A Loss For Words

Ellory reminices about the teacher that started her down the path to a successful writing career while working on her next best seller.

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Narrated and produced by Nari   
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Written by Caroline Giammanco Find her on Twitter @giammancobook   
  
Editing and Music by Omenhawk Studios (formerly Flyboy Entertainment)   
Find them on Twitter @ghostanoid   
Soundcloud ghostanoid   
Theme music by Nico Rodriguez  
Find him Twitter @NicoRodDM  
 
 
 
 

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:07):
Welcome to Endo the night. I'm Narri your guide on
today's excursion down a twisted path. Be careful not to
get lost, be it dark or light, It's easy to
lose your way. Are you ready, then let's begin a

(00:28):
loss for words. She stared out the window of her
second story writing nook, watching the leaves flutter and twist
in the breeze. Lately, Ellerly Langston caught herself reminiscing about
days past and the winding path she'd taken to where
she was today. Her third grade teacher sparked Ellery's desire
to become an author. The assignment had been simple. Class today,

(00:53):
we're going to use our imaginations. Get out your pencils
and notebooks. We're going to write stories about a far
off land. You can make it be whatever you'd like
it to be. We'll work on our stories over the
next hour or so, and the best ones I will
display in the hallway for everyone to enjoy. Amanda Beardsley
near the end of her tenth year of teaching third

(01:14):
grade at Joseph B. Wellington Elementary, she realized most students
would turn in bland stories that poorly mimicked the tales
they'd read in the literature book. She'd taught this lesson
long enough to know what usually came from it. However,
every once in a while a child surprised her. Ellerie
Langston exceeded all expectations. Ellerie, can I speak with you

(01:38):
for a moment. The children lined up at the door,
waiting for the bell to ring that signaled recess's arrival.
Ellery stared wide eyed at her teacher and nodded. Her
bottom lip trembled slightly, and the little girl fought back
the urged cry or throw up. She feared she'd lose
the battle to both. Slowly, she walked towards Missus Beardsley's desk.

(02:04):
Seeing the girl's apprehension, Amanda softly spoke to her and
patted the seat next to her desk. Ellerie, you're not
in trouble, honey. Come have a seat by me. Only
somewhat reassured, Ellery made her way to the front of
the room and sat next to Missus Beardsley. Her teacher
had no clue. She was the closest the girl had

(02:25):
to a mother in this world, and Ellerie would rather
die than disappoint this woman. She so admired, Ellery, you
aren't in trouble. I want to talk with you about
your story. The little girl's knees nervously bobbed up and down.
L your story is amazing. Relief swept across her face.

(02:50):
Tears welled once more, but this time as a release
of the anxiety that ebbed away. Really, Yes, has a
When anyone ever told you that you're a gifted storyteller?

Speaker 2 (03:04):
No, ma'am.

Speaker 1 (03:05):
My daddy doesn't like it when I tell stories. He says,
I'm telling lies. Missus Beardsley did her best to disguise
the shock and disgust she felt it. Bryce Langston, how
dare he say something like that to his sweet girl, Ellerie?
These aren't lies. This story shows so much imagination. When

(03:27):
I read it, I felt like I was actually there.
Don't tell the other children, I said this, but between
you and me, none of their stories came close to yours. Honey,
you have a real talent, and I want you to
continue writing. My dad hates it when I write stories.

(03:47):
I don't want to get in trouble. How about we
keep this just to ourselves. Then, I want you to
keep writing, and I want to keep reading your stories.
Can we do that? Up and down? Yes, Missus Beardsley,
just please don't tell Daddy. I promise I won't. This

(04:08):
is our secret. But someday I believe people all over
are going to be able to read and enjoy your writing.
I really believe you have a future as a writer.
The quiet little girl smiled. No one had ever noticed
her in a positive way before, and while happy, she
felt unsure about her newfound praise. Missus Beardsley gave her

(04:31):
hand a squeeze. I'm happy to read your stories anytime
you want to write them. I'm proud of you. Now
go on outside and play. As she watched the trees
through her window, Ellerie sighed, that was a long time ago.
I wish Missus Beardsley could have seen my writing success.

(04:53):
I'd love to be able to let her know what
her confidence in me did here. I am a well known,
my own author, with a few best sellers to my name.
I owe it all to her. Missus Beardsley kept her
word to her young student. She read everything the girl
brought her, and she offered encouraging critiques to help her
reach her full potential. When Ellery was a freshman in

(05:17):
high school, however, that all changed. A tragic car accident
out of state claimed the life of her mentor. It
was a loss she'd grieve for all the years to come.
In honor of Missus Beardsley, however, Ellery became determined to
hone her skills and someday be the writer deserving of
her teacher's praise. You saved me in more ways than one,

(05:40):
Missus Beardsley. Your love and support helped me survive the
hellish home life I was stuck in. If it wasn't
for you, I may not even be here. I wish
i'd been old enough, had the perspective enough to let
you know that when you were still alive. She thought

(06:02):
back to those people who tormented her, both at home
and at school. Her father's abuse was untenable, and his
behavior scarred Ellery for life. She wanted to believe that
her mother, had she lived, would have protected her. When
Ellery was only four years old, However, her mother died
of a sudden aneurysm. By the time the paramedics arrived,

