January 7, 2021 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the contrasting prompts butterfly and stones. The two can be used in any way in your story. Go where the prompt leads!
Safe New World – by Hugh W. Roberts
“Look at all these small, round stones, Alan. Is that some writing on them? It looks like some foreign language. And aren’t the rainbow colours on all of them stunning? It’s like they’ve been hand-painted.”
“Hand-painted by who or what?” asked Alan as he picked up a stone.
They both gasped with astonishment as a rainbow-coloured butterfly fluttered up from under the stone.
“Are there more of them under the other stones?”
“Only one way to find out.”
Within minutes of the last overturned stone releasing its prey, all human life ceased to exist on the safe, new world.
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 
Hmmm…
Interesting…
Thanks!
In a fateful turn of events, butterflies inherit the world. LOVE IT!
Thank you, Susie.
Curiosity didn’t favor these two, but then again, the butterfly invaders would have prevailed. What a strategy they had and great use of the contrasting prompts!
Thanks, Charli. Curiosity killed the cat. In this case, it killed the humans.
How something pretty can turn mighty awful very quickly. If you’re a human… 🙂
Indeed. Just look at what’s happening to our beautiful planet.
Absolutely beautiful 🌹🤗
Thank you, Willow. I’m glad you thought so.
A pleasure Hugh 💜
I wrote my 99 word story and then checked the rules. I’m a day late. Never mind, it gave my creative side some exercise .I’ll put it on my blog instead.
The deadline is for stories to be included in Charli’s roundup post, Julie. I’d recommend you still create a pingback to the challenge, as others will then be able to check out your story. I’ve done the same thing a few times.
Thanks, but I don’t know how to pingback.
I have just the post for you, Julie.
https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2019/11/26/how-to-create-a-pingback-on-a-wordpress-blog/
But you can also copy and paste the URL link to your post in the comments section of Charli’s post.
I have only ever copy and pasted successfully once in my life. They usually vanish into thin air. I read your instructions. Thanks.
Oh no! That’s not the ending I expected.
That’s good to hear, Norah. I love it when people say that to me after reading my fiction.
Indeed. The master of surprise. 🙂
Yikes! Did NOT see that last bit coming. Well done…or is it Spell Undone? 😉
More like ‘not everything is as it seems’ undone.
Quite imaginative take – I like the idea of butterflies coloring stones. Gave me a smile and then … wham! The twist.
It was all going so nicely, wasn’t it?
that went in a different direction pretty quickly 🙂
Just like butterflies do.
ahhh… I see the analogy!
You are a master of dramatic twists, Hugh! Such a lovely butterfly… but… Well done!
I enjoy making objects that most see as safe and turning them into something sinister, Erika. I know how I would have reacted if I’d seen a rainbow-coloured butterfly. My last moments would have been of astonishment.
Haha, I think I would have reacted the same way … lol
Killer butterflies? Didn’t see that one coming!
And rainbow-coloured ones at that. Thanks, Jacquie.
Yay, you are back with your twisted tales, Hugh! A friend paints those rocks and is quite talented. I should share the post with her, she loves twisted tales!
Please do, Terri. I hope it doesn’t end the friendship after she reads it.
I find lots of these stones with messages on when out on walks. However, since the pandemic, the messages on most of them have changed so much. Most now simply say – ‘Go home, stay there and stay safe.’
She gave me a couple of her handpainted stones. She is quite an artist. Sad that there aren’t more uplifting messages on ones you’ve found, Hugh.
As we’ve been in full lockdown since December 20th, and the beaches and seafront have still been packed with people, not social distancing, I can understand why some of the messages have changed on the stones, Terri. But here’s to the days when those messages are more uplifting again, hopefully, by the end of the summer. My fingers are crossed.