STORY INFO
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After the Fall

Content

Smokey shapes hover over me in dark smudges I cannot erase. I try to push my way past the tangled grey, but icy claws grip my arms. The air, too hot, feels clotted. Between the pulsing shrieks that always accompany these dreams, an unfamiliar voice weaves its question over and over. “Remember?” I want to scream but fear locks my throat.When I open my eyes, it is to the green relief of my back garden and the woods beyond. I must have fallen asleep in my rocker on the porch. It’s bathed in afternoon sun, warm and soothing,...

Outstanding reviews

Interesting interweaving of ghosts. It seems Alzheimer's is making Charlotte a ghost of herself, but not in the typical way, while she also sees a sort of ghost of herself in Sadie. Fascinating and touching. Well done!
Thank-you. I love that you captured what I was trying to do there.
Thank-you. I love that you captured what I was trying to do there.
I've never heard that: "We become who we needed when we were younger." Such an interesting idea. I do appreciate your thoughts on their characters as that is something I am working on my writing. Thank-you for the feedback.
I've never heard that: "We become who we needed when we were younger." Such an interesting idea. I do appreciate your thoughts on their characters as that is something I am working on my writing. Thank-you for the feedback.
As always, you capture the essence and intent of the story perfectly. I appreciate your feedback.
Woo! Congrats on the shortlist :)
Appreciated. Not sure I'll submit on reedsy for awhile, but I am likely to check it out periodically to see what else the prodigious Michal has been producing.
Captivating. The language. Congrats.
Thank-you.
Pleasure.
I knew when I read this this morning it would be here 😁 well deserved recognition..hope you are celebrating 🎉
Aww...thank-you. I wasn't expecting it since there are so many stories this week and so many good ones to boot. Cheers!
Agreed! SOO many spooky and creative ghosty stories this week. :) The judges had their work cut out for them this week!
Wow Laurel. What an incredible way to bring the readers along unknowingly. I find it most interesting when a ghost does not know they are one. And I really enjoyed the garden scene when Charlotte first meets Sadie. This was really really well done. Felt like a dream the whole way through.
Thank-you so much!
I tremendously enjoyed the narrative, it really held up the suspense of Charlotte’s state of being. Also written in such a great tone. A wonderful story!
Thank-you so much!
Thank-you so much!
Thank-you. I do have a question though. Did you submit to this contest? The last story I have of yours is the prior contest. By the way, I had read it and seem not to have left the note I thought I had, so apologies. Anyway, Cheers.
Thank-you. I do have a question though. Did you submit to this contest? The last story I have of yours is the prior contest. By the way, I had read it and seem not to have left the note I thought I had, so apologies. Anyway, Cheers.
It’s the ghost of Alzheimer’s that is haunting the old lady. Complex, sad and touching. You depict the difficulties of ageing so well. Great imagery. Thanks for sharing.
Thank-you. I appreciate your kind words.
Ooh, this is a very cool take on the prompt! I really love it, especially when she goes looking for things she can't find...I love knowing what the character doesn't. I can't even come up with a critique, which is rare for me! Nice job.I'd love your feedback on my latest!
Great piece of writing, Laurel. Full of lovely little philosophical snippets like : “Sometimes it’s just better to be there…” The way you used it said so much.I also like the way you weave multiple layers into the story, making it much more than a classic « ghost story » Interesting that Sadie meets Charlotte on both a spiritual and physical level.
Rich and multi-layered. Led me though many thoughts and ideas throughout. So nicely done. Even the title had duel meaning.Congrats on well deserved shortlist!
Thank-you.
Thank-you.
Wow, I really appreciate your kind words. As you noted, I've been out for a long spell working on a very different project and thought maybe a palette cleanser might be good writing practice. I am not sure how I feel about this one just yet, but feedback from a writer of your caliber is certainly heartening. Thank-you so much.
Well done Laurel. I did enjoy this carefully constructed and moving story. Looks like a palette cleanser once in a while is a good thing!
Thanks!
Wow Laurel. This is a heartbreaker. Really mysterious, lots of hints and red herrings before the explanation is given. I loved this. Thanks!
Much appreciated.
🤩😍 Amazing story. Congrats on the shortlist 🎉😄
Thank-you so much!

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