It's been three months since Josy started her treatment with me . In these three months I've learnt to let go of the past. I gradually came to understand that I had all along been practicing the avoidance therapy. I had been trying to shut down the bitter memories of my past by keeping to myself, thereby becoming a mental recluse. I had been avoiding people, scenes, and events that brought back my bitter memories instead of facing and coming to terms with them. My therapist Josy saw it as her responsibility to help remove those scares on my memory . Whenever I experience a flashback of frightening events from my past she would step in to help me cope with the situation . I kept wondering why she was so keen to help me . Occasionally she will try remedies like asking me to look around at the beautiful world . . On one occasion she asked "when you look into the sky what do you see?" "I can see a lot of white foamy clouds shaded b
I realized how my therapist seemed interested in my back ground . She asked lots of questions whenever she returned from work about my past . She researched the locations of a few of them and manage to link me up to with them . One day she told me my parents wanted to come over for us to talk . I was astonished, why now after two years . But yet still I accepted to see them, there were some scores we needed to settle . Mom , I called out seeing her . She had aged so much in these two years . The last time I saw her was in January last two years before I ended up here. " How are you doing mom?" I asked "I've had better days." she said with teary eyes. "How is dad doing ? Why didn't he come ? Where is my brother ? How is he also ?" I asked . " Your brother is fine ." She said ." What about dad?" I asked . With that being said she broke down in tears " He is not okay he has been hospitalized for a year now and doctors are saying he has six months left to live " she said "I'm sorry Rile
I heard a door bell ring at 3am , thinking it was Johan I opened it . Darling what do you need ? I asked sarcastically with my eyes closed waiting for an answer. I stood there waiting and when I got none I opened my eyes. It wasn't Johan or anyone I knew of. The man at the doorway looked like a mafia gang member "Sir, please can I help you." I asked. "Yes, you can he answered. Before I could register what happened , I was being pushed to the wall with a handkerchief soaked in rohypnol on my nose . I had never been that scared in my life . My heart continued pounding in my chest sweat forming on my entire forehead my throat immensely dry tears trickling down my cheek . My eyes were giving me away I felt it I knew it . I gave up the fight and let darkness engulf me. I woke up suddenly and struggled to get up. I quickly drawned on me that I had been tied up the chair I was sitting on. I was in this dark and dirty room . A shade of light from the ceiling lit up a portion of the room like
Suddenly I heard the sound of footsteps rapidly coming close the door . It was inserted into the lock turned and the door flung open bringing in the cold chilly air outside . The scar face man had entered the room . I noticed he limped .He scanned the room with his wicked looking eyes . He came to me and handed over a bag containing some clothing , packed meals and drinking water . I guess he noticed from my torn clothing the ordeal I had gone through . He smiled and started moving towards me with that glint in his eyes when suddenly he had a call on his cell phone. He seemed agitated after receiving the call . He rushed close the door and locked it from outside. I could hear the screeching of his car as he moved out at a very fast pace . I wondered what had disturbed him. I had a premonition that my situation was going to get worse . I needed to find a way to get out of this place fast . I needed to get access to the locked cabinet . I instinctively had a feeling that somehow these ca
I slowly lowered myself onto the floor with my hands covering my head and wept . In desperation I once more went towards the cabinet and inserted the key and tried once more . This time the key turned in the lock and the cabinet doors swang open . I couldn't believe it . The rapists pistol was sitting on the first shelf .Other items like syringe ,some kinds of chemicals and a knife were also in the cabinet. Suddenly I heard movement outside . I reached for the pistol , locked the cabinet and rushed back to the bed . I flung the pistol under the pillow . I turned towards the door and realized the door was open and the rapist was staring at me with an angry and suspicious look on his face. "what were you up to?" he screamed in his shrill voice at me. He noticed the handle of the silver pistol protruding from under the pillow and quickly reached for a knife hidden in his socks . He rushed at me with the knife in his hands . I stepped backwards, reached for the gun under the pillow
After narrating this story the Catholic father assured me that whatever sin I had confessed to have been forgiven by God as a result of my confession . He also assured me that since I had killed in self-defense there was no need to fear God's punishment in hell. He also made me understand that there was no need to continue having the feeling of guilt, shame and self blame because of what had happened to me in the past . He encouraged me to refrain from mistrusting people as a result of my experiences in the past . He assured me that just as there were evil people in this world there were also very good people around to make the world a better place . As we went back towards the car for our journey back home he came out to see us off. He pulled Josy aside. I heard him in undertones quietly thanking my therapist for her good work and efforts she was making to atone for her sins . I was not meant to hear and I seemed a bit surprised.
