The following photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. Does it speak to you? Tell us what it says in a 100 words or less.
FRIDAY FICTION CONCRIT SUBGROUP
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PHOTO PROMPT © Amy Reese
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
STOCKHOLM SYNDROME
What began with a chance meeting on the walking trail grew into a fairytale romance. Enan’s soulful brown eyes captivated me. I pledged my eternal love. I felt safe with him.
One day, after our daily hike, Enan led me to a windowless cabin in the woods.
“Behold our romantic hideaway.” His hot breath in my ear rendered me helpless as he tied my hands behind my back. “You’re mine, princess—forever and always.”
A year passed before I saw the sun again.
***
I watch the police take Prince Not-So-Charming away in handcuffs.
God forgive me. I love him still.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
The last line gave me chills. Heard that too many times in RL.
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Dear Loré,
Hard to imagine, isn’t it? To fall in love with such a beast? There is a very real ‘disorder’ called NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder) N’s make up the Jim Jone’s and Hitlers of this word.
Thank you. Your chills make me smile.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A really good story, Rochelle, that gave me goosebumps. The final line was unexpected and an added bonus.
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Dear JS,
Happy to have given goosebumps. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I feel sad for her, the concept of love can be so twisted.
Great story.
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Dear Chioma,
Sadly there are true situations like this…too often.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Chilling and harrowing. I wonder how many times this has played out? Creep! Nice job, Rochelle!
Note: 2nd line, I think the word “eyes” is missing?
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Dear Dawn,
Enan is a creep. He now has “eyes”…thank you for catching that. 😉 As a sidebar that might interest you. Enan is a Hebrew name meaning dark stream. It seemed to fit.
Thank you for reading, Savta.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s almost impossible to believe that the victim could continue to feel this way, but it happens so often that it must be true. I’d swear I wouldn’t be this kind of person, but who knows how each of us would react in such circumstances? You captured the creepiness, despair and at the end, the hopelessness of the relationship. Well done, Rochelle.
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Dear Sandra,
Sometimes those kinds of people can blindside an otherwise savvy and intelligent person. How else would whole nations and religious groups be duped into following maniacs like Hitler and Jim Jones?
As always, thank you for being in my corner.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A splendid reaction to the connection between the victim and the perpetrator… I still recall the bank robbery and hostage situation that lead to the name… at that rime it was rare with TV broadcasts during daytime so this event is so clear in my memory…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norrmalmstorg_robbery
Great writing as usual…. now thinking cap on.
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Dear Björn,
Thank you for the bit of history. I’m glad you caught the title. I guess I didn’t remember that the term was coined that recently. I’ve always found it fascinating and creepy that a hostage could fall in love with her captor. However I’ve been in a situation or two (not kidnapped) that have made me understand.
Thank you for swinging by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So matter of fact, so brutal.
Leaves me reeling.
Stunning story telling.
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Dear CE
So happy to have sent you reeling. Mission accomplished.
Thank you very much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love tinged with tragedy. Nicely done.
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Dear J Hardy,
Love is sometimes illogical. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Another powerful tale. He was a brute and yet she still loved him. Interesting relationship. “A year past before I saw the sun again.” Powerful, emotive line.
Cheers Irene
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Dear Irene,
Your words are affirming and appreciated more than I can say. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ooohhh… so well done! Every time I read a story of a captive falling for her captor, I shake my head and wonder how? I’m assuming he has brown eyes? Brings your word count up to 100! 😉
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Dear Dale,
I shake my head, too. You must’ve read before I tweaked and added ‘eyes.’ 😉 Glad you liked my little tale of insanity and too the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I guess I must’ve… crazy people out there!
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I’ve never understood how abused women, or men, stay with their abusers (although I understand economic reasons, children, etc.) and your story shows that well.
janet
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Dear Janet,
There’s something bizarre and psychological about abused women, if not spiritual. It’s a sad but too often true situation.
Thank you and Shalom
Rochelle
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I’ve never understood this but can see how easy it is to become dependent on someone. Good story.
