C James

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!

Colin, I've got to steal your spoiler warning! That's great!! . . . . . . . . . I think Colin is right: the prologue showed us Sky driving away, and he just did. Poor Sky now has to go home and out himself, and Jonah has his own hell to deal with. Yipes, that is a cliffhanger of an ending! What is going to happen to these two? Well, I never liked the new step-family, but I had no idea it would work out like that! I'm wondering who will have it worse, Jonah or Sky? Yipes... Rick, good luck with the new job!!! And thanks for another great chapter!

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.

ARGH! YOU ARE EVIL!!!!!!!!!!! Speaking of which, how about that chapter xx, 20, twenty, etc?

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

Great chapter 5! Poor Jeremy has a lot of self-examination to do, and now he has to deal with the new job offer too! Very interesting! I liked the "Cheese Fondoo" setting, because it was different and gave a nice background. Hmmmm, I'm thinking that I might just possibly be wrong on my prediction that the name of the story was due to it being in the coffee industry...

One thing that DK has already covered in the text is that J'shon will get cranky. I think we are already seeing that! LoL Poor B'rell; J'Shon is not going to be much fun to live with for a while...

Hey! You basically just listed both outcomes, and said "it's either this, or that." Where an earth did you pick up such a horrible habit? Looking forward to the next chapter, which I predict will be entitled either LiS XX or LiS 20.

Welcome to GA!!

This is an excellent story! Very well-written with great characters and portrayals.

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.

I don't mind if dragons burn threads, but I do hope they don't burn thread posters too. :fire: Totally agreed; life gets in the way at the best of times, and Dan & Trebs have had traumatic event after traumatic event lately. I wish them both the best. CJ

The emotional turmoil, and the sidestepping of grief was excellently done. I was amazed by it. However, what amazed me the most was Brian's dissertation on how to find out if someone is gay. That was brilliant! Sounds very realistic too. The issue I see here is that Brian, to me, sounds to be in a state akin to denial; the reality of his situation hasn't hit him on an emotional level yet. When it does, watch out. GREAT chapter! CJ

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.

What?? Would I fib? I hereby predict that the next chapter shall be either XX, or, 20. If it is XX, I have a slew of snide remarks ready regarding double-x-rated chapters. I had to categorize and cross-reference, because you were throwing so many evil things at your poor, unsuspecting characters. XIX (I can't believe you did that! ) Some may be a red herring (How sneaky of you!) but I rather doubt skulking PI's and slimy political operatives are merely there for window-dressing! Anyone care to join me in some speculation on these developments? I think the key is that Cody is evidently still following Jacob's life: how else whould he know that Jacob isn't playing football anymore? This opens up the possibility of Cody turning out to be a good guy who sends Jacob a warning, thus giving Jacob the ideal setup to run a sting on Catherine (the political sleazoid) and hang her and Richard out to dry in a major way. Oh Connor, we are being maligned! This is so mean and unfair... I'm a quiet and shy lurker, and mean old Steve picks on me...

: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.