Bri

This gripping novel weaves together the lives of Brianna Hall, a dedicated HPD officer haunted by personal tragedy, and a mysterious, silent child named Bri Avalue, whose presence seems to summon inexplicable and terrifying events.

The story begins with the chilling abduction of nine-year-old Ava, setting a tone of lurking danger. This early suspense is juxtaposed with the tender family life of Brianna Hall and her seven-year-old daughter, Jamie, a bond that is soon shattered by Jamie's abduction and murder. Brianna, a dedicated nurse and protective mother, is left consumed by an unhealed grief.

Years later, now an HPD officer, Brianna encounters Bri Avalue, a silent, homeless child, at a crime scene where a man has been murdered. Brianna feels an inexplicable, protective pull towards Bri, deeply rooted in her own unresolved grief for Jamie, and becomes determined to adopt her despite Liam's skepticism.

Bri Avalue is placed a foster home, where an unsettling atmosphere quickly becomes apparent. Bri experiences disturbing interactions within the home, including the hostility of Christine and the unnerving behavior of Mr. and and Mrs. Lopez.

Brianna's investigation into Bri's past leads her to a Voodoo shop, where she encounters Maris, a mysterious elder who speaks of a "Manbo" and an old slave song, hinting at deeper, supernatural connections. Maris's daughter, Angela, then reveals the chilling history of Brigantia Laveau, a powerful priestess who made a dark bargain with a Loa (a Voodoo spirit or deity) for immortality and the power to protect her people. This power, however, comes at a terrible cost.

The narrative culminates in a horrifying climax at the Lopez home. Bri, an innocent child, appears to be caught in the middle of a gruesome event where Mr. and Mrs. Lopez meet a terrifying end. Christine witnesses these events and is severely burned in a fire, her frantic claims of "switching" dismissed by others as trauma-induced delirium, but understood by Brianna with chilling clarity.

Amidst the inferno, Brianna is confronted by an apparition of her deceased daughter, Jamie, who silently urges her mother to "let go." This spectral encounter, coupled with the horrifying validation of Angela's tales, brings Brianna to a profound realization. She understands that her relentless pursuit of Bri was, in essence, a desperate attempt to rewrite her past and save Jamie.

The book concludes with Brianna choosing a path of healing and self-discovery, stepping away from her police career and finally releasing her consuming grief and the impossible truths she has uncovered. About the Author

New Orleans native Benjamin "Ignite" Chisolm is an Austin, TX-based filmmaker whose artistic journey began remarkably early as a 3-year-old street performer. Relocating to Austin in 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina, he found his initial creative voice around age 13 through hip-hop with the organization Cipher ATX, where he actively advocated for social issues through his music. For nearly 15 years, Chisolm honed his audio engineering skills by sound engineering his musical projects in his home studios. He also developed his musical talents by graduating from McCallum High’s Classical Guitar Program. This extensive audio background provided a natural segue into the film industry, where he began by audio engineering an indie feature film in 2022, followed by his first feature film directing opportunity in 2024. That same year, he demonstrated his comprehensive skills by producing, writing, directing, and editing his first short film. As a United States Marine Corps veteran, the discipline and strong work ethic instilled during his service are evident throughout his dedicated and multifaceted artistic endeavors, now primarily focused on impactful storytelling through filmmaking and literary works.