thismy

Travel saga definitely sounds interesting. It'll be fun to see where it goes. More light-hearted is exactly what I want to see, so thanks for that. Long term thoughts on the story are still forming for me, but I may have some overview sooner than later. The question is, when will Jack have to be saved?

Quality, well written chapter. Had me sucked in the entire time. Jack had some serious development, and Rhona once again shows her value and character. I think Jack's apologies could have been a little different, and a tad less overbearing, but he made his point. I'm looking for some quality change, and maybe a little less shit to go down in the upcoming chapters. Specifically Jack and Kayla, together, facing challenges, and Jack going to Kayla for advice. I know a fair amount about trust issues, so I hope Jack can work forward. I don't mind the drama, but I could use a break. I'm sure Jack could use on too. Ii do realize that conflict and such are things that are very interesting, so at least someone else making a mistake, not Jack.

That's actually a really good idea. Jack should have a decent amount of forensic evidence along with his testament that could easily do them in for assault as well. The fact that the school knew about the operation, didn't shut it down, and had a student harmed on school property sounds like a pretty big legal liability now that I think about it. Jack could lawyer up and get that out pretty easily. And they can't use his admission to taking part in the prostitution in a way because he wasn't being arrested. He would've had to been read his rights, if I understand the law correctly. I doubt his parents would let him do it though. They'd probably have to pay and they don't want to stir up trouble. "My client, Mr. Jack Harrison, was not only beaten up on school property, but unjustly punished for said incident. As an institution that has a legal responsibility to protect its student and be aware of happenings on their property, Brow Ridge is completely liable for this incident. Not only this, but they had the knowledge, along with the police department, that this organization was operating, and by not stopping it earlier, allowed further harms to take place. You must rescind Jack's punishment as well as push for assault charges or face a law suit."

That means we look to a few more sexless chapters, unless Jack goes peeping. Or we get a "three months later." Which I don't think is coming. Prom should be a big plot point. The sexless chapters I'm a-ok with. In this case, it's no sex that's (hopefully) advancing character dev. I'm looking to see Jack grow up a fair amount. In many ways, he's quite mature, but of course, he's also still fairly immature. Not in the most classic way, but we all know jack has his "why me" and "I know what's right" problems. As an overview of my thoughts on the chapter: I'm glad that Jack was able to at least see that he's a pathetic piece of shit. That seems harsh, and I'm not a massive critic, because I can sympathize some, but still, he needs to get his stuff together. Kayla continues to become a more powerful character, especially with her age advantage. Something that Jack is no doubt a little bitter about. I think the way Craig reacted to Jack's outburst was quite telling. Craig still looks heavily to Jack for approval. He doesn't act like it, but he admires and looks up to him. It at least, that's how I interpret it. He first told Jack about his plans at president, even before Becca if I can recall. I think as Bruce mentioned that a return of a lost character or the introduction of a new one would be interesting. I've always been a fan of the return Brad. Hopefully as a friend, but either way it'd be neat to see him come back. My He also had a point about Kayla looking at other guys. I don't see this as a possibility, if the threesome was any teller. I don't see them as the open/cuck relationship type. Who knows, maybe Kayla meets a sensitive, handsome, animal loving man at work how makes her weak. But I don't see Kayla as that type of person. In my opinion, she's always been the stronger one in the relationship, but of course we know all Jack's secrets, but we don't know Kayla's. It'd be real ironic if Kayla had trust issues but she has a couple of bombshell secrets shes been keeping after all her advocacy for transparency. Amanda's affections are making me wary. I was never a fan of the incest plot in this particular story, and I'm not looking to a return of it, but come what may. Jack's in a pretty tough spot over all. A big redeemer would be him maybe thwarting a pipe bomb attempt.

Unless, you know, jashley titles the next saga the "now you'll fucking hate Jack more" saga. Edit: to be fair, I don't hate Jack. I see in him someone misguided and a person whose made a shit ton of mistakes. Not unlike me.

Well fuck me I just deleted a really long post I made.

Age of consent in the US depends on the state and ranges from 16-18. For example, in my home state, it's 16. From what we, and by we I mean Joe Long, have been able to gather, it seems as though Jack lives on the east coast, and if I can recall, in Virginia? There the age of consent is 18. However, every other state around Virginia has an age of consent of 16, save Tennessee. And if we're going on broad terms, the entire eastern sea board runs with 16, the exceptions being Florida, Virginia, and Delaware at 18 and New York at 17. On to the other point, no, I don't believe Kayla gives a shit about the age of consent. It's just a convenient justification to add to her reasoning on not having sex. And I desperately hope that Jack has at least learned something from his mistakes unlike in the past and will be ok with no sex, or at least understand and not be a dick about. But if we know Jack, it's a good bet he'll probably be dick about it.

