March 07, 2006

Broken Road chps 1- 5 up added picture

The trailer
Chp.1 Mission Impossible

The guests are long gone, well not all. The sound of distant, marching footsteps, send a chill through his thin structure.
His blue eyes are large with suspense, as the steps grow heavier, louder, through the darken pit.


A sigh escapes the young man’s trembling lips, for he does not know his best option to be left here to peacefully live his life or to go with Oliver. It would be hardly tranquil to live in fear, whenever the patter of feet neared, and groans, grumbles and many coarse words would be said.


The night is a mistake, and if he found a way out, he would be entirely grateful.
Oliver’s gruff voice shatters any hope of release. He talks in bitter tone, with an Italian accent.


Justin meekly stands knowing his place. The smell of wine fills his nostrils, and he gasps for air, as the aroma suffocates him. Unable to catch a good breath, Oliver grabs him harshly dragging him deeper into this underground wine making factory.
A bottle lies on the ground beside his feet, as Justin falls to the ground. Bringing the container behind him Justin breathes in and out, releasing a soft moan.
“Stop that,” Oliver shouts turning in Justin’s direction.


“Oliver Sir,” Justin yelps, “I….I…..I. think I had too much to drink…..”


Oliver studies him, “What ye trying to pull? You are a common boy and are not allowed liquor.”


“I got some,” Justin slurs. “Teller the banker gave it to me, and invited me to thee gathering. I think he likes me Sir.”


Grunting Oliver responds, “Teller likes no one! Ye are lying. Ye got into this party and were not welcomed and so you are here!”


Justin pleads, “Believe me fine Sir.” He gets to his knees, as Oliver brings his face up to his, and brings his right hand forward brutally with his weapon hitting Oliver hard in the face.


Quickly, he bolts to his feet and through the darkness to get out of present danger.


Out of breath, he slumps in a dark corner fearful that Oliver will come after him.


He can hear his pulse racing. Slowly, he closes his eyes. Sleep fills his worn body, as he staggers to his feet.


Up the stairs, he climbs carefully looking back into the pit of darkness, every once in awhile, as he sees a man coming towards him.


“Teller,” he rasps softly.


Teller glances at him, wrapping his cloak around himself. “You should not be here.”


Justin nods, “Going home,” he states, making his way past the last steps and out into the moonlight. He’s free at least for now.



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

Chp 2Dog Pound



The orphanage is full of boys with no manners who do not like to mind the person in charge.


Slipping in from the broken window, thirteen year old Justin gasps for air. His clothes are dirty, but not much dirtier than the other boys.


“What have you brought us?” the oldest Josh asks him roughly.


“I…I…I… did not get much accomplished,” Justin admits sadly, as he slumps into his corner. “Mr. Teller was at the party and he had his eye on me again. I talked to him, but didn’t saying anything bout us. He said I was special and…..” he trails off as Josh wraps his arms around him.


“Reaching into Justin’s torn pocket he smiles, “Brilliant at least you got chocolates.”


“No I think they are old men with no brains,” Josh replies coldly. “You were not made to ramble about useless thinks. You are our cute boy, and can get us things.”
Reaching for an old blanket Justin covers himself, before speaking, “I’ll try better. Maybe, I’ll find a home.”


Josh rolls his eyes, ‘Boys our age don’t get homes. We stay here until about sixteen if that.”


“Then what?” Justin whispers.


Josh grumbles, “I can’t believe you would ask kid. I like you so I will spare you the harsh realities. This place can be like a dog pound with the way these pups come and go. You know how a dog pound works; if they ain’t got an owner they are as good as gone.”


Closing his drooping eyelids, Justin sighs helplessly. Tomorrow he would come up with a plan to get out of there.



**********************************************************************************
White Flag


The sound of Oliver’s chilling voice sends Justin in a panic of frenzy. He hops to his feet and grasps onto the sponge to appear like he has done his nightly chores. His blue eyes fix on the doorknob, as it twists and turns.


