Tales from the Den
Wild and Weird Stories for Bears
Edited by R. Jackson
Copyright © 2011 R. Jackson.
Published by Lethe Press at Smashwords
all rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilm, and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author or publisher.
Published in 2011 by Bear Bones Books, an imprint of
Lethe Press, Inc.
118 Heritage Avenue, Maple Shade, NJ 08052
BearBonesBooks.com / bearsoup@gmail.com
lethepressbooks.com / lethepress@aol.com
isbn: 1-59021-222-3
isbn-13: 978-1-59021-222-6
Credits at end constitute an extension of this copyright page.
The stories in this anthology are works of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the products of the authors’ imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons or woodland creatures, whether living, dead, or undead, business establishments, organizations, clubs, events, locales, services, or products is entirely coincidental.
Cover design: Alex Jeffers
Cover photograph: Thomas Hurlbut Photography.
Cover models: David Bielski, Jr., David Hersh, Scot Ferland, Bob Knauf
Contents
Daddy’s Gift ~ Larry C. Faulkner
Wind and Tree ~ ’Nathan Burgoine
The Dragon-Bone Tower ~ Cynthia Ward
Hide from the World ~ Karl von Uhl
The Ghost of Dark Oak Cottage ~ Nicolas Mann
Casting Call for a Daddybear ~ John Genest
The Lighthouse Keep ~ Jay Neal
Champion of the Cross ~ Jay Starre
Beneath the Floorboards ~ C.D. Reade
Confessions of a Naughty Dreamer ~ Daniel M. Jaffe
The House by the Park ~ Lee Thomas
About the Contributors and Editor
Introduction ~ R. Jackson
Now that we’re all grownups and don’t believe in magick or voodoo or ghosts or even werewolves anymore, we can all laugh at how, as children, we were just as apprehensive as Dorothy and her timid friends on the movie screen—so utterly terrified of the terror so gaily expressed in musical theatre, “Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my!”
This collection represents a step or three beyond “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” in bear folklore. Many of these erotomythic stories explore the noire side of the usually lighthearted Bear-man experience. They tell of everyday bearish men who dare enter (or foolishly fall into) forbidden, strange realms populated (and copulated) by mystical beings, subprimitive creatures, fabulous spirits, netherworldly demons, and bizarre beasts. In other words, your typical Folsom Street Fair crowd.
We offer this frightfully stimulating collection of hot and hairy stories written by and for bears, cubs, wolves, otters, and so on—the many creatures that frolic in the vast forest of gay, bisexual, and queer masculine eros—as well as the multiform, omnigender spirits who love them. For any man who dares to enter the Den, who still believes in its mystery and potency, will be sure to get a chilling thrill—in his loins.
Which reminds me of an incident that happened in my old house, in the Jamaica Plain section of Boston, where I lived while I was editing Bearotica. While clearing out a crawl space in the attic, I found under a loose floorboard a dusty but adorable brown stuffed bear, about two feet tall, wearing what looked like not a doll garment but an adolescent boy’s sweater. My first reaction was delight in a pleasant discovery at finding this cuddly, nattily dressed bear-boy-toy—until I pulled up my new cub’s darling little sweater. My enchantment turned rapidly to shock when I discovered three very clear, large, knife wounds stabbed all the way through the bear’s torso.
This absolutely true scary bear story is just a tease of what we present you with in the following fifteen fantastic Tales from the Den.
One last furtive thought: if a Big Bad Daddybear eats you up in the forest in the middle of the night, and nobody is around to hear you squeal and scream, do you make a sound?
Daddy’s Gift ~ Larry C. Faulkner
See, it’s really a gift. That’s what Daddy always told me, back then. It just takes a little fuel, he would say, but the rewards are priceless. I guess he was right. Sometimes, it was a pain in the ass, though.
Nights like this would never happen back then, where I had to go out and find it for myself. Back then it was Daddy, and Boomer, and Petey and me, and we’d always go out as a family. We were in San Francisco at that time, and man, it was so easy back then. Daddy’s, the Stud, especially The Lonestar (for me, at least…that’s where I met Daddy, after all), all of them had such luscious men. We could go out every night and never come back unsatisfied. It was totally different than it was now, even the city I was in. I don’t exactly know how I ended up in Denver. As I showed my I.D. to the doorman at this bar, I was glad that this city at least had one bar where I could find what I needed, sort of.
I walked up to the bar and got a Coke. I needed to be sharp if this was going to work. It didn’t seem like there were very many of us here in this city, none with my tastes at least, but I still needed a little help drawing them in. It was easier, if nothing else, and it was better if I didn’t have to go out and get mean or forceful. I tried doing the whole “Midnight Stalker” thing when I first got here, and it made me feel like a predator. That was something I wasn’t comfortable with, at least not at this point in my existence. Maybe when I grew more bitter and jaded as the years pass by, but not now.
Closing my eyes briefly, I summoned it up. Taking a deep breath, I felt it radiate from me as I exhaled. I did it just like Daddy taught me. (“You don’t want to turn it on full blast, Steve,” I remember him saying. “Don’t wanna cause a riot. Just enough to make their ears perk up and their dinger jump.”) Wouldn’t be long now. Soon, they’d be coming to me and I could get this over with and go home.
Looking around, the pickings were slim. There was a group of twinks fawning over a musclebear in the corner. Neither type would do for me. Twinks were never satisfying to me, and honestly I found them exhausting. Boomer used to love muscle bears, especially when we were in Vegas, before They caught up with us. I never got into them, really. The muscle-and-fur combo excited me at first, but their attitude was always sky high and they always seemed to leave a bad taste in my mouth. There were a couple of older guys around, and sometimes I went for them, but they were more likely to have health problems, and I liked to only take on guys who didn’t have many issues that might make them more fragile. There was a really hot chubby guy, young with a beautiful belly and light complexion, but after looking at him, I thought I might have taken him home before. I tried to never go back for seconds, even though they never remembered me. Damn, for being as hungry as I was, I sure was being picky tonight. Of course, I could have any of them. My mojo ensured that, but even without it, it wasn’t like my looks were fading anytime soon. However, it was better to be safe than sorry.
