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I looked for an apocalyptical genre story for a while without any luck, and had almost given up. Clicked on this story without even realizing I had found what I was looking for, and was not disappointed.
Really hope to see more of this genre, and that ending might set up a sequel?! A prequel would also be amazing, the intrigue about what "Before" is kept me wondering the whole time.

Author's Response: Thank you so much, Xany! I am certainly considering a sequel after I finish up my other AU. I feel like there is still much more story to tell in this universe. Thanks again! 

what I really am enjoying (maybe not the best word since there is so much darkness and sadness in the Now) is the role Jim is taking on with Pete. But him being a father-like or at least big-brother like figure to Pete is a touching. Likewise for the way Pam and Erin are -I always wished they'd leaned into that a bit more on the show.

All the rest is so well written that I can hear the gravel in Mac's voice, the scruff of his look, the slowness of his movements.

It's so understandable the way Pete is feeling, but Jim is right -anything to protect his family. What a world you've put them in. Dark and ominous but what a great read so far.

Let it be done. That's the kind of vibe I get from Jim at the start of this chapter. Mac and his men have done nothing but take since they showed up. they took lives, dignity, safety, and security. No more. Jim has drawn the line. So, let it be done. Even still I feel like he doesn't want to be in this position, but since he's here, he'll finish things. There's a threat to his family and friends. That threat needs to be dealt with, so he does.

I do kind of like that we didn't get a blow by blow scene of that last fight. Just seeing the aftermath is already rought enough. However Jim comes home. Sadly not with everyone. The pain is still fresh, but he's home with the woman and children he loves. So healing can start.

The funeral scene was a good way to cap that. The price was high, it's good to take time to realize that. But there's also a finality to everything. They can lay their loved ones to rest with diginity.

Life continues. That's the feeling that comes across there at the end of this chapter. Regardless of if it's Before or After or what threats are out there, life goes on. The residents of The Farm have found a little slice of peace and they know they can defend it. They'll stay on guard, but they can also enjoy the sun. Great way to end this chapter.

Author's Response:

I think you really got the message I wanted to convey with the culmination of all these events leading to that moment, and ultimately, the compromises someone has to make in those circumstances. 

 Thank you so much, warrior!  

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*throws the whole jar of jellybeans at you*

Thank you for this, Bored. It’s amazing how seamlessly you marry these characters we know and love with this new apocalyptic world. It’s was captivating, and lovely, and heartbreaking, and beautiful. And the ending was perfect. I loved the whole thing so much.

Not only can you consider yourself a writer now, you can consider yourself a damn good one. :)

Author's Response:

WW, I am SO sorry! I somehow missed this review (I think because it attached itself to the first chapter?) initially and this is super late.

ANYWAY, thank you so much! I cannot express how much your support of this story has meant to me. :)

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Bored, I don't even know where to start. This story took far too long for me to start reading, and now I can't believe it's over. There truly are no accurate words to describe just how amazing this story was. It was so detailed, I felt like I was standing next to them every chapter. If NBC ever decides to make a post apocolyptic The Office, I would only assume it's because they read this and couldn't put the idea down. I would also then assume you would of course be the head script writer and director, because of course you would. I loved every minute of this story.

Author's Response: Oh Aly, thank you SO MUCH for your love of this story. It means so much to me. :)

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A wonderful story you've woven and forged. I've enjoyed every syllable. Thank you to the bottles of wine that convinced you to share.

Author's Response: Thank you SO MUCH for your ongoing, enthusiastic support of this story. Knowing someone out there is enjoying it so much, makes all the difference. 

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Oooooh. I'm usually much more wordy but in the interest of getting into more reading I'll try to be brief. So good. I've got goosebumps envisioning the world. Sad Dwight not here (although hi spirit seems to be and that is almost as satisfying). Pete and Erin. Love that they are here as I always saw them as the simpler, younger version of Jam. Emphasis on the simpler but you've already taken advantage of the older wiser mentor relationship I see for them. I do see the shades of a quiet place. I'm hooked and ready for more.

