Four Become One
Part 1
"Come along," Dave ordered a young boy with black hair.
The boy obeyed without question, as he knew very well that this stranger who had introduced himself as David Rossi had saved him from being raped yet again, by his own father no less.
"Where are we going?" The boy who was about 14 asked.
"Away from here," Dave told him. "We're going to Europe by boat as it is one of the ways to avoid, showing passports. I know someone that can give you a whole new identity."
The boy considered this then nodded.
"It's good to get out of the States at least for a few years, even though I doubt my father will bother to look for his wayward son. I was a means to an end nothing more."
"Well, I'm glad you agree," Dave chuckled.
"My question is though why are you helping me?" The boy asked. "Why did I feel compelled to trust you? Normally, I'm not one to trust easily at all, especially not a complete stranger."
"I'll explain what I can when we're safe," Dave promised.
The boy considered that quite seriously, but nodded for it did make sense.
The fact that Dave had somehow found him as he was being raped again by his father and had knocked the man unconscious had endeared the young boy to him. He had been enduring his father's abuse for years, since he was about seven or eight years old it was hard to remember, but he didn't see any other options. If he had tried to tell anyone he knew very well that his father would've dealt with it and the abuse would have been worse. His father had threatened him every time it'd happened and told him he had better keep his mouth shut or he would shut him up permanently. Aaron knew that his father was a very powerful man and he would be believed and not his son. If he was believed then his father would simply pay the people involved off and then his treatment would be even worse afterwards, which was why he had kept his mouth shut.
"Get in," Dave ordered.
The boy opened the door to the passenger side and got into the car as ordered, putting his small duffel bag that held some clothes toiletries and other treasured possession at his feet. This David Rossi hadn't given him much time to pack really, so he had been quick and efficient, just throwing a few pairs of jeans, underwear and shirts, both long and short sleeved into a duffel bag, along with his hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, electric razor, since he'd had to start to shave last year, and a can of shaving cream. He had even packed a few books and the money he had been carefully squirreling away, as he had been intending to run away in a little bit more than a year when he turned sixteen. He had figured he'd be old enough then to get part-time jobs in order to support himself, but it looked like that had changed when this David Rossi had barged into his home and knocked his father unconscious with one powerful blow.
Aaron wished suddenly that this man had killed his father, instead of just knocking him unconscious. Unknown to Aaron, Dave had set the house up to basically explode by leaving the gas on and by also setting the boiler in the basement to gradually overheat so that it exploded.
There wouldn't be much left of the house by the time things were sorted out and Aaron abusive father would go up with it. He certainly deserved it, Dave thought grimly, as he drove rapidly through the streets. Anybody who would abuse their child deserved what they got. Dave had waited until the mother had left the house for some meeting of hers and only then had he intervened. Unfortunately, she wouldn't have much of a home to go to, but it had to be done in such a way that it looked like an accident at least at first glance. There wouldn't be much of the house left much less the boiler and Dave was hoping that they wouldn't be able to determine that it hadn't been an accident, but with technology today that wasn't exactly a sure thing. Still, the method was old-fashioned enough that hopefully, it would take them at least some time to discover how the house had gone up, with Aaron's father Samuel Hotchner still inside.
Dave knew that the authorities would realize eventually that the Hotchners son was missing, but hopefully, they wouldn't believe that a 14-year-old boy could make the house explode, even on accident.
"So are you going to explain to me why you rescued me?" Aaron who had been silent for sometime asked suddenly.
"I told you I would as soon as he was somewhere safe," Dave said calmly. "We'll be at the docks shortly where I have a ship waiting and after we're settled into our cabin you can ask me all the questions you want, although I won't guarantee you I'll answer all of them if I'm not sure you're ready to hear the explanation. I know you're probably hungry, but we'll have us a meal once we get to the ship."
"Alright," Aaron said, as he gazed out the window.
The boy was in shock, Dave figured as he had just seen his father knocked unconscious, even though the bastard had deserved it and also been taken away from the only home he had ever known.
