Half Sisters - Episode 57
Added 2024-10-01 03:58:13 +0000 UTCNikki threw a stone - now come the ripples.
Phew! It's a long one at 33 pages. 😊
Really can't wait to hear your thoughts on the episode!
Comments
Thanks, DJ! Honestly, those would be right at home in most slasher movies, too! LOL
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-17 17:56:12 +0000 UTCLOL - I like to keep things interesting!
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-17 17:55:40 +0000 UTCVery well done!!
DJ
2024-10-12 07:24:21 +0000 UTCOk slasher horror vibes aside, Nikki's abs and bust look absolutely fire in pages 32,33
DJ
2024-10-09 17:18:21 +0000 UTCIf it tickles you even for a "what if...?" take it and run with it. I Muse it to you.
SingularCurve
2024-10-09 12:38:48 +0000 UTCI loved when he played brilliantly against type in Once Upon a Time in the West.
Robertlouis
2024-10-09 10:31:57 +0000 UTCDamn you and your cliffhangers Em haha ;-) x
stacy C
2024-10-09 08:00:27 +0000 UTCAs far as a nice butt goes, you need to see some Henry Fonda westerns…
Jade Diaz
2024-10-09 04:58:11 +0000 UTCShe **can** kiss him and I hope she has an epiphany which she’ll spend the next 10 episodes denying lol
Jade Diaz
2024-10-09 04:55:53 +0000 UTCThank you! I hope you're feeling better, Robert! 💕 I'm glad you picked up on the western vibe! In some ways, Nikki is like a classic western hero - caught between two worlds, trying to navigate a moral landscape that's constantly shifting beneath her feet. Although, I suppose most western heroes don't have a butt as nice as hers! 😂 Nikki's growth is something I'm really excited about. I wanted to show how adversity can bring out hidden depths in people. Nikki's starting to rediscover parts of herself she'd buried under years of toxic masculinity and peer pressure. Slowly - very slowly - she's excavating her true self from under all that baggage. I love how Jill inspired her to save someone else. I definitely don't believe the Nikki we first met on the island would do that considering the risks. As for Armando... well, we'll meet him eventually! Hehe.
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-09 03:44:35 +0000 UTCThank you, CK! I'm glad you enjoyed these chapters! Writing Hutchinson's character is always a challenge because I want to show his twisted logic without making him cartoonishly evil. He genuinely believes he's doing what's best (mostly for himself), which makes him all the more dangerous. Nikki's evolving sense of self is something I'm really excited to explore further. I've always seen her arc as less about gender (although obviously that's a big part of what has happened) and more about authenticity. The Nick that everyone saw - the hyper-masculine football star - was a mask he wore to fit in and please his father. Now, stripped of that mask, Nikki is rediscovering parts of herself that she buried long ago. The relationship between Zach and Nikki is so crucial. They're both trapped in impossible situations. How could they not develop a strong connection? Whether anything else will come of it remains to be seen, but there are certainly obstacles to overcome!
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-09 03:41:50 +0000 UTCNikki is trapped for now - but hopefully not forever!
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-09 03:35:12 +0000 UTCThank you so much, Ella!!! I can't wait for you to read it!
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-09 03:34:43 +0000 UTCHopefully SEVERAL sticks - and maybe another rock for good measure. 😉
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-09 03:34:28 +0000 UTCThank you, Richard! I love where your head's at with Janice! Her returning voluntarily would really hammer home the psychological impact of what Hutchinson has done to her. I'm fascinated by the dynamic between Hutchinson and Zach. In my mind, Hutchinson's whole worldview is built on this twisted idea of masculinity. But, with Zach, he's created an amazing guy...just not in the way he intended.
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-09 03:34:03 +0000 UTCThank you, Bos! I'm so glad you're connecting with the characters on such an emotional level! Hutchinson's threats against Lauren are definitely meant to be chilling. I wanted to show just how far he's willing to go, and how he views everyone as potential pawns in his game!
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-09 03:30:29 +0000 UTCBelieve it or not, it has only been about a day since she was able to (briefly) take it off. She's had a really rough 48 hours!
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-09 03:27:15 +0000 UTCThank you, Hel! I'm so interested by how Nikki's experiences are shaping her character. The physical struggle with Hutchinson is at least partly about Nikki confronting the reality of her changed body and the power dynamics at play. Even in moments of defiance, she's constantly reminded of her change. And, yeah, Janice's escape is definitely precarious. Some might even say it's impossible for her to escape...!
