A damaged psyche and a warped sense of self.

This is what moulds the idea of courage into a hard and rigid foreign stone.

A selfless battle taking place in another dimension, against something that chills you to the bone. I don’t resemble the lion, therefore I am not the lion. I rang the bell. Heart pounding in a perpetual motion, in beat with steps that neared. The stark white paint that was peeling from the door pulled further from me as you drew in a ray of light, a slither for me to pass through. Your bitter belief that I am small, confirmed and solidified. 

I made you tea. Like you asked. Like you commanded. You apologised for last night. Taking it too far. I couldn’t meet your eyes, just the purple shadowy tendrils that twirled around my arms like stylised tattoos of coiling serpents. I knelt on the ground, cuddling into the last breath of love this house held. I picked him up, stroking his silky blonde hair, beautiful as yours once was. 

“We’re going for a walk,” I called to you, you in an apathetic oblivion.

This was courage, not a lion, not a tiger, not a bear, oh my, it was found in my beautiful, drooling angel. Never would a hand be laid on him again. I took my angel to the car, and we drove on, into an endless abyss, finding courage within each other to ride our way to freedom.

Courage is not knowing if we will make it at all.

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Eric Radcliffe
Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
2 years ago

Nothing explained, it’s all felt in the words. Everyone who writes has their own style, a way of connecting with the reader. You have done this wonderfully. Your voice is unique.
Thank You, I learned a lot by reading your story.

Carrie OLeary
Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
2 years ago

Congratulations, your story really tugged at my emotions when I first read it. Very well written

Fuji
Fuji(@fuji)
2 years ago

This is a brilliant story – each word conveys so much. You’ve given us a backstory, a present moment and a tentative future all in a few well chosen words. Some of my favorite snippets are “stroking his silky blonde hair, beautiful as yours once was” – we see a glimpse of a happier past. “I made you tea. Like you asked. Like you commanded.” We experience the life she has with… Read more »

Lyric The Great
Lyric The Great(@lyric-the-great)
2 years ago

You have AMAZING descriptions. I cannot believe how professional and relatable and understandable this story is; these are good characteristics in a story. You are an amazing author, and I hope to read more of your stories (meaning that you really should write more of them; they are amazing!).

musing mind
musing mind(@musing-mind)
2 years ago

I found a new perspective of courage in your story which is beyond courage. Usually courage and emotions don’t go together but you have fabricated both of them very well in your story.

Chris
Chris(@chris)
2 years ago

Hi Alannah- I was very impressed when I read your above story, and was inspired by your unique voice. Since I volunteer here at the Voice.club, I am quite lucky to enjoy many great stories, and yours was one of the most distinct. I also noticed in your bio, you mentioned “my goal in life is to be a published author”. All our volunteers that helped publish our first Kindle Book are excited that you… Read more »

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
2 years ago

Wow  ?  amazing story. I learned many things from your story, Alannah. I love how you connect with a reader. And I love this phrase “This was courage, not a lion, not a tiger, not a bear, oh my, it was found in my beautiful drooling angel.”

Last edited 2 years ago by Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
1 year ago

Congratulations on your win, Alannah.

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