Thomas Vale, 1968

The Names in the Rafters

The first strange thing we found in the bunkhouse was a name carved into the underside of a bed.

THOMAS VALE — 1968

Someone had cut the letters deep into the wood and filled them with black wax. Beneath the name were six short lines, like tally marks, followed by a seventh that stopped halfway down.

I noticed it while choosing a lower bunk. The frame was rusted, and the mattress above me sagged like a heavy stomach. When I ran my thumb across the carving, a dry flake of wax came away.

“Some kid got bored,” my friend Danny said.

He dropped his sleeping bag onto the bunk across from mine. Dust rose around him. It smelled of wet leaves, old socks, and something sweeter underneath—fruit left too long in a cupboard.

📖 Start reading Thomas Vale, 1968 free

Quick answers about Thomas Vale, 1968

What is Thomas Vale, 1968 about?

Is Thomas Vale, 1968 free to read?

Yes. Every story on RapidTale is free to read in the browser, with no sign-up and nothing to install.

How long does it take to read?

This story runs 1 chapter — most readers finish in one sitting, and you can stop and return to any chapter using the contents list.

Who wrote it?

Nimra Khan — original fiction published on RapidTale.