The Silence of Justice
For the 500 Word Shockwave Challenge.
When people think of the word "atrocities" they think of events like Tiananmen Square, Rwanda, and 9/11. No one would argue otherwise. However, it's important to note that not all atrocities are world-impacting and in the history books. Some happen on a much smaller scale, but for those involved, they become their whole world. Atrocities like domestic violence and sexual abuse. Atrocities like domestic violence and sexual abuse. Like parricide, matricide, patricide, filicide.
For most people, reading those words would be enough to make their eyes twitch, raise their blood pressure or just feel something. Anything. For the majority of the perpetrators, though, the reaction to their actions is different. Even if they react, it isn’t with regret or remorse. Often the exact opposite. They enjoy it. Enjoy inflicting pain, exerting control over those who have placed their trust in their hands.
How would you react if you witnessed something you were never meant to see? Someone raising a fist, using their body to dominate a spouse, a partner—maybe even their children—to elicit dread and fear. To make them suffer.
If you saw the lust in their eyes, would you act? Would you simply ignore it and look the other way? Not your business, is it? Would you call the police or tell yourself, 'Don't get involved'?
Easy to say you'd take a stand in the comfort of daylight, don’t you think? Easy to think you'd be the hero when someone in distress needed it. It's a great fantasy and not one that is unhealthy. However, you might not be able to be the big hero you want to be. You might not have the courage needed.
It’s not as easy to stand up and be counted in opposition to the ills and sins of the worst of this world. It should be, but it’s not. Why do you think so many crimes go unpunished? So many left unsolved, unpursued? Not enough people are willing to stand up and be counted - that’s why.
In a world where the evil and wicked seem to prosper, while the good and those trying to be decent falter, it’s hard to go against the grain. Hard to rock the boat, to defy the status quo, to say, 'No more.'
Perhaps you remember a time when things were a lot simpler. When you could say to your mother or father “a kid is bullying me at school” or “I don’t want to be alive on this planet anymore, mommy and daddy, because there is too much badness, too much sadness and suffering,” and they would ease your pains and remind you of all that was good in the world.
There is good in the world—people willing to stand up, to share uncomfortable truths.
Truths About you.
About you and your wicked and depraved ways. About you and your selfish acts of deplorable deviance and disgusting desires.
There are people who will not be silenced. Even if you kill them.
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
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By S. A. Crawford5 days ago in Fiction
Comments (21)
I'm bitter on this topic. Everyone thinks they'd stand up, but they don't. I've been on the other side one too many times to think otherwise. The bystander effect is insane. It's so easy to think someone else will step in. The only thing to do is resolve yourself to stand up despite the risk. Such a compelling piece of writing and so important to discuss this what with the constant stream of craziness in the world. You're on a roll with writing lately! Touching on all the best topics!
Such an intriguing take, Paul. I have to echo Les's sentiments. It certainly begs an important question in such a compelling way!
Hate this bloody world. Its so hard though- standing up, people have kids and all sorts of reasons for not putting themselves above the parapet but why should anyone have to really? The sick fucks that inhabit this life force people to make such decisions which in reality if they didn't exisit we wouldn't have to. I'd like to think i would, of course I would- soothes the ego and all that but it depends and fear does funny things to the mind and the body's ability to react. meh anyway. Brilliant piece. made me think in typical Paul fashion ;) 💜
The bystander effect is such an intriguing topic. You always assume the best and then the news shows otherwise. I like to think I'd be the brave one. Absolutely chilling. Definitely a shockwave of a fiction!
This was powerful, Paul. I’m no hero but if I see something I’ll say/do something, I’m at the age when I don’t care about what the perpetrators think or might do to me. I once called the police on someone at a hotel when I thought the guy was slowly killing his partner. It turned out it was rough but consensual sex. When the woman accused me of sticking my nose into their private business, I said something like, “be happy he didn’t cross the line and you are still alive. Also, find a sound proof place for games like this.” She just scoffed me off. On another occasion, I saved a woman from her violent partner by calling the police and she was grateful. You are right, if we just close our eyes a lot of evil go unpunished and someone might die.
It is a sad indictment on life; the bad seem to be getting their way. Judges let them off with a warning, so they go out and repeat the crime because of archaic laws. The general public is too scared these days to intervene because, as history has shown on many occasions, they come off as second best. That's a nice piece, Paul.
Are you talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to me? (Okay, so I'm no DeNiro. How many are?)
“I don’t want to be alive on this planet anymore, mommy and daddy, because there is too much badness, too much sadness and suffering,” That was wayyyyy too relatable. I feel that all the damn time. Loved your story so much! 🍩🥐
This is incredible. This reminds me of something that I remember hearing, that there aren't just good and bad people: that good people are just people who are more good than bad, and bad people are just people that are more bad than good. We each have a level of darkness in us, some more than others, some to the point of destruction, where others can manage it. We may believe we are good, but be the bystander that does nothing. We may believe we are good, but be capable of being the predator... Bravo on an amazing story! I'm surprised this one hasn't made it to the top! [Prize: 1/5]
Well done, buddy. Yeah, I think they'd have to kill me. And yeah, I know. I can say that now, sitting here reading.
May the truth ring out, so innocent souls can rest
This feels particularly relevant these days. Thought this was a belter.
This is an article to get all thinking about various ideas and events. Good job.
Another great contrarian entry to a Vocal challenge, Paul. You really channeled the zeitgeist in this one. It feels deeply personal and uncomfortably close to present reality (except for the justice part unfortunately). Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. Isaiah 5:20.
Oof, definitely felt that twist! This was dark and delightful :) Awesome job, my friend!
Inspiration sure takes you to dark places Paul.... but I'm all here for it!! Great work!
Feeling it Paul. That was raw.
Woah! That is powerful last line, Paul.
Paul, it is really strong and powerfull, it needs to be shouted out! So don't mind, that you wanted to write something else, this is important.
Powerful last line.
Author's Notes: For sake of Author's Notes. Did not expect to write this as was planning on writing something else for a different challenge. Oh well. Inspiration took me. I'll leave it all open.