Safe Harbor - 12

Bobby paused, checking the area, and then led the girls to a bench in front of a shop. "Sit, all of you."

They looked rebelliously at him for a second then sat. Quickly he told them about Minnie and what had happened to her. "She’s not the first one either."

"Shit," one of the girls muttered.

"Yeah, got it in one. Now, do you have a safe place or are you just crashing in alleys?"

The third girl spoke up when the other two remained silent. "We’re…we got a place with a dude. He ain’t the best but he keeps us in food and well you know." She mimed lifting a bottle to her lips. "All we gotta do is put out for anyone who’ll pay the freight and give him the cash."

"It’s not so great a place but…" one of the others said.

Bobby nodded. "But better than sleeping behind a dumpster or under a loading dock. Got it. Look, I can’t tell you what you’re doing’s wrong ‘cause I keep it together the same way, though I do it on my own."

"Well you’re a guy so you can take care of yourself," the first girl pointed out.

"I know. So, back to what I was saying. You three stick together when you’re out here and if you’re smart you tell that dude what’s happening. Make him come with you ‘cause it won’t do him any good if one of you gets dead." He looked at each one of them. "You see a cop or someone who looks like one and he seems interested in you, you get moving and fast." He smiled tightly. "Not that you don’t anyway but be twice as careful now."

The three girls nodded, all of them looking scared.

"Okay, I’m splitting," he said. "Oh, one thing more. If you need help getting out from under, hit up a shelter and talk to a counselor."

"I ain’t doing that and ending up back in a shit hole group home again. No fucking way," the oldest one spat out.

"Your choice."

"Don’t see you in one."

"Nope, but like she said," he nodded to the first girl, "I’m a guy. Anyway, I’m out of here. Try to stay safe."

"Yeah. Thanks. I think." When he cocked an eyebrow the girl amended her words. "Honest, thanks for…caring. Not many do."

Bobby nodded. "I get that." He saluted and strolled away, wondering if they’d really listen to him.

Probably not, but I had to try.

Safe Harbor - 11

"Fuck, fuck, fuck," Bobby growled under his breath as he quickly left the shelter. Why he’d gone there in the first place was beyond him—well except that he wanted the kids to know what was happening. He should have figured Father Kurt was on top of it already.

If he was going to be honest with himself he knew it was only a part of the reason. After their morning with the detective all he could think about was the Father. He needed to see him again even though he was well aware of how stupid it was. So, he saw him and now was regretting it. All it had done was reinforce how untouchable the man was.

All he cares about is the kids and helping them, and I’m not a kid anymore. I’m surprised he even lets me stay there instead of telling me I’m old enough to be out on my own.

He chuckled morosely, moving rapidly down the crowded street, ignoring the glares of passersby if he happened to brush against them.

Hell, I’ve been on my own since I ran away. He doesn’t see it though. He thinks I’m just like all the others, that I need someone to try to run my life. Well fuck it he’s wrong.

He slammed his way through a small gaggle of giggling girls, turning back when he heard one of them say, ‘Damn, he’s sexy, but rude.’

"Sorry," he responded, eyeing the one who’d spoken.

"So what has your tail in a twist?"

"It’s personal."

She looked him over, linked her arm with his before he could stop her. "Tell mommy all about it."

"Mommy?" He snorted. "Bet you’re not over sixteen."

"Seventeen, thank you very much, so I’m legal."

"Whoa girl, are you suggesting what I think you are?" 

"Well…" She stood on tiptoe to whisper in his ear, "If you have what it takes."

Suddenly he was laughing. "That, girl, is usually my line." Then he took another look at her and asked quietly, "How long have you been on the streets?"

"I don’t know what you mean." She tried to pull away but he gripped her wrist, shaking his head.

"Yeah, you do. Do you and your friends have a safe place to crash, because you’d better if you know what’s good for you? There’s trouble running the streets and you all would be prime targets."

She turned to look at the other two girls then back at him. "What kind of trouble."

"You don’t watch the news I take it."

"Yeah right. We got a wide-screen TV in our squat, right next to the Jacuzzi."

Safe Harbor - 10

Bobby shook his head. "Make it more than pairs, all of you, unless you’re out in broad daylight with lots of people around. Scooter and Minnie were together and they still got caught."  

An older boy looked defiantly at him. "Who made you the boss?"

"Me. Want to make something of it? I’ve been around for a hell of a long time. I know what I’m talking about." 

"You think I don’t?"

"Yeah, I’m sure…"

"Both of you, stop this second," Kurt barked out. "You don’t need to fight among yourselves. And Lucky, Bobby made a valid point. If you’re out after dark you travel in threes or more, and you do not get into a car with anyone. Got it?"

"Got it," Lucky grumbled. "They better catch these guys real fast."

