zakynthos

Systems are always subject to rot. Just like an old car that's never maintenanced. To be honest - many legal systems are designed with intentional loopholes to be exploited by the unscupulous. The rot exists but It's people that are doing the damage. We call the legal sytem - The Justice System - but in reality the idea of justice is just wishful thinking. No system can survive an overabundance of parasytes. A well built house can be destroyed by too many termites.

Will and Andrew are connected at some sort of energetic soul level ( You dont really have to believe in soul - but I think everyone can accept energy is real) Their initial automatic and immediate connection (described in Carter's Army) was so powerful - neither could deny or dismiss it. This is a real phenomenon that can occur between two people that is more like merging as opposed to a connection or bonding. Once merged - you cannot really ever fully unmerge. Conclusion - they both are stuck with it - and with separation, they can only carry residual pain - They are kind of screwed or protected - depending on how you want to see it.

Yah - it seems that it's a lesson that most can only learn thru bitter experience. Really harsh but also liberating to have to learn it when your too young to even cope let alone fight back. For Andrew - I guess it could be called a painful epiphany Really powerful chapter - on all fronts

I think being without shelter and means makes a kid pretty - at risk.

I am total agreement with your understanding of this very simple yet complex friendship between Robbie and Rory. I also have had the same opinion that Rory is wanting to explore something more with Robbie but at the same time doesn't see himself as being "gay" Classic approach/avoidance syndrome - which will always send out confusing and conflicting messages Another really important (I think) point you highlight is that Robby isn't fully aware of how important Rory's friendship is to him. I think that Rory has been and is Robby's only real true friend other than Amy 😁 Robby has a lot of "fairweather friends" (and lovers ) but through the entire story - Rory has been the only one that isn't using Robby in one way or another and that is because Rory truly is a solidy decent kind and true friend So to lose his only true friend would be a huge loss for Robby.

Jason - running away to Toronto - underage and pennyless - Seems like he is jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. He got dealt some shitty cards from the bottom of the deck and he really got it that the game is rigged (as his dear dad told him). You can never win a rigged game. The only sane move left is to the game - and it seems that Jason really made the only move left that might get him free from a certain violent reprisal. I think it actually takes a lot of courage (and desperation) to head out unsupported. Needs a guardian spirit to intervene It's hard to watch when we got to see some signs of healing happening under Peters care

Thanks for the great sendoff As a lover of geometry - and student of Pythagoras - You brought your beautiful tale to a complete circle. I really dont think it is possible to have found a better choice of endings - to end at the beginning - wow !!! Such a fine worl of art - my endorphins are gushing (that 's a good thing - really 😁) Reading thru the chapters - I found that I had to try not to rush myself even though I was in a hurry to find out was going to happen next. The reason I felt I needed to slow down was that I realized that sweet gentle lines of lyric poetry had been hidden within the vast field of prose. I became a sort of treasure hunter in search of these little gems {which I savored} Hudson's eyes were bright, turquoise even in the dark, catching stray stage light like water catching the moon On it sat a bucket of fries, hot, steaming, impossibly generous, salt glittering on top like tiny stars. the restaurant across the street like a ghost waiting to be touched. Just a few from mined from this chapter alone. The story is solid romantic and beautiful on its own - The lyrical nature of its telling is a reflection of the soul

Thanks - really good advice I unwittingly wandered into into your Twilght Zone Merrickville vortex 😁 by landing headfirst into Granny's Doily Palace. (Seriously - Like the Twilight Zone there are many ways in Merrickville with with few ways to leave - I am now a dedicated fan/prisoner ) It was a ton of fun to read it snext o it acted kind of like a gateway drug for me as I followed you and Finn to Grady's Garage. Last few weeks I have (shamefully ) binged on the Carter Saga - and yes Carter's Shadow ( my favorite) does not disappoint. Having the backstory filled in brings a richer experience and deeper insight to this place and its inhabitants. You are absolutely correct that this story is a stand alone work but really I would advise readers to check out the Carter backstory - if they have some time on their hands

Thanks - spoken with chagrin -

“They’ll see the kid who was braver than the Captain. ... Not trying to be a pain but - Peter refers to West as the "captain" . At that time frame - was West even out of Sandhurst - or at most just a lieutenant ?

