#ryan ackerman

This town is dead.  

There is nothing more for over a hundred miles.  He’s not even sure how it can be considered a town.  It’s a desolate area that has been consumed by feminine and wasted away.  Leaving only this pathetic gas station.  

He is sure that this is some form of cruel joke.  If there wasn’t desert and asphalt as far as the eye could see he would worry about a masked murderer lurking about.  Alas, there’s nothing.  Stretched out either way.  A place to pass through and forget it ever had a zip code.  

He growls shoving the gas nozzle back into place.  The fucking pump isn’t even working.  Wiping the sweat off his brow, he struts into the convenient store, hoping that there is another working gas station just out of his vision.  He’s fucked if there isn’t.  

Walking in, he hears an immediate slapping of skin on skin.  A gasp of confusion and hurt.  “You know your fucking place,” a slimy voice whispers out as he looks around the rows of religious flyers and candles with a man on them.  This isn’t a normal convenient store.  There’s not a damn thing convenient about this place.  

“Excuse me!” He raises his voice, looking to the counter.  There you are.  Clasping a hand on your cheek with glassy eyes, and you look away from him.  Your sight is on the counter, looking meek as you try to avoid him.  

“What do you want?” A tall man with long blond hair that is about four days past washing asks.  Angrily he looks at you, and then back at him.  “Well?” 

“You don’t have gas.” 

“And?” 

“This is a gas station.” 

“This is freedom for your eternal soul!” That escalated quickly.

“Yeah.  I think…I think I’ve heard enough.  Is there a gas station close?” The man shakes his head no, but the new intruder to your hell hole looks around your body.  Smiling as he tries to see your face.  “Are you okay?” 

“She’s fine.  There’s nowhere else.” 

“Then I need to use your phone,” he shakes his head no.  “You’re giving me no options here.  I need gas.  If there’s nowhere else close I need to call someone to bring me some.” 

“We don’t like strangers,” this man is starting to piss him off.  

“My name’s Ryan.  Ackerman,” Ryan smiles at the other man.  He looks the same age as him.  But what he really wants is to actually see your face, and talk to you.  “So what is it that I need to do?” 

“Get lost.” 

“I think you’re a bit confused.  If I leave I won’t make it far,” this conversation is going nowhere but in circles, and it’s starting to piss Ryan off. 

“Then you won’t be our problem.” 

“Is she your girlfriend?” Ryan sees you shake your head no, but the man laughs.  A cruel laugh.  “Wife?” 

“What do you want?” The man growls out, clearly annoyed with this line of questioning.  You’re a sore spot. 

“Gas!  I want gas.  I need gas, and then I’ll leave you alone,” the man looks between you, and Ryan, and then back again.  This man isn’t the one in charge, but judging by your panicked stare, neither are you.  “Don’t you want to show Christ’s love, and help someone out?” 

His head flicks towards you, and you finally look upright.  Keeping your eyes on the man, Ryan sees a perfect handprint on your cheek.  Bastard.  He’ll pay for that one.  “She’ll get you sorted, but you have to take her home.” 

“Is this where you ambush me, and murder me for my organs?” 

The man’s eyes go wild, and he laughs maniacally.  Throwing his head back to chuckle before the laugh stops immediately, “No.  Have a blessed day,” that was truly horrific in the most bizarre way.

“Yeah, blessed be the fruit,” he murmurs, turning to walk back towards the door.  

Before you can get away from Shuggie, he grabs your arm, and pulls you closer to his body, “Remember your position,” he spits at you before pushing you away.  Shimmying your shoulders, you put on your best smile, and walk out the store.  

You gulp as you see him leaning against his pickup truck, squinting into the sun, “Unless you’ve got gas, I don’t know how you can help me.” 

“I do,” you wave him to follow you as you walk behind the store.  Glancing over your shoulder to make sure he’s following you to the back shed. 

“Is this where you murder me with an ax?” 

