Y2k12 - Part One


by Frost Spinner (Click for Author's Home Page)<Frostspinner@yahoo.com>

Todd kept looking nervously out the window. The owner of the cabin could come home any time. He found the cabin by accident, and not being one to pass up opportunity when it knocked, Todd, broke in.

He wasn't a thief. Telling himself that while he ransacked the small cabin helped a little. He was an opportunist. The porch light was on and the fire was banked low in the fireplace. He knocked, but when no one answered the door, he jimmied it with his knife. Easy enough, the lock was the old button style and the deadbolt was unlocked.

"That'll teach'em," he justified it to himself....again.

The cabin was warm and homey. These people were doing all right. Life was pretty hard for most people. After the Y2K1 blackout eleven years ago, life changed overnight for everyone. Todd kept himself alive and free by constantly moving from place to place. Never staying long enough for the law, such as it was, to catch him. He was no thief, though he did have the skills. It wasn't those skills that kept him wary of the police, but the fact that he was just 17. Anyone under 18 had to be in the custody of a parent or some sort of guardian. Todd had no one. He had been on his own since 14. He just gypsy'd from place to place learning how to survive. He watched and learned from others like him. He was doing fine, so he told himself. If caught he would be placed in state custody. Today, that meant a camp or institutionalized school system, till he came of age.

The cupboards were full and Todd wished he could spend the time to sample...everything. His stomach snapped and roared with hunger. No time. Someone could return any minute. The place had a definite masculine feel to it and that helped hasten his departure. He did grab an apple and a handful of cookies and jammed them into his pockets as he rushed out the door to his bike. On a whim he pushed the bike to the detached garage and peeked in the dusty windows.

"Score!"

Several cans of gasoline were on the shelf. Or that's what the can read. Todd tested the door and found it unlocked. Not trusting his good fortune he hurriedly grabbed the cans and taking off the cap took a sniff.

"No _s_h_i_t_!" It was clean gas. He emptied a few cans into the dirt bike's tank. Guessing it to be now full, he put the cans back and closed the door.

Paranoid that he had stayed too long, he quickly put on his now loaded backpack and jumped on the kick-start. The bike came to life on the first kick and forgoing his helmet that was strapped to the handlebars, Todd gave the little cabin a last wistful look and took off out into the night on one wheel.

Todd's good fortune ended as lightning split the night along with a clash of thunder close behind. Rain came down in buckets. He didn't get too far before he was drenched and regretting not putting on the helmet. He wasn't about to now, not with a soaked head. His leather jacket was keeping most of the wet from him but his pants were soaked. Wishing for just one night warm and in a comfortable bed, he leaned over the bars to try to cut some of the cold and wet. He had already been fighting a cold, this was not going to help. He needed to get off the road and under cover and soon. The wet, dirt road was rapidly becoming very greasy and forcing him to a much slower speed than he would have liked.

Todd's great and only love in life was bikes...speed and danger not necessary in that order, but he did have the commons sense of where and when to play. Dark, slick, and unfamiliar narrow mountain roads were not the place. While he may have slowed down some he was still going far too fast for the conditions.

He came around a blind turn, right into headlights....close...too close. No time to slow down..only one choice and that was off road. Todd dropped gears and his foot to try to swerve the tail end of the bike around his hip into a semi-slide to avoid a collision. He is a good rider one of the best but even that was not enough to help him here. The road was too slick to give him any bite. He avoided the truck but by doing so only left him the woods to drive into. He prayed he could stop the bike or lay it down before he hit something. Not a chance. He hit one big bump in the dark and he was air borne.

Jared drove home frustrated. The bridge had washed out from all the rain. He'd have to wait several days now to get to town. Not that it was any major emergency, he had more than enough food and water and beer to feed him for weeks, plenty of firewood around.

It was just a _d_a_m_n_ed long drive from the cabin to the river just to have to turn around. Especially in this weather. The mountain road back to his cabin was narrow and had lots of sharp curves and drop offs. He carried a treasured stock of CD's with him. Out of the big cities there few radio stations operating. Filing through the CD changer he found a favorite and sang along. Lucky he was the only one in the truck, he laughed to himself and jammed away with Aerosmith. He was just getting into it and relaxing when around the blind curve at breakneck speed materialized a motorbike

Jared slammed the brakes and cranked the wheel, nearly driving up the embankment.

