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And yes I have listened to the newest album, but I’m no longer a member
It was good but sad
Do me a favor…. Tell Cress I meant it
-Thorne- Rank: Knight in Shining Armor
- Total Posts: 692
Haha. Yeah. I’m actually on track with my goals except for reading and writing oddly enough. Lol Hoping Preptober and Nanowrimo will help with the writing part.
- Rank: Knight in Shining Armor
- Total Posts: 692
Same. I probably won’t be active except for an hour on school days, not at all Sundays. Saturdays will be more lenient tho.
- Rank: Knight in Shining Armor
- Total Posts: 692
I’m just going to jump in with my story.
Snippet 1, chapter 1:
(I’m putting Content Warnings up just in case someone is sensitive)
The Paradise Lie
CW: mentions of abuse, implied alcohol use
Prologue
The house was quiet. A little too quiet. Chills ran up and down his spine as Benjamin walked into the house dropping his backpack in the corner. Where was mom? He took a deep shaky breath as he ran towards the living room. Panicking, he searched every room for her. After he had gone through every room, he sank to his knees on the living room floor and just rocked back and forth crying. How could she leave without saying anything? His heart raced. A creeeeeek came from the front door. He went to the book corner and hid. Hugging his knees up to his chest, he rolled up into a ball.
“Benjamin Eaton!” His father angrily slurred the words. He was drunk again. Benjamin just curled up more, hoping his dad wouldn’t see him. He could feel the pain. The bruises so bad that he couldn’t move for a week without wincing. The words so harsh that his heart broke in two. The memories just came back. Nightmares every time he fell asleep. His stomach churned with every movement his dad made. Please don’t find me! He begged in his mind like a prayer spoken. He had begged God for years to change his father but with every passing week, he just got worse. The beatings more painful and the words harsher. His father walked unevenly towards his hiding spot. Please no! He inwardly screamed. Where are you mom when I need you most, he thought. Because it was dark, his father wasn’t able to find him and went upstairs to sleep it off. Benjamin let out a sob of relief when he was gone. He ran into the kitchen to warm up a glass of milk. He figured he could use some calming down in that moment. Something caught his eye on the counter. It was a sticky note in his mom’s handwriting. He grabbed it with shaky hands. Dear Ben, I’m taking your siblings to grandma’s house. Will be back in a few hours. Get yourself a snack if you’re hungry and stay in your room. Dad might come over in a state again and I don’t want him hurting you. Love, Mom
Too late for that, mom. He tried to shake off his nerves but they were shot. The microwave beeped, signaling that his milk was done and warm. He took the mug to his bedroom and closed the door.
***
Ben jumped out of bed, and ran to the window. There was still only one car in the driveway. Something was off, Mom still wasn’t home. What was going on? He raced downstairs and raised his eyebrows as he looked up to see his father weeping in his chair. He held a Bible in his hands. He looked at him not knowing how to act. His father heard him and met his gaze. “I’m so sorry Ben,” He whispered. “I hurt you so much!” He placed a hand on Ben’s shoulder. Ben flinched and pulled away. “I know you don’t trust me and maybe you never will but could you forgive me? I know I don’t deserve it but please Ben, would you at least consider it?” Anger and pain boiled inside of Ben. How could that monster ever think I would forgive him? He doesn’t understand the pain he caused. The days he locked his bedroom door and hid in the closet with his baseball bat in case he came home when his mom wasn’t there. The days he would lie on his stomach to stop the pain. The times he sobbed uncontrollably as he waited for his dad to stop beating him. No. He could never forgive that monster.
Ben bit his lip and shook his head. “No!” He whisper screamed and ran out the door. He just kept running his lungs burning and his legs begging him to stop and rest as they became like jelly.. This wouldn’t be the last time he would run but it was his first time. As a ten year old he would run. Away from the pain, the hurt and most of all, his monster of a father.
- Rank: Knight in Shining Armor
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Here’s a more laid-back no expectations of feedback required version of my book. I’d prefer not to have editing feedback but I’d still love to have your thoughts on this thread. 🙂
@sarafini
Alrighty! I’ll be sure to pop in!
