A Tale for the Lost
by Fahrenheit80
Here is my latest story which has a sad twist at the end. Readers should be warned to read it all the way through.
There was a man named Drew who once was living in my neighborhood a long time ago. People called him the most admirable man in the world. I’ve never met him in person, though. But his story was passed on by his best friends who used to hang out with him until the day he disappeared into thin air, leaving behind a desperate wife, two children and a mystery that remained unsolved.
Over the years there were numerous rumors surrounding his disappearance. One of them was about a mistress who turned out to be the princess of a faraway land, resembling Peter Pan’s Neverland. Another one involved aliens that abducted him to their home planet in an attempt to save their sexually underdeveloped race from extinction. The third most prominent rumor took place in another dimension, inhabited by sultry beauties longing for men who could satisfy their needs. But we all knew that none of these stories were true.
First of all, Drew wasn’t that kind of guy who would cheat on his wife. In fact, he was very content with his life. To a guy who was chubby and disadvantaged in physical and emotional strength being married to the woman he had a crush on since kindergarten, that kind of situation was the best thing that could ever happen to him. Moreover, his offspring only inherited the best of his side which was, to make it plain and simple, nothing at all. His son who was sixteen at the time of his mysterious disappearance was one of the most popular boys in town. He got everything Drew missed when he was in his age. In other words, he was big, strong and successful in sports while his father used to be a social outcast who always felt out of place in every group he tried out and suffered from being overweight and underprivileged.
There were a lot of speculations about Drew’s paternity as he bore literally no resemblances to his son. However, those insulting words were put to silence when his wife fiercely denied infidelity. Although she was a former beauty queen, the only heir of an incredible fortune and a successful business woman she married Drew out of love. Seriously, she could have every man in the world. But she chose Drew over a billionaire, a lifeguard, a military hero, a famous Hollywood actor, an underwear model, a best-selling writer and a Nobel Prize winner. Since then Drew was admired even by the people who treated him like dirt in kindergarten, grade school, middle school, high school and college.
To sum it all up, his life took a turn for the better after his wedding. Life was wonderful. His daughter, however, gave Drew and his wife a hard time. She was fourteen when he disappeared, classified as highly intelligent for her age and to every parent’s horror she was extremely gorgeous and rebellious. Drew and his wife thought of sending her to a Catholic girls-only school. But they never carried out the plan because they were too afraid that their daughter would turn into a lesbian. Apart from the troubles with his daughter Drew had a very happy life. There was no way he would leave that behind if it wasn’t by force.
It happened on a Sunday many, many years ago. Barack Obama was still President of the United States of America. Beyoncé Knowles was pregnant with her first child. And million people tuned in to GLEE every week. Drew told his wife he would go out for a few minutes to buy some cigarettes. But minutes became hours. And when the sun set down his wife knew that something was wrong. She tried to reach him on his cell phone. Drew never answered her calls nor did he call her back. The police was unable to find any clue that could lead to his whereabouts. Even the FBI was unsuccessful. After a year without any result the investigations were put on hold. Drew’s family was devastated when two state officials told them to accept the fact that he would never come back to them and that life would never be the same again. Still believing that he was alive, his wife hired a private eye. The name of that man was Paxton also known as the Bloodhound. His success rate was impressive and so was his reputation. Among investigators Paxton the Bloodhound was considered a living legend that would go to great lengths to solve a case. Unfortunately, he didn’t give a damn about the law. If he had to beat the crap out of somebody to get information out of him he would do it without having second thoughts. Rumor has it that he even threatened a high official during a charity event in front of children who were fighting leukemia. When Paxton took over the case little did he know that it would be his last.
Two months later one of Paxton’s ex-wives went to the police to ask the officers to check on his whereabouts as he failed to show up for his youngest daughter’s first day at school. Paxton might be a lousy husband and a terrible lover but he was a great father to his four children he conceived with three different women. Missing important events such as his daughter’s first day at school was something Paxton would never do unless he was in big trouble.
“I’ve got a strange feeling,” Paxton’s ex-wife told the police. “He tried to call me on my cell phone in the middle of the night about a week or so ago. I was fast asleep at that time. I found out about it the next morning. Usually he leaves a message. But this time he didn’t. I went to his apartment. His neighbor told me he didn’t saw him for days.”
