Jaden

Wow thanks everyone for your reviews. In reply to Child of the Darkened Moon thank you, thank you. I sent you an email and I hope you get it. If not please let me know.
In this chapter there is German, let me say that I do not speak, write nor understand the language and please forgive me if I muck it up. It is not my intention to disrepect the language, in fact I wish I did speak every language in the world, how cool would that be? I just used a little translation for the story and I got it from Google. That being said I hope you enjoy the new chapter. Thank you everyone for reading.


Chapter 10
“And Now I Lay my Soul, to Rest”

Jaden held Lizzie’s head in place and pried her mouth open so that Marcus’s blood could spill into it. He waited anxiously for any signs of life, Marcus tried one more time to convince Jaden that it will not help, there has to be life in the body in order for it to work. But Jaden just ignored him and continued to hold on to Lizzie hoping beyond reason that Marcus was wrong. [There is life there; he’s just not seeing it. Once she drinks, she’ll wake up and be fine, just like me.] Jaden thought to himself, he would not accept that Marcus could be right.
Marcus let out a soft sigh in disappointment, as much as he tried, he simply could not get Jaden to listen. He then got up and moved to the other side of the mattress sitting on the floor; he sat back and watched him. Marcus made sure his emotions was closed off to Jaden not wanting his feelings to interfere or add to Jaden’s grief, he watched as Jaden tried to coach Lizzie to swallow.

Jaden tried so hard to get Lizzie to drink, but the blood pooled in her mouth and eventually spilled out the sides of her mouth. He gave her a hard stare trying to push life into her, he willed with all of his strength for her to live. He took Lizzie’s stiff hand into his own trying to warm her up and kissed her fingers, begging her to respond. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered words of encouragement, pleading almost in anger for her to wake up. After what seemed like hours trying to revive her, Jaden cried out his frustration at his failure to awaken Lizzie. He moved away from Lizzie’s body until his back hit the wall, drawing up his knees to his chest and holding them tight with his arms. He dropped his head into his arms and cried. For the first time in Jaden’s life he understood the fear of being alone and lost. Lizzie was his life, after all he had to endure it was worth it, as long as Lizzie was there at the end of the day. Without Lizzie in his life he had nothing, no home, no Lizzie, no family, nothing.

Marcus remained glued to his spot, he wanted so much to gather Jaden in his arms and comfort him. But he was afraid Jaden would reject him, and blame him for not being able to help Lizzie. And so he waited and watched for Jaden to accept Lizzie’s passing, he hoped Jaden would reach out to him for support. Deep in his heart he wished he had the power to erase this night from his mind forever.

He cried, he cried so much it hurt, and when he thought he could not cry anymore, he cried again. His heartache and tears made him have hiccups again, only to cry again. Jaden has felt pain, so much pain in his young life, but losing Lizzie was more painful then anything he had to endure. He never knew what losing someone like this would be like, now he wished he could die to. He had no idea how he would be able to live without her, he knew he was feeling sorry for himself, but he couldn’t help it and kept on crying for Lizzie.

Finally he looked up to see Marcus on the other side of Lizzie, and realized Marcus never moved from where he sat. With his hands he wiped his tears away, and he pulled at his long hair to move it away from his face, it had come loose. His hair bothered him and he pulled hard as if he could rip it out from his scalp. Lizzie will never brush his hair again so why should he keep it? But before he could do anything in his frustration, he felt Marcus place his hand to his face getting his attention.

“Please little one, do not harm yourself. Do you think Lizzie would want this?” Marcus asked. In a voice that caressed Jaden’s heart. Jaden looked at beautiful crystal blue eyes and suddenly felt so tired. He wanted Marcus to hold him and make him feel safe, he felt ashamed for screaming at him. Especially after everything Marcus had done for him. Before Marcus realized it, Jaden had moved and crawled onto his lap facing him and wrapping his legs around his waist, he wanted to be as close as he could possibly get to Marcus. Jaden put his arms around Marcus’s neck and held on to him so tight, had Marcus been human, Jaden would have broken his neck. Then Jaden kissed Marcus’s face, he kissed his forehead, his eyes, his nose, and his cheeks all the while begging Marcus to forgive his actions against him. Marcus also kissed Jaden in return and placing a gentle hand on the back of his head he pressed his head to rest on his shoulder. Holding him lovingly and rocking him in his arms speaking soft words of comfort.