There was certainly no one like Daddy here tonight. But then again, who was? I remember when I first saw him at the Lonestar. I was immediately in lust with him. He looked as if he were in his early forties, which made him the perfect Daddy Bear for me, being only twenty-five at the time. He had a big brown beard, peppered with grey, so thick that he could have put Al Parker to shame, and I could tell from his unbuttoned flannel shirt that the fur went all the way down over his thick torso. He was tall, taller than my six feet, which made me swoon, and his eyes were the deepest brown I’ve ever seen. If it wasn’t love at first sight, it certainly was lust. It was mutual, too. He told me that he loved my broad shoulders, and the light coating of blonde body hair over my chest and smallish tummy contrasted really nice with his thick, dark pelt. He made me grow a beard, of course, before he made me his boy, but I didn’t mind. I was just making myself more like the man I loved. He was so beautiful when I first met him, and he stayed that way up until…
I really miss him sometimes. And I miss Boomer. And Petey. And I miss our life back then. That was before…you know, the ’80s and the whole aids clusterfuck. A lot of us decided to just sleep it off. That’s what Petey did, and who knows where he is now, or if he’s even awake. He might still be sleeping it off in Napa Valley like he told us. He might have found a different hiding spot that no one would know about, just in case They came looking for him. I hope They didn’t get him, but I’m too scared to set foot back in the Bay Area, for fear They might come after me. I guess that’s how I ended up in Denver. After They got Daddy, Boomer and I ran to Vegas, only telling a few of our guys, but They came looking for us, and now it’s just me. I have a couple of friends from back there that I still talk with (I can’t believe how easy the Internet has made it for us to find each other now!), and they swear that Chicago is where I really need to be, that They don’t have as much power there. I dunno; Denver is okay for now, I would tell them. I seem to be the only one around here, to my knowledge, and I can at least feed myself discreetly, so I’m good for now, I would tell them. I wished I were like the others. They could find guys who would satisfy them. But for some reason, only other big hairy guys like me did the job. I think it’s because I’m Daddy’s boy. He was big and hairy and he was the first man I had ever tasted in that way, and it gave me the hunger for it. Something about how a dude like that tasted. Something in there. Maybe it was the extra size, maybe the bulk in the tummy region did something to his flavor. Maybe it was the testosterone, the stuff that gave him all that fur. I didn’t know, but I abso-fucking-lutely craved it.
There was a decent Latino guy at the end of the bar who had obviously caught a whiff of my mojo. He reminded me of Boomer, come to think of it, in the sense that they were both young looking and dark featured with fireplug builds. Boomer was Daddy’s boy before I was and had been with him for a few decades before I came around. I guess Daddy had just woke up from a very long sleep and was lonely, and they met when Boomer was stationed in West Germany right after World War II. Boomer loved to say that he was the snack that stayed the weekend, which always made us laugh. Daddy needed a companion to show him around the modern world, and Boomer was obviously smitten enough to agree to be his boy, so it worked out well. This guy had darker skin than Boomer, and it made me really, really hungry. Maybe it was the fact that I had a fondness for ethnic guys. Maybe it was the fact that I hadn’t eaten anything of substance all week. Maybe it was the fact that I wanted to let myself go and drain him right now, and then I’d go and eat those fucking twinks in the corner and take that muscle bear down a few notches and why would I stop there when there were so many hot, delicious men here in this bar and I wanted to take them all right now and go insane with the pleasure of draining their life force, all to satiate my deep hunger and they would all fear their Dark Lord and Master! And they would all worship me and offer their tender flesh to me, tender flesh pulsing with life and…calm down boy, you’ll get yours. Don’t lose control.
After surveying the bar, I figured that Mister Latino Fireplug was probably my best bet for satisfaction, so I figured I’d start the lure. I make it sound like I was slumming, but I really wasn’t. This guy was pretty freaking hot. He was shorter than I was, with a broad, wide body. His deep-set eyes were locked on me, his thick black eyebrows arched with curiosity. The black hair on his head, cut into a close-cropped fade, matched the thick goatee framing his full, thick lips. His face settled in a bluffing look. He was trying to hard to feign disinterest, but I knew he had caught the mojo. I wanted him, and I would have him. Time to turn it up a notch.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Pause. Look at him right in the eye. See his face slightly twitch.
Yup, that got his attention. And smile. And get a smile back. And he’s coming over. You taught me to use my gift well, Daddy.
Petey always used to laugh at me, because I was the best of all the boys at throwing mojo. I used to joke that he was just jealous. Nowadays, he’d be the one in demand. The thin otter boys like him are all over the place. I could easily see him fitting in with the hipster crowd, as thin and beardy as he was. Maybe that’s where he was now, living in Bohemia, NYC, getting drunk on boys drunk on PBR and living it up.
I hoped he was safe, wherever he was.
Focus. You don’t have time to be wistful. You need sustenance.
“Hey,” Latino cub smiled at me when he finally got over to where I was sitting. I could read him. He was super nervous under his smile. That was okay. He’d be relaxed by the end of tonight.
I leaned in close. “Hey, what’s your name?” I said it barely above a whisper, but in his head, he heard me loud and clear. I made sure of that.
“Miguel.” His voice struggled to get above the loud music in the dark bar. I had to lower my hearing in order not to get blasted with the sound. “What’s yours?”
“Paul,” I lied. “You’re beautiful, Miguel. I saw you as soon as I walked in here.” That wasn’t a lie. I knew how to lay on the charm when I needed to, but I didn’t offer up fake compliments. I was always very sincere, and Miguel was very, very handsome.
