Bipolar Disorder: A Short Story

Wet Season

Dry Season

Mab woke up every morning, stretched his arms and legs, and let out a great howl of joy.  He'd made it

Mab woke up every morning, stretched his arms and legs, and lay back down for more sleep.  He wasn't

through another night, waking with the energy of many men.  Today was another day to live his best life. 

 

ready to face another day.  He had no energy and no desire to get started with his day.  Today was just

 

He stepped outside of his cave and let out another howl of joy.  The waters were falling from the sky,

 

another dry day of unsettling sunlight and heat.  After a few more hours of rest, Mab decided it was 

cooling the land and bringing life to the mountainside.  Mab grabbed his spear and went off for a morning

 

time to gather some fruit for breakfast.  Groaning with displeasure, Mab made his way out of the cave

hunt.  While searching for something good to eat, Mab noticed all of the beauty around him; the leaves 

towards the forest.  He headed straight for this favorite fruit tree.  Once at the tree, he sat down in its

dripping with water, the grass blowing in the wind, the dark clouds covering the sky.  Yes, today was

 

shade to take a rest.  He was still very tired.  After a quick nap, Mab collected his pile of stones and 

going to be a good day.  Mab headed for the forest, sure that he'd find some prey hiding from the falling

 

expertly threw the stones at the fruit.  As the fruit was falling from the tree, a beautiful bird came into

 

waters.  He eventually found a small herd of antelope.  Feeling confident, Mab set his sights on the largest 

view.  Annoyed at the interruption, Mab threw a stone at the magnificent bird.  His aim was true.  He'd

antelope, a female.  Gripping his spear tightly, Mab ran into the herd at full speed.  As the antelope scattered,

 

have some meat tonight.  Gathering the bird and the fruit, Mab made his way back to the cave.  In no

Mab was grazed by antlers and hooves, but he didn't notice the pain.  His focus was on the giant antelope at the

hurry, Mab dragged his feet in the dusty, dry ground.  He heard a rustle behind him.  He turned back to

end of his spear.  She put up a fight, but Mab came out victorious.  Dripping blood and sweat, Mab 

see a pair of large cats, licking their lips and growling hungrily.  Mab stopped and stood in fear.  He 

prepared to drag his prey back to his cave.  Still feeling confident and energetic, Mab was unaware of the

 

dropped his load of fruit and meat and ran towards his cave.  The large cats pounced on the bird,

pain from his injuries, unaware of the weight of the carcass he toted behind him.  Pushing through the 

ravenously tearing at the meat.  Mab looked back in dismay, mourning the loss of a hearty supper.

howling wind and drenching waters, Mab could see his cave up ahead.  But he also saw a pack of wolves,

 

After having devoured the dead bird, the large cats turned and headed back into the forest.  Mab had

looking for food of their own.  His energy rising again, Mab dropped his load and prepared his spear.  He

 

fallen asleep, drained of all his energy.  Once awake, he headed out of the cave to collect the fruit he

rushed the wolves, trying to catch them off guard.  He dropped one wolf as the others realized what was

 

had dropped.  Some fruits were still good, but most had been crushed by the large cats.  Mab ate one of

happening.  They circled around Mab, growling, fur raised.  The leader of the pack leapt at Mab.  Mab

 

the fruits and stored the rest for later.  He wasn't very hungry at the moment.  Having nothing else to

rolled out of the way, spear raised in defense.  Having dropped another wolf, Mab's confidence once more

 

do, Mab found a comfortable spot near the entrance of the cave.  He watched the day roll by, the sun

took over.  He swung his spear about, taking down wolf after wolf.  He was clawed in the back, bitten on

 

rising to the center of the sky, then dropping in the west.  The herds grazing in the sparse, dry grass.

the leg, but still he fought, until all the wolves were taken down.  Gasping for breath, Mab let out a loud,

 

Today was difficult.  Mab was exhausted, despite all the rest he'd taken today.  Hopefully tomorrow

booming laugh followed by yet another howl of joy.  Feeling invincible, Mab grabbed his prized antelope,

 

would be a better day.  Mab lay down for the night and fell into a deep sleep, dreaming of fruit and

plus a wolf, and made his way back to his cave. 

