Marty

Well that explanation from Tyler as to how he (may have) killed his wife certainly wasn't the one I was expecting...

I've a suspicion that when Tyler says he killed his wife, it's more a case of him simply feeling responsible for her death. Can think of a few scenarios that may make him think that but, if I'm correct, I'll leave it up to @Jwolf, as the author, to explain in his own sweet time.

Thanks love! Creative terms? Johnny Appleseed? Have to admit that I had to look up that term in the Urban Dictionary.

Nah! I'm a good five days behind you.

I'll probably be crucified by other readers for saying this, but I can fully understand David's outburst at the end of this chapter, even if I can't condone it.

I'm a bit late to the party, perhaps... Well, for a first ever story, I certainly enjoyed this first chapter, and look forward to reading the rest of the story. The only real criticism I would make is that I found the telling of the story from two different points of view a little bit confusing to begin with, even though you did use italics whenever you were writing from Adam's POV. Having re-read the chapter, I'm not sure whether all the relevant information may have become evident without any of the italicised text having been included at all. The very final paragraph may have been all that was necessary.

Some of the comments and speculations that readers have made amuse me. Some of them actually sadden me in a way. Personally, I'm enjoying this story, and am perfectly happy to allow @Arch Hunter to develop it in his own way.

This exchange between student Thibaud and the FBI agent confuses me as, the interview took place the day after Stu's murder...

The thing I can't understand is how Doug would have actually got into the passenger seat, knowing how drunk Brad was...

I half suspect that Aleksi will jump into the sea as well.

I'm assuming that the stranger that Aziz saw in the last chapter, and the one Krilla sees in this one may well prove to be one and the same person. If that's the case, then I'm also assuming he has a major part to play in this story.

But even Drew says about Quent in this chapter: “Against my better judgment, I’m beginning to like you.”

Enjoying the story. I haven't really read many of the comments to the previous chapters, so this may have already been mentioned by other readers... I'm just wondering what's going to happen when Ian finds out that Adam is the father of the child his sister, Anna, is carrying. (Although they may well finish up adopting, as it seems Anna isn't the maternal type.)

Happy New Year, everyone!

I'm not sure I'm glad. Sage may not have many redeeming features. Of course, I base that opinion on the way he treated Adam when he called round for sex.

Not much I can add to what other's have already said. Wonderful story, @headtransplant! To quote Charles Dickens: 'Please, sir, I want some more." (Suppose I need to head over to Fictionpress and check out your offerings there.)

Your writing manages so well at getting inside Ethan's head and describing his demons and thoughts, @headtransplant. Brilliant writing! The very final sentence of this chapter ... “Yeah,” I finally agreed. “It’s time.” ... fills me with so much hope.

So the winter has receded. And Michael's dad's need for alcohol to get him through those dark winter days has also receded. But winter will return. As, very likely, will Mr Jameson's illness, and his need for his crutch to get through it. Michael should not take that chance. So fair play to Rayna for having had the foresight to photograph his injuries when he first arrived; and fair play to her for showing them to Michael's mother... I'm also pleased to see how well Ethan managed to keep his emotions - and anger - in check during the exchange. I suspect the fact that Jonathan was there was in no small way responsible for that.

A beautiful poem - an explanation for the title to this story. And more information revealed in this chapter about Ethan's backstory. With the way his father still seems to be controlling his life, I'm reminded of the following lines from Meat Loaf's Objects in the Rear View Mirror.... "And my father's eyes were blank as he hit me again and again and again. I know I still believe he'd never let me leave, I had to run away alone. So many threats and fears, so many wasted years before my life became my own. And though the nightmares should be over some of the terrors are still intact. I'll hear that ugly, coarse, and violent voice And then he grabs me from behind, and then he pulls me back."

Great chapter. Jonathan's managing to settle down in the strange big city - something I wasn't sure he would be able to do. And the Gordon's sound delightful. Hopefully Michael can find a home at last.

Ethan's nervousness at being in the big city was almost palpable. [quote]I couldn’t let him part from me, so instead, I pushed my lips against his.[/quote] That was the last thing I expected to happen. And I can't help wondering if Michael's apparent "curiosity and distrust" towards Jonathan may have something to do with him having romantic feelings towards Ethan. Michael does seem to have an attraction to older men, after all...

I'll sure be glad to see the end of this train ride. Great chapter, @headtransplant! When I was in primary school back in the 1950's we used pens with nibs that needed to be dipped into the inkwell. It was quite an art learning to use just the right amount of pressure to not actually bend, twist, and ruin the end of the nib, and not to let the point stay too long in one spot - otherwise the ink would flow off the nib and form an inkblot on the page. Inkwells were still on our desks when I went to secondary school, but by that time most of us had moved on to fountain pens that had the advantage of not needing to be constantly dipped in and out of the inkwell. Ballpoint pens became popular part way through secondary school, but the teachers in my school forbade their use. Reminds me of Leonard Cohen song (I think maybe the only song I ever heard him sing that wasn't one of his own compositions)...

Yep, I'm still alive, my friend. Just been hiding myself away and doing a lot of thinking. Perhaps a bit like Ethan from this story. Don't worry though, unlike Ethan I haven't killed anyone. 😉

I suspect there's an important story behind the photograph.