Chapter 2: Hero

I don't wish for a different life, it makes it easier to live the one I'm trapped in.

Esca had found a new perch, a new vantage point to watch the Giant. It had been two days since he'd followed him home. There was a building with an abandoned top floor. Esca had set up a new home in it. The nicest thing was that it was on the way that the Giant took when walking home from wherever he got those bruises.

Esca could use the binoculars he'd found yesterday and through a broken window watch as the Giant made his way home. He'd walk along and disappear around the corner. It was there he'd enter his apartment. Esca hadn't gone to the other perch, the one where he could see into the Giant's room. That had left him so surprisingly sad and lonely the last time, he was afraid of it.

His thoughts were interrupted as he spotted the Giant making his way home. Esca zeroed in on the man as he continued to walk. The Giant looked around for a moment as he walked then for the briefest second he looked up. Esca froze in fear. He looked straight at him. There was no way he could see him, was there?

Esca ducked behind the window and took three deep breaths. Had he been discovered? He didn't know what he'd do without being able to watch the Giant. At this point he was all Esca ever thought about.

Esca counted to ten, slowly then with care eased just his eyes above the window's ledge and looked down to the street. The Giant was just rounding the corner and he disappeared. He'd continued one. Esca breathed a sigh of relief before heading back to his pack, which he'd placed on the chair, the lone piece of furniture in this abandoned floor.

Esca searched for something to eat. Nothing. Then he searched for some money… again nothing.

Fuck. He'd have to get something in him, he was beginning to get a little dizzy. He wondered briefly if he could get Jolie to give him a scone or something, but then thought it'd be best not to test her generosity.

Esca made his way to the New York Minute anyways as it was surprisingly close to the Giant's apartment. Perhaps the Brit would be there.

Esca sighed defeated. No Brit, but High Roller was there and waiting. Esca walked up to him, head hung low.

"Let's go," High Roller grunted. At least he'd make better money tonight… but it'd hurt more.

Esca hadn't noticed that he hadn't moved. "I said LET'S GO!" High Roller said grasping Esca's arm tight. Esca gasped with pain as High Roller seemed much angrier tonight than usual. Instantly fear began to pulse through his veins. If High Roller was this angry, everything would hurt more tonight. Instantly Esca was afraid for his life. What if he got too violent?

Esca wanted to get away as fast as possible. He didn't want to be alone with High Roller. He was so scared, his heart rate raced. Esca struggled to get free, but High Roller's grasp was strong and demanding. He yanked him along and Esca stumbled forward with High Roller.

"Come on fucker!" High Roller grunted, Esca had hoped that putting up a fight might have deterred the man. He usually didn't try too hard for anything.

"No," Esca managed weakly. It was doubtful High Roller heard and even less likely he cared.

The rest happened so fast, Esca hadn't noticed anything else around him. He hadn't hoped anybody would care, as that would be useless. It was New York, no one paid attention to anything but themselves.

But someone saw and acted, because a fist flew threw the air and landed squarely on High Roller's manicured face. There may have been a spray of blood, however Esca thought that perhaps he'd just imagined it.

Freed from High Roller's grasp Esca darted to the wall and watched as the High Roller scrambled to his feet. "Fucker!" He spat. "Have the little shit, see if I care."

Adjusting his overly expensive suit, High Roller walked briskly away, almost running. That was when Esca finally took a chance and looked at his savior. It was the Giant. Had Esca been the High Roller he wouldn't have just walked away, he would have run. That soft face was replaced with an anger and rage that struck fear into Esca's stomach, causing it to flip.

"Are you okay?" The Giant's voice was deep and lacked much caring, but still seemed genuine.

Esca could only stare. It was difficult for him to speak. To some speaking was a normal part of everyday life. Esca hardly ever spoke, and like any muscle it needed to be practiced in order to work. Esca just stared blankly not moving.

"You okay man?" The Giant took a step closer to Esca he sounded less angry as he cooled off. Esca flinched at the movement. It was too much. He was too scared. He took off as fast as he could.

He didn't look back for fear of the Giant following him. Had Esca been thinking more clearly he wouldn't have run straight back to the abandoned floor, however once there he scoped out from his perch and saw that the Giant was not there. He was safe for now.

Marcus had run after the teenager. He didn't want to think about what that fucker in the suit was going to do to him. He was glad he'd landed that single satisfying punch.

Once he'd turned the corner he saw the teenager running into that building. It was the same building Marcus had felt was staring at him the past two days. When he'd looked up earlier he saw someone in the window watching him, but that someone had disappeared too fast for him to get a good look.

In a city like New York it was rare to run into the same person twice. Marcus had run into this guy far too many times for it to be a coincidence. First he'd seen him in the park, staring. Then he'd noticed him across the street from him as he'd walked home from beating up that asshole that'd broken Cottia's heart. He'd been staring then too.