I was due to leave the clinic in a weeks time . My condition is improving rapidly Josy seems a bit worried of late. She seems to have a lot on her mind. I hope it's not because of the thought that I'll be leaving here soon . She occasionally came to sit by my side . She would sit silently by my side fidgeting . She seemed detached and worried . This isn't the Josy I had grown to depend on . She seemed subdued. One day she made a remark that unsettled me " Riley will you ever be able to forgive the murderer of your mother " she asked. I jerked up right ,stared at her with an injured look on my face and retorted " Certainly not . This man took away from me the light of my life. I will never ever forgive him. He took away from me the only thing that made life meaningful to me . I want him dead " Josy looked at me silently for a while and slowly asked " What if he is a changed man who has done everything possible to give back the society what he took from it . I looked into Josy's
When I got home nothing had changed. My room still had the black and pink theme I left two years ago . With my pictures hanging on the wall near my bed and my painting and poems stuck on the other side of the room. The room felt different. I felt like something had changed . All these colours were giving me a different vibe. It felt dull and lifeless. I went near my art wall and used the tip of my fingers to brush over the words. I sat on my bed thinking of everything that had happened in these two years. From the part where I was kidnapped to where I was raped and how I met Josy. Life is really funny,the older you keep getting the more you see things in a different way. It has a funny way of teaching us. One thing life has thought me is to love the people who saw me in my misery,when I was invisible to everyone . Those that stuck by my side encouraging me. Life has also thought me that to pluck a rose there are two outcomes, to either get hurt or to pluck it with ease if you are l
I'm Irene Essah . Born and raised in Ghana . A sixteen year old girl. Student of labone Senior High School. I guess writing books was always a part of me for the moment where I began acting in my mirror to the moment I began placing my Bic pen on my notepad to write .Most of my books are written based on my own imagination and emotions . Beneath The Scars is actually on of them . When I began writing this novel I was going through alot . I had my b.e.c.e to think of ( it's actually an exams written to promote you to the senior high school of your choice.) as well as some other family matters . While writing this book I wanted to bring out an inspirational message to all those fighting with mental health . I wanted them to know that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. That's why I used this song "God on the mountain"Life is easy, when you're up on the mountainAnd you've got peace of mind, like you've never knownBut when things change and you're down in the valleyDon't
EmilyLife can sometimes hit you real bad. To think that you will wake up everyday and see that beautiful face . That face that means the world to you . To come back from work and be greeted by that person . I had just closed from school and I decided to go to the nearby food stand I saw ,since I can't live with an empty stomach I'll probably die . I sat under the tree at the corner , put out my notepad and began doing my homework . I love nature and everything but I go by one rule you hate me, I hate you .Sitting under the tree listening to the whistling sound of the air passing through the leaves I felt a chilly breeze along my skin . The Rusty looking leaves creating melodious tunes as they begin to sway . The blue sky loosing sight of its cloud as the sun gradually begins to move descending lower and lower until it disappears . My lunch was then placed in front of me .I shut my notepad as I picked my fork and dipped it into my fries and chicken. " Oh God! , the food is so good
Upcoming bookBEST FRIENDS WISHDedication: Dedicated to that Richmond in my life that I did the same thing Anabell did .I'm sorry I realized too late what you were to me and by then you were gone. RenieDarling_14. Prologue The old lady looked feeble. The minute our subway train started, she was going to keel over. Then she'd be a sick passenger, and the train would stop while we waited for an ambulance, and I'd be late for school. Plus she looked terrified . I gave her my seat. I helped her into it. " Thank you, dear. You have done me a good turn." Her tone was like music to the ears ,so round, sweet and juicy like an anchorwoman's. " And you know what they say about a good turn ." " That's okay." I said . Was she gonna tip me ? I thought " I don't want anything." I added. " Yes, you do Anabe
Moral lessonA scar tells your story of how you survived . Never be ashamed of a scar. It means you were stronger than whatever tried to hurt you.Each scar I’ve gained has been a badge of survival. It tells me that I was strong enough to beat something. It shows me the strength my body has to overcome whatever is thrown at it. Everyday I look back at my scars and I think about the stories behind them .They’re a sign of survival.The moral lesson for the story is to never give up . Sure there might be ups and downs but let's not forget that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.Thank you So, we have come to the end of yet another book and I just wanted to say a big thank you . I got to a point I wanted to give up writing but some of you came in my message board asking for more update to those of you that are writers you know how much of a push that is , so , thank you so your support.
