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Safe New World #flashfiction

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Hugh W. Roberts

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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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37 responses to “Safe New World #flashfiction”

  1. Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Wrap-Up – January 2021 – Hugh's Views & News   avatar
    Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Wrap-Up – January 2021 – Hugh's Views & News  

    […] Safe New World #flashfiction […]

    Reply
  2. Sam "Goldie" Kirk avatar
    Sam “Goldie” Kirk

    Hmmm…
    Interesting…

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks!

      Reply
  3. Susie Lindau avatar
    Susie Lindau

    In a fateful turn of events, butterflies inherit the world. LOVE IT!

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thank you, Susie.

      Reply
  4. Butterfly and Stones « Carrot Ranch Literary Community avatar
    Butterfly and Stones « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

    […] Safe, New World by Hugh W. Roberts […]

    Reply
  5. Charli Mills avatar
    Charli Mills

    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!

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks, Charli. Curiosity killed the cat. In this case, it killed the humans.

      Reply
  6. Liesbet @ Roaming About avatar
    Liesbet @ Roaming About

    How something pretty can turn mighty awful very quickly. If you’re a human… :-)

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Indeed. Just look at what’s happening to our beautiful planet.

      Reply
  7. willowdot21 avatar
    willowdot21

    Absolutely beautiful 🌹🤗

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thank you, Willow. I’m glad you thought so.

      Reply
      1. willowdot21 avatar
        willowdot21

        A pleasure Hugh 💜

        Reply
  8. juliecroundblog avatar
    juliecroundblog

    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.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      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.

      Reply
      1. juliecroundblog avatar
        juliecroundblog

        Thanks, but I don’t know how to pingback.

        Reply
        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
          Hugh W. Roberts

          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.

          Reply
          1. juliecroundblog avatar
            juliecroundblog

            I have only ever copy and pasted successfully once in my life. They usually vanish into thin air. I read your instructions. Thanks.

            Reply
  9. Norah avatar
    Norah

    Oh no! That’s not the ending I expected.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      That’s good to hear, Norah. I love it when people say that to me after reading my fiction.

      Reply
      1. Norah avatar
        Norah

        Indeed. The master of surprise. :)

        Reply
  10. Liz H avatar
    Liz H

    Yikes! Did NOT see that last bit coming. Well done…or is it Spell Undone? ;-)

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      More like ‘not everything is as it seems’ undone.

      Reply
  11. JT Twissel avatar
    JT Twissel

    Quite imaginative take – I like the idea of butterflies coloring stones. Gave me a smile and then … wham! The twist.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      It was all going so nicely, wasn’t it?

      Reply
  12. Jim Borden avatar
    Jim Borden

    that went in a different direction pretty quickly :)

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Just like butterflies do.

      Reply
      1. Jim Borden avatar
        Jim Borden

        ahhh… I see the analogy!

        Reply
  13. Erika avatar
    Erika

    You are a master of dramatic twists, Hugh! Such a lovely butterfly… but… Well done!

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      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.

      Reply
      1. Erika avatar
        Erika

        Haha, I think I would have reacted the same way … lol

        Reply
  14. Jacquie Biggar avatar
    Jacquie Biggar

    Killer butterflies? Didn’t see that one coming!

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      And rainbow-coloured ones at that. Thanks, Jacquie.

      Reply
  15. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar
    Terri Webster Schrandt

    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!

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      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.’

      Reply
      1. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar
        Terri Webster Schrandt

        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.

        Reply
        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
          Hugh W. Roberts

          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.

          Reply

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