Dodger

Thank you, @Comicality for 47 superb articles. I've enjoyed and learned from them all. They have become a big part of my weekend.

Thank you, @mg777 These were difficult chapters to write and judging by the comments, they seem to have stirred a few emotions. I know why. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but this was never going to be a feelgood story and I wanted Robbie's reaction to be typical of a normal teen caught in such an unthinkable situation. We all wanted to see him stand up for himself, think logically, collect evidence, and send Alex to jail, but how many would have been able to do that? I know when I was that age I wouldn't have had the courage and I wouldn't have wanted anyone to find out. Robbie's in a bad place at the moment, but it won't always be that way.

"Florida? Is Alex on drugs?" The answer to that is an emphatic yes. Alex has been doing drugs for years, supplied by his older brother, who is now facing jail time for dealing. Don and Sue are unaware of this as well as his same sex attraction, which would have made Robbie's task that much more difficult, if he had decided to tell. Alex has a connection with Florida so it isn't just a random destination, but all will become apparent soon. As tempting as it may be for Robbie to up and leave Don and Sue, he's still a minor and they are his legal parents now, with full control. The only way he could leave would be to run away, which he's done before with limited success and this time he can't stay at Alex'x house. Not that he would particularly want to now.

I believe you regarding the rock bottom bit, and I've heard other people say something very similar about being dragged down even further, when they thought it couldn't possibly get any worse. I sympathize with anyone who suffers from depression. It is a very real and debilitating illness. I think Robbie made two sensible decisions in this chapter and I'm determined to give him some credit for them. However, this newfound wisdom isn't here to stay and normal service will resume shortly.

Robbie definitely blames himself for what happened and doesn't want other people to see his weakness or shame. You're absolutely right, this is the most common reaction and in most cases, totally unjustified.

I agree about the drama queen. He tends to overreact and blow everything out of proportion and is probably more inclined that way than Nathan. People assume it's the other way around because Nathan is a little camp but it doesn't automatically make someone a drama queen. It definitely isn't safe for Robbie to be in that house but the alternative for him at the moment would be much worse. As much as he wants to see Alex punished and removed from the house, reporting Alex to Don, Sue, or the police would not have automatically achieved this and could have left him in even greater peril. He wasn't sure whether or not Don and Sue would even believe him. They don't really understand what Alex is capable of and have no reason to believe he would be interested in Robbie in that way. As far as they're concerned, Robbie is the aggressor and has been stirring trouble for quite a while. It would be unlikely for them to take Robbie at his word without any witnesses or evidence to suggest he's telling the truth. If he goes to the school or police, then he would have to press charges. Alex is unlikely to confess. He would claim they had a fight, Robbie attacked him. and he could call Don as a witness. The case would probably never go to court and leave Robbie in an even more precarious position with revenge seeking Alex breathing down his neck. At least as it is, Alex is remorseful, but, of course, it's not ideal.

Thanks @Israfil

I wouldn't want to get in a car with her either. Robbie didn't have much of a choice. Sue has definitely lost the plot along the way and I think a lot has to do with her husband and his religious nuts. At least she seems to have realized Mr Symmonds was not the best way forward and it looks as if she's been listening to Mr Andrews rather than Don for a change.

Just a little off the wall!

Robbie is under the impression all counselors are like Mr Symmonds and therefore a waste of time. The one Mr Andrews has suggested is a little different. I believe the same rules apply here as in the states. As pointed out by @droughtquake the therapist would be required to report it to the police, so no confidentiality for Robbie, but it will be difficult for him to have to keep this to himself.

The only one who can report Alex is Robbie and at the moment he is unlikely to want to do that. I think everyone will agree that Alex needs to be stopped before he goes too far. He needs help but Robbie is only concerned about his own well-being and rightly so. Unfortunately, by choosing to keep it quiet he's also allowing Alex to get away with it and leaving himself open to further abuse. If Alex really believes that Robbie still wants to be with him then there is every possibility he will be back.

As soon as he realized he could no longer avoid the hospital he made sure he told the doctors about his recent dizzy spells and sickness. It was perhaps a moment of clarity for him and one of his more sensible decisions, which are rarely noticed. By doing so, he has made life difficult for himself in the short term, because he cannot be left on his own, but he may live to fight another day.

Thank you @tesao Robbie is indeed in a dark and lonely place at the moment. He does blame himself, totally unfairly, of course, and has little or no fight left in him. It's a shame but this will almost certainly begin to affect his relationship with Conner. Robbie may not feel he knows Conner well enough to want to tell him what happened but if he doesn't, it's difficult to see it lasting very long. Maybe Robbie has finally hit rock bottom.

Sue has her moments. Mostly when Don isn't there. Unfortunately, those moments are few and far between.

