Crippled Inside: Girls Kissing Girls, #13

By Lee Cushing

In the stirring narrative of "Crippled Inside," we are invited to witness a life of bravery and strength abruptly shaken to its core, redefining the essence of existence for our protagonist, Alexis Martin. Alexis, a resolute lesbian firefighter, has always courted danger with a daring spirit and unwavering resolve. 

But when she sustains a severe injury during a fire rescue operation, her life shifts drastically - trading the searing flames she once controlled for the unfamiliar confines of a wheelchair. "Crippled Inside" delves into the intricate psychological and emotional tapestry of dealing with a sudden life-altering disability. 

Alexis's world contracts, her previously adventurous life sharply contrasting her new reality. As she grapples with feelings of isolation, we get an intimate view of her vulnerability, strength, and internal battle between longing for her past and confronting her present. 

Amid this personal turmoil, a beacon of hope emerges in the form of Bailey, a spirited teenager who, despite her physical limitations, retains an unwavering zest for life. Bailey, paralyzed herself, shows an understanding of Alexis's struggles that few others can offer. Trust is forged, leading Bailey to reveal her truth - she is also a lesbian. 

Their shared experiences create a robust bond that helps Alexis find an unexpected kinship. Bailey's courage and resilience inspire Alexis to confront her circumstances head-on, finding new paths in the face of adversity. 

"Crippled Inside" explores the human spirit's profound ability to adapt and endure. More than a story of physical struggle, it chronicles an emotional journey toward acceptance and resilience. It's a testament that while our bodies may have limits, our spirit and capacity for love and understanding do not. 

As you traverse the highs and lows of Alexis's journey, "Crippled Inside" showcases the essence of our shared humanity - the will to persist, the need for connection, and the courage to accept oneself. It's a narrative about coming out in more ways than one, embracing change, and the power of unity in diversity. 

This compelling tale touches the heart and leaves an indelible mark on the mind, promising to linger long after the book is closed. 

"Crippled Inside" takes you on an unforgettable journey through Alexis's life as she navigates the tumultuous terrain of change and self-discovery. It's a heartrending, hopeful, and ultimately empowering tale that explores what it means to be genuinely 'crippled' and how love, courage, and acceptance can help overcome even the most daunting obstacles.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lee Cushing
• Release date: Aug 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223356653

Lee Cushing

Lee Cushing is a paranormal thriller author and a lifelong fan of the occult. Having become obsessed with supernatural folklore and the world of horror from an early age, Lee has spent years studying tales of the occult and immersing himself in stories of otherworldly phenomenon. He’s also the owner of a number of vampire and horror-related groups in Facebook, where fellow fans of the supernatural come together to celebrate and discuss all things paranormal.  His debut novel, Voodoo Mambo, blends high-stakes action and shadowy agencies with a dark underworld of demonic creatures and their insidious plots to attack humanity. Lee draws his inspiration from classic horror movies – including Hammer and Universal – as well as beloved TV shows including Doctor Who, Supernatural, The Avengers, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer. 

Book preview

Introduction

Chapter 1

The Blaze

Chapter 2

A Glimpse into the Past

Chapter 3

New Beginnings, New Battles

Chapter 4

Rising Together

Chapter 5

Turning Tides

Chapter 6

Unwavering Resolve

Chapter 7

A Ripple Effect

Chapter 8

Love and Acceptance

Chapter 9

Tides of Change

Chapter 10

Embers of Hope

Introduction

I

n the stirring narrative of Crippled Inside, we are invited to witness a life of bravery and strength abruptly shaken to its core, redefining the essence of existence for our protagonist, Alexis Martin. Alexis, a resolute lesbian firefighter, has always courted danger with a daring spirit and unwavering resolve.

But when she sustains a severe injury during a fire rescue operation, her life shifts drastically - trading the searing flames she once controlled for the unfamiliar confines of a wheelchair. Crippled Inside delves into the intricate psychological and emotional tapestry of dealing with a sudden life-altering disability.

Alexis's world contracts, her previously adventurous life sharply contrasting her new reality. As she grapples with feelings of isolation, we get an intimate view of her vulnerability, strength, and internal battle between longing for her past and confronting her present.

Amid this personal turmoil, a beacon of hope emerges in the form of Bailey, a spirited teenager who, despite her physical limitations, retains an unwavering zest for life. Bailey, paralyzed herself, shows an understanding of Alexis's struggles that few others can offer. Trust is forged, leading Bailey to reveal her truth - she is also a lesbian.

Their shared experiences create a robust bond that helps Alexis find an unexpected kinship. Bailey's courage and resilience inspire Alexis to confront her circumstances head-on, finding new paths in the face of adversity.

