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A Jericho Fan Fiction Archive
Penny, I really enjoyed this chapter. What amazes me is that even though the characters are in different situations with the removal of Jake Green from the equation, their basic qualities are still intact. Gray, for instance, struggles to lead no matter what.
The ending was quite chilling with Freddie making it clear that this is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. I sense Jake's discoveries are about to get far more frightening.
Thanks Sandra!
I'm glad you think the characters are still themselves; I really wanted that to come across. And you're very right, Freddie is giving Jake a bit of foreshadowing.
Thanks for reading!
With each chapter I get more and more intrigued. I do like how you portrayed Gray. I thought the whole scene with accurately showed how Gray would govern with any help. I do agree that Gray has a heart and a conscience and that he tried to do right by the town but just lacked the necessary skills necessary to do a good job.
Quote:
This government though- haven't been much help at all. Maybe they think we're beyond help." He looked at Jake, a silent plea in his eyes.
Even in this Jericho, people are still looking toward Jake to help solve the town problems.
Quote:
"You probably don't remember me. Skylar Stevens. My dad owned the salt mine."
He nodded, wondering where this was going, why her eyes had taken on a sparkle.
"I'm really sorry about your father. He was a good man. A great mayor."
He was somewhat taken aback. In all his recent dealings with Skylar, she had never expressed anything of the sort.
"If there's anything I can do, if there's anything you need, just let me know. I'm here every day."
He sensed there was something more to the excitement evident on her face when he arrived, but as he was eager to get outside and find his family, he just smiled and thanked her.
I was intrigued by this interaction between Jake and Skylar. I sense a change for the better in Skylar from the person she was in Season 1. I also got the feeling that Skylar is hiding something. I curious to know what it is.
It seems that there is someone in your story who is not happy with the status quo and wants to do something to try and change things. I'm especially interested in finding out who the graffiti artist is.
Quote:
But why are they all sitting back and taking it? The people I know would never let this happen to them.
A lot of things have happened, and many are simply beyond all of this now Jake.
Freddie had lost all traces of his usual joking manner. It sent a chill through Jake to hear.
What a great ending ,it just leaves me wanting more.
Thanks Skyrose!
You are right, about both Gray and Skylar. And poor Jake, can't get away from his role of town hero, or at least, town helper.
Thanks for reading!
I am totally hooked on this story. The detail you provide really makes the story come alive in my mind. The Jericho without Jake that you have created is very believable. I think this is because that you have kept the characters very true to character. A couple of things that stood out for me were:
I couldn't help but feel a little worried about Gail and Eric. Although, I admire how they want to pay tribute to April by being at the med center all the time, I get they are doing it at great sacrifice to their personal lives.
A great chapter and just like the last one leaves me wanting more.
Thanks!
I really wanted to leave the characters true to themselves because they are still essentially themselves, just facing different circumstances. Jake's absence has a ripple effect on everyone, but they are still the same people reacting to this new world.
You're very right about Bailey's, it's kind of an outer representation of Mary's inner feelings, and as she's let go of a lot of self-worth here, she's let the bar go too.
Mimi's regretting being in town, but she's regretting being anywhere at this point. She's had to deal with losing everything from her former life, but she never really found anything to ground her in this world, so she's lost and drifting by the time we meet her.
I agree that Gray has a conscience. He started out with good intentions, to protect the town, but things have gotten quite out of hand.
Thanks for taking time to read and comment!
I am completely intrigued with the premise of your story. I like how this chapter - the detail and description - set up what is to come (having read the next two chapters before writing this review). I think your choice of Freddie as Jakes 'guide' is appropriate. Not living in Jericho he can be objective as to what is going on, on the other hand, he's close enough to Jake to give him a push when he needs on. I think you write a very convincing Freddie that is right in character. This chapter has definitely left me wanting more.
Thanks Skyrose!
I'm glad you liked my choice of Freddie. When I imagined all the possible guides who might want to take Jake on this journey, Freddie got the job instantly because he is a peer for Jake, a friendly support, and as you said, not connected to anyone in town, except for Jake himself.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Well, well, well! Things sure are getting curiouser and curiouser!
I am very intrigued by Skylar acting as Gray's gatekeeper. I've often thought that if Gray had realized that Skylar was going to assert her rights to the salt mine in alliance with Dale, then he would have tried to head it off at the pass, either by adopting her or marrying her, whichever was easier to accomplish. I assume thaty have some sort of closer relatinship here, but I'm almost wondering if she's the power behind the throne! Can't wait to find out more about what's happening with that particular pair.
It was interesting to run into Jimmy and Bill, too, but more interesting to hear about the Mystery Tagger, leaving graffitti all over town. And, "Johnston Green for Mayor" is some interesting graffitti! I can see how it would drive Gray bonkers, and I really can't wait to find out who of the many suspects in town -- pretty much anyone who hasn't died, right? -- is doing it.
This part sets up some delicious mysteries... I'm looking forward to more, as well as finding out who we get to look in on next. :-)
Thanks Marzee!
