Horizon - By Issy Alderson

Written By: Issy Alderson

Category: Short story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the evocative short story "Horizon," Issy Alderson, writing under the name Horizon, takes readers on a reflective journey through the echoes of the past and the pursuit of self-discovery. As part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this narrative explores themes of personal growth, legacy, and the haunting grip of memories. Alderson's work invites readers to ponder the journey of moving forward while carrying the weight of the past.

About the Work

"Horizon" weaves a poignant narrative that delves into the complexities of familial bonds and the shadows they cast. With a lyrical prose style, Alderson paints vivid imagery of a life tethered to memories and the longing for liberation. The story's mood is contemplative, capturing the internal struggle between holding on and letting go. Through its rich symbolism and introspective tone, Horizon offers a profound message about seeking purpose and forging a path of one's own.

Horizon

Original Submission by Issy Alderson

Horizon

I set off for the same horizon you did. Close enough to touch. A mere thirty years dividing us. We distilled our lives down into bags and left that lonely town behind. I’ve watched your journey many times, a conjured fantasy from my mind’s eye. Your guitar over your shoulder I presume, as I know it vanished on that airless night with you.

I imagine that you shed your heaviest baggage when you boarded. The living, breathing fate that had been born from your mistake. I brought the worst of mine along. Couldn't leave it on the platform like I’d hoped.

You haunted streets, celebrations and my mother all my life. You had played and stayed around just long enough for the unwavering sound of your strumming to scar my subconscious. I walked to school with Pink Floyd tinkling in my ears. Interviewed with you plucking Fleetwood Mac behind my back. You and Eagles thrummed a merry tune in every quiet corner of my room. Everybody loved you and they needed me to know that. You didn’t mean to, she’d say. Your demons made you. And what of mine? I never said, but my only inheritance seemed to be the monster you became inside my head. Forgiving, until her final breath and I no wiser as to why you left. I could not bear my arrested development without her. To be wading through the childhood that I never understood, in that burial ground of a town, in the basement flat of her crumbling house, with only the unrelenting echo of your guitar all around.

A call came and I answered. A skill I could contribute. A reason to get up, move on, to earn some pride in something I’d done. These feet had never itched for different soil, or sand or unknown lands. I’ve never trusted anyone, but heard the roaring gates of elsewhere wait, and sensed it was my turn. A hungry horizon with jaws unlocked and we, the meat to feed it.

You came from elsewhere, and to elsewhere you returned. This scared me more than anything. Would the train take me straight to you, was the yawning vastness of the world enough to ever escape the eyeless image of your face? Would the clattering and clanging of the chaos be as merciless as you?

In the end the push I needed was her final plea, to live a life that belonged, not to your absence, but to me. I was embarrassed as I boarded, certain that the other passengers could smell the stale untapped potential I embodied.

I felt you sitting opposite, a stranger’s face that sagged with, was it guilt? I looked away just as you did, and turned towards the cacophony that called. Prayed it was enough to drown out your damned strumming once and for all.

I sought purpose and my future, to take responsibility. You sought to leave those things behind. The day you walked away from me.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates the art of storytelling and poetic expression from around the world. This prestigious platform encourages writers to share their unique voices and narratives, fostering a community of creativity and literary excellence. Participants engage with diverse themes, showcasing their talent in various forms of writing, and contributing to the vibrant tapestry of global literature.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Issy Alderson for sharing "Horizon" in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your evocative storytelling and introspective narrative have enriched the literary journey of many. We appreciate your contribution and look forward to seeing more of your creative endeavors in the future.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.