42 comments/  22995 views/  26 favorites

Now or Never: Escape to Freedom Ch. 03

By: CE300



I want to apologize for the long delay in this chapter. Life just got carried away but I never meant to leave all of you guys hanging for this long. Chapter 4 hopefully won't take as long for me to do. I would like to thank my editor Jensediting for stepping up to the plate and helping me out with my story. Now for my disclaimer. If you do not like gay male stories that have gay male reluctance and some BDSM, than do not read this story. This chapter is very long and very detailed so if you are looking for a quick read this is not the story for you. If you enjoy a story that is full of detail, suspense, drama and love than this is the one for you! If you are new and haven't read the other two chapters I advise that you do or this chapter will not make any sense. All persons in this story are fictitious and any likenesses are completely coincidental. So without further delay I bring to you the long awaited Chapter 3 of Now or Never: Worlds Collide. 

*****

Austin missed his parents so much. He wondered how different his life might have turned out if they hadn't died. But then the words of his mother came into his head 'Austin, everything happens for a reason. Sometimes we don't know the reason or understand it at the moment but with time it will make sense.' If they hadn't of died then he never would have met Ryan, he was the best thing to ever happened to him. He wasn't about to let someone ruin it for him. He wanted to tell Ryan what his sister had said but Ryan would just to start another fight with her. So he decided that he would wait until the last day of the reunion to tell Ryan. He stood up and whipped the tears from his eyes. As he went to open the door, Justin came in looking for him.

"There you are. Ryan was wondering what happened to you." Justin questioned. 

"I was just trying to find where everything goes in here." Austin answered. Trying not to sound upset but he didn't think Justin believed him.

"Austin, what's wrong? You look like you've been crying."

"I just got a little dust in my eyes, stupid allergies." Austin tried to laugh it off.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm okay." Austin hated lying to him but he knew that if this conversation got back to Ryan World War III would break out.

"Okay then. Come on everyone is getting ready for dinner." Justin said as he open the door for Austin.

As the night continued on Ryan noticed that Austin was not acting his normal self. There were a few times that he caught Clare giving Austin nasty looks, but Clare gave everyone nasty looks so he didn't take too much notice. 

"I figured after a long day at the beach you would like this." Ryan offered him a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream. Which he knew was one of Austin's favorites. 

"No thank you." Austin politely declined. 

Now Ryan knew that something wasn't right. "Austin, what's wrong? You have been acting strange ever since we came back from the beach."

"Nothing, I'm just tired. I guess I had a little too much fun at the beach today." Austin said faking a smile.

Ryan knew that Austin wasn't telling him the entire truth, but he didn't want to press the issue with everyone around. He noticed Justin on the other side of the deck and made his was over to him. 

"Hey Ryan, having a good time?" Josh asked.

"Not really. Austin's been acting strange ever since we got from the beach." He turned his gaze to Justin. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure." Justin answered.

"Alone, if you don't mind."

Justin looked at Josh and he nodded it was okay.

"Is everything okay?" Justin questioned as they walked off the deck.

"No. Ever since we got back from the beach Austin hasn't been acting like himself. I asked him if he was okay, he lied and told me that he was. I've been around Austin long enough to know when he is lying to me."

Justin just stood there in silence. Should he tell Ryan that he heard everything his sister had said to Austin? Suddenly he felt like the shoe was on the other foot and now he was faced with disclosing someone else's secret. Now he understood how Josh had felt. Granted this wasn't as major of an issue but still it was pretty bad.

"I think your sister said something to him." Justin finally answered.

"I should have known that bitch would try and ruin this for me! What did she say?" Ryan's eyes started to burn with anger.

Justin was not very good under pressure and wished Ryan hadn't asked to talk to him. "She told him that he was basically a freeloader and that he made everything up, even the part about his parents being dead."

That was the final straw. Ryan was done with people trying to ruin what he and Austin had going. It was time for him to put that bitch of a sister in her place. 

He made a direct line over to where Clare was standing and knocked the glass out of her hand.

"What the fuck is wrong with you! Do you even have any idea how much this dress cost!"

"Shut the fuck up you evil fucking bitch!" Now everyone's attention was on the two of them. "Who the fuck do you think you are coming here and trying to ruin what Austin and I have?" Ryan yelled.

"You mean that pathetic freeloader and liar. You really must be stupid to believe his lies." She said as she cleaned the spilled drink off of her dress.

"I will not have you talk about him like that! What gives you the right to say those things about him! Maybe if you had gotten to know him you would see that he's none of those things. He is one of the most caring and loving people I have ever met. I haven't been this happy in a long time!"

"Oh shut up Ryan! You are just as stupid as mom and dad for falling for his lies! He is a worthless piece of shit that his mother should have swallowed!" Clare barked back.

"Get the fuck out of here! I hate you and I never want to see you again in my life!" Ryan screamed at the top of his lungs.

"You can't make me leave. You can't do shit but take dick up your fairy ass!"

"I'm warning you now; if you don't leave I'm going to lose my patients!"

"Fuck you Ryan and your faggot ass boyfriend! He should be glad his parents are dead so they wouldn't have to deal with such a pathetic excuse of a son!" 

Before Ryan could say another word Stacy came up from behind Clare knocking her to the ground. She grabbed Clare by the hair and landed a few good hits. Clare was yelling for help and demanding Stacy to get off of her but no one moved to help her. They either didn't care or didn't want to interfere with what Clare had coming. Shelly finally came over and pulled Stacy off. 

"Get your things and leave! As far as I am concerned you are no longer a part of this family! Your father and I raised you better than this! How dare you come here and do this!" She said as tears filled her eyes.

"You're just going to let her do that to me!"

"Shut up! You got exactly what you deserved! Now, I said leave!" Shelly said as she pointed to the driveway.

Without saying another word Clare picked up whatever dignity she could find and made her way to her car.

"Mom, I'm sorry." Ryan with tears in his eyes. "I just lost it when I heard what she had said about Austin."

"Don't worry about it." As she gave her son a hug. 

"Where did Austin go?" Stacy asked as she looked around at the crowd. 

"Oh my god, Austin." Ryan knew that this must have scared Austin.

"I think I saw him run into the house." Cindy answered.

Ryan's heart was pounding when he opened the door to their room and saw Austin wasn't there. He ran down the steps and out the front door just in time to see Austin putting his suitcase in the car.

"Austin, where are you going?!" 

"I'm sorry Ryan. I'm so sorry; I've caused your family so much upset. I think it would be best if I left." Austin cried.

"Left?! Left to where?"

"Back where I never should have left in the first place."

"What to Eric? You can't go back to him! Not after everything you have done to get away from him!"

"I was stupid to think that if I had left my life would be better. No matter where I go, I always end up ruining someone's life."

"You haven't ruined anyone's life." Ryan protested.

"That entire shit storm was all over me. The family reunion is ruined, your mom just disowned your sister and I embarrassed your entire family. If I hadn't left Eric none of this would have ever of happened. At least with him I'm not causing anyone to hurt."

"Please tell me this isn't happening. This has got to be some horrible nightmare that I'm going to wake up from!" Ryan yelled. "Austin, I love you! I can't bear the thought of losing you!"

"I'm sorry Ryan but you deserve better than me. As long as you stay with me you are going to have nothing but issues. You and I both know that Eric is not going to let me go. He will find a way to get me and I don't want you to get hurt."

"You can't leave me!" Ryan grabbed Austin's arm and pulled him back. "Please, I'm begging you not to leave!"

"Ryan this is the hardest thing in my life to do but I can't live with myself knowing how much hurt I've caused. You deserve better than what I can give you." Austin said as tears slipped down his cheeks.

"Austin no!" Ryan cried as Austin got in his car. "I'm begging you please don't leave me!"

Austin didn't say anything more as he turned the key in the ignition. As Austin pulled out of the drive way he could see Ryan running after him but he didn't stop, he couldn't stop. 

Ryan collapsed onto the driveway and started balling his eyes out. He could not believe that Austin was gone. His entire world had just come crashing down on him and he didn't know what to do. 

"What do you mean he left?!" Stacy screamed.

"He's gone. He went back to Eric." Ryan cried.

"No, that can't be! Why would he do that?!"

"Because of everything that happened tonight." Ryan sobbed.

Stacy screamed for Cindy and Shelly. They came running full steam out to Ryan who was still sitting in the driveway.

"Austin left. He went back to Eric!" Stacy cried.

"Oh my god!" Cindy gasped. 

"Stacy, take Ryan into the house please." Shelly asked with tears in her eyes.

"Leave me alone. I just want to be alone!" Ryan cried out.

Lightning cracked over head causing everyone to jump.

"Ryan I said get in the house now! There's a storm rolling in!" Shelly demanded. "We will figure something out when we get inside."

Finally Ryan got up off the ground and made his way into the house just in time for the rain let lose. He didn't say anything to anyone and went right to the room, crashing down on the bed and continued to sob. He could still smell Austin's sent on the pillow and that only made him cry even harder. His body was wracked with heart break.

"I just can't believe this. Austin's gone." Cindy said as she took a seat at the kitchen counter. "What's going to happen now?"

"For the first time in my life I don't know what to do." Shelly was beside herself. She always knew what to say or do, but this time she had no idea.

"Do you think we could go after Austin and stop him before it is too late?" Stacy asked. 

"I don't even know where he used to live. He never told us." Shelly said as she put her head in her hands.

"We have to find out. I have an idea. Austin talked about his grandparents in Florida. We could always contact them and I'm sure they know where he used to live."

"Stacy, we don't even know anything about them. All we know is that they live in Clearwater, and we can't just go barging in there and take Austin." Shelly replied.

"And why not?!"

"He's an adult and can do what he wants." Shelly replied.

"But we all know the moment he walks back into that house Eric is going to beat the shit out of him! Why can't we call the police and them take him out of there?" Stacy said as she paced back and forth.

"Even if we knew when Eric was abusing Austin and we called the police, if Austin says that they were just play fighting the police would leave."

"This is fucked up! So we are just suppose to sit here and not do anything, go back to our normal lives and act like nothing is wrong. Well I'm sorry but I can't do that!"

"We have no choice. Unless Austin wants to come back there is nothing we can do." Shelly was beside herself at this point.

"Well I'm going to figure something out." Stacy said as she stormed out of the room.

Shelly sat in silence until Cindy spoke up.