“Hush, my sweet little one, you need not ask for any forgiveness. You have done nothing wrong.” Marcus whispered in his ear, “I am so sorry for your loss, but know that she lives always in your heart, and she will never be lost to you, for as long as you keep her there.” He could feel Jaden nodding his head in agreement on his shoulder, he looked over to Lizzie’s body and felt so sad for the way she died, she must have been suffering for sometime, Jaden said she had a really bad cough, she would cough so hard blood would come up. She looked as if she died from a plague seeing the blood stains on her pillow, and when Jaden lifted her he could see more blood underneath her. The disease AIDS has been known for patients to bleed out like that, given how she had to support herself it was no wonder if she contracted this horrific illness. He pressed Jaden closer to himself, wanting so much to take away his suffering. Still looking at the small lifeless body on the mattress, dry dark blond tresses splayed around her head, and empty blue eyes staring up at the cracked dirty ceiling.

With both of his hands he lifted Jaden’s head so that he could look at him, and with one hand he caressed his face, Marcus gave him a soft tender smile and kissed his forehead, loving the feel of his skin against his lips. “Marcus” Jaden spoke softly, “She was everything to me. I don’t know what to do. I need her so much, it hurts Marcus, it hurts that she’s gone.” Jaden let out a small sob and hiccupped. Marcus laid his head back to his shoulder and gently patted his back, making sure Jaden looked away from where Lizzie lay, he carefully reached out to close Lizzie’s eyes he didn’t want Jaden to remember her like that.

“I know love, it will always hurt, but in time it will hurt less. You will get through this, you may not believe this, but I sense strength in you, and you will get pass this.” Marcus spoke in the most caressing voice he could to help Jaden be calm and accept his efforts to comfort his aching heart.

They stood up, Marcus holding onto Jaden’s hands to help him up. He was thinking how best to ask Jaden on how he wanted to handle Lizzie’s remains; when he heard shuffling sounds and quickly turned his attention towards the entrance. In the door way stood a tall fat man, he looked dirty and greasy. He watched how this man leered at Jaden while scratching his belly with fat sausage like fingers. His bulky frame was as wide as the doorframe. He wondered how he managed to carry so much weight and not pass out from exhaustion. He also wondered if this slob ever bathed. He wore a dingy gray t-shirt that should have been white, with stains under the armpits, sweat pants torn in different areas of the leg and just as filthy.

“Ack, vhad iz dis?” he spoke with a heavy accent, Marcus recognized German.
“Ja – Den, how many dimes I say, no vork hia! He commanded his voice thick with beer. He moved his heavy bulk into the room with his hands on his hips, glaring at Jaden, then at Marcus trying to intimidate them with his huge body. The only animal that came to Marcus’s mind was the Hippopotamus. He silently apologized to the Hippopotamus breed for comparing this fat slob to them, but the man could pass for such an animal. His beady black little eyes glaring from a large head, small flat nose that may have been broken years ago in a bar room brawl and his chin stuck out like a hippo. Marcus noticed that Jaden was afraid of this beast of a man and hid behind him.

“Vell! Vhad iz going on? You, Lizza, must pay now! As he pointed his fat finger at Jaden, then to Lizzie. He had been waiting for Jaden to show up. Several times he would bang on the door demanding for Lizzie to open up and pay the rent. In fact the rent was more then paid, he managed to make them believe they owed only because they would be late and lost count. He would pocket the extras bills for himself. He stood there expecting an answer and glaring at Marcus, something about him he couldn’t put a finger on. But he could smell rich, and wanted to intimidate him into rescuing Jaden by paying the money he wanted. He paid no attention to Lizzie he just thought either she was ignoring him, as always or sleeping. Either way he didn’t care he wanted money.