One of Paxton’s best friends a high ranked police officer took over the case. However, all that was left of the private eye were his notes that documented a mystery involving men being spirited away. It started ten years ago when a divorced father of three took his dog for a walk and never returned home. After that two more men disappeared without a trace. The only thing they had in common was that they were overweight. Paxton theorized that Drew and the three men had fallen victim to a serial killer.
“But what happened to their bodies? And why did nobody notice that there is a lunatic roaming freely on the streets?” Those questions were written down on a paper that was discovered later in his drawer among other things such as a box of audio tapes.
The team that examined Paxton’s notes stepped into a story too incredible to be true. At the end the case was filed away, hidden from the outside world until Drew’s daughter and Paxton’s eldest son who joined the FBI reopened Pandora’s Box to solve the mystery that haunted their lives for so many years. What happened to their fathers? What did the team find out during the examination of Paxton’s documents? Why did they lock away the files? But the question that mattered most to them was: Who was responsible for their disappearances? They wanted to find that person, to arrest him and make sure that he would finally get the punishment he deserved for all the lives he destroyed.
Tape #1 was recorded when Paxton paid a man named Jeremy a visit. Jeremy was an old friend of Drew’s from their time in high school. Right after graduation he left town to go on a trip around the world. He became an adventurer, living for the present and never staying too long on one place. But at the end he returned to his old home town and settled down. Two weeks before he disappeared, Drew went to Jeremy’s welcome party.
“To my great disappointment I came to realize that the years we were living apart changed him for the worse,” Jeremy said during his interview with Paxton. “Back in high school Drew and I were best friends. I didn’t care that he wasn’t very popular. He was a nice guy. I never thought he would turn into a bigot one day.” Jeremy was friends with a gay couple from New York who didn’t hesitate to take the long ride when he invited them to his party. While the other guests didn’t mind the couple Drew revealed himself as a homophobe. Everybody was shocked when he asked the two men to stop acting like faggots. “He was definitely drunk when he made that slur. Still, it was inappropriate. The situation was about to escalate until I asked him to leave.”
The next day Jeremy rode to the hotel his gay friends resided since he promised to accompany them to the airport. To his surprise he saw Drew leaving the reception area. They greeted each other. “But Drew seemed to be too busy for a chat and rushed away. Later, I found out that he apologized to my friends for his insulting words. He admitted that he had some issues regarding homosexuality as he was raised in a very conservative household.” Jeremy’s friends accepted Drew’s apology. After that they talked for a while. They even made some lame jokes about marriage and rebellious teenagers who didn’t respect their parents. “One of my friends wore a necklace he bought the other day in a little shop just a few minutes away from the hotel. Drew wanted to buy the same one as a birthday gift for his daughter.”
Paxton’s notes suggested that the private eye went to that little shop in an attempt to reconstruct the last two weeks before Drew’s mysterious disappearance. The owner was an incredibly effeminate guy in too tight trousers and shirts, who was, strangely enough, “married to a hot Latina with big boobs and striking green eyes” that reminded him of the rainforest. To top it all, he conceived three children with her, with a fourth one on its way. During the interview that was recorded on tape #2 Paxton made a surprise revelation. Not only did Drew visit the shop but the three other men who were spirited away. Furthermore, they bought the same necklace.
“It is very popular among women and gay men,” the owner said. “The pendant is actually based on an Ancient symbol from Africa. I don’t exactly know the meaning. But it has something to do with another realm that is inhabited by creatures of unearthly beauty.”
At that moment the owner’s wife interrupted the interview. “No, no, no, honey. It’s an old Middle-American symbol. It symbolizes the giant rainbow snake that wrapped the earth until the gods from Ancient times killed it and used its corpse as a fertilizer to grow trees and all the flowers we know today. It’s about the circle of life like in The Lion King. You remember the scene when that lion takes a walk with that little cub and tells him that when he dies his body will become the grass, and the antelopes eat the grass? Anyway, the symbol means death and rebirth.”
