x-ray-cat

Primary tabs

I have 3 stories published in 0 collections on the site.
My stories have been read 2212 times

x-ray-cat's picture
James

My stories

Protester

By x-ray-cat on Tue, 04 Apr 2006

It is a bright cold day in April, and Big Ben is striking twelve. Brian Haw leans against a steel barrier, puffing on a roll-up, gazing over the road at the Houses of Parliament. A gaggle of tourists stare back at him, more interested in Brian and his display than in Barry and Pugin's Victorian Gothic masterpiece. It's hard to say if Brian notices them ' after all, he's witnessed the seasonal ebb and flow of visitors to Parliament Square for almost four years. Any Londoner who has taken a bus past Parliament knows him, even if they don't know his name: the crackpot protestor who camps outside the seat of government in protest against 'the war'.
Other Non-fiction
Non-fiction
Certificate U

Stitches

By x-ray-cat on Fri, 31 Mar 2006

The triage nurse had asked me if I smoked, drank; if so, how much? About fifteen to twenty cigarettes a day, I replied. "And alcohol? "About twenty units, I said. "A week? she asked. "Um¦a day? I could tell that she was trying to remain composed, but I saw her give an involuntary grimace. I couldn't blame her ' many tramps drink more than that, but although I was dressed in pretty shabby clothes I don't look the type. My skin's still pretty good, and my hair's usually soft, shiny and lustrous. Just don't ask me to hold a pencil between thumb and forefinger: it'll oscillate like the needle of a San Andreas seismograph. She asked me if I was undergoing counselling for alcoholism and I wanted to cry: "No! But I want you to help me! Instead, I grinned sheepishly and shook my head. She slashed a couple of ticks into the boxes on the file in front of her and briskly bade me wait for the duty nurse. I was in love, albeit for only a few moments.
Autobiography
Story
Certificate 15

Suicide note

By x-ray-cat on Fri, 31 Mar 2006

There is nothing I can do to make this any easier for you, but I owe you an explanation of why I decided to do this. I have never felt particularly able to deal with life. If it was childhood, schools, university, friendships or career, I've always struggled to make things work. I found it difficult to do the things that come naturally to most people. It's not because I broke up with T. That just made me realize what I've always secretly known ' that I just couldn't deal with the complexities of life. I felt hopeless; I didn't want to wait for whatever pains and misfortunes and self-inflicted misery the future might have held. And there is nothing you could have done about it. I know that you loved me, and I know that you would have done anything for me. But I have made this decision, fully aware of all the pain that I will cause. I know this is a selfish act, but the pain I am feeling is stronger than my desire to protect you. And I want you to know that I loved you all; I know that all you wanted for me was to be happy. But I'm not happy, and I never have been, and it's never been anything to do with you. I'm just not fated to be happy, and I don't want to live for another fifty years with all the pain inside me. I'm at peace now. And if that peace was won by causing you pain, I'm sorry. But I'm certain. Even having gone to J's funeral, and seeing the grief she had caused, I'm still certain.
Autobiography
Story
Certificate 18