Aceinthehole

Hi Mark, I appreciate all the comments you've been sharing as you've read through my stories. I've updated the disclaimer at the start of the story to reflect some of your feedback. However, I do not want to spoil Jamie's death in the disclaimer. I've known a few people like Jamie and have seen how easily all the red flags they raise get ignored. To me, this was not only a story that I needed to tell, but a story that I felt needed to be read. I see where you're coming from and fully respect it. I can see why people would turn to reading stories to relieve stress and inspire them. After all, that is exactly why I write, but it's also why my stories can get so dark. Writing allows me to let it all out. Don't worry, my other published and ongoing stories do not have this dark of an ending, but I would not rule it out for future stories I write. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I dont want you to be scared or dissuaded from reading my stories. I really am still surprised when people enjoy my stories and always appreciate readers taking time to share their thoughts on chapters . Yet I have to be upfront about my writing style, there will always be grit and darkness to my stories and although I've only written one tragic ending, the possibility of similar endings is not out of the question for future stories (including ongoing series). For better and for worse, I wear my heart on my sleeve when I write but I wouldn't want to do it any other way. I really do appreciate the feedback and hope this doesn't come across as rude or dismissive in anyway. I look forward to reading through more of the comments you've left, Ace

Chapter 49: Group Therapy I couldn’t help but just sit and think things over as Adam returned to his seat and friendly small talk began. Sadie’s actually going to move to San Francisco? Never in my wildest dreams did I see that happening! I know I’ve always wanted her to, but I never thought she’d actually do it. I guess being alone in our small old town made it stop feeling like home. Afterall, if there’s anything I’ve learned over these past few months, it’s that family and home, they only

The hidden ones is my favorite as well! I enjoyed writing those 2 books so much, I’m very excited to start the 3rd one in the very near future.

Thank you for the kind words. I completely understand not wanting to read book one, especially right now. There is enough heartbreak and sadness going on in the world without reading a tragedy. If you are interested, my newest story Golden City is a far cry from where I started, and a hell of a lot lighter! I appreciate your support and I'm always really happy to see someone enjoying these stories. They were my first attempts at writing, so seeing someone enjoy them means a lot!

Thank you for sticking around. I know it's been a long wait, so I really do appreciate your patience. The Hidden Ones: Ascension is the next story on my agenda (Some light spoilers ahead for anyone who hasn't read the Hidden Ones) Thanks again for the kind words and your patience! Hope I've made the wait worth it!

Chapter 48: Thrive I held Sadie tighter as I tried my hardest to make sure this was reality and not just another dream. I mean this is Sadie, sometimes I swear she’s scared of her own shadow! My Mom nearly had to drag her into the car if we took any trip bigger than the general store! As Sadie looked down at me, I couldn’t help but see some surprise on her face. “It’s only been a few weeks, but somehow you already look older.” She observed. “He’s grown a lot since that trip.” Adam su

Chapter 47: God’s Plan As I walked back downstairs to find a sleeping Dizzy and Adam, I couldn’t help but smile. So this is what my summer will be like, huh? Waking up at the crack of dawn, working my ass off at the shop and coming home exhausted. To some people that’d sound like a grind, but so long as Adam and Dizzy are with me, well, I think it’ll be kinda fun! After all, I’m no stranger to hard work and while the shop ain’t easy, well, it isn’t exactly farming in the Texas sun! I mea

Chapter 46: The Price is Rite I have to admit, when I heard Colleen wanted to grab lunch with me, I couldn’t help but get nervous. Don’t get me wrong, she’s nothing but nice to me, but I just felt a little, intimidated. And I know, that sounds ridiculous! But she means the world to Dizzy and I know it’s important to him that we like one another. I couldn’t help but laugh to myself as I thought it all over. I was that nervous, but I still ended up telling her I love her son. I guess I was

Chapter 45: Free Sleep came quickly as Dizzy and I finally laid down for the night. It’s strange, so much had happened today, and yet, this is the best I’ve slept in months. Maybe even the best I’ve slept since I lost my Mom. It just felt like my worries were fading, like I could finally be a normal high schooler again. It was like I was finally set free from those old expectations from childhood, from myself. When my phone alarm sounded at five in the morning, it didn’t even bother me.

Chapter 44: Partner in Crime As we all sat around the bleachers eating, I couldn’t help but watch Adam a little closer. I don’t know what I’ve been looking for these past few days. Watching the men around me in North Texas, I’ve always had this image of who my father should be. Strong, reliable, quiet, and the kind who works from sun up to sun down. When I first met Ezra, well I thought he was going to check off every one of those boxes, hell maybe he does. But the reality of who he is w

Check back later tonight (around 7-8 pm EST) or, at the latest, tomorrow. Sorry about the wait, but I'm glad you stuck around long enough to ask for more!

I'm glad you enjoyed it! This won't be the final chapter. Still some other loose ends to tie up. The status of temporary hold is automatically applied to stories if they haven't been updated in a while. Hopefully I can start posting chapters a bit more frequently.