Write what should not be forgotten. — Isabel Allende
- Rank: Knight in Shining Armor
- Total Posts: 692
Chapter 1
30 years later
Alec stared out the small window of the ship, “How much longer, Dad?” He was feeling very antsy as he watched the waves move slowly up and down.
“A couple more hours, Alec.” He sounded exasperated. Alec shuffled around. He was so bored. His dad slammed the book he was reading on the ground, “Why don’t you read a book, Alec? Your pacing is bothering me.” He put earplugs in before picking up his book. Alec slumped on the bed. Why couldn’t his mom be here at this moment? At least she wouldn’t have been annoyed with him. He rubbed the sides of his head. There was a headache coming on. He could feel it. He laid back. Maybe some sleep would do him some good.
***
Levi tried to sleep. He was becoming nocturnal. The life of crime I guess. He thought of his wife and kids. His son would be almost 10 now and his twin daughters almost 8. He finally gave up after smelling lunch. He trotted down the hall towards the kitchen. Matt was making soup, “Hey Matt. Smells good.”
He looked up and smiled, “Hey Lee. Want some?”
He nodded before pulling out a bowl. It was lentil soup. He got a big portion of tomatoes in his. Matt sat down on one of the benches at a table. Levi sat across from him, “You think I’ll ever be able to come out of hiding?”
He snorted, “After faking your death, I doubt it? Unless you’re looking to go to prison for life.”
Levi shook his head and took a big spoonful of soup, “I’m tired of running, man.”
“I understand that but unless you want the law on you, you should probably just go along with the boss.”
Levi nodded, “You’re probably right but I’ll never get to see my kids. Walk my daughters down the aisle, hold my grandkids, watch my kids graduate. I just feel like I’m missing out on so much.”
“I know. Mary hates me now. She got remarried too.”
Levi sighed, “Aw, Matt, I’m so sorry.”
He shrugged, “Just the way life goes. You done with your bowl.” He motioned toward the empty soup bowl.
“Yeah thanks,” he pushed the bowl towards Matt. Levi sighed, “I better get back to my room and try to sleep more.”
***
Alec tried to muffle his father’s snoring by putting a pillow over his ears. He had been able to fall asleep for a few hours but his dad’s loud snoring startled him awake. There was no way he’d be able to fall back to sleep again. Buzzzzzzz! A horn blared. Alec almost hit his head on the bunk above him. His father snorted as he was startled awake. “I guess we’re here,” he grumbled. You don’t have to be so surly while spending time with your son. Alec’s heart hurt. Dad hadn’t been this way when mom was around. He couldn’t blame him too much. Mom had been a light in their life. The one that held them together. Alec felt resentment toward his father. If he wasn’t for him they’d all still be together. He was the one who left. His mom would have stayed. They grabbed their suitcases and walked off the ship.
“You’ll be staying in a dorm-like building with some other boys your age.”
“Wait… you’re not staying with me?”
“No, you need independence.”
Alec swallowed hard. He always thought his dad would be around to care for him. He needed people like his dad. What if there was no one to care for him?
***
Levi only got 4 hours of sleep. He was on guard duty later that night. He needed at least 7 to survive the night. He had 4 more hours before the night duty began. He could eat dinner and then go back to sleep until 9. He heard whispering voices from outside his room. He froze before quickly and quietly climbing out of bed.
“What’s Levi going to do while you’re gone, sir?” It was a new voice he didn’t recognize.
“Don’t worry, Mike. I’ve got a job for him.”
“Do you mind enlightening me?”
“Yes I do.”
Levi heard retreating footsteps. What was going on?
***
Alec stretched as he got to his room. He wondered why he was so tired. Normally if it was a vacation, he would be bouncing off the walls. Today he just felt kind of meh. No real emotion. It was the first full day without his mom nearby. Would this be the new normal feeling for him? He stared at the ceiling as he fell back onto his bunk bed.
- Rank: Knight in Shining Armor
- Total Posts: 692
Change of plans with my WIP. I’ll share more as I go. I’m outlining PL to rewrite it using an original Fantasy world during Nanowrimo.
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