Author's Note
I want to thank everyone who reviewed this story, but give special mention to:
Bookworm45669 (who's reviewed every single chapter with a kind of dedication Jim would admire), phanpiggy (who has been there since chapter 2, which was written just over two years ago, and because your wonderfully detailed reviews of the "character study" chapters gave me confidence in what could've been mindless waffle), FrankyAnne (because your lovely, detailed review of the pivotal moments in the plot were just amazing), SimplyEcho (because calling my story literature just made my day better), Swim Until You Can't See the Land (who's review was the longest, most thought-out and flattering review I've ever received. Honestly, your dedication to the story and the characters rivals even mine, and I wrote the damn thing!) and mefergie, for being my first reviewer.
This is the longest fanfiction I have ever written, and led me to make friends with some wonderful people. I've developed as a writer since beginning this story back in 2012, and the lovely reviews I've gotten here have inspired me to write an original book of my own, a feat which I never thought I'd be capable of. The fact that my reviewers kept returning with complex analyses of events and character developments will never cease to amaze and flatter me.
When I started vaguely jotting down notes for the idea of Jim Moriarty's childhood, I had no idea it would become such a big part of my life for the next two years. What was originally planned to be a five chapter short story about Jim being bullied quickly morphed into a whole series of tragic events that lead to Jim Moriarty, Consulting Criminal. Even though I knew Carl had to die, because I was bound by canon, when the time came I really wish things had ended differently. I wish Jim had forgiven Carl on the coach on the way to the swimming championship, and confronted Eva about her terrible parenting, and Mrs Lynch about her ignorance to Carl's obvious bullying. Or better yet, I wish Carl and Jim had been friends, and Jim had learned to feel things and never grown up to be what he was.
But it was my duty to report to you what happened to Jim Moriarty, the terrible things that lead to his rise (or some would call it a downfall). A lot of you have said that I'm one of the only people to have theorized that Jim's creation was caused by a number of different events, not just that "he was insane" or "he was bullied". I'm surprised by that, because surely it's obvious that it would take such an unfortunate sequence of events to lead to the rise of someone as unhinged and complex as Jim?
Thank you for letting me take you on his journey. I hope I've done his story, and his character, justice, and that I've managed to satisfy you even half as much as you have all satisfied me.
– Madasmonty