying their best to separate from their fathers, Jack sought to emulate Dan in every way possible. Dan would be lying if he said he wasn’t privately tickled by his son’s adoration. Still, he kept this to himself, not wanting to jinx their relationship. He wanted to enjoy this closeness while it lasted; the days were drawing to a close when Jack would seek out his company and hang on his every word.

“He needed to talk about the divorce,” Dan lied, “and he didn’t want to do it in front of Matteo.”

Jack’s brow furrowed. “Huh? Really? Matteo doesn’t give a shit about his mom, juss like I don’t give a shit ‘bout mine.”

“Jack, your mother loves you very much. You know that.”

“But she doesn’t love you,” Jack pointed out with unnervingly accurate bluntness. “I can’t ever forgive her for that.”

Dan was touched by his son’s loyalty but couldn’t say so. Instead, he continued driving. They were almost home anyway.

***

He slept poorly that night, tossing and turning. The ghost of Kevin’s confession haunted him, stirring up long-buried memories, unpleasant memories. Waking after midnight from tormented dreams, he groaned and sat up on his elbows. Why was he so bothered by this? Sure, it was unexpected but did it really matter that his best friend was gay? And who cared if he had a crush on him?

He smiled, thinking back to how he’d met Kevin at the university’s football camp right after graduating from high school. Over the course of a summer, they’d grown into a couple of lumbering oxen as their bodies responded to the rigorous training and copious protein their coach forced them to consume. In a few weeks, both had developed obvious stretch marks from where their skin had pulled tight and split from the pressure of their swelling muscles. 

By the end of the summer, they were unrecognizable to their friends, having transformed from adolescent boys into husky, bearded men practically overnight. And they’d done it together, sleeping in the same bunk and following the same schedule every day. Eating, sleeping, working out, training and showering together had made them inseparable. They’d even dated together and planned a double wedding.

How had he never noticed Kevin’s attention was more than just that of a friend?

A movement caught his attention and he froze, squinting into the darkness. His breath caught in his chest when he realized there was…something…perched at the foot of his bed. A figure wreathed in blackness hunched like a gargoyle on the bedpost. It’s prehensile, clawed toes curled over the carved wood and a long, scaly, black tail wound around its ankles, flicking nervously.

As he stared, it opened its glowing yellow eyes and stared balefully down at him. When it blinked, its eyelids slid in from the side like a bird’s. Its pupils were slitted like a cat’s.

“Beware!” it hissed. “The morning sun will stain the sky red!”

“The fuck?!” Dan hurled himself out of bed, turning on the light and searching for any sign of the unholy creature.

Nothing.

Bathed in harsh light, the bedroom was completely empty.

He must have been dreaming.

Heart pounding, he forced himself back into bed but kept the light on. Needless to say, he didn’t get much sleep after that. The creature’s harsh call kept echoing through his mind, “Beware! The morning sun will stain the sky red!” 

What the fuck did that mean?

***

Chapter 2

He called his sister, Diane, in the morning. She answered the phone, a note of surprise in her voice. “Hey, Daniel! What’s up?”

He groaned, rubbing his forehead. He had a splitting headache and felt groggy from lack of sleep. “Sis, I gotta ask you sumthin’.”

Taking note of his tone, Diane lowered her voice. “Why? What’s happened? Is Jack alright? You?”

He chuckled or tried to. “Yeah, we’re both fine. It’s sumthin’ else.”

“Yeah? Well, don’t leave me hanging!”

Dan forced himself to take a deep breath before plunging ahead. “It’s Matthew. I…dreamed…about him last night.”

“Matthew? Matthew Morgan?” Diane’s voice changed, becoming wary. 

“Yes, Matthew. I need to know. Is he Ok?”

Silence. After a long pause, Diane replied, “I can’t talk about this over the phone. It’s better if you come here. Can you get away for a few days? You and Jack are more than welcome to stay with me.” She paused before adding, “And I miss my little brother. I haven’t seen you in over a year!”

Dan thought this over, heart pounding for unknown reasons. “Yeah, sure. I’m on break for a few weeks and Jack’s outta school for the summer. A road trip would be fun.” He smiled, savoring the idea of time with his son. “We can make a thing of it. Stop up and see David and Liz before heading through the U.P. to Wisconsin.”

“Sounds great!” Diane’s smile was palpable in her voice. “I can’t wait to see you both!”

He clicked down on the button, ending the call. At that moment, Jack struggled out of his bedroom, his blondish brown hair askew on his head. Dressed in a pair of sweats and the same, ripped t-shirt from the night before, he gave Dan a watery smile. “S’up, bro?”

Dan frowned. “I’m not yer bro, Jack. I’m yer dad.”

Jack grinned sheepishly. “Oh, yeah. Sorry. How’s it hangin’?”

“Jaaaack.” Dan’s voice held a note of warning.

Unabashed, the kid brazenly scratched his balls, yawning theatrically, “I gotta piss. Be right back.” He sauntered into the bathroom but left the door partly ajar. In a moment, Dan could hear the gushing splatter of his son’s urine hitting the toilet bowl. He shook his head. Puberty had hit with full force and Jack was feeling his oats.

***

“When do we leave?!” Jack’s golden brown eyes were on fire with excitement. “I’ll start packing!”

Dan smiled. He was glad that Jack was up for the road trip. He never knew these days what his kid’s mood might be. Like most teenagers, Jack ran hot and cold. “We’re going for a bike ride this morning with Kevin and Matteo. After that, we can stop by Dick’s and pick up camping gear. I’ve got most of the stuff we need already but there’re still a few odds and ends.”

“Cool but when do we leave?”

“Tomorrow morning. We’ll drive up north to see Grandpa and Grandma before heading to Wisconsin to visit Aunt Diane.”

“Awesome.” Jack was shaking, his little arms and legs quivering as he tried hard to contain his eagerness. Dan shook his head. It was funny how sometimes he acted so grown up and at others was just like a little boy.

“Let’s get ready,” Dan urged. “We’re meeting Kevin and Matteo at ten.”

“Right!” Jack pushed himself up from the table, all but bounding into his bedroom to get changed.

Dan went into his own bedroom and pulled out his biking gear. He was just about to step into a pair of Lycra biking shorts when remembered Kevin’s confession. He dropped the shorts and found a less revealing pair, cargo shorts with a Lycra liner. It was embarrassing to admit but he felt self-conscious about Kevin seeing him in just a tight pair of biking shorts. Just a day ago, he wouldn’t have thought anything about it but now…

Jack eyed him when he emerged from the bedroom but didn’t say anything. Even though he knew Jack had no idea what had transpired between him and Kevin, Dan cleared his throat self-consciously before filling his water bottle in the sink and offering, “I’ll pull out the bikes from the garage and pump up the tires. You ready to go?”

“Yep.”

Dan noticed then that once again Jack was dressed almost identically to him. With a cycle racing cap turned backwards on his head and a nylon jersey with khaki cargo shorts, he was a spitting image of Dan himself at thirteen. The age when he first met Matthew…

He shivered, haunted once again by a long-buried ghost from his past. It couldn’t be a coincidence that the creature had shown up last night, after Kevin’s confession and the revelation that he knew about Dan’s past. He had to find out what was going on.

***

Kevin and Matteo were waiting for them when they pulled into the parking lot. Dan could feel Kevin’s eyes on him the whole time he was unloading the bikes. His friend sauntered over and helped, checking the tire pressure and making sure they had spare inner tubes and other tools. Dan was squatting down, testing the tension on his brake cable when he happened to look over his shoulder. Kevin was standing behind him, his eyes slightly glazed. Dan’s cheeks turned pink beneath his beard. He hadn’t realized it but a good three or four inches of his ass cheeks were hanging out of the back of his shorts. He straightened, pulling up his shorts.

He looked over at Matteo and Jack, relieved when he saw the boys had their backs turned to them. He gave Kevin an exasperated look but his buddy simply shrugged his massive shoulders and grinned.

Kevin was unusually solicitous that day. Taking up the rear behind Dan’s rear, he was always right there waiting to lend a hand. He never actually touched him but he didn’t have to; never more than an arm’s length away, his protective stance telegraphed his feelings to anyone who cared to notice. Dan worried that Jack and Matteo were going to see that their dads were acting strange. If they did, what would he say?

At the end of the ride, Kevin backed him up against the car while the boys rinsed their muddy bikes off at a small handpump nearby. “Jack says you’re leaving tomorrow,” he murmured, taking a step closer. Dan looked around for an exit but he was trapped between Kevin and the car.

“Y-Y-Y-Yeah, we’re going to visit my sister,” Dan stammered, tongue-tied. “We’ll only be gone a week or so.”

“Ok.” Kevin was smiling. “I’ll be waiting when you get home, bro. Call me while yer gone?”

“Uh, sure.” Dan swallowed.

“Good girl.” Kevin’s hand slid down to rest on the top curve of Dan’s bulging buttock. He squeezed before winking and sauntering off.

***

He and Jack drove back into the city afterward, stopping at Dick’s Sporting Goods to pick up camping gear. While he wandered the aisles, Jack disappeared, returning a few minutes later carrying several colorful boxes. He dropped them into Dan’s shopping cart, the essence of nonchalance.

Dan looked down, brow lifting when he realized what they were. Jockstraps. On the front of the box, there was a picture of a smiling young guy dressed in a colorful jersey, the thick waistband of the jock was just visible on his slim hips at the bottom of the frame. The word, “BIKE,” was emblazoned in bold letters on the label. He looked back at his son and Jack shrugged, “It’s time, Dad. You know how it is. A guy needs support.”

What could he say?

He remembered buying his first jockstrap at age thirteen. It was before self-checkout lanes and he’d been utterly mortified when the male cashier swiped the box over the laser and the words, “Bike Jockstrap,” were illuminated for all to see on the readout screen. His cheeks had blazed and he’s kept his eyes lowered, withering under the man’s amused stare. 

He couldn’t imagine ever asking his dad to buy one for him! It was way too embarrassing! Literally, em-bare-assing. The fact that Jack was so cool about it was impressive. He decided to take it as a sign of how much the boy trusted him. Yeah, he and Jack had a good relationship.

He smiled down at his kid, resisting the urge to muss his hair.

“What?” Jack demanded, doing his best tough-guy impersonation. Nothing could crack his confidence, not even his dad’s knowing stare. 

“Nothing,” Dan replied. “Let’s go. I think I have everything we need.”

***

Jack kept going in and out of the bathroom all night after they got back from the store. Dan watched him while he made dinner, smiling to himself. The boy would go into the bathroom, lock the door, and emerge looking flushed and happy a few minutes later. This repeated itself four times over the course of the evening. 

Dan knew exactly what was going on in that bathroom, remembered doing the same thing the night after he bought his first jockstrap. It had felt so transgressive and naughty as he pulled the revealing garment up his thighs. When his bare ass hung out behind him, cupped by those wide elastic straps, he’d shot his load in the cup, his very first hands-free orgasm. Up until that day, he’d worn tightie-whities that covered his butt. Nothing could have prepared him for the blissful, erotic feeling of having his ass exposed and his package hugged in that mesh pouch. It was electric.

“Hey,” he called out after Jack’s fourth trip to the bathroom. “I’m doing laundry tonight. Can you put your dirty clothes out?”

It was a subtle suggestion, phrased carefully to protect Jack’s fragile ego but he knew the kid got it. Sure enough, there were two sodden jockstraps in the pile of laundry he collected from Jack’s hamper a while later. Dan opted to wash them in a separate load.

***

They drove up to Suttons Bay the next morning. About a four-hour drive north of Ann Arbor, the little village was a tourist mecca near the boundaries of the Sleeping Bear Dunes. The highways were busy even though it was in the middle of the week, testament to the start of the vacation season. Once school was out for the summer, families in the south invariably headed for the wide, cool shores of Lake Michigan.

Jack sat bolt upright in the passenger seat as soon as they exited Highway 10 north of Clare. The flat farmland of the interior of the state gave way to rolling, wooded hills, a harbinger of the steeply glaciated terrain to come.

“Dad, did you grow up here?”

Dan shook his head. “Nah, I grew up in Idaho. You know that!”

Jack was confused. “Then why do Grandpa and Grandma live up here?”

“They moved here from Idaho around the time I started college. They’re the ones who encouraged me to try out for football. Grandpa helped me fill out the application and got me the scholarship.”

“Really?” Jack was awed by this revelation.

Dan laughed. “I’ve told you this before! It’s nothing new.”

“Guess I forgot.” 

Jack went back to staring out the window. Dan couldn’t blame him. Northwestern Lower Michigan was really beautiful.

***

They arrived in Suttons Bay after a harrowing drive through the clogged streets of Traverse City. Dan was amazed that the traffic was worse up here than downstate. It detracted somewhat from the otherwise blissful experience of up north. People were loving the place to death! If tourism remained unchecked, people would eventually destroy the very beauty that made the place so attractive. He didn’t know how David and Liz could stand it, especially after the stark wilderness of Idaho.

The couple had moved to Suttons Bay at the perfect time, just before the real estate boom made housing too expensive for the middle class to afford. They’d found a modest house on the edge of a swamp just outside of town, taking jobs at a nearby private school. The school catered to kids with learning disabilities and emotional trauma, just the place for the likes of David. 

Trained as a therapist, David had worked for years at a juvenile detention facility in Idaho. The man was the deepest person that Dan had ever met, possessing an almost otherworldly calm at all times. He couldn’t remember ever seeing David flustered or angry. His voice seemed to arise out of a well of compassion, never sentimental and always spot on. He had saved Dan’s life and Dan would never forget that.

They pulled into the driveway of the modular home in the early afternoon just as David and Liz were getting back from mountain biking on the trails behind their house. Their dog, Avery, came running up to Dan, barking excitedly and wagging his skinny tail. A mixed breed with equal parts black lab and pitbull, the dog was a neurotic mess after being rescued from a hoarder’s house in Texas. He was a loveable neurotic mess, though.

Dan knelt down and petted the dog before rising to hug David. Jack was already lost in Liz’s arms as the tall, sinewy woman pulled him close, murmuring about how much he’d grown. David grabbed him and they held onto each other for a long time as Dan remembered all of the many times he’d hugged the man over the years.

The first time he’d hugged him, he’d been a terrified and ashamed teenager. Under David’s patient tutelage, he’d grown to be an increasingly confident young man. David had influenced him more than anyone else, more even than his own biological father. The truth was that Dan was estranged from his own parents; David and Liz had taken over, becoming the wise parents that Dan had needed at a very critical time in his young life.

“What’s wrong?” David asked finally, patting him on the back before stepping back to survey him. “You look worried.”

David was dressed in flannel even on that warm day, clad in a pair of cargo biking shorts much like Dan had worn during his ride the day before. He’d always look like a mountain man to Dan, even now that he lived miles away from the nearest mountains. With a wiry frame and a protruding stomach, his body belied its immense strength and endurance. Even in his early sixties, David was still a formidable, athletic man. He’d graduated as a helicopter pilot from the U.S. Airforce Academy in Colorado Springs before changing careers midstream and becoming a therapist. Once a military man, always a military man, though. Dan had never met anyone who could push himself to the brink like David.

Dan dipped his head, whispering, “It’s back.”

He didn’t need to elaborate. David’s eyes widened even as the cryptic words left his lips. “When?”

“The night before last. And last night, too.” He paused. “It keeps saying the same thing: Beware! The morning sun will stain the sky red.”

David thought for a moment. “This is the first time it’s talked, right? I remember you saying the last time it was silent.”

Dan nodded. “What do I do?” He shuddered as a chill ran through his body. “If it happens again, I–”

David stopped him, pulling him back from the edge like always. “It won’t. You’re a grown man now, Dan. You won’t let it happen again.”

“But what if I do?” Dan was agonized, rendered completely terrified by the prospect of losing control like that again. “What if I hurt someone?” He looked over at Jack who was still happily carrying on with Liz. The dog, Avery, was dancing around at his heels. “What about Jack?”

“Dan,” David said evenly, as calm and collected as ever. “You won’t hurt anyone. I know that for a fact. You’ve changed.”

“Have I? Sometimes I don’t know.” Dan hung his head. “The last couple of days, I’ve felt like a kid again. Like I did just before–”

“Stop.”

Dan looked up at David. “What do I do?”

There was a long pause, then David replied, “There’s someone I want you to meet. She might be able to help.”

***

They left Jack with Liz. While David and Liz had a couple of adult children of their own, they didn’t yet have any grandkids and Liz was more than happy to indulge Jack. And, although he would never admit it, Jack longed for a mother’s touch and attention. He was still a boy after all and felt the absence of his own mother quite painfully. In some ways, losing Kendra had been harder for him than for Dan. He reveled in Liz’s company, barely even registering that Dan and David were leaving.

David drove him in his Subaru back into Traverse City. Being a local, he knew the back roads and managed to avoid some of the congestion. A half hour later, they pulled up in front of an old house in a quiet neighborhood not far off Grand Traverse Bay. The street was blessedly shaded by large sugar maples and a cool breeze blew in off the water. Seagulls called overhead, something Dan never heard in Ann Arbor.

“This is my friend Jill’s place,” David explained, leading him up the walk. “She’s…different. You’ll see.”

He knocked on the door and a moment later an older woman appeared behind the screen, a startled expression on her face. She was tall and somewhat gaunt with frantic, graying hair and penetrating brown eyes. Those eyes slid past David to land on Dan. Her mouth formed an ‘O’ and she motioned them inside. “Come in,” she said in a low voice. “I can see why you’re here.”

She ushered them into her kitchen. It was a rustic place with cracked floor tiles and an ancient gas stove and equally ancient refrigerator. There were lots of plants scattered around as well as little trinkets and colorful cloth hangings. In the center of the kitchen table, a piece of rose quartz was lodged in a pot containing a peyote cactus along with a tiny figure of a laughing Buddha. The air was scented with incense.

“Jill, this is Dan,” David said, sitting down in a chair next to the old woman before turning back to him and explaining, “I met Jill when I took her Tai Chi class a few years ago. She’s a very good teacher but she’s also a…” He hesitated, at a loss for words.

