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This week’s prompt is …the black dog walks alongside me… + 100 words
WHO GOES THERE?
Something scraped against the window. Winston bolted upright, thick Einstein-like hair askew. “Who’s there?” Heart thrashing, he gasped for breath. As crusted eye-lids unglued, he scanned the bedroom. Shadows lurked like black tombstones, details indistinct, even of his virginal bed.
Depressed for months, he’d lost interest in life and slept the indifference of the dead. He grabbed the covers with shaky hands and tossed them. The black dog walks alongside me no more.
In the semi-darkness Winston made his bed, showered and dressed. No need to write a note. Peaceful at last, he progressed down the hallway with purpose. The basement door sighed shut behind him.
August 12, 2014 at 6:12 pm
Well now, I feel cheated, Tess. Virginal bed?! Did he lose his faithful companion, Blackie? Or was Blackie a ghost that hovered in the shadows. Why the basement? Agh! 100 words is just not enough!
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August 12, 2014 at 7:10 pm
Virginal mean narrow bed (as in twin / for one person). He’s been depressed for months (black dog walks alongside him).. He didn’t need to leave a not. He’s alone. He went into the basement because….
What happened yesterday that’s all over the news today?
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August 12, 2014 at 8:59 pm
Yes, that is what I thought you were after, Tess. I just always want more of your writing to read. I am just greedy that way. 🙂
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August 12, 2014 at 9:26 pm
I figured you knew but thought you were egging me on when you mentoned Blackie.
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August 12, 2014 at 9:54 pm
Well, I was… and Blackie was the name of our family dog when I was born. He was very put out with me because I took his place in the family car. I used to bribe him with peanut butter sandwiches.
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August 12, 2014 at 11:27 pm
A win-win then? I love positive negotiations. ❤
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August 13, 2014 at 12:14 am
Mmmm, my mother used to say it took maybe a year, but we were out walking with the stroller (me in it) and some dog challenged us. Blackie stepped in front of my stroller and growled deep in his throat. “That’s when I knew the peanut butter bribes had paid off, Huntie.” Grin. Power and diplomacy, it begins early.
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August 13, 2014 at 4:06 pm
This is a delightful story. I’m all smiles and more smiles. ❤
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August 12, 2014 at 6:13 pm
Timely and well written.
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August 12, 2014 at 7:10 pm
Thank you, Darlene. Not a nice subject.
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August 12, 2014 at 6:27 pm
X marks the spot. You’ve done it again, Tess, and so very well.
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August 12, 2014 at 7:13 pm
Thank you, Naomi. Nice to see you.
Not a happy subject, though..
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August 12, 2014 at 7:30 pm
But a powerful one that affects many more people than you would imagine.
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August 12, 2014 at 9:20 pm
So true, Naomi. Certainly a heartbreaking subject and difficult to discuss, but we must..
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August 12, 2014 at 8:02 pm
Too bad that Robin didn’t feel like the black dog had left him too.
That dog really dogged him bad.
Randy
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August 12, 2014 at 9:23 pm
Heartbreaking he got so low that he felt this is the only way out. It sounds so darn lonely.
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August 12, 2014 at 8:37 pm
Tess, you are amazing with the prompts and how you craft them.
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August 12, 2014 at 9:24 pm
You’ve made me blush. Thank you, Rebecca. Your kind words mean a lot to me. I appreciate your support.
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August 12, 2014 at 9:09 pm
Yes- I got the suicide angle straight away. And yes, I thought of Robin Williams.
So sad.
Your sentences are beautiful and well crafted! Love them.
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August 13, 2014 at 7:22 pm
Thank you. Thank you. With only 100 words + the prompt to work with, I didn’t know if I would be clear. As well, I don’t have any particular knowledge of depression but my heart breaks (although it’s difficult to understand) how a person can become so low that this can happen.
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August 12, 2014 at 9:22 pm
Tess, sort of creepy there my friend. Scary even.
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August 12, 2014 at 9:45 pm
Yes, isn’t it? Nice to see you, Valentine. Thank you for coming by. ❤
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August 12, 2014 at 10:46 pm
Throughly enjoyed Tess and became engrossed in your few short words. You are the 100 word master..mistress? Smiles x
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August 12, 2014 at 11:38 pm
Awww, Jen. Thank you, but I struggle with each challenge. Mostly I go with the prompt well enough if it grabs me. You know all about that anyway, don’t you? We all do. ❤
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August 13, 2014 at 3:47 am
❤ xxx
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August 13, 2014 at 4:13 pm
❤ ❤ ❤
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August 13, 2014 at 12:25 am
As you know Tess I am enthralled with your use of few words to create a vision. Thick Einstein-like hair askew… would have been enough to delight me with the piece. The utilization of ‘the black dog walks alongside me no more’ tugs firmly at my heart. Depression such a constant companion that so many can find no way to be rid of. Well done Tess.
