Copyright Kelly Sands
“Make them stop,” she’d scream, hands pressed over her ears to lock out the incessant babble of voices.
Yet the storm raging within her was as nothing, compared to that within my own heart as our family fell apart.
On good days, with medications in perfect balance, her demons stilled. She was my sister once more; we were a family again.
But only briefly.
What I’d planned was in everyone’s interest – I knew that.
“There, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” rasped a voice in my head as I replaced the pillow, “I think we’re going to get along just fine.”
Next week, hopefully, I’ll be back in France and meeting up with another Friday Fictioneer, Janet Webb, who’s over there right now. Hopefully the problems with the Channel Tunnel will have been resolved. This week’s Friday Fictioneers, under the guidance of the surgically-booted Rochelle, is underway once more. And yes, it’s back to the darkness again…
castelsarrasin 
When you realise where this is going, the last lines come as sweet release from the build up. Nice 🙂
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Yay the dark side returns! Loved it.
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Thank you!
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Sandra, Good story and well written as usual. That was a difficult situation, but I’m afraid that the rest of the family may not agree with her decision. Law enforcement may also not agree. Well done. —Susan
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Indeed they may not. Thanks for reading Susan.
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Sweet release for so many. Yet, that is a heavy burden. Very deep and poignant piece, Sandra.
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Thank you!
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Tough times will always pass on…
Good one!
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Thanks!
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Sandra! This will definitely be a favorite this week ! Especially love the ending..
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Thank you, glad you liked it. 🙂
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I love reading and re-reading your stories, because there are always little gaps and twists that leave room for interpretation — this one is especially good for that, and the title is just perfect.
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Thank you Helena, glad to see you’re around.
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Good twist at the end, Sandra. Nice work.
Marie Gail
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Thank you!
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Perhaps I’m interpreting it incorrectly, but I found the ending terrifying.
WOW!
That was brilliant and scary.
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If it was terrifying then you interpreted it correctly. 🙂 Thank you.
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My take is that she killed her sister but inherited the voices/demons? Big idea for a small story but well handled as usual.
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I hadn’t considered this, Paul, but now that you’ve planted the seed I can’t imagine it any other way!
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Yes; the demon just found another victim. 🙂
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Dear Sandra,
I truly hope this droll dark streak of yours doesn’t spill over into real life. At any rate she made the voices in her sister’s head stop. See? There’s always a silver lining in every cloud.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Always look on the bright side… de dum… de dum. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by.
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This is my kind of storyline, but better executed. 🙂
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Should read: but YOURS is better executed
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Thank you for reading Lynda. 🙂
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Bleak, bleak bleak view of the human condition’s susceptibilities, or a few of them! Dark as always…!
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I try Hamish… I try. 🙂
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I’m trying not to think of the devastation to the family if she is caught. Obviously, neither is she.
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You may be right Dawn. 🙂
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Well, THAT was delightfully depressing. Well done.
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My work here is done then… 🙂
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Ohh very deep, dark, mysterious and terrifying, well written. I really enjoyed reading.
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Thank you Maree. 🙂
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Visions of Betty Davis/Joan Crawford – or, the Wicked Witch, my lovely.
Certainly not Rock Hudson and Doris Day from Pillow talk.
A nasty story greatly told. Maybe Tony Perkins from Psycho. Thanks. Randy
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Thanks for reading Randy! 🙂
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Wow, that is just chilling. The ending is so calm, yet so powerful. Terrific! 🙂
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Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.
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Oh! I enjoyed this! Scary one before bed, though…
Ellespeth
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Don’t turn out the light… 🙂 Thanks for dropping by.
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Nice story Sandra as usual. I will look at the bright side like Rochelle.
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Thanks Indira!
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How devastating!
Sandra, you are someone to look up to on how well you harness the power of 100 words.
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Thank you Melanie. 🙂
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Haha with medication in perfect balance had me cry laughing a little. Well worded and constructed 🙂
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Getting the meds in balance is an art form…. 🙂
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This is dark indeed, Sandra, but oh so good! It seems that Janet is everywhere this summer! What a fun get together that should be! 🙂
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Looking forward to it. Thanks for dropping by Dawn.