"I don't understand why Austin left. It was a big blow up but I still don't see that as a reason to leave and go back to Eric."

Shelly knew that the only way Cindy was going to understand is if she told her the entire story. "There's a lot more to Austin than I told you. I can understand why he left." Cindy gave Shelly a puzzled look. "Austin's parents died in a car crash when he was a senior in high school. He was also in the crash but he was in a coma for a week, and didn't even make it to their funeral."

"Oh my god. Poor Austin." 

"Well, Eric had Austin move in with him and his parents so he could finish out his senior year. Eric's parents didn't like the whole gay thing and once school was done they gave him an ultimatum, to either leave Austin or they wouldn't pay for college. He chose Austin and they moved out on their own. As time went on Eric started resenting Austin for his parent's actions and soon started taking out his anger on Austin. When Austin ran away, and ended up in Levy, Eric found him and caused some major trouble. Then when the fight happened tonight he felt as if he was the cause of it. I'm sure he feels that no matter where he goes he causes problems. He even said that to me when we asked him to stay with us."

"But what happened tonight was not caused by him." Cindy offered.

"We all know that but for Austin he thought it was."

"I wish he hadn't of left. I wish that he had just talked to one of us and we could have explained that it's not his fault." Cindy said.

"I do to. But I don't think it would have made a difference. Austin is a broken person who will blame himself if something bad happens when he's around." Shelly answered. 

"The thought of him going back to that monster makes me sick." Cindy said shaking her head.

"It's eating me up inside and I know it's killing Ryan. He is so in love with Austin, I don't know how he's going to handle this. I need to go and find Ryan. I have to make sure that he isn't going completely out of his mind." 

"If you need anything please let me know." Cindy said as Shelly walked out of the room.

Shelly searched the entire house but couldn't find Ryan. She grabbed an umbrella and headed out the back doors where she found Ryan sitting in the rain on one of the chairs.

"Ryan, what are you doing out here? You're going to catch yourself a cold." Shelly said as she sat next to her son. 

"I just want to be alone right now." He didn't make eye contact but just stared off into the dark.

"I know but would you please go inside. You are going to get sick sitting out in the rain like this."

"Right now, I could care less if I died." Ryan lowered his head and began to cry. "He left me, mom. I can't believe he left. What am I going to do? He's the love of my life."

"I know. We all love and care for him." Shelly didn't know what to say or do to help ease her son's pain. She knew how to bandage a scrapped knee but she didn't know how to mend a broken heart.

"The worst part is I know what he is going back to. I'm sure Eric has already beaten him to a bloody pulp. There's nothing I can do to save him. I was so happy being with him. I never would have thought that anything like this would ever have happened. I'm going to miss him so much." Ryan knew that he was never going to see Austin again. He knew that this was the end.

There was a dark cloud that hung over the rest of the reunion. No one was interested in doing anything fun, and Ryan spent the rest of the time in his room crying. His family tried to make him feel better but the only thing that would work would be Austin coming back.

***********************

As Austin pulled into the driveway of Eric's place his heart began to pound in his ears or it could have been the rain pelting the windows. It was kind of ironic how it was storming out, much like the day he ran away. He knew what was likely going to happen to him when he got inside. As he walked up to the door the outside light came on and Eric opened the door before he even knocked. Eric stood in the doorway for a few moments before finally speaking.

"So, you've decided to come back." Eric said as he crossed his arms. "Did you enjoy your time away?"

Austin didn't speak a word knowing that Eric wasn't looking for answers.

"Get inside." Eric said with a tone that sent chills down Austin's spine.

Austin walked in and stopped short of the door waiting for Eric to tell him what to do next. When the door closed he knew there was no turning back. 

"Turn around and look at me." Eric demanded. 

As soon as Austin turned around Eric punched him in the jaw, sending him to the ground.

"Do you have any idea the shit you've put me through?! I should fucking kill you right now! Everything I gave up for you just for your stupid ass to leave! Sending me on a wild goose chase! Getting me ran off the road by some stupid fucking country slut!" Eric bellowed as he knelt down next to Austin. 

"Ryan is not a stupid country slut!" Austin barked back.

"Excuse me? I don't think I gave you permission to talk! I can see I'm going to have to train you all over again! Where are the keys to that piece of shit car?"

Austin started to pull them out of his pocket to hand them over when Eric grabbed his arm stopping him and getting them out himself.

"That'll be the last time you ever drive that car! Just to make sure your stupid ass doesn't try to leave again, I'm sending it to the scrap yard!"

"Please don't! I promise I won't leave again!"

"Shut up! You will only speak when I give you permission!" He said as he put the keys in his pocket. "You'll never leave this house again. When I leave you'll be locked away." 

"Please don't. Please don't lock me up!" Austin begged.

Eric grabbed Austin's throat and started to squeeze. "Did I fucking tell you to speak! No, so shut your fucking mouth before I close it for you!" He started to squeeze harder.

Austin started to cry but Eric's grip was strong and all that could come out where gasps of air. He knew that tonight was going to be one of the worst of his life. 

"Get upstairs, now!" Eric demanded as he finally released his grip. 

Austin tried to get up but he wasn't moving fast enough for Eric, he was yanked up to his feet. As he climbed the stairs he had a feeling of what was about to happen... The same thing that always happened when Eric got mad. 

The moment they walked in the room he was struck in the back of the head causing him to lose his footing and fall to the floor. Eric was right on top of him. Eric grabbed him by his hair and smashed his face into the hardwood floor.

"Are you ever going to try that stunt again?!" He bellowed as he landed a punch to the side of Austin's head.

"No! I'm sorry!" Austin cried out in pain.

"I fucking own you! Every hair on your stupid head, every fiber of your body is mine! If you ever try to pull this stunt again I will kill you! And that is a promise!" He yelled as he landed a few more hits to Austin's head.

One hit blasted him right in the nose causing blood to pour out. Eric was an animal filled with rage. He repeatedly punched and kicked Austin. Each blow sending shock waves of pain throughout Austin's body. After the assault had stopped, Austin thought it was over, but he was sadly mistaken. He felt Eric start to undress him and feared what was coming next, but the leather belt making contact with his bare skin made him jump. Eric wasn't kind enough to strike him with a looped belt; he was striking him with the metal end of the belt. The metal clasp ripped and tore at his soft flesh. Austin was begging Eric to stop as blood stained tears fell from his eyes, but Eric didn't care. All Eric knew is that he had to teach this faggot a lesson. After a dozen or so hits from the belt, Austin felt Eric pulling his underwear off of him. He was too weak from the beating to try and resist, but he begged Eric not to fuck him; his words fell on deaf ears. 


Now or Never: Escape to Freedom Ch. 03



"I'm going to fuck you nice and hard. It's time to reclaim what is mine!" Eric said as he undid his pants letting his massive cock free. 

As Eric placed the head of his cock at Austin entrance he heard Austin let out a whimper. "You've missed this cock, huh? Tell me that you have fucking miss this cock!" Eric demanded as he grabbed Austin by the hair and pulled his head back.

"I've missed your cock!" Austin cried.

"Tell me you want it. Tell me that you want my fucking cock up your stupid faggot ass!"

"I want you to fuck me. Stick your masculine cock up my faggot ass."

"That's what I thought." Eric grinned as he shoved his massive cock deep into Austin.

Shock waves of pain shot through Austin's ass as it was violently invaded, something tore. Austin could feel his insides splitting apart as Eric fucked him. Austin wiggled around in pain but Eric grabbed him by the back of the neck and firmly held him in place.

"Yeah that's it. Take my fucking cock you dirty fucking slut!" Eric said as he started to pound away at Austin's ass. 

Austin cried and begged Eric to stop but Eric had no intentions of stopping until he was satisfied that Austin learned his lesson. The barrage of name calling and the hard fucking lasted for twenty minutes. Austin tried to relax so the pain would subside but no matter what he did the pain was always there. 

Eric reached over and grabbed the belt that he used to beat Austin, wrapped it around Austin's neck and started to tighten it. Austin gasped and choked for precious air but the belt was too tight. With his free hand he tried grabbing at the belt to try and loosen it from around his neck, but Eric grabbed his hand and pinned it behind his back. 

"Get ready to take my load you fucking whore." Eric's movements became erratic and quick before his body tensed up and he unloaded hot streams of cum into Austin's ass. 

Finally the belt was released from Austin's neck and he choked down as much fresh air that his sore throat would allow. His lungs burned with every breath he took. Austin reached down and pulled his underwear back up covering his badly abused ass. 

"I forgot how good of a fuck you are." Eric said as he knelt down beside Austin. "Just remember slut boy, you are always mine." 

With that Eric gave one more swift kick to the side of Austin's head sending him into a world of darkness.

**************

"Get up!" Eric's voice boomed causing Austin to jump.

Dried blood covered his face and once golden brown hair. "Go clean yourself up. You're a fucking mess and after that clean this room up. I have friends coming over and I don't want them to think I live like a slob."

Austin tried to answer him but his throat was to sore, allowing only a little gasp to come out of his mouth. He pulled himself off the floor and slowly made his way into the bathroom. As he passed the mirror he got a good look of himself and cringed at the reflection. His left eye was swollen and red. A blood vessel must have broken causing the white of his eye to be blood red. His once full bottom lip was now split and covered with dried blood. As he looked at his neck he could see were the belt had left a predominate mark and the bruising had already set in. Deep bruises that would take weeks to go away.

Austin took great care in washing himself off trying not to let the water hit is wounds. As he turned around to wash the blood off of his ass, he could feel the dried blood pulling at his skin. He let out a little cry as the water washed over his raw ass. The water burned his tender body, even though he had ran a cool shower. He knew not to take too long; it was one of Eric's rules. Quickly he finished up and stepped out of the shower. 

"You better not get any water on my floor or I'll mop it up with your face!" Eric yelled from the bedroom. 

Austin dried off in the shower and hung the towel up but before he went into the bedroom he made sure that there wasn't a single drop of water on the floor. 

"Put some fucking clothes on. I don't want to see your naked body." 

Those words hurt Austin. Ryan had always loved seeing him naked and would always come up and kiss all over his body. He knew that time was over and he would never see Ryan again.

"Now I want this room spotless. I don't want to find anything out of place. After you're done in here I want you to clean the entire house. My friends will be here at noon, so that'll give you about five hours."

