Chapter 13

"It seems as though Gage does care about you," Taylor said gently brushing Tommy's sweat and blood matted hair from his face. It had taken more time than Gage, but he had managed to break the boy's spirit. He had enjoyed that beyond anything he had ever done before. "He came for you."

No response. Tommy merely lay still on the bed in the master bedroom. The peach coloured sheets stained red and yellow from their last encounter. Worry began to fill the large man. He had not wanted to kill the boy, merely break his spirit.

"Hey," he said giving the boy a small shake. Slowly the boy's body responded to Biggins' touch.

"Hmmmmmmm," he moaned rolling from his side to his back.

"Good," he murmured tracing a thin line of blood from the corner of the Tommy's mouth to his jaw.

"Trent," Tommy whimpered realizing that he was not alone.

"No," came the response.

"Go away," he said rolling away from Biggins.

"I'll bring you one of your friends."
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The door to Carlos' room burst open under the force of Taylor's weight.

"You're needed." He came toward Carlos.

"Gage?" he asked confused.

"The boy." He undid the lock on the cuffs and unhooked it from the younger man's wrist.

Not saying anything else, Biggins seized Carlos by the hair on his head. He quickly pulled him up the hall toward the stairs. He pushed open the door to the room at the top of the stairs and pulled Carlos inside.

The coppery salt smell of blood mingled with the almost sweet smell of sweat, and assaulted Carlos' senses as he was forced into the room. He could just make out the lines of a form lying in the bed. "Get him cleaned up and ready to go."  He stumbled slightly when he was given a hard shove from his captor. Carefully Carlos moved toward the bed and the figure lying in it.

"Tom," he said softly. He moved closer to the form on the bed. His eyes caught sight of large bruises on Tommy's back, anger instantly swelled in him. He snapped his head up to look at Biggins, eyes wide with shock and fear. "What did you do to him?"

Gently he placed a hand on Tommy's shoulder. "Tom," he whispered. "It's Carlos."

"Carlos." His voice was hardly a whisper, and so coarse it was almost beyond recognition.

"That's right," he said removing his jacket. Nimbly his fingers undid the buttons of his top shirt. He removed the shirt and then aided Tommy in sitting up. Careful not to hurt him further, Carlos helped Tommy put the shirt on, and then he put his jacket back on.

"Can I go home now?" he asked trying to curl up against Carlos' shoulder.

"Not quiet yet, kiddo." He stood up, keeping one arm firmly around Tommy's shoulders. "Where're his clothes?" he asked Biggins. The large man pointed to a corner under the window on the other side of the room.

Scared and angry Carlos crossed the room and retrieved Tommy's clothes. The shirt was torn beyond saving, but his pants were wearable for a while. He helped Tommy put the pants on, and then he helped him to the door of the bedroom. It was unlocked and opened easily when Carlos pushed it.

The door just across the hall was open. Sounds of a beating resinated from the room. Carlos entered the room, stowing Tommy around the corner.

Gage was on the floor in a bloody heap. He was not even trying to defend himself against the man.

"Hey!" Carlos shouted instantly wishing that he had not.

"Where's the boy?" Biggins turned to face Carlos.

"Safe."