Long Walk :: A Short Story :: [The Writers' Block Art Prompt Contest Entry]

in #twbwritingcontest6 years ago (edited)



This is an entry for The Writers' Block Art Prompt Writing Contest #12. In it, the below image is used as a prompt for a story.



It’s difficult to choose which of your family to save and which to let go. It’s not something you think about often, except in the short hours of the morning, in the what-ifs of half-sleep. The question had come for me unexpectedly, and I was not prepared.

(story preview only)
 






 

Title image by @negativer using image from Pixabay.
Prompt image courtesy of @vaughndemont

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Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://negativerealm.com/long-walk-a-short-story-the-writers-block-art-prompt-contest-entry/

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What a great story. Such a deeply emotional choice, and then having to live with it. Just don't think I could do it. Love your storytelling. Great job.

This post was nominated by a @curie curator to be featured in an upcoming Author Showcase that will be posted Late Monday/Early Tuesday (U.S. time) on the @curie blog.

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Thank you for reading and curating! If I could add a brief bit about my story for your article, it would be:

I have a brother that has been fighting thoughts of suicide for many years. He's always told me that once you start thinking about it, it's very hard to stop. You always look for opportunities to do it, and tease yourself with the power you think you have to end it.

I wanted to write a story that described that struggle, and define what might actually drive a man to consider killing himself, and what sort of thing would actually be able to stop him.

Yeah, great story and great title. Everything works so well into amping up the emotions behind the decision which has to be made.

Thanks much for reading!

Your writing skills are just impeccable, @negativer. Such a great story that reminds me of a question that my husband asked me when we first married. “If we were drowning at sea and you could only save me or our son, who would you save?”

My son was only two weeks old at the time and of course I said, “my baby.” He immediately said, “wrong answer, we could always have other children.”

Thanks for reading!

Yes, that's a tough question, and I don't think there's a right or wrong answer. Your husband is right; you could have other children....maybe. You can't see the future, so you never know.

Sometimes certain questions are best left unasked and unanswered :)

A sad but excellent story. Good luck in the contest!

It's interesting that we both dealt with the same topic. Obviously went about it differently but both ended up with our MC not willing to go all the way. Great work on yours as well!

Well, damn. Such a sad but lovely story. Not an easy decision anyone could make in that situation. It felt so real reading this.

Thanks Anike! :)

Dear God, almost all the entries for this art contest have suicide or self-sacrifice as a theme! But you just couldn't have the family have a nice boat ride and then drink Strawberry soda on the pier. Nope. Geez, Negavader, who woulda thought you were so deep?

I'm shallow. But if you stack enough shallow stuff on top of each other, it gives the appearance of depth. ^_^

But yea, the photo really directed towards darker subjects. I'm not surprised most of the entries went that route.

Thx for reading!

I really liked this! It was very believable just as you told it - and it all made sense even if the outcome was sad. Alternative titles: A Man's Love for His Wife or No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Thanks! I'm glad it felt realistic to you :)

Oh @negativer, this is so very sad. And so beautifully written. Your writing just gets better and better. Damn. So good.

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very nice story. can feel the pain and the contradictions. enjoyed reading it

Thank you for reading!

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