centexhairysub

This was just a frigging brilliant chapter. What is the issue with Carolyn? Obviously, there is something going on that is affecting her behavior towards everyone. Could she be ill, or could Brittany be ill? She blew this totally out of proportion especially as it was her lie all these years the precipitated the actions that Tom and Dante took. You would think that Dante saving Matthew's life would have given him a little leeway, but whatever is wrong that is setting Carolyn off must be worse that I can imagine. Alice was willing to lie to protect Tom and Dante. Frank proved that he isn't the fool that some take him for. Matthew and Tom were able to reconnect come, not sure that anything will really come of it, but at least the ice has been broken. Dante realizes that Matthew would do whatever it takes to make Alice happy, but would that make them happy as a couple, not so sure but... Sawyer was worried about both Tom and Dante, and we find out that he and Tom have somewhat of a past.

This was such an insight into Frank. Alice and Frank have such a good relationship, but wonder how it would be if Alice really had a real interest in Dante? Frank has these moments where his lucidity seems to be peaking through, but then it will retreat. Would be nice if Frank would be able to draw something for Alice that ended up in the book, something that made it truly unique.

I totally understand Claire, and her feeing of relief. All of the drama the last year or so with Jack had to be not only physically exhausting but mentally draining as well. Having it over, even if that was with his death, has to be a relief for her. It isn't that she is glad he is dead, it is that she is glad that she can start to recover from all the issues with him that she was dealing with for so long. This was such a smart thing for Will to do; he can be incredibly childish, for someone so physically mature, but then he pulls something like this and you realize how mature he can be when he thinks about his actions and what is going on around him. Jack was in some ways one of my favorite characters until the last year or so. Much like Robbie, and his implosion, I just don't understand what happened to cause it. I mean I get the whole idea of a mid-life crisis; but not to the extent that you basically blow up your whole life. Having Jessica and the baby around will be good for not only them, but for the rest of the family as well. It will protect Jessica and the child from anyone being an idiot, but it will also allow the others to deal with something that will help them move past Jack's death. @Mark Arbour, you are truly a master.

Graham has found another potential outlet for his poetry, and ongoing attempts to make it pay. I still think a surprise win for The Booker Prize or better yet, the International Griffin Poetry Prize, would do wonders for his checkbook, but also make him much more marketable. Love that Graham, almost by accident is learning how much Matt really means to him. Jacob and Maxi are both delightful and have added a little breath of fresh air. Continue to adore Dawn, for so many different reasons. And she is right; Vince needs to talk to Peter about having a real conversation with his sister. Clear some of the air and good or bad, they can then move on from it.

Something like this will either tear them apart or make them so together that nothing will ever separate them. You cannot control what anyone else thinks about you, deal with it and leave it behind.

Very interesting, and I can hope that perhaps some of this comes back via one of the current stories. Would love to know how it turned out. And really would have liked to see Dust at 16...

The Fractured are more evil than VIREX.

Bring them all back, just make them bigger and better...

Nate is in for a culture shock at the end of his little holiday. But what a great time, being able to find out what you want and with who, with no pressure.

Honestly, a little surprised that Rory's sperm donor took this long to show up. Men like him want to control everything and when they can't, they tend to try and destroy it. I am sure that Audra and Jock's acceptance of Rory and continued support is what set him off, he though Rory would have to come crawling back to him. Rory wants Slav in his life, no matter where he is, they just have to figure out a way to make it work. Matthew and Irma are good for each other. Irma's father is what a father should be, while he may not agree with all that is going on, he listens and loves his child unconditionally. Gavin and Jason had a lovely weekend, of course the sperm donor cut it short but still. What a wonderful story about life and how messy and lovely it can be.

VIREX is destroyed but those that funded it, protected it, and benefitted from it are still around, and I am sure in power. That battle will never end. What about what VIREX caused, the interdimensional rifts, what will become of them?

There has seemingly been so much trauma in Remy's life that I truly do not know how he has made it through it still alive and even semi sane. Honestly, not truly sure that he is completely sane, his mask covers so much. I have come to like Marc, not sure that I fully trust him but... Anduin annoys me to the ends of the Earth however, and I so want him and that damn mistress of his to meet untimely deaths, really painful ones.

Nothing brings desperation to the forefront like fear...

A truly underutilized genre but one that is not easy to work in. Some great selections here.

The need to sacrifice two witches in order to gain power to destroy the evidence that was found in the last case....

Oh, can't wait for the next story. Amazing insights.

As couples and separately, this group seems to be moving forward. Nathan and Matt, finding their way forward, step by step, gently and a little unsure. Peter and Vince are finding their footing, a little further along in the process. Finding that others new or suspected but staying the course. Freddie and Arvid trying to decide what they are; but keeping it light and fun. Much like Vince, I am constantly annoyed and dismayed by how cuts to budgets always seem to affect those that can least afford it; or parks and nature that often have no one to speak up for them.

Wish that I could say with survivors' people would believe more, that with time, money, and power, you can spin anything. They all went through another round of evolving, but to what end? Does the advancement ever stop?

Yikes, so two missing witches? Not sure I buy the idea of a duel, I can see one being proposed, but not complicated enough for this story, too easy... Of course, a duel but someone cheated and it created issues? Or has someone taken two witches? One with quite a bit of power, and the other, good but with connections? This is getting so good.

Josh may well be the only person that can solve not only his mystery but the one with the agency system as well. They need his DNA of course, but will it really be the fix or only a start. I am so glad that Josh shared what he was going through with James and Adam, and I think James is right, Greg needs to be looped in, sooner rather than later. William Reed Hastings IV help someone but himself? That I will have to see to believe. With old money and quiet power, image and reality often don't match up.

And maybe a spark of understanding. Of course, the idiots, or most of the human population, when it comes to something like this will cause problems that our group will be forced to deal with, let's just hope the issues don't get too bad.

Thanks for letting us know all the detail. Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with for this anthology.

VIREX and their experiments have awakened something primal, and I am not sure anyone will be ready for what is to come. All too often, humans blunder into darkness only to be reminded that we are fragile creatures. Let's hope the six prove to be more.

Glad that Gavin and Jason are enjoying their time away. Sometimes it is nice just to have time with just each other, to talk and connect, in however way you want or need to. LOL Matthew is smart, even if he could have waited, he let his father know what was going on at the house. Just an FYI, but it shows his level of maturity. Glad that Jock and Slav had some time to talk. I think that was important for each of them. Jock is right, carving like that in the traditional style will sell, just needs to be marketed properly, and see if what can be produced is cost efficient or not. Lovely chapter, all the way around.

And we have lost another one. Jack was someone that has been a part of this family for so long, he occasionally just faded into the background but until recently, has always been a rock for those around him. Like Robbie, Jack too seemed to implode in the months leading up to his death. While this doesn't have the dramatic feel that Robbie and the others that died on 9/11 did, this will affect the lives of those in the family just as deeply. Marie decided to overlook all that Jack had done in the last year and just seemed to forgive and forget. John could do neither but still tried to reconnect with Jack and find a way back to some good memories. Claire seemed to be the one that wanted Jack to live but wasn't willing to give anymore of herself. Claire seemed like she just wanted the drama over with, the constant turmoil that her life has been in the last year because of Jack has been both physically and emotionally exhausting. Will calling Ryan will be good for John but with Marie, it could easily go sideways, will just have to wait and see. Will and Travis made plan, but did it work out, not sure yet. Isidore needs to get the hell over whatever the issue she really has with Will. At this point, it can't be about manners or appropriateness as she has clearly lost any edge in either issue in dealing with him.