Cia

I played up the loneliness in contrast, and Ben might be selectively mute, but he's still a living, breathing person. He makes noise, he exists. I think that was a vital difference, even if he doesn't speak. I'm glad you liked the story, William, and thanks for reviewing!

There are different reasonings behind that target, both because they were vulnerable to infection being grouped together due to the war, and the cytokine storm issues. It's something I was looking at for this, yes. Thanks for reviewing, AC!

People are so different, even within the US, that I can see the teens reacting very differently depending on where they are and what they're facing. I wanted to make sure that I showed 'real' people, and that meant making them original. Giving Ben selective mutism was something different to set him apart quickly. Thanks for the review, Cole!

I can't imagine trying to survive as an adult with other adults, but kids? It would be crazy. I'm glad the darkness came through in the story, so thanks for mentioning that part, Lisa. I really wanted this story to feel bleak.

There are so many possibilities, right?

Ahh, but will you? I hope so, and thanks for the review, Mikiesboy!

LOL. I'll take the hint. Thanks, Jeffrey!

Unfortunately, that's so true of many of my work, but I really wanted to know what readers thought of this one. Thanks, JCtoGO2!

Those are exactly the feelings I wanted to evoke. Being forgotten would be very lonely, though I reversed it and made those left alive have that fear rather than those who died. Thanks for reviewing, Timothy!

Thank you. I'd just like to point out you gave me an amazing review quote I've been using to point readers to this on social media.

I just think that kids are so vulnerable they'd be more likely to cling to the familiar--even if that means cliques, hates, etc... after they're left behind when everyone dies. Thanks for the review, Gary.

I have read most of the stories featured, and wrote mine, of course. But Aditus' review of Tucker's story really intrigues me. It almost gives me a feeling of the Pied Piper, though with the hint of a twist at the end in the review, I'm even more interested in reading. Thank you to everyone who took the time to review these stories, especially Puppilull who read Miah's Maze and gave me such a lovely review!

​"The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." ~ Helen Keller

I was not the last man on Earth—I snorted at the thought of calling myself a man—but I knew I couldn’t be the only one who didn’t drop dead. No bomb, no comet, no ravening hordes hungry for flesh… people just died. It was a wave of loss hitting with devastating finality that moved just slow enough as it swept the country that my dad, smart man that he was, had gotten us away to our remote camping cabin. I’d stayed there as long as possible after my parents died, but I was all alone with winter b

It was insane to think the whole world’s population had died in the span of a few weeks. If I focused on what I didn’t know, on the fear I’d never see another living soul, I’d start screaming and never stop. So I didn’t.

I was halfway home when I stopped dead in the middle of the road. I poured over the files that the doctor had secured on his computer, and Uncle Radford was researching the scientific information. What I hadn’t done was gone back to that house. After I pulled Kraig out of that horrific room in the basement, I’d ordered the house closed and locked. I didn’t want anything to remind him of what suffered there. But who knew what might be there? I’ve been in shock when I realized Kraig was the werek

Yep, 3 full weeks!

Comsie has so many stories that it's easy to miss one! Or more, lol. I like this one because it has older characters who are college-age, which is also a popular age group without feeling quite like dropping into the drama of a teenager. I hope there will be more readers who missed this gem who won't be able to resist now that they know about it!

They really need some answers, I agree!

Thanks, Robin! More to come too.

There are a lot of challenges they're all facing, and even more questions without answers. Never fear, they're coming soon!

Thanks, Robin! This does seem to be a popular story.

Sawyer is too busy to worry about something as frivolous as Christmas. College is hard, but he’s focused on getting into law school. Kable is studying to make the family business, Del Buon Gusto, into a successful chain restaurant. When a party debacle at the restaurant gives Kable a chance to get close to Sawyer, he’s shocked to learn Sawyer’s a Christmas Grinch. He's determined to change Sawyer’s mind, but their dates are one debacle after another. Can they have a Merry Christmas?

It's hard to believe the year is almost over! Just 2 more CSR's in 2016, and I thought for this month I'd feature the kind of story a lot of the site's readers enjoy, but a very popular author. For the first time as a CSR feature, this month's story is Between the Lines by Comicality (I know, I was shocked I hadn't featured him before!) Between the Lines by Comicality Length: 46,928 Description: "College is definitely a great place to revolutionize your life, try new things, and expand on who you are as a person. Eli is just coming out of the closet, and was lucky to find a hunky boyfriend in a boy named Chris. But when cutie, Devon, ends up in one of Eli's classes, and the two share a bond for their number one passion...will he end up having to choose? Does Cupid always get you what you want on the first try?" A Reader Said: Sighhh...what a splendid, deeply moving tale on so many levels! Romantically, intellectually and philosopically absolutely satisfying. Ta stax SO much, Coms ~ Rano So have fun reading this story and be ready to come back for the Discussion day on Monday, November 28th!