TUS QUESTIONS

I've been asked a copious amount of questions in regard to TUS. Some I will answer, some I have already answered in the story, but all questions will be answered as the story progresses. Here is a list of questions that I've been asked, and I will or have answered. If you do not see your question here, it's possible I can't answer it yet. However, feel free to ask and if I can answer it, I will edit this post with an answer to your question.


Q. How old is Edward and have you mentioned it in the story yet?

A. No, I have not mentioned it in the story yet, but there is a reason for this. However, I'll ease your mind and tell you that he's 20.

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Q. Why hasn't anyone reported Edward or told that he's there? He needs help.

A.  Yes, you're right, he does. However, the only other person besides Bella that knows Edward is even there is Marcus, and he stated in Chapter 5: Puzzle Piece why he hasn't told about Edward. Here are Marcus's exact words...

“I really hoped that trust would grow so that I could get him out of this place and somewhere better. I know he doesn’t belong here, but revealing he's here, especially in the state he's in, I would have signed his death warrant. They'd come in here and take him, lock him up in a place full of crazies, and that would most definitely kill him. That reason is the only reason he’s still here. He's not crazy he's just lost, and he needs someone to find him. He’s been silent and completely solitary almost seven years, until now. I've done what I can for him, but it wasn't me he chose, it was you. Don't make that choice be an empty one for him."

Keep in mind that just because no one but Bella and Marcus know about Edward being at the hospital right now doesn't mean it'll stay that way.

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Q. What happened to Edward?

A. The 'what' is still being developed, but with the information that has already been given in the story, it's safe to say he's been abused by someone.

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Q. Is Marcus really a good guy?

A. I assure you, Marcus is a genuine man. What he's told Bella is the truth, so you can rest easy. He has no malicious plans for anyone.

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Q. Was Edward kidnapped?

A. Well, that's the million dollar question, isn't it? This will be answered, but not now. These things take time, darlins'.

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 Q. Wouldn't Edward be REALLY dirty? It's a hospital in ruin right? Where would he shower?

A. No, Edward's body is not dirty. There is electricity to the building and water. Marcus made sure of this. Also, Edward's room itself is not filthy, but it's not the Sheraton. Marcus led Edward to that room to get him out of the filth. The shower issue was coming in a later chapter, but I'll answer that now, I just can't give away any more details.

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 Q. Is Edward mentally handicapped or slow?

A. No, to both. But he is lost inside himself and terrified. You'll find out more as the story develops.





 

NOMINATION

I just received an email stating TUS was nominated in three categories on The Total Eclipse of the Heart Awards. To those that voted, thank you SO much! Nominations are still open so be sure to vote your faves!

Categories I'm nominated in are:

-The Detective of Forks Award - Story With The Best Mystery
-The Shattering Of The Heart Award - Story That Breaks Your Heart
-The Dazzling Protecter Award - Best Use Of Edward In A Story

http://totaleclipseoftheheartaward.weebly.com/nominations.html

Chapter 11 Pic Tease

Chapter 10: Labyrinth (teaser)

I tried to understand the sensation as I glided my fingertips across my bottom lip. It was unlike anything I’d ever felt before. It definitely felt like an electrical current or something of equal power, but it wasn’t painful. On the contrary, it was warm and intoxicating, like heated silk whispering along my skin. How I managed to feel that by sharing a touch with someone was beyond me.

Edward’s gasp interrupted my reverie, so I glanced up, meeting shocked eyes. I instantly froze, terrified that whatever happened between us in that touch would set him back, that I’d lose the ground I’d gained with him. “I’m…uh…sorry.” I ended up blurting out the first thing that came to mind, and it certainly wasn’t that articulate.

Apologizing may not have been the right approach, but it wasn’t as if I really knew what approach to take. I was flying completely blind here. But my apology didn’t seem to ease his tension, so I took a deep breath, doing the one thing I could think of, I told him the truth…sort of. “It’s okay, Edward, that was just a static shock. It happens sometimes when people touch each other or touch something metal. It happens to me every now and then when I grab onto a door knob.” He seemed to ease moderately, but there was something that passed within his eyes, something fleeting that I couldn’t name, but my heart definitely reacted to it.

TUS POEM

This amazing poem was written by hayboo05. <3 her!!!

