In Distress: In Distress, #1

By Caethes Faron

After the Great Destruction decimated the world, science is the new god. Geneticists rule, instituting a DNA-based caste system in their effort to restore the human genome.

 

As a Zed, Will's a virtual slave who isn't allowed medical care. A tragic accident has left him crippled, awaiting death. Just before his time is up, Malcolm, an enigmatic Alpha with two differently colored eyes, sweeps in and buys him. Will becomes part of a family of freaks—other damaged Zeds who should be dead. Life seems ideal until Malcolm makes a request that could change Will's life.

 

Malcolm harbors more secrets than his Zeds could imagine. His attraction to Will unravels his carefully cultivated control, and one secret escapes: he craves pain, not just as a sexual release, but as a way to atone for his past. Will may be the one person who can give him what he needs if Malcolm can only allow him into his heart.

 

As they struggle to build trust, each secret Malcolm reveals threatens their relationship. In the end, their desire for each other may heal both men if they can unlearn the lessons of the past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Branwen Press
• Release date: Sep 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9798227012654

Book preview

ABOUT IN DISTRESS

After the Great Destruction decimated the world, science is the new god. Geneticists rule, instituting a DNA-based caste system in their effort to restore the human genome.

As a Zed, Will’s a virtual slave who isn’t allowed medical care. A tragic accident has left him crippled, awaiting death. Just before his time is up, Malcolm, an enigmatic Alpha with two differently colored eyes, sweeps in and buys him. Will becomes part of a family of freaks—other damaged Zeds who should be dead. Life seems ideal until Malcolm makes a request that could change Will’s life.

Malcolm harbors more secrets than his Zeds could imagine. His attraction to Will unravels his carefully cultivated control, and one secret escapes: he craves pain, not just as a sexual release, but as a way to atone for his past. Will may be the one person who can give him what he needs if Malcolm can only allow him into his heart.

As they struggle to build trust, each secret Malcolm reveals threatens their relationship. In the end, their desire for each other may heal both men if they can unlearn the lessons of the past.

In Distress is a dystopian, science-fiction love story and contains adult language and situations.

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Other books in the In Distress series:

In Pain

In Justice

1 ONE

Will adjusted his back against the metal bars of his cage, welcoming the cool touch of steel against his hot skin. It would have been nice if the cage had at least one solid wall to lean against. Instead, it was fashioned like a giant bird cage, and the metal bars were a bitch on sore muscles. Of course, they weren’t really meant for long-term use. Their sole purpose was to display Zeds to shopping Alphas like zoo animals. If all went well, a Zed would spend a few days, maybe a week, in one of these cages before being carted off home with an Alpha. That was how it was supposed to work, but in the back room of Emporium, it wasn’t so simple.

A flash of pain shot up Will’s left leg, and he winced as he shifted position. He could barely look at the twisted mess of a limb. His leg was the reason he waited in the back room instead of out front. He looked around the room at the other cages. The most undesirable of the undesirables stared back at him with no hope in their faces. It was easy in this stuffy room to see why the Alphas and Betas viewed Zeds as less than human. Everyone in the back room had some deformity, something that made their resale value plummet—something that made it all right in the eyes of the law for them to be quietly disposed of if they weren’t sold within a month.

The air chilled, and goose bumps rose on Will’s flesh where sweat had been a moment before. He scrambled to his feet along with the others in their cages. If the climate control was being activated, it could only mean one thing: an Alpha was approaching to do some shopping. As he stood, the goose bumps spread without the huddled warmth of his body. He wore a pair of tight gray shorts that barely covered him, displaying his scrawny frame and mangled leg. He hadn’t been attractive before the accident, and he certainly wasn’t now. In a few more days, one of the handlers would pull him from his cell, and he’d finally learn how Zeds were disposed of. Was it a nice, quiet injection? Will scoffed. He knew better than to hope for such mercy at the hands of the Alphas or even the Betas who operated Emporium. More likely, he’d be tortured, and then when he happened to die, it’d be a nice little oops that no one would have to account for. Yeah, that was more in line with how New Cali worked.

