[first lines; voiceover] I was 12 going on 13 the first time I saw a dead human being. It happened in the summer of 1959 - a long time ago, but only if you measure in terms of years. I was living in a small town in Oregon called Castle Rock; there were only twelve hundred and eighty-one people, but to me it was the whole world.

[voiceover] It was weird to me how Teddy could care so much about his father, who practically killed him, and I couldn't give a shit about my dad who hadn't laid a hand on me since I was three; and that was for eating bleach under the sink!

[voiceover] "No Trespassing" was enforced by Milo Pressman, the junkman, and his dog Chopper; the most feared and least seen dog in Castle Rock. Rumour had it that Milo had trained Chopper not just to "sic", but to sic specific parts of the human anatomy. For instance, a young boy who had illegally scaled the junkyard fence might hear the dreaded cry, "Chopper, sic balls!" Luckily neither Milo nor Chopper was anywhere in sight.

[voiceover] Now, he said "Sic 'em, boy"; but what I heard was, "Chopper, sic balls!"

[voiceover] None of us could breathe; somewhere under those bushes was the rest of Ray Brower.

[voiceover] The train had knocked Ray Brower out of his Keds the same way it had knocked the life out of his body. The kid wasn't sick; the kid wasn't sleeping; the kid was dead.

[voiceover] Ray Brower's body was found, though neither our gang nor their gang got credit for it. In the end, we decided an anonymous phonecall was the best thing to do.

[voiceover] It happens sometimes. Friends come in and out of our lives like busboys in a restaurant.

[voiceover, referring to Chris] Although I hadn't seen him in more than 10 years, I know I'll miss him forever.

[last lines; typing on computer] I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?