Author's Response: Thank you, Max! I'm so happy you are enjoying it so much. Thanks for taking the time to read and review! :)

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It can take me a lot to get into something so AU but the characterisation is great and the bonds between them so strong and complicated-- I'm totally there. I really hope you continue! I'll definitely keep checking back. Thanks for the awesome story.

Author's Response: Thank you so much, lesser! 

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Holy. Shit. This story is so captivating I’ve been doing nothing but reading it for two days. More. More. More.

Author's Response: Thank you, JH, so very much! 

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I have to tell you, I am pretty obsessed with this story. Actually, I'm totally in love with this one and the Civil War one as well but this one, it just gets inside me and, I dont know... i just can't get enough. When you talk about it ending I seriously kinda want to cry. I'm trying to enjoy and savor eaxh chapter knowing you're about to end it. Im so serious when I tell you that as I read each chapter I see it playing in my head as though it were a movie or an episode of the show. This probably makes me weird or at least odd but sometimes I think about a chapter and it was so vivid in my head because of just how wonderful you are with painting g a picture with your words and I'll think I seriously have watched it.

I have to admit, at the end of chapter 16 you left me a mess. Seriously, I was seriously worried when I was reading about them having Jim and Brian all beaten and restrained. I actually was thinking that I didn't think that Jim would have the same type of superhuman strength and determination he had that night in Roger's barn when it was just Jim and Pam against a group of them and Mac's brother made the huge mistake of punching Pam which led to Jim being able to get away from several armed bad guys that were restraining him, and beat the brother to death. I was thinking, without Pam there Jim wouldn't have that same motivation and lo and behold, then Pam.is there and you did something to me that doesn't happen a lot when I'm reading fan fiction you tied my stomach in knots and I felt a bit like I might puke. Seriously. Theres one other story on here (of the more recent stories, the one where after Pam broke up with Jim he got married in a matter of months after he never even proposed to her. That story seriously makes me so angry at Jim. This one, the things I want to do to these fictional characters makes me wonder if im losing my mind.)

Okay.... so. If you're going to insist on ending this kinda soon, I have something maybe you could think about. I mean, I think there are so many different stories you coukd still tell, even in the time period you're writing right now. Oh, something I've been hoping maybe you'd address is Sasha. The last we heard was just that she was devastated. Im wondering with Toby dead and no other parent, what's happened to Sasha? I wonder if she had realized the change in her dad. Did she notice his Pam obsession and/or his hatred of Jim which I would think would bother Sasha since she had that babysitting bond with Jim from when she was younger. She also knows how happy Jim was to see them and how he treated them as friends bringing them into the house and finding room for them there rather than them needing to figure out something outside like the others had to. I think I kinda picture her kinda merging into Jim and Pam's family and being like an older sister that their kids would look upto and adore. I can also see, with the babies being born her being a bit of a mother's helper to the moms and maybe helping Angela with the kids schooling. I wonder at her age have they looked for textbooks, is there anyone who is continuing her education?

