centexhairysub

A daring start to the story, will be interesting to see what comes next.

Whenever one begins to talk about them and us with such surety; and then goes on to indicate that they are just following orders, my stomach turns.

Well, at least Mary Louise isn't a totally lost cause. She knew she could not take care of Larry and had enough decency to take him to where he would be safe. I am guessing that Larry must have had some type of cancer to survive. Glad that somehow the mountains blocked the pathogen from spreading west but seems like the east coast and southern states were decimated. We still don't know how long the pathogen will stay active where it spread, that will give an idea of how long the areas that are decimated will be generally uninhabitable. If the pathogen is still active and someone with cancer came into the area, would they be healed?

While it has never been the popular choice, Jeremy/JJ has always been my favorite of his generation. Only Wade and Matt have ever come close to him in my estimation. I can enjoy Will and the others, but they have never resonated with me like Jeremy has. I have argued and fought Sharon, @sat8997, and that damn yellow bus she seems to love to drive to uphold Jeremy in front of all. Jeremy is the strongest of his generation; only perhaps Wade can say they have survived anything close to what Jeremy has gone through. The fact that with counseling and medication Jeremy is even alive and functional is a testament to his strength of will. And when you look at what he has accomplished in both the athletic arena and now in fashion and how far he seems destined to go there, that core reserve of nerves, perseverance, and will is damn near unmatched. Yes, he has family money and family support, to a degree, but his internal strength is what got him through this intact, no one no matter the level of external support survives if they aren't strong enough to do so on their own in the end. Much like Ginger Rogers, who did everything that Fred Astaire did only better, backwards, and in high heels; Jeremy will never be able to measure up to Will, Darius, Matt, or Wade. The family views Jeremy as fragile, temperamental, and bitchy to some extent because he doesn't meet their idea of manliness. Now, don't get me wrong, Jeremy can be a diva and bitchy; but sing it Miss Gloria, if you survive all that he has; you get to be both and proudly. In reality, many that have not gone through as much as Jeremy don't survive, both drugs, alcohol, or suicide take far too many. But Jeremy has survived and long may his fabulousness reign.

I can honestly say that I have never been an angel, being naughty was always too much fun; that said, I have never understood anyone that did something with a child. I honestly don't think killing someone is as bad as the destruction on innocence that occurs when a child is abuse, in any way really but especially sexually. I am glad that Dustin senses the spark that is still within Kellen. If it is there, perhaps it can be nurtured and made to grow. Exceedingly well written and flowed beautifully, although the horror is just on the edges, it permeates every line.

Marc and Adam have so much love to give, and it grows as their family does. With both families so large, I understand the desire to manage the visits. Marc will find a way the help the Havenites. Someone trying to play God, well they better hope there is one when Marc finds out who was behind this atrocity. Well, we know what the triad was up to, can't wait for them to have kids, Excellent chapter.

Well, Gray's plan for Vince and Peter has started out with a bang, and let's hope it ends up going gangbusters. Freddie got the surprise of his young life, but while a little shocked seems to be handling this rather well. Maybe he will talk to Gray more on their night out with Matt, hope they all get along and enjoy the music and scene. Peter seems a good match for Vince, can't wait to see where it leads.

I can't see Travis's mother doing this at all, I think that Travis is the one that Miranda actually cares about the most. Not sure that Big would be willing to take on the Crampton/Schulter clans, especially with his reduced funds to go toe to toe with them. Taylor might be willing to do something like this; but would she honestly know how to arrange it? And does she have the resources to fund something like this that was so open ended seemingly? I think the culprit will not be one of these three, but of course, I could be wrong, I just don't think so.

Well, I think that Jeremy has changed, not that I ever thought he was all in the wrong in the first place. I think Jeremy has always cared about Will and those that he truly cared about; but I think that after Robbie and Jeanine died on 9/11, Jeremy got a harder shell, and it made it harder for him to care about others for fear of being hurt again. Glad that Thor and Finn had a connection, and maybe not just physical. Thor may turn out to truly be one of the good guys, I hope so. Will is willing to do whatever to protect Will, even make sure what Brad and Jake are up to is not going to cause more issues. I love how Jake and Brad seem to occasionally think that they can silence or even put something over on Will. Have to wonder who is behind the Serbian mob being after Travis. You know someone paid them, but was it to get Travis or could it be to distract the family while something else is going on; wouldn't be the first time that someone has come at the Crampton/Schulter clans via someone else. Jeremy will make sure the condo is secure and comfortable for Travis and that he will have everything that he could need. Wonderful story and amazed as always how much this family truly cares about each other when the chips are down.

Not of Generation X but found the first poem very relatable. Poem two is just amazing. The sense of pad and despondency giving way to possibilities was just so powerful.

