My god, reading about Mike and his nightmares just felt too realistic and what a horrible place to be stuck in your own nightmare. You write it so well, as your descriptions are well thought out and very detailed. Looking forward to more❤️

Very good chapter, the description of Mike's nightmare felt so real, it was almost as if it were my own dream. I knew that he would get nightmares and have problems being intimate with his wife, which I think is one of the things his captors wanted to achieve, because I guess they not only wanted the money, but also just tortured him for fun so his mind gets screwed up. I'm also very excited for his talk with the police, so please update soon :)

I knew back when the abuse first started that Mike would have terrible nightmares about it. Even when he feels like he's getting better, he will probably have flashbacks/dreams for the rest of his life, and that thought is heartbreaking.

The panic he felt in his dream was written so well. I could really feel it, and the cold sweat. Ugh.

Now, his realization about Anna having changed her approach to comforting him and/or trying to touch him is really upsetting, too. I really feel bad for him, knowing that he wants his wife's touch, but afraid that he will freak if they are intimate, and drive them further apart. That struggle in his mind has to be really awful.

Even though being in Mike's head is a terrible place to be in this story, you write it so well. The fact that I can feel his panic attacks, having never had one, is a testament to how well you're writing the emotions in this story. This chapter was really good!

I am glad they’re both moving along together and they’re opening up to each a little more now. Looking forward to seeing more from this story :)

I'm super happy Mike really opened up to Chester, and dug deeper than just the facts about what happened, but about the feelings. Chester is a good friend, and his advice makes lots of sense. I hope Mike will remember it, even when it gets hard. Him mentioning the video the bad guy has of him....that makes me worry and I can see how that would haunt him. Just think of a video of Mike Shinoda jacking off showed up on the internet?? He would be mortified. And it's not like, oh, I'm in a mood, let me film myself and oops now it's out there. No. This was forced :( so yeah. That would suck. *sigh* but hopefully that won't happen.

Have I mentioned that I love how much they worry over each other? Well I do. It's such a Bennoda chapter :)

Yes! A new chapter! i swear...everytime I think 'hmm, when is this fantastic story going to be updated again', a few days later you update!

Anyway, this chapter really moved things forward and in the right direction. I'm glad Mike was honest with Chester, and i also liked Chester's reaction to what Mike told him. He has to deal with it, and he can't pretend that it 'wasn't that bad', because what happened was bad.

So thanks for this update, i can't wait for the next one :)

I know I've been slack about reviewing, but this chapter got to me. I'm so glad Mike finally talked to Chester, and Chester's advice is so good. I knew Mike would deal with a lot of shame and guilt over what happened, and Chester has the experience in that realm that Mike really needs to listen to. It just broke my heart when Chester wiped Mike's tears away. Ugh. He was so gentle with him, and my Bennoda heart loved that so much. This was a good chapter.

Finally I manage to leave a few words! But I know that you know how crazy our last weeks have been, so yeah.... Sorry for the delay anyway.

Ok, let's focus on the story. I simply love Dave in this. He is doing the right things and by talking to everyone, he is really holding the group together. I donate say that I don't understand why they are struggling or feeling overwhelmed - but they really have to shove that ti the back of their heads and focus on Mike and his wellbeing. They need to make sure to stick together. And without Dave, that would have gone incredible wrong.So I'm so grateful for him being such a great dude and friend.

And I also want to say that I'm not that mad at the others anymore. Because they are getting their shit together and they are back in the room with Mike. Time will show how it goes from here, but this was a step in the right direction!

Can't wait to see where this is heading. Still a few things to solve and to talk about!

P.S. It was great meeting you!! <3

Ugh, Chester. Dave is so right. It's NOT Chester's fault, and what if he had been there? Those mean bad guys would have hurt them both! And then where would they be?? I understand the guilt Chester's trying to get across though...it's so easy to think that way in hindsight. I'm glad that Dave was there and knew how to talk to him. How to talk to all of them.

Mike was so distraught at the end of the last chapter, it's a huge sigh of relief to see him feeling better and more confident in this one. Of course they still love him, and he's still Mike no matter what.

I'm so glad you updated!