Austin got dressed and went to work cleaning the room. Every fiber of his body hurt but he had to work through the pain or there would be another round of violent beatings. The dried blood on the floor took him longer to clean up than he expected. He only had three hours to clean the rest of the house before Eric's friends arrived. He finished with only minutes to spare.

"Now when my friend's arrive you will sit at the table and not move or speak unless I tell you too. You will do whatever is asked of you and if you don't I'll knock you out. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir." Austin squeaked out. 

"Good. You seem to be learning your place." Eric grinned. 

Soon his friends arrived and the house was filled with chatter. Austin did his very best to tend to all of the guests.

"I see that Austin is back." Dominic said. He was one of Eric's coworkers at the prison. 

"Yeah. The stupid slut showed up last night." Eric laughed. "But I knew he was going to come back to me some day."

"So what did you do?" Dominic grinned.

"Let's just say he got what he had coming to him." 

"I can see by his face that it's going to leave a lasting impression." Dominic snickered. 

"Yeah, I don't think the stupid fuck will ever try to pull that stunt again." Eric didn't care that Austin could hear everything he was saying about him. "Austin! Get Dominic another beer."

"What kind of beer would you like, sir?"

"Are you fucking blind? Look at the can in his hand and that will tell you what he is drinking." Eric yelled.

"Sorry sir. I'll get you another beer." Austin quickly went over to the fridge and brought Dominic another beer.

As the day progressed, the guys got drunker and soon things started to take an uneasy turn. He noticed that one of Eric's friend kept looking at him and grinning. It was really making Austin feel uncomfortable. 

"Excuse me sir, do I have your permission to go to the bathroom?" 

"What the fuck! You can't fucking wait?!"

"I'm sorry sir, I think I'm bleeding and I don't want to get any of it on your things." Austin's face flashed red with embarrassment.

"Go and come right back. You have people to wait on."

"Thank you sir." Austin said as he hurried out of the room.

As he was walking up the stairs he noticed the same guy grinning at him again. Austin didn't like that at all. When he got into the bathroom he checked himself, and he was right. There was blood coating the inside of his underwear. Something inside of him must have torn from last night's fucking. He took a moist wipe from its container and started to clean himself up. It stung as he cleaned the blood from his ass. When he threw it away, he noticed it was soaked with blood. Austin feared that the bleeding wouldn't stop and that he might have to go to the hospital. After he got the bleeding to subside, he changed into a clean pair of underwear and threw the old ones away. As Austin walked out into the hallway, there was Shawn standing right in front of him.

"Can I help you?" Austin asked trying not to sound nervous.

"Oh I think you can." Shawn said as he looked Austin up and down.

Austin knew that look all too well. He knew what Shawn had in mind but he was not going to let him take advantage of him.

"I'm sorry but I have to get back downstairs before Eric wonders where I'm at." Austin said as he tried to move around the larger man.

"Oh I don't think he will miss you for a little while." Shawn said as he blocked Austin's path.

"Please don't do this." Austin begged as tears formed in his eyes.

"If you don't fight me then this will go easily. Don't worry I'll be very gentile." Shawn smirked. "Now be a good little faggot and walk into the bedroom."

Austin did as he was told knowing that Shawn could easily over power him. He stood in the bedroom and waited for Shawn to instruct him on what he wanted done.

"I want that ass of yours. Go lay over on the bed." Shawn said as he started to rub is growing cock.

"Please! Anything but that! It still hur..." He was cut off by Shawn's hand around his throat. 

"What did I just tell you? This can either be easy for you or very hard. Either way I'm having that ass of yours. Besides I know sluts like you love to have their asses pounded."

Austin started to cry. "Please, I'll do anything else that you want but please don't fuck me. I can't handle that."

"I can see I'm going to have to shut that mouth of yours."

He pushed Austin down on the bed and straddled his chest, pinning Austin's arms down. Still holding onto Austin's throat, he unzipped his pants and his hard cock flopped out landing on Austin's face. "Now, be a good little faggot and suck it. I want you to get it nice and wet so I can put it in your ass."

Shawn shoved his cock down Austin's battered throat, causing him to gag. Letting go of Austin's throat he grabbed a handful of hair and anytime Austin tried to pull away Shawn would yank his head further down on his cock. Tears and spit streamed down his face. When Shawn would pull back Austin would try and take in a breath but sometimes Austin was off and would choke on Shawn's cock causing more spit to spill out of his mouth. Shawn was easily eight inches long and six inches around. Austin's throat was already sore from being choked last night, and now he had this massive cock invading it. To Austin's dismay, his own cock started to get hard. He couldn't understand as to why his own cock would betray him in this manner. 

"Hmmm, I see that someone likes having their mouth fucked." Shawn said as he reached back and grabbed Austin's semi-hard cock. "Pull it out. I want to see how much you are enjoying this." Shawn moved so Austin could reach down and undo his pants.

Shawn got up and pulled Austin's pants and underwear down to his ankles leaving his now fully erect cock out in the open.

"Just as I thought. You're rock hard." He said with a grin. "I knew you liked being man-handled."

Austin tried to cover himself up with his hands but Shawn quickly got back on top of him pinning his arms down on the bed.

"Now get back to sucking my dick." Shawn placed his cock back at Austin's mouth and he reluctantly opened his mouth. "Watch your fucking teeth, slut!" Shawn yelled as he slapped Austin across the face.

Shawn resumed face fucking Austin and every time Austin would gag it would cause his own cock to swell. Austin hated that fact that he was exposed from the waist down and that his cock was completely betraying him. 

"Damn, you sure know how to suck a cock. Now I want you to start jerking your pathetic cock and show me how you love my cock in your mouth."

Austin was by no means small when it came to cock size. For someone with his lean build he was blessed with a cock that was about eight and a half inches long.

As he reached down to start jerking himself off, he found that his cock had been leaking generous amounts of pre-cum. 

Soon the burning in his throat started to subside and he wasn't gagging as much. He was able to start taking more and more of Shawn's cock down his throat. 

"Okay, I think you have my cock nice and wet. I want that nice ass of yours." Shawn said as he stood up on the side of the bed.

After he removed his pants and underwear, he took Austin's off leaving him lying on the bed in just his t-shirt, socks and shoes.

"Grab your legs and bring them up to your chest. I want a good look at that ass of yours before I wreck it." Shawn grinned as he stroked his cock.

Austin did as he was instructed. Lying there with his ass exposed for Shawn to see he never felt more embarrassed or dirty in his life. 

Shawn positioned his cock at Austin's entrance and slowly started to push his way in. Austin tried to relax so Shawn's cock could slide in. With one deep exhale, Shawn's cock broke in and he sunk balls deep into Austin's hot ass. Austin felt so full and stretched that he thought that he would split in half. Immediately the burning sensation came flooding back to his ass and he cried out from the pain. 

"God you smell good." Shawn said as he took a deep breath. "Remember, if you don't fight me this won't be as painful."

Instinctively he tried to move away but Shawn grabbed his hips and forced him back. Shawn was by no means gentile. He started pounding away at Austin's ass as if it was a piece of dough. It felt as if his cock was reaching all the way up to his stomach. Austin buried his head into the pillow, trying to hide his tears and muffle his cries. Much to Austin's surprise the pain started to subside and was replaced with a sensation that made his cock start to get hard again. With every deep thrust, Shawn's cock would hit Austin's prostate causing his own cock to drip pre-cum. Shawn grabbed Austin's legs and pushed them all the way to his chest allowing him to go deeper than Austin ever thought imaginable. Austin started to moan uncontrollably. He tried to muffle the moans but the feeling he was getting was beyond his control. Soon he was meeting Shawn's thrusts and was keeping rhythm with him. As Shawn pounded his ass he could feel his orgasm building in his balls. He didn't want to cum, giving Shawn the satisfaction that he was getting pleasure from this fucking. Austin tried his best to fight off the orgasm but Shawn's cock was hitting his prostate just the right way and the next thing Austin knew his cock was spewing hot streams of cum all over his chest and face. When Shawn felt Austin's ass clamp down around his cock it sent him over the edge and he busted his load inside of Austin filling him up.

"I knew you were a fucking slut. Only a true fucking slut would cum from being fucked without having to jerk their cock." Shawn grinned. 

Austin laid on the bed as reality crashed over him that Shawn was right. Only a true slut would have enjoyed what had just happened. He didn't move or speak as Shawn cleaned himself up and got dressed. As Shawn was about to leave the room he turned and looked at Austin.

"You are a damn good fuck. I might just have to have that ass of yours again." He grinned and walked out of the room. 

Austin just buried his head deeper into the pillow and cried harder. This is what his life was going to be like from now on. Just some piece of meat for someone to use. He was never going to feel love again. Eric was never going to give that to him. 

He knew that Eric was going to be furious at him for taking too long, so he got up and cleaned himself but he noticed a lot of blood as he cleaned the cum that was leaking out of his ass. He put on an extra pair of underwear incase the bleeding didn't stop. The last thing he wanted was to set Eric off.

As he entered the living room, he saw Shawn look at him and raise his beer at him, like he was making a victory toast. Austin's face turned beat red and he quickly walked out of the room. As he walked over towards Eric he saw him look at him and smile a very evil grin.

"Did you clean up?" Eric grinned.

"W-what?" Austin's voice was shaky.

"Did you clean up the mess when you were done in the bedroom?"

Austin was mortified. How did Eric know what had just happened in the bedroom. Did Shawn tell him everything?

"You honestly don't think I didn't know about it? I told him to do it." He laughed. "He came up to me and made the comment that he would love to have your ass and I told him to go for it. You see Austin, your punishment for what you put me through will to be used for whatever I or my friends want. If they have a shitty day at work and need to take out their frustration then you'll be there for that no matter what they want to do. Before I didn't want anyone else touching you, but now I don't give a fuck what happens to you. So don't think that for one minute that I will protect you or help you. I'm not your stupid country boy Ryan. You mean nothing to me. I am not your boyfriend, I'm not your friend. I can't even stand the sight of you, as far as I'm concerned you just a piece of shit that's here for my enjoyment. Now get back to work before I lose my temper." Eric turned and walked back to his friends.

Austin was beside himself. Eric was cruel before but this was a new level. Before Eric never let someone else touch or hurt him. At least before Austin didn't have to fear that other guys could use him for whatever they wanted. 