Will was so lost in his dark thoughts that he almost missed the shadow of a man who strolled into the back room like a regular visitor. Not only was he silent as a shadow, he resembled one. Thick, straight black hair curled slightly at the ends. A smartly tailored black suit complete with black dress shirt clung to his tall, perfect frame. Not too bulky, but not skinny either. He sported the build of a man whose muscles were strictly for show. Like most Alphas, he probably hardly had to work to maintain that physique.

The man made his way from cage to cage, examining each inhabitant with a silent, cool gaze. Will steeled himself when the Alpha reached him. He stared straight back into the man’s eyes, trying his damnedest to show that he wouldn’t be judged by his deformity. The man didn’t even seem to notice. Gazing into the Alpha’s eyes, Will had to keep himself from jerking in surprise. Staring back at him were two differently colored irises: one ice blue and the other amber. He never thought he’d find such an apparent flaw in an Alpha, and Will took a little satisfaction in seeing it before he died.

The man finished his inspection and went to a Zed who must already belong to him. She appeared to be in her late thirties—old for a Zed in personal service—and was well-attired in a modest, bright blue dress that appeared to be made out of real cotton instead of synthetic fabric. She was the exact opposite of her Alpha. From a distance, she could have passed for a Beta if it weren’t for the metal collar encircling her neck. She must hold some sentimental value to her owner for him to keep her so long.

Will leaned against the bars of his cage. He would have sat back down, but there was no way for him to do so with dignity, and he wasn’t about to show an Alpha even a smidge of weakness. Will wished the man would just pick who he wanted and leave so he could get back to his morbid thoughts. He knew this man was just one more prick he didn’t have to worry about belonging to. The Alpha hadn’t looked at Will any longer than the others, and Will wasn’t the only one to meet his eyes. There was nothing to distinguish him from the other offerings.

The Alpha leaned down and whispered into the woman’s ear. She snapped her head around to look at him with what appeared to be disapproval and pursed her lips before nodding. He swept out of the room as quickly and quietly as he had entered.

That one. The woman’s voice seemed loud in the silent room.

Will startled to see her finger pointed directly at him. His stomach sank, and he tried to keep the shock from his face. Who knew what she’d report back to her Alpha about his reaction. Their Alpha. Will hadn’t ever expected to be owned again. I was so close to it all ending. If only he’d had the courage to take care of it himself before he’d been brought to Emporium. He should have done it the day that damn horse broke his leg.

The tall, unpleasant Beta who was on shift in the back room unlocked Will’s cage. Will ignored the Beta’s helpful hand as he stepped out. There was no way he would appear weak in front of the Zed woman.

She sighed. What’s your name, boy?

Will.

She flinched slightly at his name, and her eyes narrowed for a moment. How old are you, Will?

Twenty-three.

She tsked, as if his answer didn’t please her at all, then turned to the Beta. If you’ll send the invoice to my tablet, I’ll transfer the credits.

Payments must be authorized by the purchasing Alpha. The Beta sneered.

I have the authorization code. Let me worry about doing my job. Or if you like, I can go get my Alpha to come back in here. I’m sure he’d be thrilled to explain to a Beta how to do his job. We’ll see how long you keep that job and how long Emporium will keep my Alpha’s business if this is the kind of hassle he has to put up with here.

Will could’ve sworn the temperature dipped a few degrees. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. Under different circumstances, Will might have even liked her. The Beta murmured under his breath, something about barren Zeds getting above their caste. Nonetheless, he went to the data screen in the corner of the room as the woman withdrew a glass square the size of her palm from her pocket. She swiped her thumb across it, and the glass unfolded into a rectangular tablet. It was common for Zeds to have tablets in order to assist their Alphas, but Will had never seen a Zed with a Glass Tab before.

There. Did you get that confirmation? Or do I have to come show you how to find it?

I have it here. I don’t need an arid bitch mouthing off at me. You’re free to go.

