"Phoenix" was my first try at fanfiction. This story was based
on the characters and storylines of the NBC soap "Days of Our
Lives." Naturally, the teenagers were the primary focus of my story,
particularly Chloe Lane and Philip Kiriakis. I chose these
characters for their complex backgrounds and potential for growth inspired
by their relationship. Their good friends and school mates Belle
Black, Shawn Brady, Mimi Lockhart, and Jason Welles entered as supporting
characters with some of their own trials and tribulations, but acted
mainly as comic relief and provide a fuller picture of the context, in
which Chloe and Philip exist. A troubled and mysterious Brady Black
-- Belle's half-brother -- entered, as an important experience
on the road of friendship, young love, and, most importantly,
self-discovery.
To introduce the story's premise briefly, the relationship of
Chloe and Philip has not only persevered the exposed childish bet, which
ultimately brought them together, but also has grown emotionally and
physically intimate as winter settles in Salem. However, Chloe
begins to behave strangely as the week progresses, which puts greater and
greater strain on their romance. Philip becomes frantic to know the
cause and comes up with some disturbing theories.