IAIN KELLY

THE ENEMY WITHIN

The castle was his fortress, protecting him from the dangers that surrounded him.

Water around three sides made attack impossible, and the narrow drawbridge that joined it to the mainland was impregnable.

No one had been able to storm these solid defences for years.

But inside the castle there existed a powerful enemy, one that he had never suspected before.

It had insinuated itself within him, gradually nibbling away at him, eroding his mind.

He heard the voices, the doubts. He grew depressed. There was no defeating this enemy that had penetrated the walls of his castle.

When he was found the self-inflicted stab wounds numbered in the hundreds, the blood spatterings covered those solid walls.

The madness retreated back into the walls of the castle, waiting for its next victim to arrive.


castle
Copyright Sue Vincent

This is a response to the #writephoto Prompt – Castle  curated over at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click on the link to read other stories inspired by the image.

21 responses to “THE ENEMY WITHIN”

  1. Sue Vincent Avatar

    Eerie… but anyone who shuts themselves off from life could fall victim to that enemy… Nicely done, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Sue

      Like

  2. scr4pl80 Avatar

    The mind is a weird thing sometimes isn’t it? Good one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Janet – very weird indeed!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. pensitivity101 Avatar

    Very good Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Di

      Liked by 1 person

  4. notestowomen Avatar

    A disturbing tale very well written.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. kzmcb Avatar

    Well-written, if rather grim, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. willowdot21 Avatar

    An excellent metaphor for depression 💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Willowdot 🙂

      Like

      1. willowdot21 Avatar

        A pleasure 🎊

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Suzanne Avatar
    Suzanne

    I agree, that inner enemy can be the most damaging of all.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It certainly can be.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Dnyanada Kulkarni Avatar

    Wow….! That is impactful. Wish I can write like this. Great

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, too kind

      Like

  9. bearmkwa Avatar
    bearmkwa

    Disturbing… most disturbing. Great write!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much

      Liked by 1 person

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