“A seer?” she offered. “It sounds better than a witch.” They both laughed and she patted the chair on her other side. Dan sat down. “Now tell me about your friend,” she instructed, looking over his shoulder. “You keep interesting company.”

Dan shivered when he looked behind him and saw nothing but empty air. Somehow, though, he knew she was seeing the creature. He’d had a feeling it was still with him in the daytime even though he couldn’t see it. Somehow, though, he’d been hoping it was just his imagination.

“…stain the sky red?” Jill repeated, making Dan jump in surprise. “What does that mean?”

“I…don’t know.” Dan couldn’t believe this was happening. This woman was the first person who’d ever been able to see the creature besides him. With four, short words, she’d just succeeded in shaking his whole grasp on reality. You’d think he’d be grateful to have his experience confirmed but instead he felt utterly broken, desperate.

She patted his knee. “Let’s just sit here, shall we? Close your eyes and just breathe. That’s all. Nothing else. Just breathe.” She turned to David, instructing, “You do the same.”

Dan obeyed, closing his eyes and forcing himself to take long, deep breaths. At first, nothing happened but slowly he realized it worked. He felt calmer, more relaxed. With his eyes closed, he was lost in inner darkness but gradually the lost feeling eased. He felt less distraught.

“There is no inner or outer.” Jill’s voice was quiet, peaceful. “That’s an illusion of the mind. We live surrounded by a myriad of other beings. Mostly, we’re unaware of their presence. Sometimes, though, we attract one to us. They stay with us, haunting us, until we listen. Your friend is no different. He just wants you to listen.”

Dan swallowed. He didn’t know what to say.

Jill spoke again, her voice even gentler than before. “You’ve known this one for a long time, haven’t you? You have unfinished business.” She reached over and squeezed Dan’s knee. “This time, you will finish it, though. It’s time you let go.”

For reasons he couldn’t explain, there were tears in his tears. “But how? What do I do?” he pleaded, heart pounding. “I don’t know what to do!”

He opened his eyes and found Jill watching him. Beside her, David still had his eyes closed. He was completely still.

“I think you already know that. Follow your heart.” She laughed then, an unexpectedly merry sound. “And don’t worry. You have what it takes this time.”

***

“Well, that was weird.”

David looked over at him from the driver’s side as he navigated once again through the crowded streets, heading back home. “Yep, I told you. Jill is different. But she helped, right?”

Dan thought this over. “I guess. I mean, I still don’t know what to do.” Realizing this might sound ungrateful, he added, “Thank you, though. I appreciate it. I feel better now.” He smiled. “Being with you helps.” He paused when his voice cracked, “David, thank you so much. I can’t ever–I mean, I would be lost without you. I just thank God that you were there for me when–”

“It’s Ok and you’re welcome.” David’s gruff voice was unusually tender. “I knew as soon as I saw you that you didn’t belong in that place. I knew I’d do everything I could to get you out of there.”

Dan’s immense shoulders hunched at the memory of the first time he met David as a lonely and terrified and completely destroyed teenage boy. His entire life had shattered around him and lay in broken, bloody pieces at his feet. Everything he thought he knew about himself and his family had changed, seemingly overnight. It was not a time he relished, nor was it a time he wanted to revisit. Somehow, though, he knew the time had come for him to finally confront his past.

“I’ve got to go back,” he murmured, scarcely able to believe himself. “I’m going to go back.”

David smiled, looking straight ahead into the nightmarish traffic. “Good man.”

***

Liz had Jack cooking in the kitchen when they returned. Dan was flummoxed, never having seen his son so much as lift a knife before. Rather than commenting and risking Jack becoming defensive, he kept his mouth shut and enjoyed watching his boy earnestly chop vegetables. Jack’s tongue stuck out of the corner of his mouth when he was concentrating hard, a totally adorable trait. 

He and David sat down at the kitchen table and sipped beers. They didn’t talk. David had never been much for words but Dan didn’t care. It was soothing for him simply to be in the presence of his mentor, the man he loved more than his own father.

“What do you think, Dad?” Jack placed a plate of sauteed veggies with strips of chicken before him. “I made it myself!”

Dan stabbed a piece of red pepper along with some rice pilaf and tasted it. “Yum! Whoa, dude! This is amazing!”

Jack grinned, dipping his head. “Really? Yer not juss shi–I mean, teasing me?”

“No, it’s really delicious.”

David grinned, taking a big bite of his own and looking up adoringly at his wife. “I have to eat like this all the time,” he quipped. 

Liz batted him on the arm, sliding into the chair beside him. David might be a wizard of the human soul but Liz was a wizard of the human stomach. Together, their skills complemented each other. Never had Dan met a pair who were so well matched. It made him a little sad when he thought back to his dismal failure of a relationship with Kendra. He looked over at Jack (who was surreptitiously feeding Avery under the table), consoling himself, ‘At least I got a good kid out of the deal.’ 

That night, he slept in the basement guest bedroom and Jack slept upstairs. Like the night before, he awoke after midnight to find the creature perched at the foot of the bed, staring at him with its baleful eyes. He turned over and placed the pillow over his head before it could utter its fateful phrase.

***

Chapter 3

They took leave of David and Liz the following morning, heading north and eventually driving across the immense archway of the Mackinac Bridge. Jack gaped in astonishment at the cerulean blue waters of the straits hundreds of feet below, visible through the gaps in the metal roadway beneath their truck. Dan watched him, smiling. He remembered the first time he’d crossed the bridge with David and Liz and their two kids so many years before. Growing up in the mountains of Idaho, he’d never seen so much freshwater. Coming to Michigan had felt like entering another world and a better one at that.

Once in the Upper Peninsula, it was only a few more hours to Grand Marais and the eastern edge of Pictured Rocks National Park. Dan had reserved a rustic campsite in the park about an hour outside of Grand Marais and they pulled up to find the place virtually deserted. Their spot was a secluded grove near a small lake and they set up the tent together before Dan busied himself firing up the grill.

At first, Jack tried scrolling through Instagram but soon gave up when he realized he didn’t have any signal. Rather than complaining, though, he sat on the top of the picnic table next to Dan and peppered him with questions.

“Why do you call them my grandpa and grandma when we’re not related?” he demanded, eyes boring into him.

“Because they are my parents.” Dan returned his son’s intent gaze. “They may not be related to us but they are everything a parent–and a grandparent–should be, right?”

Jack thought about this. “I guess so.” He looked down. “I guess I don’t know anything about your family. I mean, my family, besides Aunt Diane. Where do they live? Do you have any other brothers and sisters?”

“They live in Idaho where I grew up and I have two older brothers and another sister besides Diane.”

“That’s a big family!” Jack exclaimed. “Holy shit! Five of you! How come I didn’t know this?”

Dan frowned. “Because they aren’t my family anymore, aside from Diane, of course. We…don’t agree.”

“About what?”

“About everything, I guess.” Dan sighed, realizing he was being maddeningly obtuse. “Look, I’m sorry, dude. It’s real complicated. My family is very religious and I’m not. Neither is Diane. We, uh, had a falling out years ago. A disagreement. A big disagreement and they disowned me.”

Jack’s mouth fell open. “Disowned you?” His eyes got huge and Dan was shocked to see tears welling up in them. “But why, Dad?!” he wailed, lower lip quivering. “Why would they do that?”

Dan’s hand was shaking and he had to put down the tongs he was using to turn the hotdogs simmering on the grill. He reached out and put his hand on Jack’s narrow shoulder. “It’s not all their fault. I’m to blame, too. I…did things. Really bad things. It was basically impossible for them not to disown me after what I did.”

Jack’s voice dropped down to barely a whisper, “What did you do?”

Dan lowered his head, admitting, “I got revenge.” He clenched his hands as he said this, remembering the sick feeling of bones breaking as his fists slammed into– He forced the memory away. Not yet. He wasn’t ready yet.

Surprisingly, Jack was staring at him in awe rather than fear. “Good,” he stated, smiling grimly. “Nobody fucks with my dad and gets away with it.”

Dan stared back at him in disbelief. He didn’t know whether to be touched or horrified by his son’s admiration. What would happen when Jack learned the truth? Idols never lasted; they were always destined to break. And when they did…he shivered, thinking, Well, I guess I’ll find out soon enough.

***

“Dude! You stink!” Dan complained when Jack clambered into the tent and slid into the sleeping bag next to his. “You need to wash!”

Jack sniffed a hairless pit. “Huh? Really?”

“Yes, really. God, when I was your age, I woulda died of embarrassment if I smelled that bad. What’s wrong with kids these days?” He pointed to the lake outside. It was still light out even though it was well past nine o’clock in the evening. “Go wash!”

Jack looked at the lake and back at him. “You need to wash, too, bro.”

“I’m not your bro and I do not smell nearly as bad as you do.” 

“Yeah, you do.” The boy got up and unzipped the tent, beckoning him out. “C’mon. Let’s wash up.”

Dan found himself following his son outside. As soon as the boy bent over and shucked his shorts, exposing his surprisingly plump buttocks, he grew self-conscious. He practically grew up in the locker room and being naked in front of the guys was second nature. But him and Jack…well, that was another story. He was a prude when it came to being naked around his son.

Jack was completely naked by this point and looked back at him over his shoulder, urging, “Dad! Come on!”

Dan shrugged and, looking around to be sure the campground was still deserted, pulled down his own shorts and tossed his t-shirt aside. Soon, he was splashing in behind Jack as the boy braced against the cold water. Dan laughed, splashing him and making him howl. This led to a prolonged water fight and they were both winded and chilly by the end. After that, they hurriedly soaped up and washed off before hightailing it back to the front of the tent where they got dressed again.

“Hey, Dad?”

Dan looked up to find his son staring at his naked body. He had to resist the urge to cover up. “Yeah?”

“Will I…be as big as you?”

Dan laughed uncomfortably, looking down at his immense, hairy frame. He was loaded down with both hair and muscles but his stomach was just as lean and taut as it had been when he was eighteen. He kept in shape, working out for hours each week and training alongside the athletes he coached. “Yeah, sure. Yer gonna be a big beast juss like me someday.”

Jack blushed. “I don’t mean that.” He looked down, eyes fixing on Dan’s crotch where his thick, circumcised monster was dangling in the breeze under his incredibly furry pubes. “I mean will I be as big as you are…down there?”

Jesus, I can’t believe I’m having this conversation! What should I say? Dan’s attention was unwillingly drawn to Jack’s own crotch where the boy’s hairless, preadolescent penis was shriveled up to nothing over his tiny pair of balls. There wasn’t any sign of pubic hair yet.

Dan cleared his throat, averting his gaze. “I think so. I mean, I don’t really know. It’s probably genetic?”

“What about yer dad and brothers?” Jack pressed, stepping into his boxers–the same style, color and brand as Dan’s. “Were they…like you?”

“Jack, my family was super religious. I can’t remember ever seeing my dad naked. After like five years old, I never saw my brothers naked, either.” Dan stepped into his own boxers, glad to finally be covered up again. He padded over to the picnic table, patting the space next to him. Jack followed along, sitting down beside him and leaning his little body against Dan’s leg. He was shivering and Dan placed his arm over his bony shoulders, drawing him in close. “Listen, dude, don’t worry ‘bout it, Ok? I remember bein’ the same age as you and obsessin’ over how small I was.” He gestured to his enormous body, replete with muscles. “And now look at me! If it happened to me, it’s gonna happen to you, too.”

Jack looked up at him, assessing. Finally, he smiled, “I sure hope so! I wanna be juss as big as you are, Dad!” He squared his shoulders, acting tough. “I wanna be a total badass mutherfucker when I grow up!”

Dan laughed, glad the strange tension between them was evaporating. One more awkward dad-son talk down, he thought, smiling. I wonder what the next one will be about? Nothing from his upbringing had prepared him for this; he was making it up as he went along.

That night, he slept soundly and only awoke when Jack got up to pee. The creature was nowhere to be seen which made him hopeful it only appeared when he was alone. He went back to sleep, drifting in a deep, dreamless state until dawn.

***

They arrived in Minocqua, Wisconsin, late the next afternoon. Diane’s cabin was deep in the woods outside of town. It was a beautiful spot, tucked away off a bend in the dirt road, the long drive leading back through a forest of white pine and fir. Jack jumped out to pee behind the tool shed while Dan unloaded their gear. Diane met him at the door, throwing her arms around him and laughing so hard she cried.

“Jesus, Daniel! It’s good to see you!”

“How are you, Di?” He grinned down at her from his lofty height. “Good?”

Diane smiled. “Exceptional.” Before he could ask her more, though, she spotted Jack and called out to him, waving her hands, “Jack! Hey! Over here! How’s my favorite nephew?”

Jack smiled bashfully, dutifully allowing her to shower him with hugs and kisses. While she did so, Dan studied his older sister, noting a certain lightheartedness about her that was new. Diane was a lesbian which was the reason she’d had her own falling out with the family. She’d left the house a few years before his big debacle, though, and hadn’t been around to witness it. Maybe because of this, she had taken his side, becoming a stalwart defender through all of the turmoil that followed. She was the only member of his family who visited him during his years in the juvenile detention center. She’d also financially supported him, Kendra and their new baby for two years until he finished college and landed a good paying job. He had no idea where she came up with the money because he knew she didn’t make a lot as a mechanic. When he tried to pay her back, she refused. Yeah, Diane was a good sister, alright.

Exuding a toughness, Diane was also remarkably tender. She kept her brown hair cropped short and wore men’s clothing but her demeanor was surprisingly feminine. Now nearly forty years old, her body was beginning to thicken but her job was a physically demanding one, something that kept her in good shape.

Done fawning over Jack, she straightened and waved to someone in the cabin behind them. “C’mon. It’s Ok. You remember Daniel, don’t you?”

Dan turned and gaped at the woman creeping tentatively out of the house. “P-Pearl?” he stammered, mind reeling. “What are you doing here?”

“She’s the reason I wanted you to come here,” Diane revealed at his elbow. “She…lives here now along with her son, Jonas.” She raised her voice, calling out, “Jonas! C’mere! Our guests have arrived. Show Jack around, Ok?”

Dan was overwhelmed. Not only was a tide of unwelcome memories washing over him but he was also reading between the lines of his sister’s words. Diane and Pearl were a couple? Holy shit!

Pearl Evans–or was it Pearl Morgan? Or maybe it was back to Evans?–was his friend Matthew’s wife. They’d married young, still teenagers, in a union forced upon them by both of their families. The last time he’d seen Pearl was the night before… He shook his head, thinking, Nope. Not going there right now. Can’t do it.

Unfortunately for Dan, nothing could have prepared him for what happened next. A young boy appeared in the doorway, gazing up at him curiously. He was tall and thin with long, wavy, black-brown hair. His skin was dark but his eyes were startlingly blue. And he moved with a soft grace, shifting through the world like a lithe spirit. Shy and tentative, he gazed up at Dan and then over to Jack. Dan’s skin prickled with premonition as the two boys’ eyes met. Jonas blinked first, lowering his long lashes and favoring Jack with a little smile. Jack stood stock still, completely entranced. Dan had never seen his son behave this way but knew instinctively what he was feeling. How could he not? Jonas was the ghost of Matthew returned to life at exactly the age he’d been when Dan first met him. 

***

Twenty years prior

The sere, brown hills rose up behind them in the distance as Dan tossed the football to his older brother, Justin, while the family’s golden retriever barked happily between them. It was evening and chilly, a dry breeze blowing down from the foothills. Dan shivered in his oversized University of Michigan jersey. At thirteen, he was just beginning to fill out with muscles and already possessed quite a stocky build for a boy his age. He even outweighed Justin but a few pounds and was nearly his height, an unending source of irritation for his older brother. The cold wind ruffled through his sandy brown hair, cut in a severe crewcut. The haircut was standard among the Hughes boys, a requirement pushed down upon them by their father. The elder Hughes was a stern patriarch, an ex-Marine who treated his sons like soldiers.

And speaking of the patriarch, their father called out to them from the back porch, “Daniel. Justin. This is Matthew Morgan. Let him join you.”

Dan looked over at his father, recognizing the man standing next to him as a member of their church’s congregation. Beside him stood a slender boy with long, wavy, brown-black hair and a shy smile. He hung back behind his father, clearly intimidated by the much larger Hughes boys.

Justin grumbled but Dan jogged over with Goldie, the retriever, trailing along behind. “Here,” he said, offering the football to the boy. “Take it. You know how to throw?” Matthew shook his head and Dan smiled. “It’s Ok. I’ll show you.” He could feel his father’s eyes on him and knew that somehow the man was pleased with him. Barrett Hughes was not an easy man to please and his words of praise fell like drops of rain in the desert, precious and too quickly gone.

Dan led Matthew in the yard and showed him how to hold the ball. “Like this,” he instructed. “So it spins when you throw it. See? It’s easy. Yeah, that’s right. Perfect! You’re a natural!”

Matthew tossed the ball to Justin who tossed it to Dan. They spent a few minutes playing catch with Matthew only fumbling the ball a couple times while their dads looked on. Once their fathers left, however, Justin was out of the game, stalking off and calling over his shoulder, “See you girls later!”

Dan scowled at the insult but was privately glad his brother was gone. “C’mon,” he said to Matthew. “We don’t have to play this if you don’t want to. What do you want to do?”

He knew Matthew only peripherally, having seen him once or twice at school. They were in different classes and their school was large. Dan had his group of friends–the middle school jocks–and tended to stick with them. Matthew was clearly not an athlete so it wasn’t surprising their paths never crossed.

Matthew was tonguetied and looked down at the ground, unable to answer. Dan felt immediately sorry for him and was determined to break through his shell. “Wanna play Mario Kart: Double Dash? We got a GameCube in the basement!”

Matthew lifted his head and gazed up at him through the longest eyelashes that Dan had ever seen. He blinked slowly and Dan felt the ground beneath his feet move. “Yes, I would like that,” came a very soft, delicate voice.

Dan had to steady himself. His heart was pounding for reasons he didn’t understand. He’d never had such a visceral reaction when meeting a person before. It felt like his heart was going to explode in his chest. He took a gulp of air, head spinning. While Matthew gazed back at him curiously, he mastered himself enough to lead the boy inside.

