SilentandBroken

second!

.You too? At least I’m not the only one. Man where were these boys when we were in high school?

What’s high school without a little testosterone turf war? But seriously, yes the interactions need to happen. Those relationships need to develop because I feel like in a realistic scenario such as a story like this, they would be . I feel like your timing is on point here too.

The qb

I really liked this chapter. I think the tension and awkwardness of being an unknown in Trace and Celia’s home (his home now?) are beginning to slip away and general acceptance is beginning to take hold on both sides. The interactions between the boys upstairs was entertaining . As I thought in the previous chapter, now that Joel’s decision to join the baseball team is getting more attention, he is gaining more acceptance among his new classmates too. Good chapter. I am waiting for the Joel of the last party to show up now. Will he deck another dumb ass? Bullies hate it when they’re challenged. 😉

You said a lot. I’ll say a little.

Comicality passed away.

See my above comment to the comment above that.

Lol I was thinking that was it

Agreed. Speaking from a non-author’s point of view, sometimes the stories take turns that no longer appeal OR they just don’t go anywhere and it simply loses interest to me

Which story? I’ll read it

Those are logical reasons

Thx for the early post. I do like the way you chose to write not including every thought from Joel. I think baseball will help Joel be more accepted especially if he makes a big play to win a game or two. I think Colt forgot himself there for a minute but at least the apology was sincere.

@LittleBuddhaTW

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ7nnOgjOio/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== ugh he’s so cute and talented to boot..sigh……

I’m so glad you stated this. I picked this up by chapter’s midpoint and recognized Hunter will have some difficulties soon. I’m not just talking about the food options . So far, you’ve got yourself a nice solid foundation built for this story. I look forward to the rest.

Joel’s embracing of his label of traitor by the student body by wearing what he wore and the chant actually was pretty brilliant if you ask me. I think what this will do will remove power of the label it actually was intended by the student body and as we saw (or is it read?), there were more than a few who enjoyed the humor behind it. This will earn him a little respect fairly easily by some and yeah some more fuel for the others. I think that the principle will merely get a tongue lashing and warning to stop antagonizing the ogres ..I mean football players. The school admin is clearly worried about a fight but that may happen anyway. Davin learned pretty quickly Joel is NOT a morning person. Joel hurt his feelings there. He will have to mend that.

I consider myself pansexual. I relate to Tommy’s “do we vibe?” Comment in response to Nick’s inquiry. Compatibility is key. Gender is flexible

First of all, I must say. EMDR therapy saved my life. No lie..I was borderline actively suicidal when I started at the end of my rope. Trauma sucks. But it isn’t the end all. Emdr brought me from the brink. it’s fucking hellacious but worth it. It’s also not for everyone. Thankfully, there is A.R.T.which is also great and works very well as well for PTSD. But enough soapboxing. more importantly, I should say this chapter had moments that could very well be a valedictorian speech. There are so many nuggets of wisdom in the Nick thought monologues.… sigh just brilliant.

There are so many accurate observations in the comments above on this chapter. The one thing that stands out to me in this chapter is the fragility of everyone and everything including the case. Not just that but also the fragility of the mob’s control on things. These are the things that scare me going into the next chapter. The victim’s safety and the other’s helping are barely worthy of it. Daniel better bring in a bigger pool of resources but that poses a risk too because the greater the involvement the higher the chances that the mob will infiltrate it. Speaking of the mob, their reaction to this will be swift once they decide what to do. They will likely cauterize everything possible separating them from the ring so they can re-establish it again somewhere else. That cauterization puts a lot of our list of characters at risk. Also, side note, Agent Thompson seems to be a weak link. He needs to be watched.

Great chapter, although IRL the civilians like Tommy and Bren, the two women and an attorney would have never been allowed to contaminate a crime scene much like be so involved in a case. No worries though. It’s fiction and I’m cool with it. I’m glad Cheng sought help. I would think that Daniel would know to have to protective details for everyone including Roger. Maybe that’s coming. Hopefully in time

Holy shit. This just went from a hallmark movie to an FX or HBO series. Those women aren’t going to be able to set foot into that house. I’m shocked the boys were allowed. Let alone Roger. Riz has a target on his back and doesn’t know it.

Yep to both

I can only imagine the scope of the true size of the real racket of child flesh. Sigh…the world will never truly know how vast it is no matter how much is stopped. It is a hydra. You cut the head off, and 3 more grow in its place. This story is but a drop in the total volume of the world’s oceans I’m sure. It is bringing more awareness surely so for that @empath I thank you. I said all this to say it is clear to me that Chen’s triggering at the end of the chapter highlights their own experience it seems.