Hey guys so this is a thread where i will post stories that i write, hope you enjoy!
Here's the first:
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How did it come to this? I stare at the blank concrete wall in front of me, the rusty springs of the bed squeak as I shift my weight. I look up. A guard has slid a tray of food beneath the bars. I stare at it for a second, then go back to staring at the wall. To think that after the events of the past 4 months, this would become a home to me for the next decade. No, not a home. A cage. Of the mind, of the body and the spirit.
I look down at my shaking hands. I want to cry, I want to spill tears after all the blood that has been spilt. But nothing will come out, no tears run down my cheeks. The only water around here is the rythmatic drip drip of the basin in the corner. All I do is stare, maybe if I stare long enough at my shaking hands, tears will begin to fall. I want to remember how this happened, but I’m afraid to, because then I won’t be able to stop the memories.
I take the Polaroid out of the pocket. It was the one thing that they allowed me to keep. I can’t tell whether it was an act of kindness, or whether it’s torture, to remind of my terrible deed. It. My hands quiver as I look at the tiny polaroid picture. She was beautiful, small for her age but with the biggest heart and soul. Her face never ceased to make me happy. That smile was the cutest thing. She was rugged up against the cold winds of the Boston winter, but she couldn’t have looked happier with that multicolored beanie with an orange pom pom on top I’d brought her.
I close my eyes and grip the photo tightly and the memories cascade through the dam wall and swirl around my head.
*Time Jump*
I run my hand through my long brown hair and look at myself in the mirror. I slipped my shirt on and walk out of the bathroom. As I stride back towards my bedroom, I catch sight of the photo on the mantle. The one that shows me with Max, standing in front of the public garden. I haven’t seen him in about 20 years, so I’m looking forward to catching up tonight at the bar. I grab my keys, wallet and phone. My hand on the door knob and I am about to walk out the door when I hear “Dad, can you please stay in tonight? I haven’t been able to spend time with you for a while because of my exams.”
“Sorry Dani, but I’m going to catch up with Max tonight, I haven’t seen him in 20 years.” I reply
Dani takes another step towards me “please dad? Max is going to be in town for a few more days, why don’t you just see him tomorrow?”
“Because he’s busy right up until when he leaves, this is my only chance to catch up with him, I’ll spend time with you tomorrow, I promise.”
“But that’s what you said last night! And every time before that! But every time you just end up going out and drinking!”
I open the door and step outside. “I know, but this time I really mean it. I won’t be out too late, I love you” and I close the door.
*Time Jump*
I’m so glad that the last thing that I ever said to her was I love you. I hadn’t known at the time how important it had been to say those words, but now I understand.
Here they come, those tears. I can’t stop them flowing down my face. I let out a small scream like a caged animal. I’ll never hear her voice again; and this Polaroid, my only reminder of my beautiful daughter.
There’s a banging at the door on the bars. It’s the same guard from before. “Oi! Keep it down in there! You’re disturbing everyone else!”
I look away and back down to the picture in my trembling fingers.
*Time Jump*
The music is so loud that I can barely hear the sound of the engine roaring in my ears like it usually does. I can’t stop laughing, I’m laughing at nothing in particular but I’m so intoxicated that it doesn’t matter. I swerve to avoid a car and renew my laughing fit. I turn into my street, how I remembered where to go, I don’t know.
The next thing I see is the face of a scared girl fully illuminated in my headlights. There is a sickening crunch.
I slam on the brakes and pull over, temporarily awoken from my drunken rampage, my heart threatening to break free of my chest with its rapid, thundering beats.
I get out of the car and see a young girl, motionless, with a pool of blood forming around her head. Then I see it. The beanie. That multicolored beanie, with its stupid orange pom pom on the top.
My hands start quivering uncontrollably, as it dawns on me, what I have done. I’m hit with a sudden wave of nausea and feel as if I am about to pass out. The last thing I see before I collapse is my daughters blank empty eyes staring back at me.
*Time Jump*
I put the picture back into my pocket. I can’t bear to look at it anymore, it just brings all the memories back. I look down at my trembling hands.
I am filled with what ifs! What if I’d never gone out to get drunk with my friend? Then none of this would’ve happened, I would be sitting by the fire with my Dani, my daughter.
The tears run down my face. I hide my trembling hands in my armpits. I cannot bear to look at them anymore. They are the hands of a man who has murdered his own daughter. They are the hands of a monster. A killer. The shaking will never stop.