They played the video game together, sitting in a couple of recliners and gripping the controllers with white knuckles as each tried to outdo the other. Goldie lay sleepily between them, content to be near her favorite boy. Matthew was surprisingly good or maybe Dan just played really bad? He couldn’t tell because he was so distracted by the boy sitting in the chair next to him. He couldn’t figure him out. Why was Matthew so alluring? It didn’t make any sense but he couldn’t take his eyes off of him.

Their dads finally returned from wherever they’d gone and Mr. Morgan collected his son, placing his hand behind the boy’s head as he guided him out of the Hughes household. Dan’s father looked on approvingly, smiling down at his son and nodding. “You did good, Daniel! Thank you!” Dan couldn’t figure out why his father was so pleased but took the compliment, beaming proudly.

From that day onward, he sought out Matthew Morgan whenever he could and the two of them became fast friends. It was a strange friendship–Dan’s mother would shake her head, saying, ‘You boys are like night and day! Night and day!’ It was clear she thought of Dan as the daylight portion of the duo because darkness seemed to follow Matthew wherever he went.

The creature appeared at the foot of Dan’s bed the night after he met Matthew. He awoke from a restless sleep, startled by the shadow of living darkness before him. His brother, Justin, was asleep in the bunk above and stirred, groaning, when Dan cried out. The demon cracked open its slitted eyes, gazing back at him forlornly through glowing yellow irises and Dan froze. He must be dreaming but everything felt so real.

What should he do?

His family was not only deeply religious but also very superstitious. He knew instinctively what would happen if he reported the demon to his parents. Unlike others who might laugh it off as a child’s overactive imagination, his parents would take it very seriously. So seriously that they would think their son was possessed. Given the choice between being haunted by a demon and telling his parents, he’d take the demon any day. He lay there staring back at the creature for so long that his eyelids finally grew heavy and fell back to sleep.

The demon was his constant nighttime companion for the next three years.

***

Chapter 4

Back in the present day…

It was a case of the past repeating itself before his eyes. 

Dan watched dumbfounded as his son and Matthew’s son retreated to the den off Diane’s small living room and commenced playing video games. The boys sat crosslegged in a couple of chairs, their heads lowered and faces illuminated by the glow of the big screen television. Night and day, Dan thought, staring at them. They are like night and day.

“Don’t.”

He turned and looked back at his sister. She and Pearl were sitting across from him at the kitchen table, holding mugs of tea. A large tray of lasagna was in the oven, simmering and just about ready to come out.

“They’re not you and Matthew,” Diane explained. “Things are different now. Different here. It’s not the same at all.”

Dan opened his mouth, stunned that his sister could read his thoughts so easily. Am I that transparent? 

He  debated whether to tell his sister about the demon and its cryptic warning. After a few seconds, though, he opted against it. No, as much as Diane loved and trusted him, even she had her limits and he knew that telling her about the demon would not go over well. And Pearl? Shit, there was no way he could say anything to her!

“You’re right,” he said, shaking his head to clear it. “It’s just hard. Jonas looks almost exactly like Matthew did back then.”

Pearl nodded but remained silent. Of course, she’d known Matthew then, too. She would know how much her son resembled his father.

“I’m sorry,” Dan said to her. “It must be hard for you, too.” Another nod but she still remained silent. He cleared his throat. “Can you…tell me what happened? How did you make it here?”

Diane gazed lovingly at Pearl before answering for her. “She escaped with my help and the help of a local social worker. Pearl managed to squirrel away enough money to buy a burner phone and call a hotline she’d seen advertised in town before they banned women from leaving the compound. When she called the hotline, she gave them your name but, in a funny twist of fate, they ended up reaching out to me because our names are so similar.” She squeezed Pearl’s hand. “When the hotline called me, I contacted the state police and a private social service agency in the county. After a lot of convincing, I talked a social worker into helping me. We got Pearl and Jonas out of there a few weeks ago. It was like a Hollywood movie, complete with gunshots. That cult doesn’t let its members go without a fight.” She kissed Pearl’s fingers. “But we made it out and they’re safe now. No one knows it was me and no one knows where I live. Not even Mom and Dad.”

Dan was silent, absorbing this information. Finally, he breathed, “That’s…incredible.” He turned to Pearl. “You’re very brave.”

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t get Matthew out.” Diane moved her hand off of Pearl’s and onto Dan’s. “He’s…in deep, Daniel. I don’t think he wants to leave. I think he’s happy there.”

Pearl nodded, swallowing back tears. She still loves him, Dan thought. Even after all this, she still loves him. He smiled to himself. Then again, so do I. 

Still, the thought of Matthew actually wanting to be a member of that godforsaken cult was anathema. He clenched his hands. He didn’t believe it. Not for a second. He knew Matthew. Really knew him. There was no way that Matthew was there willingly. The cult was notorious, resorting all sorts of twisted tactics to warp peoples minds. Maybe with enough drugs, they had managed to break him but the demon’s reappearance spoke to the dire nature of Matthew’s predicament. Something bad was going on. He knew it. He had to save Matthew!

“Where is he?”

Pearl and Diane exchanged glances. Diane spoke. “In Idaho at their compound, not far from Mom and Dad’s. Daniel, it’s heavily fortified and guarded. They have planted mines! They really don’t want outsiders going there. It’s a miracle we were able to break Pearl and Jonas out. Without the state police, we never would have succeeded and now they’re on high alert. They’re more prepared than ever.”

“I have to go,” Dan stated flatly. “I have to try. Don’t ask me why but I feel it in my bones. Matthew is in danger and needs my help.”

“What about Jack?” Diane challenged. “Are you going to risk his life, too? Daniel, it’s one thing to hare off into the wilderness on a suicide mission on your own but it’s quite another to involve your son. And what if something happens to you? Are you prepared to leave Jack without a father? You can’t do that!”

“I won’t take him to the compound! I would never do that,” Dan insisted. “But he’s coming along with me to Idaho. I know you’re going to try to talk me out of it but I’m taking him back home. It’s time he met our family. He’s got to know the truth, Diane. I’m tired of hiding it from him.”

***

Diane’s cabin was small and only had two bedrooms. Rather than sleep on the floor in the living room, Dan and Jack set up their tent in the back yard. They did so in the dark after dinner, using headlamps. A barred owl hooted at them from the trees nearby as the last rays of the setting sun illuminated the leading edge of a storm front to the west. The warm air was charged, silent. Dan knew there would be thunder and lightning that night.

“What’d you say to ‘em, Dad?” Jack stared up at him as they fed the tent poles through the loops of the canvas. “They’re awfully mad at you.”

“They’re not mad,” Dan replied, smiling grimly. “Just sad and upset. They don’t want me to take you to Idaho.”

“Wait. We’re going to Idaho?!”

Dan looked up at the excitement in his son’s voice. “You’re up for it?”

“Fuck yeah, bro! Fuck, Idaho!” Jack pumped his fist. “I’m in!”

“I’m not your bro,” Dan reminded him once again. “Would you remember that?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Jack was grinning. “Does this mean I get to meet your parents? My other aunt and uncles?”

Dan sighed heavily, dread creeping over him. “Yes.”

“Good. I’ve always wanted to see where you grew up. For some reason, though, I thought it was in northern Michigan.”

“God, I wish! But, no, I’m from Idaho. C’mon. Let’s get some sleep. I’m tired. If we’re gonna do this, I need to sleep.”

***

Jack curled up against him during the thunderstorm, just like he used to do when he was a toddler. It was totally adorable. Dan lowered his chin and kissed the top of his son’s head, savoring this unexpected closeness. Jack’s hair smelled like damp earth and pines. He mewled in his sleep, snuggling closer. Dan wrapped his arms around him and held him tight until the storm had passed. A tear trailed down his cheek when he realized this might be the last time he’d ever get to hold his son like this.

The demon watched them from the front of the tent, its prehensile tail curled around its furry knees. Blessedly, its scratchy voice was mostly drowned out by the thunder and Dan drifted off to sleep, holding his beautiful son.

***

The next morning, Dan and Jack rose early to sweep the pine needles off of the sodden tent. Dan made coffee over a little propane camp stove, not wanting to wake his sister. It was the weekend and he knew that she liked to sleep in.

Jonas emerged from the cabin while Dan was doing pushups with Jack sitting crosslegged on his broad back. “49-50-51,” the boy counted as Dan huffed and puffed beneath him, trying to get to one hundred. Jack whooped loudly when he met the goal, jumping up and high-fiving him as he knelt there, breathing heavily.

“My dad,” Jack bragged to Jonas, “is a total fuckin’ badass! Look at him! Ain’t he amazing?!”

Jonas smiled. “Here. Lemme try.” He got down on his hands and knees, jerking his chin toward his back. Jack exchanged an amused look with Dan before gamely walking over and climbing on the other boy’s back. It was no surprise when Jonas utterly failed in his attempt to do a single pushup. He was far too scrawny to lift the much bigger and beefier Jack!

“I’ll show ya how it’s done,” Jack boasted as he got down on all fours. “Hop on!”

Jonas grinned, getting behind him. Instead of sitting on his back, though, he laid on top of Jack, draping himself over the boy. His crotch rested provocatively over the significant rise of Jack’s buttocks and, as Dan watched in utter surprise, he wrapped his arms around Jack’s middle and thrust forward, burying his crotch deeply in the cleft of Jack’s ass. Both boys were fully clothed but, even so, it was a very bold move on Jonas’ part.

Jack’s outraged squawk echoed through the woods as he braced and tried to buck Jonas off of him. Jonas held on tight, though, and soon a wrestling match broke out as Jack strove to break free. Dan watched them, his skin prickling. At some point, he became aware that their fight had turned into a game and Jack was no longer angry. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying himself. Likewise for Jonas. 

He felt compelled to break them up before things got out of hand. “Alright, guys,” he chided. “That’s enough. C’mon. Let’s get some breakfast.”

They reluctantly broke apart but, in doing so, Jack’s sweatpants slid down his hips, revealing the jockstrap he wore underneath. Dan and Jonas blinked at the sight of the boy’s bare butt, strapped by those wide, white elastic bands. Jack’s cheeks flamed crimson and he pulled up his pants but not before Dan realized his little erection was tenting out the pouch of the jock. He looked over at Jonas and saw the other boy was in a similar condition.

He cleared his throat and stood up, unsteadily stalking into the cabin. His presence was only making an already awkward situation that much worse. His mind was swimming with memories of his and Matthew’s antics. It was surreal to watch this happening with his own son!

***

Twenty years prior…

It started innocently enough. They were sitting on Dan’s bed, doing their homework together. He and Matthew had been friends for a few months and were already inseparable. Dan took it as his personal mission to defend Matthew at school and had a knack for appearing on the scene with fists flying just as the other boys were set to do something particularly humiliating to Matthew. Matthew was a shy, feminine and quiet boy, the perfect target for bullying. Dan didn’t give a shit about what people thought and had the might to back it up. He’d never lost a fight and didn’t intend to. Matthew was his to protect.

But Matthew was far from passive or helpless.

“Here, put this on.”

Dan looked up to see that his friend had removed the collar from around the dog Goldie’s neck and was holding it out to him. He looked from the collar to Matthew, confused.

“I wanna see if it fits.” Matthew smiled in that sly way of his, eyes dancing behind a curtain of long, dark hair. When Dan still hesitated, he reached out and fastened the collar around his neck, laughing, “Perfect! It fits perfectly! I knew it would!”

Dan sat there, simmering with humiliation. He started to say, “I’m not a dog!” but stopped. For reasons he didn’t entirely understand, he climbed off the bed and got down on all fours, barking and yapping excitedly. Goldie didn’t know what to think of her boy wearing her collar and joined him, barking loudly and dashing back and forth. Matthew clapped his hands, dissolving into hysterical laughter.

Hot and sweaty and spent, Dan finally got up off the floor and collapsed on the bed next to his friend. When he started to remove the collar, though, Matthew stopped him. “Bad dog! BAD DOG!”

Dan furrowed his brow but left the collar in place. He wore it for the rest of the evening, almost forgetting to remove it when they were called down to supper. 

From that day forth, Matthew insisted he be collared when they were together. He even bought a spiked, black leather collar with his own money and fastened it around Dan’s thick neck, brown eyes glinting with malice. “My dog,” he said, petting Dan’s bristly crew cut. “My pretty dog.”

Dan smiled back at him, tongue lolling out of his mouth.

***

Back in the present day…

Dan’s phone buzzed after dinner that evening. He and Diane were out in her shed, working on the 1955 Chevy Bel Air she’d found mouldering in a barn somewhere. Diane had a thing for classic American cars and together the two of them had restored more than their share. It was a ritual when he came to visit; the two of them would spend hours in the shed, working in focused silence. It was something they’d inherited from their father; Barrett Hughes became a mechanic after retiring from the Marines and taught his children their way around the garage. It was perhaps the only thing about his father that Dan liked.

Looking down at the screen of his phone, he saw that the caller was Kevin. “‘Cuse me,” he grunted. “Gotta take this.” He paced outside, standing well away from the shed in the gloaming light of the forest.

“Hey,” he said. “What’s up?”

There was a pause and then Kevin’s deep, breathy voice answered, “I’m juss lyin’ here, tryna cool off. It’s awful hot here tonight.” He lowered his voice, revealing, “I’m naked and hard right now. You wanna see?”

Before Dan could reply, his phone dinged and he was greeted with a pic. In it, Kevin was nude from the waist down, his burly, smooth, tanned body spread out below the camera. What really grabbed his attention, though, was the massive erection throbbing in his buddy’s hand. Dan gulped, staring at that dick. He had no idea Kevin was that big!

“Are you hard, too, Babygirl?”

Dan’s hand was trembling. He couldn’t believe he was having phone sex with his best bro!

“Well?” Kevin’s voice was lilting, singsong.

Dan took a deep, shuddering breath. “Yeah, I’m hard now, too.” It was true. His own erection was thrusting down the leg of his shorts.

A chuckle. “Knew it. You want my big dick, dontcha? You want it bad.”

“Y-Y-Yeah. I do. I want it bad.”

“Ha! What a slut!” Kevin’s laugh was harsh, grating. It thrilled Dan to no end. “Here’s what yer gonna do so yer big man can sleep tonight.”

“Y-Y-Yeah?” Dan’s whole body was trembling by now.

Kevin’s voice was compelling, unyielding. “Yer gonna pull down yer panties and bend over, Babygirl.” 

“Wh-Wh-What?!”

“You heard me, you little slut!”

Dan’s cock throbbed painfully in his shorts. Precum spurted out, running down his hairy thigh. “Ok,” he whimpered, completely humiliated and completely aroused.

“Good girl. Now do it and send me a pic of yer pussy.” Kevin paused, commanding, “Spread those big, fat cheeks and show me yer gaping cunt. Got it?”

Dan had already unfastened his belt and was hiding behind a tree, pulling down his shorts and boxers. He flushed with embarrassment as he squatted down. He could feel his mountainous glutes parting in the cool night air as he held his phone beneath him and snapped a pic. The flash went off, illuminating his bare ass for the forest to see.

“Now send it to me, Babygirl. Show me yer pussy.”

He did.

He couldn’t believe he was doing it but he clicked send and a moment later he could hear Kevin’s crow of delight as he downloaded the incriminating photo.

“Purrfect, Babygirl. Yer pussy’s nice and stretched out. Ready for my big man. You want that, right? You want me to stretch ya out even more, dontcha?”

“Y-Y-Yes.”

“Good. There’s juss one thing, Babygirl.”

“Wh-Wh-What?”

“You gotta shave yer pussy. Make sure it’s smooth as silk when you send me a pic next time. Got it? I want you to shave everything. A babygirl like you shouldn’t have no hair on her body. A babygirl like you should always be smooth.”

Dan swallowed, cock spasming between his hulking thighs. He was still squatting down, giant ass cheeks spread. Cum dribbled out of his cock like a hose. He couldn’t believe Kevin had this kind of power over him. And yet it was also somewhat unsurprising. Matthew had broken him in, turning him to his will and completely remaking him in the process. He might have had a reprieve from his past but it had never truly left him. And now it was coming for him and nothing in the world would stop it.

“Did you hear me?” Kevin was growing impatient.

Dan jumped. “Yes, Sir!”

“Ha! That’s better. Now tell me what yer gonna do.”

“Shave my pussy,” Dan repeated obediently. “And shave everything else, too.”

“Good lil’ slut,” Kevin moaned. Dan could tell he had climaxed and was cumming, his huge dick spewing loads of cum far and wide across his broad torso. “That’s my lil’ Babygirl. Now go do it. Go shave that pussy.”

Five minutes later he walked stiffly back into the shed. He’d beaten off in the bushes but his cock was still half hard and rubbing against the canvas of his shorts. 

“Everything alright?” Diane asked, giving him a quizzical look.

“Yeah, everything’s fine,” he replied, picking up a wrench like nothing had happened. “More than fine, actually. Everything’s exceptional.”

***

Chapter 5

They left Diane’s a few days later. It was hard for both of them to say goodbye. Dan loved his older sister fiercely and always felt loved and safe in her presence. She had more strength than anyone else he knew. It was nothing short of phenomenal what she had done to free Pearl and Jonas. He was so happy to see her happy. He could already tell that she and Pearl would be together for a very long time.

Jack was mopey for about an hour after leaving. He and Jonas had really hit it off, becoming fast friends in just a few days. There was a palpable charge in the atmosphere between them, one that was full of both innocence and eroticism. It was cute watching the boys navigate their budding sexuality, made more fraught by the events of the past. Dan felt bad that he was responsible for what happened to Jonas’ father. The boy was living with the fallout from his mistakes.

“Dad, you knew Jonas’ dad, right?”

Struggling to remain calm–He’d known this talk was coming sooner or later!–he gripped the steering wheel tightly. “Yeah.”

Jack’s eyes were riveted on him. “What happened?”

Dan took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “Jack, I don’t know if you’re ready for this.” His voice cracked. “I don’t know if I’m ready for it! I’ve told you that I did things–bad things–that caused my family to disown me.”

“Yeah?”

Dan looked over at his son. “Well, I did them because of Jonas’ dad. I…defended him. Maybe a little too forcefully and I…hurt people. Badly. They locked me up as a result. That’s how I met David. He was a therapist at the juvenile detention center I was sent to.”

