I have only one critique of this chapter. We seem to go backwards in time. Last chapter it was September and now it's August again. Just something that stuck out.

Other than that, absolutely lovely. Jim bringing a chick flick is a great move by him. Though he could have probably brought any movie and I doubt they would have watched much of it, keyed up as they were. Yeah, just a good fun chapter here. Can't wait to see where they go from here on out.

Author's Response:

Oh shoot thank you for that catch! I fixed the date!

Thanks!

Very cute. Pam pausing to run to Jim's room to ask that was adorable. They're just lovely together. Jim being the first one to say he loves her seems fitting. As does her mild freak out. It's a much nicer freakout this time around don't get me wrong.

Some things happened? Ok, I'll just use my imagination on that one, but I think it's at least safe to say they're doing a bit more than just making out now. Nice images there. Still loving how much fun college age Pam is having with Jim back in her life.

Author's Response: This Pam is much better than the Pam with Roy.

Are you trying to give us all diabetes with how sweet this chapter is? Cause if so you've absolutely succeeded. The build up to everything, just a seemingly normal day of getting coffee and tea, just sitting on a bench, and then the big moment. I'm sure Jim was sweating bullets. Especially giving her that necklace and poem. Seems just the sort of cheesy overly romantic cliche thing Jim would do and that Pam would love. I loved it I'll tell you that much.

Just wonderful.

Author's Response: Mission accomplished! It definitely is a total Jim move!

Always fun to have an update with this story. Loved the images of their NYE trip. Reminds me of a trip my wife and I took back before we were engaged to Chicago. More than that, I really like that Pam has taken some time to look back and see how far she's come in her life. From what she thought was great in high school to what is truly great now.

Wonderful to see an update here. Really like that Pam can still turn into a pile of giddy goo when Jim mentions something more permanent in their relationship. I like that they're incorporating things from both of their lives. Watching basketball but taking her out. Nice to see they've developed balance. The spring break memories were a lot of fun.

Pam's black period. Maybe we'll just put it down to March and it's raining out a lot.

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Great use of economy of words. Lots of depth for so short a story. Hits right in the heart. Nice job.

Fun to see Kevin show up here. Interesting little quest they're on. Still lots of unanswered questions about everything, but all in due time I'm sure. I like the way they're connecting here. You've got their banter down well. Looking forward to more as always.

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Ok, yeah just like everyone else I'm hooked into this one too. Great way to get into this world. Already we've got questions about the who's, what's, why's, and everything. It very much feels just as tense as any survival/post-apocalypse type show or movie one would see. Great detail in both world building as well as internal thoughts.

Great job with this first chapter. Really looking forward to seeing how it all pans out.

Author's Response: Thank you so much! This genre has always interested me. I like to see how people respond when civilization is stripped bare and people's true nature comes out. Thanks for reading!

Got me a little worried with the first part of this chapter. I could feel the hunger they were all going through as they huddled in that cabin. Then when those creeps showed up. Good on Jim and Brian to send them packing. Well done Jim, being the sheepdog as you put it earlier.

Nice to have a break of almost normal with the swap meet. I get the feeling this is one of those, enjoy the good times when you can cause they don't happen much anymore kind of times for our heroes. Especially with the rumor of that larger gang.

Looks like Jim is also familiar with a concept called the Grey Man. What that means is that the Grey Man survives by not drawing attention to themselves. They are the ones in the background you dismiss in an instant. Could serve him and everyone at the farm well.

That last scene with Jim and Pam though. Very nice to imagine all that. Even through it all, their connection still remains just as strong as we see anywhere else. Maybe even stronger.

Author's Response: The good times never seem to last long! I realize I was likely heavy-handed with the foreshadowing but I definitely want to draw attention to the fact that their gut instincts were right. Grey Man is very interesting and is indeed how many of these people have lasted so long and without having to fight off anyone. Thank you for your always enjoyable thoughts! 

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Lots of intense emotions this time around. I love the fact that it's Pam that Jim turns to here. That he needs her just as much as she needs him. I love that despite everything going on in this world, they're still there for each other. I 100% get the kinds of emotions Jim is feeling here. Traumatic experiences are rough. Seeking comfort and solace with those you love is natural and it's great to see that Pam is there for him.

Jim as the reluctant leader is coming along nicely too. It seems that you're grounding him first and foremost in thoughts of protecting his family. I like that approach. That his protective instincts then grow out to others seems very natural.

Great chapter.

Author's Response: Thank you so much Warrior! Congrats on AotM too! 

Good way to ease off after all the tension of the last chapter. Nice that they had the time to decompress a bit. Not that they're under any less strain, but this chapter feels like a chance to catch their breath.

Speaking as a medical professional, I don't see much wrong with any of the medical stuff here. Yes Pam passed out, but other than that I didn't see any symptoms of a concussion. Those would be, among other things, confusion, asking the same question over and over, and nausea and vomiting. However Jim's also not a medical guy so it stands to reason he might think that's what happened. Same goes for all the rest. Bumps, scrapes, a few cuts, but nothing a decent first aid kit can't handle.

I also like how Jim and Pam can communicate here. Both verbally and non-verbally. The scars from pain in the past may still be there, but those old hurts seem to have healed. Especially in light of their current situation.

Great writing as always.

Author's Response: Nice! Thank you for that information! I was hoping it made some sort of sense so I'm glad it works. :) 

Lots of tense moments with this one. I was expecting things to go south at any point. The fact that this time things didn't still leaves an ominous feeling to this story. Which is I'm sure the point.

That being said I'm glad they were able to get in and out unscathed. Toby is still a worry. Especially with his attitude to Pam.

Glad they were able to rescue not only the kids, but Isabel as well. Jim and Pam have always been kind souls and I'm glad that hasn't changed to much in this world.

Author's Response:

Thanks Warrior! Yes, Tent City is a way to have glimpse at how bad things are elsewhere. We don't get to see the true scope of the devastation because we are limited to what the characters know of course, but this is a way to expand the landscape a bit. At least that was my hope! I really wanted Jim and Pam, particularly Pam, to wrestle a bit with the goodness of her nature verses surviving, especially since now her basic needs are met. It's an easy question to answer when your are barely making it, but now they are quite well off. She will continue to, as you will see, but I wanted them to have a 'win' this time. :) Thank you so much for your reviews on every chapter!