zakynthos

Have you ever been hit by a high velocity soccer ball? It can break bones (and has) That was a pretty cheap shot by Sandro - Seems like crying "bully" doesn't really apply

Seems like Mark did make an effort to repair the damage - it might have helped if he could have been returned Sandro-s honesty in kind. But had that happened - there would be no story to tell 😉

I loved the imagery of this - I think it was really powerful ( the words not the emojis - although they were pretty good also 😁)

What a start to a story. Adrift was a perfect title to the chapter. Poor guy has to be in a state of shock I did like his response to the dumb teacher question about David Copperfield. I thought the response was great (expectations) I don't know where this is going but the gut punch beginning has me hooked find out

This morning's banter was funny so thanks for the early mornimg humor Lonely isolated teenager on a ranch (probably not much club action happening in town ) just got an early Christmas present I am guessing he is anxious to inwrap Kind of reminded me of this scene from ANIMAL HOUSE

It is appaerent she is just protecting her own interets. If Owen is exposed - her scam will also be exposed. All of her actions including giving her "good friend" a day off - are about using Owen for her own needs. Lets face it everyone except Ryder is using the guy Owen is an equivalent of a cult member mind control. Worrying about which college to attend or how he can pay for tuition are the least of his worries.

This party is a total total metaphor of "The Closet" for Owen. Ryder will definitely be there - for Owen. He really doesn't need to do anything else other than show up. Just the presence of an "unknown stranger" in Owen's circle of well meaning "jailers" will cause this coffin like "Closet" to crack open. Whether Owen can escape it or not will really be up to him. I think Ryder's mere presence will allow Owen to really make a choice. Will he remain in hiding or step out and grab his future Owen has actually made the choice already in his head - he just needs to be honest for once with the people in his life who all seem to be pretty clueless. Oh - he also needs to dump his so called "best friend" who using him pretty shamelessly

This chapter's comments were great and raised a lot of valid red flags, but Chris191070 calm observation expressed as a hope for Ryder having positive intentions really grabbed my attention. I think Chris191070 is right by saying at this point we really don't know enough about Rhyder yet - so he could be a blessing or a curse to Owen. As pointed out by NDrewRndll - we don't even know if he has a last name🤔 As far as him being dominated by Ryder - well isn't Owen already being dominated and controlled by his "best friend" and his entire family? I think there are some pretty good clues in the story indicating that Ryder has Owen's best interests at heart and likes him well enough to want to free him and not just become Owen's new owner. To be fair - Owen sees the hijacked life he is living - but without help seems powerless to change course Great chapter

I had attended a college in southeastern Ohio way back before the internet so we had to use maps to find places. I kind of remembered some of the Ohio cities like Zanesville and Cambridge but I thought Youngstown was located more to the north. After a quick map consult it turns out that while Owen will have a nice short excursion - Ryder's drive will be a couple of hours. Was this an app glitch or is Ryder really motivated to make this meetup happen. Hopefully he leaves early and doesnt keep Owen waiting too long 😁

Kind of surprised by Wylan's restrained meeting with Ishan. Seemed pretty detached and almost uncaring. Wylan went into Jerusalem at great risk to save him and now he is just kind of - "not much I can do to help you out - you're on your own" More important question though - is: What - no wake up coffee this morning? 🥱

Dodger keeps threatening us with the story being completed but right now he keeps adding more irons into the (plot) fire with no end in sight😁. This in no way a criticism as I am loving the never ceasing trials and tribulations of Robbie and definitely hoping poor Dodger can keep up with the chronicling of young Robbie's adventuresand misadventures. Although Robbie is still a little bit of a schemer - it seems like he uses his powers with good intentions (most of the time.) The thing I like the most about Robbie is his ability to try to be really honest with himself about his own motivations and interactionswith others. Maybe that honest self insight is what enables him to clearly see through everyone elses masks and manipulations. I guess he is basically deeply kind hearted (except when he is throwing bats at his abusive friends) Big thanks to Dodger for keeping this going all these years -

If there is a death - Colt would be guilty - Everyone is assuming that only George would be injured (just as Blake was) but in reality - anyone driving on the highway passing by George's death trap auto would be at risk. These two kids dont seem to be too concerned about the killing and any other possible "collateral damage" I am having a hard time time rooting for them at this point. Maybe there will be some sort of dumb luck event that saves them from their own stupidity.

