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Invisible Balloons

Published by

Hugh W. Roberts

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You can’t see me, but I’m watching you. You people interest me. Why are some of you unfaithful to the ones you say you love? Why do some of you murder those of the same kind? Why do some of you allow ‘hate’ to rule your minds?

You don’t know it, but each of you has a balloon. Like me, they are invisible to you but surround each of you. When your balloon bursts, you die.

It won’t be long, now, before my balloon bursts and you will all die. This planet, you all so un-love, will be mine.

I have no idea where this piece of flash fiction came from. I didn’t even have to think about the prompt. The first (and only draft) was precise 99-words long. That’s never happened to me before.

Written in response to the 99-word flash fiction challenge with the theme of ‘Balloons‘ over at the Carrot Ranch.

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75 responses to “Invisible Balloons”

  1. samfiftysomething avatar
    samfiftysomething

    Thought provoking. Clever

    Reply
    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar
      Hugh’s Views and News

      Thank you, Sam.

      Reply
  2. Jennie avatar
    Jennie

    This was interesting, Hugh. Very good!

    Reply
    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar
      Hugh’s Views and News

      Thanks, Jennie.

      Reply
      1. Jennie avatar
        Jennie

        You’re welcome, Hugh.

        Reply
  3. Ritu avatar
    Ritu

    Balloons never scared me before…

    Reply
    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar
      Hugh’s Views and News

      Me neither. No balloons will ever pass over the threshold of my home ever again.

      Reply
  4. tidalscribe avatar
    tidalscribe

    I love the idea of our ballons popping – I shall be careful not to burst mine quite yet.

    Reply
    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar
      Hugh’s Views and News

      It’s not so much us popping our own balloons, but more of what lurks inside them popping our balloons.

      Reply
  5. Judy E Martin avatar
    Judy E Martin

    Ooooh, very thought-provoking, Hugh, and scary too!

    Reply
    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar
      Hugh’s Views and News

      Thanks, Judy. Feedback that goes to the top of my list and makes me smile.

      Reply
      1. Judy E Martin avatar
        Judy E Martin

        Well your stories make me smile Hugh, and cringe, and recoil, and sometimes bring a tear to the eye!

        Reply
  6. Book Club Mom avatar
    Book Club Mom

    Very nice, Hugh!

    Reply
    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar
      Hugh’s Views and News

      Thank you.

      Reply
  7. Jacquie Biggar avatar
    Jacquie Biggar

    I don’t think I’ll ever look at balloons in the same way again! lol

    Reply
    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar
      Hugh’s Views and News

      Me neither, Jacquie. Just don’t allow anyone to blow anymore up (not even with a balloon pump). 🎈

      Reply
  8. Retirement Reflections avatar
    Retirement Reflections

    You are a master at Flash Fiction, Hugh. Very powerful!

    Reply
    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar
      Hugh’s Views and News

      Thank you, Donna. That’s great to hear, especially given that I didn’t have to put any work into this piece of flash fiction.

      Reply
  9. Darlene avatar
    Darlene

    Excellent piece of writing, Hugh.

    Reply
    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar
      Hugh’s Views and News

      Thank you, Darlene. And I didn’t even have to think this one out. I wrote it directly as it came from my mind and as soon as saw the prompt word.

      Reply
  10. willowdot21 avatar
    willowdot21

    Phew, Hugh, that is a deep one and it was obviously meant to be written 💜

    Reply
    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar
      Hugh’s Views and News

      Thanks, Willow. Yes, I think you are right. It was meant to be. Maybe it’s a warning to us all? 🎈

      Reply
      1. willowdot21 avatar
        willowdot21

        Indeed, indeed 💜

        Reply
  11. robbiesinspiration avatar
    robbiesinspiration

    A very good response to the prompt, Hugh. Very different.

    Reply
    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar
      Hugh’s Views and News

      Thank you, Robbie. 😀

      Reply
  12. Teagan R. Geneviene avatar
    Teagan R. Geneviene

    Woah… a Twilight Zone moment with the first draft 99, Hugh. Great story too. I hope you don’t have any pins in your pocket! Hugs.

    Reply
    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar
      Hugh’s Views and News

      lol, we may all just need those pins before whatever is in those balloons come out to get us, Teagan.
      Thanks so much.
      Hugs to you.

      Reply
  13. Simon avatar
    Simon

    That was 99 words of power..

    Reply
    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar
      Hugh’s Views and News

      lol, thanks, Simon. It’s strange you said that, given that I’ve just had a piece about ‘the power of words’ published today on Charli’s blog. Coincidence, or what?

      Reply
      1. Simon avatar
        Simon

        That is strange, like you say it’s funny how life is like that.

        Reply
  14. Invisible Balloons – The Militant Negro™

    […] Source: Invisible Balloons […]

    Reply
  15. watchingthedaisies avatar
    watchingthedaisies

    I hope it isn’t going to happen Hugh. 🌼

    Reply
    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar
      Hugh’s Views and News

      We’re safe, providing nobody ever blows up a balloon again, Brigid. 😈

      Reply

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