After the interview the owner’s wife handed Paxton the necklace as a gift for one of his children. However, he didn’t give many thoughts to it until later. He spent most of his time collecting information of the men who disappeared. Everything he found out was summarized on several papers.
Victim #1: Seamus Milton, 54, African-American, publisher, divorced, father of three daughters, had a heart condition since birth, disappeared when he took his dog for a walk; the dog was found in an ally along with his wallet and identity card. Weight at the time of disappearance: 380 pounds.
Victim #2: Theodor McAdams, 48, Caucasian, investment banker, married, father of one son, survived two heart attacks, went out in the middle of the night and never returned home. Weight at the time of disappearance: 385 pounds.
Victim #3: Eduardo Garcia, 42, Hispanic, restaurant manager, widowed, no children, suffered from diabetes, disappeared right after the wedding ceremony of his younger sister; his keys and driving license were found in a park. Weight at the time of disappearance: 395 pounds.
Victim #4: Andrew “Drew” Zuckerman, 44, white, accountant, married to a very wealthy woman, father of one son and one daughter, disappeared after buying cigarettes. Weight at the time of disappearance: 360 pounds.
To Paxton there was no doubt that those men were poor victims of a lunatic. At some points he even suspected a cult. But his theories were shattered when some guy paid him a visit in his office one day. He introduced to him as Adam Reed, a hairdresser in his late twenties, dressed in skin tight trousers and a tank top that revealed his big chest and muscular arms. At first sight nobody would assume him being gay. Paxton wrote in his notes that Adam’s face was very masculine: A big square jaw, very thin lips and emerald eyes including a manicured scruff and brown eyebrows in contrast to his bleached hair that was shaved into a crew cut. His voice, however, didn’t do his pretty face justice. He spoke with a heavy lisp. In addition to that he was gesticulating with his hands while talking. Paxton wrote: “Seriously, the thing with his hands was getting on my nerves.”
The following interview was recorded on tape #4. As a side note, it was discovered much later behind a loose brick in Paxton’s kitchen. Why it was hidden was another mystery that was never solved.
“A little bird told me that a private eye is asking people about the disappearance of Theodor McAdams,” Adam said. “You aren’t supposed to be that private eye?”
“As a matter of fact, I am that private eye.”
“In that case, I would like to ask you to stop pestering people with your questions. It’s been six years since Mr. McAdams disappeared. Everybody has already lost hope to see him again. His wife and son want nothing but moving on with their lives. They even had a funeral hoping it would give them some kind of closure. You should leave them alone and not reopen old sores.”
“No can do. I’m investigating a case that seems to have some connections to Mr. McAdams’ disappearance.”
“Can you tell me more about that case?”
“Classified.”
“Let me guess. Another man disappeared.”
“Classified. What’s your relation to Mr. McAdams, anyway?”
“That’s none of your business.” Adam was about to leave. But all of the sudden he changed his mind. I assume he saw the necklace on Paxton’s desk at that moment and knew what would happen. “I’m just kidding. My relations to Mr. McAdams. Well, that’s a long story.”
“Make it short.”
“Now you are kidding me.”
“No, I’m not. I don’t like long stories.”
“Oh, dear, you are killing me right now. I was about to tell you how I came to know Mr. McAdams… and what happened to him.”
“I’m listening.”
“Do you believe in magic? You know? Spells? Curses? Fairies?”
“I’ve got one sitting right in front of me.”
“I’ll pass on that remark.”
“I’m really, really busy right now. Can you please…?”
