Images generated based on Phoenix in Fables of the New South featuring Claire Belmonte’s origin story.
Christine Messner had a difficult childhood, living in the household of her mother, Selma, and the man she believed to be her father, Zachariah. One person she could always count on for support, however, was Deacon Frederick, who encouraged her and showed her kindness.
Deacon Frederick would always take time to speak to Christine, asking about her grades, and reminding her she was important. Christine came to believe she held a special place in Frederick’s life, without realizing he was like that with most of the other kids as well.
Once Christine was in her teens, she began to notice that Deacon Frederick would sometimes seem awkward whenever he spoke to her.
Christine’s parents fabricated a situation where they accused Christine of failing to live up to their upbringing and they were punishing her by keeping her locked away and abusing her. One evening, Zachariah drove her to Frederick’s house and informed her she now lived there. For Christine, it was what she had always wished would happen. What she didn’t know was that Zachariah promised Frederick that Christine would marry him. She found out the night he assaulted her.
Christine made several attempts to get away from Frederick, but she was always caught and sent back to his house. At last, Frederick chained her up in her bedroom and would visit her in the evening to read Bible verses to her about being an obedient wife. Christine realized there was only one way to get away from him. She needed to trick him into releasing her, and once he had, she would do whatever it took to get away for good.
Get the full story at the page for Atlanta Stories: Fables of the New South.