Dave tried to get his protective instincts under control. Now was not the time to frighten a 14 year old boy. Besides, it wasn't Aaron he was upset at, but the father who should have loved his son and the mother who had done nothing to stop her husband from abusing her child. The mother now would live with the knowledge that her husband was dead and her son was at the very least missing.
It was very possible that at some point Aaron wouldn't have been to take the abuse anymore and would have simply killed himself, because unfortunately, it happened all the time. It happened for far less serious abuse then a father raping his son the worst kind of crime out there, even murder.
Luckily, he had arrived before that happened, because if Aaron had taken his life he would have lost one of his mates. Dave knew he had a massive task ahead of him in getting Aaron to trust him and also getting over the abuse he had suffered probably for years.
He would never force himself on his mate. He wanted Aaron to come to him willingly. Besides, the boy was only 14 and Dave would have to wait at least 4 years, so hopefully, in that time, Aaron could get over his abuse enough to willingly go into a relationship, but he would have to wait and see. If only he had known about the raping of Aaron's young prepubescent body he would've interfered much sooner probably by the time he was 6 or 7.
He had known ever since Aaron was 3 that he was one of his mates and had come to check out the situation. He had watched the young boy for awhile, but then, had left again know when he was going to have to wait a lot of years for him to grow up. He had been intending to rent a house for the next few years make sure Aaron got familiar with his presence.
He has been intending to tell Aaron about the mate thing, when he finished college as he would've been 22 or possibly 23 or 24 depending on what career he had decided to go into. Dave had known that the attraction on both sides would have been there and had been hoping that if Aaron was familiar enough with his presence that, that he wouldn't have to much trouble getting involved with another man who looked at least 10 years his senior. He had been well aware that he might possibly face rejection, but Dave had been hoping the attraction would be so strong by that point in time that it wouldn't happen.
Now though, plans would have to be changed. Dave had known that human race was extremely messed up, but it had never occurred to him that a father could rape his own son and it should have, as he wasn't innocent and know of the evil in the world.
"Here we are," Dave said.
"Nice ship," Aaron said looking out the window with an excited glint in his eyes,
"The captain should be waiting for us and the other passengers won't arrive for a few hours so we have time to get settled in," Dave said.
Aaron picked up his duffel bag that was sitting in his feet and got out of the car.
"Where are we going precisely all you said was Europe earlier," Aaron asked
"Sweden if you must know," Dave said. "It's neutral and has no extradition treaty with the US. I intend for us to keep a low profile, father and son perhaps, but still, you never know what can happen. In a few years the disappearance of a 14-year-old boy will be largely forgotten. By the time you're 18 nobody will even remember that a boy disappeared or if they do they will think it's a shame that such a thing happened."
Aaron said nothing, but Dave knew that he was thinking
"Good evening, Captain Jaouhari," Dave greeted a dark swarthy skinned man who looked around 40 or so
"Good evening, Mr. Rossi," the captain greeted Dave politely, but with genuine warmth. "Was your mission successful?"
"It was indeed," Dave said. "This is Aaron who will be taking the trip back to Sweden with us."
"It's nice to meet you Aaron," the captain said not commenting on not getting a last name, which was curious in Aaron's opinion, but he sensed now was not the time to ask questions.
"If you could just show Aaron and I to our cabin we'll get settled in and have us a meal," Dave suggested politely, but the captain got the message.
"Right this way," Captain Jaouhari said, as he escorted them to the first class passengers deck and the best cabin available, as he knew very well that David Rossi would demand only the best and since he could easily pay for it he usually got what he wanted.
"Thank you, captain," Dave said shaking the captain's hand. "What time is the kitchen open?"
"At six," the captain said, going through the routine, even though he knew very well that Mr. Rossi knew exactly when the kitchen was open as well as every shop that was onboard.
"Well, it's not long until then he gives us time to take shower and relax a little," Dave said looking at his old fashion pocket watch.
"I hope you and Aaron do me the pleasure of dining with me at the Captain's Table tomorrow night, once you've had a chance to get settled in," the captain said.
"Of course," Dave agreed. "We'll be there."
"Well then, for now farewell," the captain said taking his leave.
