Friday, June 5, 2009

Flash Fiction Friday

She dialed 9-1-1 having enough time to scream, "My ex-husband is going to kill me," before he yanked the cord from the phone jack and wrapped it around her neck. She tried to hold the baby but instinct forced her to let go to save her own neck, as she fought to save her life.

Visit Flash Fiction's G-Man.

I'm not trying to be disturbing for no good reason. This is probably a new and troubling thought to a lot of you. But then again, there are many silent sufferers among us. I want to nudge you enough to get you to visit a significant blog that I feel is making a difference in people's lives. It is called "Violence UnSilenced" and it's providing a place where people who have survived sexual and/or physical abuse can go to share their stories. It's also a safe place where people who are suffering can go to get help. It's been nominated for "Most Inspiring Blog" and, frankly, I want it to win. You can vote once per day.

Check it out and if you think it's deserving, you can vote for it by following these instructions:
  • The category page is at: http://www.socialluxelounge.com/blogluxe/
  • Select the "Most Inspiring Blog" category
  • Find Violence UnSilenced in the list
  • Click the "Vote" button
  • Fill in a name and email address
  • Click the SECOND "Vote" button to register your vote.
And, while we are on this disturbing subject, there's something I'm curious about...

Let's have a philosophical discussion about survival instincts versus maternal/paternal instincts. Do I have it wrong in my Flash Fiction 55? Is it the other way around; Are maternal/paternal instincts stronger than survival instincts?

11 comments :

Shadow said...

i think your story's just right. with the child not in direct danger, of course her survival instinct will override maternal...

Marian Dean said...

I have voted as this sort of thing fills me with horror, even though I have never been on the receiving end, I have known it among friends relationships.
I think in the circumstances in the scene you describe, the person is no use to the child if injured or even dead, so it is best to go for own survival first. If it was a case of putting your life in danger when a child is in danger... say drowning, or climbing too high, then definitely, the child survival is uppermost, and as a mother/father, you would put your own life at risk.
Love Granny

Jazz said...

Vote cast.

I think the instinct to survive is the strongest there is. It overrides everything. When it comes right down to it, altruism will not help a species survive. Harsh as it might sound, you can always have more kids. Any animal will protect its young as long as possible and then flee if it comes to that, because survival is the bottom line.

listen for azure said...

What a wonderful post! As a mom, I'll tell you the one important lesson I learned - and it was from a stewardess.

"In case of pressure loss, be sure to affix the oxygen mask over YOUR mouth before you attempt to assist others in your care."

In other words, you have to save yourself before you can help your child.

Jinksy said...

What chance would a child have of surviving with a murderer for a father, if the mother didn't manage to stay alive herself? Story rang true for me...

Snowbrush said...

"Are maternal/paternal instincts stronger than survival instincts?"

Remember when you're on an airplane, and they tell you to put the oxygen mask on your own face before you put it on your child''s face? Like in your story, it's better to expose a child to a small degree of potential harm than to expose yourself to a high probability of grievous harm that might even leave your child an orphan.

g-man said...

Wow...This one was very intense!!
Excellent 55 Ms. Pouty
Thank You so much for participating.
Did you enjoy this?
Please play again next week OK....G

Woman in a Window said...

That's Maggie's place, isn't it, Violence Unsilenced? Brilliant place.

Your piece is very jarring. I don't think any one of us would know unless in that situation but I think for me, I'd do just about anything to save my kids and not think of myself until it was too late. Or atleast I hope I'd always put them first.

Auxiliary Girl said...

Wow, this is something to ponder. My thought is that the attacker would not stop with the mom. If you manage to save yourself you might ultimately be able to save the baby as well.

So, dropping the baby at first might be a path to saving the baby later.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

You have a beautiful blog, and your flash fiction is extraordinarily powerful!! Thank you for visiting me, and leading me here. I've seen you around, and now I know a little of the heart behind your photo...I think you have highlighted here in a very significant and meaningful way, a terrible social ill... thankyou for using your talent for such a worthwhile cause!!! ~Janine XO

Maude Lynn said...

Fantastic 55!

I've been voting for Violence UnSilenced daily.

I think that you got it just right in the piece. The first thought would be to protect the child, but the need to breathe is going to kick in the survival instinct.