"That’s the hope, but until they do just be damned careful. Okay, meeting dismissed."

As the rest of the kids straggled out of the room Kurt went over to Bobby. "Everything I said, and you said, applies to you was well as them."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m not stupid."

"But you are stubborn. You think you know everything there is to know about the streets. That in and of itself makes you vulnerable."

Bobby snorted. "No, Father, it makes me hyperaware."

"Then how come you’ve spent time in Juvie?"

"Well… Okay, yeah, you have a point. So I’ll watch myself but I’m not crashing here."

"Would it be so bad, at least until they’re caught?"

Bobby stared off into space rather than look at Kurt. "Yeah it would. And I gotta split now. Places to go, things to do as they say." He pushed off the wall, adjusting his pack as he did.

Kurt watched him leave, tempted to stop him. But to what end? He’d known Bobby since the day, four years ago when, when as a seminary student filled with the shining idealism which said he could save every kid, he had cajoled the boy into coming to the shelter. Bobby had been fourteen and scared so he’d accepted. It hadn’t taken long for the fear to vanish as Bobby learned the ins and outs of taking care of himself on the street. He would stop by the shelter when the weather turned bad, but only for a night or two. Otherwise he made his own way, surviving as best he could, forming no friendships although he was very protective of those kids he felt deserved it. In all that time he had never revealed why he’d ended up on the streets to begin with. 

During those four years, while Bobby had been growing into the tough, street-savvy young man he now was, Kurt had graduated from the seminary, done his tenure as a deacon and then been ordained. He had requested he be allowed to help run the shelter under the tutelage of the aging Father Murphy. Six months ago, when the older priest had finally stepped down, Kurt had been give full charge of Harbor Shelter.

Safe Harbor - 9

When he left the police station, Kurt returned to the shelter where he gathered together all of the older kids who were there.

"Listen up and pay attention," he said once everyone was relatively settled. "I want two things from you. One, you’re to be very careful when you’re on the streets and don’t do anything which could get you hassled by the police."

A couple of the boys laughed. "Don’t you think we know that, Father?"

"There’s a difference between knowing and doing. And there’s a reason I’m telling you this. From what it looks like right now, whoever killed Minnie were dressed like cops, or were cops. There’s no way to be certain which at the moment."

"Shit," one of the girls spat out. "Just what we need."

"Exactly. Now for the second thing. I want each and every one of you to warn any of the guys you run into while you’re out and about. I don’t care if they’re your worst enemies you are to let them know. Understood?"

After a brief pause each of the kids nodded.

One of the boys asked, "Do you think they have Scooter?"

"It’s a definite possibility I’m afraid, and FYI as I said, it’s two men, or at least it was when Scooter and Minnie were taken."

A girl raised her hand. "How do the cops know all this?"

"Because I saw it happen." Bobby stepped into the room, leaning against the wall by the doorway. "They wear blues and have the belts with gear, and drive a dark sedan, like an unmarked. They caught Minnie and Scooter in an alley, the dead-end one behind Marston’s Grocery."

"That sucks. It means we gotta stay out of the alleys at night."

"Exactly." Kurt looked at each one of them. "You come here after dark and you make sure the littles you see do as well. I doubt these men want smaller kids but we’re not taking chances. I’m going to let the other shelters know what’s going on, but things might still get crowded if everyone," he shot a look at Bobby, "pays attention and uses their heads. These men are rapists and killers. I don’t want to lose any of you because you think you’re too street smart to have to worry."

"A lot of kids use squats, Father," one boy pointed out.

Kurt nodded. "I know, and they’re not going to want to give that up so if you run into any of them let them know the situation and maybe suggest they at least travel in pairs and make damned sure none of them are in the squats by themselves. These men are targeting street kids so they probably know the ropes."

Safe Harbor - 8

Daniel returned right then. After he sat down he slid the transcript across to Bobby. "Please read it to make certain it’s what you told me and then sign it."

Bobby scanned it then put ‘Bobby X’ on the signature line, smirking when Daniel raised an eyebrow. "You and the Father are witnesses that I ‘signed’ it and that’s all you get." More seriously he told him, "No way am I letting you know my real name."

With a sigh, Daniel put down his name as a witness and Kurt did the same.

"So I can split now." Bobby got up, slinging his pack over one shoulder. 

"You can. Thank you for your help."

"Do you need a ride somewhere?" Kurt asked Bobby.

For a second Bobby considered saying he did. After all it would mean he could spend some more time with the Father. Then he shook his head, knowing he was being stupid. "Naw, I’m good. Laters."

Once Bobby was well out of earshot Daniel chuckled. "For a second I thought he was going to say yes to your offer."

"I did too, but he’s very independent so it doesn’t surprise me he turned it down."

Daniel shook his head. "That’s not why."