(06:24):
it was too late. A tear was ripped through Ellerie's
life from that moment on. Scared and vulnerable, she was
an easy target for an already unstable man, Bryce Langston
took his hatred of the world out on his daughter,
and no one noticed. At least no one did anything
about it. Plenty heard and saw the abuse she endured,

(06:47):
but they were content to put blinders on and ignore
her torment. Before Missus Beardsley entered her life, Ellery felt invisible. Unfortunately,
at school she was all too visible for the bullies
who seemed everywhere. They made fun of her clothes, her
red hair and freckles, and her toes that stuck out

(07:07):
from holes in her sneakers. At moments like that, she
wished she was invisible and disappear. How sad is it
that a five year old no longer wanted to exist?
When I cried, they tormented me even more. The pain
felt as strong today as it did all those years ago.

(07:27):
Her chest tightened, and she felt her heart pound a
little harder. Children can be so vicious. They don't get
any better as they age either. Once word leaked out
in junior high and high school that Ellery fancied herself
a writer, her tormentors gained another feather in the quiver
of taunts. Being brazenly intelligent as a girl made her

(07:50):
immediately a target for the popular kids who favored conformity
over self expression. Now that they knew she wrote stories,
there was no end to the mocking comments they made.
Missus Beardsley remained her safe haven. She met after school
with her beloved teacher, where she shared her hopes, fears,
and writing. You saved me when no one else would.

(08:13):
My writing career will always be in honor of you.
When I was a shy, sad girl, you gave me
perspective and hope. Ignore them, Ell, you are a gifted,
wonderful girl, and I doubt any of them are someone
you'd want to spend ten minutes with. Ellery heard the
words write down to her heart and soul. No one

(08:36):
influenced her more than Missus Beardsley, A woman who didn't
have to take her under her wing, but she did
love like hers would never be taken for granted by Ellery.
Her high school years, marred by her classmate's abuse and ostracism,
became nearly unbearable. After Amanda Beardsley's death, Ellery lost all

(08:57):
interest in writing. I lost my words. My heart was
too broken to put any writing on a page. I
imploded and withdrew even further into myself. I even considered suicide.
Tears formed in her eyes, and she noticed the sun
sank deeper into an early afternoon horizon. At peace once

(09:22):
again with her place in the universe, Ellery looked at
her laptop, where her next manuscript remained barely begun. This
one is special. She reached into her desk drawer and
pulled out a precious note written years ago by her
mentor at an especially difficult time in the early days

(09:43):
of her freshman year, mere weeks before missus Beardsley's death,
her confidante and biggest supporter wrote her a note that
carried her through the dark times when she lost her
will to write. Gingerly, unfolding the paper, Ellery re read
the words written in the clean cursive writing of Amanda Beardsley. Ellie,

(10:05):
now let anyone take your words. You have a powerful
boss and get accomplished anything in Imason. As far as
the people who see Arty Town, always remember that a
life express revenge is made in those who have hurt
them characters in our sorious nus. ELLERI held the note

(10:31):
to her chest and took a soothing, deep breath. She
sat at her desk, note in clear sight, and began typing.
A smile crept into the corners of her mouth. Yes,
this book is special. Welcome to My revenge. With each
piece of dialogue, her wretched characters spoke, their real life

(10:54):
counterparts experienced a distressing problem. Her character's words flowed swiftly
and abundantly, but with each keystroke, their namesakes lost their
own ability to speak. By the time she finished this
poignantly appealing book, another bestseller, no doubt her tormentors would
be truly at a loss for words. Ellery smiled and

(11:18):
typed gleefully Late Into the Night. Thank you for joining
me for this episode of the Into the Night Anthology podcast.

(11:39):
Written by Caroline Giamanco, narrated by Nari Quak. Theme music
by Nico Rodriguez, all other original music, sound design and
editing by Omenhawk Studios. You can find our links in
the show notes. Into the Night is on your favorite podcatcher,
So make sure to like, subscribe and leave a five
star review to help other excursionists to join us. You

(12:00):
next time, and remember, whether in the shadows or in
the daylight, all twisted paths lead you into the night.
Into the Night Anthology is a creative typo entertainment production
high excursionists. It's October my favorite time of the year.

(12:20):
With spooky season upon us, I wanted to tell you
a little about our Halloween special. Usually we have some
kind of spooky story, but this year we are doing
something different. I have a new project that will be
coming in twenty twenty five that will have a sneak
preview on October thirty first. This will be a collaboration

(12:41):
between my personal production studio, Sadie Works and my friends
at Omenhawk Studios. A compelling world of research, old gods.

Speaker 2 (12:49):
And humans, just one power and what chaos that may bring. Hello.
My name is t A Caliber and I am the
creator of a new series of cosmic har stories entitled
The Crown of Nails. I'll be working with Nai to
bring you a new world of horror, one we think
you'll enjoy very well. We hope you enjoy the first

(13:11):
venture into this new twisted path called Magashana, the story
of researchers trapped in an ancient tomb with a supernatural
threat from the cradle of civilization. Join us on October
thirty first for a tale you won't soon forget.