I’m determined to participate in this week’s Friday Fictioneers. The prompt for the 100-word story is the picture below, compliments of Jan Wayne Fields.
SOLITARY CONFINEMENT
He crossed out the date. Two years now – and only a little crazy. The symptoms had abated, but government doctors weren’t negotiating about his exile.
“Sorry, Nigel,” they’d said at the last visit, looking through the visors of their protective headgear and patting his arm with their sterile gloves. “Lessening symptoms don’t mean anything. The disease won’t die out – until you do. There’s still no cure. Total isolation is still mandatory to avoid spreading. We appreciate your obedience in staying strictly within the circle painted around your camp. The cameras show you’ve been diligent about it.”
He sat now staring at those cameras. He’d rigged them to cover for him, and so far no one suspected a thing.
~~~
The Happy Wordcrafter 
Dear Sandra,
The government must be running out of other people’s money to let cameras and a circle in the woods suffice for containment. Nevertheless, I like that your MC has already spoofed the watchers and is doing what all natural humans do…wandering about and perhaps getting into trouble. You’ve captured the caged human all too well. Don’t blink or they’re gone.
Nice to read your work again.
Yours,
Doug
Yes, I knew the “fiction” was a little heavier than usual with expecting my readers to believe the government let the guy operate on his own recognizance alone. But that word limit is a thorn in my side.
Ahh but is he just wandering about or is he going where he will infect people?
That’s the question. And from what the doctors have said, I’d imagine he’d infect people everywhere he did go.
If it makes you think, it’s a good piece. I had the same question as Lucid Gypsy. Are we to applaud him as an embodiment of the uncageable free spirit? Or condemn him as an irresponsible disease carrier?
Well, if we believe the doctors, it would be the latter. But then, can we really believe the doctors — or are they simply tools in the hands of officials who are totally deceived or who are carrying out their own evil purposes? Are you still thinking??????
Dear Sandra,
Do I see an epidemic on the horizon? Deliciously dark. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks, Rochelle. It was fun to write. Of course, as Doug said, the circle on the ground and surveillance cameras are poor tools for confinement, but, after all, when a character has only 100 words to get sick, get exiled, and then find a way to escape, an author has to use whatever works.
[ Smiles ] You’re quite gifted with short stories!
Ah.. either the government is wrong or there is an epidemy appearing
I feel for him and m pleased he’s found a way out of his confinement, but is it responsible?
No, it’s totally irresponsible if we believe the government doctors. —– But then, CAN we believe the government doctors, or might they have an ulterior motive of their own?
Methinks the government is not too smart in this case….
And he’s horrid if he’s anywhere near people
Yay! Chalk one up for the good guy:)
I guess it remains to be seen whether he’s the hero or the villain here. But I didn’t have any words left. Thanks for reading
Your story left me conflicted. I want to cheer his ingenuity at finding a way out and I want to throttle him for endangering other people. You made me think which is what good writing should do.
Thank you for letting me know.
A really good theme for a story. Well done.
Thank you, Sandra. It was a fun idea to play with, but the word limit really got me this time.