Now this kid was watching him from that building. He wondered how long he'd been doing that. Realistically the idea of being stalked should have freaked Marcus out. However he just kind of laughed it off. In the end it was kind of flattering.

Marcus knew he was gay. He'd been that way his whole life. In high school he'd acted out. Fought with teachers, fought with his uncle, fought with everyone. That's how he'd gotten kicked out. Everyone blamed it on his dead parents.

Then he got paid to fight. It was perfect. The Marines let him be exactly who he wanted to be. He could be alone and yet still be around people. He could fight and release that rage. If only he hadn't been shot. So fucking stupid. He could still fight, it didn't matter he'd been shot, but it did to them.

That's how he'd gotten lost again. If it weren't for Cottia, Marcus would likely be dead in a ditch. Cottia had been there in high school, the unlikely friend of the friendless. Neither had been particularly popular. Marcus the violent, angry teenager and Cottia the overweight loner. Now she had dropped the pounds and was more beautiful than anyone Marcus would have graduated with. That made Marcus smile.

Marcus had never really acted on his homosexuality. He'd fucked, sure, but he'd never really liked anybody. Never really felt anything deeper than mere attraction. He'd certainly never loved.

That's why this teenager was so strange to him. The kid was too young, or at least looked it, which honestly freaked Marcus out, but he couldn't help but admit that he was deeply attracted to him. His features were so strikingly beautiful and Marcus was beginning to imagine what the rest of the boy's body looked like. Marcus felt so uncomfortable.

The kid wasn't even his type… not in any way. The guys Marcus had fucked were all big, muscular, like him. He didn't go for really short guys (anything below 5'10 was short for Marcus), he didn't go for skinny, and he didn't go for younger looking… Everything this mystery guy was.

Marcus decided as he bounded up his steps to his apartment, that it had just been too long since he'd had a good fuck. Maybe he'd call up one of his old fuck buddies and release some tension. That sounded like a plan. He was just too tired to do it tonight.

Esca had been sitting on the cold floor of his new home. Silently weeping. What had happened? He remembered being afraid of High Roller. He remembered the punch. He remembered the Giant who'd saved him. He just couldn't remember what had possessed him to run. The Giant had been so nice, so kind, so sweet and yet so terrifying. Why had he run?

Esca slammed his head against the wall he'd leaned his back against. It hurt but somehow Esca managed not to feel it.

It had been almost twenty-four hours since then and Esca still hadn't slept. That wasn't entirely unusual for Esca. He rarely slept any normal hours because it was like eating. He only did it when he absolutely needed to.

His stomach grumbled loudly. He still hadn't eaten, all the excitement had allowed him to forget his hunger. However now it was back and worse than ever. Esca ventured a peek with his binoculars at the street below. He was afraid High Roller would be waiting. Not that he knew where Esca lived.

A pair of familiar eyes was trained on Esca's window. He froze but managed not to duck beneath the window. He just lowered the binoculars and stared back. It was the Giant. Standing in a nicer black jacket with an old gym bag slung over his shoulder. He was staring with a knowing smirk pasted on his smug face. He'd caught Esca.

Esca felt his heart race and his stomach lurch in fear… or maybe still hunger. No matter what it was he knew he'd have to go down the stairs and it seemed he was going to have to face the Giant again. After a full day of wondering why he hadn't talked to the man, now he was getting a second chance at some sort of interaction.

Esca slowly ducked out of the window and made his way down to the street. He took a deep breath before opening the door. When he stepped out he hoped that maybe the Giant had moved on. No such luck, wearing an even prouder smile he stood waiting for Esca.

"I was just walking by, the past two hours, hoping you'd show up," the Giant smirked again. Damn him.

Esca flushed with embarrassment. The Giant had caught him, trapped him and forced him to admit his schedule of staring and stalking.

The Giant began to walk away, not his normal brisk limp, but more of a smug stroll. With a brief glance back at Esca, he said everything he needed to. Esca would follow him, no doubt.

Esca knew where they were going. It was the Giant's apartment. The Giant took each step as he approached the door to his building. It was the first time Esca had ever seen him do that.

The Giant chanced another look back, seemingly relieved that Esca had followed him. Esca took a deep breath before stepping up the stairs and following him into the apartment.

Standing awkwardly in the silent apartment Marcus was at a loss for what to do next. He'd intended to call up an old fuck, but for some reason he'd ended up waiting for his stalker for over two hours. His heart had leapt when he finally saw him and it began to race as they'd made their way back to his place.

In the silence, the kid's stomach grumbled loudly. Marcus raised a surprised eyebrow, "Shit! Are you hungry man?"

The kid flushed a deep scarlet, obviously his stomach had betrayed him and he was ashamed of his hunger. Marcus grabbed some sandwich makings and began preparing a sandwich for the kid.

He threw the finished sandwich on a place with a large helping of potato chips, it may not be the healthiest meal, but at least the kid was going to eat. He wondered how long it'd been since he last ate something significant.