This man and murdering is strange.  He’s an odd one even if his eyes look awfully familiar to you.  A kind face, and you feel as if you can trust him despite his murder talk, “No, I have no intentions of murdering you, Ryan Ackerman,” opening up the shed he whistles at the gas cans, and you grab one.  “What is your obsession with being murdered?” 

“You’ve never heard about the people who get lost out here, and never to return?” 

“Uh huh,” getting close to him, he reaches his hand out for the gas can.  Touching you in the process, and you glance up at his eyes.  Beautiful silvery blue eyes with too many questions in them.  “What?” 

“You’re one of those people,” you let loose of the gas can, and walk back towards his truck.  He isn’t asking, he’s telling you.  So he must know exactly who you are, but he didn’t know just how important you were for ‘Him’.  “You just live out in the desert?” 

“Something like that.  Put the gas in the car, Ryan Ackerman,” walking around his truck you sling open the passenger door, “And quit talking.  There’s ears here,” slamming yourself into the seat of the truck, you fold your arms against your chest, and stew.  Who does he think he is coming out here?  Is he out here specifically for you or is he passing through? 

Ryan gets into the truck, but holds his hands on the steering wheel for too long, “Drive.  He’s counting.” 

“Who is counting?” 

“Shuggie.  Just drive,” you want to scream for him to move faster.  Every second counts.  Every moment that you’re not where you’re supposed to be according to the plan.  He is supposed to know where you are at all times, and this is deviating the plan.  “Drive!” 

“Where am I going?” 

“There’s only one way.” 

“Are you in trouble?” He asks as he puts the truck into gear, and starts rolling down the road.  You look into the mirror, and notice Shuggie walking out of the store, and following you down the road.  Pulling out his phone to call ‘Him’ of course.  

“Not if you drive.” 

“I don’t understand.” 

“It’s not for you to understand.  Just take me home so he won’t get mad, okay?” 

“If he gets mad will he hurt you?” You shake your head no.  He is a bit more complicated than that.  But you can’t explain to him.  An outsider.  “Can you help me understand?” 

“Take a right up here.” 

“There’s — that’s where that old church is.  There’s nothing else, but death and decay.” 

“Just take a right,” Ryan rolls his eyes, but does as you say.  The creepy feeling about being murdered doesn’t linger now that it’s just you.  “I’m not missing by the way.” 

“Your family has no idea where you are.” 

“But now I’m found,” there’s something unsettling about how you say that.  Both pained and wistfully.  “See,” you point at the window, “Up ahead.  People only see what they want to see.” 

Ryan’s eyes go large as he sees a compound of sorts.  Metal buildings spread across the property in front of him.  “What is this?” 

“Home.  Are you staying for dinner?” 

“Do I have a choice?” 

“We always have a choice,” you respond creepily as you glance out to the side.  It is getting about dinner time, and you’re not late.  “I have to go get ready.  Say you’ll stay, and no, you won’t be murdered,” you giggle, turning to look at him, and his blood freezes.  It’s not just your pictures posted all over the internet, he feels like he actually knows you.  

“Will you stay?” 

“Just for dinner,” that’s all you thought you would stay as well.  Then you were found.  Found by ‘Him’, and he wrapped you up in his glorious arms, and he’s never let you stray again.

“Mmm, once the sun goes down, you’ll want to remain here,” he pulls into a parking space, and puts the truck into park.  “It’s dangerous out here at night.” 

“I feel you’re trying to keep me.” 

“So what if I am?” You giggle again, and jump out of the truck.  “Hector!  My friend, Ryan Ackerman, needs a room.” 

“Hey, daddy!” Ryan gulps getting out of the car, nodding to a man in a light blue suit.  “Daddy, this is my friend, Ryan.” 

“Sweetheart, what have I told you about talking to strangers,” everything about this man makes Ryan’s skin crawl.  It’s unnerving how his motions and even his smile seem calculated.  “Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ryan.  I’m Reverend Drew Devlin, but you can just call me Drew.  What brings you out to these parts?” 

“Umm, ran out of gas.” 

