Hyenas

Power isn't loud, is patient

I'm not sure I can call myself a writer.

But I've carried this story with me for years. I've rewritten it in my mind a hundred different ways, across different seasons of life, adding, changing, imagining. And only recently-after a health scare that reminded me how fragile time can be-I finally found the courage to put it into words. To give it a voice.

This is that voice.

And this is that story.

Please note: this story contains themes of trauma, emotional abuse, and violence. It doesn't linger in darkness for darkness' sake-but it doesn't shy away from it either. If you're in a vulnerable place, take care as you read. Pause when you need to. Return only if it feels right.

I don't know where it will go or who it will reach. But if it speaks to even one person-if it stays with you, even briefly-then it was worth sharing.

Be kind. It took a long time to get here.

And if it turns out I can write after all, I promise the next one will be lighter. Happier. Maybe even with a proper happy ending-whatever that looks like these days.

Until then,
Thank you for reading,
M.