Look at those eyes, he thought, wistfully, they're just as big and blue as they were ten years ago. Sure, they're darker right now because he's afraid, and his skin isn't as pretty as it once was...but bruises can be fun. Pretty soon I'll be tracing them with my finger...and hopefully, I'll be creating more.
The boy from the shadows had stepped into the light. Before him, Pip was stretched across his bed, so surprised at his sudden presence that he didn't even think about covering up his naked body. The pale nature of his skin blended almost perfectly with the sterile whiteness of his sheets. The rosy robustness that had been his in his youth was gone now...frailty, no doubt caused by years of abuse and fear had taken its place. Looking upon his naked form, the shadow-boy was suddenly overtaken with images of princess's waiting in faraway castle towers and brilliant stars sliding through endless space. The rigid bones of Pip's body called to him in a way that was both primal and overwhelmingly pleasurable.

"W-who are you?" Pip whispered into the silence. "How did you get in my room?"

The interloper stretched languidly and rearranged his position on Pip's computer chair. Without bothering to hide it, his eyes traced the contours of Pip's body, the sight of which brought a dark smile to his mouth.

"Do you always go to bed this way?" He asked, sidestepping Pip's question.

Looking down, Pip finally caught on that he was stark naked in the vicinity of what seemed to be a total stranger. Frantically, he yanked his bedsheets over his body, his face breaking out in a feverish blush. With the sheets surrounding him, the stranger could only see his small face and his large, shadowed eyes. A crazy tenderness briefly flashed through his head.

Showing a surprising amount of bravery, Pip snapped back, "I can go to bed naked if I want to! Who are you to barge in here and judge me? Why don't you just leave?"

"After seeing the Promised Land? Like hell I will!" The stranger laughed, his teeth glittering in the lamplight. "Haven't you missed me, Pip? I've missed you."

"I don't even know who you are." Pip answered, suspiciously.

"Oh, that wounds me, Pip! I came all this way just to see you and you don't even remember me..." The stranger assumed what was supposed to be a sad face. To Pip it looked decidedly grotesque.

"Come on, Pip. You know me! You're not even trying here!"

Pip's face was still riddled with suspicion, but the stranger could see that the cogs and wheels inside his head were slowly beginning to turn. Looking at him closely, Pip's face flashed momentary realization. Just as quickly as it came, though, it died.

"I'm...I'm really drawing a blank here." Pip faltered. "I really can't remember who you are..."

"Maybe I can help jog your memory then." The stranger said. Slowly, he rose from the computer chair and walked towards Pip.

...

Pip's heart was beating a terrified staccato in his chest as the stranger slowly advanced on him. The soft feeling of his sheets provided brief comfort...although that comfort was hindered by the knowledge that he was completely naked. Even when Craig had forced Pip to service him in the hallway at school, he couldn't remember feeling as vulnerable as he did at that moment.

The stranger stood slim and straight as an arrow in the middle of Pip's room. Everything about him seemed dark and inscrutable; from the black hair that covered his head to the black t-shirt that hugged his body. Pip decided the boy reminded him of a panther, stalking its prey with a body made lean and sinewy with tightly-packed muscle. A faint five-o-clock shadow obscured his face, intensifying the panther-like impression he made. As he came closer, Pip could feel his body tightening up, his muscles and bones aching beneath his skin.

"What are you going to do?" Pip asked, anxiously. His voice sounded exhausted and paper-thin. He wasn't sure he could endure another round of abuse.

"I'm going to help you remember me, Pip." The stranger answered. "I thought for sure that my face would be enough, but I guess enough years have passed for you to forget about me entirely. That really hurts, man." A crazy smile flitted across his eyes.

The stranger had made his way across the room and was now standing right next to Pip's bed. Pip stared up at him, the man seemingly miles tall and powerful beyond measure. Cringing, he pulled the sheets ever tighter around himself. Reaching out a hand, the boy drew the sheets away from Pip's face, his movement surprisingly gentle. Fear made Pip go limp on the mattress...he didn't try to fight the stranger at all. Without a word, the stranger knew that Pip had surrendered himself completely to his will - at least for the moment.

Tears began to fall down Pip's face, belying his seeming acceptance of the situation. The stranger caught one on his finger, lifted it to his mouth, and tasted. Pip watched his pink tongue, seemingly mesmerized. His lips were parted slightly, and the stranger was rather shocked by the casual seductiveness Pip possessed at his disposal.

And he doesn't even realize it! The stranger thought, joyfully. No wonder he's always being hammered on - he makes people feel things that are totally unexpected!

The stranger stooped down next to Pip's face. Pip's scent reached his nostrils; it was a mixture of pine and terror-sweat. He inhaled deeply. Leaning over Pip, he placed his lips next to his ear and began to whisper:

"I know you remember me, Pip. Once we were outcasts together...at one time all we had was one another...you remember."

Beneath him, Pip's body quaked and shivered. A soft gasp escaped his lips. The stranger pulled away to look into his eyes. This time, the momentary flash of realization was back, and it didn't disappear.

"Damien?" Pip whispered, hoarsely. "Is that you?"

TO BE CONTINUED.