I had a very lonely childhood.

Until one day, I wasn’t so alone anymore.

Who can create a whole new identity? Trauma could.

I started off as one, and now I'm four.

The night before, I was just me.

Then a man did to me, what no man should.

And just like that, I am me plus three.

Forget his face? HA! I wish I could!

Alizian, Kat, and Serena,

You joined my mind at just the age of seven.

My mind is your arena,

Make it into your slice of heaven.

I thought he was my protector.

What a joke that was to think.

He’s just a fucking mind wrecker.

Just like that, in less than a blink.

I’m 13 now, nice to meet you Mary-Jane.

She came around the first time we smoked.

As the man who created the other three,

Is the same man who lit the tree.

All these new people in my head make me feel insane.

My brain is cluttering, my throat choked.

Just me and the girls in my head,

The only thing that’s consistent.

As I lie awake here in my bed,

Wishing it would disappear in an instant.

After a while I got used to having an extra four.

We would have a few others come and go.

My mind turning into a revolving door.

My sanity reaching an all-time low.

At this time, I’m 26 and a mother.

Going through this pain in silence.

Everyday waking up and feeling smothered.

Until one day I try to end my life in violence.

I take the pills and think aloud.

“If I wake up, I’m going to do this right.

I spent 26 years just being alive. If I get another

Chance I'm going to fix all my wrongs. I'm going to

Become that beautiful butterfly I know I am.”

Its time.

My cocoon is shattering.

My wings are expanding.

I'm taking the leap.

It’s time.

Goodbye my prison.

I thank you for the memories.

I thank you for the children.

I thank you for the lessons.

Goodbye my prison.

Goodbye my past.

I no longer let you grasp me by the throat.

I no longer let you take the life out of me.

I no longer let you torture my mind into insanity.

Goodbye my past.

We wake up and reality sets in.

We're alive. No longer just I.

We have a second chance.

We promise we won't waste it.

Hello my love

We thank you for the memories to come.

We thank you for the freedom.

We thank for the growth.

Hello my love.

It’s time.

We’re being set free.

We’re following our dreams.

We’re taking off.

It’s time.

Hello my future.

We can't wait to have everything we ever wanted.

We can't wait to grow and see where we can go.

We can't wait to be everything everyone thought we couldn’t be.

Hello my future.

It’s time.

From caterpillar to cocoon.

Cocoon to butterfly. Butterfly to Eagle. Eagle to Phoenix.

Flying far and high, no limitations.

Watch us fly.

Watch us fly.

It’s time.

Photo + Edits: Tim Brosius / Model: Katerina Thomason / Concept: Andrew Key, Katerina Thomason, Rebecca Ellis, Samantha Trionfo, Tim Brosius