I'm glad you enjoyed the mysteries. You'll hear more about them eventually, and I'll try not to spoil anything now by saying any more.
Thanks for reading!
I think this is about the third or fourth time I've read this chapter, and each time I read it, I notice nuances I'd not noticed previously. What a layered story you've created, Penny!
From early on in the chapter with the A.S.A. soldiers questioning Jake to the end of the chapter when Jake leaves to go to the clinic, I was riveted. I still don't even know where to start with my comments, so if I jump around a bit, please forgive me.
Wow. So I suspect we all thought some terrible things happened in Jericho before, but with the removal of Jake, it's amazing how things have changed. The attention to detail you've shown in your story truly makes it stand out. You're bringing up things that I'd even forgotten, such as the fire at the library. In retrospect, I remember the characters talking about how they needed to contain it to keep it from spreading to Main Street.
The fire, Johnston's death by the flu, April's death at the hands of Ravenwood, the plundering Jericho took from Ravenwood and other groups, the list goes on for the shocks that Jake has coming to him in wave after wave from Mary.
One of the things that really impressed me about this, Penny, was how you also kept the characters true to themselves, not just what they say but also their mannerisms. I could so easily envision Mary having this conversation with Jake and Mimi turning into a lush without having Stanley in her life.
You weave such an entrancing tale, yet you also leave me wanting to know more. Why is it that Emily won't be coming around? Why does Mary feel guilty where April is concerned? Did she somehow tip off the Ravenwood guys that the med center was there they would find supplies? Where is Heather in all this? What has become of Robert Hawkins?
On a few side notes, I thought it was just like April to go down fighting for her patients. We saw on more than one occasion April go above and beyond the call of duty for them. I was also quite delighted that Jake's first instinct was to find his family and not to find Emily. Then there's Gray Anderson. I guess now we see what would have happened without Johnston there to guide and temper Gray's knee jerk reactions.
I am so eager to find out what happens as Jake continues with this journey of discovery with Freddie. Keep up the good work, Penny!
Thank you Sandra!
Your comments really made my day. Your questions made me think and I'm glad you're enjoying the details!
Thanks for taking time to read and review!
Penny,
This is just getting more and more interesting. :-)
I'm really enjoying Ghost Freddie's helpful nudges, and the changes you've made to Jericho's recent history are intriguing and believable. I appreciate each difference, from the kid from the who who couldn't hold Stacy's shoulders down but is now bold enough to try a little extortion, to Gray's little army, to the destruction on Main Street. Each detail makes perfect sense, such as the fact that the library fire spread disastrously without Jake present to fix the pump station, to Mimi as a wrecked lush who made the choice she likely now regrets to shelter in town (and separate herself from Stanley).
I can't wait to find out if Heather's alive and in Jericho, and what her reaction to Jake is - as well as his reaction to her. Also, what has driven Emily from town, and why won't she be back anytime soon? So many tantalizing questions!
I especially appreciate the alteration you made to April's death. As an April champion, if she had to die, then I'm glad it was in defense of her patients, although - like Jake - I'm sad that she died so violently rather than slipping away surrounded by the family who would miss her. Lastly, I'm intrigued by Mary's guilt over April's death, and her relief that Eric isn't around much. I wonder where this is all going, and how it will turn out.
Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Marzee!
I'm glad you're enjoying the details of this alternate universe. Jake will be finding out more answers to some of your questions soon.
I'm especially glad that you approved of my alteration to April's story here- that means a lot coming from an April champion!
Thanks for taking time to read and comment!
Penny, I absolutely am loving this story. It makes me feel on edge with each new discovery that Jake makes as Freddie guides him on this new road. I have so much more I want to say--and will be saying as soon as I organize my thoughts. So for now, I want to thank you for sharing the story with us and add that I'll be back later to expound on this part.
Okay, I'm intrigued!!
Very interesting start, Penny. I can't wait to see what happens from here. I have to call out two parts. First, this one just amused me:
Okay, that's ridiculous man. Get up.
Freddie, I've just been hit by a truck.
Get up.
I find Jake's logic hard to argue with, but I'm still glad Freddie yanked him to his feet.
And, the second one:
“We're going to go find out what's happening in your town. Check in on all those people who don't need you. You'd better get ready though- they'll probably act like they're seeing a ghost.”
This paragraph and everything that followed have me hooked. I love how Jake's understanding came slowly. I don't think I'd get it any faster! I also love Jake's immediate reaction against the premise; he doesn't want to be a Jake Green who didn't come back to Jericho, and I suspect he wants to be needed.
I'm looking forward to more. :-) Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Marzee!
I agree with you, Jake's logic is hard to argue with. You're also right that he really doesn't want to be the Jake who didn't come home, but now he's opened the door and he'll have to see what's on the other side.
Thanks for commenting!
What a fascinating premise, Penny! Talk about the ultimate what-if scenario for Jericho! I really like how you set up this story, and I'm so eager to see what you have in store for us.
Thank you Sandra!
I've enjoyed writing this story, and will be posting more shortly.
Thanks for commenting!