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Stories from the Verse
For Better or Verse

We have successfully presented Verse Three, Chapter One:  The First Multiverser Novel in its entirety, chapter by chapter, followed by the second, Old Verses New, and now have permission to continue the story with For Better or Verse, the third novel in the series.  If you haven't read the first two books, they're not essential; this is in a sense a complete story in itself, and while this book continues the stories of those characters (three of them, the fourth appearing being frequently mentioned, returning in the fourth book) it is also a discrete book in itself despite being part of a longer story.  On the other hand, the first two books are free and easily accessed by anyone who can get here, so you can't complain that you wish you'd read it first if you don't.

For the reasons discussed on the indexing page of that first novel, we've chosen this format.  Below are two columns, the one on the left listing all the chapters published so far in sequence--the sequence in which they are published as well as the sequence in which they appear in the book.  The right hand column reverses the order, such that the first chapter listed there is the most recently published one, the last chapter currently available.  That way if you've just discovered the book you can begin with chapter one and work your way down the left hand side, but if you've been reading regularly you can immediately go to the latest installment by hitting the top of the right column.  Again each chapter is on its own web page, with a link near the top to the previous chapter and, once it is published, a link at the bottom to the next one, plus links back to this page to help you navigate.  You'll have to keep track of your place, but that shouldn't be too difficult--I'm including a blurb with each chapter that should help you remember what you've read.  To make it easier for me, and perhaps to pique your interest, I will sometimes have the next-to-be-published chapter listed here.  To be first to hear of new publications, support my Patreon campaign, or follow me in social media.

Again I have collected some "behind the writings" materials, which will be published on the mark Joseph "young" web log and listed and linked here.  These are quite replete with spoilers, so you might want to delay reading them until you're well past the chapters they discuss, but quite a few readers have found them interesting.  One has told me he is not much of a book reader but loves reading about creative process, and thus the posts on how it was created are to him more interesting than the story itself.  I do hope you find the story interesting, but I admit that the behind-the-writings posts interest me as well.

Credit should be given.  The above image was modified by me from the cover of the first novel, which in turn was created by Valdron art director Dimitrios "Jim" Denaxas.  The images on the individual pages were done by me usually by compositing images gleaned from the Internet which were said to be free for commercial use (I'm not sure this is commercial use, but I'm not sure it is not, so I'm not taking a risk there) with elements of his previous images some done by Eric York for the first novel; I again added the lettering in all cases.  I was unable to get outside editing done on this one in time for publication, although I did get some opinions on it from several people.

We have now also published

A new section was been added for Multiverser Novel Support Pages, including Multiverser game-style character sheets for major characters in the novels, to be expanded gradually over time.

