Quatre had to hurry. Wufei would be back any minute, and he hadn't finished packing. He knew if Wufei got home and their stuff wasn't ready there'd be hell to pay. He didn't think his body could handle it any more. Ever since the night Wufei had caught his tender declaration to Trowa, he had changed. If possible he had become more angry, more callous. And after that night his treatment of Quatre had grown more savage. But Quatre realized it all revolved around a different night. The night he had come across Duo and Wufei. And he had seen everything.
Following those events, his life had taken a drastic turn, and not for the better. It had been on that night that Quatre had had his first glimpse of how truly inhumane Wufei really was. Quatre wondered how he never noticed this cruelty lying just below Wufei's surface. He had called the other boy a friend, worked beside him, invited him into his home. All the time not suspecting that behind the Dr. Jeckyll, lurked a real life Mr. Hyde. How could he have missed that? True, the Chinese boy was not a rabid talker, in fact he only spoke when he deemed it necessary. But something should have warned Quatre, some little sign of the atrocious behavior lying beneath. But it wasn't until that ill fated night.
That had been the first time Wufei had hit him. Or more accurately, he had beaten him until Quatre couldn't fight back anymore. And the first time Wufei had taken him. And it had been Quatre's first time period. But looking back Quatre knew that as rough as those early tortures had been, these new methods were worse. The earlier strategies were purely physical. Punches and slaps, and of course the violation, but that was the extent of. But after the night when Quatre admitted his love for Trowa, Wufei had transformed. It was almost like he was compensating for something.
Now Wufei was trying to injure Quatre in a way that wouldn't heal like a material scar. It seemed rape of the body wouldn't satisfy him anymore. Presently he seemed to want to rape Quatre's mind as well. Quatre knew he wasn't far from his goal. Little by little he felt himself drifting away. Nowadays every time Wufei forced himself on him, all Quatre could hear were his own silent screams echoing in his head. And as loud as they got, they couldn't drown out the insults or the humiliating words Wufei always inflicted on him. Phrases that were accompanied by statements of love. Quatre didn't know which hurt more, those degrading terms, or the sadistic utterances of false sentiment.
All he was sure of was that if Wufei continued, his soul would eventually fragment into nothingness. And if anyone tried to pick up the pieces, there wouldn't be enough left to form a person who's life was worth living. He was swiftly becoming little more than a jigsaw puzzle. The border was intact, giving it hardly more than a frame. A ghostly outline of what it should be. And if someone didn't fill the rest of it in soon, the frame would collapse, and all the pieces would be useless. Nothing more than useless scraps, that once held the possibilities of a masterpiece.
Wufei had scattered so many of those pieces with his persecution. But Quatre hung onto a few. He gripped them like a lifeline. Maybe the handful left wouldn't add up to the brilliance that all of them were capable of. But they would make something. In the hands of a true artist, those tiny segments could be made beautiful.
Quatre's broken arm had healed fine, and the black eye had gone away. But those were just the visible signs. Last week they had gotten word that they were going to join the others in a different safehouse. Some huge mission was coming up that would need the skill of all the pilots. At that news, Quatre's meagerly remaining scraps had begun to recapture their essence. Wufei certainly wouldn't try anything with the others present. And if Quatre could only be free from him for a while, then maybe, just maybe he could put himself together again. At least the parts that were salvageable.
As if perceiving the blonde's increase in spirit, Wufei had been hitting him more severely and frequently. Almost like a final warning. Quatre's whole body was strewn with bruises, except his face. Wufei had been careful not to strike him there. No visible signs. Quatre knew the beatings were only Wufei's way of stressing his physical dominance over him. The marks the Chinese boy really cared about were the ones he left on the inside.
Quatre finished cramming the rest of their belongings into the bags. For as long as they'd been there, they didn't have that much stuff. He zipped them shut, and deposited them by the front door. He decided to give their room the once-over to make sure he didn't leave anything behind. A quick inspection of the bedroom and bathroom showed he hadn't missed anything. His job now finished he sat down and waited for Wufei to return. Normally to pass the time he would have read or practiced his beloved violin. But books didn't hold the same joy for him anymore.