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Dear Louise,
I still don’t understand it. 😉 Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The last line delivers the punch that pulls the entire story together in the twist. It conjures up thoughts of what she might have gone through. I think that love and dependence sometimes have a way of confusion for the hostage in these types of situations. One becoming the other. Nice play and twist on this story.
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Unfortunately there a many variations on this theme and it breaks my heart thinking of the victims and how fragile it makes them.
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Dear Graham,
There are many variations on the theme and, unfortunately, too many nut jobs out there do make these stories reality. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes I completely agree!
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Our brains work in very strange ways sometimes. I guess this is a survival mechanism. A painfully good read.
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Dear GAH,
I think because she had already fallen for Enan, her mind protected her from the truth. Of course the outcome is a bit twisted. She will need therapy. 😉
Thank you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Someone must be broken and rebuilt, I would think, or be very fragile to begin with to have this happen. Well done, as always.
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Dear Alicia,
Yes, I think she’s going to need quite a bit of therapy. Hard to say what goes on in the mind of someone roped into this kind of relationship.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Unfortunately there are many victims who still love their abusers, still stay with them hoping that things will change, when history shows us they almost never do. A chilling reminder that love doesn’t always conquer all. Well written, as always.
Dee
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Dear Dee,
There are different kinds of captivity in a relationship. A raft of battered wives are testimony to that fact. Love definitely does not conquer all.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So chilling, Rochelle.
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Thank you, A2P. 😀
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Great story, Rochelle. I’ve read about where captives are in love with their captors. They both had problems, but his were “much” worse. She should get help also, though. That would be the day when I’d be in love with someone who tied my hands behind my back. Pigs would be flying overhead. That was creepy. Well-written as always. — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
I haven’t seen any pigs fly over my direction quite yet. 😉 Thank you for your great comments. Yes, this person needs lots of help.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story Rochelle as I expected.Your reply to Lore cleared doubt if i had any. It’s hard to believe indeed.
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Dear Indira,
I fear my story’s too true in many instances. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I know dear and thank you for writing it.
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Good job. Unfortunately, this type of mindset happens all too often in the world of abused women. Descriptions are spot on.
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Dear Sheila,
There’s something mind-numbing and brainwashing about the whole thing. Those kinds of men are persuasive and adept at making the woman feel that she had it coming.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So true. Unfortunately, I’m very familiar with this as I have someone very close in this situation and I’m helpless to save her.
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I understand, Sheila, There’s a true story that influenced this one.
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Such powerful stuff here, Rochelle. I like how you twist it round on us with that last line. Makes me wonder how she was ever found. Very real and frightening.
One bit of critique is I’m not sure about the title. It seemed to me to give away a bit too much of the story early and at the same time, I think Stockholm Syndrome is traditionally used to mean a change in the feelings of prisoners owards their captors, whereas in this case your victim is ‘in love’ before the kidnap takes place. Anyway, just my thoughts.
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Dear Jennifer,
Honestly, I did think a moment about the title as perhaps giving it away. Although it’s a bit of a reverse Stockholm syndrome of sorts. Anne, the next commentor down pretty much put it into words for me.
At any rate I’m glad you liked the story. I have some thoughts on how she might have been found but ran out of words. 😉
Thank you,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for the reference, I read Anne’s comment and I know mine is contradictory – how can it give things away and also be misleading at the same time? I think I just didn’t want to know he’d hold her captive right from the off. As you (or you-through-Anne!) say, it works as part of her musings. And it definitely didn’t spoil the story for me.
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Rochelle,
Another powerful story which resonated with me as part cautionary tale and part enticing fantasy.
I happened to glance at the comment above mine and I have to be honest, that I loved the title mostly because it didn’t give anything away to me because it’s different but the same but different, kind of the hitch in a bad love relationship – all of the guilt and the blame and the sublimated rage and the coping mechanisms and the fact that she did choose this person. Our perspective of who we are and what we want gets clouded and who is to blame and where will it ever end? I really liked the story anyway and the title!
