Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

Edit .needed- I looked at the bounty my had friends brought me.
My I runners to
I'm not surprised you needed a break from these memories. More than a few deep breaths I'm thinking. Going strong Lea
Cheers
Valda

 Comment Written 30-Oct-2023

---

reply by the author on 31-Oct-2023

Thank you again for your Eagle Eye. And your kind comments and your wonderful reviews.
Just amazing, thank you!

Comment from JSD

Excellent

I'm a bit scared for what follows. I hoped that there might be some refuge to which you could go for protection? A state run hostel or something? But I will wait to find out. x

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2023

---

reply by the author on 23-Oct-2023

They have what they call shelters here. Children who are homeless certainly get rounded up for the most part. They called that the kiddie wagon in the old days. Most kids don't last more than 24 hours outside of the home, but there's the odd few like myself.
In my case, my family was part of many of those things and had their fingers in many pies. The depth of betrayal manipulation and cover up. It's so much deeper than I've written so far.
My life was nothing if not chaotic. Thank you again for hanging in there with it a lot. Was that it didn't matter how hard I tried or how I Try to please or be a value.
But it was over before it started more control than you know. And I was picked to go down with the others so any action I took was mute. Thank you again for your kind review. And you're fine reading. Always happy to see yours have a Good Night!

Comment from T B Botts

Excellent

Hello Lea,
What you had to endure, no young person should have to put up with. Life hasn't prepared you to handle such difficult questions, and the fact that your family is dysfunctional and you are on your own in a dangerous world is unsettling. Such a hopeless feeling, not knowing where to turn for answers. I can feel the panic gal. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Have a blessed day.
Tom

 Comment Written 22-Oct-2023

---

reply by the author on 22-Oct-2023

Thank you again Tom! i'm so happy to have you on this journey!
Britain anything down
Over and over I thought about writing it down. But then I nobody would believe a word I said. For so long so many things happened to 1 person. I thought, I'm sure myself I don't want to suffer from terminal uniqueness and that's the idea that nothing and no one can understand how I think and feel. I cannot get caught in that kind of trap. I threw caution to the wind and exposed myself one more time. And here we are. We are receiving excellent reviews and encouragement from Tom as well as others still surprises me. Then I think does it really matter if people believe me or not?
In some ways ut does because it carries lessons for others to learn from at least I think. And in other ways it doesn't I know the truth that's all that really matters. Thank you again. I appreciate you listening to my philosophical comments and reading my work. And offering your compassion and insight. Thank you, have an awesome night!

reply by T B Botts on 23-Oct-2023

Hi Lea,
I think that you're finding that writing down your experience is therapeutic. You can't worry about what other people think. If you're writing this for yourself, it doesn't matter if they believe you or not. I had a friend who went into the military and told tales of hunting and fishing in Alaska. His buddies thought he was lying until he produced the pictures to back his stories. Keep writing gal, at the very least it's entertaining, and at best, it's going to help with the healing process.

Comment from Rachelle Allen

Excellent

This is a very good build-up (I accidentally read them out of order!). But you do an excellent job here describing your frantic, frenetic state of mind. Worry can definitely do that. As a wise neighbor told me once: Worry is like rocking in a rocking chair: it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anyplace.

 Comment Written 22-Oct-2023

---

reply by the author on 22-Oct-2023

You are so right, and worry for me leads to panic leads to desperation. Like fumbling around in the dark and can't find a wall. This is where grave mistakes and sometimes life changing directions from that mistake. I appreciate you and all your words and your wisdom in that last line is great.
Too true, thank you again

Comment from LJbutterfly

Excellent

This is too much for a teenager to have to deal with. Your clothes are wearing out and you don't have adequate food. Additionally, you don't have any sustained support. There is no family to turn to. This sounds like a case for foster care if it is discovered you are in the woods alone. I'm hoping for the best.