He looked down and away. Something told me that if it weren’t for the mojo I threw at him, he wouldn’t have come over. He was too shy. I could smell the adrenaline being pumped into his bloodstream. He wasn’t used to being complimented. This would be easy.
“I’m serious.” I gave him a gentle smile.
His big brown eyes found mine. “Thank you.” He grinned widely, white teeth appearing in the middle of his goatee. “You’re fucking hot. I love your eyes. They’re so blue. I can see them even in here.”
Ah, yeah, I forget sometimes that not everyone can see in the dark as well as I can. I smiled at the compliment. Daddy used to tell me that he hadn’t seen eyes as blue as mine since one of his boys that he had when he was in the court of Czar Nicolas II. He told me the story one night while we were laying in the Japanese Tea Gardens in Golden Gate Park. I remembered snuggling into his chest and he talked about it with dreamy memory. “Mikhail was high up in the royal guard at the time, and he caught me coming out of the room of one of the courtesans. He was breathtaking. Big beard, big hairy body, deep blue eyes, just like yours, Stevie-Pup, and he was so vibrant and…delicious.”
Daddy always told me that I was delicious too. I miss him.
But, Daddy’s gone, and tonight, I had Miguel.
I let the big Latino kiss me a little, taking pleasure in feeling his big meaty hands grope my hairy gut under my shirt. It was a gesture which I enthusiastically returned, feeling his curves fill my hands with warm bulk. Stuff like this made me feel like as if I were actually alive. Back before I met Daddy, I really enjoyed kissing, especially other hairy guys. Now, it took on a whole other level. It was like an appetizer, giving me a little taste of what was to come. I could taste certain nuances in a man’s mouth, and smell certain things in his beard. I could tell if he was sick, or had any diseases. I could tell if he had been drinking heavily or was under the influence of any substances. I could tell what he had been eating, and even if he was exposed to certain chemicals regularly (let me tell you, I will never again go home with a pharmacist…blecch!). Miguel had been drinking beer tonight, but he wasn’t drunk. He had smoked weed in the past few days, but he didn’t taste like he was a regular smoker. I detected the faint taste of ink…he had a tattoo somewhere on his body, and a quick glance down to his arm revealed a tribal band around his bicep peeking out from under the edge of his sleeve. Typical. He had definitely had bacon for breakfast this morning, and either yesterday or today, he had ate some sort of Asian food—probably Thai, I tasted the fish sauce—but over all he was within acceptable parameters.
My hands continued their journey up under his shirt. I touched his chest and felt the hairs glide in between my fingers. If my heart still beat, it would have skipped. He was going to do just nicely.
After about 20 minutes of making out, I made the offer, with a slight push of my mental capacities. “Hey, can we go somewhere more quiet? I want to get to know you a little better.”
The goofy, blissful look on his face told me that I had him. He blankly told me that he lived three blocks away. Perfect. I told him to meet me in the parking lot. “I have to take a leak, I’ll be right out.” Of course, this was just so that no one saw us leave together. Just in case, you know? It never hurts to be safe.
I waited two minutes, then walked out of the bar and found Miguel waiting for me in the parking lot. Good boy. He smiled and told me I looked better out here in the lights of the lot. I smiled and told him the same: a lie, of course, because I could see him perfectly in the dark bar.
I told him that we should head to his place. “How did you know I lived close?” Just a hunch, Miguel.
We got in his studio apartment, which was a third floor walkup in a converted mansion in Capital Hill. I surveyed the layout, noting the exits. There was the door, of course, then the windows. Did the small bathroom have a window too? No, but I could always get out the big windows in the main room if worse came to worse. They wouldn’t be able to pursue him that way. It was only three stories, and I’d jumped that far before with no issue. Sometimes I wish those stupid old stories were true and we could really turn into bats or wolves. I didn’t know anyone who could do that, though there were stories that some of the old school could. We noobs weren’t that cool, I suppose.
Miguel shivered as I touched his arm. I leaned in, nuzzled into his face, gave him a deep kiss, and immediately started with the sweet talk. It was this technique that Petey taught me. I guess Daddy knew it, but never taught it to me. You’d lean in to your guy’s ear and start talking about all kinds of nice, sweet things. Ordinarily it would sound like cheese-eating drivel, but if you gave it a little mojo push and kept rubbing him, touching him, talking to him for a while, it would send your guy into a state where he’d be in sort of a blissful state, and not mind, or even remember, when you…you know. I still don’t like talking about it, or even thinking about it. I mean, I enjoy feeding, but it’s still kinda gross to think about. Daddy didn’t think it was gross at all. Of course, he had been doing it since the Renaissance. I still remember the night he made me his boy. He gulped me down and I felt like the force of a million orgasms was blasting in my brain. I remember Daddy at my neck grunting and growling like a big bear in heat, slurping and gulping me, and it didn’t really register what he was doing until I was on the edge floating up to that white light, half here, half away. That’s when he leaned back, sank his fang into his tongue to draw his blood, and come down on top of me with the most passionate kiss I had ever received. When I tasted Daddy, it was the finest wine I had ever tasted, more delicious than anything I had ever tasted. The transition wracked my body with spasms and gave me the hunger, but Daddy was prepared. He had a meal there waiting for me. Daddy taught me right from the start; only eat what you have to, and then let them go, and that’s what I did. Usually.
After about half an hour of sweet talking Miguel, it was time. His shirt was lifted up and I had been rubbing my hands through his pelt. The black curls were soft and luxurious under my touch. Playing with his fur seemed to excite him and allowed me to sweet talk him much more easily. By the time he was ready, his pants were open and his fat brown cock was poking out of his shorts. I grabbed a hold of it and played with his foreskin while I nuzzled into his neck. His eyes were rolling in the back of his head as my fangs extended and I sunk them into his jugular, slashing open a tear where I could drink his life’s blood. Miguel whimpered as I stroked his cock while I fed from him. His blood was rich, heady and savory. My body involuntarily shuddered at the pleasure I was getting from feeding. Latino bears always tasted so good. I thought about the possibility of running to Mexico if They ever found me here.
