TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide
(I don’t normally put triggers on my writing, but it’s pretty crazy how even just 100 words can kick you in the gut. It affected me, and I’m the one who wrote it!)
PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll
The note is written but I hesitate. Should I leave it? Does it say everything I need it to? I’ve been over it a thousand times in my head – the reasons, the final day, the act. I thought there would be more fear, but fear was replaced long ago by The Empty Black Void.
I know as sure as I’m sitting here that the world contained more sunlight before I arrived, and I’m certain the light will return once I’m gone.
It’s all in the letter.
Maybe someone will care enough to read it when it’s all over.
Friday Fictioneers is a weekly flash fiction prompt where we are given a photo and asked to write a 100 word story – beginning, middle and end. This one came in at 98 words.
I had a friend who was dealing with a family member’s attempted suicide in the past few days, so my writing juices were entirely affected by it and when I saw the picture, this unhappy little tale came flowing out of my fingers.
In my humble opinion, depression is much like addiction. Unless you’ve felt it and lived through it, I don’t think you can possibly understand. It’s also my opinion that we should stop judging those who are suffering. In general, I don’t believe suicide is selfish – it is a desperate act to put an end not just to their own suffering, but as they see it, the suffering they cause everyone just by being alive. Unless you are in their head and feel what they feel, please show compassion. They need it far more than your judgment.
Click on the blue froggy to read other amazing 100-word stories!
“I know as sure as I’m sitting here that the world contained more sunlight before I arrived, and I’m certain the light will return once I’m gone”, Great line!
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Thank you!
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You have captured despair so well in this piece. Loved the line “I know as sure as I’m sitting here that the world contained more sunlight before I arrived, and I’m certain the light will return once I’m gone”.
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Thank you!
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An honest account of how it can feel. The capitalization of The Empty Black Void was well. It gives the blackness an identity and a physical presence. Well done.
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If only I could finish sentences! “Well thought of” was what I was going for I think!
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Thanks for the clarification. 🙂
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It can feel so real, that void. Thank you so much!
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A very accurate portrayal of depression and suicidal ideation. I agree 100%. Mental illnesses are in fact illnesses and we can treat them if patients will reach out. There’s no shame in treating an illness and there’s no shame in asking if someone needs help.
Tracey
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It’s so very true. Honestly, though, asking for help is a difficult thing to do. But hopefully society is on a path of compassion and shining a light so people with illness who do reach out and ask aren’t shamed for it. Thank you, Tracey!
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I’ve seen slow change in that direction. There are miles to go. A lack of monetary resources is a huge stumbling block.
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I’ve seen it as well. Hopefully it continues. 🙂
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It is an unhappy little tale, but beautifully written.
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Thank you very much!
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i don’t envision a happy ending. very sad.
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Yes, it is very sad.
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The black void is palpable. Each time I read about depression, I repeat like a mantra: depression lies. This is not from me, but by The Blogess, Jenny Lawson (http://thebloggess.com/) who battles with depression and writes about it in a funny, crazy and honest blog.
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Yes, depression lies. But sometimes the lies are very convincing.
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I’ve been there myself–more times than I care to admit. If my only sibling hadn’t killed himself, I probably wouldn’t spend so much time changing my mind. But depression numbs one to the aftermath. Thank you for saying it like it is.
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I’ve been there too and it’s a rough place to be. ❤️
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You’ve shown the despair very well. Your images convey the MC’s sense of hopelessness, and his/her skewed perception of reality in the line about sunlight. Powerful last line – how awful to feel that nobody cares enough to even read the note.
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Depression is a powerful, terrible thing. It really skews thoughts and reality. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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How sad. Too bad, she couldn’t find another way.
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You are right. You can’t judge a person who takes their life. Unless you have walked in their shoes you have not right to judge. I have been in deep depression and pray every day to stay away from it.
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It’s not a fun place to be. I hope you can continue to stay on your current path. Love you!
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Dear Helen,
Do we shame diabetics for taking Insulin? I do know what it’s like to suffer from clinical depression. I’ve also been accused of acting out to get attention. There’s nothing I hate worse than hearing someone tell a depressed person to snap out of it, or even better, “other’s have it worse than you. What do you have to be depressed about?” I said that to say, good work.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve heard it all before too and there really is nothing worse. Thank you, Rochelle!
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Beautifully written,
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Thank you very much!
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