This is still as exhilarating as it was the first time I read it. It's timeless. I love how this begins with a description of THE GIFT and it's location and Broots' thoughts about it. It was a stroke of genius to start this novella that way. This is all about THE GIFT. From there you tell us how Miss Parker procured THE GIFT and Jarod's role in that, which confirms Broots' suspicions of Jarod's involvement. You tie it back to that with your shiny ribbons of gold Mirage.

You fully immersed me in the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, the crowd, the music, the ever present and loud AF salvation army bells, Miss Ella Fitz singing Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Parker had to put some effort in finding the perfect GIFT for the ghoul who has everything.

You lighten the dark series up even more with this gem "Of all the shops in all the cities in all the world, Frankenboy walks into this one."

Then we hear the MOST Miss Parker thing that Miss Parker has ever said:  "The lines are four hundred miles long anyway. Why the hell not?"

Everyone hates shopping for christmas.

I love that Parker corrects Jarod's "mr" with "doctor scrooge."

It's her reason for murdering Raines that makes this all the more plausible. A child. Her child. I'm guessing it's Jarod's child, too. I love that you didn't make that child be THE GIFT. Coerced parenthood is terrible, it's a curse, not a gift. I love THE GIFT is ding dong Raines is dead. A gift Parker gave to herself. A gift that Parker gives to Jarod and his family. It's a GIFT that will spare many people pain. Her reasons really are in keeping with the spirit of christmas, the good will towards humankind.

This might be my favorite novella of yours. I'm always blown away by this one, and it's always like I'm reading it for the first time. Bravo, Mirage, and have yourself a merry holiday time.

Yes Yes yes we always want sex not touchy freely but I love this, seeing them come closer and I wish there was more to read of this. Please write more!! 

I need you to know that is my preferred ending, the one I choose for myself. I don't even need the creators to release mayo jar info. This is it. Jarod never escaped. It's the Centre. If every single moment of his life was actually recorded he would have been caught collecting dust and mold. The Centre and Sydney definitely wouldn't keep Jarod in an unclean environment. He's their cash cow. I love that it's Parker who examines the origami and finds the dust and mold. This is my favorite thing ever!

Yeah, I remember those organization names.. you created Crimson Sphere and Five-Tier too, for The Return. You used Crimson Sphere in A Heroe's Heart.

I love that you use you them. They seem like legit terrorist organizations to me. So plausible. Why should the Centre be the only baddie on the board.

This is overall perfect. I love that the characters are in character, too. That will always be my favorite thing when I like a story. You go the extra mile for me and also make it plausible, the dialog crisp, the story popping, and seamless transitions. Perfect.

More please.

I'm loving the twists. More?

Thank you for this exquisite masterpiece Mirage. I love the series, and I look forward to reading more of it. It's refreshing to see the characters all in character and to feel the Pretender feels.

With gratitude as always.

Oh wow wow wow. Continuity. Continuity. Continuity. I'm a stickler for continuity.

I love your Pretender perfect characterizations, the dialogue, the plausibility, the mannerisms, the Jarodisms, the Parkerisms, the Brootsisms, the Sydneyisms, your transition and descriptive work, the natural ability you have to tell a story and write it and above all I love continuity and you bring it. You brought it big time. I love that you're true to canon, the bunnies.

My heart is pieces on the floor and I'm gathering them up now and will get some glue. I'll make repairs. I love this chapter even as heartbreaking at it is.

I hope you'll continue. It's exceptionally out of this world amazing. Thank you. It's a painful pleasure to read you.

Oh my my my but Jarod is beautiful isn't he? He loves Parker so much and after nearly losing her I can't blame him for not being terribly concerned about lyle. So plausible so beautiful. This began with Asphyxia so horrifying and it's really heartwarming too, a heartwarming horror love story. I love this.

Woow. Forces of Nature continues. Human nature truly is hideous and nothing is more hideous.

I was on the edge of my seat with this and it's only the first chapter so that should tell you everything. You are a masterful author and story teller.

I can't wait to read more.

Thank you for continuing with this.

Woot! I thought you were gonna leave me hanging on Halloween 🎃 🎃 👻 👻!

Thank you for the treat � �

No tricks. EXCEPT Jarod's!

He is so scary.

So charming, charismatic, sexy, hawwt!

I can see the characters.

Oh the working out ..reminds me of Jeffrey. You should see that one.

No rape, just gay guys . it's all good �� 😊

That guy from Wings co stars.. it's so cute that movie!

This is terrying because Jarod could pull it off and even feel justified

But he isn't and I can't wait for Parker to divorce him IF they are really married.

Putting the horror in the Halloween Mirage and it's a story that needs to be told!

Good looking, sweet, charismatic, kind men   are the least people expect to be rapists .

oh I was just rewatching days of our lives 86 and there's a whole story line where suspicion shifts to dr mike and I instantly thought of youand this story with darkJarod. 

Have you watched Days of our lives?

I know you are too young to have seen it but

I've sent you my files with every episodes Michael is in?

You should watch it .

It's a trip, girl! Like so cool and far out man lol. It's so 80s.

Anyway.. more please soon.

Keep going.