Safe and Sound: The Short Memoir written by Elliot Parker. I've always written stories and music about my personal life. It was the only thing that would heal my scars and wounds. However, there was always a hidden layer of truth that I tried to shield from everyone in order to protect myself. Everything I write tends to be about my thoughts, feelings and emotions but in a way that I could keep them private. This essentially led me to bottle it all up and throw it far into the water. And then I was pulled underwater where I was going to have to face every part of my brain and heart in order to swim through the storm I became trapped in. This story was written about my life in ways I've never explored with writing. It was excruciating to look at my deepest insecurities, the feelings for a boy who never loved me back, and the most traumatic events I've had to experience, in the eyes. Writing a memoir that was originally for an assignment, turned into something more for me. It allowed me to revisit the past and try to explain them in my words, instead of rumors being spread faster than a forest fire. Sometimes you don't know you're hurting until you're being forced to sit in a locked room with your past. Realizing just how much pain and suffering I am still going through was tough, but it opened my eyes and allowed me to release the words I've been holding hostage for months. These four chapters were written about moments in my life that I've never shared with anyone before. I'm ready to tell my story. CHAPTERS: Chapter 1: Red Autumn Chapter 2: Heartbreak Boy Chapter 3: The Void Chapter 4: Eyes Open

[Chapter 3 Currently being Revised and Edited] What if the only way to heal is to embrace honesty? If being free means having to speak now about the things you left unsaid? After graduating high school, Elliot learns how to find the courage to confess what he's longed to say to his friends, lovers and hometown. Through written words about his authentic feelings of rage, love and every messy feeling in between. With confessions about intense crushes, the struggling trust for those he once loved, and dealing with losses that change your perspective. Growing up to realize the only way to cope is to write about his experiences. But how difficult is it to be honest about the things that have taunted you the most? How hard is it to admit that you were the problem as well? This memoir of Elliot's are written letters, filled with unsaid confessions. He held onto these words for so long, but now, it's time for him to speak now before it's too late. Chapters: Chapter 1: Wounded Butterfly Chapter 2: Ballad of a Heartbreak Boy Chapter 3: Haunted Chapter 4: Kingdom Come Chapter 5: Loveless