In Their Own Words: Adelaide's Monster

There’s a reason Adelaide calls me a monster.

I lurk behind her eyes, unable to escape the prison of her mind as I wait to be free from the cage she’s subjected herself to. I do what nobody else can: I make everything better, but only for my own price.

Blood.

Yes, I love the feel of it on my skin, the taste of it in my mouth and I certainly enjoy the sounds Adelaide’s victims make in their last moments. Mmm, I can remember them all with such clarity.

I’m smarter, faster and more motivated than any one of these men standing in my way and soon, I will be free of medication, and Adelaide will embrace me with open arms.

So tell me, what are you afraid of?

In Their Own Words: Adelaide Banvard

My name is Adelaide and I’m a killer. The voice inside my head will say there’s nothing wrong with that, but I never wanted my life to be this way. She sounds like me, the voice that whispers to me when I’m awake, at least as far as I can tell. I haven’t heard my own voice in nineteen years and neither has anyone else. It’s a trust issue. Kidnapped at the age of seven, I was the price for my father’s decisions and it ruined my life.  Forcing myself to remain mute gives me the feeling of control and I always need to be in control.

I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if I’d been aloud to grow up as a normal child, away from the fights I was forced to participate in until I was sixteen. That was when I escaped. Christian was the one who saved me, tying my fate to his that day. In a way, I love him. He can control my monster, but for a price. He’s made me into his own assassin.

I want out and I’m willing to do anything to get what I want, but I never expected my chance to appear so soon or in the form of my enemy. 

Marcus.

Just remembering the sound of his voice calms the beast inside and I can’t get enough, but Christian would see me dead before letting me go, especially to an ATF agent who wants us all behind bars.

I’m lost, but have never thought so clearly before in my life.

In Their Own Words - Marcus

Ah, hi. I’m Marcus. But I guess you already knew that. Don’t really know why I’m here. There’s not a lot to say.

I grew up here in Los Angeles, recruited to the Marines when I was twenty. That didn’t work out so well as you can imagine. Dishonorable discharge. Been with ATF ever since. I’m married, but that isn’t working out too well either. Work’s just too important right now. I’m on the biggest case of my career. I’m in there. I have Wren’s trust. I can’t just give that up. But, what I thought would be a slam-dunk, is turning into my own personal nightmare.

            I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. I can’t even fight without thinking of Adelaide. It’s driving me mad. She’s one of the best things that has ever happened to me, but she’s crazy! Literally insane and I love her all the more for it. Adelaide is unlike any other woman I’ve met, but the only way I can have her is behind bars.

In Their Own Words - Christian

   I’ve worked my way to the top and there’s no one who can take that away from me. I single-handedly made my company the leading manufacturer of weapons, but, as with any profession, being at the top isn’t easy. I’ve had to make my deals, some illegally, but nothing has stopped me from getting what I want. 

Especially when it comes to Adelaide.

I’ve dedicated my soul to her from the time I was sixteen. I went through hell to keep her for myself, saving her from that bastard Vicente. He made her into a slave, but I was the one who taught her how to survive and provided for her with everything I could. But she refuses to trust me, refuses to trust anyone. I would never let anyone hurt her. She’s my entire world and I will kill anyone who tries to keep us apart.

I’ve already dealt with one traitor in my ranks and now I’m forced to do so again. Adelaide is losing her touch with Marcus around, giving into the fantasy that she can live without me, but she has no idea what it’s like out there in the world. That damn ATF agent is planning to take her away from me, to let her loose, but I won’t let him.

Stolen Exercise

Thanks to The Piedmont Writer and E. Elle, I am hosting an "IN THEIR OWN WORDS" series for my second novel, ALL BECAUSE OF YOU. This will give you a chance to hopefully better understand the characters I've created, but mainly has helped me dive deeper into them. Starting Wednesday, you'll be able to meet Christian Wren (my antagonist), Friday will be Marcus Grant (protagonist) and next week, I'll be introducing you to both sides of Adelaide Banvard (protagonist).

If there are any writer's out there having trouble understanding, writing for or just expressing their characters, this is a great exercise and one I will continue to work on with each novel I create.