Oh, that was wonderful - great outsider perspective, and I really loved the perceptive description of Alex through his teacher's eyes. Especially the deterioration or, well, mental and physical exhaustion and nervousness we don't, I think, get so graphically from Alex's perspective, except for a few memorable moments.

I particularly like his views on Alex the protector, who doesn't become a bully although he'd have reason.

Also, loved that your narrator actually tries to do the right thing, and is slapped down and threatened by MI5 - wonderful job, as always! :)


-- kennahijja

He identifies as a victim, not as an aggressor.

That line spoke volumes, coming from this observer. It spoke volumes about the observer, actually. Whoever he (or she) is (the school guidance counselor, a child psychiatrist, a teacher) they're smart. And they're correct, but perhaps for a very different reason than the one they suspect. What lovely irony.

I like the way this story plays that so subtly.

(I am also looking forward to The Last Days of April. I keep imagining how they're going to play out that story and what light everyone is or isn't going to be cast in and how it will end and......so on.)

-- loonylucifer

Wow! This is something else.
Like this point of view.
Poor Alex.

-- lettie13

Ooh, I like. I love the way the fear escalates to the very last line!

-- amanuensis

This is what I love about these prompts - there are so many different, wonderful interpretations. I never would have thought of this - fabulous job!

-- hpstrangelove

Oh, that was wonderful - great outsider perspective, and I really loved the perceptive description of Alex through his teacher's eyes. Especially the deterioration or, well, mental and physical exhaustion and nervousness we don't, I think, get so graphically from Alex's perspective, except for a few memorable moments.

I particularly like his views on Alex the protector, who doesn't become a bully although he'd have reason.

Also, loved that your narrator actually tries to do the right thing, and is slapped down and threatened by MI5 - wonderful job, as always! :)

-- Kenna Hijja

Poor kid. I love how the teachers think/know that Alex is being badly abused, and by someone powerful. Oh, Alex. *squishes*

-- nyxelestia

The poor thing. On one hand it would be easy to envy a boy like Alex--attractive, in good shape, athletic, adventurous--but from our (as in the reader's) inside perspective, it's far easier to pity him for all the hell he's put through. Poor kid. He needs a vacation or some homemade cookies or something.

Great drabble!

-- HJ Bender