Chapter 8
The next morning, Rob stood inside the terminal at the Richmond airport, watching Jeff and Chris's plane depart. Being in Virginia, it wouldn't have been hard for them to drive back to Cameron, North Carolina. Still, time was an issue and a plane was much faster.
He waved at the departing plane, not sure if they could see him or not. It was mainly a gesture for Jeff to let him know things were okay. They were cool. Rob felt better, having apologized earlier and left the window to head for his rental car.
He couldn't help but think how strange things seemed as he walked. He'd gotten so used to traveling with Matt and the others that it didn't feel right walking through the airport alone. And he was going to stay in the motel alone without even the comfort of Jeff and Chris next door.
It shouldn't be anything new. He'd traveled alone many times, but that was before being with Matt. It was true when they said- you don't know what you've got until it's gone.
Rob pushed the thought out of his head. Matt wasn't gone, not by a long shot. Whoever the person was that kidnapped him, had no idea the hell they were going to pay when Matt was found. The stalker had better pray the police find him, before he did...
Jeff waved back from the plane, sure it was Rob, although he couldn't really make out the figure. He sat back in the seat and impatiently tapped his nails on the armrests. The plane was just now taking off, but he was ready for the flight to be over. The sooner he got home, the sooner he could start checking out Matt's house.
Chris reached over and squeezed his knee. "We'll find something, I'm sure of it."
Jeff gave Chris a small smile, thankful to have Chris returning with him again. He couldn't even remember the last time Chris had been to his own home in Canada. "Thanks for coming with me. It means a lot."
Chris smiled back. "I'd do anything for you, Baby. And besides, Matt's my friend so don't think I don't want to get to the bottom of this too."
Jeff briefly squeezed Chris's hand, not wanting to do anything else that might draw more attention to them. Too many people had already recognized and were watching them as it was. Once the seatbelt sign was off, he knew they'd be approached for autographs. Normally he didn't mind, but right now too much was going on and he didn't feel like being bothered.
The planed lifted up in the air and he watched out the window as the city grew smaller and smaller. Wherever Matt was, they could be flying over him this very moment.
"You doing okay?" Chris asked, seeing Jeff's visible distress.
Jeff slowly shook his head. "What am I suppose to tell my Dad when he gets back? What do I say when he asks where Matt is?"
Chris thought for a moment. "You're going to have to tell him what's going on. If the police haven't already informed him."
"They haven't." Jeff said. "Believe me, my cell would be ringing non stop and he would have been in Virginia yesterday. Hopefully, I can get the police to keep this on the down low."
"But what if he hears it on the news or something?" Chris asked.
"He won't. Vince said he'd keep it out of the media. The public can assume Matt's absent due to an injury." Jeff shrugged. "It wouldn't be the first time. No one would think anything of it."
Chris shook his head, uncertainly. "You think Vince can really do that?"
"He's done it before." Jeff reminded. "When Austin died." He immediately pushed the thought of Austin out of his head. The Rattlesnake was the last person he wanted to think about, especially at a time like this.
Chris remained uncertain. "Are you sure that's what you want to do? Imagine how you'd feel if it were your son and nobody told you."
Jeff nodded, his mind made up. "I know what you're saying, but you've got to understand. My Dad's heart is so bad. He won't survive another heart attack and all the stress and worry would throw him into one. I know Matt wouldn't want me to say anything. Not just yet."
"You know better than me." Was all Chris could say.
Jeff sighed to himself, hoping he was making the right choice.
Matt woke up and held a hand over his throbbing head, feeling as though he had a hangover. His throat was dry and his stomach ached and, moving his hand over his stomach, he figured it might be hunger pains. He hadn't ate anything except the sandwiches, he'd shared with Eddie yesterday, and couldn't remember when he'd ate before then.
He sat up in his bed, feeling so weak, he fought the urge to lie back down. Eddie sat up on the bed beside him and Matt forced himself to pet the dog, but couldn't force himself to smile or say anything. What was there to say, let alone, smile about?
Austin had kept him lock in the room since yesterday afternoon as punishment. Matt leaned against the headboard and stared dully into space. Which was the only thing he was capable of doing in the bare empty room. Last night the dark had approached fast and since he'd made the mistake of breaking the lamp against the door, he had no light. Not even the moonlight was able to cut through the trees and offer any of its illumination. There was nothing he could do but go to bed.
