The Random Group of Amazingness discussion

So, Kenzie had a legit epic idea, and I'm gonna use it for my character, Raelle.

This is before Raelle's memory was wiped from an experiment done on her. Her mother found the journal, but unable to open it (it has a lock), she just kept it in a chest of Raelle's things from her past.

Age Four

I found an owl today. He's so tiny, and he has a bad cut on his leg. I was outside picking flowers in the grove for Mama when I heard this loud screeching and clicking. It was really terrible, and I was kind of scared, but I wanted to know what it was. So I walked towards the sound out to the dry patch, and there was a hole in the ground. I could sort of see some feathers nearby, and there was a fox creeping toward the hole. I didn't want the fox to eat the animal in the hole; it sounded really pitiful. So I flapped my arms and ran at it, yelling for it to go away. It sort of growled, then ran off into the grove. I went to the hole and there was a ball of feathers and fuzz in it. It was what was making that awful sound, so I picked it up and ran all the way home to tell Mama what had happened. She helped me set up a shoebox for him with grass and dirt, and I caught some bugs for him to eat. He likes the beetles best, but he'll eat worms, too. Da went out to look for his parents, but when he went back to the burrow he couldn't find his father or siblings. He found his mama's body, and we're going to bury her tomorrow. It's really sad, and I cried a lot. I'm going to paint a really nice rock for a headstone. Mama said we could keep the little owl, but that I have to let them help me take care of him.

Age Six

Mama's about to have a baby! Da says it's going to be a little boy, but Mama thinks it'll be another girl. I don't know which I think. It'd be fun having a little sister, but I think I want a little brother. I hope he has white hair like me.

Age Seven

Rin spoke for the first time today! I was playing with him in the grove, and he tried to say my name. It came out funny, but I like it. He said it like "R'ell." It was funny, but I like the name he gave me. He likes to play with Darjy, but sometimes I have to remind him to be gentle.

Age Ten

We went to the Vortex today. Mama and Da took us, and I swear Rin's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates. He couldn't stop talking about the colors, and he said I had the most beautiful wings. Personally I think his wings are prettiest, and I told him so. He shook his head with a serious look on his face and insisted mine were. He makes me laugh. He still calls me R'ell, but I like it. Otherwise, he's the most fluent four year old I've ever known. Not that I've met many four year olds. But Da says he's very intelligent for his age. Already he's taken an interest in the night sky; he's always reading my astronomy books, and he understands them for the most part, too.
Anyway, we went to the Vortex because of Rin, really. He's sick with leukemia, and Mama and Da think the healing sessions there really help. I do, too. Even though we don't always live in the Vortex, we're all connected to it. Even Rin knows that. He told me when we got back that it's like we're tied to it with a string, and no matter how far we go, we'll never forget it. I think he's right, and that he knows we can't live without going into the Vortex sometimes. I don't know if he's scared of being so sick... but mostly he's really happy. I hope he doesn't worry much, and that he doesn't hurt a lot.

Age Twelve

Something strange happened today.

Rin's birthday was today, so we went to the Vortex to celebrate. Nothing odd happened there, and it was a lot of fun. Rin loved the telescope I gave him, and he couldn't stop talking about how I had painted it all a deep blue, so later I could add paintings of all the things he found with it. No, the odd thing happened tonight, after he went to his room. I thought I heard him talking, but I figured he was just playing. Then he came into my room and asked me to come tell him a story. I can never say no to him, so I went and started telling him the story I made up about the little prince and his white owl. Partway through the story I could have sworn I heard something in his closet. It sounded like a giggle! I asked him if someone was in there, and he said no. I don't know whether to believe him or not. I think I'll go check in a few minutes, when he's really asleep.

Later
No one in the closet, and Rin's in bed fast asleep. Odd, he was holding his Polaroid camera, so I put it away in his shoebox. I must have just been hearing things.

Age Thirteen

Rin has been growing weaker, and I'm worried. We go to the Vortex more often now, for healing sessions and to learn about our abilities. Rin's were progressing so well, then he got sick again and he hasn't been strong enough to do very much. I try to help him as much as I can, and Mama and Da finally let me join in the healing session. I gave all I could to help him get better, but Harnara (the head healer) said that leukemia is hard to heal. I really hope Rin gets better.

