Torn Souls Read online

  Torn Souls

  By Crystal Cattabriga

  All Rights Reserved

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, businesses, and incidents are from the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual places, people, or events is purely coincidental. Any trademarks mentioned herein are not authorized by the trademark owners and do not in any way mean the work is sponsored by or associated with the trademark owners. Any trademarks used are specifically in a descriptive capacity.

  This is a work of fiction. Any name, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN-13:978-1470010676

  ISBN-10:1470010674

  Copyright October 2012

  By Crystal Cattabriga

  Editor

  Joyce Warrick Epps

  ***

  Graphic Designer

  Regina Wamba

  MaeIDesign and Photography

  ***

  Bragging Rights

  Joy Tontillo-Stroube

  Acknowledgments

  This book is dedicated to all the children who have lost their lives from being bullied and the ones who will find the strength and courage to continue on.....

  The unspeakable acts of bulling can destroy a life. So many children are affected in the world and together we can make a difference. Let’s be the change we want to see in the world.

  Matthew Shepard

  12/1/1976 – 10/12/1998

  John Gettle

  02/21/1988 – 04/16/2002

  Ryan Patrick Halligan

  12/18/1989 – 10/07/2003

  Eric. P. “Twiggy” Mohat

  03/16/1990 – 03/29/2007

  Jaheem Herrera

  07/5/1997 – 04/06/2009

  Phoebe Prince

  11/24/1994 – 01/14/2010

  Ty Field Smalley

  06/16/1998 – 05/13/2010

  Tyler Clementi

  12/19/1991 – 09/22/2010

  Asher Brown

  01/03/1997 – 09/23/2010

  Nicholas Kelo Jr.

  10/01/1997 – 02/23/2011

  Jamey Rodemeyer

  03/21/1997 – 09/18/2011

  James Hubley

  1996 – 10/15/2011

  Marjorie Raymond

  1996 – 11/28/2011

  Celina Okwuone, Kimberly Linzeski, Brandon Bitner, Samantha Kelly, Caleb Nolt, Jamarcos Bell, Ashley Rogers, Alexandria Moore, Harrison Brown, Justin Aaberg, Edward Collier, Cassidy Joy Andel, Alexis Pilkington, Christian Taylor, Cody Barker, Felix Sacco, Scott Wala, Jesse Buchsbaum, Jorndan Binion, Zach Harrington.

  These are just some of the kids who have lost their lives from being bullied. Today marks a new day. These are the days where we’ll stand as one and be strong for each other.

  Today I pledge to no longer stand and do nothing.

  Today I pledge to be a voice for others.

  Today I pledge to always have your back.

  Today I will take this pledge and make a change in the world.

  Prologue

  I’ve waited a long time for this, but then again so have so many other people in the world. I’m so nervous, yet so excited. Today marks a moment in the world where history will be made. As I sit on my bed, I stare out my window. The sky is bluer than I’ve ever seen it. The sun is shining bright. I know I have to get moving, but yet I want to take it all in, so I get up off my bed and walk over to my window opening it up. While sticking my head out, I breathe in the warm summer air. Within seconds, my emotions take over hitting me like a ton of bricks, and I can feel tears start to fall. These are happy tears, so I don’t care. I let them fall all the way down touching my chin before wiping them away.

  Just as I’m about to shut my window and find something casual, yet sophisticated to wear, I hear my mother calling me from down stairs, “Julia, honey, time to get up.”

  I open my bedroom door so I don’t have to yell, letting her know that I’m up.

  “Are you going to eat breakfast first or get dressed?” She asks in her sweet mom voice.

  “I’m going to get dressed first, and then I’ll be down. Is that okay or did you already make my breakfast?” I asked just to make sure she didn’t already have my breakfast made. I hate eating breakfast when it’s cold.

  “No, dear, you’re fine. By the time you come down it should be done. Oh, and remember we need to be out of the house and on the road in an hour, Julia.”

  “Okay,” Mom, I’ll be ready.”

  After closing my bedroom door to get dressed, I walk over to my closet looking for the perfect outfit. I’m not sure what to wear seeing I have so many clothes to choose from. Ever since I was born both of my parents have seemed to do a good job spoiling me. I’m pretty sure the reason why they continue to spoil me is because it’s their way of saying “Sorry you’re an only child.” I remember when I was younger I would ask my parents if they would give me a brother or sister so I wouldn’t grow up alone. Unfortunately, the only thing they gave me was a lame excuse by saying “We’re sorry honey, but with both of us working we don’t have time to raise another child.”

  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the finer things in life like any teenage girl, but I’ve never been a popular kid, so I’ve always been on my own. It’s taken me a long time to be comfortable with myself.

