**Trigger Warning: This article contains graphic discussions of rape and abuse of a sexual nature from survivors. It may be painful for some to read.** “I’m proud of you.” Those were the words my therapist said to me as I sat in her office. I was broken, shattered, not even human in my eyes. I ...

Read: Part 1 Once Alice went out the door, the flashbacks of the past overtook her. She teared up as she got into her car. It was two years ago, and Alice thought she had found the love of her life. After all, she had met Sebastian at college. They both attended the University of Texas ...

I am starting on a new series titled, Learning To Cope. I am sharing a short excerpt from a WIP I am working on for a short story collection for 2020 which deals with addiction and abuse affecting people today. I hope you like it. Chapter 1: Meet Alice Alice Age 30 Alice stood in ...

***Trigger Warning*** The following work of fiction contains verbal, drug use, sexual content, and physical violence. Read Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five Why am I still here? He is the devil! She needed to take her life back. Elizabeth took out her diary. December 2013. Dear Diary, I have had enough. My husband needs to pay ...

***Trigger Warning*** The following work of fiction contains verbal, drug use, sexual content, and physical violence. Read Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four   “Chief, you don’t get it! I hope one day you will see the truth!” said Elizabeth as she stoped out the door. Tears fell down her cheeks. She knew this was ...

***Trigger Warning*** The following work of fiction contains verbal, drug use, and physical violence. Read Part One | Part Two | Part Three “Elizabeth!” She heard him screaming and ran down the stairs. “I’m here Valentin.” “Elizabeth, can you believe what those interns did today?” She tried to comfort him. “Now, Valentin, they are immature!” “What?” Then he slapped ...

***Trigger Warning*** The following work of fiction contains verbal and physical violence. Read Part One | Part Two After breakfast, Valentin got up and headed out the door. He kissed Elizabeth on the cheek and smiled. “Well, I got to run now, Liv.” As he stepped out, somehow Elizabeth knew his new and lighten behavior would not ...

Daddy’s lashes tickle her cheek. Butterfly kisses, her favorite sweet. Mommy loved her but left too soon. Daddy didn’t last much longer. She couldn’t understand the lady dragging her away by the hand. Tears streaming down her face A broken heart, a broken home. Bouncing from house to house, an unwanted problem, a man’s vile ...

I’m not crazy. I have to remind myself of that every so often because there were so many times growing up that I thought I was. When I think back on my childhood and what I’ve experienced? I’m sometimes surprised I’m not crazy. Now granted, I’m not exactly normal either. I grew up hearing voices ...

I had heard of the cabin many times as a little girl. I have never been there, but as a child, my mother and my uncles would spend the summer while visiting their grandparents. I sat with my head pressed up against the the faux leather back seat, the smell has always made my stomach ...