jake still liked me obviously, but i did not. it was all good and he was nice and funny and almost never did anything wrong or made me mad. around october 2022, i developed a trauma bond with him. i told him i didn’t want a relationship with him because i have committment issues. november 2022 it got even worse. the highs were high, but the lows were sooo low. we would argue every single day and he would verbally and emotionally abuse me. he also demanded sexual favors, which i would decline. this would frustrate him, so i made it clear that i didn’t mind if he messed with other girls because we weren’t even dating so he had no reason to be “loyal” to me. of course, he did mess with other girls, but he confessed that it was never fullfilling because the only girl he truly wanted was me. february 2023, we got in a heated argument and out of anger, he revealed that he did in fact have my pic from last year. this obviously enraged me and i almost cut him off again. we took a short break of around 2-3 days before he apologized again. i felt that i was already in too deep, and there were 3 months of school left, so i should just push through and might as well continue using him for rides, food, and gifts. beginning of april 2023, we got in another argument and he said “go get r word by your dad”, referring to my personal trauma (my dad did not r word me btw). friday april 14, 2023, 2 days before my birthday, he dropped me off in the middle of nowhere and almost made me walk to school (not the first time he had done this.) that same day, he told me to come out of class so we could discuss what happened, and i told him i didn’t want to because i didn’t trust him and i didn’t want to get dropped off in the middle of nowhere and have to walk back to school. he told me he would park at school so i had nothing to be afraid of. i agreed to go talk to him as long as he parked at school. i got in his truck and he immediately started driving off campus. i told him to turn around and he said he would but of course, he didn’t. i did what i had to do to avoid getting dropped off far away, so i jumped out of his moving vehicle and walked back to school quickly. it was pretty traumatizing and i had to cover my face in class to hide the fact that i was uncontrollably crying. fast forward to may 26, 2023, i finally got to go to my first party, and jake was there. we were on good terms and actually having a lot of fun. it was a pool party, so i had a bikini on, and lots of guys were coming up at me and hitting on me, which jake very much noticed and was trying to get the guys away from me, despite us not even being in a relationship. towards the end of the party, some guy and i were super drunk and we kissed but i pulled away really quickly. jake witnessed it and you can already imagine how furious he was, which is beyond stupid because not only has he kissed other girls, he has also effed them. he grabbed my arm and dragged me away to a corner away from the party scene while continuously asking me “why the f did you do that”. he pushed me against the wall and began choking me with both hands. i couldn’t breathe. i said “stop choking me i can’t breathe” and thankfully the host’s mom got there quickly and said “what are you doing?” in an angry tone. jake said nothing and let go of me. the host’s dad started yelling at jake in front of everyone and told him to get the f out. i tried to de escalate the situation by saying he only grabbed me, but no one was buying it. i went to jake’s truck with him to talk but we hardly did any talking. he was breathing heavily and taking deep breaths in hopes of calming down. my friends walked over to his truck and told me to get out because they didn’t trust jake. later that night, jake sent a video of him effing another girl in hopes of making me jealous or just to help him feel better (neither of which happpened.) he blocked me on everything and went around saying i kissed a homosexual in hopes of embarrassing me. he and justin messaged my mom via instagram to try to get me grounded or in trouble. in the early hours of may 28, 2023, he came to my house while everyone was asleep and egged my car. he continues to go around spreading lies about me and recruiting people to dislike me and make fun of me. everything he has done to me and almost all our arguments have been about other guys on my social media because he’s so insecure. he has always tried to justify his actions by saying it was a reaction to what i did, or i shouldn’t have made him mad in the first place. he’s mentally ill and takes any opportunity to go all out and release his demons. [today is monday may 29, 2023]
i have emailed his college twice with proof of him being racist, homophobic, having an underage girl’s explicit photo, and entering private property to egg my car. i also texted his mom to tell her to stop her son from coming to my house again. i can handle the harassment, but coming to my house is too far. a few days ago he said he told his stepdad about how i’m going around “lying” about him choking me and how they’re going to take me to court. i’m pretty sure he lied about that though. i’m looking for revenge ideas, so let me know what i should do.
be mindful of who you allow to be in your life and don’t settle for less than what you deserve. be careful and don’t surround yourself with dangerous people

The Somnpugilist

I'm a single mother and I was working nights as a parking meter attendant while trying to provide for my teenage son, Ethan. It wasn't easy, but I had no choice. One thing that always bothered me was the toll my work took on our time together. I hardly saw him during the nights, but I trusted he would take care of himself while I was away.
One morning, as I returned home from work, I noticed Ethan sitting at the kitchen table, his eyes heavy with sleep. It seemed odd since it was still early in the morning. I brushed it off, thinking he must have had a restless night. But as the days passed, I began to notice more peculiarities. Ethan became increasingly irritable, forgetful, and exhibited strange behavior associated with severe sleep deprivation.
One night, when I accidentally walked in on him stepping out of the shower, I couldn't help but notice the numerous bruises covering his body. My heart skipped a beat, and fear gripped me. How did he get those bruises? What was happening to him?
The following morning, I found him with a bruised face, his eye blackened and his lip swollen. Panic surged through me as I realized something was seriously wrong. I rushed him to a doctor, hoping for answers, but all medical tests showed no signs of physical ailments. The doctor suggested it could be psychological and recommended a counselor.
Desperate for answers, I reached out to my brother, Detective Mark Collins, who was also Ethan's uncle. Mark promised to investigate and provide any help he could. As a detective, he had the means to delve into matters that others couldn't.
A few days later, while Ethan was at school, I received an unexpected visit from Mark. He looked weary and troubled. Without wasting a moment, he sat me down and informed me of the troubling developments. Other worried parents had been reporting similar cases of their sons disappearing at night, only to return home battered and bruised.
Mark had taken charge and started a dedicated investigation into the matter. He revealed that he had been working tirelessly for a whole week, following leads, interviewing witnesses, and searching for any clues. However, despite his efforts, he admitted that he had made absolutely no progress. The cases were shrouded in mystery, leaving him frustrated and filled with a sense of helplessness.
The weight of the situation settled heavily upon me. It wasn't just Ethan. There were other families going through the same ordeal, and no one had answers. The fear and anxiety grew stronger within me as the realization sank in that our struggle was far from over.
I thanked Mark for his dedication and his relentless pursuit of the truth. As he left, we exchanged a knowing glance, silently promising to continue the fight together.
Days turned into sleepless nights as I anxiously awaited any updates from Mark's investigation. Meanwhile, I juggled work, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy for Ethan. But the underlying fear and uncertainty gnawed at my every thought.
One thing became clear—we were running out of time. The nights stretched on, each one bringing new nightmares and unexplained bruises on Ethan's body. I couldn't bear to see him suffer, and I knew that I had to be his protector, his shield against the darkness that threatened to consume him.
With every passing day, the sense of urgency grew stronger. We had to uncover the truth, find the source of this malevolent force that tormented our children. When the police put the investigation on hold - however - I was left with the fears from the beginning.
Frustrated and worried, I took time off work and stayed home, determined to uncover the truth. I kept a watchful eye on Ethan, making sure he didn't wander off during his sleepwalking episodes. One night, I followed him discreetly as he made his way to an abandoned house in our neighborhood.
My heart pounded in my chest as I peered through a crack in the wall and witnessed a chilling sight. Ethan stood among a group of other teenage boys, their eyes closed, their bodies moving with unnatural precision. As if puppets under someone's control, they began to fight, mercilessly punching and assaulting each other.
Fear overwhelmed me, but I knew I had to act. I called Mark, my brother and the detective, pleading for immediate help. By the time he arrived at the abandoned house, dawn was breaking, and the boys had dispersed, returning to their homes, leaving behind a trail of unconsciousness and injuries.
Realizing that no one else could protect Ethan but me, I made the difficult decision to quit my job and find new employment during the day. I couldn't risk leaving him alone anymore. I feared the unknown force that controlled those boys in their sleep, and I knew it was only a matter of time before it would come for my son again.
As the days turned into weeks, my desperation grew. I sought guidance from every possible avenue, determined to find answers and protect my son from the relentless onslaught of the somnpugilist. It was during one of my counseling sessions that a breakthrough, albeit a terrifying one, occurred.
The counselor, Dr. Simmons, had been tirelessly studying Ethan's case, and after numerous discussions and examinations, they finally approached me with a chilling revelation. Dr. Simmons explained that they had been consulting with experts in the field of sleep disorders and unearthed a disturbing theory.
With a serious expression etched across their face, Dr. Simmons told me, "Based on all the evidence we've gathered, the peculiar symptoms, the sleepwalking episodes, and the pattern of physical injuries, we believe your son is a victim of a rare and malevolent phenomenon known as the somnpugilist."
I had never heard of such a term, and the counselor continued to enlighten me. They described the somnpugilist as a mysterious entity or force that thrived on the vulnerability of sleep-deprived individuals, manipulating their subconscious minds to engage in brutal and uncontrolled acts of violence.
My heart sank as the weight of this revelation settled upon me. The realization that Ethan was not only a victim of his own body's betrayal but also a target of something otherworldly sent shivers down my spine. It was as if we were caught in a nightmare from which there was no escape.
Dr. Simmons assured me that they would continue researching possible remedies and solutions. However, their tone revealed a hint of helplessness, as if they too were grappling with the enigma that was the somnpugilist.
The knowledge that my son was being tormented by a malevolent force beyond our comprehension both terrified and galvanized me. I resolved to do everything in my power to protect Ethan, to shield him from the clutches of this insidious entity that sought to destroy him.
Together with Detective Mark Collins, we delved deeper into the lore surrounding the somnpugilist, seeking ancient texts and obscure references that might hold the key to its defeat. Each day brought us closer to understanding this dark force and formulating a plan to combat it.
The battle against the somnpugilist was far from over. We faced sleepless nights, relentless assaults on our sanity, and the fear that time was slipping through our fingers. But armed with newfound knowledge and unwavering determination, we pressed forward, ready to confront the somnpugilist head-on.
Now, I work at a small diner, my shifts aligned with Ethan's school hours. I rarely let him out of my sight, and I remain vigilant, constantly on guard. But deep down, I know that this battle against the somnpugilist, the sleep-fighter, can only last for so long. Darkness lingers, and the fear of the unknown looms, threatening to consume us both. With Mark's determination as both detective and uncle, we cling to hope, determined to unravel the mysterious and sinister forces that haunt our lives.
For Ethan's sake, for the sake of all the boys caught in this nocturnal nightmare, we would not rest until we unraveled the secrets of the somnpugilist and put an end to its reign of terror. Our journey would be treacherous, but the love of a mother, the devotion of an uncle, and the strength of our united front would serve as our guiding light through the darkest of nights.