It seems that in addition to the Garage - the other Merrickville location where the writing goes off charts is the Brody house Topher's writer's brain seems to be on steroids whenever he takes us there The whole night terrors and the aftermath was so flooded with kindness compasson and connection at such a soulful level - it makes me want to consider revising my own cynical outlook and opinions of my species. Of course - right after the calm - Andrew's coffee shop confrontation immediately flips me 180 degrees back to my original cynicism. (thanks alot 😔) Fantastic chapter filled with great writing Seriously, Peter's honest caring kindness laced with humor serving as a gentle nudge to Jason allowing him to open up and unclench - was just beautiful to witness. AND - Adolescent wanking is always a touchy subject - but you handled it masterfully 😉

Thanks for that observation - although it seems Robbie handles the Homophobic remarks well enough. It's the physical attack and followup threats that aren't so easy to just brush off. Of course his anger outburst should of been directed at the bullying prick but he was too scared to fight back (rightly so) - so he ends up attacking the one person who has been openly supportive at school - his actual real friend. Kind of sad really

Kudos to Dodger - great chapter

Robbie is still Robbie (thank god) DESPITE the pretty nasty attacks on him - He is actually holding up and not breaking down He Needed Jo's help because he was comtemplating suicide and spiralling into a dangerous self destruct zone He is having having a tough time and way too many challenges but although he slips up - he is showing a lot of character. When he is at school - nobody is brave enough to standup for him against the intimidating bully - not the baseball jocks - not that user Alex or even the sweet Rory. I really admire this kid as he is still standing and facing things head on

The chapter started out in high spirits - lots of good one liners from Robbie. Finally getting some positive attention from some of his peers and the Adults. He was even able to calmly listen to Ginny's pretty brutal (but accurate) attack on his cratering relationship with Nathan. He doesn't even get upset with her mean words because he understands and accepts her moody behavior. Everything is sunny until he hits the lockeroom and it all goes ass over teakettle (used that saying for Dodger 😁) He feels betrayed (rightly or wrongly) by Rory possibly having a new girlfriend and takes some of his frustration out on his friend. Rory's overreaction is maybe more immature than Robbie's They will sort it out like true friends do I think anyone being assaulted - bullied - threatened (with being put into coma again) and gay bashed in an empty lockerroom only to be followed up by feeling screwed over by the ump (as well as Alex who really does owe him) was not Robbie showing some big character flaw - To me it looked like he was just exploding under way too much pressure. If anyone is to blame here - it's Dodger - You keep throwing him way too may googlies. He is in dire need of some major dopamine rushes - Be nicer to Robbie from now on - pleeasssse 🙂

Totally Trusting that Liam and Hudson will be given a good sendoff I have to admit I was hoping for some more Hudson restaurant parts to the story. Definitely was a fertile environment even if that was not at the heart of this tale

I think the Grady Garage is the unofficial Mecca of Merrickville. Everytime Topher brings us there - his writing seems to go hyperbolic. After every visit there - I feel like I have imbibed a potent cocktail of an equal mix of a broken cars - broken souls - gentle humor and a dash of hope. It's a good thing these stories aren't on audio. I could see myself listening while driving my car and getting pulled over for a DUI.

Pleasantly surprised by the Cat Stevens song lines - he was my favorite musician when I was a kid. Had all of his albums - I forgot he was a Brit being followed by a moonshadow

I feel bad that Nuno RFC felt he had to defend his artistic integrity as an actual "creator" of this little gem he has crafted. AI is a "content generator" used by people who who call themselves "content creators" The creative process in writing is an almost mystical experience and when there is a level of mastery - i think the reader gets to experience something magical. it;s powerful and beautiful and compelling. This story is all of that and I am super happy to have found it 😁

Hey - At face value - that sounds kind of mean - but no worries - your true intent is clear They are all hurt and bloody but they will be helping each other with their healing journey (hopefully) The tripod effect is now in operation and all sytems are go

I concur - one of the reasons this story blows me away is that it is more multi-dimensional than Dr Who's Tardus (probably the De Lorean is to blame)

MGM's motto - Ars Gratia Artis seems to a big part of the story Kind of ironic because once big money is involved - Profits flourish while the Art is always diminished I am really enjoying the way this sad reality is being conveyed in the story. But despite the threatening heaviness - the humor and pure raw emotions are like food for the soul. I think Hudson is the real star and his inner beauty shines brightly. Great chapter !!!

This was an incredibly awesome story and your ending totally did it justice. I love that it didn't succomb to the temptation of somehow involving a guillotine or death by confetti cannons The clean surgical cut to remove a malignant tumor was a simple and efficient execution (Orel would approve of your choice I think 😁) This story was always about Orel and Finn and it was fitting that Tarquin's downfall did not steal the show. True punishment for an attention whore Yesterday I expressed some trepidation but you really did deliver (as promised) It was a beautiful wedding - Bravo !!! (calls for "Encore" 😉)

I thought that car transmissions were designed to prevent shifting into park when the car is in drive and moving Pretty sure that would damage the transmission If the brakes were sabotaged - it should have been apparent almost immediately

Expectations on Tarquin's demise are sooo high right now - I really don't see how the punishment will ever be able to fit the crimes. This kind of feels like a last minute field goal attempt to win the Super Bowl (sorry for the super bowl analogy - but it seems to be trending in the comments 😄) Will Topher pull it off or will the fans all walk away in dismay with heads down? I am experiencing a lot of Orel-like anxiety over this. Maybe I just need to find some river rocks.