Will bristled. It was a low blow to insult a Zed for being sterile, as if they had any choice.

Come along, Will.

Will followed her to a side door. It was no surprise Emporium didn’t want him exiting through the front, soiling the appearance of all the young, attractive Zeds on display. As they passed the Beta, whose name Will had never heard, he couldn’t help throwing him a dirty look, not only for his insult to the woman, but for his complicity in Will’s imprisonment.

Outside the side door, a sleek black and chrome bullet car waited. The woman opened the door and gestured for Will to get in. He scooted all the way over, and the woman followed. As soon as the door closed, the car took off without a word or glance from the Alpha behind the wheel.

Will’s nerves crawled up his stomach. The others had told him not to stare down Alphas, that some of them liked that, and the ones who did relished the challenge of breaking Zeds to their wills. Will wouldn’t let that happen. Before this man could do too much damage, he’d provoke him to kill him, or he’d off himself somehow. There was no way he’d die in misery as an Alpha’s plaything.

No use thinking about it. In moments of honesty, Will doubted he had the nerve to follow through. It was nice to imagine he had that kind of control over his life. However, it was best to not make too many assumptions. After all, the man clearly had a soft spot for the woman beside Will. She was pretty in her own way. Her long brown hair was thick and straight. Dark blue eyes kept casting worried glances at the driver.

The silence in the car felt taut, but the man to whom Will had been sold didn’t seem to notice. He kept his eyes on the road, veering in and out of traffic with the kind of clipped movements that made it seem as though he only just kept his anger in check. Will wondered why he didn’t fly or use the autopilot if the traffic bothered him so much. Only Alphas had clearance to disable autopilot and drive manually or fly if they wanted. Maybe it was a good sign that he was keeping to the streets. If he wasn’t showy with his vehicle, there was a chance he wouldn’t be showy with his Zeds. Reserved. That was the word for it. This Alpha seemed entirely too reserved. With any luck, that was a good thing.

Will lost track of time as they sped out of the city. He tried to relax and enjoy the relative safety of the drive. The green of the suburbs faded, and the barren wastes spread out before them. Eventually, they ended up outside a large concrete wall. Will craned his neck, but the wall extended out of sight in both directions and rose over twenty meters tall. The blue light of the security net crackled and flickered in the air. So the wall wasn’t exclusively to keep Betas and Zeds in or out; it was also to protect against other Alphas. Interesting. Will had never seen a compound anywhere near as massive as this one.

Giant steel gates opened to allow the car to pass. Inside, the drab scenery instantly transformed into manicured lawns, neat walkways, and well-kept flower beds, like an idyllic park, with houses interspersed throughout. The car approached a hill on which perched a mansion that looked like something from before the Great Destruction instead of the modern homes of most Alphas. Underneath the house, wooden garage doors opened to admit them. The bullet car pulled in next to six other cars, all flashier than the one they were driving.

Welcome home. Something sounded off about the Zed’s voice, but Will was too distracted by his appearance to puzzle it out. The man was huge, barrel chested with rich, dark brown skin, much darker than the light tan hue of the people of New Cali. Will had never seen a foreign Zed before. He knew some Alphas liked that sort of thing, but importing was a hassle and pretty rare.

Will’s new owner strode past the Zed before Will or the woman could even get out of the car. Take care of him, Kaleana. He never broke his stride or glanced back. Within a few steps, he was inside and out of sight.

Kaleana shook her head at the big man, and he got back to work on one of the other cars. Come on then, Will. Do you need any help?

Will exited the car. No, I walk just fine. His leg was twisted, not missing.

Kaleana simply raised an eyebrow and turned to go inside. Will followed, trying to mask his limp as much as possible. Walking felt like a novelty after three weeks in that cage. Once his leg stopped sending shocks of pain through his body with every step, he paid attention to where they were going.