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-09 03:25:34 +0000 UTCWe will see Janice again!
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-09 03:23:02 +0000 UTC🤣 You're definitely channeling Nikki there, Thomas! I don't think how close Hutchinson realizes he came to getting stabbed. Once he threatened Mom, it seemed like Nikki's qualms went out the window!
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-09 03:22:07 +0000 UTCInteresting idea, Singular! We already know from what happened to Kendra that Xu is more than happy to do that under extreme circumstances...
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-09 03:21:06 +0000 UTCThank you very much, Bobbie! I'm really happy with how the panels came out.
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-09 03:16:13 +0000 UTCThank you, Richard! You're totally right. Nikki's got that final girl energy - tough, resourceful, and very lucky! "Eventually" is the key hear. Nikki and Zach are in for a long journey!
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-09 03:15:47 +0000 UTCThis isn't the last we will see of Janice.
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-09 03:12:30 +0000 UTCThank you, Josh! Hopefully you find the conclusion of this "mini trilogy" (that's how I think of each of the three-episode groupings) to be satisfying! 😉
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-09 03:11:14 +0000 UTCThank you, Gemma! I think it's obvious that Nick / Nikki, who was honestly kind of a jerk before all this, is starting to rediscover his better nature through this ordeal. As for Zach and Nikki's relationship... man, that's complicated. I think Nikki is starting to see Zach in a new light, but there's still so much baggage there. Their relationship is definitely going to continue to evolve!
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-08 23:52:07 +0000 UTC"Unable" or "unwilling?" 😉But, yeah, Zach is a pretty one - and a good personality to boot!
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-08 23:48:21 +0000 UTCLOL - I suppose by "different" I meant the roles he wants them to play! 😉
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-08 23:46:11 +0000 UTCSo let me see if I understand – Zach is pumped full of hormones, drastically changing the shape of his body. His life is manipulated and controlled as if he were a puppet. And he is forced to become someone he was never meant to be. Nikki on the other hand is pumped full of hormones, drastically changing the shape of her body. Her life is manipulated and controlled as if she were a puppet. And she is forced to become someone she was... I get it now, Emory – they're both victims but in very different ways.
Tim
2024-10-08 23:38:28 +0000 UTCThank you, Maggie! I think Nikki's decision to help Janice escape comes from a good place, but you're right - it might not have been the smartest move. I wanted to show how Nikki's impulsiveness, which served her well as a quarterback, can sometimes backfire in this new, and definitely more complex situation!
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-08 22:17:38 +0000 UTCThanks, Tim! I've been itching to explore their relationship even more. Nikki's speech about Zach was a pivotal moment for her character - it's the first time she's really allowed herself to be vulnerable and admit her changing feelings to about Zach... and about herself! I'm honestly fascinated by the idea of these two characters finding common ground in their shared trauma and oppression. They're both victims of Hutchinson's manipulations, albeit in very different ways. 😊
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-08 22:15:50 +0000 UTCYes, killing Hutchinson would have been very satisfying - but ultimately would've put both Zach and Nikki in even worse danger, either from Second Dawn or law enforcement... or both!
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-08 22:09:28 +0000 UTCApologies for joining the conversation so late, but I’ve had to deal with a lot of medical issues recently and have just started to catch up with your recent submissions, Emory, and there’s a lot to take in. Firstly, as with other recent episodes of Half Sisters, the linear narrative in the harsh Texas sun and landscape lends the setting a strong western movie feel. It’s quite elemental in that respect. All that’s missing is the black hat for Hutchinson! There’s some very telling dialogue too, as Nikki starts to confess and reveal in ways that she never has before of how she’s behaved in the past. Her respect and admiration for Zach is such that it’s rubbing off on her to the extent that she’s now, for the first time, actively putting herself at risk in order to help someone else. The frightened girl who let Jill sacrifice her balls in her stead is now making sacrifices to help someone else, Janice. She still really needs to sort out her names and pronouns though! Oh, and everyone is making assumptions about Armando. Let’s wait and see. And Zach physically tackling his father is huge - he’s probably stronger, but how far will he go if he is threatening to kill Janice and harm Nikki? Very interesting. Yet another tantalising cliffhanger. Brilliant stuff, ma’am.
