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Mirror Of Hope #flashfiction

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Hugh W. Roberts

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January 14, 2020, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about dressing up. It can be a child or another character. Be playful or go where the prompt leads!

Mirror Of Hope – by Hugh W. Roberts

Despite the bruises, Andrew admired himself in the mirror. A princess looked back at him.

“Don’t forget your shoes.”

The red high heeled shoes, although too big, complemented his mother’s burgundy dress he had on.

“You’re pretty,” remarked the princess.

The faint noise of his father’s car’s unexpected arrival caused panic in Andrew and the princess.

“Hide behind me,” yelled the princess, “before he beats you again.”

Crouching behind the mirror, he tried making himself invisible.

As the smell of alcohol and the unbuckling of his father’s belt reached him, tears made their escape down the young boy’s face.

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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46 responses to “Mirror Of Hope #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  

    […] Mirror Of Hope #flashfiction […]

    Reply
  2. Cecilywritings avatar
    Cecilywritings

    How a short story brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat. Thank you Hugh.

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

      I’m glad it did because that tells me that my writing evoked emotion when you read it. That’s lovely feedback, thank you.

      Reply
      1. Cecilywritings avatar
        Cecilywritings

        It did Hugh! And I practiced a piece relating to the next flash fiction! Although I didn’t share, it was fun.

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

          I’m so pleased you had a go at writing some flash fiction. We’d be delighted for you to join us over at the Carrot Ranch. You’ll find me there most weeks.

          Reply
          1. Cecilywritings avatar
            Cecilywritings

            Thank you Hugh! Keep safe.

            Reply
  3. D. Wallace Peach avatar
    D. Wallace Peach

    Oh, how stark and tragic, Hugh. This broke my heart.

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

      Thanks, Diana. I’m glad it broke your heart because that tells me that my writing produced emotion with the reader.

      Reply
      1. D. Wallace Peach avatar
        D. Wallace Peach

        Full of feeling, Hugh. It doesn’t take a lot of words, just the right ones. :-)

        Reply
  4. Liz H avatar
    Liz H

    Poignant telling of how we can become our own best protectors, our true selves. ❤

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

      Thank you, Liz.

      Reply
  5. Collection Template « Carrot Ranch Literary Community avatar
    Collection Template « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

    […] Mirror of Hope by Hugh W. Roberts […]

    Reply
  6. dgkaye avatar
    dgkaye

    Well that was dark, but very well told. <3

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

      Thank you, Debby.

      Reply
  7. ellenbest24 avatar
    ellenbest24

    I knew as I stepped over your threshold, somthing remarkable was about to be read. Words, the correctly placed and emotionally laden words can still have the power to make me gasp. You literally took my breath away. Xxx

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

      Aww, thanks so much, Ellen. This was a difficult piece of flash fiction to write, but I was helped by putting myself back in Andrew’s place.

      Reply
  8. Charli Mills avatar
    Charli Mills

    This is a princess I believe in, one that remained and thrived.

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

      Yes, that princess went on to become a fine young man, Charli.

      Reply
  9. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar
    Terri Webster Schrandt

    How many children have these experiences? More than we’ll ever know. This simple, yet powerful story (or truth?) is perhaps reality for many, Hugh. I remember my little brother always wore an old towel around his neck like a superhero cape. However he mostly wore it in front and told us it had just slipped. It wasn’t until years later as an adult that he admitted he wore it that way on purpose. We all just need to be who we know we are.

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

      Sadly, it’s a reality that many don’t want to talk about, Terri. And even when it does come out in the open, there is still an ’embarrassment’ about what is being discussed. It should never be like that.

      Your younger brother’s story is one that, somewhere, will be being played out today. I believe that talking and writing about it goes some way to help those who suffer at others’ hands. Thank you for sharing your brother’s story with us.

      Reply
  10. Darlene avatar
    Darlene

    So sad and unfortunately true in many instances. You did a great job in 99 words.

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

      Thank you, Darlene. It was not easy to write, and this version is so different from the original I wrote.

      Reply
  11. willowdot21 avatar
    willowdot21

    Oh!this is so painful to read. You have touched my heart ❤️

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

      Painful and sadly true, Willow. Thanks so much for reading it, though. 💜

      Reply
      1. willowdot21 avatar
        willowdot21

        I cannot understand people who cannot just accept and love their children for what they are try to beat them down to something they will never be. 💜💜💜

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

          Me neither, Willow, especially because it has never worked.

          Reply
          1. willowdot21 avatar
            willowdot21

            Never has and never will, we are what we are 💜

            Reply
  12. Erika avatar
    Erika

    So terrible that this is just too real!

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

      And often hidden for a long time before it becomes visible, Erika. It’s hard to believe how one human can be so terrible towards another, especially when it’s family.

      Reply
      1. Erika avatar
        Erika

        And that gets topped by the fact that that human is supposed to take care and protect the other one. I will never understand how they can live with what they have done.

        Reply
  13. Aimer Boyz avatar
    Aimer Boyz

    I agree with D. Avery, that’s a lot of powerful emotion to pack into 99 words. My heart hurts for that little guy.

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

      It’s a tough and challenging subject to write about, Aimer. The 99-word limit challenged me even more. But I’m pleased with how I used all those words to get Andrew’s story over.

      Reply
  14. Esther Chilton avatar
    Esther Chilton

    Wow! That’s very powerful, Hugh.

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

      Thanks, Esther. Sometimes, real-life events make words compelling.

      Reply
      1. Esther Chilton avatar
        Esther Chilton

        That’s so true.

        Reply
  15. D. Avery @shiftnshake avatar
    D. Avery @shiftnshake

    Somehow there is hope for this tenacious little princess. You wrung a big story full of emotions out of your allotted 99 words.

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

      I love these 99-words challenges, D. They really help eliminate lots of the redundant parts of stories. This little princess grew up into someone special.

      Reply
      1. D. Avery @shiftnshake avatar
        D. Avery @shiftnshake

        I agree! It’s a terrific challenge. I tend to need some sort of restraint, sentence or word count, to help me focus the story.

        I had a feeling about that character.

        Reply

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