Lost & Found

AN: This should be about 3 parts long...

I don't know, this is an odd idea I had. Hope you like it so far!

And go read my story "Rooftop"! (shameless plug)




Stupid GPS.

Stupid, useless, expensive piece of technological junk. Right now all it was doing was flashing 'Acquiring Satellites' over and over again, with the little picture of a car with a giant question mark on the hood, flashing just as obnoxiously as the text.

Jack let his breath out in a rush, gritting his teeth and scanning the dark road anxiously. Lost, in the middle of the night, with no idea where he was right now. About an hour ago, he'd gotten off the main highway, because his GPS had told him too, then that goddamn waste of power had promptly stopped working. Jack had continued driving the winding route, assuming that there was a dead-zone or something and he'd get through it if he kept going.

But 15 minutes later, he'd turned around, realizing that the GPS might be malfunctioning, and his best bet was to return to the highway and get directions from a rest stop. The pitch black night and unfamiliar terrain was confusing though, and he must have taken a wrong turn heading back, cause now, he had no clue where he was.

Why had he forgotten his cell phone? He was always losing it somewhere or other, and he didn't regret that more than he did right now.

There was no moon tonight, and the brief light from the stars was mostly blocked by the copious tree cover above. The road was also growing steadily thinner, becoming older, and more rocky.

If he started hearing banjos, he was going to shit himself.

It didn't help that the road was now becoming more uneven. It was still paved, thank god, but it was cracked and bumpy, and he bounced in his seat. His poor rented 2-door sedan wasn't cut out for this, and it made the most awful rattling noises as he drove over countless potholes.

“Don't you dare die on me.” He hissed, fingers gripping the steering wheel desperately. The last thing he needed was his car to die. The whole week had been sheer hell to begin with, and a nice ending of nighttime forest rape and/or murder would just about round it out.

He'd had to drive himself to the city two states over in a crappy rent-a-car because the airline had lost his ticket confirmation, otherwise known as his worthless secretary not doing her job correctly as she sat there and smacked her gum. She probably hadn't even ever called the airline at all. He'd be sure to fire her when he got back from his week of grueling meetings.

Or he'd end up silently hating her from inside the security of his office and not do anything at all. That was more like him.

Why had he volunteered anyway? There were other managers in his division who were just as, if not more, suited to attending regional conferences. Why him? Why had he personally asked his boss to let him go? Why had he taken steps to ensure his inevitable horror story?

Because that stuffy office was going to be the death of him.

How ironic.

Although, if he had to choose, being tortured in the forest was much more preferable than listening to Janet and Robert and their constant horrifying interoffice flirting tactics.

At least all that was over. He was finally on his way home, or had been on his way home, when he'd made the mistake of typing in the word 'motel' into his GPS, and selecting anything in a 30 mile radius. The listings that came up were all generic and boring sounding, various hotels and motels that he'd stayed in countless times, and had no interest in staying in anymore. But one, called 'Cozy Creek Inn', had sounded nice. It had sounded comfortable, and he'd chosen it, then taken that exit, and was now lost in the wilderness.

If Jack had to wager a guess, he'd say that this so called 'Inn' was in fact a decrepit old shack full of corpses.

A particularly large pothole had his car screeching like the undead, and his GPS bounced off it's holder on the dashboard, flying down to the darkness of where his feet were.

“Shit!” He huffed, glancing from the road to the floor to try and see it. The damn thing might be broken, but it was expensive and he wasn't about to let it get accidentally stepped on.

The feeble light of his console wasn't enough to reach down there, and he cautiously bent forward to grope around the dirty carpet, trying to find it. He made sure to keep a firm grip on the wheel with the other hand, and he kept his eyes on the road.

But then his fingers slid over metal, and he glanced down to pull it up and place it on the seat behind him. His eyes had only been off the road for a second, but when he looked up again, there was a huge white shape in the middle of the road, and Jack gasped and jerked the wheel to the left, crashing off into the brush with a painful smash.

The seatbelt was tight on his shoulder, restricting his breathing and he fumbled to unsnap it, gasping for air as the pressure loosened. The airbag hadn't deployed, and his car wasn't smoking or anything, so he was pretty sure it was all right. But, he wasn't so sure about himself. His hands were shaking, and his breath was stilted. His nerves were shot.

Calm, he chanted in his mind. Be calm and breathe. After a moment, his lungs felt more normal and he took a great big breath through his nose, letting it out through his mouth. A little better.

Everything was okay, then. The car, him, and his nerves.

But, what had that been in the road? That white thing?

He swiveled in his seat, craning his neck to see behind him, but even with the glow of his taillights, he couldn't see anything. Shifting the car into reverse, and grimacing at the awful creaking that action produced, he carefully backed up, making sure to go slow in case the thing was still there.

There! Something was out there, and Jack's heart thudded in his chest. It was still too dark to see yet. Alright, whatever it was, it hadn't moved, so...it couldn't be a threat? If it were, wouldn't it have come to the car by now?

Be a man, Jack.

Sighing, he pulled the car around, turning so his headlights were arcing over to that mystery in the road. It was big, whatever it was, and oddly shaped. Kinda...creepy, actually. Jack gulped, fighting the urge to just gun it and race off into the night, leaving the thing behind. But his curiosity would haunt him if he did that, so he kept turning the wheel, slowly bringing the road back in view.

There were skid marks on the broken pavement, and he knew they were from him. And the marks were leading up to...

A person?

A person in white?

