Thank you, friend. So glad you stopped by to read this one. I've never written, edited, narrated and published a short story in a 48 hour turnaround before so it was a little crazy. It felt a little like I was in my own time jump...
Beautiful Ben! Each dimensional fold a releasing of our hang ups, our fixations, but in repeated patterns and motifs…what a freeing idea. No matter that we haven’t yet figured out time travel, this makes me think we can still identify those repeating themes and bring more consciousness into them, a deepening of presence which maybe is also a kind of letting go.
Thank you so much, friend. I kind of wrote this one like a house on fire this past weekend. I wasn't sure I'd be able to make the deadline or if I did, that the story would be coherent at all. I'm glad you think it works.
This was beautiful, Ben. I felt connected to so much of this in so many ways, and having lost my mother far too early in life to a brain aneurysm, the end scene with his parents brought me to tears. You've given me a lot to ponder as I sit here writing this in the basement of my mother-in-law's house while visiting my wife's family for the holidays. Our time is indeed short. Your story is a touching reminder to be present. Thank you for sharing.
Hey Shane, there is no higher compliment than this for my writing. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and for working tirelessly to facilitate TMV. I know how much work that is. Enjoy the holiday.
What a beautiful piece, Ben. You are such a gifted writer. Every time I read your work, I find myself reflecting on what your story has taught me about myself. Thank you.
I'm so glad you got this in! As everyone else below has confirmed...it's touching how the tale finds its way into such beautiful moments in the final scenes. If we could only live with the awareness Frank has in that return home! I'll be in the corner quietly sobbing...
I'd also love to read a sequel in which he goes back 300 years to a previous incarnation. Then 3000. Then 30,000, then 300,000 to the dawn of humankind.
Then obviously we can have the dinosaur thing. And Raquel Welch.
I am so thrilled and relieved that you were allowed a late pass to be included, because otherwise I would never have gotten to read this simply beautiful story.
And I know I'm, like, three months post-hoc myself with this TBR list, but it was so worth the wait.
What a wonderful story, Ben! You describe Frank's thoughts and feelings about disappearing days. Then the days become even farther back in the past. He fears that he might be going insane, and I sympathize with Frank. Once when I had a serious illness, I had to stay in bed for a long time. It was hard to be "present", the way you have Frank realize he wasn't fully present in the days of his life. He realizes that he could have done more in life instead of just doing the minimum. I began to wonder if the whole story was just one day, or one bad dream. This is one of my favorites from Midnight Vault II. I've read about ten I think. It may take me several months to get through them all. I think it's better that way, not reading one right after another. Congratulations on writing an excellent story!
this story is so You, Ben! really poignant and human. absolutely lovely. the development of pace was excellent. thanks! well done for making it just on time 😀
Oof, Ben! Absolutely gutting. And so beautifully structured. That nautilus shell pattern of regression, so elegant, but also sort of claustrophobic as time collapses on itself. I loved his reverse-awakening, how he became more present the further from his present he went. And that ending, folding back into the memory of light…I just closed my eyes for that part. Gorgeous work, my friend.
Damn, Ben. Love this. It’s true, isn’t it? Life is short. And there are so many things we could have done, could do without that reminder.
Oh, to return to certain moments.
Thank you, friend. So glad you stopped by to read this one. I've never written, edited, narrated and published a short story in a 48 hour turnaround before so it was a little crazy. It felt a little like I was in my own time jump...
I bet it did. Well done.
Beautiful Ben! Each dimensional fold a releasing of our hang ups, our fixations, but in repeated patterns and motifs…what a freeing idea. No matter that we haven’t yet figured out time travel, this makes me think we can still identify those repeating themes and bring more consciousness into them, a deepening of presence which maybe is also a kind of letting go.
Thank you so much, friend. I kind of wrote this one like a house on fire this past weekend. I wasn't sure I'd be able to make the deadline or if I did, that the story would be coherent at all. I'm glad you think it works.