There have been a lot of Time Lords passing through the Vortex lately. I've never met one, so I don't know what they're like, but they come through with their TARDIS machines and it can get a little annoying. All we do, really, is push them along to where they're going, but when there are a lot of them coming through it can get tedious. I wonder where they're all going? Mama says Time Lords can be flighty, and Rin asked what she meant. Da explained how Time Lords are always hopping around in time and space, and how us Vortecians are the ones who get them where they're going. Rin asked if they ever thank us, and Mama and Da said they were unsure.
I heard Mama and Da talking tonight. They were saying there are rumors of a Time Lord device that hurts Vortecians. They say there are some officials going to talk to the Time Lords about stopping the use of these machines, but they don't think they'll listen. I hope they do. I don't want their rumored machines to hurt Rin, or anyone else.

Age Fourteen

Oh, Rin! I can't believe you're gone! I hate those stupid Time Lords!!!! I hate them!!!!! They came and took us all away! I wish they had stayed out of the Vortex!! What did we do to them?! They declared war on us, and all we've ever done is help them!! I can't believe this.... you were getting better, almost healed, Harnara said so! And then they started taking us away... Mama and Da said we couldn't go back for a while because things were bad and that we might be taken. But they came to our house on Earth, and they tore us away! Darjy, too! I hate them!!!! They put us in hard rooms and said if we didn't answer their questions they would hurt us! I couldn't answer their questions, even though I wanted to! I didn't know what they wanted!! And then... then they put us in the same room, separated by a glass wall, and they made you watch.... they beat me, and made you watch. I still hurt, and I think my left wrist and leg are broken. But what they did to you was so horrible.... they beat you, and whipped you, and I couldn't do anything but pound on the glass. I don't know how to use my other powers, just healing; If I did, I would have blasted that wall and stopped them. I would have killed them. They beat you so hard... and they wouldn't listen to me when I told them you were sick! They made the sickness come back, I know it. I kept pounding on the glass, begging for them to let you go and beat me again instead. I pleaded, and even begged them to kill me if they would just leave you be and let you go! I'm so sorry, Rin, I should have been able to stop them!!
When they were done they left us there, not even able to hold or comfort each other. They knew we would try to heal each other.... I kept screaming for you to wake up, but you only moved a few times. I yelled until they came in and dragged me out, pleading for you to be okay and wake up, and for them to let us go. They took me away to another room, and gave me a shot that made me unable to move. They tied my hand to a small machine that a man wore on his wrist, and when he pushed the few buttons I swear he tried to kill me. It hurt so much, I couldn't stop screaming, even though my voice was hoarse and almost gone. It felt like bombs were being detonated all over me while simultaneously a hundred knives were cutting me apart. We appeared on a strange planet, but I only caught a glimpse of it because I had my eyes closed for most of the time. Then he did it again. It hurt worse this time, the pain of the last transfer still echoing inside of my every cell. They did this several times, then stopped and threw me back into the glass room.
They were going to take you away, but instead the man came in and they did it right there. Despite how much it hurt, I screamed for them to let you go, and pounded on the glass again. It hurt so much, but I couldn't let them do that to you!! It would kill you!
It felt like forever until you came back, but when you did you were limp and screaming, barely conscious. The man said something had gone wrong, and a person in a white coat examined you. They said you were useless, and that you would die..... so they...... they shot you.........
Oh, Rin, I can't believe they're so cruel!! They killed you!!!! Murdered you right when you were getting better!!!!! I wish they had killed me instead.... I wish they had killed me.....

The Next Day

When Mama and Da found out you were killed, Da exploded and Mama collapsed, crying and screaming. Da was so fierce, he attacked the people in white coats and the man with the machine on his wrist. He shot light at them, and demanded who shot his precious little son. I was still on the other side of the wall, watching and pleading for them. Mama was cradling your body, stroking your hair and begging you to come back. Da was still yelling and shooting light, and all those horrid Time Lords were hurt and scrambling to get away. They think we are a weak people because we don't fight. They are wrong. We fight, just not needlessly. We fight when we are attacked without reason; we fight in defense.
It took fifteen of them to stop Da, and they started to beat him when Mama stood and threatened their lives if they didn't let him go. She swore if they killed another of her family, they would pay dearly. She had the power to back up her threat, shooting some of the men and demanding we all be released. They must have been scared, because they let Da go, then I heard a click behind my head.
Mama screamed, and Da shot light at the glass wall, shattering it. I covered my eyes, but looked soon enough to see Da tackle a man with a gun behind me.

