Running the Rat Race Part 2

Chapter 245-1

Running the Rat Race

Part 2

 

I groaned when the alarm clock went off, I knew I had a very busy day ahead of me, but I just wanted to lie in bed and do nothing. Mrs. Earl yelled down the hall telling us breakfast would be on the table in 30 minutes. It was the one thing I didn’t have to worry about which was where my next meal was going to come from like it would have been if I was living with my mother and my brother. They didn’t do breakfast, other then cold cereal and that was only if it was available and on rare occasions, nor was we lucky to have our own bathroom, instead of having Susan and Becky hog it all to themselves.

Aaron had grown up used to that, by simply waiting until he got to school or over one of his friend’s houses. Where right now he was staying with Bishop Clark's while my mother was seeking treatment at a hospital for depression and for the abuse my father had done to her. Reminding me once more of my busy schedule, considering I had promised her a visit if she would go. She had spent the weekend alone there, which meant I owed her a visit. Plus the judge lifted the order so I could, even though it more likely to make my father angrier. The Judge did it, too send my father a message that if wanted some else to fight his battles then he should pay the consequences.

My plate was already full as it was today, school, work and visit to see my mother meant it was going to be a long day, and it only gets worst with the Halloween fundraiser this Friday and the thing with Mr. Tate on Saturday, plus the fact we needed to do some quick scenes in regards of our opening of Tangled Hearts, which meant flying somewhere to do it.  Sometimes I hated how busy I was, other times I liked it, but with Shawn on my mind, all I wanted to do was stay in bed and shut the world away.

Instead, I quickly jumped into the shower with Greg and dressed for the day, Sparky had gone out the moment the smell of freshly cooked sausages made its way down to our room. He knew without a doubt that Mrs. Earl made sure some of that sausage was his. Everyone spoiled him, and he and I were good with that. It felt strange sitting at the table with only the Earls and not my Rothwell family. I wasn’t doing it to hurt them, but nor could I let Mom and Dad bully me into changing my mind.

I knew I was being a coward, but if I wasn’t there Mom and Dad couldn’t very well forget our argument, and neither could anyone else. Mrs. Earl smiled at me and said. “Your Dad called and said he’ll pick you up after work so can visit your mother. Your Mom wanted to know if you are giving her the silent treatment or just being plain stubborn. I told her a little bit of both.” She leaned down and kissed me on the cheek and took a seat at the table so we could join hands for the prayer.

Bishop Earl stated clearly that he and Stringum will be going over some fine points regarding everyone safety while Shawn is here. For one they intend to make sure my room is secure like a bank vault. That included hidden cameras not only in the houses but outside including the barn. Not even my Mom and Dad would be able to know where all of them are considering; they didn’t want to tip their hand; since they would act differently if they knew about them. And second, they were afraid they would show Shawn where they were.

They will inform Shawn that are cameras about the place and gives him the location of the ones he could see and them, but not the hidden ones and those would have a different power source in case he tries to disable them as he had done before. Every corner in the house will have the big bulky kind they use in banks, but the others will be harder to find unless you knew where to look and even then you be lucky to see them. Those cameras would be only on the need to know bases. If Shawn tries anything, he will be seen on tape in front of a grand jury.

Mom and Dad might not do anything, when it comes to Shawn, my friends will and many of them had been raped by Shawn and his friends. They weren’t about to let Shawn do so again. In fact, they have instructed that he is not allowed in their homes without a parent being present at all times. He will not be allowed in their bedrooms for any reason or be left alone with any child, boy or girl for any reason. They were leaving it up to the older teens if they wanted him to participate in their activities. So far everyone had stated the answer was a big fat no. Sex, stimulation of any kind with Shawn was forbidden with any of them period end of discussion. 

Bishop Earl was just finishing off the rules of conduct in regards to Shawn. He wanted everyone to look over it and make or add a suggestion before he types it up into a contract that we will all sign and give Shawn the moment he comes home. Nobody wanted him here. Nobody wanted anything to do with him. Everyone knew it was a big mistake even if Mom and Dad didn’t. Which was why I was dreading the long drive with Mom and Dad after work to see my mother, all I knew was I wasn’t about to give in. I had been warned by Jeff and have seen the proof that Shawn was lying. I had learned a hard lesson by not listening to Jeff. I couldn’t afford to make a similar mistake.

Sparky gave me a long look like it would be the last time I would see him as he howled being locked inside my room alone the moment I closed the door with my two backpacks, one for school and the other for work as well as my gym bag. Mom gave me a weak smile reminding me she and Dad would pick me up after work. I nodded and waved out the door and got into our waiting bus that had been converted into a bus with all the comforts of home.

It was nice and new with comfortable patted seats and shaded windows. It had all the latest gadgets including the best sound system. Not to mention it was four-wheel-drives. Stringum had decided it was more economical for us to ride the bus then a limo considering all of us kids all lining up in limo take up more space than the rest of the student body, but he still wanted us to arrive in style that said we were rich.

School was school nothing more than that. It didn’t stop being school until 3rd  period which was seminary institute, I had swim class right after then work as usual. The moment I sat down I was given a note to go directly to Mr. Tate’s office. I cringed when I saw it, and I saw the look in the teacher’s eyes, that said. I am sorry he’s my boss, and he has total control over me. I knew how he felt, knowing my life wasn’t my own, and Mr. Tate was a very bad person, he could end me, he could have me and everyone I loved killed. The very man and the men like him we needed to take down. He was a cancer and should never be allowed around children. The note said just me on it and to be excused for the entire period.