That night after all of Eric's friends had gone home, Austin was left with the daunting task of cleaning up all of the beer cans and smashed food on the floor. He finally finished up around two in the morning and was exhausted and beaten. All he wanted to do was go to bed and fall into a deep sleep, but he remembered that Eric wasn't permitting him to sleep in the bed. So he went into the bedroom and laid down on the floor next to the bed. The hardwood was cold on his tiny frame and the breeze from the air conditioner was blowing right on him. He was too exhausted to care and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning he was woken up by the sound of Eric getting ready for work. He quickly got up and started heading for the door.

"Where do you think you are going?" Eric asked from the bathroom.

"I'm going to make you breakfast before you have leave for work." Austin offered.

"Did I tell you to make me anything?"

"No, but I know..." He was abruptly cut off.

"Exactly. I will tell you if and when I want you to cook anything for me. Now get in the bathroom and do what you need to do, then meet me in the basement. You have a long day ahead of you."

Austin figured that Eric was going to leave him a chore list a mile long, but when he got to the basement he saw Eric standing next to a chair with four belts in his hand. Immediately Austin knew what was going to happen and a panic attack started to set in.

"Please don't! Please don't tie me in the chair. I promise I won't try and leave!" Austin begged but he was quickly met with a swift hit from Eric.

"Didn't I fucking tell you not to speak unless I tell you to?! Now sit the fuck down in the chair before I really hurt you!" He demanded as he pointed to the chair.

Austin did what he was told as to avoid anymore wrath from Eric. Eric wasted no time tying Austin to the chair and he made sure that the restraints where tight enough that Austin couldn't try and get out of them. Once he was done he walked out of the room and returned holding an oversized gag. He put it in Austin's mouth and fastened it, also making sure there was no way it could slip out. The final thing he did was put ear buds in Austin's ears. He selected a screamo song and turned it to repeat and blasted it. 

"There you go. Have a nice day." Eric grinned as he shut and locked the door.

Austin was left in the basement all day and into a good part of the night before Eric finally got home from work. When Eric finally decided to let Austin out he noticed that his head was hanging and blood had come out of his nose. He walked over, turned the music off and yanked the ear buds out of Austin's ears. Austin looked up at him with blood shot eyes and dried blood running down his face.

"What the fuck is this!" Eric bellowed.

"I had a nose bleed. The music was too loud and it caused me to get a migraine." Austin said softly.

"You stupid mother fucker, you got it on the carpet! Get up and clean it, and you better pray that it doesn't stain!" Eric said as he undid the restraints. 

Austin tried willing his muscles to move but they had gone numb hours ago. Eric saw it as defiance and pulled Austin to his feet. Austin stumbled and fell forward wrapping his arms around Eric for support.




Now or Never: Escape to Freedom Ch. 03



"Get the fuck off of me." Eric demanded as he pulled Austin's arms off of him. "You know where the cleaning supplies are and I suggest you get to work on that mess you made."

As weak as Austin was he scrubbed the blood stain with all of the strength he had. After twenty minutes of scrubbing he finally got the stain out, relief washed over him. He dried the spot before dumping the water into the sink and wiping the sink dry. He went back over to the spot and waited for Eric to return. He knew that he wasn't told to come find Eric when he was done, so he waited. Fifteen minutes passed before Eric came down the steps.

"You all done?"

"Yes sir, I got the stain out." Austin said not making eye contact.

"Hm, looks like you did. Why didn't you come and tell me you were finished?"

"You didn't give me permission to come find you, sir."

Eric got a smug look across his face. "You learn quickly. Maybe tonight you won't have to get beat."

Just then Austin's stomach let out a loud rumble.

"What the fuck was that." Eric glared at him. 

"I'm sorry sir; I haven't eaten anything in a few days."

"Fuck, I guess I should feed you. You'd be completely worthless to me if you're weak. Stay right here. I'll be right back." 

Austin waited in the same spot until Eric came back with a plate in his hands. He knew that it was not going to be a lavish dinner, he was just happy that he was going to eat. On the plate was a lone peanut butter and jelly sandwich and some crackers. Eric put the plate on the floor and instructed Austin to sit down and eat it. He placed a room temperature bottle of water down for Austin to drink. Austin was grateful for the food, even if it was small. Once he finished Eric picked up the plate and empty bottle and threw it in the trash.

"Thank you sir for the food." Austin offered trying to please Eric as much as he could.

"Now follow me." Eric instructed. "This is where you will be sleeping from now on."

Austin took sight of his 'new' bed. All it consisted of was a few old blankets on the floor and a thin blanket folded up next to them.

Eric seeing the look of dissatisfaction snapped at Austin. "Do you have an issue with it? Would you prefer to sleep on nothing?!"

"No sir. Thank you for allowing me to sleep on it." Austin offered hoping it was enough to satisfy Eric. 

"Good. Now go to bed! I'll wake you in the morning."

Austin laid on his make shift bed and covered himself up with the thin blanket he was provided. After Eric had left, and locked the door, Austin started to cry. He cried because he missed Ryan, he cried because he missed his parents but they were also tears of relief that Eric had spared him another night of vicious beatings.

******************

The next couple of weeks consisted of the same thing. Eric would wake Austin let him use the bathroom before he would tie him to the chair before he went to work. Some days he would put the ear buds in but some days he would forget. Austin was thankful for the days that he did forget. He would rather have the deafening silence over the screamo music. When Eric would get home from work he would untie Austin and make him clean the entire house from top to bottom. Sometimes Eric would have him cook dinner but most of the time once he was done cleaning Eric would send him back to the basement. The beatings never had a set schedule. Some days when Eric was in a bad mood he would just leave Austin tied up in the basement until bedtime. Then there were days were Austin thought that Eric was in a good mood but he would endure a tortuous beating leaving him bloody and broken. There was one so intense that he couldn't remember anything since Eric had punched him so hard that it knocked him out. In all honestly he'd rather have those then the ones he was conscience for. 

*****

"Hey Dominic." Eric called over to his friend.

"Hey Eric, what's up?"

"I need you to do me a big favor. I'm working a double tonight and I need someone to let Austin out."

"Let him out, what is he a dog?" Dominic laughed but his laugh quickly died when he saw that Eric was serious. "Oh, you're serious."

"Yeah I am. I make sure every day the little fucker is locked away so he doesn't try and run away again."

"Okay, what do you need me to do?"

"Feed him, let him use the bathroom and then put his ass back in the basement. If there's anything you need him to do for you, feel free to have him do it." Eric winked.

"What do you want me to feed him?"

"There are some pretzel rods in the cabinet. Give him five and a bottle of water, not the cold bottles the ones the ones next to the fridge."

"Is there anything else I should know?"

"Nah that's it. If he gives you any grief, just knock his ass out." Eric said as he closed his locker door.

As Dominic drove over to Eric's house he thought that Eric was being a little extreme about what he was doing with Austin. When he pulled in the driveway he had a very uneasy feeling. He walked down to the basement and flicked on the light but he didn't see Austin anywhere. Just as he was about to go back upstairs he heard some horrible screamo music playing from the laundry room. When he opened the door the sight that greeted him made his stomach lurch. Austin was tied to a chair covered in blood. He saw that Austin had been bleeding from his nose and mouth. It looked like someone had beaten the life out of him. 

Dominic walked over and turned off the iPod that had fallen from Austin's ears. Austin looked up and met Dominic's gaze

"What happened?" He asked as he removed the gag from Austin's mouth. 

Austin didn't speak a word. He was too scared to say anything fearing that Dominic was there to use him.

"Eric is working a double tonight and asked me to take care of you." Dominic said as he started to untie the restraints. "Did Eric do this to you?"

"N-no sir." Austin squeaked out.

"Then who did this?" Dominic asked as he stood up.

Austin looked up at him with fearful eyes.

"Austin who!"

Austin jumped and started to tremble. "S-Shawn." 

"That sick bastard. Come on. Let's get you cleaned up." 

Little did Dominic know how much of a sick bastard Shawn really was. Shawn had the day off and decided to have a little fun with Austin. He had spent most of the day abusing Austin. Shawn thrived at the power he had over Austin. Every time Austin would cry or beg him to stop, it would only drive him wild on the inside.

Austin was too weak to get up on his own so Dominic slipped his arm around Austin's waist and helped him out of the chair. The dried blood, which had soaked through Austin's shorts, cracked as he was pulled up from the chair. Austin cried out from the pain as the dried blood from between his ass split apart. Dominic's heart sank as he realized the full extent of what Shawn had done. He helped Austin up to the bathroom and started to run a bath. 

"Come on. Let's get you cleaned up." Dominic said as he turned the water off.

He carefully helped Austin undress and took extra care when it came to removing his bloody underwear, which he basically had to peel off. Austin's ass was raw and cover with dried blood and seaman. 

In the bright lights of the bathroom Dominic could see the full extent of Austin's injuries. A predominate hand mark with crescent shaped indents was at the base of Austin's neck. His chest was covered in welts and what looked like a shoe print. When he looked at Austin's inner thighs he could see deep scratches and the entire area was covered in bright red bruises. He knew that Austin must have tried to put up a struggle before Shawn had over powered him and raped him.

As he helped lower Austin into the bath he noticed Austin winch. "Is it too hot?"

"N-no sir." Was all Austin could manage.

The hot water was a blessing and a curse. It started to ease his aching muscles but also stung the cuts. Dominic reached over and dipped a rag into the water and slowly started cleaning the dried blood from Austin's face. Austin, being fearful that Dominic was going to hurt him, started trembling and tears started flowing from his battered eyes. 

"I'm not going to hurt you." Dominic said trying to calm Austin down. "Can you tilt your head back for me? I want to wash this dried blood from your hair."

Austin slowly laid back in the tub and tilted his head back as far as his sore neck would allow. Dominic took great care as he washed Austin's hair. He instructed Austin to cover his face as he rinsed the shampoo from his hair. As the water cascaded over Austin's head, Dominic could hear small sniffles coming from Austin. Seeing Austin in this state caused tears to form at the base of his eyes. He could feel the smaller guy trembling under his touch. Dominic had no intention of hurting him but he knew that Austin had been abused. Once he had finished washing Austin, he saw that the water had turned a deep red. He decided to empty the tub and refill it with fresh water.

"Just try and relax. I'll be back in a few." Dominic said as he left the room. He needed to get out of there for a moment or he was going to break down and cry.

