Slowly

It was a get rich slowly scheme and they were proving it by grinding it out day by day.  Perseverance doesn't come without a cost, but none of them could have imagined that the cost would only become apparent after their success.  After they should be enjoying the fruits of their labor.  When they should have been heralded as visionaries creating a daring new segment in the crowded field of technology.  But nothing really turns out like we plan it to, and even what does, we often wish that it didn't.

Finally Over

All along, he knew he shouldn't be having these thoughts.  Eight months is a long time after a separation to be reunited with an estranged spouse.  But events conspired to bring them back together once again.  How would they truly reconcile?

[I would love to read a story that captures what it would be like to reconcile with somebody in a sincere, painful, difficult, but complete way.  How does that work?  When are you all good?  Are you ever one step away from separation again?]

Exceptional

He always wanted to be special in an extremely tough sort of way.  The kind of way in which he could overhear the doctor telling his parents that he is extremely surprised that the boy hadn't complained about the pain sooner.  Because if he hadn't, the boy must be extraordinary.  This thought would roll around in his head many times a day, especially when he was practicing piano.

A Rough Start

He didn't just want her to hurt as she left this material realm.  He wanted terror and agony, but not slowness.  This would be quick, painful and disturbed.  He questioned his own sanity when the plan formed in his mind, but he could think of nothing he wanted more than to proceed.

And so it was that he found himself researching the means of his ex-lovers demise.  A lair would have been more appropriate than the sunny apartment in a trendy part of the city.  But the darkness he felt was real.