Thanks to Rochelle for the prompt and the horde of minions for reading.
Photo Copyright – Douglas M MacIlroy
They said the walls were for his protection, to keep him safe. Each day that passed led him to believe it less. Every sunrise led him to the conclusion that it was about control, not safety. He hadn’t seen a single monster beyond the walls in well over a month, no one had.
Face down in the mud on the wrong side of the wall, the spotlight fell on him. Almost immediately the siren wailed and shots rang out. The bullets ripped through his flesh. It wasn’t the escape he’d planned, but he’d choose death over another day in prison.
Adam Ickes 
December 26th, 2013 at 10:57 AM
Dear Adam,
Powerful. Too many prisons are purported as protection. We’d do well to heed the message in your story. (At least, the message that I’ve read into it.)
Seems to me the monster’s within the walls, not beyond them.
shalom,
Rochelle
December 26th, 2013 at 3:07 PM
There are certainly monsters within the walls. I think I’d take my chances with the ones outside as well, only I’d plan my escape a bit better.
December 26th, 2013 at 11:07 AM
This minion enjoyed it.
December 26th, 2013 at 3:07 PM
Wonderful! I’m glad.
December 26th, 2013 at 12:42 PM
Another happy minion here, Adam. I agree with Rochelle about that monster – and although ‘m not sure I’d make the same choice as your character, he has my respect for it. As do you for writing this. Happy Christmas!
December 26th, 2013 at 3:09 PM
I would have made his choice, but I wouldn’t have made it a split decision choice. I would have planned a bit more carefully. Maybe used a distraction at another wall to make escaping a bit safer.
Also, thanks for the kind words and a Merry Christmas to you as well.
December 26th, 2013 at 1:00 PM
He was right about it being a prison, then. I’d love the back story to this – maybe some kind of global disaster which created mutants, or an invasion of some kind?
I loved the last sentence – I wonder how many others in the tower will choose the same “escape”?
December 26th, 2013 at 3:10 PM
I’m not sure if they killed him because he was escaping or because they’re trigger happy and assumed he was one of the “monsters”. Either way, there are probably more monsters inside the walls than out and I can’t say I blame him for trying to leave.
December 26th, 2013 at 4:00 PM
Well done Adam, this is a sad reality for some in prison.
December 26th, 2013 at 8:46 PM
I believe this place started as a true sanctuary, but once the monsters outside their fences started disappearing it morphed into the prison of the story.
December 26th, 2013 at 5:05 PM
Indeed.. the escape can sometimes be the only alternative.. at least he was not carved to pieces inside…
December 26th, 2013 at 8:47 PM
It’s only a matter of time before the others start realizing that they’d be safer outside the walls. I pity those in charge when that day comes.
December 26th, 2013 at 7:47 PM
I dunno, did they have a big screen hi def TV inside the walls?
December 26th, 2013 at 8:48 PM
I don’t think they have television in their world, not anymore anyway. I doubt they even have radio to pass the time.
December 27th, 2013 at 3:55 AM
liked this a lot. it’s awesome that there’s a story happening within the walls and outside the walls.
December 28th, 2013 at 8:26 PM
Would you believe I wrote and edited this in a total of about 5 minutes? Normally it takes a lot longer. This one just kind of came to me. I might end up going further with this. I’m enjoying the bits and pieces I’ve seen so far. Of course, I’ll have to use a different character to take it further though. Also, I picked up Ugly Babies. Loved you story in it. I’ll add a review once I finish reading it.
December 29th, 2013 at 2:15 AM
thanks for the support Adam. i wish i could purchase zombie tree now but my Visa card currently have issues. i hate credit cards >< 5 minutes is pretty fast. and yes, it'd be great to expand on this 🙂 i wish i didn't have the attention span of a butterfly and that im able to write longer stories. lol
December 30th, 2013 at 11:58 AM
What have I told you about maxing out your card on those adult sites? Oh wait, I never told you anything about that… carry on. 🙂
No worries. Glad to offer support to my fellow writers.
As for the butterfly attention span, I have that problem too at times. That’s why I work on so many stories at once and jump back and forth when I feel I need a change of scenery. The longest thing I’ve ever written is about 75K words and it took me a couple years to get that far, but it’s in need of some major reworking and editing before it’ll ever (if it ever does) see the light of day.
December 27th, 2013 at 6:00 AM
Walls work both ways, keeping in and out. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes in this story.
December 28th, 2013 at 8:28 PM
There is a lot unsaid in this one. I’d certainly like to delve into this strange world a bit deeper some day.
December 27th, 2013 at 4:12 PM
Great story, Adam. Total control is a scary thing, I’ve never understood why certain people desire it.
December 28th, 2013 at 8:29 PM
Nor have I. The whole idea of controlling the lives of others is just down right odd to me.
December 28th, 2013 at 7:55 AM
i think i would as well… reminded me of the berlin wall… many parallels…very well written adam
December 28th, 2013 at 8:32 PM
Thanks, Claudia. I think too many walls are built for control under the guise of protection.
December 28th, 2013 at 8:32 AM
The walls remind me of some of the ridiculous laws that are created to “protect us from ourselves.”
December 28th, 2013 at 8:32 PM
You aren’t wrong there. I’d like to say laws like that don’t exist, but saying that without laughing is proving rather difficult.
December 28th, 2013 at 11:56 AM
We are on similar paths this week, Adam. Nicely done. I like the “futuristic,” fantasy element, that rings true. Game of Thrones came to me, but I see this as more real… potentially.
December 28th, 2013 at 8:35 PM
This is one of my favorite FF pieces that I’ve written. I definitely want to expand on this and learn more about this world and these “monsters” beyond the walls.
December 28th, 2013 at 8:48 PM
Yes! YOu should expand on this one… it feels like it’s going somewhere. I love when that happens. As you know, I have a story on FF that I’ve continued thru’ 3 episodes now. I feel like that story just waits for the right photo. 😉
December 28th, 2013 at 3:45 PM
Who knows? Shot down for his own protection. He died well.
December 28th, 2013 at 8:36 PM
I doubt it was for his own protection. If I had to guess I’d say it was more to keep the others inside from trying the same thing. Either that or they mistook him for one of the monsters. The classic shoot first and ask questions later. More likely it was the first scenario though.
December 29th, 2013 at 8:10 AM
A great story Adam. I certainly think this has the making of a much longer story.
December 30th, 2013 at 11:59 AM
Thanks, Mike. I have to admit I’m very curious about this “prison”. I’ll definitely be exploring it further at some point.