“That seems to be the usual around here.  You run out of gas and the good Lord brings you right here into our loving arms,” gross.  There’s no way that this guy is for real.  “Now, this little one really should be running off and getting ready for dinner.  It’s a special one for you, darling,” Drew gives you a wink, and a too quick pat to your ass.  It’s too low, but too quick for most to even notice. 

“Kyle?” 

“Ryan.” 

“Ryan, what exactly do you want with my maiden?  I know you didn’t come all the way out here to take her away from me have you?” Ryan shakes his head no.  Confused on what exactly is going on right now.  Daddy.  Maiden.  “You see, our community runs on people being honest with one another, so I need to know exactly what your intentions are with my maiden.” 

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.  I ran out of gas, and she offered to give me some if I brought her home.” 

“And in doing so, you might have brought yourself home,” he gets a sinking feeling in his gut.  These words are not from a normal preacher.  

“Is this a cult?  What is happening?” 

“This,” Drew holds his hands out wide, and spins in a circle, “Is a religious community, and you are our guest.  Please, follow Hector to your room to change.  It’s a big night tonight.  My maiden is committing herself to the community.  Now won’t you be a peach, and change out of your unfortunate clothing for the glorious occasion.  She can only commit herself once.” 

Ryan nods his head, and follows a young boy away from the creepy ‘reverend’.  This is most definitely a cult, and that man is most definitely a creep.  He’s confused about the title of daddy.  Your mother and step father are looking for you.  But have you wound up with your biological father.  Did they send Ryan on a wild goose chase to find you, and then he finds you here.  In the arms of a creepy cult.  

His biggest fear is his rescue mission may have in fact become a rescue for two.  It won’t be easy for him to get out of here.  Especially since you’re with him.  You seem important to the leader.  His personal little bit.  He shivers at the thought.  

Ryan blinks his eyes hard.  Everything blurs together.  Moving in odd patterns of flowy white.  One moment he’s watching you walk down the tables in a white dress, and the next he can’t hold his up as he watches swirls of people.  Moving all around him in such loud laughter.  

Undulating your hips as they scream out praises to their Lord, and thanking their fearless leader.  You bounce around in white.  But your dress becomes muddled with your skin until it’s the same shade as your body, and the soft movements of your skin seem more prominent.    

He can’t keep his eyes off your smiling face, and your crown of flowers.  The way your curves dip and flow with the music.  Watching as your body recoils with every spin you take.  He shouldn’t be able to see these details of your body with such a flowy dress.  

His eyelids grow heavy as you dance around Drew.  Standing in front of him, you let him hug you from behind.  And it must be such a beautiful hug because your head tilts back, and you scream out the praises of his name as he touches you low on your stomach.  Too low.  It’s almost pornographic the sounds that you make pressed against Drew.  

His head dips to your ear, and Ryan wonders what he’s whispering to you.  Is he telling you how beautiful you look?  Or is he giving you instructions on how to cut his head off with an ax.  Whatever it is, your sights move to Ryan, and he can feel your giggles.  This place really is bringing out the best in you.  

“I’ll make you proud, daddy.  For us,” you say before filtering away from him.  Everything in Ryan is boneless, but his body feels heavy.  Every bit of effort for him to blink.  But he sees you.  Draped in golden light.  You look prettier close up.  

Prettier than your photo.  You are something special.  Something else entirely.  Your skin feels so soft and immaculate up against his body.  “I’ll come and find you later,” you whisper in his ear.  “Only you can save us.” 

“You need saving?” that gets his attention.  He doesn’t know you, but he knows something is off.  He’ll protect you.  He’ll do what he has to.  

“We can change the world!” You bounce around him, looking bathed in that intoxicating light again.  He’s floating.  Floating on air, and all in your mind.  “I’ll find you, but I need you.  Promise me you’ll help.” 

“I’ll do anything.” 

“Anything?” 

“Whatever you desire,” you wink as you pull his hands up to your chest.  Letting him press his hands against your body for him to feel your rapidly beating heart.  And skin.  So much skin.