Constantly being on the road trained his body to require little sleep so he may have only slept five hours or so. He guessed it was early in the morning, but it was hard to tell. Looking through the bars of the window, all he could see was dark gray and dampness, as though it had rained and was going to rain some more. A gray rainy day couldn't have fit the situation better.
Matt listened for any kind of sound in the cabin. All was quiet and still. Was Austin here? Of course he was here. Where else would he be? Matt lay back down, beginning to feel nauseous yet starving. Eddie whined a little and he guessed the dog was hungry too.
He could go knock on the door, but if Austin was asleep and wakened, what kind of mood would he be in? The Rattlesnake could be angry enough to keep him in the room the whole day. Sighing to himself, Matt decided not to risk it. Being in the room was like solitary confinement.
Laying back down, he closed his eyes and wondered what Rob and his brother were doing. Whatever they were doing, he hoped Jeff hadn't called their Dad. He had to get out of here before his Dad found out. As far as wrestling went, Vince probably knew by now what was going on and surely had a story for the public. He was good at that kind of thing. What would the boss say when he found out Austin was really alive?
"Get off the bed you stupid mutt!" Austin snapped.
Matt jerked awake, surprised he'd fallen asleep again. He jumped as Austin threw the lampshade at Eddie and Eddie yelped, jumping off the bed and scrambling underneith.
Austin stood at the door and shook his head. "Now you've probably got fleas in your hair. Get your ass in the shower, before you come out." Austin threw a towel on the bed and left the room.
Matt sat, still a little surprised. He looked out the window, amazed to see it was probably almost noon. Had he really been asleep that long? Still feeling weak, he slowly climbed out of the bed and stripped off his cloths. Standing in the shower seemed like too much of an effort, so he ran himself a bath instead. Eddie stayed with him, sitting beside the tub the whole time.
Once done and dressed, Matt found the door unlocked and gratefully left the room. Austin sat at the table, eating a burger and fries, and kicked out a chair for Matt to join him. Matt sat and pondered over the fast food in front of him. Austin couldn't have drove that far to get it. Where they that close to a town?
"Where did this come from?" Matt asked, trying to sound casual. It'd been so long since he'd last said anything, his voice was dry and cracked.
"Don't worry about it." Austin snapped. "Just eat and keep your smart little trap shut."
Matt was too hungry to question any further. He ate the food so fast, he didn't even taste it, and gave his second burger to Eddie who practically inhaled it.
"I didn't waste my money on that damn dog." Austin snapped. He didn't seem to care that much though and went back to finishing his food.
Like your ass can't afford a fucking burger, Matt kept himself from saying. He was too grateful to have finally eaten. The ache in his stomach disappeared and the throbbing in his head was gone. As a matter of fact he felt so much better, it was like his head was floating off his shoulders. The sensation was more than a little strange.
"Feel better?" Austin asked.
Matt blinked, realizing the Rattlesnake was talking to him. "Yeah." He muttered, not noticing Austin's knowing smile. His cigarettes still sat on the table and he reached for one then hesitated, glancing at Austin.
"Go ahead." Austin said. "Just don't pull anymore of your stupid stunts or you'll more than pay for it."
Matt lit one up and inhaled deeply. The lightheadedness grew a little stronger, but he didn't care. It was a welcome feeling, considering he was probably going to spend another day with Austin. What the hell were they going to do?
Austin finished his food, wadded up the bag and wrappers, and tossed them in Matt's direction. "Throw that shit away." He ordered.
Matt held back his sharp reply and obeyed. He got up and threw the garbage away and, instead of returning to the table, went to sit on the couch, away from Austin. Just looking at the sick man threatened to bring his food back up.
However, Austin stood and walked over to the couch. He stopped in front of Matt, looking down at him. Matt kept his gaze forward, refusing to meet the Rattlesnake's eyes, but Austin placed a hand under his chin and raised his head.
"You know, things don't have to be as unpleasant as you're making them." Austin said.
Matt jerked his head away without saying anything. If he spoke, he'd end up saying something that would get him stun gunned again.
Austin regarded him a moment then placed his hands on his hips. "What the hell's your problem?"
This time Matt couldn't help but look at him. Was he seriously asking what his problem was? "What the hell do you think? You think I want to be here? You think I want to be locked up in a room or even under the same roof as you?"
Unfazed, Austin sat on the couch beside him. Matt scooted as far away as he could. What the hell was wrong with this picture? Eddie came over to rest his head on Matt's lap. Matt focused on petting him, trying to ignore the diseased man beside him. It wasn't hard with the spacyness that seemed to be clouding his head.