Aaron had watched this silently not saying a word and Dave knew that the young man was going to require quite a bit of explanation and soon. Dave had a feeling that he was going to have to be completely truthful to this young man and tell him nearly everything, maybe even all of it, because really he wasn't that far from being considered grown up. He would just have to see how things went.
"If you want to take a shower it's through that door right over there," Dave told Aaron calmly. "We'll buy you some decent clothes once the shops open and more once we reach our destination, since I know I didn't give you time to pack very much."
Aaron didn't protest and Dave considered that either the young man had realized it was useless or he was still in shock over what occurred, maybe a little of both. After all, he had been basically kidnapped even though he had come along willingly or at least that's the way that the authorities if they ever caught up with him would look at it. He had no intention of ever being caught by the authorities and staying under the radar, which was why he had numerous people in his corner who knew at least part of the story and a few who knew all of it.
The young man gathered his toothbrush, paste, as well as a pair of jeans, underwear and a shirt from his duffel bag and headed into the bathroom
Dave watched him go his expression thoughtful once the young man had disappeared into the large bathroom.
~~~Dave, Aaron, JJ, Spencer~~~
"Alright, you promised to explain once we had some privacy," Aaron said, after he had swallowed a bite of his breakfast which had delivered a few minutes ago. "Would you care to tell me why you rescued me from my father had basically kidnapped me? Why I feel as if I can trust you or at least that's what my gut is telling me."
"Well, you know we live in a world where the supernatural is part of everyday life," Dave began. "Where some people have visions of the future and others can see auras or others can see the past by touching an object."
"I'm assuming this is leading somewhere," Aaron said and Dave nodded solemnly.
"Just listen," Dave suggested his voice calm. "You can ask me questions afterwards, but if you keep interrupting I'm never going to finish explaining."
Aaron nodded, so Dave continued, "What I was trying to explain is that some things exist that those who are normal aren't aware of. However, there are some things that could be considered supernatural that have been kept carefully quiet. One of those things is the existence of immortals. Not immortal, as in can't ever die, but immortal in the limited sense that we heal fast from any injury and don't age from the time we reach thirty. They're are still a number of ways that we can die however, so it as I said, a kind of limited immortality. However, we can take a bullet in the heart for example and so long as it is removed we'll heal up in a few minutes and wake up. Immortals keep this a very carefully guarded secret, because thousands, likely millions of people would want what we have and they wouldn't care about the restrictions of being Immortal or how many people died as they fought for what they wanted."
"Can you prove what you're telling me?" Aaron asked in a skeptical tone.
"Of course I can," Dave told him calmly, extracting a Swiss Army knife from his pocket. "I had already figured out you would demand proof, just as most people would. Test the blade on that and see how sharp it is just to prove yourself that I'm not trying fool you."
Aaron took the knife and popped out the blade attachment and studied it intently and thought it looked sharp. Finally, he tested the edge with his thumb and the knife sliced a shallow gash.
Aaron handed the knife back to Dave without comment, even as he stuck his thumb in his mouth to help stop the blood.
Dave had watched this with quiet amusement as the young man had taken a knife without a word and had then studied the knife attachment, before slicing his finger, the skin parting quite easily under the sharp blade.
"We'll need to doctor that," Dave said. "But first let me demonstrate, to prove to you that I'm not just feeding you a line."
Without another word, Dave quietly sliced his palm just as Aaron had his finger and the young man watched avidly as Dave used the handkerchief he'd had in his pocket too staunch the flow of blood, so that it wouldn't get all over the floor. Aaron continued to watch, as the cut rapidly healed itself until just a minute later there was nothing left except for the blood all over Dave's hand that was drying at a rapid pace and a very bloody handkerchief.
Aaron blinked rapidly for he had been sure that this David Rossi was just telling him a fib, but he knew what he had seen. He knew for a fact, that that blade that was part of Dave's Swiss Army knife was very sharp, because while his thumb had quit bleeding, it had bled quite heavily for a few minutes and the blade had sliced through his flash like a hot knife through butter.
