PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door*
Beth knows she lived in Manzano for twenty years. When others find out that she used to live in a place reported to be a culturally enriched, bohemic paradise, they invariably ask, “What was it like to live in Manzano?”
Beth would love to answer from her memory of her time there what warranted such glowing adjectives for a place she lived in for so long. Instead, she recites memorized insider information from locals’ journals. It’s easier than telling the truth.
Beth is not being dishonest. She wants to remember it, but the only thing she does is meeting Marshall.
[100 words]
Afterword: when I saw Roger’s photo the first thing I thought was memory loss, which sparked a story about a woman who got caught up in a cult but was able to escape. One cult I remember was Heaven’s Gate.
*The title for my story is a title of a Bob Dylan song.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
I would guess being brought up in a cult would lead to smeared memories. You captured that well
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Thank you, Neil.
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Interesting take, and even more interesting backstory! Thanks Li.
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Violet, thank you. I’m glad she was one who got away, but did she really?
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Oh I love this.,. Great take I can relate as I remember almost nothing 🥹
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Thanks Cindy. Hoping you weren’t a former cult member ;)
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Dear LIsa,
You took the prompt in an interesting direction. Years ago I had a friend who’d been subject to a cult as a child. Those memories came back to haunt her in her 30’s. Oh what the mind kind bury. Good story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, thanks much. So very sorry to hear your friend had been subject to a cult :( Those charismatic leaders can do a world of damage.
Shalom,
Lisa
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The first thing I thought of was drugs but being trapped in a cult is as devastating.
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Thanks, James. Too many have been harmed by cult (and drugs, for that matter!)
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It does look like those memories we know are there but can’t quite grasp. I think it would be a mercy in the case of your narrator. (K)
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Interesting, I would not have guessed a cult, but it is clear something traumatic happened when she met Marshall and it wasn’t love.
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Thanks, Clare!
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Strange how our brain protects us from harmful things for a time, until they rise back up when you least expect it. Nice story.
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Yes it is, Will. Thanks much.
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Such an interesting take on the prompt. I’m hoping Marshall was a good part of that period. Strange how the mind can, (if you’re lucky), cut out the bad stuff.
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Sandra, the real life name of the Heaven’s Gate cult leader was Marshall. I liken cult leaders to pimps, so the first part of it was probably good — until she got hooked. Thanks for reading and your thoughtful comment.
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A very poignant story Li
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<3 Thanks, Sadje.
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💞💞💞
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<3
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Yes, how do you escape the brainwashing of the cult? A sinister idea.
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Good question, James. Thanks for reading.
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Like others have said, definitely an interesting take on the prompt. That said, I like where you took it. Reminds me of those who didn’t escape Jonestown before drinking the Kool-Aid. Well done.
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Thank you, Alicia. Nice to see you back :)
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Good writing, Lisa-Li. As always! You said a lot in 100 words.
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Thanks for the kind words.
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What a mysterious tale, explained by your after-thoughts. I can’t imagine being held in a cult. The trauma would affect the rest of your life, unless you can mercifully forget. Powerful story, Lisa.
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Brenda, thank you very much.
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lot intense stuff packed in the 100 words…loved it
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Thanks much, Nandini :)
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good that she was able to get out. it was the first step to healing.
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Yes, Plaridel. Thanks for reading and your comment.
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Hopefully this story suggests she got out of the cult, such a sad part of our worlds.
Jen
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Jen, thanks. In this story she escaped, at least physically…
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Ah yes, fair point there.
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Reading your afternote completely flipped the script in my head! What an intriguing and interesting take on the prompt, Lisa. You are so creative.
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Dale, I’m glad the story pleased you. Thanks!
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😊
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<3
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My fist thought was dementia, but your afterword cleared it up. I don’t know the cult or cult leader, that’s why the name didn’t tell me anything. I can easily believe how hard it is to let go of such a thing mentally.
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Gabi, if you follow the Heaven’s Gate link in the afterword it takes you to the wiki article about the cult. Bottom line, in the end the cult members all committed suicide and were found neatly laid out, where they supposedly rejoined the Hale-Bopp comet energy (something like that.)
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Scary stuff. The brain is an amazing thing.
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Thank you, Dawn. Yes it is.
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That’s why I would only join a sex cult. Mass suicide doesn’t appeal to me. It’s amazing what charismatic people can make others believe. At least, she made it out before the suicide. That’s where they get ya. Come for the weird clothes and sex with a manipulative old guy, stay for the suicide.
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You know what you’re talking about. I’m guessing you remember Heaven’s Gate?
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I followed your link and read through the Wiki. 😁
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:)
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thak goodness she escaped, cults are deadly!
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Yes, and yes
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Her concern that they might find out the truth is clear. What a difficult life recovering from that and constantly hiding it. She’s still suffering, poor thing.
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Thanks so much, Laurie.
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