"Meaning?"

"Twenty to one he’s got a thing for you, Kurt."

"You can’t be serious."

"Why not? You’re good-looking, kind, you probably don’t bug him about how he lives but still let him know he could do better. And…" Daniel paused a beat, "you’re gay."

"Like he’d know that," Kurt protested.

"I’m sure he doesn’t up here." Daniel tapped his temple. "But he might still sense it even if he’s not aware he is. I suspect he’s been around the block a lot more times than either of us would like to think for a kid his age. He has to be able to read people just to stay safe."

Kurt nodded. "I know from what little he’s revealed about himself he’s been on the streets since he was fourteen, and he’s survived it. So you’re probably right about his reading people but still…"

"Just don’t discount it." Daniel smiled as he picked up Bobby’s statement. "I wish he’d seen more than he did."

"Do you think there’s any chance they were cops?"

"Anything’s possible but I damned sure hope not."

Safe Harbor - 7

Daniel was taking notes as Bobby talked. Now he looked up. "Can you describe the men and the car?"

"Yeah sorta. This is the part you ain’t gonna like. They were cops."

"The hell you say!"

Kurt held up one hand to silence him. "Let him finish, Daniel."

Daniel nodded, turning back to Bobby. "Why do you think they were police officers?"

"They were wearing uniforms and had all the gear on their belts. I looked for their squad car but they didn’t have one. They put the kids in a dark sedan. They were cuffed, then. I got part of the license number." Bobby looked at Kurt.

Kurt took out the slip of paper Bobby had written the information on, handing it to Daniel. The detective looked and shook his head. "Whoever the car belongs to it’s not one of our unmarked ones. Too bad you didn’t get more."

"Yeah well I’m three flights up on the roof. Damned lucky I got that much."

"Is there anything else you can tell me?"

"No. I been going over it all in my head and that’s it. I never saw the guys’ faces ‘cause it was dark. All I know is one was tall and skinny, the other dude was shorter and I think had blonde hair. At least it was lighter."

"You never mentioned that to me," Kurt said.

"Didn’t really think about it until we were on our way over here."

"So they weren’t wearing uniform hats?" Daniel asked.

"Nope. Maybe left them in the car for all I know."

"But they definitely were in uniforms, not just dark blue slacks and shirts?"

"Well, I didn’t exactly bop down there to check but looked like it from where I was. Mainly it was the belts. Like I said they had all the gear hanging on them, even batons."

"Alright. Thanks, Bobby. I’m going to type up your statement and have you sign it then you’re free to go."

"Good." Bobby finally sat down again, waiting until the detective left before he turned to Kurt. "Did I do okay? Do you think he believes me?"

"I suspect he thinks you’re telling the truth about what you saw. Whether he believes it was a couple of cops is another story."

Bobby frowned. "Sure looked like cops."

"If two men came up to you dressed the way they were and rousted you would you question them?"

"Well no. Maybe. Depends if they were wearing badges, though I guess I’d be more worried about what they wanted and why they were hassling me."

"Exactly. And this took place in a dark alley where Minnie and Scooter probably didn’t get a chance to take more than a quick look before those men, be they cops or impersonators, forced them to submit."

"Hell of a racket if they aren’t cops."

"True, and they know who to prey on."

"Runaways like me who for sure aren’t going to report them. Yeah."

It's release day for 'Burke and the Vampire'!

Burke and the Vampire

https://www.jms-books.com/erotic-romance-c-29_94/burke-and-the-vampire-p-2664.html

 

GENRE: Gay Paranormal Erotic Romance
LENGTH: 40,506 words


What would you do if you awoke from a coma to discover you could sense vampires? Burke didn't believe such creatures existed until it happened to him. Horrified, but accepting what he now knew was the truth, he vowed to eliminate them, destroying any who he could tell were not benign.

Vampire Reynaud has been charged by his King to find the person they've dubbed The Hunter and end his existence before he kills more of their kind. The problem is, how can he find one human in the masses living in New Orleans? It turned out to be easier than he anticipated, although he didn't know it until events transpired that revealed his new, human, friend was the also The Hunter.

Will the saying opposites attract prove true, or will these two men who have begun to care for each other be torn apart by their differences?

EXCERPT:

"How the hell do I find one special human in this mass of humanity?" Reynaud said under his breath as he surveyed the throngs of people wandering up and down Bourbon Street Friday night.

It was well after midnight and he had been at it, cruising the Quarter, from the moment the sun had gone down. He'd seen enough humans misbehaving -- primarily because of their propensity to drink the night away -- to make him glad he was no longer one of them. He hadn't been since his turning soon after arriving in the New World from France in the late sixteen-hundreds. He had been part of an expeditionary force, ending up at the encampment known as 'Port Bayou St. Jean'. There, he had met and fallen in love with Jean de Bellisle, who would soon become his Sire in order to save his life after a battle against the natives who populated the area.

