Promises to Keep

MC goes camping for the summer and meets a boy who impacts his life forever. Young love is a beautiful and innocent thing. This is a twist of the shifter stories we know and love. What would shifter life look like in modern times when our lands are being carelessly cleaned out for a few bucks? That impact goes far and wide. Quite heartbreaking.

A unique and beautifully told story. The main character learns of acceptance, not just of those around him but most importantly of himself. The ending is sad but fits in with the story and how society behaves, it is a natural and fitting way to end the story. If your reading this then read the story you will enjoy it as I did.

I'm almost speechless. My fingers want to move and type, but my brain can't formulate how amazing this piece was. Your inspiration for this story was spot-on. 

This was a great story to read as I get ready for bed. The peaceful tranquility of the campsite, the connection between the reader and the main character... It's so powerful. It subtly hypnotizes you, making you smile throughout the whole way. 

The ending was unexpected, yet satisfyingly unsatisfying... If that makes any sense. Bravo, W_L!

Not much I can add to the reviews below, can only say it is a well crafted tale that will give one much food for thought about our world!

Lovely story. An easy read but packs an emotional punch. Thoroughly recommended.

An allegorical tale well worth checking out. We meet a young man who's trying to escape the labels that are messing with his mind by heading out to the woods. Who he meets out there has something to say in favor of judging yourself with love first and foremost. 

Be sure to read this unusual tale!

Fellow readers, check this out. It's a wonderful if sad story, with some social commentary thrown in. Wouldn't we all like to escape to a world of magic when the realities of being different weighs us down? W_L does a great job of making us think, dream, and reflect on what is important in life. Cheers!

A unique and beautifully crafted tale.

This is a story that will draw you in, but surprise you with the ending.

This is quite a heartbreaking story.

For much of my life, I have spent a lot of time hiking and camping.  I do so because of all the beauty and serenity I find in nature.  This allegorical tale highlights the folly of humans who amass fortunes by indifferently throwing away the greatest treasure given us, our beautiful world filled with the diversity of life and love.  

The protagonist of this story is a fifteen-year-old boy who is not only questioning his sexuality, but he's also questioning his place in society.  He seems to be an avid reader and longs for the days and the life of the frontiersmen.  He envies their lives and the fact that they could form male bonds that are no longer acceptable, so he talks his father into buying him camping gear so he can spend time in the woods and see what it might have been like. 

With a little magical help, he finds another teen living in the woods and they become close, very close, and he continues camping at various times of the year, during most school holidays.  This continues for a few years until the situation suddenly changes.  What causes this change and how did the boys make out.  You'll have to read this excellent and gripping short story to find out the answer to those questions, and I highly recommend that you do that.