Silence. Then, “You were in juvie?” Jack’s eyes were huge. “HOW COME I DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THIS???!!!” He would have stood up if it weren’t for his seatbelt holding him in place.

Dan looked at him and then back at the road. “Because I’m not proud of it and tried my best to bury it. When I got out and joined the football team and met your mother, I just wanted to forget my past. I wanted peace. I wanted freedom. I wanted to live a normal life. You get that, right?”

“I guess. Still, it’s so fuckin’ awesome you were in juvie.” Jack shook his head in amazement. “My badass dad was in juvie! How cool is that?”

Dan chuckled. “You’re just about the only one who thinks so.”

They drove for a few hours, crossing the Minnesota line and entering the rolling hills that would eventually flatten out into the Great Plains. Stopping for lunch at a roadside diner, they sat down across from each other in a booth, studying the menus.

The waitress, a middle-aged woman with dyed hair and fake eyelashes, sidled up to their booth, holding a notepad. She was opening her mouth to ask for their order when she stopped, her heavily-lipsticked mouth falling open, as she surveyed Dan. “Well, how-dee!” she purred. “Ain’t you juss a tall drink of water?!”

Dan glanced up at her and smiled pleasantly. He was used to this. Being a towering, built man with shoulders wider than a doorway ensured he got more than his share of attention from the ladies. “Actually, a drink of water sounds nice,” he said. “I’ll have one.”

“That makes two of us, honey,” the woman, whose name was Ruby according to her tag, murmured.

“And an order of bacon, hashbrowns, toast and scrambled eggs,” Dan continued, ignoring the double entendre. He looked back up at her, “You serve breakfast all day, right?”

“Honey,” she drawled, “I’d serve anything you wanted, anytime you wanted it.”

“That’s nice.” Dan looked over at Jack. “What do you want, Son?”

Before Jack could reply, Ruby interrupted, hollering, “HE’S YER SON????!!!! OH, MY GOSH!!! IF HE AIN’T A CHIP OFF THE OL’ BLOCK!!! Juss look at him!” She rounded on Jack, demanding, “Are you gonna grow up to be juss as big an’ strong an’ handsome as yer daddy here?”

Jack studied her with folded arms before replying, “Yeah, sure. And who knows? I might even take it up the butt like him, too.” He grinned. “Depends on how I’m feelin’.”

Needless to say, that put a stop to the waitress’ flirting.

***

They rode in silence for a long time after leaving the diner. Dan didn’t know what to say. Part of him was completely humiliated at Jack’s smartass comment and another part of him was…proud? Yeah, proud.

“You and Jonas talked, didn’t you?” He looked over at Jack who was still wearing a smug grin on his face.

“Yeah, ‘course.” He shrugged, “I know all ‘bout what you did with his dad. Everybody knows. And, Dad,” he turned to him, his expression suddenly soft. “I think it’s great.”

Dan had to blink back tears. All of the times he’d envisioned this conversation with Jack, he’d never predicted this outcome. “You might not when you learn the whole truth. I doubt Jonas knows everything.” He smiled, rubbing his eyes. “But thanks. That means a lot.”

“Sure, Dad.” Jack smiled back at him. “Anytime.”

***

They entered the Badlands, the monotony of the plains broken up by dry canyons and dramatic buttes and hoodoos. Dan had grown up out West but had lived so long in verdant Michigan that he forgot how arid and desolate the land became west of the Mississippi. He realized he preferred the gentle rolling hills and lush forests of the Midwest. That terrain soothed his soul whereas the land out west made him feel nervous and vulnerable. Still, it was dramatic and he relished seeing it through Jack’s wide eyes. His son was in awe, completely entranced by the alien environment.

They pulled over in a gravel pit outside of a small town just north of the Pine Ridge Reservation. The owner of the land gave them permission to camp overnight and they set up their tent next to a small pool of water. The evening was luminous, the high clouds catching and refracting the light of the sunset. The uniform sandy tan of the land turned briefly scarlet. It was utterly quiet, not even a breath of wind.

“Hey, Jack,” he said after they’d set up camp, “I’m gonna go over there and call my parents.” Dan’s hands were sweaty and his chest was clenched with dread. He hadn’t talked to his mother or father in seventeen years, more than half his lifetime ago. He had no idea what to expect but knew it wouldn’t be easy.

“Sure, Dad.” Jack gave him a confident smile. “Good luck.”

“I’ll need it.”

He stalked off, pulling out his phone and checking the signal strength. He’d gotten his parents’ phone number from Diane but it turned out he didn’t need it. They still had the same number as when he was a kid. He couldn’t believe anyone still relied on a landline in this day and age. If anyone is gonna have one, though, he thought, it’ll be Mom and Dad.

Holding his breath, he dialed the number. His mother picked up. Her voice sounded frailer and older than he remembered but it was definitely her. “Hello?” she said. “To whom am I speaking?”

“Hi, Mom. It’s me, Daniel.”

Silence. Then he heard the distinct sound of crying. Knowing his mother was crying made him cry, too, and soon they were both bawling on the opposite end of the phone lines. Finally, though, she recovered enough to ask, “Daniel, where are you? Are you alright?”

Dan sobbed, massaging his temples. God, this was so hard! “I-I-I’m fine, Mom. I’m in South Dakota with my son, Jack. We’re thinking of stopping by for a visit. Would that be Ok?”

“…your son?!” His mother was stunned. “You have a son, Daniel?”

“Yeah, I got married…to a woman…and then we got divorced a year ago. We had a kid. He’s thirteen now. He wants to meet his grandparents.”

His mother’s voice was firm. “Daniel, you bring yourself and Jack here immediately. We can’t wait to see you both!”

“What about Dad?” Dan pressed. “And Justin?”

“Your dad thinks of no one but you these days, Daniel. He’s forgiven you. He misses you. He loves you.” His mother paused, adding, “And so do I. More than you could ever know. As for Justin…you just leave him to me. I’ll tell him you’re coming. If he can’t handle being in the same house with you, then I’ll tell him to stay away.”

Dan was crying hard again and could barely choke out, “I love you, Mom.”

And then she was crying again, too. They ended their call like that, both of them sobbing their hearts out.

Jack was standing beside him when he looked down after hanging up. His son’s eyes were red-rimmed and he was blinking back tears. As he stared, the kid wrapped his arms around his middle and pressed his face into his chest.

They stood like that as the last dying light of the sun slipped beneath the rim of the world and night descended.

***

Eighteen years prior…

One night, he and Matthew were playing video games together in the basement. Sitting on the couch and playing Mario Kart had become a post-homework ritual. That night, however, the atmosphere between them was charged. Dan could feel Matthew’s eyes on him but, each time he looked over, his friend was staring at the television screen.

Dan was fifteen now and, while he lacked the words for his feelings toward Matthew, he knew they weren’t normal. He noticed girls, sure, and had even kissed a couple, running a hand up their shirts if they let him. He was already bigger than most of the senior football players even though he was still on the junior varsity team. When you’re that big, muscular and developed at such a young age, the girls notice and he received a lot of attention. He had swagger. He had a reputation. He was in demand.

All that evaporated when he was around, Matthew. Suddenly, he became tongue tied and awkward, losing the ability to speak coherently. He just knew that he loved being near the other boy. Matthew haunted his dreams at night and distracted him during the day. He looked over at his friend, smiling shyly and fondling the tag on his dog collar; it read, ‘Matthew’s Dog.’

Matthew had grown up, too, and possessed an otherworldly beauty. His brown-black hair was cut in a severe crewcut just like Dan’s, accentuating the firm, clean lines of his jaw. His skin was dark which made his blue eyes that much more startling. No longer effeminate, he was hardened, sometimes cruel and sometimes loving. Dan never knew which he would get but he didn’t care as long as Matthew was paying attention to him.

That night Matthew was in a rare, tender mood.

Dan edged closer to him on the sofa and Matthew didn’t pull away when their knees met. Taking this as a good sign, Dan moved even closer until their thighs were pressed against each other. Matthew had nice thighs. They were so long and lean and sinewy! He could feel them through their thin shorts. His heart was pounding and he could barely breathe. Finally, Matthew looked over at him and smiled, turning his head and leaning in close.

Their lips met and they kissed briefly before Dan turned away, astounded at himself.

Guys didn’t kiss!

Matthew wasn’t finished with him, though. Moving behind him, he urged Dan between his legs. Then he reached around his middle to hold the game controller and rested his chin on his shoulder, watching the screen. He kissed his ear.

“You’re so pretty.”

Dan braced, both alarmed and thrilled. Boys weren’t pretty!

“You’re my pretty baby.”

Matthew put down the controller and hugged Dan to him. His body, while nowhere near as bulky and muscular as Dan’s, was taut and lithe and strong. Dan sighed, leaning back into the embrace. He had no idea how good it could feel to be hugged by someone so powerful, confident and in charge. And there was no doubt that Matthew was in charge.

He let Matthew pull off his t-shirt and then Matthew allowed him to tug off his own shirt. They turned to face each other on the couch and hugged. Matthew ran his fingers over Dan’s broad back, dragging his nails across his skin. Dan did the same thing to Matthew but gave a start when he felt the deep furrows and ridges on his friend’s back.

He pulled away, staring into Matthew’s dancing eyes. “What happened to you? Why is your back so scarred?”

Matthew smirked. “My dad.”

“He…beats you?”

“Well, yeah. ‘Course. Doesn’t yers?”

Dan nodded. “Well, yeah, but he’s never done that to me. The worst he’s ever done is leave a few bruises–” His voice broke off as he felt himself growing angry. His face reddened and he clenched his fists, “Matthew, if he ever does that to you again, I swear to God I’ll–”

Matthew smiled, kissing him lightly on the lips. “My personal attack dog. Ha! That’s one of the reasons I love you so much.” He reached out and fingered the tag on Dan’s collar.

Dan was stunned. Not by Matthew touching his collar; he did that all the time. He wasn’t even that stunned from learning of the abuse Matthew had sustained at the hands of his father, although it left him seething with rage. It was Matthew’s declaration of love that really got to him. With just a few words, he’d succeeded in putting a name on how he felt toward Matthew: Love. He shook his head. It had never even occurred to him that two boys could love each other.

“What, baby?” Matthew’s eyebrows had drawn together. “Sumthin’ wrong?”

Dan shook his head, blinking back tears. “No, something’s right.” He looked up at Matthew, lower lip trembling. “Matthew, I love you, too.”

The expression of tenderness that suffused Matthew’s features was enough to make Dan’s heart burst. They came together, hugging each other so tightly it took their breath away. They had just started to kiss again when the sound of footsteps running down the basement stairs brought them back to reality, a reality in which they knew their newfound love was forbidden. They hastily pulled apart before Dan’s older brother Justin burst into the room.

“What are you two girls up to?” he asked, narrowing his eyes. Even though they were no longer hugging or even touching, they were shirtless, their faces flushed. A wide smile broke out on his face as he sauntered over to them. “Well, well, well,” he said. “Would ya look at the two lovebirds, huh?” He snorted. “I always knew you two were a couple of fags.”

“SHUT UP!” Dan shouted, getting up from the sofa and rounding on his brother. Justin pulled back, suddenly afraid. Dan had surpassed him in weight years ago and now was even taller than him. Weighing only just shy of two hundred pounds, Dan was already a total bruiser. “SHUT THE FUCK UP!”

Swearing was strictly forbidden in the Hughes household and, even though Justin swore all the time when he wasn’t at home, he was almost as taken aback by Dan’s flouting of the rules as he was by his ‘little’ brother’s vehemence. He was about to flee when he noticed the collar around Dan’s neck. His eyes widened as he read the words engraved on the tag swinging brightly back and forth. He mouthed, ‘Matthew’s Dog,’ and then he started yelling, “MOM! DAD! COME DOWN HERE NOW! YOU GOTTA SEE THIS!”

***

Dan was in deep shit.

His father hauled him out of the house and proceeded to beat the crap out of him, leaving him bruised and bleeding. His mother tried to protect him but his dad pushed her out of the way. Dan had never been beaten so badly. At some point, he no longer felt the blows and stopped crying and pleading for it to stop. He became wooden, inert. He didn’t cower. Didn’t resist. Didn’t do anything. He just lay there and let his father kick and punch him.

It didn’t matter what happened to him anyway. He could take it. As bad as his father was treating him, he knew in the pit of his stomach that it was nothing compared to the beating that Matthew was receiving at the hands of his own father.

When he cried, it was for Matthew.

His mother dressed his wounds afterwards, not looking him in the eye. He went to bed, body on fire with pain, and slept fitfully. Ironically, the worst part was when the demon didn’t appear at the foot of his bed that night. Its absence could only mean something terrible had happened to Matthew. (Dan had long ago realized that the demon and Matthew were somehow connected.)

He barely slept and groaned with pain when he got up the next morning, struggling to dress himself. Even the light fabric of his shirt felt painful over his bruises. He felt like shit, physically and emotionally, and his mood didn’t improve as the day wore on.

He was officially persona non grata in his family. No one would talk to him. His mother threw down his breakfast on the table and stalked off. Justin smirked at him across the table, mouthing the word, ‘faggot,’ and then laughing. His father wouldn’t even deign to sit at the table with him.

At school, things were even worse. Word of his and Matthew’s kinky love spread fast, fanned by Justin. By lunchtime, everyone knew and all of his friends had abandoned him, making him a total pariah. Even the teachers smirked when they thought he wasn’t looking. Anyone, however, who might have contemplated taunting him quickly learned the error of their ways. His fists were sore by lunchtime from pommeling his detractors whenever he could do so without being caught. This didn’t stop the barking, though. Whenever he entered a room, someone–he never saw who–would bark like a dog.

There was no sign of Matthew. He looked all over for him but the boy was absent. A day went by and then another without any sign of him and Dan grew worried. When he asked Matthew’s teacher, she wrinkled her lip and refused to tell him anything. He became desolate.

Three days after their fall from grace, he was sitting at an empty table in the lunch room. No one would sit at the same table with him any longer and he was always alone. He was therefore surprised when a gruff voice declared, “He’s being home-schooled, bro.”

Dan looked up, “Huh?”

Cal Decker, the varsity quarterback, slid into the chair across from him. “Yer man,” he explained, “Matthew. He’s bein’ home-schooled.”

Dan looked around the lunch room, everyone present was just as shocked as he was that Cal Decker was talking to him. Cal was practically royalty in high school. Tall and lanky with swept-back, black hair and sparkling green eyes, he was also incredibly handsome. Not as handsome as Matthew, of course, but handsome nonetheless.

“Why are you talkin’ to me?” Dan asked warily.

Cal looked down before fixing him with those gorgeous green eyes. “‘Cuz I care ‘bout you, bro.”

“Y-Y-You do?” It was humiliating how these words brought tears to his eyes. There had to be a catch, though. Cal had to be getting ready to do something sadistic to him. He shook his head, furious at himself for being so weak.

Rather than tease him, Cal reached across the table and squeezed his arm. Then he handed him a napkin to dab his eyes with. Dan did so, squeezing his eyes shut to stop the tears. Around them, the room had grown silent.

“C’mon, bro. You’re done with yer food, right?” Cal stood up from the table. “Follow me.” He started to walk out of the room and Dan hurriedly stood and racked his tray, scurrying along behind him. He still couldn’t believe Cal was talking to him!

Cal sauntered into the hallway, heading nonchalantly to the senior’s row of lockers. Once there, he leaned against his locker, jerking his chin at Dan to join him. Dan looked around, nervous about being in a part of the building that was normally off limits to underclassmen. The hallway was empty, though; it was just him and Cal. He leaned against the locker next to the tall jock.

“Like I said, Matthew ain’t comin’ back here, bro,” Cal informed him. “His parents took him out of school. I know ‘cuz I live next door to him.” He rolled his eyes. “I heard everything that happened there after his dad brought him home. I heard ‘em yelling ‘bout takin’ him outta school.”

“Because of me?” Dan’s voice was hoarse from the effort of stifling the tears that so badly wanted to fall.

Cal nodded. “Sorry, bro. I know it’s rough. You’ve been a lot of shit and it ain’t easier with yer man gone.” He smiled, “But you got me. I’m here for you.” He slung his arm over Dan’s shoulders, squeezing.

Dan was completely confused. Why would Cal Decker do this? He was risking his reputation just to be seen talking with Dan. But to touch him? It was career suicide. Or it would have been for anyone besides Cal. 

When he asked Cal about it, the jock shrugged. “I got my reasons.” He stared off into space. “Maybe someday I’ll tell ya.” He smiled, squeezing his shoulders again. “In the meantime, you got me as yer new best friend, bro. Now let’s go show those homophobes that bein’ queer ain’t nuthin’ to be ashamed of!”

***

Cal pulled some strings and got him on the varsity football team. The coach had actually been contemplating asking Dan to join anyway so it wasn’t too hard. Compared to the other teachers, the coach was actually a decent guy. “Listen, Hughes,” he grunted when Dan stood uncertainly in his office just off the locker room, “I don’t give a shit what you do or who you love so long as you bust yer ass out there on the field. Got that?”

“Got it.”

The coach nodded. “Good man. Now get in there and get into yer gear. Practice starts in fifteen minutes.”

Dan exited the office in a daze. Cal was waiting for him just outside the door and quickly slung his arm over his shoulders, walking him into the locker room. When they entered, he yelled, “Listen up, you shitheads! This here’s Dan Hughes and he’s my best bro. Treat him like you treat me. Got it?”

The guys–so much bigger and older than Dan–grunted their assent and went back to undressing. He took the locker next to Cal’s and pulled off his shirt.

“Jesus, bro,” Cal breathed, looking at his back. “Yer dad did that to you?”

Dan shrugged, “Yeah.”

“The fucker.” Cal’s jaw was clenched and so were his fists. “That’s child abuse!” He stood there, seething for a long time before deciding, “I’m gonna report him. He can’t do that to you and get away with it!”

“Cal, please don’t!” The thought of Cal calling the police on his father made him panic. “I’m fine. Really. I can take it.” He hung his head. “I’m just worried about Matthew. I know his dad treats him even worse.”

Cal slammed his fist into the locker, causing everyone to turn and look at them. He stood there with his head lowered, breathing hard and trying to master himself. Finally, he forced himself to relax. “Listen, Dan,” he said. “That is wrong. What your dad did to you is wrong. Do you hear me? There is nothing wrong with loving another guy. It’s one hundred percent normal.”

Dan had tears in his eyes. No one had ever said anything like this to him. He’d been raised being told that homosexuality was one of the worst sins imaginable. Perhaps because he’d always heard that homosexuals were vile and decadent and evil, he’d never contemplated the possibility that he might be one. Once Matthew kissed him, though, that at all changed and Dan in the pit of his stomach that he was a fag. This knowledge was almost as devastating as being torn away from Matthew.

Cal hugged him. 

In front of the whole locker room, he wrapped his arms around him and pulled him tightly against his warm chest. Dan cried like a baby.

***

Matthew’s family didn’t attend church that Sunday. Dan had been hopeful that he’d at least get to see him during the service and cast surreptitious glances around the congregation but he was disappointed. His friend’s absence bothered him more than the disapproving stares and whispers. The minister delivered a fiery sermon on the sins of the flesh, pouring a lot of vitriol on sodomy in particular. When it was over and people were filing out of the church, the man wouldn’t shake his hand.

The next day, Cal invited him over to his house and Dan hung around the windows facing the Morgan household, hoping to spot Matthew. He didn’t see anyone, though. It was like the place had been abandoned. He paced back and forth, growing more anxious until Cal made him stop.

“Yo, Sport! Get yer ass over here.” The lanky boy was reclining on the sofa with his girlfriend, Sam. Sam was just as beautiful as Cal was handsome and shared her boyfriend’s kind heart. She smiled at him, waving him over.

He slunk over and plopped down on the floor beside the couch, hanging his head.

“He’ll be Ok,” Cal soothed, mussing his stubbly hair. “Don’t worry. Now let’s watch the football game.”

And so a long, excruciating month passed. Dan was almost ready to give up hope that he’d see Matthew again when his friend showed up in the most dramatic way possible.

***

Chapter 6

Back in the present day…

After leaving the Bad Lands, they entered the dry plains of eastern Wyoming and headed into Montana. That night, they stayed in a lodge outside of Bozeman, the ridges of the Rocky Mountains rising in the distance. Both of them were tired of camping and driving and needed to rest. Dan felt bad that they didn’t have the time to linger. He really wanted to take Jack to Glacier National Park and Yellowstone but he was worried about Matthew and knew he didn’t have time to waste. He told his son that, once he knew Matthew was Ok, they would take their time heading back east.

After settling into their rustic but well-appointed hotel room, he disappeared into the bathroom, emerging an hour later to face his son’s scrutiny. Jack looked up from scrolling through TikTok on his phone and eyed him suspiciously. “You were in there a long time. What were you doin’?”

Dan shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. “Had to shave.” 

He tugged down on his shirt sleeves and made sure his shirt was buttoned as he said this. He wasn’t lying; he had been shaving. Rather than just shaving his neck and trimming up his beard, though, he’d shaved his entire body, too. He was completely devoid of any trace of hair below his cheeks, save for the oval of skin in the middle of his back where he couldn’t reach. He hadn’t been this smooth since he was Jack’s age and kept noticing how weird it was. He could actually tell that his boxers were empty above his cock. His bush had been so copious that it had puffed out his underwear. Now there was just empty air there. And talk about feeling clammy! He already missed his body hair and really hoped Kevin didn’t insist he shave all the time.

“Hmm…you look guilty.” Jack’s eyes narrowed. “What’s goin’ on, bro?”

Dan narrowed his eyes. “For the millionth time, I’m not yer bro, I’m yer dad and I’m gonna go make a phone call.” He walked to the door, opening it and looking back over his shoulder, “I’ll be back in a bit.”

Jack nodded. “‘Kk. Tell Papa I said hello.”

Dan froze, “Huh?”

“Papa Kevin,” Jack replied, rolling his eyes. “You guys’re seeing each other now, right? Me an’ Matteo were wonderin’ how long it would take. Papa’s been staring at you like a hungry wolf ever since him and Audrey split up.”

Dan didn’t know what to say to this and shook his head. Gone were the days when he could count on Jack being oblivious to everything. His son was growing up so fast! This was both good and bad. Good that his son was maturing and bad for his privacy. He’d have to be extra careful to keep his and Kevin’s sexual antics under wraps.

***

He found his way to the top of the building where there was a rooftop spa of sorts. One end was an open-air bar and the other had been sectioned off into a series of private hot tubs. Each tub was surrounded by a tall hedge and a gate. Even better, there was a privacy sign you could turn to indicate it was occupied. 

He stole through the gate of the farthest hot tub, heart pumping. It was a very warm evening and the hot tubs were all empty. Who besides a horny bachelor wanting to engage in phone sex would be up there anyway?

His hands were shaking as he closed the gate and turned the sign for privacy. Soon, he’d stripped down to his boxers and pulled out his phone, slipping on his BlueTooth earpiece. 

He called Kevin on FaceTime.

“You do it?” his boyfriend queried when he answered the video call. “You shave yer pussy?” 

Dan smiled. Kevin was looking mighty fine, indeed! Bare-chested, his huge pecs and wide shoulders filled the frame. His face was flushed and his eyes were on fire with expectation. Dan nodded, feeling shy. He was reluctant to let Kevin see him now that he was completely smooth. He looked ridiculous! He could barely stand it.

Kevin, however, was not about to let him go. “Good lil’ Babygirl,” he cooed. “Show me!” 

Red-cheeked, Dan panned the camera down his ripped torso. As much as he disliked being hairless, he had to admit that it really made his huge muscles pop. His pecs looked even bigger and more defined and his abs were striated. You could see the veins spreading across his taut belly. Grinning slowly, he lingered on the prominent bulge in his boxers, zooming in on the immense outline of his cock.

Kevin was unimpressed. “I don’t wanna look at that ugly thing!” he complained. “Yuck. You know I care only ‘bout yer pussy. Now SHOW ME!”

Even though he knew he was alone, Dan looked around before sliding his boxers down his giant quads. His immense tubesteak popped out, flopping heavily up and down. It looked even bigger devoid of pubic hair and his low-hangers were truly stupendous. His ballsac was relaxed and his big pair of huevos sagged against his pristine thighs.

His cock had never been harder. Something about being naked in (almost) public combined with the transgression of shaving his butthole made him extra horny. Having Kevin there virtually to witness his transformation was even better. His dick spasmed and precum splattered at his feet.

“SHOW ME YER PUSSY!”

He jumped at Kevin’s command, settling down into the roiling water. Then he pushed himself up from the tub and, body dripping with moisture, spread his legs and aimed the camera at his shorn asshole.

“FUCK!!! AH, FUCK!!! THAT IS SO HOT!!!” Kevin moaned. “OH, JESUS FUCK!!! I’M GONNA CUM!!!”

Dan couldn’t jack off because he needed one hand to hold his position and the other to hold the phone but it didn’t matter. Just hearing his boyfriend lose his shit over his shaved man-cunt was incredibly hot and got him even more turned on. Kevin jerked himself to an explosive climax, zooming in on his equally massive cock and letting Dan watch him shoot his load over the camera lens. He was red-faced and panting as he wiped off the phone and turned the lens back on his face.

“You did good, Babygirl,” he breathed. “That’s one hot, shaved pussy you got. I can’t fuckin’ wait to ram my big man into it and make you mine forever.”

“Ungh!”

Kevin smirked. “Yer a horny lil’ slut, ain’t ya?”

“YES!”

“Ha! We’re defo gonna have a lot of fun when you get back here.” He paused a moment before asking, “Hey, Babygirl?”

“Yeah?”

Kevin’s eyes slid to the side. “Whaddaya think ‘bout getting nubbed when you return? I’ll pay for it an’ everything. I’ve even lined up a doctor, providin’ yer on board with the idea, ‘course.”

Dan’s brow furrowed. “Nubbed? What do you mean?”

Kevin grinned. “It’s when they, uh, take yer dick down to juss a nub, leavin’ ya with a lil’ button over yer balls.” Kevin grinned wolfishly. “It’s super fuckin’ hot!”

Dan blinked, mouth falling open. “You mean–?”

“Yeah, I mean you’ll be dickless. But you don’t need a dick, Babygirl. Not with me around.” Kevin’s eyes were suddenly hard. Dan remembered that look; it was the same look that Matthew had before he made Dan do something particularly humiliating. “Babygirls don’t need no dick. Only one of us needs a dick and that’s me. Right?”

Dan swallowed, heart thumping. He’d never even thought about giving up his penis for Kevin. Living life without a cock? Could he do it? And what if Jack found out? How would he explain it to the boy? He looked down and saw his big cock was rigid once again and standing up out of the water. Part of him–a very big part–really liked the idea of being nubbed, alright!

“Oh, and Babygirl?”

Dan looked away from his huge dick and caught Kevin’s mischievous gaze. “Yeah?”

His boyfriend held something up in the frame. Something really dainty and pink. “This’ll be yer new uniform,” Kevin explained. “Once yer nubbed, you ain’t never gonna need to wear a jock or men’s underwear again.” Dan blinked when he saw what Kevin was holding: A tiny pair of pink panties.  Kevin grinned wickedly, “I can’t wait to walk around the locker room with you wearin’ these. I want everyone to know who wears the pants in our relationship…and who wears the panties.”

Dan’s whole body tensed before he exploded in orgasm, jetting cum all over himself. The mere thought of being humiliated in front of the jocks on the football team was all it took.

***

Eighteen years prior…

“Wake up.” 

Dan’s eyes fluttered open and he gave a little start of surprise. Matthew was standing over his bed! When he opened his mouth to speak, though, his boyfriend put his hand over it, warning, “Shhh. Don’t wake up yer parents.”

Dan nodded, propping himself up on his elbows. He was about to ask how Matthew had gotten into his bedroom when he remembered Justin was asleep in the top bunk. He started to panic but Matthew merely smirked at his reaction, “Don’t worry about that asshole. He’s taken care of.” He stepped away, revealing what he’d done with Dan’s older brother.

Poor Justin had been duct-taped to a chair in the middle of the room. His arms, legs and neck had all been thoroughly wrapped, trapping him in place, and gag was stuffed in his mouth. Worse, his upper eyelids had been taped open, ensuring he could not look away. He stared back at them balefully, gaze burning with malice.

Matthew sneered at him, taunting, “If you were shocked by us kissing, just wait til you see what we do next!”

Justin gripped the chair, grunting with outrage. Tears streamed down his cheeks but not because he was sad; the tape kept him from blinking and he had to cry to keep his eyeballs from drying out.

Dan sat up in bed, heart pounding. He couldn’t believe this was happening! How had Matthew done this all while he was asleep? He looked from the furious Justin to the gloating Matthew, feeling dazed.

“Here. Put this on.” Matthew held out a dog collar, even bigger and blacker than the last one. Long, sharp spikes protruded from it, glinting in the dim light of the lamp on Dan’s desk.

Dan stared at him, appalled. “Matthew!”

Kneeling down beside the bed, Matthew took Dan’s face in his hands. His eyes were cold but he’d never been more handsome. An unholy fire burned deep inside him. “Dan, do you trust me?” he purred.

“Yes!”

Matthew smiled. “Good. Then do as I say and I’ll reward you.” Dan nodded solemnly. Being with Matthew overrode all of his trepidation and he realized then that he would do anything without question. He had to! His love for the boy was like that: Utterly devoted.

Matthew fastened the collar around his neck and cinched it shut with a heavy padlock. “Let’s see ‘em try an’ take that off!” he crowed, looking over his shoulder at Justin and spitting on the floor. “This dog’s mine!”

Being locked up by Matthew once again spurred a perverse, wild joy in the depths of Dan’s soul. Maybe it was because Matthew was so strong, so powerful? Or maybe it was because he felt complete only when he was under the boy’s control? Whatever it was, Matthew’s devil-may-care attitude was infectious. Being collared made him feel free in a way he’d never dreamed of. He was Matthew’s dog, through and through.

“Now get up and come here, Dog.”

Dan stood and approached his boyfriend. Matthew was wearing a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. He’d grown in the past month, Dan realized, and now stood nearly as tall as he did. When he neared, Matthew reached out and, turning Dan so Justin was forced to watch, unbuttoned his pajama top. He ran his hands over Dan’s bare chest, tweaking his nipples and making him moan. Justin shook in the chair but it was no use, he was firmly held in place. He had no choice but to watch the two boys fondle each other.

“So pretty.” Matthew kissed him. Dan kissed him back, removing his boyfriend’s t-shirt. Matthew’s touch did things to him but being watched by Justin at the same time electrified the feeling, amping it up. He realized he got off on his brother’s revulsion and outrage. They kissed deeper.

Matthew pulled Dan’s pajama bottoms off, leaving him wearing just his tightie whities. Dan unbuckled Matthew’s belt, pulling down his jeans. He looked over and smirked at Justin as he did so. His brother gurgled furiously, hands balled into fists and face completely red.

Matthew was wearing a jockstrap.

Dan’s fingers jerked when he touched the boy’s bare ass cheeks. Matthew laughed and stuffed his hands down Dan’s undies, squeezing his butt before sliding his underwear down his thighs. Dan braced, cheeks glowing red. He’d never been naked in front of Matthew before…or in front of his brother. He and Justin followed the family’s rules around nudity and never exposed their privates to each other.

“Feels so good, doesn’t it?” Matthew kneaded his ass cheeks, smiling. He looked over Dan’s shoulder at Justin, challenging, “See this? It’s yer little brother’s ass. Nice isn’t it?”

Justin made a muffled sound of outrage.

Dan blushed a deeper shade of pink. He couldn’t believe this was happening but he was also incredibly turned on, something that didn’t escape Matthew’s notice.

“Wow, that’s a big dick!” Matthew praised, stepping apart so that Dan’s big erection stuck out long and proud between them. “Good for you!” His eyes narrowed slyly as he helped Dan step out of his underwear. Dan was now completely naked and aroused in front of both Matthew and Justin! “Yer bigger than me down there but I’m the top.”

“Top?” Dan had no idea what this meant.

Matthew grinned, producing a plastic bottle and holding it in his face. The label read, Lubricant. “I’ll show you. Get down on yer hands and knees.” Dan stared at the bottle and then back at Matthew before gamely getting down on all fours. Matthew slapped his ass, correcting, “Not that way! Turn your butt toward your brother. I wanna show him something.”

Dan clenched his buttocks together and turned around but Matthew slapped him again, ordering, “Spread ‘em, Dog! Spread ‘em wide!” Dan hung his head on fire with shame, but nonetheless did as he was told and spread his thighs wide open. His generous buttocks parted and he felt the night air caress his most intimate part. 

His asshole was pointing directly at Justin!

“Good Dog!” Matthew purred, kneeling beside him and reaching out to part his ass cheeks. Dan’s butthole winked, pink and supple and puckered. “Take a good look, Justin,” he taunted. “When you see yer lil’ brother’s asshole next, it’s gonna be gaping wide open and trickling my cum!”

“WHAT?!” Dan gasped.

Matthew laughed, “You heard me.” He popped the cap on the bottle of lube and squirted it into his hands. “I’m gonna fuck you up the ass in front of yer big brother!” Dan braced as Matthew slathered the gel over his butthole, slathering it up all while still giving Justin the full view. Dan was quivering with humiliation and arousal. His mind was blank, his body alive to Matthew’s touch.

“So pink! So tight!” Matthew crowed. “A tiny, virgin boy-hole just waiting to be fucked!” 

He traced a finger around it and Dan sighed with delirious but conflicted pleasure. In his wildest dreams, he never thought that Matthew would touch him down there. It was gross! Disgusting! What was his friend thinking? Why did he want to fuck his butthole?

And then Matthew’s finger was inside him and he was moaning loudly. “Careful,” Matthew warned. “Your parents are in the next room, remember? We don’t wanna wake ‘em.” Justin let out a muted howl at this, causing Matthew to laugh with sadistic glee.

He got down behind Dan and spread his own ass cheeks, giving Justin the full view of his hairy crack and equally virgin hole. Then he tugged down the front of his jockstrap and extracted his short, thick cock. Grabbing Dan by the hips, he warned, “This is gonna hurt. I’ve only watched videos online, never done it myself. Just be a good boy and take it, Ok?”

Dan was trembling with fear, humiliation and arousal. He could only whimper like a lost puppy. He grunted with happiness, though, when Matthew reached forward and took his big, long cock in his hand for the very first time and jacked him slowly. Leaning over his back, Matthew thrust forward. Dan whined as his bulbous cockhead made contact with his rosebud and he lifted his head in the air, letting out a worried mewl. Matthew soothed him by stroking his cock harder.

And then it happened.

With one quick, savage thrust, Matthew rammed inside him.

Dan’s vision washed red and he had to bite his tongue to keep from screaming out. The pain was beyond excruciating as Matthew bore into him. He felt something snap and there was even more pain. Another tortuous snap and his asshole gave way, permanently loosened by Matthew’s inexpert and cruel penetration. So much for being gentle!

Dan didn’t care. If anything, he relished the pain. Yeah, he wanted Matthew to hurt him even more. He wanted Matthew to totally use and abuse him, destroy him and humiliate him. He loved it because he loved Matthew! And if Matthew wanted to humiliate Justin by humiliating him, so much the better! He leaned back, pushing his big butt outward and inviting Matthew to ruin his hole.

Matthew was happy to do so. He savored inflicting pain and explored new and inventive ways to hurt him. At one point, he grabbed Dan’s nipples and twisted them hard while slapping against his buttocks, driving his modest but wide cock in deeply. There were scratches, bruises, and blood.

Dan was a total mess by the end. Matthew had completely molested his body, cumming several times and showing off Dan’s gooey hole to Justin after each fucking. Justin had gone limp in his chair by the end. His eyes were bloodshot and his tears were copious. He stared at Dan and Matthew murderously as they kissed a final time, taking each other’s cocks in hand and squeezing.

Freedom.

This was what total freedom felt like.

Dan gazed adoringly into Matthew’s eyes, chilled and delighted by the contempt he saw staring back at him. He knew Matthew loved him. He knew also that Matthew hated him. It was the most delicious feeling in the world!

“What now?” he asked, breathless.

Matthew regarded him with a half smile. “We leave.”

“Where?” Excitement coursed through Dan’s body with these words. He was going to be with Matthew! They were going to be together!

Matthew looked over at Justin. “Get dressed and meet me downstairs. I can’t tell you in front of him.” He leered at Justin, wrinkling his lip and challenging, “How does it feel, asshole? You got all prissy when you caught us kissing. How does it feel to watch us fucking? Are you turned on?”

Justin regained his fight, jerking back and forth angrily in the chair. He couldn’t free himself, though, and his yells of outrage were lost in the gag. Dan smirked, turning his back and bending over to show Justin his gaping, cum-filled asshole. He reveled in the knowledge that Justin had been forced to watch everything.

Matthew brazenly stuck his finger in Dan’s oozing hole and licked it, glancing over at Justin as he did so. “Mmmm, Justin! Yer lil’ brother’s hole tastes delicious. Wanna try?” He held his finger out in front of the horrified Justin’s face.

Both Matthew and Dan laughed, glorying in their newly discovered power over him. Then they got dressed and left him stranded in the room where he would be discovered by his mother in the morning.

***

Chapter 7

Back in the present day…

Jack eyed Dan’s shaved chest and legs in the morning as he got dressed but didn’t say anything. Dan hurriedly pulled on a t-shirt but was still keenly aware that he’d shorn all of the fur off of his forearms the night before, leaving his arms completely smooth. He felt both ridiculous and thrilled by his daring.

They had another several hours ahead of them before they reached Idaho. He realized he needed to figure out where they would stay once they reached his home town. Staying with his parents was out of the question but he didn’t want to stay in a hotel, either. After a moment, he had an idea and flipped through the contacts on his phone, eventually finding the one he was looking for.

Cal Decker answered on the first ring. “Whoa, is this who I think it is?” he chuckled. “Dan?”

“Yeah, it’s me.” Dan couldn’t help smiling. Cal and he had remained in sporadic contact over the years, reaching out every few months or so by text or phone to check in. Other than his sister, Diane, Cal had been the one person who stuck by him and Dan would never forget that. Cal had been present during his court hearings, testifying on his behalf, and had visited him in the juvenile detention center, driving several hours each way just for a brief visit. He hadn’t seen him in more than ten years but it didn’t matter. He would always think of Cal as one of his best friends.

“Well, don’t leave me hangin’, bro!” Cal prompted when he was silent for a long time on the other end. “What’s up?”

“Cal, I’m coming home today with Jack and I was wondering if maybe we could stay with you and Sam and the girls?”

There was a long exhale as Cal processed this. “Of course, buddy! You don’t even have to ask. The guest room’s yers. But, wow! Yer comin’ home! That’s fuckin’ amazin’!”

“I hope so.” Dan looked over at Jack who was listening intently. “I sure hope so. I want my family to finally meet Jack but I also have to see Matthew.”

“Matthew? Oh, shit! Really? You know he’s–”

Dan cut him off. “Yeah, I know. He’s lived up there with that cult for more than fifteen years. Ever since…well, you know what happened.”

“How could I forget?” Cal laughed. “Folks ‘round here are still talkin’ ‘bout it.” There was a distinct note of awe in Cal’s voice as he mused, “The return of the Prodigal Son! I can’t believe it!”

Dan flushed. “Don’t get all Biblical on me, Ok? I’m gonna get enough of that from my parents.”

“Ha! Yeah, Ok. Can’t wait to see you, bud. It’s been too long.”

“Me, too.” Dan sighed, feeling his chest swell with love for his friend. “I’ll text you when we’re close.”

“Sounds good. Drive safely!”

Dan smiled. “Thanks, Cal. I will.” He ended the call, forestalling Jack’s inevitable question by saying, “That was Cal Decker. He’s the one friend I still have back there. He’s a good guy. You’ll like him. Plus, he has twin daughters your age.”

Jack’s eyes lit up. “Twins? As in identical twins?”

“Yep. And they’re real pretty, too.”

“Fuck, yeah!” Jack crowed, pumping his fist in the air. “I’m so ready to meet ‘em!”

***

They pulled into Cal and Sam’s driveway in the afternoon and were immediately besieged. Cal grabbed Dan in a bear hug, hefting him off of his feet which was quite a feat because Dan was both taller and a lot heavier than him. 

Cal clapped him on the back before releasing him so that Sam could get her own hug in. Their daughters, Lucy and Lena, were immediately taken with Jack. They hung back and stared at him with curious eyes, crossing their arms and exchanging unreadable looks. For his part, Jack acted bashful but Dan could tell he was privately thrilled. It was kind of fun watching his son ping-pong back and forth between attractions. There had definitely been a spark between him and Jonas and now there was a spark with these girls. Who knew who would eventually win Jack’s heart? Dan was just happy that his son felt free enough to explore his attractions without fear of reprisal.

Cal had aged more than Dan, probably because he was a smoker. He was still tall and lean but had a drawn, lined face and spoke in a gravelly tone. His black hair was flecked with white and there was a white patch in his beard right over his chin. His green eyes were still just as sparkling as ever, though. 

His wife and high school sweetheart, Sam, was in better shape than her husband and had matured into a very handsome woman. With long, brown hair and soft, brown eyes, it was clear that her daughters took after her. And speaking of those daughters, Lucy and Lena were already a couple of the prettiest girls that Dan had ever seen. He could understand why Jack was so dazzled by them.

The girls disappeared with Jack in tow and Cal took him into his workshop off the garage while Sam prepared dinner. Working on a cabinet together, Dan held a piece of trim while Cal glued it in place. Finally, Cal straightened and gazed back at him speculatively.

“I can’t believe how much you’ve changed, bro.” His green eyes slid up and down Dan’s massive frame. “Yer a total beast! Not an ounce of fat on ya.” He paused before adding, “I can’t tell, though, whether yer a muscle bull or a breeding heifer. Which is it, bro?” When Dan flushed and looked down at the floor, he chuckled. “So, a heifer, huh? Ha! Yer incredible. I ain’t never met nobody who could be so macho and so submissive at the same time.”

Dan flushed, unnerved by his friend’s insight into his private nature. Was he that obvious? “Cal,” he asked, “you never did say why you stuck by me.” He lifted his head, fixing his friend with his intent gaze. “Why were you so nice to me? And how do you know so much about…queer stuff…if yer not queer yerself?”

“Who sez I ain’t?” Cal seemed amused by the question. Then he sighed and settled back against the workbench next to Dan. He was so close their shoulders were touching. “But, no, I kinda wish I were bisexual like you but I’m pretty straight. It’s women who get me goin’ not guys.”

“Then why?” Dan pressed. “All the other straight guys treated me like shit. You didn’t, though. You were nothing but kind.”

Cal turned to look at him, smiling sadly. “Did I ever tell ya ‘bout my big brother?” Dan shook his head. “His name was Curtis and he was queer like you. My old man kicked him outta the house when he found out and Curtis…well, he ended up killing himself.” Dan gave a start of surprise at this and Cal paused, jaw working as he relived the painful memory. When he spoke again, his voice was husky with emotion. “I loved Curtis, Dan. He was my rock. When he died, it completely destroyed me.” He slammed his fist down on the workbench, startling Dan. “And then you came along, so much like Curtis it made me crazy. There was no way I was gonna let the same thing happen to you!”

He turned to Dan and hugged him then, burying his face against his neck and sobbing. They stood like that for a long time, Dan inhaling Cal’s smoky scent and feeling his friend shaking in his arms. It was both strange and touching. In the years he’d known Cal, this was the most vulnerable he’d ever seen him. Cal was always just so stalwart and unruffled. Dan felt his heart swell with love for his friend, this straight guy who had stood beside him throughout everything. It felt good to finally understand a little more about him.

They enjoyed a nice dinner outdoors at the Decker’s picnic table. The day had been hot but it was a dry sort of heat and not too uncomfortable. As the sun slanted toward the horizon, illuminating the brown, grassy hills in the distance, Dan finally felt the unease about being back home settle over him. He realized he hadn’t missed anything about this place and couldn’t wait to get back to Michigan. He wouldn’t leave, however, until he knew Matthew was alright.

That night, he and Jack shared the queen-sized bed in the guest room. Dan was drifting off to sleep when he felt the mattress begin to shake accompanied by the unmistakable sound of Jack’s fapping. He rolled over onto his back, complaining, “Jack! For Chrissakes, go into the bathroom if yer gonna do that!”

“I can’t!” his son hissed. “Lena’s in there and I’m juss so fuckin’ horny I can’t stand it!”

Dan couldn’t believe he was even having this discussion. Sons did not masturbate in front of their fathers! It was just wrong!

Jack turned on the lamp next to the bed and pulled back the covers. Dan didn’t look at him, closing his eyes and crossing his arms. “Jack,” he warned. “This isn’t cool!”

Jack was unperturbed. “C’mon, Dad! Show me!”

“Show you what?”

“Yer dick. I wanna see it again. Pretty please? It’ll help me go to sleep.” Dan started to open his eyes but closed them when he realized Jack was completely naked next to him. He scooted away on the bed, preparing to get up but Jack grabbed his arm. “Please, Dad! I gotta see it. I wanna know how big I’m gonna be when I grow up.”

“Jack, this is unhealthy.”

“No, it isn’t.” Jack sighed but wouldn’t release his arm. “Yer not that much older than me, really. You had me when you were still a teenager after all. I’ve always thought of you as both my dad and my best friend. That’s why I sometimes slip up and call you ‘bro.’”

Dan didn’t know what to say to this. He could tell the boy was telling him the truth and he couldn’t deny that he did sort of feel the same way, especially now that Jack was growing up. Still, this felt weird and wrong to him.

“Right now,” Jack pressed, sensing that Dan was waffling, “I need you to be my friend. Can you do that?”

Dan sighed. “Is this what you do with your friends?”

“Sometimes, yeah.” Jack laughed, “Matteo an’ me jerk off together a lot. He even sent me a couple dick pics today. Wanna see?” He reached for his phone.

“NO!”

“Suit yerself.” Jack sounded amused. “The thing is, Matteo an’ me’re juss friends. We’re not in love with each other or nuthin’. It’s like you an’ me. I love you as my dad and my best friend but I ain’t in love with you.”

“That’s a good thing.”

“So, show me. I wanna see yer dick, bro.”

Exasperated, Dan swung around but stopped when he saw Jack holding his little erection. Barely more than three inches long, it was even tinier than he’d imagined…not that he spent much time imagining his son with a hardon!

“Please, bro.” Jack’s golden brown eyes were pleading. “Just this once. After this, I won’t ever ask to see it again.”

Dan took a deep breath, exhaling loudly. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, I can’t believe I’m doing this!” He reached down and slid his boxers off underneath him on the bed. “Here. Look but don’t touch me, Ok? I hope you realize I could get arrested for this!”

“I ain’t gonna tell no–” Jack’s voice broke off as he stared at his dad’s monster. Even flaccid, Dan’s cock was incredibly long and fat, resting heavily against his stubbly belly. (His body hair was already beginning to grow in after shaving and the razor burn and resulting itch were already driving him crazy.)

“There,” Dan looked over at his son. “Happy?”

Jack’s mouth was hanging open. “You shaved? Christ, it makes yer dick look even bigger! Fuck, yer huge! I mean, look at me! I’m a fuckin’ shrimp in comparison!” He waggled his little dick at him, slipping his foreskin back and exposing his tiny, glistening glans. “Why didn’t you have me circumcised like you are?”

Dan clenched his jaw, unhappy. This was profoundly uncomfortable for him. Finally, he huffed, “‘Cuz it’s wrong, Ok? There’s no way I coulda let ‘em do that to you, ‘specially not as a baby.”

“I’m glad. Thanks, bro.” Jack lay there for a moment, still staring intently at Dan’s penis. “Get it hard for me? I wanna see how big it gets.”

“Jack! I’m not gonna–!”

“Juss do it. For me. Pah-lease!”

When Dan refused to move, Jack reached out to grab his cock but Dan knocked his hand away, growling, “No! Don’t touch me! ‘Specially not there! I’ll do it but you stay over there, Ok?”

“Deal!” Jack’s eyes were on fire with excitement. “Show me, bro! Show me!”

The sick truth was Dan was already more than half hard. Something about the embarrassment, humiliation and transgression of being naked in front of his son got him aroused. He stroked himself, reaching a blazingly hard erection in no time. More than a foot long and wide as a baseball bat, his cock was a thing of glory.

“Fuuuuuuuck,” Jack moaned, fapping himself on the bed next to him. “Look at that! It’s HUUUUUUUUUGE!”

Dan remained stonily silent, overwhelmed by regret even as he continued to stroke himself.

“Look at mine,” Jack ordered. “Look at my little boy-cock!”

Dan did, hating himself. Seeing Jack’s miniscule erection made him think of how small he was going to be once Kevin had him nubbed. It really turned him on and he moaned. 

“Yeah, bro!” Jack purred. “See my little dick! I’m so tiny, I barely got a clit between my legs! Haha!”

Dan arched his back, cock spasming to a climax as he spewed cum across his chest and face. Beside him, Jack was cumming, too, but he barely produced a tiny trickle of semen. He was, after all, only thirteen years old.

They lay back on the bed afterwards, chests heaving. Dan was withering with remorse, kicking himself for giving into his son’s pleading. He couldn’t believe what he’d just done. After this, what would their relationship be like?

Jack, however, was delighted. Pulling up his boxers (that matched Dan’s own), he breathed, “Thank you, man. That was the best present you could have ever given me. I love you, bro.”

***

Chapter 8

Eighteen years prior…

The next two weeks with Matthew were the happiest of Dan’s life.

They drove up into the foothills of the mountains in Matthew’s dad’s car. It was a BMW convertible and Matthew lowered the top, glorying in the rushing night air. It was October and getting chilly but it felt good and they were both riding hide from their sexual escapade in front of Justin. Dan’s butthole was throbbing and it was hard to sit down but he didn’t care. He was so in love with Matthew it hurt. In fact, everything about Matthew hurt. Maybe that was why he loved him so much? He was learning quickly that Matthew did something to him, changed him, and Dan became someone else. He liked it.

“Where are we going?” he asked finally, staring lovingly at his beautiful boyfriend who was driving the car with such casual expertise. Dan himself had only recently gotten his driving permit and felt timid behind the wheel. Matthew, however, leaned back in the seat and rested his elbow on the open window, smiling into the night.

“Look in the back seat.”

Dan turned around and saw two large backpacks. He turned back to Matthew questioningly.

“We’re gonna go into the mountains where they can’t find us,” he explained, grinning. “It’s gonna be so much fun!”

Dan put his hand on his leg. At first, Matthew jerked in surprise but then he reached down and held Dan’s hand, squeezing it. Dan beamed over at him. He’d never held hands with Matthew before.

They drove more than two hours, pulling off on a rugged two track and leaving the car behind, covered in pine boughs. Then they shouldered their packs and started climbing. Their destination, according to Matthew who had researched the area, was a secluded hot spring. It was more than twenty miles over rugged terrain but he said they would camp for the night about halfway. 

As the adrenaline wore off, Dan expected to feel remorse for their actions but he was surprised that he felt nothing but happiness. He was glad that Matthew had shown up and rescued him from his oppressive family and he derived evil satisfaction from getting back at Justin. His older brother had been his constant tormentor. It felt good to get even with him. If he never went back home again, he was fine with that as long as Matthew was beside him.

They hiked hand in hand up the trail. Matthew was more lighthearted and carefree than Dan had ever seen him. He kept looking over at Dan and grinning. “You’re so pretty!” he’d say. “I have the prettiest boyfriend in the world! And the sexiest, too. Fucking you was beyond fun. I’ve been fantasizing about doing that to you since I first met you but the reality of it was even better than I imagined. Thank you, Dan.”

Dan’s beleaguered butthole wanted to complain but he ignored the pain and smiled back at Matthew, saying, “I love you.”

Matthew gave him a startled look. His eyes were hard at first but then they softened. “And I love you.” He paused, musing. “You know what? I don’t think I’ve loved anyone before you. Huh. That’s so weird.”

“It’s not weird. I’m the same way. You’re the first and only person I’ve ever loved.”

“Maybe that’s why we’re so well suited for each other?” Matthew squeezed his hand before pulling him in for a tender kiss. “We both know what it’s like.”

***

They bathed together in a cold stream. Matthew gently rubbed Dan’s inflamed ass lips, washing them in the icy water. Dan braced and then sighed. The cold water felt good on his ruined asshole. Matthew had really destroyed him back there!

“I’ll take it easy on ya next time.” Matthew startled him by leaning forward and kissing his butthole, flicking it with his tongue. “It’s super hot, though. You should see it. So stretched out!”

“You don’t have to,” Dan said, thrilled beyond belief that Matthew had just kissed him down there. “Be easy on me, I mean. I like it when you hurt me.”

Matthew straightened, taking hold of Dan’s collar and pulling him in close for a kiss. He bit his lip, drawing blood. “Another reason we’re so well suited for each other. I love how you love it when I hurt you.”

***

They made camp for the night, setting up the tent under a big pine tree. Matthew draped a camouflaged tarp over the tent after they were done, explaining, “So they can’t see us from the air.”

Dan looked up, unnerved. He hadn’t even thought about that!

“Don’t worry,” Matthew said, reading his anxiety. “I left a decoy note, telling my parents I was going to San Francisco and made sure to disable the GPS tracker on my dad’s car.  We drove more than two hours in the opposite direction of San Francisco and they only just realized we were gone a little while ago.” He shook head. “Honestly, I don’t think they’ll ever find us.”

“Good.” Dan didn’t care. He really didn’t care.

“Now c’mere and lemme fuck that hot hole of yers.” Matthew held out his hand, beckoning him. 

Lowering his eyes, Dan sauntered over and let his boyfriend rip off his clothes and fuck him to within an inch of his life.