What I had started to suggest was if maybe you'd give some thought to a sequel. Actually, while I would love a sequel, something that happens maybe years after this that shows us what's going on not only with the Halperts (they'd have to have even more kids. I mean, c'mon... there's no birth control and these two love enjoying each other. Ive always pictured them with a big family anyhow. I'd also like to see what the future has in store for Brian and Isabel. I see kids there too and also for Mike and Larissa. I'd love to see Sasha grown and maybe having met a nice guy herself and maybe Jim tearing his hair out as Cece starts dating. I wonder what life would look like years down the road. Do they try to reestablish things like Christmas and gifts? I honestly, well, when they went to Tent City the first time and on the way back remember, I think it was Jim and Brian went into that former toy store? I had been hoping they were going to get a bunch of stuff and take it back and put it away for the children for Christmas and birthdays. Seems there would still be some stores with some things they could get for things like that. Okay... so yes, I'd love if you'd think about that but even more I'd love a sequal that's actually a prequel. Id love for you to start with just a normal day before this happened and tell in more detail about the explosion. How long did it take before they realized that life as they knew it was truly over? I"d love to.learn where were Jim and Pam? Were the kids with them or did they have to get to them? When they left their house, did they know they wouldn't be going back? If so what things did they take with them in he beginning and how did they lose things like their vehicle, along the way? Did they get in contact with the rest of their families at all or know what their famimies were planning to.do? How did Larissa come to be with them? I know you mentioned they went to Brian's because of his military training and hope that he had weapons but how did that go and how did he end up deciding to stick with them? BTW... he is an amazing OC, one of my very favorites ever. I also really love your Larissa. She's strong and knows her mind like I imagine Jim's sister. I also really love the clear bond you show that two two Halpert's have and also the bond Larissa has with Pam. I can imagine Pam and Larissa having a strong bond even in the old world. Like Larissa I had 3 brothers and no sisters. I could see Pam becoming the sister Larissa never had. Did Larissa and Brian ever flirt with the idea of being a couple? I just ask because its the end of the world. I think I'd want to be with someone and if im with a couple and another person seems natural to explore that. Then again. Brian may think Jim would kill him. I'd love to know.more about the time on the road. You mentioned the times they didn't think theyd make it. I'd love to know more. Oh, what made them decide on Shrute Farm? I'd also love to read how Jim and Dwight really bonded and worked together in this world and even more, know more about what was going on, how/why Dwight was killed. (Love to know if Angela ever opened herself.to love again.) Okay, I'm sorry that I insist on writing so much about the stupid ramblings of my mind. Like I said, I just have such an enormous amount of love for this story and want so much to know so much more. Really, the things you give us make me wonder about so many other thing and make me want more details of the little wonderful tidbits you drop here and there. BTW, I also thought for a long time that it would be intersting to see them run across Roy. During this story I've kinda pictured him as joining Mac's men but in either a prequal or sequal it might be nice for them to come across him with his wife Laura and maybe a kid or two. Just be interesting to see that dynamic. Just wanted you to know that if you do have any inclination of making my dreams come true and writing more, there are so many stories to tell. For now, I'm going to absorb and enjoy every word of your amazing writing. Thank you for giving me wonderful ways to take my mind off the fact that life is trying to beat the crap out of me right now. Its so great to have something to obsess about that is thankfully fictional!

Author's Response: Oh ftmill, I always thoroughly enjoy your analysis and thoughts, both on here and on twitter. This is such an epic comment, I don't even know what to say! It is so rewarding to pour yourself into a story and have others just as emotional invested in it as you are. I appreciate you being patient with me while I finished folklore and I hope the payoff was worth it. I hope to maybe write a sequel or prequel down the road. I feel there is still a lot more story to tell with these characters, and I hope to continue it someday. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all your unwavering support of this story. It absolutely makes me smile. 

Really good chapter. Great writing. Excuse me while I go burst into tears.

Author's Response: Thank you and I hope those are good emotional tears! 

Okay. Okay, okay. I was already nervous to read this chapter & the note has not helped...

“Her knife” YES. Thank god. Talk about payoff for a moment a few chapters ago.

“The anger turned to energy and pulsed through him, intense and furious, like the current in a live wire, making his vision clear.” I love this description. Stunningly vivid writing as always.

“She was precariously adrift, reaching blindly for the anchor of him.” Oh, this imagery. So damn beautiful.

Bored. This chapter is absolutely haunting. The subject matter alone was so very real and raw and you did it all kinds of justice.

Author's Response: Thank you, Jenna! I was sooooo nervous about this chapter and I'm relieved it came across with the tone I intended. Thanks for reviewing!