“Surrender now boy,” he states firmly. “Admit you were at that party, and things will be better for you.”


Looking up with his sponge in his hand Justin gives a questioning glance, shrugging his shoulders. “Sir, I’ve been doing cleaning all night.”


“I saw you,” the older man yells, causing the other boys to take notice. “You hit me with a bottle.”


“You must be mistaken,” Josh says breaking the tension in the room. “He was here with us mopping around like us boys do.”


“It is no mistake, and those that cover for him will be punished as well,” he laughs. “You children do not what you are getting into. Put up your white flag and surrender while you still have the chance.”


Moving his arms around his frame Justin mummers, “I’m cold,” as he begins to stare at the woman who is supposed to care for him… His body shivers, as she comes to his aide. Weakly, he smiles, “I think I’m sick.”


“Sick in the head,” Oliver screams, and grabs Justin’s arms. “You’ll be coming with me, and we’ll see how sick you really are.”


“You are taking this boy nowhere today,” the woman insists. “I will have the doctor come and look him over. We just lost one boy. I will not have him contaminating the others. This city needs workers.”



The room of her choice is ghastly quiet, and Justin could feel sadness and despair of those that had been in their long before. His head rests on an old sheet, as he takes a peak around the empty room.,/p>

Darkness is all around him, as he awaits the doctor. Shutting his eyes at the noise of the door wiggling and clinking, he tells himself to take careful breaths in and out pretending to wake or be in a daze when the doctor enters the room.


He moans at the touch of the doctors hands on his sore stomach, but allows the doctor to do his job.
Moving to a sitting position, he drinks the liquid syrup coughing at the awful taste. Yawning, he places his head back on the sheet, and pretends to drift to sleep.
He can hear them discussing his health, though their voices are getting fainter to him.

Waking in the room, he makes his body sit. Remembering the morning he knows why he is in this space, being drugged. He attempts standing, but quickly grasps the side of the bed, as dizziness consumes him.
There would be no way of getting treasures tonight, with the condition he is in. His blue eyes fall upon the lit candle beside his bed. A grin comes to his worn face, but soon fades when Oliver yells through the door for him to wake.
Blinking his eyes, he looks in Oliver’s direction. Then clutches his throat as if in dire pain, “Sir”, he says, “I’m sorry I’m sick.”

“You are a faker,” Oliver warns, “and will pay for your lies and deceit.”


“He is sick Oliver,” the woman of the orphanage informs him. “I would suggest you leave him be. The doc is not certain what the boy has. He has been sleeping since the doctor arrived. The doctor gave him something to make him sleep. Why would a boy want to go through with all that! I know these boys they are wild and seek adventure. This one is getting none of that.”


“He is a rotten kid,” Oliver mouths leaving her to tend to Justin’s sleepy form.



Justin watches, as she pours the medicine not sure, if he can fight more sleepiness. It tastes as nasty as before, as he swallows hard.


Leaning on his side, he feels nauseated from not eating and drinking that drug. Opening his mouth, he prepares himself for what is to come. Vomiting on the sheets, he groans, unsure if she will clean the mess.


“I am going to call the doctor.” She exits the room, as his body gives into the meds.



In the morning, his body is well rested. He turns his body in the direction of the candle saying a little prayer.
Voices fill his head and he wonders what is going on, as he stumbles to his feet. Josh is leaving…………….. Oliver has him on charges. This leaves him pondering whether to surrender to possibly save Josh, or to go on with the plan he had originally had in store.


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

Teller Chp. 3


His daughter is dead and his grandson is in a trap like a caged animal. Teller puts forth the money to receive his bond.


“Are you sure you want to do this?” the woman at the desk asks.


“I most certainly do,” Teller replies. “I have business to get done.”



Leaving the bank pleased with his transaction, he heads down the narrow streets in search of his grandson.
Entering the orphanage all eyes are on him. He is one of the richest men in Paris, and every one is at his feet ready to satisfy him.
Nobody would do him right this day the boy he is searching for left the orphanage, and is nowhere in sight. He walks out slightly crumpling the paper, returning to his lavish homestead.



