Other Worlds Babysitter

Chris sat in his darkened room looking out of the window of the second floor apartment. The only sounds to be heard are the screaming of voices a few apartments away, his own apartment being empty, with the exception of himself.

The sound of the fight drifts off with the darkening night. This apartment complex as Chris is well aware is not a safe place. Not even the most violent residents will go out after dark unless an emergency forces them or they have a group of people with them.

Every apartment door has reinforced drop bars and bars on the windows. Sitting in the dark room lit only by the reflection of the moon on his window the youngster wonders if his family even remembered that today was his birthday.

To say that his family is dysfunctional would be an understatement. His real father was arrested 5 years before, when Chris was just three. His mother, a rather overweight woman with no education lived with whatever man she happened to be fucking at the time. Not a single person who had interacted in more than a passing way with the family could have said otherwise.

Chris, lived a life measured not in days or weeks but by number of abusive guys who had moved in and out. So far the abuse had all been mental or physical by some fluke non had yet demanded sex with him. Chris always optimistic but with a already crushed spirit not only knew it was likely but knew that with things the way they were it was inevitable.

This went on till just last year when she married Mark. This guy was big, short tempered, and rather free with physical violence. Mostly however, he ignored Chris all together. Chris, much to his own amazement found being ignored vastly more painful than being hit. Both Mark and Chris's mother took a position at night delivering newspapers.

The basic family day would go something like this. First thing in the morning at 5am Chris would get up make himself breakfast. His parents would get home and complain that the apartment was a mess. They would go to bed about the time he went to the bus for school. He would get home from school about 20 min before Mark went to work. All in all Chris was living on his own. This was until just three weeks ago.

What happened three weeks ago? A miracle! The system actually worked! A social worker stopped by the apartment one evening to get a signature on paperwork for the food stamps that Mark had applied for. She saw the mess in the apartment.

When she noticed that this little boy had been left totally unattended in such a crime ridden apartment complex, she called the police and filed child neglect charges.

Can you guess what happened? Before the paperwork had even been fully processed Mark had filed for divorce and split town.

After much debate with both child welfare and the court system it was decided that Chris would remain in his mothers care but the state would provide a small amount of funds for a babysitter to watch Chris at night and report on his condition.

Sounds like a good solution doesn't it. Chris gets adult supervision. His mother gets to keep working and does not get stuck with the bill and some lucky guy gets a nightly job baby sitting for a well behaved little boy who for the most part takes care of himself anyway.

The problem was no one wanted the job. All her relatives had long since cut ties and wanted nothing to do with her. Every man she knew had already dumped her. Added to the fact that the pay was so bad that no one who the state would except would touch the job with a ten foot pole. Then the solution presented itself.

The New Sitter

Just the day before the deadline, Chris's mother met her new neighbor. The stranger was a 22 year old man. Very good looking at over six and a half feet tall with dark hair and exceptional body had just moved into the apartment next door.

He was a mystery to everyone who met him. Never had anyone seen him go to work. His car a sleek black car that was the envy of all who saw it yet oddly never left the spot in front of the building. This is astounding in itself, as every car thief in twenty miles has tried to break into it and failed.

The common consensus, in the complex, basically revolved around his being part of organized crime. Combined with his shear his physical size and easy movements made everyone in the area avoid him. Yet there he was, knocking at the door and asking if the job was still available. Being such a wonderful parent and guardian his mother accepted without asking any questions or inspection of documentation. As a side note had she inspected records and recommendations she would have been left extremely confused, as all listings where of very wealthy people from around the world. Thus Chris met his new protector.

Meetings

In his darkened room Chris remembered that first night. His babysitter was waiting in the apartment after school let out. He was sitting cross legged in the corner of the apartment in a position that allowed him to watch the window, door and hallway all at once.

There was a snack on the cleaned kitchen table that looked mouth-watering. Chris, a bit shy, looked at the table wondering if the food was for him. He was very hungry having not eaten since the night before, and that meal had been just a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Glancing at the silent man in the corner who nodded, Chris moved to the table to eat. It was as good tasting as it was looking. After eating Chris looked around the apartment. Wonders of wonders the whole place was clean and tidy obviously John had been hard at work for hours.

Feeling very self conscious, Chris decided to sit next to John on the floor and try to get to know this strange imposing man. Sitting in the same position as this man he did not know, he said hello. A thin smile appeared on the mans face and in a soft deep voice he said hello back and introduced himself.

"Hello Chris, my name is John. I hope your day has gone well."

John's voice was quiet but powerful, it's sound filling the room. Yet still leaving the feeling that non would hear a word spoken unless he desired them to.

For a week now John has been watching over him. Every day Chris has returned from school. Everyday John is there in the same position. A practical feast on the table though a more normal family would consider it nothing but a nutritious snack.

More importantly in Chris's mind was that John would sit quietly and listen to every word Chris said to him. That first introduction was the most John had said in the hours they had spent together. Not once did John lift his voice, let alone a hand, against him. Nor had he said a single disparaging remark against his family though his mother had yet to pay him a dime.

