Fear (Book One of Fear Series)

Chapter One: The Beginning

  We are all museums of fear.

  Everyone is scared of something. I know you have fears. I have fears that shake me, that chill me to the bone. Most people keep their darkest fears to themselves. They’re smart. Then there are those that share their fears; they usually end up regretting that for the rest of their lives. I have seen this happen. I’ve been on that side—the side of ignorance and of blind faith. But no more. Some say that I am just a girl, but I’m not. I am a storm with skin. My name is Zoe Elizabeth Alexandria, and I am alone.

                                  ● ● ●

  I came home from a long day of school and rehearsals and tripped over my dog.

   “Sammy!” I shouted. He backed away, cowering.

   I kicked off my heels and dropped my bags. I fell onto the couch and called my German Shepherd to me. He came over, head down, tail between his legs. I rubbed his head and apologized for yelling. He snuggled up with me for a few minutes until I forced myself to get up and do the tasks waiting for me.

  It was a normal night. I finished composing my newest song and played it out on my piano. I made a few corrections and continued to play until I was satisfied with it. I then looked over my script and continued memorizing my lines so as to please my director the next day. I went over the songs I had to sing in the musical and harshly critiqued every aspect of my practicing. By then it was almost dark. I made myself some pasta for dinner then dropped again on the couch next to the fireplace and turned on the TV. I wrapped my favorite blanket tightly around me and wondered why it was so cold this early in autumn. I ate my ravioli in thoughtful despair over my ridiculous schedule.

  It was barely September and I had just started my third year at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois. I was in their performing arts program and I was already exhausted from everything I was trying to do all at the same time: performing in a full Broadway musical, composing pieces of advanced music for the piano, performing in concerts and competitions for both voice and piano. I was in three different choirs and a small vocal group and I was trying to do all of this on top of my advanced academic courses that I had to take. I got tired just thinking about everything I needed to do. I pushed the thoughts out of my head to keep my mind from exploding with pressure.

  After I finished watching the news, I struggled up the stairs, changed into my pajamas, and collapsed on my bed. Sammy jumped on and curled up next to me. I turned on my speaker and a song of mine began to play from my library of music on my phone.

  “It’s been a long day,” I said to Sammy, petting his back. “I hope that tomorrow will be easier.”

  I sighed, closed my eyes, and the soft sounds of piano put me to sleep quickly. Little did I know what the next day would bring.