The Last Phoenix

Monday morning was filled with excitement.  All the boys had their dresser drawers emptied into large plastic bags with tags giving their Squad Number and room number.  These they took to breakfast and lined the room with them.  Movers would pick them up and place them in their proper rooms at The Phoenix House.

Aaron insisted he was going to school and moving with everyone else.  Glenn was worried he was pushing himself too hard, but reluctantly went along.  Peter was in a daze but followed Luke's lead. 

School itself was pretty much a waste for the boys.  All of them off in a different world and were thinking about getting settled in their new rooms.  At lunch, several teachers approached Lee, acting Principal, about the problem.  "I will handle the situation," he said after hearing them out.

The full banquet hall went silent when Lee stood on the raised platform.  Without the use of a microphone he used his 'teacher voice' to make himself heard clearly.  "Students; I'm afraid that I need your complete attention.  I understand there is a problem with concentration today.  Normally I would be very unhappy to get reports like this involving so many of you."  Dread was hanging in the air to hear what bad thing was about to descend on them.  "Knowing the source of the problem, I can only think of one solution..."  From the serious expression on his face, the kids were quite sure that doom had arrived; they had no idea how hard Lee was working to keep from laughing at them.  "So... as principal... I'm afraid that I have no choice but to declare the remainder of the school day to be study time for those who want to study; the rest of you are, of course, going to be required to go home... or outside and bother someone else."

Lee beat a hasty retreat before what he had said had a chance to register.  As he made it to the door, the cheer began.  As lee made it to the hallway he said, "'Philip', call Oliver."

'Already done and he is on his way.  The Gregorys report that the furniture has been delivered and with the staff's help it is all set up.  The mover has delivered the boys' belongings.'

"Great, soon this place will be much quieter."

When Oliver arrived, the boys made a rush for the bus.  Glenn and Aaron and Peter and Luke were the last to get to the bus.  Glenn was helping Aaron and carrying his books.  Once all the boys were on the bus they were anything but quiet the closer they got to their new home, the more excited they got.

Oliver barely had the bus stopped and the boys were crowding to exit the bus.  Peter and Luke waited for the rush to clear before stepping off the bus.  Peter looked around and saw there were still police cars by the building he had been locked in. 

Luke took his hand and led him into their new home.  Oliver watched as the two boys walked into the house.  He wondered if moving Luke in with him was the best thing for the boy, or just him being selfish.

Inside, the boys all headed to their Squads and were amazed that all of them had the furniture there and their bags of clothes were all in the Squad room. 

John and Becky were certainly surprised and they were nearly caught doing some married people stuff for the first time in a long time but had just finished dressing when the twins came bumbling into the apartment.  "Hey, Mom and Dad, we're home early to get our stuff put away in our room."

John, now settled in his chair, moved to follow the twins.  Becky said, "I'll handle them, you go on and check on the incoming horde."

"I guess I didn't move fast enough on that." John lamented.

"You did fine before.  We'll have to practice more."

"Now that's a plan with my full support."  John wheeled out of their apartment and headed down the hall.  He stopped to tell Bobby that the kids were home, but they were already in his office.  Eddie was coming out of his apartment with Arty and Howie close behind.

"Eddie, where are you headed?" John asked.

"These two have their room in top shape so we thought we would go and continue my inspection of the facilities downstairs.  I have been led to believe there is a wonderful gym and social rooms and an indoor pool in the basement."

"Yes, that's all true and I think there are a couple of simulator programs that even you will enjoy.  Our friend 'Philip' has taken up residence and will be a tremendous help."  John grinned.  Eddie and the boys moved on down the stairs and John moved down the hall.

At Squad 1 there was near chaos.  Poor EJ had his hands full.  This was the youngest Squad and EJ's squad was more interested in the games in the squad room than in getting their clothes put away.  EJ was yelling and trying to get them to stop playing and put their stuff away.  When John wheeled into the Squad room, silence soon fell.  John motioned to EJ and backed out of the room, beeping as he went.

Out in the hall, John smiled as EJ dragged himself out expecting to have his butt chewed royally.  John talked softly, "Kind of total chaos in there."

"Yeah, they won't listen to me at all. It's like I'm not even there."