"Alright, you're immortal, but that still doesn't explain what you wanted with me," Aaron said after a few minutes of rather tense silence. "I appreciate that you rescued me from my father, who believed that he was superior to his son who he saw many faults in. To him, I never measured up to what he wanted me to be in his own mind. I think he believed he could break me to his will by raping me again and again."
"Well, it has been known to work," Dave said. "I suppose you were just too strong willed for it to work on you. Still, I know it has had a lot of affect on you, especially if that wasn't the first time as rape is an act of dominance over another. It's often used as a torture technique, though mostly on females I'll admit. However, the effects and the damage mentally and emotionally are the same. I'll be glad to help you through it if you want to talk, but I know that it's going to take awhile for you to trust me."
"Are you going to explain why you rescued me?" Aaron asked. "There are plenty of children out there that are in similar, even worse situations than I was."
Dave studied Aaron for a moment but knew that if he wasn't completely truthful that he would never gain this young man's trust and that was absolutely unacceptable to him.
"Well, immortality is not all it's cracked up to be," Dave explained, as calmly as possible, even though his heart was beating rapidly within his chest. "Whoever created immortals also created soulmates for them and some of us have more than one. However, nothing is ever easy as that soulmate is usually not born for a few hundred years at least."
Aaron absorbed that for a moment and that they looked directly into Dave's eyes. "So if I get what you're saying, you rescued me because we are soulmates."
"Yes," Dave said. "That wasn't my original plan if you must know, but when I saw through the window that you were being abused by your father well..." Dave paused trying to get his emotions under control. "I just had to get you out of there, as who knows what would've happened if I had just left things the way they were with you being abused until you were finally old enough to go to college."
"So what was your original plan?" Aaron asked not sure if he believed what he was being told, but on the other hand, Dave had every reason to be honest with him and for some reason he trusted the man in front of him, even though they had only known each other for such a short amount of time.
"Well, originally I was going to rent a house somewhere near where you lived, maybe even buy one, I hadn't decided," Dave explained. "I was going to make sure you were familiar with me, so I wouldn't be a complete stranger to you when you went off to college, perhaps, I would have struck up a friendship. I was hoping that by time you graduated that you would remember the feeling that you would've had every time you were near me, which is part of the soulmate bond. That undeniable attraction that if given a chance can very easily turn into real love on your end. Perhaps, we would have kept in contact over email and phone calls as I was hoping we would be close enough by then you'd want to do that."
"So if I'm understanding you right you were going to tell me after I graduated college," said Aaron.
"Well, it's possible you would have realized your feelings for me and approached me instead, but yes, I would have told you if you hadn't," Dave confirmed. "I thought by the time you were 22 or 23 or whenever you graduated, depending on what your major was, that you would be mature enough to listen to me at least and take what I said into consideration. Of course, if you had rejected what I said out of hand and told me you weren't interested or to get lost, well, I would have done so. Yes, we are mates, and yes, being rejected by you would have devastated me. However, I can't force myself on you as it has to be completely consensual."
"So if I had fallen in love and decided to get married for example..." Aaron suggested then paused.
"Then I wouldn't have stopped you," Dave told him. "Your happiness would've been all that matters."
Dave didn't bother to go into the fact that he would've been completely devastated and miserable, as he suspected Aaron had guessed that already, as he was an intelligent young man.
"Of course, if that had occurred I would have left the area immediately as there is no way I could've stood being around you every day seeing you happy with your bride with possibly a child on the way," Dave added.
"I probably wouldn't have stayed in the area," Aaron told Dave who nodded.
"I can't blame you after what I saw occur with your father, which I suspect had been going on for a long time. If I had known sooner I guarantee you I would have done the same that I did tonight and raised you myself," Dave said
"Which would've been hard for you," Aaron suggested shrewdly.
"Probably," Dave shrugged, "but on the other hand, you would've been just a little boy and there is no way I'm going to think of a child in that manner. It's possible though that you never would have thought of me as anything other than a father figure, despite your attraction, but I would have done so, if only I had known about your situation earlier."
"I'm not sure I'll ever be on the connect with anyone in that way," Aaron said sounding as solemn as a 14 year old boy could sound and Dave nodded.
