My intro

HERE IS A picture. I’m 9 years old hiding under the covers of my bed. My arms are throbbing and inflamed. What’s going on in my head is it’s all my fault. Guilt. You can see my cheeks stained with tears. My teeth hurt due to biting my arms . Nine marks. Nine bites for nine years. My friend is outside with an ice pack on her leg. My dad is consoling her. He sent me to my room. Heidi and I were playing on the swings in my backyard. We were laughing. Childhood joy. But then she fell and scraped her leg. Waterworks. My dad came rushing and immediately declared that her injury was completely my fault. He sent me to my room. That was the first time I felt true guilt. True self hate. The first time I started hurting myself.