“Honey, I can’t promise you a rose garden. But I will try. Let’s see… Once upon a time…”
“Oh, Jesus…”
“… there was a man who was married to the most beautiful woman on Earth. She was so beautiful that even the sun, the moon and the stars would sing a love song in her name every time she left her home and graced the world with her beauty. Her husband, however, wasn’t that – let’s just say – good-looking. He was fat, really, really fat. His health was deteriorating as he grew older. Before he was 45 he already suffered two heart attacks. The doctors told him he wouldn’t make it to his fifties if he didn’t lose some weight. But he couldn’t. Since early childhood he went through numerous diets to no avail. When he was still at school he was bullied by the popular kids. Luckily, he was raised by a loving family. Although they didn’t have a lot of money they encouraged him to live life to the fullest and be happy. Thanks to them he built up a great amount of self-confidence over the years. He never gave up on pursuing his dreams. He became a straight-A student, won a scholarship to a one of the most prestigious universities and found friends who really cared for him. Nevertheless it was a miracle that his wife chose him over any other men who would provide her a stable home. But the greatest of all things was that her love was genuine. She didn’t care if he wasn’t a bodybuilder, a model or a millionaire. She loved him with all her heart, and so did he. After many failed attempts they became parents to the sweetest and smartest boy of the whole world. Their life was perfect. Almost. The man was still overweight. And it wouldn’t take long for death to end the dream they were living in. It was inevitable. Still, they tried to live every day as if it was their last. The man and his wife tried to have another kid. But as his health went down it was impossible for them to conceive a new life. One day the man came by a little shop. He was drawn to a necklace with a strange symbol. Usually, he didn’t wear any jewelry with the exception of his wedding ring. However, he couldn’t resist but to buy the necklace and put it around his neck. First, nothing unusual happened. Life went on until one night the man heard a strange voice calling for him outside the house. His wife and son were fast asleep. Unable to fight against the voice that only he could hear he went downstairs, through the kitchen door into the garden in a dream-like state, never looking back. Suddenly a bright colored light blended his eyes. He saw something slowly approaching to him, a creature, a giant snake. It looked into his eyes. Although it was only for a brief moment it was enough for the snake to uncover his deepest desires. Then it devoured the man. But it didn’t kill him. On the contrary, it put new life into the man’s body. Fat melted away. In its place muscles grew to a fair size, not too big and not too small, just right. His belly shrunk until it revealed an incredible six-pack that showed his firm desire to stay in shape. His skin became smooth. He grew from 5’6’’ to 6’1’’. A new head of hair covered his bald spots. And then the most incredible thing happened. He rejuvenated. After his transformation he was 23 again – in the body of an athletic hunk. When the man woke up he found himself in an area he avoided for so many years. It was still night time. But the area was full life even in the darkest hour. An alluring scent covered the air. Music was coming from all directions. Between the buildings men and women engaged in sexual acts. The man tried to escape the unbearable tension. While he walked down the street he stopped in front of shop window, and for the first time he became aware of his new body. There was literally nothing left from his old one. Even the color of his eyes wasn’t the same anymore. Prior to his transformation they used to be ice blue. Now they were emerald green. At first the man was shocked by his changed self. He gave little attention to the outfit he was wearing. It included black leather boots, skin tight jeans, a t-shirt that was definitely too small for his upper body and silver rings on his fingers and right earlobe. The man resumed his walk back home. However, strange feelings surfaced from deep inside with each step he made. He slowed down and started to give his surroundings a closer look. Finally, he realized that he wasn’t the same man anymore. Not only did his body changed but his personality. Strong urges overwhelmed him. It was impossible for him to suppress them. They led the man to a nightclub that hosted guys who were feeling the same urges. Almost in an instant he became adjusted to the bright colors, the pulsing sounds and the eyes that were crying for his affection. Within minutes he was surrounded by men who tried to get to know him better. When one of them gave him a kiss the sensation almost knocked him down. It was pure electricity. He could feel the sparks on his tongue, in his throat, his chest, arms, stomach and crotch in a blink of an eye. A few minutes later he was lying in bed with a man he barely knew, looking in his face with anticipation and spreading his legs to give him entrance into an area that would soon to be open to intense and relentless pounding. When he climaxed into the strong arms of his new buddy he knew that this was the way he wanted to live from now on. Although he was happy as a fat man married to a beautiful wife raising the most wonderful son in the world he found greater happiness as a gay guy. He couldn’t return home, not after having accepted his new identity. The man decided to start all over again. He moved into a small apartment, made new friends and explored the gay world that included dating and hooking up with gay men. He learned to dress, to take care of his body, to sing and to dance. At the end he embraced a very gay lifestyle and became a hairdresser. However, he couldn’t forget the people he left behind, especially his wife and son who he still loved dearly. One day the man forged out a plan to get back in touch with them. He knew that his wife went to the same beauty shop for the last ten years. The manager was more than excited when he asked him for a job. Surprisingly, his first client was none other than his wife. Thanks to his kind spirit they soon became good friends. He even helped her to move on with her life and to find a new guy with whom she would start a romantic relationship. His son accepted him as an uncle, and sometimes the boy visited him in his apartment to spend some time with him, playing or telling stories. At the end everybody was living happily ever after.”