"I noticed that.  They are the youngest bunch and we need to remember they don't behave like we do.  Now If I were you, I'd just go in there and unplug the system, then calmly but firmly, tell them that no one gets to play until everything is put away to your satisfaction.  I think that might get their attention and get the job done."  John smiled at EJ then found his lap full of hugging fourteen-year-old.

Hug ended, and EJ straightened up and marched back into the room.  Silence fell and EJ said firmly as he calmly held up the power plug, "Okay guys, this stays unplugged until all our stuff gets put away.  If you get yours put away, then I suggest you go help someone else. That way things will get done a lot faster.  Let's all get this done now, so we can play!"

The boys all scurried off to put their stuff away.  John passed the door and gave EJ a thumb's up.  The rest of the Squads seemed to be doing fine until he got to Squad 6, Peter's squad.  Peter was standing in the middle of the squad room refusing to move and he had tears running down his face.  The other boys were standing there trying to get him to tell them what was wrong, but nothing seemed to be helping. 

John wheeled his chair up beside Peter and waved the others back to their rooms.  "Peter, everything is alright, no one is angry with you.  Can you please tell me what the problem is so maybe I can fix it?"

"It's nice."

John knew that was important; he just didn't know how or why.  So he remained quiet and listened.  "I had a nice room until my parents died.  Then my Grandparents had me and they gave me a nice room, then they died.  Aunt Marcy didn't give me a nice room and I had to run away.  After John and I did good for Big Daddy, he gave us a nice room, then he sold me."

"Oh, so you think you don't deserve something nice and if you have it then something bad will happen."

"Uh huh."

"Well, we don't need to worry.  Everybody here has a nice room now, all of us, the grown ups too.  You don't think something bad will happen to all of us do you?" John kept his voice soft, and gently put an arm around the scared boy.

"K, can Neal come over, please, I think I need to tell."

"Sure, I'll give him a call."

"Tell him the cop can come too. He was nice to me, and I kinda like him."  Peter then shrugged and went into his room to help Luke get everything put away.

John returned to his apartment, turned the computer on and was soon face to face with 'Philip', "Good afternoon, 'Philip', Peter has asked for Neal and Sheriff Henry.  I believe this is important."

'Indeed, I shall notify Sheriff Henry and Master Neal.  I can assure you that they will be on their way post haste.'

"Good, I knew you could handle it."

'Of course.' Just before the screen went dark, John was sure he saw 'Philip' frown and heard, 'hurumph!'

Twenty minutes later, Eric pulled up with Neal in the car.  Surprisingly, riding up front, not cuffed and in the back.  Eddie saw them arrive and quickly took them up to Squad six.  Neal went into Peter's and Luke's room.  Peter hugged Neal tight.  "Thanks for coming, Neal.  I couldn't tell it without you here."

"It's all good Peter.  Do you want Luke to stay or do you want it to be just us?"

Peter cut his eyes to Luke.  Luke nodded reading the pleading look from his roommate.  "It's cool dude.  I'll go out and play the Video Games."  Luke grinned and left the room. 

"Did your Uncle the Cop come?" Peter asked Neal.

"Yeah, he's here.  You ready for him or do you need to talk first."

"I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

Neal went to the door and waved Eric into the room.

Neal sat next to Peter on his bed and Sheriff Henry pulled up a chair facing them.  "Hi Peter.  Can I record this so I don't have to interrupt to write notes?"

"Uh, yeah, okay."

'I will take care of that,' 'Philip' said from Luke's laptop.

Peter sat up a bit straighter and began, "Well, first my real name is Peter Heldig.  As I said before When Aunt Marcy gave me the five dollars and told me not to come back until her meeting was over.  I just walked and walked...

*  *  Peter's flashback  *  *

Peter saw a cop standing on the corner, watching the traffic as it passed, and he thought for a moment about asking him for help.  But then another thought flashed through his mind.  What would Aunt Marcy say, what would she do, if a cop came, bringing him home?  Or, worse yet, if she had to go to the jail to get him?  No, that wasn't a good idea.  He walked past the cop, trying to look like nothing was wrong.  The cop glanced at him and then went back to watching the traffic.

