posted by flyingfiction on Nov 5
Here is her winning entry:
The man stood on the edge of the cliff staring out to sea. Sparkling diamonds from the giant sinking sun danced across the water, yet he didn’t see them. He felt nothing; his anger had been replaced by a detached emptiness. Mental and physical exhaustion was the result of deep self-loathing that tormented his restless nights and every waking moment. Not long now and it would all be over. His acceptance of the inevitable had afforded him quiet patience and resolve—nothing could stop him now.Sighing quietly, he descended the hewn steps that zigzagged their way to the golden sand below. The edges had been worn smooth by many eager feet. While he carefully wound his way down the cliff, his mind gave way to reflections of the past and the decision so easily made. The reasons didn’t matter any more. He was on his way to find the peace and anonymity he craved, to meet the cool blackness waiting for him.
As more steps passed beneath his feet, he idly wondered who’d been the architect of this would-be death trap. The steps became awkward and triangular as they meandered back and forth. Stumbling slightly when he stubbed his toe, he safely altered the length of his stride and sniggered grimly at the irony. He jumped the last step to the beach as if in a hurry to meet his fate. All that remained now was performing the final ritual to surround himself with nothingness, and he wouldn’t have to face himself anymore!
Warm sand crunched between his numb toes, the heat of the day had passed taking the scalding bite out of it. The cooling wind whipped the sand along the beach, wasting its effort as it stung at his bare ankles. The dancing diamonds vanished as the large orange disk melted into the horizon.
A brightly coloured beach ball bounced behind his knee and dropped to a halt at his heels. There was a blank expression on his face while he considered the toy and the smiling little girl who came to retrieve it. He knew he should smile too but his mouth had forgotten how. Picking up the ball, he tossed it back to the child who grabbed it and ran after a woman who’d started climbing the uneven steps. He watched the girl disappear round the first bend and almost envied her simple and uncomplicated life, a blank canvas stretching over many years. Then without another thought, he cleared his throat, brushed the sand from his calves and continued.
The beach was deserted. He strode purposefully and without ceremony into the cold sea. As the water reached past his knees he could feel its weight pushing him back. Executing a perfect shallow dive, he started stroking at a steady pace. After a few minutes he felt calm and serene and swam slowly. When the tranquillity overtook him he stopped and let himself drift a while. Motionless, he gradually sank into the cool depths and dissolved in the endless void. Soon he would be free and cleansed, without any mocking thoughts to taunt him.
A spasm locked his larynx. His beleaguered lungs struggled for a lifesaving breath that couldn’t come. His body screamed with pain but his mind ignored it. Instinctively he fought, yet his determination not to survive was stronger. When his oxygen-starved brain shut down the man’s body went limp and his heart stopped. A ribbon of seaweed gracefully floated by as his eyesight faded. Barely moments later, his hearing failed.
There was no pain at the moment of death—only oblivion.
By Maureen Mills
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