Category Archives: Family Ties

Cory’s Story: Scarlet and the canyon

Hello. My name is Cory. I’m the advisor of this system. Advisor? System? What is that? Technically, the psychologists call it an “internal self-helper,” but I came up with “advisor” before we ever talked to them. I help organize and guide the members of our system. Including you. I’m…part of a system? Who are you?Continue reading “Cory’s Story: Scarlet and the canyon”

Cory’s Story: Introduction

Cory’s story is approximately 10,000 words long, told from the perspective of an alter in a DID system. This is a story I wanted to tell about mental health and relationships and burdens, not about action, high-fantasy adventure sword fights or superhero battles.

Tara’s Story: cut ties, in the end

To check out the full Family Ties story, check out the table of contents here! “This all happened while I was out running? Just yesterday?” their mother paced toward the door, rubbing her temples. Tara gulped. “You took my car even though you can’t drive legally, then nearly got in a wreck, and made rivalsContinue reading “Tara’s Story: cut ties, in the end”

Tara’s Story: Stabbing for Fruity O’s

The house was quiet as Tara padded into the kitchen for breakfast. Arms stinging less than the night before, she poured a bowl of cereal and sunk into a seat at the counter. She still didn’t know what to say to Quinn, about yesterday. Sorry? Or here, help Nick control his powers, and then maybeContinue reading “Tara’s Story: Stabbing for Fruity O’s”

Tara’s Story: clipped voice in the dark void

They found Nick in the backyard, curled under a blanket behind the tree. Tara pressed next to her sister in the window, looking where she pointed. The reedy tree trunk wasn’t even wide enough to conceal him. “Did either of you hear him? When he snuck away?” Quinn asked, pressed against Tamy’s other side. TaraContinue reading “Tara’s Story: clipped voice in the dark void”

Tara’s Story: skin thick

Tara stared at the bikes beneath her shoes. The tires spun lazily with the turns and bumps of the car. She jolted forward in her seat as they came to a halt, blinking and staring from the car floor. Quinn turned to face the two of them, face ashen. “You don’t have a license,” TamyContinue reading “Tara’s Story: skin thick”

Tara’s Story: Playground Fights, Bicycles, Cars

Tara eased on the brakes, slowing to a halt at the sidewalk to the elementary school. Tamy stopped just ahead, shoes skidding. “There goes that idea,” Tara complained, backing her bike into the road. “Not necessarily,” Tamy answered, squinting at the army of teenagers swarming the playground. “We could totally take them in a fight.”Continue reading “Tara’s Story: Playground Fights, Bicycles, Cars”

Tara’s Story: mother-pain

Tara briefly explained to Tamy what their mother said about Alex’s money disappearing as the two of them sat at the counter, pouring bowls of Fruity O’s into blue-green milk.
“Yeah, that is a problem,” Tamy sighed.
“What do we do?” Tara asked, shoveling Fruity O’s into her mouth.

Tara’s Story: old enough to work, young enough to dream

Tara crept downstairs, straining to make out hushed voices. Unfortunately, the stairs creaked under her weight and their mother and Quinn fell silent. She sighed, marching loudly the rest of the way while rubbing her eyes. She froze at the bottom of the stairs, as if she’d just noticed the two of them sitting atContinue reading “Tara’s Story: old enough to work, young enough to dream”