Ice actually isn't a super effective way of treating injuries. The medical profession is moving away from it. I don't know what makes me say that, just my comment on the first part of the chapter. Also, being passed out for more than 10 seconds from an injury is an automatic trip to the hospital. Indication of series possible brain injury.

What do you think will happen? I mean, I'm inclined to agree that things may happen beyond him, but what specifically. Will Kayla break it off? Will she be attacked? Will the prostitution ring drawl in law enforcement, causing them to turn more harshly on Jack?

As much as I enjoy the thought of threat and drama, I really don't like this. Because who dies? What character is the one to go. An innocent bystander? In my opinion, it'd have to be an established character. It'd feel cheap to bring back or create a new one just to kill them. So is it Jack or Kayla. Very unlikely. A sibling? A parent? Craig, Becca, Belle? I just don't like it.

I've been off and on, and actually forgot to get a read in on the chapter until today. I've been thinking about what happened for a while. And what I've found is that Jack just really doesn't know when to stop. There have been times in my life where I've gotten myself in too deep and kept going. But there's always been a point where I've broken. Jack goes farther than the breaking point. It's ignorance, hubris, stubbornness. It pisses me off. I hope the end of the chapter is Jack's breaking point. Do I expect it? No. But I really, really hope that it is. Do I think he'll be back at it again at some point in the not so distant future? Most definitely. The end was brutal. Kayla, of course without really saying it, broke up with Jack. Or was nearly there. He took the seemingly the worst beating of his life, and was left alone. My question is, he said someone had counted on him to help them. Who? Belle? We still don't even know that she's in anyway involved. He also asked who will help him. My prediction: Joe. My wildcard: Belle. My inconceivable: Brad. (I'm really a fan of him showing up at Jack's greatest time of need.)

Quite possibly on the name Don. I mean, he could've given that name to the girls, or their could be a conspiracy bigger than any of us know. Maybe the girl Jack met with, what's her name, was in on what Jack was going to do all along. Maybe they knew Jack was onto him. They've got an inside eye. The name Jack Harrison has gotten around, they know he's caused and busted up trouble. I've got an outlandish, crazy theory that I might do a write up of. Stay tuned.

Wait did I miss Amanda's reaction or has it just not happened yet and people are prediciting it?

I'm inclined to agree. What Jack is doing is going to get him emotionally and probable physically hurt. Rhona's anger was on point. It was brutal, and from what Jashley has said, I'm not sure we've got an end in sight. I spend time reading the chapter(s) wishing Jack would just wise up, but turn after turn, he fucks it up. He's got problems, and needs to forget about some things. Really, Jack needs to stop giving so many fucks. Not everything is his problem, not everything is his business. Maybe after all this, he'll emerge better for it. But maybe not, and I certainly don't think it will have been worth it, no matter the result.

Oh yeah. I just finished. Jack is fucking in for it. Like, I thought previous chapters were bad, the climax of this. Shit is not just gonna hit the fan, it's going to destroy the fan.

Haven't read very far into the chapter at all, but it seems as though Jack is under the assumption that all of the girls are in a bad situation and don't want to participate. As Rhona said, some girls are willing to leave their dignity at the door for some denero. It's their choice.

I believe that of all topics, rape is one of the most dangerous and painful topics to address. I hold very strong opinions on rape and sexual assault, as well as domestic abuse, because those are things that hit very close to home and effect me personally. I believe that using those for character development is almost always not only a bad idea, but distasteful. Now, I will never discredit someone simply because they used it. That's not fair. Some people may want to use it of write about because they experienced it themselves. I understand this completely. Writing about things like that can be a way to heal and come to terms with them. It might even be nessesary for them. I agree with Jashley. It's something that happens and people should be painfully aware of it. But it very often doesn't hold a place in most stories. I'm not one for trigger warnings and things like that. I think people in society have gotten too sensitive on some issues, but then we're getting my political beliefs, so I'll avoid that. The point being, I do believe that if you write about it, you should include trigger warnings at the least. And like Joe Long said, it sounded like the person was expecting it, maybe even a detailed scene. If I came across that, I would most likely vomit at the least. I am very passionate about this issue, and not only how it affects woman, but how society unfortunately and terribly puts male victims in the dark. People should already remember that they're not alone, and that someone will listen and believe them. Sorry for getting so up in arms.

I remember doing some digging because I thought it was mentioned that Tara was older. But when I went back I couldn't find any thing about it. I do believe you cleared it up earlier, but thanks for providing clarity again.