——

Ryan groans, wiping away the sleep from his eyes.  His body feels spent.  Sore in places he didn’t even know existed.  Mind cloudy as he tries to figure out where the hell he is, and why his arm feels so heavy.  

“Mmm,” he attempts to sit up, and can’t move.  Looking at his arm, he gasps.  “What — what the hell?” 

No wonder he couldn’t move.  You’re laying on his arm.  Peacefully.  And naked.  Curled into him.  He remembers you.  Remembers being hired to look for you.  But where is he?  “Hey,” he whispers into your ear.  You look immaculate in this morning sun.  Beautiful.  You’re freezing laying on top of the covers.  He says your real name out loud, and your eyes flutter open. 

“You’re awake.  What happened?” 

“I think — I think I’m naked.” 

“Yeah, a bit,” he has a cute smile.  Slightly crooked, but his cheeks turn the prettiest shade of pink.

“Oh, dear,” your voice goes up an octave as you try to cover up your body.  “He’s not going to like this.” 

“Who?” 

“Reverend Drew.  I’m not — oh no.  No!” Your hands start searching your body, feeling for sore spots.  “Did we have sex?” 

“I — I don’t know.” 

“He won’t like this.  You — I-I-I…I need to leave.  Yes.  I wasn’t here.  I wasn’t naked.  Nothing happened, okay?” Ryan isn’t sure that anything did happen.  But he doesn’t even know how he got here.  How you got here.  But you’re naked as the day you were born, while he’s very much still clothed. 

“Are you like a virgin or something?” 

“Or something,” you respond, confusing him even more.  “Ryan, I like you,” you didn’t know him.  But you like his smile.  You love his arms.  And he has really pretty eyes and adorable freckles.  “Can you keep a secret?” 

He would do anything to keep you safe.  He nods his head eagerly.  It’s not just your looks, it’s reading your file.  You’re his perfect woman.  You smile sweetly at him, still nude as you lean in and kiss him softly on his lips.  It’s the most innocent and needy kiss he’s ever felt.  Your mouth lingers on his as you start peppering kisses on his lips.  Running your tongue over his mouth before he opens up. 

This has nothing to do with a kiss, and everything to do with you.  He’s unsure of what happened last night, but he’s sure of right now, and how you’re so sweet kissing him.  Moving your body closer.  He returns the touch of your tongue with his own, and sparks fly.  It’s an odd feeling. A weird obsession that he wants to keep you.  Save you. 

You asked him to save you!  You.

Your lips taste like berries on a summer evening.  He reaches towards your body, and he almost recoils when he feels your bare skin, but you just whimper, moving closer.  He wants to pull you into him, but he doesn’t know you, and doesn’t want to overstep your boundaries.  But you’re desperate for him.

Crawling onto his lap, your body starts to move over him with so much frenzied desire.  He mewls out your name, and you pull back from him panting.  “Are you okay, Ryan?” 

“Are you?  You asked me to save you last night.” 

“Yes.  Save,” your eyes go wide as something beats on a wall far away from the room the two of you are in.  “Ryan, it’s complicated.” 

“Explain it to me.” 

“Maiden!  Where’s my maiden!?” More banging on the walls, but it’s coming closer.  Someone is moving down the hallway.  “Maiden!” 

“Are you…?” 

“Yes!  And Reverend Drew is going to be so upset.  Give me this,” jumping out of his lap, you pull at the sheet on his bed.  He’s so confused with his morning mind, and he’s pretty sure he was drugged last night.  You fashion the sheet around your body.  “I’ve got to go.  I’ll see you in the garden.” 

“What is this?” There are too many questions.  And nothing makes sense.  The only thing he’s pretty certain of is he’s stuck here just as much as you are. 

“It’s the Four Way Temple.  I,” you jerk your head towards the door as the beating down the hallway walls gets louder, more aggressive.  “I’ve got to go.” 

“Are you in a cult?” 

“It’s complicated,” you say as you walk out the door.  Getting met with another slap to the face that takes you to the floor in a lump on the ground, “Reverend.” 

