Mindtease

Chapter 11

Kirk heard Josh's snoring soon after they had gotten under the covers. Kirk had thought about the events that transpired...puzzled and bemused. Josh had protected him, and punished the four youths that had wanted to rob and carjack them both. Putting aside his churning thoughts, Kirk had finally sunk into a deep sleep.

The sound of the television awoke Kirk. Looking around, Kirk could see that Josh was gone, as was his ballcap so he must have gone out.

Kirk sank back down onto the bed, but unable to sleep again.

After a few minutes, Kirk's mind focused on a story on the television.

"...local authorities are baffled at what they are calling a strange gangland initiation gone wrong. Four youths with a history of gang affiliation immolated themselves last night. All four were pronounced dead at the hospital with first degree burns on over ninety percent of their bodies."

Kirk sat up, and glanced at the television. A woman in a gasoline station uniform came on the screen.

"They just came in, grabbed a cigarette lighter...buck naked and smelling of gas. They said they were going to 'burn off impurities' and ran off. Later I saw fireballs running down the highway screaming...it was horrible."

"Police have not yet released the names until family members can be notified..."

Kirk got up, and turned off the television, stunned.

"Oh Joshy," Kirk said. "Joshy."

Kirk stumbled back to bed, in shock and amazement, collapsing into bed, sleep overtaking him immediately.

# # #

"Hey Kirk," Josh's voice intruded into the darkness of Kirk's sleeping mind. "I got you brunch Kirky, so get up, rise and shine."

"Uhh.." Kirk said.

"Get out of bed you long-hair bitch," Josh said sardonically. Kirk sat up, and saw an amused look in Josh's blue eyes, playful and teasing.

"Fine," Kirk said, throwing aside the covers. "What did you get?"

"A foot long sandwich, a tube sandwich...egg, with cheese. And a mocha latte coffee."

Kirk padded over to Josh, and Josh pointed to a brown sack on the desk. Kirk quickly went over, and opened the bag, relishing the smell.

"A hot sandwich?"

"Yuppers."

Kirk sat down, and bit into his sandwich, and then opened the lid of his coffee, sipping gingerly.

Josh sat at his desk, crossing his legs, watching Kirk. Kirk saw he was wearing his ballcap turned backwards, a black T-shirt with a pocket, shiny black basketball shorts, short white socks, and his black shoes.

Kirk ate quickly, and finished, sipping his coffee.

"I saw about those jerks that tried to nail us last night...on the news."

Josh threw back his head and laughed heartily.

"Josh?" Kirk said in a tone of wondering.

"Kirk, your such a sweet guy...that's why I like you. But..."

"But what?"

"Those gang bangers were going to kill you...shoot you and give you a beat down. They'd do the same to me. All they saw were victims...what they thought were college kids in their turf. So I punished them."

"Jesus Josh."

"No Kirk, I could feel they're hate for you. And they didn't even know you. You were just a long haired bitch faggot like I was...and they were going to kill us. So I took care of them."