September 30, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story uses the phrase, “across the water.” It can be any body of water distant or close. Who (or what) is crossing the water and why? Go where the prompt leads!


A Matter Of Life And Death – by Hugh W. Roberts

Holding on to Richard, Adrian looked out across the water.

“I told you I’d come back as a cat,” laughed Richard, “so I’m not keen being by the water.”

“But we promised we’d come to Brighton beach, ride the carousel and look out across the water on this date every year. Why wouldn’t we come this year?”

“Because it’s still too soon. Grief left empty-handed when you opened the door and let me in, but the answer to your future lays across the water.”

“But I can’t swim.”

“Who said anything about swimming to your future?” echoed Richards’s voice.

***

Richard and Adrian first appeared in Edge Of Summer – another piece of flash fiction written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge.

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.

***

Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love Glimpses

Glimpses

28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

***

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33 responses to “A Matter Of Life And Death”

  1. Story Chat Y2: “When Gratitude Is Hard to Come By” by Geoff Le Pard – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write avatar

    […] you believe Story Chat is one-fourth of the way through its year which starts each October. We met Hugh Roberts started this year with a spooky Halloween story, “Puddles.” Doug Jacquier broached the […]

  2. Story Chat Y2: “On the Streets” by Cathy Cade – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write avatar

    […] in Year Three and we’ve had a chance to meet two authors online and nearly in person already? Hugh Roberts started this project off this year with a spooky Halloween story, “Puddles.” Doug […]

  3. Across the Water « Carrot Ranch Literary Community avatar

    […] A Matter Of Life And Death by Hugh Roberts […]

  4. dgkaye avatar

    Aha! Do I detect a cliffhanger? :) x

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Cliffhangers are my heroes, Debby. I love leaving you all with ‘what next?’

      1. dgkaye avatar

        Yes you do, and we shall wait. :) x

  5. Year Two October Story Chat “Puddles” by Hugh Roberts – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write avatar

    […] you believe we’ve had a chance to meet twelve authors online and nearly in person already? Hugh Roberts started this project off last year with a spooky Halloween story, “People Under the […]

  6. JT Twissel avatar

    Oh my, cats can swim if they have to but I certainly wouldn’t want to make them do it!

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Me neither. Like me, they prefer their paws firmly on land.

  7. Charli Mills avatar

    Oh, the story continues! Makes me wonder what the future will be.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      The future is in the hands of the prompts, Charli.

  8. Norah avatar

    This is quite intriguing, Hugh. If not swimming, then what? Drowning?

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Or maybe getting on a boat to his future without Richard, Norah. We may find out soon (depending on Charli’s future prompts).

      1. Norah avatar

        I look forward to finding out, Hugh. I hope Charli’s prompt is just what’s needed for your story. :)

        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

          I’ve just read this week’s prompt and it looks like it’s going to work for Adrian and Richard, Norah.

  9. D. Avery @shiftnshake avatar

    Yes, these are likable characters and I’m always glad to catch up with them. This scene intimates that there is more to come.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Yes, lots more. I’m enjoying sharing more of their lives with you all, even if the pieces so far have been jumping forwards and backwards a lot.

  10. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar

    Hmmm, water, cat and swimming…will Richard the cat push Adrian in so they can be together? Good one Hugh! Also, I chuckled at the bootie-crack of the guy in the image. I get a whole other story in my head, LOL!! Good for you to be incubating a new story! Look forward to more!

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      I never noticed that in the image, Terri. Charli (the host) finds all the images for her 99-word flash fiction challenge. It’s what she says in the prompt that I tend to go with, though.
      I’m beginning to like these two recurring characters in my flash fiction pieces, even though what I’ve shared of their lives so far has been all jumbled up. You’ll be hearing lots more about them.

  11. Mr. Ohh's Sideways View avatar

    great stuff Hugh
    ;;
    ;;
    ;;
    Try Laughter You might like it

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Thank you. I never stop laughing.

  12. Aimer Boyz avatar
    Aimer Boyz

    “Who said…?” Hmmm, ominous.
    I like how you tie your flash fiction pieces together :)

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      I’m also adding some pingbacks to the previous flash fiction pieces I wrote that included these two characters. I’m beginning to like these two.

  13. Erika avatar

    Wow, what a sequel, Hugh!

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Thank you, Erika. These short flash pieces are all out of order, but I’m glad readers can still follow them.

      1. Erika avatar

        I have to be honest, I had to reread the previous ones. But I remembered thoses stories and even more the sequels go to heart.

        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

          I added some pingbacks to previous pieces, but thanks so much for rereading some of them, Erika.

          1. Erika avatar

            Yes, and I am glad you did, so I could reread them. So, thanks for those pingbacks, they were very helpful.

  14. willowdot21 avatar

    I love these two , Hugh 💜

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Thank you, Willow. I’m growing very fond of them as well. I can feel a book coming on.

      1. willowdot21 avatar

        I think it would be a huge success 😃

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