Anne
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Dear Anne,
You’ve pretty much explained what I had in my head. I questioned my title at the beginning, but it seemed to fit for exactly the reasons you stated. Thank you for putting my thoughts into words.
Of course I’m pleased that you liked my story. Thank you again for your affirming comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Whoa! That’ll teach you to fall for some stranger. But you got me to thinking; I met my wife through online dating. Should I be worried?
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Dear Emilio,
If you have a good relationship with your wife, I wouldn’t worry. 😉 A lot of online meetings have happy outcomes. I know of some that don’t however.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Pretty dark, but I guess I should have been warned reading the title! Nicely written even if not a nice story, at least for those in it 😉
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Dear Trent,
The title’s a tip off but then again not really. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great twisted fairy tale wound into so few words. Loved it.
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Thank you, Karen. 😀
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A dark, twisted, all-too-real sounding tale. Your writing is brillaint and chilling, with superlative pacing, Rochelle!
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Dear Vijaya,
Your comments make me smile. I will have to shrink my head though. 😉
And on the subject of names. Enan is a Hebrew name that means “dark stream.” I thought it fit.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle YFBM
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🙂
I like your choice of that name!
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Great story – particularly the quick-shift from romance to horror. The very literal ‘Prisoner to Love’ is a great hook – v effective – although perhaps the title gives it away before we even got to it?
Nicely done.
KT
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Dear KT,
If you scroll up you’ll see some discussion of my title. I stand on it, perhaps because I don’t have the head space or inclination to change it. 😉
I’m glad you liked my story. Something a bit different for me. Nice to see you back in the neighborhood. Thank you for stopping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I will check out your earlier comments. Probably should have read those first – although then i’d have nothing to say!
Cheers
KT
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Very chilling and not so far from the truth for some. I often think how this sort of “love” can happen, and hope I never have to find out.
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Dear Ali,
I think there’s a lot of this kind of “love” out there in many shapes and forms. Let’s neither of us find out in a personal way.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think your story is a little closer to reality these days than we would like to think of. I have been married for almost 30 years and I am grateful every day I have my wonderful hubby and I am not single. I can’t imagine being in the dating world now!
Loved the story! Very easy to see it happening! 🙂
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Dear Courtney,
I’ve got you beat by 14 years on that marriage thing. When I see how many beasts there are out there I’m grateful for my loving, loyal and supportive husband.
Thank you for your kind words on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is absolutely terrifying. Scarier still that it happens and that there is a sort of love between them, whether abused or not. Well done as always, Rochelle!
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Dear Tiffany,
There are some men who can be persuasive in the most terrifying fashion.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh my…..frightening indeed. Sadly, there are too many people who love their abusers and believe it is their fault they are hit or treated poorly. Excellent story. And the syndrome is well expressed here.
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Dear Lillian,
Because she was in love with him to begin with, I’m not sure if it’s true Stockholm Syndrome. At any rate, she doesn’t have her head on very straight, does she?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I read the story and comments too. I tend to agree that the title “gave away ” one of the themes of the story i.e being held physcially captive. But the bigger theme of being help captive by own self – our love – was subtly conveyed and it came through as a surprise. Well written one.
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Dear Ansumani,
Actually the title is a bit of a mislead, isn’t it? Intentional. I’m glad you picked up on that fact.
Thank you for your intuitive and affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Chilling and beautiful
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Thank you, Jenn. 😀
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Dear Vidal Sassoon (I dare not to use just your initials here)
Quite the curve ball you threw us. One can only imagine what went on in that windowless shack, but it sounds like a far cry from fun. I’m left shaking my head at her response.
Can you hear it rattle?
Kevin
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Dear Kevin,
Must be a lot to rattle that loud. 😉
I like to throw curve balls…usually that happens when I’m aiming straight.
Thanks for rising from your throne and coming by.
Shalom,
Vidal
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Scary! Love can blind to the truth. Glad she was rescued. Awful that it took a year.