Mama grabbed me and ran, carrying me because of my leg. Da had your body, Rin, and was right behind us. I was crying, for Rin and for Darjy, who I hadn't seen at all and was worried for. When we rounded a corner I could see Harnara there, holding Darjy and a small child. She passed Darjy to me, then we ran more. I don't remember much, but we made it back to the Vortex at some point.

A Week Later

Mama, Da, Harnara, and I are all in hiding on Earth. We are at Da's parents' home. We stopped at home to bury you, Rin. We buried you under your favorite tree in the grove, close to where Darjy's mama was buried. I painted you the best picture I've ever done on your headstone. It was a picture of the nebula you wanted to see so badly. Da carved your name, Rin Ahvon de Jares, and your birthday in it. He also carved the death date, and below that the words "Precious Boy." I hope you can rest in peace, Rin. I love you.

((Sad!! They're way good! And I love the one about his imaginary friends! Now if Calix had been born yet for the ones after that...Funny how time streams flow so differently! So Raelle was born before him, but he's older... He would've stopped those evil Time Lords from hurtin' Raelle...Even if they weren't married. And I think Calix acted more like Lorenna when his family was murdered. If he'd been like Miccus, I think Gallifrey would've burned sooner...))

((Thanks! Yeah, it probably would have.))

((Azure wants to see these. She's seen all of Calix/Vista's.))

((Go ahead and show her. I don't mind. :) ))

((Awright.))

((:) ))

Age Fifteen

We've been in hiding for a year, moving from place to place. Mama has been in a depression, and I know Da has, too. He just doesn't show it, because he has to take care of us and make sure those demons don't find us. I can't call Time Lords people. Not after they killed Rin.
Harnara has stayed with us. Unfortunately the little child she had the night we ran died soon after. We gave her a proper burial, and I painted a picture of the Vortex's swirling colors on her headstone. I hope she's able to rest in peace. The demons had experimented on her. She would wake up screaming of nightmares in the night. She couldn't use her powers anymore. Their experiments tore that part of her apart. She lived in agony for only a few weeks after. I would sing to her, and I.... told her the story of the little prince and his white owl. She loved it. I hope she meets Rin and they keep each other company.

((NOOOOO!!!))

((I know, it's sad. :( ))

Four Weeks Later

The Time Lords have caught up with us. We're back in the same building, and I swear they put me in the room that Rin died in. I can see his blood stained on the floor, and it makes me want to tear them apart. They're heartless and cruel, and it makes me think of so many of us they must have killed. Their machines, called vortex manipulators, are so much worse than TARDIS machines. They don't hurt us; we just push them along! These vortex manipulators.... they seem to rip us apart to get to their destinations faster.
They haven't experimented on me yet, but they gave me another beating for running away. Seems these Time Lords have good memories. I haven't seen Mama and Da at all. I hope they're all right. Thankfully they let me keep Darjy with me, but they have these sort of sheaths on his talons so he can't attack. He's really bothered by them, but when I protested I just got slapped. I hope we win this war. But we have no military. No one but Time Lords have ever been in the Vortex, with their TARDIS machines. But now, with these vortex manipulators, our home will be infested with others. The officials are trying their best to get the Time Lords out and the captured back. Because we have no military it's hard for us to fight back. I hope the war ends soon, and that the officials can talk some sense into the Time Lord leaders. I don't want anyone else dying.

A Month Later

I hope all of those filthy beasts burn. They are experimenting constantly, running tests and using those vortex manipulators on us. We've all become less responsive to the pain. It still hurts like they're trying to kill us, but if we make a sound, they beat us. When they're not using those awful machines on us, they're making us work. Cleaning, mostly, but they will make us haul the crates of parts to make those vortex manipulators. There are so many of us crammed into one room, it's almost impossible to move. They have some sort of covers and handcuffs on us, like the sheaths on Darjy's talons, so we can't heal one another. It's so awful, because many bleed to death and others die in their sleep. It tears me apart when siblings are separated with death..... I feel like they're using one of those vile contraptions on my soul, it hurts so much.
There are two boys here my age, brothers, and their sister who is around ten years. She and Rin would have been good friends. She has this way of making you smile, and she has the prettiest singing voice. She sings almost every night to cheer us up. She sings quiet songs, about the vortex and all of the natural wonders. It helps many of us, and I love her for it.
I haven't seen Mama or Da at all since our recapture and I'm worried. I pray they aren't dead.... they can't be dead....