I've been struggling with anxiety a lot in my life but now it's affecting me more than ever since i am at risk of failing school. I am a good student and i never find trouble with my homework however the moment i am in front of the exam paper I feel so overwhelmed and scared and sometimes I even start to shake. Pls help me with your advice and or share your personal experiences with me

I need some help, because I don't know what to do and am worried. My bad memory, inattentiveness, and anxiety is causing me major issues in my personal life. Forgetting things that I was just told or told multiple times. Losing focus and suddenly being not be ready for a trip or event even though it's been discussed, and my constant anxiety that I am forgetting something I need to remember.
I'm worried it's going to hit a breaking point and something bad will happen
The problem is I'm not doing these things on purpose and have actively worked to improve the areas I lack. I have 16 alarms to remind me of things daily, I use a whiteboard on a door I go through alot to remember more things, I send myself texts of things I need to remember and leave myself notes to find. I'm trying so fucking hard and I'm still hurting those around me with an increased mental load and feeling of no one listening to them making them feel unimportant.
I see a therapist, am scheduled for an official ADHD test by request of my Dr because he wanted me to try medicine for it. But here I am still failing at the most important parts of life. I am putting so much effort in and is basically what I think about all day as a way to keep my mind on task. How can I fail so hard even with the effort and desire I put in and have towards bettering myself.
I work full time and definitely still do lots of things that I need to do and remember lots of things I need to remember, but still, I still forget lots of things I between all this.
The worst part is seeing what I'm being told and agreeing that I fucked up on those things. I just need some help on keeping my brain locked into conversations I have with people and I absolutely need to stop forgetting so many things. I care a great deal about the people around me and want to be a better person, or at least be able to do the bare minimum and lower mental loads on others.
I just don't understand how I care so much about fixing this issue and put all this effort into it and just fucking failing hard still. I even give up things I like to so for periods of time (gaming, music, audio books, and shit like that) because I need my yearning for dopamine fix to calm the fuck down. I dont permanently remve everything that i love, but the things that i love cause me problems when im working to fix them. I need advice and suggestions. I won't give up. I refuse to. Any helpful tips or suggestions would be useful to me.

My wife Shanda is a nurse who has been fired from four hospitals for stealing and consuming patients prescribed narcotics. She has had her nursing license on probation 2 times. Addiction is only one of her flaws. She has been with her husband for 18 years, married for 11. In October of 2022 they went away for the weekend to celebrate their 11th wedding anniversary. After returning from their trip, Shanda wasted little time by starting an affair with a co-worker just 2 days later. She had laid the ground work for this affair before leaving town. This winner she cheated on her husband with, is 7 years older than her (50 years old). He is also married, actually been married 3 times. He is also a nurse. She confided or should I say spread lies to her coworker about her husband to gain sympathy and attention from him. She also told him all of her husbands business and secrets. A little bit abour her husband. They have 3 children 17, 7 and 5 years old. Her husband workes 80 hours a week to ensure that Shanda could buy anything and everything she wanted. He loved her deeply, and tolerated everything she threw at him. Fast forward to 11/29/23. the affair had picked up steam, she spent less and less time at home and taking care of their children. She was 6 weeks in and played her wife role to ensure her husband did not suspect anything. A week prior, her husband was starting to notice weird things like changing passwords, less communication from her on a daily basis and she had become increasing guarded of her phone and spending more time than she ever have had on her social media accounts. Her husband finally had an opportunity on 11/29 when she left her phone upstairs and he grabbed it went straight to recently deleted messages and there they were 490 text messages that chronicled everything, the entire evolution of their affair. By the first week of November they were full blown sexting. She became enraged and assaulted him, saying she didn't love him anymore and didn't want to be with him. He was beyond hurt, he sacrificed his own happiness for years for her. December and January were brutual, she continued to cheat after telling him and the 17 year old daughter that she was sorry, used bad judgement and was going to focus on repairing their marriage. Her treatment of her husband was absolutely disgusting, she would assault him, broke his Imac twice, the 2nd time she hit him over the head with it. She's the one that caused all of this and she felt she had the right to take out her anger on him because he caught her. She had opened up 3 different snapchat accounts because this was her preferred way to communicate with her affair partner. Her husband had been documenting all of her violence and continued to stand by her hoping she would realize how her actions were destroying him and their children. Most of the arguing and fighting took place in front of the 7 and 5 year olds. By January she was openly cheating in the face of her husband. January 23, 2023, her husband had found a way to have her text messages sent to his phone, that evening she gets home from work, he pours his heart out to her, begging her to stop her affair and recommit to her family. While he is doing this she is texting affair guy lies about her husband, he is telling her how much fun the day before with her was and how he is divorcing his wife and wants her to refinance his house with her, she responds with I need to make plans to leave him and spend the rest of my life with you. The whole time her husband is reading this exchange in real time, he puts his phone down but didn't close out the messaging app, Shanda notices this because the last text sent from her was a blowing kiss emoji. I forgot to mention that in the middle of January her husband got into her snapchat account and found a message from her to him where she proclaimed her love for him. In the beginning of January she was busted by her nurse probation case manager for failing a drug test which resulted in an addtional year tacked on to her probation and mandatory outpatient rehab for 30 days. Anyways after she noticed his phone she got pissed and chased him around the house trying to get his phone from him, grabbing his car keys to prevent him from leaving the house. He shouted for her to stop and not in front of the kids, put the kids to bed and i'll give you my phone he said, but she wouldn't stop. Finally, he grabbed her to get his key from her, he leaves she calls the cops, he is arrested and put in jail for domestic assault. She gets him out the next day, he notices that while he was in jail she spent most of her time on the phone with her affair friend. She tells her husband that she will go to court and not press charges, that was a lie, and on Feb. 3, 2023 she files for divorce telling her husband she was going to have the charges dropped, he knew she was lying because he put a gps tracker in her car and new she as at a divorce lawyers office. February she claimed to have ended her affair, but really it was her lawyer telling her to be more careful with her affair till this is over. Her husband, is devasted by this, but vows to get her to change her mind. she at one point tells him she will stop the divorce and another time says she will pause the divorce to attempt reconciliation. Both these times were straight lies. By this time she is telling her husband "why are you here? No one here cares about you". She became very emotionally abusive after filing for divorce. So much so her husband contemplated taking his own life and actually staged an event to make it look like he was trying, that all backfired though. Then came March 29th, this was the anniversary of their first date, her husband comes home for work, he notices she has regular clothes on and not pajamas, she always changes into pajamas. She starts an argument on purpose for an excuse to leave and stay the night at her moms house. She leaves, he can't sleep at around 3:30am, he has a funny feeling, looks a her email and notices a hotel receipt from 12:21am that morning. He jumps in the car and races to the hotel, sure enough their is her car in the parking lot of a neighboring hotel and their is his car in the hotel parking lot that matches the reciept. Her husband calls the hotel and asks to be transferred to her room, no answer, he goes in the hotel and asks the front desk to try again, no answer, tries one more time. This time someone picks up but says nothing, he cries to her on the phone asking why? He returns to his car and now can tell what room they are in, he waits, 30 minutes later the punk ass 50 yr old walks out of the hotel and to his car, her husband just stares at him, he drives off. Hours later, she returns home packs a bunch of clothes and moves out to stay with her mom. 3 weeks later her husband has to appear in court for the charge, her divorce lawyer shows up and has the case prolonged for 2 more months. She appears to feel bad and returns home but says no affection or sex and she will let him know if she feels anything. Back up to her moving out, her affair friend started sending text messages to her husband threatening him and bringing up things only his wife knew about him, he crossed the line when the affair guy brought up his daughter's name. By this time it wasn't enough to for her to fuck another man and tell her how much she loves him, she had to mentally torment him and talk of their children to this low life piece of shit. Now here we are in May, he tries to give her a good mother;s day and she insults him. Four days later, here comes the phone call from CPS. They interview all 3 children and Shanda and her husband, now this has gotten way out of hand, he plans to comply with CPS, Shanda has no plans to comply, that is where we are at right now. She is a cheating whore who never had the balls to tell her husband that she was unhappy before spreading her legs for someone else. She has mentally destroyed her husband and their kids, she never has shown a bit of remorse, she is looking for an apartment because their house will have to be sold because her husband cannot afford it by himself. The kids will have to lose their house and change schools. Her husband is in financial turmoil and he is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. She never put one ounce of energy into saving their marriage and has never apologized for the things she has done. Mediation is not scheduled till July 22nd, so this is far from over, who knows what the hell will happen next. This is a great example of how one person can destroy another persons life and makes you question if you even know your own wife. I will surely post updates as this seems to be far from over. I apologize for this post being in the 3rd person.

