PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz
“A cult is a malevolent circle, Mrs Mantle. A circle has no egress.”
“So how do we get her out?”
“She has closed her mind on the proposition of this twisted clique, until she opens it up, she’s lost.”
I looked down into the dregs of my coffee. “She is surrounded by others like ranks of concentric circles imprisoning her; you cannot break through from the outside. The weakness is on the inside. The only weapon, independent thought.”
“You mean she has to think for herself?”
“Is she used to that Mrs Mantle? Has she been allowed to do that before?”
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.
Michael Wynn 
I loved the last question
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Thanks Neil
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Me too.
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Wow. Excellent question for all parents to ponder.
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Thanks, I believe it is
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I think Mrs Mantle knows the answer to that and is realising she may be responsible for this… Excellent piece.
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Thanks Iain. Yes, and when it’s too late
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Dear Michael,
That last question pierces like a knife. From one prison to another. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle
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ohhh… having listened to a few individuals who have escaped cults, individualism is not a common feature. Good one, Michael.
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Thanks very much Kelvin. There is that question, what makes some people susceptible to cults
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And that is the question, isn’t it? Has she ever been able to think for herself. Those who get pulled into these cults are so vulnerable.
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Exactly Dale and the question is what has made them so vulnerable.
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A huge question, no doubt.
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Good story and the last line so true. No matter what the cult, members have to “believe and trust”— not wonder, never question or study independently.
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Thanks Christine. It’s a matter of thought control on several levels
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Stunning question. Loved it.
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Thank-you
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Our prisons are inside our heads. Loved the way you crafted this.
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They are, thanks for the comment
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The longer she’s there, the harder it will be. Nice one!
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So right, thanks Draliman
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Very thought-provoking and a killer last line.
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Thanks Clare
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Lovely writing, michael. And using that name Mantle, finished it brilliantly.
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Thanks Michael. I liked the idea of her mantling her daughter over protectively throughout her childhood.
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Wonderfully written, Michael and that last question is relevant to so many practises around the world . How ‘code’ becomes the easiest weapon of subjugation/ domination.
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I totally agree, thanks for reading and commenting
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An interesting response to the prompt, with a killer question at the end.
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Thanks Penny
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An interesting interpretation of the photo and I especially liked your important question at the end. Just this morning I read a post about raising headstrong children. Tough to do, but so important to let them have the confidence to voice their own opinions.
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Thank-you for a great comment. That’s the way I feel, you have to let them all think for themselves and have their own opinions, even if they don’t correspond to yours, it’ll be best for them in the future
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Ya got me at the word “egress.”
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Thanks or reading
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Indeed… there are many circles where you are tied… reminds me so much of the Facebook bubbles and faked news… maybe there are similarities between that and cults.
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I think there are if you expand the meaning of the word cult to cover mind control in any way, not just within a physical group
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That’s a painful and searching question for many parents to ponder, especially these days. Well written, Michael
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Thanks Lynn
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My pleasure 🙂
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A gem of a story I think. Sci-fi, philosophy, drama, social commentary – all in a 100 words. Well done.
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Thank-you, I’m pleased you liked it
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she’s doomed unless the circle is broken by force. they have to get her out of there and start the deprogramming process at once.
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Yes, send in the SAS 🙂
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Great post, Michael. The best I’ve read based on this prompt. Five stars from me.
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Thank-you very much, that’s a great compliment
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I think we can see how this situation arose. A story on so many levels.
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Thanks Sandra
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It’s been said before (but sometimes following the crowd is ok, right?) – great last question!
Loved this!
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Thank you
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Very cool story!
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Thanks Dawn
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It would seem even at home the girl wasn’t encouraged to think for herself. The mother’s question leads to that conclusion. Her daughter was an easy target for a cult. Good writing, Michael. —- Suzanne
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Thanks Suzanne
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A fantastic question!
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Well done.
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Thanks
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