 Comment Written 22-Oct-2023

---

reply by the author on 22-Oct-2023

Thank you again for your kind review. Your comments of which I have ever appreciated I sound like Broken record but it remains true just the same. Yes, that was the last thing I wanted for sure.
My family very much involved and some quite high up within social Services and are involved with foster care group homes and adoption. I didn't know at the time to what extent if I had it. I would surely give it in and given up. It's better sometimes to only know some things until you're ready to know the other things.
But I know that sounds like gibberish but you understand as we move along. Thank you so much again. I hope you have an amazing night!

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Hi Lea, you describe your panic so very well. It must have been awful to feel you had nobody you could turn to. How lonely that must have been. I will be looking out for the continuation. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 22-Oct-2023

---

reply by the author on 22-Oct-2023

Thank you so much, Ulla (cool name by the way) I'm happy to have you along on this journey with. You are very engaging and say much when you offer your comments which are great too! Thank you again have a great night!

Comment from Jim Wile

Excellent

What an awful position to be in, Lea, to not be able to trust any of the grownups in your immediate or extended family for fear that no one would believe you or help you. I can certainly understand the panic you felt.

Now you've really built the suspense, as it seems something truly life-changing is coming in the very near future. I guess you couldn't keep going the way you were going, but hopefully what you are about to encounter isn't worse. I'll be waiting for that next chapter with bated breath. - Jim

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2023

---

reply by the author on 22-Oct-2023

Hi, Jim, thank you once again for your comments are always helpful and you look at things from a different perspective which is why I like it too. I find that men seem to be more practical thinkers where as women seem to be more emotional. I take my q's often from men as far as practicality goes and in matters of the heart I find women are insightful this way. I can appreciate the strength of both positions and try both ti affect change. Thank you again Jim back to the writing!

Comment from Debbie D'Arcy

Excellent

I like your theme of distraction or displacement. It's certainly what we do when we're unable or unwilling to focus on what's important. Also your combination of 'dangerous' and 'needed,' very common in abusive relationships (Stockholm Syndrome which I think I've referred to before). Small edits: I looked at the bounty my (had friends) had brought...; My (I) runners too; but (,) I was struggling with options..(No need for comma after 'but.' A lot of self talk and self motivation here but you know that this is not getting you the answers/solutions you need and, all the while, your situation in the forest remains a precarious one. Another well-expressed chapter hooking the reader's curiosity at the end. Well done, Leah. Debbie

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2023

---

reply by the author on 22-Oct-2023

Thank you, Debbie, I'm gonna go ahead and make those corrections. As you know, I'm happy to receive them. People have different eyes and look at things differently. So as a asset for sure as always. I thank you for your review and your kind comments. I will go ahead and make those changes. And thank you again, have a great night!

Comment from BethShelby

Excellent

You have left me feeling a bit of your panic myself. I hate that your choices are about to be taken away and I'm wondering what will happen to keep them from being taken away. I'm not sure how old you are at the point but I'm guessing about 17. Am I wrong?

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2023

---

reply by the author on 22-Oct-2023

Hi Beth i'm only fifteen at that time. And yes, the panic and the urge for flight was very strong but I know this urge I've been there before. Many times I've had to physically stop myself. Doing something stupid because I'm panicked or because I'm angry or because a feeling of desperation might take me always mistakes happen in those. I'm not perfect, especially in those days. No I learned how to do it by myself. Thank you so much for reviewing asking thoughtful questions and offering compassionate gold, thank you so much!

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

I think we do go into panic mode when we feel powerless, I have felt that on a couple of occasions. Another fine and powerful chapter Lea and that poignant line: Soon slim choices became no choices, gave us a taster of what there is to come.

A suggestion for this line:

(The not knowing was (driving) me nuts).

Love Dolly x


This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2023

---

reply by the author on 22-Oct-2023

Dolly so happy to have your support and coming along this journey with me. It has at times been hard and exhausting. But not in a bad way in a good way. An unloading if you will.
I'm very happy to receive your fine review and your compassionate comments. Thank you again, I've gone ahead and made that correction as well. Thanks for that, have a great night!