The hair on the back of Jack's neck stood up and he shivered. Then he slammed the brakes on and bolted up in his seat. No way!

It was an elderly woman! Some frail, senior citizen in nothing but her thick white nightgown.

“Jesus christ...” Jack muttered, locking the car into park and hurriedly pushing open his door. He stumbled out into the night, cursing. “Ma'am, are you alright?!” He rushed to her side, checking to make sure she wasn't bleeding or hurt, and he ran his fingers through his hair. “God, I'm so sorry! I really am. I was driving and then looked away from the road for just a second, and I'm so sorry! Are you okay? Did you get hurt?”

But the woman only smiled, showing a lack of teeth and bleary eyes. “Oh, hello. Are you a friend of my grandson's?”

Jack lifted his brows, slowly shaking his head and tilting his head to the side. “Uh...no? Look, I just want to know if you're...” Jack trailed off, finally noticing how the woman wasn't wearing any shoes or socks and how her gaze wasn't focused on him. Or on anything. The smile on his lips was blissful and ignorant. “...Ma'am?”

Her eyes turned to him again, and focused with a show of effort. “Oh hello! Do you know my grandson?”

Uhh...

Jack stepped back with a sad sigh. This woman was confused. Perhaps even medically confused. Maybe Dementia or Alzheimer's. But Jack was no doctor, and he didn't waste time trying to diagnose her. Taking her firmly, but gently, by the shoulders, he lowered his head so she could better see his face.

“Ma'am, are you from around here?” He made his words slow and pronounced. “Do you live nearby?”

No answer, just that sweet smile that reminded him so much of his grandmother, may she rest in peace. The old woman's hair stood out in wispy gray curls, and her lined face was relaxed. At least she hadn't been shocked or scared by the almost-crash.

Jack tried again. “Listen Ma'am, do. You. Live. Nearby? Is your house close?”

For a moment, she looked like she hadn't heard him, or understood him, but then her faded blue orbs focused on his face, and she smiled again. “Yes, Dear. I live right around the corner.”

Jack sighed, his head drooping. Great. She didn't know. He hadn't passed any corners or houses the entire time he'd been off the highway, so she was obviously just as lost as he was. But what the hell was she doing out here, in nothing but her nightclothes? How had she gotten here?

At least it wasn't cold outside, with the warm Spring night only slightly chilly. Her nightgown was enough to keep her warm, but he was worried about her feet. What if she'd hurt her feet? Walking around barefoot. It was baffling, and worrying.

Jack couldn't just leave her. He couldn't just get in his car and drive away, hoping the poor lady would wander on back the way she came from. No, that'd be heartless. And Jack was far from heartless.

“Okay, look, I'm going to take you in my car,” He paused to point towards his vehicle, making sure the woman glanced over. “And then I'm going to take you to someplace where you can get help. Okay?”

She clapped her wrinkled hands, reaching out for his. “You'll take me home?”

Jack felt like crying. “Yes, yes, I'll take you home, don't worry.” But he wasn't. He'd drive until he could find a police station or an officer on the side of the road. He'd turn her over to capable people who could help her properly. Not like him. He wasn't cut out for this.

He helped her to his car, opening the passenger door for her and making sure she was properly buckled in. She didn't resist at all, nor give him any trouble, and that only made him sadder. What a nice old lady she was. He hoped that the reason she was out here wasn't for any nefarious reasons. Like some uncaring family dumping her out in the woods because she was losing her memory. He'd heard about people who did that. Horrible people.

If Jack's grandmother were still alive, he'd make a note to call her right away. Just to tell her he loved her.

But of course he didn't have his damn phone.

After the woman was in her seat, Jack went around to the driver's side and climbed back in, buckling his seatbelt and then shifting the car, which he'd left on, back into drive, then he pulled back onto the road and continued driving in the direction he'd originally been going.

Beside him, the woman hummed quietly in her seat, hands clasped in her lap, and her blissful face peering out the window. They'd only been driving for about 30 seconds, when her humming abruptly cut off, and she turned to Jack with a half-frown.

“No, Dear, you missed the turn.” She chastised softly, in that grandmotherly way that almost made him turn around.

But from what Jack had seen, there hadn't been a turn or anything they'd passed, so he just nodded. “Yup, don't worry. We'll be home soon.” If he kept driving in the same direction, logic said that he should come to a town or a house eventually. And then he could contact the authorities, or get directions to them.

“No, Dear, this isn't the right way.” She spoke up again, tapping the dashboard with her forefinger. “It's back there.”

Jack shook his head, quirking his lips. “Don't worry, Ma'am, I know where we're going. We'll be there soon.”

“No, it's back the other way.” She insisted, her crinkly voice distressed.

Jack tried again. “I promise, Ma'am, I'm taking you somewhere safe. Don't worry.”

She was quiet for a moment, and Jack was relieved she'd believed him. But then there was a odd grunt from the diminutive woman.

“We're not going home.” The quiet sound of sniffling on the edge of her words.

Jack glanced over in surprise and could see the sheen of tears in her eyes reflected by the console light. “Hey, what's the ma-”

“We're not going home!” She wailed, full on crying now, raising shaky hands to her face and sobbing into them.

Oh god. Jack didn't even hesitate as he slowed the car down, did a quick 3-quarter turn and then started driving the other way. “Hey, look.” He coaxed, pointing to the road. “I fixed it. Okay? We're going the right way now. I'm sorry, I was just...confused.” Jack tried to sound comforting, and breathed in relief when she stopped crying.

