for A Voice in the Darkness3/30/2011 c1 
12ChocolateLover82
God, hon. I've bee hearing about this subject a lot lately and you are the first one to really show it in a way that I haven't seen in a long time, actually.
It's incredible to see that in these so called "modern times" slavery is still an issue very much alive. To know that there are people out there robbed of their freedom, one of the basest things a human being should have, it's disgusting and saddening. To know that there is this world that deals with people as if they are things to trade ... well, it leaves me speechless, really.
Thanks for writing something that shows that things are not romantic, are not pretty or sexy. Things that should not be tolerated.
Amazing. "My choice", that says it all.
Love, CL82
12ChocolateLover82God, hon. I've bee hearing about this subject a lot lately and you are the first one to really show it in a way that I haven't seen in a long time, actually.
It's incredible to see that in these so called "modern times" slavery is still an issue very much alive. To know that there are people out there robbed of their freedom, one of the basest things a human being should have, it's disgusting and saddening. To know that there is this world that deals with people as if they are things to trade ... well, it leaves me speechless, really.
Thanks for writing something that shows that things are not romantic, are not pretty or sexy. Things that should not be tolerated.
Amazing. "My choice", that says it all.
Love, CL82
3/30/2011 c1 Belindella
You captured Isabella's voice in such a raw and honest way that I was brought to tears reading this, and I frowned with my hand over my mouth the rest of the time. Timely piece you've written for I had only discovered a story where Edward treats a willing Bella like this (minus the beatings) and the mass of reviews that are heaped on this abusive fic were giving glory to the author for how HOT her Edward is. Say what?
In my naive state, I thought that Bella must have some HUGE emotional problems and that would be the meat of the story-her getting help and then not needing the abuse Edward gives her. He'd then get therapy as well, or live a miserable, lonely life while she becomes happy and well balanced. But the gist I got from skimming (before wanting to throw my computer) was that she just liked a guy who manhandled her like he hated her and called her the most disgusting things he could think of while screwing her.
If that's escapism then I'm baffled. That was a few days ago, and I haven't been able to stop being baffled.
Thank you so much for putting a realistic face to the romanticised/glorified stories where Edward buys Bella and/or treats her like a bitch who killed his family (such a turn on).
Makes me feel ashamed that so many women are living these lives you've written right this second, and that fact is being turned into titillation.
I almost deleted this and just wrote "Thank you for writing such a well researched and thought out story that moved me to tears. It is a timely piece that I appreciated very much and hope many read." But I'll leave my rant as I haven't vented any of those feelings before.
Thank you! Belinda.
You captured Isabella's voice in such a raw and honest way that I was brought to tears reading this, and I frowned with my hand over my mouth the rest of the time. Timely piece you've written for I had only discovered a story where Edward treats a willing Bella like this (minus the beatings) and the mass of reviews that are heaped on this abusive fic were giving glory to the author for how HOT her Edward is. Say what?
In my naive state, I thought that Bella must have some HUGE emotional problems and that would be the meat of the story-her getting help and then not needing the abuse Edward gives her. He'd then get therapy as well, or live a miserable, lonely life while she becomes happy and well balanced. But the gist I got from skimming (before wanting to throw my computer) was that she just liked a guy who manhandled her like he hated her and called her the most disgusting things he could think of while screwing her.
If that's escapism then I'm baffled. That was a few days ago, and I haven't been able to stop being baffled.
Thank you so much for putting a realistic face to the romanticised/glorified stories where Edward buys Bella and/or treats her like a bitch who killed his family (such a turn on).
Makes me feel ashamed that so many women are living these lives you've written right this second, and that fact is being turned into titillation.
I almost deleted this and just wrote "Thank you for writing such a well researched and thought out story that moved me to tears. It is a timely piece that I appreciated very much and hope many read." But I'll leave my rant as I haven't vented any of those feelings before.
Thank you! Belinda.
3/30/2011 c1 ELLC
There really are no words to express how terrible this situation is. One would not want to believe that this act of cruelty could happen in our country - yet it does.
YOU did a beautiful job of writing it and I thank you as always, for sharing.