Jaden was afraid, once he didn’t have the money to pay, and since Lizzie’s health had gone sour. She was not aware of a bargain he made one night for the super to overlook the money he claimed they owed. Although Lizzie had managed to keep Jaden off the streets, this one time she was kept in the dark. In lieu of the rent money, he demanded a blowjob from Jaden. Before Jaden met Lizzie there were many things he did just to be able to eat, but servicing Jabba the hut was the most disgusting thing he ever did. But when he came home and looked at Lizzie safely indoors asleep on their bed, he didn’t care it was worth it to keep Lizzie warm and safe indoors.

“Marcus” Jaden timidly said behind his back, “This is the building’s super, Ebbe Dieter.”

Dieter’s eyes grew even smaller and he shouted at Jaden, “Shut….. Up!” one fat finger pointing to his palm, “My moony, vhere iz it? No moony, no stay!” As he spread out his hands wide to show that no stay meant he could not stay in the apartment. He was quite pleased with his sense of humor if you could call it that. Chuckling to himself making his fat belly jiggle like jelly. But before he could go on to torment Jaden, Marcus was in his face. You could say they were almost the same height; only Marcus was taller and stared down at him. This surprised Dieter.

“Herrn Dieter that will be enough. You will not speak to him, in fact anything you have to say will be addressed to me. Is that clear?”

Marcus spoke in a low cold voice that sent shivers up Dieter’s spine. Dieter blinked, it has been awhile since someone spoke his language and was at a loss on how to deal with this. He was not used to someone challenging his authority. Lizzie was the only other tenet that he kept a cautious distance from. As small as she was, even if she had to get up on a chair she would tell him to go fuck himself right to his face, because that was the closest he would ever get to having sex. He was able to trick her sometimes about the rent, but not always. She was hell fire and brimstone and he didn’t need the hassles. In the past few months he noticed her declining health and took full advantage of Jaden, threatening to throw them both out on the street if they didn’t pay.

Dieter never forgot the one night with Jaden, and he came back sniffing for more, hoping for more then a blow job, much more. As for the blond haired man, he expected he would just get the hell out in fear of being exposed. But it looked like he was going nowhere. Not wanting to let him have the upper hand, and believing that Marcus was indeed a coward if challenged enough he then puffed out his chest and answered Marcus in his language.

“Sir, I would be very cautious if I were you. Look around this is not the comfort and safety you are accustomed to. I could make trouble for you, your wife? Family?” (Nodding his thick head towards Jaden)
“Would be disgraced, if they knew what you do with this whore.) Then Dieter smiled tobacco stained teeth grin at Marcus breathing out unknown sickness in his face. Marcus knew this man would die of lung cancer in a few years. He smiled back at the ugly slug, and before Dieter realized the mistake he made, Marcus grabbed him by the throat, and lifted him off the floor holding him up high. In the same cold voice, he smiled and said,
“Stupid words, from a mindless fool.”

Dieter could not reply, Marcus had a death grip on his neck and the weight of his body added to his misery. His eyes began to bulge and he made squeaky sniffling sounds trying to get free and to breathe, fat fingers unable to pull Marcus’s fingers apart, and his fat legs kicking uselessly, when his face turned blue, Marcus released him and he fell with a loud thud on the floor. Dieter cried out, in his effort to break his fall he broke his left wrist trying to support his weight. As he wobbled and wiggled his body to sit up, supporting his broken wrist with his other hand, Marcus’s foot pushed him back down hard on the floor, forcing him flat on his back. With the force of the push his arms spread out slamming his broken wrist against the floor. Dieter squealed out loud like the coward he truly is, a burning searing pain shooting up his arm and radiating to his chest and back, he laid spread eagle staring up at Marcus with fearful eyes and coughing, and wheezing trying to breathe. Keeping his right foot well planted in Dieter’s chest, Marcus bent forward and rested his right elbow on his knee. Adding pressure to his chest with his foot so that he would not forget who is on top.

“Do we understand each other now?” Marcus said as he applied a little more painful pressure to his chest, threatening to crack his ribs, a slight curve on his lips, black eyes glaring back at the crap on the floor trying to pass as a man.

