A Man On The Edge (878 hits)
Category: GeneralRating: 1.57 on 26 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Merlina (View user info) at 2005-01-17 09:27:10 EST
Harry felt a bead of sweat trickle down beside his nose as he clambered up the huge middle strut on the suspension bridge. He stopped for a moment with a thought to wipe his face clear before realising that if he let go with one of his hands he'd fall.
He proceeded to climb, chuckling to himself at the irony. He was going to fall anyway. That's why he was here.
He heaved his 18 stone bulk up another step and the icy wind cut though his thin shirt like glass. He stopped to take a breath and look around him. "So quiet" Harry muttered to the wind. "So quiet......so peaceful up here".
His life had been very quiet of late actually. It seemed that everyone was so busy that they never even saw him shuffle his way around the 1960's stone building he had spent every working day for the last 30 years. What had happened to the young, dynamic man he used to be? They all saw him then. Oh yes, they all looked. They looked 'up' at him in fact.
So did his wife. She used to look at him with such tenderness, such..... love. That Harry thought it would stay forever.
He moved a strand of hair off his face and felt it blow straight back. Even through the bad times the love should've stayed. But no. She looked through him now. They all did.
He even tried seeing a therapist last month. Harry snorted at the memory as he started moving the last stretch of the bridge. That was a laugh. No one could help. They all say "life is what you make it" and "you'll get though, it's just a spate of depression". Yeah, thought Harry. They didn't know. They didn't understand. He was useless and he knew it. And fat. And.... oh just everything.... he was sick of trying. Sick of trying to get it all back. But he had the answer now. One jump and it'll all be over.
Harry laughed. He held the cold metal strut and howled. "So easy. Look at me. I'm strong. I'm making a decision. None of you will be expecting this!". Tears poured down his cheeks. So many tears. No more. Please God. No more. "I'M TIRED OF TRYING," he shouted into the inky blackness. I just...............can't anymore. He bowed his head. "I just can't anymore", he whispered.
The cold wind rushed through the night, rattling the bolts on the bridge; Harry lifted his tear-streaked face and smiled. It was time.
User Reviews
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-10-09 09:47:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
thanks nicballs.
Submitted by nicballs (user info) at 2007-10-09 08:50:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I read all four before I rated these and the transitions were smooth enough that these could stand together as an awesome short story.
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2005-05-12 13:20:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2005-05-12 08:05:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This isn't very uplifting. I think if i read this on a monday I would kill myself, good thing it is thursday.
Submitted by Jungle_Jimanee (user info) at 2005-05-12 07:19:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Hadooken (user info) at 2005-02-22 09:35:04 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by Uzi (user info) at 2005-01-27 09:14:41 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by Soley_Trinity (user info) at 2005-01-18 06:21:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
It's time for harry to unload his bowels methinks, before climbing down and purchasing a winning lottery ticket.
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2005-01-17 14:49:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2005-01-17 12:23:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
thanks Acidtrip
Submitted by ACIDTRIP (user info) at 2005-01-17 12:15:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
well deserved
Submitted by mazman23 (user info) at 2005-01-17 11:45:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Pentameter (user info) at 2005-01-17 11:28:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Nice imagery.
Submitted by mazman23 (user info) at 2005-01-17 11:23:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I have seen the light and the light is Vermin
http://www.ubersite.com/m/56905
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2005-01-17 11:21:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/56926
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2005-01-17 11:13:43 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
um. I mean the picture on the next post.
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2005-01-17 11:04:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I hope no-one looks at this and assumes that Harry actully did jump.
The story is not over yet.....
That picture humourous, but not Harry.
Submitted by GodLovesALittleLovin (user info) at 2005-01-17 10:52:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Sassmasterr (user info) at 2005-01-17 10:41:46 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
daddy likes what he sees...
depression and suicide?
Submitted by Fleury75 (user info) at 2005-01-17 10:21:01 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Keep it comin M
Lets make a "the survivor' size series out of it!
:P
Submitted by theshrew (user info) at 2005-01-17 09:57:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
what a let down.......a let down, get it?
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2005-01-17 09:56:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Wow! This was really good!
Great job!
Submitted by Stin (user info) at 2005-01-17 09:52:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I would have liked a little more, but it stands alone just fine too.
Submitted by DeathJester (user info) at 2005-01-17 09:51:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Good stuff, although I was expecting a comical photo of a fat person being picked up by a very large fish slice at the end...
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2005-01-17 09:38:19 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I do that regularly....structural inspection of bridges. It is quiet up there unless the wind is up.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-01-17 09:31:21 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Nice, I like it.