C James

How about this for option 6: He turns out to be, contrary to some expressed expectations, to be just a common gay story fixture; The amiable, precocious, lovable but occasionally slightly bothersome kid brother? I'll give a little clue; there is something illegal going on somewhere, at some point in the story. BTW, I note that this post is going to be number 666 in the thread! And the thread number is 6666, so I hope no one is superstitious.

Awww, poor Eric, all alone in the night... Earth Puppies? That's a new one to me. Cool, I like it!!! We get loads of Coyotes around here, plus Javalina (Wild Boar) Mountain Lion and Black Bear. During droughts the mountain lions and bear often invade the towns and smaller cities (snacking on pets and on rare occasion, Children). Interesting predictions!! Very well thought out, too. , and out of fear of your spines I'll refrain from posting my own speculations. Thanks Bob! I love this thread; its become a big motivation for me to keep a posting schedule and make sure I have chapters written on time. Thanks everyone!!! This is my first posted serial story, and also the first one I began. I wrote parts of the first five chapters a few years ago, but they were written in present tense, not past tense, so I re-wrote them (and missed a few lines, hence a couple of bungled tenses early on) and added to them considerably. I basically stopped writing when Ed Wooten, my editor at the time, passed away. I began writing again last year (thanks in large part to encouragement from Emoe) and posted my first online story, "No Shirt, No Problem!" in the GA summer anthology. I then dusted off FTL (which had no name at that point) and began working on it. I think (not sure) that my fall anthology entry "The Muse" was posted before the first chapter of FTL, so FTL was my first fiction writing project, but not my first posted story. Hrmmmm, I note that we will soon be coming up on post 666. Awww, Poor Eric, so maligned, so misunderstood. Those can indeed be painful. I've been stung a couple of times, once when I was miles into the backcountry on a hike. They usually aren't life-threatening (the smaller ones, a separate species, are the most dangerous) but it's no fun. I've been bitten by a rattler, which is worse. I do not recommend either experience.

:wacko: Would someone please explain to me the attraction of watching this? I'd think it would be as interesting as watching paint dry most of the time. I wouldn't have the patience let alone the interest. (But I've always despised "reality" TV, and come to think of it, most TV and movies, period.)

Is the White Party at least gay friendly? I looked at the website but didn't see anything there about that. But, it sure sounds like something gay guys would like, for the eye candy if nothing else.

But I am a lurker!!! Incidentally, or not so incidentally, the next chapter of FTL is entitled "Visitations". And I'm shocked, shocked I say, that there has been no outpouring of sympathy for poor Eric, who is now on the run, all alone in the night, with his innovative business venture in ruins...

Thanks! I do occasionally take advice and suggestions (and I always welcome them!) I admit that I do so rarely, but two ideas that I'd like to give credit for that were used in the story came from shdowgod, my anonymous Beta Reader; He suggested both Eric's ruse about claiming to be gay to try and sway Chris and Steve, and also the booby-trapped data stick (I'd originally intended to get to where that leads another way, but I liked his way better). In another example, someone (I can't recall whom) asked in the thread, way back around Ch 6, about Steve's background, and that lead indirectly to me writing the "Don't **** it up this time, blondie" line at the pool party, and that casued the whole "race with the Devil" Jeep-chase scenario. I guess the mind works in mysterious ways, and my mind is stranger than most. I didn't mean for the ending of this chapter to be much of a cliffhanger; just sort of an open question (He's holding the guns safely, but for reasons unknown). This is a VERY good point, and all I can say is that Graeme is right; it is incongruous behavior. I was hoping someone would spot that. Good one, Graeme!

Ahhh, yes, the notorious (and somewhat vain ) hacker Blackheart... Well now... I have it on good authority that a certain writer by the name of Blackheart is hosted over at Crvboy... However, here at GA he goes by none other than "shdowgod"... But I'm quite sure that this is entirely coincidental.

Joe, I think it bears pointing out that what you write drunk has fewer errors than what many of use write while sober! One point on the text messages though: I'm not familier with texting, I've never used it, but I do recall receiving a complaint from someone that I'd never answered her text message. As far as I know, my phone didn't have the capability to send one or receive one. So, is it possible that he never received it? What if his phone was off or he wasn't in an area that would allow reception? (I have no clue how text messages actually work, just speculating based on the complaint I received.) But, congrats at having the guts to ask him, way to go! I hope it works out for you..

