Random Writing Prompts

Smoke, Fog, and Haze

"Write about not being able to see ahead of you."-thinkwritten.com

This is so frustrating.

With every step I take, the fog clears just enough to take another step. But I still can't see where I'm going. You'd think I'd be used to it by now, the weather has always been this way, ever since I can remember. I've never, ever, been able to see clearly, even when I'm indoors. No, I'm not going blind, even though sometimes it seems like it.

I keep walking down the street, trying to ignore the fact that smoke was flying into my eyes every two seconds. I begin coughing violently, to the point where I feel like I can't breathe, and tears are running down my face. I feel my legs give out, and I wind up on my knees, with my hands on my throat. I can't tell if it was just a reflex, or if I was trying to speed up the suffocating process.

My vision starts fading, when all of a sudden, I feel my hands get ripped off of my throat by an overwhelmingly strong force.

"What do you think you're doing?"

I shriek, and start looking around for the source of the voice. Even with the tears blurring my vision, and with the fog, I should still be able to see the person's silhouette, but there's nothing. I whip my head left and right, but I still don't see anything.

"You're really going to sit there, and just give up?"

"Wh-who are you?" I keep looking around.

"It doesn't matter who I am, what matters is that you get off your ass, and stand up."

I wipe the tears off my face, and stand up.

"Are you willing to listen to what I have to say?"

I nod, rubbing my throat.

"This fog that's always around you, it represents who you are."

"What do you mean?"

"Everyone in this world has the fog around them, I had it as well. The fog is the future, which is why it's always so unclear. You're not supposed to see it, not until you're ready. I thought you would've figured that out by now, you're smarter than this."

I glare, even though I don't know where they are.

"By allowing it to take control of you like that, to just give up, you're giving up your future. Just like that. Life may suck, and be unclear for now, but one day, you'll be able to see exactly where you are going. Take it from me, I ended my own life because I didn't know how great my future was going to be. Don't make the same mistake I did. Don't stop walking.

I feel the person's presence leave. With a shaky breath, I take a step forward. The fog clears just a little, as per usual. But now, for whatever reason, it doesn't bother me as much. I smile softly, and keep walking. I have faith that my future, and my life, will be clear someday. I just have to take it one step at a time.

I take a deep breath, and with a determined smile on my face, I look up towards the sky. And as my smile grows, I begin to see a teeny, tiny, speck of a clear, beautiful, blue sky.

Don't ever stop walking.

AN: Hey everyone! This is the first thing I've written in a long time that isn't uber depressing. Since my own depression is getting better, I've decided to stop being such a downer, both in my writing, and in my own life. I know that if you're struggling, there's really nothing anyone can say to make you feel better. I know that when someone tells you it gets better, that it's nearly impossible to believe them. But hey, it actually does. I've been in an extremely happy relationship with my girlfriend for over eight months now, my grades are getting better, and I'm getting my life back on track. All of you out there that are trying not to give up, know that I'm very proud of you. Don't let the fog consume you, and most importantly, don't ever stop walking.

-Sarah