Dodger

A thoroughly enjoyable short story with an unpredictable twist that turns it on its head, but makes total sense.

This story is heartbreaking, but compelling reading. Rarely have I read a story so convincingly told from the eyes of the abused. It is impossible not to feel frustrated by Zak's inability to accept help, but this behaviour is entirely consistent with others in the same situation. Frighteningly realistic, it makes me want to reach out and pull Zak to safety.

It's not surprising that Zak is having a panic attack, but I'm glad he made it out of the house and is finally able to ask for the help he so desperately needs.

Ten basic and easy to follow writing tips that will definitely help you to improve.

Great, simple to understand tips from a wonderful author. I remember reading this a long time ago and most of these points stuck.

Good practical advice from a true master of sex scenes.

I think it helps if the reader is comfortable with the characters and can relate to what’s going on. Sex is rarely perfect. Let’s face it there’s a lot that can go wrong and often does, at least that’s been my experience. Whenever I write a sex scene—which is not often nowadays—I try not to make it sound too perfect. Something has to go wrong. If they’re teenagers, or it’s their first time together, then they’ll likely fumble their way through an awkward and clumsy encounter. Maybe there will be a bit of comedy in there too. But they won’t finish at the same time without spilling a drop, because that doesn’t happen in real life. I think readers enjoy reading sex scenes if they’re realistic and they don’t know for sure how it’s going to turn out. If it’s too perfect, people can’t relate to it, because that’s not how they have experienced it. Or maybe I just have a jaded outlook.

CG, I really love this comment and I left it to last because I wasn't sure how to answer it. Everything you say is entirely possible. Don likes people to think he's doing well, but advertising is a notoriously unstable job and he has a lot of bills to cover. If he's in trouble then Robbie's money would be a very tempting solution, but he would have to work out a way of getting to it first and that would be difficult, even for him. He's probably paying the church already. It's funny how they often claim to be poor but the ministers always look well fed and tend to live in big houses and drive nice cars.

Robbie may want to give it another try with Nathan, but before telling Conner, he needs to be sure his ex-boyfriend wants the same thing. If it was Nathan who was with Conner I wonder if he would leave him to go back to Robbie? A lot for Robbie to think about, but of course, we know he won't. I'm steering well clear of the Tom speculation.

I don't think the police really believe Alex and his brother have been murdered, but they don't believe Robbie's assault claim either. They think Robbie knows more than he's letting on.

Conner is undoubtedly the better choice and I think even Robbie realizes this, but Nathan is a temptation that won't go away. Robbie is attracted to danger and a single Nathan may prove irresistible. Perhaps if he allows himself the opportunity to get to know Conner better he will change his mind.

I agree. It doesn't make sense. Why would someone visit a story that they're not reading anymore?

I was actually wondering as I wrote it, if it sounded a little Donish. I wasn't sure so I went with it anyway thinking I was probably being a little over fussy.

Not me but some interesting answers. I'm inclined to follow AC. I think it's Timothy.

Thank you @Freerider

Yes. Not everyone would agree, but I see at a step forward rather than backwards or sideways. After his mistake with Stephanie it seems unlikely now he will ever be tempted by another girl. Nathan is less certain. There's always going to be a lot of electricity between them, They are sexually compatible, and feed of each other's personalities. It's going to be a big temptation for both boys, but a second attempt at a relationship may prove disastrous. The only person who can prevent this is Conner. It would nice if Robbie and Nathan could simply be friends, but take away the sexual undertones and flirting and there's not a lot else there. It's difficult to imagine them doing anything together without sex being involved one way or another. There are few rules in war and this is how Robbie sees struggle with Don. Your words sum it up perfectly. All he's doing is bringing Don's worst tendencies into the open. This is exactly how Robbie will see it. If Don has suddenly seen the error of his ways, and is truly ready to make a new start then he will stand up for his adopted son and it won't be a problem. They can all live happy ever after. But if he still harbors a hatred for Robbie's lifestyle, then it has to be better to confront him now while he has Jo on hand and Sue on his side, than allow it to go unchecked.