Quietly, Justin sits outside of where the party was held nights earlier. His head shifts to the side knowing darkness is not far away. Removing the candle from his thin jacket, he grasps a match he has stolen from the sick room, and lights it. Waiting for everyone to leave, he finds his way inside through a broken window.
Carrying the light he cautiously heads toward the staircase, backing into a space when the sound of footsteps comes close. “Oliver,” he gulps.



He manages to find his way to Josh’s chamber. He gasps at the smell. Instinct tells him where to lead Josh through a narrow passageway to safety, as they come to a light source.


Ducking underneath a table like structure as they see Oliver causes their hearts to skip several beats.


Justin coughs, and Oliver grows angry, “Who is here?”
The boys remain silent, while Oliver searches the perimeter; Justin and Josh discover a way out.



Sneezing Justin rubs his cold nose. “I’ll be okay,” he whispers.
Josh nods, “Let’s get out of here, before Oliver comes looking for me.”



Sitting on a park bench, Josh reaches for the newspaper left there by someone else. “You ever read the paper?”


“Not me,” Justin admits. “I never learned to read. I just manage with my looks.”
“Well, I would teach ya, but we do not have the time right now. If we could get some money we could ride the train on out of here.”


“What’s the train like?” Justin asks.


“It is fast, noisy and there are a lot of people aboard. I rode it only a few times to get here,” Josh trails off.


In Justin’s blue eyes, he sees the innocence and fear of uncertainty. The youngster respects Josh, for he is family to Justin.


Placing the newspaper over Justin’s head, he smiles at the man in front of him. “Brisk day,” he says appearing chipper.


“You don’t come here often,” the man, replies, as he adjusts his hat. “Who is that boy?”


“He is a younger brother. It is all quite tragic. This kid does not get out much. The shirt factory would not keep him. He is a runt. Nobody wants him, but to pinch his cheeks.”


“What are you to do with him?” he questions, rubbing his beard.

“We have relatives overseas. They could use him on their farm.”


Justin pushes the newspaper from his face, “I’m tired.”


“I know,” Josh responds.



Digging deep into his pockets the man pulls out a business card. “Get a hold of this man. He will save you money, and get the boy off your hands.”


Josh pats Justin’s head, “Of course,” he says. “You would not happen to know where to get a bite to eat?”

The man points to a small cafĂ©’; “They have fair deals, and decent meals.



“Him,” Josh explains, “Go to him,” and Justin does as he asks.


Hesitant he approaches the table, “Sir, I don’t mean to bother you but…” Justin freezes as the man looks up from his menu. It’s Teller.



*********************************************************************************
Chp. 4 Easy Does It


“Justin,” Teller smiles warmly. “What in heavens are you doing here?”


“I’m looking for food,’ he explains. “I have not been eating well.”


“Why is that lad?”


Justin swallows hard, “They do not feed us well at that place, so we sneak out in search of food and adventure.” His blue eyes gaze in Josh’s direction.


“Who is with you Justin?” He waves his hand in front of Justin, but he makes no motion for several minutes, “Justin.”


“No one,” Justin utters. “I better be going.”


“You stay,” Teller insists. “We need to chat. If nobody is here with you it makes this easier.”


Sniffling, Justin sits in a chair nervously, “Will this hurt?”


“Not at all,” but Justin’s eyes grow wide as Oliver comes into his visual range, and bolts from the chair. Teller chases after him.



Hiding behind a large tree, Justin rubs his eyes. He blinks wiping at the tears. Too tired to get up, he crawls to a tree with a whole cut in it, and climbs inside for shelter and heat.


Teller observes from a distance, grabbing Justin once he is asleep.



Josh shutters at the images running through his head, and follows Teller to his home to save Justin.



The room is heated, and dust and clutter free, as Justin wakes from his slumber. Slowly, he attempts to move, but is overcome with exhaustion.


