It was supposed to be my vacation. A long overdue break from demands, deadlines, and stress. But I couldn’t relax. During the mornings, I sat on the sand, watching the waves, my stomach a knot of anxiety. In the afternoons, I wandered through the quaint shops, where tourists tried to scramble over each other for bargains, but I walked away, uninterested. Why couldn’t I enjoy myself?
And at night came the dreams, each one more disturbing than the last. The dark corridor, the semi-open doors with a faint glow of light emanating from inside. But I couldn’t see what was happening. A vague sickly sweet odor. Fabric rustling. Moans… of pleasure or pain? I could not tell. I knew I had to choose a room, and once I made my choice, all others would disappear. But each night I awoke drenched in fear just as I stepped over the threshold of the one I’d chosen.
Except this night, the last one of my stay. I walked resolutely down the shadowed hall, the decaying fragrance stronger than ever. I heard fabric tearing, as if someone were ripping a bedsheet with their bare hands. And then in the deepest, most recessed alcove I found the right door. All my worry melted away as I glided into the light.
~*~
A wide range of emotions in this one.
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Thank you π
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A very vivid, nicely told tale, Paula.
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Thanks π
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This is really, really well written Paula! I was hooked as if I was watching a movie! π β€
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Thanks so much! π
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A evocative story .
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Thank you π
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Youβre welcome
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Synchronicity: I am planning a vacation trip which is triggering my anxiety (never used to) so I am constantly reminding myself that I’m actually doing OK. Once I’ve left home with my suitcase, I know I’ll be fine. I’d like to find the right door before that. (WIP, that.) π
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Good luck! π
The older I get, the more I dislike change.
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Thanks! Maybe aging is a part of it. Well, I want a vacation so screw age and anxiety. π
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PS: I’m home again and all went well. So take that, Angst! π
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Pingback: The Right Door ~ Paula Light #writephoto | Sue Vincent's Daily Echo
Excellent atmosphere.. x.
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Thanks π
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Beautiful π
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Thanks π
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Pleasure π
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