Chapter 9
Truth or Dare
Getting out of the school was easier than getting in. The fact that it was nearly 4 am, and we had the girls with us—knowing that girls weren't allowed in the boys' dorms and vice versa—made our escape easier. Plus, our pass was only good until 11 pm the following day. So, there wasn't a lot we could do but sit and wait for Tony and his team to come and bail us out. It wasn't a long wait, considering the fire we had noticed burning. We simply knew it would be a matter of time before they came this way, being the only way into the school other than the main gate, which wouldn't open until 6 am an hour before breakfast and two hours before school begins. To kill time, we played twenty questions. Well, the questions I could answer safely.
I wasn't about to give them my name or where my parents or my adoptive family currently live. So, I said. "Call me Nate Carrion." So, they could stop referring to Shawn, knowing they knew I wasn't Shawn, and finding out that they discovered Shawn sometime the night before when Eli went down a back way that only he knew about into solitary confinement. That he managed to slip in and out before he was noticed. I am sure Tony is going to love hearing that. Tony and Jenny soon showed up and gave us all a frown, I said. "What?" Pointing to my watch. "It's after four in the morning. It's not like we could wander the halls and not cause an alarm. When everyone thinks we're in bed sleeping."
Tony rolled his eyes and said. "Well, at least you're smart enough to stay put."
I asked where everyone else was, Tony said. "Busy, and before you ask yes your father is safe and sound, mostly?"
Eli said. "And how do we know you're not lying to us?"
Tony said. "The same reasons we don't know you're not lying to us. So, for now, we are just going to trust each other."
Eli gave a heavy sigh and asked Rhoda, and she shrugged her shoulders and said. "And how are we going to come to a compromise if neither one of us can trust each other?"
Tony said. "Only one way, sweetie, is we both must prove it. Now I know it's a lot to ask, but if you wouldn't mind, I would like to get this show on the road. It's been a long day for all of us and we still have a tough road ahead of us. Jenny will take you up to your rooms, so you can get ready for school and pack your things. I am saying nothing more than you can put in a backpack, nothing more.
"I am sorry but, we need to pack as if nothing has changed. You are still students here at Crest-ridge … for now, until we can decide what to do once we all get the hell out of here. I'd tell you our plans, but like you said we can't trust each other until we can have a nice long chat with Mr. Truth Serum, right now your father has told us the truth regarding wanting out of here, and that keeping you alive and is the best thing for all of us. I have a plan of my own, but I have to talk it over with my people first.
"If they say it's a go and you are telling us the truth, we will all be on a plane before noon today, but until then Jenny here is going to be keeping an eye on you girls. Don't talk to your friends or your teachers about any of us leaving, or we will leave you here to face the music on your own. Not everyone here was at your little gathering, and we don't know who will sell you out. So just say everything is fine and cry about it later.
"Nate and I will be keeping a close eye on your brother, Eli. So, off you go, we will meet at breakfast. Then if we come to a nice arrangement, we all like. Then we'll go over the plan. Like how to get the hell out of here. I'm eager to hear how you, Eli, and you discovered us and the real Shawn. Now get going."
Jenny quickly went out into the hallway and motioned them forward. We counted to one hundred and made our way back to my room. Eli pushed me in my wheelchair while Tony scouted for us as we hid around the corners. Once we were back in my room, we all breathed a sigh of relief. Tony locked the door and smiled when Eli noticed all the cameras in the room.
Tony said. "The plans of you tying me up so I could watch you boys have sex wasn't going to work as you can see, without a password that, only I know, would have recorded everything and sound an alarm. But the rest of the idea about killing me was sound. Unlike the girls, I can't allow you to leave this room. If you need anything, I'll be the one fetching it, but you and Nate here are about the same size. So, if there are any mementos or keepsakes you want you will have to wait until after our interrogation.
"Normally I would tie you up, but if you are on the up and up, you'll make yourself comfortable and hand me your arm." Eli nodded and undressed, and I tossed him a pair of boxers as I got undressed as well. I took the other bed while Eli took mine. Tony reached into his duffel bag and placed the rope on the bed and showed him the needle. Eli stuck out his arm and Tony said. "Sounds like you really want us to trust you … if you give me the correct answer I am looking for, all is good to go. I have one in here for me, so you know I am too telling the truth."
Eli and I cringed as the needle went into his arms. Tony started to undress and pulled a seat around so he could begin the interrogation. He started off by asking personal questions. And he worked his way down a long list as he wrote down each of his answers and had the cameras and the microphones record them. He would circle back, re-asking the same questions in a different order or rephrasing them, but every answer was the right answer. I had Jeff verify it was he was the best lie detector in the world. And I would give two thumbs up or wiggle my hand stating it was on boarder line, causing Tony to rephrase the question until he had told everything he knew.
