Eeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee-

Now that that's out of the way, gonna be reviewing as I go along! So, love how you structured this opening part, this choppy, broken segment that's full of random images and doesn't even resolve itself.

And ah yes, I remember now that I love this voice :3 Oh Molly, so blunt, so scandalous, so vulgar. I giggle at how he notices Col trying and failing to move like a normal person, like stretching his neck and getting it stuck, or taking 'a merry millenium' to get on his feet. Col's physical maladies are a part of him (though they're not his *only* quality hahaha - he's great in other ways, AWESOME PROGRAMMER and TEAMAKING ASSASSIN and all) that makes him really unique and solid as a character and I like seeing them mentioned repeatedly. That, or I'm a little sadistic. We shall never know!

Nuhhhhhhh just when I thought this was gonna be a sexy thing Molly brings out a knife and turns it into a kill-y thing. Or a hurty, bleedy thing. ...Hmm, you know what, I may be totally okay with this.

"I'm just me and I don't know anything." *squishes him*

So the negotiation (if you can call it that) scene between Molly and Sire was all kinds of yummy. Sire is so badass, she practically oozes danger despite not being all that overtly sinister? Which is great. And the way she flusters Molly is great. It's nice to see him care, and I like how, throughout his narration, it's clear that he doesn't appreciate being put in this position, of weakness if you will. He keeps coming back with thoughts of violence and snark to offset the worry. Oh bb.

O_O Vari's mother. That is all.

Nyehehe at Molly trying to be all seductive and Col ignoring him because CONSPIRACY. Or a decoy-conspiracy anyway. Sometimes I have way too much fun watching your characters do things that I almost forget about over-arching conspiracy. So this chapter delivered on plotty goodness, yum yum. Given that next chapter is gonna be Col's (I can patterns!) I'm holding my breath and waiting (as) patiently (as I can) for more reveals. Cause you know what helps? MOLLY REALIZING HE WANTS THERE TO BE A CURE. FOR COL. YES. YAAASSS. This makes me all happy and giggly because You Got It Bad, Boy *pats Molly on the head*.

Now let's hope this realization and all its implications don't backfire on him :D

Molly/Col :)

W-why am I always reading those chapters when I’m so tired? ._. Again, bulletin points and shorter than usual review, but at this point, I’m really just letting you know that I’m still here, and yes I’m still enjoying/loving/reading :D

*Why can’t you just let Col and Molly finally do the deed? All the teasing and teasing and teasing XD I got excited a few times this chapter, just to have my hopes shattered D: They’re so hot together: Col is clueless and fucked up, and Molly is so fucked up too, but aggressive. I love that: I can totally dig his being rough and aggressive with Col: gimme more of that :D

(But no, I’d not be adverse to Col fucking him roughly either …)

(Not at all.)

(…)

*Man, Sire XD That lady is such a piece of work. I love how she manages to handle Molly: making him realise that she won’t submit to his whims all that easily. Their confrontation in this chapter was all kinds of wicked and awesome: nearly like a battle of bitches, only without any physicality :D But yeah, it was awesome, and the dialogue was love.

*Haha, Molly was worried about Walker: well, I’d mostly say he just misses his um, assets XD. But that’s not a bad thing: I’d not be against more Walker/Molly interaction either :D :D :D :D :D :D (yeah, this review is very intelligent lol).

*I do love how Col is all so techy and into coding. It’s really cool, and gives him an edge that I really enjoy. Also, it’s just nice and cute to see how focused he gets when he’s coding/doing his nerdy thing :3 Blessed bb, I really love him.

*Oh the grosser details of this chapter: I really do love how you don’t forget to tell us that Molly’s collection of corpses is rotting gleefully :D :D Also, I loved how scandalised Col was XDDD.

*Again, you interrupted the Molly-Col fun at the end by making Col all so serious. I find it sad that he can’t believe in a cure for his sickness. I find it even worse that he had a breakdown there, asking why he’d been set to Molly. Actually, I’m really excited about that development …

I’m excited because this chapter hinted, for the first time (I think?) that Molly really cares for Col. He isn’t just another boy to fuck :3 Sod’s low, I guess, Molly…

Please update soon? Really an awesome update, and I’m sorry for my shoddy review, but I’m really tired, with half a brain available right now.

