❤️ Addiction is so difficult. The heart of so much of addiction is trauma and it can be passed down generation over generation. Thanks for bringing awareness to this!
Oh, Cynthia this is so well written. Vivid and heartbreaking. You capture the pattern of addiction so well, with flashes of clarity before sinking under again.
"The familiarity of the cold touch of the glass was the gateway to leave the bleeding cut. The liquid once again covered the viscous pain in her veins."
I wonder how many Heathers were in those other plastic boxes and how many had safer starts. Definitely would love to hear from Heather 💖
@Firefly in the Forest- Thank you for letting me know the specific lines that worked for you. I am so glad you are curious about Heather. I hear her voice alongside some other characters coming around!
Emmett- I appreciate your support especially since this is my first piece of fiction. I may continue this story in some form bc some other characters are coming to life in my head!
I meant to come back to this once I had recovered a bit. Now I have. It’s beautiful but so very dark and I can’t bear the thought of the poor baby suffering like that. But I have to point out that you have a real gift, no matter what you are writing, and it shows here, too. You are a deep soul, Cynthia. I appreciate that you write from a place of intensity even if I can’t always handle it in the moment. Please never stop writing!
Mei Ling- I appreciate you coming back especially to this piece. I was thinking of you before I put out the piece to message you beforehand about it. But i didn’t want to be intrusive.
This piece is dark. There are moments when I wonder if i could write light but I can’t seem to do it!
Thank you so much Nabanita. Good to know because Heather has been surfacing in my head! Glad you wrote because I have been thinking of you. Hope you are feeling a little better.
Heartbreaking how real this is for many families. Children born into addiction, parents trapped in their own. It’s a cycle that nobody wants, but too much to break for most.
Intense story! An important read for addiction/dependency issues, particularly as they relate to parenting and growing up under such circumstances. I was glad to read this, Cynthia!
Cynthia, The lack of separation between before and after stood out. There’s no moment where things change direction, which makes the entire piece feel continuous rather than episodic.
That final moment with Heather crying carries more weight because of everything that comes before it.
Thanks so much for capturing the structure of my piece. I always appreciate your analysis. I was really trying to not have it resolved so I am glad you felt that.
It’s haunting to see the "entrance fee" for an escape being paid with a child's future, leaving a baby to wake up to a hunger that a bottle can never actually feed. Great story ✨
Very all to real for so many… 🥺✨📚
So sad but true….
So well done but so so heartbreaking 💔🫂
Thanks Andy for the thoughtful read. I am glad you took away the intended message.
❤️ Addiction is so difficult. The heart of so much of addiction is trauma and it can be passed down generation over generation. Thanks for bringing awareness to this!
Oh, Cynthia this is so well written. Vivid and heartbreaking. You capture the pattern of addiction so well, with flashes of clarity before sinking under again.
"The familiarity of the cold touch of the glass was the gateway to leave the bleeding cut. The liquid once again covered the viscous pain in her veins."
I wonder how many Heathers were in those other plastic boxes and how many had safer starts. Definitely would love to hear from Heather 💖
@Firefly in the Forest- Thank you for letting me know the specific lines that worked for you. I am so glad you are curious about Heather. I hear her voice alongside some other characters coming around!
This was like a gateway into another life! ✨✨✨ really strong writing.
Emmett- I appreciate your support especially since this is my first piece of fiction. I may continue this story in some form bc some other characters are coming to life in my head!
It was cool I liked it. First time fiction wow. Congratulations!! ✨✨📚
Thanks so much Emmett! Means a lot!
I meant to come back to this once I had recovered a bit. Now I have. It’s beautiful but so very dark and I can’t bear the thought of the poor baby suffering like that. But I have to point out that you have a real gift, no matter what you are writing, and it shows here, too. You are a deep soul, Cynthia. I appreciate that you write from a place of intensity even if I can’t always handle it in the moment. Please never stop writing!
Mei Ling- I appreciate you coming back especially to this piece. I was thinking of you before I put out the piece to message you beforehand about it. But i didn’t want to be intrusive.
This piece is dark. There are moments when I wonder if i could write light but I can’t seem to do it!
Thank you for believing in my writing!
A brilliant amount of writing that keeps my eyes pinned, I can't put it down...
Thank you so much. I am glad you were immersed in my work. Appreciate you subscribing
You capture the brutal reality of addiction very well. Heart wrenching reality check . Want to know what happens to Heather. Great first fiction!
Thank you so much Nabanita. Good to know because Heather has been surfacing in my head! Glad you wrote because I have been thinking of you. Hope you are feeling a little better.
I am ok when I work. Outside of that it’s really hard. Thank you.
💐😢
Heartbreaking how real this is for many families. Children born into addiction, parents trapped in their own. It’s a cycle that nobody wants, but too much to break for most.
So beautifully written Cynthia!
Thank you so much, Sanaa! Glad you liked it:)
You captured an ongoing generational curse of many families! Thank you!
Thanks so much Kathy for letting me know this piece resonated. Nice to connect.
This was heartbreaking 😢
Thank you feeling and sitting with the intended message, Aaliya.
"She traded in her once glossy brunette curls for tattered hair. She deemed it a reasonable entrance fee for the escape room."
Wonderful story Cynthia, I love it!
Thanks so much Nick! I appreciate you letting me know what lines worked for you. Glad you enjoyed it:)
Intense story! An important read for addiction/dependency issues, particularly as they relate to parenting and growing up under such circumstances. I was glad to read this, Cynthia!
Thank you so much, Tim! I am so glad the read was meaningful. That is my hope:)
Cynthia, The lack of separation between before and after stood out. There’s no moment where things change direction, which makes the entire piece feel continuous rather than episodic.
That final moment with Heather crying carries more weight because of everything that comes before it.
Really strong work here. Monica
Thanks so much for capturing the structure of my piece. I always appreciate your analysis. I was really trying to not have it resolved so I am glad you felt that.
Mission accomplished
Thanks friend!
It’s haunting to see the "entrance fee" for an escape being paid with a child's future, leaving a baby to wake up to a hunger that a bottle can never actually feed. Great story ✨
Isn’t it though? I may have to give voice to Heather later. Thank you for your thoughtful take!
Wow, this is dark, Cynthia. "Wicked dahhhhk" as we say in Boston. Well done! - Seth ✦
Thanks Seth! Yes it is! Thanks for supporting!