STONE THROW AWAY
ALM 92, August 2026
SHORT STORIES
Taking one’s own life in the moment of despair and heartache would be so easy in this moment. Standing at the edge of the mountain terrain at Hanging Rock Park, Samuel stood at the edge of the boulder that overlooked the canyon. He looked first at the trees that layered alongside the mountain. He felt such peace as he took the deepest breath, taking the scent of pine and fresh air, filling his lungs. As he began to tilt his head down and investigate the canyon, he could only guess how far it would be to the bottom. One hundred feet. Two hundred. How long would it take for his body to hit the bottom? Would he die on impact, or would he suffer more than he was suffering at this current moment.
Samuel stood ready to let it all go. The tears streaming down his cheek as he contemplated the final act. The curtain on his life that had just been a shit show for the last six months. Nothing had gone right and the pain had become entirely too much to bear. He tried to think of anything positive but to no avail.
His partner of five years had decided that then constant insecurity was too much. The job that he loved had make drastic layoffs leaving him unemployed and he had turned to alcohol. The alcohol certainly dimmed the pain, but it began to take more to mask the demons that haunted him.
Inching closer to the tip of the boulders’ edge, Samuel speaks out. At this moment he knows there is only one person that can stop him.
“Lord, what do I need to do now?” he said. “I believe in your will, and I know that you put me through things that you know I can handle but I can’t take anymore!”
The wind begins to softly push the forest green trees creating a wave effect along the mountainside. Samuel begins to feel his hair shift and tingling along the back of his neck as to indicate someone was behind him. He quickly spun around. “Who’s there!?, Samuel spoke. He knew he was alone in the woods. He hadn’t seen anyone for miles and the climb to the top had not revealed anyone. He thought to himself, I’m really losing it.
He turned back around to the openness of the Hanging Rock Canyon knowing what he needed to do. He knew no one was there. The quietness had become deafening. The solitude had created a sense of peace and tranquility. The option had become increasingly simple.
Samuel took one foot and held it out over the edge. There would be nothing to catch him this time. No second guessing or pretending that he was ok. He knew that some people would be pissed at this decision but in this moment, he only felt pain. Day after day. Month after month; he suffered. The easiest way out was final and permanent.
As he stepped back, as if to indicate that he had chosen not to end his life; he took a running leap and jumped. Falling faster, Samuel felt the wind whipping his face as the ground came closer into view. He could see the trees getting larger as he sped towards the jagged rocks layered along the bedrock of the canyon. In mere seconds, it would be over. The fall seemed to go on forever as he finally closed his eyes as he saw the impact becoming imminent.
“This is it; he screamed. “It’s over.” He squeezed his eyes tight waiting for death to take him.,
Darkness surrounds him when he finally decides to open his eyes. He once again feels the breeze of the mountain air and sees the endless space of the open canyon beneath him.
Samuel begins to sob and sit down realizing that he hadn’t gone through with suicide. For the first time in months, he felt different as he looked out into the amidst. For some reason, he suddenly did not feel pain or anguish. He began to feel his peace was a stone’s throw away.
Jeff Motsinger is a current student at the renown Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida studying for his Bachelor’s in Media Communications. After twenty years of working within the entertainment industry as a talent agent and business owner, Jeff developed a wide array of related skills that coincide with his anticipated degree. Over the years, Jeff has assisted musicians with brand development, public relations, engineering, event production and management, and marketing. Expanding on that foundational knowledge, Jeff has eagerly engaged in learning additional communications and creative skills to pursue a career in Communications as a Public Relations Specialist. Jeff’s dedication to working alongside figures and brands to enhance visibility is a core ideology for his success. Recently featured in online publication Adelaide Literary for his work, “The Immigrant,” Jeff has begun to expand his writing skills to grow as a creative professional. Jeff values integrity, honesty, respect, and doing the right thing above all else and lives his life in the pursuit of impacting at least one person a day to see the importance of living the best life possible.
Subscribe to FREE digital flip copy of the Adelaide Magazine printed edition.