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i could see the prince turning into a princess in jail. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
Your comment snuck up on me and made me choke. 😉 And it would serve him right.
Thank you for the giggles.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I guess there’s a fine line between romantic and Stockholm Syndrome.
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Yes, Audrey. I do think there’s a very fine line. I think some abusive marriages border on this syndrome.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh. I loved the twist. Very realistic. I’ve seen that happen too!
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Dear Vinay,
Sadly, it is a very real phenomena. Thank you for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She’s one step towards recovering if she knows loving him isn’t right.
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Dear Liz,
Let’s hope it’s not too late for her.
Shalom and good health.
Rochelle
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Wow, you really took me somewhere else I didn’t expect. It’s hard to understand this Stockholm Syndrome. They must be expert at manipulating. Very well done. Thanks again for using my photo, Rochelle. I appreciate it!
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Dear Amy,
There are manipulators out there. On a large scale we’ve seen people like Hitler. At any rate, on the small scale, there are gigolos and Svengalis galore. Thank you for sending the photo. And than you for your comments re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The trick is to be able to spot them. They’re quite good at what they do, I think. You want to believe them.
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Everybody knows better than to trust a stranger in an isolated place. It’s too bad she couldn’t even trust him, who claimed supposedly to love her
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Dear Larry,
Who do we really trust? Seems to be tougher all the time.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Glad she escaped. This would make a great thriller. 🙂
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Thank you, Deborah. 😀
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A great reminder of how strange we humans are. We forgive her.
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Dear Patrick,
Either he’s an expert manipulator or she’s co-dependent. I think a lot of both.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We must be somewhat built that way. Some of us are not strong enough to stand up to this ‘charm’. I rather not judge another. At least you wrote a happy ending. She will need therapy, of course.
Lily
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Dear Lily,
I’m not sure my ending is happy or not. She’s going to be a captive of sorts for a long time to come. She will definitely need therapy.
Thank you for your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s so strange to still have some feelings for someone after a situation like that. A whole year! I can’t imagine! We are always warned to be careful who we associate with, but you never know just how ruthless a person can be sometimes…until it happens! Great story…so much emotion and feelings in a few words.
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Dear Lucky,
Sadly, I think there are certain personality types who are the Svengalis among us. They have a knack for finding vulnerable people to control.
Re my story, thank you for such lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Chilling. It’s horrifying to think that we are so vulnerable to such feelings. The human mind and emotions are very strange. Wonderfully told.
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Dear Margaret,
There are some people out there with the ability to control and those who are vulnerable to that control. I confess to have fallen victim to a couple of them, but fortunately not to this degree.
Thank you for your comments and compliments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes. I’ve known such people – of both kinds. At least it provides material for stories – that’s something positive I guess, and a way of processing it.
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Good story, Rochelle. I like the twist at the end.
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Thank you for reading, commenting and liking, Tena. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Those last two lines really caught me off guard and now I am thinking what kind of things he must have done to make her love him, the personalities it would take to be either of these characters and wondering if any of those traits fit me, all from 100 words.
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Dear Dawn,
I fear that many of us bear the her character traits. However if you have to wonder if you bear his traits, then most likely you don’t. I see him as a narcissist. Those types rarely, if ever, recognize themselves for who they really are. (Hitler and Jim Jones are two drastic examples), Glad to have caught you off guard. Mission accomplished 😉
Thank you and Shalom,
Rochelle
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Greetings, Rochelle.
Realistic fiction, indeed. Yours is an unsettling tale that rings of truth. Makes me want to grab the girl by her shoulders and give her a good shake!
The mother of boys, I can only hope I raise them well enough to be the real-deal and not a facade of good men! Well done and thanks.
Sara
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Dear Sara,
I know what you mean. I raised three sons, no daughters. They seemed to have all turned out well, in spite of me. 😉
Thank you for reading and commenting. Much appreciated.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m sure it was because of you, rather than in spite. 🙂 Sara
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