I’m going to my death. What am I doing? Patricia wondered. I’m only an ordinary doctor. What do I know about treating refugees?
The passenger in front abruptly lowered his backrest, compressing Patricia’s knees.
My legs are too long to be doing this, she thought. Numb. Her legs were numb.
Numbness washed her mind.
“Beef or chicken?” The attendant’s banal question and the squeak of his trolley was numbing. On the move, cares melt away. There is neither past, nor future, just the speeding instant of the present.
Patricia relaxed, as Syria sped towards her at 800 kilometres per hour.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.
Neil MacDonald Author 
Dear Neil,
Let’s hope she’s joined by others on the same mission. Haunting and well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks. Rochelle
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Heroes one and all.
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If only humanity could respond and stop this slaughter,
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Agreed
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I love the line ‘my legs are too long to be doing this’ – a great example of how human minds work when we’re facing terror.
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Thanks, Claire. I was pleased by that line
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That’s an interesting reflection – about no past or future – on an aircraft. Just a sense of coming from and going to. Nicely layered story.
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Thanks, Sandra. The boredom of air travel can be very useful for conquering fear
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Sadly quite the opposite for me. 😦
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Always a shortage of doctors in the refugee camps.
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Whoever said that heroes have guns… most are hesitantly numb.
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Amen
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The routine of the flight contrasts well with her mission and fear.
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Thanks, Clare
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Super, Neil. What I liked particularly was Patricia’s voice. It’s very clear, the character. Also the feeling of the flight taking off is right on it. I feel the same way once we’re in the air. I enjoy flying.
Five out of five beef or chicken (or coffee, tea or milk).
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Thanks, William
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Depressingly wonderful, or wonderfully depressing.
Very skillfully crafted.
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Thanks so much
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She’s brave for even trying to go.
Hope it all ends well.
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Some of those aid workers are very brave
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Relaxing on the way to Syria may be a bit of an anomaly. If it was me I’d wish I brought a parachute!
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The strange thing is, you do relax. Boredom is a great anaesthetic
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Fair enough!
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the fear of the unknown but still some brave souls keep struggling
http://obliqview.blogspot.in/2016/06/one-hour-prompt-rich-voza-she-had.html
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The unknown is always the scariest
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Lovely tempo to this piece.
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Thanks, Paul
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Ordinary doctors, doing ordinary things in extraordinary circumstances. Your story is anything but ordinary. Well crafted.
Tracey
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Thanks, Tracy. I have a soft spot for MSF
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If only I were braver…. Perhaps my son the surgeon will carry that torch someday.
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Kudos to the brave medical professionals who volunteer…and to you for bringing attention through your story.
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Thanks, Jan
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I can sympathize with the discomfort of flying with long legs, although I’d rather not be going to Syria while doing it. Great piece.
-David
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Thanks, David
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Wonderful Neil! You captured the essence of beauty of travel. That’s why I love a journey – the anticipation as we pack, board and relax. This is my experience, exactly.! I love the in-between time of travel. You are caught in a vacuum of cares left behind, time to spend with others and a free mind to enjoy the scenery, reading a book, etc etc!
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Thanks so much
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A realistic portrayal of the almost pointless thoughts flitting through one’s mind when on the way to something like that (or even to something not nearly as scary!).
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Thanks. That’s exactly what I was trying to capture
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You have had such a lot into 100 words! Really well done.
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That should be packed!
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Thanks so much
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Yes, indeed, poor old Syria. Such a terrible humanitarian disaster happening there. You described the limbo of travel very nicely. Great story, Neil 🙂
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Thanks. Lynn
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My pleasure
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Nothing ordinary about such people. The ordinary life she leads now will soon change “at 800 kilometres per hour.”
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But rhat’s the point about heros isn’t it? That they’re all ordinary people
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Brave woman – let’s hope the need for such people quickly fades.
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I agree
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Great ideas about what someone going to Syria might think. Death is a real possibility. You would think like that. Heroes get scared too. Well written, Neil. —- Suzanne.
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Thanks, Suzanne
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Love the story, Patricia’s willingness to ask, even when uncertain. I once heard courage isn’t the absence of fear but a willingness to act even when fear is present.
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Thanks so much
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Welcome
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I thought the use of numbness was brilliant. I should imagine you’d need to employ numbness to carry on with a mission like that, so much to scare you if you stop to think too much. Well observed and conceived.
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Thanks, Mick. There is no higher compliment
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Too many of us choose to remain numb….
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And Godspeed to her, doing such great work.
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I like the “human legs” being too long… The implication I see is that humanity is too consumed with how reality affects the self as opposed to how each individual affects reality. She wants to help but is afraid of change and limitation. Great story!
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Thanks so much. When I wrote it, I didn’t intend the too long legs to be more than a representation of how our minds skitter away from what troubles us. But you saw something more in it, and I love that
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The repetition of ‘numbness’ works well to show her state of mind. Numbness provides a kind of protection when faced with overwhelming fear – or grief, or other unbearable emotions. I love the ordinary details – life continues on despite where that plane is headed. A wonderful portrait of a brave, but ordinary person.
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Thanks, Margaret. That’s exactly what I wanted to convey
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