Welcome to Friday Fictioneers, where every story is a surprise. If you’d like to read other Fictioneers’ stories or post one of your own, click here. For more information, visit the website of our fabulous, hard-working leader, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields.
This week’s photo prompt is by Dee Lovering. Thank you, Dee!
Photo Copyright: Dee Lovering
Virus
by Jan Brown
The kids were so happy to be in Europe on “vacation.” The weather was mild, and they were enjoying the sights. I hadn’t told them about the virus. They’d heard rumors in school. Fathers sick and in hospital, families disappearing….
No one was prepared for a virus like this. Trendy zombie fiction hadn’t prepared us. The reality of Ebola hadn’t prepared us. When my husband got it, he went mad like all the rest. They annihilate their families, then go on to kill others.
It only affects males. I wonder if the world will be more peaceful, once they’re gone.
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mezzojan 
It will definitely be more peaceful when the males aren’t here. But I’m gonna be okay, right?
Oh, Perry, you’re one of the strong ones! Probably comes from living such a healthy life😉
I hope the kids are both girls then, or there might be some difficult decisions to make down the line. It’s an interesting concept this, Jan. Well done.
Thanks, Sandra! Maybe there will be a vaccine by the time any sons hit puberty….
I’m have tried my best to vaccinate my boys…Hope it works…only time will tell. Good one.
Thank you!
Now that’s a virus Hollywood hasn’t covered yet – time your wrote the screenplay, perhaps. Interesting idea, and a fair theory at the end too
Thanks, Jennifer! I’ll get started on that screenplay….
I heard of this…it’s carried in testosterone! Interesting story…
Yes, testosterone must play a role…also watching sports and obsessively yelling at the TV…playing contact sports…not listening when women are talking…or maybe those are just early symptoms 🙂
It’s all in the testosterone, I’m telling you!!
Huh? Did you say something?
Haunting story. It looks like the human race is on the brink of extinction here. I expect I’ll be immune though, right? Right? 😦
Absolutely, you’re immune! Your vigorous writing life has made you an adaptable member of the species and improved your immune system 🙂
Yay!
Interesting take on the prompt. One does wonder if the world would be more peaceful if men weren’t in charge – or consulted women more often – or . . . there was a virus.
It does make one wonder! Thank you for reading and commenting, Alicia.
“I wonder if the world will be more peaceful, once they’re gone.”
You must be referring to families – not to men.After all, the men annihilate their families,
and for good reason – it’s not just because of the virus. The virus just makes it more clear to the men what they need to do. Are you a member of a family?
ha. ha. (Perry will be fine because he had a lobotomy)
Randy
Heh, heh, heh! I think maybe you were Perry’s surgeon???
I was considering it, but there wasn’t much to work on. 😉
I think there will be women who will take on the masculine roles.
Then what happens when the final generation dies? Or have we found a way to reproduce without men?
Perhaps there will be a vaccine and cure before the younger generation is affected (assuming the virus only attacks post-adolescent males). Anyway, that would be my hope….
Thank you for reading and commenting, Dawn!
That’s an interesting concept. What would happen? I guess we would die out.
I’m hoping that some brilliant team of scientists would invent a vaccine. Then perhaps they could protect the next generation–preventing pre-adolescent boys from contracting the virus when they become men. Too many possible outcomes to fit into 100 words….
I’m all in favour of less men. Women have the power to make it happen. You could launch an international movement Jan.
I could never launch such a movement; a world with just one gender would be far too boring!
I’m not advocating no men, just fewer men, maybe 4:1? We’ve made such a hash of it; it’s time we let the girls have a go.
I’ve been accused of being crazy, but at least I’m violent. Perhaps because, like Perry, I’ve had a lobotomy and been neutered. I was told it was for my own protection, but who knows. I’ll believe just about anything.
Oh, so that’s why you and Perry have so much in common😆
Isn’t that like one and the same procedure?
I think that virus is already running alas.. So I guess a world without men would be safer
The world would likely be safer…but not as interesting!!!
Ah, but you’ll all miss us sorely. Start the vaccination programme; you know you want to.
It’s true! Life would be too bland and boring without men 😕
But, but… I LIKE men… just not the old (and young) dinosaur-geezers who are stuck with the old ways… We need to be on the alert… Luckily even the most virulent virus doesn’t kill its hosts 100%. There will be resistant boys. They will be cherished. If we do it right, they will be smart, considerate, and peaceful… (Love your take on the promt 🙂 )
I like men, too–in fact, I love them! I think a vaccine will be invented before it goes too far 😊
Oh, a virus than only affects males, what a great take! I daresay I think the world probably be less violent. Nicely written, Jan.
Thank you, Amy😄
Dear Jan,
The world will be a more peaceful place perhaps but did we keep a sperm bank? Can’t live with ’em…
Imaginative story. I enjoyed reading the comments it inspired as well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks, Rochelle. I enjoyed the comments as well 😄
Dear Jan, Very clever story – I love it! Good job Jan, I think Women would do a much better job with governing than men. We (women) would never send our babies off to war – we would find some other way to deal with a problem. Men do have too much testosterone and they need to take a chill pill to calm the heck down. Of course, I don’t mean my husband at all! he he Nan 🙂