Numb by Lisa H. (PG)

[rowanfairchild.livejournal.com]

Fandom: OZ
Pairing: none. Cyril O'Reily
Author on LJ: lisaluvsblair
Author Website: n/a
Why this must be read:

Numb is Lisa's follow up story to Parted. This time she looks at Cyril O'Reily post-accident, but now left drifting in this strange new state without his brother too, as Ryan is already on his way to OZ. The Cyril who emerges in Numb is wholly believable and heartbreaking for that -- Lisa lets glimpses of his life before the brain damage peek through cruelly: the people who treat him differently now, who avoid him. Cyril is conscious of the change, but unable now to quite process it.

The other standout in Numb is Ryan's wife at the time, Shannon. Lisa does a remarkable job of showing us Shannon through Cyril's eyes, bringing the flashes of level-headed tenacity we only got glimpses of in canon, into a dimensional character:

"I'm living with Shannon now. She said it's because Ryan is gone and she needs someone to be with her so she's not scared. I thought it was a joke and I laughed. Shannon isn't afraid of anyone, not even Ryan. Not even me, and I'm strong. I remember one time when I was mad at her for something, and I was yelling at her, really loud. She didn't care, she just threw her drink in my face and told me to get the fuck out of her house. I don't like to think about that time. I can remember things that happened, but I don't know why they happened. Like why would I be yelling at Shannon? Something about Ryan, but I'm not sure."

Read Numb

Comments

[meganinhiding.livejournal.com]

I was hoping that someone would recommend these stories to the van. I'm especially found of Numb which to me has the best Cyril POV and like you I really love how Shannon appeared in this.

[rowanfairchild.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it seemed amazing to me once I read it, that nobody had treated this in fanfic before, really -- certainly not like this. Glad you liked the pick! :-)