56
Nate didn’t know what to make of Tshepo’s disposition toward him. There was a change in his friend that hadn't been there before he was taken away a few months ago. Even when Nate went to hug him to welcome him, glad that there was a ray of hope in his otherwise gloomy day, Tshepo’s response was a cold smile, his eyes, once sparkling brown with happiness were cold and distant. Nate had been happy and refreshed to see his best friend, especially after learning what happened to his mother yet here he was feeling as if his friend returned as a shell of his usual self.
Tshepo threw a passing glance Anele’s way and that was the only time he smiled.
“You have a girlfriend?”
Nate didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t his girlfriend but he liked her. He was at a loss for words but Anele raised her hand to Tshepo for a handshake and then with a kiss pressed on Nate’s cheek she went away to the kitchen.
Tshepo would not speak as they made their way to the room. Nate helped him with his bag and walked behind him noting the change in his friend’s physique. He was taller, his shoulders were broad, his hair was fuller and there was a slight tremor to his fingers. Before Tshepo got resettled one of the other boys returned and his appearance was just like Tshepo’s. His eyes were empty and dark. He didn’t speak a single word.
Confused by their behavior Nate could only try to imagine why they suddenly changed, especially Tshepo. He suddenly only cared about staring off into the distance or sometimes watching his hands shake.
Suddenly that even there was a knock on the door and one of Mr. Fredrick’s men called out.
“Nathaniel Schmidt! Mr. Fredrick wants you now!”
Nate stood up only to get grabbed by Tshepo’s firm, desperate grip. He turned back to see the empty look in his friend’s eyes replaced with fear.
“Fight!” was all Tshepo said.
“Nate!” the voice called out before Nate could even think about what Tshepo had meant by those words. He gently pulled his hands away from Tshepo’s and walked toward the door where the man was waiting for him. He followed him to the second floor into a different living room. This one was larger and there was a fire going, the smell of leather, whiskey, and tobacco permeated the air. There in the semi-darkness of the room were Mr. Fredrick and a guest both of whom puffed smoke from their cigars.
“Come in Nathaniel,” Mr. Fredrick ordered. His voice was soothing and firm. Nate only caught glimpses of him but he had heard all the stories about his cruelty and had seen firsthand how his workers were treated yet when the man spoke he was tempted to believe that those stories were lies.
When he walked into the room and Fredrick turned on the lights he saw the man’s face close up for the first time. He was incredibly handsome, his eyes were gray and sharp, and his smile was welcoming and beautiful. He gestured for Nate to come closer and when Nate did Fredrick put a hand on his head and smoothed his dark hair affectionately. Then he pointed a finger at the other man in the room.
“That is my friend, Nate, his name is Johnson. He wants you to come home with him.”
Nate looked at Mr. Johnson. He was a middle-aged man with a protruding belly narrowing his eyes at him, looking him from head to toe.
“He is a handsome, healthy boy, Fredrick.”
“He is. It’s why he’s the only one left,” Mr. Fredrick’s voice was hard. His hand slipped from Nate’s head to his shoulder.
“But I am paying a huge sum for him.”
Nate could feel the tension in Mr. Fredrick. He couldn’t understand why Mr. Fredrick would be tensed up. He looked up at the man that he secretly admired. He was so handsome and his smile was so kind that it was hard to reconcile him with the man whom people said was the cruelest man in all of Gabore. There were stories that Fredrick shot his debtors in front of their families, impaled any of his workers who stole for him, and slit the throats of government officials who dared to question his tyrannous methods.
“You will be with Johnson for only tonight, boy because he specifically asked for you.”
“Yes, sir,” Nate replied.
“Good. His car is waiting outside. You don’t need to pack anything.”
Nate went outside the living room to wait for Mr. Johnson while the men talked inside. After a while, Mr. Johnson came out, and with a smile that Nate could only describe as slimy, he put his beefy hand on Nate’s shoulder and led him outside to his waiting car.
Nate sat in the back with him and as the car began to move he looked back and saw Mr. Fredrick standing at the doorsteps a look of rage on his face, he smoked hard on his cigar and watched the car until it disappeared around the curve on the road. When they got to Mr. Johnson’s house, Nate was taken to a room where clothes were laid out. There was a black male servant there who didn’t speak to him except when he told Nate to put on the clothes.
Confused, Nate picked up the clothes. They were strange. Tight leather shorts and leather vests with hooks and chains. There were cowboy boots too which he put on before the servant led him out of the room. He was led outside Mr. Johnson’s bedroom, where the servant left him to attend to other duties.
Nate knocked on the door.
“Come in, boy.”
Nate opened the door. There was a tangy sweet smell in the air that intoxicated him almost immediately. It seemed to Nate that Mr. Johnson was intoxicated too.
Johnson sniffed in the smell. “It’s an aphrodisiac, boy. You are incredibly handsome, do you know that?”
Nate stood by the door still trying to understand what was going on.
Johnson’s eyes trailed his body, his eyes locked on the tight leather shorts. His mouth positively watered at the sight of Nate’s young, supple body.
“Take off your clothes.”
Nate frowned at the order. “Sir?”
Johnson didn’t hear him. He hurriedly divested himself of his suit until it he was dressed in just briefs and his vest. He took off his vest and his pudgy belly dropped over his waist. Then he removed his briefs to expose his erect cock.
“S-sir…” Nate looked away, swallowing hard as it began to dawn on him.
“You have such a young, sexy body. You are a strong, handsome boy, take off your clothes, and let me see you.”
When Johnson took a step toward him Nate screamed and scrambled for the door. Just when he opened the door thinking he had a chance at freedom he felt Johnson’s rough hands grab him from behind.
