Photo credit: Dale Rogerson
“I’ve escaped. I’m outside of Sanctuary.” Dane Asher’s numb fingers caressed the brittle petals of the frozen roses. They were covered with a layer of snow, and were so beautiful, like the landscape graced by a winter that was slowly killing him.
“I don’t know why I’m free, but now I’m free only to die.” He looked to the frosted forest and the sunset at the horizon beyond. “Better dying free than living like a slave.”
“Doctor, he’s crashing!” Inside a medical conversation cell at the State’s indoctrination center, the heart of prisoner number 6 stopped. And yet he smiled.
I wrote this for Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ writing challenge. The idea is to use the image above as the prompt to write a poem or story no more than 100 words long. My word count is 100.
I wrote a much longer story about Dane’s life as a dissident in a totalitarian society, but I thought I’d try to capture the essence of his life here. In much of human history, death was the only escape from a dystopian totalitarian regime. May it not always be the case.
Oh, bonus points if you can tell me why prisoner number 6 is significant.
Find out more about this challenge HERE, and read other stories based on the prompt at InLinkz.
Oh, my most recent published SciFi short story, “Saving the Apostle” is featured in the Tuscany Bay Books Planetary Anthology Saturn.
poweredbyrobots.com 
Is it from the TV series Prisoner? I never really watched it, but wasn’t that his number? Good story James, the last 18 months have given a lot for dystopian writers to think about, this fits in with some of those conversations. Good to see you taking part 🙂
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Yep. I watched some of the episodes in the 1970s when it was on PBS, then some years back rented the entire series on DVD from the public library. Cutting edge for the time, and even today it has quite a cult following.
Glad to be back, Iain. Unfortunately, life has a tendency to get in the way. That, plus I’m trying to write more for book publications. Still have you on my reading list. 😀
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Good to hear, hope you and yours are doing okay through it all and keeping safe.
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We’re fine. I’m working the day job from home but restrictions are loosening, so I might go into the office more often. Missus, (grown) kids and grandkids are all fine. Hope you and yours are doing well.
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All good here, I’m booked in for vaccine next week, and parents and most of family also vaccinated, so looks like some light at the end of the tunnel.
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Hope so. I read that not 100% of the population has to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, so the missus and I are taking a pass. I’d like to see the long term effects. So far, so good.
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I can’t say I agree with that decision, but each to their own.
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Nice to read one of your stories again, James. I was thinking about you only last week, wondering how you were getting on.
Your story makes a persuasive case for freedom, but I confess, I’m always sceptical. How free are any of in reality?
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Thanks for thinking about me, Penny. I appreciate it.
How free are we? I guess that depends on who you ask. Here’s a longer story involving my protagonist that tries to answer the question: https://poweredbyrobots.com/2021/02/23/the-failure/
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I can just imagine the prison governor pacing up and down, demanding that no one _ I mean no one escapes from my jail, not even through death. he must stay and serve his time…
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He’s a control freak. 😀
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Best to go with a smile on your face – on your own terms (even if they are only in your mind!)
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Your story’s end reminds me of the end of the movie, “Brazil.” I’m glad he was able to take his mind to that place. Great storytelling.
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Thanks.
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You’re welcome.
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Powerful story, James. It reminds me of the saying “live free or die.” Nice to see you back to FF. =)
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Thanks, Brenda. It’s good to be back.
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Good to see you back,
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Thanks, Michael.
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