Comment from Sasha

Excellent

Having suffered a lifetime of suicidal tendencies -- fortunately poorly executed ones, I can relate to this. Marvelously and creepily written with your usual dark style. I am thoroughly enjoying this book. I anxiously look forward to reading the next post.

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 01-Apr-2015

I'm really happy that you are, my friend. I think it's also helping me to tighten up my lengthier stories a bit. I noticed I go the point cross in "Grains of Sand" much faster than I normally do. I think that's a good thing, if you don't sacrifice quality in the process. Hopefully, I didn't.

Much obliged for the review! :)

~Dean

Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Excellent

This story is really haunting, Dean. My mother came home one day and called upstairs to my 14-year-old sister to turn her radio down. She could hear it as she came into the garden. Not getting any response, she went upstairs and thumped on her door. When she opened it, she saw my sister had overdosed. She had been given a letter from her teacher to give to mum, complaining that she didn't concentrate in class, and she wished to speak to her about it. My sister just thought it was the end of her world. Mum got to her in time, she was taken to hospital and had her stomach pumped. It was over such a silly thing, mum had nightmares for ages after that. I think it must be the hardest thing to walk in on, seeing your child like that. I still don't know why she thought it was worth taking her life. She is a grandmother now, and I think, very relieved mum came home when she did. You wrote this so well, it really does happen like that. :) Sandra. xsx

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 01-Apr-2015

Wow, Sandra. The similarities between the two stories are mind boggling, aren't they? Creepy! Thank heavens she got to her in time! Wow...

Thanks for sharing that with me, and for the outstanding review. All are sincerely appreciated. :) ~Dean

Comment from nancy_e_davis

Excellent

Tragic story of teen suicide. Why do teens think a broken romance is the end of the world? Your imagery is superb in this short story. I cannot access the music but it isn't necessary for this poem. No blood and gore in this one! Well done Dean. Nancy

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 01-Apr-2015

No, I didn't feel it would be appropriate for this type of story, Nancy. So many human lives are touched by suicide, and the last thing I want to do is offend anyone with lots of gratuitous violence. It wouldn't be fair to those who have gone through a similar situation.

I very much appreciate you taking time out to read and review the story for me.

All the best. :} ~Dean

Comment from Margaret Snowdon

Excellent

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh - another of your creepy TALES
making me want to turn TAIL and run...


your words create such an atmosphere, which sets
the scene for horror.

clever, Dean

Margaret

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 01-Apr-2015

Thanks so much for having a go at this one, Margaret. As always, I appreciate your comments very much. :} ~Dean

Comment from Alan K Pease

Excellent

I have a feeling that you are leading into a more horrible trap to come frightening and tantalizing as some of your other stories.

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 01-Apr-2015

Thanks, Alan. It could be, my friend. It could be, heh-heh...

You know, I often write about the things that terrify me the most on a very personal level. That being said, nothing scares me more than coming home to find that one of my family has taken their own life, for whatever reason. Contrary to popular belief, most suicide victims do not leave a note, therefore there's no closure for their families.

That, to me, would be the most horrible thing of all -- the "not knowing why" part of it.

Thanks so much again for your review, my friend. I sincerely appreciate it. :)

~Dean

Comment from evilynne

Excellent

This one isn't as morbid as it is sad. Still, it has your haunting touch of the macabre. As always, I enjoyed reading your work. Evi

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 01-Apr-2015

Thanks, Evi. I appreciate your thoughts and candid opinion.

I often write about what terrifies me the most on a very personal level. That being said, nothing scares me more than coming home to find that one of my family has taken their own life, for whatever reason. And contrary to popular beliefs, most suicide victims do not leave a note, so there's often no closure for their families.

That, to me, would be the most horrible thing of all -- the "not knowing why" part of it.

Thanks again for reading a story from this series. I very much appreciate that. ~Dean :}

Comment from ragamuffin

Exceptional

Excellent presentation package. Absolutely chilling and I do mean it did indeed give me chills. Why can't so many, particularly our youth, see further down the road than just the here and now? Particularly notable is the last song-Don't Fear the Reaper-and your last line of "No one sings along." Clever, cool little ditty, but in reality, I think most fear the reaper at least some.

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 01-Apr-2015

Thanks so much for your outstanding comments and stellar rating, ragamuffins. I appreciate your review and opinions. I would tend to agree with you about the Reaper. He's one creepy individual, always lurking close by when death is near -- watching and waiting...

I often write about what terrifies me the most on a very personal level. That being said, nothing scares me more than coming home to find that one of my family members has taken their own life -- for whatever reason. And contrary to popular beliefs, most suicide victims don't leave a note, so there's often no closure for their families.

That, to me, would be the most horrible thing of all -- the "not knowing" part.

Thanks again for your thoughtful comments and six stars. I sincerely appreciate it as always. :}

~Dean

Comment from Eric1

Excellent

Hi dean, this is another quite frightening story from your collection my friend, The bottle , the reaper and the suicide, every one of your perfectly chosen words helps to it's inevitable conclusion. Brilliant!

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 01-Apr-2015

Thanks so much, Eric. It would be horrible to come home and find one of your kids,or spouse, dead from committing suicide. And most suicides do not leave a note, contrary to popular opinion, which means their families never know why they did it. They have absolutely no closure. That would be even doubly terrifying.

Thanks again for taking an interest in these stories. I truly appreciate your feedback.

~Dean :}

reply by Eric1 on 02-Apr-2015

It is truly MY pleasure Dean.

Comment from Ric Myworld

Excellent

I guess if parents knew the truth, almost all children have gone through those times of troubled youth, whether hidden or out in the open for everyone to see. Great job. :-)

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 01-Apr-2015

Thanks, Ric. I'd say you're right, especially in this day and age. The internet enables victims of bullies to be ridiculed 24/7 now, and they can do so from the comfort of their homes. No longer do they have to be in contact with those they like to torment. They can do so through Facebook, Twitter, or a number of other social networking sites. One of the pitfalls of technology, I suppose.

I often write the things that horrify me the most on a very personal level. That being said, nothing scares me more than coming home to find that one of my family members has taken their own life, for whatever reason. Contrary to popular belief, most suicide victims do not leave a note, so there's often no closure for their families.

That, to me, would be the most horrible thing of all -- the "not knowing".

Thanks again for your interest in this series, Ric. It is greatly appreciated. :) ~Dean

Comment from giraffmang

Excellent

Spooky,

I really liked this tale. It's all in the atmosphere and description of the piece. No sharp chilling jump or nerve jangle but the tone and creepiness are paramount. The music touches are great.

death waits patiently. He has the time.

I also like the juxtaposition of the mum's words and the those imagined from the girlfriend.

very nice work.
G

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 01-Apr-2015

Thanks, G-Man, I'm very glad you enjoyed this one, and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me about it. It is a bit different from the others in that it has a morale message to tell. Hopefully, that didn't make it any less frightening.

Thanks again. ~Dean :}

reply by giraffmang on 01-Apr-2015

Yeah, it is different but then I think it will be all the better for it. It needs an ebb and flow to the whole - like a good old mixed tape! Don't want to go to much on the over...kill, side of things. It's chilling and eerie tone set it with the others but also slightly apart. You have started off with 'The Puppeteer', which is extreme (imo) and then pulled back a bit. It is more graphic and 'real', and then there are the unnerving ones, the chilling ones. 'Sorry I missed you' is also quite different in a different way too but they all work together. by the end it may be that you re-jiggle some of the stories around to create that ebb and flow more. Who knows!

G