There really are no words to express how terrible this situation is. One would not want to believe that this act of cruelty could happen in our country - yet it does.
YOU did a beautiful job of writing it and I thank you as always, for sharing.
3/30/2011 c1 songster
Oh babe, You are so frigging brave. I couldn't read it, but got the gist from skimming a bit and reading your a/n's. I have no doubt that this was both beautifully and sensitively written. I don't need to read it to know that. I give you kudos, even though I know you could care less about that, for telling this story and pointing a spotlight on the horrendous plight of people mainly women and children caught up in this. Too often some stories trivialize this topic responding to prurient interest from readers who mistakenly believe this is hot. I mean, I will be the first one to admit, i love the smut, but I think it's important to note that in reality, these people suffer enormously and have no one to hear their voice except for authors like you. Thank you.
Oh babe, You are so frigging brave. I couldn't read it, but got the gist from skimming a bit and reading your a/n's. I have no doubt that this was both beautifully and sensitively written. I don't need to read it to know that. I give you kudos, even though I know you could care less about that, for telling this story and pointing a spotlight on the horrendous plight of people mainly women and children caught up in this. Too often some stories trivialize this topic responding to prurient interest from readers who mistakenly believe this is hot. I mean, I will be the first one to admit, i love the smut, but I think it's important to note that in reality, these people suffer enormously and have no one to hear their voice except for authors like you. Thank you.
3/30/2011 c1 19edwardsisobel
Such a timely reminder that so much of what we read on fan fiction mostly bears no resemblance to real life. Such a sad compelling story and shockingly is representative of real life for so many millions of people. I've met several people who are very active in bringing the plight of women, children and men bound in slavery to the worlds attention. I had no idea until I'd heard one speak that this is more widespread than people can comprehend. Knowledge is power so every person that is made aware of this situation is one more person who can make a difference. Thank you so much for writing a difficult subject so beautifully.
19edwardsisobelSuch a timely reminder that so much of what we read on fan fiction mostly bears no resemblance to real life. Such a sad compelling story and shockingly is representative of real life for so many millions of people. I've met several people who are very active in bringing the plight of women, children and men bound in slavery to the worlds attention. I had no idea until I'd heard one speak that this is more widespread than people can comprehend. Knowledge is power so every person that is made aware of this situation is one more person who can make a difference. Thank you so much for writing a difficult subject so beautifully.
3/30/2011 c1 1ragsstone
I don't know what to say, but I feel compelled to review. This piece deserves a review.
You are a brave, brave person. This is a horrible reality, and yet when people say 'slaves' one immediately thinks of the black people who were freed in the civil war. I read a news report a couple of months back about a man who had established a girl-rental of sorts in Derby, UK. He had girls from age 14 to twenty-something. It makes me sick to my stomach to read this, and you've really got to wonder what kind of people would do such a thing.
The worst thing about this fic is that even to the very end I kept hoping Edward would 'change,' that he would realize that what he was doing was wrong. Then I had t remind myself that regardless of whether he realized that or not, he still should be arrested and stay the hell away from Bella. After two years of reading about Bella and Edward's HEA, I feel like I've been brainwashed to think that everything is redeemable.
I hope many eyes will be opened by this and it will raise awareness. Best of luck.
(Btw, I'm not entirely sure it comes through well enough in what I've written so far, but I'm in awe of your braveness and what it must have taken for you to write this.)
1ragsstoneI don't know what to say, but I feel compelled to review. This piece deserves a review.
You are a brave, brave person. This is a horrible reality, and yet when people say 'slaves' one immediately thinks of the black people who were freed in the civil war. I read a news report a couple of months back about a man who had established a girl-rental of sorts in Derby, UK. He had girls from age 14 to twenty-something. It makes me sick to my stomach to read this, and you've really got to wonder what kind of people would do such a thing.
The worst thing about this fic is that even to the very end I kept hoping Edward would 'change,' that he would realize that what he was doing was wrong. Then I had t remind myself that regardless of whether he realized that or not, he still should be arrested and stay the hell away from Bella. After two years of reading about Bella and Edward's HEA, I feel like I've been brainwashed to think that everything is redeemable.
