Things weren't always bad. There was always a gem of a moment here and there that shined bright in the middle of all the shit. These little moments where the monster that she came to know wasn't so sinister, brief moments of peace. He would put on his mask and make her feel loved and cherished. On the occasional weekend outing, they would take the ferry into the city, walk around the French Market, stop off at Cafe du Monde for some beignets and cafe au lait. She loved checking out the little obscure shops scattered about, and found the voodoo shops to be most interesting. He gave her whiplash with the way his personality changed.
With every outing came the reality of also having to go back home. Back on the ferry, crossing the river, anxiety set inside of her. Her life had become engulfed with the fear of waiting on the next time that thing, whatever it was, snapped inside of him. Just waiting... waiting between the moments of hell, and the gems. The highest of highs and the lowest of lows. It was a roller coaster ride for years. She was always a nervous disaster and most days stayed locked inside, waiting and attempting to prepare for which character would walk through the door. A true Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde nightmare... it was starting to take its toll on her.
She was tired of the pain, tired of being his plaything, his punching bag, his doormat. She was losing herself or maybe was already lost. She felt like just a shell of what she used to be and had to do something. She knew the next time that switch inside of him flipped, that could be the last of her days. Calling the police was not an option, many of them were friends of his. She didn't trust anyone who chose to keep the company of this man. We've all heard the saying 'birds of a feather flock together', and in her experience, that's been true. He's kept her secluded, cut off from everyone; she has no family, no friends. He towers over her. He has her exactly where he wants her. She's small and frail, meek and powerless. One well placed punch, at only half his strength, has knocked her out for days. Those were the easy days, not knowing what he did to her while she was unconscious was a blessing. Her mistake was opening her eyes again and facing the excruciating pain that lingered after one of his torture sessions. She's had enough.
She's planning on taking matters into her own hands, not knowing how or when. The only thing that is certain to her, is that death is too good for him. She wants to hurt him, and wants him to live the rest of his days tortured and tormented. She wants him to feel the fear that she feels. Every, fucking, day. Something starts growing inside of her. Her thoughts are starting to come together, and a plan starts brewing. She has studied the traditions, the beliefs and the rituals of the people indigenous to this area, the swamps she's lived in her whole life. Little did she know that the blood of these people, her unknown ancestors, coursed through her veins. In that blood, she's inherited a special and dark gift. A gift that she is unaware of, until she meets an unusual stranger that shows her how powerful the darkness within her can be.
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As she sat there, wrapped in her mother's blanket, the sun is starting to rise and the first break of daylight starts shining through the window; she knows that tonight is the night. It will be either a new beginning or a tragic end. Either way, she believes she is ready to face this daunting task. Looking out the window, contemplating the things that will happen tonight, a quote from her favorite author is thrust to the forefront of her thoughts, and sends a shiver down her spine...
"Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win."
Brooke started to wonder if she was becoming the monster she had always feared.
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Dear Reader,
I have been encouraged recently to write more. I've had this story in my head for years now. This is my first attempt at getting it out for you to read. I accept any advice and any criticism that you may have, leave it in the comments just please be gentle. I hope you have enjoyed reading. Stay tuned for Chapter 1.
Thanks for stopping by y'all!
Love, Monch🐝
Special thanks to @calumam for editing and helping me make this look awesome!! You rock!!
![steemit (1).jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQuVqr4N6BRDdwAV9YfsFEzD7DyTnEYs2jBhrK9M74Stt/steemit%20(1).jpg)
Got me drawn in too. Good thing Andy resteemed it! Look forward to more.
Thank you @kiwideb... I'm so thankful that Andy liked it enough to resteem. I really hope you guys enjoy going on this little journey with me. And if at any time you have thoughts about the story or the charcters, any advice, please, feel free to share!!
Congrats on the first part of your journey in writing your book :) You drew me in and I want to read more! I have re-steemed!
Thank you so much Andy. I'm really excited to finally get started on this. I am working on getting chapter 1 out as soon as possible!! And thank you so much for the resteem and nominating my post!! You are awesome my friend!!
This... is going to be incredible. I'm already intrigued!!!!
I had no idea that your story was going to be this type of story!!!!!! I can't wait to see how you use this to grow in your writing skills and in your life!
I'm anticipating some major leaps forward in your confidence and I think that this is going to also be something that connects with people who relate to this story on different levels!
I'm so proud of you for beginning it!!! and i can't wait for more, my friend!
love you!
Oh my sweet Speedy Dreemy!! You're always so positive and encouraging, your excitement gets me excited to get out the first chapter, which I'm hoping to have done by the weekend. And hope to keep you guys on your toes with this one, just when you think you know what's going to happen, that's when you'll find out that you really don't!! Hehehe Thanks for all of your support babe, I wouldn't have had the guts to do it without your encouragement!! Love you doll!!
that's the best kind of story!!!! :) we need to be lured in! have your way with us! hehehehehe
Nice read .. you drew me in also !
You have been upvoted by @rentmoney because your post was nominated by @andysantics48 in our Followers Appreciation Promotion
Thank you @rentmoney!! I was so surprised to see that @andysantics48 nominated my story!! I'm grateful that you enjoyed it!! I hope to not disappoint with the rest of it!
Your welcome !
This is such a good start! I could feel with Brooke from the first paragraph. It tooks really interesting turn when I heard the word 'swamp'. Great setting for something twisted. I'm eager to read more!
I'm so glad you like it Jeremy!! The swamp can be a really dark and scary place, I hope you enjoy the rest of Brooke's journey!