He noticed that the neighborhood was getting really seedy now.  There were empty beer bottles and garbage lying on the sidewalk, the buildings were really shabby, and the people who passed him looked just as bad.  A few of them glanced at him, as they passed, and some stopped and looked at him.  He kept his head down and just walked on.  Because he wasn't looking ahead, he didn't see the kid until he bumped into him.

"Hey, fella, what the fuck you doin'?  Watch where y're goin', asshole!"  Peter looked into a face right at his own height, dark skin, big, dark shiny eyes, tight curly hair.  The kid really looked pissed.

"I'm sorry!  I didn't see you.  I'm lost, and I was trying to find my way home."

"Dressed the way you is, you ain' gonna get outa this 'hood alive!  Oh, you fin' a 'home' all right, but it ain' gonna be like what you's used ta!"  The boy was laughing now.

"Huh, my name's Peter.  What's your name?"

"I'm John."  The boy was really laughing now.

"Peter, huh?  Hope you like bein' a Peter, hope you likes peters, 'cuz you be seein' a lot of 'em, lookin' like you does!"  The boy was almost hysterical with laughter.

"What's so funny?  My name is really Peter!  And I don't see what's so funny about that!"  Peter was looking confused now, and he was more confused when the boy stopped laughing suddenly and looked at him seriously.

"You really don' know, do ya?  You got any money on ya?"

"A dollar and some change."

"That ain' shit!  I mean REAL money!  Like this!"  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of bills.  Peter could see that most of them were twenties, fifties and hundreds.  He was shocked.  What would a street kid like this be doing with that kind of money?

"You wanna make this kind of money, kid?  I can show ya how!"  The boy seemed serious.  Peter was curious now.

"What do I have to do?  It's not illegal, is it?"

"Dude, ANYTHING that brings in the big bucks is illegal!  But don' sweat it!  I'll show ya the ropes.  First thing is, we gotta get ya to Big Daddy!"  He started down the street.  "Well, c'mon!  Ain' got the whole fuckin' day!  Got tricks to take care of!"

They walked down the street, turning first one way, then another, until Peter was totally lost.  He had to stick close, or he'd never find his way, and he remembered what he had said, that he'd never get out of the neighborhood alive.  Peter kept as close to him as he could.  They stopped in front of a deserted building.

"Wait here; I'll be right back."  He started into the building, then turned.  "No, you'd better come inside.  The way you looks, some pimp'll grab you 'fore I gets back!"  He dragged Peter down the alley and inside the building, away from the door, then stopped.

 "Now you wait right here!"  He disappeared into the dimly lighted area farther back in the building.  Peter just looked around.  This was really scary, but he had to trust the kid.  He didn't have any other choice at the moment.  It was strange, but he had a feeling down deep that he could trust him.  He just hoped he was right.

After what seemed like forever, but was really only a few minutes, he came back, and they continued down the street a few more blocks.  Then they stopped in front of a dingy old tenement building.  "You come inside with me, but then wait, while I talks with Big Daddy.  I think he gonna be mighty glad to see you!"  He chuckled and disappeared into the building.  Peter followed him, but stopped just inside the door.  He took a flight of stairs, two at a time and Peter could hear him knocking on a door upstairs.  The door opened, then closed, and Peter waited.  After a few minutes, the door opened again. 

He appeared at the top of the stairs, "C'mon up!  Big Daddy wanna meetcha!  And SMILE, dammit!  He don' wan' no sour faces!  Ya got that?"

Peter hurried up the stairs to where he was waiting.  They went down the hall to a door that stood partway open.  The boy walked in, practically dragging Peter with him.  "Here he is, Big Daddy!"

Peter looked up into the face of the biggest black man he had ever seen in his life.  The man was well over six feet tall, and must have weighed at least five hundred pounds.  He had a cold smile on his face, as he looked Peter over like a prize animal at a fair.

"Mmmmm, mmmmm!  Ain' you sump'n! Ya did good, Boy!  Dis un'll bring a good price!  Mmmm, yeah!  I can sen' the two of ya out as Salt and Peppah!  Yeah!  Two for the price of one!  The very HIGH price of one!"  He turned and asked, "Is he broke in?"

"Nope!  You gets to do dat, Big Daddy!"