I agree he won't have learned anything medical in school just yet, but surely anyone going to college for any career would have some interest in said career? Enough to have read a book or two, at the very least? But, all I indicated that he knows is that arterial blood is red, and spurts. Surely anyone, medical student or not, would know that? Just out of curiosity, is there anyone reading this who didn't know that? It doesn't indicate that he knows an exit wound is larger; he's just observing. Which would was the entry would would be obvious from the gun at the officer's hip (and likly a bullet hole in the holster, but I didn't cover that in the text). Also, anyone who has fired a gun at a solid target (wood, fruit, water jugs, anything) would know that an exit wound would be larger. Agreed! BUT, would Steve's father know that Chris, a pre-med student, would have had no medical training? Or would he make the same mistake I did and assume that a pre-med would know something about medicine? He didn't leave the officer alone though; the wounded officer's partner was with him. :-)

Have yourself a safe trip!! Hmmm, I recall a movie title (never saw the movie) called "Snakes on a plane". Is this the sequel, "Echidna on a plane"? Thanks!! As the saying goes, things often get worse before they get better. Thanks! I did quite a bit of research on the computer end; I needed to be certain that the hardware in the story would work as described, and was easily available. Agreed on the vulnerability of computer networks; modern society is dependent upon the things. I worry about terrorists, but I also worry about natural disasters, such as high intensity solar flares and coronal mass ejections. All can wreck a computer network.

Today is.... Tuesday! That is all.... Oh, and Chapter 19, Fire in the Hole, is up!

Hmmmm... Well, maybe you humans just don't appreciate entrepreneurship the way we goats do? Eric is a quick thinker: He's just been captured by his brother after the blackmail and car theft, and he had the wit to notice what the waitress said about Chris and Steve's looks and see the profit potential! He's just industrious! And he did offer them a percentage... Maybe he didn't think they would mind? I'd best be careful here (I fear your spines!) But would it be too much of a spoiler to say that something made the noise? Something that either is, or is not, a gun? I find the unexpected developments to be a great deal of fun to write. Tony and Tristan were great, btw.

ROFL! Thanks Connor! Yep, poor Eric, people just don't seem to understand him. Hi Bob! The truth is that I'm a slow writer, and even maintaining a chapter a week is hard for me. I tend to write in spurts; I might not write at all for a couple of days, and then I might pound out half a chapter in a day. But you are right, I do get involved in lengthy discussion on occasion, and end up asking myself "Where did the day go?" LoL. And as for the gunshot: I'll leave a little teaser: It may have come from a gun... Hey now! I am a lurker!!! Very true! The feedback can in some cases inspire me, and in all cases motivates me. The main plot is pretty well set and outlined, but the details and how they are presented often change as I write, and sometimes things just happen. For example, the entire "Race with the Devil" scenario (The Sheriff chasing Chris and shooting at him) popped into my head when I was writing one line at the end of the pool party: "Don't XXXX it up this time, blondie". The "this time" was not something I had intended Veronica to say, it was just "there", and by the time I'd finished writing that line I had the sub-plot for the note, the trip to the diner, and the car chase in my head. What bought that to the surface? My guess (and even I don't know for sure!) is someone asking about Steve's past.

Luc, Sat said it best; Don't do this, you will only destroy you life as well as the lives of those around you. Sam will not be fine, this will haunt him for the rest of his life. Think about it, and look at things through his eyes; How will he feel when he realized that, had he stayed put, you wouldn't have done this? Do you really want to inflict that kind of pain on him? Don't do it, Luc, don't. You have a lot of people here who care about you, and you are not responsible for the actions of others. CJ

Our Friendliest member, Kevin (AFreindlyFace) has just posted his 2000th post! :king: :king: :king: 2000 posts!!! :king: :king: :king: Kevin, thank you so much for all that you do, and for making G.A. a much friendlier place.

