*sobs* Yep, this was heartbreaking and how painful it was for them to relive it. I wonder what Gerald would think. His reactions and emotions here shown through Marcus are already distressing enough. To think that that pain is still very raw and present for him...

You're absolutely right that this needed to be told, and that it's the least that Phoebe deserved. Ugh, I'm lost for words. Don't quite know what more to say except that it hurts. One thing I'm glad for this 'episode' is that I think it gave Arnold a bit more clarity over how short-sighted he was back then.

(Crying) i'm glad Arnold finally realize his feelings for Helga but I'm also mad that he didn't think of her during this time. Love this short story, wish I would have read it first ...lol I kind of read the stories out of order

I never thought I'd tear up from reading fanfic, but man, this is so amazing and wonderfully written. You have such an amazing talent! Ever after & Never after are def. on my top choices of fanfic to read on any fandom. I can't wait for the next part! I'll definitely be in the lookout for it!

Beautifully written.

Fantastic story. Took me a while to get a chance to write a full review. The reaction Helen had to Sophie was heartbreaking as was the ER scene with Sophie's mother and father. I really hope also that the reaction of the actors to the episode will be in a future chapter. I like the interaction of Rhonda and Arnold. I hope we'll continue to see lots of Rhonda in the future. More Gerald and some Patty/Timberly/Harold would also be great as well as an update on where everyone else is in the group. Interesting to see it was a random person after my pet theory of Sid/Stan being the shooter, but I'm intrigued that I was correct about him being dead. Xavier being Brainy was interesting too after I was partially expecting him to be Peapod Kid though expecting Brainy to show up as a character. Wondering how he and Naomi managed to get together. My other pet theory is that Ronnie is actually Tad's daughter and the discovery of that was what actually made Rhonda get divorced from Dashell and why Rhonda never talks about it.

Few questions-
I'm a little confused as to how Sophie/Phoebe got shot since Helen/Helga was standing in front of her or on top of her the entire time. Obviously, there was craziness, but a few more details might have been useful. To just say that Phoebe/Sophie caught a bullet is a bit vague and you have all the details in the scene about Sophie being cold and Helga covered in blood. I can assume that not all the show details are correct, but it seems doubtful that Helga wouldn't have done the same thing to try to protect Phoebe as Helen did in the show.

Also hadn't thought of this earlier, but surely there would have been some sort of memorial or dedication at Hillwood High and the shooting would have been known of at the school (like school shootings are thanks to major news coverage or even on wikipedia entries for the school- Phoebe would have been mentioned and there would have been links to articles with pics of her) so Daphne and the others would have known about the shooting even if they didn't know their parents were there.

I knew what this was the moment I opened the story. So I read, with heart in my throat and dread in my stomach, the last day of a wonderful character. It was powerful and moving, serious and heartbreaking, and you handled it well, you had the show handle it well. I like the silence, the total lack of music emphasized the heartbreak, the life altering moment. It made it more real. This was very well done... though I need to go in search of some tissues.

I knew it was coming but I'm still so sad that that Phoebe's gone, I can't even imagine how hard it must have been on Helga and Gerald. You did a really great job with the emotions and scenes, can't wait to read the next installment in the series.

This needed to be written, and more importantly, needs to be read. Especially in the world we live in, where things can go wrong in an instant. And we have to focus on the good done by those that are gone, and hope for something better. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Beautiful! Just perfect as always

Phoebe! No! One of My Favorite Characters! No! I won't beileve it, I won't. I-*sob * Damn your realness!

Beautiful. Just beautiful. I have to admit I really did not pay attention to where was Phoebe in Ever After. So when I read she was killed off I would just remember she was not an integral part of the grown ups then because I wad more concentrated at Helga reacting with seeing Arnold again. Also seemed logic and that would explain why Gerald dissapeared from the map. I even thought one of the four girls would be Phoebes daughter at least but nope. Please continue I reeally wanna read what happens next!

This was great! I started reading last night but have to leave it aside because it was bed time for everybody, including me. I swear I didn't sleep last night just because I wanted to read it so badly. I think I dreamed of it.
Anyway, as always I have to say what a awesome writer you are. Every word s d phrase written is gold; and I think your greatest merit is not to write what is not needed to be written. You know where to stop and let the reader grasp what is not there. That's the most difficult thing to do when writing, I guess.
That said, you were right. Phoebe deserved that memorial and I'm glad Helga and the rest of them pulled through. I hope Gerald was able to watch it too and that beyond the pain he'd be able to heal too. Not much else to say. It was so sad. It's a shame that such terrible things happen to good people.

The beauty of Ever After and the beauty of this whole narrative is its realness. Even rawness, if thats the word for it. Oh my gracious, what storytelling. I want this to go on and on forever. You map out this story so precisely, every scene and interaction is where it should be. Even this stand alone installment is refreshing in its brevity. I want more, I need more, but you give just enough.

As usual, you have continued to peel back the relationships in this narrative and I love it. Its pretty inspiring to read something from an author and they still manage to be surprised. Tad and Rhonda's relationship was sweet and sad at the same time, Nadine and Brainy's was heartbreaking...I could go on and on. So many things done so right.

Oh Phoebe. What a tribute, though. I think what I loved the best was your portrayal of so many reactions. Helga's, Gerald's, Rhonda's, Tad's, Arnold's...all don ee so well, without overlapping too much and just...you got it right. Really right. And even better, you know what to leave out. A snort during the Lisa/Arthur scene, but no other mention of Lila. Arnold letting Helga decide whether or not the conversation would turn to the episode. You just know what youre doing and its inspiring! I need to write now! Ugh! I love this too much.

Amazing job.

I had made the terrible mistake of reading this in a freetime in my job... terrible terrible mistake, cause now I can't controll myself from crying...

I'm still crying even as I typed this. This was so incredibly beautiful in the most tragic, wonderful way. The way you write is so incredibly descriptive, I felt as if I was walking the halls myself, that I felt that fear, that helplessness. When Helen/Helga desperately clung to Phoebe/Sophie it took my breath away. That one moment was so heartbreakingly moving. There are no words. Any words I can say would not give it justice. I also enjoyed the how you showed us the reactions of the girls, Arnold, and Rhonda. And of course the end where Arnold is there for her, loving her in the way he should of all along.
God, this was amazing. You should be proud because this really is art.
Bravo.