"What the hell....._d_a_m_n_ fool..."

Jared was amazed that he didn't tag the bike. The rider was good and maneuvered out of the way just in time. Looking in the door mirror Jared saw it fly into the woods with just a flash of red from the taillight and then nothing. Ramming the truck into reverse he backed up to the edge of the road where he saw the bike disappear. He stopped and jumped out with his flashlight.

Todd hurt everywhere. Not dead...hurt too _d_a_m_n_ much for that. He landed bad, something was really wrong. It was more out of adrenaline than anything that got him up on his feet albeit unsteady feet. He saw the bike in the dark several yards away. He was thrown quite a distance. His head felt detached; he was pretty dazed. He tried to lift his hand to his head and nearly screamed looking at his left arm and shoulder. His arm hung useless at his side. His shoulder had an odd angle to it. It was out of joint. He had seen it many times at races and Grav-games. It had just never been him before. He let lose some colorful language. He felt sick to his stomach it hurt so much. He had to get out of here, too, the driver of the truck might come looking for him. He could see the flashlight from the driver. Panicking he tried to pick up the bike and did scream. and cuss with great imagination. The pain forced him to his knees.

Jared was relived as well as surprised that the rider was still alive.

"Good now I can kill the stupid sonofabitch."

He could hear some inventive language. Definite distress there, shining his light he saw that about 60 feet into the trees the bike was on its side, but looked intact and the rider was holding his shoulder in obvious pain.

The other man saw him and panicked. Grabbing for the bike he cried out and dropped it and dropped to his knees. Just as he reached the bent-over figure the man jerked to his feet.

"God...don't touch me...don't touch me...don't touch me!!!!!!!"

Jared was stunned by the violent action that only caused more pain. The voice was shrill and sounded very young. He couldn't tell anything about the appearance of the other man. He was a mess of mud, leaves and pine needles. Pain distorted the face as well. All he could tell was that he was not a big man, about 5'8. The dim flashlight was of little use. But what he could see was that the shoulder was either broken or dislocated.

Jared stuck out his hand.

"C'mon. You're hurt. Let me help you out of here."

Again Jared, tried to reach for the smaller man.

"Sta..stay away...I'm all right....Just get out of here and leave me be!"

He didn't blame the man for being afraid. There were lots of reasons to be afraid these days. Leave him out here? There was no way he was going to leave a hurt man or anything hurt out in this weather. Besides he sounded like he had a cold or maybe a broken nose. The smaller man was walking around in an agitated manor. Looking at Jared, then at a tree close to him. Jared, could almost read the man's mind.

He could tell that he was going to ram his shoulder against the tree to set it. Man's seen way too many movies. He'd no doubt just make it worst.

He reached for the uninjured arm only to have it jerked away again. This little movement cost the smaller man a big price. He let out a loud cry and fell back to his knees.

Jared seized his chance and in a firm yet gentle way, laid the stranger on the wet ground. He was easy to maneuver, pretty much out of it from the pain. He held the flashlight in his mouth as he ran his hands over the shoulder. Yep..definitely dislocated. Collarbone didn't feel broken, the shoulder was just out of the socket. Macho Man here was about to pass out. He could see the pain-glazed sleepy look in the eyes. White teeth bearing down on a muddy lip against the pain. He had to get him out of here.

He lightly slapped the man's face, not hard, just enough to get his focus.

"Hey, buddy, c'mon..look at me...good. The shoulder is dislocated. I need to set it back before I get you out of here.

Todd stared at the big man in horror. Shook his head vehemently no. Pain roared in his head, he couldn't think straight. He felt like he was going to pass out or puke any minute.

"No! Juss.. < cough> .just _f_u_c_k_'n leave me be..."

No dice. He was rolled over onto his stomach, face down in the mud.

"Sorry, buddy. Can't....no.. I won't do that. Hang on now."