It's been a while :D Time to catch up!

For some reason, despite the horror that Walker feels, there's a tinge of lightheartedness as well. That's something I feel that carries through all of your chapters. It's the humor that keeps me going, cause I want to see their reactions. Walker's certainly didn't disappoint. He's furious, and when he sees Ignatus I like how Ignatus treats the situation as if it's nothing to be afraid of. It's a kind of the opposite of how Walker feels, and it makes a seamless transition to where their friendship is, which addresses the other part of the subplot between the two of them. Nice!

"Everyone in Quarry is as broke as balls..." - Ooh, so walker is aware of his situation compared to others. It another little note to his character, the subtle nod to how he isn't necessarily as air-headed as he can come across with his money.

Oh man, the last line of the first section is on point hahahhaha.

On the Author's note, I'm a pretty big fan of panicky Walker. It's a good difference compared to the stoic, composed Walker we've seen before. He's completely out of his element in the "suburbs" whereas Iggy's a nonchalant presence by his side. It's hilarious. I also like how Sire treats Walker's kidnapping as a daily occurrence, like it's no consequence to her. Especially since contrast between the two, like the first half made me laugh brings out how Walker comes to conclusions that Iggy hates him. At the same time his hesitation marked by the ellipses undermines it. This undermining of his own conclusions emphasizes just how out of his depth he is.

Nice job!

Hey! Sorry for the late review! I've been knee-deep in school stuff, and then I've been focusing on the writing. Anyhow, let's get to the review:

I've always been Col/Molly, but man, I ship it so hard at this point. I love Molly waking up to Col, and just wanting to screw Col. I feel like it's almost come too late with them, like they've been wanting to but not screwing for so long that of course Molly is going to be extra aggressive at this point in their relationship. Hah, it almost made me ignore the actual plot going on around them, I was so into them getting together.

Now, this is interesting. I'm theorizing that yeah, the government made the plague and also made a vaccine/cure, but isn't giving it out to Quarry because it's the people that they don't necessarily care about. A sort of extremist raid against the poor/destitute type thing? I dunno, but I hope Col gets his cure. Also, may I say, as the ever ignorant/forgetful reader, how did Col get infected? How is the plague transmitted? Are Molly/Vari/Walker immune and that's why they haven't been infected by Col, or is it like an STD or harder to transmit?

Either way, I like how this is going. I like that Molly and Col are inevitably going to hook up very soon, and I like the idea of them getting to know more about the plague.

Update soon and congrats for getting on Project Fiction!

P.S. I ship Molly/Col, Col/Walker, and Walker/Molly. Just not Vari. Dunno I'm still not into her. :P

It's very telling that Col finds hacking so much more interesting than wet pretty Molly. It's funny of course (Soma always makes me smile) but it also underlines how self-centred Molly is in that he can't understand Col's refusal to be distracted (even though he was the one that asked him to do the hacking to begin with) and how this unsettles him and throws him badly off balance. I suppose the bottle or two of champagne on an empty stomach had something to do with it as well.

I think one aspect that you could give attention to is WHY Molly wants Walker back. Because he was a good lay would be too simplistic, with Molly's bisexual promiscuity (and look, here he is coming on to Col already - hardly the behaviour of a distraught lover). Because he cares would be rather farfetched as well, the way he's been painted (as self-serving and self-absorbed) but if that's the reason then I think it should be elaborated on.

Plot-wise, it's great that you've finally confirmed the suggestion that the plague is artificial and curable. Hope there'll be more twisty goodness soon.

Panicky Walker? Hmm. Well alright he wasn't cucumber-cool but considering what just happened to him I think he's holding it all together pretty well. And best of all, he still sounds like Walker. He isn't the insufferably superior Walker that I didn't much like at the start of the story, but he's retained his sense of "I'm better than all this".

The more I hear of Sire, the more interesting she gets. I found the chalk drawings in stick frames particularly intriguing. Along with my mental readjustment, I'm going to start pronouncing 'Sire' as Psy-Ree and not like it's an archaic title for a master (although semantically that fits better with her having tea boys and living in forts and all).

