[#191] Field Of Freedom (Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption)

[wickedlittletown]

Theme Prompt: #191 - Freedom
Title: Field Of Freedom
Fandom: Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption [Short Story by Stephen King]
Rating/Warnings: Gen | none
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 429
Summary: Freedom can be overwhelming and scary for a former prisoner



Free.
After all these decades I am a free man again.
Honestly: I have never imaged that they would release me.
But here I am … Standing in the middle of this hay field.
Above me the sun shines from a clear sky.
Was the sky always that blue?


I know that this is a silly question I am asking myself. The sky was always that bright blue on a sunny day, no matter if I was in the yard of Shawshank or standing here on the field in Buxton. It was like that before I was born and it will remain the same color when I am long gone.

As I walk over the field I ask myself if I will find what Andy told me I would find here. Part of me thinks that I won’t find anything but after some time I find the volcanic stone he told me about.

With trembling hands I pick up the stone and discover a letter. My heart skips a beat when I read that it is for me.
It warms my heart that as a free man Andy hasn’t forgotten me, yet his suggestion brings back the fear I had from the wide world.

I may be a free man as in the sense that I am no longer behind the walls of Shawshank but I am on parole and crossing the border would be a crime. I am aware of how the world has changed and I am unsure if I can make my way over the border.

‘It’s better to remain where you are for the remaining years you have left.’

The voice in my head is probably right but I know that I will regret it until I die, if I don’t try it. The worst that can happen is that I will be back in the known safety of Shawshank. But there is so much more to gain if I succeed. I know Andy is waiting for me and if he could make such a spectacular escape to win his freedom back, then I can break parole to try to get mine fully back as well.

Suddenly the wideness of the world which lays in front of me is a tad less scary. A call for another adventure for an elderly man.

“You survived decades in Shawshank, Red. You’ll find a way to make it safe to the border.”
I murmur to myself to talk some more courage into me as I put Andy’s letter in the inside pocked of the light jacket I am wearing.

Comments

[pattrose]

Oh, this was great. I just loved it. And Red is right.

[wickedlittletown]

Thank you very much 😊

[hokuton_punch]

♥ Ahhhhhhh, lovely.

[wickedlittletown]

Thank you very much 😊

[imhilien]

Nicely written. :)

[badly_knitted]

I do hope Red will make it and find true freedom ♥

[wickedlittletown]

I hope so too.
The original story leaves it open and I wanted to pick this detail up.

He's a really likeable character despite him being in prison for murder.

[badly_knitted]

Must admit I haven't read the story, despite having read a lot of Stephen King. Maybe I will someday.

[wickedlittletown]

It is in the book 'Different Seasons' which contains four short novels.

I still haven't read some of his most mentioned books.

[badly_knitted]

I can't remember whether or not I've got that one. I know I got rid of some, and I haven't read all the ones I own, but it does sound familiar.

[wickedlittletown]

Each of the stories is related to one of the four seasons.
I should go through my bookshelves and see which King books I do own and which not (physical copies). I know I have read some in libraries or lend them.
I am slowly trying to get all of his books.

[badly_knitted]

Some are really amazing. I still have a particular fondness for both Christine and The Dead Zone, and there's one he co-wrote with Peter Straub, The Talisman. Loved that!

[wickedlittletown]

Christine *A*
A wonderful read and the movie is awesome as well. It was among the first King books I have read, along with Misery.

I guess it is about time to re-read both, especially Misery. Annie was the first character to really frighten me. I both love and hate her.

I have heard a lot of people mention "The Talisman". I should probably get hold of it.

The first King book I have read was Dreamcatcher, when I was 11 or 12.
It was a copy which included pictures from the movie (which I have never watched, tbh). At the moment I am not sure if I still own it. A few scenes are imprinted in my memory.

Thinner is another fantastic book which gave me the creeps.

[badly_knitted]

Misery is the one I know I can can NEVER read again, just makes me shudder to think of it, lol! I've seen the movie too. Don't think I've read Dreamcatcher.

The Talisman is definitely worth reading if you can find it.

[mxcatmoon]

Trying is better than living with regret. Hopefully, he'll succeed and find peace.

[wickedlittletown]

I hope so too. He deserves to get his happy end.