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The demons found a new home …. very scary and very real feel to this story, Sandra. I felt a lot of empathy for both characters 🙂
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Thanks for reading Siobhan.
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“Back to the darkness” indeed! Great story. Methinks this sister has her own internal demons.
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I think she just set another one free too! Thanks for reading.
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Yes, after I submitted my comment I realised the significance of your title!
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I hope that girl doesn’t come around. If she messes up one of Connie’s pillows just to drown those voices in my head Connie will be pretty upset. She might even have to change the pillow case.
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I think she may be under lock and key now Roger. 🙂
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Sandra, this is such a spooky, clever story and could happen easily with the wrong mixture of medicines. Gosh, clever you are and I’m going to lock my medicine cabinet now. Thanks for making me think of it! Nan 🙂
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Sinister. A great last line.
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Thanks Mike.
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Great take on mental illness and I can see how the image lead you there. No support for people ill like that in the UK, I’m afraid.
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Thanks for reading Patrick.
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Those were the perfect sentences too build up this fiction (I hope, fiction). Sandra, I always love to come around and read your FF because I’m assuredly left astounded. Thank you for that 🙂
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My pleasure!
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Yikes! You DID venture to the dark side this week. I don’t know how you do it, but keep it going, Sandra. A fine effort, as always. Bravissimo!
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Thanks Kent! Hope you had a good holiday.
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Another exceptional story. I’ve learned never to overlook the significance of your titles.
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Thanks Barbara. The title has to play an integral part in a 100 word story, I’m afraid. 🙂
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happy that your dark wicked side is back! this was excellent. a truly horrifying ending. and the most terrifying thing was the little voice rasping in her head, assuring her that everything’s gonna be fine…
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Thanks KZ, glad you liked it.
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Fantastically dark ending! Well done!
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Thanks Lisa!
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Egads, Sandra! For a minute there, I thought we were getting a poignant little bit on aging and dementia. Forgive me for doubting you would deliver a truly horrific twist. I should have known better. Great work!
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I don’t think I’ve done demons before. Murder, mayhem … yes …
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extra extra dark this week. Loved ‘as I replaced the pillow’ – very clever story.
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Thanks El; glad you liked it.
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Dear Sandra,
This was a particularly well written story, one that requires reading at least three times before realization steals over my pea brain. A very satisfying story…as in, the work of a craftsman. Thanks.
Aloha,
Doug
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Thank you Doug, glad you liked it. 🙂
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I, too, had to read this story several times. So dark, so sad, so well-written. She was her sister’s keeper and was entrusted to stop the voices – at whatever cost. I love reading your stories.
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Thanks for dropping by. 🙂
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Wow. I had to read this a couple times for it to really sink in. Somehow, I don’t think this will make things any easier for this family. Fantastically written!
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Thank you!
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Oh my. Such evil there. Creepy.
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Thanks for reading Shirley.
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Now that’s surprised me! Very good one!
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Hi Perry, thanks for reading.
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This was a great read, Sandra! You are so precise in words and actions. I hope you get to meet with Janet!
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Thanks Patti. So do I, though things are getting a little tricky. 😦
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Now that’s great yarn with a killer ending.
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Thank you!
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Back on the dark side… but it suits you so well.
Hope you are enjoying your travels
Take care
Dee
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Hi Dee, hope all is well. Thanks for reading.
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Let’s hope there aren’t any more siblings to take on the role. This demon has a lot to answer for methinks.
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He’s certainly a very mobile demon… Thanks for reading Sarah Ann.
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Clever, well told story, Sandra. The demon has found a new friend. Definitely, dark. That’s great that you and Janet can spend time together. Have a wonderful time! Tell Janet I said hi for me.
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Thank Amy, will do. Looking forward to it.
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Ooh, very disturbing. I may not condone the action, but I love the little story!
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