I guess my overall comment on this chp is: woo hoo, the plot gets moving

*flails around forever* Nuhhhh first of all, so so sorry it took me so long to get to this. tl;dr October has been brutal BUT I'm here now :D Review party woo!

(gonna review as I go along miau :3 )

Not going to lie, that opening sentence made me squirm because it's an irrational fear of mine - waking up with my eyelids (and lips, usually) stitched shut. I don't even. Anyway, Walker's slow return to reality felt very real, and I love how in the middle of it he digresses and thinks about how he would've offered Molly breakfast and he would've appreciated it cause he's poor, etc., because that totally seems like something Walker would fixate on. I do love the description of the light 'struggling' to get through the dust, and how it's 'losing' against the darkness. Personification is fun!

Ah, there goes the panic. I was waiting for it, and it's about as gloriously incoherent as I'd been hoping for. Oh, Walker :(

Yay Iggy's back! And... he's got a direct line to Sire? What? What?

I love how, once again, in the midst of a mental crisis, Walker still keeps thinking back on how he doesn't belong here, how Iggy might but he won't, how his apartment's all fluffy and shiny etc. He'll always be Rich Boy, bless his heart.

"Walk" - 'like a bird choking'. I tried this aloud in the office to myself several times, and giggled. Colleague gave me an odd look. I HAVE NO REGRETS.

Love the writing in the first few paragraphs of the second segment, in particular. A lot of the word choices like '[buildings] fallen into despair', and 'every nightmare awake' and 'misfortune is oddly exalting' are not intuitive, but work really well after a second read, maybe even more so than what would have been the more intuitive choices imo. Possible typo, though: 'I'm not sure what I'm looking at it', extra 'it' there? But I nitpick.

Gah that staircase of bones. I shudder. But very nice detail, it really sticks with you and it's something the reader cannot unsee. Nice touch of morbid there.

"If I knock my teeth out Sire might make earrings out of them." Walker, why so adorable?

"Even I don't know how-everything for me has come as it has come, and I've never questioned it." And I think this is another aspect of why Walker's so terrified of being in Quarry. He's heard all the horror stories in their worst incarnations, and he probably never expected to wind up here himself. But at least he's somewhat self-aware; heck it may be the only thing that's keeping him from a full mental breakdown right now.

Awww when it slowly dawns on him how Iggy sold him out :( . I didn't even fully realize the weight of that until Walker did. And when he asked whether all that justified the boiling hatred he was feeling, I started *truly* feeling sorry for him. Though, love the tension at the end there. Would this count as a temporary stalemate?

Anyway, it was great seeing where Walker's at, and finding out (with the few details that were given, but still) what Sire (and Iggy!) have been up to. Can't wait to see the next iteration with Molly as well :3

Final note: BY OFFERING TEA I REALLY REALLY HOPE SHE MEANS TEA.

-SPOILERS –

Ugh, it took me *ages* to read this, sorry D: It's just the kind of update I don't want to be reading when I'm in a) bad mood b) tired c) unable to write you a review that you deserve. (I might use this review for the games, but I might as well not :P). Anyhow, anyhow I'm so *happy* that you reviewed this, because I was sadface to this see this precious gem go unloved for so many months, and I just missed the wacky craziness that is this verse :D :D :D

So that being said, I really loved the gleeful, prevalent insane happiness of this chapter: it's really all dark and morbid subject material, but you turn it comical by having everyone in this story being pretty much insane XD. I think that's a talent, because few stories would deal with sudden abductions, shitholes and mentions of torture as well as you do without making it all MEGA depressing. Plus, it keeps the story fresh and zany, giving it its own particular flair and style that makes it special to read. Originality and having your own voice is a key to good storytelling, so I will gush about this forevermore *_*.

I cannot tell you how I just love Walker's sarcastic insights into the world that is Quarry: there's something undeniably charming about the way he handles his fear and trauma – he starts focusing on fashion, on mocking what the people call suburbs in this place and even starts joking about murder at the end. It's really grotesque and funny, but also insightful, because his descriptions give the readers a good idea what this world is like (depressing, dangerous, run-down, a rotting hellhole). I kind of feel that you are, by having Walker resort to odd speculations about how Sire gets her bones for example, very cleverly downplaying fear and stress. It's not only downplaying, but I think it's a realistic coping mechanism. Somehow, if you read between the lines and beyond, the chapter really does get scary, because Walker is trapped in a world without rules and has basically been threatened – the situation is most definitely unfunny.