 

large cats.
 

Depression: A Short Story

 

September 12th

Zeb enjoyed watching the magpies pick at the bird feeders on the front lawn.  He loved the way their wings glinted blue in the sunlight.  He found comfort in the chirping of mothers calling out to their chicks, telling them food was coming.  Zeb could watch those birds for hours.

"The birdseed is getting low," Zeb muttered to himself.  He shut the front door and walked down the long hallway towards the kitchen, the chain around his ankle rattling with every step he took.  He grabbed some bread and jam from the pantry for a quick bite.  He made up his snack and returned to the front door.  The chain snagged going around the corner as a couple links receded into the wall.

September 13th

The magpies hadn't begun swooping yet.  Surely today would be the day.  Zeb headed for the washroom, but decided a bath could wait.  He quickly made his way down the hallway to the front door, the chain clinking loudly behind him.

"Curse this chain," Zeb murmured.  "Always causing a raucous."  Zeb looked outside just in time to see the birds fly back into the trees.  "Curse this chain," he repeated.  With the magpies cautiously watching, Zeb headed towards the kitchen for breakfast.  The chain tugged at Zeb's ankle as more links vanished into the wall.

September 14th

Zeb awoke to an itching, burning pain on his ankle.  He limped his way to the washroom to wet his ankle.  He flinched as he gently patted the inflamed area with a cold, moist cloth.  A sudden, loud chirp erupted from outside.

"It's started!"  Zeb hurried out of the washroom and down the hall, dodging around the chain at his feet.  He threw the front door open just in time to see a single magpie swooping out of a tree towards a squirrel.  The squirrel got away before the magpie could strike.  The other magpies sat in their trees, watching.  False alarm.  The swooping still hadn't begun.

"Cheeky squirrel," Zeb chuckled.  He then grimaced as the chain tugged at his ankle, more links disappearing.  But he stayed put, watching the magpies.

September 15th

After a small breakfast, Zeb made his way to the front door.  As he reached for the door handle, he was pulled back by the chain, once again receding into the wall.

"I can't reach the door," Zeb whispered angrily.  "I'll miss it all."  He fell to his knees, unsure of what to do next.  He sat there for hours, despairing over his predicament.

Outside, the magpies remained silent.

September 16th

Zeb woke on the floor, hungry and cold.  His ankle burned.  He noticed that he was further from the door than he was when he fell asleep.  The chain must have dragged him further from the door.  He let out a cry of frustration.

That's when he heard it.  The clamorous chirping of magpies dive bombing small critters, trying to protect their homes.

"I'm missing it," Zeb sobbed.  "Curse this chain!"  He began to claw at his ankle, repeating his new mantra. "Curse this chain!  Curse this chain!"

His ankle and fingertips began to bleed.  Zeb wailed and sobbed.  He thought he would never be free of the chain that kept him from the joy the magpies brought him.

And that's when he remembered.

Zeb rushed down the long hallway into his bedroom.  As if reading his mind, the chain began working overtime, quickly receding.  How had he forgotten?  There, on his bedside table, sat liberation.  Freedom from the pain.  Zeb lunged for the key as the chain gave one final tug.  He struggled with the lock as the chain pulled him towards the unknown.

He unclasped the chain.

Giving a sigh of relief, Zeb limped his way back down the hallway.  With a smile on his face and tears in his eyes, he turned the handle on the front door, and took a deep breath.  The magpies were chirping up a storm, flying this way and that.

This was the best swooping he had ever witnessed.

Narcissism: A Short Story

   

    Way up in the Scottish Highlands of ancient times, a dragon couple had just established their territory.  Breeding season was only months away, so this couple needed to turn their territory into a home fit for hatchlings.  The male dragon, Aillig, and his female counterpart, Grear, were deeply in love.  You see, dragons were one of the few creatures that mated for life.  Once a bond is made, it becomes nearly impossible to break.

    Aillig and Grear constructed a beautiful nest of stone, in which Grear laid three eggs.

    "I have never been so happy in all my life," Grear told Aillig one day.  "I can't wait to meet our hatchlings."

    On the day the eggs hatched, Aillig was away hunting for food.  He arrived back to the nest to meet his two sons, Torin and Calder, and his daughter, Vanora.  A surge of pride filled Aillig's breast as he beheld his handsome hatchlings.  "This calls for some special gifts," he said to Grear.  Aillig left the nest for a brief period.  When he returned, Grear could see a glint of precious metal shining from Aillig's mouth.  Aillig gifted his three hatchlings with pure gold that he had come across while hunting.

    "It's beautiful," said Grear.  "But what is the purpose?"

    "To remind us of the day our lives changed forever," was Aillig's reply.

    As the years went by, the hatchlings slowly grew into majestic beasts.  Every year, Aillig would bring back gold to celebrate his offspring.  A pile had been formed in the center of the nest for all to see.  When the time came for the hatchlings' first hunting trip, Aillig was nowhere to be found.  Grear took the young dragons out by herself.  She taught them how to draw in and catch a red deer.  After Torin, Calder, and Vanora had each caught their own deer, they returned back to the nest.  Aillig was waiting for them.

    "To commemorate your first hunt," Aillig said, "I have brought each of you a gold figurine I found in a nearby village."  He passed out the figures.  A wolf for Torin, an eagle for Calder, and a bear for Vanora.  The three excited dragons thanked their father and went off to celebrate on their own.

    "Where were you today?" asked Grear.  "You missed the first hunt."

    "I knew you had it under control," was Aillig's reply.  "I went off to get gifts."

    "That was very thoughtful," said Grear, "but don't forget that the greatest gift is spending time with your offspring."

    "Come with me next time," said Aillig, seeming to ignore Grear's words.  "The village is a wonderful place.  The smells of cooked meat.  The sounds of singing and laughter.  And the gold.  You never know what you will find."

    "That does sound wonderful," Grear said.

    Many more years passed.  Aillig continued his tradition of treasure hunting.  He soon began going off multiple times a year.  The pile of treasures was moved down to a crag under the nest, still in full sight.  Although the young dragons told him they had enough treasure, Aillig continued to hunt for more, keeping most of his findings for himself.

    Early in the morning of the young dragons' Sending Away, Aillig went off to find the biggest treasures he could.  Sending one's offspring out into the world to find their own ways was the most important of dragon traditions.  Aillig needed to find something extra special for this day, no matter how long it took.  He returned late into the night with a large gold framed mirror.  This was the most perfect gift Aillig had ever brought home.  

    As the nest came into sight, Aillig noticed that Grear was waiting there for him, by herself.  "Where are the offspring?" he asked.

    "I sent them away," Grear answered angrily.  "They are moving on with their lives now."

    "You didn't wait for me?" asked Aillig, smoke curling from his nostrils.

    Grear frowned.  "I was unsure when you would return.  There have been times when you were gone for days."

    "I needed the perfect gift," Aillig growled.

    "The offspring don't care about your gifts," Grear snarled.  "They have told you multiple times.  You seem not to hear anything but your own greed."

    "I did this for them, not for myself."  Aillig glared at Grear.  "I care deeply about our offspring."

    "You have a strange way of showing it."  Grear turned her back on Aillig.  "I am going to sleep now.  I am leaving in the morning.  I need a respite from your avarice."  Grear left Aillig alone with his thoughts.

    Why does she not understand that everything I do is for my family? Aillig wondered.  She won't actually leave me...will she?

    This is when Aillig's already crumbling mind completely snapped.  "She can't be allowed to leave," he said to himself.

    The next morning, an earsplitting, woeful roar filled the air.  "What have you done?" Grear screamed at Aillig.  She looked back towards her tail.  Her once beautiful wings had been shredded.  Dried blood crusted the large tears in the wing membrane.  Pieces of flesh littered the nest floor.

    "I couldn't let you leave," was Aillig's reply.  "We need each other.  We are bound for life.  I couldn't let you follow through with your selfish need for 'respite'."

    "Your actions have proven that bonds can be broken," Grear cried, the pain beginning to settle in.  "You are the selfish one.  Everything you have ever done was for your own gain."

