Short Stories

Cruel Love

******Trigger Warning*******   Mentions of cults/abuse/homophobia/assault

Adrian looked into the cocoa in the dull yellow cup with a chip on the rim. The creaky wooden door in the front of the café opens a few times and he involantarily flinches. He had forgotten it was his favorite drink. The family will be angry that he is drinking it, so he is going to savor it. They will be even angrier about him talking to Henry. He hadn't meant to talk to anyone. It has just been so long since someone had been so kind to him. It was nice. Henry looked the same as before except he got taller. His red hair still stuck up in tight curles and his green eyes still reminded Adrian of two shining emeralds. He had somehow gotten even more lanky.

Henry seemed so worried when he talked to him. He told Adrien that he looked too skinny. Adrian had not noticed until it was pointed out to him, but he has lost a lot of weight since being with the family. Adrian used to be chubby but now he can see his ribs. Maybe that's why he is always unsteady on his feet. Henry offered him a place to stay. He said he has his own place now and that Adrian could stay for as long as he needs. He even wrote his address onto a piece of paper and gave it to Adrian. Of course, he won't actually go to Henry's to stay but he took the address anyway. It would have been rude not to, and he could never just brush Henry off. Adrian sighed wondering what his penance will be. He has never broken such a big rule before. This was his first trip to get supplies and probably his last. He had finally lived in the compound long enough to make a supply run. They don't let members go to town until at least five years after they join. New members can be corrupted by outsiders easier. They might decide he cannot be trusted to leave the compound ever again. Attempting to hide it will be pointless. They always know everything. He broke two major rules. The first one he broke is a rule for everyone. It is to never speak to outsiders. The second rule is only for Adrian. Do not speak to boys. Even if it was just Henry. To them there would be no difference between Henry and a stranger. It is different to Adrian though. Henry was always different.

The pink clock with a crack down the middle of it's face showed he had three hours until the café closed. He isn't due back for four hours because the car needed to be repaired, and he dropped it off at the mechanic when he got into town. He almost trembles at the taste of the cocoa and it's warmth. Chocolate is much richer than he remembered. It's been nearly five years since he's tasted anything this good. Back at the compound they only have water and plain food. It's cleansing for the soul to avoid indulging in the pleasures of the world. Unfortunately, cocoa falls into this along with engaging with people outside of the compound. People outside the compound are bad. They are worldly and dangerous.

But Henry is so kind. He gave Adrian his own jacket. Sure Adrian is swimming in it because Henry is a foot taller than him but its warm. It was a thick fuzzy blue jacket. Blue was Adrian's favorite color before. He couldn't believe Adrian wasn't wearing a jacket in the middle of winter. Adrian used to always wear a jacket. His jacket was a lighter blue and always had paint splattered on the sleeves no matter how careful he was. He can't paint now because the family said it would be counterproductive to his treatment. He did not have a jacket now either. He hadn't earned a jacket. They only have so many jackets. "Once you have truly overcome your sin you will get these luxuries, but we cannot give them to you until you are no longer an abomination. What kind of example would that set?" The Father had told him gently. Pulling the soft material closer to himself Adrian wondered what would happen if he didn't go back. What would happen if he stayed with Henry? No, that's foolish. The family takes good care of him. It would be foolish to give that up. But the cocoa makes him feel less hollow. He's been fasting for nine days because he looked at a male teacher at the compound for too long. He hadn't meant to. He can't even remember who he was looking at. He just spaced out, but the family did not believe him. They thought he was having impure thoughts. They were probably right. The family knows more than him. The family loves him. They know what is best for him. But Henry was his best friend before he was a part of the family. The family said that wasn't real though. They said outsiders could never feel true love. Outsiders are corrupted. Their love is a lie. Henry always took care of him though. Henry bought him cocoa and gave him his own jacket. Henry is so good. How could that be fake?