Behind the Mask

“Don’t lament on past sorrows, but instead move forward, even in the darkest of times. Sometimes we must be bathed in darkness so our light can shine brighter, lighting the way to an unimaginable future.” -Unknown.

Who am I? Why am I here? Do you ever feel like you can never catch a break? Perhaps Karma has it out for you, or you're meant for something greater? I'm seriously hoping it's the latter. ,These age-old questions haunted me repeatedly until I learned what being Bound meant. Especially since being Bound and having tons of questions seems to be a recurring theme in my life.

My life started simply enough… I was a toddler being pushed in a stroller by the woman I knew as my mother. Until I felt so very cold. I remember seeing my mother looking like a wet sleeping angel, lying down on the bank of a river. In my mind, I heard her tell me to sleep, and it sounded so good to me that I curled up beside her and drifted off to sleep. Not knowing how we got there or how many hours had passed, I was jerked away from her and told that she was dead. I didn't know what death was then, but I do now.

After that, because no one knew who my father was, I was placed in foster homes and orphanages, where I never fit in. I was always that strange, quiet girl who no one wanted to be friends with. However, that changed when I got older. I met Katie, and she brought light into my dark world. I also uncovered my passion for writing and got a job as an investigative journalist for Stranger Things, a print and digital paranormal magazine. There, with Katie by my side, I found my home. But I also found something else…danger. 

I had started dating a man, Victor Van Clay, I had met at a bar when I was doing research. Things between him and me were getting very serious to the point that we lived together, and I allowed him to control all aspects of my life. However, after a year of dating, I eventually learned what a mistake that was. For a while after, I ran from Victor. My nightmares abated for a time, but occasionally, they would resurface without warning, making me question everything, except bonds. Bonds are interwoven in many legends and prophecies. I had originally believed I was connected to one, but as my life unfolded, I learned how wrong I was.

This is my story…

The ultimate twist to my life’s story began a few years ago when I obtained my master's degree in journalism. After suffering a few setbacks, I was a bit older than the average student. However, I loved writing; it was my passion in life, or at least, was until my life took me down a new path when I turned twenty-five.

At the age of twenty-five, I work for an online magazine, Stranger Things, writing about all sorts of things from strange disappearances to the possibility of the existence of aliens. I enjoy the strange and unusual because I, myself, have become the strange and unusual. Plus, working there fosters my creativity and allows me to do a bit of research and investigative work too, which I enjoy the most, because I love learning and exploring. All of these reasons are why this became my perfect career and second home; Katie being my first home.

I have long, very dark, ash blonde hair and bright, sage green eyes. I have pale skin with a few tattoos and piercings. I don't post photos of myself in the magazine unless I'm wearing a disguise, because I prefer to keep myself hidden as best as I can. I even use a pseudonym, too. It's Midnight Rose, because I'm a night owl. I always have been. Plus, there's beauty in the night. I chose a rose because it's beautiful, yet has a certain harshness represented by its thorns, and also, roses are pretty resilient, just like me.

I live in an apartment building with my good friend Katie Smith. Katie has dark brown hair and bright blue eyes. She's so bubbly that it's infectious. We met her freshman year of high school, and have been best friends ever since. She's my only family. I was an orphan and knew nothing about my family. All I know is that they're all dead, and I suffer from nightmares as proof. I grew up in the system. I was smart and hardworking, so I was able to put myself through college. Katie is finishing up her Master's in Education while substitute teaching at the local high school. Even though she's a few years younger than me, we get along wonderfully.

Katie comes in holding a box. “Hey girl, you got a package.”

My eyebrows shoot up, “Really?” She throws it at me, and I begin to examine it. “Funny, it has no return address. I wonder who sent it?” Katie suggests that I open it to see if there's a note inside. It's a plausible idea, so I quickly opened it. I pull out a golden, ornate mask. “Wow, it's beautiful.”

“Hey, Eva, look, there is a note!” Katie cheered.

I take it and read it aloud. You are cordially invited to "Experience The Night," a Masquerade Gala at St. John's Cathedral, this Friday night, from dusk till dawn. 

“Sounds interesting. You should go to it for work because it might give you some cool ideas for a story,” Katie said.

“Katie, I'm not going alone. You’re coming with me.” I won't go if she doesn't come with me. I have this odd vibe. I can't go alone.