Probably because they're too wrapped up in their own lives like Don to care about anyone else. Or overstretched like Sue who has had her work cut out with an extra two family members to cater for, plus work. Don is a lost cause, but Sue should be more on the ball, especially being a nurse. When she finally gets over the fact that Robbie is gay and accepts him for what he is, she will free up a lot of brain space and perhaps be able to concentrate on more important issues. She may need to challenge her nearest and dearest to do that.

“Are you okay?” I lifted my head from the sink allowing the cold water to run off my face. It was a ridiculous question that didn’t deserve an answer. He could see for himself that I was a long way from being okay. A glance in the mirror confirmed it. I looked exactly how I felt. Alex stood in the doorway looking more frightened and nervous than I had ever seen him before. His eyes were red and glazed and his face stained with tears. He wiped his cheek with the back of his hand and edged

I think a lot of people will be waiting to see Alex's reaction to what happened. Robbie tells us he was crying, so we can assume that he's not exactly happy with what he did. Everything hangs on what Robbie says so you would expect someone with a history of violence and bullying to use it as a way of protecting himself. His options are limited and his future now looks bleak whatever happens.

You're not alone, @Freerider. I also think that Nathan is possibly undeserving of some of the criticism he has received. Although he's certainly no angel, he hasn't done much wrong either. Unlike most of the readers, I thought they worked quite well as a couple. Nathan was more self-confident and out-going, but they had quite a lot in common, including a passion for British comedy and movies. They may have looked different but they seemed to work quite well and no one could question Nathan's loyalty and willingness to stand up for his boyfriend even against Don. He was at the hospital every day when Robbie was in there, even when he was in a coma. His attitude has been less than friendly since they split, but Robbie did walk out on him and we know now that Alex was doing everything he could to make him believe that Robbie was only interested in him. I think overall, Nathan is a good guy who has been slightly misjudged. He's had the benefit of secure home environment and a very supportive family. This definitely helps and it's no surprise that he's has been able to move on fairly quickly. He was always going to land on his feet, which is probably one the reasons why he doesn't get a lot of sympathy.

Yes, this was a painful chapter which has stirred a few emotions and possibly done little for my popularity on the site. Now to have to start hauling myself back. In the end Nathan proved he wasn't quite as perfect or good-looking as Robbie had us believing. However, Conner, it seems, is getting better looking and smarter each time they meet so there may be something to look forward to.

Thank you, @nighthawke. Sexual assault cannot be condoned and Alex was in the wrong and must shoulder the blame no matter what. Robbie made it clear to him several times that he did not want to do anything and Alex chose to ignore him. It was wrong and stupid for Robbie to lead him on and allow him to believe there was something between them, but in the end, no means no and that's where it has to stop. Alex's upbringing also conspired against him so admittedly, everything was against him, but this was a test he ultimately failed and it will sadly cost him.

Thank you @tesao. I appreciate your kind words. This chapter was written a few weeks ago and I've been looking forward to posting it. I was, of course, aware that it would stir a few emotions and maybe even lose me a few readers. It's often hard to judge what effect a particular turn of events will have, but I was confident this one was going to rock a few boats. The previous two chapters were deliberately upbeat and easy-going to create the biggest impact, so it would have been a huge disappointment if it had failed to get the response I was hoping for. I was tempted to include a chapter warning. I know we are encouraged to do that, but after 114 chapters, I thought this was probably unnecessary and I didn't want to ruin the surprise, even if it wasn't very nice. I think it was clear from the beginning this story wasn't going to be all smiles and good times, but take heart, I'm not a fan of sad endings.

I think we all know Robbie well enough now to know what he's going to do. It would have been a pointless exercise trying to mislead you an this one. There's only so much people will believe.

I agree, it was a disturbing chapter. I'm aware of the fact that I probably upset a lot of readers who were rooting for Alex. His gradual turnaround from villain to possible hero, in the end, proved too steep a curve and a moment of absolute madness has erased all his efforts in-between. His actions have vindicated a few who were unconvinced by the new 'family look' Alex, but I doubt if many could have predicted the terrible end to this chapter. Certainly Robbie was surprised, but surely this run of bad luck has to end soon. Thanks @SolarMaxx

Nathan, it seems, didn't do himself any favors with the readers in this chapter and is not far ahead of Alex in the popularity stakes at the moment. It's interesting that hardly anyone believes his claims of monogamy and I'm not surprised. His converstation with Robbie was full of holes. Not that any of that matters to Robbie at the moment. Alex has stolen the limelight at the moment. The return of Symmonds is worrying, it seems like Don has made good his threat. I suppose that was always going to happen. Robbie will need to make Walter aware of this. The old man is a powerful and influential ally and is willing to help.

Thank you, @hobo. Alex obviously has problems. He sees his relationship with Robbie different from how it actually is. Robbie must take some of the blame for this, he has deliberately encouraged this because Alex is a useful person to have on his side. In the end it backfired on Robbie, but it was probably always going to happen.