Expropriation and Hopelessness

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

Charlotte clamped a fist round her locket and contemplated the Christmas lights for the last time. Since the advent of the new order, everyone wore lockets. When uncertain of seeing your loved ones again, photographs are everything.

On turning sixteen in September, the law demanded Emma report to the ‘Citizen Development and Assignment Programme.’ She’d instead joined her brother in hiding.

Charlotte wept for the memories, the lifetime investment in their little house now scheduled for reallocation. They were obliged to move to government, ‘Third Stage Life’ apartments.

Her husband had planned their flight, but she knew, they were too old for resistance.

Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.

Choosing our Religion

It’s been a long time since I entered a piece for FF. I’ve endured a classic case of life intruding when I was planning other things. Part of life though was getting my second novel to third draft stage, so I’m intending to release that soon. It’s a sequel, by popular request to, From the Edge of an English Summer and follows the further adventures of Julian and Wordsworth, fighting crime in their suburban backyard. In the meantime, I intend to get back into the ever enjoyable PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz                         and rewarding habit which is,  Friday Fictioneers.

Here’s my offering for this week, I hope I’m not too rusty.

“Fashion is expensive, hence divisive. People are mugged for their Prada, stabbed for their trainers. Nationalising garment production eradicates so many problems.”
“But, your Excellency, why make the clothes so long and shapeless?”
“To respect the feelings of the modest and religious.”
“But aren’t we outlawing religion?”
“Banning religion simply ferments fervour and drives it underground, chapels in cellars, every pantry a priest hole. We have to enlighten them to recognise the state as their religion.”
“Where you’re God?”
“Indeed, I will be their deity.”
As a duty to the people, the chancellor stabbed his Excellency, “We’ll continue worshipping Nike, thanks.”

Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.

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