***

They fucked and fucked and fucked. Barely an hour went by when Matthew wasn’t riding Dan’s ass. He never got tired of doing it and often held him down, keeping his cock buried inside him while they talked. Dan learned that Matthew was always the happiest when his penis was inside him. And he was happiest then, too.

It felt so good to explore each other’s bodies without fear. Matthew let Dan touch him everywhere, even on the asshole. He let him insert a finger and stimulate his prostate but he drew the line when Dan tried to fuck him. “Uh uh. Yer too big,” he said, looking askance at Dan’s hulking cock. “That thing’d kill me.” He smiled, taking Dan by the hand and sitting him on his lap. “Too bad they can’t shrink you down. I’d let you fuck me if you were only like two or three inches long.” He paused, lost in thought. “Come to think of it, maybe they can do that? If they give a guy a vagina, I don’t see why they can’t take a few inches off his dick. What do you think, Dog? Should I do that to you? Would you like having a two-inch cock?”

Dan barked excitedly. The thought of having nothing between his legs was like a wild dream. He hated his big dick now that he knew Matthew didn’t like it.

***

The only blemish to an otherwise perfect time came when Dan saw what Matthew’s father had done to his back. Matthew had been coy, succeeding in keeping his back from Dan’s view, but it was inevitable that Dan’s fingers would eventually touch the deep, wicked furrows scored into his lover’s back. When he did, he flew into a rage.

“I’LL KILL HIM!” he screamed. “I’LL FUCKIN’ KILL HIM! HE CAN’T DO THAT TO YOU!”

Matthew watched him through lidded eyes, smiling. “I love that ‘bout you, Dan. You always got my back. ‘Course, my dad does, too. Juss in a different way.”

Dan stared at him. “How can you be like that? He maimed you, Matthew! He’s totally maimed you!”

“So what? I can take it.” Matthew smirked. “Yer not the only one who gets off on pain, Dan.”

“NO! It’s not the same thing at all!” Dan’s hands were clenched, his heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vise. “It’s horrible! Matthew, I swear I’ll kill him if he ever touches you again!”

“He’s not gonna, babe.” Matthew stood up and took him in his arms. “You and me’re never goin’ back. We’ll live here forever if we have to.”

Even as he said it and Dan so desperately wanted to believe it, he knew it wasn’t true.

***

The week rolled by and the weather grew colder but they didn’t mind. Matthew had packed warm sleeping bags and plenty of warm clothing. He’d brought lots of food along as well as a .22 rifle. He used the latter to shoot rabbits, augmenting their rations with savory game. Their base camp was near a nice hot spring and they would sit in the steaming water, fucking lazily, when they got chilled. It was pure bliss.

During the second week, Dan marveled at how well they got along. They never quarreled. Each seemed to know instinctively when to give the other space and when they needed to be close. Their stomachs were full and they were warm and content in each other’s company. At night, they cuddled up together, Matthew spooning Dan, his wiry arms wrapped around his chest and his lips on his neck. The best part, though, was the demon never appeared once. Dan relaxed, hoping it was gone for good.

Of course, the situation couldn’t last forever. They never figured out exactly how they were tracked down but one night Dan awoke to a man pulling him out of the tent. He screamed, fighting back with all his might and succeeded in landing a punch. The man staggered back, surprised, and Dan lunged into the tent, searching for Matthew. He was too late, though. Someone already had his boyfriend. He could hear them struggling nearby. Just then, his assailant succeeded in handcuffing his left wrist. Dan whirled around, trying to land another punch but it was too dark. A second later, his other wrist was cuffed and he was effectively immobilized. 

“You gotta mean left hook, boy,” the man grunted, massaging his jaw. “You should be grateful we found you before winter.”

“We didn’t want to be found!” Dan yelled. “Don’t you get that?”

The man chuckled. “A fiery one, ain’t ya? Yer families’re awful worried ‘bout you, son. C’mon. Let’s get goin’.”

He led Dan over to a stump and sat him down, helping him to get dressed. He was actually quite nice about it and talked to him soothingly the whole time. Later, Dan learned he was a state police officer who had been searching for him and Matthew since they disappeared. His name was Officer Tate and he was quite handsome. Dan realized this when it was finally daylight and he could see the man’s face. Tall and barrel-chested with a perky, muscular butt that was set off by his tailored uniform, he treated Dan like a son even though he was probably only a few years older than him.

It wasn’t the only time he would see Tate over the coming years. Tate was the first officer on the scene after Dan’s murderous rampage, taking him into custody and booking him. He was also the officer who drove him up to the juvenile detention center, helping him out of the squad car and guiding him by the arm through the razor-wired gates. Like Cal, Tate would visit him periodically ‘just to check in’ but Dan knew the man really cared about him. In many ways, Officer Tate deserved as much credit as David for helping him to get his life back on track.

***

Back in the present day…

Dan awoke in the morning to find Jack curled up beside him, fast asleep. He was queasy about the night before but had to admit he felt differently toward his son as a result. He still didn’t know how their relationship would change but hoped it would be for the better. Jack and he had shared something last night and a wall between them had fallen down. He took a deep breath, smiling down at his son. Jack was a good kid. A little bratty and a lot less innocent than he was at that age but he was still a good kid. Dan had done something right.

He got dressed and wandered out into the kitchen where Cal was already preparing breakfast. “Sleep Ok, buddy?” he asked, smiling broadly as he scrambled eggs. 

Dan scratched his armpit. “Yeah, pretty well. Thanks again for hosting us.”

“Our pleasure.” Cal poured the eggs into a skillet and they sizzled, steaming on the stove. “You gonna see yer folks today, bro?”

Dan winced. “Yeah, I guess I have to.”

“Justin, too?” Cal’s eyes were dancing.

“I dunno. My mom said she’d tell him to stay away if he couldn’t be civil.”

Cal stirred the eggs, looking up at him. “You ever talk to him again? I mean, since…”

Dan flushed. “Nope. Never. I mean, I can see why he’d still be mad at me. The, uh, incident in the bedroom was bad enough but the–” His voice broke off; he couldn’t make himself finish the sentence.

“I get it.” Cal’s eyes were soft, understanding. “For what it’s worth, bro, I’d’ve done the same thing in yer shoes.” He held up his hands, “I mean, not the…fun…in the bedroom part! The other part!”

“I knew what you meant.” Dan’s cheeks were flaming beneath his beard. “And thanks.”

“Everything worked out in the end, didn’t it?” Cal scraped the eggs onto a platter and then poured oil in the skillet to fry some bacon. “All in all, you landed on yer feet.”

Dan stared down at his feet. “I did, sure. But Matthew?” He swallowed, “He’s in trouble, Cal. I can feel it in my bones. Did you know my sister helped Pearl escape from the compound with their son?”

Cal didn’t react to the first part of this–maybe he already knew?–and instead asked, “Matthew and Pearl had a son? Really?” Cal scratched his chin. Dan could tell he was jonesing for a cigarette but Sam wouldn’t let him smoke indoors. “That’s surprising.”

“As surprising as me having one?” Dan queried, smiling. At that moment, as if conjured by their conversation, Jack emerged from the bedroom, yawning and wincing in the bright morning light.

“You guys talkin’ ‘bout me?” he asked, coming to lean on the counter next to Dan.

“Maybe a little,” Dan said, mussing his already mussed hair.

“Assholes.” Jack smiled up at him, leaning into his hand.

“Hey, Sport,” Cal said to Jack. “Ready to meet yer grandparents today?”

Jack gave him a jaundiced eye. “Yeah, sure. I mean, why not?” He shrugged. “I juss hope they’re nice.”

Dan pursed his lips. “I don’t know if I’d go that far but I’m sure they’ll be nice to you at least.”

“What about you?” Jack demanded, suddenly angry. He clenched his fists. “I swear to God if they–”

Dan stopped him. “They won’t. And, even if they did, I can handle myself, Jack. You don’t need to worry about me.”

Cal was watching them, amused. “A chip off the ol’ block, ain’t he? Reminds me of you when you were his age.”

***

Pulling up in front of his childhood home was a surreal experience. Nothing had changed. It was exactly like when he’d last seen it nearly twenty years ago. They got out of the truck, Jack moving protectively in front of him. Dan smiled down at the kid, touched by his son’s loyalty.

His mother met them at the door, throwing it open before throwing herself into Dan’s arms. She was smaller and grayer than he remembered but basically looked the same. She was even wearing a dress just like the ones she always wore.

“Oh, Daniel!” she sobbed, burying her face into his chest and shaking with tears. “Welcome home! We’re so glad you’re finally back!”

He returned the hug, feeling curiously removed from the experience. It was like he was watching from outside of his body. He didn’t cry, didn’t really feel anything.

Eventually, his mother pulled away and looked down at Jack. Her eyes went wide as she stared at him, finally looking back up at Dan. “He’s…he’s…I mean, he looks just–”

“I’m Jack,” Jack said, sticking out his hand. “Nice to meet you.” He smiled up at her, his baseball cap askew on his shaggy head.

Dan’s mother dissolved into tears as soon as she heard his voice and she grabbed Jack in an embrace, kissing his cheeks and cooing over him like a mother hen. Jack looked back at Dan with a funny expression on his face but he gamely went along and let himself be fussed over.

A shadow darkened the doorway and Dan looked over to find his father standing there. Tight-lipped and red-eyed, he stared stonily back at him. Dan opened his mouth, “Dad?” He barely recognized the shrunken, withered man standing before him. His dad had always seemed larger than life. There was no way this man could be the same one who’d beaten and abused him so much as a child.

And then he was in his father’s arms. The old man still had some of his legendary strength because he hugged Dan so tightly it took his breath away. “My son,” he breathed. “My baby boy! You’ve finally come back to me!”

Just like that, everything was forgiven. Dan had dreaded this moment for so long, envisioning all sorts of nightmare scenarios but the truth was that it was easy. It sort of made sense when he thought about it. How would he feel if he lost touch with Jack for twenty years? It would be devastating. His son would haunt his days and nights. He would be beside himself with worry. Nothing Jack could ever do would make Dan reject him.

His parents were different, of course. Deeply religious and homophobic, they had abhorred their son’s deviancy. And when he’d lost it, sending nearly a dozen people to the hospital with grave injuries, they simply could not abide his presence any longer. They had disowned him and tried their best to erase all traces of him from their lives. But he was still their son and, deep down, they still loved him. And maybe over the years they had begun to admit their role in his spectacular flame-out? Maybe.

They led him and Jack into their home. It felt like entering a crypt. The atmosphere was oppressive and Dan felt stifled by it. Nothing had changed inside. The furniture was in the exact same place. The same decorations were on the mantle over the fireplace. The kitchen still had the same battered linoleum he remembered from his childhood. It was like stepping back in time.

“I just can’t get over how big you are!” his father exclaimed, sitting down at the kitchen table across from them. “Honey,” he looked over at Dan’s mother, “are the men on your side of the family that big? I can’t remember.”

Dan hunched his massive shoulders, the chair beneath him groaning under his weight. He felt like a giant in that place. The last time he’d been here, he’d been a hundred pounds lighter and six inches shorter. Already a big boy, he’d grown stupendously after leaving home. 

“I’m gonna be juss as big as him,” Jack boasted, puffing out his narrow chest. “Juss you wait an’ see!”

Dan’s dad watched him, smiling. “I’ll bet you will! You look just like Daniel did at your age!”

Jack glowed, sitting up straight and grinning proudly. 

Dan was opening his mouth to comment when there was a knock at the back door. He looked up to find his older brother, Justin, entering the room.

***

Chapter 9

18 years prior…

Handcuffed, Dan and Matthew rode in a state police squad car back to the city. Neither spoke but somehow Matthew worked his hand over and clasped Dan’s pinkie with his finger. Dan looked over at his boyfriend in anguish.

“It’ll be alright, Dan.” Matthew smiled, the ghost of his confidence still visible in his eyes.

Dan wished he could believe him but he knew all too well that nothing would ever be alright again. Their brief honeymoon was over and now the cruel, hard world was crushing down on them.

They were separated when they reached the police station. Dan fought to stay with Matthew but Officer Tate pulled him away. “Relax, son,” he soothed. “You’ll see him again. Don’t worry.”

Dan allowed himself to be hauled into a sterile waiting room where he sat with his head down and his hands behind his back. After an hour, the door opened and his parents entered the room. Their faces contained a mixture of relief and anger. He wouldn’t look at them or talk to them. He kept his head down and his jaw clenched.

Tate was there to remove the handcuffs. “Promise me you’re not gonna do anything stupid, Ok?”

Dan glowered back at him. “I want to be with Matthew! I belong to Matthew! I’m Matthew’s dog!”

Tate blinked. He was still a young man and new to the force. Clearly this was the first time he’d encountered anyone like Dan and he didn’t comprehend the nature of gay relationships, let alone dominance and submission. He exchanged a puzzled look with Dan’s parents. Dan’s father’s hands were clenched and his mother’s lips were pursed in distaste.

Swallowing, Tate knelt down in front of him and put both of his hands on his shoulders. Dan was forced to look at him. When he did, he was startled to see tenderness reflected back at him. Tate smiled, “Your Matthew must be a special boy, huh?” Dan nodded sullenly and Tate’s eyes softened further. He really was very handsome, Dan realized. Wearing a crisp, tailored uniform, his blond hair had been buzzed beneath his cap and his wide face was clean-shaven and angular. His rich, piney smell filled Dan’s nostrils. “Matthew would want what’s best for you, Dan. He’d want you to be safe with your parents.”

“No, he wouldn’t!” Dan insisted, sniffling. He looked beyond Tate to his red-faced father. He knew exactly what was waiting for him once he returned home. He could already feel the bruises–and worse–that his father would leave on his body.

Tate followed his gaze, glancing back over his shoulder at Dan’s father. 

And then he got it.

Dan watched Tate’s pupils dilate. His hands were shaking on Dan’s shoulders when he whispered, “Dan, listen to me.” Tate’s blue eyes were focused on him. “You’ll be Ok. You have my word. I promise I will stop by and check on you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Dan clenched his jaw. He didn’t believe this for a second but what choice did he have but to go along? If he ever wanted to see Matthew again, he had to pretend to be compliant. “Ok. I won’t run,” he grumbled. “I promise.”

Tate squeezed his shoulders and then unlocked the handcuffs. Dan was free but had never felt more imprisoned in his life.

***

Dan’s father didn’t beat him. His parents were quiet the whole way back home. He sat in the living room, listening to them whisper in the kitchen. Somehow, this struck him as more ominous than if they had flown into a rage as soon as they had him alone.

The day dragged by. He didn’t move from the couch, save to shower and eat lunch. Justin came home from school in the afternoon. He went pale as soon as he laid eyes on Dan and immediately darted up the stairs, hiding in his bedroom. Dan smirked to himself. It felt good to see his older brother cowed.

Evening came and after dinner his father announced, “We’re going to church now.”

Dan looked over at him, confused. “Now? But it’s Monday!”

“Shut up,” Justin hissed, feeling braver with his parents present.

“I don’t want to go.” Dan crossed his arms, defiant.

He ended up going. His father clamped down on his shoulders and hauled him out of the chair, dragging him kicking into the family’s minivan. His mother and Justin joined them a moment later and then they were off to church.

The place was aglow when they pulled up and there were a handful of people entering through the wide double doors. Dan recognized a mousy, shy girl, Pearl Evans, from his high school. She was there with her parents as well as another girl he didn’t recognize, likewise accompanied by her parents. Both girls were wearing white dresses.

Flanked by his father and brother, Dan strode up the stairs. He cried out in happiness when they entered the building and spotted Matthew up in the front of the sanctuary. His boyfriend was wearing a gray suit that was a couple sizes too small for him. For some reason, he looked pale and weak. He had to steady himself on the altar when he turned and his eyes met Dan’s. Dan froze. Matthew’s eyes were dead. Completely dead.

He looked from his father to his mother, panicked. “What’s going on?!” he demanded. “Why are we here?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, though, he understood. Pearl and the other girl were being herded up to the front of the church by their parents. Pearl glanced up at Matthew before looking away. The other girl’s head swung around and she met Dan’s eyes. Her expression was haunted. The minister looked expectantly at Dan, standing before Matthew and the two girls. His eyes were flat and cold. White floral arrangements had been hastily placed on either side of the altar.

“NO!” Dan shouted, startling everyone. Turning desperately at Matthew, he called out, “MATTHEW! NO!” 

Matthew’s dead eyes flicked to his face before flicking away. His gaze was empty. It was like he wasn’t even there.

“Shut your mouth.” Dan’s father roughly steered him toward the front where a half dozen people were standing, presumably the close relatives of the girls. No one looked happy. “It’s yer wedding day. Time to be a man.”

“NO! YOU CAN’T MAKE ME!” Dan struggled but his father had him in a headlock by that point. “I’M NOT GETTING MARRIED!”

“You’ll get married and then you’ll go to Blue Sky Ranch,” his father informed him, still wrestling to get him under control. “And you will stay there with your new wife and raise a family like a good Christian man.”

“NO, I WON’T!!!” Dan screamed. “NEVER!!!” 

He’d heard of Blue Sky Ranch. It was a new planned community started by the church. He’d overheard his parents talking about possibly moving there. Somehow, though, the place had always sounded ominous to Dan. Later he learned why: It was a fortified compound for so-called true believers, a place where families abided under God’s laws, outside of the jurisdiction of the state.

“Dan.” It was Matthew’s voice and it held an unmistakable note of authority. Dan looked up and met his lover’s eyes. Matthew’s pale face was slack but there was a faint spark of his old self still lingering behind his deadened eyes. “Do as they say,” he said. “It’s over.” He staggered as he said this and his father gripped him by the elbow, holding him up.

It was then that Dan spotted the red stains trickling through the fabric of Matthew’s suitcoat. Turning the coat dark, they spread like constellations across his back, growing bolder and wider with each beat of the boy’s heart.

Something ancient, fierce and alien rose up inside of Dan at that moment. He was taken over by an inhuman force that filled his veins with seething power and righteous outrage. Standing bolt upright, he tossed his father’s hands off of him like they were nothing. When his father tried to restrain him, he punched him under the chin with a deft upper cut. The man went flying and sprawled across the floor at Dan’s feet, out cold.