"I don' think so!  Don' wan' damage the merchandise!  I'll have a couple of the older boys do it.  But ya wanna believe, I'ma watch it!"  His belly bounced when he laughed.  Peter just stood there in shock.  He had no idea what the two of them were talking about, but he was sure it wouldn't be pleasant for him, just from their tone and the looks on their faces.

Big Daddy turned back to him.  "Now, boy, I'm goin'a give you a job, an' I'll take care of you.  You gotta place to sleep and food on the table.  All I ask is you do what I tell ya, an' we get 'long jus' fine!"  He smiled, flashing a couple of gold teeth.  Peter tried to smile back, but his smile wasn't very sure.

Big Daddy turned to the boy, "You take him to da kitchen, get him som'pn ta eat, then take him to yer room, see do you got som'pn he can wear on da street.  Da boys be home soon, an' we start his trainin'."  He was laughing again, and just grinned and took Peter down the hall to a kitchen, where he got out some cold cereal and milk.  The two of them ate a hasty breakfast.  Then he took Peter to another room, a small one with twin beds.  "This be our room, now.  Da's my bed, dere!  You gets da other one!"  He went over to a corner of the room and pawed through a pile of clothes that didn't look--or smell-- too clean.  He pulled out a pair of ripped shorts and a ragged knit shirt.  "Here, put these on.  You can' go out on the street lookin' like a pansy, or you gonna get mugged!"

"What about underwear?  These shorts are ripped in the back, and people will see my...."

"Shit, dude!  Don' you know nuth'n?  They's spose ta see yer ass!  Da's how dey knows yer sellin' it!"

"I'm what?"

"Sellin' it.  Where you think all dat money come from?"

"Uh, I don't think I really want to do this."

"Man, it don' make no difference what the fuck you wan'!  You workin' for Big Daddy now, and you gon' peddle dat cute ass of yours, jes' like all da res' of us!"

The next two or three weeks were a nightmare for Peter.  The other boy would leave to "work," and one, two or more of the older boys would come into the room, with Big Daddy grinning behind them.  The boys would strip and make him strip; then they did terrible things to him, things that hurt.  If he complained or cried, they beat him.  Big Daddy just sat and smiled.  Gradually, the pain  lessened, and he realized that he was really beginning to look forward to these sessions.  He was participating, not just accepting.  Big Daddy's smiles were wider now.  The gold teeth flashed more often.

One night, as the black boy was getting ready for "work," Big Daddy came into their room.  "It's time.  You gonna take dis one wid ya.  Show him da ropes."  He turned and walked out of the room.  Peter looked at his new mentor.

"What did he mean by that?"

"Well, dude, you gonna be doin' what you been doin' wi' da guys, but you gonna be doin' it wi' tricks!  For money!  I think you gonna be a real money maker for us."

 Out on the street he began Peter's instruction.  "Firs' rule's simple.  NEVER  get in a trick's car by yourself!  If I'm not there, you can take him in an alley, an empty building--but stay close to da door, so you can get away, if he gets kinky--even in a doorway.  Mos' people on the street here don' even look!  ALWAYS get the money up front!  If ya don', dey gonna use ya and walk off.  Nuth'n ya can do about that!  Get the money up front!  We's gonna work together for a while, 'til you knows what ta do, then we can split up.  But I ain' gonna be far.  You get in trouble, jes' holler!"  He slipped an arm over Peter's shoulder.  "Yer gonna do all right, dude.  Jes remember, Big Daddy is 'spectin' us to bring home a lot a money, so don' mess around too long wi' one trick!"

As they walked down the street in the gathering dusk, his arm was still around Peter's shoulders, and Peter got up the courage to slip his arm around the other boy's waist.  He just glanced at Peter and grinned.

They were approached several times by men on the street.  The experienced boy did the talking, introducing them as Salt and Pepper, giving the prices for different activities, and collecting the money.  When they finished with one man, they moved on until they met another.  It was after midnight when they stopped.  The black boy suggested that they go to an all night diner he knew and get something to eat.  When they left there, they headed back toward Big Daddy's place.  On the way, they passed the building that they had gone in before.  They went inside and up the stairs, feeling their way in the dark hallway.  They went toward the front of the building on the second floor, and he stopped in front of a window.  By the light of the street light, he pulled out the money he had collected and counted it.

