May 27, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that includes tiny flying insects. Think about how the insects shape the scene or add to the action. Go where the prompt leads!
Murder In Picnic Wood – by Hugh W. Roberts
Swatting away the tiny flying insects from around her, Mary turned to her husband and demanded they headed home.
“It’s too hot, too humid, and these insects are bugging me.”
Laughing at what he thought was a joke, Micheal picked up a can of insect repellant while the persistent nagging carried on.
“Use it! Use it!” demanded Mary.
Two hours later, Michael opened a can of cold beer in the garden of his now nag-free life. ‘I must buy more insect repellant,’ he told himself.
Twenty-three miles away, the tiny flying insects feasted on what remained in Picnic Wood.
***
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.
Click on the ‘Diversity With A Twist’ image to read my post ‘How To Write Yourself Into A Piece Of Fiction Without Knowing It’ on my new column at the Carrot Ranch
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Hugh's Views & News 
I’m staying well away from you Hugh when you have insect repellent in your hands! Great story. 🙂
Thanks, Marje. Don’t worry. I stopped killing insects with repellent years ago. Now I just open the doors and windows and order them to leave.
Lol. That made me laugh Hugh. One year we had a hornet infestation in our upstairs hallway. I didn’t envy the pest control guy!
Oh, I don’t think I’d argue with a group of hornets. I’d ask security to deal with that.
Yes! I’m with you on that!
That’s some strong bug-repellent. But it worked! Great story, Hugh.
But was it the repellent or what contained it that was the killer, Diana?
Either way, very effective!
Ooooh! Nasty man, Hugh.
I guess so, but was he driven to do it, Robbie?
Probably, but he could have buried her. The idea of mosquitos and flies feasting on a body is a bit revolting.
I have a feeling he wanted to get arrested for what he had done.
That will teach us wives to watch our nagging during a picnic. She even begged for it. Yikes! That was a real stinger!
I think the same can be said about nagging husbands too. Glad you enjoyed it.
Let’s see, what was that insect repellent made of? 🙂 JK
Maybe the contents were not what killed Mary?
I hadn’t considered that it was deliberate from his last statement. Or maybe something else entirely – like the guy who fell backwards into the Grand Canyon taking a selfie.
It’s one of the reasons why I love writing open endings.
You are the king of open endings. Are you about ready to do another Story Chat? How about in October again? There aren’t any universal holidays before then are there? I think you should do another October story as an anniversary post.
I think that’s it (Holiday wise) until Halloween. If you have enough stories to continue Story Chat that will take us up to October, I’d be delighted to write a new story for October.
Yay, whoopee!! I’m jumping up and down with glee! 🙂 That will mark our big year anniversary. I consider this your project as well because it would not have happened without you. I just host and take care of it. You birthed it. 🙂
Nice! Your writing packs quite the punch.
Thank you.
Okay, that was some creepy ending. You never disappoint Hugh. ❤
Thank you, Debby. I always aim to please with my endings. If I’m not happy with it, it doesn’t get published.
And that’s why you never disappoint. 🙂 xx
Oh my! You went just a wee bit dark with this one…
😀 😀
Just a little, yes. But it proves that a can of insect repellant can kill more than just insects.
Noted. Enemies beware! 🙈😆
That’s definitely a Hugh story. The insect repellent can had another use. I’d not previously considered it a murder weapon for humans. Well done, Hugh.
Thanks, Norah. What’s on the outside can usually be as lethal as what’s in the inside.
I hadn’t considered that before.
Very good Hugh.. and let’s hope the insects did not become too contaminated from their feasting upon toxic Mary ….xxx
Her toxic blood may well be the end for them, Sally.
lol… xx
Oh, Hugh, you did not disappoint! I love the interaction between the nagging and the action. well done.
Thanks, Charli. I rather enjoyed writing the story of these two characters.
Perfect timing as weather warms and bugs swarm, Hugh! As usual, your twists leave us wondering who or what is really in charge of Planet Earth 😁
Yes, I’m glad you saw that element of everything looking normal when it really isn’t, Terri.
Powerful insects. Powerful spray. Powerful words!
Thank you. Hopefully, a powerful court case is to follow.
There are pests of all different sorts!
There are. And some repellants seem to work on different species.
So, that was a solution for all problems at once!!
Yes, but let’s hope the shop has sold out of those cans of insect repellant.
You are right, you know that could be an inspirstion for others …
Fantastic, Hugh! I love your phrase “the garden of his now nag-free life.” Makes me wonder if anyone could invent the “anti-nagging” spray. Or the “nag-repellant.” 🙂 That spray in the story must have been extremely strong and efficient!
I’m sure an anti-nagging spray would be a best-seller, Liesbet. Either the spray was very poisonous to more than just insects, or Michael used the can itself to quieten Mary. I’ll leave it up to you to decide which version he used. Or maybe you have one of your own?
I was going for the very strong contents inside the spray can, initially, Hugh. But now I think he might have stuffed the can in her mouth to stop the nagging and that – most likely – led to her demise. I think you would do well writing murder mysteries!!! Ever tried your hand at those?
My first short story collection, Glimpses, contains a murder mystery. It’s called ‘The Bridegroom’, and the three stories after it (The Wedding Dress, The Stag Party, Mother of the Bridegroom) are a continuation of the story. I also wrote a silly murder mystery in my second collection, More Glimpses, called Murder In Evershot. The Bridegroom story went viral after I published it on my blog, so it demanded a couple of sequels.
I may write more (if the right prompts motivate me).
I remember those stories, Hugh. They were among my favorites in Glimpses and More Glimpses, especially the four-part one. I was more wondering if you’d consider a full-length mystery novel. It would be unique, though, as your (murder) stories always have a twist to it. This will be harder to do in longer stories, I think.
I have a full-length on the go, but it’s been tucked away in a drawer for a long time. You may remember I did a feature last year with the first chapter and got lots of great feedback from everyone (including you). However, I don’t seem to have any desire to write a novel. My passion is still with short stories and flash fiction. Murder/mystery will always remain one of the genres I will write, though.
Yes, I do remember your story (and the first chapter on the bus) and I hope you’ll edit and publish it in due time. Sounds like you’ve found your niche and what you are good and comfortable with! 🙂
This is excellent Hugh 💜
Thank you so much, Willow.
Oh!!! 😳
If the mozzies didn’t get Michael, maybe the rozzers will? 😉
I’m sure karma has plans for him.
Must remember to stay away from insect repellent 😉 Nice one, Hugh!
And don’t picnic in any woods, Cathy.
Oh yes! That too.
😱😂
Strong stuff 🙂
They may be tiny, but those flying insects are strong in many ways.