Brown-eyed with long chestnut-colored hair, Sophia Parks is a lovely twenty-eight old woman and has been Vincent Mathis's girlfriend for over five wonderful years. Vincent was her first in many things and she loved him with her entire being. He was her world, her everything. She soon learned that her complete dedication to him was very foolish.
It was a beautiful evening, dancing and celebrating with Vincent. His father Randall Mathis, the owner of the NesCore Company and also the wealthiest man in the country had just been elected governor of the state. Vincent was ecstatic being the only son and his father's beneficiary. He was certain to become wealthier in his own right. He was also thrilled that he no longer would need to serve as a police officer. His father promised to make him president of his company if Vincent followed through with his pledge. What pledge he was referring to was something Sophia was unaware of. She only heard Randall make the comment when Vincent's father approached the pair as they were preparing to leave. During the ride home in a private car, Vincent declared his deep love for Sophia. She was on cloud nine and very happy.The couple had arrived at their shared apartment on the upper east side in fantastic spirits after the celebration. Out of nowhere, Vincent started telling Sophia that he enjoyed their time together but his future was now a priority. She watched him draw odd symbols on the pristine white walls of the living room. When she asked what he was doing he smiled oddly and stepped before her."You are my ticket into my father's special circle," he told her nonchalantly before shoving her forcefully to the ground. Too shocked to speak, Sophia lay there frozen as he stomped aggressively on the side of her head. She caught evilness in his eyes and tried to block him when he began to stab her. Eventually, Sophia fainted. When she regained consciousness she realized that she was surrounded by flames and felt her lower legs burning. Using her elbows she crawled toward the broken balcony doors where the firemen called out for her. It was hard to see through her blurred vision with the thick smoke but Sophia made it to safety.Getting rushed to the hospital Sophia was in complete shock and frightened by the police officers questioning her."Are you certain that Vincent Mathis is the one responsible for all of your injuries?" The police officer questioned. Sophia mumbled a yes that sounded like a gravelly hiss sound coming through her blood-covered face. Her mind was reeling over what had happened within the previous hours."Vincent Mathis stated that an intruder came in and assaulted the both of you. He said he was forced from your shared apartment by gunpoint," another officer stated. She looked at them and tried yelling bullshit but her mouth wouldn't move. She was lost and her facial nerves were severely damaged on the left side of her face. Sophia would learn that later after being rushed into emergency surgery afterward she was placed into a temporary coma. Three weeks later she opened a single eye and raised a hand to her face feeling it bandaged. She felt completely devastated. Oddly enough the concern about paying for the hospital bill was what hit her first. She was uninsured but had a savings account from her late parent's inheritance. Sophia looked up and saw a handsome, around his late twenties or early thirties looking gentleman in a suit looking down at her. Her throat felt raw and scratchy."How are you feeling Miss Parks?" He asked with a kind smile."Like hell, who are you?" She questioned hoarsely."I'm Phil Jackson and I am assigned by the DA to be your court-appointed attorney."Aren't you too young to be an attorney?" She questioned curiously before having a dry cough. Phil chuckled and thanked her for the backhanded compliment."Vincent Mathis is in jail for assaulting you. He still claims that an intruder attacked you but the detectives found a bowie knife with his DNA and his shoes had your DNA on them in a dumpster behind your apartment building. He is going to be charged with assault with an intent to murder," he said solemnly. Sophia frowned well half of her mouth did."You need to get better soon since you couldn't testify against him in court. With him and his father well-known, it is a media circus. Depending on the verdict, which is being decided at this moment. You might want to consider leaving this area. The Mathis's aren't a family you want to mess with," Phil said softly and Sophia sighed. She had been aware that Vincent's family did numerous sketchy things but with him being a police officer she had thought he'd followed the straight and narrow path."I'm pretty fucked up Mr. Jackson and I highly doubt if I would have been able to testify. I don't want to even look at Vincent. Could I get a drink of water?" Sophia asked bluntly as she tried to swallow the emotional lump that was caught in her throat. Questioning herself about what she had done to cause Vincent to attack her made her a head ache. Each time Sophia came up blank for a reason. She had done nothing wrong. Phil had left and returned with a plastic cup."The nurse said to suck on ice chips for now," he said