FF – Release
Here is my story for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle. The photo was contributed by Roger Bultot.
My story this week is a real downer. Yay!
Copyright Roger Bultot
Frank grimaced as his pain-racked body refused to cooperate. Why won’t they just let me go? he wondered. I’m an old man, crippled, in agony. Even the pill bottle he’d acquired had failed him, his fingers too gnarled, too weak.
The cold just made it worse.
Cold? They’ve left the window open…
He dragged himself slowly, painfully across the room and hauled himself onto the sill. One more metre…
The pain fell away, an incredible lightness overtook him. I can fly! He shot upwards, spiralling, joyful, pain-free!
Far below, someone screamed. A crowd gathered. Mobile phones recorded the scene.
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draliman on life 
That was a good one. Love the description of flying. 🙂
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Sadly he only actually flew for a couple of storeys (in his physical body anyway) 😦
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Ohhhh, hysterical laughter ensues….That’s bad, but durn its funny!
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🙂
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Something told me he would be finding final release through that window…
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I didn’t do much to hide it 🙂
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I had a feeling someone was going to take a flying leap when I saw the photo! 🙂
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It was too tempting…
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I hate those pill bottles. Well done with this week’s prompt.
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Thanks, I’m glad you liked it! I have trouble with “child-safe” bottles too.
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And . . . the mobile phone pics. That line made me really sad. Good story.
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Yes, it’s sad that in today’s world it would definitely happen. They’d probably be on Facebook before the emergency services even arrived.
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Probably the answer to the question “Where is Superman when we need him?” Not the answer we wanted.
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Then, he didn’t want rescuing.
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At least he had a moment of weightlessness. I feel for those people on the ground, though; what an awful thing that must be to witness.
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Yes, a terrible thing to have to see.
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I hope he fell on a few of those mobile phone wielding youngsters… the collateral damage more than worth it for poor Frank’s release….
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“Extreme closeup aargh!”
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Some very realistic touches in this. Particularly the unopenable pill-bottle and the mobile phone snappers. Well done!
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Thanks! Quite a sad scene but I tried to make it as realistic as possible.
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So sad, that people suffer so much when they age. Wonderful descriptions and sad reality of modern society at the end. Brilliantly told.
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Thanks! I was hoping to portray both those ideas.
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Dear Ali,
There are those who are in it for the photo op. What did we do before those camera phones? What a flock of vultures. So much emotion in this story…and that last line…you can see how that got me going. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
After his rather poetic release from pain I thought I’d bring the real world in with a thump. I don’t understand some people.
I’m glad you liked it!
Ali
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Oh dear! Such a drastic action! He’s pain free now.
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Yes, at least the pain is gone.
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A story that asks questions about how we care for those who suffer – well done.
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Thanks. He didn’t seem to have much support.
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Good for him suppose that horrific for those left behind.
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Also for those who saw it happen.
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“Mobile phones recorded recorded the scene.” How morbid it is. What have we become?
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And it would happen, too. Nasty 😦
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Well done, as always. Don’t know whether to laugh or cry. This reminds me of the Black Mirror episode in which a lady is calling out desperately for help, but everyone around her does nothing except film her with their mobile phones.
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Thanks!
I have Black Mirror on my Netflix watch list. Maybe it’s time I gave it a whirl!
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I highly recommend it!
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Great imagery. Really felt for Frank, the poor bloke, but was smiling with him at the end.
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It’s quite a bitter sweet tale. I’m glad you liked it!
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I can understand, Frank.
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😦
Hugs.
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I’m sorry, didn’t mean to be an asshat. I loved your story.
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You weren’t being an asshat, that was my “I feel for you” sad face.
I’m glad you enjoyed my story 🙂
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another sad story this week. i’d read several already. 🙂
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I didn’t even see the flower, just the window and the long drop…
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At least he went with a smile on his face. Delightful.
My story is called Stardust
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Thanks. Yes, he’s at peace now.
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I think he’s an Angel now ❤ Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend 🙂 ❤
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I think so too 🙂 Have a lovely weekend!
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Chronic, acute pain. So much worse than we ever imagined. He has my sympathyl.
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Mine too, the poor man.
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Sounds like they left him no choice. Loved the bit about filming it all on mobiles, there is no dignity proffered to anyone these days it seems.
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Everything will get captured on video these days. No privacy, no dignity.
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I love the detail with the pills… a brutal end, I have heard old people in pain telling the same
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I’ve not had any personal experience but I can imagine.
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I love the last line..so fitting for our times.
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It is, sadly 😦
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Loved your comments as much as the story. Hope to be reading more of your stories now that I am back on line.
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I’m glad you liked it! I do get some good comments.
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I also knew what was going to happen, Ali. All signs pointed to it. I’m wondering if someone left the window open on purpose. I have arthritis also, but not that bad. Good writing. 🙂 — Suzanne
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That’s a good thought, maybe someone did leave it open on purpose. I’m glad you liked it!
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Who left that window open?
We will be suing them.
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The witnesses below could start a class action for trauma. After they’ve posted their videos online.
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🙂
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To someone old and in constant pain I can see how the open window proved too much of a temptation. I particularly like all the little details in this, including his pain-free flying. And the last sentence brings us down to earth with the scene of 2017 reality.
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, and picked out all the points too 🙂
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I could see it all happening – well painted.
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Thanks, I’m glad it painted a picture in your mind!
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If Frank won’t be needing the orchid anymore and no one else wants it…well…
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Shame for it to go to waste 🙂
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