It was fate 

Of that, I have no doubt

He drew me in

I wanted him out

He was broken and lost

He thought it was his fault

I wanted to show him the truth 

He let me in little by little

It didn't happen fast and it wasn't at all simple

He needed to know I cared

About him and his brave little bear

I wanted him to have a life

I needed him to live

Not just exist

I wanted to help put him back together

And make him whole

I no longer wanted him to be, The Unaccompanied Soul

WHAT INSPIRED ME TO WRITE TUS

I've been asked by numerous reviewers what was the catalyst behind writing The Unaccompanied Soul.  Here's the thing, there are SO many abused children, women, even men in this world who are affected excessively throughout the rest of their lives by someone's malicious cruelty, but though it may hinder them from doing things or reacting in ways that come easily to you and I, it doesn't mean they can't function, doesn't mean they can't find themselves; especially with the help of someone who cares enough to be their light through the dark. I don't tread on this subject lightly, I'd be a fool to do so, and no matter how much it hurts our hearts to read about abuse, it's something very real and something we should be more educated about. Abuse, whether it's physical, mental, or sexual can break a person, but it doesn't mean that break has to be soul-deep. I guess I'm optimistic in believing there are no souls that aren't savable, they're merely lost and need direction. It's amazing the results you find through love, compassion and patience. Just remember, when you walk down the street or pass by in your car, and you see this strange person who talks to themselves, seems afraid of their surroundings, and you think they're completely mental, what you may not realize is THEY are Abandonward. Keep that in mind.

FUTURE SCENE FOR TUS

For those who missed the teaser on Fictionators, I posted a future scene of TUS. Call it my way of easing the angst a bit. ;)  I can't give you a Chapter # for this scene yet, just know it's coming. If you didn't read it, here it is.
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“Hi,” I mumbled, lazily smiling up at him.

“Hi,” he whispered. He was propped up on his elbow, head resting in the palm of his hand, body pressed against mine so I could feel the intoxicating warmth that was him; he was watching me.

“You okay?” I asked as I wiped the sleep from my eyes.

  

He nodded. “Yeah, I was just watching you sleep.”

“You were?”

He nodded again. “I like to watch you.” He paused as his gaze shifted off me, face appearing beset in thought. Minutes later, his eyes met mine, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. “You talk…in your sleep.” He brushed his knuckles lightly across my cheek. “You said my name.”

“I do,” I affirmed, because I did dream of him…consistently.

“I dream of you, too,” he replied; no hesitation, no prorogued response. He laid down flat on his back, placing his hands behind his head, staring up toward the ceiling. I assumed his actions meant the end of our conversation, and I had no inclination to push. But the moment I laid down beside him, he sighed emphatically, then said, “Sometimes….sometimes I think I dreamed of you even before I met you, that maybe in another life time you must have been mine.”

CHAPTER 9 QUESTIONS

I've been asked a few times about the "shock" Bella and Edward experienced. I know you're wondering why this time was different, especially when they'd touched just hours before. I'll try to answer this as best I can. Have you ever been around someone and when you touch them, you feel something, even in a small quantity? There's something there, but you're not quite sure what it is, and you find the more you're around them, the more you touch them, the more intense that sensation becomes? Even if you don't quite understand it or why you're experiencing it, the feeling is still there. I suppose you're more apt to feeling such a sensation when you're open to that particular person, especially if that person is meant for you. It's amazing what you miss when you're closed off.
I hope that helps answer your question. ;)

If you have any further questions, please feel  free to ask. I'll answer if I can.

Chapter 9: Acquiesce (teaser)

When I arrived, Marcus was on the second floor, filling a copious amount of lawn bags with garbage that lay cluttering the cemented floors.  I chuckled at his incoherent mutterings. “Bad morning?”

He laughed as he dropped the bag he held between his gloved hands. “You could say that.” He looked around, exhaling a sonorous breath in annoyance. “I knew this would be a lot of work, but no sooner do I get one portion finished, kids come through here vandalizing or partying, and I have a whole new mess to clean.”

“Marcus, I-”

“That wasn’t a jab at you, Bella,” he interrupted, his tone compassionate. “So please don’t take it that way.”

I nodded, cleared my throat, then gestured toward my tote bag. “I brought you lunch. Should I set it on your bench in the boiler room?”

“Bella,” he shook his head, sighing. “You have to stop doing that.”

“Why?” I asked. “I just…I’m sorry if I offended you.”

A small smile played at the corner of his lips. “You didn’t offend me, I’m just not used to someone doing something nice for me, let alone wanting to. I’ve never been high on anyone’s priority list. I guess what goes around comes around, right?”