“Thank goodness.” She beamed at him, smiling and settling back into her seat.

What could it hurt to reassure her? To follow her directions and calm her? Jack certainly didn't want to see her cry again. It'd been terrifying to see the old woman sobbing like that. And it made him feel guilty.

“There it is!” She exclaimed suddenly, pointing to a shaded corner of the road, blocked from the headlights by a big bush.

Jack squinted and tried to see into the darkness, turning his high beams on and blinking in surprise when he saw a narrow dirt road leading off from the pavement. Had that been there before? It looked...worn.

“Are you sure that's your road?” He asked, applying the brakes as they grew closer.

“Oh yes, my house is right up there. Don't forget your turn signal.”

Jack blinked, but did as he was told. There was nobody out here, so who was he signaling for? But, he still did it, because she told him to. And he didn't want her upset. Again.

The car rocked as it left pavement, and he gripped the wheel as the vehicle bucked and squeaked up the dirt road that winded up a hill. “So, you're sure your house is up here?”

The woman tilted her head at him. “Hello, are you a friend of my grandson's?”

Crap. Jack sighed and shook his head. Whatever moment of lucidity she'd had before was now gone, and he was back to square one.

The road was one-lane and very rocky, and Jack suddenly missed his lovely paved road, even if it was what got him lost. The minutes ticked by, and no houses or anything in sight. Jack was about to turn the car around again, when the woman shifted beside him.

“There.” She held up a frail hand and gestured in front of them, out the windshield. “There's my house.”

On the top of the hill, Jack could vaguely make out a building of some sort. The closer he got, the clearer it was. Some sort of farmhouse or something, but it was dark. No lights in the windows. No sign of life. No sign of a family who was worried about their missing grandmother.

Oh god, what if she lived alone? Jack hoped with all his being that that wasn't the case.

He pulled the car up to the top of the road, which was a drive-way since this was the only house in view, and parked beside a run-down red pick-up truck. Very run-down. Being so up close, Jack could make out from the glow of his high beams, that the house was also very run-down. Almost...abandoned looking. Like...no one had lived there for years.

The elderly woman was trying to unbuckle her seatbelt and leave the car, but Jack stopped her. “Wait just a sec, okay? I'm going to go make sure someone's home.”

“My grandson is waiting for me.” Is all she said, passively, and waited in her seat.

“Sure...I'll just go let him know your here.” He reassured, giving her a smile and then climbing out of the car. Please let the grandson be home. Please let there be a grandson. Please let this not be an imaginary chase.

Up the front steps and his feet thudding dully on the creaky wooden boards, then he was in front of a broken screen door with a more solid door behind it. There was a button at its side and he pushed it, relieved to hear the chiming of a doorbell ring out inside the house. He waited, trying to look as non-threatening as he could.

It must be after midnight, and he hoped that if there were people here, that he didn't frighten them. Though, how many guys in their late 20's and wearing rumpled business suits can look frightening?

No one answered the door, so he rang again, and there was a faint noise from inside. He stepped back, realizing that if he stood too close, then whoever was inside might not open the door.

Quick movement in the window next to the door, too quick for him to see, a shifting of curtain he saw falling back into place, and then locks were disengaging and the door was slowly pulled open.

“What do you want?” Came an odd, gruff voice, shielded by the door which was only open a few inches.

Jack saw a pair of intense eyes, and the shadowed curve of a face, but nothing else. He held up his hands, smiling to hide his uncertainty. “Uh, yeah, hi. I'm sorry to bother you so late, but I think that maybe I have your...” Your what? What would he say? Oh hey, I found an old biddy out in the road and almost hit her with my car, and she seems to be suffering from dementia but says she lives in this house?

No.

“Okay, this might sound odd, but I found a woman out on the main road,” If you could even call it a 'main' road. “And she's confused but she brought me here, and I'm so sorry if that was a mistake and-”

The door whipped open the rest of the way. “Gram?”

In the now open archway stood a tall, gangly teenage boy, maybe about 17 or 18, in a baggy shirt and sweatpants. His face was sharp, with a pointed nose and a thick upper lip, making his mouth look constantly pouted. Jack's eyes lingered there for a moment, before he raised his gaze and saw the boy's piercing green eyes and unkempt dark hair. Those eyes weren't looking back at him though. Instead, they were trained behind Jack, and he turned to see what he was looking at.

He caught sight of the old woman, having gotten out of the car and now standing in the driveway and peering around, but then he was shoved aside as the youth raced past him and towards the her.

“Gram!” He cried, stopping just shy of the woman and enfolding her in a hug. “I thought you were in your room! How did you get out?! I locked the door! How long have you been gone?!”

Jack felt like he was eavesdropping, and he tried to focus his attention elsewhere, but the loud pleas of the boy were hard to ignore. It didn't sound like he was expecting an answer, and his voice was close to breaking, but he was grabbing his grandmother's hand and tugging her towards the house.

“Come on, I'll put you back to bed. Don't worry, Gram, it'll be okay, it'll be okay.”

Jack could see the gloom on the boy's face, but despite his heartfelt reassurances, the elderly woman didn't seem distressed. In fact, she was smiling brightly and directed her eyes on Jack as they approached.

“Hello.” She held out her hand.

Jack knew what was coming, and he held out his hand to shake.

“Are you a friend of my grandson's?”

