Cursed Heart (Cursed #2.5) by T. H. Snyder

wrong with me; I wasn’t good enough to play with their toys or their friends. I was constantly left alone.
    As an adolescent, things turned from bad to worse. The children of the families were older, stronger, and more set in their ways. I had to find some way to get through to them and earn some attention, so I found myself causing trouble and creating fights with the others in the houses and at school. It may not have been a wise choice at the time, but it gave me control over the situations and made the rage inside of me break free.
    My poor attitude, self neglect, and constant fights pushed me into reckless situations.
    One fight was more intense than the rest—the police found us, pulled me off of the other kid, and took us home to my foster parents. They were livid, embarrassed, and refused to let me back into their home because they feared for their own children.
    I was escorted from my so called home for beating the other kid that resided there. Being taken to a group home for behavioral adolescents was my reprimand…but it didn’t faze me. Emotionally, I felt on top of the world. Physically, I was strong enough to hold my own. No one dared come near me in fear that I would destroy them emotionally and physically.
    I had become a monster, a bully, and the man I am today. The choices I made altered my future, and thank God no legal charges were laid, as I now have a future to live.
     

 
    Chapter 10
    Waking up this morning, I knew there was only one place I had to go. Trying to sort through my thoughts, I watch the clock ‘til it’s time to leave for my scheduled appointment. Getting in my car, I start down the highway with a torn soul, tattered heart, and mind filled with confusion. To think that this was one of the last places I’d ever want to go, I know now that it’s necessary to help me heal.
    As much as I hate to think through my emotions, I spent most of the night writing in my journal.  By the time I was on the last page, I found myself filled with a sense of loss and sadness as the tears fell from my face.
    She is everything I’ve ever wanted, and I would’ve done anything to make her happy. After I left her last night, my emotions were a scattered mess. I felt as if her goodbye was real, like it was final in some weird way.
    Pulling into the parking lot of the tall, brick building, I find a parking spot and get out of my car. Every other time I’ve been here, my anxiety was through the roof, but today, I feel like I could conquer the world. Maybe it’s that I have a purpose for this visit, that I have a lot to get off my chest, or that I need to get the advice of a wise man.
    As I walk into the office, the receptionist greets me by name and escorts me back to Dr. Jonestown’s room. Walking through the door, I see that he’s already sitting in his chair, tablet in hand.
    “Good afternoon, Christian, and how are you doing today?”
    Moving toward him, I take a seat in the chair.
    “Fine, could be better, but anxious to be here.”
    “Well, that’s a bit more optimism from you than I’ve ever heard.”
    Nodding my head, I cross the calf of my leg onto the other.
    “Yeah, well I’m here for a reason. I’ve had some time to think about things and I’ve done what you’ve asked with the journal.”
    “That’s excellent news; did you bring it with you?” he asks, sitting forward in his chair.
    Leaning in the chair, I pull the journal out of my back pocket.
    “It’s all in here,” I say, tossing it onto the table.
    Dr. Jonestown picks up the journal and pages through from beginning to end.
    “I’m quite impressed, Christian, I wasn’t too sure how you would handle this task. You did well.”
    “Thanks,” I reply with a smirk.
    My phone begins to buzz in my pocket and all attention is drawn to the vibration. Removing it from my pocket, I move to turn it off when I see Etty’s name flash across the screen with a text message.
    “I’m sorry; I should have left