Robertlouis
2024-10-08 03:53:17 +0000 UTCFirst of all, congratulations, Emory, on a great job, both as a writer and as an artist. These last two chapters have it all: drama, action, mystery, intrigue, horror and even humor, my hat is off to you! Very interesting dialogue between Nikki and Hutchinson, quite revealing about Hutchinson's plans and personality, and how far he is willing to go for his 'legacy'... and his depravities... And also very interesting is the conversation between Nikki and Jackson/Janice, with Zach listening in on the phone... In it we see how Nikki has already realized that the Nick his father molded into a 'man' is not the Nick he wanted to be, that the real Nick was the boy Nick, that he was happier being the boy Nick than the man Nick. But we also see how some of the traits of the man Nick have taken root (for the better) in Nikki, his competitiveness, his assertiveness, these are traits that he is comfortable with and that I think he will find useful in his 'new life'. All of this in the future, and when Nick finally understands that there is no turning back from being Nikki, will help her to stop being a 'victim' and give her tools to live her new life and even enjoy it. As for the Zach/Nikki theme, not everything in life is about crushes between the characters, there is also true friendship and more so in the circumstances these two find themselves in. Both are forced to live a life they don't want. People, and especially young people, tend to fight and rebel the more we are forced to do something against our wishes. And I think that is exactly the case with Zach and Nikki. Because as far as we know Nick has never been attracted to men and Zach has never been attracted to women and 'thanks' to Dr Mason's hormones Nick is becoming more and more 'NIKKI-RA' and Zach is becoming more and more 'ZACH-MAN' so I understand that the physical attraction between them is zero tending to zero. So I understand that infatuation is impossible if physical attraction and emotional attraction go in opposite directions.
ckarya
2024-10-05 10:52:09 +0000 UTCI am rooting for Nikki to break away from these horrible people, this is not his nature.
jake112k
2024-10-02 16:51:03 +0000 UTCWhy wouldn’t Zach take on his dad? You think Zach actually is on board with his dads psycho political dynasty plan?
Jade Diaz
2024-10-02 13:49:50 +0000 UTCThrilling! Can’t wait for the next chapter!
Ella Cherry
2024-10-02 12:57:13 +0000 UTCYou can only poke the bear so many times ... Hutch might actually get the stick this time ... deserved.
frogger
2024-10-01 19:36:50 +0000 UTCI can see Janice coming back on her own as she knows she can be tracked, so maybe begging forgiveness and to spare Nikki is the way to go. And seeing just how much of a man his son has become since meeting Nikki is sure to leave a positive impression on Mr. Hutchinson. He'll still probably put the boot down on her to make her act like the girl he wants her to be, though even she is coming around to thinking that would be bearable.
Richard Head
2024-10-01 19:32:29 +0000 UTCMy muse Emory. Once more you have truly outdone yourself and my expectations. I really expected Hutchinson to stay down...permanently. Janice, Nikki and Zach they're all victims and I'm almost crying for all of them. And honestly, I never in a million years expected Zach of all people to take on his father. You've kept me jumping and hanging from the first panel to the last. Hutchinson is already on "thin ice" with Xu and Second Dawn please tell me they'll finally "cut him loose" so to speak. You leave Lauren alone, Hutch, you monstrous piece of complete and utter human garbage. What are you planning on doing to Lauren? Hutch??? HUTCH???? HHHUUTTTCCCHH?
Female-Bosmer-Always
2024-10-01 18:47:09 +0000 UTCHow off the deep end will Hutchinson go if Zach even gets a scratch here from that knife?
Helena Grace
2024-10-01 17:46:22 +0000 UTCI wonder how loose nikkis cage is rn 🤔
Jay
2024-10-01 17:12:10 +0000 UTCIt's interesting because we know from when we last saw Sandy, it was two weeks later than this is. So, as much as I would love for Hutchinson to get stabbed a dozen times. Nikki would revert to Nick if he was out of the picture. But a physical struggle around a knife has potential to go badly. Poor Nikki and her very bad 24 hours. It was literally yesterday when she fell into Zach's arms from the stairs. I hope Janice makes it out, a naked woman in a truck is going to attract attention and we already know the local cops are in Hutchinson's pocket. If only there was a safe place locally for Janice to go. She was wealthy before, maybe some of her old holdings are still around and nearby.
