One of his notable short stories is 'The Forest'. It has a great atmosphere of mystery and dread. The way he describes the forest setting makes it almost like a character itself.
As I don't know of his gay stories, if we assume they follow his usual pattern, they might feature complex characters like in his other works. His characters are often morally ambiguous and face extraordinary situations. In a gay - themed story, this could translate to exploring relationships and identities in the context of his dark and often otherworldly settings.
One of his notable stories is 'The Imago Sequence'. It's a complex and atmospheric piece that combines elements of horror and the unknown. The way Barron builds suspense and creates a sense of unease is truly remarkable.
Laird Barron's works often focus on the macabre and the strange. However, I haven't come across a distinct set of his works labeled as 'gay stories'. Maybe you could look through his collections more thoroughly or check with specialized literary communities who might be more aware of such niche works.
I'm not sure who 'Laird' specifically is in the boys and girls story without more context. There could be many characters named Laird in different stories. It might be a main character, a sidekick, or someone with a special role like a wise old man or a mischievous boy.
Well, 'The Lottery' could be one. It's a really thought - provoking short story that shows how blindly following traditions can lead to horror. Another might be 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' which is full of complex characters and moral ambiguity. And 'The Yellow Wallpaper' is also great as it delves into the mental state of a woman in a very interesting and disturbing way.
The role of Laird could be that of a protagonist. He might be the one driving the story forward, making decisions that affect the outcome for all the boys and girls in the story.