Down From the Mountain

by Florence Witkop

Short dystopian science fiction story of a group of people scheduled to be executed, not because they did anything wrong, but because they are carriers of a fatal flu.

8 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 7, 2013

About the author

Florence's stories begin as simple tales of contemporary life, often in small towns or the wilderness she knows so well. Where they go from there is what makes them special. There is always a strong sense of place. Often they skew reality slightly by crossing genres to contain paranormal, sci/fi, or fantasy elements. There is usually a romance and there are always characters her readers like and would enjoy having as friends.

Most of all, there is a story because what Florence does best is tell stories. Well plotted stories that carry the characters towards a logical conclusion that always includes a happy ending. Stories that shine light on the human condition while they celebrate the world we live in. Stories that her readers relate to and remember long after the reading is over.

She writes about people who are as normal as apple pie (most of them, anyway) who unexpectedly find themselves in the middle of situations ranging from the heartwarming through the difficult and all the way to the horrendous. But Florence's characters choose to act instead of running away. In the process, they survive, thrive, overcome whatever obstacles large or small are thrown in front of them, and while they are at it, they find time to fall in love.

Florence was born in the city and has lived in the suburbs, small towns, the country and the wilderness, where she still lives with her husband and a cowardly cat named Smoke.

At various times in her career she's been a confession writer, a copywriter, a ghost writer and an editor. She writes short stories, novellas and novels. Her work has been categorized as romance, science-fiction, fantasy, mainstream and eco-fiction, to name a few genres that it fits beautifully into.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This compelling alternative fictional short story "Down From The Mountain" is authored by Florence Witkop, and was previously published in "The Talking Stick" (1998). Many thanks for the e-ARC for the purpose of this review.

A selected group of infected persons with a deadly flu virus were taken prisoners by guards and driven up a mountain (in a severe blizzard) from an unnamed community to be executed to save the general population from being exposed the virus. When some of the people escape from the truck, the guards don't pursue thinking the blizzard will kill their "prisoners" naturally, doing their gruesome task for them.
A surprising unexpected thing happens in this story that allows hope for the escapees. They band together, knowing if they are seen, discovered in any way or attempt to return to the town from where they came they will be executed by armed guards. Yet, they are resourceful and come up with ideas that could possibly save their lives. Readers will not be disappointed with this thought provoking theme and unique storyline.

[Florence Witkop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed writing this story. Don't know why, the beginning isn't very uplifting and the ending is good or bad depending on how you look at it. Still, I like the story and the characters and the idea and I hope you do too.

[Athena Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good but to short

The book was good .the only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars.was because it was to short and leaves nothing for the imagination

[Randy Harmelink · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid short story with a good premise and good writing. I would hope I would be a good person in the circumstances, and do the right thing.

However, at only 8 pages, it's not worth the regular $0.99 price.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle short. OK

[Chris The Story Reading Ape · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would WE survive?

Review also at:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...