You must never go there. Come on, you know where—to the castle. Oh yes? Well, you’ll need to get across the river first, and you can’t swim. No, you can’t have swimming lessons.
There’s no reason you can’t be happy here—don’t we provide everything you need? Over there, they’re strange and cruel.
Let’s just turn your chair around so the nasty castle searchlights don’t shine in your dear eyes. Out of sight, out of mind, eh? Stay with your ain folk. See Spot, see how he runs. Oh please, darling, don’t leave us.
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Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
I can imagine this playing out at every border crossing in the world. Well done, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Mason
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Strange and cruel whichever way you look. Neil, you’re so good at chilling!
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Yes, no one group has a monopoly on cruelty. Thanks so much, Jilly
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She, a princess of the castle, has definitely been kidnapped & they are brainwashing her too.
Hope the “darling” is treated well at this other side…
Well expressed, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Anita
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Some find it harder to let go of others. Some don’t want to be let go of. I wonder which the object of the narrator’s attention will turn out to be.
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Perhaps both
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I kept expecting a “Spot” the dog book. There is a sadness to this story that lingers.
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Thanks so much, Tannille
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Escape from the stasis to a better life is a difficult decision, or is it?
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That’s the thing. You can never be sure
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Will they make it to the castle? Are they as strange and cruel over there as is told? I wonder if they’ll get to find out …
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People on the other side are rarely as described on this side
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Dear Neil,
A rather strange and chilling piece.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It was a strange and chilling photo. Thanks Rochelle
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This is laden with undertones, Neil. I’m trapped somewhere between Rapunzel and Alcatraz, and I’m not sure which is scarier.
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Thanks so much. If you go back to the original versions of fairy stories, they’re often scarier
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Indeed. Totally not suitable for kids! Although I do wonder if we coddle our kids too much these days – the stuff we watched on TV in the 80s was a whole different breed!!!
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All kinds of possibles ran through my mind as I read: A child is dying? Is the river the Rio Grande? Are they running FROM cruelty, or INTO cruelty? Or both?
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I like that interpretation
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Did she, didn’t she? Guess we’ll never know. An intriguing piece Neil.
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Thanks so much, Keith
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I suspect they are making up how bad the castle over there may be, and consider it a white lie…
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There may be other things that are dangerous about the castle
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Every good fairy tale has something forbidden that the hero does anyway. Good story, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Jade
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You’re most welcome.
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Homes can sadly a dark castle were neglect rules. Yes this story set me thinking
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Thanks so much, Michael
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This had me guessing a dozen different scenarios – something you are enviably good at!
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Thanks so much, Liz
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I like how you introduced an entire conversation, perhaps one that has occurred over years, in the first paragraph and then let the reader know there is “gentle” domination that may never end.
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Thanks so much, Alicia
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Some parents will say anything to their children to stop them from leaving…
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Or to protect them from danger?
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Possibly. But let’s just say, many kids are not prepared for the real world for all that protection.
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And the lesson remains unlearned. So much truth in those words, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Bill
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Very fitting tale for the prompt.
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Thank you, Dawn
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Tribalism, fear of the ‘other’ is an odd phenomenon. I hope the little dreamer makes it to the other side and learns that they’re not so different.
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Learning they’re the same on the other side may be the most alarming thing of all
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This gives me shivers. Very controlling and chilling and leaves it open to a few different scenarios. Well done!
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Thanks so much, Fleur
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🙂
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On one hand, the narrator seems controlling. But he might just be protective. Very nice story.
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Thanks so much
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i hope she grows wings so she doesn’t have to learn how to swim. 🙂
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Now that’s a solution that hadn’t occurred to her
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Wow. So hard to see what you are being held back from reaching. Keep hope alive
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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Telling someone NOT to do something is an invitation to do it anyway. Nice story!
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Thanks so much, Nan
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Distraction is the name of the game.
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It may work
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It’s best not to venture across the bridge, but will darling listen, especially if she has to be reminded she’s being treated well?
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Kids, huh?
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