Dieter slightly raised his good hand in supplication, vigorously shaking his head from side to side; he was a coward by nature and not to be trusted. And like a true coward he knew when he was beat, although he fooled Lizzie maybe once or twice about the rent he kept his distance, like Marcus she saw him for what he was. A useless conniving coward. Tucking his tail between his legs, Dieter cried out.
“Nein, nicht!” (No, no!) Squeezing his eyes shut trying to overcome the pain, “Plea, pleaze sir, I am a foo, pleaze!” he bit his lip trying not to scream, he didn’t think Marcus would allow it.

Keeping the same cold tone in his voice, Marcus reverted back to English and said, “Is there something you wish to say?” As he kept applying a little more pressure to make sure he was understood.

Dieter was left speechless, tears welling in his black beady eyes. He looked towards Jaden, in the hopes that he would be merciful and help him. Instead he was met with angry dark green eyes that seemed to become darker by the minute. He realized that there was something different about the boy, he was lovelier yes, his anger only made him more enticing. But he didn’t have the chance to try and figure it out. Before Marcus could do anything, Jaden came at the fat slob on the floor and managed to kick him in the side of his belly, Dieter cried out in agony, who knew the kid packed such strength?

Although Jaden wore only thick socks on his feet, it felt to Dieter that he hit him with a sledgehammer in his side. He gritted his teeth and now put all he could in showing Marcus how sorry he was. He would gladly do anything he said, just tell him and he is at his service. Marcus had lifted Jaden up around his waist and held him up on his hip, trying to keep him from harming himself. He knew that Jaden was a gentle soul and if he allowed him to vent his anger on the super Jaden would have regrets and punish himself over it. He had use for this man. So he kissed the top of his head and spoke soothing words to him, dark green eyes slowly bled back to bright green. Jaden’s body went limp and he whimpered his apology to Marcus. He put Jaden down, caressing his face he asked him to go and sit by Lizzie. Once Jaden was safely away he turned cold black eyes back to Dieter and slowly removed his foot from his chest.

“Take a good look Dieter; can you not see that our poor Lizzie has died? And I am quite familiar with how your small mind works; if I am not mistaken they have more then paid the rent.” Marcus said as he slowly stepped away from Dieter never removing his eyes from him.
After several attempts, Dieter pushed himself up to a sitting position, frightened eyes watching Marcus to see if he would get pushed back down. When nothing happened he blinked several times to clear his vision and finally looked at Lizzie, a look of surprise on his face, all this time he spent banging on the door, when he could have let himself in to see if any worth taking was left. If he didn’t hurt so much he would have kicked himself.

Dieter’s attention turned towards Jaden when he heard a small angry voice address him.

“You sick fuck, you knew she was sick. It’s like the fucking North Pole in here; you shut off the heat and let her die.” Now Jaden glared at Dieter.

The way he sat there next to Lizzie sent a chill up Dieter’s spine; he also did not care for the tall blonde. He was trying to figure out what it was, the blondes movements was so quick and his strength. But he did not have time to think, when from the corner of his eye he saw Marcus move towards him in anger and he quickly cried out, begging them to understand that it was not his doing. In his broken English he explained that there was a brownout in their neighborhood the night before, they were left without electricity until late this afternoon. He had to wait for hours for the lazy maintenance man to come out and fix the furnace; it was not his fault that the damn thing kept braking down. He whined about how he had to placate the tenets and ask for their patience for the furnace to kick in and slowly heat up the damn building. Dieter told them that if they really wanted to place blame, they should blame the building’s owner, he told them how the cheap bastard refused to spend a dime on the place, and instead the owner spent his money on his whore of a wife and his stupid selfish children. He tried to show them that he really wasn’t that bad of a fellow and offered to pay them back any money that he may have taken in error. Dieter told them that they made him see how badly he behaved and was ashamed for his actions, he pleaded and begged forgiveness. To tell him what they wanted and he would do it, he gladly would do anything to make up for his misdeeds.