Will felt his eyes widen. He didn’t know why he continued to be amazed by the wealth the Alphas held. The floor was marble: gray, black, and white swirls polished to a clean shine. Old-fashioned light fixtures hung from the ceiling without an embedded light in sight. The walls above the chair rail were upholstered with white fabric with a black filigree pattern, and below, the colors of the fabric were inverted.

Kaleana disappeared around a corner, and Will hurried to catch her as she ascended a narrow staircase. The steps presented something of a challenge, but he settled into a rhythm. They passed the first floor, and on the second, Kaleana led him to a thick, rich wooden door. The dark wood of the doors was an interesting contrast to the stark walls, and the gold doorknob was carved with the Alpha crest of the New Cali nation-state. It seemed a work of art in itself. Will had no idea where such an elegant door would lead.

Kaleana opened the door, and Will followed her inside. A large mattress with stark white bedding rested on an intricately carved black wooden frame. The furniture was all black and white with a few polished metal accents. It was the cleanest place Will had ever seen.

This is your room.

Will shook his head, thinking something must be lodged in his ears. Excuse me?

A smile played at the edges of Kaleana’s lips. You heard right. There’s a bathroom through the door over there. Kaleana nodded toward the far right corner. There’re some clothes in the closet. We’ll get you some new ones that fit better.

Will’s mind raced. A private bathroom? Clothes specially made for him? His new Alpha must have some weird sexual kink that attracted him to deformed Zeds. It was a basic fact that Zeds either did hard labor that was too dangerous for Betas, or they served as sexual or entertainment companions. It was clear which situation Will had landed himself in. He couldn’t decide if it was a good thing.

Do I share this room with another Zed, ma’am?

No, and there’s no need to call me ma’am. It’s just Kaleana. There’s a Glass Tab by the bed that you are free to use. It has limited access at the moment. Now, there are very few rules in this house, which means there’s no excuse not to follow all of them. You’re to keep yourself clean. Your meals will be taken with the rest of the boys.

The rest of the boys? When Kaleana had said he wasn’t sharing the room, he assumed that meant there were no Zeds other than the man in the garage in the house. It didn’t make sense to give each his own room.

Yes. There are seven, including you.

And what are they all here for? What are my duties?

To do as you’re told. Now, stop interrupting. Will got the distinct impression Kaleana would rather be somewhere else. Breakfast is at eight o’clock every morning. Lunch is at one, and dinner is at seven. Keep yourself and your room tidy. There is to be absolutely no fighting with anyone else. As long as you don’t cause trouble, you should fit in well here. This is a nice home. You’re very lucky. Do you have any questions?

He had hundreds of questions, but Will was smart enough to wait until he found the right time—and the right person—to ask them. Only one matter left him with too much curiosity to ignore. The Alpha, what’s his name?

Kaleana fully smiled for the first time, her face softening around the creases next to her eyes. Malcolm.

2 TWO

Will poked his head out of the bedroom door. He hadn’t heard a sound since he’d arrived. The house felt particularly cool with his damp hair. There had barely been time for him to shower and dress for dinner. It was just as well. He didn’t want to think too much about his new situation until after he’d met the others.

His green cotton T-shirt and brown linen pants were baggy on his slender frame, but he barely noticed. Fit didn’t concern him as much as the fact that he hadn’t seen a single synthetic fiber in his closet. Judging by appearances, his bedroom should belong to an Alpha. At the moment, Will couldn’t decide whether he was lucky as Kaleana had said, or if he had just been sold to the most disturbed, sadistic Alpha in New Cali. What a fun little game it must be to get a poor Zed used to a luxurious new life just to snatch it away. It made a fucking lot more sense than Will being lucky, and he wasn’t going to play into Malcolm’s hands.

Will closed the door behind him and looked down the hallway. Finding his way to dinner was obviously the first test. Only one real rule in the house, and he was bound to disobey it. Maniacal sadist was looking more and more likely. Doors similar to his lined each side of the hallway. It didn’t seem wise to go randomly knocking on them until he had an idea of who or what dwelt behind them. He went right, the opposite direction from which Kaleana had brought him, and hoped he’d find his way.