"Oh, shit, dude!  We can't go home with this little bit.  Big Daddy'll beat our asses!"  He stuffed the money back into his pocket and led Peter back through the dark building and down the stairs.  Out on the street, they continued their "work" until the sun was coming up.  When they went back to the empty building, the boy pulled out the wad of cash--much bigger now--and counted it out.  They had made well over a thousand dollars!  Peter couldn't believe it.

He then counted the money out into two equal piles.  There was a little over five hundred dollars in each pile.

"There, dude!" he said, shoving one of the piles toward Peter.  That's yours!"  Peter just looked at him.  "Go ahead, take it!  You earned it!"  He picked up the other pile.  "But I'll tell ya, dude, don' ever give it ALL to Big Daddy!  Ya gotta save some fer yerself, for tough times!"  He took two one hundred dollar bills off the top of his pile.  "Now, give me one C-note from yours."  Peter handed him the bill, he started down the hall.  "C'mon!  Gotta show ya sump'n!"

He led Peter to one of the empty rooms that had apparently been an office.  There were a couple of rusty old filing cabinets in one corner.  The boy took out the bottom drawer of the first one.  He lifted a floor board and fished around in the back and came out with a paper bag.  When he opened the bag, Peter gasped.  There was a big stack of bills in it.  He added the three bills in his hand to the pile, closed the bag and stuffed it back into the back of the drawer.  Then he stood up and turned to Peter.

"That's our stash, dude.  Either one of us gets in trouble; we got cash to get away.  Bus station's just a couple of blocks down the street.  Don't forget it; it may save your life one of these days!"

Peter looked at him in disbelief.  "Why are you doing this?  Why did you show me where your stash is?  You don't even know me!  How do you know I won't steal it and take off?"

The boy gave him his lopsided smile, "Dude, ain' no way yer gonna do sump'n like dat!  You's too straight for dat kinda stuff!  An' I's think I kin trust ya!"  He reached out and pulled Peter into a clumsy hug.  "Besides, I kinda like ya, ya sorry ass whitey!"  He pulled back from the hug with tears in his eyes.  "You treat me like a friend.  I ain' never had no friends.  So, if ya need to know why, that's why!"  He turned away and wiped his eyes on his hand, then brushed his hand on his pant leg.  "Now, let's git, afore Big Daddy sends the Squad out lookin' for us!  Believe me, you don' want the Squad comin' to bring you home!"

They hurried down the street to the tenement where Big Daddy had his headquarters.  When they got there, he led Peter in to see Big Daddy, who looked up as they walked in.  "Well, how did he do on his first night?"

"Better'n me, Big Daddy!  Dem guys jes go fer dat cute white ass of his, an' when he gives 'em a smile with those big blue eyes, dey's hooked!"  He reached in his pocket and pulled out the wad of bills and handed them to Big Daddy.  Then he motioned for Peter to do the same.  Big Daddy counted both piles of money, then looked up and smiled at them.  "I think you two gonna make one helluva team!"  The gold teeth were really flashing now.  "Now go, get some breakfast, then get some sleep!  You've got to be fresh and ready to go out tonight!"  He went back to the newspaper he had been reading when they came in.

 The boys went down the hall to the kitchen, had a bowl of cereal, and then went to their room.  They undressed quickly; Peter found that was getting easier all the time.  He was about to slip into his bed, when the black boy stopped him.

"Dude, would you sleep wid me?  I never had a friend before, and I'd like to know what it feels like to sleep wid a friend."  His look was so pleading that Peter quickly crossed the room and pulled him into a hug.  Their bare bodies were together from shoulders to ankles.  They hugged for quite a while, but both of them were tired out from their night's work, so they slipped into bed and quickly fell asleep, holding each other.

The days went by, the weeks went by, and the two boys blended into a perfect team.  Their looks were enough to draw attention on the street, one with dark dusky skin and big, dark eyes and the other with Scandinavian heritage clearly evident in his pale skin, wheat blond hair and clear blue eyes.  Gradually, they increased their prices, and no one complained.  In fact, they were getting a lot of tips from satisfied customers.  By the end of six weeks, they were bringing Big Daddy close to a thousand dollars apiece every morning.  His gold teeth glittered and he praised them extravagantly.  But one morning he happened to go into their room after they had gone to bed.  Seeing them wrapped in each other's arms, he stiffened.  His face took on a cold, speculative look.  He would bide his time, but he was going to be watching them carefully from now on.