A few minutes later Dominic returned to find Austin laying back with his eyes closed.

"Are you ready to get out?" Dominic asked as he held a bathrobe.

"Y-yes sir." Austin answered as he started to get up. 

Dominic walked over and helped Austin step out of the tub. Austin was surprised when Dominic started to dry him off. He didn't understand why Dominic was being so nice to him. He was one of Eric's friends. Before tonight Dominic had never said more than two words to him but now he was here helping him. 

After Dominic dried Austin off, he helped him put on the bathrobe. It was so soft on his warm damp skin. 

"Come on downstairs, it's time to eat." Dominic offered.

Austin was expecting his usual pretzel rods and warm water, but he was surprised when he saw two bowls of hot tomato soup and some grilled cheese sandwiches. Austin just looked at it, he was unsure if it really was for him.

"I'm sure you're hungry." Dominic said as he sat at the counter. "Come on and eat before it starts to get cold."

Austin sat down and took a spoon full of the soup, as the warm creamy soup slid down his sore throat it eased some of the pain. He didn't have a problem eating the soup but he had to take small bites of the grilled cheese so it would hurt too badly when he swallowed. 

"Thank you sir." Austin said quietly as he finished the last of his soup.

"You're welcome Austin. You don't have to call me sir, either."

"I'm sorry si..."

Dominic didn't know what to say to Austin. Up to this point he never paid Austin much mind. Dominic had always known that Eric was hard on Austin but he never guessed that it was this extreme. Dominic was all for keeping someone in line but he felt that this was a little too much. Keeping Austin tied up in the basement like a dog, letting someone come over and use Austin however they wanted didn't sit well with him. He honestly felt bad for Austin. 

After they ate, Austin started to clean up but Dominic stopped him and insisted that he go in the living room and relax. When Dominic finished cleaning up he went into the living room and found Austin laying on the couch, and he was on his stomach completely naked.

"Austin, what are you doing?" Dominic questioned.

"I'm ready for you to do what you want with me." Austin offered. 

Seeing Austin laying there naked, ready for him to do whatever he wanted caused his cock to stiffen in his pants. Dominic had disobeyed Eric's instructions and he knew Austin would do whatever he wanted to keep Eric from finding out. He sat down on the couch and Austin moved towards him. Austin unzipped Dominic pants and started working his hard cock through his underwear. Dominic let out a moan when Austin starting sucking him. When Dominic looked down at Austin he saw the marks that he had gotten from earlier in the day and he was jerked back to reality. Wasn't it only minutes before he was about to cry at the thought that Austin's had been violently raped by Shawn and now here he was sitting with his cock in Austin's mouth. He was no better than Shawn, even if he wasn't forcing himself on Austin.

"Stop." Dominic said as he pulled his cock out of Austin's mouth.

"Did I do something wrong? Do you want to fuck me instead?" Austin said with a look of desperation in his eyes.

"No, but I can't do this."

"But I owe you for everything you did for me tonight." Austin offered as he moved towards Dominic's cock.

"You don't owe me anything." Dominic said as he put his dick away. "Look Eric isn't coming home until the morning so you don't have to worry about anything. I'm not going to hurt you or make you do anything."

"But you washed me and made me something to eat. I have to repay you."

"No Austin you don't have to repay me. I didn't do any of those things so I could get anything from you. If I wanted that from you I would have just taken it."

Austin wasn't used to this. Anytime Eric did the slightest thing extra for him it came at a hefty price. 

"It's late and I don't feel like going home so I'm going to take a shower and stay here tonight." Dominic said as he got up and walked out of the living room. He should have felt good that he stopped himself from taking advantage of Austin, but he didn't. He never even should have walked over to the couch and let Austin start to suck his cock. 

After his shower he went downstairs expecting to see Austin still on the couch but he was nowhere to be found. He went back upstairs and checked in all the bedrooms but he still didn't find Austin. When he checked the basement he found Austin in the laundry room asleep on a make shift bed. The bathrobe was neatly folded up on top of the washing machine. It was cold and damp in the laundry room and he could see Austin was shivering.

"Is this were you sleep?" Dominic asked.

"Yes it is sir." Austin replied tiredly.

"Well, not tonight; come on." Dominic said as he held open the laundry room door.

As Austin got up, Dominic put the robe back on Austin. He followed Dominic to one of the spare guest rooms. "You can sleep in here with me tonight. There's no way I could get a good night's sleep knowing that you are down in the laundry room. If that's how Eric wants to treat you then that's his choice, but I just can't do that to you."

Dominic could see the hesitation in Austin. "Is everything okay? I told you I wasn't going to do anything to you."

"I know. It's just that if Eric comes home and finds me up here he will..." Austin hesitated. "...have a fit."

"He doesn't get off work until eight in the morning. I'll make sure you are up and back down stairs before he even comes home." Dominic could see Austin relax a little. 

It had been so long since Austin had been able to sleep in a bed that it felt like he was lying on a cloud. Even though Dominic hadn't done anything wrong towards him, he was still a little nervous about being in bed with him. 

It was about two in the morning when Dominic woke up to the sound of soft crying. "Austin, is everything okay?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up." Austin said between sniffles. 

"Do you want to tell me what's wrong?" Dominic asked as he sat up in bed.

Austin didn't know if it was the way Dominic had treated him or that the fact that no one had really ever asked him what he was thinking, but he just let it all fall out.

"I wish Eric didn't hate me. I don't know why I thought things would be better between us if I came back." Austin sobbed.

"Austin, why did you come back?" Dominic turned on the bedside lamp and saw the pain in Austin's eyes.

"I owe him my life. Everything he has done for me, everything he has sacrificed. I'm a horrible person to have run away from him. I deserve everything that I get." Austin sobbed even harder.

"That's bullshit! I'm sorry but no one deserves to be treated the way you've been." 

"Yeah I do. You just don't understand everything that he gave up for me. I'm the reason as to why he doesn't have a good relationship with his parents or why he never went to college."

"I don't understand why you have anything to do with that."

"His parents told him that if he stayed with me after high school they weren't paying for college. They never liked me. I didn't come from a rich family like most of the people his parents knew. They felt that I was just going to be a freeloader and bring their son down."

"Austin, you are none of those things. That was his decision to stay with you and I'm pretty sure no one put a gun to his head."

"But I know he regrets it now. So I'll do whatever it is to make him happy."

"Even if that means letting him and his friends do whatever they want with you?"

"If that makes him happy, then yes."

"Austin, he lets Shawn come over here so he can rape and beat you!"

"Shawn never raped me."

"Oh really? Because the bruises on your inner thighs and the dried blood on your ass tell a completely different story!"

"How is it rape when every time he fucks me I cum without having to jerk myself off, only a true slut does that." Austin cried. 

"Is that what you think you are?" Dominic questioned. 

"What else would you call me?"

"Austin, he forces himself on you, that's rape! If he hits your prostate right you are going to cum. That doesn't make you a slut. You talk about making Eric happy but when do you get your happiness?"

"As long as I can make Eric happy then that's good enough for me."

"I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Eric isn't happy and he hasn't been for a long time, but that has nothing to do with you. He's taking his anger out on the wrong person and no matter how many times he beats you or let's other guys rape you it's never going to change. You're going to honestly sit there and tell me that you can live the rest of your life like this? One day Eric is going to take it just a step too far and he is going to kill you." The next thing Dominic said really hit hard with Austin. "How do you think your parents would feel about the way you're being treated?"

Dominic didn't mean it in a mean way and Austin knew it, but the mention of his parents sent him over the edge. He started sobbing uncontrollably. 

"Austin I'm sorry. I didn't mean it to sound like that." Dominic moved over and pulled Austin into him.

"I-I know y-you did-didn't. I-I just miss t-them s-so m-much!"

"I know you do. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like to have gone through what you have." Dominic felt horrible. He didn't mean to cause Austin more upset. All he wanted to do was make Austin aware that he didn't have to put up with Eric's shit. He pulled Austin closer to him and held him until the sobs turned into muffled sniffles. 

"I'm sorry Austin. Tonight was a total shock to me to see how he really does treat you. I never thought it was this bad. I wish there was something I could do to help you out."

"Please don't. This is how my life is going to be and I just have to accept it."

Dominic knew that there was no way he was going to make Austin see things for what they were. He knew that he wasn't the right one to correct this situation but he did know of someone who might be able to help.

When Austin woke up the next morning he noticed that Dominic wasn't in the bed. He looked over at the clock and noticed it was seven-fifteen. There was still over an hour before Eric would get home. He went downstairs and found Dominic sitting at the kitchen counter eating breakfast.

"Would you like anything to eat?" Dominic asked as he took a sip of his coffee. 

Honestly Austin wasn't hungry. "No thank you. I better get back downstairs before Eric gets home. I know he doesn't get done until eight but I don't want to take that chance." 

"Austin, I can't put you back in that chair." Dominic said as he put his coffee cup in the sink.




Now or Never: Escape to Freedom Ch. 03



"You have too! If you don't and Eric comes home he is going to flip out!" Austin protested.

"I'm going to say something to him about how he treats you. Putting you in that chair is cruel. Dogs get treated better than that."

"Please don't say anything to him!" Austin started to hyperventilate. 

Seeing this Dominic quickly defused the situation. "Okay okay. I won't say anything to him. I'll put you back in the chair if that's what you really want."

"Yes please." Austin begged.

Reluctantly Dominic put Austin back in the chair and fastened his restraints. Once again Austin made him promise not to say anything to Eric. Dominic agreed that he wouldn't say anything to Eric but he never promised that he wouldn't say something to anyone else. 

When Eric came home from work, he let Austin out and gave him a list of chores to do around the house before he told him what he wanted cooked for dinner. Eric instructed him to prepare lemon herb chicken with a side of fresh mashed potatoes, corn bread and string beans. Austin knew that Eric only had him cook like that when someone special was coming over. 

"I have a date coming over and I want everything to be perfect so don't fuck it up." Eric insisted. "I'm going to lay down and get some sleep. When I get up this house better be spotless!"

Austin couldn't believe his ears when he heard that. He never expected Eric to say that of all things. Was Eric really that cold hearted as to bring in some other guy around but then again Eric never failed to amaze him. 

