Inside the Mind of Isadora

Friday Fictioneers – Deadly Date

by 38 Comments

Selena was excited they were finally going on a date. 

Vlad texted, meet me at The Glass Dome Diner. 

Her overly strict mom would be livid if she knew.  She’d sneak out the back door. 

I hope Vlad is as amiable as his poems.

~~~~~~~~~

“Feel like a walk before we eat something,” he said.

“Okay.”

 His arm cradled my shoulder as we walked.

“Let me get my cellphone in the car.” 

“Okay.”

Shock and fear engulfed me when he slid the side door open.

Inside, crying girls with taped mouths and hands were all she could see. 

Terror overwhelmed her.

2022©Isadora DeLaVega

~~~~~~~~~

Genre:Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100

Photo Prompt:©Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers 

in this challenge: click here

 

*****January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

***** Human Trafficking – is the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labor, sexual slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, child labor and marriages, debt forced marriages, wife forced prostitution or bride buying. Human trafficking can occur within a country or trans-nationally. Human trafficking is a crime against the person because of the violation of the victim’s rights of movement through coercion and because of their commercial exploitation. ©wikipedia

***** Trafficking Leaves Both Visible and Invisible Scars

  • Trafficked women and girls encounter high rates of physical and sexual violence, including homicide and torture, psychological abuse, horrific work and living conditions, and extreme deprivation while in transit.
  • Serious mental health problems result from trafficking, including anxiety, depression, self-injurious behavior, suicidal ideation and suicide, drug and alcohol addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociative disorders and complex PTSD.
  • Physical symptoms among trafficking victims include neurological issues, gastrointestinal disturbances, respiratory distress, chronic pain, sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV), uro-genital problems, dental problems, fractures and traumatic brain injuries.©apa.org https://www.apa.org/advocacy/interpersonal-violence/trafficking-women-girls/

Author: Inside the Mind of Isadora

Intriguing, sensitive, mysterious, loving, artistic and crackling with excitement for life is a pretty good description of who I am. I just retired from the world of art where I sold my Artfully Designed Handmade Jewelry for 28 years; although, art will always be a part of who I am no matter what venue I choose to express it in.

38 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers – Deadly Date”

Leave a comment

  1. msjadeli
    February 1, 2022 at 2:34 am

    The name Vlad was an instant red flag for me. The fact that she snuck out and her mom didn’t know where she was terrifies me! This reminds me of a poem I wrote a few years ago: http://tao-talk.com/2017/10/10/day-10-octwripomo-blue-eyes/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. notestowomen
    January 30, 2022 at 6:08 pm

    I too imagined that Vlad was perhaps a vampire but this turned out to be a more sinister–Human trafficking. This is a tragic reality for so many young and innocent victims. Thanks for writing about this and raising awareness, Isadora.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Inside the Mind of Isadora
      January 31, 2022 at 7:26 pm

      Yes, Human Trafficking is a terrifying thing to wrap our heads around but it happening too often. I think more should be done about it.

      Although my story is fiction, I created the story from a recent almost kidnapping of a 10 year old child on her way to her school bus stop. Slithering out of his grasp she managed to get away. The news alerts were all over the tv networks. It terrorizes me to think of what could have happened had she not run like hell. Now, parents have to be concerned about thier children walking to their bus stops. Sad, it’s a changing world in so many ways.

      Thank you for reading and leaving you rinsightful comment. Have a good week …
      Isadora 😎

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. jillyfunnell
    January 30, 2022 at 5:52 pm

    By introducing himself as a poet, Vlad has cleverly conveyed a gentle and engaging nature – which vividly illustrates his wickedness. Well told!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Inside the Mind of Isadora
      January 31, 2022 at 7:20 pm

      I thought of my eldest daughter who, after being divorced for a year, decided to go on a dating site. The man she met wrote poetry to her. I wonder if he even wrote them. Sadly, she was catfished with his peotic words but eventually his real intensions came through. I thought I’d make my villain a poet after that awful man.

