Consequences Chapter 19 has been posted. As always, there are spoilers for the chapter below. Read at your own peril.
…
So, here we are.
I knew early into writing Being More Social how the story of Consequences would end if I ever wrote it. I’ve been carrying around the weight of the ending incident of this chapter on my mind for the better part of 8-9 years. Naively, I thought that at least when it did come up, it would be a relief and a load off of my mind to get it out. I was mistaken.
At the very least, the incident is written. A difficult thought for a depressed overthinker who knows they’re going to have to write… the scene I just wrote, is that I could seriously mess it up. Make it unintentionally funny in a way I can’t see, or make it flow poorly, or not foreshadow it properly. Sometimes I like subtlety, and sometimes I don’t. Given how many of you expressed worry for Nicole, I think it’s fair to say that if I wanted at least one reader to know this was coming, I accomplished my mission.
I take no joy in writing incidents like these. I just know that it happened, and I don’t want to be dishonest. Without getting into details, the events of this chapter were sadly influenced by reality, to an extent. I am worried for the other end of the scale, that this chapter “does its job too well,” so I decided to take responsibility. In place of the Patreon plug at the end, I included… something else. If you know, you know. I also included it at the end of heavier stories I have written. Much like with age gap stories, I write these stories as a cautionary tale.
Let’s drop the pretense. I’ve lived through these events, both on a personal end and happening to others. Every genuine suicide attempt comes with regret. Every single person can be saved. It is worth it to go on, and if you are plagued with these thoughts, you don’t have to go into the darkness alone. Please look up your country’s suicidal crisis hotline, and please at least try to seek help before doing something rash. I promise you, light awaits. Happiness and novelty still exists no matter how bleak things get. Nicole’s journey breaks my heart as it does others, no matter how this particular story ends.
I don’t take pleasure in keeping people waiting after this. I will start writing Chapter 20 immediately. I don’t know how long it will take me, but I hope to God I’ll finish it as quickly as possible. I don’t want anyone to wait, nor to suffer. I understand my stories can cause pain, and either I’ve just written my most painful work yet or I’ve looked goofy as hell trying and failing. Neither cause me joy, but… it’s the way the story goes.
I stayed up until 8am writing. I need to go to bed. I’ll talk to you all next week.
Bashful Scribe 
Hi can’t seem to send comment on website for some reason I just read chapter 19 of consequences and I have to say I am upset and disappointed. I’ve read the story of Nicole and Adam from the very beginning and have to say she’s probably my favourite character of all the erotica I’ve read since the last year for that reason I think killing her off like this is firstly cruel to the reader and also pretty lazy as a writer it’s no good saying if you might be disturbed don’t read it, because after reading all of being social and consequences I’m not going to leave the last two chapters. I fell in love with the character of Nicole and understand she’s disturbed, but such an extreme end of this kind, well I’ve said my peace Yours disappointed and sad Dadiesdreams
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I completely understand your disappointment, and I’m sorry. I’m unclear on the laziness, so if you would care to follow up with another comment, I’ll do my best to take it into account and improve as a writer.
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hi thanks for replying to my comments on consequences chapter 19. I use the word laziness I meant as in a lazy way to finish a story I felt using a bit more imagination. We could find a way for a less dramatic and final end to our main character. After all, it is an erotica not despair, you’re writing about. if you do manage to save her from dying, I hope you do it in an inventive way. Ie believable, it actually hurts just being reminded about the story and replying to you. Sorry I got so invested in your story and character. Maybe you shouldn’t make them so attractive LOL as in attractive personality wise, as well as physically,
regards Dadiesdreams
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No worries at all! On a level you’re right, it’s awful to make a character that people like and then build up to what happened. I think it’s very reasonable to feel upset in response to this. Thanks for unpacking your thoughts more.
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I would have to respectfully disagree with the first commenter here. The whole story arc has been leading to this moment, and I think nothing would have disrespected the story and characters more than it would have by swerving away from it at the last moment in pursuit of a happy ending. It is refreshing to find a story of this nature that stays true to itself and doesn’t turn all fluffy towards the end.
I too love the Nicole character (certainly far more than I do Adam), but to have her whole arc turn around at the close would have seemed unrealistic. As soon as she proclaimed her love for Adam I just knew what was coming and my heart sank further with each line I read, but it was written with such skill that it came across so well. It was hard to read so I can only imagine how hard it must have been to write.
One chapter to go and I just hope that the author isn’t influenced too much by others comments and stays true to his vision for the ending of the story, however light or dark that may be. Kudos to you sir, and thank you.
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the double down incident has been hinted at multiple times, and like you said, the story has been heading a certain way for a long time.
I personally questioned reading consequences simply because I didn’t think BMS needed a sequel, and after reading more of his work, I anticipated a heavy turn which has been fantastic, and yet proving my point.
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Like other readers, I’m sure, I feel very ‘down’ to be losing Nicole – surely one of the best, most ‘alive’ characters I’ve seen in this type of fiction.
However, it’s your story and, as Harry says above, it was obvious from their last conversation that Nicole had reached a turning point and very credible, sadly, that this turn would be in the wrong direction.
My one comment – not really a criticism – is about the title. ‘Consequences’ suggests that the outcome is the result of someone’s – presumably the narrator’s – actions and mistakes. I may be wrong but my feeling is that Adam, while naive and self-centred (or in other words a teenage boy) shouldn’t have to bear the responsibility of this tragic climax. But perhaps I’m taking things too literally/seriously!
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It’s quite heavy, and I understandwhat you mean when you worry about doing it a little too well. The second to last scene had an extra heaviness to it, and the more i think about it the more i understand why.
Virginia Woolf wrote in her note to her husband “If anybody could have saved me it would have been you,” and frankly I always thought it was almost a mean thing to say, but this story made me understand it a bit more.
On an unrelated note, I appreciate the Poirot reference! I’ve been reading an awful lot of Agatha Christie lately.
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