I really loved Walker in this chapter though: from spoilt prince to someone who's really good at grasping at what this world is like, I feel you've really fleshed out his character well in this chapter. I like how he starts off in this chapter by being utterly unconfused and thinking back to Molly (hehe) to freaking out when he sees Iggy and realises he's in the Quarry to being completely bewildered and finally accepting his fate when he meets up with Sire. I found that whole range of emotions you gave us here were well-paced, markedly funny and touching at times, and again, believable. I like that they never got too over the top or too sober, but remained a perfect balance between humour and seriousness (the story never quite loses the dark edge that defines it, amidst all the humour).

Ugh, ugh, ugh, so many things I want to comment on, like favourite scenes, but there's just too much. I really liked the descriptions and world-building in this chapter though, like the child eating the maggots or Sire's headquiarters – you have a real talent for vivid descriptions without making them too heavy. I really, really am fascinated by Quarry, especially :D Especially the contrast it offers to Soma – I'm looking forward to more fun descriptions in future chapters :D !

Ohh, I'm kind of surprised and yet not surprised to see Iggy here, talking of clever plotty stuff. Somehow, I figured that there was a conspiracy going on with Col, and I'm really eager how it's going to come into play. I'd say something else and clever and substantial here, but I don't really have anything else to say other than excitement :3 I love Sire! She's cool and insane :)

Prose-wise, this chapter was really smooth: no rough patches, no clunky scenes. I really loved the flow, and this was easily one of the best things I read this week :)

Ahh, the return of buddy Walker. Ugh, if only my memory was a bit better and I could, y'know, remember what was going on at this point in time. Let's see...

I think Walker and Molly had sex? I'm fairly certain that happened. Alright, with that in mind, let's get going!

Wait, Walk got abducted while he was having sex? If that's how I'm supposed to interpret this, that's HILARIOUS. Oh, Molly. Man, I love that description you gave of how pissed off Molly was and how Walk finds some pleasure in this simply because if he doesn't he'll be freaking the fuck out very shortly.

But seriously, what a change! Quarry has been this mysterious place and I can't believe we're finally there. Oh, poor Walk. Out of everyone, he's clearly the least likely to handle the change well. Hopefully, we'll get some clarification because it seems like Quarry is this place where people the government don't like end up (like Iggy). And then there's some sick people. Okay, yup, I can't wait for the exploration here because I'm confused. x)

Wait, does Iggy work for Sire? Well holy crap. I think my first read around I was too concerned with how hilarious it was that Walker had to focus on how all he could do was make toast. Damn Iggy, finding yourself some purpose in life!

Well, you've certainly just created more mysteries to eventually unveil in this world of yours. Can't wait to read more and sorry about the delay on my review. Hectic life, man.

Update soon!

I particularly love Walker chapters. I think I've mentioned before that I think Walker is even more insane than Molly, and possibly than Vari. His thinking is so unfiltered it's wonderful.

Everyone's favorite favorite Window here for another review.

Sire. Teeny tiny. What does she want? What is she after? What info does she want? Why does she want to do stuff with Walker's father? Why? You guys are doing a great job in building the mystery, and the only flaw is how infrequently there are updates.

"She holds up two fingers like I'm a moron". XD Favorite line. Ever. I loved Walker's panic. It was still the same sort of streamlined nonsense streaming from his mind, but in a way that was legitimately scared. If he weren't such a rich boy pansy, I would actually feel really sorry for him. Well. Being slowly tortured would suck, and I can't imagine how he feels about that.

Also. Iggy. WHAT? What's his connection to all this? Why was Col tasked with getting Molly when Walker (or Vari) is who they've been wanting? Seriously. GAH! Next chapter. Tomorrow!

Creeeeepy. D:
Everyone's favorite masculinely developed Window here with another review.

I've always liked Soma. So much insanity thrown in an actually structured and well-written story. This chapter really continues with that trend (as does the next. I had to keep reading). Anyways, here we go.