Three Weeks Later

Everyone is in mourning, and outraged. My friends, Cahrecian and the little sister, Fleeharin, have lost their brother. I stay up all night rocking Fleeharin, who I call the Little Nightingale, trying to ease her tears.
They killed Vitali two days ago, because he tried to protect his sister. My Little Nightingale believes it is all her fault for his death.... I can't bear to see her this way....
They had taken Vitali, the older of the twin brothers, and Fleeharin to the glass room. The one where Rin was killed. They experimented on Fleeharin, with Vitali restrained, but when they got back from the transfer, the man was yelling and saying she had kicked him repeatedly. They threw her to the ground and started beating her, and Vitali was struggling to help her. He managed to get free and broke the glass, then attacked anyone who got close to Fleeharin. He fought even when he could barely stand, and it was a bullet that brought him down. They took Fleeharin and threw her into our room, yelling at us about how stupid our race was and that our little singer was a murderer. One man stood up despite an awful wound on his head, and he pinned the devil against the wall, saying that he was a coward and a demon and other unspeakable things for calling this innocent little girl a murderer. He hit him in the gut, then threw him out of the room. Everyone gathered around Fleeharin and tried to comfort her. We didn't need to ask what happened. We had heard many stories under the same circumstances.
Vitali was a good man. He helped everyone as best he could, and wasn't afraid to stand up to those beasts. He was so tender towards his sister, and it breaks my heart to know that he will never have children, or see his little sister grow up.
I fear my Little Nightingale will die of depression.

Age Sixteen

Cahrecian and Fleeharin are dead.

I cannot bear to watch any more of this..... all of those I know and have grown to love are dying around me.

I hope those Time Lords burn.

Two Days Later (Written by one of Raelle's inmates, a man named Orinad.)

The lass said I could write a bit in her book; she says she can't bear to write a word while her friends are dead. The depression has taken a deep hold on her, and sometimes at night I can hear her talking of a boy named Rin in her sleep. I asked her, and she said he was her brother. I didn't press any more on the lass, because I know what happened to him. Shot through like that young lad and the little singer. That little girl reminded me of my little Castill, another innocent killed by this war.
The lad and little singer were killed in the glass room. It's an awful room that we all fear, and the floor is stained with the blood of so many of us. They were taken for another experiment, and from what we heard the little singer lost it.
Little did those Time Rats know that we could hold so much raw power. The little singer was to witness her brother being beaten, and she broke the restraints and went on a rampage. She was shooting down any one of them that got near, and not even bullets could touch her. Some say her eyes lost their life, and that they became white and that light streamed from them. All of us older Vortecians know about the pressure that builds in situations like this and that it has to be released. The little singer didn't know how to use her powers; she'd never shot light once in her life, but that day all of the pressure released from the pain these devils had caused her.
The lad got to her and took her by the shoulders, begging her to stop and to come back to him. She had seemed to turn back to her self when one of those devil soldiers shot her. The brother screamed and whirled to fight, but he was shot in the heart.
We know those Time Rats are afraid now. Many of them were seriously injured or killed by the outburst of that little singer's power, and they have us all locked up. We are chained to the walls, and they've spread us out over the building.
None of us care. We all want the lad and the little singer back with all the other innocents they've murdered.

Two Months Later

They've put us in smaller units, mixing us around and separating us. The only thing that comforts me is that Mama and Da are in my unit. I stay with them all the time, and Mama tries to help me with my grief over Fleeharin and Cahrecian, but I don't feel it helps. I know she means well and I love her dearly. I become agitated every time one of them is taken away for experimenting, hoping and praying they come back alive.
Things have become so quiet without the Little Nightingale, and everyone seems to be in a stupor. Since Fleeharin and Cahrecian's deaths, everyone has seemed to lose hope. We have a little consolation from the news that the officials will be honoring Fleeharin with a statue tribute. Cahrecian and Vitali will also be honored, and so will many others. It is small comfort, but it is good to know the officials know of us and what we go through. It has become practically impossible for them to help any of us here, so they are focusing on trying to end this war. It seems to be the only way they can free us.
But even if we are free, we will all hold chains that we can't be rid of. And that is one thing I will never forgive the Time Lords for.

Age Seventeen (Written by Lorenna, Raelle's mother.)

