Somewhere I Belong

Frank Anthony Iero was just 11 years old when his parents died. It was a tragic accident that could've been avoided...but wasn't.

Frank had been learning about fire safety at school that week, they'd had firemen come in to talk to them and everything, and on Friday every student in his class was given the assignment to check their home for fire hazards, to check they had working fire alarms and smoke detectors, and to do a thorough sweep with a handheld Carbon Monoxide detector that they were each given.

Frank was a quiet boy and a good student and this subject caught his attention particularly, as every day for the last three months, he'd had to walk past a burned out house on his way to school, and he'd been told that an entire family had died in there.

He didn't want that to happen to his.

When Frank got home, he started his assignment right away, as in a couple hours time, his friend Lucas and his mom were coming to collect Frank for a sleepover, and he wanted to do his work before he went.

He checked all three joint smoke and fire alarms in the house and found that two had good batteries, and one needed replacing...which he did. Then he checked for fire hazards like he'd been taught, but since his mom was a bit of a neat freak, there was nothing that was any danger. Next, he asked his mom where their CO detector was and was told that they used to have one, but it stopped working, and they never got round to replacing it. Frank's dad said he'd take Frank to get one from the store on Monday, after school. Frank decided that that was ok, so preceded to use the handheld detector to scan the whole house. He was pleased when it didn't go off.

Half an hour later, he said goodbye to his dad, kissed his mom on the cheek, and waved to them as he got in Lucas' mom's car to go to the sleepover.

Sunday afternoon, they pulled up outside Frank's house and Lucy, Lucas' mom, said she'd wait till he was inside.

Frank went up to the door, pulling his key out of his coat pocket. He unlocked the door and suddenly heard a sharp beeping sound coming from inside his bag. Frowning, Frank pulled out the CO detector that he'd taken with him to show Lucas, as he didn't go to the same school anymore. It was lit up and beeping wildly.

Frank took a hesitant step inside and called out to his parents. No answer. He was starting to feel a little woozy, and it finally dawned on him what was happening.

He backed out of the house and sunk to his knees on the doorstep.

The next couple hours were a blur of firemen, paramedics, doctors, questions and finally...he was left to rest in a narrow hospital bed cos they said he was suffering from shock.

A week later and Frank, having no relatives in the US, was sent to an orphanage across the other side of the state.

Frank was even quieter now, not that that was much of a surprise, considering what he'd been through. It was his quietness that made him so attractive to potential foster parents, and he ended up with a family quite quickly. Unfortunately, it was his also quietness and lack of willing to open up to anyone that had him sent back after just eight months.

In the two years after he entered the system, Frank had been placed with and returned by no fewer than four families. Now he was back in the orphanage and had been for nearly two years.

His quietness had now given him a nickname; 'the keeper of secrets', as the other kids found they could tell him anything, and he would never tell a soul.

Frank was sat on the couch in the communal sitting room. He was quietly reading a book about a girl that chased fireflies, and he had his CO detector in his lap, like always.

He heard talking coming from the entrance hall...it sounded like the woman who ran the orphanage was talking to more potential foster parents. It didn't interest Frank that much, cos no one had so much as looked at the 15-year-old in the last six months, and he didn't imagine that was going to change today.

"Frank honey, would you come here please?"

Frank looked up questioningly.

"Yes, Ms. Roberts?"

He asked as he put his book on the seat next to him and stood up, CO detector clutched in his right hand. He walked over to where she was stood with a middle-aged couple. They looked like nice people...like he fixed his car in the driveway on Sunday while she made an apple pie in the kitchen...normal people.

"This is Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds. They would like to talk to you. Why don't you take them on the terrace for lunch?"

"Oh, er...ok."

He turned toward the couple and smiled shyly.

"Hi...the er, the terrace is through here."

He pointed toward the French doors that lead out from the sitting room. The 6th graders were on kitchen duty today so they brought out a salad and spaghetti with meatballs. They set out a plate for Frank and his guests. One girl, who confided in Frank that she was still having bed wetting problems, brought out the garlic bread. She whispered thanks in Frank's ear and kissed his cheek. She made sure he got the end piece. She knew he liked it better than the middle.