Crippled Inside explores the human spirit's profound ability to adapt and endure. More than a story of physical struggle, it chronicles an emotional journey toward acceptance and resilience. It's a testament that while our bodies may have limits, our spirit and capacity for love and understanding do not.

As you traverse the highs and lows of Alexis's journey, Crippled Inside showcases the essence of our shared humanity - the will to persist, the need for connection, and the courage to accept oneself. It's a narrative about coming out in more ways than one, embracing change, and the power of unity in diversity.

This compelling tale touches the heart and leaves an indelible mark on the mind, promising to linger long after the book is closed.

Crippled Inside takes you on an unforgettable journey through Alexis's life as she navigates the tumultuous terrain of change and self-discovery. It's a heartrending, hopeful, and ultimately empowering tale that explores what it means to be genuinely 'crippled' and how love, courage, and acceptance can help overcome even the most daunting obstacles.

Chapter 1

The Blaze

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Alexis Martin found a strange sense of order amidst the flames in a world that often seemed consumed by chaos. Firefighting was more than just a job to her; it was an adrenaline-fueled dance with danger that kept her heart pumping and her spirit alive.

Her red hair, a fiery mirror to her profession, often drew attention and comments, but she shrugged them off calmly. Alexis had always known that she was different in more ways than one. Being a lesbian firefighter was not a common combination, but it was her reality, one she had embraced wholeheartedly.

On this particular day, the city was gripped in the clutches of a heat wave that showed no signs of abating. The sky was a hazy blend of orange and gray, the air heavy with the taste of ash. As she sat in the station, going over the maintenance logs for the fire trucks, an emergency call came in, shattering the relative calm of the station. A local factory had caught fire, spreading at an alarming rate.

With practiced efficiency, Alexis donned her gear, the familiar weight of it bringing a strange comfort. She looked over at her team, a motley group of men and women who had seen the face of death and danger more times than they could count. Nodding at them, she pulled on her helmet and climbed into the fire truck, the siren cutting through the stillness of the afternoon like a sharp knife.

As they neared the factory, Alexis could see the angry glow of the fire, the thick smoke billowing into the sky. Her heart pounded in her chest, not from fear but anticipation. This was what she lived for, this moment when she could make a difference and save lives.

The fire was worse than they had anticipated.

Flames leaped from the building, the heat so intense it was almost a living entity of its own. Alexis could hear the distant wails and cries of the factory workers, trapped and terrified.

With a final check of her gear, Alexis plunged into the fiery chaos, her team following closely behind her.

The heat was intense, a blistering energy wave threatening to consume everything in its path. Yet, Alexis pushed forward, her mind focused on the task.

Navigating through the maze of machinery and debris, Alexis and her team managed to rescue the trapped workers. The relief and gratitude on their faces kept Alexis going, even as the fire raged around her.

However, amidst the chaos, disaster struck. A groaning, grating sound echoed through the factory, followed by the ear-splitting crash of a beam giving way. Without thinking, Alexis lunged at the firefighter beside her, pushing him out of the way. But in doing so, she found herself in the path of the falling beam.

Time seemed to slow as Alexis looked up, the heavy beam descending towards her. The world faded away, replaced by the roar of the fire and the rapidly approaching destruction. And then, everything went black.

When Alexis awoke, she was lying in a hospital bed, the sterile smell of antiseptic filling her nostrils. A sharp pain shot through her body as she tried to sit up, forcing her to lie back down. The reality of what had happened started to sink in.

She had been injured badly. The doctors told her she was lucky to be alive, but Alexis didn't feel lucky. She felt trapped, her body a prison that she couldn't escape.

For a woman who had once danced with fire, she now found herself confined to a wheelchair. The stark contrast between her past and present felt like a cruel joke, one she didn't find amusing.

And so, Alexis began her journey, her struggle to make sense of her new reality. A journey that would lead her to unexpected friendships, profound realizations, and a newfound strength she never knew she possessed.

Crippled Inside is not just a story of physical struggle; it's about an emotional journey. It's about accepting one's limitations and finding a way to thrive. It's about finding love and understanding in the unlikeliest of places. And most importantly, it's about discovering that being 'crippled' does not mean one is broken.

And thus begins Alexis's journey. A journey of self-discovery, struggle, and finding beauty in the most unexpected places that will take her from the depths of despair to the heights of hope and will remind us all that we are not defined by our circumstances but by how we choose to navigate them.

This is the story of Alexis Martin, a woman crippled by a fire but found a way to rise from the ashes. A woman who teaches us that even when life throws the most unexpected challenges at us, we can still find a way to shine.

Everything in Alexis's life had changed within a few harrowing moments. The adrenaline and high-stakes tension of the factory fire now seemed like a different world as she woke up in the sterile hospital room, the