Rosen Tantau

flower fence

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

Karl and Emma held hands as they walked toward their secret meeting place in back of an abandoned house. The two teenagers lived in a terrible place and time, but love always emerges strongest in youth.

“What are you doing?” Emma giggled as Karl stopped suddenly. He let go of her hand and cupped the red blossom peeking through the gray boards.

“It reminds me of how much I love our country,” he answered.

“Love our country?” An indignant Emma took a step back. “With that maniac in charge, that dictator?”

“I said I loved Germany, not Hitler,” he replied.

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Free

roses

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.”

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