I hope many eyes will be opened by this and it will raise awareness. Best of luck.
(Btw, I'm not entirely sure it comes through well enough in what I've written so far, but I'm in awe of your braveness and what it must have taken for you to write this.)
3/30/2011 c1 Ally
This should be required reading for anyone in the fandom who ever raved about The Perfect Wife, Emancipation Proclamation, or any of the disgusting, romanticized non-con up at Twilighted, FF.net, or TWCS.
Slavery is vile, violent, and destructive and I thank you for not putting it into a glorified position.
This should be required reading for anyone in the fandom who ever raved about The Perfect Wife, Emancipation Proclamation, or any of the disgusting, romanticized non-con up at Twilighted, FF.net, or TWCS.
Slavery is vile, violent, and destructive and I thank you for not putting it into a glorified position.
3/30/2011 c1 PurpleMadDragon
Wow. You have such a talent and way with words. So gripping and powerful.
Yes, slavery is a very big problem. (unless it is a consenting slave, this is called consent to non-consent, and in these cases it is the choice of a person who has so much faith and trust for another that they feel it is right for them, and in that case, we should not interfer... Freedom to find one's happiness through any means is part of the constitution.)
But this is not about consenting to non consent. This is forced slavery and should be stopped by any means that we can. The question is, how? How do we stop this? What protections could we possibly put in place to prevent this? How do we find the would be slavers before they strike and take them out? (my favorite idea is a quick shot to the back of the head, and just be done with them. Let them move on to another life and hope they make better choices)
This is a major issue, someone, somewhere must have an answer. For our daughters, and granddaughters, this must end. Any ideas anyone?
Wow. You have such a talent and way with words. So gripping and powerful.
Yes, slavery is a very big problem. (unless it is a consenting slave, this is called consent to non-consent, and in these cases it is the choice of a person who has so much faith and trust for another that they feel it is right for them, and in that case, we should not interfer... Freedom to find one's happiness through any means is part of the constitution.)
But this is not about consenting to non consent. This is forced slavery and should be stopped by any means that we can. The question is, how? How do we stop this? What protections could we possibly put in place to prevent this? How do we find the would be slavers before they strike and take them out? (my favorite idea is a quick shot to the back of the head, and just be done with them. Let them move on to another life and hope they make better choices)
This is a major issue, someone, somewhere must have an answer. For our daughters, and granddaughters, this must end. Any ideas anyone?
3/30/2011 c1 3caligula42
Thanks for sharing. I wish I could say more, but I think you've already written it.
3caligula42Thanks for sharing. I wish I could say more, but I think you've already written it.
3/30/2011 c1 5FluffyLiz
As ever, your writing is powerful and evocative, and it was brave of you to buck the trend and write something which more closely mirrors the reality of modern-day human trafficking, portraying an Edward none of us want to know. I admit that I have read a couple of "slave" fics, the most well-known, of course, being Emancipation Proclamation, a story I loved, at the end of which Karizzmatik made a similar point. I have also started and then stopped reading some truly dreadful "slave" fics which sickened me. This story is a world away from any kind of dark fantasies I, myself, have indulged in - but the point of fantasies is that you rarely want to experience the reality. I've read that many women have rape fantasies, but it doesn't mean they would actually want it to happen, and the same is true of slave fantasies. You have captured the truth of what it really means and it's a very dark and unpalatable truth indeed, but one which needs to be told nevertheless. Well done for portraying it in such a raw and poignant way.
5FluffyLizAs ever, your writing is powerful and evocative, and it was brave of you to buck the trend and write something which more closely mirrors the reality of modern-day human trafficking, portraying an Edward none of us want to know. I admit that I have read a couple of "slave" fics, the most well-known, of course, being Emancipation Proclamation, a story I loved, at the end of which Karizzmatik made a similar point. I have also started and then stopped reading some truly dreadful "slave" fics which sickened me. This story is a world away from any kind of dark fantasies I, myself, have indulged in - but the point of fantasies is that you rarely want to experience the reality. I've read that many women have rape fantasies, but it doesn't mean they would actually want it to happen, and the same is true of slave fantasies. You have captured the truth of what it really means and it's a very dark and unpalatable truth indeed, but one which needs to be told nevertheless. Well done for portraying it in such a raw and poignant way.
