by Irene Hunt
First published 1997
A young boy carries the wounds of severe child abuse when he arrives at a residential home for boys. His body may have healed, but his mind remains trapped by fear and suspicion. Every adult seems like a potential threat. Every kindness feels like a trap. The other boys in the home try to reach out, but he pulls away from their attempts at friendship. Staff members work patiently to break through his defensive walls, but progress comes slowly. Trust feels impossible when your world has taught you that adults hurt children. Yet something begins to shift in this new environment. Small moments of safety accumulate. Acts of genuine care chip away at his armor of mistrust. The boy starts to believe that not all adults will harm him. He discovers that some places can offer protection rather than pain. Through the steady support of his new community, he begins the difficult journey of healing from trauma and learning to connect with others again.
Genres: fiction, abuse, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, overcoming-adversity
18 pages · Sundance
Content warnings: child-abuse