Chapter 43: Control Once again, I spent another night trapped within my own head. Ezra reached out with dinner plans, but I couldn’t do that to Adam. Somehow the emotions of these past couple days keep repeating. I keep hurting Adam worse and worse, and even though I know it’s happening, it feels like there’s nothing I can do to stop it. It feels like I’ve lost control, not over myself, but over everything around me. And I’m just so, so, confused. Ezra cares about Adam. I don’t care what

Thank you so much! I do have a fourth book in mind, but it may not begin for a while. Right now I'm working on finishing my story Golden City, following that will be the first 10-15 chapters of the 3rd book in the Hidden Ones Series and then a new unnamed stand alone story. The stories from Tales of the Underground were my first attempts at writing, so it really means a lot to hear someone enjoyed all 3. It helps keep me motivated to write the 4th story. I'm also excited to hear you'll check out my other stories. Of all my stories, I think Spotlight was my favorite to write. I look forward to seeing more of your comments and reviews! - Ace

I was reading through the first 15-20 chapters this week, and noticed a particularly high amount in this chapter and the ones around it (also a few inconsistencies I'll circle back and straighten out once the story is done!). Thank you for bearing with us! I'm glad you're enjoying the story. I've enjoyed reading your comments over the past few days! Hope you continue to enjoy it! Edit: I almost forgot to add that my editor has been going through old chapters and fixing them up. He's sent me a few that I've been meaning to repost. Tomorrow I'll take a look and get to it!

Chapter 42: Brothers As the call with Sadie began to repeat in my head, I couldn’t help but analyze everything she said. I’m trying my hardest to listen to what she and Adam have to say, but it just doesn’t line up with the man I’m meeting. Maybe I’m missing something. Maybe I’m in denial. But I’ve met evil men. Hell, I lived with my grandfather for a few days! He called his own daughter a whore the day of her funeral! I’m sorry, the Ezra I know is nothing like that. Sure, he judged San

Chapter 41: Head in the Clouds As I waited in the hallway, and let Adam and Mason’s words sink in, I couldn’t help but wonder what’s going through Dizzy’s head. There were times during that conversation where he just sounded so unsure of himself, and the future of our relationship. But like I told him a little while ago, I’m not going anywhere. Sure, I may not be taking this as serious as he is. I may be goofing around and having fun with it, but that doesn’t mean I don’t really care about h

I'm happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing that line, unfortunately it really is very fitting to Jamie's character. I hope you enjoy book 2 just as much as book 1!

I'm sorry to hear that! But I'm happy you're enjoying the story. Considering it's chapter 2, I want to give one last warning about the dark turns the story takes. Many people have enjoyed it regardless, but I've also gotten a few unhappy messages! Thanks for reading!

Chapter 40: The Wall When I finally made it back to my bed, I found myself more awake than when I had gotten up. I’ve never heard Adam that defeated before. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone I love that defeated before. Would my Mom feel the same way? Is she watching over me, and disappointed in the decisions I’m making? And would she even recognize me? Do I even recognize myself anymore?” Just like a few other nights this week, my thoughts kept me awake until my mind final

Chapter 39: Communication It’s weird, I’ve been nervous about speaking to Ezra since he reached out. Things have just felt awkward and a bit, wrong. But something about this last call, something about hearing him try and coach me through a loss, it felt almost, natural. Then, the excitement in his voice when he realized he was allowed the come visit. It just feels so different than how I imagined him. This whole time I figured he’s been after something, but now, it’s starting to feel like he

Chapter 38: Breathe As Dizzy and I walked to school, I couldn’t help but look at him a little closer. Everyone’s so quick to write him off as the class clown. No one notices how thoughtful and caring he is. All they see is jokes and stupid antics. Sure, he’s partially at fault for his reputation, but even when he’s trying his hardest, people don’t take him seriously. One day they’ll see that. They’ll see what he achieves and wonder how the goofy kid from high school made it that far, but for

Chapter 37: Divide That night I could tell Adam was in his own head, just like I had been all day. Every now and again he’d get up and pace around the kitchen, or just sit and scroll through his phone. A few times I tried to make eye contact with him, but I could tell he was avoiding it. “Has he ever done this before?” Dizzy finally whispered to me as we heard Adam beginning to clean any plates or cups left in the kitchen sink. “Clean?” I asked, trying to avoid the conversation. “I

Chapter 36: Trust Growing up, I thought I knew everything about my Mother. She was my best friend, and nothing will ever change that. But now that she’s gone, well I’m learning all the things she kept from me, and I’m meeting all the people she didn’t want me to. Not because I lost trust in her, but because I need to start trusting myself. She was protecting me, but I’m old enough to protect myself. And if I can’t, well I have Adam here to help. Adam’s head quickly turned from the T.

I'm happy you're enjoying them! I've had fun reading through your comments, and hope you continue to enjoy the story!