Robbie is allowing himself to be pulled in different directions at the moment by people who may not have his best interests at heart. He's easily tempted and led astray but no one forced him to go with Stephanie. He could have, and definitely should have said no to her advances. The Viagra was a convenient excuse. Nathan is a different matter altogether. It's unlikely that a second bite of the cherry will end any differently than the first, but there seems to be an attraction there for both boys that refuses to go away and it's not all physical. They work well together, but it's a volatile mix and guaranteed to end badly. Robbie is convinced he made a mistake by walking away from Nathan, so now he knows he's single again, it seems likely that he will attempt to get back with him at the first opportunity. I don't see common sense getting in his way any more than it has done in the past. If this happens then Conner, of course, will be the fall guy. He doesn't have any feelings for Robbie but a lot of expectation and probably deserves better. Who knows, maybe Robbie will spend so much time deliberating he'll blow his chances with both boys and leave Nathan with a clear run at Conner!

This is a good point. It's worth remembering that before Robbie entered the fray, Nathan was Don's long term enemy and the boy he feared was going to corrupt his family. Robbie hooking up with Nathan was Don's worst nightmare so he would have been relieved to see the end of their relationship.

Don wasn't lying when he gave his statement to the police although he may have embellished it a little with claims that Alex was shaken up. Alex wasn't scared of Robbie obviously but Don did witness Robbie punching Alex and he did pull them apart. Robbie was definitely the aggressor and Alex didn't fight back. Unfortunately this was all he witnessed, so Don has no reason to believe Robbie's story. Robbie wants to see Sue and Don divorce. According to Nicola, Don has made concessions to Sue who id desperate to avoid Jo intervening. Robbie has been doing everything he can to make Don lose his temper. While Don needs to keep his cool. Can Robbie push him over the edge without being openly aggressive or will Don outsmart him? Remember, with Jo waiting in the wings, if Don snaps. Robbie wins.

It's going to be difficult for Don to break away from this religion. When Don told the police that it was Robbie who attacked Alex, he was basically telling the truth. There was a reason why Robbie lost his temper, of course, and Don wasn't there to witness what happened after, but no one else was either.

They don't need to investigate Don. He's an influential figure in the town and a good friend of the chief of police. They have no reason to doubt his trustworthiness and won't want to rock the boat by asking too many questions. It's unlikely they will take the word of a troublesome, gay teenager over someone they've known and trusted for years like Don. They will be aware that Robbie is receiving counselling for depression and has threatened suicide. He's also run away from home and has recently been suspended from school for attacking a fellow student. The police know Alex is a tough guy from a rough background and they know his friends are mostly the same. Don doesn't need to do much to make Robbie look bad, he can pretty much tell the truth. Robbie did hit Alex and Don did pull them apart. When he was present Alex didn't retaliate. I think Robbie's lost this particular battle, but didn't want to see Alex prosecuted anyway, so it shouldn't be a problem, unless Alex, assuming he hasn't been murdered or abducted, turns up and decides to press charges.

That maybe just the break that Robbie needs.

His temper has got him into trouble in the past, but Nicola may have hit the nail on the head when she accused him of trying to goad her father into an argument. Robbie knows perfectly well that if he swears at the minister they will put pressure on Don to discipline him. Robbie is good at being a victim and that's when he has the most power. If he can draw Don into an argument and make him lose his temper then Sue will be forced to take Robbie's side again and Don could be packing his suitcase. Pushing the minister was a reaction to him trying to get in, but the language afterwards was a deliberate and smart move by Robbie, because it will put Don in a very difficult position where he cannot win.

The police certainly seem to have their own agenda here and they don't seem to be that interested in the truth. They will believe everything Don tells them because he's a good friend of the chief, a successful local businessman, and on the board of governors at the school. He's respected in the town, whereas Robbie is just a troubled, gay teenager, with suicidal tendencies.

They are small town cops who don't normally have a lot to do other than patrol the beach and hand out traffic fines. Their boss, the chief is also a good friend of Don. Nicola was able to handle the church people a lot better than Robbie.