His left arm was pulled out away from his body and he felt a hand on his left shoulder blade, before he could say or do anything that hand pushed hard. The shoulder was set back. It was a sickening sound and feeling as it did so. Todd screamed and cussed just as loud. Pain crashed over him. Then receded to a sharp ache. He was helped up to his feet again by the stranger. The man was big, well over six foot by at least 2 inches. A weird feeling began at his feet and worked its way up his legs.

Todd tried to say something but instead just pitched forward. Jared nearly didn't catch him in time. Jared felt a moment's panic when the slight form he held went suddenly still. He was pretty relieved that the guy had just passed out. With some effort on Jared's part, he loaded the rider in the truck and covered him with his jacket that he had left in the truck. Both men were soaked to the bone. Jared took the time to load the bike and the man's backpack in the truck, too. The pack weighed a ton.

Jared saw the helmet still attached to the bars. Wouldn't do a _d_a_m_n_ bit of good on the handlebars. He could have had his brains all over the forest floor. Once everything was loaded and tied down he quickly headed for the cabin.

Todd had never been so cold. He woke up to horrible chills. He was racked with them. His teeth were clenched so tight he thought for sure he'd shatter a tooth. His muscles were so tight with shaking making his shoulder throb. Even during all this he had a hard time staying with it. He was so light headed.

"Cold...sss...sa...so cold."

"Hang in there, pal. We're almost there."

A deep voice rumbled above him. He opened his eyes and found himself in a truck with his head laying in the lap of......who was that....oh, right..the dude.. the man in the woods.

Jared looked down at the man in his lap. Mud and leaves caked and drying on the face. It looked to be a young face, too. Younger than his own 25 years. The poor wretch was shivering so hard he was nearly convulsing. He rubbed the bare hands. They were like ice. He needed to get this man warm soon. Twenty minutes later he pulled up to the cabin. Right away he could see all his cupboard doors open through the window.

"Aw.._s_h_i_t_! Not now."

Not really up for chasing some squatters or worst, plain looter's, Jared, got out of the truck and grabbed the tire iron.

"I'll be right back. All right, stay put."

"Waa waa..where th...the..._f_u_c_k_...am..am I ga ga gona go."

Todd tried to fire back, but it came out a near whisper as the truck door closed on him.

Jared crept up the steps to the porch with no creaking. He knew each loose board. Slowly opening the door just as silently, he could see the muddy footprints that were now drying. Easing up a bit he quietly checked each room of the small cabin. No one around. Whoever it was long gone.

Todd closed his eyes again. But not before a silent deal made with the big guy upstairs.

"A little help, Lord. I can't get out of this one by myself. I just need a little help here."

"Okay, pal, ready? Here we go, let me help you out."

The big dude was back, Todd groaned inwardly. "Not the kind of help I had in mind, Lord."

"What was that?"

Jared got no answer, the man was out again. He carried him in like a child. Easy enough to do. He weighed very little. Maybe around 150. He grabbed an old quilt and wrapped his burden in it and placed him on the couch. He added more wood to the fire and stoked it up high.

Embers crackled to life with a hunger. Going into the bathroom, he turned on the shower. One of Jared's pride and joys in his cabin was the sauna he built. That, too, he heated. That would get the stranger's bones warm fast. Undressing himself as he walked back into the living room he found his guest still shivering in the blanket. Picking him up again he took him into the bedroom and laid him on his big bed. Unwrapping the blanket he began to peel off the wet and muddy clothes. The guy had to be a kid as small as he was. Taking care to be as gentle as possible with the shoulder he removed the leather jacket revealing a tattered plaid cotton shirt with a tee shirt under that. Under that, was smooth, lightly muscled shoulders, hairless chest area and a torso a little on the ribby side, all icy cold. Each upper arm was tattooed with a tribal band. The bands went across the toned muscles and around to the soft underside of the arms. Making complete bands.

"Oh we are a little tough guy."

The man never made a peep as he was undressed. Man? The more Jared uncovered the stronger his suspicion about the man's age grew.