Finding out that Jean was a vampire had been a shock, but not an insurmountable one because Reynaud did love him. What was almost insurmountable was Jean vanishing soon after Reynaud's obligatory year with him was up. A year during which Jean taught his Child what it took to exist as a vampire. While devastated at the loss of his lover, Reynaud had no choice but to continue on. He had witnessed the founding of Nouvelle-Orleans a few years later, becoming one of its unknown citizens. Then he had met Antoine, who had taken him under his wing. Despite the fact that he was thousands of years older than Reynaud, the two vampires had bonded, forming a friendship which had lasted through the years. When Antoine had become the King of the territory -- which was comprised of Vieux Carré or the French Quarter, and everything between it and the western edge the Garden District, including the Central City -- he had made Reynaud his second-in-command.

They had weathered many crises in the ensuing years but none as strange as the one they were facing at the moment.

Are you even out and hunting tonight? Given what little they knew of The Hunter's habits, Reynaud was fairly certain he had to be. Finding him, however, was another thing. His plan was to approach someone and lure them to a dark corner or hidden courtyard, making it appear as if he was going to feed from them. If he was lucky, and he hadn't been so far, The Hunter would see him and follow. All Reynaud needed was a glimpse of the man before vanishing -- hopefully without getting shot in the process.

That hadn't happened. No one had followed him during his four attempts this evening. He had released his supposed prey, wiping their memories of him first.

"Fuck it," he grumbled. "This is an exercise in futility." A necessary one, he knew, but still frustrating.

Deciding it was time to get off the street and relax for a while, he changed directions, heading to Dauphine Street and a two-story gay club he liked in the Quarter,. Beautiful men, perhaps dancing with one. Not that he would do more than that. Humans were not safe when it came to hooking up. They wanted to know more than he was willing to reveal -- such as why he would only be available after dark. Keeping the existence of vampires a secret was not only a necessity; it was the law, set down by the vampire council thousands of years ago and followed to this day. A rogue who broke it was summarily executed, along with any human who knew what they were and threatened to reveal their presence.

The main room of the club was alive with sound and activity. He stopped at the bar long enough to order a glass of wine then headed upstairs to what was called The Pub. He got lucky, finding a just vacated table on the outside balcony where he could watch both the street and the men mingling or dancing in the pub's interior. He could have remained inside but he enjoyed being out there in the fresh air, away from the odiferous, crowded streets where he had spent most of the night.

Leaning back, he sipped his wine while comparing the merits of several lone men seated at the bar. None piqued his interest enough to want to ask them to dance, but he could wait. Who knows who might walk in, and I'll miss them because I was too impatient to stay? 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ND1SZH3/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i0

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/burke-and-the-vampire-edward-kendrick/1130077263?ean=9781634868143

Safe Harbor - 6

Kurt put his hand on Bobby’s shoulder to still his rocking from foot to foot as they waited for Daniel to come down to get them. He caught a pair of the officers eyeing the teen with jaundiced looks, so he was glad when he saw Daniel come to the door to let them through. For an instant the look on Daniel’s face when he saw Bobby was less than welcoming, before he smiled tightly as he led them to the elevator.

A couple of minutes later they were all seated in a small office, Bobby’s foot bouncing nervously.

"Daniel," Kurt said in preface, "this is the young man I told you about."

"Sort of figured." Daniel turned his gaze to Bobby. "You have information about the girl’s murder, according to Father Kurt."

"Yeah, but, well, you’re not going to like it." Bobby kept his eyes fixed on his hands which were clutched in his lap.

After a long moment of silence Daniel said firmly. "I won’t know that until you tell me." 

Too jumpy to keep sitting, Bobby started pacing the room as he talked. "So a couple of nights ago I was up on a roof umm…"

"Leaving a bit of art work on the side of a building?" Daniel almost smiled.

"Huh?"

Daniel pointed to Bobby’s hands where there were still traces of spray paint from last evening’s foray.

"Shit!" Bobby stuck his hands behind his back.

Kurt chuckled. "Don’t worry, Detective Denton has better things to worry about than your artistic talents. Go ahead and tell him, Bobby."

"Yeah right, so anyway I’m up on the roof, getting ready to bed down for the night," he shot a look at Daniel, "when I heard voices. So I took a look-see ‘cause I didn’t want any unexpected visitors to my domicile." He smirked then continued. "There’s two men down there with Minnie and Scooter and they got the two of them on their knees and I knew what was going to happen but there’s nothing I can do so I wait, figuring it would be over soon and everyone would split."

"Did they?"

"Yeah. The men got off then they tossed Minnie and Scooter in their car.

