To the World

Prologue

“Simon?”
Violet eyes opened. They peered from beneath black hair, straight into blue-grey ones.
“Hey.” Simon said weakly.
Simon sat up and stretched. He reached down, plucking green grass between his fingertips. He looked up, squinting against the sunlight.
“Than?” Simon asked sleepily.
Thaniel flicked deep brown hair from his eyes. He sat beside Simon, looking out from the hilltop, watching younger children splash in the shining pond below.
“You okay?”
Simon replied. “Yeah.”
Thaniel shrugged. “You seem tired lately.”
Simon leaned against Thaniel’s side. “I’ve just been studying too much. Don’t worry about it.”
The older, Thaniel, shifted until Simon was in his lap. Simon relaxed as Thaniel wrapped his arms around him. Thaniel rested his chin on Simon’s shoulder.
“You should relax, baby.” Thaniel whispered.
Simon turned his head to look at him. “I can’t fail, Than. I need to get out of school. I’ll be able to get a job, too, and then we’ll be able to move.”
Thaniel smiled. “Hey, don’t tire yourself out too much.”
“I don’t even have a job yet.”
“I do.”
“Why do you think I feel so bad?”
Simon then reddened and turned forward. For him, the conversation was practically an emotional speech.
-Why did he bring this up?- Simon lamented.
“I’ll be out in a few months. Can you wait that long?” Simon whispered.
Thaniel tried to soothe Simon’s worries. “Simon, it’s fine. Don’t worry so much.”
Simon didn’t reply. He leaned his back up against Thaniel. They heard approaching footsteps and the accompanying heavy breathing, but chose to remain as they were.
“Si-oh.”
Great. It was Cheri- Simon’s little obnoxious devil spawn of a sister.
Simon looked over. “What?”
Cheri placed her hands on her thin hips petulantly. “Mom says you have to eat.”
Thaniel mentally groaned and remembered why Simon wanted out so badly. How meek little Simon had come from such a tyrannical family…it boggled the mind.
Thaniel whispered in Simon’s ear. “Go eat. I’ll come steal you in an hour, okay?”
Simon nodded and whispered back. “That’s an hour too long.”
“Come o-on.” Cheri whined.
The younger male stood and followed Cheri away. He waved backwards at Thaniel. Cheri impatiently led him from the hill into the town.
“Simon Vladewki, where were you!”
Simon cringed as he walked through the door after Cheri. Their mother, Libby, approached. He stood still as his mother laid a slap across his cheek. He winced as blood trickled from his lip. Cheri said not a word.
“Out dillydallying, were you? Dinner was yours to make tonight.”
-Tonight. Just like every other night.- Simon thought resentfully. –I can’t believe I was out so long!-
He pushed past her, sliding down the hallway into his room. He slammed the door behind himself and collapsed to the floor. He pressed his hand to his bleeding lip.
Was Thaniel still on the hilltop? Maybe he could go, go with him. Surely he would still be there? It had only been a few moments.
-I don’t want to come back here.-
There was no love between Simon and the rest of the family. Libby and Cheri were all there was. The only decent person he knew was…
-Thaniel.-
Simon reached into his pocket, praying his wallet was still there. It was there, full of his life savings. Not very much, mind you. Whatever he had managed to hide from Libby- and his pocket was the only safe place.
He opened the door quietly, listening for the others. They sat in the kitchen, he could tell. He snuck past the doorway, thankful for their noise and his silence.
Outside again. He looked toward the hilltop, hoping Thaniel was there. He walked toward it swiftly.
Thaniel was not up there. Simon, disappointed, sat.
“It’s been a while, young Simon.”
Simon stiffened. No, no way. Please not Thaniel’s twin brother, Milo.
“You are two years older than me. I’m hardly ‘young Simon’.” He said stiffly.
Milo stepped into view. “Shouldn’t you be at home, like a good little boy?”
“Leave me alone, Milo.”
“Thaniel won’t be coming here.”
“I know.”
Milo shoved Simon onto his back. Simon tried to roll away from the older male, but was stopped as Milo sat on his chest.
-No more, oh god, stop, please stop…-
“Hm… looks like it’s been too long since I last taught you some…discipline.”
Simon protested. “Hey- no, stop.”
“…Begging already?”
How he wished Thaniel had been on the hilltop!
Milo reached behind him, undoing and slipping off Simon’s belt. He grabbed the younger’s flailing arms, binding his wrists behind him. Simon cried out in pain as his weight rested on his wrists. He arched his back, trying to relieve the weight. Milo continued on, slipping Simon’s pants from his body.
-Oh, heaven, I’m so sorry, Than…-
“No! Stop!” Simon‘s cry was muffled by Milo’s hand.
-Than!-
Milo smiled cruelly. “Time for your lessons, Simon.”
“Stop!”
Milo didn’t have time to react before he was thrown from Simon. Simon looked up through a teary haze.
“Thaniel.”
Simon whimpered as Thaniel pulled him into his arms, the belt already being undone. Simon clutched Thaniel’s chest as Thaniel slipped him into his pants. Thaniel held onto him tightly when finished.
“I’m sorry baby, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” Simon whispered.
-It’s mine. I’m too weak, Than, I-
Thaniel watched as Milo stood. Milo threw glares toward his brother, who returned them promptly. Milo leaned down, picking up Simon’s wallet.
“What’s this?”
“Hey!” Simon turned his head.
Thaniel reached up. Milo grinned and threw it at him. Thaniel caught it, slipping it into Simon’s pocket deftly.
“It’s okay.” Thaniel murmured.
“I’m okay.”
“Do you want to stay with me tonight?” Milo wouldn’t dare do anything in their own house.
He nodded against Thaniel’s chest.
“You don’t ever have to go back. I’ll take care of you.”
“…I don’t wanna leave.”
Thaniel wrapped his arms tighter, gently kissing Simon’s head.
“You don’t have to.”


-T.B.C.-

Well, whaddya think? This chapter isn’t so great- just setting everything up. It’ll be the only chapter set in their hometown. Moving quickly? Maybe. Oh well. Drop a comment!