Picture 2
Jen DeSantis’ Choice: 1
Title: Dissent
They stood as they had been instructed to do, bearing identical signs that bore false testament to leaders they had not elected. They stood in rank and file, some smiling as they had been encouraged to do. The rest remained quiet and blank-faced, their stoic expressions belying their unhappiness at the gathering.
“A little closer together,” called a voice from behind the camera. “Look happier, please.”
An old woman up front coughed.
“Please move to the back if you are sick.”
The woman held her sign askew and stared aghast at the speaker. It had not been her choice to come out of her sick bed, to hold a sign in cold weather for this regime that had killed her only son. She did not have a choice. She tied her headdress and walked at spearpoint to the town center and now held a sign like a trained monkey.
She would not move to better their picture.
“Move, please,” the voice intoned again.
Around her, the younger men and women began to stir in agitation. This was not how it was supposed to go. They were to come, have their picture taken and then leave. There was not to be any dissent.
“Move, woman.”
Her sign hit the dirt softly, only a small cloud puffing up in front of her. All around her, the people held their breath.
“No,” she wheezed.
The red eye of the camera died and a bloodless face appeared from around back, murder glowing in its eyes. The soldiers with the spears closed in around the small group and those gathered realized they had a choice: watch the old woman die or dissent.
Signs fell and with a single cough, a revolution was born.
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Jennifer DeSantis is a Horror and Paranormal Author and host of the #FridayPictureShow. She lives near Philly with her family. In her spare time is an aspiring ninja.
#DailyPicspiration
I loved this. Such a topical message this Election Day eve. You have done wonders with the photo.
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