Interesting portions werre bolded by me.
You Aren't Prepared for How Disturbing 'Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets' Is
The Prime Video docuseries interrogates abuse within the Duggar family as well as the insidious Christian organization, IBLP, they subscribe to.
By Rich Juzwiak
The four-part Prime Video series Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets, which premieres June 2, is structured like a double helix. On one side is an excavation of the “shiny, happy,” and God-loving image that the prolifically breeding Duggar family put out into pop culture via its TLC specials and eventual series, the most recent iteration of which was called 19 Kids and Counting. That series was famously halted in 2015 upon reports that the family’s eldest son Josh Duggar had sexually assaulted five girls—some of them his sisters, including Shiny Happy People subject Jill Duggar Dillard—prior to the family’s TV deal(s). The followup TLC series, Counting On, which focused on some of the grown-up Duggar siblings as they procreated, was also canceled after another bombshell: Josh’s 2021 arrest for the possession of child sex abuse material. He was convicted and sentenced to more than 12 years in jail the following year.
The other side of the docuseries concerns the Institute of Basic Life Principles, the Christian umbrella organization that the Duggars were a part of and (often subliminally) evangelized via their TLC shows. They homeschooled their children via the IBLP’s curriculum, which was created by then-IBLP leader Bill Gothard. Like Josh, Gothard faced sex abuse allegations—in 2014, more than 30 women accused Gothard of harassment and sexual abuse, and in response he stepped down from IBLP leadership. Gothard was then sued in 2016 by a number of alleged victims, though they withdrew their case in 2018 in part because the statute of limitations for the allegations had been exceeded.
The allegations sex abuse in the Duggar family and their larger religious organization are but one parallel explored in Shiny Happy People. There is, of course, the Gothard teaching that women are subordinate to men, something the Duggars were extremely open in practicing (hardly a surprise when abuse results from such a doctrine). There’s also the IBLP’s advocacy of child labor for building various structures, reflected in not just the Duggar children’s hands-on work, but also in their participation in a show that they didn’t exactly consent to be in. The docuseries’ ping-ponging between IBLP teachings and Duggar practices “naturally evolved as we started finding all of the similarities,” said Shiny Happy People executive producer Cori Shepherd Stern in a recent Zoom interview with Jezebel. “It was like, ‘Wait a minute, these interview subjects are talking about child labor, and then we’re finding out all of this child labor stuff [about IBLP].’”
Shiny Happy People co-directoexecutive producer Olivia Crist described the Duggars as the “poster family” for the IBLP, and though their direct connection to the church wasn’t always specified on their shows, its teachings were exhibited matter-of-factly in the Duggars’ presentation of their lifestyle. “When you watch it through this lens of understanding how the IBLP operates, you’re going to see stuff on the show that’s directly from IBLP,” said Crist. Other examples include the modesty standards, which had the Duggar girls and women wearing sack-like dresses (sometimes with bloomers), the process of courtships, and the expressed notion that one’s first kiss should be saved until marriage.
“It’s like these almost bullying institutions or individuals who really exert a great deal of power over a lot of individuals—usually women, children, other vulnerable populations,” said Shiny Happy People executive producer Blye Faust. “Oftentimes these things just flourish and hide right there in front of us. And it takes a lot of people to look the other way to allow them to amass the power and influence that they do.”
Whether or not TLC was aware that it had been distributing effective propaganda for IBLP, it is undeniable that the network and the Duggar shows’ producers played a role in blasting out their covert messaging of Gothard’s values. Jill Duggar Dillard, the only of the 19 Duggar children featured on 19 Kids and Counting to appear in Shiny Happy People, recounts her father negotiating his family’s participation in the show without any of the kids’ input (how patriarchal of him!). She says that the Counting On producers were shocked when she said she did not want to have her childbirth filmed by the show’s crew (she and her husband Derick Dillard, who is also interviewed in the docuseries, filmed it themselves). She says that when she asked TLC to compensate her for out-of-pocket costs related to childbirth, she was told, “Well, we paid the family.” Jill maintains that she was never paid for her participation in the multiple TLC series depicting her life (“No cash, no check, no nothing”) and that a contract her father had signed for her when she was underage carried through into her adulthood.
“Listen, this is not a takedown of TLC,” said Blye. “We had reached out to members of the TLC production team that worked on the shows at the time and weren’t able to get anyone on to speak to us. So, you know, it’s a little bit hard to know what they knew and when they knew.” Crist said the question of TLC’s culpability is “one we pose in the show to the audience to kind of decide for themselves.”
Blye said that her team had reached out to “a number of the family members” beyond the siblings, and those who agreed appear in the docuseries. In addition to Jill and Derick, they include patriarch Jim Bob Duggar’s sister Deanna Duggar and her daughter Amy King (née Duggar), as well as former Duggar family friends Jim and Bobye Holt, who say they learned that Josh “touched his sisters inappropriately” in 2003—the year before the first Duggar special, 14 Children and Pregnant Again!, premiered on TLC. At the time, their daughter Kaeleigh Holt had been selected by Josh for courtship for marriage. In Shiny Happy People, the Holts recall Michelle Duggar (Josh’s motheJim Bob’s wife) saying that Josh only intended to reveal his abuse to Kaeleigh after they were married, and that when asked whether Kaeleigh was “a carrot to get Josh to behave,” they said Jim Bob responded, “Yeah, kinda.”
Regarding Jill’s interview, Crist said, “There was some hesitancy on her part and rightfully so, because of all that she’s been through.” In the doc, Jill maintains that her brother’s abuse allegations never should have been made public (she also says that if she had to do it over again, she wouldn’t participate in the interview that she gave Megyn Kelly in 2015 essentially downplaying the alleged molestation). Of course there was a compelling reason for the allegations to be made public: It shattered the “perfect family” image the Duggars were attempting to put out that could easily be read as propaganda for the IBLP. On that note, Jill attests she was raised in a “cult-like environment,” and there’s footage of Jim Bob recounting his condition on participating with TLC: “We will do this documentary as long as you don’t edit out our faith.”
“I think that when a person has experienced abuse, there’s a huge amount of shame involved in that, so even admitting that you’ve been abused is a huge weight to carry,” explained co-directoexecutive producer Julia Willoughby Nason, who along with Crist interviewed Jill. “I think the layers of her maybe telling a portion of it to one individual in a certain context at a certain time of her life was one thing, but developing it and having her story being put into a [public] context where she didn’t give consent adds insult to injury.” In addition to Jill, the docuseries contains interviews with other survivors of IBLP’s alleged abuse, including Emily Elizabeth Anderson, who was a plaintiff in the Gothard sex abuse case. (When reached for comment by the filmmakers, Gothard declined to participate.)
In aggregate, Shiny Happy People is a damning portrait of a Christian organization that created a power structure leaving so many of its followers open to abuse, and a profile of exactly how that played out in one family. The many other survivors of IBLP and its teachings whose testimonies appear throughout the docuseries’ four episodes only further speak to the insidious nature of the church’s invocation of purity, godliness, and moral superiority—a condescending facade for revolting exploitation.
The four filmmakers Jezebel interviewed expressed desire to continue on the IBLP/Duggars beat after the release of Shiny Happy People. “This is just a small portion of this world,” said Nason. “This is just a taste. It’s scratching the surface. It’s so many layers—compact layers of earth, of generations, of systems of social control.”
Stern said that one aspect of the docuseries she would like to expand on is the penetration of IBLP teachings into prisons. “I encourage people, after you watch this, to read how far it went into our prison system and how taxpayer dollars were used to make these things that were colloquially called ‘God pods,’ where women prisoners in particular had to read the [IBLP] teachings and be part of it. And they got special housing and they got special food.”