When Adam finished his story there was a moment of silence until Paxton burst out laughing. “That’s the stupidest fairy tale I’ve ever heard. Seriously, I’m not buying it, not a single word.”
“You can laugh as much as you like. But you will see soon enough that everything I just said isn’t just a fairy tale. Believe it or not, some say behind every fairy tale there is a little truth.”
“You should go now,” Paxton told Adam. “I’ve wasted enough of my time.”
“Put on the necklace if you have the courage.”
After listening to tape #4 Drew’s daughter and Paxton’s son stopped their investigation. Just like the team that looked into the files years ago they closed Pandora’s Box and resumed their daily lives. However, the time they spent together trying to solve the mystery of their fathers’ disappearances brought them closer to each other. After a few years of dating they married and became parents to three children, one biological and two adopted. For the rest of their lives they were happy not knowing what really happened to their fathers. In a way Adam’s fairy tale gave them some kind of closure.
The case was almost forgotten until a diary was found during the renovation of an old apartment complex in an area that was popular among gay people. As it turned out, it belonged to a male stripper named Sullivan who moved away with his life partner two years prior to its discovery. The strange thing was that writer identified himself as Paxton in some pages in which he detailed a transformation from a straight middle-aged man to an outgoing and proud homosexual in his twenties.
Through my connections I managed to get a copy of the diary, and like my predecessors I stopped my search for the truth after reading it, because sometimes it’s better to believe in fairy tales. Nevertheless I will let you have a look into a few pages of the diary that detailed Paxton’s transformation.
“June 26th. A fairy flew into my office. He was dressed a pair of shiny pants that were so tight they were squeezing his balls, giving him a high-pitched voice. Jesus, I’ve never met a fag so gay like him before. After telling me the world’s stupidest story he told me to put on the necklace I’ve got from that little shop just a while ago. Ha, ha, as if I would ever wear something that stupid.”
“July 28th. Put on the necklace today. Don’t know why. There was a strong feeling I couldn’t explain. I usually don’t wear any jewelry. Oh well, at least it looks good on me. I should make an appointment with my barber for a haircut.”
“August 11th. Just woke up from a strange dream. Well, sort of. It was all dark. There was only a voice calling my name. Is that the curse? Yeah, right!”
“August 13th. Met my friends today. Had some drinks. Tried a cosmopolitan for the first time. Don’t know why. I was just curious. Have to admit, it tastes great. Of course, my friends made some stupid remarks about me drinking something girly. I didn’t say that it would be my favorite from now on. Still…”
“August 16th. The same dream again. It’s haunting me for almost a week. Could it be that the story the guy told me the other day was true after all? Nah, I’m getting paranoid.”
“August 17th. The voice won’t stop calling for me. I have to go out. I have to follow the voice. Tried to call my ex-wife. That woman must be fast asleep. Oh dear God, I don’t want to turn gay.”