"I can certainly understand that," Dave agreed. "If you decide you can't I hope we can at least be friends."
"I think I can manage that at least," the 14 year old boy said.
"Rape is the most brutal crime out there, even worse than murder, because it destroys sense of self and some people never recover from being so brutalized, especially if it's done repeatedly," Dave told Aaron.
"It didn't happen often at first," Aaron said. "It started when I was seven or eight, as I can't quite remember the first time it happened and at first it was only every few weeks, maybe once or twice a month. The first time was the worst, because I certainly wasn't expecting it. I mean I was only a kid for God sakes."
"Nobody expects to be so brutalized, especially before you even have a chance to grow up," Dave told him. "Rape victims often believe that they brought it on themselves, but that's how they've been programmed to think by their brutalizer and also a lot of times by other people reactions if they're in the know. A lot of the people, mostly women who have been raped, don't get counseling, suffer from nightmares and a lot of times they don't trust anybody or sometimes it's just men they don't trust. Of course, some women get over it, marry, have children and have very happy lives, but that's usually only if they get counseling to deal with the abuse. Don't ever believe any differently, because rape is abuse."
"You're trying to say that some people persevere even without counseling," Aaron said.
"Mostly if they get the proper support," Dave confirmed. "Unfortunately, a lot of times that doesn't happen as the family blames the victim for what happened instead of the aggressor or if they don't blame them they don't know how to act, how to be supportive."
"You seem to know a lot about it," Aaron said.
"I've seen a lot of things in my centuries," Dave answered simply. "I've also have learned a lot in that amount of time, some things I'd rather not know, even if occasionally it does come in useful. Unfortunately, the world is not made up of black-and-white, but various shades of gray."
"I suppose so," Aaron said uncertainly.
"We can talk more later if you like, but for now I think you should sleep," Dave suggested gently. "I got us a two room cabin and I'll take the master and you can have the other."
"I still have questions," Aaron protested.
"You can ask them once you're not so tired as you've been to the emotional wringer and you've also had a lot of information to absorb. You need to give yourself time for the information that you've learned to settle, before you pile on anymore," Dave suggested. "You're body might not feel it now, because you're probably still running on adrenaline, but soon you'll be yawning and wanting to sleep. You're only 14 and you've been through a lot tonight, for years really. I know you'll never truly forget and maybe not get over what happened, but your memories will fade after awhile."
"Alright, but I still expect answers to my questions," Aaron said and Dave nodded
"You'll get them," Dave promised.
Dave was right Aaron realized, as he yawned and so headed to bed without too much protest.
Dave watched him go silently and once Aaron had disappeared into his room shutting the door his body slumped forward.
That hadn't been as difficult as he assumed, but he also knew that Aaron was likely still in shock. No boy should react so calmly the way Aaron had done, but then he also knew that everybody was different in how they reacted to things. He had no doubt that Aaron had always been a serious little boy, even before his father had started raping his prepubescent body, but his father's abuse would have forced Aaron to grow up even faster. Maybe it wasn't so surprising that Aaron was taking his story so calmly or maybe he could expect fireworks somewhere down the road.
Aaron didn't seem like the type to pitch a tantrum to get something he wanted, but he would just have to see.
Dave sighed and fixed himself a scotch from the bar drinking it slowly as he thought about what had happened in the last few hours, before he to decided it was time for him to go to bed
~~~Dave, Aaron, JJ, Spencer~~~
"Good morning," Dave greeted Aaron when he walked into the living area of the suite.
"Morning," Aaron greeted running one hand through his already mussed black hair.
"We can have breakfast in here if you like or we can go to the main dining room or one of the restaurants onboard," Dave suggested.
"I haven't had a chance to see most of the ship," Aaron said and Dave nodded.
"Yes, what boy your age likes to be cooped up," Dave said, smiling slightly. "We'll eat in the dining room for now, but we can make a reservation for one of the two restaurants onboard. After breakfast we can explore the ship or you can do that on your own, as you are old enough not to need a babysitter."
