Shadow086

I'm thinking that whoever the "spy" is has some sort of device to control the people with implants, like Kohen, and was in charge of starting the attack. I wonder what their backup plan is now, since I'm sure they accounted for the possibility of their spy being discovered.

These two are so SWEET! 😍 It's super cool the way they can't get enough of each other's company. I still have my doubts about Tristan playing matchmaker, but I still say go for it! Loved it, Com, well worth the wait!

Are they even victims? This sounds more like an infiltration than any kind of rescue operation. I mean, what better way to get your soldiers behind enemy lines than by allowing them to be "rescued"?

You know, one thing I'll never understand is how people can be so bossy and demanding with things they get for free, then turn around around and buy a book they end up hating and never say a word about it. Just relax, people!

I don't like everyone either, but it feels to me like Dustin is the only main character that became a worse person as the story went on. From chapter 1 Dustin's thing was "I wish Billy would make me his first choice for once". Then when Billy finally does that he's like "Lol, what a moron you are" and laughs at Billy to his face. That really pisses me off. It's like Dustin has become this "notch on my bedpost" type of person, and now that he doesn't need Billy to feel validated as a person he can just insult him and not care. Come on, Dustin, we know you have a huge dick, you don't need to be one too. Billy hasn't treated Dustin much better over the years, but at least he tried to make amends. Dustin doesn't seem to care about much beyond getting his next fuck. As far as I'm concerned, Dustin is one of the things Billy should leave behind as he enters his new life.

Maybe I should feel angry that the 'bad guys' got away with it, but strangely enough, I don't. I'm more satisfied with knowing that Billy realised he was destined for greater things than the meaningless squabbles of that shithole town. I saw that little jab at Hartley as Billy showing that the bigshots in this town have no power over him. He's got college, and his future with Brett, and B&B couldn't care less what John Taylor, Carl Stevens or anyone else do from now on. As for Brett's parents, good riddance to bad rubbish. Those two lying, self-centered pricks really deserve each other. I have to admit, my sympathy for Dustin ran out a few chapters ago. I get that he's been through a lot, but he doesn't want to help himself at this point. He keeps talking about how he's so ashamed of being a prostitute a year ago, but the only difference between then and now is that he's not charging anymore. If that's what he wants to do with his life, he can go ahead, I don't care. Then he laughs in Billy's face and calls him a moron for giving up something he fought for 4 years to get, just for his sake. What kind of "best friend" does that? No, fuck off, Dustin. Sorry if that sounded harsh, but I've been wanting to say this for some time now.

Carter does have him wrapped around his little finger, doesn't he? It's nice to see Riley 'going soft' and becoming a caring brother to Tak, especially. I'm a bit disappointed about the pot (and think he just got them both in big trouble), but Riley's still Riley, so I don't expect that to change. As for his eye, credit to Riley for making the right decision on his own, and I can see him getting a fake eye made that looks just like the one that's being removed. One thing I'll say, though: with the surgery coming up, the title of this book worries me greatly, and I hope it's not a sign of what's to come.

Riley's making a terrible decision, but I can somewhat understand it. I don't think it's so much about pride as it is that his eye was a big part of his identity until very recently. It's what makes him Cy Walker, the known and feared (according to him) gangster from the Southside, and I think he sees having it removed as losing a big part of what defines him as a person. On the other hand, I know that the thought of losing my sight terrifies me and I'd do anything to prevent it, so I hope that Riley thinks this through and makes a rational and sensible decision.

It honestly wouldn't surprise me. I wouldn't be surprised if he was the one who told Frank about it as well. Which brings the interesting point that Dustin may have some sort of leverage on the bastard. But that would require telling Dustin, and I don't see any good coming from that. Either Dustin will go off on a rant about how righteous and holier-than-thou Billy is, or he gives up his hopes and dreams so Billy can have a meaningless title.

If he hasn't already. Maybe he was a frequent nighttime visitor to the park a couple of years ago?

Billy still had a bit of the old passive-aggressiveness in there, though, but he did the right thing by walking away. I think Dustin attacked Billy because of his past, but mainly because he hasn't gotten over Billy yet, and hearing the person you're in love with babbling on about how happy they are with someone else (when they know how you feel about them) must be really hard to take. I can't really blame Dustin for lashing out like that. What I think is going to happen is that Billy will tell Brett. Not to whine about how unfair it is, like every other time, but because he thinks he's doing something good and selfless and helping Dustin. Brett won't be happy about it, but I don't think there's anything he can really do at this point. I'm really hoping Hartley's scheming backfires on him, and there's a chance it will. If the principal decides to investigate Jack's claims about Sarah's biology grade, or other statements hinting at a lack of integrity by the teachers, it could have consequences for John Taylor and anyone associated with him. Imagine if John had to leave in disgrace over what was started in this meeting, and Hartley got fired for being one of his lackeys.

