The Wink - 15. Chapter 15

15.1 Finding Max and Ernie

Jason slept fitfully during the short time remaining till daybreak. Images of Max and the torture room implements kept chasing any true sleep away. He awoke about 8 am and quickly dressed for breakfast. He wondered how Max felt after his ordeal. He entered the breakfast room only to find Sharon and Tony fooding up. Not feeling hungry he opted for orange juice and fresh fruit.

‘Hey, could you get the word out for everyone to meet in my room in about an hour. I’ve got some news I want to share with everyone. It’s sensitive and I don’t want any staff to be present. (Both Sharon and Tony looked curious) I can’t say anymore now, but I will when we meet. And Tony, you said you had a spare mobile (Tony nodded) I’d like to borrow if I could.’

Just then, Charles burst into the room.

‘Jason, I can’t find Max. I left him asleep while I shaved and showered. When I got back, he’d disappeared.’

‘Oh shit! How is he? After last night I thought he may become calmer and better able to look after himself. How did he sound Charles?’

‘He still sobbed ever so quietly, but I thought he began to improve. That’s why I decided to take a quick shower and shave. I’d only gone twenty minutes, but when I returned, he’d disappeared.’

Seeing the question on Sharon and Tony’s face, Jason quickly brought them up to date on Max.

‘You mean the bastards fried him? Stuck wires in him and electrocuted him? That’s awful. Ernie don’t seem the kind of monster that’d do that to another human being. Have you talked to Ernie yet?’

‘No, Sharon, it was too late last night. Let’s do it now. How about (indicating Charles and Sharon) you two start looking for Max whilst Tony and I run down Ernie. If you see any others, they should also join in the search. It’s imperative we find Max; who knows what he might do?’

15.2 Jason and Tony search

Jason and Tony made a good search team. They combed the premises for about fifteen minutes and couldn’t find Ernie anywhere. They checked all toilets, showers, offices and dormitories without success. Frustrated, they found themselves back near the breakfast room.

‘Well, he ain’t anywhere inside; also, there’s no sign of Max either. What now Jason?’

‘Bloody hell, I haven’t a clue Tony. He must be outside; they both must be outside. There’s a lotta grounds to cover so best we gets a start. At some stage we should join up with the others. By the way, we also couldn’t find Ava. I wonder where she’s got to?’

‘Probably carousing with the local coven, or maybe renewing her broomstick flying licence. Who knows, who cares.’

‘I care. She’s the boss cocky and not only must know what the staff are doing but must also sanction what’s going on. Yes indeedy, I want to talk to the evil one.’

The grounds were fairly open, just studded with trees, a gazebo, and some gardening sheds. Jason thought to dismiss the sheds as unlikely, but then changed his mind. A thorough search is just that - thorough. As they approached the shed containing the gardener’s tools, they heard some strange noises; strange noises which were somewhat familiar.

‘What’s going on Tony? Sounds like someone in pain.’

‘Weird.’

Opening the door quietly they came face to face with a hairy bum; a hairy bum busy fucking someone vigorously. Both lads just stood there in surprise and even embarrassed at intruding on such an intimate moment. They were about to sneak out when Tony exclaimed,

‘Ernie?’

Nearing the open door, Jason reacted to Tony’s exclamation and turned around; following Tony’s gaze, he looked at the couple closely. There wasn’t any doubt. The person impaled on hairy bum’s cock was Ernie. An unfocused Ernie, squealing with passion every time the cock hammered him. The scenario bordered on pornographic.

Both men were naked, with Ernie on his back clinging fiercely to the unknown male. For several seconds, in a frozen tableau, four pairs of eyes stared at each other. Then,

‘(Shocked) Oh shit! Oh shit! . . . I’m . . . I’m . . . sorry, sorry . . . sorry.’

‘Ernie? (smiling) Ernie? (now laughing) So much for your conversion. If I didn’t see with me own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it. (giggling) Hey, who’s yer buddy?’

Ernie continued to stare like some animal caught in headlights and couldn’t answer Jason’s question. Instead,

‘Hey boys, name’s Gavin. I don’t know why yer all here at this place trying not to be poofters because Ernie and I reckon it’s great – don’t we hon?’

‘I . . . I . . . take it this isn’t your first time with Ernie?’

‘Sorry, I didn’t catch yer name son . . .’

‘It’s Tony.’

‘Yeah well Tony, the lad here and I have been screwing since I joined the staff. I must say he’s got the sweetest hole I’ve ever come across. What’s more he loves it, don’t you darling?’

By this time Jason and Tony started to anger. The sheer hypocrisy staggered them. All the time they injured kids with a so-called reparative therapy program, Ernie and Gavin fucked each other senselessly. Finally,

‘(Imploring) Please, please Jason, don’t tell Ava. She’s . . . she’s . . .’

‘Blackmailing you, isn’t she? She knows what you and I do matey; she’s known about us since we started to fuck. I don’t know what she’s got on you Ernie, but I think right now yer shit’s gonna really stink.’

At that Ernie began to sob. In disgust Jason and Tony turned to go, when from outside someone shouted,

‘OVER HERE! QUICKLY, OVER HERE. IT’S MAX. OH GOD . . .. WHAT’S HE GONE AND DONE?’

