Invisible Battles

Chapter 1: Invisible Battles

Emily Hartman sat at her desk, her fingers absent mindedly tracing the worn edges of her journal. Outside, the soft murmur of evening noises mixed with the gentle hum of the ceiling fan. It was a warm summer night, the kind that hinted the stars waiting to appear.

She sighed, glancing down at the words she had just written. Each stroke of her pen felt like a piece of her soul on the page, a silent plea for understanding in a world where her struggles often went unnoticed.

At sixteen, Emily was all too familiar with the battles raging inside her mind. ADHD, ADD, and a mood disorder had been her companions since childhood. But it was the recent diagnoses of depression, anxiety, and the haunting scars of self-harm that weighed the heaviest on her heart.

Losing her mom when she was ten had started a journey she never had expected. Grief mingled with the usual teenage turmoil, leaving a mess of emotions that she struggled to unravel and communicate. Panic attacks became almost a regular on and off, the unwelcome guest since ninth grade, stealing her breath without warning. And the painful memories of multiple attempts since she was twelve lingered, fresh even now.

Her mother's absence left a gaping void, one Aunt Katherine tried to fill with her nurturing presence. Katherine's love was unconditional, but Emily often wondered if her aunt fully understood the dept of her inner turmoil. Aunt Katherine worked at a mental hospital, surrounded daily by patients grappling with their own mental health challenges. She was the pillar of strength, the glue holding their small family together, but even pillars can crack under pressure.

Emily's faith was her lifeline. Church offered her a quiet sanctuary, and pastor Joshua's words often provided a beacon of hope. His kindness and unwavering support had become a lighthouse in her stormy sea.  Emily attended not just for the sermons, but for the sense of peace and community, the moments of peace in an otherwise chaotic life.

A soft knock on her door interrupted her thoughts. Lucas her fourteen year old brother, peeked in, concern etched on his face. He stepped inside, a silent reminder of their unbreakable bond.

"Hey, Em," Lucas said softly. "Just checking in. Dinner's almost ready."

Emily managed a small smile, grateful for Lucas's intuitive understanding. Despite his young age, he seemed to sense her moods with a clarity that both amazed and comforted her.

"Thanks, Luka," Emily replied, setting her journal to the corner of her desk. "I'll be down in a minute."

Lucas lingered for a moment, his eyes searching hers. "You okay?"

Emily nodded, though she knew her brother saw through her. "Yeah, just a rough day."

He nodded back, accepting her answer for now, and left the room quietly. Emily took a deep breath, preparing herself for the evening ahead. She knew the road to healing would be long and challenging, with many unseen battles yet to face. But tonight, surrounded by her family's love and strengthened by her faith, she found the courage to take another step forward.

Downstairs, the aroma of Auntie K's cooking filled the house. It was comforting, familiar. Emily followed the scent to the kitchen, where Katherine stood by the stove, stirring a pot of spaghetti sauce. Lucas was setting the table, his movements efficient and practiced.

Katherine turned as Emily entered, a warm smile lighting up her face. "Hey, sweetheart. How was your day?"

Emily shrugged, hesitating. Katherine's eyes held a patient understanding, urging her to open up.

" It was hard," Emily admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I couldn't concentrate in class again. Mrs. Thompson gave me another warning for zoning out. And at lunch, I had a panic attack."

Katherine turned off the stove and moved closer, her expression softening, "I'm sorry Em. Did anyone help you during the attack?"

"Jessica found me in the bathroom," Emily said, her eyes downcast. "She stayed with me until I calmed down."

Katherine hugged her, a gentle embrace that spoke volumes. "I'm glad she was there for you. Remember, it's okay to have these moments. You're strong, and your doing the best you can."

Emily nodded, her throat tight with emotion. "I just feel like I'm always falling apart."

"We all have our struggles," Katherine said softly. "Even me. But your not alone. We'll get through this together."

Emily wiped a tear away, managing a small smile. "Thanks, Auntie Katherine."

As they sat down to eat, the conversation flowed more easily. Lucas recounted a funny incident from school, and  Katherine shared a story about a new recipe she wanted to try. Emily listened, a quiet presence at the table, her thoughts drifting in and out of the chatter.

Dinner was a brief respite from her thoughts. The warmth of family, the simple act of sharing a meal, provided a small measure of comfort. But as the evening wore on, the familiar ache returned, a reminder of the battles she faced each day.

After dinner, Emily retreated to her room, seeking comfort in the quiet. She picked up her journal again, flipping through the pages filled with her thoughts, fears, and dreams. Writing was her escape, a way to process the whirlwind inside her mind.

Her phone buzzed, breaking the silence. A message from Jessica, her best friend appeared on the screen "Hey, how are you holding up?"

 Emily hesitated before replying. "I'm okay, just a lot on my mind."

 Jessica responded almost immediately. "Want to talk? I'm here for you." 

Emily smiled at the screen, grateful for Jessica's unwavering support. "Maybe tomorrow. Thanks, Jess." 

"Anytime, Em. Hang in there." 

As the night deepened, Emily felt the weight of exhaustion settle over her. She climbed into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. The darkness was both a comfort and a reminder of her fears, but tonight, she focused on the small victories—the moments of connection, the brief flashes of peace.

 With a whispered prayer for strength, Emily closed her eyes, ready to face another day. The battles were far from over, but she knew she wasn't alone. And for now, that was enough

 A/N: This is the first chapter I know it's not much but, trust me it'll be more in depth as the chapters go on please let me know if their is anything that should be fixed I would love to hear you guys thoughts on this