Safe Harbor - 5

Bobby hung carefully over the edge of the roof five stories above the street, spray paint can in his free hand as he added the final touches to a small piece on the side of building. It wasn’t his best work but he was still satisfied enough with it he would add his tag, ‘Prizm’, which he did a few minutes later.

When he finished he put the empty cans in a plastic bag to dispose of them in a dumpster on his way out of the area. Then he leaned back against the low parapet while he let his adrenaline high abate. As he did he considered whether to return to the shelter or not. Father Kurt had put the word out he wanted to talk to him. The question was did he want to talk to the Father.

Father Kurt was one of only a couple of adults Bobby actually trusted. In and of itself that was unsurprising, but… Bobby ran a hand through his thick hair in frustration. He trusted the Father but it went further than that and therein was the problem. Every time he saw the man his libido went into overdrive. It was the reason he only spent time at the shelter when the weather got beyond bad and into downright miserable. If Father Kurt had been just an ordinary man Bobby would have come on to him long ago but he wasn’t. He was a priest.

Sure he’s not Catholic but he still wears the collar even though he dresses in jeans or sweats, like he doesn’t want us to forget what he is.

Once, on impulse, Bobby had checked up about priests on the main library’s computers. He’d found out that Episcopalian priests could have sex and marry and all that. Even more, there were actually gay priests in the church.

Not that it makes a damned bit of difference ‘cause for sure Father Kurt ain’t one,  Bobby had though morosely as he had shut down the computer and gone to find a vacant chair in the reading area where he could maybe catch some sleep.

"Better get moving," he muttered to himself as he stood and gathered his stuff. "Last thing I need is to be busted right now…or ever." He chuckled as he made his way across the roofs to a fire escape and hustled down to the alley. Before he actually jumped down the last few feet he made certain no one was there he needed to worry about seeing him. He spotted a couple of kids huddled together in a doorway and was tempted to warn them to move to somewhere safer then shrugged. If he warned every kid he saw he wouldn’t have time to do anything else, like make a few bucks so he’d have cash for a couple of decent meals.

Landing quietly on the balls of his feet in the alley, he quickly got rid of the evidence of his graffiti work in a dumpster then headed to the street and the nearest corner. At this hour of night the pickings would be lean but there was always someone trolling for a blowjob. He just had to make it clear he was available to service them.

An hour later he was twenty dollars richer. Not a fortune but it would get him a burger at the local all-night diner and leave him something for his next meal. He saluted the tried-looking waitress when he entered. She saluted back, as she always did, and then slid a menu in front of him after he took a seat at the counter.

"So how’s my favorite customer today?"

"Tired, hungry, homeless, Nance," he winked at her, "the usual."

She nodded. "You could always try to find a real job you know."

"So you tell me every time I come in, and maybe someday I will but for now it’s not in the cards. Besides, I like my freedom."

"Prizm, damn." She shook her head, took his order, and left after pouring him some coffee.

"There’s a lot to be said for freedom," he murmured, snagging the newspaper someone had left behind. He scanned the first few pages until a small article caught his eye. "Shit," he growled.

Now he knew why Father Kurt wanted to talk with him. "No way, not how." Yeah he’d wanted to know what happened to Minnie if the Father could find out, but dead, murdered. He was sure the Father wanted him to tell the cops what he’d seen.

'Yeah, sure detective, I saw two of your guys forcing her and Scooter to give them blowjobs before they shoved them in their car and took off.’

That would go over well. Not!

But… Bobby stared at the article about Minnie’s murder. The last line jumped out at him. She wasn’t the first. He sighed deeply, knowing then what he had to do. Not until later though, because first he needed to eat and, well, it was too early anyway. He checked the clock over the counter. Four a.m. is way too early for sure. Father Kurt wouldn’t be awake. So eat, find a place to catch some sleep, and then…face whatever comes next.

Safe Harbor - 4

"Daniel, it’s Kurt. I have a question for you if you’ve got a couple of minutes."

Detective Daniel Denton leaned back in his chair, tucking the phone between his ear and shoulder. "I bet I even know what it’s about, the street kid who was found dead in the pond. Right?"

"Right. Do you have an ID on her?"

"Judith Martin, sixteen, a runaway from out west."

"Her street name was Minnie."

"So she was one of yours."

Kurt sighed. "As much as any of the kids are mine I suppose. She and a boy named Scooter stayed at the shelter for a few days during the bad weather but left a day or two before she was killed." After a moment’s hesitation Kurt said, "I gather she’s not the first one."

"She’s not. There have been five others so far, three girls, two guys, all street kids. According to the ME all of them had been forced to perform fellatio on their attacker, and from the condition of their mouths and throats more than once. And the guys were sexually assaulted as well. They were all beaten to death afterwards."