Taking the opportunity he checked the faded label on the jeans. Levis 560s and a size 32X34. There were a pair of compression type shorts under the jeans. They had definitely seen better days. He skinned them off, too. Not wholly disappointed with what was left. Long legs with just enough toned muscle to keep them from the chicken leg category peppered with minimal fine dark hair. And an area that made him want to rethink this age theory again, even turtled. Snapping out of it, he bent and picked up their clothes and dumped them in a basket by the door. He'd sort them out later.

Todd cracked an eye open. His shivering woke him again. He popped open the other eye...wide. Before him was the biggest naked man he ever saw. Not big as in girth, but in the shoulders, chest, back, legs... just.....big....everywhere. He moved like a big cat, muscles rippled and flexed. Made his mouth dry for several reasons not the least of which was what did this man have planned. He was in no shape for anything let alone self-defense.

The smell of steam turned his attention from fear to longing. As if on cue the human tank walked over and not wasting time on pleasantries he was hoisted up on his feet.

"Think you can walk?"

Stupid question. His expression must have said so, it earned him a skeptical look. Todd, didn't know how the man could have seen what statement he had under all the dried mud. His face felt like it would crack any moment. Todd tried to stand under his own power but he was shivering so much he swayed badly.

"Uh oh, thought so."

Todd was upended over the tanks massive shoulder and carted off like he weighed nothing to the man. Right into the hot shower. He cried out at first when the hot water hit his very cold skin. It hurt and he tried to get away. But the man held him under the showerhead.

"Ahhhh! ouch..._f_u_c_k_..._d_a_m_n_ that stings!!!"

Jared held him under the shower. He came fully awake when the water hit his skin. Jared sympathized with him but held him there nonetheless. His small size belied his strength, something to keep note of. Jared had little trouble holding him. The air should have turned blue at the language that came from those mud-crusted lips.

A few moments later he relaxed his hold as the smaller man stopped struggling and gave into the heat. Thinking nothing of it, Jared grabbed the bar of soap and worked up a good lather and began to scrub. He half expected a fight; he would have backed down if there were any offense taken. Instead the lighter frame leaned against him, he guessed as much for support as warmth. The guy was still shivering badly.

He worked from head to waist. He was shocked at the face he revealed under all the dirt. Younger than he had guessed, a lot younger. And he was still shivering too hard to talk. It was going to be morning before he got a chance to start asking some questions. Todd was feeling very weak and his legs ached and threatened to buckle if he didn't sit.

"Uh...um...I can't stand any more. I need to sit down."

Jared wrapped his arm under smaller man and supported him long enough to rinse him clean, then bundled him up in a towel.

"You're not claustrophobic are you?" Jared asked.

That was a strange question Todd, thought. "No." Which came out as "Dough" with his stuffed nose.

Todd was then carried again over to what looked like a closet door. When it was opened a wall of thick steam came out. Todd was taken inside and laid down on a wooden bench. Wonderful, heavy, hot air surrounded him. The bench was warm and had a pleasant odor to it. There were four benches staggered in zigzag formations. Todd had never been in anything like this. The man grabbed a wooden dipper of water and poured it on a small box of what looked like rocks on the wall. The little closet was immediately filled with heavy wet heat.

Heaven.

Soon Todd was being vigorously rubbed and massaged. The man was taking care around the shoulder and concentrating more on his legs. God, it felt so good. Soon the chills that had been racking his body started to let go of their hold under the heat and massage. He was breathing a little better too. Not so stuffy and his shoulder ached less too. He closed his eyes just for a moment.

Jared heard the deep sigh and felt the taught muscles start to relax and slowly stop the convulsive shivering under his hands. Looking down into the face of the other he saw that the kid was out again. Jared was worried that he might have hit his head as groggy as he's been. He felt around the clean, dark haired head. No, no noticeable bumps. But with the wreck the kid had he was sure to be very sore tomorrow.

Jared sat back on a bench and let the heat soak into his own chilled body as he closed his own eyes. A few moments later he got up and quietly left the sauna, he kept the door cracked a bit so he could hear if he was needed. Wrapped in a towel he padded barefoot to the bedroom and pulled out a couple pairs of sweats and some clean socks. Pulling on a pair for himself he tossed the other on the bed, the socks cut the chill from the wood floor.

