Elpida Series: Author's Note

As with the first two books in this series, Ómorphi and Thárros, this novel was written to give victims of abuse hope. It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the real life Christys and Thimis who endure and struggle every day to survive and heal. I have nothing but the utmost respect for you.

Until you have endured the violation of abuse, whether by a single act or a chronic condition of suffering, you cannot know the meaning of self-loss. It isn’t only the obliteration of all your belief systems; it is also the annihilation of your human worth and the unrecoverable larceny of your self. Painful beyond description in myriad ways, debilitating, and tragic, abuse—including bullying—leaves everlasting, invisible scars.

Abuse is not only fostered by secrecy, it depends on it. Tell someone. There is hope and there is help and, no matter what anyone tells you, it’s okay to ask for help.

For those of you finding yourselves trying to understand an abused friend or family member, please keep an open mind. Imagine how hard it is for them to reorganize and come to terms with what has happened to them. While this book and its prequels are books of fiction, the abuse and posttraumatic symptoms suffered by Christy and Thimi are based upon real events. The best thing you can do is to listen. You may be the only one in the world they can turn to.

If you are a victim of abuse, always remember that abuse does not define you. Never judge yourself by what others have done to you. One final note. A learning curve isn’t a perfect arc. You will falter, but you will succeed. Allow yourself the time needed to heal, and do it at your own pace. Above all, be gentle with yourself.
Thank you for reading this book.

Now available at Harmony Ink Press!