Somnaesia
The feeling of longing and loss upon the realization that one's dreams are drifting out of reach
He waited at the bus stop on High Street, watching the rain-slick asphalt shimmer with the lights of passing vehicles, and he wondered, then, if this was the world as it would always be. If this was the path he'd dreamed of walking.
(No, he thought. No, of course it wasn't.)
And later, when the bus arrived, he didn't move, his gaze falling instead upon the faces of the passengers inside, his eyes following the length of the bus and then the red taillights as it pulled away. And still he stood there, motionless.
“That was the last bus," said a voice. “There's nothing else to wait for."
He turned and found a woman standing next to him, peering out from under her hood.
“Something might happen,” he said. "Something that makes everything worth while."
“Nothing is going to happen.”
“I know.”
She smiled, and there was sadness in her eyes. "I'd tell you to go out and make things happen. But I know it isn't that easy."
"No, it isn't," he agreed.
She looked at the sky.
He looked at the ground.
"But you’re not alone," she said. "It’s normal to feel this way. You’re not the only one who's lost.”
He nodded slowly and murmured, “It's so easy to forget that."
The rain stopped at last. He raised his face to the clouds and took a breath, and in that moment he could feel his heartbeat while all the world was quiet.
About the Creator
Bryn T.
21 year old creative from Vancouver.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Vale Perficientur
"My tears need a minute to find the edges of my face. If you'll please excuse me." The sarcasm stabbed into Juliana’s heart. Antonia glared at her from the pit of the Lyceum as her student fought to hold back tears that had nothing to do with the pain in her fingers. “You’re better than this, again.”
By Matthew Fromm6 days ago in Fiction
Comments (16)
Congrats on top story! 🤩
I Enjoy the Manner in which you wrote This ♥️✌️👀💯📝😉CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR TOP STORY🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Sometimes you read something on here and you have to read it again because its essence has managed to strike at the core of you in ways that you don't truly understand. This resonated deeply for me and I'm still not sure why. I might have to read it again.
This is a beautifully crafted piece that captures the essence of human introspection and the feeling of being lost in the world. The vivid descriptions of the rain-slicked asphalt and the protagonist's contemplative thoughts create a powerful atmosphere. The interaction with the mysterious woman at the bus stop adds depth to the story, highlighting the shared experience of uncertainty and the need for connection. The dialogue is poignant and thought-provoking, conveying the complexities of life and the struggle to find purpose. The ending, with the rain finally stopping and the protagonist's moment of self-awareness, brings a sense of hope and renewal. It's a reflection of the human spirit's resilience and the importance of recognizing that we're not alone in our struggles. Overall, a beautifully written and thought-provoking piece that resonates with the universal themes of uncertainty and the search for meaning. Well done! 🌟
Beautifully done x Congratulations on wonderful top story 🤍
Gentle. Subtle. Perfect. And somehow reminded me of this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IsSpAOD6K8
Oof, that hit me in a familiar place. Great word.
thank story very good
wow, this is a stunning piece. thank you so much for sharing. beautifully written work to explain a masterfully crafted word! congrats on this well-earned top story!
The story is good
Congratulations on your Top Story
I like this because though you kept it simple, there is so much open air for the imagination to fill in the blanks of a deeper conversation they had. Great micro!
I thought this was brilliant. Great writing.
Cool word.
Love the word! Great entry and great story!
Love it ❤️