July 8, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that features feathers. It can be a single feather or more. Where did the feather come from? Does it hold meaning to the character or story? Go where the prompt leads!
Follow The Feathers – by Hugh W. Roberts
Slowly opening the front door, thirteen-year-old Adrian listened for signs of life.
Confident that nobody was home, he stepped inside.
Should he go to the kitchen for snacks or upstairs to turn on his new Playstation?
The strange coloured feathers had the answer. Adrian picked them up as he ascended the stairs.
Walking past his parents’ bedroom, he suddenly stopped. She was wearing her favourite dress and feathered boa, applying makeup and doing her hair in the dressing table mirror, a figure he knew.
“Mum?”
“Adrian!” came the deep voice of his father, turning round to face his son.
***
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 
A world evoked in 99 words. Masterful, Hugh.
Thanks so much, Doug.
And then Adrian danced with his Dad! A moment of bonding, of freedom, feathers falling all around them.
What a lovely conclusion, Charli.
Lol, love the surprise ending! 🙂 xx
Thanks, Debby.
That was a surprise. It made me laugh. I wonder if Adrian laughed. Well done.
Thank you. I know Adrian did laugh, Norah. And he went on to meet his perfect partner and spent many happy years together.
Great news!
Check out Charli’s comment. It’s perefct
It is!
That surprised me! Well done.
Love,
Janie
Thank you, Janie. Glad you enjoyed it.
I am almost as surprised as Adrian. I am wondering where they go from here.
Well, given the first piece of flash Adrian appeared in (Edge Of Summer), I don’t think it affected Adrian in later life. We may well find out in future pieces, depending on what prompt Charli gives us.
Big smile on my face! Luckily folks can be accepted and loved for who they really are!
Absolutely, and it should always be like that, Jan.
Glad it made you smile.
Oh great take on the challenge and loved the closing.
Thank you so much.
You’re welcome. 🙂
Another interesting twist Hugh. It’s amazing how a word count concentrates the mind 💜
These word count challenges go such a long way in helping us improve our writing and storytelling, Willow. I’m so thankful to the bloggers hosting them.
So am I , I really think my writing has improved because of them 💜
After reading your twisty tales over the years, I should have seen this coming, Hugh, well done!
Thanks, Terri. I’m going to have to surprise you all with a few untwisted endings.
Good job, Hugh. You always have a great twist at the end.
Thanks, Cathy. I enjoy making these twists come to life. They often come to me first before the rest of the story does.
Well done! I liked this one.
Thank you, Darlene. I’m glad you like it.
Great work Hugh, you managed to convey so much in a mere 99 words!
Thanks, Debbie. I always enjoy the challenges Charli set us to tell a story in 99 words. I’ve been told that my storytelling has improved a lot since I participated in these challenges. Glad you enjoyed this one.