Chapter 1:  Slade 43, in which Bob Slade slips out of the world in which we last saw him.
Chapter 2:  Brown 56, in which Derek Brown is recovering from an unsuited spacewalk.
Chapter 3:  Hastings 96, in which Lauren visits the beach.
Chapter 4:  Slade 44, in which Bob learns where he is, and why.
Chapter 5:  Brown 57, in which Derek becomes more engrossed in the story he is following.
Chapter 6:  Hastings 97, in which Lauren establishes a base camp.
Chapter 7:  Slade 45, in which Bob reunites with some old friends and reminisces about how they came together.
Chapter 8:  Brown 58, in which Derek feels the pressure to survive his recovery process.
Chapter 9:  Hastings 98, in which Lauren begins exploring inland.
Chapter 10:  Slade 46, in which Bob starts the day with a big breakfast and a long talk.
Chapter 11:  Brown 59, in which Derek comes out into the air.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #157:  Versers Restart, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the new novel begins, covering the chapters 1 through 11.
Chapter 12:  Hastings 99, in which Lauren reaches the source of her first scriff sense, and starts heading for the other.
Chapter 13:  Slade 47, in which Bob begins leading his companions on their new quest.
Chapter 14:  Brown 60, in which Derek starts connecting with his new identity.
Chapter 15:  Hastings 100, in which Lauren takes a short walk in darkness.
Chapter 16:  Slade 48, in which Bob discusses his religion with his companions.
Chapter 17:  Brown 61, in which Derek has a chat introducing himself to his mother.
Chapter 18:  Hastings 101, in which Lauren returns to the cove at which she started.
Chapter 19:  Slade 49, in which Bob obtains information about his situation from local gossip.
Chapter 20:  Brown 62, in which Derek has to tell his father that his mother is not crazy.
Chapter 21:  Hastings 102, in which Lauren reviews a wealth of uncertainties in her situation.
Chapter 22:  Slade 50, in which Bob talks about staying in a barn.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #164:  Versers Proceed, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 12 through 22.
Chapter 23:  Brown 63, in which Derek is growing.
Chapter 24:  Hastings 103, in which Lauren considers how plants came to be on her island.
Chapter 25:  Slade 51, in which Bob and his companions begin discussing plans for their return trip.
Chapter 26:  Brown 64, in which Derek gets his feet under him as the world cools a bit.
Chapter 27:  Slade 52, in which Bob makes the acquaintance of a country gentleman.
Chapter 28:  Hastings 104, in which Lauren tries some fruit.
Chapter 29:  Slade 53, in which Bob and his companions obtain transportation and directions.
Chapter 30:  Brown 65, in which Derek sees light in the darkness.
Chapter 31:  Slade 54, in which Bob recognizes an unanticipated obstacle.
Chapter 32:  Hastings 105, in which Lauren begins addressing her housing problem.
Chapter 33:  Slade 55, in which Bob adopts Shella's plan.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #170:  Versers Explore, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 23 through 33.
Chapter 34:  Brown 66, in which Derek learns how to fly.
Chapter 35:  Slade 56, in which Bob and Filp say goodbye to Shella.
Chapter 36:  Hastings 106, in which Lauren takes a walking tour to the top of her island home.
Chapter 37:  Slade 57, in which Bob and Filp surmount the first obstacle of the night.
Chapter 38:  Brown 67, in which Derek crosses one barrier and begins considering others he might attempt.
Chapter 39:  Slade 58, in which Bob and Filp find a place of rest.
Chapter 40:  Hastings 107, in which Lauren expands her dietary options.
Chapter 41:  Slade 59, in which Bob finds something of inestimable value along the way.
Chapter 42:  Brown 68, in which Derek thinks about having a pet.
Chapter 43:  Slade 60, in which Bob and Filp are in the dungeon.
Chapter 44:  Hastings 108, in which Lauren reconciles an eternal afterlife with an undying natural life over a poultry dinner.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #174:  Versers Achieve, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 34 through 44.
Chapter 45:  Slade 61, in which Bob takes a picture and leaves it.
Chapter 46:  Brown 69, in which Derek begins communing with animals.
