Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, and the standard.
This week’s slightly freaky prompt is provided courtesy of Roger Bultot.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on this picture, below.
© Roger Bultot
Click here to hear the writer read his words:
Watched
I am innocent, I have nothing to hide.
But I don’t like being watched.
There are eyes everywhere, always watching.
I began to feel like a specimen, under surveillance, always being studied.
At work.
In the street.
Even at home.
So I quit my job.
I only go out on the darkest of nights.
I scurry like a rat through the shadows.
I keep the blinds closed, and the lights out.
I barely move.
But still I am being watched.
I know it.
Okay, I admit it!
I am not innocent.
But they can’t possibly know that.
Can they?
Sound Bite Fiction 
Getting caught will be a relief!
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I scurry like a rat through the shadows. Perhas im the paranoid one but all of these statements rung true in our camera-crazy age. Funny last segment, changing from Jeckyll to Hyde, from victim to perpetrator, in the blink of an eye.
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Thank you for these comments, I appreciate that you gave my little tale some thought.
Yes, perhaps none of us are so innocent, hmm?
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I’m not paranoid but I know you lot think I am! Good stuff
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I think most people are.
You, I am sure about!
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They know… they always do… but why bother with justice if the guilty one will bring the rope himself?
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Under pressure, there are few options, Bjorn
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the guilt will keep hurting, even no one was to watch
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Ah, that is interesting, thank you for that view.
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You’ve written a very vivid & authentic piece about paranoia. Great job!
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Thank you, Lisa, I think we all have moments like this sometimes.
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Excellent. We are never alone. Someone is always watching.
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It does feel that way, doesn’t it?
Thank you for taking a moment to comment.
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I’m intrigued by the last line, “ But, they can’t know that,
Can they?”
Who are they? Authorities? Villagers? Purple people eaters?
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Purple people eaters? Are they out there?
Now I am really worried!
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This guy is on a downward spiral for sure. Then, maybe he has cause to worry…
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We just don’t know, do we?
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You should be watched. There’s no telling what you’re planning to do next.
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Planning?
PLANNING?
That is quite funny.
For you.
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There’s no hiding place. You’ve really got me thinking now……
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That sounds dangerous, Keith!
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You portray the man’s gradual deterioration very vividly.
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Thank you, Penny, sometimes they just write themselves!
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It is true, the domed building is like a giant eye, for ever watching. No paranoia here🙂
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That’s what I saw too, Michael.
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I think his guilt possibly drove him to paranoia that he was being watched. A very interesting story!
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Thank you, Brenda, a tell-tale eye instead of a tell-tale heart!
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It’s probably curtains for the narrator then 😉
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No, blinds, I told you that!
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They see everything, they know nothing. Or do they?
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Don’t ask me, I don’t know anything, and if I did I wouldn’t say!
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Some mind game is being played with the poor soul. Gradually his lifestyle is changing and he is admitting his crimes. Who is this big brother? Nice story.
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Thank you, sir, it is hard to tell just how innocent he is.
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You can’t put your conscience in a cupboard and leave it behind.
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Very true, Jilly, we can never escape from ourselves.
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Evidently, they can.
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And do!
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Dear CE,
Apparently someone knows. Puts me in mind of my paranoid cousin in his failing years. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Someone always knows, m’lady.
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It is difficult to keep secrets these days. More and more the paranoids are correct. Reminds me of Rockwell’s song “Somebody’s Watching Me”
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Cool comment, Jo, and cool song.
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Lots of levels to ponder here! Clever take on the photo prompt.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you,Susan, glad you found it of interest!
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The unfortunate thing about paranoia is that it’s so very believable. Your story really brings that out.
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Thanks, Larry, if it is real for the narrator, then who can say otherwise?
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That uncomfortable paranoid feeling is expressed so well here. Or they are actually watching him!
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If he thinks so then what is the difference?
Thanks for visiting, Jennifer
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The eyes are everywhere… great paranoid take.
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Thank you, it is an are-they-aren’t they situation
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I tried to counsel a victim of paranoia some years ago. Tough going. This is very well written, and catches the paranoia perfectly.
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Thank you, ma’am, you are very kind.
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Perhaps it’s not paranoia…Don’t worry. I’ll still be your friend, CE. Your cheque arrived last week.
Well done.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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It isn’t, they’re destroying my sanity, I’ll end up like an Australian!:
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Heaven help you if you end up like an Australian. I think they’re done something to our frontal lobes. BTW I loved that clip and shared it on FB but will have to post it on my blog as well. I don’t know whether you saw this post from a few days ago: https://beyondtheflow.wordpress.com/2018/10/23/mums-watching-peppa-pig/
Hope you have a great weekend.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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The sky above is the biggest eye. Good story, Ceayr.
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Thanks, Neel
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One big eye in the sky. Everyone has their secrets…some more than others!
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None of us are all that innocent, hmm?
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Anyone who says they are entirely innocent is a liar, and therefore not innocent at all.
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Nice depiction of paranoia
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Who said that???
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