The building was non-descript, really. A cement block bunker in the middle of a fenced-in field; a dead end location in every sense of the word. You wouldn’t know by looking at it what horrors its walls had seen; there no one was left to remember.
Line after line, they were ushered in, told they were to be decontaminated. Only a few discerned there was no exit, no plan for them to leave. That realization dropped some to their knees in prayer, knowing their time was short.
The only testament left of this nightmare was the single tap on the wall. Powerless now, it controlled all then. Life, death, on, off. All in a single turn of the screw.
The photo prompt is courtesy of Madison Woods. Her story can be found here,along with links to all the other Flash Friday Fictioneers.
Realistically scary. I have been to one of those places. Leaves you feeling very … strange.
Well written, Erin…and disturbing. Unfortunately many relatives I never knew died in those places.
Chilling. Masterful use of the prompt. May we always remember this real life story.
I agree. I’ve been to one of these places, too, and it’s sobering.
Powerful and evocative of a dark period in history. well done. I’m linked and here: http://readinpleasure.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/fridayfictioneers-aqua-madness/
The first paragraph alone had me upset. My throat is still closed up. You’ve created a indelible moment in 100 words or less. wow.
It brings to mind very disturbing images from history. Well written!
Truly original take on the prompt – very sinister. Well done.
An extremely powerful story.
A reminder to us all of ‘mans inhumanity to man’
Sounds like what we can expect from FEMA camps if incumbent politicians get their way. It’s 1940s Germany all over again. Well crafted thriller.
http://ebooksscifi.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/kingdom-come-by-ilyan-kei-lavanway-for-madison-woods-friday-fictioneers-100-word-flash-fiction/
Hugely powerful and poignant. Well written and thought provoking.
–Jan
http://janmorrill.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/fictioneers-flashfriday-gone-dry/
Powerful. I could feel my lips purse and body tighten while reading it. Frightening reminder of a dreadful, historical period…still fresh in our memories. Never again!!!
That’s some potent stuff. Great tale to remind us of the horrors of the past.
A lot of story in a few words–powerful.