The youth at her side raised nervous eyes to Jack, not seeming to know how to react, but Jack just smiled. “No, sadly, I'm not. My name is Jack Isaacson. I'm just passing through town. But it was nice to meet you.”

“Oh.” She frowned a little sadly, as if his not knowing her grandson were depressing. “Well, that's alright, Dear. My name is Myrtle Montgomery. It's a pleasure to meet you.”

“Um, Gram?” The boy interrupted, wrapping his arm protectively around her shoulder. “I think it's time we get you to bed. You want to be up early for church tomorrow right?”

“Oh , yes. Thank you, sweetheart.” Then she yawned. “I am rather tired.”

“Okay, I'll be in to help you in a minute. Why don't you head on up to bed?”

She nodded, coming up to Jack to kiss his cheek. “Thank you for the ride, Jack. It was good to see you again.”

Jack lifted one brow, blinking in confusion. A minute ago, she hadn't known him at all, and now apparently they were best friends. He almost laughed, were it not so sad. The woman went inside, and Jack and the youth were left alone.

The silence was awkward.

“Uhh...” The other began, rubbing the back of his head and looking down to his feet. “I'd like to apologize about my grandmother. She...” He struggled for words. “Gets confused sometimes...But, she's not usually like this, I swear. My parents are out of town, and it's just her and me, and I guess I didn't check on her before I went to bed.”

Jack frowned. “Has she ever done something like this before?”

Shuffling his bare feet on the wooden porch, the youth didn't immediately answer, but after a pregnant pause, he nodded. “...Yeah, but...only...once. It's not something to worry about. We have a nurse who comes during the day and so she'll be here tomorrow. Really,” He finally looked up, his eyes looking red and puffy. Like he were about to cry. “Don't worry about it. She's in good hands.”

Jack couldn't quite put his finger on it, but there was something off about the boy. Something he was either hiding, or lying about. But Jack couldn't figure what. It was most likely that he was just embarrassed by his grandmother's condition. And Jack couldn't blame him. It was nothing to be embarrassed about, of course, but he could understand the emotions coming from it.

He smiled, extending his hand. “I don't think we've been properly introduced. Like I said before, I'm Jack Isaacson.”

Meeting his grip, the youth shook weakly. “I'm Ben. Uh, Ben Montgomery. Thank you, really, for bringing her back. I'm sorry you had to go out of your way.”

“Actually...” Jack pulled back and grinned in embarrassment. “I'm kinda...lost. I was just driving down that road because my GPS gave out on me and I didn't know where to go. I came across your grandmother in the middle of the road.”

Ben's eyes went wide and he visibly paled, ducking his head back down and sighing. “Oh.”

“She was fine.” Jack said quickly. “She wasn't hurt or anything. I was going to drive her into town or something, if I could find one, but she brought me here. And I was wondering...Uh, if maybe you could help me out? I'm trying to get to a place called the 'Cozy Creek Inn'? My GPS wasn't exactly helpful in getting me there.”

Ben furrowed his brow, then laughed. “That old place? They closed last summer and got torn down. They were right off the highway. You probably drove right by it and didn't even notice.”

Ah, so that explained it. Jack had seen the flat plot of land when he'd gotten off the highway. He'd noticed because he'd been able to see the stars clearly for the first, and last, time. Then he'd embarked on the lost highway, sorta.

“Heh...crap.” He muttered, shaking his head at himself and stuffing his hands in his pockets. Where would he get some sleep now? He'd been up all day, driving back home, and he was exhausted. “So, uh, I don't suppose you could give me directions to another motel to stay at?” His brows raising hopefully as he gave Ben an imploring look.

The youth frowned, quickly glancing back up towards the house. “Well...there's actually not a lot around here, and the nearest town is a good half an hour away. They don't have a motel though.” White teeth peeked out to gnaw at a bottom lip, and the boy seemed awkward. Contemplative. “You could...” He sighed, seeming to give up or something. “You could stay here tonight. I mean...You did help my Gram-, I mean...Grandmother.” A subtle blush made Ben look much younger than Jack originally assumed. “It's the least I could do.”

But then it was gone and Ben was opening the front door again and going inside, turning back to stare at Jack, brow raised as if to say 'Are you coming?'.

“Thank you!” Jack exclaimed, a little shocked. He hadn't expected that at all, and felt much better knowing he didn't have to drive anymore. “That's very polite of you, and I'm very grateful.”

“Yeah...whatever.” The boy said, not meeting his eyes.

“Okay, fantastic! Just give me a second to turn my car off.” He sprinted back to his car and shut off the engine, pocketing the keys. Then he returned and followed the youth, going into the dark house and cautiously making his way after the other. No lights had been turned on, and Jack tried not to knock anything over.

“Hey, um, do you think you could turn a light on for me, please? I don't want to walk into anything.”

Ben hesitated. “...Sure.” A small lamp on a table at their side clicked on and illuminated the area.

Jack took a moment to let his eyes adjust to the sudden flare of soft light, and then looked around the room they were in. It was the main foyer, with a big staircase going up to the next floor at their left. What looked like a kitchen table could be seen through the door at the end of the hall, and the doorway halfway down was too dark for him to see anything. After getting his bearings, Jack looked around the room, and when he realized the state of the house interior, he tried not to be rude and show his surprise, but holy crap, the place was a wreck.

The floors were filthy, the carpets looked like they hadn't been vacuumed in ages, the furniture was all dusty, and the wallpaper was peeling off the walls. Jack ever saw water spots on the ceiling. These people actually lived here? From the outside, from what Jack could see with the light of his headlights, the house had looked rundown and empty, but he hadn't expected the inside to be worse!