“Where were you sneaking off from?” 

“Nowhere.  I was sleep walking again,” he gives one of his famous smiles that you know is all for show as he nods his head, and Shuggie pushes the door open, revealing Ryan. 

“Did you touch her?!” Starting to rush towards the door, Shuggie closes it again, holding it tight, and trapping Ryan in there as he beats on the door. 

“Now, did my little maiden spread her filthy little legs for that bastard in there?” His put on southern accent grates on your nerves, but you shake your head no.  “Good girl,” those words don’t quite hit you like they used to.  “Go on, gather yourself up, and be waiting for me in my chambers.  Let me deal with this asshole.  If he’s going to stay here, he needs to know his place.” 

You swallow bile, standing up.  Holding your head in shame, you do as ‘He’ told you.  You’ll wait, and do what he tells you again later.  You always do.

Drew shakes out his body.  Going from the almost cruel and fearsome leader, back into the charismatic fool before snapping his fingers, and Shuggie opens the door for him. 

“I swear to God if you hurt her,” Drew holds his hand up with that fake bright smile, but it’s the gun that’s pointed at him from Shuggie’s hand. 

“Now now, young gun.  There’s no sense in you getting upset about what I do with my maiden.  May I ask what she was doing in here,” his eyes scan over the bed before meeting Ryan’s, “In your bedsheets?” 

“I don’t know,” it’s mostly true.  He doesn’t know what you were doing in here.  “I woke up with her in here.” 

“Are you calling my maiden a filthy little whore?” 

“No,” Drew’s mouth twitches as he says it.  If he’s your father he clearly has an issue with you with other men. 

“She was naked.  But I suppose her little performance last night left her a little dazed and confused,” performance?  Ryan vaguely remembers you dancing around everyone.  Dancing — nude.  “Hmm.  What business do you have coming here?” 

“I ran out of gas.” 

“Oh, that’s right.  Your dirty little lie,” what is with this guy?  “Now, you want to know what I think?  I think that her disgusting mother and step father hired Ryan Ackerman to come and find her,” Ryan’s face goes ghostly white.  “Here’s a secret, everything that beautiful maiden does, she loves.  Everything that happens to her and her body, she asks for.  I could send you on your way, but I have a feeling you’re not leaving without her, huh?” 

Ryan sits stoically.  He’s got himself into a whole fucking ton of trouble, and he knows it.  All for you, “You’re free to go.  And she can go with you if she wants.  But she doesn’t want to.  She has a higher purpose.  She is the epitome of submission.  There’s no higher service than that, and she will be greatly rewarded for it.” 

“What do you do to her here?” 

“Oh, she’s treated like a queen.  Everyone adores her, and knows what her true calling is.  And I won’t let some scrawny little boy who thinks he's a big man private investigator take her away from me.  From us.  She’s more important than you will ever know,” Drew offered him the freedom to leave, but men like Drew can’t be trusted.  You have to play their games.  

“If you excuse me, I have worshiping to do on my knees.  I expect you to be at my sermon tonight.  If you’re lucky maybe I’ll let you kneel before the altar,” Drew gives Ryan a cruel smile as he turns around.  “You can’t believe everything my maiden says, young gun,” Drew winks before he leaves.  

Ryan has very little more than his thoughts, and the strange Shuggie left.  “Does he keep her here for sex?” Shuggie’s head tilts to the side, before looking out into space.  “Have you fucked her?” 

“No.” 

At least he answered that time.  “Do you want to?” 

Shuggie hesitates, before shaking his head no.  “What do you want me for?” 

“Labor.  You can go out to the gardens,” exactly where you said you wanted to meet him.  

“She called him daddy last night,” Shuggie shrugs, but Ryan knows what he heard.  “So it’s a pet name?  Is he into that kink?” 

“Shut up,” Shuggie opens the door, pointing down the hallway.  “You ask too many questions.  It’ll get you in trouble.” 

“What happened last night?” 

“The start of a new age.”

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