I had a full time remote job and was only making 44k and was struggling to make ends meet, especially when I found out I owed taxes in April. My manipulative mom who is very mentally ill kept offering to give and loan me money but was then angrily demanding immediate favors and errands during my work hours. I was really stressed so I kind of frantically started applying for part time and full time jobs.
I heard back from part time jobs first and took a job for a cashier at the grocery store across the street. They hired me over the phone and I went in for orientation, she said she would call me in a day or two but I didn’t hear back from her for a week until I called her.
She thought this would be my new full time job and that I was not working at all but didn’t seem in a hurry to give me hours. In the meantime I interviewed and received a new full time job working in office. Then I got my schedule for the grocery store after a couple training shifts and I was scheduled to work Thursday through Sunday while I was still working my remote job and starting my new office job that Monday. I hadn’t gotten any of my clothes shopping for the new job yet, they are really strict business professional and I didn’t have anything.
I was really stressed and worked the grocery store Thursday after my remote job, Friday after my remote job, then Saturday and Sunday and went in to the new office job feeling a bit unprepared Monday. I had a horrible headache after my first day of the new job and went home to sleep since I barely slept the night before. Tuesday after my new job I ran around to several stores (3) getting clothes. Wednesday I was supposed to work at the the grocery store after work, but my house was turned upside down and I was so behind on chores and I forgot my phone at home all day. I get off at 4:30 and was supposed to be at the grocery store at 5 but I was so tired I just went home and didn’t go. I was also supposed to go there Friday and I didn’t go either. I had a birthday party after work for a niece Thursday and plans with my boyfriend I hadn’t seen in two weeks Saturday and Sunday and also I hadn’t been able to do my dishes or clean the litter box or do laundry and the house was a wreck, it stunk.
I am an idiot and really over scheduled myself. I feel awful for not showing up at the grocery store. I really don’t want the job… I feel ashamed because my family and boyfriend knew I started the grocery store job. And they’re going to ask about it.
I’m sure I’m fired since I didn’t show up for 2 shifts. I really think it was too much because I was supposed to work 5-10 after work and then go into the office the next morning and I knew I wouldn’t have slept enough and would have been emotionally and mentally exhausted because I already am exhausted with learning a whole new office job.
Also, this store I found out is more dangerous than I thought, a manager recently got her car stolen, during my 5 shifts there there’s been a couple of thefts, and also the store next door gets robbed a lot, once on a shift my coworkers were shouting about someone stealing a big armful of clothes and running out the door, and also one of the managers there is really u hinged, calling a worker the B word, and yelling a lot in an unhinged way and getting super angry. It just seemed like not a good place to work.
What should I do? I’m feeling really guilty. I’ve never not showed up to a job before. I’m really ashamed of myself.
TLDR: I got a new part time grocery store cashier job in the midst of starting a new full time office job, and got overwhelmed and didn’t show up the last two shifts for the grocery store job. I feel really guilty and ashamed. What should I do?

A decent chunk of this sub is pretty disappointed with the dungeons in TotK, as they were with the Divine Beasts of BotW. And I agree with most of the criticisms. They're too short, they're quite lacking in enemy variety, the sense of progression isn't as clear as in other Zelda dungeons, and there's often little need to backtrack since all of the puzzles tend to lie within their own contained spaces. I probably haven't listed all of the common complaints, but these are the ones that come to mind and they're complaints I completely agree with.
However, there's one other complaint that I have never really understood. Supposedly, the individual puzzles in these games are too easy and simple. When I read these criticisms, I have to wonder if those making them played the same Zelda games as myself... because creative individual puzzles tended to be few and far between in the traditional 3D games to the point that I think BotW and TotK pretty much blow them out of the water.
A bold statement to make, no? Well, let's illustrate this by looking at a dungeon generally regarded as being one of the more complex in the 3D Zelda games: Ocarina of Time's infamous Water Temple, of course. I'll give a truncated walkthrough of the temple and whatever puzzles it might contain in the following bullet points.
- The first "puzzle" is just a Triforce on a wall. You've seen this before, so you know exactly what to do: play Zelda's Lullaby. This changes the water level which allows a torch to be lit. Next, you simply use the fire from the torch to light two more torches in the same room.
- The next thing you'll probably do is go to another passage and just push a block. That's it. In the next room, you'll hit a switch that, again, you've seen before. The switch creates geysers that you can hop on to cross to the other side of a pit. An identical switch lies in the next room, but the puzzle is a little more interesting. You have to use your iron boots here or the current will keep moving you around. Simply use your hookshot to hit the switch, open a door, then use the hookshot again on a spot that should be fairly obvious if you were in the right position to hit the switch.
- Another section of the temple has you using your hookshot to get across certain areas. But the spots where you're meant to aim the hookshot are typically right in front of you. There's very little searching going on. Further along, you see yet another switch that you've already seen three times earlier in the dungeon. This time, though, you'll need to hit it with an arrow from afar since the switch's effect doesn't last terribly long. An interesting enough evolution of this mechanic, but still quite trivial.
- Skipping a good chunk of the temple here, the most interesting puzzle IMO is one where you have to alternate between raising and lowering the water level of the room in order to make certain statues rise or sink, which reveal their hookshot targets. It's not a difficult puzzle at all since everything is pretty clearly spelled out to you, but I give it points for creativity at least.
I don't think I should need to spell out the rest of the dungeon because that last puzzle is as complicated as it gets for the Water Temple, and the dungeon item is just a longer hookshot so the puzzles don't really change too much. The parts I skipped over up to now largely had to do with using bombs on obviously cracked walls, hitting clear hookshot targets, or simply fighting enemies for keys.
Let's contrast this with the puzzles in the Wind Temple of TotK, certainly one of the simpler dungeons in the game if not the simplest. I'll just list a few here.
- You might head to the top of the dungeon and use Ultrahand to open a massive trapdoor. Below is a corridor with several lasers. Here, you should get around those lasers by opening and closing the paraglider so as to navigate around easier and mitigate fall damage.
- There are two doors near the front of the dungeon, and both seem to require pulling a lever to operate. However, the one you actually need to get through has a lever that doesn't work... it's just not long enough. You can, however, use Ultrahand to grab a nearby icicle, stick it to the lever, and then move the whole thing. The trick here is realizing that Ultrahand actually works on the icicles if you haven't already figured that out.
- Below the main deck, there are several gears that seem to operate another door. One side of the mechanism isn't moving, though, because it's not connected to the other side. The trick is to look up and shoot down an icicle, then lodge that to the moving gear in such a way that the other side of the icicle just touches the still mechanism and moves it. A rather interesting puzzle, I think.
- Another puzzle features a windmill lacking its blades. Use Ultrahand to stick blades together so that they form a propeller, then use Tulin's ability to blow the new windmill and activate a door.
The last two puzzles (particularly the third), I think, are more mechanically engaging than any in the Water Temple, and even the first two would fit in quite nicely with the Water Temple's other puzzles in terms of difficulty. If we're only considering creativity, then all four of them are well beyond the Water Temple. Only the statue puzzle in the Water Temple really stands a chance here. The other dungeons in OoT are even weaker on the individual puzzle front except maybe the Forest Temple... and this is a game that is generally regarded as having some of the best dungeons in the series. Bringing other games into the comparison here, MM isn't a whole lot tougher than OoT on the individual puzzle front except for maybe Great Bay Temple. WW and TP are steps down in difficulty. SS, however, has some more promising individual puzzles.
So what's the deal here? The Water Temple's puzzles are pretty thoroughly outclassed here, as I hopefully have made clear. Yet I doubt anyone would argue that the Wind Temple is a trickier dungeon to complete.
In truth, though, the individual puzzles were not what made the Water Temple difficult in the first place, and this is true of most 3D Zelda dungeons prior to BotW. To clear a room, one usually had to light a few obvious torches or hit a hookshot target that might as well have had a neon sign hanging over it. Not always, but usually. What made the dungeons difficult was figuring out which room you had to reach in the first place. If there are three locked doors and you only have two keys, where could that missing link possibly be located, and how would you get there? There were also many intra-dungeon mechanics like changing the water level which I wouldn't consider an individual puzzle but rather a mechanic that affected almost every aspect of the dungeon. So not really puzzle-solving but navigation was the tricky part of the old Zelda dungeons.
BotW and TotK, on the other hand, indisputably have the most creative puzzles in the entire franchise, and many are far more challenging than your usual torch-lighting or switch-pressing Zelda shenanigans since they often incorporate several aspects of the game and rely heavily on one's spatial thinking and understanding of the physics engine. And the one shrine in BotW that actually did heavily feature the torch-lighting mechanic implemented it in puzzles that frankly left every other game in the dust (see here). Even cheesing the puzzles often requires a sufficiently deep knowledge of the game's mechanics that goes beyond simply knowing where to aim the hookshot (the Fire Temple in TotK is the one big exception to this, I think). However, they sacrifice the complex layouts and gated objectives that once forced players to really stop and think about where they needed to go and what they needed to get in the dungeons. There's only one gate that leads to the boss and the objectives are marked on the map for you (you can disable the quest markers which remedies the problem somewhat, but it doesn't eliminate it), so it's not an imposing labyrinth anymore; it's five branching paths that never overlap with each other.
THAT is what makes them easier dungeons overall, even though the individual puzzles themselves are mostly better than those of other games. So, to return to the post's title, the argument that these new dungeons are considerably easier is perfectly valid, but I would not pin the blame to the puzzles for this one. If anything, they're more interesting than ever and I would really look forward to a Zelda dungeon that has such fascinating puzzles while retaining the complex layouts and gated objectives of past dungeons. Make them longer too.