“I don’t believe that,” I told him. “And it’s never too late to let people see the real you, because I happen to see someone who’s very unselfish.”

“You’re wrong, Bella. Taking care of one boy doesn’t make up for years of being self-absorbed.”

“I think it does. People change, Marcus. You’re proof of that.”

“If I’ve changed, it’s all because of that boy.”

My Two Fave Guys

I saw these pictures and they reminded me so much of Abandonward & Lancelot, though Lancelot would be a bit more tattered.

Chapter 8: Meet the Parent (teaser)

I kept my eyes off him as he ate, because the last thing I wanted was for him to be self-conscious around me in any way, but I talked to him, telling him all about the idea Marcus and I came up with so I’d be able to stick around longer. I made sure to include, “Only if you want me to.” at the end of the sentence - which he seemed to. At least, that’s how I interpreted the grunt in response. Sometimes I wondered if he ever tired of me talking so much, but then again, I had to make up conversation for two people. In the end, I guess maybe he didn’t because he’d yet to ask me to stay away. I honestly hoped that day would never come.

Being that Edward presumably was a belated eater, or maybe it was simply because he still wasn’t used to being around someone while eating, even though he’d been doing it for the past week now, he’d just finished when six o’clock rolled around. I glanced up at him when I saw through my peripherals that he was laying his bowl beside him.

“It’s time for me to go, but I’ll be back in the morning.” I grabbed my tote bag, slinging it over my shoulder and stood up, stretching my limbs a little before I walked toward the only exit/entrance in the room.

“I wish-” he paused, as if hesitant to continue what he wanted to say. “I wish…you could stay.”

I stood inches from the door now, unmoving. “I do too.” I bit back the tears that stung the corner of my eyes. “But I’ll be back tomorrow.”

I moved through the doorway, knowing if I stood in that spot any longer or even chanced a look at him, I wouldn’t be able to bring myself to leave, and that was not a possibility right now; I had to leave. I’d barely cleared three steps between me and the doorway when I heard him say, “You…you make it…not hurt so much.”

The tears fell relentless now.

Chapter 7: The Plan (teaser)

I turned back around and proceeded down the hallway. I pushed through the doorway, parting the blanket that obstructed the door, and glanced around the room for Marcus. “Marcus, are you in here?”

He poked his head out from around the large boiler. “Yeah, I’m over here.” I stepped toward the boiler, stopping when I stood beside him. He was on his knees, fumbling through archaic parts piled in an old crate, but paused when he saw me next to him. “Everything alright?”

I sighed. “Yeah, everything’s fine. I just…do you remember when you told me if I needed anything to come find you?”

He nodded. “Of course.”

“Well,” I started, biting my lip. “I need your help.”

He immediately stood up. “Tell me what you need me to do.”  There was no delay, just a simple, sincere response.

Chapter 6: A Slight Progression (teaser)

I sat back up, placing my back against the wall and glanced over toward Edward. My mouth fell open, and I let out a low trembling breath. He’d been watching my interaction with Lancelot, and apparently was pleased by it because the right side of his mouth actually turned up into a small smile. I was completely staggered, though it was a pleasant shock.

I had to correct myself almost immediately so that my reaction didn’t startle him. I smiled back at him, and reached inside my bag to pull out the book. “I brought Walden by Henry David Thoreau. I hope you like it.”

I began to read, getting completely lost in the words. He remained quiet, of course, but listened intently to what I was saying…until the fourth chapter. “There is commonly sufficient space about us. Our horizon is never quite at our elbows. The thick wood is not just at our door, nor the pond, but somewhat is always clearing, familiar and worn by us, appropriated and fenced in some way, and reclaimed from Nature. For what reason have I this vast range and circuit, some square miles of unfrequented forest, for my privacy, abandoned to me by men? My nearest neighbor is a mile distant, and no house is visible from any place but the hill-tops within half a mile of my own. I have my horizon bounded by woods all to myself; a distant view of the railroad where it touches the pond on the one hand, and of the fence which skirts the woodland road on the other. But for-”

“I,” he started, then paused. I waited anxiously for him to continue speaking, my heart fluttered triumphantly in my chest, because that one word was the first word I’d heard from him in nearly a week, but right now, that one word was everything. He was staring at me, almost pleadingly, so I smiled to reassure him. “I…like it.” He glanced from me to the book.