Thanks LF!!! Don't worry, the mysterious gunshot isn't really a cliffhanger, becuase I don't admit to ever using cliffhangers at all. Oh no! Don't pull you hair out! Long hair is rare these days as is... The next chapter will be out in a few days (Well, five more, as it will be online Tuesday). And just for you, in the interest of hair preservation, I'll share the title: Fire in the Hole. Thanks Kojaky! Don't count Eric out yet; he might just turn out to be the hero. ;-) I still thing he's just a little misunderstood.

:king: Happy Birthday Camy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :king: I hope you have a great birthday!!!

Thanks Altimexis! Much will be explained next week. :-) I don't actually admit to using cliffhangers, ever. Well, yes, he is just misunderstood. He's proven himself to be very industrious, a real entrepreneur! That waitress in the bank who commented on Chris and Steve's looks back in Chapter six gave him an idea, and he went for it! He even offered to cut Chris and Steve in for a percentage! And, well, if he did blab to the Sheriff and cause the bookstore snatch attempt (and one-way ride), well, I'm sure he had good intentions. Besides, aren't all little brothers a bit of a nuisance on occasion?

Wow, thanks!! But me? Evil? Because that's the closest emotion I have... Yup, but I am trying to keep things realistic, so I fixed it. As for the Data Stick, a minor spoiler; Dex is indeed coming over to tell them something. Good point on the recognitions, I did stretch that a bit in the amount, though more will be explained on that in Ch 19 and 20. But, overall you are right on that. The manner of the recognitions, though, is based on what I've seen happen to guys who post their pics widely online, including pay cams. A third option on the data stick: Space aliens are involved...

You sure were right! Good one!!!! Here is your original post: You were right about Eric filming them and making money off the porn site!

Hi Jan, Thanks!! Poor, misunderstood Eric... He was just being industrious; the waitress back in chapter six gave him and idea, and he followed through, and even offered Chris and Steve a percentage! BTW, there is something to everyone in this chapter I wanted to point out to everyone; When they are leaving the mall, Chris feels the hot vinyl of the car seat on his back. But, back in chapter 6, I mentioned that the seats of Steve's car are leather. Chapter 6 has since been changed to say vinyl. The reason for this is simple: I goofed. A good friend (THANK YOU, and feel free to step forward if you wish) pointed out to me that the 1969 Charger had Vinyl seats. Steve's is restored, but a restored car usually has seats in the original material, so it should have been vinyl back in chapter 6. I do research the various things seen in this story, but, I'd completely missed the fact that the Charger had vinyl seats.

Today being Tuesday, there is something I need to do! Now what is it?????? Hmmmmmm.... (Goats have poor memories, ya know...) Oh yes, announce a new chapter! But, I need a wait a little while before posting the announcement, as someone else just posted one for their story (We try and avoid bumping each other off.) However, while you wait for the announcement, you could pass the time by reading the chapter itself. Chapter 18, Chase and Shawn, is up!

Nah, go after Quebec City; the speak French there, which makes them naturally threatening... Or, Attack Montreal, it's closer. Well, yes... Comparatively speaking. And one might argue that Eric has been amongst the annoyances, and he's 16, and thus a minor, so he would therefor be a minor annoyance. Could have done, or might yet do.

If you think I'm mean, just go check out shdowgod's Living in Surreality when he posts Ch 19... He's evil, I tell you! Besides, you couldn't post the second explosion without revealing yourself as the anonymous beta reader, so I had to do it for you. Thank you Connor! That's exactly what I was trying to portray; two relatively normal guys who happen to be gay and deeply in love, and how they deal with a the few minor annoyances that life throws their way (Fundie vendetta, Homicidal Sheriff, etc). :-) As for the next pool party, wait and see. The Frosty one is just being difficult, probably in an attempt to forestall out fully justified attempts to sell him. :mace: Thanks! They are fun for me to write; I don't think I could write a "Relationship trouble" story other than as a short story, and so far my only attempt in FTL has been Steve's old letter (prompting Chris' visit to Piedmont). If I tried to write a pure "Relationship" story, it would either be exceedingly short, or exceedingly boring, and most likely both. LoL.

Here is what our illustrious (and anonymous. Shhh!! ) shdowgod wrote in the beta;