    "Everything I did was for our family."  Aillig was beginning to get angry again.

    "I can't...," Grear huffed.  "I can't talk...Too much pain."

    "Of course you can't talk," Aillig snapped.  "You never talk when it comes to my feelings.  It's always about you.  I've had enough!"  With that, Aillig pushed Grear over the edge of the nest.  He listened for the thud, shuddering when it finally came.

    "She's gone now," he muttered to himself.  "She can't hurt me anymore."

    Over the decades, Aillig fought off many a foe.  Humans seeking the treasure they could see from miles away.  Other dragons attempting to rob him of his territory.  Aillig eventually hid his treasure in a cave near his nest.  He would spend hours looking at the mirror.  He never looked at his reflection, only the gold frame around the mirror.  Upon leaving the cave one day, Aillig noticed movement near the nest.

    "Calder?" he said.  "Is that you?"

    "Hello father," Calder said.  "I've come to see how you were doing.  I heard about mother's fall so many years ago.  I would have come sooner, but I had my own offspring to take care of."

    "I am doing well," Aillig responded.  "I am happy here by myself.  I have everything I need."

    "I'm glad to hear that," said Calder.  "I also came to ask if you would join me in my nest.  I've seen how difficult life can get for the elderly."

    "Life isn't difficult at all," Aillig said with a small snarl.  "I said I am fine."

    "I just thought I would offer."

    "Because you think I am like the other elderly dragons?  I can take care of myself."

    "I understand.  I thought maybe-"

    "I don't need anything," Aillig growled.  "I am capable of taking care of myself.  I am happy on my own."

    Calder hesitated.  "You don't seem happy, father."

    Aillig let out a roar, a wave of smoke exiting his mouth.  "Who are you to tell me if I am happy or not?  You, who left me alone.  After all I did for you and your siblings, you left without a goodbye."

    "We waited hours for your return, father," Calder said, tears forming in his eyes.  "You left us wondering when you would return.  We all agreed that we had to go.  Mother gave us a beautiful sending away."

    "Don't speak to me about your mother," Aillig growled.  "She never loved me.  I want no more to do with her."  

    Calder let out a sob.  "I can't do this, father.  I must go.  Goodbye."  Aillig turned his back as Calder flew away.

    Aillig continued to live alone.  Other dragons were finally successful in taking over Aillig's nest.  Taking pity on an elderly dragon, they allowed Aillig to reside in his cave of treasures, where he eventually passed into the next realm.  All alone, with nothing but his reflection in his prized gold framed mirror.

Isolation: A Short Story

A long time ago, my name was used to signify royalty.  Honor.  Protection.

Now it brings only fear.

I'll be forever grateful to the man who brought me here, to this cabin in the woods.  No one around for me to harm.  

I'm also sorry that he had to get hurt to help me.

I've been here for three weeks now.  Alone.  I gave up watching television, seeing my name in the headlines.  The number of people I've hurt.  I stay on the music stations, letting the beats and rhythms drown my thoughts.

Sleeping is difficult.  I lay awake most nights trying and failing to not think about my past.  I spent my whole life reaching out for someone to love me.  But among all the people I've encountered, I knew I was alone.  I knew I would always be alone.

So I ran.

I was fortunate to find this cabin.  All the furniture was covered in a thick layer of dust.  The kitchen was almost empty.  I've had to ration my meals.  I was thrilled when I found the cable box still worked.

I think I've made the best of things.  I'm feeling lighter than I have in a long time.  Music drowning my loneliness.  A game of solitaire on the table.  Even the bookshelf is still stocked with some reading material.  I'm keeping busy, distracting myself.  

I found seeds in one of the kitchen pantries.  A plot of soil in the back yard.  On sunny days, I go out and tend to my little garden.  The beans sprouted quickly.

Everything is fine.  I am fine.

I head back inside, my sprouts freshly watered, glistening in the sun.  A song comes on that I love.  The perfect amount of bass.  I turn it up, begin to dance.  I live for moments like this, where I can be free to be me.  Enjoy the music.  Enjoy life.  I close my eyes as I dance.