I really liked this chapter (well of course I did, I like all the chapters), and it was good to see some hope at the end. Mike needs all of them now to cope with what happened to him.

I can understand Chester's point of view, that he blames himself for running away, but he needs to see that it's over now and that he can help Mike by being there for him.

Please update soon!

I did mean what I said about Mike needing a support group. If he's emotionally scarred and can't eat sandwiches anymore (and I wouldn't blame him) then a support group where he can be around other people with sandwich issues, could be good :)

And I started reading this story because I randomly clicked on your reviews, and something one of the reviewers said made me curious, so I went and looked and here I am.

So this chapter. I love the opening with him coloring with Otis. And it got even cuter after (and you know what I'm going to say here) Chester got there to help :) I'm very proud of Mike for telling the guys. He really needed to. And I agree with Dave. They all need a little time to come to terms and such. I hope Mike will pull himself out of these horrible thoughts he keeps having. He needs to have more faith in his friends.

And the cameras need to go away so Otis can have his BBQ party. Dammit.

Okay, ready for more :D

gosh, I'm so proud of Mike, I hope he'll be okay and the guy will come back to comfort him. Dave is such a good friend. Damn you write so well, can't wait to read more.

I hope those bastard will get the sentence they deserve

I'm glad you won't abandon this story, because it seriously is one of my favorites here, and I always get so excited when you update!

The scene where Mike (and later Chester) is drawing and coloring animals with Otis is SO ADORABLE! I like that you included a few family scenes, and also that Otis asked about the 'camera people' outside, it shows that he understands that something is wrong.

It was good that Mike finally told the guys about what happened...and what did they do? They practically ran away. They need to have a group conversation about this, even though it will be awkward. I can't wait for Chester's real reaction to this, when he comes back from smoking. It was interesting to see him so quiet during Mike's confession.

Also, I LOVE Dave in this, he's such a good friend.

Please update soon, I can't wait :)

I will start with something easy: Otis is just adorable and the whole drawing scene, especially with Chester, was really great! I don’t think it would be necessary to have many more family scenes. Now it fits really well but as Mike figures himself: there was not a lot of family time after he cake back home.

And now I try not to think about our chat and why which choices are good or not so good for the plot and the character and just let me emotions out. Sorry already, I know that there are explanations but I need to get rid of this:

No! What are they doing?! Guys!!! Get yourself a back in that room, immediately! It’s not cool to just leave. I know they have said it’s ok and they will support him but still - Mike need them right now and argh!!! I see Dave’s point and I agree that he had time to process it by now and yes it can be difficult to figure out what to du and what not but for fuck sake, Mike is your friend!! You can’t to a lot of things wrong when you just stay in the same room with him...

I’m so grateful that Dave is there. Maybe he should have a word with the others. Especially Chester. Or Anna. Maybe she would be the right person to talk to Chester? Because him not saying a single word is freaking me out. I really could feel how anxious Mike was when he thought about Chester’s reaction and I was hoping for something different. I try to figure out what is going on in his head. Guilt for “leaving” Mike in that situation? Guilt that it could have been him? I see that his brain might have thoughts on that direction. But shouldn’t he focus on the fact that he knows how Mike feels? Doesn’t he know that Mike needs them now, exactly because he has been in the same situation? He probably was also afraid that people would leave him if they would know. I try to not judge here, but as you see, that doesn’t work.

So, I need them to get back into the studio and have a group hug! And while I write this I realize that a group hug is probably not what Mike wants or can stand. So I change my mind and go with: I need a group hug!

I will start with something easy: Otis is just adorable and the whole drawing scene, especially with Chester, was really great! I don’t think it would be necessary to have many more family scenes. Now it fits really well but as Mike figures himself: there was not a lot of family time after he cake back home.

And now I try not to think about our chat and why which choices are good or not so good for the plot and the character and just let me emotions out. Sorry already, I know that there are explanations but I need to get rid of this:

No! What are they doing?! Guys!!! Get yourself a back in that room, immediately! It’s not cool to just leave. I know they have said it’s ok and they will support him but still - Mike need them right now and argh!!! I see Dave’s point and I agree that he had time to process it by now and yes it can be difficult to figure out what to du and what not but for fuck sake, Mike is your friend!! You can’t to a lot of things wrong when you just stay in the same room with him...