What kind of parents allowed their child and elderly mother to live here? And where were these parents? What kind of job made them leave, yet didn't pay them enough to upkeep a home?

“Mr. Isaacson? The guest room is up here to the left.” Came Ben's voice drawing him out of his thoughts. “I'll get you some sheets.”

“Oh! Yes, thank you.” Jack answered quickly, trying to ignore his urge to clean some of the dust off the hall table by the stairs. He let his eyes wander around the room one final time, then he climbed up the stairs, wincing as each one creaked with age.

This place was almost completely uninhabitable.

At the top of the those creaky steps, Jack paused. Ben was nowhere is sight. Where had he said the guest rooms were? To the left? Jack turned and crossed to the first door he came to, and went to open it, but stopped dead when he noticed something odd.

On the door, halfway up, was a deadbolt. On the outside of the door. Now what could that point of that possibly be? It was currently unlocked, but Jack felt unsettled at the sight of it. Why would something need to be locked in from the outside? He reached for the knob again.

“That's the storage room.” Ben snapped at his side, voice very tense.

Jack looked over to see the teen holding an armful of sheets. He stepped back, blushing. “Sorry. I didn't mean to be nosy.”

Ben's expression relaxed somewhat, and he motioned to the end of the hall. “That's the guest room. Here.” He handed over the sheets, standing reluctant for a minute.

It was as if he was waiting for Jack to go to the room. “Okay, thank you. Uh, have a good night.” He smiled, turning away and using his free hand to open the door. Inside, it was a dusty, but not dirty. It looked like no one had been in here for years. Jack had half a mind to stay tomorrow and say something to these parents. Though, Ben hadn't said that they'd be back tomorrow. He'd said a nurse would be coming in to help with Myrtle, but nothing more about his parents.

He'd ask Ben tomorrow, and try not to sound too invasive. With a sigh, he plopped down onto the bed, glad to feel that it was a comfortable mattress, at least. Who cared about sheets? Not him. He was so tired at this point, tired and confused, that he wasn't even going to get undressed. He wasn't going to even move. Though he did toe off his shoes, which fell to the floor with a clatter. Then with one sock-clad foot, he managed to kick the sheets up to his chest, and lazily spread it out over himself, murmuring happily as his eyelids grew heavy.

Just as he was teetering over the edge of sleep, he heard the front door downstairs slowly squeak open, and then soft, sneaky footsteps outside onto the porch. His heart sped up, pounding in his ears. Was the old woman making a break for it again? Were they just robbed?

But no, after a moment, he heard a soft, masculine sigh. It must be Ben. What was he doing outside? Maybe he smoked and didn't want the house to smell like cigarettes?

Then his breathing stopped as he heard the softest sob from outside. Followed swiftly by half-muffled weeping.

He shot up in bed. Why was that kid crying? Was it really what Jack had thought earlier? About being embarrassed by his grandmother's behavior? Though...Jack had a hard time believing that.

He rolled out of bed, quiet as he could, and tiptoed to the open window overlooking the wraparound porch. Peering out into the night, he couldn't see anything. The roof of the porch pretty much hide anything beneath it, but Jack could hear the crying louder here. It sounded like it was coming from near the front of the house, and it made the hair on his arms stick up. It was heartbreaking, and he didn't know why.

But, if Ben had taken the time to hold in his tears til he was alone, than Jack wasn't going to bother him. He obviously didn't want to be heard.

Jack went back to the bed, and lay back down, pulling the sheet over himself once more. Exhaustion had him closing his eyes rather soon, sleep creeping into his head.

The last thing he heard before falling into slumber, was the constant, soft, broken sobbing of the boy down on the porch.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jack awoke in the middle of the night ready to piss his pants, and he stumbled out of his bed, going over to his bathroom and opening the door. But, instead of his master bathroom, he walked into a closet and he blinked, confused. What the hell?

The door to the hallway was open and he shuffled out into the dark, feeling along the wall to the first door he found, and he opened it without thinking, not realizing the strip of light spilling out from beneath the door or the fact that it was closed.

Naked, wet, beautiful flesh greeted his suddenly wide eyes, and he froze in the doorway, gaping like a fish. Ben was standing in the middle of the well-lit bathroom, eyes mirror-wide in return, and had obviously just stepped from the shower. Both his hands were raised over a towel draped on the top of his head, drying his hair.

Everything south of his neck...was bare.

Jack knew he'd already been staring for an inappropriate amount of time. Hell, he should have exited immediately with a quick apology the second he'd caught sight of skin, but he couldn't leave.

His eyes hadn't feasted upon such an abundance of lean, tight, young flesh in years. And he hadn't had sex in several months, so his brain promptly shut down, and his dick decided to take over.

His eyes roved over Ben's body, taking in the skinny arms and long legs, the narrow, bony chest and knobby knees, the prominent hipbones and the sparse, perfect trail of dark hair leading down to...

Fuck.

Jack's cock twitched in his trousers, making him twitch in tandem, and he realized that Ben's look of shock had faded into something different. Something like...triumph.

And then Jack muttered something unintelligible that sounded like 'Bah buh guhbuh', and he was yanking the door shut behind him, breath heavy and quick as flashes of naked glory rang through his mind.

