October 30, 2020, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about life savers on any body of water. It can be a formal Coast Guard, historical or contemporary. It could be an individual who unexpectedly takes on the role. Go where the prompt leads!
Lifesavers – by Hugh W. Roberts
Cindy-Rose already knew that she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father and save lives at sea.
“I’ve just saved Teddy and Giraffe from going underwater, Daddy.”
“I know, I saw you save them from falling into that big, strange puddle left by last night’s, weird storm,” responded her father.
“Thank you for saving our lives,” whispered Teddy into the ear of its owner. “Giraffe and I will always save you.”
Smiling, Cindy hugged her toys and counted down from her age of four before jumping into the puddle.
Only her yellow wellington boots and rainhat resurfaced.
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.
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Hugh's Views & News 
Oh my goodness, Hugh, this has such IT connotations for me with the raincoat and the wellingtons. Shiver!
I’ve never seen the ‘IT’ movies yet, Robbie. I understand they’re quite long movies. I need to watch them, but not with my partner. He’s not into watching anything too scary in nature.
Ok, I didn’t expect that ending to happen to a sweet little girl who saved her toys from extinction. I agree with Liesbet. Where was her dad? He didn’t give her much credit for saving her toys, but did call the puddle weird. We had a huge puddle in our street, and a father was walking with his daughter. She had to jump into the puddle with all her might because she had on her new white boots. I never saw him walk his daughter after a rain again. I’m sure they both got into a lot of trouble. I’ll bet Cindy-Rose had on new boots, too.
I wonder if that puddle you saw the girl jumping into was from the same source of the one that Cindy-Rose jumped into, Marsha? Maybe it wasn’t hungry at the time so did not swallow her up, but if she went back later and jumped into it again, then who knows?
I’ve heard of a hungry caterpillar, but never a hungry puddle. That sounds like another even more gruesome story and the one about Gloria. It reminds me of the woman swimming who was pulled under water and eaten whole by the alligator, never to surface in part or in whole. Truth can be even more gruesome than fiction.
That’s very true, Marsha. When it’s real, it’s much scarier.
It sounds like a good book, though, “The Hungry Puddle.” The place where dragons of long ago live and breathe and snatch up puddle jumpers. 🙂
I can see this one going in all kinds of directions!
I agree, Michele. I guess we’re never going to find out which way, so I’m leaving it up to the reader to decide.
Omg Hugh, once again, that last line! It sounds like a whole new storym where is the rest of her? Lol . 🙂 x
Where is the rest of her? Only Teddy and Giraffe know the answer, Debby.
And so does Hugh Roberts! 🙂 🙂
Who? 😂
Oh, never mind. You probably don’t even know him. 🙂 🙂 🙂
What the heck was under that puddle that swallowed Cindy-Rose, Hugh? And where was her live-saving dad in this time of distress? I think we need a sequel!
Maybe her life-saving dad was what Teddy and Giraffe were saving Cindy-Rose from, Liesbet? Just a thought.
I did have that thought, Hugh, after reading your replies to other commenters, but since I didn’t see a hint of that about her father in the original story, I felt there might be more to it… 🙂
And indeed there could be, Liesbet. I’m loving all these different versions of what’s going on. They make me happy.
Teddy! Cindy-Rose needs us! Hold on to my neck… Don’t worry, they’ll get her out.
I have a deep suspicion that they were saving Cindy-Rose from something else.
That ending is chilling but is it really the end. I’m thinking Teddy and Giraffe go after her. Or they are living the high life, dry and warm on Cindy-Rose’s bed.
That’s a nice ending, Charli. But I’m more inclined to think that Teddy and Giraffe are saving Cindy-Rose from someone or something.
She must have turned into a mermaid using the puddle as a gateway to the sea. Teddy and giraffe grew gills and fins! At least one can only hope! Good one, Hugh!
Nice thinking, Terri. Maybe Teddy and Giraffe were saving her from someone or something?
Creepy twist… dang, when you can’t trust Teddy, it really is a stormy time.
Thanks, D. Even Teddies have their dark sides. Well, in my world they do.
Even puddles aren’t safe under your pen!!
Nobody can hear you scream when you step into a puddle. 😁
Just bubbles of despair…
But she emerged on the other side to have tea and cake with the Queen of Spades. That’s what happened, right? 🙂
If you believe so, yes. The answer lies in the next puddle you encounter.
Oh, no! Poor girl. So, the toys did not keep their promise…
Maybe they did? Were they saving her life from something or somebody else?
I think that calls for a sequel, Hugh!!!!!!!!
I knew there was a reason I avoided puddles, lol
Enjoyed this, Hugh
Thank you, Jacquie. Keep avoiding those puddles. At least until the end of 2020.
Wow! Great story in 99 words!
Thank you, Susanne.
So sweet!
Thank you.
Great story Hugh.💜
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks, Willow.
I did Hugh 💜
Ooh, what happened to Cindy-Rose? Nice one, Hugh.
We’ll never know, Cathy. Not unless she makes a reappearance from a puddle. Don’t go stepping in any puddles.
Definitely not! 😁