CABB’S
APRIL 12TH CHALLENGE
2026
SYMBOL
by Paula
It wasn’t a dream, but reality: cold, merciless, and painfully honest. His mother had overdosed, and staying here was too risky, and he remembered suspicious guys and their twisted whims.
The survival instinct made him hurry. Ike gazed at her again; bullets of pure truth pierced his heart. He knelt down to hug her one last time, the image blurring under a stream of tears. With trembling hands, he unfastened the delicate necklace…
Now that he lived in the tunnels, healed, this treasure is part of him; not only a keepsake but also a reminder of the dark side of life…
8 Comments
Submit a Comment
ABOUT CABB
~ NEW CHAMBERS ~
DOWNLOAD POLICY
PRIVACY POLICY
COOKIE POLICY
DOWNLOAD POLICY
PRIVACY POLICY
COOKIE POLICY
ABOUT CABB
~ NEW CHAMBERS ~
Paula, this is a wonderful insight into the pain and trauma that Ike had to endure before he was brought into the tunnel community. Your development of this character in several of your stories has made him so real and believable. I’m looking forward to reading more about him.
Thank you, Linda. You know how much I love this character, and I’m glad you find him real and believable; that’s huge praise.
Some memories bring equal parts pain and love – how beautifully you express that in your story!
Thank you so much, JoAnn. You commented beautifully on my drabbles, capturing all the depth and meaning in one sentence!
Paula, you told such a large story with a few, but perfectly chosen words. You’ve made Ike a canon character in my mind. My heart aches for him in this story, but I know he’s destined for a safe and loving home. Thank you!
Carole, your comment touches my heart and warms it. You know I wish more people would see Ike as a canon character, having a positive influence on Vincent after Devin’s escape. Thank you so much for these words.
Paula life is yin yang dark light and in this short story you conveyed both the loss and the healing. Thank you for this tale of treasure the good remember the bad and accept. Reminds me of Buddhaism
You put it wonderfully, PearlAnn. That’s how life is; it’s not always pretty and rosy.
But you have to believe that after the darkness there can be a healing light. Thank you for your words.