At first glance the choice was simple. Stay on this bank of the river and be safe, but alone. Or cross the river and be with his family, but face the danger of being infected by the virus.
The official order was no one was allowed to enter the quarantined island. The traffickers had quickly set up an illegal network to profit from those who wanted to return home.
He tried to weigh up the reasons for staying away. He was no use to his children if he, like them, was exposed to the virus and became ill. The mortality rate was 50-50. He was no use to his wife if he became another invalid needing cared for. So far she was clear of any infection.
But could he bear to carry on living if one of his children succumbed to the illness and he was no there to say goodbye? He may not pick up the virus, in which case he would be able to help care for them, and others.
It was futile to blame the authorities. He didn’t believe in fate or any God who may have visited this plague upon his house.
It was only three quick steps over the stepping stones. He had reached the front of the queue. A trafficker was ushering people along. He started shouting into his face. ‘Move! No time! Go!’
He had to decide now. He could feel the sweat under his shirt. He grimaced with tension. He raised his foot and stepped onto the first stone. There was no going back now.
This is a response to the #writephoto Prompt: Choice curated over at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click on the link to read other stories inspired by the image.
To find out more about my novels by following the links below:
A JUSTIFIED STATE: U.S.A. – AMAZON.COM UNITED KINGDOM AUSTRALIA CANADA INDIA
STATE OF DENIAL: U.S.A. – AMAZON.COM UNITED KINGDOM AUSTRALIA CANADA INDIA
Definitely the right choice 💜
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Let’s hope so 🙂
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💜💜🌈
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A tough decision and the best one.
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Let’s hope so. The authorities would disagree!
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Who would choose otherwise?
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Most would choose family, but the state officials will not be happy!
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Nothing new there 😉 They never are…
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Reblogged this on Sue Vincent's Daily Echo and commented:
First in this week…
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Not an easy choice to make! I hope it works out well for him. Maybe we’ll find out in some future prompt? 😉
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A sequel? We shall see 🙂
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This could become very topical, Iain, based on the recent news. I wouldn’t go.
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It would be hard to leave family behind, but it might be for the best.
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Tough decision.
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I imagine some have had to make something similar in China recently.
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No doubt.
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Very powerful and full of suspense.
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Thank you Eugenia
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A very interesting answer to the prompt. Thank you, for sharing these thoughts! Michael
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Thank you Michael, glad you liked it.
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Thank you very much, Iain. Loved it very much. Best wishes, Michael
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What a dilemma. You actually got me thinking about what I would do!
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It’s a tough one. I tend to want to do what the authorities say at a time like this, but if it was my own children…well, different story then.
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Very powerful and full of suspense.
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Thank you
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