They now seemed to be pointless stories where the good guy saved the day, and everything ended up sunshine and roses. He couldn't get absorbed in a tale of happiness, when all he had to look forward to was his own bleak existence. He would have turned to his violin, where he could compose melancholy songs that would at least match his mood, but Wufei had seen the solace it provided and quickly disposed of it. He had made Quatre watch as his cherished instrument was smashed into bits, and then discarded like so much rubbish. It had pained him greatly at the time to lose it, but looking back it seemed so trivial. It was a minor sacrifice compared to all else he had lost.
Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long. He'd only been sitting for a few minutes when he heard the front door slam shut. And for a split second grand ideas of escape flitted through his head. //I could run away right now. I could clobber Wufei with this chair and be gone before he got up. Or, I could go out a window. I have so many holdings I could seek refuge at. I could fight back.// But it was like some invisible force bound him to his seat. //Why can't I leave him? How is it that he has this power over me? I know his secret, I could tell the others, assuming I found them before Wufei found me.//
He slumped down lower at that last thought. //Wufei would just find me. When he said I belonged to him, he meant it. He'd never let me get away, and no matter how far I ran, he'd always catch me. Or worse, he'd move on to one of the others.// Quatre shuddered at that. Heero couldn't take it. He had seemed so hardened, but after Duo, he transformed. It was if someone sucked the life out of him. He had started to deflate right before their eyes. Now he was little more than a zombie. He completed his missions with the same precision as always, but it was as if his life had lost what small value it had. And then there was Trowa.
Quatre's heart constricted. The thought of the reserved green eyed boy being subjected to Wufei's ruthlessness was too appalling to bear. //No. It will never come to that. I would rather die than have either of them exposed to this. And if my life is what it takes to shelter them, well it's a paltry price to pay.// Quatre's contemplation was broken by the sound of voices approaching. //That's strange. Who could Wufei be talking to? We're not scheduled to meet up with Trowa and Heero for two more days, and we're not meeting here. It can't be the Maguanacs, or my family since they don't know where we are. So who is it?// He was mentally listing all the possible candidates when he looked up and saw Wufei standing in the doorway.
* * *
Wufei just stood there looking at Quatre. He was pleased when he saw the fear creep into the blonde's eyes. He just continued his glaring, never once looking away. //Good, he's almost there. Tonight will be the last straw. This will crush him fully and make him mine, and only mine. I messed up once before, but this time will be different. I couldn't have Duo, but I will have Quatre. After tonight he will belong solely to me.// Quatre had started to tremble slightly under Wufei piercing gaze, despite the fact he was trying not to show it.
Wufei couldn't have hoped for more. //Now it's time for the finishing blow.//
"You know tonight is our last night here. I thought celebrations were in order. After all this place hold so many memories. So I thought we'd have one last *bang* before we joined the others."
Wufei's emphasis on the word bang made Quatre shiver. He knew that whatever the Chinese boy had planned tonight was to be his undoing. Quatre only hoped that he would make it through with some speck of himself intact. The blonde tried not to let his aversion show. He had learned quickly that showing resistance only enraged and excited Wufei further.
These days instead of crying out loud, he cried on the inside. Every time Wufei took him, those screams filled his head. Quatre paid for his unresponsiveness later, but it was worth it. It was his own feeble way of fighting back. If he couldn't give voice to his words of loathing, then at least he could howl them in his head. It was a minor victory, but a victory nonetheless.
Wufei was enjoying Quatre's growing trepidation. He let the blonde mull over his words for a minute before continuing. "I wanted tonight to be special. Something you'd *never* forget."
With that said, Wufei motioned to someone with his hand. The person he'd been talking to came to stand behind him. Wufei moved aside and let the other man into the room. The black haired boy followed him in, and then shut the door. Then Wufei sauntered over to where Quatre sat stupefied.
"W-Wufei? What's going on?" he asked. Quatre didn't recognize the man. "Who is this?"
Wufei looked at the stranger, and his lips curved into a devious smile. "This is your going away present Quatre. He heard of your "talents," and was dying to sample them."
Quatre was still confused. "I don't understand. I don't know who this is. I don't..," he trailed off looking to Wufei for an answer.
