Afraid to Go Outside: A Short Story

By Gabriel Martínez

Afraid to Go Outside is a haunting and tender coming-of-age novel about fear, family, and the quiet bravery of a child forced to grow up too soon.
Ten-year-old Mateo is a bright, inquisitive boy bursting with questions and a boundless love for his hardworking father. But after a violent incident shakes their peaceful neighborhood, Mateo becomes paralyzed by fear, retreating behind closed doors. Outside, tension mounts-mistrust simmers, rumors swirl, and suspicion falls on a neighbor with secrets of his own. As a plan unfolds to catch a drug dealer, Mateo's sharp eyes and open heart uncover more than anyone expects. Is there romance between the mother and the neighbor?
Set against a backdrop of cultural strength and quiet resilience, Afraid to Go Outside explores the fragility of safety, the weight of silence, and the unbreakable bonds between a father and son.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FNJXW7YM
• ISBN13: 9798290284699
• Release Date: August 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 78 Pages
• Weight: 0.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.0" x 8.0"