Hugh's Views & News

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Invisible Balloons

Published by

Hugh W. Roberts

Mar 13, 2018

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”

Norah

Mar 15, 2018

99 words in one go! Whoa! That’s a mighty effort. Have to hope his (your) bubble doesn’t burst. :)

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Mar 15, 2018
  
  I know. I even shocked myself when I finished the first draft, checked the number of words, and it was 99, Norah. That’s never happened to me before. Plus, I was happy to leave everything as it was. 😀
  
  Reply
  1. Norah
    
    Mar 15, 2018
    
    I can’t think of one thing to argue with.
    
    Reply
Balloons « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

Mar 15, 2018

[…] Invisible Balloons by Hugh Roberts […]

Reply
Charli Mills

Mar 15, 2018

A chilling flash with a touch of sinister prophecy. Well done, Hugh!

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Mar 15, 2018
  
  Thank you, Charli. I particularly enjoyed this challenge.
  
  Reply
Liesbet @ Roaming About

Mar 14, 2018

A story that makes total sense and was meant to be, Hugh! Now, if only everyone would listen to balloons. :-)

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Mar 15, 2018
  
  Thank you. Yes, I hear them talking to each other, Liesbet 😀And they are starting to get louder. 😱
  
  Reply
Terri Webster Schrandt

Mar 14, 2018

Awesome, Hugh, evil balloons! Must be a helium-high!

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Mar 15, 2018
  
  lol, yes, whatever inside is even eviler when the balloon is filled with helium, Terri. *cue evil laugh* 😈
  
  Reply
dgkaye

Mar 14, 2018

First try, 99 words exactly? You are the master! Word bubble comes to mind. :) <3 Imagine if everyone could read our word thought bubbles? :)

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Mar 14, 2018
  
  Or even our thoughts, Debby. Yikes, I would have got myself into all sorts of trouble had that happened. 😇
  xx
  
  Reply
  1. dgkaye
    
    Mar 15, 2018
    
    Lollllllll, wouldn’t we all! :) xx
    
    Reply
ellenbest24

Mar 14, 2018

Your spooky ninety nine and the sinister whisperings are no surprise to me. It reminded me of Patrick McGoohan’s 1960s masterpiece The Prisoner and Hugh your not that far from Port Merrion.

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Mar 14, 2018
  
  I know. It’s a place I must visit someday…before it’s too late. 😀
  
  Reply
  1. ellenbest24
    
    Mar 14, 2018
    
    To late? To wear a suit with a black polo neck. 😁😂
    
    Reply
    1. Hugh’s Views and News
      
      Mar 14, 2018
      
      Before those balloons start popping 😈🎈
      
      Reply
Carol

Mar 14, 2018

The master at work… always a twist :)

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Mar 14, 2018
  
  The Master? That makes me think of The Master on Dr Who, Carol, but I like him a lot. 😀
  
  Reply
  1. Carol
    
    Mar 14, 2018
    
    HaHa…That’s good :)
    
    Reply
Aimer Boyz

Mar 14, 2018

Balloons. 9 people out of 10 think birthday parties. You however, get all sinister and threatening…never change :)

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Mar 14, 2018
  
  I’m gonna have to surprise you all, one day…
  
  Reply
jjspina

Mar 14, 2018

It sounds like a lot of hot air to me, Hugh! You are a talent to be reckoned with! LOL! 🤗

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Mar 14, 2018
  
  lol, thank you, Janice. Those hot air balloons are the ones that really worry me. 🎈
  
  Reply
Shallow Reflections

Mar 13, 2018

This could happen, Hugh. And to pen this with 99 words the first time? Much more than hot air!

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Mar 14, 2018
  
  Yes, I was so shocked that I didn’t need to edit this one, Molly. I left it exactly as it came out of my head.
  
  Reply
  1. Shallow Reflections
    
    Mar 14, 2018
    
    That is amazing, Hugh!
    
    Reply
    1. Hugh’s Views and News
      
      Mar 14, 2018
      
      Thank you, Molly.
      
      Reply
JT Twissel

Mar 13, 2018

Frightening analogy.It is true – we’re all in a bubble that could burst at any time.

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Mar 14, 2018
  
  And, recently, I believe the doomsday clock was also moved to two minutes before midnight. Oh heck. 😟
  
  Reply
TanGental

Mar 13, 2018

Show off…. v good mind you!

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Mar 14, 2018
  
  Thanks, Geoff. 😀
  
  Reply
John W. Howell

Mar 13, 2018

Was very good. I like the un-love planet description.

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Mar 14, 2018
  
  Thanks, John. A lesson to us all to look after Mother Earth.
  
  Reply
  1. John W. Howell
    
    Mar 14, 2018
    
    So true.
    
    Reply
Chuck

Mar 13, 2018

Great piece and I love the imagery.

Reply
1. Hugh’s Views and News
  
  Mar 14, 2018
  
  Thanks, Chuck. Glad you could see the imagery.
  
  Reply

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