The Black Book (Isabelle Willhelm Journal)

[Izzy Helm (DELETED 11353)]

Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
-Dylan Thomas

The Basics:

Name: Isabelle Ives Willhelm
Nickname: Izzy, Wisps
Age: 28
Sex: Female
D.O.B: Nov 5th, 1990
Ethnicity European
Nationality: German(EUC)

Other:

Occupation:Mechanic/Accountant
Languages: English, German, Russian, ASL
Religion: Pagan/Norse
Affiliations: None

Physical:

Height: 6'2”
Weight: 115lbs
Build: Skinny/Athletic
Eye C: One Blue, one brown(heterochromia)
Hair C: Blonde (changes often)
Distinguishing Marks:
Bundeswehr Iron cross tattoo on her right shoulder. Several scars on her abdomen. Missing her left leg below her knee.

((Under Heavy Construction, liable to change.))

History:
Born on November 11th, 1990 in Frankfurt Germany, Isabelle was offered all the benefits of being born into a upper class family. Her rebellious phase started at a young age. Unlike her dutiful older brother Isabelle was constantly in trouble at school. She was strong, quick to anger, and more than willing to fight anyone who got on her bad side. As she grew older her temper grew shorter and it wasn't long before she was expelled from several different schools. Her parents did what any other rich kids parents would do. They dumped her in a military academy with the hopes she would straighten up. To their surprise not only did she excel, she actually enjoyed it.

It was no surprise to Isabelle's parents when she decided to join the Bunderswehr, Germany's main armed forces. Isabelle wanted as close to the action as possible. Infantry was out of the question so she joined the medical regiment becoming a battlefield medic. She served three tours in Iraq before losing her left leg to a IED. Her medical discharge left her even more bitter and closed off. It would take years for her to fully recover from the experience. If it wasn't for her brother constantly helping and encouraging her she would have never made it through.

Eventually she took a job as a mechanic of all things. Her grandfather had been a mechanic and had showed her the ropes of working on cars growing up. Her parents insisted she take a office job at the family company but she declined. Something about working on cars was peaceful and fulfilling. For a while it seemed like life would return to normal and everything would be fine.

Then her brother left..................

The full details was never revealed to Isabelle. Her father insisted that her brother had given up on the family and left for Canada. She had a hard time believing her brother would do such a thing. She kept in contact with him through email and no matter how much she pushed he would never talk about what had transpired that made him leave. At first they emailed daily, then weekly, then his emails stopped altogether. Months passed and still no reply. She pestered her father constantly to reach out, to find out what happened. Each time he insisted that her brother was on his own and if he wanted to talk to them he would contact them.

Finally she made up her mind. She had never been to Canada but with her brother missing she had no choice. She was going to go after him. Her father forbid her from going. Insisting he would drag her back if she went, Harper Rock was no place for a girl like her. She had never let anything or anyone stand in the way of what she wanted. After a bit of digging and a lot of money later she had a fake passport and was on her way to Harper Rock. The last place her brother had mentioned in his emails.

Thus a journey begins......

[Izzy Helm (DELETED 11353)]

Memories of another life......

Entry 1 "The Accident."
Izzy laid in the hospital bed motionless. The dim glow and soft beep of the vitals monitor was the only source of noise or light. The constant painkiller flowing through her I.V kept her numb to the pain her body was feeling. She stared at the ceiling letting the memory flash across her vision, over, and over, and over. “Keep your eyes open soldier.” The voice screamed at her over the beating of helicopter blades. “Do not go gentle into the good night.” Another voice echoed in her head. It had been six weeks since Izzy had lost her leg. The whole thing seemed so surreal to her. At times she could close her eyes and still wiggle her toes and feel the blanket against her leg. Other times she sat and stared at the stump annoyed at how heavy a leg that wasn't their could really feel. The doctors called it a “life changing injury.” Something that she wouldn't fully understand for years to come.

Her parents had visited twice swearing that “everything would be alright.” She snorted at the idea. Her brother came everyday, usually with a new arsenal of leg puns and jokes. Somehow she couldn't help but laugh with him. He didn't treat her with pity or sympathy. Instead he embellished her story and talked her up to whatever nurse he was trying to hit on at the moment. “My sister the war hero.” He would say with a smile ruffling her hair. “At least you have an excuse not to wear high-heels anymore.” It never failed to make her smile. She rolled onto her side and closed her eyes. Tomorrow was another day and somehow she would survive it.

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“Come on sis give me your best runway strut.” Damien called from across the room. Sweat formed and dripped down Izzy's face as she slowly made her first few steps towards him. It was the first time she had done more than just stand wearing her prosthetic. Her physical therapist Jonas stood ready to catch her in case she fell. “What do you think doc? Won't be long and she will be dancing at the Philarmonie.” Damien said with pride. Jonas let out a soft chuckle. “Have to admit, I've never seen anyone take to it quite as fast as your sister.” Izzy took another step and flailed her arms around to recover her balance.

“Hear that sis? Your better off.” Izzy glared at him flipping him the middle finger and quickly grabbing on to Jonas's arm before almost falling over. “Easy, easy. You want to take a break?” Jonas asked her. Izzy took a deep breath and shook her head. “Not until I walk over their and kick his butt.” She said with a smile. Damien let out a howl of laughter. “Losing a a**-kicking contents to a one legged gal. That'll be the day.”

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Feeling the wind whip against her face, getting faster with each step. It felt like Izzy had gotten something back she thought she would never get back. Her smile widened as she rounded the final corner of the track. She put everything she had into, pushing herself as hard as she could. She threw her arms into the air crossing the finish line. “Isabelle for the win!” She called out turning around and throwing both middle fingers into the air. Damien crossed a few feet behind her gasping for air. Clearly running wasn't his idea of fun but he ran with Izzy everyday. “Sweet mother Mary.” Damien grumbled sitting on the ground taking deep breaths. “I can't believe I lost to hopscotch.” He said lighting a cigarette. “Real confidence booster.” He mumbled. Izzy chuckled and tossed him a water from her pack. “Don't worry you'll always be number one in dear old mum and dad's eyes.” Damien shook his head catching the water.

Izzy sat down next to him and they sat in silence watching the sun set. “I'm leaving Izzy.” Damien blurted out. Izzy gave him a confused look. “Leaving for where?” Damien shrugged “maybe America, not sure yet.” They sat in silence as Izzy processed it all. “Dad know?” She asked taking the cigarette from him. “Oh trust me I already got my earful on how I was letting him and mom down and how I could kiss my trust fund goodbye.” Damien shook his head taking the cigarette back. “Jerome and I are going to start our own business. Strike out and make our mark on the world. Not all of us can be war hero's like you.” He nuged her prosthetic with his foot. “You've come a long way in three years little sis. You should think about doing something on your own.” Izzy let out a snort and shook her head. “I'm doing just find working at the garage.” Damien shook his head. “Oh yeah, changing oil in rich kids Ferrari's and Benz's, what a dream.”

Izzy punched him in the arm and climbed to her feet. “Well.” She rubbed the back of her head and gave a shrug. “I'll support you in whatever you do brother.” She offered a hand to Damien and pulled him to his feet. He wrapped his arms around her. “Thanks sis, I don't care what they say about you. Your alright in my book.” She snorted returning the hug. “Yeah, yeah, don't be a jerk” If she knew it would be one of the last times she would ever see him she would have never let him leave.