This was beautiful, Ben. I felt connected to so much of this in so many ways, and having lost my mother far too early in life to a brain aneurysm, the end scene with his parents brought me to tears. You've given me a lot to ponder as I sit here writing this in the basement of my mother-in-law's house while visiting my wife's family for the holidays. Our time is indeed short. Your story is a touching reminder to be present. Thank you for sharing.
Hey Shane, there is no higher compliment than this for my writing. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and for working tirelessly to facilitate TMV. I know how much work that is. Enjoy the holiday.
What a beautiful piece, Ben. You are such a gifted writer. Every time I read your work, I find myself reflecting on what your story has taught me about myself. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Sheri. I’m glad this one spoke to you. Happy belated Thanksgiving! I hope y’all had a peaceful day.
I'm so glad you got this in! As everyone else below has confirmed...it's touching how the tale finds its way into such beautiful moments in the final scenes. If we could only live with the awareness Frank has in that return home! I'll be in the corner quietly sobbing...
Thanks so much, Gregory. I’m so happy the story moved you.
So good! Thank you for the voiceover.
You're so welcome, Shannon. Thanks for coming back to listen.
I'd also love to read a sequel in which he goes back 300 years to a previous incarnation. Then 3000. Then 30,000, then 300,000 to the dawn of humankind.
Then obviously we can have the dinosaur thing. And Raquel Welch.
That would be trippy and fun, for sure.
I am so thrilled and relieved that you were allowed a late pass to be included, because otherwise I would never have gotten to read this simply beautiful story.
And I know I'm, like, three months post-hoc myself with this TBR list, but it was so worth the wait.
Thank you for writing it and sharing it.
Thanks so much, Evelyn! I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
What a wonderful story, Ben! You describe Frank's thoughts and feelings about disappearing days. Then the days become even farther back in the past. He fears that he might be going insane, and I sympathize with Frank. Once when I had a serious illness, I had to stay in bed for a long time. It was hard to be "present", the way you have Frank realize he wasn't fully present in the days of his life. He realizes that he could have done more in life instead of just doing the minimum. I began to wonder if the whole story was just one day, or one bad dream. This is one of my favorites from Midnight Vault II. I've read about ten I think. It may take me several months to get through them all. I think it's better that way, not reading one right after another. Congratulations on writing an excellent story!
Hi Kay, I’m so glad the story connected with you. Thank you for reading and commenting.
You’re welcome, Ben. I also restacked it.
Magnificent! I envy Frank his jumps through time, his opportunity to erase regrets and make things right. So beautiful.
Thanks so much for reading, Liz.
I'm so, so happy to have got around to this, Ben. Beautifully told.
Thanks so much for reading, Hanna.
this story is so You, Ben! really poignant and human. absolutely lovely. the development of pace was excellent. thanks! well done for making it just on time 😀
Nick, you’re so kind to read my story. Thanks so much for stopping by.
you've got a distinctive style Ben. it really shone in this story! you're a little bit of a sentimentalist I think, aren't you 🥲
I’m a centementalist 😳, my friend.
Great job, Ben. You’re such a fantastic storyteller.
Thanks for reading, Sean
I am so glad this made it into the Vault! Others have already said it so well—but the backward progression into self-awareness is so poignant.
Hi Angela, thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to read my story. I'm glad it resonated with you.
Oof, Ben! Absolutely gutting. And so beautifully structured. That nautilus shell pattern of regression, so elegant, but also sort of claustrophobic as time collapses on itself. I loved his reverse-awakening, how he became more present the further from his present he went. And that ending, folding back into the memory of light…I just closed my eyes for that part. Gorgeous work, my friend.
I love that observation of the story, Chloe. So insightful just like your writing. Thank you so much for reading.
This was such a beautiful story, Ben. I read it while putting my 5-month-old to sleep, and my eyes are not dry.
Aw, thank you so much, Bridget. That means so much coming from you. I like writing stories that pair well with babies.