Silo Secrets: Daniel

Silo Saga Universe

by Patrice Fitzgerald

Daniel is sixteen now, and he can count up to one hundred. He can go all by himself up and down the two levels of the Silo between his home and his job.

Daniel knows he's not as smart as some people. But his mother told him he was smart enough to help her, so it must be true. He always believes his mother. His mother is a doctor.
He likes going to work and helping his mom. Best of all, Daniel likes it when somebody wins the lottery and a new little baby is born.

One day a little baby is born that looks like Daniel. His mother says the baby might die.

Genres: Dystopia

44 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 26, 2013

About the author

Patrice Fitzgerald is an indie author, publisher, attorney, and intergalactic singer of songs. She has been publishing herself and others since 2011 and is the force behind the BEYOND THE STARS series of space opera anthologies. Patrice is thrilled to introduce Captain Wu and her STARSHIP NAMELESS crew in her most recent trilogy, written with the inimitable Jack Lyster.

Reviews

[Will Swardstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Silo Secrets: Daniel, Patrice Fitzgerald manages to tell a story that is heartfelt, heartbreaking, caring, disturbing, exciting and sad all at once. The fact that she expertly crams all of those feelings and emotions in so few words is a testament to her writing ability.
In the story, Daniel is the son of Dr. Randall. We don't ever find out exactly what disability he was born with, but it is made clear that at the end of his adolescence, Daniel was as far along mentally as he ever would be. A patient comes in to deliver a baby and we first know that Daniel can't handle the tasks required to be a "normal" resident of the silo.
At times while reading, I was reminded of "Flowers for Algernon" in a literary sense for the perspective of Daniel and while the ending is definitely different, there are some parallels between the two. I was also reminded of contemporary situations where we place mentally disabled adults and the Constitutional rights that are sometimes afforded them (and sometimes not).
SS: Daniel is a compelling read and I am excited to see what Ms. Fitzgerald has up her sleeve for future Secret tales.

[Idella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flawless character delivery!!! Flawless is the right word here. The character delivery was crystal clear -- here you are reading this story, then you're swept away and... you know you are breathing right inside the very minds of Daniel & his mother. Bitter -- sweet...with each step they take, each decision they make, you know you're headed straight toward a blinding-blue undeniable shattered heart...and you know you can't stop reading until that mournful moment comes. Fitzgerald does it again, a storytelling magician with the power to grab you hook, line and sinker! Bravo!

[Jason Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very short story, I read it in one sitting. Being set in the WOOL universe, this is one of the best short stories I have read recently. Well worth the $1.99 price tag on Amazon. Give this one a try and you won't be disappointed.

[Kelly Bartilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

Love this little story. Makes me want more stories about the ever day lives of a silo. It reminds me of how those with different needs are still often treated in society today.

[Heather Burdeaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrice was brave & brought my reality, having children with Down syndrome, into the Silo value system. Great job!

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story, a new take on life in a silo. If you like the silo stories I recommend it.