"Give it a chance, Kid." Austin said. "You could learn to like it here."
Matt gave a bitter snort. "I want to leave."
"And go back to what? Rob? Go back to performing for millions of people who don't give a shit if you break your neck in the ring?" Austin shook his head. "Like I said, give it time. You'll like staying with me."
Matt started to chuckle, not sure why. Maybe he was too lightheaded, but for some reason the unbelievable statement was funny. Austin had done so much to him and the people he cared about, without regrets. He could recall every moment like it was yesterday; being trapped in the freezing car, the attempted rape, his brother's broken arm, the snake, Amy nearly having her neck broke, the night Austin had tricked him into performing the most humiliating sexual acts of his life...
Matt closed his eyes, feeling his face flush with degradation at the memory. No longer did the statement seem funny. "I will never like staying with you." He whispered. "I will hate you until the day I die."
Austin's eyes glinted dangerously. "That might be sooner than you think." Grabbing Matt's arm he pulled him off the couch.
Matt staggered, caught off guard and suddenly dizzy. Austin kept his grip tight and dragged him over to the bedroom and pushed him back inside. Matt stumbled over to the bed and sat heavily, bringing a hand to his head. He hadn't drank any alcohol, but it was like he was suddenly drunk.
"Maybe missing another meal will teach your ass a lesson." Austin spat from the doorway.
Matt wasn't listening as understanding slowly began to dawn on him. "You drugged me again, didn't you? You put something in the food." It was the only explanation.
Austin smirked. "Don't worry about it. You'll be feeling better in no time."
Matt turned away, sickened. Whatever Austin gave him, he prayed it didn't impair his judgment. "I'll feel better when you're really fucking dead." He muttered without meaning to, his judgement already altered.
The next thing he knew, a razor sharp pain sliced into the middle of his back. He cried out, shocked, as Austin brought the leather strap across his back again.
"YOU WANT TO GIVE ME ANY MORE OF YOUR SMART MOUTH." Austin yelled, followed with another harsh lash.
Matt fell off the bed, trying to roll away from the white-hot pain. Austin followed over him, without halting his beating. Matt crouched down against the wall and tried to shield his head and neck from the whip's blows.
"DO YOU?" Austin repeated, bringing the strap up higher.
"NO!" Matt shouted. Panting, he squeezed his eyes shut and waited for the next lash, but it didn't come. After a few seconds of waiting, he heard the door slam shut. The Rattlesnake was gone.
Matt raised his head and let out a choked breath. His back was on fire and his head was spinning. Without thinking he slumped back against the wall and gasped, quickly sitting back up. The wall against his back was agony and he pulled off his shirt, not surprised to see traces of blood. Austin had managed to cut his skin open.
He let his head fall into his hands, despair and hopelessness, overtaking everything else. He was trapped with a sadistic psychopath with no way to escape. Especially when he was so fucked up, he couldn't walk without stumbling.
Several minutes passed, before he finally crawled over to the bed and pulled himself on top of it. Just the simplest movements made his raw back feel like someone was scrubbing it with harsh sandpaper. He eased down on his stomach and winced when Eddie shook the bed, by jumping up to lay beside him.
The dog whined sympathetically as though it could sense his pain. He gave Matt's face a few comforting licks, however Matt felt no comfort in the gesture. He closed his eyes, not bothering to give Eddie a useless promise of escape.
Jeff slowly walked around the bedroom of his brother's house, studying everything with a critical eye. Glancing out the window he saw Chris outside searching the backyard. Both were hoping to find any piece of evidence the police might have missed.
It was weird to see the room in such a mess when Matt kept everything so neat and clean. Cloths were lying around on the floor, due to Matt and Rob's hasty packing. Feathers from the ripped up pillow still lay all over, and the police had moved items around while searching for prints. It was hard to tell if anything looked out the ordinarily when everything was out of the ordinary.
Jeff sat on his brother's bed, frustrated and disappointed. He was so sure he'd find something. He absently ran a hand over Matt's black comforter. He didn't have to be told, as he'd been many times, him and his brother were day and night. People who didn't know them where surprised to find they were even related. Even some critics of the media went so far as to call them a story-line brother act. Looks aside, it was true they couldn't have been more different.
Where his own bedroom was a mess of colorful psychedelic junk, as Matt called it, Matt's room was modern and sleek with satin black bedding and shiny black furniture. Much like the rest of the house.