I don't see the headlights.  I don't hear the voices, the children's excited laughter.  I open my eyes in time to see the door handle turn.  I freeze, feeling a fear I haven't felt in days.  My chest tightens.  I think of the last people I saw.  The last people I hurt.  In Wuhan.  Milan.  Madrid.  New York.  I'm sorry.  I'm so sorry.

I see a face, the confusion in the eyes.

The intake of breath.

I'm sorry.  West Virginia, I'm so sorry.

Anxiety: A Short Story

It is finished.  After months of waiting, the time has finally come.  I call in the Patient.  The Patient walks into the room, slowly, timidly.  A young male, exhaustion evident in its eyes.  The Patient takes a seat next to the table, taking in its surroundings.  It catches sight of the button on the table.
"Panic?" it says.  "Is this some kind of a joke?"
I smile.  "Let's get started, shall we?"
"What's going to happen?" the Patient asks.  "Why am I here?"
"Just for a little test," I reply.
"Will my fears go away?" asks the Patient.  "Will I be Re-established?"
"I'm afraid not," I say.  "You are a threat to society and to yourself.  Your weakness will be your downfall.  This test will not cure you, but it will help us better understand what you feel.  Let us begin."
I push the button.

I wake up in my bed, the birds singing sweetly outside my window.  The sun is shining through the white curtains.  I don't remember going to bed last night.  In fact, I don't remember anything.  Not to worry, I assure myself.  I probably just took one too many sleeping pills last night.  It'll wear off soon.
A knock at the door.  My body tenses.  Who could it be?  I hesitate a moment before heading for the door.  I open the door to find a young boy.
"What is it?" I ask.  "Shouldn't you be in school?"
The boy looks up at me with sad green eyes.  When he speaks, his voice is small and quiet.  "You forgot, didn't you?" the boy asks.  He beckons me to lean forward, as if to whisper in my ear.  He taps me on the shoulder, turns around, and walks off.
That was strange, I think.  Probably just a little prankster, sent to my door on a dare.  Still, I can't help but notice that my mood has changed.  I can't quite put my finger on it, but something inside me feels different.
I make myself a hot drink to help calm my mind.  I soon forget about the boy, distracted by my thoughts.  I have a case report due today.  I need to go to the post office before heading to the office.  I should pick up some dish soap on the way home.  I finish getting ready to go.
As I step out the door, I am overwhelmed by the sounds of traffic and people's voices.  Again, something inside me doesn't quite feel right.  I begin my quarter mile walk to the post office.
"Excuse me," comes a voice behind me.  I turn to find a woman staring in my direction.  She is dressed as though she is headed to a fancy party.  "You dropped this."  She holds something out in front of her.  It is my credit card.  I reach for her hand.  She moves to the left ever so slightly and taps me on the shoulder.  She then turns and walks away, my card still in her hands.  I just stand there, a strange feeling in my gut.  I begin to sweat.  My body tenses.  Why am I not chasing after her? I wonder.  I can feel my heart racing.
I turn around, looking for someone to help me.  But I forget why I need help.  I shake my head.  "I need some coffee," I say aloud.  I walk over to the nearest café and order a cappuccino.  When I open my wallet, I find that my credit card is missing.  My mind starts racing.
Where did it go?
What happens now?
I look like an idiot.
What if all my money is already gone?
"Are you alright?" asks the man waiting behind me, tapping me on the shoulder.  I jump, startled.  It feels as though a weight has been put on my shoulders.  In fact, now that I think about it, it seems as though my shoulders have been getting heavier and heavier all morning.  My body is so tense it becomes difficult to stand.  I rush out of the café, breathing fast.  I take in my surroundings.  Why is everyone staring at me?  Where did all these people come from?  Someone taps me on the shoulder.  I turn to find who did it.  Someone else taps me on the shoulder, followed by another tap, then another, the weight on my shoulders getting heavier with every touch.  I crouch down to the ground.  I think I'm screaming.  I close my eyes and let the fear overwhelm me.  In my mind I can see all the laughing faces.  I can see my regrets.  I can see my future crumbling away into nothing.  And then...

...I wake up.  The first thing I see is the Patient.  And he is smiling.