I slowly lapped at the pulsing vein, being careful not to drink too fast, not to take too much, but soon I let my mind wander. I was so scared of being scared, but I had to be. They would be coming for me soon. They always found you. They found Daddy. They found Boomer. They would come in with their stupid fucking stakes and their crosses and their holy water and their garlic. They were idiots. Garlic, seriously? Who were they kidding? But stakes were stakes. While they wouldn’t kill you, they’d hold you still long enough for your head to be separated from your body, and that did the trick.
“This existence is long,” Daddy said, “but it is a gift, and with all gifts come responsibility.” I remember him telling me this before I became his boy. “We have a gift to enrich men’s lives. They give themselves to us. We give them something back. Learn how to use your gift to give them pleasure and comfort. I truly believe that is our gift from God himself.” Some obviously didn’t share this view.
I felt Miguel shudder and ejaculate into my hand. I snapped back to the here and now, and made myself pull away from Miguel’s neck. I had nearly taken too much. As it was, he’d be weakened in the morning. Ultimately, however, he’d be fine. I leaned in and licked the wound, willing it to close up under my tongue. I found a nearby towel and wiped his load from my fingers. Looking around his pillow and neck, I saw no trace left; no spots of blood were on the pillow, nor on his skin, nor on his collar of his shirt. I leaned back and surveyed my dinner. He was already asleep, a look of gentle pleasure over his face. I leaned in, gave a mojo push and whispered, “Paul gave you one of the best blowjobs you’ve ever had, but you can’t exactly remember what he looks like. You think he was a red-bearded guy, but you were pretty drunk. You gave him your number, but he was from out of town. Still, it was one of the best sexual experiences of your life. He made you feel beautiful and wanted, and you feel sexier and more confident than you ever have. Carry that confidence with you, Miguel, and don’t be so shy, because if Paul saw it in you, other guys will too.” I paused, then offered one last suggestion. “But don’t be a douchebag. Foster confidence in others too.” I gave him a kiss on his cheek, a final tummy rub, and slipped out the front door, locking it behind me.
When I exited the building, I immediately headed for the shadows and blended myself in. I took the long way home, basking in the glow of a fresh, satisfying meal and the blush of life running in my body. I arrived home too soon. After all, it was just a short walk to my garden level apartment (windows blocked out for security, don’t you know). I looked at the clock as I walked in. Almost five o’clock. The sun would be up soon. Heading to my walk-in closet (the only room in the house with no windows), I shut the door and lay down in the wooden box I had built for myself. And as I drifted off to sleep, I thought about Daddy, and Boomer, and Petey, and the gift they had given me. Yeah, Daddy wasn’t here with me anymore, but his words were. My hunger for guys like Miguel was actually a gift. Even though I took their blood, I always left them with something a little more, and in two weeks when I need to feed again, I fully expect to see Miguel at the bar again. Of course, he won’t remember me, but he won’t need to. I’m sure he’ll have found the confidence to find someone better than this dingy ol’ bloodsucker. I’m sure Daddy would approve, and, as the sun pulled me back to the darkness for the day, that thought warmed my cold, unbeating heart.
Riverrun ~ William Holden
What in the hell was I thinking?” Dan’s mind ran on as he sat in the hot tub across from Steven. It had been one thing to hang out with him back home in Boston. There he could leave whenever Steven’s attitude became unbearable. But now they were on the other side of the country, in woodlands north of San Francisco. They had arrived only a few hours ago and already Dan’s nerves were on edge. He only hoped that once the Bear Hunt Weekend officially got underway, Steven would be too preoccupied chasing other men to be an annoyance.
“What in the fuck are you staring at?” Steven raised his head to meet Dan’s eyes.
“Your body,” Dan replied without hesitation. It was the one and possibly only redeeming quality about Steven. His short, stocky body made up Dan’s wettest dreams. Five feet six, but thick and meaty, covered in a coarse black hair. Steven spent hours every week ’scaping his body hair to keep it tight on his skin.
They met three months ago. It was the first time Dan had used craigslist for a hookup. Steven’s ad was direct and to the point. He was looking for a regular, no-strings-attached fuck buddy. Dan soon found out that Steven was an insatiable bottom; getting fucked two and three times a day wasn’t unusual for him. As long as the top was tall, furry, and hung he would gladly drop his pants and bend over.
But now Steven’s voice grated. “Well don’t think just because you invited me up here with you that you get exclusive rights to it this weekend. I can have you anytime I want back home. I’m looking to expand my horizons while we’re here.” He grinned.” I need another drink.” Steven stood up. “As long as I’m going to the bar, do you want something?”
“I’ll take another beer if it’s not too much trouble.” Dan stared at Steven’s short, thick cock as it wobbled in front of a large furry sack. “Thanks, Steven.”
“Do you always have to be so fucking polite?”
“It wouldn’t hurt for you to try it sometime. It’s not painful, you know.” Dan watched as Steven made his way into the bar attached to their guesthouse, disappearing through a small crowd gathered around the doorway.
“Mind if I join you?” Dan twisted around toward the unfamiliar voice. A short, slender guy stood at the edge of the hot tub. He still wore a white cotton robe. He clicked his cell phone shut and placed it on a small round table.
“Help yourself.” Dan slid over to make room. The guy untied his robe and let it fall to the ground. His body was well toned and smooth except for a small patch of hair that spread across his chest to encircle his small nipples. His cock, long and slender, swayed back and forth as he slipped into the warm water. Dan placed him in his early twenties—young enough to be his son.
“I’m Derek.” He extended his hand as he drew closer to Dan.
“I’m Dan. Nice to meet you.” He watched as Derek scoped his body. “I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but you seem to be out of place here.”
