Fear is simply a human emotion.

We have all experience it from time to time. Adults can tolerate fear. But, when fear turns to an evil, far beyond anyone's imagination, and grips onto a child's soul, how can that child possibly tolerate that? Fear casts out goodness and love. Fear replaces innocence. What is left is the desperation of a child who is lost and frightened. Lost, and held captive within her own mind. The child is aware of the obscene presence lurking in the darkest shadows of her mind. There are not any windows. Windows that might have allowed love or hope to break through the silent darkness. The presence bears down hard and fast. A hand is felt, but not seen. In an instant, her quiet terror is in a frenzy as violent as it is futile. She is no longer a child. She has become a hurt, scared animal, screaming and struggling to break free from the cold, hard trap which she has fallen into. Fear is the very foundation of this child's life. Fear leads the child into submission. Fear holds her prisoner in her own little world. A very scary, lonely world. The child has become a puppet. Fear is the puppeteer, controlling her every move, her every thought. Fear even controls her dreams. She longs for something to cut the strings. What few traces of love that are left are too dull. Hope is not sharp enough. There is nothing left inside of her to cut herself free. She remains a puppet, with fear relentlessly controlling the strings to her soul. With a sad, empty look in her eyes, she is left dangling. The wicked laughter of fear echoes throughout her heart. This will haunt her for the rest of her life. Who is fear's puppeteer? Who is vile enough to strip a child's dignity and leave her hiding within her own mind? A man, not deserving to be called her father. He has taken a once trusting child, turned her into a helpless victim. He is the predator who has left his own daughter without the essential weapons for the fight she faced each day. Until she found a knife sharp enough to cut herself free... Will the memories ever get easier? Will the pain ever go away? Will the loss ever lessen? I mourn for all the things we never got to do growing up, but I am so thankful she is free of the pain and fear. -yoshiO