Where The River Meets The Sea

Copyright © 2023 M.J KnightAll rights reservedThe characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.Cover design by: M.J KnightPrinted in the United States of America This is for all the monster lovers and fuckers! How's that bad dragon shopping cart looking? Contents CopyrightDedicationContent WarningMelanieMelanieWesleyMelanieMelanieMelanieSamaelMelanieSamaelMelanieSamaelMelanieSamaelMelanieWesleyMelanieSamaelMelanieWesleySamaelMelanieWesleyMelanieWesleyMelanieSamaelMelanieMelanieWesleyMelanieSamaelMelanieSamaelFirst Look AtAcknowledgementAbout The AuthorBooks By This Author Content WarningThis book started as a nightmare I had one night. So it should come as no surprise that it's full of many fucked up things. Before I list all the warnings that might upset some readers I want to clarify a few things. I do not condone or romanticize sexual assault or abuse of any kind. The characters in these pages are not real but I did take the time thinking about how what I write affects other people. I tried my best to deal with the harder issues in a realistic manner. (As close to realistic as you can when it's a grim reaper and a ghost girl.)If you are triggered by sexual assault, please skip this book.Next, one of the characters deals with mental illness. I left out any specifics of said mental illness but I'm sure some people will relate to his struggle. I myself struggle with the same issues as my character and used some of my real life issues as inspiration. If you also have a mental illness of some kind but it doesn't manifest in the same way, I understand. Please know I do not wish to vilify mental illness and did my best to portray it in a way that might be relatable to others. It is even stated his past trauma made him the messed up person he is and understands his issues are his own.We (My self and the people that enjoy my books) believe mental health is extremely important and not to be taken lightly but also use dark humor as a way to deal with our own struggles. If you are triggered by mental illness and the issues that come with it, please skip this book. Thank you for understanding and I hope you either enjoy this book or find one that doesn't hurt your mental health. Rape Non-ConDub-ConViolenceDeathTortureSuicideHuman traffickingMental illnessTentaclesMonster sexBlood playKnife playBreath playCliff hanger It burns.My lungs, my throat, my eyes… Everything burns.I wish it were my legs burning as I run far away from here.The place I will die. Melanie"Mommy?"Where did she go?"Mommy?"She wouldn't leave me."Mommy?"Why would she lock the door? Why would she put me in this cold dark room? I don't even have my blanket or my teddy bear. She knows I can't sleep without them. She'll be back."Mommy?"I'm so cold. Where is she? Why hasn't she come back? I don't want to be here forever."Mommy?"I'm so hungry. I need my mommy."Mommy? Mommy! Mommy!"My throat hurts; I can't scream anymore. My eyes hurt; I can't cry anymore."Mommy, I'm going to be good. I'll go to sleep now. I love you."My eyes are so heavy, but whoever is holding me is so warm. Who's rubbing my head? Did mommy finally come back?"Mommy?"This room is so dark, but its eyes are glowing red."Do you know where my mommy is?"The shadows feel so soft on my face."Hush child. You are safe."The shadow's hugs are so warm, I can't hold my eyes open."Sleep now. I'll watch over you."I hope the shadow man never leaves me. I don't want to be alone anymore. MelanieI wake, gasping for air again. My lungs burn like I have been underwater, but the only thing I'm under is my weighted blanket, still in my shitty apartment. The blinking neon lights from the bar across the street shine through my window and exaggerate the shadows in the small space. Shadows that are both comforting and frightening. I can hide in the shadows and go unnoticed by almost everyone, but I never know what might be lurking there with me.Even after all these years of having the same dream night after night, I'm still not sure if it's a memory or my brain trying to work through all the trauma I endured during my childhood.Squeezing my eyes closed, I will myself back to sleep, but as usual, sleep evades me.It's not long before sunlight chases all the shadows away and my only option is to drag my exhausted body out of bed. I find the bathroom with tired eyes and begin getting ready for another day of school and work.Wearing my only pair of good jeans and a clean hoodie, I grab an apple and slip my boots on before running out the door. The walk to school clears my head and the crisp autumn air fills my lungs, waking me up and giving some bounce to my stride.I fucking love Autumn. I take a bite of crisp sweet apple and nearly choke when someone grabs my shoulder. The damn apple tries to kill me when a huge chunk slides down my throat."What's on your mind, Mouse?""Wes, how many times have I told you not to call me that?" I cough around the words as the piece feels like it's stretching my throat until it finally goes down."Not enough for me to care." His pierced lip quirks, making the cigarette hanging from his mouth wag as he steps in front of me, blocking my path."I'm glad my opinion means so little to you." I roll my eyes and attempt to sidestep him, but he anticipates the move and simply walks backward in front of me. "And apparently my life since you keep trying to scare me to death.""On the contrary, I value your opinion immensely just not on the subject of your nickname and as far as your life, I would