thanks

i think you mean “rouse sympathy” or “arouse sympathy”. I liked he way you explained Ambers character.

Thanks for that, Pyropunk! Stupid mistake.

I liked it.

One thing I picked up: I would have said “She swore after every second word” instead of between

Much obliged, Calvert. I appear to have difficulties editing my stories after writing them!

Powerful stuff. Great concept.

I like this story because I think I’ve hooked up with Amber before. However, I feel like the guy wouldn’t call the girl at all if it was that big of a mistake. Maybe that’s just my inner XY speaking. Would it take a prolonged dating excursion to identify such a train wreck? However, I love the way this prequel lends weight to the original story.

Thanks everyone! I see what you mean, Dark Hillbilly, but I wanted to show contrast between the man and Amber, seeing as she is careless and he has more care for things (however in the last line it is obvious he is not a hero, and tries to escape his problems). The dating excursion is a great theory – anyone who wants to write a prequel on that basis is welcome!