Eric had told him that his date was coming over around five and that he wanted dinner served soon after his date arrived. Austin was working around the kitchen making sure that everything was cooking properly when the doorbell rang. He didn't have to guess who it was. When the guy walked in, Austin was floored. The guy looked like a much younger version of himself. If Eric was trying to make Austin feel bad he was doing a good job at it. Austin didn't even notice that the string beans had started to boil over until Eric yelled at him to keep focus on his tasks.

"I didn't know you had a roommate." Alex said.

"Who him?" As he pointed over to Austin. "He's not a roommate. He's the help. Which is very hard to come by now a days." 

"Wow, must be nice to have a servant to take care of all your needs."

"He can come in handy from time to time. Why don't you go into the living room and make yourself comfortable. I'll have him bring us in something nice to drink." Eric said as he kissed Alex. "Bring us some pinot grigio and make sure it's the good bottle not that shit that you used to drink."

Austin quickly made his way to the basement and over to the wine rack where he selected the expensive bottle of pinot grigio. As he came up from the basement he saw Eric and Alex making out on the couch. He quickly slipped back into the kitchen and opened the bottle. He honestly never thought there could be anything worse than when Eric would beat him, but this was worse than any beating Eric could have dished out. To see the guy he was once in love with, treating someone else like he used to treat him really stuck a knife right in his heart. 

After dinner Eric and Alex retired to the living room to watch a movie and left Austin to finish cleaning up the kitchen. When Austin was finished he sat at one of the stools and waited for Eric to come and tell him what to do, waited for the emotional pain to subside that he knew never would. Not after this. This was the by far the cruelest thing Eric had ever done. Austin must have fallen asleep because the next thing he knew he was crashing to the floor.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?!" 

"I'm sorry sir. I must have fallen asleep." Austin said as he scrambled to his feet. 

"You know what, go to the basement. I don't want to see your ugly face for the rest of the night!" Eric said as he moved towards Austin. 

Austin flinched and quickly ran out of the kitchen and down the basement stairs. He missed a step and fell down the rest of the way landing on his left wrist with a horrible snap. Pain immediately shot through his entire left side. It took all of his energy not to scream out in pain because the last thing he wanted was to have Eric come down and snap on him. Finally, after what seem like hours, he pulled himself up and made his way to his bed. Unfortunately he had to lie on his back; even trying to lay on his right side caused sharp pain in his wrist. Austin feared he'd broken it. Every time he would fall asleep and move the pain would wake him up, it was a very restless night for him. 

The next morning when Eric woke him up the pain was just as severe as it was last night, but he did his best not to show it. It was Eric's day off which meant he didn't have to be tied up in the chair. He expected to see Alex when he went upstairs but there was no sign of him. Eric must have sent him home sometime late last night. Honestly he was glad; the last thing he really wanted to see was some guy that resembled him walking around the house half naked. 

Doing his morning chores was a grueling task working with one good hand. Either Eric didn't notice or he didn't care since he didn't say anything to Austin about it. It wasn't until Austin was cleaning the bathroom that Eric finally said something to him. 

"Why are you taking so long? You should've had this done awhile ago." Eric scoffed.

"Sorry sir, I must have slept on my arm wrong."

"What the fuck does that have anything to do with this?"

"It just hurts. I'm sorry I will work faster."

"Good because my sister called and she is coming for a visit. I wish she had let me know weeks ago when she planned this."

Eric had not seen his sister since graduation. She was only a year ahead of them in school but after she graduated she married her high school boyfriend who had gone into the service. Soon after Eric and Austin had graduated her husband was transferred to California.

"Dammit, I really wish she had given me more notice. Just finish up in here as fast as you can, she'll be here soon." Eric said as he started to leave the room but stopped short. "This is the one and only time you can act like a human being. I don't need my sister knowing how much I really do hate you. She is the only one who didn't cut me off when I made the stupid decision to stay with you."

Every time Eric would bring that up, it would tear Austin up inside knowing that Eric blamed him for his parents cutting him off. Sometimes he wished that he had died in that fateful crash as well, then Eric would have been able to go off to college and would have still had a relationship with his parents. A single tear escaped his eye as the thought of his parents crossed his mind, but he couldn't think of them right now since he had to finish his work. Just as he was putting away the cleaning supplies, the doorbell rang. 

"Eric! Oh my god how I have missed you!" Beth said as she gave him a big hug. 

Beth was a beautiful woman. She had dark brown hair that fell midway down her back. Beautiful hazel eyes and loving smile. In high school all the boys would chase her and she knew it.

"Where's my brother at!" She said looking around for Austin.

"He's upstairs." Eric said coldly.

"Well, tell him to come down here! I want to give him a big old hug too." Beth smiled.

"Austin! Come down and say hello to Beth." Eric bellowed.

As Austin walked down the stairs the look on Beth's face changed. This was not the Austin she had known. The Austin she had known was a boy with beautiful golden brown hair, a smile that would light up the room and a personality that everyone would fall in love with. The person walking down the steps was worn and tired looking. His hair no longer had that golden brown shine to it, now it was dull and lifeless. His wonderfully charming emerald green eyes now where cold and grey. Once a toned body now was thin and frail. She could see the reminisce of bruises on his arms and face. 

"Austin, my little brother. How are you?" Beth said as she gave him a big hug, but he winched as the pain shot through his arm. "Oh my god! Are you okay?"

"Yeah, my wrist just hurts. I think I might have slept wrong."

"Honey, it's three-thirty in the afternoon it shouldn't still be hurting this bad now. Are you sure you didn't bang it on something?" Beth questioned as she looked at the clearly visible bruises on his wrists. 

"I did trip down the basement steps last night when I was going to do some laundry. I might have landed on it wrong." He hated lying to her but it wasn't a complete lie. He had fallen down the steps.

"Eric, why didn't you take him to the emergency room and have it checked out?" 

"He didn't tell me he tripped down the stairs." Eric shot Austin an angry look.

"You couldn't tell he's in pain?" Beth probed. 

"I didn't think it was anything major. I figured by morning it would have been better." Austin interjected. 

"Well obviously it's not. I think you need to go and have it checked out."

"Honestly I'm okay." Austin replied trying to deter the conversation.

"Nope. I won't sit here and watch you suffer. I'd rather you go and get it checked out just to make sure." She insisted.

"Beth, if he doesn't want to go we can't force him." Eric huffed. 

"Austin, you won't go for your favorite sister." Beth batted her eyes.

"I...uhhhh..." Austin looked at Eric for approval. 

"I'll get my keys." Eric finally offered.

"No need. I have the rental car." Beth said as she headed for the door.

"We will be right there." Eric called back at her. Then he turned and grabbed Austin by the shoulder. "When she leaves your fucking dead!"

As they walked out to the car Austin saw Mrs. Steinbach working in her yard. Guilt rushed over him knowing that she had helped him escape just for him to come back. He just hung his head and couldn't make eye contact with her. 

Thankfully when they arrived at the hospital the emergency room wasn't busy and they took Austin back soon after they filled out some forms. They gave him dilaudid for his pain, he didn't know what it was but all he knew is that it made him feel like he was floating on a cloud. When the x-rays came back he had a hairline fracture and a few cracked ribs. 

"Okay Austin, I'm going to write you a script for the pain. Make sure you follow the directions carefully. You will have to take it easy for the next six weeks until this heals. You don't want to take the risk of re-fracturing your wrist. As for the cracked ribs they will have to heal on their own. I'm going to write up your discharge papers and we can have you on your way shortly." Dr. Matlack informed him.

But Austin was too out of it to really hear anything Dr. Matlack was saying. "Don't worry doctor I'll make sure he follows the instructions and that he takes it easy." Beth offered. "See Austin, aren't you glad that I had you come here."

Austin just stared off at the ceiling. She figured that he was just too out of it to comprehend.

"Well, I guess since they are going to be discharging him soon I'll go and wait in the waiting room." Eric said as he started to head out.

"Okay, once they do discharge him I'll text you so you can bring my car around." Beth said as she handed him the keys. 

"Excuse me ma'am, can I see you for a moment." Dr. Matlack asked.

"Sure thing." She replied as she followed him out into the hall.

"I have some concerns about Austin."

"What kind?" She questioned.

"When I was looking at Austin's x-rays I could see that his ribs had been broken once before and there are quite a few bruises that he has. How much do you know about your brother and Austin's personal life?" Dr. Matlack questioned.

"Honestly not a lot anymore. Ever since I moved out to California I haven't seen much of them over the past few years." Beth said as she looked towards Austin's bed.

"I also have great concern that Austin has been sexually assaulted."

Now this was news to Beth. "What?"

"The bruises I saw are on his inner thighs. They are dark and deep which usually comes from someone trying to fight off an attacker and the bruises on his face are not recent ones either. I'm not accusing your bother of anything but something serious happened to Austin recently."

Beth knew that her brother had a very bad temper and it didn't take much to set him off but she didn't think that he would rape his own boyfriend. 

"I'll make sure to keep a close watch on him and if I sense anything is wrong I'll let someone know."

"Very good. He's good to go now. We will bring a wheelchair for you to help get him to the door."

"Thank you again doctor."

Once they got Austin in the car, Beth drove over to CVS and waited for Austin's prescription to be filled. The medicine was starting to wear off and Austin could feel the pain starting to come back. Since the pain killer was a narcotic Austin had to go in and sign for it, which proved to be difficult since he was left handed. 

"Austin, I'm sure you want to go home and rest but you have to take these pills with food. Do you feel up to getting something to eat?" Beth asked as she helped him back into the back seat.

"It doesn't matter to me."

"Okay, do you have any place in mind that you'd like to go?"

"Uh...not really. You can pick."

"How about the Olive Garden? If I remember that's your favorite place to eat."

"Beth, that place can be costly. We can just swing by Wendy's or something like that." Eric interjected. 

"Oh please, it's my treat anyway." Beth said as she waived her hand as to shoe Eric's comment away. 

Eric was not happy with the way things were going. The last thing he wanted was Austin to get to comfortable around Beth and let her in on their situation. He was going to make sure that it would remain a secret. 

When they arrived at Olive Garden it wasn't too busy and they were able to get a seat right away. After they had ordered Beth noticed a distraught look on Austin's face, and when she asked him if everything was alright he told her that he had to use the bathroom but didn't know how he was going to manage with one good arm. She told him not to be embarrassed and offered for Eric to go and help him. As Eric and Austin entered the bathroom, Eric grabbed Austin by his right arm and ushered him into the farthest stall. Austin protested that he only had to pee.