Shit, he's just a kid, Jack berated himself, shaking his head to clear the images. The quick retreat back to his room didn't do anything for his rampant erection, and he switched his thoughts to more disturbing matters, trying to quell the rush of blood. He leaned back against the wood after closing it, his cheeks on fire.

But then there was a knock on his door, and he jumped away from it guiltily. “I'm sorry!” He shrieked, holding up his hands to prove he wasn't touching himself when the doorknob turned and the door opened.

It was Ben. In the towel that had previously been on his head, now wrapped loosely around his waist. And that smile. That oddly victorious grin.

Jack swallowed, backing away to the bed. His calves bumped the mattress. “Look, I'm sorry. I really am, I swear. I didn't mean to stare, and I'm so sorry I walked in on you. I won't bother you again, and I can just leave if-”

“You're gay.” Ben stated flatly, grinning wider.

Jack shut his mouth like a trap, eyes still wide. “...What?”

Ben stepped forward, closing the way too small space between them. “The way you looked at me. No straight guy would stare like that.” He chuckled, sounding predatory. “So, you're gay.”

Jack could only nod, his cheeks flaming hot. “...I'm...sorry.” He hung his head. “I really didn't mean to.”

Then Ben stepped closer still and unwrapped his towel, letting it fall to the dusty floor. Jack eyes bulged out of his head, and he slapped his hand over them to block out the sight. “I'm sorry!” He shouted, not knowing why he felt the sudden need to apologize.

Maybe it was because he was so turned on by this teenager's body and he felt like a dirty old man.

“You don't have to apologize.” Ben's suddenly soft voice brushed by one of Jack's ears, giving him a jolt. “I just realized that I truly am grateful that you rescued my grandmother. You're a hero.”

Vehemently shaking his head, Jack sputtered out a protest. “No, I'm not! I was just...just...”

Then two hands landed on his chest and Jack yelped as he was shoved backwards, bouncing on the bed. He looked up, wild eyes seeing Ben kneeling between his spread legs. What the hell?!

“No, you are. And I want to give you a reward. ”

Jack gulped, trying to get past the lump in his throat. “Re-Reward?”

Ben grinned wider, his warm palms descending to Jack's fly, and nimbly undid his pants. “Yeah. A reward.”

Before Jack could do anything to stop it, though he wasn't sure he would have even if he'd had time, his pants were being yanked down to his knees, boxers and all. His hard cock jumped free from the fabric, making him hiss as it slapped back against his stomach.

“B-Ben...” He choked out, reaching a shaking hand to try and push the other away. This was way too fast, and wrong on so many levels. But he was so hard and hot right now, that he really only wanted to stop it halfway. Ben was very attractive, there was no denying that, with his lean body and piercing expression, his green eyes making Jack feel weak in the knees.

Thank goodness he was laying on his back.

He flinched when a shower-moist hand wrapped around his cock, and pumped him a few times. “F-Fuck...” He groaned, letting his hand fall back to the mattress, his eyes closing tight. Sweat broke out on his brow. What the hell was going on? He'd just returned an old lady to her house! That didn't warrant a blowjob!

A slick, hot tongue swiped along the underside of his cock, pausing to flicker at the head, and Jack's stomach coiled tight, his legs tightening. “Fuck!”

Yes, it had been several long months. Christ, it didn't matter. It didn't matter. He was fucking getting head, and it was great, and he didn't care why.

Ben's pouty lips dragged over his manhood, eliciting an embarrassing squeak that Jack closed his lips around to try and stifle. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd been blown. Sex was one thing, but he was often too impatient for the main act to let someone settle between his thighs.

And now he was regretting it. He writhed, trying his best not to kick Ben in the head as pulse after pulse crashed through him.

Christ, Ben clearly wasn't a pro or anything, and he was making mistakes with his teeth, but there was something to be said for enthusiasm. And Ben was by far the most enthusiastic Jack had in a long time. That supple mouth was sucking on the head of his cock like a nursing baby, and he had one hand stroking up his shaft with little twists of his wrist on each upwards squeeze. The other hand was palming his balls, and Jack let out an explosive breath, shuddering. Heat centered in his groin, spreading out in sharp spikes to the rest of his body.

He had too many clothes on. Sweet Ben was naked and willing, and here Jack was in his suit, only nude at the groin. Inappropriate.

Fighting the involuntary clenching of his abdomen, Jack tried to sit up to remove his shirt, but Ben stopped him, raising and moving one hand to warningly rest on Jack's stomach, lifting swollen mouth off his cock to shake his head.

“No.” He breathed, voice hoarse. “Just lay back.”

That was fine. More than fine. Pretty awesome, actually. He did as was told, and lay back, throwing an arm over his eyes and trying to hold back the sounds threatening to leave his lips. He was a grown man. He didn't make those sounds.

“Oh god! Uhhngn!”

...Okay. Sometimes he made those sounds.

Ben sucked harder, taking him deeper into that wet, hot, welcoming mouth, and hummed around his length. The vibration had Jack leaking, deep throbs in his cock and precum pooling at the head. A wide, flat tongue licked it off, then there was more sucking on the head, making the heat build in Jack's groin. He was getting close. He could feel it. Ben was steadily working him to orgasm. A fresh wave of shivers made Jack bring his chin down to his chest, panting heavily and managing to keep his hips from bucking off the bed. It wouldn't do to choke the boy.

Could this really just be a reward? Ben just wanted to thank him? There were other ways to thank a man, and barely any of them involved his dick in Ben's mouth. But...there weren't nearly as many that felt as good.