Real life for a second - I'm falling for a girl for a second time, but we've never gone out. Should be interesting. She's making me watch Titanic with her. Just incase anyone wanted to know. Back to the story. I'm not a huge fan of shit constantly hitting the fan. (Pardon me on that one) But it should be interesting to see how things turn out. My problem is, I don't want to see things end worse than they started, but the just might. Hopefully no one dies. On the note of Jack not going down on Kayla. There's been a lot of sex we haven't seen, so we don't know how much he has or has not done. I assume that's he's gone down a couple times at least.

Lol. Don't forget Chinese water torture. I think we're looking at a solid return of LAJAK. Something like "LAJAK Strikes Back" Brad (rip Jeff) and the gang come in hot, with a new member or two. And the tides may have turned with Jack's numbers being diminished.

Oh, I've got a lot of theories, especially ones around the pipe bomb. But it's been a while since I read the earlier chapters, so they aren't really based on specific facts.

I've never really got all the theories behind Jack and Tara ect. being half siblings or not. Haven't seen a lick of evidence. I mean, I understand that Tara doesn't seem like her dad, but like her mom. But does she seem like Jack's dad? Nope, not really. Though in this absence between chapters, I've been going crazy with conspiracy theories. I am very excited for the new chapter since it's been such a long time. I've forgot that we've got it lucky getting new chapters so often.

I'm hoping for (b). I'll elaborate later

See, now, the logistics of this are the biggest thing. There's a couple things you ought to ask yourself. 1. Why would Jack want to get involved with a teacher? -Does he have mommy issues, thus maybe driving him to an older, more experienced lover? No, not as far as I'm aware. -Does he have a thing for older woman? Nope, haven't seen that. -Has he described or in anyway indicated he's into any of the teachers? No. Granted, he said Ms. Cartwright was atractive, but that's simply because she is, not because Jack wants her. 2. Does he have any incentive to leave or cheat on Kayla? Not in a million years. Jack once said if he lost his virginity to a random drunk girl at a party, he'd get his dick removed. He's indicated that he's a romantic. The story is entitled She is The One. Crazy fan theories aside, all sings point to Kayla. 3. Why would any teacher want Jack? Sure, he's mature, sure he's sometimes emotionally understanding. But do you know why its weird for people who are years younger to hook up with older people? I'm talking 17 year olds with 27 year olds. Because while the young person may be mature the older person is often immature and unstable. The point being, Jack should be all that interesting to a teacher, and the two we've seen just don't look like the type to hook up with a student.

I've got a couple things to say as I didn't get around to making a post after I read the chapter. (Sometimes life just gets in the way, doesn't it?) Also; Go Broncos! Anyway, once again, great chapter. The first that I'll note, a thing I found very interesting, is the very beginning of the chapter. Up until she gets angry, this isn't really a Kayla I've seen. Her dialogue is different. As if she's more mature, and smarter. But then she gets pissed off and we see insecure, trust issue Kayla, as usual. (That's Jack's fault in part, not putting that one all on Kayla) Seriously, I encourage you guys to go back and look, and tell me if I'm crazy please. It just struck me as off? Odd? Maybe just different. Second, I think there's substantial empirics to suggest that Jessica is not part of the ring, at least not one of the prostitutes. She's good at bullshiting, but not that good. She's not much of a slut, it seems, and she's looking for validation. She wants a guy to make her feel good. In a sense, she's like Tara. Except Tara got Jack, and how much did it really help her? I'm not convinced that she's even in anyway involved. Now, Joe Long's proposal of the Belle red herring is very plausible, I think. I'm fully inclined to agree. And with that on my mind, I'm not sure I can make an effective assessment. However, one thing's for sure: Kayla's not going to be happy. She doesn't want Jack to get involved (when has that ever stopped him?) and she wants peace. I doubt she'll get either. I was looking forward to some more Jack-Kayla teamwork, but I don't know now. Belle may yet have unforseen trobles, or we're all pulling a Jack and over thinking it. (But that's our job, methinks.) Also, we're getting a fair amount of signs from Amanda. The more it goes on, the more Alan is into Kelly, and the more Amanda's jealousy grows. Who knows how long it will be until she goes off, and the most important question; Will Alan be able to resist? My answer? It depends on the time and place, along with how long Amanda waits. That promise ring thing was weird, so I'm waiting for the reality check there. I don't think Arthur is fake, I just believe Tara has some problems that can't be fixed through sex, or watching people have sex, of constantly thinking about Jack... and so on. And does Rhona have confidence issues? She pretty soft inside, when we've gotten a look. She seemed serious, maybe she was just critical of Paul. Back the Belle, subject, she needs to stop trying so hard, really, she's gotta cave at some point.