"There was only one rule: don’t open the door.”
My therapist repeated this line at the end of every session. 'Don't open that door within your mind, the pain is not worth reliving something you have no control over'. Easy for him to say when he’s earning three hundred dollars an hour listening to me plead for the truth.
People say what happened to me as a child was wrong, evil, and unfair. Followed by ... 'You have to let it go, the past can’t be changed.’
I can’t.
Yet peace is all I desire from the nightmares which haunt me. Unfortunately, I cannot fully remember everything. My memories are puzzles where the pieces refuse to fit. My mind is a black cloud continuously dripping images that splatter like acid rain upon an infertile garden of lies and deceit. All I wish for is the truth, but everyone refuses to discuss this forbidden topic.
At least with me.
You don’t yell at a drowning man because he didn’t learn to swim. You save him. But how does one stay afloat when your life is full of holes?
I underwent hypnotherapy once; the vision is still clear. I’m walking through a dark forest, strange voices whisper and weave through barren trees, while the scent of pine mixes with an aroma of old spice. A familiar song floats on the breeze as the woods stretch on forever. I try, but can never move faster than a slow walk, while the forest continues to elongate out of reach. In the distance I see it, taunting me.
I know the answers lay beyond that metaphorical barrier if I can only open it. Closing my eyes, I breathe deep and began to meditate. After all, rules are meant to be broken.
About the Creator
JBaz
I have enjoyed writing for most of my life, never professionally.
I wish to now share my stories with others, lets see where it goes.
Born and raised on the Canadian Prairies, I currently reside on the West Coast. I call both places home.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insight
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Alpha Mosquito
I start with a cracked window and a simple bath, leaving the warm water to sit longer than usual. A single mosquito emerges, small and inconsequential. Another appears soon after. They breed, proliferating the room over the weeks as I observe in fascination. I procur steroids and bulk fuel to add into the water. The next mosquito is slightly bigger. Their sentience grows alongside their size - I force them to fight to the death for nutrients, the biggest and smartest survive and continues their blood line. A Roman coliseum of these creatures' strongest gladiators.
By flutterfryyy7 days ago in Horror
Comments (16)
Now I want to know what happened!
Definitely hits close to home. So true about the drowning man. Really love how the door was an internal one. Such a struggle everyone can relate to. Well done!
Love the intensity of this piece Jason. The desperation is palpable and longing to know that truth makes it so compelling!!
such a great piece
Very well done, JBaz! Such a strong and desperate narrative voice. Really liked how you threaded in some of his history so seamlessly!
This is really well done. I'm left wondering what behind the door, but I feel as the reader, that is how it should be. Well done.
People say what happened to me as a child was wrong, evil, and unfair. Followed by ... 'You have to let it go, the past can’t be changed.’ I can't, either. How can I let something go without closure? Why do they expect me to let something go without closure? Like I wanna know why they did what they did. I was just a child! I'm sorry, I got emotional. Your story hit close to home. I really loved it!
A dexterous twist of the prompt. Nice work!
I like how personal and uncomfortable this story feels, makes the whole thing feel more haunting.
This was really well done. I like the psychological take on a haunting trauma.
A beautiful and haunting interpretation of the challenge. Fantastic
Geesh, this had my hackles up!! I was like just let the damn door alone, lol!! Great atmosphere, you really had me right in the story from the get go :)
The last line is not always true but is sometimes , great story
'You don’t yell at a drowning man because he didn’t learn to swim. You save him. But how does one stay afloat when your life is full of holes?' 😮 Great line!!! And disturbing story. Nice take on the prompt, J!
Now you have me wondering about what's behind that barrier. Excellent entry, Jason.
I am delighted to see that you are thinking along similar lines as me for this challenge, Jasom. But this will be hard to top that's for sure. Fortunately, I still have a few days to try!