Finding out that he hadn't killed anyone, or done anything really bad to end up in prison, there were some questionable things like forcible raping young boys. But then again he was raised in that it was acceptable, only has done so when he didn't have any choice. I didn't like it and neither did Tony, but there was very little he or I could do about it. Knowing if the shoe was on our foot we would have done the same thing.
The fact he'd never really been with a girl really surprised me because he didn't blush to see any of them naked including his own sister. Then again I don't even blush anymore either and I have seen plenty of naked girls and women, and they had seen me naked more times then it is worth counting.
The moment he had and the truth serum had worn off. It was Tony's turn to play twenty questions. Tony told him he could ask anything he wanted he didn't care how personal it was, fair was fair including how many people he'd killed and how many times a day he stimulated himself. The fact he didn't care stated that he wanted Eli to know that he was capable of doing it if he needed to do it. Once the serum wore off, they shook hands and we began hatching our next plans, and as always the plan was simple.
It would start with a nice leisurely breakfast with the students, and someone would kill Tony, and place him in a body bag and sneak him out so the real Shawn and his bodyguard could be in place. They would escort Shawn to his new room, taking my place. Since this room had everything including his own private bathroom. They would escort me, Eli, and the girls out with the cleaning crew. Tony had one other plan that he needed to work out with the girls and Stringham and everyone back home. He wanted to keep it under his hat until he knew for sure we could pull it off. Like I said the plan was simple.
The problems concerned what to do with the remaining students and staff who were still there and uncaptured. Then there was the problem regarding the Satanic Church sending another Headmaster to take Mr. Walen's place once they discovered the other one never showed up. Tony had some ideas, but again he needed the home office's approval for most of it, if not all of it. For now, he would leave a skeleton crew here to oversee things until the home offices send in what we like to say as the cleanup crew.
Either way, Shawn was staying here and would be watched around the clock which would require two or three bodyguards, not just one or he would become a problem. Personally, I liked the idea of him going to prison for a very long time for what he has done to his brothers and the boys in the neighborhood. Then again, Eli and some of the students that have been raised in the church most of their lives have committed the same crimes. We either had to punish them all or help them see that it was wrong and correct it.
I went with Eli to his room so he could collect his things, considering he wasn't coming back here. It didn't bother him not saying goodbye to his friends or his roommates. Mostly because they weren't here any longer and the ones that still were … he couldn't trust them, nor really want to know if they sell him out. Plus, they really weren't his friends. Those bullies forced kids to rape each other, but they wouldn't be around long. A bus marked "Texas Pen-" will arrive to take them away for reprogramming—ten to thirty years, with good behavior, surprising them. Tony had another plan, and that one was the one he was most worried about and had to do with their father. He would only answer that he was safe and cooperating, but nothing else.
Eli closed the door and said. "I guess that's it." He placed his backpack on my lap with mine. I didn't bother packing any clothes, just books, and Tony had rounded up an extra backpack for our black robes and wedding robes. Told us you never know when you're going to need them again. He didn't mention anything about Heber and Eli didn't ask even though he could have. But he never heard it from me, and I didn't encourage him to ask.
I wanted to make sure before I answered those kinds of questions, including my real name. We had one last thing to do before we joined everyone in the cafeteria for breakfast and Tony told us to come right on in and told us to take a seat as he was just finishing his last phone call with his supervisors and with Stringham. Mr. Walens told the person at the desk to send the girls right on in, when they arrived. Tony hung up the phone and smiled and began to pace. As we waited for the girls, he started with his crackpot plan. He asked a question first. "How would you boys feel about staying married?"
My mind stopped on the rail and said. "Come again?" I couldn't believe I heard him right. The very thought of it was too good to be true. However, it wasn't my decision. It was up to the three of them. I practically prayed that they would agree. But did, or at least want to get my hopes up. For as I knew, there was a possibility that none of them wanted this.
Tony said. "You heard me."
Eli looked at me and shrugged his shoulders and said. "Were listening?"
Tony said. "It's like this, where we are going the Satanic Church is still in full swing, soon or later, the High Bishop is going to ask that Nate Carrion be married to a member of the Satanic Church, but if we can somehow convince him that Nate Carrion is already married to Eli and his sister Rhoda and Eli is married to her friend Jackie there won't be any questions about the girls being pregnant. Nor would we have to be worried about their children being sacrificed, with little misguided paperwork and a little green stuff.