  Moving my hangers back and forth I finally make a decision. I decide to grab my red and black plaid skirt with my red blouse from the closet and lay them on my bed. Now comes the hardest part, deciding which way to wear my hair. If I put it in a ponytail, I’d look too much like a childish school girl, so I decide leave it down. After brushing all the knots out of my hair, I change into my outfit. I chose to wear flats rather than a heel knowing I’ve never been good at walking in them. I don’t want to take a chance of falling flat on my face. This will be the day that will define who I am as a person and help define so many others. Everything has to be just perfect.

  Turning to look at my alarm clock, I realize I only have half an hour before we have to leave. Quickly sliding my shoes on, I put on my gold earrings that my dad bought me on my thirteenth birthday and my silver charm bracelet that Alex bought me especially for this occasion. I take one quick glance in my vanity mirror to make sure I look okay and then head on downstairs to the kitchen to eat breakfast. While waiting for Mom to finish making pancakes, Dad begins to read an article from the newspaper to me about city pollution. Even though some of the articles Dad reads to me I find a bit boring, I always take the time to listen. I’ve always admired both of my parents for who they are and for the careers they have. My mom works as a criminal lawyer for a huge law firm and my dad’s a state’s attorney. Growing up they’ve taught me to stand up for what I believe in and always be true to myself.

  I’ve been blessed with such loving parents and I’ve tried to apply everything they’ve taught me into my life, but as a teenager it’s hard. When I was younger, the only thing I had to worry about was eating all my vegetables, getting good grades, and remembering to brush my teeth twice a day. Now that I’m fifteen and in high school it’s a lot harder.

  “Okay, guys, time to eat,” Mom says while she slides the plate with the stack of pancakes on the table.

  Even though my mom works all kinds of crazy hours, she still finds time to do things with me. At least once a week, she takes me out for lunch and then we hit the mall to do a little shopping. If I need help with school work she stops what she’s doing just to help me. And when she’s not doing stuff with work or me, she’s cooking, cleaning, and trying to spend time with my dad. I truly admire her.

&nb
sp; “So, Julia, do you have everything you need for today?” Mom asks.

  “Yes, it’s all here in my folder.”

  “Isn’t Alex supposed to be here? Or is he going to meet us? ” Dad asks.

  “He said he’d be here, but I don’t know why he hasn’t shown up yet.”

  “So why not call him,” Mom suggests.

  I didn’t want to jump the gun, so I figure I’d give him five more minutes before calling. Alex and I have been best friends for close to a year now. We attend the same school, and both are in the same grade except we have no classes together. Alex happened to help me out on my first day and we’ve been friends ever since. Neither one of us is popular in school, so we try to just stick together. While finishing the last of my pancakes, I hear the doorbell. It has to be Alex, so I excuse myself from the table and rush to the door.

  Opening the door, there Alex stood. He has a huge grin on his face. I ask him why he’s grinning from ear to ear. Looking at me he says, “You clean up pretty nice, Julia.”

  “Right back at you,” I say while punching him in his arm. “Now, come on!”

  Alex follows me into the kitchen where Mom’s just finishing cleaning up and Dad’s putting on his blue blazer.

  “Look who’s here!” I say as I throw out my hands like I’m showing Alex off.

  “Good morning, Alex. Are you hungry?” Mom asks.

  “Honey, we don’t have enough time. We need to leave any minute.” Dad reminds her while tapping on his wrist watch with a smile.

  “Oh, that’s alright, Mrs. Stone. My mother made sure I ate before I left the house, but thank you for offering,” says Alex.

  Knowing it was just about time to leave, I could feel my hands start to sweat. My throat becomes dry, so I decide to grab a bottle of water for the road and a couple of napkins for my sweaty hands. Looking over at Alex, I notice he’s smiling at me. It kind of makes me feel uncomfortable.

  “What’s up? Why are you smiling?” I ask Alex.

  “I don’t want to say.”

  “Come on, now you have to tell me.” I insisted.

  “Well, I’ve just never seen you look like a girly girl, that’s all.”

  I wasn’t sure how to respond to the comment Alex had just made, so I politely smile and close the refrigerator door. My mom and dad tell us it’s time to head on out, so Alex and I make our way out the door while I lock up behind me. The car ride is a quiet one. I think it’s because everyone’s nerves are on edge. After a little over five hours in a car and two stops in between, we finally arrive. My dad decides to drop us off in front of the building while he parks the car.

  “So this is it, Julia. Don’t be nervous. Remember, you’ve got this. It’s a done deal,” Alex says while trying to reassure me.

  “Yes, honey. You’ve come this far. Just remember to speak from the heart and be thankful for the people who’ve stood behind you. You’re about to do a lot of good for others, giving them a second chance at hope,” my mom says with a reassuring smile.