Chapter 47:  Slade 62, in which Bob is told of another way out of the city.
Chapter 48:  Hastings 109, in which Lauren figures out what to do when she has nothing to do.
Chapter 49:  Slade 63, in which Bob and his companions disappear in the darkness.
Chapter 50:  Brown 70, in which Derek thinks about having eyes in the back of his head.
Chapter 51:  Slade 64, in which Bob and his companions seem to be wandering the city aimlessly.
Chapter 52:  Hastings 110, in which Lauren focuses on practicing her skills, but knows there is a test she does not want to face.
Chapter 53:  Slade 65, in which Bob finds Phasius' friend.
Chapter 54:  Brown 71, in which Derek develops a few more mental abilities over the summer.
Chapter 55:  Slade 66, in which Bob and Filp try to leave the city in a surprisingly ordinary manner.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #180:  Versers Focus, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 45 through 55.
Chapter 56:  Hastings 111, in which Lauren tries to understand why psionic devices work.
Chapter 57:  Slade 67, in which the next step in Bob's current journey become the first steps in a much longer one.
Chapter 58:  Brown 72, in which Derek tries to deal with the cold of an extra cold winter.
Chapter 59:  Hastings 112, in which Lauren considers a completely different approach to repairing her psionic disintegrator.
Chapter 60:  Slade 68, in which Bob engages in the beginning of the longest battle of his life.
Chapter 61:  Hastings 113, in which Lauren begins to connect her skills in new ways.
Chapter 62:  Brown 73, in which Derek learns new things about fires, molecules, and guns.
Chapter 63:  Slade 69, in which Slade and company return to the road and rush to the mountains.
Chapter 64:  Hastings 114, in which Lauren falls up.
Chapter 65:  Slade 70, in which Bob and company spring into action from a very rude and somewhat heated awakening.
Chapter 66:  Brown 74, in which Derek finds a way to observe and identify a sprite-killing monster.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #183:  Verser Transitions, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 56 through 66.
Chapter 67:  Hastings 115, in which Lauren steps into a dark world.
Chapter 68:  Slade 71, in which Bob and his companions grab breakfast on the run.
Chapter 69:  Brown 75, in which Derek studies the humans until he learns something very important about the sprites.
Chapter 70:  Hastings 116, in which Lauren is mistaken for an angel.
Chapter 71:  Slade 72, in which Bob decides to wait twenty minutes, and then tries to figure out what that means.
Chapter 72:  Brown 76, in which Derek begins his formal and informal spritish education.
Chapter 73:  Hastings 117, in which Lauren seeks an ally against the world.
Chapter 74:  Slade 73, in which Bob and his companions obtain fresh horses.
Chapter 75:  Brown 77, in which Derek gains a brother.
Chapter 76:  Hastings 118, in which Lauren gets directions from a prophetess.
Chapter 77:  Slade 74, in which Bob and his companions and their pursuers cross an invisible line.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #186:  Worlds Change, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 67 through 77.
Chapter 78:  Brown 78, in which Derek gathers his widely-scattered possessions.
Chapter 79:  Hastings 119, in which Lauren travels a once-familiar transit system to a no longer familiar destination.
Chapter 80:  Slade 75, in which Bob and Shella, in custody, arrive at the palace of King Morgan.
Chapter 81:  Brown 79, in which Derek encounters an ancient enemy.
Chapter 82:  Hastings 120, in which Lauren steps outside.
Chapter 83:  Slade 76, in which Bob spars with some of the best that world can offer.
Chapter 84:  Brown 80, in which Derek goes home with an elf.
Chapter 85:  Hastings 121, in which Lauren reunites with an old friend.
Chapter 86:  Slade 77, in which Bob and Shella dine with a king.
Chapter 87:  Brown 81, in which Derek recounts his journey to his family.
Chapter 88:  Hastings 122, in which Lauren and Bethany reminisce.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #191:  Versers Travel, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 78 through 88.
Chapter 89:  Slade 78, in which Bob faces a trial for extradition.
Chapter 90:  Brown 82, in which Derek hunts the most dangerous game.