"Was there any physical evidence, like sperm in their mouths or rectums?"

"Unfortunately no. Whoever did it used condoms, and the bodies were dumped in ponds, which washed away whatever trace evidence there might have been." Daniel tapped his pencil on the desk thoughtfully. "Kurt, why the sudden interest other than the fact she’d stayed at your shelter?"

Kurt paused before replying. "She was with someone, another street kid called Scooter. They were tight so it’s possible you’ll be finding his body as well."

"Unless he’s the perp."

"He’s not."

Daniel’s instincts kicked in. "Kurt, what aren’t you telling me?"

"Okay." Kurt took a deep breath. "I need to talk to someone first, but there might be a witness to Minnie’s, and Scooter’s, abduction for lack of a better word."

"Who?" Daniel barked out.

"I won’t tell you until I’ve spoken with him. He’s another of mine and very leer of the police. And, well, there’s reason he should be at this point. Look, I’ll get back to you as soon as possible."

"Kurt," Daniel growled, but Kurt had already hung up.

Safe Harbor - 3

"Father Kurt?"

Kurt stopped on his way to the shelter’s kitchen, turning to see which kid was calling him. "Yes, Jackie?"

"Did you see the news?"

"No. Why?"

"They found the body of some girl. She was here last week." Jackie looked both excited and scared.

Kurt shook his head, his mouth tightening. "Which girl and where did they find her?" 

"Aw hell, Father, I didn’t catch the name. I just recognized the sketch they showed. She’s short with sorta blah brown hair. She and Scooter were hanging together."

"Minnie. Damn it!"

Jackie looked at him in surprise. "Father, you shouldn’t be swearing."

"Sorry, but sometimes even priests get pissed off." Kurt thanked Jackie for letting him know about the news story then hurried back the way he’d come, going into the community room where the television sat on a table along one wall. Over the protests of the kids watching it, he flipped through the channels looking for the all-news one.

"You trying to find out about Minnie?" one of the kids asked when Kurt finally found the right channel. When Kurt nodded the kid told him, "She was found in a pond outside the city, just like that other girl a few weeks back."

"What other girl?"

"Damn, Father, don’t you listen to the news? A girl who used to crash at one of the squats was found beaten to death two, three weeks ago, and now Minnie. Same thing almost."

"Any boys or just girls?"

"Just girls that I heard about."

Another kid spoke up then. "There was a guy ‘bout a month ago. Maybe not connected but he was beaten too and left in the duck pond, and the news said he’d been messed with, like you know…" The kid glanced around and lowered his voice. "Like someone fucked his ass."

Kurt frowned. "That was in the news report?"

"Yeah. Well not like that. They have some fancy way of putting it but for sure I got what they were meaning."

"Okay. Thanks. You all can go back to your regularly scheduled programming now. Which had better not be something…"

"Yeah, yeah, Father, we know. PG all the way ‘til the littles are in bed."

Kurt chuckled as he left the room. "You got it."

Safe Harbor - 2

Kurt Straub looked up from the paperwork, which had him ready to swear in frustration, and smiled when he saw the young man standing a bit hesitantly in the office doorway. "Here comes trouble in the flesh. Hey Prizm."

"Aww, Father Kurt, I’m not that bad am I?" Bobby grinned a bit, sitting in one of the chairs across from the Father when Kurt pointed to it, dropping his backpack on the floor as he did.

"You have had your moments, and what happened to getting your hair cut like you promised."

Bobby shrugged. "I don’t seem to have the time."

"Bobby." Kurt’s tone was admonishing but only slightly as he used his real name now, not his street one. "So, to what do I owe this visit?"

Bobby ran a hand through his too long, dark hair. "I saw something last night and I don’t know what to do about it."

"Tell me."

"Well…I was up on the roof above Marston’s Grocery getting ready to crash. Then I heard voices in the alley." Bobby went on to tell Kurt what had happened. "When they drove off I got a bit of the license number." He dug in his pocket and handed Kurt the slip of paper.

Kurt frowned deeply. "My first question is, are you sure they were police?"

"Yeah, they were in blues with all the crap on their belts. Hell they cuffed the two kids, the boy even before he had to suck one of them off." 

"Did you recognize either of the kids?"

"Yeah, I’ve been trying to think of their names. The guy’s street name is Scooter. The girl, umm…" Bobby snapped his fingers, "Minnie, yeah, because she’s so mousy."

Kurt sighed. "I know them both. They were staying here up until a couple of days ago."

"Here at the Harbor? Scooter doesn’t do that from what I’ve heard."

Kurt chuckled. "Given the weather last week I’m surprised you weren’t here."

"You know me. I don’t like…"  Bobby’s voice trailed off.

"People, a real bed, haircuts."

