Brad hated packing so much that he only went on overnight trips that didn't require a change of clothing. 

 Ellen shrieked into the abyss and to her surprise, the abyss shrieked back. 

 Sometimes the only thing that saved him was a simple melody. 

From time to time the puppy still shown within that old dog's gray face and it broke Pat's heart every time she saw it. 

 Stacey stared unblinking into the depths of her morning coffee as if within its murky recesses she might find an answer. 

The darkness descended, slithered and choked, and though they could no longer see, they hailed it as a victory. 

 The minutes ticked away toward oblivion.