Dude, it's creepy that Col is training the girl to kill. Seriously. Poor Nora. Hell, poor T1bbles. Also, the 'tea' at the end. Um. *slap* yeah. That was a thing. Vari. *slap* yeah. She's a thing too. AWESOME WORK!

So, pretty much I love the idea that there ISN'T a disease (or is there?). Almost like it's a huge rumor to keep the populace under control. If that's the case, why are people sent to Quarry? ARE they sent to Quarry? If they have such great medicine, why don't they just help those people that are in Quarry? Too poor? Too much of a lost cause? Creepy implications in this chapter. I kind of wonder about Vari's intentions. Then again, I always have. What does she want? To prove her dad wrong? To prove her lifestyle is actually legit? Kinda creepy. Kinda cool.

Continued on the next chapter. Gotta have more. D:

Ah, interesting to see what Walker has been up to all this time. Thanks for the update!

Sire sounds very controlling and high maintenance - one can recognise that type of person easily enough in real life. She would suck out what life Col has left in him. I applaud the writers for creating such a very dystopian dystopia and maintaining enough levity for the black humour to be sustained throughout. Not sure if I could. I applaud Col for being so upbeat about coming from such a wasteland as the Quarry! *smirks* the lady in fur would glare even worse if she knew what Col was thinking. I wonder if black holes are attractively well lit inside, given that they ingest light.

Molly reminds him of Sire! What could that portend?

Eugh! Gosh, what is Molly about? A cannibal? A necrophile? That his hoarding disturbs even Col does say something. Col shows this remarkable ability to detach himself from the pain of experiences. I get the impression that the scenario with his first girlfriend was just one tragedy that has gone on around him.

Oh dear Col, out of the cooking pot, to lie amidst the coals.

Love Col's comments about his balls! That's just, wow. It’s so vivid and descriptive and perfect. (sorry, the better the work I’m reading, the more blubbery my review tends to be ;) )

[endoskeleton can only be theoretical] love this!

[expanded by a factor of two. In base ten. So really, a factor of 100.] I’m a tad confused… Expanding something by a factor of two in base 10 is just the amount doubled? It would be a 100 percent increase but not expanded by a factor of 100? If something is expanded by a factor of two in base two, it would be “really” a factor of ten, and 4 in base 2 is 100, right? Or am I just completely ignorant right now?

Hahaha, dunno if it’s appropriate to find this entertaining, but I love, love the fact that the big buy at the brothel gets pissed off at Col when he thinks he’s a pedophile. Like even though he runs this establishment that’s kind of questionable by real life standards, he has some sort of moral system, and I think the unexpectedness of it all is really awesome.

D’aww, and he gives Nola his number just in case. Homigosh, I can’t. Vince is like a giant teddy bear cast in guns of steel.

[I dont even think to run away.] missing apostrophe

[Now, its just me who's awkward.] also here

Okay, so Col was only thirteen in the flashback. Damn, people in the Quarry die off earlier than I’d thought! And he had a girlfriend?! I imagine she was roughly the same age as him? It’s interesting that Vince got all protective over Nola, it makes how short childhood is for your characters all the more noticeable.

[and a hand thats too clean to be from here] “that’s”

Ooh, Col’s former name is Benjamin? It’s minor, but I like it a lot. I feel like it’s such a good boy’s name.

[It must be a dress code, because neither am I] I LOLed at this

Very interesting chapter. I really, really enjoyed this. Is the mysterious girl in the flashback Sire? I imagined her older (though maybe she is old by Quarry standards) and with more minions for some reason, but if it is her, than I do like her. She’s totally badass, and seems very wise and perceptive. In fact, I’m curious as to how she acquired that wisdom.

I also really like Vari’s ultimatum. I think it speaks volumes about how she cares about her friends/lovers—that is, not very much, or perhaps, in a particular way that’s hard to understand by normal people, haha.

I think Col’s observations about how she and Walker contrasts are very astute. And given his backstory and experience, it makes sense.

Ooh, also, before I forget, totally loved how you casually had him mention that he killed Helia on request. If there’s more to that story, I definitely want to know it!

Excellent chapter!