[Taft]

Five days. No takers. I guess I need to spice it up a little. Here's the first 13/14 lines:

Thomas sat by the magic wishing well. He figured the beautiful spot and the well must be magic--how else could it make him feel so good.

After two days of walking on dusty roads, this was a the first rest he’d had since he’d escaped the orphanage. He didn’t know where he was going to go, or what he was going to do, but simply being away from that horrible place was enough to make him smile.

Thomas watched two women, two men, and a boy take turns throwing their coins in. One of the women nodded at Thomas. He nodded back. Thomas had no money for the stage or the train. Maybe he could hitch a ride in one of these people’s wagon. Five big, burly men rode up and got off of their horses, breaking the quiet solitude.

“What do ya think, Virgil? Do you think these fine people will allow us a drink?”

Another man laughed and spit some tobacco. He said, “Here’s hopin’ they don’t.”

(Continues...)

I don't even need an involved critique, just some people to read through it and give me general thoughts and impressions.