Conflict

Tonight on this dark night, the anniversary of his birth, Chris sat in his room wishing that John would say something. Just outside his door he knew John was sitting. Never had he felt more secure than with this strange silent man. However, with the exception of that first thin smile, no emotion had ever crossed his face. Chris thought that strange, as his mind drifted in the way only young minds could.

Suddenly a loud crash much like lightning striking a tree reverberated threw the building. Chris rushed to the living room. John for the first time in Chris's presence was standing facing the door his hands at his waist fingers locked but for his thumbs and pointer fingers that were both extended and touching in an almost meditative position.

John then spoke his voice the same as before but demanding attention.

"Chris, trouble is approaching quickly. Do not fear, you do not yet know me though I have decided I love you. Tonight you learn my secret and you will have the first decision of many to make. Now time is short get dressed and join me." he said his voice practically drumming with power.

Chris ran to his room. Pulling off his PJ's as he went. With the words he had just heard still ringing in his ears, he pulled on white briefs thick jeans and a t-shirt. Finishing by putting on socks and his tennis shoes. Then he ran back to the main room.

All of this took about 30 seconds. John had not even moved an inch but watched the door intently as if it held back all the evil things that have ever scarred children in the night.

Johns hands came apart and he rested one on Chris's shoulder in that most protective and fatherly manners and smiled down at Chris.

"Do not worry my young friend. Just do as I say and nothing will harm you. Tonight is my night and I think yours also."

With that the door opened as if under its own power no hand touching it. Together they walked out onto the second floor balcony. Everything was silent and still. No lights shown from any of the apartments. Then Chris could see. There was someone there.

In the parking lot between the buildings stood a man almost identical to John, with one shocking exception. A red glow surrounded him. That evil looking glow pulsed as if with the pulse of the man.

"Stay here do not move from this spot and watch for much depends on you."

John says as he lifts his hand from Chris's shoulder.

With that John turns and jumps from the second floor walkway to the hard concrete below easily clearing the guard rail and with the ease of an acrobat. More startling still was that a glow enveloped him as he touched ground.

"Greetings Marco" John says his voice now with a mystical quality that makes windows vibrate and causes all the sounds of night to go completely quiet in fear.

"Hello Master Varthos" the stranger bathed in red light says in a slithering voice, equally as powerful but infinitely colder and in a sarcastic manner.

"You are a fool to come hear Marco. Your master might be able to put up a fight with me but you will accomplish nothing on this most powerful of nights. I have already found the great one, the days of your masters existence are dwindling."

A deep chuckle rumbled from this new stranger. Chris felt a dread in his bones at this chuckle but held firm remembering the words his friend had said before he went forth to face this man.

" Lets see how your little friend up their squirms when I get to him Varthos. I don't believe you are near as powerful as some think." he sneers.

"As you wish you foolish little man. Face me now. For I am Master of the Third Ring." replies John in a cool voice.

With those words the air begins to hum with power. Titanic forces crash against each other. The vast majority totally silent and invisible, but by no means was it mistakable either.

To one who was just passing by it would appear that these two men are staring at each other. The light around them can be mistaken for street lamps or the trick of eyes.

To Chris standing there looking down on the combatants no denials were left in his mind about the seriousness of the conflict. Later he will find that the forces involved could flatten the entire city.

After a few seconds Chris notices that Johns blue glow is growing stronger and the red glow is growing weaker. The man John had called Marco starts uttering words that slip from Chris's mind before he even notices he is hearing them. A shinning sword appears out of a flash of fire, John is now faced with a armed opponent.

Not bothering to even voice an objection John reaches out his hand and the sword flies from its masters grip into his own hand. Changing instantly from blood red to a glowing green.

"You have not seen the last of me Varthos." the man says as his red glow dies out.

"Oh I think I have. I warned you not to attack. I gave you every chance to leave. You would not take my advice. Now I will deal with you for good." says John, with a sad look. Then he lifts his arms and speaks

"By the third ring I invoke the gate of Del. By my words of power let this man be sent to the place of waiting until he is found worthy. Ob Ka May del Oral Zee ka."

With these strange words the man dims and fades from the world.

Chris looks down with a expression of equal parts fear, wonder, and pure shock. John lowers his arms and as they descend his whole body ascends to the second floor walkway where Chris is stood.

This man who has just used unbelievable forces to apparently vaporize his opponent kneels down and hugs the scared boy close.

"Fear not my young friend. I am the man you trust still. Though I lied about my name. I am Varthos. Though in other places I am known by other names and titles of honor. Today unless I am mistaken is your birthday. As it is mine. That man `Marco' has friends and they will be coming soon.

"We must be off. If you will trust me I will remain your guardian and show you wonders, the likes of which you have never dreamed."

With those words and loving gestures Chris hugs the man named Varthos tight and they both fade from the world we know to begin a journey that will change them both forever.

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written by boywriter