Dear Raelle, I am so sorry. I wish this war would end, and that we could go back to our lives before. Our precious Rin has been gone years, and it has taken a toll on you. The death of your friends seems to also weigh heavily on you as well. I only hope you will survive, and be able to grieve properly. I don't know if I will live after they send us away, and I'm afraid for you. They will not stop. When they are not asking you their confusing questions or making you work, they are experimenting with those vile machines. Please, my girl, survive for your brother and that little singer, if not for yourself.

(Written by Miccus, Raelle's father.)

Dear girl, please forgive us for leaving you. They will not listen to our begging for your life. They say they need the young, more undeveloped Vortecians. They are sending your mother and me home, and will be watching us closely. Please, stay strong for us. Little Rin would want you to survive, as would the little singer, so you may be released and able to live the rest of your life in the way you wanted. I know things won't go back to the way they were, but we can be all right if we stay strong. Your mother and I love you, dear girl, and we will not forget you. We will work to end this war, no matter how closely those Time Lords watch us.

Six Months Later (An account taken by a nurse, Kallispell von Wer.)

Subject's name is Raelle Ilivehn de Jares. Sister of Rin Ahvon de Jares: terminated. Daughter of Miccus Rahsta de Jares and Lorenna Anniah de Jares, whose memories have been wiped and altered, and sent home. They are currently under surveillance. Surveillance period will be terminated--
Oh, Rassilon, I can't refer to this girl as a subject. Not after what was done to her. Her family was taken out of their home years ago, and her little brother was shot after one of our experiments. I have seen terrible things.... but none so horrible as the day that little boy was murdered. I don't care if I am killed for writing this: it has to be said. We have become monsters, and I know this girl sees us as such. I have to write what I saw, and what I helped inflict, so that people will know how cruel we can be.


It was a normal experiment. We were testing a new vortex manipulator on her. We wanted to see if this model would work better with a Vortecian connected to it, like the others. We tested several times, to gather enough evidence that it worked. It did. But no Time Lord wants to have to drag a Vortecian with them wherever and whenever they go.
So we drew blood, and took a few feathers from her wings.
Taking the blood and a few feathers from her must have hurt more than they thought it would. The girl had to bite her lip to keep from screaming. She knew if she did they would beat her.
We crushed the feathers and mixed it with her blood, then put it in a small canister and attached it to the vortex manipulator.
The minute they used it, it looked as though someone was trying to kill her.
Her heart rate skyrocketed, and she was gasping for breath. Then the pain must have hit her like a train at high speed. She was screaming that it felt like knives, and she fell, pulling a tray of instruments down with her. She was crying that her blood burned, and her body temperature rose dramatically. She laid on the ground, writhing and convulsing, her wings flickering. She must have thought we were trying to cut them off, and struggled against anyone who came close. If we touched her she kicked out, screaming and crying out for us to stop.
Once she started coughing up blood we called him back, the one with the vortex manipulator. It had worked perfectly. Faster and easier. The man didn't notice her in her obvious agony. And no one but me saw the look in her eyes.
That girl wanted her blood back.
She lunged at him, despite the pain that must have still tormented her. Everyone screamed and one nurse cried “Rassilon help us!” The girl ignored them, focusing only on the man with her blood. He had raised his arms to protect himself, but I know she didn’t want him. She tore at the vortex manipulator, yanking away the canister that held her blood. Clutching it, the poor creature collapsed, tears and blood on her face. Guards took her away and locked her in a room.

We have locked away these memories, and the girl has forgotten who and what she was. We have the improved vortex manipulator. And we have a new method of torture.

She was returned home to her parents, who believe she has been away on a trip. They didn't seem to notice the bruises or cuts, but they were well covered by her clothing. No one else noticed, but I could see a look of anger and confusion on the father's face. I think the parents' memories have started to unlock, and that soon all of their memories will come back. But the girl.... I do not believe her memories will return quickly, even if the memory lock comes undone. She has undergone the worst trauma, and I believe her subconscious never wants to relive it again.

Tomorrow I will resign and go to her home. I will leave this journal in her parents' room, but will keep the key. This girl will read these entries, and she will remember, but not for a long time. I am also putting in a page from a medical journal written by a Vortecian healer.

I hope she can forgive me for being a part of this torture on the Vortecians. I regret it deeply. I hope she will remember, and I hope the Time Lords will pay for the suffering we have caused. If I were to be taken away and executed for what I've done to help wage war against a peaceful race, I would not protest.

