The photo prompt for the weekly 100-word story challenge Friday Fictioneers 
is courtesy of ©J Hardy Carroll.
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Something in the Water
Kayleigh couldn’t remember how long she had been alone. At least there were sweets and cola in the vending machine.
When she first arrived at the hospital with her family, it had been packed. The whole city was dying, even the nurses.
Kayleigh’s Dad was dying before that. He said drug companies were hoarding cures because they wouldn’t make money if people weren’t sick. He said they had stuff you could put in the water and bang, no more cancer.
Just before everyone got sick the newspaper said there had been a break-in at the research laboratory. Kayleigh’s brother had been missing ever since.
©Siobhán McNamara
I’m not sure I’m getting this, Siobhan. Did the brother put stuff in the water hoping it would cure his father and instead it killed everyone? So how did Kayleigh survive? I think it must be me – I’m feeling a bit dense right now.
That was the idea Sandra – Kayleigh doesn’t like water! It was tough condensing it into 100 words. I think its a story that needs a bit more room! Thanks for asking 🙂
The dystopian feeling is strong… I guess that if you drink from the vending machine you are safe…
Thanks Bjorn, for once the sugary drink is a safer option.
Brother must have dropped a ton of it in the mail sluice gates.
Looks pretty sewn-up as a story, Siobhan. Darkly humorous, especially in the ending.
Thanks Kent, a major ‘Ooops!’ moment for the brother
Kind of like my “mail” and not “main.” Hahaha! 😀
Indeed, though it could have been equally damaging had it spread through the mail!
That’s “main” not “mail.”
I guess that research lab held more than just cures. Great story!
It sure did. And anything that can heal can harm in the wrong hands!
The water aspect made me think of the movie “Erin Brokovich”!
I’ll have to watch that. I don’t know how I’ve managed not to see it yet!
There is a much, much bigger story here… something for you to think about, Siobhan, as I think you could write it. The sense of emptiness and hopelessness permeates the piece, and I couldn’t help but hope that this child stays where she is. And yet, she’s bound to run out of coins! (See, a bigger story for sure…) 😉
Thanks Dawn. I do feel a bigger story waiting to get out!
Write it!
It’s serious, there’s truth in it, and it’s also funny, that’s a lot for 100 words. Bang, no more cancer–you’ll die of poison instead. That made me laugh. It’s the kind of truth that bites you (or the brother) in the behind.
Thank you 🙂