Without looking back, the two lads burst through the door, heading in the direction of the voice. Jason feared the worst.

Soon feminine wailing joined the first voice, so Jason and Tony headed in that direction. They spied a small group gathered at an old eucalyptus tree and ran as fast as they could. Drawing near, they saw a male body laying stretched out on the grass; they also saw a great deal of blood.

‘It’s Max, is he OK? Sharon, did you check to see if he’s alive, y’know feel for a pulse?’

‘Oh, oh sorry Jason, I’ve just arrived myself and didn’t think . . .’

Bending down hurriedly, Jason felt for a pulse.

‘I got one, he’s still alive, but only just. Tony, (beckoning to Tony) quickly call 000 and declare an emergency. He’s cut himself perpendicular up his left arm and (addressing Sharon) take off your panties quick so I can apply a tourniquet.’

‘Fuck that; I’m not taking me panties off . . .’

‘Jeessus Sharon don’t be difficult. Girls undies are perfect to stop the bleeding and we need to do it now. C’mon baby, be nice.’

Quickly Jason applied pressure on the cuts, and the bleeding slowed. Examining the boy closely, he noticed he seemed pale and listless and his pulse felt feeble.

‘C’mon Maxie, (sob) don’t leave us mate. We’re gonna get you outta here and into a better life. I promise anyone involved in that mediaeval torture will pay heaps. Stay with me boyo, help’s (looking at Tony who nodded) on the way.’

The whole group stood looking pathetic and helpless; no one knew what to do in a crisis like this. They simply stood back and watched as Jason tried valiantly to keep Max alive. When sirens signalled the approaching Paramedics, they collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

The Paras did what they could to stabilize Max but became grim-faced when they considered the amount of blood loss. The senior medic, a middle-aged woman, talked to the bystanders.

‘Look, he’s lost a lot of blood, so our major concern now is if he goes into shock. We’ve given him a drip and then he’ll get full blood in the hospital. I can’t give you any more positive news, except you found him just in time. By the way, don’t go anywhere because the cops will want to interview everyone.’

As Max disappeared in the departing ambulance, the group stood aimlessly about not knowing what to do next. This is when Jason’s leadership skills rose to the occasion.

‘I’d advise you to start thinking of going home as soon as the cops give you the all-clear. This whole set-up is a farce, particularly our good friend Ernie who Tony and I found being fucked by someone called Gavin . . .’

‘(Disbelief) Gavin, Gavin . . . the gardener? Ernie and Gavin were fucking?’

‘Yes, indeedy Sharon. According to this Gavin, they’ve been at it for some time. Makes you want to throw up. But there’s more; yesterday, someone authorized electric shock therapy on Maxie, as part of his anti-gay treatment. Whilst not the sole cause of Max’s attempt today, I believe it was the final straw. For that, someone’s gonna hang!’

‘So, what d’yer say we should do, Jason?’

‘I don’t think we’ll be able to leave till tomorrow, or as soon as the cops finish interviewing us. So just do yer own thing for now but keep close. If you think I can help, just knock on me door. OK?’

15.3 Leaving Elysium Meadows

Ava had disappeared, along with Ernie and the gardener. The whole complex became eerily silent. Just on dinner-time a police sergeant arrived and spoke to the group in the dining room.

‘My name is Sergeant Burrows and you need to listen carefully. I don’t know what’s happened here as I only know what . . .’

‘How’s Max? We want to know about Max?’

‘Sorry ma’am, I don’t know your name. Can you . . .’

‘I’m not a madam. I’m a miz. My names Sharon.’

‘OK Sharon, all I know is he’s in intensive care and his condition is stable. You know how hospital speak goes . . . even worse than police speak. I guess you’re a close nit group, eh?’

‘Umm Sergeant, my name is Jason. Do you know why we’re here in this place?’

‘Thanks Jason. No, I don’t. Perhaps you can enlighten me, please.’

‘We’re homosexuals trying to overcome our nasty habit by using a program designed by the people who run this place. I said trying, but I really mean past tense because it’s a bloody fraud.’

‘Oh . . . err . . . I, I didn’t know that. We were told the place belonged to a religious organization. Now you tell me it’s some sort of Psychological program aimed at . . . . well, you know . . . ‘

‘Being normal. Well that’s what we signed up for, but unfortunately . . .’

‘Why d’yer want t’do this? I mean we get to know many gay people, and I find them to be very good citizens; helpful, courteous and non-violent. We also have many gay police, of both genders, and they have the respect of all of us as well as the public. There’s nothing wrong with being gay, so why d’yer want to change? (Looking hard at Jason) I’ve heard about these reparation programs and they’re generally accepted as stressful and unsuccessful.’

‘I couldn’t agree more, and I’m sure I speak for the group. In my case, the issue is religion. My father is a homophobic pastor and demands I change . . . or else! Although the circumstances are a little different each one of us is trying to satisfy some religious dictate. (several people nodded) ’

‘Well, it’s a shame but each of you must make your own decisions now. I can tell you, as a result of the young’un’s attempt, this is now a criminal matter . . .

(Enthusiastically) ‘That’s good news.’