Incandescent light bulb

William Styron’s Darkness visible: A memoir of madness is an account of depression, suicidal ideation, and eventual recovery. The memoir begins with a trip that Styron took to Paris in 1985 to receive the Prix Mondial Cinco del Duca that resulted in an embarrassing mishap. Styron’s depression was atypical in that it worsened over the course of the day. He arranged to have lunch with his French publisher, disregarding his luncheon with Simone del Duca, and had to attribute the incident to his…

into the water. This water was colder still here, but once I was past a corner I saw light again, it was not the impenetrable darkness I had feared it was. I swim towards the light, and I feel Emelia brush beside me. I turn my head, but already she is swimming away, into the dark. She brushes me again on the left now and I do not understand how she is swimming so fast. I sweep my arms like oars towards the light, I need another…

Chapter 4 -Emily- When I opened my eyes, I immediatly shut them again. This is much too bright.. I opened them to slits and sat up. I was lying in white bed with a very thin matress. Two large glass windows were on the right side of the room and right next to me a machine was peeping. That was when I realized that I had a needle stuck into each of my arms. Probably against the shock, I thought warily running through my hair. I felt filthy. My hair was definatly greasy and I could still smell the…

The sun was rising and starting to peer into the horrid scene the vampire had left. His eyes were burning with the feeling of the light. He growled like an animal as he backed away from the light. "What's happening?" Then his mind went to the vampire’s words. "Letting you live with the curse of the vampires." He mumbled to himself and the horror of becoming one he reached for the gun he had used on the vampire…

I awoke on a grim and foggy morning. Ten inches of snow laid on the ground, and snow still drifted delicately down. My tribe, the Amorites, were all still sleeping. The visibility was but a few feet, and the atmosphere seemed strange. Something was brewing, but even I did not for-see what would happen on that dreadful day. As I stood outside breathing in the misty air, a piercing scream suddenly broke the silence. I sprinted indoors to grab my shield and sword and took off in the direction of…

the wind. It’s so weird. I never realized how detailed the ceiling was. Blinking, I instantly regret it as a headache hammers through my brain. I moan, trying to move. My entire body is similar to that of stone, cold and unresponsive. Only one light shines down and it’s as if someone switched it out with the noonday sun. Doesn’t make sense. This room has always been horribly lit. I try to sit up when two hands stop my shoulders. I squint. “Flich?” “Hey, kiddo,” he says with a weak smile. He…

“C’mon, slowpoke. I want to get there before this torch burns its way down to my hand,” Viren called from up ahead, the dancing flame he held illuminating the darkening forest. The trees cast long, stretched shadows, looking as though they were trying to escape the setting sun. “Shut up, I have much shorter legs than you. I also have to lug this target and this bag of straw balls you insisted I carry, along with the slingshots. Couldn’t we just have gathered stones by the field instead?”…

Colors, flashing bright lights, obscured my vision. I was still staggering to get away. Those eyes, crushing that thing deep inside me. And then it was gone. Shaking, tears streaming down my face, I fell into water. I couldn't move, couldn't save myself. I was going to die. Without…

A beam of sunlight trickled into the room, somehow managing to find a gap on the thick black curtains hanging dangerously on the wall. It hit my skin, burning with excruciating pain. I pulled my hand out the way, noticing how pale it had become. I could already feel the thirst for blood developing inside, and my heartbeat was all I could focus on. The steady pumping of blood around my veins, so... I sat upright before I could finish the thought. I ran my tongue along the top of my teeth, feeling…

She quickly walked outdoors. Fighting back the tears and gasping for more air then her lungs would allow; as if she fiercely needed to replace the current air in her. To feel the warm sun on her skin and mid morning cool breeze. Just to feel something different. To change her mind. To get out. Nevertheless, it followed her. Always following her. In the hallway kitchen, as she cooked a warm breakfast, it was there. In the garden, by the calla lilies, it was there. In the laundry room,…