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August 13, 2014 at 4:07 pm
Thank YOU, Sue. This was hard to write. Wanted to cry.
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August 13, 2014 at 4:08 pm
Sometimes such strong emotions create something beautiful as was the case with your writing.
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August 13, 2014 at 4:38 pm
Thank you. Such a shame RW had to go in such a way.
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August 13, 2014 at 4:49 pm
Definitely very sad. 😦
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August 13, 2014 at 8:08 pm
😦
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August 13, 2014 at 1:25 am
I’m a relentless optimist Tess, in my head Winston LEFT the basement with a fresh determination to recover.
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August 13, 2014 at 3:26 am
Yes, I agree. When you wrote that the black dog had finally left him in peace, I thought he had recovered!
The basement was where his suitcase was. He was off on a celebratory “freedom from the darkness” holiday! 🙂
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August 13, 2014 at 3:28 am
Yesss !
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August 13, 2014 at 4:12 pm
~(~_*)~~
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August 13, 2014 at 4:12 pm
😀 😀 😀 Fingers crossed, he’s off on a vacation. ❤
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August 13, 2014 at 4:10 pm
I do believe a story is whatever the reader wants it to be. Maybe I have watched too much TV in the past. Have you seen those stories where the suicidal person leaves this earth, they have to look presentable?
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August 13, 2014 at 5:46 am
So few words to capture such heaviness and sadness. 😦 Well done Tess. It captures that horrific moment.
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August 13, 2014 at 4:15 pm
Of course, I’m only guessing as one must. Don’t really want to know about real depression or it’s victims. 🙂
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August 13, 2014 at 7:50 pm
Hard stuff, for sure.
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August 14, 2014 at 12:02 pm
I agree.
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August 13, 2014 at 7:37 am
My heart ❤
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August 13, 2014 at 4:17 pm
❤ ❤
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August 13, 2014 at 10:39 am
That certainly leaves a lot of questions. Did you have Robin Williams in mind–a happier ending maybe?
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August 13, 2014 at 4:22 pm
Yes, Robin Williams. It WAS a timely prompt as well and I always post these on Tuesday …
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August 13, 2014 at 12:30 pm
Your writing is poetic and lyrical , I enjoyed your piece and would love to read the story. Hope there’s more.
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August 13, 2014 at 7:18 pm
No, there isn’t more but I thank you for your kind words. I’m pleased you enjoyed my scribbles. ❤
I don't know why I can't answer you comment properly the way I do all the others. Only two of you don't have a reply button beneath the comments you sent me. I wonder what that's about.
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August 16, 2014 at 2:18 pm
Weird, but then some of these do-dads on WordPress confound the hell out of me sometimes. LOL
I’ll work on it.
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August 17, 2014 at 11:08 am
Sigh. I know what you mean. Me too.
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August 13, 2014 at 12:32 pm
As soon as I read this I thought of Robin Williams, and you’ve confirmed that his death was your subject. So very sad that he felt that he had only one way out. I’ve heard often that brilliantly creative people suffer deeply from depression and that’s why they are often manic or addicted. Don’t know if that’s true or just an excuse. My heart goes out to Williams’ family who will now suffer greatly for this act, and for Robin himself, whose imaginative excursions could not shield him from his own sadness. Damn that black dog. Well done, Tess, to grasp so much in so few words.
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August 13, 2014 at 4:28 pm
Thank you. Thank you. A timely prompt this was.
Indeed, It’s hard to understand how anyone can feel so low they feel suicide is the only way out. So sad for everyone. What a waste of a brilliant talent.
I appreciate your kind words and encouragement. ❤
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August 13, 2014 at 3:46 pm
Oh, gosh! Then what happened!!?!??!
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August 13, 2014 at 4:35 pm
Bad news, Robin. And a loner too.
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August 13, 2014 at 4:36 pm
So sad. Tragic!
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August 13, 2014 at 4:41 pm
😦
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August 13, 2014 at 3:59 pm
I feel it’s the ‘no need to write a note’ that explains where this is going, Tess… but I’m with some of the others and since the black dog had left Winston, he’d pulled himself together and gone on to happier things. The basement door sighing is like the curtain call to what had gone before, yet breathing new life into what is to come.
Well written once again!
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August 13, 2014 at 4:36 pm
Thank YOU, Tom. Such a subject. Aah.
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August 13, 2014 at 7:50 pm
This sad tale makes me thing of dear Robin Williams. Call me crazy?
