Many would be surprised that the voice Jewell Ravenlock hears inside her head is male. The surprise may also extend to the fact that she heard a voice at all, for many would not consider that normal. However, it is just the admittance of hearing voices that is so abnormal, not the actually act of hearing. Few will admit to it, but we all hear voices. Usually, they are our own but some are plagued by others: their own voices in disguise, alternate crafted or obtained personalities, memories come back to haunt.
Jewell was almost positive that hers was a mix of the first?her own inner voice?and the last?an evil memory from her past come back to haunt her every step. It was doing it right now, as she walked through the woods of RhyDin at night through the rain. With each step she took, it was there. Sometimes she could tell when it was really her own thoughts, doubts, and insecurities being screamed at her. Other times, she wasn?t so sure.
She should have been home, catching up on much needed sleep and just relaxing. Having the night shift scouting the West End the night before, she was off tonight and had planned on an indulgently long bath before escaping into Dream. Her day had turned sour, though, and she found herself out in the cold, wet night all the same. Trees that towered above her head, however, and not the concrete buildings of the city she called home. Rain fell down gently upon her, filtered through the naked branches of the trees; yet, even that could not free her mind.
One step. ?You?re a stupid whore, like I always said you were. Everyone knows it, even that stupid paper that circulates town.? Two. ?That boy you claimed to love so much?you barely even mourned for him.? Three. ?A month and you?ve forgotten? Put it all behind you? I really did turn you into a cold hearted bitch, didn?t I?? The laughter in her head sounded so real, so there, that she actually looked over her shoulder a moment. Nothing.
Moving forward. ?Poor little Jewell. Can?t get over anything, can you? Just harp on it forever, letting it affect your every move. So pathetic.? Wandering steps, no clear destination. ?I knew you were weak, but this is truly unbelievable.?
?Shut up!? Stopping, she screamed at the sky, raindrops hitting her face, mixing with salty tears. ?Just leave me alone!?
?No.? A cruel word whispered in her mental ear. ?Never.?
A frustrated cry ripped from her lips, fingers moving into her hair and pulling on it in desperation. She kept moving; it was the only distraction she had now. Focus on your steps, the movement of your feet. Right foot. ?Why should I leave you alone? You deserve this. You don?t deserve peace. Killer. Murderer. Whore. Slut.? Left foot. ?This is payment for your sins.?
Right again. ?You had a good thing with Alex, didn?t you? But you pushed it away from you. You don?t want to be happy.? Left again. ?Then with Skyler, too. But you went and got him killed. Careless. Selfish!? Right once more. ?Now you think you can just move on, try it all over again?? Left once more. ?How many times are you going to fail before you just give up??
?Just.Give.Up.?
Jewell was almost positive that hers was a mix of the first?her own inner voice?and the last?an evil memory from her past come back to haunt her every step. It was doing it right now, as she walked through the woods of RhyDin at night through the rain. With each step she took, it was there. Sometimes she could tell when it was really her own thoughts, doubts, and insecurities being screamed at her. Other times, she wasn?t so sure.
She should have been home, catching up on much needed sleep and just relaxing. Having the night shift scouting the West End the night before, she was off tonight and had planned on an indulgently long bath before escaping into Dream. Her day had turned sour, though, and she found herself out in the cold, wet night all the same. Trees that towered above her head, however, and not the concrete buildings of the city she called home. Rain fell down gently upon her, filtered through the naked branches of the trees; yet, even that could not free her mind.
One step. ?You?re a stupid whore, like I always said you were. Everyone knows it, even that stupid paper that circulates town.? Two. ?That boy you claimed to love so much?you barely even mourned for him.? Three. ?A month and you?ve forgotten? Put it all behind you? I really did turn you into a cold hearted bitch, didn?t I?? The laughter in her head sounded so real, so there, that she actually looked over her shoulder a moment. Nothing.
Moving forward. ?Poor little Jewell. Can?t get over anything, can you? Just harp on it forever, letting it affect your every move. So pathetic.? Wandering steps, no clear destination. ?I knew you were weak, but this is truly unbelievable.?
?Shut up!? Stopping, she screamed at the sky, raindrops hitting her face, mixing with salty tears. ?Just leave me alone!?
?No.? A cruel word whispered in her mental ear. ?Never.?
A frustrated cry ripped from her lips, fingers moving into her hair and pulling on it in desperation. She kept moving; it was the only distraction she had now. Focus on your steps, the movement of your feet. Right foot. ?Why should I leave you alone? You deserve this. You don?t deserve peace. Killer. Murderer. Whore. Slut.? Left foot. ?This is payment for your sins.?
Right again. ?You had a good thing with Alex, didn?t you? But you pushed it away from you. You don?t want to be happy.? Left again. ?Then with Skyler, too. But you went and got him killed. Careless. Selfish!? Right once more. ?Now you think you can just move on, try it all over again?? Left once more. ?How many times are you going to fail before you just give up??
?Just.Give.Up.?