“Oh, I’m right where I need to be.” Derek raised his hand without hesitation then ran it down Dan’s furry chest. “I might be a little thin and lack the fur to be considered a bear, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like my men hairy, rough, and hot.” Derek traced small circles around Dan’s nipple before tugging on the large gauged spike that pierced it. Derek lowered his hand into the water and grasped Dan’s cock. “You don’t seem to mind.” He smiled.
Dan faltered. “I tend to like my men with a bit more meat on their bones, but I do like your confidence.”
“Oh, you have no idea the things I could do to you.” Derek slid his body off the tiled seat and disappeared under the water.
Dan threw his head back against the edge of the tub and growled with delight as Derek’s mouth wrapped around his cock. He felt Derek’s tongue running through the folds of foreskin, caressing the large mushroom head of his cock. His head swam from the heat of the water, the beers and Derek’s sudden approach.
“Well, well, what have we here?” Steven set the bottles of beer down and looked at Dan and the underwater outline between his legs. Dan pulled Derek off his cock and raised him out of the water as Steven slipped back into the tub.
Derek smiled at Dan and then turned his attention to Steven. “I’m Derek, and you are?”
“Steven.”
“I take it you two know each other.” Derek looked at Steven then back at Dan.
“Yeah, we’re both from Boston and came here together,” Dan replied. He gave Steven an irritated look.
“I hope I’m not causing any problems.” Derek smiled.
“The only problem I see here is that you’re not giving me the same attention you’re giving Dan.” Steven reached out and pulled Derek into him. “Now that’s better. Why don’t you get down there and give me a little of what my buddy was having.”
Derek looked over at Dan. “I have a better idea. I want the both of you right here, right now.” Derek cupped his hands under Steven’s armpits and pulled him upward. Steven followed Derek’s direction and lifted himself out of the water, sitting on the edge of the tub. His balls skimmed the swirling water’s surface. Derek spread Steven’s legs and sucked Steven’s nuts into his mouth while pulling on the Prince-Albert that pierced his cock. Steven stretched out against the cool tiled patio and moaned.
Dan watched the two of them with an expression of irritated jealousy. His cock was hard and pulsed under the water. He remembered Derek’s tongue against the thick veins of the shaft. Then Derek’s hands reached around to caress the cheeks of his own ass. He wiggled his hips and spread his ass cheeks, showing a hairless, tight hole.
Dan moved through the water to crouch down at eye-level with Derek’s ass. Water dripped down the crack. Derek relaxed his muscles and let the water get sucked up inside him. His muscles tightened closing the hole. Dan licked his lips and sank his tongue into Derek’s ass. Derek relaxed his ass, allowing Dan’s tongue to slip inside, chasing the chlorinated water.
Derek’s ass was like nothing Dan had ever experienced. The deep muskiness and funk he was used to smelling and tasting didn’t exist. Derek’s ass was almost sweet tasting. It smelled of sandalwood. A desire to take him overwhelmed Dan. His cock sprang from the water, stiff and waiting for action. He spread Derek’s ass and shoved all nine inches deep inside. The tightness and warmth of Derek’s ass engulfed him. He could feel himself swelling within the dark recesses.
Derek pulled his mouth off of Steven’s cock and gasped at the length and thickness of Dan’s cock inside him. “That’s it, daddy. Fuck my hole. It’s all yours.”
“Don’t you dare stop now,” Steven groaned. He slapped Derek’s face with his spit-soaked cock then shoved it back into Derek’s mouth.
The water in the tub splashed over the sides as Dan began to fuck Derek faster. Dan looked out across the courtyard and saw several men standing around watching. Their eyes were an aphrodisiac. He felt the come burning deep inside of him. He grabbed Derek’s hips and fucked him harder. The air soon filled with the familiar sounds of Steven reaching his limit, all too soon.
“Yeah, oh fuck!” Steven groaned. “I’m going to come.”
Derek pulled Steven’s cock from his mouth and feverishly jerked the short but engorged cock. Steven arched his back and sprayed thick white jets of come over his stomach and chest. Derek leaned into him, rubbing the come through the thick mat of hair on his chest.
Dan gave Derek’s ass several hard slaps as he thrust himself deeper inside. Their wet bodies smacked against each other. Dan felt his come breaking through the final barrier. He pulled out of Derek’s ass and turned him around. “Get on your knees.” Dan stroked his cock over Derek’s open mouth, rubbing the precome across Derek’s tongue. “Fuck yeah.” Dan grabbed Derek’s head for balance as the first heavy wave of come exploded across Derek’s face.
Derek took hold of Dan’s cock, pulled the foreskin back and wrapped his lips around the large head. Dan shot another thick load down Derek’s throat as Derek buried his face in the mass of curly pubic hairs. Dan felt Derek’s throat muscles milking the folds of skin as the pulsing veins were massaged by his tongue. He thrust himself into Derek’s face and shot a final load. Derek held Dan’s cock deep in his mouth until it began to soften.
Derek stood up. His smaller frame barely reached to Dan’s shoulders. He bit Dan’s erect nipple. Dan bent down and kissed him, tasting his own come in Derek’s mouth. Steven broke their kiss as he separated the two of them.
“I want his come.” Steven demanded as he knelt in the water and brought Derek’s cock to his lips.
“No.” Derek’s firmness startled both of them. “I’m a giver, not a receiver. Besides I have plans for the two of you.” He backed away and leaned against the edge of the tub. His softening cock floated just below the surface of the water. “You guys obviously like to play. I know an ever better place.”
“I’ve got a place for you too,” Steven replied. “In my bed.”
“This place is better than any bed you’ll find around here.” Derek stroked his cock, inviting them with his eyes.
“If this place includes us fucking, them I’m in.” Steven stepped closer and ran his hand down Derek’s chest and stomach. “So what’s the plan?”
“First, you need to remove your hand from my body.” Derek spoke in a low seductive voice, but he pulled the hand away firmly. “Where you’re going, you’ll get more pleasure than you could ever imagine.” Derek got out of the tub and slipped back into his robe.