“Me too,” I whispered hoarsely. I bit my lip to catharsis myself of my emotions. “This book was always one of my favorites. I have a weakness for classic literature.”

I swear he smiled again. It was fleeting, but it was there. “Please,” he whispered. 

Chapter 5: Puzzle Piece (teaser)

I was completely deadlocked; fear resonated through my entire body, disabling my ability to do anything but breathe in and out almost violently while practically crushing the fabric of the blanket between my fingers.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to be afraid because I’m not going to hurt you. I am, however, surprised you came back; especially to see the lad.”

I dropped the blanket, pivoted slowly on my heels, and flashed my light toward the voice, coming face to face with an elderly gentleman who was probably in his late fifties, early sixties. He had jet black hair with a tinge of gray, dark eyes, a bit on the thin side and rather tall. A person's face, especially their eyes, creates obvious and immediate cues that lead to the formation of an impression, and his told me, along with his smile, that he was good natured; I could feel it.

“W-what do you mean by ‘the lad’?”

He walked over toward the workbench, flicked on the lamp, and placed a grocery bag on top, then faced me once more, smiling as he pointed toward the entryway that led to the room Edward was hiding in. “The lad.”

“You mean…Edward?”

“Edward, heh?” He shook his head, the smile still appreciable. “Did he tell you his name?” I nodded. “After nearly seven years, I finally find out his name. Ah well, better late than never I always say.”

I gasped. “Seven years? What do you mean seven years?”

He nodded; his focus was now on the grocery bag as he removed items inside it. “That’s how long he’s been here.”

“Oh, my God,” I cried, feeling a mix of consternation and anger. “How could you…how could you keep him here, especially that long?”

His hands stilled, and his body went completely stagnant, until he finally turned to face me, wearing a pained expression. “I didn’t keep him here. I found him here.”

Chapter 4: Home Again (teaser)

Fifteen minutes later, I was sitting inside Charlie’s cruiser on my way to the hospital. “How’s the head, Kiddo? You doing okay?”

“Dad, I’m fine,” I chuckled. “I’d feel better if I could just get home in my own bed. I think an icepack would be good enough. I don’t need to see a doctor.”

“Bella,” he started; his tone authoritative. “You’re going. The way I see it, you gave your old man quite a scare, so the least you can do is go see Dr. Cullen and have him look at that head of yours. I realize you hate hospitals, but I’d feel better all the same if I knew you were okay.”

I sighed. “I don’t really have a choice, do I?”

He shook his head. “Nope.”

“How’s Emmett?” I asked. “Does he know that I-”

“He does,” Charlie interrupted. “He wanted to come, but I told him to stay home. He came with me to search for you. We’d barely been home an hour when you called. We weren’t giving up.”

“I’m sorry, Dad.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay, Bells. That’s all that matters.”

Chapter 3: Don't Go (teaser)

Time seemed to pass, possibly hours that we both stayed apoplectic in our neutral corners of the room. He, however, seemed as alert as he had hours ago, whereas I began feeling quite lethargic. I was having a difficult time keeping my eyes open, and the pain in my head was more noticeable now; probably due to the decrease of adrenalin in my system. I grappled against the fatigue, but failed miserably.

When I woke, I was still propped up against the wall, but I was once again covered with the sheet and something placed upon my lap. I gripped the sheet, pulling it down my body, seeing the tattered bear draped across my legs. I immediately glanced up toward the corner I knew he’d be in and saw him watching me; his face looked affable, almost innocent appearing. And somehow, in that moment as our eyes met, I understood he wouldn’t hurt me; that if I wanted to leave he’d let me.

I removed the sheet completely, placing the bear down gently on top, and shifted my body enough to brace my hands along the wall. I pulled myself up slowly, careful not to agitate my concussed head, then gently turned around, taking small steps toward the door. I watched him as I inched further toward the exit then glanced between him and the door just as I approached it. “T-thank you for…umm… helping me, but I need to leave. I’m…I’m going to go now.”

I reached for the door handle, twisting hard to open the door. “Don’t…go,” he whispered so soft in pitch, that had I not actually felt the words more than heard them, they probably would have been curtained from me. The tribulation in that two-worded plea sent a tumultuous ache through me, so acute that I painfully gripped the door handle within my hand. I instantly wanted to somehow comfort him, and it occurred to me because of that I was probably losing my mind.

Chapter 2: Enigma (teaser)

Thump.

Thump, thump.

Thump.

Thump, thump, thump!

