The Pricker Boy

Somestoriesdrawblood.Sometruthswon'tstayburied.Hewashumanonce,orsotheysay.Thesonofafurtrapper,hewastauntedbyhispeersandtrickedintooneofhisownfather'straps.Bythetimeanybodyfoundit,thetrap'sviciousteethwereempty,priedopenandovergrown.Itwassaidthebramblesthemselveshadreachedoutandtakenpityonthatboy;thathisskinhadhardenedtobarkasthornsgrewovereveryinchofhisbody.Maybeit'strueandmaybeitisn't.ButanyonewhoknowsanythingstaysoutofthewoodsbeyondtheWidow'sStone.Thatusedtobeenough.Butthisisthesummereverythingchanges,asStucksCumberlandandhisfriendsfindamysteriouspackagecontainingmementosoftheirchildhood:baseballcards,awornpaperback,alocket.Offeringsleftbehindinthewoodsyearsago,meanttokeepthePrickerBoyatbay.Offeringsthathavebeenrejected.