Friday Fictioneers – Journeying

~ neilmacdon
100_7227-1
PHOTO PROMPT © Rich Voza

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.

 

62 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers – Journeying”

  9. 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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  18. 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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  26. 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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  29. 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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    1. 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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  30. 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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