“August 18th. Dear Diary, today is the day I’m reborn. I can’t believe that I was afraid of becoming the man I’m supposed to be. Everything is just fantastic! I went out to the street into a dark ally. Not far away from home. Just like in the story of that guy who is, by the way, ruggedly handsome a bright colored light blended me. And there it was the giant rainbow snake. It was looking deep into my eyes. While doing so my whole life flashed in front of me, every little detail. Then it opened its mouth. I knew that it would devour me but for reasons unknown I wasn’t afraid anymore. Just a few hours ago I was a fat guy with a terrible fashion sense turning 50 next month. Now look at me! I’m in the body of a 23-year-old muscle hunk! My tits and arms are so big and solid. And my ass. Oh God, I can’t stop touching those two packages. They are so fucking spectacular! My face is pretty! Seriously, it’s like somebody smashed my skull into pieces and built a work of art from them. I have now got a square jaw. My cheekbones are more defined than before and my eyes are blue like the ocean. After my transformation I woke up sitting on a bench. All I wanted was to go home. But I didn’t make it very far. Strange sounds were catching my attention. I was drawn into a nightclub full of beautiful men. Within an hour I found myself on a sling, spreading my legs to an older guy who slowly showed his awesome member into my urging hole, taking me to a new level of satisfaction. Every time his tool touched my button I wished the sensation he was giving me would last forever. I cried like a girl, begging him to push it deeper into my hole. We both climaxed at the same time, locked in a strong embrace. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. And I want to do it again. There is no doubt that the transformation turned me gay. But I don’t mind it at all.”
“August 18th. Dear Diary, I’ve decided to move out of this place. I won’t take much of my old belongings with me, just a few pictures of my kids. I’m going to miss them. But I have to find a place that fits my new identity.”
“August 19th. Dear Diary, I’ve found a new place to live! The guy who deflowered me on the first night of my new life offered me to move into his apartment! When I told him that I’m a newbie he smiled and said that he will show me the ropes. I can hardly wait for my first lesson. Oh, so much to learn.”
“August 20th. Dear Diary, I’ve decided on a new name. From now on I’m Lewis Sullivan.”
“August 22nd. Dear Diary, I’ve decided to become a stripper! My first lesson will start tomorrow. There are already a few clubs that want to book me. Going to make big bucks.”
“August 24th. Dear Diary, my teacher took me to my first orgy. Don’t know how many men fucked me. But it was fantastic! Can’t wait for the next one.”
“September 19th. Dear Diary, today would have been my 50th birthday, or should I say Paxton’s? Anyway, I will go out to celebrate that day in my own way. Time to get piggy!”
Two years later.
“July 14th. Dear Diary, my oldest son will turn 14 tomorrow. I remember the day I held him in my arms for the first time. I’m missing my kids.”
“October 10th. Dear Diary, today I’ve met my youngest daughter. It happened when I was buying some groceries in the supermarket. She was with her mother. My little girl. She has grown so much. I just want to hug her.”
“November 27th. Dear Diary, I’ve just met the most intelligent and beautiful man in the world. He will take me on a date this weekend. I have to make an appointment with my hairdresser.”
“December 1st. Dear Diary, I’m in love. My date was absolutely fantastic. And despite being smart and handsome he turned out to be a real gentleman. He didn’t want to sleep with me on our first date! He told me that he wanted to take it slow. But he shouldn’t make me wait for too long. I do have some needs.”
“December 24th. Dear Diary, Wes and I are now boyfriends! I’m so happy.”
“March 12th. Dear Diary, today Wes finally asked me to move in with him. Of course, I said yes.”
Three years later.
“December 1st. Dear Diary, Wes got his promotion! But this isn’t the only thing that puts a smile on my face. He proposed to me! Soon we will be husband and husband. Can’t wait to buy my wedding outfit. I’m thinking of white rubber.”
One year later.
“June 29th. Dear Diary, today will be the last day I will spend the night in our old apartment. I’m going to miss it. But it’s time to move on. Wes and I will soon become parents to a beautiful little girl. Sadly, this isn’t the right place to raise a child.”
“June 30th. Dear Diary, this will be my last entry. I’ve decided to leave the last thing of my past behind. The man I used to be is gone for a long time now. Whoever will find this diary I can assure you that the writer is happy right now and won’t regret a thing.”
Here I would like to end my story with the words that everybody lived happily ever after. But I know there are people out there who are interested in the truth. I will give them a few hints what really happened to the five men who disappeared. Just a while ago the police arrested a butcher for attempted murder. He was also known as Snake because of a certain tattoo on his right arm. When the police went to his home to search for evidence they found human bones buried under his garden. The autopsy revealed that they were boiled and gnawed. To this day they were never identified.
If you are still not satisfied I will ask you to stop in the name of the people who want to believe that their loved ones are out there living a very gay life.
As for my part, I want to believe in fairies.
END