“Uhn...Ben...” Jack shivered again as one gentle palm traced up his inner thigh.

Maybe the teen was lonely. Maybe out here in the middle of nowhere, Ben was coming to terms with his sexuality, and there was no one around he could be physical with. Or maybe he was too scared to try and find someone like that. When you lived in a small town, it was hard to take a chance and hit on a guy you weren't sure was straight or gay. Perhaps he was just desperate and when he realized Jack was gay, he was overcome with lust and the desire to explore another man's body.

Jack was happy to be an experiment. He grinned to himself, though it faded after another shaky moan. If Ben needed someone to help him discover sex, Jack wasn't going to argue that.

His eyes cracked open, and he got a clear view of Ben's intense concentration, and that gorgeous mouth sucking him in. His stomach fluttered as he watched him down there, kneeling so solidly between his spread legs, the sound of heavy breathing through his nose as his head bobbed. The rhythm was beautiful.

Ben must have sensed him staring, because those pretty green orbs opened and returned his gaze, redness blooming on the other's cheeks at the meeting of eyes. Ben looked away, cheeks still red, and Jack let out a soft groan. The teen was really very cute. Sure, they were practically the same height, and Ben seemed to have some hidden strength in those lanky limbs, but Jack felt this protective need to keep the other safe well up in him. As well as an oncoming orgasm.

His toes curled in his socks, and he felt the pressure build in his cock, that shiver up his spine, his balls drawing up. “Ben...” He wheezed, fighting for coherency. “I'm...c-close...I'm gonna...”

The other made a pleased sound and moved his mouth faster, almost taking all of Jack's cock into his mouth, and his other hands circled the base in tandem, twisting and stroking and squeezing.

If that wasn't permission, Jack didn't know what was, and he didn't fight as the tingle in the base of his length exploded, the pressure in his balls and ass all releasing out through his cock in thick, excessive spurts. Straight into the waiting mouth.

Ben pulled off him, coughing and wheezing, and some of Jack's post-orgasm afterglow wore off. “You okay?” He asked quietly, reaching down to pat the other's shaking shoulder.

Grabbing the towel he'd discarded earlier, Ben spat into it, making a face and throwing the towel back to the floor. “Yeah. Fine.” He rose up and sat beside Jack on the bed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. A quick harsh laugh left his throat. “You're lucky my Gram is such a heavy sleeper.”

A hot flush of shame roared through Jack's body at the thought of the old woman having heard him. “Uh...” He chuckled nervously. “Sorry about that. I...forgot.”

Ben shrugged, still naked beside him. “Whatever. It's no big deal.”

Jack smiled, his body thrumming with good vibrations. Without waiting for permission, he hooked his arm around the boy's neck and pulled him down to the bed with him. So what if his pants were still down. So what if Ben was completely naked. He felt good. Really good. And Ben was warm in his arms.

It wasn't until right then that he remembered he'd never gone to the bathroom. He snickered softly, pulling the other closer to his chest. Oh well. Nothing was going to make him get up now.

The warm fuzzy happy feeling was making him tired again, and he let himself close his eyes, everything going away as he fell asleep once more.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was his bladder that once again woke him, and Jack groaned as he sat up in bed. Ben wasn't next to him anymore, and he blinked groggily towards the open window. It was maybe mid-morning judging from the sun. He pushed himself up to stand, and his pants promptly fell down his legs to pool at his feet.

Right, he'd never redone them last night, opting instead to just sleep. With Ben. Speaking of, where was he? Maybe he'd already woken up and just didn't want to come to bed? Jack was more than willing to return last night's favor, and he grinned as he pulled his trousers back up and zipped them. He put his shoes on and ventured out into the hallway, catching sight of the strange dead-bolted door from last night. He'd almost forgotten about it, what with what happened. It had been disengaged last night, but now it was firmly locked. The thick metal sliding bar was over into it's slot.

He wasn't going to snoop. It wasn't his business. Even though he really wanted to know what was behind the door and why it had to be locked.

Instead he crossed to the bathroom he'd accidentally stumbled into last night, though it was empty this time, and he relieved his bladder, washing his hands with the tiny bar of soap on the sink's edge.

The house was still quiet out in the hallway and Jack went downstairs to see if anyone was around. The hallway and living room was empty, but when Jack went into the kitchen, he found Ben hunched over the table, a cup of steaming coffee at his side.

“Good morning.” Jack smiled, coming over to the table and taking a seat.

Ben jumped at his voice, lifting those pretty green eyes and revealing a sleepy face. There was surprise at first, like the other had forgotten he'd slept over, but then it faded, and Ben let his head lower back down to rest in his hands. “Hey.”

That certainly wasn't the kind of warm welcome Jack been expecting. Okay, so they hadn't had sex, but you don't put someone's dick in your mouth without at least some residual connection.

Or did you?

Jack wasn't quite positive Ben did have any ulterior motives for sucking him off. Last night, he'd been convinced the teen had just taken a liking to him or something, but now...Ben was acting a little distant, and that didn't indicate they were...

Anything to each other.

After a long, awkward silence, he glanced at the clock. It was 10:20 in the morning. He'd slept pretty late. For him, anyway. “So...Uh...” The table thudded as he drummed his fingers on them. “Is your grandmother at church?” He remembered how she'd been excited about going last night.

Without lifting his head out of his hands, Ben answered. “...Yeah.”

“You didn't go with her?” Jack asked, wincing at how nosy he sounded.