You know what would be great? If John Taylor stepped over the line after the boys left, and lost some influence over the school board. Then the principal could review Sarah's grades and determine that she didn't earn them, so Billy would be valedictorian anyway. And to top it all off, the superintendent would want to make a show of being LGBTQ-friendly and reject Hartley as principal because of his homophobic behaviour. I don't really see any of that happening, but it would be satisfying to watch them all crash and burn.

Okay, so Dr. Reilly can go fuck herself now, move back to New York and disappear from Brett's life before she causes any more damage. Whatever her reasons, she did disown him, and I wouldn't blame Brett for never wanting to speak to her again once he finds out. Speaking of which, Billy didn't tell him about that or the offer to stay at his house, but it's understandable given the circumstances. I'm so happy to see Paula pull through at long last. I think there's going to be hell to pay if she ever finds out about how Hartley screwed him over. It's sad to see Billy give up the title, but there's no way he could do that to Dustin after everything he's been through. He's gonna have a tough time keeping that secret, though. As for Hartley, I have no words. I thought Brett's parents were selfish, manipulative assholes, but this guy takes the cake. I bet you he was in that bathroom for hours just waiting for Dustin to come in and do something. Strong and proud, my ass! He's probably so deep in the closet he can't find the door again. I wouldn't be surprised if Dustin had some dirt on him. He was probably one of his clients too. I don't think I've ever been as angry at a character in W.A.R. as I am right now. I want him to choke on his own dick, whether it's still attached to his body or not.

Well, he is Sweet Little Dusty, after all!

Maybe not something nefarious, but I don't feel he's being entirely truthful and trustworthy either. The way I see it, both sides seek to use Torsten as a pawn to fight over in their ongoing conflict. So while I don't think Sebby constitutes any kind of danger to Torsten, he's still deceiving him and I'm wary of him for that reason. It also feels to me like Sebby could be taking advantage of Torsten's emotional vulnerability and need to seek comfort after what happened with Theo. Or you can blame it on my natural tendency to expect betrayal from people who act 'too nice', as Sebby appears to be doing here.

Excellent chapter, as usual. The problem with these short stories is that they always leave us wanting more.

I wasn't sure if Vanderbilt was a high school or a college, that's why I was asking.

Two things about that: 1. Is he still in high school, or is he in college? 2. Is he in the same school district? It wouldn't do to let any student get away with this kind of scandalous and inappropriate behaviour while representing their school. And John wouldn't want to give the impression that he has a double standard, now does he? That wouldn't look good in a lawsuit.

Nice chapter! I don't know why, but I can't trust Sebby. Something about him feels...off. It's awfully convenient that he showed up when he did with his words of comfort. Let's wait and see what happens, but for now, I believe that Sebby is manipulating Torsten. A different, more subtle form of manipulation than what fire dragons use, for sure, but manipulation nonetheless. I find it very hard to believe that Torsten could develop such strong feelings for Sebby in the few minutes they spent together. Crawley's glove is an intriguing device and I can't wait to see how that pans out. Too bad you can't draw blood from a pile of ashes (still sad about that ). Now it all makes sense. Why Celeste is watching over Torsten, why Araziah was so eager to keep him all to himself. My guess is Torsten will not react well to being thrust in the middle of this war. I don't know where he can hide once the Conclave finds out he'll be the new Seer. This should be fun

Amazing story, Com! Loved it! But man...Over 92 journals of Billy Chase, you better get cracking if you want to get them all written!

I've been thinking about Dave in this chapter. Maybe he knew about Billy's autism and decided to keep his distance all this time because he knew he shouldn't force it and was waiting for Billy to reach out to him. I think there was more to it than Dave just trying to stay out of Billy's way.

No, she's caught having sex in the bathroom during prom.

Yes he did. And where was Jack while this was going on? Maybe he was reviewing the directive he wrote to see if they can get off on a technicality?

Billy did almost everything right, for once. Treating Mary with respect and genuinely making sure she's having a good time, keeping his temper in check and calming down Dustin, admitting some responsibility for the breakup, and of course, throwing away valedictorian for Brett. He's grown so much ! B&B still have work to do to cement their relationship, but I think there's a new level of understanding and respect that will make it work. It's interesting to see that the student body appears to be supportive of B&B's relationship, I wonder how that's going to come into play once the principal tries to hand down punishment on Monday. Speaking of which, I'd love to see what happens if Jack suddenly shows up and starts chewing them out for trying to expel his son with no valid reason. I wouldn't be surprised if he resigned and threatened to sue the school district . Maybe someone could let it slip that Kenny was engaging in "inappropriate behaviour" during prom? I can't wait to see who ends up becoming valedictorian. Probably Sarah, but I think John Taylor (who should be expelled from a cannon) is going too far, and I can see Sarah's speech being drowned out by jeers from all the other students.

Loved it, Com. Always fun to see some backstories like this one.