When both Marcus and Jaden said nothing but continued to stare at him, he became afraid that they would kill him. Dieter choked back his sob and kept begging for them to understand, that he really wasn’t such a bad guy. After all he reminded Jaden had he not allowed them to stay when the rent was past due? Surely he deserved some consideration. Marcus looked back at Jaden, Jaden was looking at Lizzie gently caressing her face and trying to smooth out her hair, he had covered her with a tattered blanket. Jaden’s hair was a mess, silky locks spilled over covering his sad tired face as he looked down towards the floor. Marcus then knelt down before him and with his hand he swept back his hair to see his eyes, and he asked in a low loving voice, “My little one, come away from here. Don’t stay, let me look after you and help you. Tell me what you want and I will do it.” Tears rolled down Jaden’s face, he was feeling so tired and just wished Lizzie was alive to advise him, he always relied on her opinion. He loved and respected her so much. To Jaden, Lizzie was his true-life hero in the world. He felt so lost and alone without her around. He looked up at Marcus and said, “Marcus I’m so tired and scared, I really don’t know what to do, but I can’t just leave, I have to do something for Lizzie, I just can’t leave her like this.”

“Fear not, my love. I will arrange a proper burial for her. All will be as it should; she will be laid to rest with the utmost dignity and respect. She deserves no less.” Marcus answered as he gently caressed Jaden’s face.

Jaden’s eyes opened wide and he became agitated, “No Marcus please, don’t bury her, Lizzie has closphobia, and she always hated being locked up in small places, please don’t bury her.”
Marcus understood that Jaden meant claustrophobia; he would never say anything to shame him. He could hear Dieter behind him snickering and quickly turned to vent his anger on this bastard; he grabbed him by his dirty hair and pulled hard to get his attention. He growled into his face and said, “Do not! Look down on him. I am quite aware that you took advantage of him, of both of them. They are to be treated with respect; I will not accept anything less from you. He is more of a man then you could ever hope for in your entire miserable disgusting life.” He then pushed a sniveling Dieter away from him as if he was yesterday’s trash. Marcus stood up and walked over to the kitchen sink to wash his hands, he wanted Dieter to see how disgusting it was to touch him. He then motioned for Jaden to come to him. Putting a protective arm around Jaden he had him face away from Dieter, he was too good to look at this pig. While he held Jaden he then spoke again to Dieter and holding him with his gaze willing fear into the idiot on the floor.

“I ask that you take proper care of Lizzie, in fact I insist that you pay whatever the cost, and you will pay. Spare no expense, deny me this small favor and you will soon learn what true pain is.” Jaden felt proud that Marcus thought so highly of him, but worried how he would really feel once he knew the truth, because Dieter was right, as he once told Jaden, he is a whore. But when he heard his order to Dieter to take care of Lizzie he didn’t trust the fat pig and expressed his concerns about it to Marcus.

Marcus assured Jaden that Dieter would do as he was asked, or if you asked Dieter he would say ordered, threatened. When Jaden looked at Dieter with mistrust, Dieter quickly told him not to worry, he would see to every detail, he apologized for treating them so badly, in fact he begged for the honor to help. He would be so happy to be of service. When Jaden agreed, he breathed a sigh of relief, looks like he gets to live another day. Dieter just knew that Marcus would kill him if he so much as refused anything that was ordered.

While Jaden kissed Lizzie goodbye, both Marcus and Dieter came to an understanding on the whole matter as to how it should be handled.

Marcus could not afford to talk to the police and risk being exposed for what he truly was, and he just let Dieter think that it was because of his status of the rich. Dieter did explain that the police would have to be called; Marcus made it very clear that under no circumstances that Jaden is to be mentioned, Dieter had better plant the idea of a useless boyfriend who took off when Lizzie died. Once the police were satisfied that there was no foul play, Dieter would ask to take care of the funeral arrangements. Expressing that she was his best tenet and always felt sorry for her, and he was compelled to see to her final needs. Lizzie had been arrested for prostitution, and once the police discovered her past they really would not waste much time to closeout the case and release the body to Dieter.

Glaring a look of much promised pain, Marcus pointed his finger at Dieter as if he was an idiot and spoke down to him. “The police, Dieter. You have better make sure that they believe you are sincere with regards to Jaden’s Lizzie. Must I explain how important it is that she is treated with the utmost respect and care?” and feeling like a stupid child Dieter shook his head in understanding. Marcus then pointed to the items he purchased earlier, to use that as an excuse to explain why he came into her apartment.