"Oh, my *innocent* little Quatre", Wufei sneered, making what would normally be an endearment sound more like a slur, "let me explain." He leaned over and whispered into Quatre's ear, "This man is some stranger I met on the street. And tonight he's going to fuck your brains out while I watch. I'm going to sit right here and watch him give it to you all night long. He's quite large, so I'm sure it'll hurt some, but that shouldn't bother someone like you. And maybe if you're really good I'll let you suck me off later. Now get up on the bed, and spread your legs like the good little slut you are."
With that one of the few remaining fragments of Quatre's soul burst. One more of the particles of hope and life he clung to vanished. The Arabian rose and began undoing the buttons of his shirt. When it was fully open he slipped it off his shoulders. He bent over and removed his shoes and socks. Then he stood back up and undid his pants. Quatre moved toward the bed, shedding his pants and boxers on the way. He laid on the bed with his legs splayed wide.
"Good boy," Wufei mocked. He then seated himself in the vacated chair. The Chinese boy turned his attention to the stranger. "Well," he said, "he's all yours."
The stranger was busy taking in every inch of Quatre's bare flesh. When he was done with his perusal he turned to Wufei. "You sure he can take it? He already looks pretty beat up to me."
It was an understatement. From the neck down Quatre's creamy skin was marred with a variety of cuts and bruises.
"Oh, yes," Wufei said, "he can take it. He won't fight you. He's a whore, he likes it."
The man nodded, a spark coming to his eyes. He turned back to the prone figure on the bed and licked his lips. Seeing that gesture, Wufei knew he'd chosen the right man to be Quatre's "gift."
He'd been in town, buying supplies, trying to figure out what was the best way to fully crumble what minuscule vitality the blonde had left. He had exited the store and come across the stranger propositioning a young, male prostitute. The boy had turned him down, stating that last time he'd been too violent. Wufei had heard of this man from another hooker. Sometimes when he was done with the Quatre, the boy could barely move. So Wufei took his strain out on other hapless young boys. One of them had told Wufei that he should meet this man, they had similar tastes.
Afterwards, of course, Wufei had beat him for his impertinence. So when Wufei overheard the conversation between the two, he knew this was the man he was looking for. He'd found out that this man had a preference to adolescent boys, and that he liked to treat them rough. Once Wufei had approached him, it had taken a limited description to get him up to the house. And now seeing him licking his chops like a beast with wounded prey, Wufei knew this man was perfect for the job. Tonight would be Quatre's destruction. Following this he'd be broken beyond repair.
* * *
The stranger began removing his clothes. The slight rustling sound was deafening to Quatre. The screams that normally occupied his head were no longer there. The silence was thunderous in his ears. //This is what I have become.// He felt the bed shift under the weight of the other man. He felt the man climbing on top of him. Felt foreign hands exploring his body, squeezing his nipples so painfully. Yet, he didn't respond. Even though he felt those things happening to him, it was too much for him to comprehend.
So Quatre shut down. He could feel the hands on his flesh, and yet he didn't register it. It was almost like he was watching himself being raped from some far off place. He waited for the beating he knew was coming. //I deserve this.//
"Wait--," Wufei called out.
That one word, that one sparse word, made Quatre's spirits rise a little. He had a small glimmer of hope. Suddenly he found himself back in his body. Repulsed at the unfamiliar hands roaming it. //Maybe Wufei will stop this. Maybe he does care. maybe he realizes he's gone too far.// Quatre held his breath in anticipation.
"--Anywhere, but the face," Wufei caught Quatre's hopeful look, "no visible signs."
The stranger grunted his acknowledgment. And that twinkle of hope-that one small piece that Quatre had guarded, even after he though he'd lost them all-that twinkle flickered, and went out. And that final, precious piece shattered, and dissolved into oblivion. He no longer needed to leave his body. He had nowhere, and no reason to go. Quatre mechanically followed whatever instructions the man gave him. The stranger shifted off him, so that Quatre could move. The Arabian was now on his hands and knees facing the seated Wufei. The man move behind him and spread his ass cheeks. He placed the head of his enlarged cock at Quatre's opening.
Without warning he tried to jam it in. But Quatre was so tight, and unprepared, and the man so large, that he was just uselessly pounding against him. After a few tries Quatre finally relaxed his muscles enough for the stranger to plunge his full length in. He paused for a moment, delighting in the blonde's exquisitely narrow passage. He thrust in over and over, rubbing Quatre raw. Quatre knew he was torn, he could feel the blood dribbling down his leg. Not that that was new. He had an exceptional slender anus, so nearly every time he was assaulted he bled.