"Aren't you afraid I'm going to run away?" Aaron asked with half a smile. "I could tell someone you kidnapped me you know."
"You could," Dave shrugged. "You could've cause me a great deal of trouble if you so desire to, but I don't believe you'll do that."
"Why not?" Aaron asked with a quirked eyebrow.
"Because then your mother would be contacted and you would be taken back to her," Dave told him calmly. "I get the feeling that your mother was not really a parent to you, because she was bound to know what was happening with your father and yet she did nothing. I doubt very much that you want to go back."
"You only mention my mother what about father?" Aaron asked.
"Your father is very likely dead," Dave told the young man calmly.
"What did you do?" Aaron demanded.
"I kind of set the boiler to explode," Dave admitted. "It could very well look like an accident as that kind of thing happens sometimes, even in this century. If your father wakes up and gets out of the house he might survive but that's doubtful, as I gave him a pretty good conk on the head."
Aaron looked absolutely stunned for a moment and then a joyous expressions spread across he's normally serious face.
"He's gone?" Aaron asked trying not to be hopeful.
"It's likely," Dave said as he watched Aaron closely. "We can confirm once we get it settled somewhere, as I have many contacts."
"Thank you," Aaron said, as he actually hugged Dave, which was the first time the two of them had physically touched.
"I figured you'd be mad at me, maybe even hate me," Dave said wonder. "He was your father after all."
"I might share his DNA, but he's not my father," Aaron told Dave seriously. "As much as it shames me I've often wished over last few years that he would either leave or die. I'm actually glad he's dead, because this means he can't do what he did to me to anybody else."
"It shouldn't shame you, because at least you're feelings are honest," Dave said. "I guarantee you anybody that went through what you did, unless they were the nicest person in the world, would wish the same, although I suppose some may wish that their abuser ended up in prison rather then dead. Your feelings are perfectly natural, because no parent is supposed to do what your father did to you and your mother had to have known what was happening and yet she did nothing, so she's partially responsible to. Quite a lot those that are abused kill their abuser and it wouldn't have mattered necessarily that he was your father. The human species is really fucked up, but so are immortals or magicals. You must keep telling yourself that you did nothing wrong, until you believe it, because you didn't and I'm sure if you ever go see a psychologist they would tell you to same. There's so many things you could have done. You could've called the cops for example."
"No, I couldn't have," Aaron shook his head in denial. "My father was a powerful man and he just would've paid anybody off that I told, even if they believed me and then my treatment would've been worse. Even if he could not pay off certain people to get the charges dismissed he still had judges and other officials in his pocket, so he wouldn't have done any serious time. He would've come back after me for going to the cops in the first place and the treatment would've been ten times worse, as he would have taken the reputation and the money I cost him out of my hide."
Dave winced at that and thought it was probably true.
"I was planning on running away once I turned 16, which would've being a little bit more than a year away. I thought I would look old enough to make my own way in the world by then. I'd planned on getting a lot of short term jobs and trying for scholarships, so I could go to college."
"Well, if you want to go to college when you turn 18 then I can afford to send you," Dave said.
"And what do you expect in return?" Aaron asked suspiciously.
"Nothing really," Dave said. "You're not obligated to accept and this isn't a way for me to get into your pants if that's what you're worried about, because as I said any relationship once you hit 18 or afterwards has to be consensual. I have more money than I'll ever spend, so I certainly have enough to send you to a one of the best colleges anywhere in the world if that's what you want. No payback required."
"I'll think about it," Aaron said and Dave nodded.
"Well, there's no need to worry about it right now, although you will have to get your GED at some point if you want to get into college, but I can make arrangements for you to take the required courses."
"How are you going to get my records from my school in Virginia?" Aaron asked.
"Let's just say I know some useful people that can hack into just about any system," Dave said not going into detail. "Everything is stored on computer nowadays, so it would be easy to have everything printed out. The school will never know anyone was in their computer system I guarantee it. It's probably not safe for you to go to school under your own name, so again a hacker will come in useful change your last name at least."
"Sounds complicated," Aaron admitted.