I have been enjoying the story and am looking forward to more I like Noah's genuine honesty with himself. about his feelings towards his friends and his parents but mostly his attraction to Leo. He is far from perfect as he struggles to understand how to proceed with Leo and his parents. I guess it's his sincerity that I am finding to be his endearing quality as he is trying to understand and redefine his long standing relationships that makes me want to see more of his story. It's seems he has a lot to learn

Just wanted to give a bit of support to your writing - I totally did not get any sense of coercion ocurring when I read the story scene. I also think manipulate is fair to say. Calling manipulation a form of forcing is really a stretch. In certain contexts - it could be interpreted as a type of phyosical control - but that definitely was not what was described as far as Dylan's experience with Ryan. It seemed like Dylan was a willing enough participant. 😉

Thanks for adding the context behind your words With some background context - Poetry can be so powerful as well as beautiful! Sadly - without the context - something important is often lost

he thought he'd renamed it *Thorn* in a moment of sentimentality that Val would never let him live down. Only wankers named their swords. Well - of course - only those who have swords can wank them and/or name them. Goes without saying. Not sure Wylan should be considering a "joust" with a guy who names his sword "thorn" The imagery is a bit scary

I am responding to #4 A Brave Decision I was intrigued - but without context was just baffled I was inspired to understand your cryptic cry I connected to the past music moment (praise be to technology) I listened and felt an ember stir within I don't really understand the message here But something was communicated nonetheless

Thought the ancient Sumerian Glitterati cults were common knowledge

The cosmic mage connection was an unexpected twist to the tale (tail?) Ancient grindr sexting 1000yrs before smart phone apps - must be the results from inhaling too much desert air maybe 🤩

ok - I stand corrected - this story did have a Charles Dickens ending after all 😉 The tangled web got sorted and everyone walked away smiling (except maybe Jake - but then again Alex likes having his cake and eating it too - so who knows)

wow - this simple story of two best friends falling for each other has really run amok. Don't see any Charles Dickens happy ending anywhere in sight

The real irony is that nothing seems to change much over the past 1000 years. Your observation is just as accurate for "noble elites" of today as it was for the "nobles" who lived 1000 years ago. I didn't really connect with the Hogan's Hero's spin. I was gretting more of a Prince and the Pauper kind of vibe - but then again "I know Nothing !!!"

So Matty was physically and sexually assaulted at the safe haven his parents sent him. I'm kind of surprised he doesn't seem to be super angry at his parents for sending him there. I am admiring Alex more and more as things unravel - he is trying to honestly deal with his own confusion. This is the perfect opportunity (that too many would take) to abandon Matty's sinking ship and jump over to Jake. Except he is really honoring (or trying to ) his strong bond with Matty. Yah - I am really admiring his character right now

While not a lot seemed to have happened or been revealed - this was a pretty powerful chapter - emotionally. Looks like damage has been done and any recovery is going to be an uphill battle. It felt like a part of Matty's soul has been crushed. Will it recover or will Matty be forever changed and diminished by his experiences while in exile ? I can't help but appreciate the irony here. After previously running away and being in a potentially "unsafe" environment - neither of the boys seemd to have suffered any deep lasting hurt. However - when placed in a supposedly "safe" environment (for his protection) - Matty seems to have sustained some deep serious wounds. Ah - the curse of well meaning (but seriously flawed) parental protection

A bit of a cliffhanger. Reading the tea leaves - something bad happened to Matty at the school forcing his parent to rethink things. Either that - or Matty got kicked out of the new school for doing something prohibited like starting fires in other boys pants maybe ?