Chapter 91:  Hastings 123, in which Lauren and Bethany begin planning their assault.
Chapter 92:  Slade 79, in which Bob's trial is brought to its conclusion.
Chapter 93:  Brown 83, in which Derek faces an inquisition from the elders.
Chapter 94:  Hastings 124, in which Lauren and Bethany go on the offensive.
Chapter 95:  Slade 80, in which Bob is on the move with the armies of King Morgan.
Chapter 96:  Brown 84, in which Derek talks about getting married.
Chapter 97:  Hastings 125, in which Lauren seeks to reconnect with the wolves.
Chapter 98:  Slade 81, in which Bob suggests to King Morgan that they seperate.
Chapter 99:  Brown 85, in which Derek makes a long distance call to a friend.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #198:  Verser Trials, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 89 through 99.
Chapter 100:  Hastings 126, in which Lauren meets Sielle.
Chapter 101:  Slade 82, in which Bob enters Aquivar's city surreptitiously.
Chapter 102:  Brown 86, in which Derek has a motivating dream.
Chapter 103:  Hastings 127, in which Lauren and Bethany raid a dome control office.
Chapter 104:  Slade 83, in which Bob and his team assault a castle wall.
Chapter 105:  Brown 87, in which Derek reaches the heart of the city.
Chapter 106:  Hastings 128, in which Lauren confronts her past.
Chapter 107:  Slade 84, in which Bob sweeps up the rest of the castle.
Chapter 108:  Brown 88, in which Derek speaks with the human ruler.
Chapter 109:  Hastings 129, in which Lauren and Bethany review their raid and study the stolen materials about the domes.
Chapter 110:  Slade 85, in which Bob bluffs and winds up with a stronger hand than he anticipated.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #202:  Verser Confrontations, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 100 through 110.
Chapter 111:  Hastings 130, in which Lauren is called upon by the wolves for help with taxonomy.
Chapter 112:  Brown 89, in which Derek finds himself more than a sprite but less than a boy.
Chapter 113:  Slade 86, in which Bob watches as Acquivar has his day in court.
Chapter 114:  Brown 90, in which Derek, with Bethany's help, learns to be his selves.
Chapter 115:  Hastings 131, in which Lauren and her team bring a bit of sunshine into New York City.
Chapter 116:  Slade 87, in which Bob is interrupted on his way to bed.
Chapter 117:  Brown 91, in which Derek greets the arrival of a killing machine joining his allies.
Chapter 118:  Hastings 132, in which Lauren and her team stop for lunch at a French café.
Chapter 119:  Slade 88, in which Bob and the others chat about plans in the honeymoon suite.
Chapter 120:  Hastings 133, in which Lauren cracks a tough nut.
Chapter 121:  Brown 92, in which Derek and the others are introduced to one of Lauren's mentors.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #205:  Verser Reunion, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 111 through 121.
Chapter 122:  Slade 89, in which Bob and Lauren and company retreat, but open another dome along the way.
Chapter 123:  Hastings 134, in which Lauren and Bob and the others learn the connection between Omigger and Merlin.
Chapter 124:  Brown 93, in which Derek and the others keep coming back to Philadelphia.
Chapter 125:  Slade 90, in which Bob gets the team to choose their next target prophetically.
Chapter 126:  Hastings 135, in which Lauren begins her biggest test to date.
Chapter 127:  Brown 94, in which Derek watches the main battle begin and becomes part of it.
Chapter 128:  Slade 91, in which Bob charges into the fray.
Chapter 129:  Hastings 136, in which Lauren goes on the offensive against Tubrok in a major way.
Chapter 130:  Brown 95, in which Derek returns in time to help finish the fight.
Chapter 131:  Slade 92, in which Bob observes the aftermath of the battle.
Chapter 132:  Brown 96, in which Derek muses on other worlds, the past, the future, and the divine.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #209:  Versers Victorious, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel concludes, covering the chapters 122 through 132.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #209:  Versers Victorious, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel concludes, covering the chapters 122 through 132.
