PROLOUGUE 1965 Stefan flinched as he saw his dad’s hand head towards his head. At 12 years old, he had had years of practice at dodging his dads wrath. It was usually to his own detriment though as a flinch was a sign of weakness, something that would not be tolerated, and so generally resulted in harsher treatment. This time however, his dad was just reaching to adjust his sons tie. ‘You need to look extra smart today,’ William said to his son. ‘It’s not every day that you f

I remember the days of not being held When I was free to do as I pleased Not stuck here inside, alone in the dark Feeling like I’m being held and squeezed. But the bars that hold me imprisoned Are bars that no one can see The bars that hold me imprisoned Are in fact my body, it’s me! Some days it’s the body that stops me Won’t let me go far at all Pain in the joints, wobbly legs, weak limbs I fear I will topple and fall. Other days it’s the mind that haunts me My wo

It was Christmas Eve and everyone was in bed. His black boots dripping from the snow outside left a tell-tale sign behind him and he placed each step with care so that he didn’t disturb the sleeping family. He heard a noise behind one of the doors so he pulled his knife out from his bag and was momentarily distracted as the moon streaming in from the hall window hit the long, sharp blade. The noise again reminded him he should be paying attention so he quickly and silently p