He picked up a small photo album from the nightstand and took a minute to flip through the pages. It had many photos of them as kids, along with their Dad and Mom. Unfortunately there were only pictures of them and their Mom when they were little. He was too young to remember much when she died and loved listening to Matt talk about the things he could remember.
Matt's dark hair, eyes, and natural tan completion were a mirror of her. He, on the other hand, was a younger version of their father. Typical green-eyed blond boy next door look, with the exception of the multi-colored hair.
He smiled at one particular picture of him, Matt, Shane Helms and Shannon Moore after a little league game. They couldn't have had more perfect lives. They went into the profession they'd dreamed of since they were kids and ended up being joined by their childhood friends in the business.
Despite the rigorous schedule, never healing aches and pains, and an occasional broken bone, Matt loved the business more than life. Jeff couldn't count the number of times Matt had said that.
Putting the album aside Jeff went into the next bedroom, which Matt used as his showroom. It was like walking into a shrine of themselves. The posters and novelties were endless. The room had shelves filled with 'Hardy Boyz' cups, shot glasses, pins, trading cards, action figures, etc. All their posters covered the walls to where you could barley see the paint. Inside the closet hung their many t-shirts, caps, and other Hardy Boyz clothing. The Hardy Boyz memorabilia eventually merged into 'Team Extreme' memorabilia, with the addition of Amy as Lita.
A chest sat in the corner, filled with all sorts of papers, magazines, and books that had featured them. Not counting the WWF magazines. Another shelf held an endless amount of tapes, filled with hours of matches, interviews, and guest TV appearances.
Jeff shook his head, amazed how Matt kept everything neat, arranged by year, and practically color coordinated. He had a similar room in his own house, but of course it was nowhere near as neat.
Jeff walked around the room and couldn't help smiling to himself, remembering how exciting it was to get their first everything. Their first magazine cover, first t-shirt, first poster, first home video, the first time they became tag team champions. Now years later, they'd been the champs seven times. Not to mention the singles titles they'd won; the light weight, the European, the hardcore, the intercontinental...
He stared at a magazine cover, framed and hanging on the wall. The picture was of them, posing with their tag belts and Lita in the middle, posing with her women's championship belt. He swallowed the sudden knot in his throat, the thought occurring to him that this could be their last picture together... Ever.
Jeff quickly left the room, no longer wanting to be in there. He couldn't think about the possibility of going on, with anything, without Matt. Heading towards the stairs, he heard the front door open. "Chris?"
There was no reply. He stepped down a few steps then stopped, catching the shadow of a man who just entered the kitchen. The shadow of a man wearing a ball cap. Chris wasn't wearing a cap!
As quietly as possible he stepped the rest of the way down. The stairs were in between the living room and kitchen, the kitchen being on the other side of the wall. Jeff pressed himself against the wall. The man seemed oblivious to anyone else being in the house.
He waited at the bottom of the stairs, not daring to peek around. He needed to catch the guy off guard and couldn't risk being seen. The stranger shuffled around in the kitchen a few more moments before heading back out. Jeff stood ready and when the man passed through the door, he attacked.
"What the hell!" Gilbert Hardy yelped.
"Shit!" Jeff quickly climbed off his Dad and helped the elder Hardy to his feet. "I'm sorry, Dad. I didn't know it was you."
"Well, who in tarnation did you think it was?" Gilbert grumbled, brushing himself off. "You trying to put me in an early grave?"
"No. I thought it was the...uh, I don't know." Jeff quickly cleared his throat. "What are you doing here anyway?"
Gilbert held up a saucepan. "I came here to get my pot back. Why Matt needed to borrow it, I don't know. The boy seems to be afraid to use the stove."
Jeff forced himself to chuckled. "Yeah, well that's Matt. You never know with him."
Gilbert snorted. "Never know with either of you boys." He paused to look around. "Where is you brother anyway. I didn't see his car. I didn't know you boys were home."
"Why are you home?" Jeff asked, finally realizing his father shouldn't have been back yet. He hadn't even prepared what he was going to tell his Dad.
Gilbert shook his head. "As nice as is was visiting your aunt, I remembered why we live so far away. Didn't think I could take another night under her roof."
"Oh. Well, you want me to give you a ride home?" Jeff asked, hoping his father wouldn't question more.
Gilbert gave him a funny look. "What for? I drove. Besides, I couldn't fit in that thing you drive even if I wanted to. Whoever made up that silly looking thing..."
"It's a corvette." Jeff absently replied. He placed a hand on his Dad's back, leading him to the front door. "I'll come by and visit later, okay?"