“What are you waiting for? Let’s go.” Steven looked at Derek, then sharply at Dan, who stood off to one side.
“Not we.” Derek replied. “The two of you.”
“What about…”
“Don’t worry, you’ll see me again. There’s an amusement park on the other side of the river, just over the footbridge.”
“A what?”
“Everyone who’s anyone will be there. Have you ever had a blowjob on the Tilt-a-Whirl? What about a fuck on a rollercoaster? Trust me. You’ll have the time of your lives. Think of it this way. If you want this—,” Derek opened his robe and wiggled his hips, waving his cock, “you’ll have to go.” Derek turned to leave, then paused and looked over his shoulder. “Oh, and you have to come together, boys. One just won’t do.” Derek disappeared into the crowd of men.
“Let’s get cleaned up and head on over.” Steven jerked his head at Dan.
“No. Not this time.” Dan pulled himself out of the tub and wrapped a towel around his waist. It was too small for his big frame. He gripped the ends of the material to hold it together.
“What do you mean, no?” Steven hopped out of the tub angrily and stood facing Dan. Water dripped from his body onto the tiled patio. “You heard what Derek said. We both have to go.”
“Yeah, I heard him. Derek is hot—I’ll give you that. But there’s something about him, especially toward the end that just rubbed me the wrong way. I guess I don’t trust him.”
“So you don’t trust him, big shit. Look, if you don’t go, then I miss my chance to be fucked by him.”
“That’s your problem, not mine.”
“Okay, look. Do this one thing for me, and I won’t ask anything of you for the rest of the trip.”
Steven grabbed Dan’s wrist. “Please.”
“What’s so special about this guy? Look around. There are dozens of men just waiting for a bottom to stretch out for them.”
“I don’t know. I just know I have to have him.” Steven leaned in to Dan and kissed him, doing his best imitation of affection. “Look, you don’t have to stay. Just come over with me. Get some food or ride something or whatever. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up having a good time.”
“Fine, if it will get you off my back, I’ll go. But I’m only staying for a few minutes, then I’m coming back here with or without you.”
“Thanks.” Steven dropped the expression of intimacy. “I promise it will be the last time I ask you for a favor…at least this weekend.” Steven hurried off toward their room, pulling Dan with him.
Dan and Steven stood at the entrance to the footbridge. The night had turned chilly as the marine layer blanketed the small town. Wisps of moist fog rolled over the bridge as they started across it. The sounds of the opening party for the bear run back at Triple D fell to a murmur then vanished as the fog enveloped them.
“I’m not sure this is such a good idea.” Dan’s voice sounded flat against the fog. “We have no idea where we’re going.”
“Come on, where’s your sense of adventure?” Steven’s voice grated as much as ever.
“I left it back in the hot tub.” Dan couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that settled into his bones.
As they stepped off the bridge, the fog suddenly thinned. The silhouettes of redwoods stood out against the sky, backlit by a few stars. Set down into a small valley, they saw the amusement park. They walked down the dirt path toward its dim and dirty lights. Jerky carnival music drifted toward them. They stopped at a metal archway with a rusted sign that proclaimed itself the entrance to the park.
“This isn’t right.” Dan looked over at Steven. “Let’s just go back. This is a bad joke.”
“I’m not going anywhere until I get what I came for. Come on, we’ll take a look around.”
The park stood empty, lifeless, as if it was a tomb for old memories. The Mad Mouse loomed in front of them with twisted metal rails. It creaked and groaned as the chilly wind picked up.
A single-story, wooden building sat off to the right. Weeds and stunted shrubs sprang up through the broken pavement. The doors and windows were boarded over haphazardly. The once bright red paint, dulled by years of weather, peeled off in patches.
“Welcome, gentlemen.” A voice spoke from behind them. “I’m glad you could make it.”
Dan and Steven swiveled to find the speaker. A tall figure approached them from the darkness. He was dressed all in formal black, complete with a cape and top hat. His skin was pale and lifeless as the park.
“Who in the fuck are you?” Steven’s voice echoed around them.
“Forgive my bad manners.” He raised his top hat and brought it down to his waist before bowing. “I’m Nathaniel, but my friends call me Nate. I own this magnificent place.”
“Don’t you think you’re exaggerating on the magnificent part?” Dan’s voice shook a little with his fright. “Steven, let’s go, now.”
Steven ignored Dan’s request. “If you own this place you must know a guy by the name of Derek. Where is he?”
“Ah, yes, my Derek.” He replaced the hat on his head. “Has he been a bad boy? I do hope so.” Nate grinned. “Derek does have extraordinary tastes in men. You both are quite…burly. I confess that my own taste is a bit more refined, and yet…” Nate sniffed the air. He approached nearer Dan and Steven. “What have we here?” Nate leaned into Steven and inhaled, then did the same thing to Dan. “Ah, the sweet smell of sex. You both have tasted my Derek haven’t you?” He flickered his tongue over Steven’s shoulder. “Yes, I can taste him on your skin.” Nate licked his lips. Steven seemed to be paralyzed.
“Steven, let’s go.” Dan tried to walk away, but Nate blocked his path.
“Why would you want to hurt my feelings? Haven’t I welcomed you properly? Have I offended in some way? Please, do let me show you around. Perhaps before you leave you’d like to take a ride on the Tilt-a-Whirl or, better yet, the Screamer.” Nate brushed past Dan and Steven. He gestured at the two rides. “I assure you, you’ll have the time of your lives.”
“You didn’t answer my question. Where’s Derek?” Steven’s eyes were still fixed on the costumed man.
Dan spoke in a harsh whisper. “Steven, come on. Let’s get the fuck out of here. This guy gives me the creeps.” Dan grabbed Steven’s arm. Steven shook his arm free and walked over to Nate. After hesitating, Dan followed. Even though Steven was a jackass, he wasn’t going to abandon him.
