Like a million other young gay men, Bryan keeps his sexuality hidden because it’s safer that way. Yet other guys know he’s different -- they sense it, and make Bryan’s life pure hell. At home, things aren’t much better. He barely acknowledges his alcoholic father, and his mother has little time to spend with her family. So Bryan is alone, with no support, no shoulder to cry on.<br><br>Years of torture and torment, of name calling and humiliation, have taken their toll. Bryan does what he can to make new friends, but in trying to be something he’s not, he makes a huge mistake. Unable to cope with the repercussions, Bryan spends more and more time in a fantasy world he has created for himself. In this private world he is handsome, an object of desire. He is loved.<br><br>Is the hiding place as perfect as it seems? Or will Bryan go too deep and not be able to come out again?

The Hiding Place

“You don’t get off that easily,” said the man.


“Nice to meet you, Bryan. I haven’t seen you around before.”


Liam’s face visibly lit up. “Really?”


Suddenly the music stopped. The crowd turned to face the stage. The music started again and the giant red curtains parted. In the centre of the stage was a tall figure draped in black satin. As the strains of a Lady Gaga song began the figure turned, her large, made up eyes were wide. She walked down the five steps of her podium to the stage and arrived just as Lady Gaga began to sing “Telephone.” When the chorus began the drag queen threw off her black cape to reveal a bikini made out of old handsets.


Chapter 13