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101 Word Short Stories

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The Baptism

February 23, 2025 10 Comments

By Kerr Pelto

The incessant crashing of waves drowned out my tormenting thoughts. I dipped one foot in the sea, then the other. I continued until its saltiness clothed me like a baptismal gown. With a sharp intake of breath, I immersed myself in its cold embrace. The water cleansed my mind and body of the gruesome sin. Washed away the guilt and shame. The murderous urge. I released the horrid memories into the rhythmic ebb and flow, willing them to drift away. Far away. Out to the darkest depths of the sea. Unretrievable.

I musn’t let it happen again. Not today. Not ever.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. David Henson says

    February 25, 2025 at 3:01 pm

    The tip of a very dark iceberg

    Reply
    • Kerr Pelto says

      February 26, 2025 at 10:06 am

      Thanks for reading, David. Loved your comment.

      Reply
  2. Didi says

    February 26, 2025 at 7:01 am

    Excellent! Ominous and cleansing at the same time!

    Reply
    • Kerr Pelto says

      February 26, 2025 at 10:07 am

      Didi, thanks for reading. And I loved your ominous/cleansing catch. It was what I was going for.

      Reply
  3. Janet says

    February 26, 2025 at 9:40 am

    Loved the sensual
    Connection to the sea

    Reply
    • Kerr Pelto says

      February 26, 2025 at 10:08 am

      Thanks, Janet. I’m from North Carolina so I grew up going to the beach in the summers.

      Reply
  4. Pat R. says

    February 26, 2025 at 9:45 am

    Beautiful and powerful!

    Reply
    • Kerr Pelto says

      February 26, 2025 at 10:08 am

      Thanks, Pat. I was proud of this little story. I thought it packed a lot into a few words.

      Reply
  5. Ed Kratz says

    February 26, 2025 at 9:53 pm

    A lot of dark imagery well done.

    Reply
  6. Roy Grever says

    February 27, 2025 at 10:10 am

    Bravo Kerr, well done! I will let the authors above prove their artistic vocabulary. (and appreciate it as well) … but me, I thought it did great justice to a spiritual moment that transcends time, space and often words. I will just say “Bravo, well done” my friend.

    Reply

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