For me I really enjoyed Hydroponics and Mining Deck. Both have great environments to navigate, Hydroponics being all clinical vegetation and grow tanks, Zero gravity sections and checking the wheezers off one by one before a boss fight just feels right pacing wise after scrambling around medical and the flight deck prior.
Mining however is so sick how it's all dark, oily and grimy. I love how it tells a story how these awesome engineers banded together and held out for a time against the onslaught of monsters using their tools, IED's and rigged doors. Props to how creative and crazy they got with their engineering skills and it's a shame Isaac didn't reach them in time, he'd have been impressed at their ingenuity.
What's your favourite bit?

So we finally went to level 8 yesterday and my build finally became complete.
I'm a level 5 absolution chapter Jaeger (from steinhardts guide to the eldritch hunt)/ level 3 order of the lycan blood hunter.
Thing is the campain is probably only going to level 10 and I don't really like any of the upcoming jeager abilities and blood hunter really only gives me an asi/feat so I have decided to add a 3rd class to the mix
My stats are Str - 0 Dex - 20 Con - 18 Int - 16 Wis - 16 Cha - 0
I'm primarily a front line fighter attacking with my sword and gun. The fighting styles I have are the flexible fighting and two weapon fighting.
For the rest of the party we have a totem barbarian and a brute fighter with me in melee and an assassin rogue, divine soul sorcerebard and necromancer wizard attacking at range.
So any suggestions for the new class and potential subclass would be appreciated

I'm a single mother and I was working nights as a parking meter attendant while trying to provide for my teenage son, Ethan. It wasn't easy, but I had no choice. One thing that always bothered me was the toll my work took on our time together. I hardly saw him during the nights, but I trusted he would take care of himself while I was away.
One morning, as I returned home from work, I noticed Ethan sitting at the kitchen table, his eyes heavy with sleep. It seemed odd since it was still early in the morning. I brushed it off, thinking he must have had a restless night. But as the days passed, I began to notice more peculiarities. Ethan became increasingly irritable, forgetful, and exhibited strange behavior associated with severe sleep deprivation.
One night, when I accidentally walked in on him stepping out of the shower, I couldn't help but notice the numerous bruises covering his body. My heart skipped a beat, and fear gripped me. How did he get those bruises? What was happening to him?
The following morning, I found him with a bruised face, his eye blackened and his lip swollen. Panic surged through me as I realized something was seriously wrong. I rushed him to a doctor, hoping for answers, but all medical tests showed no signs of physical ailments. The doctor suggested it could be psychological and recommended a counselor.
Desperate for answers, I reached out to my brother, Detective Mark Collins, who was also Ethan's uncle. Mark promised to investigate and provide any help he could. As a detective, he had the means to delve into matters that others couldn't.
A few days later, while Ethan was at school, I received an unexpected visit from Mark. He looked weary and troubled. Without wasting a moment, he sat me down and informed me of the troubling developments. Other worried parents had been reporting similar cases of their sons disappearing at night, only to return home battered and bruised.
Mark had taken charge and started a dedicated investigation into the matter. He revealed that he had been working tirelessly for a whole week, following leads, interviewing witnesses, and searching for any clues. However, despite his efforts, he admitted that he had made absolutely no progress. The cases were shrouded in mystery, leaving him frustrated and filled with a sense of helplessness.
The weight of the situation settled heavily upon me. It wasn't just Ethan. There were other families going through the same ordeal, and no one had answers. The fear and anxiety grew stronger within me as the realization sank in that our struggle was far from over.
I thanked Mark for his dedication and his relentless pursuit of the truth. As he left, we exchanged a knowing glance, silently promising to continue the fight together.
Days turned into sleepless nights as I anxiously awaited any updates from Mark's investigation. Meanwhile, I juggled work, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy for Ethan. But the underlying fear and uncertainty gnawed at my every thought.
One thing became clear—we were running out of time. The nights stretched on, each one bringing new nightmares and unexplained bruises on Ethan's body. I couldn't bear to see him suffer, and I knew that I had to be his protector, his shield against the darkness that threatened to consume him.
With every passing day, the sense of urgency grew stronger. We had to uncover the truth, find the source of this malevolent force that tormented our children. When the police put the investigation on hold - however - I was left with the fears from the beginning.
Frustrated and worried, I took time off work and stayed home, determined to uncover the truth. I kept a watchful eye on Ethan, making sure he didn't wander off during his sleepwalking episodes. One night, I followed him discreetly as he made his way to an abandoned house in our neighborhood.
My heart pounded in my chest as I peered through a crack in the wall and witnessed a chilling sight. Ethan stood among a group of other teenage boys, their eyes closed, their bodies moving with unnatural precision. As if puppets under someone's control, they began to fight, mercilessly punching and assaulting each other.
Fear overwhelmed me, but I knew I had to act. I called Mark, my brother and the detective, pleading for immediate help. By the time he arrived at the abandoned house, dawn was breaking, and the boys had dispersed, returning to their homes, leaving behind a trail of unconsciousness and injuries.
Realizing that no one else could protect Ethan but me, I made the difficult decision to quit my job and find new employment during the day. I couldn't risk leaving him alone anymore. I feared the unknown force that controlled those boys in their sleep, and I knew it was only a matter of time before it would come for my son again.
As the days turned into weeks, my desperation grew. I sought guidance from every possible avenue, determined to find answers and protect my son from the relentless onslaught of the somnpugilist. It was during one of my counseling sessions that a breakthrough, albeit a terrifying one, occurred.
The counselor, Dr. Simmons, had been tirelessly studying Ethan's case, and after numerous discussions and examinations, they finally approached me with a chilling revelation. Dr. Simmons explained that they had been consulting with experts in the field of sleep disorders and unearthed a disturbing theory.
With a serious expression etched across their face, Dr. Simmons told me, "Based on all the evidence we've gathered, the peculiar symptoms, the sleepwalking episodes, and the pattern of physical injuries, we believe your son is a victim of a rare and malevolent phenomenon known as the somnpugilist."
I had never heard of such a term, and the counselor continued to enlighten me. They described the somnpugilist as a mysterious entity or force that thrived on the vulnerability of sleep-deprived individuals, manipulating their subconscious minds to engage in brutal and uncontrolled acts of violence.
My heart sank as the weight of this revelation settled upon me. The realization that Ethan was not only a victim of his own body's betrayal but also a target of something otherworldly sent shivers down my spine. It was as if we were caught in a nightmare from which there was no escape.
Dr. Simmons assured me that they would continue researching possible remedies and solutions. However, their tone revealed a hint of helplessness, as if they too were grappling with the enigma that was the somnpugilist.
The knowledge that my son was being tormented by a malevolent force beyond our comprehension both terrified and galvanized me. I resolved to do everything in my power to protect Ethan, to shield him from the clutches of this insidious entity that sought to destroy him.
Together with Detective Mark Collins, we delved deeper into the lore surrounding the somnpugilist, seeking ancient texts and obscure references that might hold the key to its defeat. Each day brought us closer to understanding this dark force and formulating a plan to combat it.
The battle against the somnpugilist was far from over. We faced sleepless nights, relentless assaults on our sanity, and the fear that time was slipping through our fingers. But armed with newfound knowledge and unwavering determination, we pressed forward, ready to confront the somnpugilist head-on.
Now, I work at a small diner, my shifts aligned with Ethan's school hours. I rarely let him out of my sight, and I remain vigilant, constantly on guard. But deep down, I know that this battle against the somnpugilist, the sleep-fighter, can only last for so long. Darkness lingers, and the fear of the unknown looms, threatening to consume us both. With Mark's determination as both detective and uncle, we cling to hope, determined to unravel the mysterious and sinister forces that haunt our lives.
For Ethan's sake, for the sake of all the boys caught in this nocturnal nightmare, we would not rest until we unraveled the secrets of the somnpugilist and put an end to its reign of terror. Our journey would be treacherous, but the love of a mother, the devotion of an uncle, and the strength of our united front would serve as our guiding light through the darkest of nights.

