February 21, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the phrase, “I’d rather be…” You fill in what comes next. What would a character(s) rather be doing and why? How can you use the phrase as a literary device? Go where the prompt leads! Click here for full details.


Have We Been Here Before? – by Hugh W. Roberts

Five friends declared what they wanted from their lives while sitting around a table.

“I’d rather be sleeping with Angela’s husband than my husband,” declared Hilary.

“I’d rather be a loving housewife and mother than a successful sales executive who dies from stress,” stated Rose.

“I’d rather not be a murderer,” said Angela.

“I’d rather be anybody than Rose’s boss,” stated Claire.

“I’d rather be honest with you all,” announced Wendy, pulling out a gun. “I hate you all.”

“What’s the afterlife like?” asked a familiar voice from an unknown source. “I have five friends here asking the question.”

***

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

***

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

***

Follow Hugh on his social media platforms by clicking the buttons below.

Copyright © 2022 hughsviewsandnews.com – All rights reserved.


Discover more from Hugh’s Views & News  

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

27 responses to “Flash Fiction Friday – Have We Been Here Before?”

  1. Norah avatar

    So Wendy put an end to that conversation quick smart, and topped herself as well. I’m pleased I didn’t belong to that group of friends. Well done, Hugh. A perfect Hugh ending.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Thanks, Norah. Yes, I think Wendy had the right idea. Not a group of friends I’d like to be a part of.

      1. Norah avatar

        It’s a sure way to end friendships. 😅

  2. Jules avatar

    A completely suspenseful, superb surprise write to the prompt.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
  3. suespitulnik avatar

    WOW, you got me and I liked it. Well done.

  4. I’d Rather Be… Collection « Carrot Ranch Literary Community avatar

    […] Have We Been Here Before by Hugh W. Roberts […]

  5. willowdot21 avatar

    You get me everytime 😜💜🇺🇦

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      I like that, Willow.

  6. Sadje avatar

    This was unexpected! 😱

      1. Sadje avatar

        You’re welcome

  7. Erika avatar

    That’s an unexpected twist… but is there ever an expected one in your stories 🤔😂

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      I’ll surprise you all one day with no twist. But will that be the twist?

      1. Aimer Boyz avatar
        Aimer Boyz

        LOL!

  8. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar

    Whoa, I don’t know what I was expecting, but… whoa…not the kinds of friends we need, Hugh. Well done!

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      We never quite know what friendship is like, do we, Terri? It can often have a dark side that we don’t know anything about until it’s too late.

  9. JT Twissel avatar

    True confessions time can be most awkward!

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      And not a drop of alcohol was consumed.

  10. Colleen M. Chesebro avatar

    Oh, Hugh… that was chilling! Wow!! I never saw that coming.  😳

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Hi Colleen, I always love reading the words ‘ I never saw that coming.’

      1. Colleen M. Chesebro avatar

        Ha, Ha! You are the best at getting those unexpected endings, Hugh. I always enjoy your surprises. <3

Leave a reply to JT Twissel Cancel reply

I’m Hugh

Welcome to my blog. I’m delighted to have you here. This is the place to discover tips on blogging and WordPress, flash fiction, photography, and more. I enjoy engaging with my readers, so please feel free to explore, join discussions, and contact me. I’m happy to assist! Find out more about me and my blog by clicking the ‘Meet Hugh’ button.

Let’s connect

Subscribe to Hugh’s Views And News

Latest Posts

Follow Hugh in the Fediverse

Hugh's Views & News  
Hugh's Views & News  
@hughsviewsandnews.com@hughsviewsandnews.com

WordPress & Blogging tips, flash fiction, photography and lots more!

402 posts
6 followers

Recommend Blogs To Follow


Boomer Eco Crusader
Boomer Eco Crusader
Live Green | Declutter | Simplify Life

Jacqueline Lambert
Jacqueline Lambert
Award-Winning Travel Humour Writer

Spo-Reflections
Spo-Reflections
To live is to battle with trolls in the vaults of heart and brain. To write; this is to sit in judgment over one's Self. Henrik Ibsen

Anne R. Allen’s Blog… with Ruth Harris
Writing about writing. Mostly.

Fancying France
The musings of a ‘femme d’un certain âge’ who divides her time between SW France and SE England

SONGS AND SCRIPTS AND DUNKING BISCUITS
Every day tales of a winging-it creative

Marsha Ingrao         Always Write
Marsha Ingrao Always Write
Having fun blogging with friends

Curiosities, Castles and Coffee Shops
Curiosities, Castles and Coffee Shops
The musings of a curious mind

WrookieSchU
WrookieSchU
Live life 🙌🏼

WPcomMaven
WPcomMaven
Helping you make the most of your free WordPress.com website since 2011

Second Wind Leisure Perspectives
Second Wind Leisure Perspectives
Fun, Photography & Friends

Share Your Light
Share Your Light
You are a miracle – Let it happen

No Facilities
No Facilities
Random thoughts, life lessons, hopes and dreams

Esther Chilton
Writer, Tutor and Editor

Roaming About
A Life Less Ordinary

Saying nothing in particular
Saying nothing in particular
Jan … JT Twissel

The Chicago Files
The Chicago Files
A Canadian Perspective on Living in the Windy City!

Thank you to all my visitors

469,291 hits

252,718 visitors

Most Viewed Posts & Pages

Copyright Protected Blog

COPYRIGHT ©2011-2031 Hugh’s Views And News BLOG – All Rights Reserved.

This work by Hugh W. Roberts, and/or Hugh’s Views And News blog, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material (text and images) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. If you want to use posts, excerpts, photos and links, you may contact me first. You must give full and clear credit to Hugh W. Roberts and Hugh’s Views And News dot com with links to the original content.