softly."Where would I even go if I were to leave? I don't know any of my extended family nor do I have friends. My entire life revolved around Vincent," she mumbled sourly. Phil was biting his bottom lip as he thought."I have a good friend named Otis Billings who runs a hotel in a tourist location up on the mountains. I can ask him if he's got a place and a job he can offer you?" He asked curiously and her brow creased."Why are you being so generous?" Sophia inquired bluntly and Phil shrugged."Let's just say that I know that you are in more danger than you realize and you must get to safety," he said urgently."The doctor said that you can be measured for a glass eye after the bandages and they remove the dead…" she shook her head, interrupting him."I have limited resources and will be fine with a simple eyepatch." Phil nodded slowly and told her that he would see when they were planning on discharging and also would contact Otis."He's a really nice older man and will help if he's able," he said in reassurance. Sophia thanked him for going way beyond what was expected and watched him exit when the doctor and nurse came in to see her. She was told that her legs would be scarred and she would be able to smile again once the nerves healed completely on her face. The doctor began to unravel the bandages and her head felt lighter."Can I see a mirror?" Sophia asked curiously. The nurse pushed over the hospital tray and pulled out a mirror that was inside. Staring at the stranger looking back at her, a tear rolled down her cheek. It was a horrible and frightening-looking thing. Sophia's injured eye was a cloudy white mass and the bruising was a sickly yellow. She pushed the mirror away and cursed."I will get you an eyepatch to cover it and I want you to start walking so your muscles can regain strength," the doctor ordered."I will be back to remove the remaining lines and we can schedule your appointments with a plastic surgeon to aid in reconstruction," he said as he quickly left her with the nurse. Sophia felt her heart begin to race within her chest and clasped at it as she started breathing sporadically. The nurse rushed over and held her hand."You are experiencing a panic attack. I will see if I can get you some medication for it, dear. For now, just breathe in deeply and exhale slowly," she told her in a calm, reassuring manner. Sophia's life was destroyed and the man she had loved more than anything had taken it from her.Healed and preparing for her life change, Sophia stood with her eyepatch. She was listening to her attorney at the coffee shop next to the bus stop. Phil Jackson has been a godsend for her. He had gone far beyond what was normal for an attorney and Sophia was beyond grateful. He helped her get her money transferred to the bank in Winterset, the town Otis was in. He also showed her photos of the small town. Sophia had a bus ticket in hand and a small suitcase in the other filled with her meager belongings. Sophia had just gotten finished with the therapist that gave her several depression and anxiety medications. The receptionist informed her that the medication could be refilled at the pharmacy in the grocery store in Winterset. If it hadn't been for the pills Sophia was convinced that her mind would be lost. She was diagnosed with anxiety, and PTSD due to the attack and experienced frequent panic attacks. She wore a light jacket that had a hood to cover her severely scarred face wher
Sophia Parks was asleep in her small bed thrashing around in the grasp of a horrible nightmare. Waking quickly with her heart pounding and drenched in sweat she reached for her bottle of anxiety pills and swallowed two, using her saliva as a lubricant to swallow the medication. Reliving the terror of her ex-boyfriend's attack was getting tiring and had only become more frequent since learning of Vincent's release from prison. Her lawyer had informed her that he had been released for good behavior and his family connections causing her PTSD to spike. The alarm clock went off, making her jump and curse loudly."Mondays always suck," Sophia muttered as she grabbed her eyepatch off the nightstand and headed into the bathroom to get ready for the work week. She mentally prepared herself for another week of callous comments that would come from the locals and out-of-towners coming to stay at the hotel. The tirades of being called ugly, hideous, and monster took their toll on her self-esteem
Pushing her cart down the first-floor hall Sophia knocked in the first occupied room. She ignored the do not disturb sign hanging on the knob as she exclaimed, "housekeeping!""I am sorry for disturbing you sir, but I must clean and I have respected your door sign for three days already," she said sternly. Not getting a reply, Sophia used her master keycard to open the door. The first thing that assaulted her senses was the smell of decomposition."Shit," she cursed as she shut the door and headed quickly back to the front desk. Sophia lifted the phone receiver to begin dialing the police. As she dialed she shouted out for Otis. "We got a dead guy in 102!" Otis came out of his office with a frown."Bet it was a heart attack, the man was an old fat fucker," he muttered sourly and lifted his glasses to rub his eyes."I hate having the police snooping around here yet again. This is the third death here in a year," he added and Sophia patted his arm."Hello, I need to report the death of
