Discontent

by Kay san

in Completed Works

< Fred

Discontent

1. January 31st, xx78
The subject one month after leaving the orphanage. Observed on a family fishing trip, both foster parents and older sibling present. Neatly brushed hair, optimal skin coloration, a friendly smile. Documented as contentment.

2. February 28th, xx78
The subject as observed in front of a high school. Two schoolmates present. The subject is slightly larger. Again smiling. Content.

3. March 31st, xx78
The subject as observed at home through bedroom window. The subject is conversing via cell phone on a bed. No severe changes since previous observation. Content.

4. April 30th, xx78
The subject as observed walking to school. Hair slightly disgruntled, a frown evident. Noted to have engaged in an argument with one or more parent prior to leaving the house. Condition unknown.

5. May 31st, xx78
The subject as observed at a shopping mall. Two schoolmates present. No facial expression evident, eyes downcast. Noted repeated avoidance of eye contact. Condition unknown.

6. June 30th, xx78
The subject as observed at home through bedroom window. The subject is lying on bed, face down. Hair uncombed, grown at least three inches. Room dark, no interior lights evident. Noted hearing raised voices elsewhere in the house. Condition unknown.

7. July 31st, xx78
The subject as observed inside family vehicle prior to departing on vacation. Subject seated in the rear, alone. Pale, slightly thinner. Noted avoided contact with family members. Documented as discontent.

8. August 31st, xx78
The subject as observed sitting in park. No family or friends evident. Hair grown two more inches, wispy and unhealthy. Subject pale and again thinner. Tears are evident. Discontent.

9. September 30th, xx78
The subject as observed after school. Two schoolmates present. Hair grown longer, thinner. Left uncombed and worn to obscure face. Unhealthy skin coloring on arms. Schoolmates noted as concerned. Discontent.

10. October 31st, xx78
The subject as observed through bedroom window. Family noted to be out in celebration of Halloween. No interior lights evident. Subject substantially thinner, pallid. Eyes weary and sunken. Noted fresh scars along both forearms. Discontent. [Take action]

11. November 30th, xx78
The subject as observed during school lunch period. Seated outside, not eating. Subject almost to point of emaciation. Noticeable bruise present on temple. Noted disregard of personal hygiene. [Will approach subject]

12. December 12th, xx78
Subject as found in locked bedroom, lying facedown. Deep lacerations on both wrists. Kitchen knife evident. Estimated time of death: 4:30 PM. Cause of death: Suicide. End observations.

See parental observation records for further evidence.
Mature

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Mature Mar 10th 2008
Tags:
dark and horror discontent human nature journal kay lit prose surreal
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So I've been attending a writer's group consisting of a group of my friends. We meet every Saturday at Starbucks to hold discussions and complete writing exercises we find in various books to help us develop our writing. I figured I should start posting them here.

This exercise challenged us to write a short story based on a sequence of photographs. This one's not really in story format, and I don't have a really complex vision of it. The basic concept is that these are the notes and photographs of a private investigator or some such who's looking into a case of foster parents who mistreat their adopted children. The "Take Action" note at the end of #10 signifies that they have enough evidence to try and charge the parents. But of course, legal battles are never very succinct, and it takes a bit too long. The investigator planned to approach the adoptive kid to let them know that something is being done about it, but when he finally does he finds the kid dead.

Comments

Minstrel Ayreon Says:

Dang...and that just illustrates the godforsaken black hole that is the foster care system. The system just cannot or will not do enough.

Makes a good case for true adoption--to spare a child that sort of misery.

BTW, the way you wrote the year makes me wonder...this isn't Jojo's Onieros universe you're thinking of, are you? (Though obviously a different kid.) Or is it just that you're writing the years the same?

But whatever the case, it sure does make a point. Human nature just does not improve with time.