Marcus asked Jaden if he was ready to leave, reluctantly Jaden tore his gaze away from Lizzie and said yes, he was tired and as much as it pained him, Jaden never wanted to come back here. Marcus looked down at Jaden and asked, “Do you have anything of importance to take with you?” at first Jaden said no, but then remembered something. He went over to the cabinet below the sink and removed an old battered shoebox. Holding it tight against his chest he walked out with Marcus, granting Dieter one last cold look and reminding him of his promise to look after Lizzie. And just in case Dieter had other ideas, Marcus assured him he would return in 3 days to check up on him. Once they were out of his sight Dieter struggled to stand up, he was breathing hard from the exertion. He thought about leaving himself and just letting someone else complain about the odor that will eventually come from this apartment. But if he did, he knew he would have to answer to Marcus. He looked one last time at Lizzie and limped out in a huff to his apartment to call the police. He felt he was being taken advantage of, complaining to no one about the pain in his side and his wrist, he just couldn’t believe he agreed to pay for everything, he hated losing money especially his.

When they were safely back in the caves, Jaden let Marcus help him out of his clothes and put on a pair of Marcus’s silk pajamas. Jaden never let go of the box he brought back with him. He climbed up back in the bed and lay still clutching the box to him.
Marcus left the room for a few minutes and returned with wood to put in the wood burning stove, he was about to close it’s door when Jaden asked if he could leave it open because it looked like a little fireplace. Jaden watched Marcus take some clothing into the bathroom and he came back out dressed in a robe over his own pajamas, normally Marcus would not dress for bed, but he didn’t want Jaden to feel uncomfortable. Jaden liked this room, he felt so warm and safe. He stared at the flames and watched the flames flicker and dance; he could hear the wood, snap and crackle, he liked the smell of the wood burning.

Although this room belonged to Marcus, he decided to use one of the other rooms to allow Jaden some privacy. When he finished putting away the clothes Jaden and he wore he was about to leave when Jaden sat up and asked, “Marcus how come you don’t have a real fireplace in here?”
He admitted that it was just easier for him to install the stoves, but if he really preferred the fireplace he will look into it and see about installing one in this room for him. Jaden was surprised that Marcus would even consider such a thing. He knew he should tell Marcus the truth about himself, although he could see that Marcus held him in such high esteem he felt Marcus deserved the truth.

Jaden patted the empty space beside him and asked Marcus if they could talk for a little while. Marcus bowed his head slightly and joined him on the bed. He could see that Jaden was a little apprehensive and touched his hand lightly asking him if he needed anything.

“No, no thank you Marcus, I just thought we should talk a bit if that’s ok with you?’ Jaden asked. Marcus smiled and leaned back against the headboard waiting for Jaden to start. Sitting up with his legs crossed, and holding the box close to him like a security blanket. Jaden started by once more thanking him for everything and that he never knew such a person like him could be so nice and generous to a total stranger, especially since that stranger was a worthless whore like him. Jaden sat fingering the box, fearful and waiting to hear disgust from Marcus.

It pained Marcus to see how Jaden thought of himself; of course he knew what Jaden did to survive. He already had some idea when Jaden kind of stretched the truth about him working extra hours the night he left and fell into the hands of the men who wanted to kill him for pleasure. He could feel his anger boil at the surface at the thought of those men, but quickly forced it out of his mind before Jaden could pick up on his emotions.

Marcus looked at an adorable face filled with shame; he reached up and lightly caressed his face. Jaden at first flinched back believing Marcus would slap him, realizing his mistake he happily moved into his touch. He closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh, showing his relief. Marcus then moved closer to put his arm around him and with the other hand he lifted his face to look at him, and spoke in a reassuring voice.

“Jaden I have known about it, did you really believe I would think less of you? Who am I to pass judgment? If I am wrong then please correct me, but I believe you did not know how to live any other way. From the little information you revealed to me about Lizzie, she supported you in order to keep you off the streets and on top of that she tried to educate you. That alone tells me so much, of the many opportunities you were denied before you met Lizzie. I am left to wonder what kind of life you had, and what kind of parents if any, raised you long before Lizzie came into your life.”