I remember their first steps , theirs first words their elementary school days , middle school , junior high school , senior high school , college and now . I remember their sixteenth birthday gift , the letter I wrote . I really hope they understood every word written and I hope they always remember it like I do cause it would send them far in life . I remember writing "Life isn’t fair. Sweet girls, I love you so, but life sure does have curve balls. Just remember momma said there’d be days like this. If I could keep you little forever, I’d bottle you up and hold your heart so that nobody could hurt it. If I teach you anything, I want you to learn how to have mental toughness and grit. Overwhelming feelings may come, but know that they will also leave. And I’m here for you every step of the way. People aren’t always going to like you. Oh, if I had a penny for every time I heard this… I’d be a wealthy woman! To tell you the truth, girls, I’ve always struggled with this. Until I
Some memories are hard to let go of like to one that keeps repeating in my head , memories of when my two most precious jewels were given life . I quite remember , I stood at the balcony of our home watching the stars in the mid night sky . Sleep was far from me with the thoughts on my mind . I wondered if I would be a good mother . If I would be able to give the love my twins needed to them. I was scared . Scared that I won't be what they needed . Being in my last week of pregnancy I had become an emotional wreck. I placed my hand on my bloated tummy feeling some contractions. I felt a hand on my shoulders and I turned and melted in his embrace . Henry had always being there for me even at times I feared I won't be a good mother . He was my strength so far . Throughout these nine months he had tolerated my mood swings without a single complaint . Even at night time when I craved strange things he found ways and means to get it for me. He even stocked the freezer with lots of strawb
I walked into the cafe and scanned the area to find Josy and my dad. I was nervous about this meeting yesterday but after a phone call from Henry encouraging me I gathered courage . I spotted the two sitting at the far end with an extra chair placed near their table . With heavy steps I walked towards the table and took in the appearance of the man before me . He had similar hair and eye color like mine . He had prominent cheekbones and a long chin. He had dark circles beneath his eyes like he had not slept in days . He looked like a well built man despite his age . There were a few grey hairs round his temple .Indeed he looked miserable just like father Augustine said . I walked up to them and took a seat near them as I noticed my father looking at me strangely . What was I thinking? I thought . He had not seen me for close to 18 years and I expect him to talk friendly . I'm Riley Essah . I introduced myself . "Are you my daughter my baby girl who use to crawl with mischief and give
After the church service was over I walked over to the Catholic father to greet him and inform him of my arrival back in the country . He inquired how things went by over the span of my 6 years absence and also informed me of a middle aged man who always came to ask for information about me . He further explained that the man had just been released from the jail where he normally went to preach and had come to see him for shelter . He explained how miserable the man looked like one guilty of a crime which can not be forgiven . He said he spoke to the man and inquired the source of his misery and the explained to him in every detail from how he left his family to how he met Josy and again met the man whose daughter he had mistakenly killed .. He was able to get into contact with Josy with my help but now all he wants is to find his only family left. The reason he is still alive ,the reason he choose to change ,the reason he stopped doing drugs ,his daughter his everything. He c
Early this morning Josy messaged me the address to her husband's cafe . She spoke of how she wanted to hear everything that had happened in the past six years and also she wanted me to meet her husband Edward since I couldn't make it to their wedding two years ago . I walked to a flower shop and bought a bouquet of red roses for Josy . When I finally came out of the shop I picked a taxi and headed for cafe Rosa . When I arrived I texted Josy to tell her I have arrived that was when I spotted Josy with her seven months old pregnant self approach me . " Josy , oh my goodness I missed you so much these are for you ." I said . " No need to be so formal come here , meet my husband Edward." She said . " Nice to meet you Mr. Edward Jones ." I said . Josy took me to the far end of the cafe served ,me a cup of coffee and a plate of cookies and began talking . She told me that the man she met at prison had been released and that with the help of father Augustine he had gotten in contact with