"It is, and I'm no expert on computers, but still, it can be done," Dave shrugged not mentioning that the hacker would require a large fee, as Aaron had too much to accept already and there was no point of burdening him when it wasn't necessary.
Of course, if they ever did complete the bond between them well things would be very different.
"Let's go get some breakfast and afterwards if you have more questions, I'll answer them although we need to do that here in the cabin and not out in public," Dave suggested.
"I realize that," Aaron said and Dave nodded. "Alright, I'm starving anyway let's go get some breakfast."
Dave simply smiled and the two of them headed out of their first class cabin towards the dining room
~~~Dave, Aaron, JJ, Spencer~~~
Dave and Aaron enjoyed a large breakfast, chatting cordially
"Well, now that we are fed and watered let's go explore some," Dave suggested. "There should be activities for both of us to do onboard as cruises are supposed to be fun for all ages."
Aaron agreed with eagerness in his eyes reminding Dave that while Aaron appeared to be a very mature boy for only be 14, but he was still only a child, a child whose life had been hell at home until he had been rescued less than 24 hours ago.
"Well, why don't we get a little clothes shopping out-of-the-way, so we don't have to worry about it," Dave's smiled. "Just a few things, because it won't take as long to get to Sweden."
"Well, okay," Aaron agreed. "I brought some money with me..."
"Don't worry about it," Dave said shaking his head. "Think of me like a parent or guardian at least if that helps. I intend to pay for everything you might need just like they offered to pay for your college education."
"You don't have to do that," Aaron protested.
"I doubt the money you have would last very long to buy things like clothes, especially on shipboard, where things tend be more expensive. Save your money," Dave suggested. "I've already told you I have more money than I'll ever spend, as I have lots of investments and from now on until you decide to part ways with me once you reach 18 and therefore, are of legal age, you're my responsibility."
Aaron had to swallow his pride, but he nodded because he knew that Dave was very right. He just had to accept that he didn't have the money to buy expensive things like clothes, even though he had saved well over $1000 dollars over a few years.
"Good," Dave said calmly. "We won't spend much time shopping just get you a few basic things, since I know you didn't pack more then a few pairs of jeans, shirts, socks and underwear."
"You didn't give me much time," Aaron said and Dave nodded in agreement.
"No, I didn't, but I wanted to be out of there before your mother got home and also before the house exploded," Dave said quietly. "Besides, I knew I could buy you anything you needed that you didn't think to bring. Once we settle somewhere we'll have to do more clothes shopping and get you a more extensive wardrobe, but right now we only need a few necessaries, something other than basic supplies like jeans and T-shirts."
The two of them headed for the nearest shop and Aaron spent over an hour trying on slacks and collared shirts, as well as a few more formal things.
"Well, I think that's enough," Dave said finally. "Let's go do something fun."
Aaron said nothing, but Dave knew that he had been very patient with trying on clothes because he knew he needed them, and was likely glad to be done.
The man and boy left the shop and headed back to the cabin to drop off their purchases, before reading what was available onboard ship from a long list, deciding on what they wanted to do. There was a heated pool that was for first-class passages only, as well as a sauna and the whirlpool if you just wanted to relax. There was a saloon onboard for the ladies, that sometimes men used as well and there was also shuffleboard for the older people and plenty of activities for every possible age from toddlers to the centennials
"Swimming sounds like fun," Aaron said. "You did make sure to get me a bathing suit."
"There is also a multiplex of vid screens with several different options for the passengers viewing pleasure."
"Yeah, I might want to do that sometime before we reach our destination," Aaron said.
"There is also a small library if we want to check out books to read," Dave said.
"That's an option too," Aaron said. "I sometimes like to read for pleasure when I have free time. There is also a gym and I might want to check that out."
Dave nodded for Aaron looked to be in excellent shape, which meant he worked out heavily or at least ran several miles every day. Dave suspected he had probably been doing that so that he would one day be strong enough to give his father what was coming to him, even if that situation had been taken care of.
The two of them discussed calmly what they wanted to do for that day, then immediately headed out to spend the rest of the day having fun.