Two doors down, a stocky man a little taller than Will emerged from one of the rooms. The metal of his collar glinted in the light. Excuse me! Will walked as quickly as he could to catch up with the older man.

Before Will reached him, the other Zed turned. Will struggled to contain his reaction. The left half of the man’s body was badly burned. As soon as he saw Will, his face broke into a grin that made him less scary.

Ah, so you’re the new kid. I’m Carson. He stuck his hand out toward Will. His warm demeanor took Will off guard almost as much as his face. Will shook his hand in silence, trying to understand an Alpha who’d bought a nearly crippled Zed to match his burned one.

Carson started walking as soon as Will let go of his hand. Don’t talk much, do ya? Well, I suppose you’re lookin’ for the dinin’ room. I keep tellin’ Kaleana she needs to start handin’ out maps to the new arrivals. Don’t worry. I’ll get you to dinner on time. Follow me.

As the shock wore off, Will struggled to catch up. I talk. I just don’t know you.

What’s your name?

Will.

Well, Will, now you know me. Hey, does that leg of yours hurt? Carson pointed at Will’s leg as if Will might not know what he referred to.

No.

What happened to it?

My previous Alpha thought it’d be a regular riot if I learned how to ride his horses and do tricks. One of the stupid beasts fell while I was riding and crushed my leg. The rest didn’t need to be said. It was illegal for Zeds to receive medical treatment. No use wasting the resources when society would really rather they died anyway.

Carson winced. Shame. You’re lucky you ended up here. Malcolm is about the best you’ll ever find. Life’s pretty easy belongin’ to him.

About that. No one has really told me what my duties are. The staircase they descended was easier than the one Kaleana had taken. It at least had a railing to hold to, and the steps were wider and shallower.

Carson laughed, a rich sound that made Will feel included rather than excluded for his obvious lack of knowledge. Your duties are to keep yourself and your room clean, stay out of the way of the Betas, and do whatever Malcolm says. Most of us spend our time on different hobbies. Can you read and write?

Of course. Truthfully, he didn’t read very well, but that was only because he hadn’t had much opportunity.

Malcolm has a great library, and it’s open to us. There’s also a pool and basketball court you can use. Oops, sorry. I forgot about your leg.

I could swim if I wanted.

I’m sure you could. Let’s see, besides the rec center, there’s the theater room, but Stuart usually hogs it. Even though Malcolm wouldn’t say anythin’ about it, he’d prefer we didn’t waste our time in there. He’d rather we were doin’ somethin’ more productive.

He does realize we’re Zeds, right?

Carson burst into another boisterous laugh. He is an odd one. Treats us all better than we deserve and doesn’t ask for anythin’ in return, other than our obedience. You’ll get used to it. Ah, here we are. Are you ready to face the freaks?

Freaks?

Yeah, that’s what we call each other. Just don’t ever let Malcolm hear you say it. He hates it.

Will wondered why they said it then. Seemed like a dangerous game. Carson opened one of the double doors to the dining room, and Will followed. The talking around the large mahogany table immediately stopped, giving Will the unsettling feeling that he had been the topic of conversation.

Take a seat here, Will. Carson pulled a chair out next to his. As soon as Will was seated, Carson clapped a hand on his shoulder. Everyone, this is Will. Will, this is everyone. Carson chuckled and thanked the Beta woman who placed a plate in front of him.

The other Zeds bobbed their heads in his direction and went back to talking and eating. Will was so distracted by the smell of the fried chicken and mashed potatoes that he didn’t even thank the woman who served it to him.

I’m confused. This didn’t make sense. Zeds didn’t eat in such fancy dining rooms or have their meals served to them by Betas.

You’ll get used to it.

Will looked at the man across from him who had spoken. Cloudy, vacant eyes met his gaze.

My name’s Syrus. You sound young. How old are you, Will?

Twenty-three.