  I can see my dad coming around the corner making his way toward the building. He has a huge smile plastered on his face. My dad and I have always been close, so whenever I’ve been stressed or nervous he’s the one that makes me feel better.

  “What’s wrong, Julia?” Dad asks with a sense of love and compassion.

  I know he worries about me. I also know that I’m lucky to have him here by my side. Not wanting him to see me a wreck, I put a smile on my face and say, “I’m a bit nervous and my hands are clammy, that’s all.”

  “Where are the napkins you brought from the house?” Alex chimes in.

  “I forgot them in the car.”

  Before I could ask my dad if he would go back to the car to get the napkins, he reaches into his pocket and pulls them out while saying “I have you covered, Julia.” With a feeling of comfort I reach out for the napkins, but not before reaching for Dad. I wrap my arms around him while he whispers in my ear, “I’m right here and I’ll be with you every step of the way.” I knew as soon as he said those words my stomach would stop flipping and my nerves would calm a little.

  “So, are we ready to head on in?” Alex asked with his voice sounding a little shaky like my knees.

  “Yes, let’s get going. We only have a few more minutes before it starts,” says Dad.

  “You guys head on in. I want to take a minute if you don’t mind?” I ask while trying to hide the fact that I was still nervous and didn’t want them to see.

  Nobody actually says anything; they just walk up the stairs and into the building.

  Standing alone I find myself looking straight out into the world. I breathe in and then out. I tell myself that this is it, and then I walk up the stairs. I’m greeted by my parents and Alex, but it’s not until I hear a familiar voice that I’m taken back a little.

  “Hello, Julia. How are you?” Without hesitation, I turn around and smile with happiness.

  “I’m good, really good now.”

  “I hope you’re ready because this is your moment to shine, Julia. So, what do you say, shall we go in?”

  Chapter One

  My name is Julia Stone and this is my story. In order for you to better understand what has happened in my life, I’ll have to go back one year ago. It all started the night I sat down at dinner with my parents. My life had been turned upside down within the blink of an eye. I remember it so well. Every day like clockwork we always ate dinner as a family at the same time. The rule in our house has always been simple, wash before dinner and be seated at the dining room table by six sharp.

  My parents have never really been strict with rules, but this one has always been set in stone mainly because this is when we interact with each other. Both of my parents’ jobs are demanding, so it’s hard for them to forget about work when they come home. Their phones are constantly ringing and they’re always on their laptops. Seriously, what it comes down to is they’re married to their jobs. I swear on occasion while crossing the hall to use the bathroom late at night, I’ve heard my dad mumble names and stuff about work in his sleep. Crazy, huh?

  On this particular night Mom cooked her famous lasagna and homemade garlic bread which she only usually cooks when there’s a big announcement, so I had a feeling something was up. While I sat patiently at the table wondering, I ran possibilities through my head. Pregnant, loss of job, promotion, but no matter what I thought, I knew I’d probably be wrong so I gave up. While we ate both of my parents made small talk with me at the table, but there was no big announcement. I started to think maybe Mom just wanted to change it up a little by making something we hadn’t had in a while.

  After we’d finished eating, Mom cleared the table while Dad continued telling me about his day. It wasn’t until Mom came out of the kitchen with three small plates, some forks and a pie that I knew something was really up. I mean come on, pie? This was a set-up and I didn’t like the feeling. When Mom was done cutting the pie and serving it, she sat down and said “Honey, your dad and I want to talk to you.” Her face was at ease while the words came out of her mouth, so I knew that at least I wasn’t in trouble.

  “Sure, I’m listening. What’s going on?” I asked.

  “Well, as you know your dad and I work very hard trying to give you all the things we never had growing up. We want to be able to give you what you need, like money for college, a car, and whatever else may come along. In order for us to give you that, your dad has decided to change careers.”

  Looking over at Dad, I noticed he wasn’t looking like himself. He had a look that I’d never seen which had me worried, but I played it off before assuming the worse. “So, Dad, you have a new job. That’s great. What kind of job is it?” I asked.

  Just as my mom was about to answer for him, he raised his head up from his plate and said “I’ll be the new state’s attorney in…”

  But before he could even finish his sentence, I rose from the table, walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his neck saying, “Wow, Dad
, I’m so proud of you. This is what you’ve wanted for so long. I think you’ll make a great state’s attorney.”

  “Honey, why don’t you sit back down?” Mom suggested with a strange tone in her voice.

  The tone in her voice didn’t sit well with me. It wasn’t demanding, yet it was firm. I was taken back a little, but did what she asked. Silence filled the air for only seconds, but it sure seemed like forever.

  “Julia, there’s more that we need to tell you,” Mom said.

  “All right,” I replied with an uneasy feeling.