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August 13, 2014 at 8:20 pm
The prompt was timely and I went with it. I did have ‘a’ suicide in mind, yes. I had no details of RW’s demise and don’t want to know and don’t know a lot about depression. Can’t get my head around how a human can feel so low, life come to this end..
Nope, you’re not crazy.
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August 14, 2014 at 9:47 am
What a sad coincidence then. Nonetheless, your writing sure evokes many empathies. 🙂
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August 14, 2014 at 12:19 pm
Thanks so much Debby. It’s satisfying when emotions are stirred. ❤
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August 13, 2014 at 9:09 pm
You have a remarkable talent to invoke such deep emotions in under 100 words. This was another example of your powerful writing.
I literally gasped at the ending.
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August 14, 2014 at 12:09 pm
You have made my day. Thank you. Thank you. With so few words to work with, I worry the point may be missed of it is too subtle. 😀
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August 14, 2014 at 12:18 pm
“slept the indifference of the dead”…powerful imagery…you hit it powerfully.
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August 14, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Thank YOU for reading and for your kind words. I am pleased you enjoyed this read. ❤
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August 15, 2014 at 2:42 am
As I am a person who works very hard at keeping the black dog at bay – this writing was a perfect description of that darkness. Really good writing Tess. ❤
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August 15, 2014 at 8:57 am
Thanks so MUCH. I don’t know about depression and tried to imagine sinking to the bottom. I hadn’t thought about it before this week. Now I feel for anyone who has been dealt such a heavy hand. ❤ ❤ ❤
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August 15, 2014 at 2:54 am
The brilliance of this piece is over-whelming. The black dog never comes when you call, will not sit when you tell it to do so, begs for food when he shouldn’t and then when he get’s it he’ll hide it in your favorite garden. There’s no controlling the black dog. He serves no master but rather his own self.
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August 15, 2014 at 9:01 am
Thank you, Sheri. ❤ I am at a loss how to thank you for your kind words. Sure everyone gets depressed or overwhelmed but I cannot imagine what it's like to have to fight this illness every day. Must be horrible. I say no wonder such a person wants to be done with such a life, but my mind cannot fathom it.
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August 15, 2014 at 5:44 am
This is stunning writing Tess & I’m so glad it had a ‘happy ending’! Thank you for joining 100wcgu!
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August 15, 2014 at 9:05 am
Thanks so much, Julia. I’m pleased to have found you and 100wcgu. I enjoy your imaginative challenges.:-) 🙂
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August 19, 2014 at 9:13 pm
This is one of the best pieces I’ve read since I’ve been reading writing blogs. An economy of words, and yet how well you managed to tell the tale of that black dog, depression. So sad… no one to leave a note for, and the doors sighed behind him… Simply beautiful, simply amazing.
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August 20, 2014 at 6:20 pm
You have made my day, Kate. I have no experience with the black and wasn’t sure if I was clear enough. Thank you for your kind words. Your comments mean a great deal to me. Can you see me blush? ❤
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August 20, 2014 at 9:39 pm
You were completely and beautifully clear.
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August 21, 2014 at 10:37 am
Thank you. ❤
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August 19, 2014 at 9:15 pm
I just tweeted this – I think you hit a home run with this one, Tess.
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August 20, 2014 at 6:21 pm
Oh mercy. Thank you. I appreciate it. Now flushed a hot pink. You are most generous and kind. ❤
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August 20, 2014 at 9:39 pm
You look good in scarlet! 😀
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August 21, 2014 at 10:37 am
😀 😀 😀
❤
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September 5, 2014 at 8:16 pm
Ooh, creepy! Thank you for stopping by my blog. I enjoyed your post.
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September 5, 2014 at 9:01 pm
Thank YOU for reading mine. ❤
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November 2, 2014 at 5:33 pm
To me this reads like a suicide. I wonder if that is how it happens, that people just wake up, and “the decision” is taken?
Nicely handled.
And I like he “slept the indifference of the dead”.
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November 3, 2014 at 2:01 pm
This was written following Robin Williams’ suicide, and you are correct. These things don’t come up at once. Life is hell and then once a decision is made, they don’t waste time or so I understand. They’ve already been turning over in their mind how the end will be made.
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November 3, 2014 at 2:58 pm
Perhaps the saddest thing there is.
I hope for everyone in this situation, that the “peaceful at last” is also true.
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November 4, 2014 at 8:20 am
Indeed. I hope so. A dear friend of mine’s family member committed suicide and the thing is I didn’t know him but have been turned inside out by this. When I learned his story, I felt I could understand why but still, it’s a terrible loss.
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