SilentandBroken

As for the father..I can’t .. I don’t have words for his behavior. Well except that I’m not surprised. He’ll be there for the duration of his suspension unless his dad wants him to cook for him. Frankly, if I were Stefan, I might poison the food at this point.

I disagree but I get where you’re coming from. The principal is going on the word of the coach who may or may not have a biased view of the abuse I. The locker room. How did he not see Stefan’s hair in his fist? I don’t know but it’s possible he assumed it was in the “throws of lust” vs forced. He may have deliberately decided to cover for the other student. Especially if he’s a star athlete for that coach. It’s also very telling on the principal not to verify both sides and there’s so telling whether he deliberately ignored some glaring facts as well as not giving Stefan a true chance to speak his side. There should’ve been a counselor there as well as the principal but it definitely seems some self serving interests are going on here .

Ugh . The whole beating by the belt highlighted how the littlest details are noticed by Stefan, like the sound of the belt being removed. I can only imagine his father folding it up into his hand so he can hit him with it faster, harder. It’s almost a club at that point. The welts that will form will be deep. All I can say is ouch. I think showing how the father was looking for ANY excuse to beat him by being a nitpick and absolute asshole to Stefan prior to beating him is perfectly portrayed. The girl’s interest is an interesting commonality I think . I say commonality because it’s high school and he’s an unknown and they’re on the hunt. Gotta have a boyfriend ya know 🙄 It’s unfortunate for the girl but definitely justified for Stefan to decline her pretty rudely. That rudeness is what the anxiety looks like. He’s right to have his guard up. While girls can be vicious, I didn’t get the feeling that was their goal this time. I think the smile might have actually been genuine that Stefan thought was for fake. To me, that’s his bias and self protection heading his perception a bit. Perhaps not. One thing I did notice though was that it’s because of his severe attempts at norm drawing attention to himself that also hurt him when there’s moments he could’ve sought help again his father or other students. Stefan cannot keep this up forever. He’ll have a breakdown eventually. Great chapter

Feel better. I’m kinda in the same boat. Slight fever, nasty cough, and chills like crazy but other than that I’d still go to work. That said, yesterday my brother tried to kill himself with pills 5 hrs from me and was fortunately unsuccessful in his attempt. That said, suicide is a huge trigger for me so I’m struggling right now. He needs to be committed. I love him but I can’t anymore. His drama is too much. One of these times he’s going to be successful. Sorry to be Debbie Downer on the holiday cheer. I’m super excited on the rest of your news Comsi. Can’t wait

Unfortunately I know most victims aren’t. My thinking was maybe he’d see an opportunity but it’s too early in this story to really get that desperate

Idk who I find creepier, the uncle or the student. I don’t see kid defending himself against either.

I am curious to see how it goes too.

Sigh .. where do I begin? First off as an abused teen myself, your warning not to read made me hesitate, but then the more I thought about it, I need to. I need to because to me, stories like these are proof I am not alone, even decades later. For the longest time, years, I thought I was the only one who went through this shit. It helps me to know that others have also experienced the horror that is abuse and the struggle it is to hide it. So, I guess really I need to say thank you. It was from there I really wanted to give a huge hug and I wasn’t even into a paragraph of the first chapter. Using the journal to narrate in first person in present tense sucked me in immediately. It’s kind of like hearing the main character’s thoughts as they’re experiencing the abuse. THAT makes it even more real. The lack of self confidence is a huge thing too. The brainwashing was another. God it’s almost like I was 13 again. I was that kid who had to hide bruises too. To disappear in the middle of a crowded room. Thank you. Now on to Stefan. This kid’s internal strength is amazing. We can’t tell how long really the abuse has been going on with him directly, but it’s clear it’s been a few yrs at this point. Intervention is already needed. He feels completely ignored and forgotten at school. At this point we can’t tell if he’s really ignored or not at school. Both are possible. The fact he deliberately trips to cause bruises to cover up bruises already present is a huge red flag that he completely believes the demeaning verbal abuse from his father. All of these things I did myself to hide my abuse. The only real difference is that my abuser was supposed to be my boyfriend. I managed to hide it all from my folks, school, and the few friends I had. I feel like I know this kid already. Excellent start.

First thing that struck me as interesting is that neither Colby or Tucker asked Deke for more information about the town murdered. If it was them perhaps they’d at least share some glances between each other knowingly. I think those town folk were killed by another vampire. Tucker kind of reminds me of Trevor.not so sure he’s trustworthy. I’m not sold on the suggestion that this new threat is a pack of coyotes either.

I see what you did there… soo hot that last scene

I’m still on chapter 10 but yay!

Tease .. A Home is a hot story. Might have to go read it again 😘

Didn’t Matt have a short term girlfriend name Stephanie back in the day? I can’t remember now

NGL I’m binging here at 3:30am and gotta be up at 5 to work 10hrs .but its cool😎

I worry if Hayden’s parents might try to press some bs charges on Matt because of the way he acted at the attorney’s office. It’s a stretch I know but I think there’s a chance. I agree the center seems like a temporary place for Hayden too. That is concerning. The blossoming possible more than friendship between Matt and Trent is refreshing. So is the opportunity for Matt with the center.

Well shit.

Oh no… well…can’t say I blame him.

They should’ve kept the laptop. It can be used against the pastor criminally . But this has just begun. Hopefully they made it to an adjacent town where the authorities aren’t bought and paid for. charges could be pressed to the parents too.

Bingo

Oh no .. I was afraid of this

I have many thoughts here. I don’t even know how to react to the chapter other than it was well written. I’ve been in Matt’s spot except I didn’t have religious zealots as parents. I can definitely relate to his struggle though. That said, I recognize a lot of similarities in our lives and it is from that position that I comment. I am deeply concerned for Matt’s mental welfare. Until I finished the chapter I worried he might be toying with self harm. From his perspective after he ran from home, he had little to point to for support. He doesn’t see how much those around him care about him. Well, except for his parents but I’ll get to that shortly. His lack of self esteem is toxic to himself and that is most assuredly brought about by his abusive parents. It’s pretty clear that while his parents aren’t physically abusive to him, they are very abusive mentally and emotionally. That said, I’m disgusted by their response to Matt’s injury. Their religious beliefs are blinding them and kudos to Matt for finding his backbone both to James and to Matt’s parents. Kudos to Ricky for coming out to Matt. Kudos to Matt for not resisting Ricky’s attempts at sharing how much he cares for him. Clearly Matt is still confused and has a lot of question. I’d love to see Ricky’s story from HIS perspective especially of these events and going forward. Perhaps one day maybe @Ronyx? This is a very good start.

It wouldn’t shock me if, even though Matt didn’t answer him, his father would assume he’s gay for simply defending Charles.

Matt seems finally aware after having been blind to Ricky for a long time. That’s my take anyway. Matt’s parents are essentially abusive and is building into a combustible environment for sure.Matt’s one safe outlet from all that just got scared. Matt should’ve chased Ricky to stop him after he ran out the door but it’s clear the kiss was so unexpected it threw him from doing what he would’ve done at any other time. Great start.

Here’s another for the same reason

I can’t help but think about Justin on the pier of Lake Michigan before he meets Taryn in Gone From Daylight when I listen to this song. This also applies to Taryn in Taryn’s Song too as he’s fleeing the apt in chapter 10 with his little brother.