"All that, yeah. Got enough of it in Juvie. I’ll stick to the street. I got good places when I need them. And can we quit with this talk. How are we going to, well is there something you can do about those cops?"

"I’ve got a few contacts. I can see if this…" he tapped the scrap of paper, "is part of a plate number for an unmarked police car. If it is, why would two street cops be using it?" Kurt added almost to himself. "I can also find out if Scooter and Minnie were arrested or if they were just dumped somewhere else with the fear of retribution beaten into them if they said anything to anyone."

"Who would they tell? It would be like me walking into the cop shop and reporting what I saw. No way in hell would any of them believe me and I’d end up being hassled every time one of them saw me after that."

Kurt nodded. "Unfortunately I suspect you’re right. Let me send out a few feelers and see what I come up with." He smiled slightly, fingering the collar on his shirt. "This gives me ins a lot of other people don’t have."

"Okay, thanks, Father. At least now I can stop worrying and get back to living."

If you can call it living.  Kurt shook his head as he watched Bobby sling his pack over his shoulder and walk out of the office.

Safe Harbor - 1

Bobby aka ‘Prizm’ peered over the edge of the roof again, pulling his head back quickly. When he took another cautious look he thanked his lucky stars he’d decided to sleep on the roof tonight, not in one of the doorways.

Below him in the alley two kids he vaguely knew were being rousted by a pair of cops. He couldn’t see the cops’ faces since the only light came from dim bulbs over the back doors of a couple of shops, but he sure as hell could see what they were doing. One of them had his hand tangled in the girl’s hair, forcing her to her knees in front of him. The other one already had the boy on his knees, light glinting for a second off the hand cuffs on his wrists.

Bobby didn’t have to watch to know what came next. Instead he inched his way to the corner of the roof, searching for the squad car. He knew he probably wouldn’t do anything about it but he still wanted to find out who the bastards were if he could get a number off the car. The problem was there was no squad car in sight. It surprised him as they had to have come in from that end since it was a blind alley.

Resting his back against the parapet, Bobby waited. A few minutes later he heard a muttered oath and the sound of a hand hitting flesh. Taking another surreptitious look Bobby saw the girl was sprawled on the ground, sobbing, the cop standing over her as he zipped up his pants. The other cop finished moments later, pulling out of the boy’s mouth. As he stripped off a condom and put his flaccid cock back in his pants he glanced at his partner, receiving a nod in return.

They pulled the kids to their feet, cuffed the girl, and marched them to the end of the alley. As Bobby watched they opened the door to a dark sedan, shoving the kids into the back seat. Then they got into the front seat and moments later drove off. Bobby tried to get the license number, managing to see the first letter and a number as the car passed under a streetlight.

"D3, D3, D3," he muttered as he made his way back to where his few belongings sat. He took a scrap of paper from his backpack, wrote the information down then shoved it in his pocket.

Now what? For sure I can’t walk into the cop shop and report what I saw. Not with my record.

His ‘record’ included a couple of busts for soliciting and one for having drug and graffiti paraphernalia on his person. He’d spent time in Juvie for the soliciting busts since he hadn’t had the wherewithal to pay the fines. Of course now that he was eighteen his records were sealed but that didn’t mean a damned thing and he knew it. He’d been on the streets since he was fourteen and the cops in the area knew his face and had rousted him often enough even when they had no grounds to pick him up.

So who can I tell, and do I even want to? Yeah it ain’t right what they did, but…

Wrapping his tattered blanket around himself he curled up, using his pack as a pillow. He started up at the dark sky, the few stars partially obliterated by fast moving clouds.

Just don’t rain again. That’d really put a topper on the night.

He finally drifted off, still debating who he could talk to and whether it would even do any good if he did.

The Hotel – 52

I didn't move in with Edwin immediately. I had to set everything up to make Marsh the official head of the troupe, quit my job with decent notice, and sell my house, among other things.

Eventually, however, I was ready. I planned on renting a truck to bring what I was keeping up to the hotel. Edwin put the kibosh on that, sending Logan down with the hotel's van instead. But not until the day after the troupe threw me a farewell party.

It got pretty mushy, pretty fast. I hadn't realized quite how much I was going to miss all my friends until that evening. We assembled at a local bar we sometimes frequented—the remaining seven of the original troupe plus the four new actors we'd added since that fateful week at the hotel.

Caitlin couldn't seem to stop laughing, and crying, when Noah and Phil began telling stories about the pangs of creating the troupe. Ramsey, Kirby, and Marsh added their two cents worth and then gave me a photo album they'd put together with pictures from several of our performances at the shelters and senior centers.

By the time the evening was winding down I'll admit was teary-eyed.