"We can put together a nice new package that would include Eli's Dad not going to prison, only if he is willing to be a special witness when the time is right. It could be months or even years before he sees a jail cell. Of course, he'd have a new identity and could never be the High Bishop anymore, but I think he is good with that, figuring if he was willing to leave it all behind and come clean. Which could help put these other covens down a lot faster with your help and his; being the most knowledgeable on how the church works."
Eli started to pace and nodded. "I like the plan, but I am a little concerned about how you're going to pull it off."
Tony said. "It's all in the small details, son. As you believed, Nate here was Shawn Rothwell until you discovered something smelling fishy. I like that about a person. It shows he's working all six cylinders. I rather have you boys on my team than throw away an excellent opportunity where I don't have to worry when I turn my back, and some other boy or man is passing you boys around like fine chocolate. I rather you boys don't do it, but if worse comes to worse I would rather have you boys doing it than some stranger you have never met. Granted, you just met, but you are not really strangers anymore … and neither are you girls?" Tony smiled when they walked in and said that, not knowing what we were talking about.
Rhoda said as she asked. "Neither are you girls what?"
Eli said. "Strangers … were not strangers anymore. Is what he is saying?"
Rhoda said. "That depends on what you mean by strangers."
Jenny closed the door, asking if she missed anything. Tony shook his head and said. "No, we were just getting started. Are the girls good?" Jenny nodded, came over to the desk, and searched through the headmaster's drawer as if it was perfectly normal to pull out a bottle of Jack Daniels. She didn't ask if he minded as she opened the bottle and took a nice long drink and then offered him some, watching him shake his head no. She shrugged her shoulders and took a couple more swallows and said. "Long night." And gave Tony a nod to go on. Tony repeated the question, getting the same questions. The girls directed their gaze towards us, causing them to view us as if we were all crazy.
Once he explained the idea Rhoda said. "It's doable," and Jackie agreed. My heart stopped for a moment, realizing that I must have been right, that fate had once more stepped in and wanted this to happen. Now the big question was, how were my adoptive parents and more so my mother and grandmother were going to take the news? Oh. I knew exactly what was going to happen. My mother and grandmother are about to go nuclear. Oh, god help me when they find out.
Rhoda said. "And what did the boys say?"
Tony looked at me and Eli, Eli said. "We wanted to hear what you girls said first." Putting the ball back into their court where it should be.
The girls mumbled something we couldn't make out as if it was a private secret or that ended with "Boys." Jackie nodded. "I don't have a problem with that."
Rhoda was the longest one to answer and then said. "Well, if I only have to be married to Nate knowing he can really put out, I certainly have no reason not to stay married to him, But … Jackie and I want the exclusive rights that we share a bed with them and were always no matter what…we are there at their sides like a real husband and wife.
"They can have sex with other girls or themselves, but they aren't allowed to sleep with them without us. After all, we are with children and would look strange to other people if they were sleeping around. The Satanic Church is one thing, but we won't be active members any longer. Nate already said that he was raised in the LDS faith, and I already know they do not believe in plural wives."
Tony waited for my and Eli's answers. I cringed and Jeff reminded me that most of my Highland friends would be going home at the end of the week anyway and I would only be visiting my Santaquin friends.
I said. "It was doable, but I have a condition of my own." The girls waited, and I smiled as I looked at Jeff and he nodded with his approval. I said. "You three, becoming full-fledged members in the LDS Church, being baptized, the works; right on down to family home evening and family prayer. That includes Tony and Jenny being baptized and married in the temple or the deals off. Jeff says no more help until they make that commitment."
Tony and Jenny gasped. I said. "Oh, come on guys, Jeff knows that you two have been considering marriage for a long time." Jeff gave me a hard nod of approval.
I didn't ask Eli or the girls if they knew what I meant about becoming full-fledged members of the LDS church. How can they not consider there were more people here at Crest Ridge practicing the LDS faith? They needed a great big stick to play against the other team. I was giving them one, true we were going to be more of a Jack Mormon with our own beliefs, but it was a whole lot better than becoming Satan's children, where they are sacrificing people in the name of their religion.
I got up and shook hands with each of the girls and Eli and I called deal. Then we went over to Tony and Jenny. Tony moaned, and I said. "Jeff said, "that if you want us on your team, there might, and he means might be willing to see about him lending him to you. So, you too can communicate without me always telling you."
Tony looked at me and everyone else said. "Fine," because he really, really wanted Jeff's and my help, more so Jeff, being he can go anywhere and not be seen. So, he got down on his knees in front of Jenny and asked. "Will be my mate, my wife, and my best friend?"
Jenny looked at him and polished her nails and took her time and finished the bottle and said. "Nate, you and I are going to have a long talk about this and your friend Jeff," said with a heavy sigh; "fine," rolling her eyes.