Simply beautifully written and so timely and true. If you label something, even incorrectly, you can put it in a box and praise or demonize it you your hearts content.

Well, let's hope there is no roving pack of rottweilers protecting the property. LOL. Tony will have to deal with Mike and more importantly at the moment, Jess. I hope none of this causes any issues with Aaron. Tony needs to tell him where he is going and at least some of what is going on, don't want Aaron to feel that Tony is running off again. I wonder if anyone will be at the house? Who owns it, and what is their connection to someone in the group? Or will Tony end up owning it? So many delicious ways to start the next chapter.

Thank you.

Well, like a bad penny, I suspect that Mary-Louise will show up again. How far has the pathogen spread, will it continue too multiple, can it transverse an ocean? Dr. Allen seems more than a little full of himself. And I mean, why worry about them going to the authorities, how many of them are actually left? How long do those from the CDC in the hazmat suits have to stay in them? What is the life expectancy of the pathogen? So many questions.

Can't wait to get to these.

Loved this, honestly really moving.

What a chapter from start to finish. Alice is wise beyond her years and station. She truly understands more of the world than most in her household do. Love how Dante and even Frank were with the kids. Dante more than the others realizes that Frank isn't as immature as some of them try to make him out to be, but I think out of a sense of wanting to protect him, Dante still tries to mother him to some extent. He needs to let Frank stand on his own a little more, but to be there if he starts to fall. Not shocked that it was Tom that started the relationship with Blaise, but a little surprised that he admitted it to Dante so openly. Remarkable writing in this chapter, thank you so much @Celian

A remarkable journey that proves that while true love may win in the end; the twist and turns in getting there can be hazardous to all involved. Interesting characters and the writing and flow are truly first rate. An imaginative idea and world created by a truly talented storyteller. Sit back and get ready to experience every emotion that one can hope for or regret; and be touched by the magic within.

Tani altered Dante to make him Ekho and Dante, his power manifesting, was able to enter the Palladium Gates and go to Tani. In the end, once the interference was stopped, the two souls became one. If only those in power had realized that their decision allowed the disruption of the true love shared by Tani and Dante to be thwarted by evil means. A story that while the course may be full of twist and turns; true love will find a way to be.

A truly delightful chapter from start to finish. Loved the night out with the boys; something the other guys obviously planned and executed well. The painting from Drew was amazing, I could truly see it in my mind's eye. Something the guys will love and always cherish. And what do we say about the special gift from Russ, but WOW. And then he is going to visit the guys as well on their isolated honeymoon, so hot. Toby liked to have gotten way too much TMI.

Marc does seem to collect the best of the best. Bella will make a great addition to his and Adam's team. She will turn the idea of a ski resort into a reality that will be unmatched. And the fact you can only come via a shuttle that Marc controls will make this more than just exclusive. Adam will eventually learn that Marc is just damn near always right. Yes, they should have waited for the children, but Jasmine and Joachim will be loved and adored, and Marc and Adam will be great parents. Woe to anyone that attempts to hurt Marc, Adam, or their family. Wonderful chapter.

Damn, I need a cold shower. Nothing about this is normal. Luka is right, Mezenga could find any number of men much closer to him in Italy that would do what he wanted and at a tenth of the price being offered. Devin can see nothing but the money and the dominance of a man like Mezenga; and he is captivated by both. Luka sees the danger in both the money and the man, and yet he is captivated by both. I know everyone laughed, but not sure at all that Mezenga was kidding about killing his family, time will tell what the truth is. If he wasn't lying, then Luka and Devin are both in danger, because I would suspect that no one that he casually gave this information to would be safe for long. And something that I know neither Luka nor Devin is even thinking about, but a million dollars, much less two million is not easy to deal with. You can't just deposit it in a bank, or buy a house with it, you have to be able to explain where it came from, and that isn't as easy as you would suspect.

Well, that was almost too easy. Not sure that it will be smooth sailing. Tony is going to have some more decisions to make soon about his career, and will undoubtedly have pressure to move forward and maybe away from " home ". Great to see such a group of good friends that have managed to stay friends all of these years.

George and Lionel made the trip and found others; unfortunately, they found Mary Louise as well. George is right, neither school nor her parents ever taught Mary Louise manners. Of course, they may have tried, and she might simply be a lost cause. An interesting mix of survivors so far. And honestly, smart way to try and narrow down what happened. All of them had Asthma or something related and most had recently been diagnosed with cancer, wonder if those that were further along were spared as well or only those in the early stages. Honestly, would not trust Mary Louise alone with anyone. Wonder if the next survivor will be tied to the lab. Have to wonder has this spread worldwide?

Love this genre, such a great thrill to read a story that scares and entertains, and some truly great ones on this list.