Chapter 132:  Brown 96, in which Derek muses on other worlds, the past, the future, and the divine.
Chapter 131:  Slade 92, in which Bob observes the aftermath of the battle.
Chapter 130:  Brown 95, in which Derek returns in time to help finish the fight.
Chapter 129:  Hastings 136, in which Lauren goes on the offensive against Tubrok in a major way.
Chapter 128:  Slade 91, in which Bob charges into the fray.
Chapter 127:  Brown 94, in which Derek watches the main battle begin and becomes part of it.
Chapter 126:  Hastings 135, in which Lauren begins her biggest test to date.
Chapter 125:  Slade 90, in which Bob gets the team to choose their next target prophetically.
Chapter 124:  Brown 93, in which Derek and the others keep coming back to Philadelphia.
Chapter 123:  Hastings 134, in which Lauren and Bob and the others learn the connection between Omigger and Merlin.
Chapter 122:  Slade 89, in which Bob and Lauren and company retreat, but open another dome along the way.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #205:  Verser Reunion, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 111 through 121.
Chapter 121:  Brown 92, in which Derek and the others are introduced to one of Lauren's mentors.
Chapter 120:  Hastings 133, in which Lauren cracks a tough nut.
Chapter 119:  Slade 88, in which Bob and the others chat about plans in the honeymoon suite.
Chapter 118:  Hastings 132, in which Lauren and her team stop for lunch at a French café.
Chapter 117:  Brown 91, in which Derek greets the arrival of a killing machine joining his allies.
Chapter 116:  Slade 87, in which Bob is interrupted on his way to bed.
Chapter 115:  Hastings 131, in which Lauren and her team bring a bit of sunshine into New York City.
Chapter 114:  Brown 90, in which Derek, with Bethany's help, learns to be his selves.
Chapter 113:  Slade 86, in which Bob watches as Acquivar has his day in court.
Chapter 112:  Brown 89, in which Derek finds himself more than a sprite but less than a boy.
Chapter 111:  Hastings 130, in which Lauren is called upon by the wolves for help with taxonomy.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #202:  Verser Confrontations, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 100 through 110.
Chapter 110:  Slade 85, in which Bob bluffs and winds up with a stronger hand than he anticipated.
Chapter 109:  Hastings 129, in which Lauren and Bethany review their raid and study the stolen materials about the domes.
Chapter 108:  Brown 88, in which Derek speaks with the human ruler.
Chapter 107:  Slade 84, in which Bob sweeps up the rest of the castle.
Chapter 106:  Hastings 128, in which Lauren confronts her past.
Chapter 105:  Brown 87, in which Derek reaches the heart of the city.
Chapter 104:  Slade 83, in which Bob and his team assault a castle wall.
Chapter 103:  Hastings 127, in which Lauren and Bethany raid a dome control office.
Chapter 102:  Brown 86, in which Derek has a motivating dream.
Chapter 101:  Slade 82, in which Bob enters Aquivar's city surreptitiously.
Chapter 100:  Hastings 126, in which Lauren meets Sielle.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #198:  Verser Trials, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 89 through 99.
Chapter 99:  Brown 85, in which Derek makes a long distance call to a friend.
Chapter 98:  Slade 81, in which Bob suggests to King Morgan that they seperate.
Chapter 97:  Hastings 125, in which Lauren seeks to reconnect with the wolves.
Chapter 96:  Brown 84, in which Derek talks about getting married.
Chapter 95:  Slade 80, in which Bob is on the move with the armies of King Morgan.
Chapter 94:  Hastings 124, in which Lauren and Bethany go on the offensive.
Chapter 93:  Brown 83, in which Derek faces an inquisition from the elders.
Chapter 92:  Slade 79, in which Bob's trial is brought to its conclusion.
Chapter 91:  Hastings 123, in which Lauren and Bethany begin planning their assault.
Chapter 90:  Brown 82, in which Derek hunts the most dangerous game.
Chapter 89:  Slade 78, in which Bob faces a trial for extradition.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #191:  Versers Travel, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 78 through 88.
Chapter 88:  Hastings 122, in which Lauren and Bethany reminisce.
Chapter 87:  Brown 81, in which Derek recounts his journey to his family.
