States of Paranoia

By Jacquelinn Kai

The STATES OF PARANOIA explores four stories of drama, suspense, and paranoia.

"Midnight Smoke" follows the paranoid mind of a woman caught in a battle with her neighbors. Lack of sleep erodes her mind, but if she can't prove what her neighbors are doing then she is doomed to lose her sanity.

"The Red Brick" traps Angie when its removal from a fireplace, by her autistic child, threatens to reveal her patriarch’s criminal past and expose her own families lies. Only time and her verbal struggle with her father will reveal all she needs to know. But will it be enough for her to save the family and stop their secret from being exposed?

"Diminishing Narcissism" strangles Kai as she struggles to understand the mind of dementia, and the many mood swings her mother experiences. If only she could just get a handle of it all, maybe she will be able to rescue...or at least hold on for the ride.

"S.U.I.C.I.D.E, Conversations in God's Perspective," is a non-fiction look into suicide, how it affects those left behind and God's perspective. In this Chapter One preview, we meet Jacquelinn and learn of her own experience with a friend's suicide. When she is confronted with her teen daughter's own suicidal friend, will she be able to respond differently than she did in the past and save a life?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jacquelinn Kai
• Release date: Sep 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005789046

Jacquelinn Kai

Jacquelinn Kai is a digital artist, photographer, film enthusiast, and writer with an affinity for blending the supernatural into contemporary fantasy and dramatic suspense. She is pursuing a BFA in the Creative Writing program at Full Sail University and has earned dual Communication BAs, with minors in Graphic Design and film, at the University of Central Fl. She hosts a podcast called Read-ish on Anchor.fm and is the Online Content Writer for jacquelinnkai.com. In which she is developing a YouTube web series detailing the downsizing of a lifestyle to tiny house living.

Book preview

The States of Paranoia

Jacquelinn Kai

Copyright © Jacquelinn Kai - Kaiaya Publications, 2020

All Rights Reserved

Book Cover Original Images/Illustrations by Canva and Jacquelinn Kai

First Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Table of Contents

Moonlit Smoke

The Red Brick

Diminishing Narcissism

S.U.I.C.I.D.E. – Conversations in God’s Perspective, Chapter 1

S.U.I.C.I.D.E. – Conversations in God’s Perspective, Chapter 1, part 2

About the Author

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Moonlit Smoke

Day after day my neighbor watches me.

The curtain flutters and I have seen fingers clasp the edge.

Oh, they are careful not to show themselves, but I know they are there. I hear the loudness of their breaths blown into my face. It tickles my ears and bristles the hairs on the back of my neck. Their eyes follow me from room to room and watch when I walk the circles in my living room carpet. They are beside me in the kitchen when I drink my coffee and rock on the edge of my wooden chair. They stand over my bed, wait for me to sleep and drool for the moment I am weak. They even follow me into the bathroom and watch me wash patches of my skin from the sink. The water drips from my rag to the dark grey carpet beneath, but it keeps the itch away and hides my nakedness. You see, I’ve outsmarted them. I refuse to sleep, let them expose me, or catch me weak.

Why do they watch you?

Why? I can assure you I do not know that answer, nor who they are or what horrors are over there. I only know it has been weeks.

Why not just leave or close your curtains?

"What? Oh, I see you think me mad. How can I leave? They would know I’m not here, see too much of my life, and too much of my work. They are always present whether my curtains are closed or not. I cannot move from here or even write for they see what I see and