My Place in the World

"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are".- Marilyn Monroe

My Place in the World is the first chapter of Don't Let the Darkness Consume You. It is the first chapter that introduces the ParaVerse overall, if not counting the Prologue.

Synopsis
The summer of 1984 has arrived, and California’s citizens are prepared for it. Mary Jane Fitzgerald, a beautiful and innocent young girl, is looking for her place in the world and finds a great list of options. As her path progresses, she will realize that her inner light is nothing more than a sparkle in the darkness from her past.

June 26th, 1984 - City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, California
11 years later, at the City College of San Francisco, California, a mental health talk organized by TLS (acronym of “Talk, Learn, and Spread”) was taking place and academics and students congregated to the talk. The host, professor Alfred Lennox was explaining about the mental health awareness and showed some information about the high suicide rate in the country. Lennox asked the audience if it is legitimate to judge the mentally ill for the actions they do. The audience was insecure about it, but suddenly, a young girl responded, resulting to be a 21-year old Mary Jane Fitzgerald. After going to the stage by Lennox's behest, Mary Jane delivered an emotional speech criticizing the close-minded mentality and uncaring nature that society has, before pleading to the audience to stop the stigma and become aware of the mentally ill. Despite the silence that came for a couple of seconds, the people gave a standing ovation to Mary Jane for her emotional speech. Lennox was amazed for Mary Jane's speech and both shook hands in respect before being photographed by a particular long-haired young man.

Minutes after the talk was over, Mary Jane was leaving the campus in order to go home. She stopped after sighting the photographer organizing photographs and cards in an album, while talking to someone via telephone, and went to see him. Sighting Mary Jane by his side, he hang up the phone, and got into a friendly conversation with Mary Jane, introducing himself as Jason "Jay" Ambrose. After talking about the mental health talk and criticizing society for its ignorance about the talents of many people, Mary Jane felt comfortable while talking with Jay, expressing that he is the first one to actually understand her. Mary Jane notices a black symbol in Jay's vest, who reveals that it comes from a group that he is part of, called the Liars Club, as he further explains his quest. The conversation is halted after Jay is called out by a duo of young adults, and leaves his club card to Mary Jane to have another meeting. Jay tells her that he will be at a bar to share a texas barbecue and chilli, if she wants to go. Mary Jane said that she will be thinking about it.

15 minutes later - Evening in the Streets of San Francisco
In the streets of San Francisco, Mary Jane walks into a store, encountering a close friend, Maggie Romero. After asking for a Dr. Pepper and some mint chocolate tablets, Mary Jane takes a look at the pendant that her mother Janet gave her eleven years ago. Maggie notices Mary Jane's saddened face, and asks what is wrong. Mary Jane explains that she wishes that her parents were on her side. After getting consoled by Maggie, who hopes that Mary Jane can overcome and leave her past behind, Mary Jane leaves the store, and arrives to her home. She prepared her dinner while listening to "Loving Arms" by Elvis Presley in the radio. After a few minutes, Mary Jane goes to her parents' bedroom and finds a Lover's Postcard with an impassioned message of love on it. The postcard was made by Alan in May 15th, 1962. After Mary Jane wished that people should treat themselves better, she rested in her parents' bed and started to get sleepy.

Suddenly, Mary Jane is woken by a ghostly voice reminiscent of her mother, Janet, and a white fog was engulfing the room. Unnerved, Mary Jane asked who it is, before the voice told her that she wants to help her. A tearful Mary Jane looked at a large mirror and saw the spirit of Janet talking to her, making her cry and expressing that she misses her and Alan. Janet tells her daughter that there is no reason to despair for her life, as she has achieved so many things, and that she's made of something that won't give up. After encouraging her to move forward, Janet fades away from the mirror into a bright, ethereal light, leaving Mary Jane blindsided. She then remembers the card that Jay Ambrose handed to her and plans to go to the Texas barbecue and chilli party that the Liars Club was planning.

Alfred Lennox
Professor Alfrex Lennox is a psychology professor and member of the Talk, Learn and Spread conference company. He is a minor character in Don't Let the Darkness Consume You. Lennox appeared alongside his associates at the City College of San Francisco to talk about the mental health and suicide awareness, showing the high death rates in California. He is impressed and shocked at hearing the speech of psychology student Mary Jane Fitzgerald. After the talk, Lennox endorses Mary Jane for everything she said and they are photographed by Liars Club member Jay Ambrose.

Maggie Romero
Maggie Romero is the owner of Gerard & Romero Store and a long-time friend of Janet Fitzgerald. She is a minor character in Don't Let the Darkness Consume You. Maggie was present on the Gerard & Romero Store when Mary Jane Fitzgerald enters and buys a Dr. Pepper and chocolate mint tablets. She consoles Mary Jane after seeing her saddened face while watching the portrait seen in Janet's Pendant, and hopes that Mary Jane can overcome and leave her past behind.

Quotes

 * Mary Jane Fitzgerald, about mental health awareness: "Why spread a stigma, when you can spread awareness, empathy and acceptance. That's the biggest quest that humanity has from now on".
 * Mary Jane Fitzgerald to Jay Ambrose: "I'm happy that you are actually one of few that understands me".
 * Mary Jane Fitzgerald to Maggie Romero, about her parents: "I really wish my parents were here by my side... to see the many good things I did. But if it wasn't for that dark day... that I just... can’t stop from recalling it... everything would have been alright and I wouldn’t be like this...".
 * Janet Fitzgerald's spirit to Mary Jane Fitzgerald: "Remember, you're made of something stronger. Something that won't give up. Don’t despair, your life is not yet forfeit...".

Cultural References

 * Liars Club - The name of the club that Jay Ambrose mentioned is based on the clothing shop owned by professional wrestler Thomas Pestock, also known as Baron Corbin. Notably, most of the members use some of the words and catchphrases that this shop uses, and have libertarian remarks.
 * Nancy Drew (2007) - The scene when Mary Jane sees the spirit of Janet Fitzgerald in the mirror is a reference to Nancy Drew seeing the spirit of Dehlia Draycott telling her that she wants to help her.

Raised Questions

 * How did Mary Jane managed to grow up safely?
 * What is the Liars Club, and what they are up to?