For sale (no trades please)
https://imgur.com/a/fbCOtRg
2 Thug 2's:
one on the left was never cut or used, left on desk for a bit so small amount of scuffing on clip but wood and blade edge areperfect, action is flawless. Comes with box and pouch.
One on the right is brand new, never used, only taken out for pictures. Come with box, pouch, stickers and cloth (everything it came with)
2.69inch Damascus Blade Cuibourtia Wood Handle with Thumb Stud and Reversible Pocket Clip
These are originally 87 (93 after tax) each shipped , selling both for the price of one!
SV: $90 shipped FOR BOTH Paypal G&S
CONUS only, shios via UPS the next business day
Thanks for viewing! Take care!

CBT helped me get out from social anxiety, and helped me change many beliefs i had about myself and social capabilities because of social anxiety. I think the cognitive restructuring work was helpful before and after doing exposures (challenging negative automatic thoughts, finding alternatives, identifying cognitive distortions, etc). During the exposures i would just go the mindfull route, focus on people, things, etc, that were around or in front of me.
After overcoming SA, i noticed that i still struggled with obsessive thinking, related to other areas in my life, not necessarly social anxiety related. Typically i would obsess over alcohol and how i might have damaged my brain because of it. I mistakenly used cognitive restructuring to combat it: finding cognitive distortions, challenging my obsessive thoughts, etc. It was endless, and made me even more obsessed and anxious, because there was always that "what if", because science can't give me a definitive and sure answer to my obsessions. After reading the book Needing to know for sure, i had this "ahah" moment where i understood how cognitive restructuring was just making my obsessive/compulsive episodes worse.
My last therapy sessions were with this doctor that used a mix of ACT and CBT. I terminated because of some red flags but this isn't the subject of my post. Back to the ACT and CBT mix, to me it felt paradoxical. ACT tells me to accept my thoughts and emotions, to do a best guess about the situation that i'm stressing over, and move on while engaging in actions that are in line with my values. CBT tells me to keep challenging my thoughts until i feel better, this only worsens my obsession...
Maybe there's something i'm not understanding. By the way i don't even get how Needing to know for sure books claims itself "CBT based". It doesn't have any cognitive restructuring techniques and actually teaches you to avoid keep talking to yourself and advoid trying to challenge your thoughts and find alternative thoughts.
Now i'm even questioning if overcoming my SA was largely due to just doing exposures rather than the cognitive restructuring work. I don't see any benefit anymore in cognitive restructuring, even for challenging beliefs. My last therapist did a schema therapy diagnostic and found a "i'm not good enough" schema, then he started doing cognitive restructuring work to help me stop believing that "i'm not good enough". From a ACT perspective and what i learned with my OCD, even if this "i'm not good enough" belief doesn't make me obsessed: who the f really cares what i "feel about myself" ? Why would i spend my time deconstructing, challenging, "talking back to that voice", who cares about that really? As far as i'm living in a way that is in line with my values, ie, as far as i'm committed.
What are you guys take on this?
​

I'm a single mother and I was working nights as a parking meter attendant while trying to provide for my teenage son, Ethan. It wasn't easy, but I had no choice. One thing that always bothered me was the toll my work took on our time together. I hardly saw him during the nights, but I trusted he would take care of himself while I was away.
One morning, as I returned home from work, I noticed Ethan sitting at the kitchen table, his eyes heavy with sleep. It seemed odd since it was still early in the morning. I brushed it off, thinking he must have had a restless night. But as the days passed, I began to notice more peculiarities. Ethan became increasingly irritable, forgetful, and exhibited strange behavior associated with severe sleep deprivation.
One night, when I accidentally walked in on him stepping out of the shower, I couldn't help but notice the numerous bruises covering his body. My heart skipped a beat, and fear gripped me. How did he get those bruises? What was happening to him?
The following morning, I found him with a bruised face, his eye blackened and his lip swollen. Panic surged through me as I realized something was seriously wrong. I rushed him to a doctor, hoping for answers, but all medical tests showed no signs of physical ailments. The doctor suggested it could be psychological and recommended a counselor.
Desperate for answers, I reached out to my brother, Detective Mark Collins, who was also Ethan's uncle. Mark promised to investigate and provide any help he could. As a detective, he had the means to delve into matters that others couldn't.
A few days later, while Ethan was at school, I received an unexpected visit from Mark. He looked weary and troubled. Without wasting a moment, he sat me down and informed me of the troubling developments. Other worried parents had been reporting similar cases of their sons disappearing at night, only to return home battered and bruised.
Mark had taken charge and started a dedicated investigation into the matter. He revealed that he had been working tirelessly for a whole week, following leads, interviewing witnesses, and searching for any clues. However, despite his efforts, he admitted that he had made absolutely no progress. The cases were shrouded in mystery, leaving him frustrated and filled with a sense of helplessness.
The weight of the situation settled heavily upon me. It wasn't just Ethan. There were other families going through the same ordeal, and no one had answers. The fear and anxiety grew stronger within me as the realization sank in that our struggle was far from over.
I thanked Mark for his dedication and his relentless pursuit of the truth. As he left, we exchanged a knowing glance, silently promising to continue the fight together.
Days turned into sleepless nights as I anxiously awaited any updates from Mark's investigation. Meanwhile, I juggled work, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy for Ethan. But the underlying fear and uncertainty gnawed at my every thought.
One thing became clear—we were running out of time. The nights stretched on, each one bringing new nightmares and unexplained bruises on Ethan's body. I couldn't bear to see him suffer, and I knew that I had to be his protector, his shield against the darkness that threatened to consume him.
With every passing day, the sense of urgency grew stronger. We had to uncover the truth, find the source of this malevolent force that tormented our children. When the police put the investigation on hold - however - I was left with the fears from the beginning.
Frustrated and worried, I took time off work and stayed home, determined to uncover the truth. I kept a watchful eye on Ethan, making sure he didn't wander off during his sleepwalking episodes. One night, I followed him discreetly as he made his way to an abandoned house in our neighborhood.
My heart pounded in my chest as I peered through a crack in the wall and witnessed a chilling sight. Ethan stood among a group of other teenage boys, their eyes closed, their bodies moving with unnatural precision. As if puppets under someone's control, they began to fight, mercilessly punching and assaulting each other.
Fear overwhelmed me, but I knew I had to act. I called Mark, my brother and the detective, pleading for immediate help. By the time he arrived at the abandoned house, dawn was breaking, and the boys had dispersed, returning to their homes, leaving behind a trail of unconsciousness and injuries.
Realizing that no one else could protect Ethan but me, I made the difficult decision to quit my job and find new employment during the day. I couldn't risk leaving him alone anymore. I feared the unknown force that controlled those boys in their sleep, and I knew it was only a matter of time before it would come for my son again.
As the days turned into weeks, my desperation grew. I sought guidance from every possible avenue, determined to find answers and protect my son from the relentless onslaught of the somnpugilist. It was during one of my counseling sessions that a breakthrough, albeit a terrifying one, occurred.
The counselor, Dr. Simmons, had been tirelessly studying Ethan's case, and after numerous discussions and examinations, they finally approached me with a chilling revelation. Dr. Simmons explained that they had been consulting with experts in the field of sleep disorders and unearthed a disturbing theory.
With a serious expression etched across their face, Dr. Simmons told me, "Based on all the evidence we've gathered, the peculiar symptoms, the sleepwalking episodes, and the pattern of physical injuries, we believe your son is a victim of a rare and malevolent phenomenon known as the somnpugilist."
I had never heard of such a term, and the counselor continued to enlighten me. They described the somnpugilist as a mysterious entity or force that thrived on the vulnerability of sleep-deprived individuals, manipulating their subconscious minds to engage in brutal and uncontrolled acts of violence.
My heart sank as the weight of this revelation settled upon me. The realization that Ethan was not only a victim of his own body's betrayal but also a target of something otherworldly sent shivers down my spine. It was as if we were caught in a nightmare from which there was no escape.
Dr. Simmons assured me that they would continue researching possible remedies and solutions. However, their tone revealed a hint of helplessness, as if they too were grappling with the enigma that was the somnpugilist.
The knowledge that my son was being tormented by a malevolent force beyond our comprehension both terrified and galvanized me. I resolved to do everything in my power to protect Ethan, to shield him from the clutches of this insidious entity that sought to destroy him.
Together with Detective Mark Collins, we delved deeper into the lore surrounding the somnpugilist, seeking ancient texts and obscure references that might hold the key to its defeat. Each day brought us closer to understanding this dark force and formulating a plan to combat it.
The battle against the somnpugilist was far from over. We faced sleepless nights, relentless assaults on our sanity, and the fear that time was slipping through our fingers. But armed with newfound knowledge and unwavering determination, we pressed forward, ready to confront the somnpugilist head-on.
Now, I work at a small diner, my shifts aligned with Ethan's school hours. I rarely let him out of my sight, and I remain vigilant, constantly on guard. But deep down, I know that this battle against the somnpugilist, the sleep-fighter, can only last for so long. Darkness lingers, and the fear of the unknown looms, threatening to consume us both. With Mark's determination as both detective and uncle, we cling to hope, determined to unravel the mysterious and sinister forces that haunt our lives.
For Ethan's sake, for the sake of all the boys caught in this nocturnal nightmare, we would not rest until we unraveled the secrets of the somnpugilist and put an end to its reign of terror. Our journey would be treacherous, but the love of a mother, the devotion of an uncle, and the strength of our united front would serve as our guiding light through the darkest of nights.