Sitting at the table the kid devoured the food. It almost seemed like he thought at any minute Marcus would take the food away from him. Marcus stared in disbelief as he ate faster than anybody Marcus had ever seen. "Careful dude, you're going to choke on a chip."

The kid eased up a bit but still ate with fervor. "What's your name?" Marcus asked, perhaps a little conversation would slow him down.

The kid stopped for a moment and stared at Marcus. He quickly grabbed the last handful of chips on the plate and shoved them in his mouth, chewing without a care for manners. Not that Marcus cared at all.

The kid gulped the glass of water, washing the meal down. He placed the empty glass back on the table and then looked around the room nervously.

"Can you hear me?" Marcus asked realizing that the kid could be deaf or something like that.

The kid nodded slowly.

Okay. Not that. "Can you speak?" Marcus clarified.

"Yes," the kid replied in a hushed whisper.

"Okay cool," Marcus smiled for the small victory. "I'm Marcus." He held out a hand for a shake. It seemed an odd thing to do, but for some reason it worked. The kid timidly reached out to return the shake. He seemed afraid that at any moment Marcus might decide to hit him. Perhaps that wasn't such a crazy notion as the combination of Marcus's beat up face and the way he attacked that asshole were the only things the kid could use for judgment.

"I'm not going to hurt you," Marcus said.

"I know," the kid replied, a little surer now.

"What's your name?" Marcus tried again. "If you don't tell me one I'll just have to make one up."

The kid smiled at that.

"Allan?" Marcus said then shook his head. "No you're more of a Jamie."

The kid smiled again shaking his head. "You won't guess it."

"Then tell me."

The kid cocked his head in thought then something seemed to click, maybe he just decided to trust Marcus and he said, "Esca."

"Esca," Marcus repeated nodding. "I like that."

Esca shrugged.

"How old are you, Esca?" Marcus asked, afraid of the answer.

"What's today?" Esca asked as if calculating. Marcus grabbed his newspaper and showed Esca. "I'm seventeen."

Marcus felt his stomach drop. Exactly what he was afraid of the kid was underage. Now Marcus felt like a creepy pedophile.

"But I turn eighteen tomorrow…" Esca said. Then as if realizing it for the first time he said, "Shit. My birthday's tomorrow."

"Got any crazy plans?" Marcus laughed.

Esca shook his head before he dropped his gaze to the table and stared. Marcus was afraid he was losing him. He liked it when Esca spoke and he wanted to keep the conversation going.

"What about your parents?" Marcus asked.

Esca just shook his head again.

"Do you live in that building? The one I saw you in," Marcus asked wishing Esca would raise his head and return his gaze again.

Esca nodded slowly.

"Esca," Marcus said softly. Esca raised his gaze to meet Marcus's eyes. They stared for a moment before Marcus finished his thought, "Will you stay here, with me tonight?"

Esca looked like he was about to bolt, then as if accepting it he nodded.

"Here you'll sleep in my bed," Marcus said showing Esca his room. Esca nodded and stood in the room. "I'll be right back."

"Okay," Esca managed.

Marcus went to go grab a towel for Esca in case he wanted a shower. He dropped it as he made his way back and leaned down upon getting back up he saw that Esca had stripped out of all of his clothes. Standing completely naked in front of Marcus, Marcus did a double take before looking away as fast as he could.

"Woah!" Marcus laughed. "Sorry, you know there's a door to my room right?"

When he chanced a look back Esca had approached him, still naked and was reaching out to touch him. Marcus's breath hitched as he shied away. "What are you doing?"

Esca seemed confused as if to say, isn't it obvious. "I thought this is what you wanted."

"What?"

"Food and a place to stay, I thought that was payment for…" Esca left the obvious unsaid. As if he himself didn't want to admit he had sex with men for money.

"Oh god!" Marcus flushed even redder. "No, no!"

Esca seemed taken aback by Marcus's reaction. Then he flushed with embarrassment, now ashamed of his state of undress.

"No, Esca," Marcus sighed putting the towel around him. "I'm not… I don't…" he couldn't find the words. He had already assumed that Esca might be a prostitute. He had thought that the ass in the suit had been a John.

"Please Esca, put some clothes on," Marcus said moving his gaze to the wall as Esca made his way back into the bedroom and slid back into his boxers and his jeans.

"I'll just go," Esca said as he made his way to the door.

Marcus jumped and headed him off, placing his own substantial body in front of the door. "No please, stay."

"Let me go," Esca breathed as he pulled his shirt and jacket on.

"Esca, I'm not going to make you stay, but please stay," Marcus felt strange begging Esca to stay. He didn't want to force him into anything, that way he wouldn't be any better than the asshole.

"Let me go," Esca growled much more forcefully this time. Marcus sighed in defeat as he moved out of the way. Esca threw open the door and bounded out of the apartment. Marcus watched from the window as Esca headed back in the direction of the abandoned building. So this is what it felt like to watch.