Wufei seemed to take particular pleasure in that. He never used lubrication anymore, remarking that it was more fun when Quatre provided his own. His small body was lurching back and forth as the man drove in to him repeatedly. The stranger was on the brink. He was now hammering into him at breakneck speed. His rapid thrusts sinking him deeper and deeper into Quatre. And then with one final slam he came, coating Quatre's inner walls. And then he fell onto Quatre, disabling his slight frame. The man, not wanting to wear out his new plaything too soon, yanked out. He looked down at his now limp member, and saw it was covered in blood.
He looked over at Wufei. "Guess I'll give the kid a minute to recover, while I go clean myself up."
Wufei waved his hand in the direction of the bathroom. The stranger got up and went inside. Wufei arose from the chair, and walked over to where Quatre was lying inert on the bed. He grasped the blonde's chin, and forced his head up so that their eyes met. He noticed with smug satisfaction what he saw in them. Or rather what he didn't see. Gone was that richness that used to radiate from them. That earnestness, and that brightness that used to shine from their depths. Missing was that compassion, that tenderness, that feeling that used to shimmer on their surface. Quatre's eyes were devoid of any emotion, of any vitality, any life.
Wufei stared into the blonde's eyes and knew he had won. The boy was broken, defeated. But, he couldn't leave it at that. Watching Quatre being fucked by a complete stranger had turned him on. And now he wanted a piece of the blonde. Wufei released Quatre's chin, and let his head fall back to the bed. He quickly divested himself of his clothing and crawled up beside Quatre. His hand cracked against the blonde's abused ass. Quatre lifted himself so that he was once again on his hands and knees.
"No. Turn over. I want to see the look in your eyes as I fuck you," Wufei said breathlessly.
He was panting, his need to be buried in Quatre was so overwhelming. Quatre obligingly turned over onto his back. Wufei wasted no time getting between the Arabian's legs and hoisting them to his shoulders. He positioned himself and plunged in. Quatre was so stretched and blood slick that Wufei met with no resistance. He started ramming his cock in, his eyes never leaving Quatre's.
"I love you, Quatre," Wufei said with such disgust, he might as well have said Quatre was the antichrist.
Quatre just stared blankly back at him. Wufei knew it wouldn't take much for him to come, but he wanted the Arabian to come too. He wanted to see that familiar shame in those blue-green eyes.
He reached between their bodies and clasped his hand around Quatre's manhood. He started pumping it furiously. Wufei knew just how to touch him to make him stiffen almost immediately. Wufei pushed his cock in further and further, at the same time stroking Quatre's cock aggressively. In no time Quatre's muscles went taut, and he released his seed into Wufei's hand. He tightened around Wufei's invading cock at the same time. That, combined with the vision of Quatre impaled on the stranger, pushed Wufei over the edge. And for the second time that night Quatre's haven was coated with semen.
He searched the Arabian's eyes for any trace of emotion. Seeing none he pulled out, and let Quatre's legs down. He looked down at his sticky hand in distaste. "Clean this off," he demanded, shoving his hand in Quatre's face.
Quatre obeyed, opening his mouth to let Wufei's fingers in. If he found the action or the taste to his dislike he made no show of it. He only did as he was bid. When they were spotless Wufei pulled his hand away with one last look of disdain. He got off the bed and pulled his pants back on.
The stranger had watched most of the activities from the bathroom doorway. After seeing the two beautiful boys fuck, he was already hard again. But he knew if he took the blonde again he'd be wrecked. He looked toward the dark haired boy. Wufei knew the stranger wanted to get off again, but Quatre needed a break, or he might not make it.
Wufei wanted nothing more than to watch the blonde get fucked, and then to fuck him, nonstop. But that might kill him. He decided on a compromise. "Let's give him a minute to clean himself off. Then he can come back and give us blowjobs. By the time that's done he should be recovered enough to go at it again. After all, we don't want to use him up too early."
