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Murder In Picnic Wood #flashfiction

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Hugh W. Roberts

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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.

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66 responses to “Murder In Picnic Wood #flashfiction”

  1. Tiny Flying Insects « Carrot Ranch Literary Community avatar
    Tiny Flying Insects « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

    […] Murder In Picnic Wood by Hugh W. Roberts […]

    Reply
  2. Norah avatar
    Norah

    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.

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

      Thanks, Norah. What’s on the outside can usually be as lethal as what’s in the inside.

      Reply
      1. Norah avatar
        Norah

        I hadn’t considered that before.

        Reply
  3. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. avatar
    Smorgasbord – Variety is the Spice of Life.

    Very good Hugh.. and let’s hope the insects did not become too contaminated from their feasting upon toxic Mary ….xxx

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

      Her toxic blood may well be the end for them, Sally.

      Reply
      1. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. avatar
        Smorgasbord – Variety is the Spice of Life.

        lol… xx

        Reply
  4. Charli Mills avatar
    Charli Mills

    Oh, Hugh, you did not disappoint! I love the interaction between the nagging and the action. well done.

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

      Thanks, Charli. I rather enjoyed writing the story of these two characters.

      Reply
  5. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar
    Terri Webster Schrandt

    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 😁

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

      Yes, I’m glad you saw that element of everything looking normal when it really isn’t, Terri.

      Reply
  6. Geoff Stamper avatar
    Geoff Stamper

    Powerful insects. Powerful spray. Powerful words!

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

      Thank you. Hopefully, a powerful court case is to follow.

      Reply
  7. JT Twissel avatar
    JT Twissel

    There are pests of all different sorts!

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

      There are. And some repellants seem to work on different species.

      Reply
  8. Erika avatar
    Erika

    So, that was a solution for all problems at once!!

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

      Yes, but let’s hope the shop has sold out of those cans of insect repellant.

      Reply
      1. Erika avatar
        Erika

        You are right, you know that could be an inspirstion for others …

        Reply
  9. Liesbet @ Roaming About avatar
    Liesbet @ Roaming About

    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!

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

      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?

      Reply
      1. Liesbet @ Roaming About avatar
        Liesbet @ Roaming About

        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?

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

          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).

          Reply
        2. Liesbet @ Roaming About avatar
          Liesbet @ Roaming About

          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.

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

            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.

            Reply
        3. Liesbet @ Roaming About avatar
          Liesbet @ Roaming About

          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! :-)

          Reply
  10. willowdot21 avatar
    willowdot21

    This is excellent Hugh 💜

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

      Thank you so much, Willow.

      Reply
  11. eob2 avatar
    eob2

    Oh!!! 😳

    Reply
  12. Clive avatar
    Clive

    If the mozzies didn’t get Michael, maybe the rozzers will? 😉

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

      I’m sure karma has plans for him.

      Reply
  13. Cathy avatar
    Cathy

    Must remember to stay away from insect repellent 😉 Nice one, Hugh!

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

      And don’t picnic in any woods, Cathy.

      Reply
      1. Cathy avatar
        Cathy

        Oh yes! That too.

        Reply
  14. Chris The Story Reading Ape avatar
    Chris The Story Reading Ape

    😱😂

    Reply
  15. Dan Antion avatar
    Dan Antion

    Strong stuff :)

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

      They may be tiny, but those flying insects are strong in many ways.

      Reply

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