On the Edge of Everything (Six Ficlet Challenge)

by [pens&feathers]

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How does it feel to stand on the edge of the world?

I wouldn’t know, but I’d imagine it’s a lot like this. With the right mixture of loss and lonliness, anything feels like an edge. Even if you’re standing in the middle of the longest, flattest expanse of land you’ve ever seen in your life.

My tomato-red pickup truck is parked a few yards back, both windows rolled down all the way and the driver’s side door still hanging open. All around me, dust blows up in little ringlets shaped like mini-tornados. And it’s probably close to ninety degrees, but I hug my arms around myself like it’s the coldest day of the year.

I stand here, with a shovel at me feet, but I am surprisingly afraid to dig.

Give up dreaming. Give up hoping. Have no expectations. Never be disappointed.

If I put the tip of this shovel into the ground, if I move the whole Earth for you, and I find nothing, you’re just another notch on the disappointment chain.

So I pick up the shovel, and I hate myself for crying.

And I dig.

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Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. On the Edge of Everything (Six Ficlet Challenge)

    someday_93's Buddy Icon someday_93

    Posted 6 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Aww! So, write more, please! I want to know how she got there, why she’s digging…this is amazing! It really makes me want to know more!
    I love the lines, How does it feel to stand on the edge of the world?
    I wouldn’t know, but I’d imagine it’s a lot like this.
    LoA

  2. On the Edge of Everything (Six Ficlet Challenge)

    wytherwings' Buddy Icon wytherwings

    Posted 6 months ago

    wow thats crazy
    i agree with someday, why is she digging??

  3. On the Edge of Everything (Six Ficlet Challenge)

    emma jo_234's Buddy Icon emma jo_234

    Posted 6 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Oh my God….I have wondered that so many times….How does it feel to stand on the edge of the world?....And I love the line, Give up dreaming. Give up hoping. Have no expectations. Never be disappointed. What would life be without it? Amazing insight here. Your writing, no matter what, it’s so beautiful. I always feel calm.

  4. On the Edge of Everything (Six Ficlet Challenge)

    [pen.up.girl]'s Buddy Icon [pen.up.girl]

    Posted 6 months ago

    This series was truly amazing. It felt so much longer than it actually was though, like years…

    Is she digging because he buried the ring? We never really find out for sure…

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