"So I see we are a bit of a ladies man huh?"

Mr. Reynolds joked as he tucked into his food.

"Stop that Howard. Sorry, he likes to say silly things like that. So Frank, tell us about yourself."

Frank took a sip of his glass of water then set it down.

"Well...I'm 15. I like to read and..."

He thought for a moment.

"And I get good grades."

He picked up his piece of garlic bread and took a small bite.

"Just read? No other hobbies or interests?"

"Fire safety."

Frank mumbled around a mouthful of spaghetti, looking down at his plate.

"Oh. Yes, well that's good."

The rest of the meal went quietly. Once they were done Frank lead them back to the office. When he left, Ms. Robert's sat down with them.

"Did you have a nice chat?"

"Not much of a talker is he?"

"No, not really. Frank keeps to himself a lot. He doesn't have many friends, but when the kids are troubled they go to him. He is a good listener. They call him the Keeper of Secrets affectionately."

"Does he get on with the older kids?"

"Not really, but they also do not pick on him. Frank rarely shows emotion. He does what he is told though, without question."

Mr. Reynolds sat up at hearing this.

"That is a good quality in a child."

"I suppose, I just wish he was more animated about something, anything."

"We have to discuss with the rest of the house, but we will be in touch."

Ms. Roberts shook hands with both of them and watched them leave. She did not think they would be back.

***Time Stamp: One Week Later***

"Frank, Frankie, wake up!"

Alison, one of the 2nd graders ran into Frank's room.

Frank blearily rubbed at his eyes as he turned his head toward the door and Alison's tiny figure.

"Hey, Ali...what's up?"

He croaked, his voice rough from sleep.

"Someone’s here for you!"

"For me...who?"

Frank sat up but didn't get out of bed, cos he was only in a t-shirt and boxers, and didn't want to scar the girl for life.

"The Reynolds! They want you to come live with them!"

Frank's eyes widened, he was suddenly very awake.

"Are you sure...they didn't mean Frank Adams did they...the kid with the wonky eye?"

"Oh stop Frankie. They loved you! You're finally leaving!"

"Yeah...ok..."

Frank didn't want to dampen her spirits by telling her how things are...that sometimes you get sent back.

"Can you go tell them I'll be five minutes please...I just gotta get dressed."

"Okay!"

She ran out the door closing it. Frank sighed, slinging the blanket off of his bare legs and getting up from his bed. He grabbed his baggy blue jeans from the chair by his window and pulled them on, then took off his shirt and changed it for one that smelled less like a teenage boy, and more like laundry detergent. He slipped his feet into his bargain bin sneakers and looked in the mirror.

"Urgh..."

He groaned, seeing pillow creases down his left cheek.

"Oh well..."

He said to his reflection.

"Guess they'll have to put up with that."

He ran his fingers through his messy bed hair then left his room. When he reached Ms. Roberts' office, he took a breath, then knocked.

"Frank come on in. You remember Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds."

Frank nodded as he stepped in and closed the door quietly.

"Yeah...hi."

He smiled softly.

"Frank Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds would like to foster you."

Frank's eyes widened. He looked at them and couldn't hide his surprise.

"Really?"

"Yes really."

"We never met a more polite young man as you before and we think you will be the perfect addition to our family."

"Oh...wow. Er, ok...that'd be great...thank you."

Frank stammered out quietly.

"So go get your things while I do the paperwork with them."

"Ok..."

Frank grinned and headed to the door. He paused as he opened it and looked back at the couple.

"You won't regret this...I'll be good, I promise."

Then he disappeared out the door and ran upstairs to pack his few belongings into his ratty backpack...the same one his mom had bought him just a month before she died. It was threadbare, ripped and ink-stained, but he would never throw it away.

When he was done, he took one last look at what had been his room for the last 23 months, then closed the door and returned downstairs.

"I'm ready."

He said quietly, seeing his new foster parents stood in the entry way with Ms. Roberts.

"Alright then, let's go."

Ms. Roberts watched the Reynolds and Frank leave. She had a good feeling about this. She had a feeling that Frank would not be returning this time.

***Time Stamp: Six Months Later***

"So the paperwork is all complete and now Frank is officially yours."

