Very intesne and feels like a rich environment into which you ‘ve dropped this small-towne, ole-time sounding doctor. Goodness knows modern docs don’t do housecalls.

I got a bit confused by the first sentence. I think it’s just a missing apostrophe to signify you mean the forest is between the home of Farmer Geonnes and the town, a town in which I am assuming the doctor resides. As it is the sentence reads as though the forest is between the person and the town, which may be accurate but then makes the rest seem like a shift to the doctor. I’m rambling, so I’ll stop now. Really exciting stuff.

No, you’re absolutely right. I’m am glad that you enjoyed it and fixed the error. Never hesitate to constructively criticize one my stories. I may not always heed your advice but I welcome the opportunity to grow. Thank you for taking the time to read so many of my humble offerings.

you said twice that they needed him.
So does farmer travel back with the good doctor? then he can be less afraid on the woods, or does the doctor see the farmer’s pallor and ask him to stay at his house? Afterall, births are no place for husbands in olden days.

Thank you Elsha, actually because of you, I get to cast a sinister spin on the old doctor. I very much appreciate your comments and criticisms. Thank you.

Is the “black coffee” an anachronism or is intended to be period-appropriate to the time frame? Weird to think of a place having home-visits from doctors, farmers, and scary woods to travel through… and coffee. But if it was intentional, I could tie in some cool stuff about the history of coffee.

The black coffee was intentional. I hadn’t really thought about it though. I sort of took it for granted that coffee has always been around. So please- tie away!

ah I see the changes now.. this is much more.. active and still dark and foreboding.

Interesting! Not certain where I am, but I want to know more. Always a good sign.

This sequel takes the story in an increasingly darker direction. I like the gap between stories and the shift in perspective. Seems like Alviso is badly affected by the forest.

Just me, or is it snowing during the tale?