She had tiptoed through life, always on the periphery of happiness, teetering precariously. The decision brought her peace.
It was not impulsive, but rather long contemplated. It quelled the voices.
She slid over the bridge railings, and as her body slammed into the water, the motorists continued busily on above.
Alison is an executive in a mental health agency. She knows that fostering hope is the most important element of treatment, and she witnesses recovery daily. The trauma of completed suicide continuously haunts her. This is her fourth 50-word story.
Ms Carroll,
As a crisis counselor, suicide saddens me immensely.
I consider it a failure of our society and government.
Your story shocked, saddened and enraged me.
Well Done!
JT
Thank you for your comment JT. After 30 years in the field of mental health it still shocks, saddens and enrages me as well. I definitely see it as a failure of mankind. And yet, we stigmatize receiving help so greatly. Going forward, I hope to use flash fiction to shed light on mental health issues and perhaps, even in the tiniest way, decrease stigma. I get to marry my two passions – writing and working in the mental health field.
Alison
People warm clothes and poetry , passion
I think the though-provoking “tiptoed through life,always on the periphery of happiness ” makes it a great short!
Thank you Victor!