I started reading your lovely story last night, Shadow, but wanted to re-read the first chapter of what I can tell will be a wonderful odyssey. First off, what an imaginative concept, weaving the episodes together like this, filling in the blanks as you go
You've captured Mick's emotions right from the start, wanting, yet fearing the touch of another.
He was paralyzed for an instant, not certain what to do. As she clung to him he stood with his arms held away from her, not daring to touch, but then she tightened her grip on him and he moved as if in a dream, letting his arms close around her and holding her in turn. He felt her relax in his embrace, felt the utter trust she was giving him, and he found himself nearly in tears. He couldn’t help but remember the first time Beth had flung her arms around him, when she was little, trusting him completely when she had no reason at all to do so.
It's as if he's woken from a dream. He's been in the shadows so long, watching the little girl grow up from a distance, with photos his only way to keep that connection real. But now she's here, in his arms,and just as the child had done so long ago, she trusts in him and gives him hope.
I like how you show Mick's desire to show himself to Beth, not just by stepping out of the shadows near the fountain, but when he fails to change his shirt....and the flimsy excuses he gives himself for not doing so. He denies that he wants her to recognize him, but deep down you get the feeling he does.
In leaving out the pictures for Josef to see, however, he's throwing down a gauntlet - admitting who the reporter is and daring Josef to do something about it. Josef's comment about Beth's dying maybe 'being for the best' earns him his friend's displeasure. Yet Josef fears his friend will ultimately be hurt.
“Mick, this is a really bad idea.” Josef’s voice was suddenly low and concerned, and he looked down, away from Mick. “Getting close to a human – it doesn’t work. They’re like mayflies. There one second, gone the next – unless you turn them.”
“I’m not turning anyone. Ever.”
“I know that, Mick. And that’s the problem.”
As for Beth, I really liked the tie-in to her kidnapping, with the now adult Beth, looking at her savior in just the manner she did so long ago.
That must have really tugged at Mick's heart.
The little girl let go of Mick and held on to her mother tightly, and Mick started to turn away. But then Beth pulled back from her mother and swung around to look at him, her head tilted a little to one side, her eyes huge, and it seemed that she could see all the way into his soul.
This is a wonderful beginning to what I'm sure will be an amazing series
- but it's been an interesting journey.
Susie, how wonderful to see you here and get your comment!! Especially as I know what excellent taste you have in reading material .... 
I honestly don't know how I missed your stories, especially because I'm a fan of your videos. 
RL these days prevents me from reading at the pace I'd like, but I'm relishing this In Between series of yours. 
