Shattered Echoes

Chapter One

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow on the quiet Colorado plains, 14 year old Irene found herself lost in the labyrinth of memories that framed her journey from a bullied, lonely girl to the resilient teenager she had become. The night held a certain stillness, and as she sat in her room surrounded by the soft hum of the city outside, Irene's mind drifted back to the chapters of her past. Her earliest recollections were etched with the sting of loneliness and the bitter taste of bullying. From pre-K through elementary school, she navigated a world where friendship seemed elusive, and cruelty was a constant companion. Yet, amid the shadows of those painful years, one constant emerged --her mother. A pillar of strength facing domestic violence,Irene's mom became her role model, a beacon of resilience who always bounced back, caring for her children through pain.

Irene, never conforming to stereotypes, found joy in the unconventional. She didn't gravitate towards dolls and nail polish; instead, she embraced WWE  and reveled in her own brand of goofiness. As the eldest of three --her little brother and sister, her mother's high blood pressure and workaholic nature became defining aspects of their shared life. Yet, her mom never used her health struggles as an excuse, maintaining an unyielding commitment to providing for her family. The turning point arrived in 5th grade when Irene's world underwent a seismic shift, moving from familiar landscapes of Arkansas to unfamiliar terrain of Louisiana. Her mom reunited with a high school love, and together, they embarked on a journey that led them to the crisp mountain air of Colorado a year later. Enrolling in her second middle school, Irene felt the weight of being the new girl again. Determined not to be a target for bullies, she embraced a newfound sociability, forming bonds with ivory and Bo.

In this transitional period, Irene's dreams took shape. A passion for video games ignited a desire to become a game designer, envisioning a horror game named "Run, Run." With Ivory's artistic prowess complementing Irene's storytelling, the duo forged an inseparable bond. However life's unpredictable currents depicted another move, leading Irene to her third middle schools, where she found her tribe in Ashlyn (who is now known as Cloud) and Sarah. Yet, the harmony was disrupted. The clash between her stepdad and her mother intensified, threatened their fragile stability. The specter of eviction loomed over them like a perpetual storm. In the tumult of 2020, the cracks widened. Irene's mom and stepdad separated, leaving her mother to navigate the challenges of single parenthood once again.

Then came the gut-wrenching twist of fate. The global pandemic swept through their lives, and as the world grappled with an unseen enemy (The Corona), Irene faced her most profound heartbreak. She became her mother's caretaker, accompanying her to the hospital as seizures became a routine. Her mom always struggled with high blood pressure and seizures they've just gotten worse as her stress levels increased. This numbing routine shattered one fateful day....