Of course, it didn’t take the assholes in power long to notice.They never missed a thing.Countless security cameras assured that .In the next session, when he woke from his typical dose of sedative, Apollo was shocked to find Joseph unconscious and shackled to a table that had been placed beside him.Not only was he condemned to the pit of hell, but Apollo had also condemned another person to the same.
Over the next four hours Apollo was forced to watch as those bastards shaved off Joseph’s curly dark hair.Cut lines along his scalp and folded his skin back to reveal Joseph’s bloody skull to their waiting, cruel symphony of saws and scalpels.By the time they were done and rolled Joseph away, Apollo’s voice had been worn down to barely a whisper from yelling at them to stop.No one spoke a word to him, but the message was clear.We will destroy everything you care about.You are powerless, submit.
Weeks later, Apollo heard the familiar squeak of the mop bucket coming down the hallway outside his cell.He knew better than to bother looking, but Apollo couldn’t stop his hand from lifting a small flap cut in his door for his food tray.A figure hunched over at his waist dragged a mop across the floor in a jerky rhythm.His clothing was stained and wrinkled and when he turned Apollo understood the vibrant young man he knew was no more.Joseph’s eyes were vacant, the left side of his face drooped, and a thin trail of saliva hung from his lips.
Apollo shut the flap and never opened it again.
***
Rocko
Rocko wasn’t about to say no to Apollo’s offer.The fact he enjoyed the big guy’s company was in direct contrast to the hurt he felt knowing that Apollo was only using him as a tool.
“You know you could stay in the main house if you wanted,” Apollo said after a few moments of silence.
“Thanks for the offer, I’ll think about it,” Rocko said.He waved his hand around him.“Ellen’s enjoying the changes happening around the compound.She really looks up to you.”
“I don’t know if I’m the perfect person for her to look up to.Renee might be better suited.”
“You’re the exact person she needs.You’re doing a great job teaching and protecting her and the entire group.Never doubt that.They appreciate everything you’ve done.”The truth was the truth, no matter how he felt.
“Thank you.Sometimes I get so caught up in past events that I forget to take stock of what’s right in front of me,” Apollo said as they approached the trailer.“I want to thank you again for what you did for Renee.Whether you know it or not, you’ve made a difference around here.”
“Thanks.I’m glad my visit counted for something.Well, here’s my stop,” Rocko chuckled, trying to stamp down the growing pain in his chest.“I don’t think I could have gotten lost thanks to the company.”
He couldn’t think of anything else to say.Hell, he didn’t think the guy wanted to stick around, but then again, Apollo had admitted to finding mental peace while in Rocko’s presence, so maybe this was all this was.
“Yeah, no problem.I guess I’ll see you in the morning for breakfast,” Apollo said.
Rocko turned to open the trailer door.“See you later at dinner.”
He was feeling the loss already, and it wasn’t for his peace of mind.Rocko was becoming attached to Apollo.There was no use in lying, and he even enjoyed his gruff, no-nonsense demeanor and almost constant scowl.
“Fuck it,” Apollo growled, grabbed Rocko’s arm, and spun him around, before kissing him deeply.
What started out as a hurried, desperate kiss soon turned softer and more sensual, and Rocko soon found himself backed up against the side of the trailer.Every nerve ending in his body was on fire as desire swept through him, making him groan.The feel of Apollo’s larger, muscled body pressing against his brought out a need in Rocko.He was a big man, but Apollo surpassed him, and for the first time, he felt almost cherished, cared for, a sensation he wasn’t used to.This time, he was going to take a backseat and let someone else drive them forward and take control.Would he regret this?Only time would tell.
Everywhere Apollo’s palms touched on Rocko’s body tingled as if coming to life for the first time, and Rocko wanted more.He wasn’t positive how long they’d stood there wrapped around each other, but the approaching footsteps of others returning to their homes for the night brought their time together to an end.Apollo slowly pulled back and growled.
“This is not a one-off.I want more,” Apollo said, his voice deep.“If you feel the same, nod.”
Rocko found himself nodding without a second thought.Hell yes, he wanted more.
“Good.I’ll see you in the morning,” Apollo said before running his thumb over Rocko’s swollen lips as if memorizing the moment and walking away.
Holy shit.What the hell happened?And when could they do it again?
Rocko didn’t feel as if this had anything to do with their calming effect on each other, but how could he be one hundred percent sure?
As he stepped into the trailer, Rocko’s head began buzzing with its usual manic energy and millions of bits of information he knew would be keeping him from resting.He glanced at the kitchen table where he’d left a bottle of whiskey.With a deep growl, he shoved off his boots and stormed to the shower.A long, hot power wash was in order.Whiskey had become his go-to in order to silence or simply dull his brain, and he was growing tired of it.
All he had to do was get through tonight and then he’d have more time to think in the darkness of his room.Alone.
***
The following morning the storm hit the compound at sunrise, rolling over the mountains in a low growl that rattled the metal siding of the barn.It had been a busy evening securing the place, all hands-on deck, and the rest of the team had already gone inside at Apollo’s urging.Rocko had made a promise to be in within a few minutes, but he’d gotten busy.He wanted no more shingles breaking loose and crashing down on anyone else.He was halfway through securing the last loose plate—he was determined to get it fixed it before the storm fully hit when a blast of wind nearly knocked him off balance.He swore loudly… only to hear someone swear even louder over the wind.
Apollo.
