Read Online Voice of the Night by Dean Koontz - Free Book Online

that set?”
    Colin didn’t respond.
    “Maybe a queer wouldn’t like them,” Roy said.
    “I like them,” Colin said thinly.
    “What do you like?”
    “Did you forget what we’re talking about?”
    “I want to hear you say it.”
    “I said it already. I like them.”
    “What do you like?” Roy persisted.
    On the screen: erect nipples.
    “What’s wrong with you?” Colin said.
    “Nothing’s wrong with me.”
    “You’re weird, Roy.”
    “You’re the one who’s afraid to say it.”
    “Say what?”
    “What do you call them?”
    “Jeez.”
    “What do you call them?”
    “Okay, okay. If it’ll make you shut up, I’ll say it.”
    “So say it.”
    “I like her set,” Colin said. “There. Happy now?”
    Colin was blushing like crazy. He was glad it was dark.
    “Give me another word,” Roy said.
    “Huh?”
    “Something besides ‘set.’ ”
    “Will you buzz off?”
    On the screen: breasts wet with saliva.
    Roy put a hand on his arm and squeezed, hurting him a little. “Another word.”
    “You say it. You seem to know all the words.”
    “And you’ve got to learn them.”
    “What’s such a big deal about talking dirty?”
    “Is little Colin afraid his mommy will hear him and wash out his mouth with soap?”
    “Don’t be absurd,” Colin said, struggling to hold on to his dignity.
    “So if you aren’t afraid of Mommy, give me another word. Look up there at that screen and tell me what you see that you like.”
    Colin nervously cleared his throat. “Well... I like her breasts.”
    “Breasts? Jesus, Colin! Breasts are what you find on a chicken!”
    “Well, a woman’s are called that, too,” Colin said defensively.
    “By doctors maybe.”
    “By everyone.”
    Roy tightened his grip on Colin’s arm, dug his sharp fingernails into the flesh.
    “Dammit, let go!” Colin said. “You’re hurting me.”
    He tried to pull away but couldn’t free himself. Roy was very strong.
    Roy’s face was only partly visible in the frosty moonlight, but Colin didn’t like what little he was able to see. The eyes were wide, piercing, fevered; Colin imagined he could feel heat radiating from them. Roy’s lips were drawn back in a mirthless grin, as if he were going to snarl like an attack dog.
    Because of something extraordinary in those eyes, something eerie and powerful but indefinable, and because of the intensity with which the other boy spoke, Colin realized that this bizarre conversation held tremendous importance for Roy. He was not just teasing Colin; he was challenging him. This was a battle of wills, and in some way that Colin could not grasp, the outcome would determine their future together. He also sensed, without truly understanding why, that if he didn’t win this contest he would live to regret it with all his heart.
    Roy squeezed harder.
    Colin said, “Ahhhh, Jeez. Please let go.”
    “Give me another word.”
    “What’s the point?”
    “Give me another word.”
    “Roy, you’re hurting me.”
    “Give me another word and I’ll let go.”
    “I thought you were my friend.”
    “I’m the best friend you’ll ever have.”
    “If you were my friend you wouldn’t hurt me,” Colin said between clenched teeth.
    “If you were my friend, you’d say the word. What the hell does it cost you to say it?”
    “And what does it cost you if I don’t say it?”
    “I thought you said I could trust you, that you’d do anything I wanted, like a friend should do. Now you won’t even talk with me about this lousy movie.”
    “Okay, okay,” Colin said. And he actually felt a little guilty because it was such a small thing that Roy wanted from him.
    “Say ‘tits’ for me.”
    “Tits,” Colin said thickly.
    “Say ‘knockers’ for me.”
    “Knockers.”
    “Say ‘boobs.’ ” “
    “Boobs.”
    “Tell me you like her tits.”
    “I like her tits.”
    Roy let go. “Was that so difficult?”
    Colin gingerly massaged his arm.
    “Hey,” Roy said, “wouldn’t you like to wear