"Well alright." Gilbert said, then stopped again. "Where's your brother? He could at least come down and say hi to the old man."
Jeff hesitated, his mind racing to come up with an answer. "He's not here. He's... He's with Rob." He opened up the door.
Gilbert thought for a second, ignoring Jeff's subtle nudges out. "Who's Rob?"
"His... uh... Our friend from work. You know- Rob Van Dam." Jeff said, while still trying to nonchalantly urge his Dad out.
"Oh yeah." Gilbert nodded. "That kid that came down to visit. Nice kid." Much to Jeff's relief, he walked out. Just then Chris opened the back door.
"What was that?" Gilbert turned and tried to peer past Jeff.
"Nothing... Probably just the cat. Stay there." Jeff sprinted to the kitchen entrance. Him being at his brother's house, even without Matt there, required no explanation. But it might be a little harder to explain why Chris would be.
"When did Matt get a cat?" Gilbert asked, from the front steps.
"I forgot." Jeff called. Entering the kitchen, he shoved Chris back, before he was able to walk out.
Chris stumbled, raising his eyebrows in surprise. "What the..."
"Hush kitty." Jeff snapped, then returned smiling at his perplexed Dad. "Yep, just the cat."
Gilbert shook his head. "Just what that boy needs. A cat." He turned and headed for his car. "I'll probably be the one taking care of it while he's off gallivanting around the country."
"See you later Dad." Jeff waved and quickly shut the door, letting out a sigh of relief.
Chris poked his head around the corner. "Can I come out now?"
"Yeah, Sorry. That was my Dad." Jeff explained.
"I kinda guessed that." Chris said. "And let me guess- You didn't tell him."
"I didn't know what to say. He wasn't suppose to be back yet." Jeff lowered his head shaking it. Thinking on his feet wasn't one of his best traits. He hated to lie, but what else could he do? Sighing, he moved from the door. He'd think about the guilt and consequences later. "Did you find anything?"
"Not really." Chris shrugged a shoulder. "I'm not too familiar with Matt's yard anyway, so maybe you might notice something."
Jeff nodded and followed Chris outside. Unfortunately, Matt's well-manicured lawn showed nothing out the ordinary. Jeff threw up his hands. "It's hopeless. It's fucking hopeless."
"It's not hopeless, Jeff." Chris tried to assure. "We can't give up, now."
"I don't know what else to do." Jeff slumped down in a lawn chair. "And I don't know what I'll do if I can't find him."
"Don't say that." Chris sat beside him, trying to be supportive.
Jeff sighed. "You just don't get it. I really don't know what I'd do. We're not like most brothers. Most brothers grow up and move away, get a normal job, and raise a family. Maybe they'll see each other once in a while during the holidays or whatever. We're not like that. Dad had to work two jobs to support us so Matt practically raised me. Even as adults we're still together, working and traveling. Hell, we barley live three miles from each other. I can't think of a period in my life more than two days that I haven't seen him. I can't think of a single day when I haven't talked to him."
Chris put his arm around Jeff's shoulders. "I understand, Baby."
Jeff didn't reply. He knew Chris was trying to help, but there was no way he could understand. Maybe it was considered some kind of unhealthy dependency, but so be it. He couldn't imagine existing without his brother and didn't believe he could. He looked to the sky, pleading for any kind of help.
Chris followed his gaze then blinked at the huge tree in the backyard. A tree no different from the others, except it was right outside Matt's bedroom window. "Wait just a second." He got up and walked to the tree, examining it.
"What is it?" Jeff asked, not bothering to move. What would be the point.
"I'm not sure, but..." Chris hesitated a moment then started to climb it.
Jeff raised his eyebrows. "What are you doing?"
"Hold on." Chris continued to climb. The tree was high but easy to climb, with a perfect wide split in the middle. Chris sat in the split and just as he guessed- A perfect view into Matt's bedroom. "Shit! I can see everything."
Jeff jumped out of the chair. "Are you for real? You think the stalker could have done that?"
"He had to have." Chris stood and walked across a thick branch, holding the limbs around him for balance. When he was at the edge of the house, he easily stepped over onto the roof, right in front of the window.
Jeff lightly gasped. "So that's how he got inside."
Chris nodded. "Without a doubt. He could have sat in that very same spot, I was just sitting in, and watched Matt numerous times. With the leaves and it being dark, Matt wouldn't have noticed." Chris suddenly frowned seeing the sun reflect off something in a bush below him. "See what's over there." He pointed.
