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The prologue to this story was terrifying. The last several chapters are equally terrifying! Topher, you are the master of manipulating the emotions of your readers.

Topher, amazing. Gut wrenching. Me: trembling as I joined Peter in listening to Jason spill his story.

Lilies, Mourning moths. Thanks for pointing out the funereal symbolism. Totally missed it!

The opposition has been hit hard. The turn of events leaves them in disarray, vulnerable. Will they strike back with strategy or vengeance? Biden is in the WH, so the military will not be in the game plan.

Ned has a broken arm. His street smarts are his only weapon.

This chapter plays with the emotions of the reader as the scene moves from the hangar to the ice, from Andrew’s sleepless world of CSIS chaos to the stable world on the ice. Jacob and Andrew together, bonding, the stress leaving the scene as the puck sails toward the net. Incredible writing, Topher, creating those scenes and contrasting them, leaving the reader sighing with relief. Things are gonna work out. Andrew won’t settle for anything less.

Masterful writing. Intense. Needed to take a few breaks to get through it! Thank you, Topher

Great writing. You introduced tension to the storyline in chapter one. Now, several chapters later, I find myself still holding my breath…

This story has been one perpetual cliffhanger. Kudos!

Grinding my teeth….

Still with you Topheri

Congrats and thanks for sharing. Great job on building tension as you take the reader to a conclusion that includes all the characters. Brody is always there when you need him!

My first story on GA was "Circumnavigation" by C. James. It one of the best, with Trevor's journey painstakingly researched by the author. I have read it three times, spending as much time on Google Earth and Maps (Wikipedia too!) as on the chapters themselves. There is a file with all the original illustrations that were once integrated into the text, but no longer integrated. I don't have the expertise to do the integration but ask that this be included on the GA task list.

Amazing tale. Topher, words, to you, are like the brushstrokes of one of the Masters. Thank you.

The mix of angst and humor in this story is what makes it engaging. What can I say about the comments regarding the ambiguous ending other than life can be messy? It isn't unreasonable for the author to leave Jake's relationship with his parents unresolved. Jake is in high school; leaving home isn't an option. And a "happily ever after, everything is finally okay," doesn't fit with the portrayals of Jake or his parents.