Safe or Sorry?

Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle for the picture prompt below – a story in 100 words or less. For amazing stories on this prompt click here

ice-on-the-window

Copyright – Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Safe or Sorry?

Words 100

“Bedtime Sue,” Anne called.

“When is Daddy coming?”

“Daddy can’t come home because of the snowstorm.”

Sue flew to the door. “I heard his car.”

“That couldn’t be Daddy. His car broke down.”

“Then who is it?”

They were alone! Anne caught hold of Sue and motioned her to silence.

Knuckles rapped the door. “Anyone home?”

“Open the door Mommy.”

Anne hesitated. Could she – should she risk it?

“We are lost, hungry and cold. Help us, please?”

Anne stilled. They were more than one.

“Don’t be mean Mommy.” Sue shook her. “They will die in the snowstorm.”

But what if…

***

What do you think Anne should do?

A word about the Story Club – since there arent too many takers (as yet) this will be a monthly event (for now) and the next one is scheduled for the 15th of July – The Open Boat hosted by YP. Anyone else willing to host a Story Club – do let me know the story and the date. Anyone game for 1st August? SMR?

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Dahlia

Email me at mysilverstreaks@gmail.com or tweet me @mysilverstreaks

47 thoughts on “Safe or Sorry?”

      1. yes…. and I think in life we go with our gut…. one time in FL a guy asked us a for aside (I was with some youth group girls who were visiting us) and we all had a resounding NO- and years later I think I saw the guy on the news (really) – but other times I have had strangers over for lunch…..
        anyhow, you wrote a nice little piece with such a few words. well done. 🙂 (and brrrrrrr)

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  3. Annie has to wonder if her husband might at this moment be knocking on a door somewhere needing sanctuary. What a dilemma you gave us your reader. Very well done.

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  6. Great story. I think your protagonist has to consider her daughter’s safety first. If it were me, I’d consider whether it’s a highly populated area, such that they could safely walk to another house (where a strong, healthy man is home). If it’s isolated, and they really want to break in, they will do so anyway, so I would give them the benefit of the doubt and open the door. With a baseball bat in hand. And with my daughter upstairs in her room with a phone. Such an intriguing ending! You really engaged the reader 😀

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  7. What a sticky spot… hmmm. I want her to open the door and extend goodness, mutual aide, and society. However, the world she be a crazy place. I send Anne – maybe with cell phone and household weapon – after the child is secured, to the door to see how she can help. I do not think she could live with herself if she left people outside her home to freeze to death. Imagine carrying that on one’s conscious. If it’s a bad deal – I want Anne to defend herself as best she can, aided by maternal instinct and ferocious determination. She may not win, but she will have a clear mind.

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  8. That’s a tough one. There’s always a struggle between personal safety and charity. I still remember the scene from Clockwork Orange where they pretended to be in trouble to go in and do some bad stuff. You should write the conclusion, what they did do, or is this a story stuck in quantum uncertainty? 🙂
    -David

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    1. I guess there are no right or wrong answers just individual decisions – but I agree it would be interesting to see what would happen next! Thanks for commenting 🙂

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    1. Now that you mention, I wonder if movies are the source our fears and doubts? Not that it doesnt occur in real life but still…Thank you for reading and thought provoking comment.

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  13. I say if it’s a woman alone with a child, leave the door shut. She should call the police and wait. These days it’s just too dangerous. That when a peep hole in the door can come in handy. We have a metal guard door with two bolts. This is one reason I don’t like living in a lonly place. —- Suzanne

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  14. h no, Dahlia, now you’ve left me hanging, and you want to know what I think?
    Great puzzler!
    And Jan’s answer was akin to what I had in mind. I would add “daughter upstairs, with door locked, and phone in hand.”
    I would also say to the men (if they are men – but I hope that they might be women, because you didn’t specify) that I would be happy to make them some coffee or hot chocolate, and whip up an omelette for them. I’d provide blankets, and ask them questions.
    I would hope that someone would do the same for me, if I were stranded.
    It would be terrible to have someone die of cold, and know that kindness could have saved them.
    (And yet … we are all so scared, these days …)

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  15. Ahh, guess one has to follow one’s instincts!! Anyways so much has already been said on “what if”, and so I will just feast on that beautiful pic 🙂 🙂 … well taken!!!

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  16. Hmmm all wat everyone said makes sense i agree but i also feel at the same time that if you are going to be killed and this is destined i might be killed even if door is not opened, and yet if it comes to my family s safety too the id rather be mean and unkind.
    thank you for a lovely dose…

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  17. Reminded me of the Poem ” The Listeners” by Walter de la Mer. No one opened the door or answered the traveller who came with a message.
    Both have the same fear of unknown. I guess it is better to be safe than risk danger.

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