nephylim Boy Called Slave By Nephylim

[knotme]

I intend this topic to be a general discussion of the story. I'll start with my hopes. First, I don't think I want or need to see a continuation of Chapter 1. Near the end, I had to stop a couple of times to breath and regroup. Before continuing I found myself glancing at the scroll bar to assure myself that I was almost done. 

 

I'm hoping for an honest portrayal of what it takes to bring Shade back from hell. I have high hopes for Dory, and would not be surprised if he guards Shade like a Doberman. This would force Dory to deal head on with the effects of Shade's abuse. I cannot yet imagine how he'll cope.  I doubt Dory's had a challenge he could really sink his teeth into before (sorry   ), so we don't yet know what he can do.

 

How these two kids can be "adorable together" while they struggle over all of this is beyond me right now, but Nephylim will enlighten me. 

Edited June 27, 2015 by Myr

[Daddydavek]

Shade is only very marginally functional and I think it will take a lot of patience, support and understanding to even get through to him, much less make him better.   I foresee the whole staff and some key residents like Dory will be challenged and at the same time find the experience compelling.   I can't wait to see where Nephy takes this story as I suspect there will be more than a few bumps in the road.  

[Daddydavek]

Chapter 2 bore out my prediction above.   It seems he is conditioned to not think, not have opinions and to just do what he is told.  Abusively made a slave  and trained as a child with no judgment or social skills.   Getting beyond that abusive conditioning will be time consuming and difficult.  

[knotme]

A child's main job is to stay alive. Shade succeeded in the cellar, but six months ago most of his rules of engagement changed.  He seems to have gone downhill since release. Six months ago, Shade managed a mix of responses that lulled authorities into releasing him to his family. That wouldn't happen today. From Chapter 2: "Sometimes, new arrivals were heavily medicated, at least for the transfer and settling in period. This was different. This was more than that, much more." I'm guessing Shade is completely demoralized. He had been coping in his cellar, but lately, none his learned responses work. He's lost.

 

Shade is a product of 7 years of conventional (I assume) acculturation followed by 9 years of something quite different. The resulting patchwork is a minefield for anyone trying to interact with him. Maybe the psych ward just isn't up to it --"out of their element", as Stephen said in a review of Chapter 2. Another problem might be a lack of peers. We can absorb only so much culture through language. More comes by observing and then interacting with those to whom we can relate. Who could Shade relate to in the psych ward? Can he relate to Dory? I have a hunch Dory won't rest until he connects to Shade, damn the consequences.

Edited November 26, 2013 by knotme

[Mark92]

I so want to read this Neph, hopefully I will get it downloaded to my iPad when I figure out how to do it, not well just now but I really need to read this, it's so my cup of tea

[Daddydavek]

The latest chapter is up and I think this story is perhaps one of the most underrated on the site right now.  I would heartily endorse it for anyone who has ever had to deal with someone who has been abused or had mental illness or dealt with those who suffer from it.  Pediatric mental health is an area where too much has been invested in drugs to medicate and not enough in human relations.  

[knotme]

Agree with Daddydavek mostly, but look how different Shade and Kei (from The Recovery) are. Shade has been abused, and his childhood cancelled at age 7, but, as of Chapter 8, he seems physically OK. Kei is recovering from serious physical trauma. Maybe that tumor caused more lasting damage to Kei than nine years of serious abuse did to Shade. Again, they are so different!

[Daddydavek]

My prior post about pediatric mental health not doing enough in human relations is borne out by the latest chapters in the story.  

Nephy has really posted quite a good story.  If you have purchased a membership, this premium story is well worth your time.  

[Caz Pedroso]

I am captivated by this story. It is liike a rollar coaster, you just think everything is looking up for the boys when something happens to take it all away. I like the fact that Dory's family are now putting their opinion in and they want Shade and him to be together.

 

Can't wait to keep reading. It is a great story for keeping your intreest while talking about the very real topic of child abuse.

 

Keep it comming.

[Daddydavek]

The final chapter is up and was a sweet ending!