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101 Word Short Stories

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Mom!

August 9, 2025 6 Comments

By Thomas R. Murray

“Mom?”

Each pull of claws against her skin sends ripples of pain racing through her body. The demons time their torture to ensure no rest.

“Mom.”

She struggles against the weight of chains encasing wrists and ankles, threatening to pull her into the abyss behind her.

“Mom!” her daughter yells. She hears only a faint whisper; however, it is enough to bring her back. “Are you okay?”

Her mother turns from the mirror and looks down at her eager child. She forces the corner of her mouth upward to provide comfort and says, “I’m…fine. Time to start our day, Lovely.”

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Greg Nooney says

    August 9, 2025 at 10:35 am

    Wonderfully awful.

    Reply
    • Thomas R. Murray says

      August 9, 2025 at 11:03 am

      Much appreciated!

      Reply
  2. Alyson Floyd says

    August 9, 2025 at 6:54 pm

    Made my teeth clench. Good work!

    Reply
    • Thomas R. Murray says

      August 9, 2025 at 10:06 pm

      That’s a great compliment! Thank you

      Reply
  3. Sharon Murphy says

    August 14, 2025 at 6:20 pm

    Perfectly captures the dark moments in mental health.

    Reply
    • Thomas R. Murray says

      August 21, 2025 at 6:25 am

      Thank you Sharon. Exactly what I was going for 🙂

      Reply

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