Cripes. I just about shouted aloud in excitement when I saw this crop up in my submission list. Backtracking through Ch 6 to refresh my memory and then I'm reading this immediately.

Okay, where to begin, where oh where....

I used to live in Minnesota, about 10 miles south of the Ontario border. It was a dog mushing kennel, single cabin, off grid, with a few small outbuildings. Your description of the setting transported me back there in an instant. The 5 miles of rough access trail, the old logging roads, solar panels, everything. I haven't thought about the place in ages and was transported there in less effort than it takes to blink. To say that your setting resonates with me is a huge understatement.

Although I did go back and read Chapter 6 (sans the afterword), I do recommend that readers refresh themselves on the entire story if it has been some time since the last read through. Chapter 6 was enough to get going again, but a lot of the emotion and details were lost since I couldn't recall the exact nature of Gareth and Lily's friendship, and I also couldn't remember what started Skunk's attack which led to his injury.

If anyone wants reading music to accompany this chapter, listen to Trail of the Unwary, by Nest. It set the tone in a very accurate manner with atmospheric soundscapes and an undercurrent of uncertainty.

The change to Lily's perspective was a good and necessary choice to best convey her shock at the first meeting. My entire body went up in chills as she tried to absorb what it was she witnessed. Such a slow introduction to Aspen made the rush of new information at the end vastly more overwhelming.

I'm hooked. Again.

You are a masterful writer, anhedral. I beg you, as you are able, not to keep us waiting too long.

Oh, how can I find the words to reply to this? I'm rather overwhelmed, to be honest. I think you're a fabulously skilled writer, Onic, so to receive feedback like this from you absolutely made my day.

I always strive to capture a sense of place, especially when they are landscapes that I love (I know Ontario, and Algonquin, fairly well). To bring back those Minnesota memories for you made me so very happy!

And then you provide a great example of one of the things I like most about FA: the opportunity to discover artists I've never come across before. That Nest track fits my story really well, and I love that they're from Finland. It's a country I'd really like to visit sometime.

As for the POV shift, yes, it had to happen. The whole story is, I think, going to be in alternating first person POVs; hopefully readers will swing with that. It should be said that I dislike rapid or random head-hopping, so changes in POV will only occur with section or chapter breaks.

I, too, struggle when a story “head hops.” We seem to be of an accord that way. I’ve often found that after the initial thrust of a story, writers often relax into several other POVs. It can work if they have earned the reader’s trust, otherwise it can be a bit of a surprise.

I’ve listened to Nest for over half my life and it never wears out. I’m glad you enjoy it. There’s a another prior album called Woodsmoke which is just as good, albeit in a slightly different vibe.

Sometimes I curse the fact that I read so slow... half way through and loving it. Hopefully I can finish at lunch today.

*hugs...

V.

This certainly is delicious! I do so hope you are going to keep it going!

V.

I'm on it! (Tap tap tappity tap tap........)

I always appreciate the generosity of your feedback, Vixxy. Thank you.

I thought I had read this already, apparently before they got in the truck.
I read it all the way through now.

Oh my, I want more.

Bunners

Thank you so much, Bunners. I think perhaps you read chapters 1-6 when I first posted them in 2016? Anyway, I'm very happy now to be expanding the tale. Chapter 8 is underway!

Yep, I'm very happy to see this. Fun stuff as always.

Thanks Helix! I haven't been able to get Gareth and Aspen out of my head since 2016...

Has it really been that long? Time is flying a bit too fast for my liking.

Onic is quite right to recommend reviewing Tremble in its entirety before delving into your newest offering. This morning was either my fourth or fifth read-through and it's been just long enough since my last. The overall framework of the story is pretty firm in my mind since the first time. This time, however, I got to relish all the delightful intricacies you weave into the tale. The environment you create is easily accessible yet densely packed. Your skill isn't just authenticity, either. It's artful, an homage to the real thing that gives beauty to beauty.

And these characters... my time with them this morning felt like reuniting with old friends. I've missed them without realizing how much.

I also had a moment when I saw that familiar icon listed in my inbox. I likely muttered something along the lines of 'Could he have really..." Followed by a really big grin.

Your work really makes me happy. And knowing there is more of Gareth and Aspen's story to come is a wonderful way to start a weekend. I'm honestly not sure if I envy Lily or not.

Thank you for resuming their journey. *bows*

And I was very happy to be able to give you a nice surprise, Wire! Receiving the sort of appreciation you've given me is a huge motivation to continue with the story, so thank you.

I had been considering for a while how best to get Lily 'in the know', but in the end it just had to be suddenly, and face-to-face. I hope her reaction comes across as somewhat plausible. Goodness knows how any of us would really respond!

At the end of the scene, I found myself wondering how many different ways there could be to reveal such a staggering, reality-bending truth. I concluded that it would depend on several variables. There just doesn't seem to be a sure-fire way to completely alter someone's world view.

Luckily it doesn't happen that often. Though, in this case, I'd sure be willing to give it a shot.

I would aspire to Allen's reaction.

"My god," the intruder gasped. Thinking he was only moments away from driving off his unwanted company, he opened his mouth to unleash all the pent up fury in him. But he froze when he heard the other whisper, "You're beautiful."

Fantastic continuation!
Of course, I just read thru chapters 1-6 the other night in one go...so the story was fresh in my mind.
Really like the POV change to Lily, and it's like experiencing the shock of the reveal all over again.

I love writing reveals like this, and imagining how different folk might respond. And the more I thought about it, the more it made sense for Aspen and Gareth to tell Lily face-to-face rather than over a video link.