In Inferno,book 4 in Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Chronicles of Nick (out next year), one of her characters is still dealing with the horrifying bullying that took place in Infamous. The situations she depicts and how her characters deal with them are reasons why I heartily recommend Chronicles of Nick to everyone.
This is an excerpt from Brynna’s letter to a bully.
Dear Tormentor,
Today, you made me cry. You made me feel like the lowest piece of dirt that has ever walked this earth. You stole a piece of my heart and soul, and my self-esteem. Just when I had finally managed to convince myself that I wasn’t quite the ugliest or dumbest person alive, you came in and reaffirmed that never ending playback in my head that insults me even when you’re not around. The same playback that tells me, over and over, life sucks, and it’s never going to get any better no matter what I do, because I don’t deserve anything better. I am nothing and nothing is all I’ll ever be. Even when I try my very best, like I did today, it’s not good enough to make me human or worth something in the world’s eyes. I don’t need you or anyone else to reaffirm something I already know about myself.
My hurt didn’t show on the outside because I learned a long time ago to make sure that you couldn’t take that pleasure, too; that you and the others who think you’re funny or witty or cute, or are too afraid of you to do anything more than follow along, couldn’t see how much pain you’ve caused me. The times in the past when I made the mistake of letting you see my tears, all of you laughed at me over them, and you made it worse. You made me choke on my dignity, and hate that which had been a source of pride until you mocked it.
You have kicked me in my heart, and ravaged what little self-worth I had managed to scrape together.
But that’s okay, because that is what makes me stronger than you and your followers. I don’t have to point out someone else’s flaws. I don’t need to put someone else down or mock someone in order to feel better about myself, or to prove my worth, authority, power or intelligence. The mere fact that you do proves that we who refrain from such cruelty are a superior species. We are the ones who have evolved beyond simple animal behavior that makes a base creature attack something it doesn’t understand; something that is different or not as strong.
It doesn’t take superior intelligence to tear down someone and/or their hard work. To mock their best effort or a physical trait that can’t be helped. It doesn’t prove that you’re more intelligent or better in any way. A stick of dynamite can level a building, but it can’t build one.
You can read the rest of the letter and Kenyon’s comments on it at her website here.