Chapter 86:  Slade 77, in which Bob and Shella dine with a king.
Chapter 85:  Hastings 121, in which Lauren reunites with an old friend.
Chapter 84:  Brown 80, in which Derek goes home with an elf.
Chapter 83:  Slade 76, in which Bob spars with some of the best that world can offer.
Chapter 82:  Hastings 120, in which Lauren steps outside.
Chapter 81:  Brown 79, in which Derek encounters an ancient enemy.
Chapter 80:  Slade 75, in which Bob and Shella, in custody, arrive at the palace of King Morgan.
Chapter 79:  Hastings 119, in which Lauren travels a once-familiar transit system to a no longer familiar destination.
Chapter 78:  Brown 78, in which Derek gathers his widely-scattered possessions.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #186:  Worlds Change, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 67 through 77.
Chapter 77:  Slade 74, in which Bob and his companions and their pursuers cross an invisible line.
Chapter 76:  Hastings 118, in which Lauren gets directions from a prophetess.
Chapter 75:  Brown 77, in which Derek gains a brother.
Chapter 74:  Slade 73, in which Bob and his companions obtain fresh horses.
Chapter 73:  Hastings 117, in which Lauren seeks an ally against the world.
Chapter 72:  Brown 76, in which Derek begins his formal and informal spritish education.
Chapter 71:  Slade 72, in which Bob decides to wait twenty minutes, and then tries to figure out what that means.
Chapter 70:  Hastings 116, in which Lauren is mistaken for an angel.
Chapter 69:  Brown 75, in which Derek studies the humans until he learns something very important about the sprites.
Chapter 68:  Slade 71, in which Bob and his companions grab breakfast on the run.
Chapter 67:  Hastings 115, in which Lauren steps into a dark world.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #183:  Verser Transitions, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 56 through 66.
Chapter 66:  Brown 74, in which Derek finds a way to observe and identify a sprite-killing monster.
Chapter 65:  Slade 70, in which Bob and company spring into action from a very rude and somewhat heated awakening.
Chapter 64:  Hastings 114, in which Lauren falls up.
Chapter 63:  Slade 69, in which Slade and company return to the road and rush to the mountains.
Chapter 62:  Brown 73, in which Derek learns new things about fires, molecules, and guns.
Chapter 61:  Hastings 113, in which Lauren begins to connect her skills in new ways.
Chapter 60:  Slade 68, in which Bob engages in the beginning of the longest battle of his life.
Chapter 59:  Hastings 112, in which Lauren considers a completely different approach to repairing her psionic disintegrator.
Chapter 58:  Brown 72, in which Derek tries to deal with the cold of an extra cold winter.
Chapter 57:  Slade 67, in which the next step in Bob's current journey become the first steps in a much longer one.
Chapter 56:  Hastings 111, in which Lauren tries to understand why psionic devices work.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #180:  Versers Focus, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 45 through 55.
Chapter 55:  Slade 66, in which Bob and Filp try to leave the city in a surprisingly ordinary manner.
Chapter 54:  Brown 71, in which Derek develops a few more mental abilities over the summer.
Chapter 53:  Slade 65, in which Bob finds Phasius' friend.
Chapter 52:  Hastings 110, in which Lauren focuses on practicing her skills, but knows there is a test she does not want to face.
Chapter 51:  Slade 64, in which Bob and his companions seem to be wandering the city aimlessly.
Chapter 50:  Brown 70, in which Derek thinks about having eyes in the back of his head.
Chapter 49:  Slade 63, in which Bob and his companions disappear in the darkness.
Chapter 48:  Hastings 109, in which Lauren figures out what to do when she has nothing to do.
Chapter 47:  Slade 62, in which Bob is told of another way out of the city.
Chapter 46:  Brown 69, in which Derek begins communing with animals.
Chapter 45:  Slade 61, in which Bob takes a picture and leaves it.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #174:  Versers Achieve, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 34 through 44.
Chapter 44:  Hastings 108, in which Lauren reconciles an eternal afterlife with an undying natural life over a poultry dinner.