"I don't give a fuck. I'm not going to have someone walk in here and catch me helping you go to the bathroom!" Eric said as he pushed Austin into the stall and closed the door. "Now what can't you do by yourself."

"I can do almost everything but zip up and button my pants." Austin answered quietly.

"You really are completely pathetic, you know that!"

"I'm sorry." Austin wanted to cry so badly. Eric was doing a great job at making him feel worthless. 

"Enough with your stupid 'I'm sorry' crap and let's go. I want to get back to dinner so we can get this night over with." Eric demanded. 

"Can you help me with this?" Austin asked as he pulled his underwear back up.

"This is the only fucking time I'm doing this! From now on you better wear sweatpants or something that you can do yourself!" Eric said as he yanked Austin's pants up and buttoned them up.

The rest of dinner went on without any upset but Beth could tell that something was bothering Austin. At first she thought that it was just the medicine kicking in but something deep inside told her that something just wasn't right. She couldn't stop thinking about what doctor Matlack had said that Austin could possibly being abused, physically and sexually. The thought of Austin being hurt in anyway turned her stomach. She was going to figure out exactly what was going on.

On their way home Austin had finally passed out in the back seat due to the medicine. Beth insisted on staying with them while she was here.

"Beth, it's not that serious. I don't think that you need to stay and watch Austin." Eric said sarcastically.

"He has to take it easy and rest so he doesn't hurt himself even more. Besides, you have to work and I don't think it's wise to leave him home alone all day. I won't take no for an answer." She protested.

Eric knew not to try and argue with his sister, he never won anyway. "Fine, if you insist but I still think you're being a little excessive about it."

"I'd rather be safe than sorry. I would feel horrible if something else was to happen to him."

Eric was a little confused by what she said. She had almost made it seem as if she knew something was going on.

Once they arrived back home it took the both of them to help Austin out of the car. He was extremely groggy and could hardly walk by himself. Beth asked if Eric wanted her help getting Austin up to bed but he declined and told her that he could manage. Now that Beth was going to be staying with them he was going to have to play the part as if he still cared about Austin. The thought of it enraged him. 

After Eric changed into his bed clothes he started to get Austin undressed and ready for bed. It was a grueling task since Austin was groggy with the medicine. 

"Are you going to fuck me tonight, sir?" Austin asked in a slurred voice.

"Shut your fucking mouth before my sister hears you." Eric demanded. 

"But I need to be taught a lesson. I fucked up and you had to bring me to the hospital. Use me in whatever way pleases you. I'm your slut, so teach me a lesson. I want you to stick your big cock in me and fuck me until I bleed again. I'm yours and you own me." Austin said as he tried to stand up.

"Austin, shut your fucking mouth. Beth is right down the hall and she will hear you." Eric was getting aroused hearing Austin beg him.

"Put the belt around my neck, she won't be able to hear me then. Please sir, fuck me."

"Is that what you really want? You want me to fuck you until you bleed again?" Eric grinned. 

"Yes sir. Fill me up with you massive cock and breed me." Austin begged.

"Lay on the bed."

"As you wish, sir."

Austin got onto his stomach and waited for Eric to get into position. He felt Eric's cock pressing into his entrance and he let out a small hiss as it impaled him. The pain meds did a good job of taking away most of the pain but even they have their limit. 

"Oh god it's tight. You like my cock splitting you open, you dirty slut?"

"Yes sir, fuck me hard. I'm your slut and I want you to fuck me like one." Austin replied as he backed his ass up.

That night Eric did exactly what Austin begged him for. Eric fucked him like a dirty little slut until he was begging and moaning for more. It wasn't long before Eric was unloading his cum into Austin's ass. Austin whimpered a little when Eric pulled his softening cock from him. 

"I think I like these pain killers they have you on. You're so easy and such a dirty slut."

"I'm yours sir. I know that now and I won't forget it."

"Good." Eric grinned at the revelation. "I'm going to sleep. I still have to work in the morning."

The next morning when Austin awoke, he realized that he was in bed with Eric. He had no memory of how he got in the bed. As he lifted the covers to get out of bed, he noticed that he was wearing pajama bottoms and one of Eric's old t-shirts. Slowly he made his way over to the bathroom trying to not make any noise. When Austin came out of the bathroom Eric was up and sitting on the edge of the bed. Austin froze in place; scared of what might happen in the early morning hours knowing that Beth was asleep and wouldn't hear anything if Eric decided to attack him.

"I'm sorry sir. I didn't mean to wake you." Austin held his breath waiting for Eric to lash out at him.

"Whatever Austin. Just go back to bed. I have to get ready for work anyway." Eric said as he walked past Austin to the bathroom.

Austin got back into the bed and had fallen back asleep. He didn't even notice Eric getting ready for work. It wasn't until there was a knocking on the door did he wake up again.




Now or Never: Escape to Freedom Ch. 03



"Good morning sunshine. How did you sleep last night?" Beth said as she sat on the side of the bed.

"Honestly, I don't remember. I don't remember much of last night." Austin said as he sat up on the bed.

"You were pretty much out of it once the pain meds kicked in. Eric and I had to help you into bed last night."

"Thank you for that." Austin offered.

"Why don't you come downstairs and have breakfast. I made pancakes with bacon and toast. I figured it's a good breakfast for you to have before you take your meds again."

"You didn't have to do that. I could have just had cereal."

"Oh nonsense. I love to cook. I don't get to really make a nice breakfast like this back home. Besides you need something filling." Beth said as she looked at him caringly.

The smells coming from the kitchen were heavenly. It had been so long since he had a good breakfast. Eric usually just gave him some juice and toast for breakfast. Austin felt a little guilty when Beth started to cut up his pancakes for him, even though he didn't know how he would have done it on his own. After breakfast was done and cleared up, Austin took his meds and went into the living room and sat on the couch. 

"How are things going with you and my brother?" Beth questioned as she sat on the couch and turned on the TV. 

Austin knew he couldn't tell her the truth so he tried to sugar coat it. "Everything is good. He's been working a lot and I've been keeping busy around the house so when he gets home he can relax. How are things in California?"

"Truly amazing. It is a beautiful state to live in." Beth smiled but it quickly faded. "Austin, you would tell me if something was wrong, wouldn't you?"

"Uh...yeah why?" Austin was starting to get nervous.

"How did you get those bruises?"

"Oh, Eric and I were play fighting and I guess we got a little carried away." He really hated lying to her but for his safety he knew he had no choice. 

"Hmmm, I just noticed that you have all the bruises and he has none."

"Some of them probably happened when I fell down the stairs. You know how clumsy I am." Austin flashed her a smile, a fake smile but he tried.

Beth didn't buy it for one minute but she didn't want to pressure Austin too much. "Okay, well you know I love you and you can tell me anything."

"Thank you." 

By this time the meds where starting to kick in and Austin was getting drowsy. "These meds are making me tired."

"That is one of the biggest side effects. Come here and lay down, you can watch some TV until you fall asleep." Beth offered.

She put a pillow on her lap and Austin rested his head on it. She slowly started to stroke his hair and in no time he was out like a light. As she rubbed his head she felt a knot towards the back that his hair had hidden from view. It was very hard and she could feel the scab over it. Beth looked at Austin as he was sleeping on her lap and she knew he wasn't telling her the entire truth. She moved his t-shirt to the side and could see that the bruises went further down his chest. They were not the bruises of a play fight gone wrong, or from a fall down the steps, they were that of rage and anger. 

As she was sitting there watching TV, she heard Austin start to mumble in his sleep. She could only make out bits and pieces of what he was saying. The one thing that he repeated the most was 'Ryan'. She had never heard of him before. Then she noticed that his dream turned unpleasant. He started crying and moving around like he was trying to get away from something or someone, begging whoever it was to stop. She gently shook him and he seemed to calm down. Now she knew something terrible had happened to him and she was going to get to the bottom of it.

Eric got home around eight that night and Beth was in the kitchen cooking up dinner.

"Where's Austin?" Eric asked as he sat at the counter.

"He's in the living room laying down. I gave him his meds and he was feeling drowsy so I told him to rest and I'd wake him for dinner." She replied vaguely. 

Eric sensing something was bothering her. "What's wrong with you?"

Beth put down the spoon and turned to her brother. "Eric, what is going on between you and Austin?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Something is going on between the two of you. I've noticed some things that have me a little concerned."

"Like what." 

"Well, he looks like total crap and he acts very reserved."

"You know how he gets. He gets into those depressed moods and there's nothing anyone can do to bring him out of it." Eric presented.

"How did he get those bruises all over him?" Beth probed deeper.

"Probably when he fell down the basement stairs." Eric was starting to get agitated with Beth. "Why are you asking all these questions?!"

"Why are you getting all defensive?! Is there something that you don't want me to find out? Like how you hit Austin!" Beth shot back.

"So what. One time I lost my temper and I hit him. It's no big deal!"

"Oh Eric, stop lying to me. I know it's been more than one time that you've hit him. I know you have a horrible temper and it doesn't take much to set you off."

Eric finally snapped. "You want to know something. You're right, I do beat his ass! After what he put me through and what I've given up for him, he deserves every single thing I do to him!"

"Does that include raping him?"

"I have never raped him." Eric protested. 

"Really? Because the bruising he has between his legs sure does look like it."

"What the hell are you doing between his legs?!"

"I haven't seen it but the doctor at the hospital told me all about them."

"Maybe someone else raped him. That fucking slut will open his legs for anyone!" Eric yelled. 

"Why would you call your boyfriend a fucking slut?!"

"Because that's exactly what he is, a good for nothing slut! He ran the fuck away and hopped into bed with the first guy he met and I had to chase him down!" Eric screamed.

"I'm not surprised he ran away if you have been treating him like this! How long has this been going on for, and don't lie to me."

"You really want to know? Because don't ask any questions you don't want the answer to!"

"You know what. No I don't want to know how..."

Eric interjected. "Years! I've been beating his stupid ass every fucking day! I can't fucking stand him. I don't care that one of my friends comes over here and fucking rapes him! He deserves everything he gets! I lost so much because I made the stupid fucking mistake of taking him in after his parents died!"

"What did you lose?" Beth questioned.

"Mom and dad told me that if I stayed with him after high school that they were not paying for me to go to college."