The stranger nodded his consent. The dark haired one made sense. And after seeing the blonde suck those fingers, he couldn't wait to sink his cock into that soft, rosy mouth. Quatre got off the bed and headed for the bathroom. As he passed Wufei, the Chinese boy grabbed him, and seized his mouth. Wufei stuck his tongue fully into Quatre's mouth and proceeded to give him a long, wet kiss. Then he pulled back, and shoved Quatre away. The Arabian stumbled a bit, but righted himself.
"You make me sick," he said, "but that's why I love you." Wufei's words of fondness were dripping with sarcasm and detest. Quatre kept going as if he hadn't noticed a thing.
* * *
He made it to the bathroom and shut the door. He leaned against it, his body too worn out to support him. After a few minutes he had finally worked up the energy to go about cleaning himself. He got a washcloth and started the shower. He got in, and scrubbed himself until his skin was stinging. He got out and dried off with the only towel he could find. It was rather dirty, but did it matter? The bleeding had eventually stopped, but he was still so sore. Inside and out. The vigorous rubbing had not only relieved him of a layer of skin, it had reminded him of all the cuts and bruises.
As for the inside pain, well he couldn't much help that. Anyway, it was only going to get worse. Quatre used the towel to wipe the mirror clean. The face staring back was only a shell of it's former owner. But only Quatre knew that. For all outward appearances he looked the same. //Did I think suddenly I'd look different? As if tonight's events would somehow change me physically?// He continued his inspection. As far as he could tell nothing was different aside from his body being black and blue.
But lately that wasn't so unusual. //What? did I expect that a giant tattoo, proclaiming me Wufei's whore would just apperate on my forehead. Did I think that just because Wufei killed what little breath of life I had left, that it would just be visible on my face? Yes. I did. I feel so different, so hollow. I just can't believe it doesn't show.// Quatre didn't notice the emptiness of his eyes. Or the way his shoulders sagged. The way his whole body slumped, as if he was carrying the weight of the world around on his shoulders. //I should be screaming, or crying, or doing something. Feeling something. Why don't I feel anything? It's like I'm vacant. A human casing, with nothing inside.//
He put the towel down and went towards the door. He knew what waited on the other side. Wufei and that guy. And he knew what was going to happen. They'd use him until there was nothing left. Not that there was much left now. //Besides I deserve this. Who's going to want me now?// He tried to invoke an image of Trowa. The one thing that had kept him going up to this point. But he couldn't conjure even a facsimile of the green eyed boy. The figure eluded him, like the wispy, tail end of some wonderful dream. Perhaps it was better that way. Time to put wishful thinking behind him, and accept his actuality.
When he couldn't even find hope in the envisage of Trowa, Quatre knew Wufei had broken him. And the minute he admitted it to himself, it became true. Wufei had scattered the pieces of his soul into the wind. And there was nothing he could do to get them back. Quatre opened the door to the bathroom. //This is what I have become. This is what I have become.// He kept repeating the phrase over and over, like some sort of mantra. The little blonde stepped out of the bedroom, and into the hell waiting for him.
* * *
The stranger got up from the chair he was sitting in. He pulled Quatre over so that were directly in front of the other chair. The chair Wufei was once again inhabiting. The man forcefully pushed Quatre to his knees. Quatre sank down and compliescently took the stranger's cock into his mouth. The man grabbed Quatre's face, and started ramming himself down his throat. Quatre was fighting not to choke, but the man paid him no heed. Quatre knew that Wufei's eyes never left him, and that as soon as he finished the stranger, he'd have to do Wufei. And he knew that the pattern would repeat itself all night, and it did.
Wufei and the stranger took turns fucking him, and having him suck their cock. Passing him back and forth like some inanimate fuck toy. And by the time they were done, he felt like little more. They had finally collapsed in exhaustion, just as the first traces of light streaked the sky. He was too tired to sleep. Not that he ever felt rested afterwards. So, Quatre had cleaned up and gotten dressed. Now he was once again folded into his window seat, staring out at the coming day. Normally he would have been awed at the sight of the golden rays bathing the landscape. The way the pale morning light seemed to make the world shine. And how the sky was aflame with colors so vivid, they looked surreal. But today he didn't even see it.
His eyes were fixed on some invisible spot, far off in the horizon. That spot where he was happy, and life held significance. That spot he'd never be able to locate. //Soon, I get to see Trowa again.// Nothing. He tried to summon some sentiment, or excitement, or affection, or anything. But nothing. //I should feel something. Love, fear, nervousness, longing, anything.// But he didn't. //This is what I have become.// Chanting that phrase gave him some semblance of comfort. At least it broke the silence that was prevalent in his head.