A young’un. I’d say you’re lucky to be here so early, before life had a chance to ruin you, but then we all know if you’re here, you’ve already been ruined somehow. What makes you one of us freaks? Syrus’s smile removed any sting his words might have carried. His voice was scratchy, and his graying light brown hair framed a face creased with wrinkles. He was the oldest Zed Will had ever seen. It appeared the term boy was used loosely here.

My left leg is twisted, crushed by a horse.

Are you able to walk, lad?

Oh yes. I’m no cripple.

That’s fortunate. I daresay you’ll soon be saying it was the best thing that ever happened to you.

Stop your gabbin’ and let the boy eat, Syrus. He didn’t have a nice lunch like you did. Carson nudged Will’s plate toward him. It’s better hot. You ever had food like this?

Yes. Will saw the skepticism and pity in Carson’s face. He didn’t know why he was being so defensive. Only when it amused my previous Alphas. It’d never been easy to enjoy the real food when he’d had to debase himself so much first. Natural food was reserved for Alphas. Only the best for those tasked with advancing the genetic code. Except for the incredibly wealthy, even Betas had to make do with processed food.

Carson nodded. I figured. A face as pretty as yours, I bet that was plenty.

Will had heard often enough he was pretty, but he never believed it. His cheekbones were too sharp, especially when he hadn’t been eating well, and his lips were too thin. For some reason, Alphas liked to tell him he was pretty before they fucked him. He hadn’t minded the lie. It was the Alphas who told him he was an ugly piece of shit he was wary of. Is it always like this?

The food or the chatter? Doesn’t matter. It’s yes to both. You’ll get used to it, but I’m afraid you’d be wise to start slow. Drinkin’ that glass of milk is likely to fill you up. It’s quite a difference from those stupid Vitabars they like to feed Zeds.

Will took a bite of the fried chicken and nearly melted at the taste of the crispy skin. He’d had chicken before but never fried, or at least the skin had been gone by the time he’d gotten it. The mashed potatoes were heavenly: fluffy and creamy. There was real butter in them. The only time Will had ever tasted real butter was when he was fed from an Alpha’s plate. Even when he was given a reward for his regular meal, he hadn’t gotten butter.

It only took a few bites and some milk for Will to feel full. The ache in his stomach told him to stop. It about broke his heart to leave food on his plate. Carson? The older man turned from where he had been talking to the boy beside him. Is it really like this at every meal? Will didn’t even try to hide the hope in his voice. He kept his eyes firmly on Carson’s, hoping he could figure out if the man lied. If breakfast or even just dinner the next day would be the same, he might be able to stop eating. If not, he felt sure he’d keep going until he’d consumed every morsel of food.

Carson patted Will’s knee under the table. It is. I promise. Don’t worry about not finishin’. You’ll make yourself sick, and there’s no need. Before you know it, you’ll be down here for breakfast, eatin’ pancakes, fruit, eggs, sausages, or whatever else Marcy cooks up for us.

Will held Carson’s gaze for a moment longer. The fact that the man let him told him all he needed to know. He nodded and pushed back his plate. Does the Alpha ever eat with us? Will was grateful for the absence. He had no doubt it wasn’t for his benefit, but it had been nice enjoying his first meal with the others without the pressure of Malcolm’s intimidating presence. Even recalling the coolness of his eyes was enough to send shivers down Will’s spine—and stoke his curiosity.

’Tis odd he didn’t join us. Carson glanced at the chair at the head of the table and the empty one to the right of it.

Yeah, I don’t think he’s ever missed a newbie’s first dinner. The boy on Carson’s right spoke.

He wa-wa-was here f-f-f-for mine.

Yeah, Stu, you were the newest until today. Maybe you scared him off it. The boy reached across with his left hand and tousled Stu’s hair. Will noticed he was missing his right hand.

S-s-stop. He eats with us p-p-plenty.

Nick, leave him alone. Malcolm’s busy. The man from the garage spoke, and Will realized that he must be deaf. He pointedly watched whoever was speaking, and his voice sounded as if he had a severe cold.

Rufus. The man next to him—Will thought he’d heard him referred to