"Wonderful! We are so happy that Frank will be part of our future plans."

"And what are your future plans?"

"Well, Howard just got a promotion so we will be moving across the country. We have been researching and found a wonderful private academy the will be perfect for Frank's quiet nature. He will be very happy there and find many friends like him."

"Well we will miss him, but he deserves a good home."

"He will have one, do not worry."

"Well, then this is goodbye, tell Frank I said that I am happy for him."

"We will."

Ms. Roberts watched the Reynolds leave once again. She was happy to know that she had been right.

"One down, 24 to go."

***Time Stamp: Spring***

"Move it, boy, don't give me a reason to use this on ya."

"Give it up man, this one is so quiet that he causes the least amount of trouble if any at all."

"Whatever, just put him in the cage with the rest of them. The auction will start soon."

Jack led the quiet boy to one of the far cages away from the others. He had taken a shine to the boy when he was in training. He tried to keep him safe from the trouble makers.

"Alright Frank, I need your clothing, all of them."

He watched as Frank stripped and folded them neatly.

"I will put it in your backpack and make sure who buys you gets it."

Frank nodded, keeping his eyes lowered.

"Thank you, sir."

He said quietly.

"You're a good kid. Sorry you got mixed up in this mess."

Jack left feeling worse than he ever had about a kid before. He needed to do something to help him. He pulled out his phone and made a few calls. Hopefully, he was in the market.

Frank sighed. How was this his life now?

"Why are we here Sir. I thought you were done purchasing from this auction?"

"I am Kitten. I am not here for me, though."

Gerard looked at Mikey.

"Who then Sir?"

Grant chuckled.

"You ask too many questions. Just stand there looking beautiful with your brother and make them all jealous they don't own you."

Mikey smiled, leaning himself against Gerard.

"We can certainly do that sir."

Gerard took Mikey's hand and slipped it in his back pocket.

Mikey squeezed Gerard's ass...it was easy as there was no inside to the pocket, so he was skin on skin.

Gerard laid his head on Mikey's shoulder as they walked. It was a practiced move for years. Gerard saw approval from Grant and Gerard smiled making his animatronic ears rise and Grant laugh. As they got closer to the cages Gerard felt Mikey shiver. Mikey pushed more into Gerard's side. He hated it here...he still had bad memories...nightmares. Grant, sensing the younger brother’s distress, stopped them. He turned Michael to face him. Mikey kept his head down, eyes on the floor.

"Michael look at me please."

Mikey looked up obediently, his lower lip trapped between his teeth.

"Are you a good boy?"

"Yes Sir...always Sir."

"So then do you have any worry or concern of ever coming back here again?"

Mikey blinked slowly, then shook his head.

"No Sir...I just..."

He bit his lip again.

"I'm sorry Sir. I'm alright."

"You only have to apologise for doubting me...got thinking that I would ever let a beautiful creature like you out of my sight, nothing else dear boy."

"Yes sir...I’m sorry I doubted you, sir."

"Very well Michael."

He kissed the boy's forehead lightly.

"Shall we continue my pets?"

Mikey smiled shakily and nodded, leaning back into Gerard's side and slipping his hand back into the older boy's pocket. Gerard smiled at his Master. This is why they were all so devoted to him. Shortly they arrived at the auction area. Grant had a special box away from the riff raff...and he was not talking about the products. He sat in his box with Gerard perched on his lap and Mikey at his feet. He could feel eyes on them and he nuzzled Gerard as he carded his fingers through Mikey's hair.

"Well now. Let's see what's on the block shall we?"

*

*

*

Frank had somehow managed to fall asleep on the floor of his cage. It wasn't comfy by any stretch of the imagination...but he was used to it by now. A loud noise woke him and he jolted and scrambled onto his knees, lowering his head as he heard footsteps coming toward him.

"Come on kid let's go."

Frank crawled forward as the cage was opened, and waited for instructions.

The man led Frank to the auction block with all the other slaves.

"I'll take this one."

Jack arrived and took Frank's chain. He led him to the area closest to the boxes.

"Just be yourself, Frank. Everything will be fine."

Frank nodded.

"Yes, sir."