I’m so grateful that Dave is there. Maybe he should have a word with the others. Especially Chester. Or Anna. Maybe she would be the right person to talk to Chester? Because him not saying a single word is freaking me out. I really could feel how anxious Mike was when he thought about Chester’s reaction and I was hoping for something different. I try to figure out what is going on in his head. Guilt for “leaving” Mike in that situation? Guilt that it could have been him? I see that his brain might have thoughts on that direction. But shouldn’t he focus on the fact that he knows how Mike feels? Doesn’t he know that Mike needs them now, exactly because he has been in the same situation? He probably was also afraid that people would leave him if they would know. I try to not judge here, but as you see, that doesn’t work.

So, I need them to get back into the studio and have a group hug! And while I write this I realize that a group hug is probably not what Mike wants or can stand. So I change my mind and go with: I need a group hug!

Chapter 22 - Look at me! I'm all caught up :) And ugh. I'm glad Mike is finally talking to Anna a little. That whole bit about the kids and Mike being there but not being there just aches my heart. Distant parents are harder than missing parents sometimes. And spouses, too. I'm hoping him telling Chester will go okay....he's so worried about it. Maybe once that's done, he can take another step forward through this. And don't doubt the story, I've read it front to back over the last two days, and I've enjoyed it :D

Chapter 21 - Poor Brad! I can feel him though. He's been handling so much through all of this. He's like the unspoken victim here...the one handling the calls and the management and feeling responsible. That whole bit about what they were all doing while the attack was happening, and how they had no idea their world was changing - very well-written. I think we've all been there. But how can you know? You can't. And Brad shouldn't beat himself up over it. Even though I get why he is. I'm glad Rob came to check on him and yeah, getting drunk isn't going to help, but I get why you would, too. It's a moment to get lost and forget and focus on something else. To go numb, even for just a little bit. Mike seems to be drinking a lot here too, and Chester would have in that one chapter. I'm glad he didn't. They all need some group counseling. I'm just so glad they're sticking together and not turning on each other.

Chapter 20 - I'm so glad Dave stayed with him! And even more relieved that Mike opened up a little. Now at least someone knows that it was REALLY bad. Not how bad, but seriously messed up bad. And it's good. I really do hope Mike will go to a therapist, and I was thinking the same thing as Dave, he needs to talk to a woman if he's really concerned about it could be one of them. Or maybe an older male therapist? Someone he knows couldn't have been part of the bad guy crew.

Or the cops could just catch them! And send them to jail for the rest of their lives. That's my vote.

Chapter 19 - Damn the journalists. That's all I can say. Accusing that way and even trying to say they're covering something up, which, okay. They are covering something up. A lot up. They obviously need to be in better communication with Cale's family :( that was just sad. And Mike had/has injuries! They should have said that, maybe it would have been enough to pacify that guy.

Now the truth is going to come out and oh boy. What a mess! Poor Mike...totally zoned out like he's not even there. It's just sad. Makes my heart hurt for him so much. Glad to see Chester hasn't lost his fire though and is even helping take center stage for questions.

Chapter 18 - This: Don’t do that to yourself, Mike’s eyes said. Don’t do this to us. You’ve went so far, don’t let them get to you. Think of your family, of yourself. You deserve better than what you want to do to yourself. You’re strong.

Chester reinterpreted as, Don’t disappoint me. Don’t hurt me. You can’t do this to us anymore. You’ve fucked up enough. Do you really want to make it worse ? Just put the bottle down.

That was just so spot on. I love it. And I feel for Mike. I actually thought he'd have a stronger reaction to the pictures/idea of someone following them, but I'm glad he didn't. Maybe because so much "blame" was on Chester and not him? I don't know. But I'm super happy to see them all facing this together, as a band and as friends. I assume the car crash scenario included the deaths of Jim and Cale as part of the accident?

I'm worried for this meeting coming up. I hope it's handled with kid gloves, for both Mike and Chester's sake.