Chapter 1 Summary

Slake's Limbo by Felicia Holman centers on Aremis Slake, a 13 year-old boy who is bullied and harassed by other kids. He has no one to take care of him. He lives in the New York City subway for 121 days to escape his problems.

In Chapter 1, Aremis Slake escapes to the New York City subway when his life worsens above ground. He always keeps a subway token in his pocket for emergencies. Unfortunately, these emergencies keep occurring. Slake is small and has a lot of bullies. He is also wiry, so he can dodge under the turnstiles. He is not useful to gangs because of his poor vision and allergies to cigarette smoke and drugs. He sometimes dreams he is bigger and stronger than the bullies. He often dreams of being somewhere else, anywhere else, but he does not know where.

The bullies beat...