This time Ben did look up, his brow furrowed. “No...I don't...like church. But she's fine. She, uh...went with her nurse. They left early. That's why you didn't hear them.”

“...Oh.”

“...Yeah.”

Jack chewed the inside of his bottom lip, squinting and glancing around the room. Ben didn't seem inclined to chat, but the quiet was killing him. The awkwardness was so thick, he could almost taste it.

“So, uh...when are they due back?” He asked politely, desperate for conversation. “Do you want me to hang around til they return? I could help out around the house, or keep you company if you wanted?”

Ben didn't even blink. “No. It's fine. You can just go.”

Jack felt his brow furrow, though he really didn't mean to pout. Was that it? He wasn't ready to leave yet. “Well...Hey, let me make you breakfast or something.” Standing, he crossed to the fridge. “It's the least I can do.”

Ben suddenly bolted up in his chair. “No! Don't-!”

Jack had already opened the fridge door, and when he looked inside, his jaw dropped. The fridge was practically empty. There was a stick of butter and a couple of jars of what looked like jams and jellies. But nothing else.

He whirled back towards Ben, who was staring at him from the table, fingers white where they dug into the table. “Why don't you have any food?” He exclaimed, a little freaked out. “Is this why you're so thin?” He'd merely thought it was just how Ben was shaped. A little bony, a little lanky, but not overtly thin. Now he was looking at it with new eyes, and Ben suddenly seemed on the brink of starvation. “What is going on here?”

Ben's eyes were wide and panic-stricken, his mouth opening and closing in little gaps, like he didn't know what to say.

“Well?!” Jack persisted, approaching him and placing his hands on the table. “What's the meaning of that?”

Then something clicked on the teen's face, and he stood, his hands on the table too. His stare turned hard. “I don't need to explain anything to you.” He said coldly, expression hard. “But if you must know my family's personal business, the nurse is bringing back food for us after church. The power goes out here a lot, so we don't refrigerate much food, or else it will spoil. We have mostly preserves and canned food. The rest we buy weekly.” He sneered, baring his teeth. “You have no right to make assumptions about us.”

All at once, Jack's concern and anger disappeared, and he was left feeling really foolish. Yes, it was very unusual for there to be no food in the fridge, but regardless of that, Jack didn't have any right to question it. Who was he in this house? No one. Something had happened last night, something great with the teen standing in front of him, but that didn't make them lovers. That didn't make them a couple. It didn't give Jack the right to invade his life.

Ben had said it was a reward for helping his grandmother. Though Jack felt like allowing him to spend the night was enough of a courtesy, that wasn't permission for him to read deeper into the other's physical gift. A blowjob was not a kiss. And just because Jack felt something more than just sexual satisfaction after it was done, didn't mean he was allowed to act on it.

He let out a slow breath, furrowing his brow and looking to the floor. “I'm sorry. I...You're right. It isn't any of my business. I just...” No. No, there wasn't anything he could say to justify it. He'd made a mistake and now he was going to leave, before he made any more. Straightening his back, he tried to give the seething teen a reassuring smile. “I'm glad I found your grandmother last night, and I'm glad she's safe. She's really a nice woman, and she's lucky to have such a caring grandson.”

His careful words worked, somewhat, and Ben's steeliness faded into a surprised fraction of a smile, a pink blush darkening those apple cheeks.

“I should be going. I've been away from my own home for over a week, and I really miss my bed. Do you think you can give me directions to the highway?”

Shaking the blush from his cheeks, Ben nodded. “Yeah, fine. It's only a few minutes away. Just take a right at the end of our driveway, and then the road will fork about 100 yards down, take a left, and the highway is right there.”

Jack stared in disbelief. That was the direction he'd been driving already. Had he really been so close? If he hadn't come upon Myrtle last night, he'd have been on the highway in just a matter of moments? Seriously?

Laughing, he rubbed his face. “Just my luck...”

“What?”

Jack shook his head. “Nothing.” He smiled again. “Thanks for the help. It was nice meeting you.” And it was really nice getting blown by you, he thought ruefully.

Ben hesitated again, looking away for a moment. “...Yeah. Thanks.”

Jack didn't quite want to leave, but he had no reason to stay. So...He left. Out through the hall and out the the squeaky screen door, then across the porch and down to where he'd left his car last night. Fishing his keys from his pocket, Jack climbed inside and buckled himself in. One last remorseful look to the house, then he started the car, sighing and shifting into drive. The car slowly crunched down the rocky driveway, and he glanced in his rearview mirror. Damn, the whole night and morning had been so odd. He hoped that Ben and his grandmother would be okay.

Just as he was almost to the end of the driveway, he glanced in the mirror again, and he saw someone in the window facing the front of the house from the second floor. Someone in white, standing there and waving or something.

Wait, was that Myrtle? But...Ben had said she wasn't home, so who was that? He braked and looked harder in his mirror.

Yeah, someone wearing white. Like Myrtle's nightgown. No doubt it was her.

If she was there, then...that meant Ben had lied about her going out. And if he lied about that, than what else did he lie about? The nurse too?

Why would Ben lie? What point was he trying to make? Or, was he hiding something?

It wasn't until Jack reached the end of the driveway that he realized the window Myrtle had been standing in was to the room that had the deadbolt on the door.

What the hell was going on in that house?

His head was buzzing all the way to the highway, and when he realized where he was, no more than a few hours from his apartment, he knew he'd be coming back to find out.

TO BE CONTINUED