My eyelids fluttered painfully over my eyes, and my heart felt as if it were beating in my head, reverberating off my eardrums straight to my brain. And when I turned slightly, hoping to alleviate the sound, an acute throbbing dominated the inside of my head.

I winced fully, and the echoed intonation only served to increase the tempo of the throbbing. Human instinct was to touch the part of you that hurt, but I was afraid if my fingers even lightly brushed over my forehead, and that wasn’t even where the full extent of the pain resided, it would only worsen the pain I was feeling.

Even still, through the biting discomfort, my eyelids steadily fluttered their way open. My vision was obscured, but I could make out that there was really nothing but blackness surrounding me anyway. Well, almost nothing but blackness.

As my vision focused, I noticed from my peripherals that there was a small patch of light dancing toward the corner of the room, and just as I recognized I was seeing some light, realization that I did not recognize where I was stormed its way across me like a tsunami. My breathing became staccato, which I noticed was the only sound I heard around me; everything else was silent.

I paused for the briefest second, trying to recollect anything that would explain why I was laying somewhere completely unfamiliar, surrounded by near darkness and breathing in a musty scent I wasn't accustomed to smelling. And then it hit me; I was spending the weekend with Alice, we’d went to that old hospital with a group of others, I was exploring the place with Jess, she lost her phone, I went to find it, I-

Oh God! I remember! 

Just as I recalled falling and those portentous green eyes, whose gaze I literally felt slick across my flesh, I was inundated with terror. I knew where I was now, and I did not want to be here. I attempted to prop myself up on my elbows, but the minute movement awarded me with a bout of nausea while augmenting the ache within my skull.  My eyelids literally wanted to close against the pain, but I fought to keep them open. It occurred to me that that struggle, keeping myself alert, could mean my life.

So I forced my eyelids to keep from shutting; my teeth clenched together, jaw completely taut, further intensifying my agony. And once my eyelids were fully open and free of closing on me, though the rest of my discomfort remained, my eyes darted around the room, searching for a way out of this place.

I’d barely made a full scan of the room when I heard an audible exhale of breath, and just like a magnet, I was drawn to the sound. There in the corner, where the room was moderately illuminated, was a shadow. I wasn’t alone, and I knew without an ounce of ambivalence who was there.

Chapter 1: Hide and Seek (teaser)

Here's a teaser of the first chapter. Hope you enjoy!
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 I paused when I cleared the first room and neared the door of the large bathroom, urging my emotions to become sedate. I inhaled one last deep breath, then rounded the corner into the room, flashing the light desperately over the marred floor in search of Jess’s cell.

I became more frantic the more expanse of the floor my light drifted over with no cell phone in sight. I took a few steps forward, feeling the tears trickle against the corner of my eyes because the fear was now eating at my insides. I was ready to give up because I felt rocked by the terror when my light reflected over something shiny. I flashed the light back in the direction of the shiny object, finding Jess’s cell. I breathed out loudly in triumph, launched myself near it and bent over to pick it up. And just as I gripped the phone in my hands, the air became thick and chilling. Goosebumps literally attacked my body without mercy. I lifted up so slowly, mainly because I felt so paralyzed by whatever entered that room and altered the atmosphere.

And when I was finally standing upright, I eased the hand that held the flashlight up in front of me. There was a body standing just a few feet away, and though I knew there was someone there, it wasn’t actually real to me until I stopped at his face. But really, all I could focus on was the ominous green eyes that held mine. He stepped toward me, and I tried to scream, but the sound was caught in the back of my throat.

I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t look away. The fear became so caustic that it felt as if I were being swallowed whole by it. But when he gripped my arm, something instinctual kicked in, something that aimed to preserve my life. I threw myself backward to get away, but in doing so, my foot caught on some broken tiling along the floor. The last thing I recalled before complete blackness was the way the light shimmered over his face as I fell, reflecting the deep green in his eyes, the same eyes that left me immobilized with fear.

Preface

An old, dilapidated hospital residing in the outskirts of Forks, WA sits untouched, other than being the occasional setting of a teenage party. Everyone knows the rumors, and it's because of those rumors rebellious teens are lured there. They want to be the first to spy the young man who supposedly lives inside its walls, the man who's either a ghost or crazed maniac that murders those courageous enough to enter the building.

No one has ever seen him, or at least no one that's ever lived to tell the tale. But it's all just rumors, right? Well, Bella Swan is about to find out.



Rated for subject matter and content. OOC. Canon pairings