His eyes focus on the pictures mounted on the walls. Instantly, Justin recognizes the man in the pictures, and attempts to speak, but finds the process difficult. His throat is too sore from screaming, when he awoke the first time.


Teller comes forth in the room and sits beside Justin’s bed. “When you are well I would like to discuss an important matter with you. You need your rest Justin.”



There are no windows or cracks for Justin to escape out of, not that Justin is up for that sort of behavior.


He allows Teller’s personal assistant to aide him, and listens to Teller’s nightly stories about going to baseball games in New York City.


Teller inquires, “Justin what is wrong?”


Justin breathes heavily not sure, if he can talk with his throat irritated. His eyes fill with tears, “Ssssssss,” he starts to say, as the pain increases. Miming he points to the wall, “outside,” he mouths.


Teller pats Justin’s hand, “It will get better with time.”



Water trickles over Justin’s curls. He cannot remember the last bath he had, or realize how dirty his body could have been.Sluggish from medications he leans against Teller for support, as the water flattens his curls.


Teller laughs, “I have not washed a kid in a long time. People think I am bitter and cold, but I am not. I could be though. I lost my daughter shortly after the birth of my grandson.”


Justin looks into his eyes sorrowful, “Sorry,” he manages.


“It is not your fault Justin. I need you to know something…...” Teller is cut off as the doorbell rings.



Going to the door, he shrugs his shoulders, “May I help you?”
The police officer grunts, “This kid was sneaking around. What do you want to do with him? He claims you have his friend in there.”


Meanwhile, a warm towel covers Justin, and a pair of new pajamas is at his disposal. He runs his fingers along the cotton fabric intrigued with the material.


Plopping onto the hardwood floor, he gathers a baseball in his hands. He brings the ball to his face wondering what the ball has written on it, as Teller calls his name.


*******************************************************************
New Beginnings on a Broken Road Chp. 5


Salience fills the living room as everyone exchanges odd glances. “Justin,” Teller remarks, “Do you know who this is?”


Standing fearful, Justin in a drowse gestures with a slight movement of his head that he has an association with Josh.



,p>“Justin,” Josh articulates, “Why are you staying here? I have been trying to find a way in the last week. Do you realize what you are getting into?”


,p>“I do,” Justin explains. “He is a nice man, and wants to help me. He can help you too.” His voice cracks getting closer to Josh, “I missed you.”


“The police are not going to allow me to stay Justin. I’m sorry. Usually I have a lot to say, but not this time round.”



Wrapping his arms around Josh’s body Justin pleads softly, “Please stay,” as he sobs into his pal’s shirt.


Teller pulls Justin’s from Josh’s embrace. “I will se what I can do to get your friend put on lesser charges. It is time for you to sleep.”


“No,” Justin cries reaching out his hands for Josh to give him reassurance.


“Keep him awhile longer,” the policeman grumbles. “I want to go home soon, and two out of control boys will not get me there...”

Crumbling into Josh’s body, Justin lets the tears flow.


Josh massages Justin’s back, until Justin’s motionless in his arms. “He is so innocent in this all… What will you do with him?”


“Josh, Justin does not know this yet, but I am his grandfather. I want to get him an education and teach him about the world.”



Gently, Josh carries Justin toward the bedroom, as he follows Mr. Teller.


His eyes widen amazed that Mr. Teller is truly interested in what is best for Justin. Placing Justin on the bed. He feels Justin resisting his departure. Knowing that speaking to him would arouse Justin and make the situation worse, he simply covers him with the blankets, waiting for his buddy to settle.


“Thank you,” he whispers to Teller out of earshot for Justin. “He is going to be crazy when he wakes. That kid has some lungs,” he laughs.


Teller chuckles, “He is so much like his mother. I need to get through to him.”


“That will not be easy,” Josh states. “He has a mind of his own.”


"I will not let my grandson suffer the fate of his mother,” Teller gets out hotly.


Josh nods, “I would not expect you too.”

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