He turned down the bedding and piled more quilts on the down comforter just in case. He doubted that they would be needed. His bed was nearly one big, warm, down pillow. He had a thick goose down mattress pad over the top mattress and a huge down comforter and fluffy down pillows. His philosophy was that because the world outside was rough and harsh, his home should be the opposite. A safe haven if you will.

Returning to the sauna he didn't bother with waking his guest, he just picked him up and toted him to the bed. He unwrapped the towel from the trim hips and tugged on the sweats. Way too big, but warm and dry. Jared checked him over once again, still could not find any evidence of a concussion, shoulder seemed to be staying in place, though he would need a sling for a while. He would make up something for him tomorrow. For now he would just let him sleep. The guy was totally out of fit. Must be all the pain and cold caught up with him. Tucking him under the warm bedding, Jared sat down on the bed and looked more closely at his patient.

The angles of his face were well defined. High cheek bones and a chiseled chin. Hints of dimples as he worked his mouth in his sleep. His mouth wide and full with the lower lip a little fuller. A small scar in the corner of the upper lip did not detract from their appeal. Smooth, unblemished skin, with some sparse stubble on the upper lip and jaw. The nose was nicely shaped and definitely not broke, but stuffy from the way he breathed. The dark hair had dried. Worn in an old style too. Reminded Jared of an old CD jacket he had. What was the singer's name?...Roy..Ron...Rob, yeah...that was it, Rob Thomas.

The hair was a rich brown in fact many shades of the dark color from copper to near black. Thick and he could see it wanted to curl, especially around the face and at the bangs and sides. The style just added to his youthful appearance. Not able to resist brushing some of that softness away from the full eyebrows that winged over the closed eyes. Eyes he knew to be brown. Another small scar that ran the length of one eyebrow. Making a tiny part in the brow. Eye lashes fluttered in sleep. Thick and long enough to make any woman green with envy, they even curled up at the tips. He could almost be considered pretty, like the male models in the old Polo ads and commercials. Even with dark circles under the eyes.

Jared tore himself from the side of the sleeping man and went into the kitchen. He stood shocked a moment at the condition of the place. Then remembered that there had been a break in. The cupboard doors were all open, drawer, too. He walked around taking inventory. The front door had some small nicks in the wood where someone had jimmied it with probably a knife. The only items he knew to be missing were a flashlight, some canned goods, and he couldn't find his can opener. Nothing of value was bothered. Radio was still on the counter along with the small TV and VCR. All goods that pay well on the black market. Steak knifes resting in the block, all accounted for. All very odd. Stirring up the fire he went about starting a load of laundry and brewing a pot of coffee and putting everything to rights. He stubbed a socked toe on the man's back pack. Having no qualms about it, Jared sat down on stool and went through the pack.

"Well. that little _s_h_i_t_..."

Inside the pack, he found his missing flashlight, can opener, and the missing canned goods too. Shaking his head. The kid only stole what he needed to survive. Jared dug deeper and came up with a small wraparound tool set, a couple of worn shirts and jeans, string, a thin nylon camouflaged blanket stamped US Army, some crude home-made fishing hooks, compass, some old maps, electrical tape and some Band aids. This guy new how to pack. He also found some old techno music CD's, a wallet and a small folding picture frame. The photos were of a petite woman and a dark tall man with a small child in what looked to be pre-black out days. Pulling out one of the pictures he found the back dated 7/14/01. Definitely better times. Must be his family. The wallet had a few dollars and a handful of ID's. All with the same picture but different aliases and birth dates. Ted Anders, Tre` Adams, Tim Arnold, Todd Ansley and Tom Cruise! Who the hell was he going to fool with that one. All of them from Tucson, Arizona. Comparing the date with the photo, guessing the little kid to be about five or six he dismissed all but two possible ID's. Todd age 17 soon to be 18 in about 6 months and Tom age 21. No great puzzle there.

Pouring himself a cup of hot coffee, he walked back to the bedroom and looked in on his house guest. Leaning against the bedroom door, Jared raised his mug in salute at Todd.

"Hello, Todd Ansley, what's your story man?"

(To be Continued)


More stories by Frost Spinner