Sophia headed down the empty hall seeing the flashing lights coming through the end of the hall window and felt the tightness in her chest begin. "It is okay girl, focus on something else," she mumbled softly to herself and flicked the hairband she wore around her wrist. Leaning against the wall she concentrated on her breathing exercises and continued snapping the elastic band against her skin. Sophia closed her eyes hearing the room door of Faelon open. After a moment of silence, he shouted," are you okay?" Sophia glanced over at him scowling down at her and grinned."Right as rain, sir," she answered as she rummaged through her pockets searching for her pills. Being unsuccessful she ground her molars and pushed herself from the wall. She felt like a freak show performer due to the odd man still watching her. The ringing in her ears started and she feared she was going to faint. Stumbling back to the wall she slid down it with her back to sit. The last thing she expected to see was
Patricia gave them each their orders and handed Faelon a folded piece of paper."It is my number if you ever want to have better company," she said softly. Faelon cocked his brow and crumpled the paper and tossed it back at her. It bounced off her chest and to the floor."Your behavior is horrendous, don't expect a tip," he growled firmly, causing the waitress to open and close her mouth like a fish gulping air. Sophia stifled her grin and unwrapped her napkin-wrapped utensils. After the waitress left them in a huff Sophia glanced over at Faelon."You should have kept that number, Patricia is well known amongst the menfolk for giving great blowjobs," she said bluntly, causing Faelon to choke on the bite of food he had taken prior. After wiping his mouth he smirked at Sophia."I wouldn't want that female's mouth anywhere near my member. She is a very ugly person," he replied uncaringly. Sophia blinked her eye at him then turned to look at the stunning redhead. Did he truly find her ugly
Faelon opened his new room and invited the young reaper inside who needed to speak with him. Sophia was having heart palpitations and was currently in the employee restroom splashing water on her face. She had removed her eyepatch and was frowning at her appearance. she thought about what Faelon had told her during lunch."That man is crazy…there is nothing attractive about me," she mumbled sadly and wiped away the moisture collecting in her one eye. Sophia blinked and breathed in deeply, exhaling slowly. She had taken the last of her medication and would have to go to the local pharmacy for a refill. Putting on her eyepatch she went to find Otis so she could leave her work shift early to make it to the grocery store, where the pharmacy was located before it closed. Otis was carrying a lamp as Sophia approached him."I need to take off early, Otis, to get to the pharmacy," she said softly. Otis looked at her over the lampshade."Better hurry before Travis and his side chick get there
Sophia exhaled deeply, finishing the last scoop of the snow-covered sidewalk. Wishing for an early spring she walked carefully back inside her modest home. She gently touched her swollen eye and winced as she headed to the bathroom to see how bad it was. Barely able to see her reflection in the mirror, she frowned."Perhaps I should call in tomorrow," she debated but realized that she needed the funds for bills. Sophia grabbed a bag of frozen mixed vegetables from her freezer and placed it on her swollen eye. Sitting carefully into the wooden chair she sat at her small dinette and hoped the swelling would go down. She dug in her inside pocket for the large black feather and placed it inside the lead crystal vase she got from Phil for her last birthday. She looked at it and strangely felt connected to the ebony feather."Wonderful, I get a warm fuzzy feeling off a chicken feather," she muttered to herself, shifting the frozen bag of vegetables over her swollen eye. Back at the hotel,
"Isn't Faelon a female's name?" Atlas asked Faelon after they appeared inside Sophia's sparse living room. Faelon shook his head."No, it means little wolf, and it's a male name," he answered as he followed after Sophia. Sophia entered the small bathroom and Faelon stood in the narrow hallway waiting for her to exit. "I am going to search for the spirit so don't mind me…or help me…at all," Atlas grunted in frustration as he headed toward the kitchen and started looking in the cupboards and utility closet. Faelon glanced toward the small kitchen table and saw his wing feather inside a crystal vase. He grinned slightly and pulled a few more out of his wing and placed them alongside the single one. They appeared within it as black as pitch. Atlas was watching and shaking his head and plucked out the feathers Faelon had placed in the vase making them evaporate into nothingness."No disturbing the residence. That is the number one rule. That and pets and small children can see us even whe