"You can't blame him for that. You made that decision by yourself. No one put a gun to your head and forced you." 

"Oh Beth please, who else was going to take care of him. It was either he stay with me or move to Florida with his grandparents." Eric scoffed as he tried to leave the room.

"Sit your ass back down and now!" Beth yelled after him. "I'm going to tell you something and you're going to fucking listen to me."

Eric was taken aback by his sister's choice words.

"You are blaming him for something that he had no control over! Mom and dad cutting you off from college was NOT his fault! Obviously you stayed with him for a reason. What was that reason, Eric?!"

Eric was too pissed off to answer her. He just sat back down and glared at her.

"At one point and time you loved him. That's the reason why you made that decision. Not because he had no place to go but because you loved him and would have done anything to make him happy. At some point you changed and started blaming him for your decision. If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at mom and dad. They're the asses that are closed minded." Beth walked over and sat next to her brother. "Eric, you need help. You need to go and see someone, talk to a professional. You have a lot of anger built up inside of you and need help knowing how to deal with it."

Eric sat silent. He knew that she was right. For the first time in his life he realized that. Austin had said it to him once before but he was so mad at Austin that it didn't register. 

"Eric, who is Ryan?"

"He's some guy Austin ran into down in the south." Eric's attitude had done a complete one eighty. "They had started dating."

"If they were dating then why did Austin come back?"

"They had come up here for Ryan's family reunion but Ryan's sister accused Austin of being a freeloader. Ryan found out and there was a huge fight and his sister was banished from the family. That was the same night Austin came back."

"How did you find all of this out?" Beth questioned.

"Ryan's sister, Clare, had gotten a hold of me and asked me about Austin and how to get rid of him. So I told her what to say and how to treat him. I knew that he would come back."

"Eric, you pushed him away in the first place. He is terrified of you. I've seen the fear in his eyes." Beth started to tear up. "I love you guys and it kills me to know that this has been going on for years. I wish you had talked to me about how you were feeling instead of taking it out on Austin."

Eric just hung his head. His cold interior was starting to crack. His sister was slowly chipping away and was starting to make him see what he had really done. "I need to go."

"Eric, don't leave."

"No Beth. I need to get out of here for a little while, please." Eric begged.

"Okay, but please text me later and let me know that you are okay. You're still my brother and I will always love you, no matter what." Beth said as she kissed his cheek. 

It was around midnight when Austin woke up and found Beth sitting at the kitchen table. He could tell by the look on her face that something had really upset her.

"Beth, is everything okay?" Austin asked as he sat at the table with her.

She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Austin, I know everything. I know that Eric has been abusing you for a long time now and I know that he let one of his friends come over and rape you. I confronted him when he got home from work tonight."

Austin's heart sank. He was embarrassed that Beth knew his dirty little secret. "How did you know something was going on?"

"Well, I had this feeling for awhile. Any time I would talk to Eric he was very cold and distant with me. If I asked to talk to you he always made an excuse as to why you couldn't talk on the phone. Also I got a phone call the other day telling me that I needed to get out here as soon as possible because there were major problems."

"What's going to happen now? I mean once you go back home." Austin was worried Eric was going to kill him now.

"I'm not leaving until this is straighten out. I honestly don't know what's going to happen but I will promise you this, he will never lay a figure on you again or anyone else for that matter."

Eric never came home that night and by the time morning came around Beth was starting to get worried. She tried texting and calling him but he didn't answer either. She decided to call Dominic to see if he had seen or heard from Eric but she was disappointed when he told her that he hadn't since the other morning. It wasn't until around ten that night did Eric come home. 

"Eric! Where have you been? I've been trying to call and text you for the past day!" Beth said as she hugged her brother.

"I needed to get away. Where is Austin?" Eric asked tiredly.

"He's in the living room watching TV. What are you going to do?" Beth questioned.

"I need to talk to him...in private." 

"Okay, but you better not lay one finger on him."

When Eric walked in the living room he saw Austin sitting on the couch watching TV. Austin hadn't notice Eric walk in the room and when he spoke Austin nearly jumped off of the couch.

"I'm sorry sir. I didn't hear you come in." Austin said as he scrambled to his feet.

"Austin, sit down. I need to talk to you." Eric said as he sat down on the couch.

Austin slowly sat down not knowing what might happen. They sat in silence for what seem like an eternity before Eric finally started talking. "You need to leave."

"Did I do something wrong sir?" 

"Stop calling me sir, okay? No you didn't do anything wrong but I have. Austin, I have anger issues and I have been taking it out on you. You deserve much better than what I have put you through."

"I can help you with your anger issues." Austin offered.

"Sadly no you can't, I'm the only one who can. I want you to get in your car and go back to Ryan."

"What?" Austin was completely floored.

"I want you to go back to Ryan. He can give you what I haven't been able to."

"I wouldn't even know how to get back there or if he would take me back after what happened."

"I know he would. Austin, he loves you which is something that I am not capable of doing."

"You don't love me anymore?" Austin knew it was a stupid question to ask.

"Austin, I don't even love myself right now so how would I be able to love anyone else."

"But I..." Austin started to say but was cut off.

"Austin please don't make this any harder than it already is. I'm letting you go."

And for the first time in years Austin saw Eric start to cry. 

"When do you want me to leave?" Austin said with tears in his eyes.

"Tomorrow morning, it's too late now."

"Okay."

"I have to go lay down. I'll wake you in the morning." Eric said as he walked out of the room. 

Austin sat in the living room and his emotions finally over took him. His heart ached at the thought of leaving. Even though he was finally going to be free, a part of him felt sorry for Eric. After everything Eric had done to Austin they had been good at some point. Now he knew that their time had come to an end and that he would be free, truly free.

It was around four-thirty in the morning, there was a light frost covering everything in the early November morning, when Eric woke Austin to get ready and leave. After Austin had showered and gotten dressed he met Eric down stairs. Eric was standing in the kitchen and a manila envelope was sitting on the counter.

"Here are all of your personal paper work; your car title is in there as well. Your car is full of gas and I put a GPS in there with Ryan's address already programmed in." Eric said as tears started to fill his eyes.

Austin saw the tears and he started to tear up himself. "Are you sure I can't stay and try to help you? Help with us?" 

"It's too late for us Austin. I want you to be happy and I know you can have that with Ryan." Eric smiled a true smile. "Before I forget here is enough money for you to be able to get down there." 

"Thank you si...Eric." Austin said as he put the money in his pocket.

"You better get going so you'll miss most the traffic around Baltimore and Washington DC." Eric said as he walked Austin to the door.

When Austin opened the front door there was his car and his face lit up. Eric didn't end up sending it to the scrap yard. As he started the car, things were different this time. He wasn't running away but leaving freely. Just as he was about to pull out of the driveway Eric appeared at his window. Eric motioned for Austin to open the door. Austin thought for a second that Eric had a change of heart and wasn't going to let him go, but when he opened the door and stepped out he was surprised when Eric wrapped his arms around him pulling him into one last hug.

"I'm sorry for what I've done to you Austin. I hope that someday you will be able to forgive me." Eric said as he started to cry. "You take good care of yourself and don't let anyone treat you wrong, I made that mistake and now I have to pay for it."

Austin started to cry. This was the first time in years that Eric had shown caring feelings towards him. He buried his head into Eric's shoulder and for one last time, felt the strong arms of the one he used to love wrapped around him. Eric finally broke the hug and ushered Austin into his car. As Austin pulled out of the driveway he looked into his rearview mirror and saw Eric standing on the front step as tears fell from his eyes.

Had Eric really changed and let him go, Austin thought to himself as he drove towards the highway. He wondered if this was just another game Eric was playing with him, but something in Eric's eyes told him that this was for real this time. Austin knew that only time would tell.

At first it took him a little getting used to driving with the splint on his left arm, but soon he got the hang of it. As he approached the on ramp to the Delaware Memorial Bridge his heart started beating faster. This was it, he knew once he crossed over that bridge and got onto I-95 south that he was on his way back to the south, and Ryan. He wondered if Ryan would take him back after he had left him that stormy night. He was sure that Ryan was mad at him for leaving and going back to Eric, which Ryan had every right to be mad at him. He wondered if he shouldn't just go straight to Florida and by pass Levy all together, but he figured that he would make that decision later. Right now he had at least another eight hours before he even reached the South Carolina border, as long as he didn't hit major traffic. Thankfully he had left early enough in the morning that he made through Baltimore with no traffic. Unfortunately when he got towards Washington DC the morning rush hour traffic had just started. It took him over an hour to finally make it around the beltway and head back south. 

As he was driving his wrist and ribs started to give him a little bit of pain. He remembered that he didn't take his morning dose of his meds, but he knew that he couldn't take a whole pill since it usually put him to sleep. He pulled off of the highway and into a McDonalds to get something to eat so he could take his meds. After he ate his breakfast he snapped the pill in half hoping that it would be just enough to take the pain away but not enough to cause him to be sleepy. Thankfully he was right. The half of pill brought the pain to a tolerable level but didn't make him too sleepy. One of the things he missed the most was having a smoke after eating. Then he remembered that Eric had given him money to help him get down south. He pulled into a convince store and bought his favorite brand of cigarettes. When he took that first drag, pure nicotine bliss flowed over his body. It's funny the little things he missed. Like having a smoke after eating and having a hot cup of coffee to go with it. 

He had made his way through a good part of Virginia before he had to turn off the heater in the car. It was still a little chilly for him to change into other clothing. As he put more miles behind him the thought of Eric was getting less and less. He was starting to get anxious about returning to the south. 

When he finally reached the South Carolina border it was four in the afternoon. He saw signs for South of the Border and decided it would be a good place to stop and stretch his legs. Austin couldn't help but laugh to himself at the sight of the place. It was your typical tours trap that you would see from an old 80's road trip movie. The brightly painted colors and the flashing neon lights screamed that this place had not been updated for some time. After spending sometime looking around the shops, not spending a dime on any of the trinkets, he decided it was time to head back on the road. He still had three hours before he arrived to Levy. 

As he came upon exit 8 for Levy he pulled over and stopped in front of the sign. This was the moment of truth. Should he take the exit and face Ryan or keep going towards Florida. His heart was racing and his mind was filled with confusion. Austin got out of the car and lit a smoke. He really needed to think about what he was about to do. While he was smoking on the side of the road a State Trooper pulled up behind his car with his lights flashing.