Jeff parted the bush and pulled out an aluminum can, stuck between it and the house. "A can of beer? How would that get in there. Matt doesn't drink- Or he wasn't drinking at the time."
"Easy." Chris moved back to the split in the tree and sat. "The stalker could have had a drink or two and simply tossed the can down there."
Jeff stared at the can he was holding. The stalker had just sat back and casually drank a beer, while watching his brother? His face heated up with anger at the thought of his brother being violated in such a way.
Chris climbed back down. "I think this is something we should go to the police about."
Jeff nodded. "If they can get prints off the can, we could find out who the stalker is." He smiled feeling a renewed hope. "We'll find Matt!"
Chris returned his smiled. "That's the plan. Let's go, Junior."
Rob had the most incredible hands.
Matt lightly moaned with relief as Rob's hands stroked the burning pain away from his back. He felt his hair being brushed over to the side, the fingers slowly running through his midnight curls, before starting a gentle massage on the back of his neck.
Matt smiled dreamily to himself. Rob always took care of him and made everything so much better. He could do so many things with just one hand; ease the pain, massage the aches, give a caring pat of affection, or arouse his deepest desires. Rob could express emotion without the use of words. There were times when Rob didn't even have to speak. His incredible mouth against his skin said more than words...
"I'm not Rob."
Matt opened his eyes and instantly sat up on the bed. Austin sat behind him and gripped his shoulders to hold him still.
"Stay put." The Rattlesnake hissed. He continued to rub the greasy ointment on Matt's back.
Matt fully came back to himself and sighed bitterly. It wasn't Rob's incredible hands. It was the loathsome hands of the Rattlesnake. Despite the disgust he felt, having the diseased man touching him, Matt sat quietly. He could feel every puffy welt Austin touched and whatever was being rubbed on his back was putting out the itchy burn.
"Brought you some water." Austin said while working.
Matt noticed the glass on the nightstand and picked it up, dying of thirst. The refreshing water soothed his dry throat and helped to bring him more awake. He looked out the window and saw it was already dark, but Austin had the room lit with candles burning on the nightstand.
Remembering the Rattlesnake's comment, Matt risked a glance over his shoulder. "What did you mean when you said, you're not Rob?" He asked quietly.
Austin snorted. "You should know you talk in your sleep. You said his name a few times. Along with other things." He chuckled.
Matt blushed and looked away. He had no idea he talked in his sleep and wondered what else he might have said. He took one more drink of the water then offered the rest to Eddie. While the dog eagerly lapped it up, Matt closed his eyes as the lightheadedness slowly started to return. Only this time it wasn't so bad. It seemed to put a sheer veil over the despair.
A thought occurred to him and he held the glass up to the candlelight and saw left over powder residue. He sighed and lowered the glass. Obviously, Austin had given him more drugs and, like an idiot, he'd drank them.
Austin continued the treatment and after a moment Matt could already feel the unnatural high start to take over. Whether it was because the drugs were so strong or the ointment was such a relief, he wasn't sure. All he knew was- It was almost fascinating the way the candles made the shadows dance peacefully across the wall.
"That's so weird." He whispered to himself.
"What is?" Austin asked.
Matt blinked then frowned, trying to remember what he'd just said.
Austin chuckled lightly and returned the cap to the tube of medicine. He cupped Matt's chin and turned his head to face him. "I didn't want to have to do that, but you left me no choice. Don't make me do it again."
Matt nodded. Whatever Austin had done, he was sure he didn't want it again.
Austin smiled at him. "You feel better now?"
"Yeah." Matt faintly returned the smile then realized what he was doing and started to turn away.
However Austin quickly took a hold of his face and firmly pressed his lips over Matt's. He lingered for only a few seconds, marveling at the feel of the younger man's soft full lips then pulled away and climbed off the bed.
Matt watched as the Rattlesnake seemed to float away in slow motion. Did something just happen? He slowly shook his head, feeling as though it were full of thick liquid. Something did just happen, but what? He looked back up and saw that Austin was gone. He never even heard him leave the room.
Eddie lay across his lap and Matt pet him absently. Eddie's white and brown fur was sparkling and changing into beautiful different colors, right before his eyes. Matt briefly closed his eyes, guessing he must already be stoned. The knowledge really didn't bother him, though. Leaning over, he laid his cheek against Eddie's soft rainbow fur. Austin might as well keep him drugged. A pretty altered reality was far better than the gray reality he was being forced to live in.
TBC...