A Different Kind of Heist
Microfiction for Micro Heist Challenge
He knew what he was doing from the start. Played all the right notes to reach her heart. This heist would take time – but time he had. He had planned it all perfectly to steal what he wanted without anyone really being aware.
He started by using his smiles and charms. Made all the right promises. Then came his disarming temper and quiet dismissiveness. He worked with all the diligence and patience of a code cracker. Cracking her spirit, confidence, and, will. No one could question his tenacity and commitment to his heist.
Separating her from those who loved her, like robbers separate hostages. There was no way she could be the hero in her own story. Not while his gun was held to her, primed to fire her if she tried to do anything brave.
Stockholm Syndrome made sure that even when her family and friends noticed there were issues, she would defend him. They were as powerless as the police, negotiator, and crowd of people that gather outside a bank while a hostage situation is in progress. They could do nothing but watch and try to quietly comfort, encourage and empower her. To survive.
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
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Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
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Original narrative & well developed characters
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Niche topic & fresh perspectives
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Comments (41)
Creepy.
Well that hits deep on abusively controlling relationships. It strikes right down to the core. On of the first things they do is try to sever familial connections, especially the healthy ones. I remember one of my family members would ask God to send them a sign if they should stay with their partner. Then, when the partner would leave my family member would cry and be upset, cause that wasn't the sign that they wanted. The sign they wanted was for the partner to not be abusive, to not cheat, and to become a perfect spouse. Such a shame.
Great and Nice Story!!!!
Wonderful story Paul. I hope to get some recognition too as i have just released an amazing 8mins real, fiction and suspenseful story. Its my first time here, as i just joined recently, and also my first story too.😍 wish me luck and do well to check out my page guys.
This is really informative and well written, well done
Oh wow, that was a jam-packed 200 words! Nicely done, Paul!
Fantastic, Paul! You packed so much emotion and energy into this microfiction. Well done!
Wow this is outstanding! So much said about what happens in domestic violence in a micro story! Really well done! Congratulations on Top Story too!
Wow,🙌 this story is incredibly intense and gripping. The way you describe the protagonist's calculated actions and manipulation is both intriguing and unsettling. Well done!!!👏
OH, so good 💔
Love the message in this piece. Our culture needs to stop romanticising this kind of thing. Congrats on getting top story!
Yes! So glad to see this got Top Story, my friend! 🤗❤️
Great entry!!! Bravo 👏
That's a nice story, i like it. Check out mine if you want. https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/beyond-the-shadows-a-journey-of-dreams%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Great story
What a brilliant read. Well done, Paul.
And congratulations for making the front-page with this valuable story, Paul!
Congrats on the well-deserved Top Story!!!!
This is so well-written, Paul! I’ve seen this play out as a multigenerational cycle in my family that I had to break, and you nailed it. Congrats on Top Story. 🥂
This is a courageous and compelling story. Well done Paul and congratulations 🥇
Wow good job!
A very relevant story, skillfully told. Congratulations on Top Story, Paul!
Congratulations 🎉 on Your very important top story. No one should put up with abuse of any kind. You must understand Stockholm syndrome and how the toxic cycle of abuse makes a victim helpless and unable to find help for fear of losing their life or getting severely injured or having worse things happen to the ones that love. Its truly a rabid cycle of trauma bonding and toxic love bombing that causes that victim to feel like nothing can be done even though they desperately want & need to leave their abuser. It's not a matter of intelligence or strength that is lacking. It's a severe toxic power struggle that limits the victim’s resources, friends and family to the point of social and financial ruin and destitution. Please be aware it is NEVER ok to blame the victim. Support them and get them help if you're aware they are being abused
You did a great job. Congratulations for the top story.
Great work on this, Paul. A very brave piece. And I agree with all of the below on how this is sadly too real. Congrats on a worthy TS - glad more people will get to read this.