Helena Grace
2024-10-01 15:23:37 +0000 UTCSo many new characters throughout all the different parts of this story, it’s great! So many peoples lives changed forever! I wish we could see them having to be changed and used though… just like Angela!
Harley Allen
2024-10-01 15:14:07 +0000 UTCStabby stab stab... oh, right, the story. Sorry, I wasn't fantasizing about giving this creepy mofo what he deserves.
Thomas Tolliver
2024-10-01 14:37:43 +0000 UTCAnother great cliff hanger in this delightful story! Zach may or may not man up enough to cause his father to realize father has failed and wont get a second chance. Maybe Zach's father needs to be sent to Clinic 12 to be turned into a toy?
SingularCurve
2024-10-01 13:11:45 +0000 UTCStunning story and images. ❤
Bobbie
2024-10-01 11:59:00 +0000 UTCMaybe in the short run but it would have soon come back to bite them in the arse with a vengeance eventually
Omagathief
2024-10-01 08:32:14 +0000 UTCNikki would make for a great horror movie main girl. And that knife is a slasher weapon if I've ever seen one. She takes down the antagonist temporarily to free a friend, then has a final stand-off. She struggles and is nearly taken down herself but then her love interest swoops in and they defeat the villain together. Well, that part won't play out exactly like that, but hopefully they get their happy-ever-after eventually.
Richard Head
2024-10-01 08:28:11 +0000 UTCWill there be a story about what horrible think janice had to endure before? Im kind of curious
Andreas
2024-10-01 08:03:12 +0000 UTCThat would have been better.
Andre
2024-10-01 07:45:46 +0000 UTCAhhh Emory you tease.... Great chapter, loved it.
Joe 13 Foxtrot
2024-10-01 07:43:45 +0000 UTCWow! where to start. Great images and beautifully illustrated action angles and perspectives on Nikki in this episode. Very realistic, mmm even ‘Hitchcock like’ views at times. Again you don’t let our hearts stop beating as we (the readers) go from one cliff hanger to the next. It is hard to know how Nikki, and Zach get out of this. Loved seeing the developing empathy, thoughtfulness and compassion in Nikki. It is also interesting to note her ongoing female voice throughout this episode. I wonder if she is aware of it? In relation to her physical changes Hutchinson seems to love to remind her of her feminine form, always referring to her in female pronouns and other patranising language whenever he refers to her. The pleasure he took in dismissing her attempt to ‘punch him out’ in her new dainty form highlighting the enormity of the loss of her strength. Whilst others may disagree, the way Nikki spoke about Zach sounded very passionate. Again this teasingly opens up the debate on the future direction and developing nature of her relationship with Zach. Thanks again Emory. Please make the next chapter less hectic, so we can breathe a sigh of relief, sit back and enjoy Nikki’s beauty.
Gemma
2024-10-01 07:21:59 +0000 UTCJesus what a cliffhanger ❣️❣️❣️Janice needs to comeback ASAP she'll be safer close to Zach and not alone for sure... and I would be really surprised if she hasn't gps tracker installed under her skin... that wasn't a smart idea Nikki...
Maggie Heels
2024-10-01 05:22:53 +0000 UTCGod Zach is so so beautiful and hot. If Nikki is unable to kiss him, I'll be very happy to substitute.
Jade Diaz
2024-10-01 05:16:15 +0000 UTCStart reading just now ❣️❣️❣️
Maggie Heels
2024-10-01 04:50:14 +0000 UTCWhile this episode left Nikki in far worse circumstances vis-a-vis Hutchinson, it appears just the opposite for her and Zach... and he now knows how she truly feels about him. I can't wait to see how their relationship develops going forward (perhaps to Armando's chagrin).
Tim
2024-10-01 04:35:12 +0000 UTCPhew 😮💨, nice timing Zach. You might have just stopped your assh*le of a father from being gutted in his own driveway
Omagathief
2024-10-01 04:25:21 +0000 UTCJust uploaded. 😊
Emory Ahlberg
2024-10-01 04:07:15 +0000 UTCIs there going to be a PDF file for these pages?
Omagathief
2024-10-01 04:03:13 +0000 UTC
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