A few hours later Wufei woke up. The first thing he did was check as to Quatre's whereabouts. Satisfied that the blonde wasn't going anywhere, he shook the stranger awake. The stranger got dressed and left. Wufei followed him out. He came back a short time later, took a shower. When Wufei came out he noticed Quatre was sitting in the same spot, he hadn't moved so much as an inch. He looked like a beautiful sculpture. His body was illuminated by the sunlight streaming in. It gave him an almost ethereal quality. Wufei paid no attention to that. He was too busy gloating over his success. He smiled inwardly as he dressed. //Last night turned out even better than I had planned. He's mine forever.//
"Let's go," he said.
Quatre got up and followed him out the door. The blonde picked up both their bags and carried them to the truck they'd bought. It was a semi-truck cab, with two trailing flatbed carriers. Both their Gundams were covered with tarps and then strapped to them. Quatre wondered if Sandrock was in good shape. He hadn't piloted since they'd been there. Wufei had taken Quatre's missions as well as his own. He said he couldn't have his little toy running off to God knows where; getting ideas into his head. So he had completed both their assignments. Quatre didn't know what he did while he was gone, he was just thankful for the reprieve.
Quatre climbed into the passenger side of the cab, and put the bags behind the seat. He hadn't missed the body of last night's stranger sprawled on the front porch. Not that he would morn the loss. Wufei started the engine and off they went. It was about a twenty hour drive, not to mention they had to find a spot to store their Gundams near the new house. Even so, they'd probably still arrive before the others. The others. Quatre used to get so excited when they all got together. Now he wished they had never met.
About three hours into the trip Wufei reached over and put his hand on Quatre's knee. He leisurely ran it up until it rested on his thigh. "How about a quickie, Quatre, love?" he leered.
His hand tightened, fingers squeezing roughly into Quatre's skin. Quatre didn't bother to look at him. He began undoing the buttons on the front of his shirt. Wufei glanced at him. "Put your clothes back on," he said with repugnance, "I was only kidding. God, I touch you and you practically jump into my lap. Could you be any more easy? Don't you have any morals?"
Wufei pulled his hand away with abhorrence. Quatre quietly rebuttoned his shirt. They drove the rest of the way in silence.
Wufei drove off the road, and into the woods about a mile from the safehouse was located. They got out and unloaded their Gundams, and covered them with camouflage tarps to thoroughly conceal them. When they were sure their mechas were well hidden Wufei and Quatre started hiking to the house. When the cabin, more of a rundown shack, came into view, they split up. Each walking around the area, doing a perimeter check. Finding nothing amiss, they headed to the cabin. A quick check in the windows, and they felt it safe to enter.
Once inside Wufei and Quatre wandered about, making sure it was secure as well. Not that there was much to search. The cabin was small, and sparsely furnished. There was a tiny kitchen area, that opened into a dining room. The dining room could hardly hold its scratched table, and four mismatched chairs. There was a living room, although the only thing fit to live there were the spiders. And, by the looks of things, they had been living there awhile. It sported a moldy sofa, and two dust laden chairs. And down a narrow hallway, was the cabin's one bedroom. It boasted a large, king sized bed, with ratty sheets. A writing desk, that was on it's last legs, with an equally precarious chair, and two rotting dressers.
Quatre began unpacking, and stowing their clothes in one of them. Meanwhile, Wufei got onto his computer, and began searching for mission updates. When Quatre finished, he strayed back to the kitchen to see what food they had, if any. After peering through the musty refrigerator, and all the decaying cabinets he found nothing. //Oh, well I'm not even that hungry. If Wufei is he'll just go out later.// Quatre assumed the same rules applied there, as they did at the last house. He was a prisoner of the house. Never permitted to leave, under any circumstances. As the boundaries of the cabin were small, he had few choices. He shuffled into the living room.
Quatre sat down on one of the dusty chairs, a cloud rising as he did. And there the blonde boy sat, to await the arrival of his fellow pilots. Although, no matter how soon they got there, they'd already be too late.
~~~~~
tbc. |