Page from the Vortecian Medical Journal
Author: Unknown
Vortecian blood is much like other creature’s blood. But it carries a small amount of the vortex inside it, which connects it to the Vortecian who carries it. When Vortecians die, they become part of the vortex, more so than they already are. Since they’re so connected to it, they cannot leave the vortex forever.
When Vortecian blood is mixed with the feathers of the Vortecian’s wings, it becomes very potent and much like the vortex itself. If used to enhance the abilities of a vortex manipulator, it is ripped from the Vortecian, like pulling somebody apart. As you can imagine, it is very painful and has been known to result in death.
Once this is mixture is taken, however, it cannot be put back. The Vortecian will survive, if it is a small amount, but the effects can be lifelong and crippling. Blood lost in injury does not have the effect “stolen” blood does, for unexplained reasons.

((Aww...So sad!))

((I know. :( ))

((This is even more sad than mine...))

((Really? I was thinking of having Cahrecian be sweet on Raelle, but I decided not to.))

((Ahh...))

((Yeah. I think Fleeharin and Rin would have been really good friends.))

((Yeah. :( ))

((:( ))

Two Months Later (Written by Lorenna on loose leaf paper slipped into the locked journal)

It was two months ago that you were brought back. They said you were on a trip... but I can't believe them. Every day bits of memory trickle into focus. I don't remember much... but I remember your brother so much more clearly now. He had leukemia... and we would often take him somewhere.... somewhere with swirling colors. Today I remembered iridescent wings, but no more. It can be so frustrating... but I know eventually I will have all the pieces of our lives...
I am worried, though. You're so quiet and sad, and most of the time you can't explain it. It upsets your father, because he can't help, and he hates to feel useless. I don't like it either...
Your father has told me about his memory, too. More pieces have been coming back to him, and it upsets him because he feels he could help you if his memories were intact. He suspects our loss of memory has something to do with the people who brought you back... I agree.
We won't let you go to school, and you say you don't want to anyway. So we'll keep you here, and teach you all we know. Maybe your memories will come back, too.

(( :( ))

((Yeah. Raelle gets better, though, since her memories don't unlock. But Miccus kind of flips out when his memories of Rin's death come back.))

((Ah, okay.))

((Yeah. It's sad how many times he has to relive that.))

Three Months Later (Written by Lorenna)

You've been getting better, dear daughter. You still feel sad sometimes... but your father and I still don't have all of our memories back. We remember what we are, Vortecians. We did go back to the Vortex one night... we told you we were going out. It is still incredible. We met a few people who remember us. But once we explained to them we cannot remember everything, a look of understanding dawned on them. We asked them so many questions about our pasts, but they say we have to let the memories come back on their own. Your father is impatient, but he does see the sense in it. I feel the same way. I do wish that we could remember everything... but I'm also afraid. The people we met... they looked sad for us when we told them we couldn't remember. I'm afraid for what might have happened that we can't access yet....

Age Eighteen (Written by Lorenna)

Oh, Raelle! We know why you were so sad when you came back to us! Our memories of Rin.... those awful Time Lords murdered him!! Your father flew into a rage. Thank goodness you were gone in the grove with Darjy that day... He was yelling and crying, swearing he would kill those monsters. He cried even harder when he realized that you didn't remember. We know your memories will unlock. We don't know when... but they will. It's a horror knowing that you will have to relive that horrible time over again. We are both apprehensive about the rest of our memories... we know they must be of that time when we were in that awful place, where your precious brother was murdered. Daughter, I hope you are strong enough to overcome this when it rears its ugly head at you again...

Six Months Later (Written by Lorenna)

You don't remember the truth. You think Rin died of leukemia. And you've vowed you won't love any man because your brother never had the chance to grow up and love a woman. I believe you will keep that vow, unless you meet a very special man. Your father is still having a hard time with the memories, and so am I. Even though all the memories have returned, we are still coming to terms with them. You haven't seemed to notice, but we've hidden them very carefully. We're torn.... we want you to know what really happened, but we don't want you to have to relive that torture again....

Age Nineteen

I've decided to keep a journal. I haven't really had the time otherwise to do it. But now things are slowing down and I've decided to finally keep one. I don't know how often I'll write in it. It will take a while to form the habit. But I think it'll work out.

((Well, she met a very special man.))

((Yes, she did. :) ))

(( :) Calix would beg to differ.))

((That's sad. :( Raelle would be sad to know that.))

((Yeah. Calix doesn't think he's special. He's really...Well, you know. :( ))