Wednesday, July 19, 2017

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 Post 1569. Wednesday 19 July

Friday Fictioneers




I should have done something, but I didn’t. I put myself first and I’ll live with my decision for ever more.

I told myself I’d imagined it. Imagined a muffled noise coming from the boot, imagined the car shudder. There were several people in the car park, but two men stood out. They turned and stared in my direction. I shivered. They started moving towards me. That’s when I decided to walk away, do nothing.

I avoided newspapers, radio, and television for several days. I didn’t want to know if someone was missing; someone I could have saved. I’ll always wonder, never know.



* by the way, UK boot = US trunk!

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers and to Kent Bonham for the photo.







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58 comments:

  1. So very well written, Keith! Brilliant !
    'I put myself first and I will live with my decision for ever more'- loved this line , in particular.

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    1. Praised indeed coming from such an acomplished juggler of words! Cheers moon.

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  2. Great story Keith. We'll never know who or what was in the boot and why.

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  3. Ooh, this gave me shivers. Imagine being in that situation and having that always hanging over you.

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    1. I'm sure many people have found themselves there. Happily not me! Thanks Nick

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  4. Tough situation to be in. Sometimes it is best to just not know.

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  5. Now you have me wondering! Excellent tale that takes the reader right into the situation.

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    1. I'm delighted it had that effect! Thanks so much Lillian

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  6. That was great, Keith. I don't mean to make you feel bad, but there was a young girl in the boot: https://beyondtheflow.wordpress.com/2017/07/19/82-584-18-friday-fictioneers/
    You're men are about to get caught.
    xx Rowena

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  7. Well written, Keith. An uncomfortably possible dilemma, and the response of avoiding the knowledge is so true to life!

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    1. Even though I wrote it I really can't begin to imagine what it must be like. Thanks Penny

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  8. But really, what could one woman do against probably armed men? By the time she'd called the police, the men and their car would have been long gone. Hmmmm.

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    1. Whilst that is true, I think you would always wonder 'what if?' Thanks for yur thoughts Linda

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  9. A difficult choice. But I suspect he chose the one that saved his life.

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    1. I think that's what most of us would do in that situation. Thanks Sandra

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  10. So very well written a tale of regret!

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  11. The two guys walking toward him made me uncomfortable too. Well written tale, Keith.

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  12. Keith this was good! That last line was great! Knocked it out of the park.

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  13. All of us hope that we will be brave under deplorable circumstances. Not all achieve this goal, however it is worthy and admirable to try. I really like Rowena's reply. Nan

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  14. I can understand what was going through his mind. It's much easier to ignore some things for the sake of self-preservation. I love how he avoided the media afterwards, just in case. Great piece!

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    1. Inded it is. Thanks for your comment Allistair

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  15. So well written, Keith :) I loved the descriptions of the strangers and your fear.

    Cheers,
    kittysverses.wordpress.com

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  16. Dear Keith,

    No doubt this will forever plague him. There are always the 'what if's' aren't there? Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  17. It seems a few of us saw kidnapping in this photo! Well written.

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  18. Fantastic, Keith. How selfless can one be? That's a great question for each and everyone. Can you be selfish and then answer to your conscience?

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  19. I put myself first..... this revelation is so candid. On paper and in discourses it is easy to say stand up . but wont the conscience prick later? a plethora of questions. very well articulated, Keith.

    http://ideasolsi65.blogspot.in/2017/07/photo-prompt-kent-bonham-i-always-stand.html

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    1. Should a situation such s this actually occur I have no idea how I would react. Thanks for your thoughts

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  20. Haven't we all had thoughts like this...

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    1. Should I, shouldn't I? We certainly have. Cheers Calen

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  21. as the way the story ends, the protagonist and reader are left in the same boat. :)

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    1. Sorry about that!Thanks for dropping by plaridel

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  22. Of course, he could have simply taken note of the license plate and type of car and keep on walking, making his way, oh so, subtly, to the police...

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    1. Would have made for a rather dull story! Thanks Dale

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  23. I wonder if I'd act any differently - great story, Keith.

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  24. Most of us have done that at least once. Great take and a wonderful write.

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    1. In some form or another I'm sure. Thanks for joining me

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  25. Excellent! I think most of us daydream of being heroes, but when push comes to shove and we don't know for sure, we might not be inclined to put our lives on the line.

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    1. Heroism (or heroinism!) comes with risks! Thanks Sascha

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  26. Excellent story and a very realistic moral dilemma. Fear of being harmed, fear of being embarrassed, shame, pride... and then the what-ifs come to haunt.

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    1. This was an extreme example of something most of us experience at some time. What if? Cheers Ga H

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    2. This brings up so many what-ifs to my memory, although i don't believe lives were in the balance in them.

      Well told!

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  27. Shew that's a lot of guilt!
    Good portrayal.

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