Flash Jacks #flashfiction

Published by

Hugh W. Roberts

May 3, 2021

April 29, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the phrase, “hit the road, Jack.” You can interpret the phrase any way you like — road trip, goodbye, or story. Go where the prompt leads!

Flash Jacks – by Hugh W. Roberts

I boarded the bus to London with my whole life in a black bin bag and met the driver’s piercing blue eyes and incredible smile.

“Ticket, please,” said the owner.

It was love at first sight. The badge on his shirt told me we had the same name – ‘Jack.’

‘Hit the road, Jack. Take us to our ‘together’ future,’ I said without speaking.

For the next incredible seven months, we were lovers.

On the day of my death, ‘Hit the road, Jack‘ were the last words he screamed at me before possessiveness forced him to mow me down.

***

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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43 responses to “Flash Jacks #flashfiction”

Gloria

Dec 2, 2021

I love the dark side…..😬

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Dec 2, 2021
  
  Thanks, Gloria. The green-eyed monster is something I’ve encountered and always ran away from fast.
  
  Reply
Marsha

May 24, 2021

I was not expecting that ending. Knowing you, it’s probably meant to be a little funny, after all, dead Jack did hit the road. Sorry for your loss, Jack.

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  May 25, 2021
  
  Such an unfortunate prompt for this piece of flash from me, Marsha. You know me. I usually go down the dark side when writing these pieces.
  
  Reply
  1. Marsha
    
    May 25, 2021
    
    It was definitely unfortunate for Jack. The other Jack turned out not to be such a good guy. It wasn’t funny, but knowing that you love to write a little on the dark side, it was a little bit like Kenny in South Park. “They killed Kenny, the bastards.” That was sort of the feeling I got. Jack will be back in the next episode and he’ll still be bugging Jack – the bastard. :) Pardon my South Park language. Our cat loves South Park and has gotten me to start watching it with him. LOL
    
    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts
      
      May 26, 2021
      
      I remember South Park, although I have not seen it for a long time. There are no plans for the two ‘Jacks’ in this piece of flash to be coming back, although I did take the idea for the flash from a novel I’ve been writing for the last nine years, which is unfinished.
      
      Reply
      1. Marsha
        
        May 26, 2021
        
        That’s interesting, Hugh. I have a few of those novels – unfinished! BTW have you ever written a novel with anyone – a collaborative project. I thought this month’s Story Chat was fabulous because through the discussion it developed a sweet romance into something that could easily become a drama with lots of meat. I don’t know, just another brainstorm. :)
        
        Reply
        
        Hugh W. Roberts
        
        May 27, 2021
        
        No, I’ve never written a novel with anyone else, Marsha. I’d have to think long and hard about it first. However, my first collection of short stories, Glimpses, contains a family drama in four parts. It’s a murder mystery and got a lot of great feedback in the reviews.
        
        Marsha
        
        May 27, 2021
        
        It’s just another one of my crazy brainstorms, Hugh. You know me. I can’t stop thinking. :)
Writinginthedeep

May 12, 2021

I love the dark, twisted ending. I love writing those as well.

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  May 13, 2021
  
  I love your pieces of flash fiction with twists. I’ve enjoyed reading them.
  
  Reply
  1. Writinginthedeep
    
    May 13, 2021
    
    Thank you. I have enjoyed challenging myself with writing them.
    
    Reply
dgkaye

May 7, 2021

Omg, you took a sweet love story and put the Hugh Roberts stamp on the end, lol, good one! xxx

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  May 7, 2021
  
  Thank you, Debby. I blame those prompt words from Charli for the ending.
  
  Reply
  1. dgkaye
    
    May 7, 2021
    
    LOL :) xx
    
    Reply
Hit the Road Jack « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

May 6, 2021

[…] Flash Jacks by Hugh W. Roberts […]

Reply
Charli Mills

May 6, 2021

Hugh, great use of a memory to forge a flash with an unforgettable ending.

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  May 6, 2021
  
  Thank you, Charli. The bones of this piece of flash are true, but the flesh is all made up (thank goodness).
  
  Reply
Norah

May 4, 2021

Oh dear. Jack did hit the road. Not a good ending at all.

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  May 4, 2021
  
  For him, no. Some emotions bring out the worst in us.
  
  Reply
  1. Norah
    
    May 5, 2021
    
    They do. Others bring out the best.
    
    Reply
TanGental

May 4, 2021

Another uplifting little romance. You old softie

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  May 4, 2021
  
  I know. I think I’m getting a little too soft with some of the endings.
  
  Reply
Mr. Ohh’s Sideways View

May 4, 2021

Dark Hugh But Jack hit the road hard.
;;
;;
;;
Laugh because… Why not??

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  May 4, 2021
  
  And hopefully didn’t know anything about it?
  
  Reply
D. Avery @shiftnshake

May 4, 2021

That’s a dramatic way to end a relationship!

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  May 4, 2021
  
  Isn’t it? I guess some emotions take some to make extreme decisions.
  
  Reply
Erika

May 3, 2021

Wow, a typical Hugh story… lol!!

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  May 4, 2021
  
  I know. I couldn’t help it. Once I saw the prompt words, I knew where Jack was going.
  
  Reply
  1. Erika
    
    May 4, 2021
    
    His fate because of you writing the story 😂
    
    Reply
JT Twissel

May 3, 2021

So it really should be hit the Jack, Road!

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  May 4, 2021
  
  I guess so, but I’m not sure how the road would have responded to that questions.
  
  Reply
Paul Ariss

May 3, 2021

Wow, dark Mr Roberts. Very good.

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  May 4, 2021
  
  Thanks, Paul. I tend to go down the dark track with my writing. Not all the time, but I enjoy those trips more than anything else.
  
  Reply
Aimer Boyz

May 3, 2021

Nice. Hit the road, with a little help from twelve tons of bus!

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  May 3, 2021
  
  Without realising it, he had the weapon in his hands most days.
  
  Reply
Terri Webster Schrandt

May 3, 2021

Hit the road Jack, indeed, Hugh, lol! Gotta watch out for those bus drivers 😁

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  May 3, 2021
  
  Yes, especially the possessive ones who don’t want to let go, Terri.
  
  Reply
Cathy

May 3, 2021

Love the dark twist at the end, Hugh.

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  May 3, 2021
  
  Thanks, Cathy.
  
  Reply
willowdot21

May 3, 2021

Eeek that’s a twist Hugh 💜

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1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  May 3, 2021
  
  Good. You know how much I like my twists, Willow.
  
  Reply
  1. willowdot21
    
    May 3, 2021
    
    Yes Hugh we do 💜💜
    
    Reply

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