How much do I love your Esme! "I need to discuss something with big Edward, not the infinitely more annoying obstreperous boy Edward." They were so adorable together. But oh my goodness, did he not tell them what happened? Just wait until Momma Esme gets news of that!

Your Jacob, a good and kind man, gets added to the short list of ones I respect and like.

Interesting epiphany for Bella - the power of a woman's body. So that's how it all began.

His incredible abilities of perception (almost as if he could read her mind), heehee) enabled him to handle Renee with wisdom.

I had thought that Sparky sounded like Alice's but still didn't put it together that she was the same person as Jasper's girlfriend, so excellent job on the big surprise ending! Hopefully her presence will help Bella forget her crappy mother.

Oh wow, he knows; they told him everything. I wasn't expecting that but it makes sense. And...he's staying by her side.

Gonna be sleepy today, but it's completely worth it for a page-turner like this! Thank you for sharing it! Must read on!

Stunned. I thought Edward might help by seeing her via the window and, you know, call for help. As you can imagine, a much more sedate version than the bloody, brutal and incredibly tense chapter you wrote. Crazy well done!

Must read another chappie then sleep a bit before it's time to get up.

I read a lot of WIPs but I'm so glad this is complete! I can't fathom waiting any length of time after that terrifying encounter! How did you ever write it? It must've given you nightmares. All I can hope is that Edward saw them from his tree perch. Must read on!

"When his face lights up in a smile, he looks like a little boy, carefree and hopeful. When he's pensive and staring out of the window, his profile looks as serious and aristocratic as that of a Roman senator." Is your model for Edward anyone I know? *wink* No, it's not obvious at all.

Ah...now we're at the prologue and the situation is worse than I thought. She's gotten close with Edward and sadly is going to pull a New Moon. Even worse is she's doing it alone - no family or friends and she doesn't even feel like she can contact the police for help.

Regarding your A/N and reply, I love your vivid descriptions; they're not too purple at all! Very enjoyable - the perfect shade of lavender!

"Edward watches her face light up from the inside like a pretty paper lantern." Now see, that's just lovely! I wouldn't want to miss out on a beautiful visual like that.

"...smiling down at him with her big smile, like the one that she felt on her face the day she brought home her little doomed dog." Danger, Will Robinson! Tell me Edward's safe and this isn't an omen of bad things to come!

"...realizes that she's tired of trying to stay away from him." I love your numerous, perfectly woven in, ultra subtle nods to canon.

You're a master of metaphors: "Those heavy brows are like underlining a word, they give his face an accentuated ferocity."

I was surprised she spoke first but I was really proud of her! Loved their hesitant conversation. So much left unsaid.

Oh, I think we're up to the prologue, or close!

Your poor Edward...nothing is going right for him. I just want to take care of him - feed him, wash his clothes. I'm glad he found comfort in the tree and his piano.

The shower scene was erotic (understatement, that). I'm seeing that this isn't my sweet,virginal Canonward but a more mature and jaded (I think?) version. No problem, I'm adjusting just fine. :) I guess it worries me a little that he's not necessarily a one-woman man because I feel Marie/Bella deserves the very, very best (though he was young then and it might've been a one time thing). It does sound like he was forgiving of Tanya's difficulties and tried to work things out with her. I think it's that you've done such a superb job with Marie/Bella's pov, that I feel protective of her.

wow different kinda story but really good. i enjoyed it!

Ok, yes, I had to read one more and wow, I totally get why everyone has raved about this. It's so beautiful and poetic and...I'm lacking the words. Rose's love for her daughter and how fast she's grown up. This: "...not yet at a place from which squandered years can be mourned or coveted." The Pegasus metaphor. Bella's self-hatred. Wow, lady, can you ever wield a pen. Just...thank you. I'm now going to force myself to do stuff I need to do and hold this until later when it can be properly savored.

I've been so patiently wanting the Rider to return. The wait has been hard but perfect and just how I like it - a slow burn of sorts. Now he's here, and boy did you deliver! I thought we'd just get another peek at him or some bits of info, but no, we got a beautifully written, in-depth portrait. I'm captivated by your Edward, his life and surroundings. I want to quote the whole chapter! The descriptions of him and his home were stunning; I'll always think of an ebony wing when I see a grand piano.

Is Marie's mural on one of the outside walls of his home? Is he the "kid" the Watcher mentioned?

I've neglected RL and must return to it for awhile. Thanks so much for sharing your enthralling tale!

I can't tell you how happy I am that she has the tree, vine and mural to comfort her. You effectively write them as unlikely cohorts in her effort to maybe, just maybe, break out of her battered shell and make a new life for herself.

"It would be like manhandling a cadaver under a rug, then tripping over it for years to come." Great one!

"This is the same book that she knows and loves, just in a different skin." Ah, I see, just like Marie.

Wow, she's got plenty of money and she still does that job, allows herself to be treated that way. She really is in a shell, closed off from her herself and everyone else. Alec is her best friend and he's a fair weather one at best.

I've assumed that she was Bella and started using Marie when she ran away. Victoria saying her given name must've really freaked her out.

Thanks so much for sharing this!

You've most surely got the "show, don't tell" issue down pat! Her despair is alive; I felt it intensely and it broke my heart. I desperately wanted the Rider, or someone, anyone, to appear and help her and just take care of her.

I'm sure of this, I never would've entered that apartment after seeing someone in the window!

That was intense, frightening, and upsetting, just as it was meant to be. She's cracking into pieces. "Her skin feels like it's crawling off her bones and that creepy sneering leer starts to look increasingly like that of a predator bearing its teeth in a rabid rage." I'm not certain that he's the Watcher but he sure fits the bill.

Your writing really allows me to see how a person could continue in a situation like Marie's. You're also doing a wonderful job conveying her waking up to new possibilities: "Today, on the other hand, she's the perfectly messy mix of crushing regret and dangerous hope."