On "They" by O. Lindsey (1460 words) ***

This is one of those stories that makes me glad not to be a boy again. On the whole, my childhood was fine, great fun, but the necessity to prove yourself a "man," to fit in, and to do things you didn't want to do in order supposedly prove these things were never fun. Nor was the alternative--being the wimp for refusing to do what bullies who are all bluster wish you to do--much better. But this kid is no wimp, not in that way. He's out to prove himself, but he's not going to feel much better. This story is all pain. Read it here at You Must Be This Tall to Ride.