The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow was right there.
But everytime she tried to grab it, something blocked her, like a thin mesh she couldn’t penetrate, dulling her view of the world.
She would fall back and begin the long journey again, reaching up through the fog to the light.
A different medication, a different routine, anything to break the cycle.
She should be happy, her life was full. People tried to understand, it was a disease, an illness.
And so the battle goes. One day she would see the world in bright colour once more.

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).
To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
93 responses to “SO CLOSE AND YET SO FAR”
Interesting take on the prompt, Iain
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Thanks Neil
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Intense in its simplicity!
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Thank you Reena
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I hope that ‘one day’ comes very soon. This touched my heart, Iain. Very moving.
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Thank you Edith, very kind and I’m glad it touched you.
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I agree. It was so “smoothly” written. Words flowed, sentences connected then the line about the meds.
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A disquieting piece this week, Iain, but nicely done.
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Thank you CE
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Dear Iain,
It’s a horrid disease that leaves the sufferer riddled with guilt and those around her confused and often angry. At least if you’re speaking of clinical depression. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That was the intention Rochelle, glad that it came through.
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You captured that fog of despair nicely, Iain.
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Thank you Sandra
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Great story – very poignant and such an original take on a photo of a bird seen through a mesh window. Brilliantly done, Iain.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you Susan
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Diseases are hard to cope with. Hope she gets well soon, the mesh disappears and everything is bright and clear.
Well narrated.
Note- I have medication in my story too 🙂
Stranger Outside?- Anita
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Thanks Anita
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Wow! You’ve really nailed it this week! What a poignant and powerful story about the sheer slog of trying to overcome depression. People around generally have no idea of just how tough it is. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is a great metaphor for the goal of recovery.
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Thank you Penny, that means a lot 🙂
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In my experience people who suffer from depression very rarely come across as downbeat or miserable. Yet it is such an awful blank sense of pointlessness.. I am sure anyone who fights the daily battle to manage it will appreciate the imaginative concept in your writing.
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Thank you Jilly, as I am not a sufferer, I do hope it comes across as a realistic representation.
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There but for the grace of God etc. Simply brilliant Iain
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Thanks Keith
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This one really appeals to my therapist’s heart, Lain. Beautifully written.
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Thank you so much.
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A very clever take on the prompt Iain. It hit home.
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Thank you Di
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How tragic, Iain. In your usual style who told this story so well and I can certainly think of someone close to me who this sadly describes too well. It is tempting to wrap them up in a warm blanket and protect them, when getting back out there again is ultimately the best thing for them.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Thank you so much Rowena
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Excellent evocative piece, Iain. I’m glad to see you branching away from spy/action/violence. This is my favorite of yours so far.
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Thank you, high praise indeed, much appreciated.
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Spare, and absolutely spot-on.
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Thank you Liz
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I also noticed the hazy effect that the screen had on the images beyond it. Nice how you ran with that effect!
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Thank you, I was at a loss so I just kinda ignored the bird! 🙂
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Evocative and timely.
Wonderful message.
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Thanks Dawn
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A very powerful take on someone suffering from depression. I know a few people who struggle with mental illness, wanting to live medication free lives. It’s a very sad reality for many who feel like they are living in a haze and longing to break free. Well done, Iain.
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Thank you so much
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Very evocative.
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Thank you
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I imagine depression to feel exactly like that… a veil between yourself and the prospects of living.
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Thank you Bjorn
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I love this piece. It’s about such an important topic and it’s written with great honesty.
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Thank you Lisa, much appreciated
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A topic which is close to my heart, well handled.
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Thank you Michael
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a timely topic considering news about iconic figures that we lost recently. well done.
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Thank you
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Another powerful and oh-so-relevant tale.
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Thank you
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I see a little bit of hope, she hasn’t given up. Nice take with the curtain to show us how she sees life.
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Thank you, there is always that little bit of hope.
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A sad reflection on our pill addicted world, well told.
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Thanks James
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I loved your use of the screen as “like a thin mesh she couldn’t penetrate, dulling her view of the world.” A timely story, and a poignant look into the life of someone who suffers silently.
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Thank you Jan
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The state of depression well-described.
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Thank you.
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As you can see by all the likes I’ve submitted, I agree with pretty much everything everyone else has said. A very well done piece, Ian.
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Thank you so much Alicia.
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Oops, sorry I spelled your name wrong! Shoot, no way to go back.
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Ha, at least you spotted it, as you can imagine this has happened throughout my entire life! 🙂
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Been there. Everyone mispronounces my name. It’s intended to be pronounced as if it were spelled Alisha, not Aleesha which is popular now. I just shrug and answer. (My nickname is Lish which people still pronounce Leesh.) Sorry, I’m rambling.
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This is so powerful, and beautifully written. Depression can affect everyone at any time, no one is immune. I love, and applaud the narrator’s willingness to accept help and get better.
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Thank you so much Gabi
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Heartbreaking… and yet, she doesn’t give up which is uplifting.
Beautifully done.
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Thank you so much Dale
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I liked your story very much. In such a compassionate way it captures what it is like to be depressed, in a way that includes hopefulness. Well done.
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Thank you so much
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Wow, very tight and intense writing Iain. Her pain and desperation is palpable
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Thank you Laurie
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A vivid picture of depression.
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Thanks Liz
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I’ve known people who suffered from depression. You captured their despair brilliantly.
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Thank you Russell
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An incredible take on the prompt. Living life one gray day at a time, longing to experience the joy and color of it, is extremely difficult for many. Your story is very moving.
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Thank you Brenda, very kind comment.
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There is so much meaning here in such a small space. Great job!
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Thank you Pamela 🙂
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You’ve done a brilliant job of making this both saddening and incredibly hopeful – really nicely done in just 100 words.
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Thank you Ellie
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Clever job Iain. That use of the screen as a metaphor for mental illness was a brilliant idea – so close and yet so far from ‘normality’. Great Stuff
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Thanks Lynn, much appreciated.
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A wonderfully affecting description for the journey through depression. You have summed so well the ups and downs, and how frustrating and disheartening it must feel to never reach the elusive gold.
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Thank you Sarah Ann
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Very nicely done. You’ve described the complex emotions with accuracy and also with sensitivity.
The hope comes through what could have been a very dark piece.
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Thank you, much appreciated.
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👍
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I love what you’ve done here. You’ve described what I interpret as depression quite well, somewhat poetically, and it is probably just me, but I wonder if the piece wouldn’t be stronger without indicating that she would see color once more. I do understand you’re trying to make the piece hopeful, however. Just a thought…maybe a bad one. 🙂
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Thanks for the suggestion Sascha, but yes, I wanted to leave on a moment of hope, which I hope those who suffer from depression do hold on to.
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suffering from depression is a lot like living with blinders on from one day to the next, but I do like the hope in your story. 🙂
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Thank you Sascha
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