14 Comments
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MARTYS | The Witness Chronicle's avatar

A haunting story with a strong emotional twist that recontextualizes everything before it. The ending lingers because the greatest regret isn't the money it’s the words left unsaid. Do you think the narrator's real prison was the train station, or the guilt he couldn't let go of?

Liminal Space Creative's avatar

If say the regret, but even that is tainted. The gambling thought at the end is I wish I'd have net on the other horse, not I wish I hadn't bet at all.

MARTYS | The Witness Chronicle's avatar

That's what struck me too. Even the regret isn't really about changing it just wants a different outcome from the same choices.

Michael Hatcher's avatar

Really good! I liked “Consumed by Desire” even more!

Liminal Space Creative's avatar

Ooh, you like the darkness. I wasn't sure that story was going to do well on the Stack to be honest. Thought maybe the fondue set was a step too far. Happy to be proven wrong!

Michael Hatcher's avatar

Great job! Ready to read more!

AsukaHotaru's avatar

The legs going numb from sitting too long, right at the top, before you knew what it meant... And then the trains that keep pulling away without him and the attendant gently telling him he has to let it go. Sitting here with my arms crossed slightly annoyed that I didn't catch it earlier, but only slightly, cuz... the thing that actually gets me is that his last thought is a regret about a horse... Not her. The horse. That's the cruelest part and you knew it.

Liminal Space Creative's avatar

Ha, indeed, if zombie movies taught me anything you don't just shoot once, you need a double tap! Yeah in the end he's still a gambler. Glad you caught the connections. I try not to make twists so to speak, I consider them more like revelations. Something that looking back was inevitable, you had pieces, but you didn't know the full shape of it until the end, then the pieces click. Thanks for reading!

The Great Wild Word's avatar

Nice work. I started to stress he was going to jump in front of the train!

Liminal Space Creative's avatar

I'm sure, if he could have, it would have crossed his mind.

J. Libeque's avatar

I’ve never been into gambling, but you can feel the anguish of the narrator.

Great work!

Liminal Space Creative's avatar

I've gambled once... I but 5$ into a slot machine in Vegas. Instantly regretted it and thought I'd have much rather had a burger and fries 😡

Silas Hatcher's avatar

devastating. lovely short.

Liminal Space Creative's avatar

I'm glad you enjoyed it!