      Although my story is fiction, I created it from a recent almost kidnapping of a 10 year old child on her way to her school bus stop. Slithering out of his grasp she managed to get away. The news alerts were all over the tv networks. It terrorizes me to think of what could have happened had she not run like hell. It’s a changing world in so many ways.
      Thank you for your stellar comment, Jilly. I appreciate your kinds words very much. Smiling!!!
      Isadora 😎

      Like

      Reply
  4. Iain Kelly
    January 30, 2022 at 4:39 pm

    I’m hoping from the name Vlad that this is a fantasy vampire tale, and not a real life scenario. Good, if dark, twist!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Inside the Mind of Isadora
      January 31, 2022 at 7:10 pm

      Oh how I wish it were a fantasy write, Iain. Although the story is fiction, I created this story from a recent almost kidnapping of a 10 year old child on her way to her school bus stop. Slithering out of his grasp she managed to get away. The news alerts were all over the tv networks. It terrorizes me to think of what could have happened had she not run like hell. It’s a changing world in so many ways. Thanks for reading and commenting.
      Isadora 😎

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    • Inside the Mind of Isadora
      January 31, 2022 at 7:22 pm

      Forgot, the name Vlad came to mind because there’s talk of the Rissian Mafia moving into a town several miles from where I live.
      ~~~ : – )

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. rochellewisoff
    January 30, 2022 at 1:10 pm

    Querida Isadora,

    I didn’t want to “like” this story. ¡Cuento horrible y verdad! Bien escrito.

    Shalom y abrazos,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Inside the Mind of Isadora
      January 31, 2022 at 6:53 pm

      Querida Rochelle,
      It is indeed a horrible issue. Although the story is fiction, I created this scenario from a recent almost kidnapping of a 10 year ols child on her way to the bus stop. It terrorizes me to think of what could have happened had she not run like hell. It’s a weird world now-a-days.
      Gracias por su visita,
      Abrazos y carino,
      Isadora 😎

      Like

      Reply
  6. Rupali
    January 29, 2022 at 9:43 pm

    It’s scary! Kids need to listen to their parents.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. GHLearner
    January 29, 2022 at 6:01 pm

    Beware of Vlads! If he is a count, be extra weary. Fun horror story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Liz Young
    January 29, 2022 at 4:03 pm

    Time to scream loudly and run like hell.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Inside the Mind of Isadora
      January 29, 2022 at 5:14 pm

      I’m sure that’s something she’ll do if given the opportunity. I’m thinking his arm on her shoulder was for him to be near her mouth. Screams may not have been possible. Scary though, Right??? Thanks for reading Liz. Have a wonderful weekend.
      Isadora 😎

      Like

      Reply
  9. Frank @ Beach Walk Reflections
    January 29, 2022 at 2:26 pm

    A terror that modern technology has created … but it also gives opportunities for new stories.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Inside the Mind of Isadora
      January 29, 2022 at 5:45 pm

      You have summed it up perfectly, aFrank. Modern technology can be a place to lure the innoncent. Better security needs to be found. There’s always a story in something. 😊
      Thanks for reading … have a wonderful weekend. Stay Safe 😷 Cheers 🍷🍷 to staying inside due to extremely cold Florida temperatures.
      Isadora 😎

      Like

      Reply
  10. neilmacdon
    January 29, 2022 at 9:29 am

    How can men smile and smile and still be villains

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  11. James McEwan
    January 29, 2022 at 8:44 am

    The name–Vlad,–sounds like one of those from the Vampire films.
    Your story strikes a deep rooted fear on many young ladies expecting a nice evening out and it turns out as a horror.
    I always wonder why such monsters exist.
    Thanks for the shock. (in a fictional way)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Inside the Mind of Isadora
      January 29, 2022 at 5:28 pm

      Well … here’s a chuckle for you. I decided on Vlad (Vlademir) because there’s so much in the news about Russia that it seemed like an appropriate name for a mean person. : )
      There are so many reasons why evil people do the things they do, James. A lot of human trafficking is about money. Sadly, it isn’t just the young teens anymore. Women, men, girls and boys are all being damaged because of this human trafficking issue. More internet security has to be created in order to keep these creeps away. Thanks for reading … have a wonderful weekend.
      Isadora 😎

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. plaridel
    January 29, 2022 at 3:10 am

    she better run while she can. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. ivor20
    January 29, 2022 at 1:59 am

    A shocking situation Isadora .. and I am shocked to think the freak was a poet …

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. bushboy
    January 29, 2022 at 12:45 am

    That’s an ending I didn’t expect.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  16. oneta hayes
    January 29, 2022 at 12:41 am

    Not the first for him – nor the last.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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