A New Breed of Terrorists

Photo (c) Fatima Fakier

A New Breed of Terrorists

Words 100

“Mamma!” A scream of pure terror rent the lazy afternoon silence.

David.

Carol’s heart stopped.

She dropped the casserole and ran out into the backyard.

She stopped short in horror.

An unkempt dark skinned man held a knife at her son’s throat.

“Stop. Stop. Stop. Please!” Carol begged falling to her knees. “What do you want? Take it. Take everything anything just leave him. Please.” She sobbed.

“I want,” His eyes were crazed, “to make you feel my pain.”

She struggled to her feet.

“A child for a child.” He waved his knife.

“No! Please!”

“Tell the President.” He vanished.

***

Written for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Fatima for the photo prompt. To read and participate in the challenge click here.

The link to the picture? I am sorry but I cannot ‘see’ anything else….

Published by

Dahlia

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

35 thoughts on “A New Breed of Terrorists”

  3. Your story is powerful, and taps right into the core of our being as parents and women. The situation you describe so wrenchingly is overwhelmingly frightening. I can understand why this image displaced the photoprompt. Children should never be used as bargaining chips.

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  4. What a dark, dark story. Very frightening one and as the others have said, very powerful. Wonder why the man vanished in the end. Maybe he achieved his goal of making Carol feel his pain already and everyone lived happily ever after. Real life isn’t all that smooth sailing…sometimes we need a treat like a food treat to pick ourselves up and feel better in the moment. Great writing.

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    1. Thanks so much Mabel. I left the end deliberately hanging whether he disappeared with David or both is upto the reader to choose. The least i could do
      I do need that burger🤝

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      6. That’s how I roll period 🤡You too have a super cool weekend full of🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟🍔🍟 😀 😀

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      1. I agree, pareshani batne se kam hoti hai. I have had many dsicussion on this topic in past few days. No normal person can believe such things might happen in today’s world.

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  12. It is possible but maybe unlikely it the president would listen. I hope this never happens though, I can feel the mother’s pain AND the crazed man’s pain of having his child taken from him. Amazing how this view of Venice, prompted so many dark stories.

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  13. Your story is:
    – Interesting
    – helps one see immigration from the migrant’s perspective
    – portrays migrants as a vengeful lot who will hurt locals

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    1. I appreciate your analysis Maitri. I have to confess i didnt anticipate the third point. I had hoped tp convey that every action has some repercussion. But now that you mention it..may be possible. But perhaps you could add when unfair unjust treatment is meted out (to migrants) there is no saying how it will come back to bite you.

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  15. A chilling reality!! Tit for tat with a vengeance that will only become a vicious circle… brings us to the question, “Where is the end?”
    “A child for a child” is so chilling… a very, very disturbing state of mind!!

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