David's Exile

Nine days past now, David was left in a land foreign to him. At first it seemed cool and hospitable to him; but as time passed, and friends failed him, it - or, rather, he - became his worst nightmare. This is the story of that ordeal; the Ten Days of Pain.

Based on a true story.

On the first day, David came to recognize his captivity. He had thought it but an hour's outing, or perhaps an afternoon, at the most. Soon, though, he realized the straits which fate had seen fit to place him. And he was afraid.

On the second day, David refused to recognize his captivity. He sought escape in a dozen different ways; climbing, hitchhiking, hot-air ballooning. But none of David's schemes came to fruition; his ploys thwarted by the terrible nature of his prison.

On the third day, David cursed his prison; his imprisoners; himself. He swore and ranted, finding depths of vileness within himself and within others that he had never suspected. Little was accomplished.

On the fourth day, David wept, mourning his fate and composing emo poetry in his head. Hespent the day in tears. It brought him no happiness, nor understanding.

On the fifth day, David sought to find himself. He sought within his own mind understanding; an understanding that was hard to grasp. He gave it up in disgust at last.

On the sixth day, David sought to find work for himself, so as to make some dull pattern for himself. He laboured for hours over a great drawing - a mural, perhaps - only to discard and ruin it in disgust at the end of the day when a tiny mistake destroyed it in his mind.

On the seventh day, David worked again at escape. He created one grand plan, which he again focused the entire efforts of the day upon. He grew ever more cautious as he progressed, fearing yesterday's defeat; and was then undone by Time, bitter Time, which crept up on him unexpected, ending the day before the escape was accomplished, and rendering all his work in vain.

On the eighth day, David did a thousand different things; bewailing his fate, seeking swift escape, drawing a panda; seeking to avoid yesterday's mistake. Always, his loathing and self-hatred increased; for he found even in his best work nothing but failure. Twice, he looked at the noose.

On the ninth day, David slept.

Now it is the tenth day. Will David rise above his own self-hatred and destructive perfectionism? Or will he fall to knife, poison, or noose - by his own hand - mere hours before he is freed from his prison?

We can only hope.