Read Chapter 25 Here: https://www.reddit.com/saw/comments/13kih9q/legacy_from_the_book_of_saw_chapter_25_the_final/
____________________________________________________
*** CHAPTER 26 **\*
Traveling to the warehouse, Logan felt relieved knowing Melissa was in good hands, but his momentary comfort was quickly replaced with apprehension when he arrived at Hoffman’s lair. Checking his surroundings, Logan was unfamiliar with this place, despite living here for over a decade. Stopping the car, he tilted the visor down and looked at the photo of his wife.
Through the security camera positioned outside, Hoffman watched Logan enter the parking lot and smiled. He grabbed the bottle of chloroform that sat next to the aqua green box and a cloth from the table, then switched on the furnace. Walking towards the entrance, he turned off all the lights except the one shining on Elanor, who sat unconscious beneath the aluminum dispenser.
Walking towards the entrance, Logan removed a tactical knife from his pocket and held it surreptitiously. Finding the door unlocked, he breached the doorway and stepped into the building, his chest full of anxiety. Logan shuffled through the inoperable machines, boxes, and various tools until he found Elanor under the strobe light. On the floor, he noticed the chrome pool of aluminum that had dried and discovered the dispenser above her. Quickly pulling the chair out of reach, he removed the gag from her mouth just as the liquid started to pour.
Slipping out of the darkness, Hoffman watched as Logan attempted to cut through the ropes that bound Elanor, and while he was distracted, Hoffman slammed the grip of his gun into the back of Logan’s head with traumatic force. Falling to the floor, rattled and disoriented, Hoffman used this moment to render him unconscious with a considerable dose of chloroform.
***
Seth’s body is brought to the triage center, where the on-call doctors get to work. They extract the bullet from his neck and clean the wound. Then, fill several vials with his coagulating blood and immediately begin several tests. It doesn’t take long for them to find something unusual in his blood. The pathologist examines the results and calls the precinct.
Waiting to hear from Agent Kullen, Lincoln left a message for Autumn and contacted the patrol unit, which was watching over her. They spoke briefly and assured him she would be brought to the station as soon as possible.
With her safety guaranteed, he reached out to the crew sent to Gavin Beck’s residence. They informed him that an officer was found in the garage with his arms, legs, and mouth wrapped in duct tape, but he was still alive, suffering from a major contusion on his head. He was currently being transported to the hospital for evaluation.
Fixing his posture, Lincoln loosened the cilice, providing a moment of comfort, and sank into his chair. Through the window, he caught another glimpse of the remaining survivors. Obstructing his view and thoughts, Marlow entered his office.
“Linc,” he says, “I’ve been in touch with Agent Webb. She’s in recovery and would like updates on the case. Additionally, I’ve been in contact with Dr. Steward’s wife and son. They’re both okay. Presumably an empty threat. The same for Renee’s family.”
Lincoln squints his eyes, contemplating, and suggests, “They didn’t fit the code.”
Marlow shrugs and is about to speak when a call comes through, “Detective,” the pathologist says, “Please come to the triage center at once. There’s something you should see.”
Taking his jacket from the chair, they leave the room hastily and head next door, cutting a path through the other corpses, beelining for Seth’s cadaver. The site of the body hits Lincoln in the gut. They shared a long history, and this wasn’t how he imagined their friendship would end. Saddened by the loss, Lincoln backed away and placed his hands in his pockets.
Inside, he found the last canister of Nitrous Oxide, which he had forgotten about. Already inserted into the cracker, it was taunting him. With the pain of losing another friend, Lincoln’s urge to use was returning, and he felt he would never escape its grasp. Checking for an exit, Lincoln was about to give in to his compulsion when he caught sight of the pathologist using a centrifuge.
Detailing her findings into a computer, she greets Lincoln, “Thank you for coming.”
“What did you find?”
Moving around the device, she grabs a portfolio and takes a blood-filled vial from the rack. She hands the vial to Lincoln and says, “When we ran the first test, I found Seth’s blood was contaminated with some sort of bacteria.”
Holding up the vial and looking closely, “Agent Kullen said he was sick….” Lincoln explains.
Her expression is one of doubt, “I checked that too, but these cells reacted differently than a common cold. It’s microbial.”
Turning a page in the portfolio, she removes another vial from the rack that is filled with green fluid.
“Do you recognize this?” She asks.
Swapping vials, Lincoln shakes the cylinder and watches the fluid splash against the walls.
The pathologist elaborates, “It was confiscated from Dr. Gordon’s apartment.”
“So?”
“Well, Detective, my theory is that poison not dissimilar to this was injected into Seth’s body. I’m certain we will find an entry point with a little more time.”
Handing the vial back to the pathologist, Lincoln displays concern.
He says, “Have Logan assist you with the autopsy. Find the entry point and get back to me.”
Confusion drapes the pathologist, “Logan isn’t here, Detective. I thought you knew that.”
“Fine, get Elanor on it immediately.”
“I’m sorry, Lincoln, but she’s not here either.”
Marlow looks worried, and Lincoln says, “What are you talking about?”
“The on-call Doctors are here because Logan and Elanor never came in. I assumed they requested a break….”
Lincoln pushes past the physician, and Marlow tries to keep up. “Get a unit to Logan and Elanor’s addresses.” He says, “If you can’t get in touch with anyone, I want an APB out within the hour.”
“Chief Savino?”
“My orders, just do it.”
They enter the precinct, and Lincoln breaks off from Marlow, heading to his office while Marlow requests the attention of the other officers. Perched in the seats, eyes fixed, they await instructions. He explains, “Two of our colleagues are missing, Logan Nelson and Elanor Bonneville. Logan was last seen leaving the precinct between 7 pm and 8 pm last night. We must track them down as soon as possible.”
Listening to Marlow in the distance, Lincoln paces his office, trying to call Autumn. He leaves another message and fidgets with the Nitrous Oxide in his pocket. Needing a distraction, he contacts Agent Kullen.
**\*
Outside the Convention Center, Agent Kullen acquired an identical parking slip to the one they procured from Seth. He stood beside his vehicle, surveying the surroundings, taking mental notes of the area, including the security cameras and the construction site for the museum across the street then headed inside.
At the front desk, he finds two staff members and security personnel. Flashing his badge, he requests to see the surveillance footage taken from the last forty-eight hours. They informed him that a power outage corrupted the data, and the footage was essentially erased. Incensed by the revelation, Kullen shows them a picture of Seth Steward and asks if they’ve seen him on the property. The security guard holds the photo close to his face and recognizes the man. He saw him the night before, smoking in the parking lot, but he never entered the building.
Kullen’s stomach churned, and his hand twitched as he exited the convention center. Retrieving his medication from the car, Kullen consumed two pills and evaluated his surroundings once more. Walking towards the street, he looked up and down the road diligently.
