Never Alone

Five powerful stories. One unbreakable truth: You are never alone. From author C.M. Patterson comes a hauntingly beautiful collection of short stories based on true experiences—each one a raw, unflinching portrait of lives caught in the grip of mental illness, trauma, and the long road back to hope. In Roads to Recovery, a woman finds freedom on her motorcycle, only to discover that healing requires more than speed, it demands trust in a stranger who sees her pain. In Burial of Dreams, a young woman leaves home to chase modeling stardom, but California delivers nightmares instead of dreams, forcing her to confront an unbearable truth and an unexpected future. In Her Suicide, a failing marriage, workplace burnout, and isolation push a woman to the edge. What happens when the person you love becomes the reason you want to disappear? In Time Tells No Lies, a veteran returns from war carrying invisible wounds. Flashbacks, fireworks, and a simple plastic bag on the road become triggers that threaten to end everything. In My Death, a teenage girl tormented by night terrors must decide whether the shadow figure speaking to her is a demon, a delusion, or a spirit trying to save her life. Based on true stories of the author, these narratives do not romanticize mental illness. They sit beside you in the dark, hold your hand, and remind you that recovery is not linear, but it is possible. For anyone who has battled depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, suicidal ideation, or the weight of simply surviving another day: these stories are for you.