[Report This]Date: May 09 2017 8:19 AM Title: Agitation
Intellectually, I know recovery from such trauma requires the proverbial baby steps. But, it seems like that nightmare put him two steps backward.
I really hope he doesn't relapse. Even without Caitlin's "help!"
[Report This]Date: May 08 2017 3:13 PM Title: Agitation
It's funny how Jack has turned Caitlin into a cartoon villian in his mind. Sure was she a good person? Nope. But she was certainly more complex than most people wouild give her credit. She showed emotion when Jack was inside the Teddy Bear and she was looking for him, maybe there were signs she was even conflicted about what she did. I kinda feel like part of the reason she's such a bully is for appearances in front of her friends. Who knows, maybe I'm seeing complexity that isn't really there?
Anyway's another great chapter. OH! Something else I wanna mention is that this story FEELS like it takes place over a longer period of time than it actually does. I've noticed that I get the impression that it takes place over several weeks but when I check things back it seems to take place only during a few short days! It's probably the amount of time we as readers have to wait to get releases that affects this too, I get that feeling with tv series too where I feel like its been more time in-show than it actually has been because of the actual time it takes between episode releases.
Don't know why I wanted to post that but it's just another tidbit I wanted to share about my experience with this story...
Author's Response:
Yeah, I do feel ya here. I have tried to showcase enough depth in Caitlin's character to lead to some doubt as to her exact motives, but let's not forget, she has done terrible things, and that does make her the villain of the piece - even if it transpires she's misguided or misunderstood or whatever. It's also clear that at least one of her friends isn't a total dickhead (Alex) so the impressing her friends argument would only really be to impress Amber, which might be the case, but wouldn't be overwhelming peer pressure by any means.
In terms of the timespan, yeah, I've seriously overwritten for the duration elapsed, and this is exacerbated by the sparse updates. My defence is that it's a highly detailed story, it's my first (and only) and I had no idea of pacing (during the Caitlin section especially), and my signature 'introspective shit' takes up a lot of space. It is a weird situation, this was meant to be like a snapshot of a scenario in 2013, and it's 4 years later and barely 5 days has elapsed in-world.
[Report This]Date: May 08 2017 2:58 PM Title: Agitation
Am I the only one who knew that was a dream? I think it was going to be too soon for Caitlin to return. Even though these chapters are long and a lot have happened, not many hours/days has went by since Penny rescued him.
Delon gives Jack reassurance consistently, and has his back. Even if Delon doesn't do much, just the chat alone is comforting.
I like Spookytaco's idea of confronting Cailtin in the open. It would surprise her and maybe it might influence Cailtin to back off Jack since he isn't weak anymore. It could backfire if Cailtin sees this as a challenge and tries to get Jack again.
I can't wait for the next chapter!
[Report This]Date: May 08 2017 1:11 PM Title: Agitation
He's got a bad case of PTSD. If he's not going to go to the authorities or faculty, he should just man up and go sit with Cait at lunch. I'm sure that would surprise her. Better to face her head on in a public location than in a dark alley. Plus it would show he's mastering his fear, something which often makes bullies back off. Cait derserves to be locked up in juvey, but she wouldn't go so far as to actually kill him. I.e., she's not insane and pure evil, just spoiled and cruel, so he should face her.
Author's Response:
I like the thinking behind this, but I can categorically tell you that, in a school where Betas are bullied on a semi-regular basis, confronting Caitlin will basically just result in her casually picking him up and carrying him somewhere private as he squeaks away - no-one will bat an eyelid. The odds of him somehow landing a PR victory against the #1 predator within school are roughly zero; she's greatly feared, popular, and holds great sway over most people, even teachers. Even if she's spotted by a teacher who acts on it, as long as she puts him down, no-one's really going to give a shit, as I say, the Betas get hung onto coathooks and bullied on occasion and it's just considered a thing (think of it like some of the horrid racist/sexist attitudes that used to/still pervade society, but in this NWO add sizeist).
The teachers would perhaps show a modicum of care for Jack, but they're not really bothered, they don't think Betas should even be at the school. I guess you could have him confide in the school's support network and start to build a case from there, but as a story that's just gonna end up tedious, I really need to keep the action away from a criminal investigation, so I'm trying to provide semi-plausible doubt of official channels to keep the narrative focused. It's basically playing out like a kids movie - don't trust the adults, beat the bullies yourself!
As for Caitlin, it remains to be seen how complex or evil she truly is.