Chapter 1.  Shadows unseen 

  Dawn has always had an intimate relationship with death.  Understanding the complexity of what happens once the soul leaves the body. How it seeks shelter from the realities of life, tethered to whom it was before. The soul seeks validation of its existence on earth’s rough terrain, yearning to be seen.  

Dawn has always seen them as they have always needed her to. It was not unwelcomed, but rather a comfort that eased the burden of loneness that Dawn had worn as armor since before she could remember. She understood what it meant to lack a place to call your own.  

She was however able to give them enough to comfort the fragility of their existence. A listening ear, a warmth that they could no longer feel. More importantly, they wanted to be remembered.  

She has been called many things, ghost whisper, a medium, a freak, a psycho, but words mean so little when the definition is so broad. Tho it seems that over time her soul has been beaten and bruised by the reminder that once her meat sack of a body dies, she too would be faced with the reality; 

No one will miss her 

She will become forgotten, a ghost of a woman lost to the means that gave her life purpose once upon ago.  

She had truly little to her name, while she was known and the living who sought out her gifts. She never felt right taking from those who have already lost so much. She needed material things as one living to survive must do but it was not what she valued. She valued those that had already been lost. Leaving her to fend off the darkness on her own 

She never knew her mother as she had died while giving birth to her. When she was young, she would hold onto the guilt that she had taken her life. Thinking that it was the true reason she could see ghosts, wasn't she being punished? She would stay up at night waiting for her mother to visit her. Watching the shadowed spirit hover over her hearing the whale of mothers who have lost the ability to hold their babies and yet her mother never came.  

She didn't blame her as who would want to be reminded of their ending? Her father left shortly after not being able to stomach seeing the love of his life face without seeing her. Leaving Dawn at the steps of an orphanage never to be seen again.  

There she lived for her early years. Hiding in shadows for the taunts of the other children was too bright for her to handle. Alone since birth, she was never afraid to stand on her own. Comforted by the spirits that latched onto her.  

Until she meets Martha, an ancient-looking woman draped in silk, her hat swooped low her lips smeared red. Dawn caught her eyes right away, and later realizing that she too was a Medium  

From there she has landed her, unpacking unorganized boxes of antique items she's accumulated over the years. Martha left her home after her passing. A gift that was meant to bring peace to Dawn. A fresh start is the only thing she could think of as she shoved Her kitchen supplies into cabinets.  

She looked around at the dated yet charming floral wallpaper that lined the kitchen walls, faded colors leaving a green wash that stood out against the dark wood of cabinets. Her eyes traced the delicate shapes of the leaves carved into the wood. She traced her fingers along the wooden counter, noting to sand and refinish it when she had the time as the wood left a small splinter in her finger. 

The house was warm and inviting, kept up over the years by a cleaner as Martha spent more time overseas than she did here. Turning, her gaze fell on the window above the sink overlooking the backyard. Dawn has never seen so much life in her days living in her stuffy apartment.  

 Here she was meant to make a home. Her chest ached as the vision of Martha came to find. The only family she had ever known left her.  She came to terms with death a long time ago but never felt the ache of loss. Stepping towards the sink she filled a cup of water gulping it down silencing her thoughts, no she thought nothing more of the past she was ready to embrace the chaotic future losing control and becoming one with herself 

Slamming the glass down she nodded solidifying her confidence. No longer would she live within the confines of her mind, helping others advance beyond life. She will find her way, walking her path.  

Today Dawn chose to live, only if she were aware of how her past would haunt her.