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Flash Fiction Friday – Don’t Do This With New Clothes

Published by

Hugh W. Roberts

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February 14, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about zippers. What are the zippers for? What challenges do they present to the story? Go where the prompt leads! Click here for full details.

Don’t Do This With New Clothes – by Hugh W. Roberts

She’d been lucky. Nobody had noticed the price tag still attached to the dress she wore at the Christmas party.

While packing up the dress into the returns envelope to get a full refund, she noticed a zip just above the hem inside the dress.

‘That wasn’t there before,’ she announced.

Unzipping the mysterious zip, she placed her hand inside the hole. A hand grabbed her and pulled her inside the dress, but nobody heard her scream.

Although her husband filed a missing person report, she was never found and lived in darkness for the rest of her years.

***

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.

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53 responses to “Flash Fiction Friday – Don’t Do This With New Clothes”

  1. Story Chat Y2 Summary – “Handle with Caution” by KL Caley – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write avatar
    Story Chat Y2 Summary – “Handle with Caution” by KL Caley – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

    […] Hugh W. Roberts This was a lighthearted tale, for me. I don’t read any signs of romance between Rosie and Tom. To me, they’re good friends who I am sure will go on to laugh a lot and have fun.Given the type of shop, she’s running, I’d say Rosie was into her witchcraft too, but, like Grannie, is a good witch.A fun read. And what I liked about it even more, is that it was simple to read. No strange, long words that my dyslexia doesn’t help with. It was a delightful short read with the hint of ‘Bewitched.’ […]

    Reply
  2. Marsha avatar
    Marsha

    I’m sorry for the zipped woman, but I’m actually laughing my head off. What’s up with that, Hugh? Shame on her!

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

      I can understand why you laughed at her, Marsha. When I wrote this piece of flash, I did the same.

      Reply
      1. Marsha avatar
        Marsha

        I bet, and to think it came out of your head! Amazing! :)

        Reply
  3. Aimer Boyz avatar
    Aimer Boyz

    Hah! That’s what you get for returning something you’ve worn! LOL :)

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

      Yes. Let it be a warning to all those that do it.

      Reply
  4. seaangel4444 avatar
    seaangel4444

    I love this, Hugh! Riveting! I’ll be checking my dresses for mysterious zippers! xoxoxo

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

      Thank you, Cher. I had a lot of fun writing this piece of flash fiction. Some of those who have read it may be a little worried.

      Reply
      1. seaangel4444 avatar
        seaangel4444

        *biggest grin*, dear Hugh! Cher xoxoxo

        Reply
  5. D. Wallace Peach avatar
    D. Wallace Peach

    Whoa. This dress seems determined not to be taken advantage of. Lol. I love your wild creativity, Hugh.

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

      Thank you. I think the dress has plenty of other ‘clothes’ friends, Diana.

      Reply
  6. Norah avatar
    Norah

    That’s a very Hugh story. Mystery, macabre and humour twisted into one. Well done.

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

      Thank you, Norah. Glad you thought so. I had a lot of fun writing this one.

      Reply
      1. Norah avatar
        Norah

        As I did reading it. :)

        Reply
  7. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar
    Terri Webster Schrandt

    So that’s the punishment for wearing and returning, Hugh? Hilarious!

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

      I believe so, Terri. But I never intend to find out.

      Reply
  8. Linda Schaub avatar
    Linda Schaub

    Ha ha – a little twist there to this story Hugh. :)

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

      Thanks, Linda. Glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  9. TanGental avatar
    TanGental

    Oh great. Now he’s making getting dressed a hammer house of horrors’ experience… is nothing safe. Just leave Bath time alone, ok

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

      Providing you don’t leave the sales tag on, you’re safe.

      Reply
  10. Gary A Wilson avatar
    Gary A Wilson

    I’ve heard of folks doing this.
    In this story I’d be tempted to do a chapter 2 where she meets the other souls trapped in that zipped lining.
    Is it just me or does this dress have a life of its own?

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

      I expect there would be many souls in there, Gary. But I can’t think of a more terrible ending than being alone in the dark for the rest of your life.
      I expect there are many more items of clothing that have a life of their own when they are worn once with the sales tag still attached.

      Reply
      1. Gary A Wilson avatar
        Gary A Wilson

        This was also a great tale that reminds us that we don’t get to steal from someone, not even temporarily, without paying a cost. That dangling price tag can chill one’s spine.

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

          Indeed, Gary. I hope it works as a warning to those tempted to do it or those who are doing it.

          Reply
  11. WellsFiction avatar
    WellsFiction

    Jeez. I’ll be thinking about this the next time I try on a pair of jeans. Great piece Hugh.

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

      Thank you. It was a fun piece to write, but not from my experience other than knowing certain people who send items back they have worn with the sales tags still attached.

      Reply
  12. Erika avatar
    Erika

    I hope those who are usually ordering clothes with that intention will read this. 😂

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

      Me too, Erika. I hear so many stories of people doing this and sending clothes back that they have worn that still have sales tags attached. If I ever see anyone with a sales tag hanging off a garment they are wearing, I’m very tempted to pull it off.

      Reply
      1. Erika avatar
        Erika

        Oh, yes, that reflex could happen to me too.

        Reply
  13. Annette Rochelle Aben avatar
    Annette Rochelle Aben

    Okay…

    Reply
  14. Liesbet @ Roaming About avatar
    Liesbet @ Roaming About

    Haha! That’ll teach her, and others reading your tale. :-)

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

      I hope so, Liesbet. Otherwise, I need to make this tale a little more frightening.

      Reply
  15. Sadje avatar
    Sadje

    A frightening dress/ zip! Great idea Hugh.

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

      Thanks, Sadje. I know of a few people who send back items of clothes after wearing them with the labels still attached. They gave me the idea for this piece of flash.

      Reply
      1. Sadje avatar
        Sadje

        I know a few of them too. In fact I saw a woman trying to return such a dress in Macy’s and getting so angry when the girl wouldn’t do it.

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

          Good for the salesgirl.

          Reply
          1. Sadje avatar
            Sadje

            If was tough situation

            Reply

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