I picked up my backpack and left the classroom, I knew the moment I knocked on the door. I was about to do something I didn’t want to do. There was no secretary and the blinds were closed on the door and the window. I knocked on the door and was told to come in. I swallowed hard and did what I was told. At first, I was confused seeing a boy I didn’t know on the couch reading a magazine that looked like a car magazine; he looked about Jared’s age or younger. Blond hair blue eyes and very image of Ken doll, he looked up and smiled at me. 

Mr. Tate was on the phone talking to someone I was surprised that they were wearing clothes knowing how he has a taste for young boys like me and more so younger, said. “I don’t care if you like it or not, you accepted the money we had agreed too and you signed a contract. The b…merchandise belongs too me. Remember it was you that came to me, not the other way around unless you would prefer we… No then… I will expect you to honor our agreement.” He smiled at me and pointed to the couch indicating he wanted me to take a seat. So I did so by taking the other end of the couch.

Mr. Tate hung up the phone and steeple his fingers and smiled at both us, in a creepy sort of way. He swung himself around said. “So, let me introduce you to Terry, Nate. He’s new around here and I thought you two should meet. He and his Dad go back ways and he was doing me a favor and I promised him and his mother that I would see to it that he makes lots of friends here, while they are away on business. Terry this Nate Carrion the boy I told you about.” Terry put down the magazine and stuck out his hand so I could shake it.

Mr. Tate smiled and said. “Good, now that we got that out of the way. We were just talking about the movie business and the picture of Tangled Hearts. Now don’t get me wrong I still think that Mark is an excellent choice. Yet I promised our fans something that will create excitement. What better way then bring them some fresh faces like Terry and some other boys I have in mind to star in the film.

“I understand that you are the best when it comes to dealing with certain scenes; Terry too has been in several plays in the last school he was in. I am told he is a very good actor. We need actors; we need fresh faces that can sell this film. Yet there lies the problem. Terry and some of the boys I have in mind to star in this film are new to our type of movie making. In fact, he hasn’t been acquainted to anything that would require these new skills that you and your new brothers have.

“I like to see how you handle someone that has never been breed or should I say ever have been put in front of the camera that is new to your lifestyle. True we did a few scenes with your younger brothers, at the summer house. But I want to see you in action, I want to see you teach Terry everything you know. I’ll he knows is that you and your family and some of your friends are nudists. Yet the thing is… nudists are a hard sell for those that believe that they live in foreign countries, more so in Mormon controlled state known as Utah, where people believe everyone here is a Mormon. When the truth be told, we have just as many religions as other states.

“Terry isn’t Mormon, nor does he belong to the satanic church. However he was born and raised in the Catholic Church, but neither he nor his parents are active members of any religion. Personally, I don’t care, which church he belongs too, the fact of the matter is I have signed a contract with his parents. It's business, my business and I decided who stars in my films. You work for me when it comes to our agreement which you and your parents signed.

“You being the star of the film and having the most knowledge in regards what I am looking for. Means, you are the one I need to teach Terry and whoever I think the movie needs to become a money maker; knowing that if we fail to make this a blockbuster that our clients will come after us.

“Time is short, but as you know we both have deadlines to meet. I need Terry, he’s young and he is very good looking. Both qualities we need in the film. So I am asking you can you teach Terry what I want him to know or do we have to discuss the alternatives that neither of us wants to discuss? Like for example, I could bring in as you know my old partner and he could do it. Or we could do some other unpleasant things that neither of us would enjoy. Your bothers and friends may be untouchable Nate as you know… but I have other means to get this done if I have too.

“The choice is yours; I will give you a moment to think about it. If you decided that you prefer not too and go back to class, I will take that as your answer. If you choose to do what I am asking you can meet me outside in front of the school. And we will go somewhere we won’t be disturbed. Terry, grab your things while Nate here makes his decision.” 

I saw Terry cringe and which said he and Mr. Tate had already had this decision like me were both screwed in doing something we didn’t want to do. Mr. Tate meant what he said, and he knew I couldn’t allow him to follow through on his threats. I said. “Give me a moment to call my parents and tell them where I am going, but you must realize I can not be late for work today and I can not teach or do everything by the time I need to be at work as you know I can not miss for any reason.”

Mr. Tate said. “We all have deadlines son, and I realize that. You either come with me and Terry or go back to class, either way, my deadline will be met regardless.”

He pulled hard on Terry’s arm as he screamed. “You're hurting me, you promised my parents you wouldn’t hurt me.”

Mr. Tate backhanded him across the face, said. “I own you; I own your brother, your sister and your parent’s boy. I can do whatever I please to you and them and nobody will stop me or care. Just remember your parents are the ones who sold you to me, and it will be Nate’s fault if you die, or your family dies if they can not pay back the loan I gave them. And it’s not my fault that your mothers a drunk and your fathers is so deep in debt to loan sharks due to his gambling problem, that he can’t provide for his family. It’s about time you learned it’s a hard cruel world out there where nobody cares if you live on the streets or die in some gutter.”

There was nothing I could do but follow him and Terry. I felt dirty, I felt enraged, I felt the world crashing down around me. There was nothing I could do other than do what Mr. Tate wanted for there was no way I could let Terry or his family be killed. I was screwed.