Demented: The Fleischer Series, #3

By Wendi Starusnak

Sshh. She can’t know, otherwise I will never be able to stop her. I have been silent for much too long and it's time for Julie to stop. It's time for me to take my life back and try to make right all the wrong that the Fleischer's have done. I just need the right time, when that freak she claims to love is asleep. Seems he never sleeps ever since he started smoking that crank stuff. But I think I have a way, a way out of this nightmare once and for all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wendi Starusnak
• Release date: May 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9781499676969

Book preview

DISCLAIMER

Warning:  adult content, situations, and language.  This Book contains extremely graphic material of a very sensitive and mature nature and is not recommended for persons under the age of eighteen or those of a fragile emotional state.

This is a work of fiction.  Any similarities to actual persons, places, or events, alive or dead, past, present or future is purely coincidental.  While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or business establishments, is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without permission from the Author. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights and livelihood is appreciated.

DEDICATION

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I’d like to dedicate Demented to my loving husband Ron and all of our exceptional children (Ashley, Ronnie, David, Jade, Derrick, Jenna, Laurie, and Luke) who always believe in me and cheer me on no matter what.  My amazing family and my faith in God are what keep me going each and every day.  Without them, Demented would never have been written.  Thank you and I love you all!

note from the author

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Demented is a work of fiction.  It's not true.  There are truths woven throughout, some mine, some belonging to others, and some are just made up.  Do things like what happened in Demented really happen?  Yes, unfortunately they probably do.  The main message in Demented is that abuse is a vicious cycle.  This was the main message in Books 1 and 2 of the Fleischer Series, and will continue to be the main message in Book 4 as well.  You see, abuse feeds on silence and ignorance.  Sweep it under the carpet, pretend it doesn't happen, that it's not as bad as it seems or that it could be worse.  Pretend that it's not your problem.  This is what abuse hungers for, what it needs to continue to haunt little children and grown adults alike.  This is how abuse recruits its followers, it creates monsters out of once-beautiful people by putting them through unspeakable torments.

I urge everyone to find their voice, to speak out against abuse when you see it or suspect it, or when it happens to you.  Do what that little voice in your heart is begging you to do.  It may not be the easy thing to do, anything worth doing rarely is, but it's the right thing to do.  And remember:  Abuse feeds on silence and ignorance.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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Ron Starusnak Jr. - for being my faithful and loving partner through this crazy journey that we call life and for always being my biggest fan,

Bryan Airel – for the proofreading, invaluable advice with each of my books so far, and the nudging to not only get it done, but to get it done right,

Tasha Gwartney - for another amazing cover,

Dad - for help with all of the technical stuff including the back cover and for reading each of my manuscripts and giving me honest feedback and advice,

Mom - for reading each of my manuscripts and giving me honest feedback and advice,

Grandma Cron - for living a life worthy of a hundred best-selling novels and sharing many of her crazy experiences with me,

and

Christine Vorndran - for being such a great friend and part of my family since tenth grade and sticking by my side through all of life’s ups and downs (and there have been a lot for me since tenth grade!).

I give you all my sincere gratitude.  I’m truly sorry if I’ve left anyone out.  There are so many people that have given me advice, encouragement, and believed in me along my journey that I couldn’t possibly mention all of them here.

LAST CHAPTER OF DERANGED- BOOK 2 OF THE FLEISCHER SERIES

AVAILABLE NOW

~Caroline~

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I wake up in the morning in the only house I have ever known for what is supposed to be the last time, at least the last time for a long while.  Julie and I are supposed to travel with Rufus and his family to another fair after we work the New York State Fair for a couple of weeks.  Julie’s planning for us to stay in Rufus’ camper, I guess. 

I begin to cry again.  I don’t want to leave my home.  I don’t want to leave Johnny, Eric, Mommy, or Daddy behind.  I don’t want to go with Rufus and I don’t want to meet the rest of his family.  Daddy would never have let this happen if he were still around.

My mind is made up.  I’m not leaving.  Nobody can make me.  This is my decision and no one can change it now.  I have spent years thinking about this.  Nothing better is waiting for me in the world outside my home.  I climb out of my parents’ old bed and begin to get ready for the miserable day ahead.  I wipe away the tears from my face as best as I can before leaving my room.

Julie and Rufus are in the kitchen, eating breakfast.  There is a plate already made up with French toast, bacon, and home fries at the spot in front of where I sit.  Johnny’s place at the table sits as empty as Eric’s and Emily’s now do.  I have to wipe away another tear.  That Rufus The Jerk is sitting in Mommy’s spot and Julie, of course, is sitting in Daddy’s old spot as usual.  All of our spots at the table will be empty for breakfast tomorrow morning.  There will be no one here.

Morning, I say to be polite in an attempt to keep things as pleasant as they can be while I take my seat.  I keep my eyes on my plate, trying hard not to look at either of them.  I don’t want to end up dying in some awful way, the way that my poor brother Johnny had to.

Morning sleepy head.  I should have known you would wake up after you smelled the food, Julie laughs at her own rude comment and Rufus laughs with her, of course.  She’s always picking on me for being chubby.  I’m used to it now and I don’t let it bother me, well, not any more than it already has. 

I can’t believe that she would still pick on me like this with what happened to Johnny only yesterday.  Emily never picked on me like this.  I really miss the old Emily that used to cuddle me and tell me stories to make me feel better. 

My sister is gone, just as gone as both of my brothers and my Mommy and Daddy are.  I wonder if my Emily is with all of them now or if she is trapped inside her old body with the new Julie.  I hope for Emily’s sake that she is with the rest of our family and not with horrible Julie.

Julie and Rufus get up