My hair stood on end, a shiver raced down my spine, and a lump came to my throat when I…
My hair stood on end, a shiver raced down my spine, and a lump came to my throat when I saw that my voicemail had messages from the school and from the hospital. As dread washed through my body, I heard a pounding at the front door. My knees lost their strength but somehow I managed to wobble across the room to answer it.
A scream was building in my throat as I saw the sheriff’s deputy uniform. My eyes rose up to meet the deputy’s and took in the grim look on her face.
“Mrs. Giles, I have some bad news for you. It’s about Darla.”
My knees buckled and I fell to the floor.
I woke up laying on the couch, Jenny, my sister, sitting in the chair across from me. Her face was awash in tears and red blotches.
I jerked to alertness and sat up. “Where’s Darla!? What’s going on!?”
Choking out the words, Jenny said, “A group of kids tried to pull Darla’s mask off at school. She fought them, and one stabbed her. I’m sorry but she didn’t make it.”
[186 words]
Fandango is the host of Fandango’s Story Starter.
Tao Talk 
Is this supposed to be fiction? Because man, oh man, can I see this happening somewhere in the States.
Well done. You built up the tension very well.
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Dale, it is a parent’s worst nightmare coming to life. It’s where we’re headed. The US has become dangerously polarized. Thank you for reading and your comment.
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It really has. I couldn’t even contemplate living there, right now. And I know it’s not all awful but man…
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When I walk into a business and I’m the ONLY one wearing a mask, employees included, it gets me a little anxious. I am starting to feel like Charleton Heston did in Planet of the Apes.
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Oh, how awful for you. Which state are you in? When I visited DE and PA two weeks ago, the masks were worn by almost everyone… it was comforting!
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Michigan. Our governor has become wishy washy which is terrifying. She stood strong at first, but when the Republican legislature hamstrung her… I swear, Michigan is beginning to rival Florida and Texas in it its idiocy.
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Oh geez… So very sorry to hear that. Rivalling Texas or Florida is so NOT a goal!!
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Oh such a sad story that can very well be true these days. Great take on the prompt Li.
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Thanks, Sadje. It’s a scary place for everyone, especially the young people.
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You’re welcome! Yes it is.
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Great story Lisa. I got a bit confused by the title at first but it definitely pulled me in and was left with wanting to hear more.
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Thank you very much, Paul and glad you were pulled in by the story.
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Yes Michigan perhaps not as bad as TX or FL but getting there. That whole conspiracy to kidnap the governor thing was one scary messed up thing. My wife is from MI and her parents and brother still live there
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Paul, I’m glad you understand where I’m coming from. Besides my kids and their significant others, every other family member in my extended family are pro-Trump, anti-Vax, anti-mask rednecks who still believe covid is a hoax.
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My in-laws are not that far gone although my brother in law hasn’t gotten vaccinated. But when we’ve visited in past and met the neighbors and acquaintances I know exactly what you mean
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Powerful story, Lisa. And sad indeed that something like this could happen!
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Christian, it’s only a matter of time for the children to follow the examples set by their parents:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-parent-rips-teacher-s-mask-her-face-superintendent-says-n1277057
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Wow, scary, what the hell is wrong with these parents!
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A crushing story and, given the way things are today, it wouldn’t surprise me if something like this were to happen
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Thank you, Fandango. One teacher has been physically assaulted and one has been verbally attacked in Texas. The children are watching.
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Just had to repost and follow along
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Good story Lisa…In my small town only a handful wear them…in Nashville there is more but not enough. It’s making people even more isolated.
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I went to the hairdresser yesterday and was the ONLY person in the whole place with a mask on. I went to the library today, which is right by the elementary school and saw the little kids out at recess. None wearing masks 😦
Did you hear about the Pope? I just learned that the Pope is instructing Catholic people who have signed religious waivers to attempt to avoid getting the vaccine that they need to stop. This is rippling to Catholic-operated hospitals where hospital staff have signed the waivers. Where my son works, the hospital has given all staff until 9/21 to get vaccinated or get fired.
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No I didn’t hear of that about the Pope. That will cause all kinds of news. I do know of some hospitals that are making people get it. Some are glad some are pissed off…and some I know that are pissed are democrats…so this is shaking everyone up.
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I’m sincerely glad a line is FINALLY being drawn in the sand. Enough innocents have died.
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p.s. Thank you, glad you connected with the story. I’m so sorry Nashville isn’t with the program either. I had lunch with a friend today — masked or at a minimum 6 ft distance at the table — and she was telling me about some of the theories that are floating out that about the vax. 1) they magnitize your body; 2) they implant tracking chips into you. ::::smh::::
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The tracking chips are just crazy…the only thing anyone should be concerned about is the long term affects…nothing else…but we don’t have much choice. That other crap is crazy…looney.
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