“Oh, young Derek’s around somewhere. Trust me, you will see him again. In the meantime, why not take a spin?” Nate pushed a button on the control panel. The Tilt-a-Whirl shuddered as the electricity burned through its fraying wires. The red buckets with painted pictures of laughing clowns began to sway, then sputtered into a spin.
Dan stood next to one of the carts of the Screamer. He grabbed the edge and shook it. It wobbled on broken gears. A dark stain inside the car caught the corner of his eye. He stared at it. He reached out. The cold, tacky substance coated the tip of his finger. He sniffed at it. The scent was the deep metal of congealed blood—unless his fear was driving his imagination. Not worth the risk. “Steven, I swear that there’s fucking blood in the cart. I’m out of here. You too.” He grabbed Steven’s hand and pulled hard. “Now.”
“Okay, okay. We’ll go.” Steve said without conviction. Dan pulled him back from Nate, who watched them calmly.
“How you wound me with your haste to leave.” Nate stared without moving. “You’re going to miss all the fun. And it’s fun that can last a very long time, if you let it. Another night perhaps? Thanks for stopping by. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon, and then I really will insist that you stay longer.” Nate began to laugh.
Dan stumbled through the amusement park, pulling Steve, as the laughter followed close behind them. He didn’t slow until they had reached the entrance of the footbridge. There he had to stop to catch his breath. In the distance, behind them, they could hear the clanking sounds of the Tilt-a-Whirl spinning and some scraps of tinny carnival music.
They walked across the footbridge panting, not talking. The fog was still thick. Their footsteps were muffled in the moist air. Several shadows moved in front of them as they reached the edge of town. Laughter in the fog. The shadows took form. Several teenagers were playing hacky sack on the bridge. Others leaned against the railing, smoking and masturbating.
As Dan and Steven approached, the group fell silent. The teenagers turned toward the two of them, staring wide-eyed, listless. The kicking sack fell to the ground. Their menacing stares stopped Dan and Steven dead. The boys with their pants down around their ankles continued to stroke their erect cocks in a slow rhythmic motion, as they watched Dan and Steven walk past.
Hearing steps, Dan turned. The eight boys stood motionless in a straight line across the bridge’s entry. Their fixed smiles sent chills through Dan. He caught up with Steven in a little opening that was probably the town’s square.
“Did you see…?” Dan’s words faded as he looked out across River’s End. The town had changed. The streets were the same and so were most of the buildings, but restaurants and stores were abandoned, boarded up in the same sloppy way as the building in the amusement park. The streetlights cast a weak yellow glow across the cracked pavement. “What the fuck happened?” Dan looked behind them hoping that they had taken the wrong bridge, that somewhere behind them the town they had left would still be there. He knew better.
A man in an orange parka bicycled up to them. He stopped in front of them without speaking a word.
“What’s happened here? What’s going on?” Steven tried to sound angry, but his voice sounded hollow.
“You don’t belong here,” the man muttered. He peddled his bicycle around them once, grinning. As he disappeared down one of the darkened streets, his voice rose to a shout. “You don’t belong here.”
“We’re getting out of here.” Dan pulled hard on Steven’s arm. “Let’s just get our stuff, get in the car, and drive back to San Francisco. This isn’t what I call a vacation spot.”
“What about Derek?”
“What about him?”
“We can’t just leave him here, wherever here is.”
“Christ, I can’t believe you’re still gunning for that kid. Look around. Something bad is going on here and we need to get out now, while we still can.”
“But—”
“But nothing. Let’s go.” Dan headed down Main Street along the way he thought led to Triple D. He was through being polite just to please Steven. He was leaving with or without him.
“Hey, wait up.” Steven caught up with him. “Look, all I’m saying is if we see Derek, let’s ask him to come back to San Francisco with us, that’s all.”
“Whatever you want, Steven, it’s always about what you want.” Dan watched cautiously as they passed people walking aimlessly down the darkened street. No one said anything to them, but they didn’t have to, Dan could tell by the look on their faces that he and Steven were not welcome in their town.
Triple D stood deserted against the residential street. The air that had been filled with music and laughter hung soundless. “Son of a bitch.” Dan ran up to the parking lot. “Where the fuck is the rental car?”
“Are you sure you parked it here?”
“Yes, I parked it right here under this tree. Fuck.”
“Come on, let’s get to our room. Maybe we can call someone.”
Dan and Steven hurried through the opening in the high wooden fence. The pale green murky water of the pool rippled against the breeze. The torches were still lit. The flames wiggled and snapped at the air.
Derek sat there, talking on his phone while one of the boys from the bridge was sucking his cock. “Yeah, they’re back. I better go.” Derek clicked the phone closed and pulled the guy off of his cock. “We’ll pick this up later, Jason.” He looked without surprise at Dan and Steve. “Hey, fellows, back so soon? I thought you’d be gone longer than that.” He rose from the lounger and walked over to them. His cock was hard and dripped with a mixture of precome and spit. “What’s wrong? You didn’t like the amusement park?”
“Who in the hell are you?” Dan’s voice was tight with fear. “Where are we?”
“Questions, questions. What about some manners here?” Derek smiled and then took his time lighting a cigarette. “You know who I am, we’ve been through the introductions already.”
“Don’t fuck with me, kid.” Dan grabbed Derek’s shirt. “Where are we?”
“Dan, calm down.” Steven came up behind him. “Give him a chance to explain. Maybe he can help us get out of here.”
“Get out?” Derek laughed. “Now why would you leave? Don’t you like it here in Nate’s world?”
“Nate’s world?” Dan almost shouted.
“There is no going back to your place and time. You’re here with us now in our world.” Derek took a drag of his cigarette and blew the smoke above his head. “Our world is a parallel to yours. It’s the world Nate has spent centuries creating. He crosses over to your world and brings back with him beautiful young men, such as myself. I in my turn select the men I like, furry, gorgeous, and oh-so-delicious—like the two of you. It’s how we repopulate. The only problem is, the men are usually already dead before they are brought here.”