"I'm going to miss every last one of you more than you know," I proclaimed, looking at them one by one. "Noah, Phil, I expect to get an invitation to your wedding, if you ever get it together enough to set a damned date." That got laughs from everyone as they were dancing around when to do it just as they'd danced around everything about their relationship from the beginning.

"Ramsey, you take care of my girl…" I smiled at Caitlin, adding, "And you make sure he eats, okay?"

Caitlin patted Ramsey's stomach. "I don't think that will be a problem. I might have to put him on a diet."

Ramsey groaned dramatically, to the amusement of the rest of us.

"Kirby…hell, what can I say? You and Marsh are the lynchpins of the troupe, now. You're the director, so don't let the kids give you any guff." That had happened when Marsh hadn't been able to find someone from the outside who might be interested in taking on the job. Kirby had bitten the bullet, to use his words, offering to wear two hats—actor and director. Marsh had accepted willingly.

"Marsh, thank you for taking over." I patted his shoulder since he was seated right beside me.

"My pleasure. You might wonder why you chose me when I call you every week to ask your advice on something."

I snorted. "Somehow I doubt it. You've been doing great so far. If any of them—" I swept my hand around to encompass the troupe, "—give you any trouble, ground them."

"Time out will be me," Marsh replied with a grin. Then he sobered. "I want to say, on behalf of everyone here, we're going to miss you, Austin."

"I'll miss all of you, too."

"You know where to find us, so don't be a stranger," Kirby called out.

"I won't be," I replied, and I meant it. I might not come down every week, but I would be back to catch up on how everyone was doing. "On that note, I bid you good night. I have to be up at the crack of dawn. Someone who shall remain nameless expects me up there by noon…or at least before sunset."

"Tell the nameless one we say 'Hi'," Caitlin said. Then she hugged me. "I love you and all you've done for us."

Her sentiments, and her hug, were echoed by everyone else so it took a while before I finally made it out of the bar. When I was out on the sidewalk I looked back through the window. They were watching me, and raised their glasses in a salute. I waved before walking away to face my new life with Edwin.

* * * *

Logan did show up almost at the crack of dawn. Between us, we loaded the van. I wasn't bringing any furniture, but it was still filled almost to overflowing.

"How the hell I managed to accumulate so much…" I shook my head in disbelief.

"Don't worry, there's room for all of it up there," he replied with a laugh.

He was right, of course, and I knew it.

We arrived at the hotel just after one that afternoon. Edwin was waiting on the porch. His face lit up when I got out of the van and seconds later held me tightly as we kissed. "You made it," he said when we broke apart.

"You thought I wouldn't?"

"I… To be honest I was afraid you'd change your mind at the last moment. You're giving up all that…"

I put a finger to his lips, then swept my arm out to encompass everything we could see—the hotel, the lake, the forest and the mountains. "But I'm gaining all of this, and—" I kissed him again, "—the man who has my heart. So no, my love, I'm not giving up anything I can't live without."

That was the truth and I haven't spent one moment regretting my decision. 

The End

Guardian Angels – Ambivalent - 35

"You did a good job," Samuel told Paddy when he appeared seconds later in the head guardian angel's office.

"Thanks," Paddy replied morosely, his wings sagging in reflection of how he felt.

Samuel came around from behind his desk, laying one hand on Paddy's shoulder. "It wouldn't have worked," he said softly.

"I know." Paddy wasn't surprised at Samuel's words, or his concern. Somehow he always knew everything about the guardian angels in his charge. Their hopes, their fears—nothing got past Samuel. It was the reason, Paddy thought, that he was who he was.

"It's just… Damn it, when is it my turn?"

"When the fates decree."

"It's been over eight hundred years." Paddy sighed deeply. "I know, there's nothing you can do about it but…"

"Go. Rest. Unwind. Things will look better in the morning."

Paddy snorted softly. "Maybe I'll go bug Dom first. That always cheers me up."

"He's off on an assignment, as are Deidre, Dave and Hal. Now if you want to have a bit of fun… No, that wouldn't be a wise idea."

"What?" Paddy asked.

"There's a new angel who could use taking down a peg or two. He seems to think he's the chosen one since he ended up here."

Paddy smirked. "Let me at him. Right now I'm in exactly the right mood to deal with him. It'll take my mind off of Mike and…everything."

"I thought you might be. His name is Theodore."

"'Gift of God' huh? Now this could be fun. Where can I find him?"

Samuel told him, chuckling to himself when Paddy immediately took off with fire in his eyes. "Now let's hope this takes his mind off of Michael," he murmured. He knew it would—eventually. After all, that was a reason he was the head guardian angel. To watch over his charges and help them deal with problems, both on the job and in their personal lives. And all in all, he had managed to do that successfully for more time than even he cared to think about.

The End

(Of the story, and the series. Thank you for following along. I hope you enjoyed them/it)