A small sad smile graced Jaden’s lips, he was relieved that Marcus did not show disgust with how he had to live, he began to relax and his mind was at ease when Jaden then spoke more freely of himself, he told Marcus he didn’t know who his father was, his mother if you can call her that, gave birth to him in a run down filthy apartment in uptown New York. He doesn’t even have a birth certificate, and was never taken to a doctor if he was sick; he only knew he was born in the month of December. As for an education he learned from his mother, which was how to take dick up his ass and in his mouth. She would beat him into submission and sell his body to men who liked pretty young boys, of course she never hit his face it would lower her bargaining power if she did. He can’t remember how old he was when his mother allowed other men to use him, but by the time he was thirteen he ran away and lived alone in the streets for a few months until the day he met Lizzie.

For the next four years they lived and watched out for each other, it was Lizzie who kept him sane and off the streets she refused to let him be abused any further, and if he wanted to stay with her it was her way or the high way as she was found of saying. And if he insisted on working to help bring in money then she would convince the manager of a small market to let him work bagging groceries, sweeping up or stocking up the shelves. Sometimes she would work as a cashier, but most of the time she worked the streets, because she would either be laid off or fired if she refused to put out for the boss, she had to keep working somehow to put food on the table. Jaden spoke of the times, that he insisted on working the streets too, it’s not like he hadn’t done it before. but Lizzie refused and said the only work he needed to do was get an education, that’s why she would bring in old books and try to teach him to read and write, she kept telling Jaden that he was smart and he still had a chance for a better life if he really put in the effort. {Don’t be like me Jaden, don’t spend the rest of your life having to spread your legs for men who would use you and throw you away without a second thought. This is not a life for you, you deserve better, it’s too late for me, but not for you.} Even now he told Marcus he could still hear her voice urging him to get away from this life. Marcus responded by lightly caressing his face. He understood why Lizzie tried to keep Jaden off the streets; Jaden was too easily taken advantage of and did not really have the street smarts to survive on his own. Marcus knew had it not been for Lizzie, Jaden most assuredly would have died long ago.

Jaden started to feel sleepy, and he was trying to keep his eyes open. He asked Marcus if daytime was here, and Marcus answered it would be day light in a few hours. Marcus then urged him to lie down and relax; he noticed Jaden still clutched the box close to him. Jaden was afraid and asked Marcus to please stay with him. Before he fell into a deep sleep he whispered a little more information about him and Lizzie.

“You know she never gave me a name, she always yelled at me saying hey, or you little shit, but never a name like other kids have. It was Lizzie who gave me a name, Jaden, because of the color of my eyes. It was Lizzie who gave me life; she taught me how to care for others besides myself. She made me feel human, she was everything to me, and she was the only family I ever had. She was my mother, father, sister, and friend. I will never have anything like that again.” He then took one of Marcus’s hand and held it tight along with the box and said, “Please Marcus don’t leave me, stay here with me tonight, I know I’m asking for a lot, but is it ok for me to sleep here with you? I promise not to hog up the bed.”

Marcus’s heart burst with joy, when Jaden asked him to stay, he turned Jaden so that he could spoon in behind him and asked him if that was ok, Jaden sighed deeply and said that he was in heaven. Marcus smiled and kissed his head promising that he will be there when he awakens tomorrow night. With his free hand he covered them both with the blankets; by then Jaden was sound asleep, his body becoming still and not breathing. Marcus’s other hand still held captive in Jaden’s small hand. He lay there holding Jaden close to his body; loving the feel of him. While he waited for sleep to claim him, he fingered Jaden’s silky hair and began caressing it, combing thick silky locks of hair with his fingers, amazed how this little action made him feel. While his eyes began to get heavy with sleep he couldn’t help but wonder what plans Jaden had for the box. Hearing about Lizzie increased his admiration for her; he was so grateful to her and wished he had the opportunity to know her as well, in his time, he had good warriors fight at his side, brave, big strong men, he would have loved to see them all intimidated and cowed before her. He also thought about the woman who was a miserable excuse for a mother, the thought that such a women never took the time to name her own child and sold his body for money angered him beyond words, that one he thought to himself deserved his special attention, he wondered if she still lived and where.