INTO THE FIRE
![Deliverance [R].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e2cd8f_ff1e7c7b6b9f427ea6b07f82e0a34f2d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_142,h_179,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Deliverance%20%5BR%5D.jpg)
A new story by Eleanor! Fabulous! And this one was such a roller-coaster ride of emotions, too. At some points, I felt so badly for the boys, and at others I was elated. You did a wonderful job of explaining the setup that led to their lives as outlaws, while at the same time allowing us to remember that they were basically nice people who came from terrible circumstances. Thank you - a very nice read!
goldieasj: August 2021
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Those poor boys- not surprising they turned to crime with the way they were treated after their folks were murdered. Very good albeit slightly sad read. Thanks for writing this.
Rachel: August 2021
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This was a wonderful childhood story about the boys. You really started showing how Heyes began his thinking and larceny. The bond between the boys and doing whatever for each other was well done. Wonderful story, Eleanor Ward!
Penski: August 2021
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Aww, the boys had a hard time of it here, but their friendship and dedication to taking care of each other shines through. I like Heyes's comment at the end; "we're getting by, and who knows what we might find around the next bend." - Ever the optimist :-) A well written, and realistic story. Thanks for posting.
Guest: August 2021
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This story reflects the hard lives orphans sadly often endured in those days. I could picture this sequence of events playing out just like you wrote them, and the boys would indeed have struggled to survive if they'd tried to do so by honest means. A gritty tale but well written. I could see all of the adult Heyes’s character traits beginning to develop in his actions in this story, and I liked the unexpected discovery of Jed's natural talent with a gun. This is a realistic scenario of how they might have set out on the path to outlawin’. Hope to read more from you.
Leah: August 2021
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This was a wonderful story! Great believability and told with such a feeling of truth. Writing flowed so smoothly. I enjoyed this one very much
Kathleen E Knudsen: August 2021
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Excellent explanation for the beginning of a life of crime born out of hardship and necessity. Throughout the childhood tale of woe we can see the bonds of friendship and mutual reliance strengthening. Reality settled heavily onto young Hannibal Heyes' shoulders and he bore the best he could.
Nell McKeon: September 2021
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It's always amazing what you evoke with your stories in me. Joy and satisfaction, while my eyes follow the cursor, moving downwards, my heart willing it to stop, because I don't want the story to end. A well written childhood story, in which you manage to create a picture of Valparaiso as a school with strict rules. What I like most is how balanced your description is. It is not bad altogether. Only if you have enough self-confidence to face injustice and daring authorities. I love the idea that young Heyes already has achieved enough self control to hide his true feelings or thoughts behind a poker face. His attitude indicates the troublemaker in him, not willing to be forced into submission, and his attempt to protect his smaller, helpless friend. In the orphanage they experience how much power authorities can muster, and the only chance to survive is to leave. Very good is your description of, especially Heyes, changing from enthusiasm to resignation, questioning his former decisions the moment things don't turn out like he had imagined. They learn there are always two sides of the coins. The friendly couple not being able to keep them and the hard life working for nothing more than bread and board and a few cents. They did everything they could, but hopelessness forced them into trouble anew. Discovering new aptitudes is one of the main basics of a good childhood story and you made use of some of them. Your idea with Heyes writing a letter to finally stop the abuse in the Home was a nice twist. It makes them realize that they can effect something on a legal basis. Important for their later quest for amnesty. And on the other side they learn about thieving and easy money. I would have loved to learn how the story could have gone on.
Dan Ker: January 2022 [abridged]