3/30/2011 c1 4miaokuancha
This is the best answer to all the stories in which the slave falls in love with the master because he is just so-o-o-o- HOTTTTTTT.
"Sometimes my body betrays me and responds to him. He loves that. I want to kill myself, but I've just learned to throw up in the shower afterward. The water hides my retching, but it doesn't do anything to clean me."
This was a really really difficult read, and I confess that I had to skim some parts of it, mostly because you made me really feel for this Bella, and I just couldn't bear to read every detail of what was done to her. But I am very familiar with the matter of abuse, and yes, you got it right.
Brave writing, and I'm glad that you did it. The real people whose lives are all too often presented so unrealistically in this fandom, and for prurient interest - yet another rape - deserve a voice.
4miaokuanchaThis is the best answer to all the stories in which the slave falls in love with the master because he is just so-o-o-o- HOTTTTTTT.
"Sometimes my body betrays me and responds to him. He loves that. I want to kill myself, but I've just learned to throw up in the shower afterward. The water hides my retching, but it doesn't do anything to clean me."
This was a really really difficult read, and I confess that I had to skim some parts of it, mostly because you made me really feel for this Bella, and I just couldn't bear to read every detail of what was done to her. But I am very familiar with the matter of abuse, and yes, you got it right.
Brave writing, and I'm glad that you did it. The real people whose lives are all too often presented so unrealistically in this fandom, and for prurient interest - yet another rape - deserve a voice.
3/30/2011 c1 6borntodanceninefour
God. Horrifying. Even more horrifying is the fact that so many people worldwide live this nightmare everyday. It's not cute or sexy or hot. It's abhorrent and depraved.
Thank you for writing a story that *actually* stayed realistic, not with Edward magically turning nice and Bella forgiving him and they live happily ever after. For the first time EVER, I hate Edward. I've been in this fandom for nearly 3 years, I've read thousands of stories, I've read some horrible fics. But Edward is always made to be redeemed in the end, and the reader hates him a little less. But I can truly and honestly say that the hatred I feel towards Edward (who, really, is just a stand in for any person who would treat another human being like Bella was treated here) runs so deep and is completely irrevocable. There is absolutely NOTHING that would make a situation like this even remotely okay. I can barely even stand to think of the people who live this life every day, because immediately I can taste bile and I want to throw up and pour bleach on my brain all at the same time. Honestly, if I were ever in the situation (God forbid), I would probably take the same route as Bella. Though I can't say I'd even be able to last that long.
Well, just to reiterate, thank you for writing a message with not only the literal message about how this occurs in the world, but also with the much deeper message about how *this* is what it would truly be like to live in such a way, rather than being the titillating experience some may think it to be.
6borntodanceninefourGod. Horrifying. Even more horrifying is the fact that so many people worldwide live this nightmare everyday. It's not cute or sexy or hot. It's abhorrent and depraved.
Thank you for writing a story that *actually* stayed realistic, not with Edward magically turning nice and Bella forgiving him and they live happily ever after. For the first time EVER, I hate Edward. I've been in this fandom for nearly 3 years, I've read thousands of stories, I've read some horrible fics. But Edward is always made to be redeemed in the end, and the reader hates him a little less. But I can truly and honestly say that the hatred I feel towards Edward (who, really, is just a stand in for any person who would treat another human being like Bella was treated here) runs so deep and is completely irrevocable. There is absolutely NOTHING that would make a situation like this even remotely okay. I can barely even stand to think of the people who live this life every day, because immediately I can taste bile and I want to throw up and pour bleach on my brain all at the same time. Honestly, if I were ever in the situation (God forbid), I would probably take the same route as Bella. Though I can't say I'd even be able to last that long.
Well, just to reiterate, thank you for writing a message with not only the literal message about how this occurs in the world, but also with the much deeper message about how *this* is what it would truly be like to live in such a way, rather than being the titillating experience some may think it to be.