Jack tied Frank to the pole closest to the boxes. He looked up at a man sitting with two other boys and nodded. The man nodded back. Then Jack left. Frank kept his head down and waited.

Grant was a patient man. It was how he ran his business and his home. He was wise too and knew when he saw a good thing and the boy Jack alerted him to was indeed a good thing. He watched as his pets sat together on the ground talking about the products.

"They all look so unhappy Mikes."

Mikey nodded sadly.

"I wish they could all come home with us."

He whispered in reply, leaning into his brother more.

"I do too."

Gerard sighed. The people were loud and they yelled and hurt the other slaves. Once again Gerard was grateful for their master.

"How does this happen to so many kids Gee?..."

Mikey looked into his brother's sad eyes.

"I swear there's even more here than when Master bought us."

"Hey my beautiful pets, what do you think of the boy over there."

Gerard looked at the boy who had not moved the whole time.

"He is very obedient."

"I don't see any bruises..."

Mikey murmured before looking up at his Master.

"Do you think he's new?"

"He could be. Does he please you, Master? "

"Does he please you, Kitten?"

Gerard had never been asked that before. He looked at Mikey for help. Mikey shrugged slightly...he didn't understand either.

Gerard continued to watch the boy that had his Master's interest. He seemed to be small and quite young. Younger then Mikey is, that made him pull his brother in closer. Grant had been their owner since Mikey was 14. It had been three years and Mikey and Gerard had never felt safer.

"I think he is a very well behaved slave and..."

"Now now my pet, what do we call them?"

"Sorry Master. I think he is a well-behaved pet and he would make any Master happy to be his owner."

"I am glad you feel this way my pet."

Grant said nothing else and watched his two precious pets settle in and watch again.

*

*

*

"Next lot, #423 sixteen-year-old virgin. Not a mark on him. The perfect submissive."

Frank kept his head down and moved to where he was led in silence. He stood quietly and listened as the bidding began. The numbers were crazy! Gerard had never heard such insane amounts! Even he and Mikey didn't go for anywhere near this much. Mikey trembled in Gerard's arms and Gerard looked to their Master for help.

"Seven Million is the final bid. Seven million going once, seven million going twice..."

"Ten million."

Mikey looked up at their Master, then back at his brother, mouthing 'ten mill?', with wide eyes.

"Ten million to Master Morrison. Going once, going twice, sold to Master Morrison for ten million dollars."

There was applause in the boxes and an uproar in the pits. Grant watched as the boy was led to the exchange area.

"Well me pets shall we go and collect your prize?"

"Yes, Sir."

Gerard figured he didn't hear correctly and was not about to correct their Master. They made their way out of the box and followed the path to the exchange area.

*

*

*

Jack was standing with Frank when Grant walked in.

"You never disappoint me do you Jack?"

"No Sir."

Grant watched the boy for a moment. He didn't fidget at all. He dropped down into a squat.

"Hello."

"Hello, sir."

Frank said quietly.

"Do you have a name Pet?"

"Frank, sir."

"Frank, are you truly 16?"

"Yes, sir."

Grant stood up and turned motioning to his pets.

"Frank this is Michael. Michael this is Frank."

"Hi, Frank..."

Mikey said softly, not wanting to scare the kid.

"You can call me Mikey if you like."

Frank looked up through his hair.

"Hello, Michael."

He glanced at his new Master. He hadn't said it was alright to call the older boy Mikey, so he'd wait to see what was said...if anything.

"Very good Michael and yes, he may call you by your nickname. Gerard come here."

Gerard walked up and stood next to Mikey.

"Gerard this is Frank, Frank this is your Master."

Frank looked up at the boy with the longish black hair and kind eyes.

"Hello, Master."

For the first time ever Gerard was speechless. He looked at Mikey for help, but he was the same way. He turned to Grant.

"Master?"

"Gerard, you have not greeted your pet yet."

Gerard was still confused, but turned to the boy.

"Hello Frank, you may call me...Master?"

Notes

Hi there chipmunks...how's you?

So we decided that we needed another fic, and came up with this idea. It's our first fic together with Grant as a main character, and we're really excited for it...hope you are too?

Until next time...PLEASE COMMENT, and peace out babies!
<3