“You said he goes back to our world to bring men back here.” Dan tried to hold on to some thread, something reasonable.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Then our world still exists?”
“Of course it does. I said it’s a parallel world. We couldn’t exist without it.”
“Then there’s a way back.” Dan placed his hands on Derek’s shoulders, trying to appear calmer than he was. “Please help us. You have to tell us how to get back home.”
“Of course, but you must understand that there’s a steep price for that kind of help.”
“Name it. Whatever it is, I’ll pay it.”
“Oh, one of you will pay. It’s just a matter of which one.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Steven took a few steps closer to Derek. But he was still mesmerized by the boy.
“The two of you were chosen, just like all the other men in our world. But it’s the first time that Nate has allowed the living to walk among us unsupervised. You should feel honored.”
Dan couldn’t keep up the pretense of listening calmly. He broke in. “Just tell us what you want to get us out of here.”
“One of you must die in order for the other to live.”
Dan felt the horror before he could think it. He looked at Steven, in shock and disbelief. Then he jerked his head back to Derek. “Why are you playing this game with us? What is it you want? Is it money?”
“It’s not about what I want, nor is it about what Nate wants. It’s what we need to survive.”
“Which is what?” Dan’s voice shook again.
“What you call souls. Men’s souls. And their pleasure, of course.” He laughed. “It’s through the release of pleasure that we feed.”
“What if we refuse?” Steven spoke up at last. He still sounded drugged.
“The living can’t exist here. You can’t possibly comprehend our world. If one of you refuse to give himself over, then both you will stay here. At least we’ll have the enjoyment of watching the two of you go mad.” Derek shrugged. “But the other pleasurable option is much better.”
Dan tried again to reason it out. “If that’s true, why not just take us now or drag us back to the park?”
“Pleasure only works for us if it comes freely.” Derek smiled. “You know that. You have to want it. We can’t just take what we need, it must be offered to us.”
“No. We’re out of here.” Dan grabbed Steven’s hand and pulled him away from Derek.
“There’s nowhere you can go.” Derek followed them through the courtyard. “You’re in our world now, and these townsfolk don’t take kindly to strangers.” His fake Southern drawl came and went as he began to laugh.
Ignoring him, Dan pulled Steven from the courtyard and out into the street.
“Where are we going?” Steven mumbled.
“I don’t know, but I’m not about to stand around and wait.” They stood in the middle of the empty street. Dan put a hand on Steven’s shoulder, as gently as he could. “There’s got to be a way out of this. Let’s go back. Maybe if we cross the bridge again, it will bring us back to where we were.”
They ran back, ignoring the dead stares from the clusters of residents of River’s End. They reached the footbridge. The same teenagers stood in a line across the entrance. The fog churned behind these bridge keepers.
The boys took one step toward Dan and Steven. The grins were fixed on their faces, but their eyes were black holes set in chalky white skin. Their naked bodies began to vibrate then shimmer. Somehow they began to dissolve into writhing shadows.
“Fuck, Steven, we need to get away from them.” Dan pulled Steven behind him, trying to run while the other man stumbled. Behind them, the boys materialized again began to follow, laughing and calling their names.
“You don’t belong here, Dan.” The call carried down the street, bouncing off the vacant buildings.
“Steven, Derek’s waiting for you.” Another voice rose through the air.
“Steven, don’t you want him anymore? He’s hot for you. He’ll get you off like never before, and so will the rest of us.”
The laughter surrounded Dan and Steven like the cold fog.
“Wait.” Steven stopped as they reached the edge of town, doubling over to breathe.
Dan barely spoke, struggling for breath. “Come on—they’re right behind us. We have to keep moving.”
“No, I’m not going.” Steven shook his head, still bent over.
“Don’t joke, man. We don’t have time for this. If we get away from them, we’ll find a way out of this.”
“No we won’t. Look around, Dan. This isn’t some Disneyland that we can just walk out of. I don’t understand how this happened or what this place is, but we’re not both getting out of here alive. But maybe you can.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m the one that got us into this mess. I wanted to go to the amusement park to hook up with Derek. If we had stayed in the hotel like you wanted, none of this would be happening.” Steven stood up straight and looked right at Dan. “You heard what they said back there. You don’t belong here. It’s me they want.”
“No, Steven. Come on, we’ll…”
“It’s the only way. Our world…your life is still going on somewhere outside of here. I’ve been shitty to you. I know that. This is my way of saying I’m sorry.”
“Steven, please.”
Steven shook his head. He looked back toward the town. The others should have caught them by now, but they seemed to be waiting. Steven turned back to face him. “Dan, enjoy yourself. Live for both of us.” Then Steven hugged him, clumsily. “Take care of yourself, man,” he said quietly.
Before Dan could reply, Steven broke the embrace and turned back toward the town. Suddenly the boys were standing in the road with Derek in front of them, their leader. Steven took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. “I give myself to you willingly, if what you say is true and Dan goes back to our world.”
“You have my word on it.” Derek came forward to shake Steven’s hand.
Dan found he couldn’t move, couldn’t speak, as Derek led Steven back into the town, through thickening fog. The muffled voices fell silent. Then came the sound of Steven’s moans. Dan knew those sounds too well. Memories of their time together flooded his mind. He started to cry. He could do that, even if he couldn’t help him. The fog grew thicker, a wet shroud. Steven’s moans stopped in the distance. They were replaced by carnival music and laughter. The tears made Dan close his eyes. He opened them. The lounger by the pool squeaked under his weight. He looked up at the crowd of men.
“Can I join you?” A voice spoke from behind.
Dan twisted around to see a young man standing there. He had a thin, toned body covered in a thick blanket of hair.
“Sorry, I don’t think so, at least not tonight.” Dan stood up and grabbed his beer. Back in his room, he shut and locked the door. There was no sign of Steven’s duffle bag, only the faintest whiff of his body after sex.