He sat on the pier with his head in his hands. Over the silent lake nothing could be heard but his sobbing, a weep of bottomless misery and lost hope.
The little boat was dipping in the water, attached by a rope. Never would it tell about what it had witnessed, but Jeremiah knew.
He had had it all. A beautiful wife, a gorgeous little daughter. He could hear the child’s laughter, his wife’s soothing voice. His daughter asking about life. About the future.
Up in the house he sat down in the old chair, staring emptily at the sofa in front of him. The image was glued to his mind. Two bodies in the bottom of the boat, their throats cut like fish on a fishing trip. The sound of oars touching water. Their eyes. Their empty, dead eyes staring into nothing. Everything he had, everything he had ever lived for, forever lost by a moment of morbid pleasure.
He poured a glass from the bottle, Tears were running down his cheeks as he drank.
He poured another. Emptied it. Another. Another.
He woke up by the daylight, still in his chair. His head hurt. Reality came back.
He went down to the lake. Rowed out to the deepest part, where they were resting. If there could ever be rest.
Once again silence sunk down over the little lake. The crystal water quiet like a mirror. An empty little boat was floating alone.
https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/slaughtered_innocence_629448
Fictionspawn 
Horrifically sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is. Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So moving. So touching. And who wouldn’t?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks George. He has himself to blame, though…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow! I missed that part…even sadder then… I’d like to read the rest of the story and discover why…
Btw, i f you have a minute, poke your head into my new post…
LikeLiked by 2 people
I will 🙂 This one is kind of a sequel to the one about the little boy the other day, the internal link 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll check that link. Thanks!
LikeLike
Great capture of words! Could feel it all!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Billy Ray! And especially for the share 🙂
LikeLike
My pleasure! Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
This one was both touching, abd very sad at the same time. Great story, thanks for sharing 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! The darkest part is between the lines…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully thought inspiring!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
Nice! I was left thinking was he in some way connected to their demise!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You were left thinking well, Orville 😉 Thanks!
LikeLike
The silent lake and empty boat at the end…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks 🙂
LikeLike
Always enjoy your art and your writing
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderfully written!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
The only conclusion I can draw is that he killed his wife and daughter and then committed suicide out of guilt…but why?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Check out the internal link. It might give you an idea 😉
LikeLike
So it would seem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This felt so real I felt like I was sinking to the bottom of the lake with him, dragged down by his guilt. Very well written piece.
LikeLike
Thank you Ekaterina! Happy to hear that 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very well written comment/thought on Ekaterina’s part, too.
Outstanding painting, Aak… as well as title for the painting and story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Marleen! Good to hear, I was a bit in doubt before I published 🙂
LikeLike
Oh my! Tears threaten to fall but I remind myself it’s only a story… except it can happen. Distressing world…
Excellent writing! But don’t do that, you make me depressed! Kidding! Haha! The news make me sad! Hugs. xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! You’re right, it is a hard world. A lot of good things too, though. Hugs back 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I cannot disagree with that. 😊🤗
LikeLike