People started screaming but Dan barely heard them. His mother got in his way but he shoved her aside, barreling toward the altar. His eyes were on fire as he zeroed in on his target: Matthew’s father. Justin attempted to grab his arms. Dan whirled on him and pushed him down on the floor, pummeling his face with his fists. He felt his brother’s bones crunch beneath him.

And then he was on his feet again and storming up to the stage. The minister made the mistake of getting in his way and Dan shoved him down. The man scrambled back on his elbows, eyes wide with fear as Dan overturned a pew and broke off a wooden leg with his bare hands. He raised it and smashed the horrible creature across the face, breaking all of his teeth and leaving only a pulpy mess behind.

The fathers of the brides-to-be were the next to stand in his way and he left them in an equally unfortunate condition. The church’s sanctuary rang with sobs and screams and howls and moans but he didn’t hear them as he rounded on Matthew’s father. The pathetic man groveled at his feet, pleading for mercy. Dan merely sneered down at him and, tossing the pew leg aside, threw himself down on the man.

He battered him senseless until his hands were covered in blood and the man’s face was unrecognizable. Through it all, he kept his gaze fixed on Matthew. His boyfriend was watching him with a wide grin on his face. His maniacal laughter pealed across the room, drowning out the cacophony. 

***

Back in the present day…

Justin had had facial reconstruction surgery to repair the damage wrought by Dan’s fists but nothing could bring his old face back. He stared back at Dan through eyes that were crooked in their sockets. His nose had been shattered and now was flattened and strangely bulbous at the same time. He had aged a lot in the intervening years and looked a decade older than his thirty-four years. His jaw tilted to the side when he spoke, making it disorienting to look at him.

“Hi, Dan.” He stuck out his hand. “Glad you’re back.”

Dan stared at his brother and at the hand, amazed. He hadn’t expected to see Justin at all, much less be met by him in such a conciliatory manner. He reached out and took the proffered hand and was surprised when Justin pulled him in for a hug.

“The Hughes boys are back together!” a woman’s voice called out behind Justin in the doorway. “It’s about time!”

Dan looked over his brother’s shoulder and blinked. It had been nearly two decades and she’d changed a lot but he still recognized his intended bride. “J-J-Jenna?” he stammered, clapping Justin on the back and moving around him to hug her.

Jenna Hughes née Banks nodded, smiling up at him. “The very same. Good to see you again, Dan. Under slightly better circumstances this time.” She stepped into the kitchen, eyes taking in the somewhat strained scene, adding, “At least I hope so.” She put her hands on her hips, “You’re not planning to send anyone to the hospital this time, are you?” She laughed at this but Justin, Dan and their parents winced. “What?” she asked innocently. “Too soon?” Not waiting for a reply, she turned and motioned to her waiting children, “Well, come on in! Dan’s not gonna bite…I hope.” Another laugh followed by more wincing.

Dan met Jack’s stunned gaze from across the kitchen and then the kid started smiling. Dan could already tell he was going to enjoy this visit a lot more with Jenna present.

There were children. Lots of children. Jenna and Justin had five kids of their own and another dozen were added to the mix once Dan’s older brother and sister, Jacob and Sarah, arrived with their families. Both Jacob and Sarah had already moved out of the house by the time Dan met Matthew and had missed the pyrotechnics. The grandkids ranged in age from toddlers to late teens and the resulting cacophony went a long way toward lightening the atmosphere. Jack joined the other teenagers in the back yard and started an impromptu soccer match. The littler kids were in their bathing suits and squealed with laughter as they played on a water slide that Justin set up on the slope behind the tool shed. The adults sat around eating potato salad and munching on hotdogs.

Dan sat in the shade with Jenna and his sister, Sarah. Justin and Jacob joined them after a few minutes.

“I’ve been telling Justin and your parents to reach out to you for years,” Jenna was saying. She looked over at her husband and squeezed his hand. “But the Hughes family is a stubborn lot as you know.” She smiled at Dan. “I’m glad you finally broke the ice. It’s good to see you all together again.”

“Me, too.” 

Dan meant it but he also felt really weird. Simultaneously an insider and an outsider, he didn’t quite know where he fit in. He got the sense, though, that having married a woman and produced a child of his own had rehabilitated his image somewhat, at least in the eyes of his siblings. No one mentioned Matthew or Dan’s criminal past but the shadow of their incendiary love affair hung over the gathering, sneaking about the corners. It made him feel like shouting that he was still queer as fuck, that Matthew hadn’t been a youthful transgression and that he hadn’t since learned the error of his ways. He needed them to know that Matthew had made him the man he was, molding him in ways that had forever changed him. For the better, in his opinion. No, he would not apologize for anything. Given the choice, he’d do it all over again.

But this was just their first meeting. There would be time later to update his family on his life. While it was nice to finally be reunited with everyone, it wasn’t the reason he’d returned home.

***

Chapter 10

He called up Officer Tate that evening after leaving his parents’ place. The man answered his cell phone warily, demanding to know who was calling him from an unknown number.

“It’s me,” Dan said. “Dan Hughes. I got your number from Cal Decker. I thought he was gonna let you know I’d be calling.”

“Dan!” All of the wariness was gone and Tate sounded genuinely pleased to hear from him. “How’s my boy?”

Dan laughed, “A lot better and a lot bigger than the last time you saw me. Can I come over? I need to talk to you about something.”

“Dan, you don’t even have to ask. Do you need my address?”

“Yeah. Is it Ok if I come to your house or should we meet somewhere else? I don’t want to get you in trouble.”

“Dan, I’m always here for you, no matter what. Now get over here.”

***

Jack insisted on accompanying him to Officer Tate’s place. Dan tried his best to talk him out of it but his son was stubborn just like his father. Jack folded his arms defiantly, “Nope. I’m going. You can’t make me stay.” Dan exchanged an exasperated look with Cal before relenting. “Ok, fine. But you understand you’re going to learn a lot more about me than you probably want to know, right?”

“I don’t care. You’re my dad. I’m going.”

They rode across town in silence. Jack said adroitly in the seat beside him, jaw set and a familiar look of determination on his face. It was the same look that Dan got when he was intent on something.

If possible, Tate had only gotten more handsome over the years. Now around forty years old, he was just as robust and muscular as ever. Only slightly softer around the middle, the added weight made him look sexier in Dan’s opinion. It was hard to conceal the attraction he felt toward the man but he did his best, especially with Jack by his side.

Tate welcomed them into his home, a modest ranch house on the edge of the city. Like everyone did, he marveled over Dan’s size and muscles and commented on how much Jack looked like his dad at the same age. His wife, Helen, was polite and refined, greeting them civilly and serving them coffee (and soda for Jack) before departing the room. Tate watched her go with a fond look in his eyes. “She’s worried about me,” he confided. “Don’t get me wrong, Dan. She adores you. She’s just worried about what you’re going to ask me to do.”

“You know already?”

Tate nodded, smiling. “Who do you think was there with your sister the night we rescued Pearl and Jonas?”

Dan stared. “You?”

“Of course!” Tate laughed, “The department assigned me to the cult’s case thanks to you. I’ve been working to get that awful place shut down ever since your bloody wedding night.” His eyes grew flinty. “I said this to the judge during your trial and I’ll say it again: It was wrong what they tried to make you do. I would’ve done exactly the same thing.”

“Would someone please tell me what happened?” Jack demanded, annoyed at being left in the dark by the adults. “I wanna know!”

Dan looked from Jack to Tate; the officer shrugged. “Ok, Jack,” Dan began, “Here’s what I did…”

***

Jack was silent and wide-eyed the whole way back to Cal’s. He waited until they were alone in the guest room before slipping into the bed and huddling against him. “I can’t believe it, Dad,” he whispered. “I can’t believe they did that to you and Matthew.”

“It was twenty years ago,” Dan consoled, rubbing Jack’s shoulders. “The world was a different place. And this city is very conservative and religious. Things are different here than back in Ann Arbor.”

Jack’s jaw was worked back and forth. “It’s awful and wrong,” he insisted. “Thank God you got away.” He shuddered. “What if I’d been born up there at the Blue Sky Ranch? No wonder Jonas acts so cold.”

“He and his father–and his mother, for that matter–had it rough.” Dan smiled down at his son. “At least Jonas and his mom’re free now.”

“And maybe Matthew will be, too?” Jack looked hopeful. “That’s what you and Mr. Tate’re gonna do, right? Help him get free?”

Dan stared off into space. “I hope so. I really hope it’s not too late.”

That night, for the first time since it had appeared at his bedside over a week ago, the demon never appeared.

***

Tate did everything by the book and refused to let Dan go to the Blue Sky Ranch alone. Likewise, he refused to go with him without following the proper channels through the police department. “It’s too dangerous,” he said, shaking his head. “I won’t do it.”

He did, however, consent to drive Dan up to a far away ridge that overlooked the compound. They pulled up in his squad car with Jack sitting in the back seat. (His son was tickled to be riding in the back like a criminal.) Pulling over at a turnout, they got and gazed down upon the Blue Sky Ranch.

It was several miles away on the opposite ridge but they had a good view of the sprawling compound. Tate handed a pair of binoculars to Dan, saying, “Tell me if you see anything interesting.”

Dan adjusted the lenses, taking in the layout of the ranch. Like his sister had told him, it was more like a prison than a ranch. Surrounded by miles of fencing and razor wire, it reminded Dan of the juvenile detention facility he’d been locked up in for almost three years. It had been built on a hillside of browning grass and scrub, a bleak place if Dan had ever seen one. White, rectangular buildings dotted the interior. Single family homes, he guessed. He zoomed in on them, drawing a sharp breath as he did so.

“What?” Tate asked, suddenly alert. “Something wrong?”

Beside him, Dan could feel Jack tense when he said, “You need to call 9-1-1.” He turned to Tate, pleading, “But before you do, please take me there now!”

***

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Tate growled as they pulled up in front of the main gate. A chainlink fence standing over fifteen feet tall, the gate should have been padlocked but the lock was dangling from the chain, swaying back and forth in the breeze. There wasn’t a sound, save the harsh, dry wind rushing down the hillside. They looked up at the sign across the gateway. In bold, white letters against a pale blue background, it read, ‘Blue Sky Ranch.’ There was a cross emblazoned in the center, haloed by rays of light.

Dan got out, ordering Jack to stay behind, while Tate dialed for backup. For once, his son didn’t protest and sat meekly in the back seat. Dan knew the reason for his fear. Up the drive, there were bodies. Lots of bodies. They were strewn everywhere. Black stains spread beneath them on the white gravel.

“Dan,” Tate called out. “Don’t go! This is a crime scene!”

“I don’t care.” He stalked up to the gate and pushed it open with his foot, “I need to find Matthew!”

He entered the compound, ignoring Tate’s increasingly angry shouts. Tate knew he would do this, otherwise he never would have driven Dan here in the first place. Dan knew the officer was carrying on like that because there was a video camera in his squad car and everything was being recorded; Tate was covering his ass. Even so, the man was still risking his career to help him. Even with the video footage, Tate would face a reprimand at best.

He forced himself to look at every body he passed along the way up the hill, searching for Matthew’s face. The dead were all men and had all been shot, execution style, with a bullet through the back of the head. Some of their faces had been blown off so it was difficult to tell but he didn’t think any of them were Matthew.

The drive led inexorably upward to a lone, white chapel at the crest of the ridge. Even before he entered, Dan knew he would find Matthew inside. He crept forward, sick with dread. The doors were ajar and he pushed them open with a toe, careful not to touch anything. When he entered the small sanctuary, he smelled blood. Lots of blood.

He looked up and flinched.

Matthew’s father hung, crucified, from the white cross hanging over the altar. He’d been dead for a while by the look of his corpse. His mouth hung open in an expression of abject agony. He’d died hanging there, Dan judged, hands and feet nailed to the cross. Whoever killed him had wanted him to suffer.

Dan’s gaze traveled from the grisly scene on the cross down to the altar. Sitting there, rocking back and forth on the floor, was Matthew. A trio of handguns, a hammer and a bunch of nasty spikes were arrayed around him. He’d changed a lot since Dan had last seen him but he would have recognized Matthew anywhere.

Rushing forward, he took the man in his arms, cradling his head against his chest. Matthew, drawn and haggard and haunted, stared up at him. “D-D-Dan?” he gasped. “Is that really you? I’m not hallucinating, am I?”

“It’s really me, Matthew.” Dan was crying, holding the man he loved more than anyone else in the world. Matthew was just skin and bones. He barely weighed anything.

“Dan, I–”

“Shhh, don’t talk. Just let me hold you, Ok?”

“Ok.” Matthew smiled, murmuring, “You always were a loyal dog, Dan.”

They were like that when the police arrived with guns drawn and faces drained of color after seeing the carnage outside. They gaped at the man hanging from the cross before ordering Matthew and Dan to put their hands in the air. Dan obeyed, allowing them to handcuff him but he insisted on staying with Matthew. After a word from Tate, the police agreed.

Matthew huddled against him on the ride down the mountain, murmuring to himself. Dan gazed fondly down at his former lover, heart aching. It was then that he finally understood the demon’s warning. He shook his head when he realized he’d misunderstood the words. “Beware, the mourning son will stain the Sky red,” he repeated to himself, finally getting the cryptic meaning. It all made sense now. The sky was the Blue Sky Ranch and Matthew had most certainly stained it red.

He was released that evening and all charges against him were dropped after the police located the women and children locked in the compound’s meeting hall. They attested to the fact that Matthew had acted alone. Further, it was clear from the video footage from Tate’s squad car that the crime had been committed prior to Dan’s arrival on the scene. The dead bodies lying in the dust were testament to this.

Jack clung to him as soon as he exited the police station. Dan knelt down and hugged him, savoring his son’s solid, loving body. “How’s Matthew?” Jack asked, nuzzling his ear. “Is he Ok?”

Dan laughed softly. “I know this is gonna sound weird but he’s better now than he’s been in years. Kinda ironic, isn’t it? He’s going to prison for the rest of his life but he’ll still be better off behind bars than he was in that horrible place.”

Jack squeezed him, talking into his shoulder, “I can’t stop thinking about it, Dad.”

“About what?”

Jack lifted his head and stared back at him fearfully. “That coulda been you in there. If you hadn’t–”

Dan stopped him, hugging him tightly. “I know but it’s not. It’s not me. I don’t know why things turned out so different for me but they did.” He gazed back thoughtfully at the police station where he knew Matthew sat alone in a special cell. “It’s not fair but since when is life fair?”

That night with Jack snoring softly beside him, Dan looked down at the foot of the bed. Like the night before, the demon was gone. He never saw it again.

***

Epilogue

Kevin and Matteo arrived the next day on a flight to Pocatello. Dan and Jack picked them up at the airport, loading their gear into the bed of the truck. Jack and Matteo hopped into the narrow back seat and Kevin climbed in beside Dan. He leaned across and wrapped Dan in his brawny arms, kissing his neck. “Thank God you’re safe,” was all he said. Dan flushed, keenly aware of Jack and Matteo’s eyes on them but this didn’t stop him from kissing his new boyfriend on the lips. Kevin’s eyes widened and then he had Dan’s face between his hands and was devouring him with his mouth.

“Alright, you two!” Matteo and Jack finally complained. “Save it for later in your tent!”

Chagrined, they pulled apart and Dan guided the truck north to the highway and on toward the Bitter Root Mountains. The four of them were going to enjoy a couple weeks in the wilderness before Dan and Kevin had to be back at work.

They had barely set up camp when Kevin dragged him into their tent and commenced tearing off all of his clothes. They were careful to keep their voices (and moans) down and had stationed their tent far enough away from the boys’ tent to guard their privacy. Even so, they knew that Jack and Matteo were eavesdropping.

Kevin lubed up his immense cock–it was even bigger and fatter than Dan’s–and slid it into his asshole. Dan shivered with delight, rocking up and down Kevin’s broad lap. Kevin’s belly was even bigger and rounder than a few weeks ago and Dan held it in his hands, rolling it around, as Kevin fucked him.

“You want one of yer own, dontcha?” Kevin teased. “I’m not gonna stop until yer juss as fat as me, ya know. I like my Babygirl with meat on her bones.” He pulled a face, “Yer too skinny!”

“Fuck, yeah!” Dan moaned. “Make me fat! I wanna get fat!”

“Ha! Such a slut.” Kevin bucked harder, driving his cock in deep and making Dan whimper. “I am gonna make ya fatter than shit. Right after yer nubbed. I made the appointment already. The first day after we get back, yer dick’s history.”

“UNGH!”

That was all it took. Dan’s monster cock spewed cum, drenching Kevin’s corpulent belly. Kevin laughed, reaching down to wipe it up on his hand before licking his fingers clean.

Afterwards, they sat beside a little waterfall, watching the sunset. The boys were playing in the stream down below, laughing and splashing each other. Kevin’s arm was over Dan’s shoulders and he was holding him close.

“I can’t wait to change you, Babygirl,” Kevin breathed, tickling his ear with his tongue. “I’m gonna turn ya into a total freak, you know that?”

Dan turned and kissed him, eyes glazed with happiness. “I can’t fuckin’ wait! I’m tired of trying to be normal.” He looked back at the waterfall, musing, “Seeing Matthew again made me realize that. I was literally scared straight after him, taking up with the first girl who would have me. For ten years, I struggled to put him behind me. The crazy thing is that now I realize he was the one who made me who I am. He awakened me to my true nature, Kevin. He made me who I am today and I owe it to him to repay him by becoming the freak he’d want me to be.”

“Then let’s do it together,” Kevin murmured, tweaking his nipple. “Let’s become a couple of fuckin’ freaks, Babygirl!”

***

Dan was already sporting a round belly of his own by the time the doctor removed the bandages from his surgery. Kevin stared down at his crotch, speechless as the tiny, round nub–all that remained of Dan’s once hulking manhood–was revealed. It was so tiny it looked more like a second belly button than a penis. As he looked at it, Dan felt himself getting hard but his arousal wasn’t obvious to either Kevin or the doctor. How could it be? He didn’t have a dick anymore.

Kevin reached down and swept his sweaty hair off his forehead, saying, “Welcome home, Babygirl. Welcome home.”

***