Getting Brave

Ok - I'm getting braver.  I've added a new page with the first chapter of a long story, novel type thing I am working on.  I don't know what really to call it as I don't feel like I'm writing a novel - but it's waaayy to long to be a story.  Anyways - please read, hopefully enjoy, and any constructive criticisms are welcome.  Please be nice about it, though.  Any just plain mean spiritedness would be really not nice and, hopefully, repayed in kind down the road.