,

Buried

October 14, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that embraces the mud. What is the mud, real or metaphor? How does it transform a character or place? What happens? Go where the prompt leads!


Buried – by Hugh W. Roberts

Time was running out. 

It wouldn’t be long before he got found out.

Burying it, he quickly removed any signs of disturbance. 

The heavy rain and thunder didn’t help. 

With mud stuck to his hair, his clothes, and over his hands, even his fingernails would give the game away.

Although the mud had swallowed up the object, he couldn’t relax.   

“Adrian!” exclaimed Richard. “I’m home.”

Just in time, thought Adrian, as he lay a fork next to a tea plate. 

When Richard cut into a slice of chocolate mud cake with the fork and discovered the ring, he’d propose.  

***

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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48 responses to “Buried”

  1. Michael B. Fishman avatar

    You had me leaning so far I was just about to fall! Nice surprise and nice ending and a nice smile (on my part) for a sweet proposal.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Thanks, Michael. Glad you never saw the twist coming.

  2. Charli Mills avatar

    You got me! I thought you were heading to a grim place, and then — cake! And a proposal. Sweet.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Glad my words led you up the wrong path to that twist, Charli.

  3. Norah avatar

    Love it, Hugh. I hope Richard does too. It isn’t the ending I was expecting. You’ve written too many horror stories for me to expect romance.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Thanks, Norah. I’m sure Richard did, although if I were Adrian, I’d be tempted to keep a watch on Richard so that he doesn’t end up swallowing the buried engagement ring.

      1. Norah avatar

        I believe that could happen. It reminds of the coins that used to be hidden in Christmas puddings.

        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

          Yes, I remember the hidden coins in Christmas puddings. The excitement of finding one was lovely, but I always remember the faces of adults in the room as we chewed bits of pudding.

          1. Norah avatar

            I wonder what expressions were on the faces.

            1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

              From what I recall – one of concern.

            2. Norah avatar

              Interesting. Did they think you would swallow it?

            3. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

              I think so, yes, mainly because my love of Christmas pudding means I eat it very fast.

            4. Norah avatar

              I eat slow to savour. :)

  4. Liesbet @ Roaming About avatar

    Good one, High! I’m glad you are having so much fun with these prompts. We have some “caked mud” attached to our truck and camper these days as well, after driving through the clay and sand after a rain storm and finishing off with a tricky drive through the snow. :-)

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      I’m having loads of fun with including these two characters in my pieces of flash fiction, Liesbet. My next post on my column at the Carrot Ranch will be about them.

      Snow? Already? Wow!

  5. Liz H avatar

    Sweet story!

  6. Story Chat Summary: “Puddles” by Hugh Roberts – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write avatar

    […] 232 recent views, 55 likes, and 119 comments, Hugh Roberts has launched Story Chat Year Two into a fantastic start. One of the things that makes Story Chat so […]

  7. D. Avery @shiftnshake avatar

    Yes that went from dark to light and chocolate too! Nicely done.

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