SCOPOPHOBIA

~ Iain Kelly

She’d asked them to brick up the opening but the doctor said it was against building regulations.

Instead she got planters and grew grass in them. After a few weeks it was tall enough to fill half the void.

She tended to it in the hope that it would fill the opening completely.

They tried to remove her planters. She kicked up enough fuss that they were put back.

They asked her why she needed to block out the opening.

She told them: To stop them watching her.

She sat in isolation and hoped no-one would notice her fading away.

ronda-del-boccio (1)
Copyright Ronda Del Boccio

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

Published by Iain Kelly

39 year old writer, avid film viewer and book reader, employed in the media industry as a television editor.

93 thoughts on “SCOPOPHOBIA”

  4. Those windows, barely visible between the planters, give the story its impetus. It took me a while to work out what the part of the photo represented. Well done.

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  17. I have known individuals like this, who shut the world out. A fine piece of writing. Shutting the world out can be dangerous.

    Liked by 1 person

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  18. I think the fading away part adds the punch to your story. We all want to have privacy, but wanting to fade away is heartbreaking. Great story, beautiful writing.

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  20. This is a condition experienced by every teenager ever!😊nice depjiction of the urgency she feels in lowering the blind or in this case, growing something to hide behind. I expect one or two writer have a mind case, too…its much easier to spy on people when you, yourself, are hidden.

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  27. Interesting tale, Iain. I knew a guy who wouldn’t go to a restaurant because he felt like everyone was watching him eat. It’s wierd the prisons people build for themselves within their own minds.

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  37. as you wrote – I looked at the photo a few times – back and forth – that is how much I feel like what you write connected to the photo!
    when you said half covered the opening – I went back to see if it was half – or more- or less
    when you wrote they were taken down and put back – looked yet again
    just cool how this felt interactive for me – really well done (IMHO)

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  44. So well done – a story to explain the title. I hope she gets some treatment rather than fading away – such a horrible thing to have.

    Liked by 1 person

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