#Fi50: Wolf at the Door

Fiction in 50 is a regular feature in the last week of every month (well, lately I’ve been using it for a Friday Flash near the end of the month as the spirit moves me). I invite any interested composers of mini-narrative to join in! I didn't do a heads-up post this month (again) thanks to our travel and losing track of time, but feel free to jump in at any time.

    

What is #Fi50? In the words of founder Bruce Gargoyle, "Fiction in 50: think of it as the anti-NaNoWriMo experience!" Pack a beginning, middle and end of story into 50 words or less (bonus points for hitting exactly 50 words).

The rules for participation are simple:

1. Create a piece of fictional writing in 50 words or less, ideally using the prompt as title or theme or inspiration.

That’s it!  But for those who wish to challenge themselves further, here’s an additional rule:
2. Post your piece of flash fiction on your blog or (for those poor blog-less souls) add it as a comment on the Ninja Librarian’s post for everyone to enjoy.  

For those thrill-seekers who really like to go the extra mile (ie: perfectionists):
3. Add the nifty little picture above to your post (credit for which goes entirely to ideflex over at acrossthebored.com) or create your own Fi50 meme pic….
and 

4. Link back here so others can jump on the mini-fic bandwagon.

Here's the Linky List so you can add your post!
This is a Blog Hop!

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1. Jemima Pett, Author

2. Rebecca Douglass Fi50 signup page

You are next... Click here to enter

Or just add your link in the comments below!  


The October prompt is...

Wolf at the Door

I think that this month I'm trying to make a serious statement, more than a story. More on that below. First, here's my story.

Wolf at the Door

It’s out there. I keep the doors and windows locked, chase it off with light and music and company, but it stays near.

It draws ever closer as we near the solstice; I can hear its alluring howl.

One day I shall open the door and let the wolf in.

###

I hope it's obvious that the story is about depression, especially of the seasonal variety. In fact, it's how it feels at any time: like an evil hunting beast (my apologies to wolves, which are not at all evil and I in fact love) circling, waiting for the opportunity to leap on the victim. You can do all sorts of things to keep it at bay, but it's always out there.

Depression can play odd tricks on the mind, too, including trying to convince us that's not what it is. "How can I be depressed? I have a great life?" or even, "This isn't depression. Look, it's nothing like what she suffers from. I should just get over it." Or most insidious, "You're just weak." So for anyone who's had those thoughts, here's my completely unscientific, un-expert thought: if you feel depressed, that's depression. It's not a contest where only the worst case actually gets the label. Even a mild case can suck the life out of you. And it's not your fault.

 ©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2019
As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated!