March 5, 2020, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about Clarice. She can be any Clarice real, historical, or imagined. What story does she have for you to tell? Go where she may lead!
Having decided to follow the cat, Sophie came to a grinding halt when the cat stopped and turned around to face her. “Clarice isn’t who you think she is,” echoed a voice in Sophie’s head. But who was Clarice?
***
Turing the handle of his hotel room door, Mike let out another almighty sneeze. “Clarice, are you in there?” came a voice from the other side of the door.
***
Two floors above, Doug’s eyes flickered before suddenly opening. The familiar face of a woman peered down at him. “Hello, Doug. I’m Clarice. How can I help you?” asked the woman.
Click here to read the first part of this story and follow the links back to this part.

Written in response to the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.
Click here to read the next part of the story.
Click here to join other writers participating in the challenge.
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You’re doing well to fit these prompts into your unfolding story, Hugh. Now we just need to know who Clarice is too.
Thank you, Norah. We’ll hear a little more about Clarice in this week’s episode (just finished writing it).
I hope I don’t miss it. 🙂
It’ll be in Charli’s roundup if you do.
That’s true. I find a few that way. 🙂
You did it! You slipped in a Clarice and a mystery.
Yes, but I wonder who this mysterious Clarice is? I hope we find out, Charli.
Another twist! Yea, I still like where this is going. But now you have a few more characters to juggle, Hugh!
May I suggest you include the entire prompt of Charli in these posts as well, like you did in your previous post explaining your writing process? You put those few sentences in a boxed text and it helped me (and maybe others) understand more what the weekly prompt is about and how you used it in your flash fiction.
That’s a great suggestion, and one I will do going forward, Liesbet. To be honest, I did think about it while writing this post, but I wasn’t sure it would work. Now you’ve suggested it, I’ll start to include it.
Thanks so much for mentioning it.
Yay. Thanks, Hugh. I should have mentioned it earlier, as all the reader knew (without hopping over to Charli’s site) was one word in your title and the photo when scrolling to the bottom. Usually, I figured out from the comments where “Rainbow” and “Clarice”, etc came from. This will be so much easier and explanatory. 🙂
I love how you seamlessly tie in every new prompt that Charli throws your way. The two of you make an awesome team!
That’s such a lovely compliment about Charli and me making a great team, Donna. I’ve been participating in her 99-word flash fiction challenges for about 4 years. Not all the time, but when motivated to do so.
Hugh is showing his mastery of creativity within a constraint. Such a delight to watch unfold.
Haha, I read the comments and now I know a bit better why this mysterious Clarice appeared… lol
Yes, I had to include her because of the prompt Charli gave in her latest 99-word flash fiction challenge. I wonder if Clarice is all she says she is?
Hopefully she will reveal the mystery!
Aha! Clarice of the yellow shoes! She’s looking for her cat? 🙂
I like that idea a lot, Terri.
VEry clever as always, Hugh.
Thanks, Robbie.
Oooh! Who’s Clarice??
I’ve no idea. We had to include a ‘Clarice’ in this week’s challenge from Charli. It’ll depend on the next prompt. Or will it?
I look forward to it!
The thlot, plcikens…
I think I know where you’re coming from…