Pain has a way of shaping us, but so does resilience. Writing The Hole in the Dark began as a way to process the memories of my childhood—years spent in fear under the rule of a schizophrenic paranoid stepfather. At the advice of a friend studying psychology, I started documenting my past, hoping it would help me heal.

For six long years, I lived in fear, trying to protect my mother and sister. But amidst the chaos, I found solace in my imagination. When I hid in the forsythia bush cave or slept in barns, sheds, or the woods, I would escape into the world of science fiction and fantasy. These imaginary lands became my refuge, a place where I had control over my fate—something I never had in reality.

As I grew older, I realized a hard truth: a boy living in fear can only look forward to tomorrow, hoping for change. That endless cycle of waiting was unbearable. Ben, my character, experienced the same struggle—escaping to a world of safety, only to return because he had to protect his family.

To anyone trapped in an abusive situation: there is always a way out. I know how hopeless it feels, but the future is not written in the pain of your past. We escaped. Though we were homeless for a time, we rebuilt our lives. I started high school, made the high honor roll, earned a BSBA, and later completed my Master’s in IT with honors.

Never let your history define your future. With the right mindset, you can achieve anything.