It was easily understood that the cat episode happened the next morning... but I'm talking time passed...

After that it did get a little easier... I got into a routine... and then do it all over the same way the next day.

Granted, Ethan was spending more and more time away from the apartment, only sleeping at home a couple nights a week...

So, how much time has passed? I'm upset... why hasn't someone made an effort to find him?

Yay... Brian sighting on the horizon!

You stated to NOT throw our phones. It wasn't my phone I was worried about. I almost shoved my laptop off my desk.

I’ve done nothing but give to you, Justin. Yeah... you have given him so much, he is totally debilitated... mind, soul, and body.

The trick is to weather the storm without being obliterated. That's a pretty tall, and almost impossible order.

I had to stop reading for a little bit after reading about the kitten... I was so torn up... and I'm crying again trying to write this..

What makes a person THIS evil???

Sending you a hug...

Cathy

Oh Tag, I didn't realise you have gone through something similar as I haven't kept up with this story as much. I know if anyone hurt any of my cats before, I would have beat the shit out of them. 

I had a friend that was in a controling relationship, with physical and sexual abuse from her 'man' (using the term very loosely!).  I eventually baited him enough, on a night we were all out, and when we were seperated he took a swing at me and then I proceeded to beat the shit out of him.  My vision was literally RED!  I have to say I really, really enjoyed it though!

Suffice to say she went back to him and then had other relationships in the same vein afterwards. I tried and tried to get through to her over the years, and so did many other friends and family, but nothing got through and she spiralled into alcoholism.  She eventually died when the chemo reacted badly with the alcohol abuse, shutting down her kidneys and liver, at the age of 45. My best friend since school.

I know this BJ story and your story are probably different, when there seems no way out or support.  But even when there is all the support in the world, sometimes even that isn't enough.

Love & hugs,

Deb L

Gahhh! Hard story to read but Justin has or had an inner strength Im sure you will have him find it. He needs to cold cock Ethan. Never liked the bag of wind.

Author's Response:

You made it through that chapter! I'm so impressed. Gotta agree with you on hating Ethan, though... TAG

OMG, I hate that Ethan more and more.  I just want to wrap my arms around Justin and hold him tight, but that is not the solution.  Wonderful very emotional chapter for Justin.  But, I think there is hope.  At least I am hoping so.  Fantastic writing.  

How do I destroy Ethan in the end. I’m open to suggestions...

Well, I TOLD you I was going to make a list... you left yourself wide open there...

Maybe he's running after Justin, and when he runs out into the street, the city bus runs him over.

If we want a little Fargo... we could grind him up in the wood chipper.

He doesn't realize he really allergic to bees, and he gets swarmed cutting through the park... major stings... and dies before help can arrive.

Ethan poisons a glass of wine when he realizes his gig with Justin is up, but ends up taking the wrong one.

He eats at a Japanese restruant and orders the Japanese deicacy- Fugu... and it doesn't get prepared properly: Fugu contains lethal amounts of the poison tetrodotoxin in its inner organs, especially the liver, the ovaries, eyes, and skin. The poison, a sodium channel blocker, paralyzes the muscles while the victim stays fully conscious; the poisoned victim is unable to breathe, and eventually dies from asphyxiation.

THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, TAG! This is all on your head. I couldn't sleep. This is the result. But, if I was to cast a vote... I really like the last one... with Justin being the beneficiary of his will.

Toodles!

Author's Response:

Hahahaha! Great list! I smell a plot bunny for a story about how many ways you can kill someone... TAG

Five or six chapters - ONLY??? You can get Justin out of this mess, get him back to feeling close to himself again, back with Brian and the family, in those few chapters? WOW! I'm impressed!

I don't even lnow what to think anymore. I DO think we need to have a lynching - WHO'S ALL IN???

Is Ethan just that good... or is the guy a little schizophrenic?

I am curious about his money... inheritance? Or from other men he has used? Was the story about his grandfather even true? How did it come about that he owns the building and the dump he lives in? Lots of questions going through my mind.

The light at the end of the tunnel - or is it the chapter - now has Brian's psyche peaked. He's no dumby. He will know by Justin's parting shot that something is definitely wrong. So regardless, if Justin doesn't reach out for help, I believe Brian will get the ball rolling.

And when it's all over and done with... I HOPE you plan to have Justin's money - at LEAST $10,000 - six months, right - PLUS interest - PLUS a new computer like the one he purposely dropped - hand delivered to him.

(I'm exhausted!)

HUGS  ~Cathy

Kudos for Justin for finally getting some information and asking Ethan for explanations. The fact that the evidence is destroyed doesn't make the situation disappear. I really hope Justin will ask for his paycheck to be sent to his account.

I was wondering if the "poster" episode will happen: yeah; it did and Brian saw that Justin was completely lost and not in a great shape, physically and mentally. Justin's answer about "real artist" should do the trick.

The cliffhanger is killing me: did Brian let Justin go or did he follow him and tried to get more information?

Gah ya do know I can’t stand that self loving asshole? But gotta admit great writing. g

I think I'm going to have to put this aside for now, at least until I know there is a positive change to the hell that has become Justin's life. I just hate the way this story is making me feel every day now, not to mention the quite savage thoughts and deeds I am imagining with regards Ethan! I so hope the ends will justify the means when revenge is finally Justin's. Amazing story writing as always, despite the awful context.

Something I forgot to write regarding Justin's money: I think the deadline for changing the recipient of his paycheck is passed and I'm quite sure Justin didn't make the change to his bank account. He is exhausting himself and Ethan gets all the benefits.

Well,  I don't hate you ,but you are not my favorite person right now.  LOL  I always thought that I would hate Michael the most, but Ethan has taken over the top spot.  He is just plain evil.  What I really hate is Justin being subjected to this evil.  As terrible as Brian could be a times, and I admit that he was, he never treated Justin this badly.  He encouraged his art and wanted him to be the best.  All Justin wants is to be loved and instead he is being used. I would really love to break that violin over Ethan's head.  Although this story is very difficult to read, it shows that your writing is getting better then ever with the ability to get the readers to feel these strong feelings.  Congratulations on that. I won't stop reading because I want to know the ending, but I am a happy ending person so you better keep your promise.

I previously wrote that Ethan topping Justin will be the end of the rope for me; knowing that it seems to be a permanent situation and accepting to do it raw: I won't comment any more on this chapter, because it would be disrespectful to people trapped in such nightmare. I just hope that Brian, Daphne or Debbie never will discover this and that Justin won't catch anything.