As they grew closer to each other emotionally, though neither one of them would call it love, things began to change a little at a time.  Peter, who had only known love in his life for a short time, with Gram and Gramps, was confused.  What Peter was feeling for his partner was the same, but how could it be?  He wasn't a family member.  The boy, who had never known love in his life, was totally baffled by this strange protective feeling he had for Peter.  When they went out evenings to work, he was very careful about the tricks he let Peter have.  He was afraid that a rough one would hurt the new kid, who wouldn't know how to protect himself.  So he would pass up tricks he knew would pay well to get Peter away from a situation where he might get hurt.  As a result, their nightly take began to taper off a bit.  Big Daddy was furious.  He called them in and told them straight out, " I knows what you two little faggots is doin', and I want it to stop, right now!"

The more experienced boy spoke up to defend Peter.  "We ain' done nuth'n, Big Daddy!  We'll work harder!  It ain' Peter's fault; there jes ain' as many tricks on da street, right now!"

Big Daddy towered over him.  "Listen, you little two-bit nigger, I kin replace you in a minute!  You two don' get your shit together and stop this messin' 'roun' wid each other, I'LL put a stop to it!"  He stomped out of the room, leaving them alone together.  Peter looked at the other boy.

"What's he talking about?"

"He musta seen us sleepin' together.  An' it don' do no good to tell him we ain' done nuth'n, 'cause he won' believe it!"

Peter had no idea what was going on; he had never seen Big Daddy like this.  The other had; he remembered boys who got on Big Daddy's bad side and just disappeared.  Sometimes their bodies were found, terribly beaten and broken.  He knew what that was.  It was a warning to anyone who stepped out of line.  The others just disappeared and were never mentioned again.  Black boys, white boys, it didn't matter.  The same fate awaited anyone who pissed Big Daddy off!

The next couple of days were uneventful, but there really weren't many tricks on the street.  The boys used all their skills to draw tricks, but they still came home with less money.  They didn't even take any out for their stash.  Then one morning, about a week later, Big Daddy stopped them as they were getting ready to go to their room to sleep.

"Hey, Whitey, I've got a trick for you.  He wants a cute little white boy, and you're it!  And you..."  He turned on the black kid with an evil expression on his face. "You get your sorry black ass to bed.  You've got to get some sleep, if you're gonna work tonight.  He'll be back, as soon as he finishes with this trick.  Now, git!"

*  *  End Flashback  *  *

"Big Daddy sent me back out and there was this black car and the fat doctor was there and I was back in Hell again."  Peter lost it and cried on Neal's chest and Neal hugged him lovingly.

Sheriff Henry patted Peter paternally.  "That's all over now son.  You are safe here now.  You ever need anything, you just let Neal or me know and if it's in our power, I promise, you got it."

Peter recovered and said to Sheriff Henry, "Thanks.  You ain't like most Cops.  I trust you."

Eric smiled at the boy, "I wish more cops were like me.  Especially the ones that have to deal with kids.  Well at least in my county they better be like me, or they won't be cops for long."  Eric then patted Neal, "I'll let your Dads know you will be here tonight."

"Thanks, Uncle Eric."

  Author's Notes:

Well another chapter without a cliffy.  What is the world coming to?  Well I've got an idea for the next chapter so don't get too comfortable.  Well now the boys need to get settled into their new digs and get a routine established.  
Let me know what you are thinking.
            Str8mayb

Editor's Notes: Hey, I think that's me he's talking about. That was quite an interesting chapter, wasn't it?  You kinda have to wonder just what happened to that little black guy, and for that matter, what happened to the 'Big Daddy' guy.  Actually, I think there's a pretty good chance that we might just find out in the next few chapters.  Keep your fingers crossed.

One thing that saddens me to no end, and that is that there really are people like 'Big Daddy' in this world. I really don't know how to stop it, but we need more people like Sheriff Henry and Tom Richards who really do care about kids and want to protect them.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Fort Chief Editor's Notes: We also need more people like Doc Leo and Nick Regnad and Jeez� how could you forget Neal?

Where is the next chapter?

TSL