Chapter 43:  Slade 60, in which Bob and Filp are in the dungeon.
Chapter 42:  Brown 68, in which Derek thinks about having a pet.
Chapter 41:  Slade 59, in which Bob finds something of inestimable value along the way.
Chapter 40:  Hastings 107, in which Lauren expands her dietary options.
Chapter 39:  Slade 58, in which Bob and Filp find a place of rest.
Chapter 38:  Brown 67, in which Derek crosses one barrier and begins considering others he might attempt.
Chapter 37:  Slade 57, in which Bob and Filp surmount the first obstacle of the night.
Chapter 36:  Hastings 106, in which Lauren takes a walking tour to the top of her island home.
Chapter 35:  Slade 56, in which Bob and Filp say goodbye to Shella.
Chapter 34:  Brown 66, in which Derek learns how to fly.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #170:  Versers Explore, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 23 through 33.
Chapter 33:  Slade 55, in which Bob adopts Shella's plan.
Chapter 32:  Hastings 105, in which Lauren begins addressing her housing problem.
Chapter 31:  Slade 54, in which Bob recognizes an unanticipated obstacle.
Chapter 30:  Brown 65, in which Derek sees light in the darkness.
Chapter 29:  Slade 53, in which Bob and his companions obtain transportation and directions.
Chapter 28:  Hastings 104, in which Lauren tries some fruit.
Chapter 27:  Slade 52, in which Bob makes the acquaintance of a country gentleman.
Chapter 26:  Brown 64, in which Derek gets his feet under him as the world cools a bit.
Chapter 25:  Slade 51, in which Bob and his companions begin discussing plans for their return trip.
Chapter 24:  Hastings 103, in which Lauren considers how plants came to be on her island.
Chapter 23:  Brown 63, in which Derek is growing.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #164:  Versers Proceed, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel continues, covering the chapters 12 through 22.
Chapter 22:  Slade 50, in which Bob talks about staying in a barn.
Chapter 21:  Hastings 102, in which Lauren reviews a wealth of uncertainties in her situation.
Chapter 20:  Brown 62, in which Derek has to tell his father that his mother is not crazy.
Chapter 19:  Slade 49, in which Bob obtains information about his situation from local gossip.
Chapter 18:  Hastings 101, in which Lauren returns to the cove at which she started.
Chapter 17:  Brown 61, in which Derek has a chat introducing himself to his mother.
Chapter 16:  Slade 48, in which Bob discusses his religion with his companions.
Chapter 15:  Hastings 100, in which Lauren takes a short walk in darkness.
Chapter 14:  Brown 60, in which Derek starts connecting with his new identity.
Chapter 13:  Slade 47, in which Bob begins leading his companions on their new quest.
Chapter 12:  Hastings 99, in which Lauren reaches the source of her first scriff sense, and starts heading for the other.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #157:  Versers Restart, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the new novel begins, covering the chapters 1 through 11.
Chapter 11:  Brown 59, in which Derek comes out into the air.
Chapter 10:  Slade 46, in which Bob starts the day with a big breakfast and a long talk.
Chapter 9:  Hastings 98, in which Lauren begins exploring inland.
Chapter 8:  Brown 58, in which Derek feels the pressure to survive his recovery process.
Chapter 7:  Slade 45, in which Bob reunites with some old friends and reminisces about how they came together.
Chapter 6:  Hastings 97, in which Lauren establishes a base camp.
Chapter 5:  Brown 57, in which Derek becomes more engrossed in the story he is following.
Chapter 4:  Slade 44, in which Bob learns where he is, and why.
Chapter 3:  Hastings 96, in which Lauren visits the beach.
Chapter 2:  Brown 56, in which Derek Brown is recovering from an unsuited spacewalk.
Chapter 1:  Slade 43, in which Bob Slade slips out of the world in which we last saw him.

As to the old stories that have long been here:


Verse Three, Chapter One:  The First Multiverser Novel

Old Verses New

Stories from the Verse Main Page

The Original Introduction to Stories from the Verse

Read the Stories

The Online Games

Books by the Author

Go to Other Links


M. J. Young Net

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