Near the shoulder, across the street, he saw something glistening off the sun. About to head over, a call rang through his cell, “Kullen,” he said, still curious about the object.
“It’s me.”
Hearing the Detective's unsettled tone, Agent Kullen asks, “Lincoln, what’s going on?”
“Elanor and Logan are missing. Marlow is pursuing leads. Where are you?”
Crossing the street, Kullen discovers the reflective object to be a broken padlock. He carries the item towards the gate and says, “I’m near the Convention Center.”
He stops at the entrance and discovers that a new padlock has replaced the broken one. Suspicious, he looks to the Convention Center and then back to the gate.
Overwhelmed by his sudden emotions, Lincoln pushes through a fog of anxiety and asks, “Have you found anything?”
Kullen tilts the new lock in his direction and discovers a keyhole. “Send a team to the museum, now.”
Quickly returning to his vehicle, Kullen starts the ignition and drives towards the parking lot's exit. He waits anxiously for the road to clear before pulling out onto the street. When he reaches the gate, he makes a sharp turn and slams his foot into the accelerator. Crashing through the barrier, he speeds toward the construction site.
Pedestrians outside the Community Center observe the unexpected breach and appear excited and perplexed, with at least one individual phoning 9-1-1.
*** CHAPTER 27 **\*
Sitting at his workstation, watching the news, Hoffman can hear Elanor’s muffled cries for help. In front of her, she could see the limp body of Logan, handcuffed to a metal fixture that Hoffman bolted to the floor below the aluminum faucet. Pleading for him to wake up, she quivered in fear.
Unaffected, Hoffman increased the volume of the television. Showing footage of the National History Museum from a helicopter, it was reported that a new game had been discovered. In the video, Hoffman saw several cop cars and news vans positioned outside the building. They revealed that triggers and tripwires had been placed throughout the museum, preventing safe entry.
Photos of the victims flash on the screen, and Hoffman sees Renee Walsh, a test subject of John Kramer, who he had captured over a decade ago. For her game, John requested an eye for an eye, forcing her to remove the organ with a sharpened spoon. Unbeknownst to Jigsaw, Dr. Gordon provided a numbing agent for Renee that would aid her in the endeavor.
Hoffman’s eyes glazed over, and the memories of previous games rushed to his mind. Staring through the television, he heard a voice.
Hovering over his shoulder was the rotting corpse of Amanda Young, who said, “Hello, Mark….”
“You’re dead,” he replied calmly.
Watching the news, Amanda folded her pale arms and said, “I know it’s hard to concentrate.”
Having been haunted by these hallucinations since he escaped the bathroom, Hoffman felt exhausted and tortured, “Why?” He said, his voice drained of emotion. “Why are you still here?”
Amanda stared out the window while Hoffman watched the blood ooze from her neck, and she said, “By creating a legacy, by living a life worth remembering, you become immortal.”
“When this is over, you’ll be gone….”
Smiling, Amanda responds defiantly, “Somehow, I doubt that.”
Photos of John Kramer are displayed on the television, followed by images of Dr. Gordon.
Seeing the pictures, Hoffman remembered sending letters to various news stations, hospitals, and local law enforcement, implicating Lawrence Gordon as an accomplice. For many years, he had planned his revenge on the Doctor, which started by exposing his true identity. However, with Gordon’s upstanding reputation, the implications were deemed a slanderous rumor, and nothing ever came of it.
Now with Gordon gone, only one obstacle remained; there was only one accomplice left; Logan Nelson.
*** CHAPTER 28 **\*
The sun is chased out of the sky by a flurry of dark clouds, creating a reddish-black horizon. An aft beautiful sight, if not for the crowd that has formed outside the precinct. Families of the deceased Jigsaw victims have led a throng of supporters to the parking lot, where they demand an end to Jigsaw’s legacy and the police department that has allowed this to go on for so long.
Among the swarm of bodies are the ex-husband and children of Sarah Harper.
Inside, Chief Savino preps a SWAT team on the situation at the museum, reminding them to be wary of traps, and displays a picture of Hoffman on the television for each of them to memorize. He insists that no one enter the museum until all the traps have been disarmed.
After the speech, Lincoln is informed that Autumn has arrived at her house and is collecting her belongings. The officer estimates that they will reach the precinct within the hour. With one problem solved, Lincoln allows himself a moment of comfort. When he is about to leave, Marlow approaches with more good news.
“We just spoke to Cameron, Logan’s Mother-in-Law,” He says, “She has Melissa, they’re fine, and Logan left around 7 am this morning.”
“Did she say where he was going?”
“He said he was going to work but to contact you if there’s trouble. Chances are he’s inside the museum with the others.”
Lincoln considers the possibilities and says, “Let’s retrace his steps. He took his vehicle, right? I don’t care how long it takes, pull CCTV, check gas stations in the vicinity, schools, everything. If we can triangulate his phone, do it. Find him."
“I will, sir,” Marlow says, without moving, "What about him?"
Lincoln glances at Daniel inside the Infirmary, “He doesn't leave my sight," he says.
“Sir?"
“What other options do we have? I'm not losing anyone else."
Forgoing his apprehension, Marlow said, “It’s your call, Lincoln.”
Within twenty minutes, Lincoln arrives at the museum with a SWAT team. Staring at the building, he feels a sudden surge of anxiety, dread, and a strange sense of relief, knowing this will all be over soon.
“Are you okay?” a voice asks.
His eyes move to the rearview mirror, and Lincoln can see Daniel Matthews in the back seat. Still awaiting a response from Autumn, Lincoln checks his cellphone and re-reads his message to Lynn.
“I'm ready for this to be over,” he said, tightening the cilice around his waist.
Looking through the window at the commotion outside the museum, Daniel responds, “This isn't your fault, Detective.”
Reminded of his conversation with Seth Steward, Lincoln ignores the words, "Let's go."
Both men exit the vehicle, and Marlow joins them.
"Kullen is sending in a bomb squad," Marlow said, "We've set up an observation terminal towards the south entrance. I'll move the witness there."
As the men separate, Daniel, notices the news crews positioned themselves just outside the parking lot. He stares at them approvingly.
Lincoln waded through his grief and reached Agent Marlow, who was relaying a message via radio.
“Get it done,” Kullen said.
Standing with the Agent, Lincoln asks for a breakdown of the situation.
“Come with me.”
Lincoln follows Kullen towards a police car, and the Agent removes the museum floor plans from his pocket. He lays the map on the car's hood and specifies the trap locations.
“The entrances are blocked off,” he said, “There’s no way through. Now, I’ve got a team working to deactivate the traps, but it’s going to take some time.”
“Have you had any communication with the survivors?”
Drawing a line on the map with his finger, Kullen says, “Not yet, but I’ve spoken with the construction crew, and they’re building an expansion right over here.”
***
TO BE CONTINUED

I usually like running Healer in the pits and can normally go toe-to-toe with my buddies, but ever since one friend discovered chakra claws, wood dragon, exploding clone and sharingan he thinks he’s God’s gift to the Leaf. I don’t want to fight 🧀attk w/🧀attk if I don’t have to. Does anyone have any good counter builds w/Range, Defense or Healer?