~~~Dave, Aaron, JJ, Spencer~~~
"So the captain sure did seem to accept easily that you were bringing me along," Aaron asked Dave several days later.
"I wondered if you'd get around to asking me that, as I noticed how observant you are," Dave said, as the two stood leaning against the rail looking out at the water. "Captain Jaouhari is from Egypt and a lot of people over there believe in the supernatural a lot easier then people in someplace like the States, for they see it every day. Africa is an old country, much older than America is really and Egypt especially has a very mystical reputation. Captain Jaouhari doesn't know precisely what I am, just that I'm not quite human. We've known each other for years though, so he knew I must have a reason for bringing you with me. He might even have seen news reports on you, but he trusts me enough to know that I have a good reason for bringing you onto his ship and that I would never deliberately bring trouble to his door. I pay him quite well for his discretion."
"How does he know you're not quite human?" Aaron asked
"I knew him as a child as I knew his father and his grandfather," Dave explained. "I always introduce myself as the second or the third or the fourth of the name, but I look to much like my supposed ancestors to be anything, but the same person. An exact duplicate. A person might come out looking a great deal like their father or their grandfather, but it's not exact, even if those differences are subtle, different chin, different cheekbones, different nose that type of thing. Well, not unless they've been cloned, especially not for three or four generations."
"Captain Jaouhari, isn't stupid then," Aaron said.
"No, he's definitely not," Dave agreed. "He's very intelligent actually, and he might even have guessed that I'm Immortal, but if he has he won't say anything. I might even tell him the truth one day, but probably not, unless the circumstances are rather unusual, as it's not the kind of secret you can share casually."
"No, it's not," Aaron agreed, his brown eyes thoughtful. "Most people would either think you're lying or want to try to replicate your immortality for themselves not thinking about the many pitfalls of living basically forever."
"Capturing an immortal wouldn't be easy, though I won't say it's impossible. We are basically human after all, we look and act human, because that's what we once were. Really, the only difference between an immortal and a human is the fact that we heal so rapidly and we don't age past 30. Some people notice eyes and how ancient they seem on an immortal who is centuries old, as they say eyes are windows to the soul, but most people don't believe what they see or if they do they dismiss what someone's eyes tell them," Dave said.
"It's a good thing actually that most people don't believe their own senses as that means there's less chance of discovery," Aaron said.
"That's a very good observation, Aaron," Dave complimented the young man sincerely.
"Thank you," Aaron said, smiling slightly.
The man and boy stood there quietly just looking out over the water not saying another word for a long time.
"So what are our plans once we get to Sweden," Aaron asked, still talking quietly as voices tended to carry on the water.
"Well, I have a house there," Dave said. "And it's far enough outside one of the major cities that so long as we keep a low profile no one should ever find us until you're of age to be on your own or not even then. We'll get you some new identification papers from some people I know. I could enroll you at the local school or I could homeschool you as many people do that. I'll let you make the decision on that since you are 14 after all, and not all that far away from being considered an adult. You're very mature and serious for your age so I know that if you decide to homeschool that you'll do so and not just goof off."
"I think that I prefer to study on my own," Aaron said after some thought. "For one thing it would be harder to connect with anyone, whether student or teacher at this late stage and I also think it would be considerably safer if I studied on my own and get my GED later, through the mail perhaps."
"Alright," Dave agreed calmly. "I'll help you do that if that's what you want, but you're a smart boy and probably know what's required to get your GED better than I do. If you need any help in certain areas that I can't help you with I can always hire tutors if necessary."
"I don't think that's going to be necessary at least for the present," Aaron said. "I was determined to get my GED by the time I ran away anyway and I wouldn't have had tutors, so yes, I know what's required and what subjects I need to concentrate on."
"Well, you're ahead of the game already," Dave smiled. "I have no doubt you would have succeeded in getting your GED and going to college if you had run away, as you're very mature for your age."
Aaron said nothing and just looked out over the railing of the ship seeming lost in thought and Dave left him to it, knowing that that young man had been through a lot in the last couple of days, so he had every right to brood if that's what he wanted.
~~~Dave, Aaron, JJ, Spencer~~~