There are few things lately in my life that I look forward to with such ferocity as these chapters. Just when something could be explained naturally, and I am settling in for a story grounded solidly in this world as I know it, you turn the tables. I read this one twice and my heart is still pounding audibly in my chest.

Spelling note: page 1 paragraph 7, "focused"

I'm loving it too!

V.

You are very generous, Onic - thank you!

Meh, I tried to fix that spello with an updated file, but FA hates me tonight it seems...

I've never had luck with updating the submission file.

Don't let it stop...

V.

Read the next chapter!

Workin' at it! (Tap tap tap tap tap pant pant pant...)

Oh you guys make me smile...

V.

I've only experienced that kind of 'disengaged from reality so bad I retrieve and load a gun' fear. It's been thirty years, roughly, since I experienced it but this chapter put me right back. You're getting a solid grip on 'show, don't tell.' You portray the shock and fear Gareth goes through perfectly with his disjointed yet relevant scraps of thought and automatic actions. I seriously feared for Aspen. Or, at the least, for their relationship if he wasn't able to come back to himself. That's some major tension you created.

Well done, sir!

I'm working hard at 'show, don't tell', but gosh, I do struggle with it sometimes. Thank you for the wonderful comments!

My breath was short through most of this chapter. I realized half way through that my mouth was hanging open because I was caught on every word.
Damn, this one really had me anxious with heart racing.
Well done!

Yay! Thank you!

Yup, this is where everything changes. The bedroom scenes were inspired by a certain memorable and very tender passage in Wirewolf's 'Fate' - you probably know the bit I mean.