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Flash Fiction Friday – Buttercup

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Hugh W. Roberts

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May 16, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about when a newly released prisoner meets the disabled veteran who adopted the puppy the prisoner trained behind bars. The prompt is based on the short story I wrote for Marsha Ingrao’s Story Chat. Yes, rewrite my story in your words, 99, no more, no less. Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.

Buttercup – by Hugh W. Roberts

“Good to see you back, James.”

“Have I missed much?”

“Nothing, apart from the 100-year war. We’d have lost if it were not for the secret weapon you trained while away.”

“I thought I recognised her.”

“Why did you name it Buttercup?”

“The prisoner I shared a cell with had a pet by the same name. I thought it suited her.”

“As you can see, I lost an arm and leg, but not in the war. I volunteered to be Buttercup’s victim. Now, tell us the secrets you learned about the human race while in one of their prisons.

***

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 ‘More Glimpses.’

***

32 short stories and flash fiction pieces take the reader to the edge of their imagination.

More Glimpses

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26 responses to “Flash Fiction Friday – Buttercup”

  1. May Story Chat Summary – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write avatar
    May Story Chat Summary – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

    […] HUGH’S VIEWS AND NEWS “I’m not a lover of ‘happy ending’, probably because I write more dark fiction than anything else, but I was engrossed in Charli’s story right from the first sentence. Her style of writing kept me hooked right to the last words. I liked that Charli included lots of the five senses -sight, hearing, smell, feel and taste, so I didn’t think about any plot holes. I was satisfied with the outcome and so glad that Marsha mentioned ‘Coincidence’ in one of her comments because, like fate, I believe in both. Coincidence worked for James in this story, and he’s given a second chance to get his life on the right track again. […]

    Reply
  2. Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up – May 2022 – Hugh's Views & News   avatar
    Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up – May 2022 – Hugh's Views & News  

    […] Flash Fiction Friday – Buttercup […]

    Reply
  3. Norah avatar
    Norah

    Intriguing story, Hugh. I’ve read through a few times and am not sure I get the detail, but I get the drift. Well done.

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

      Thank you. Writing Charli’s story in 99-words was challenging for me, Norah. I found it very difficult but wanted to take a different route to that of most of the other responses. I’m glad I got through it, though.

      Reply
      1. Norah avatar
        Norah

        You did well, Hugh.

        Reply
  4. lblooom avatar
    lblooom

    Such an interesting prompt and story

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

      Thank you.

      Reply
  5. Soldier, Prisoner, & Buttercup « Carrot Ranch Literary Community avatar
    Soldier, Prisoner, & Buttercup « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

    […] Buttercup by Hugh W. Roberts […]

    Reply
  6. noelleg44 avatar
    noelleg44

    Great twist to the story! When I think of Buttercup, I think of Princess Bride!

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

      I’m not sure who or what Princess Bride is. Glad you liked the twist, though.

      Reply
  7. JT Twissel avatar
    JT Twissel

    As usual you’ve taken this story above and beyond.

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

      Thank you. I’m glad you think so. It was a tough challenge rewriting an 800-word story in only 99 words. But it was great fun.

      Reply
  8. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar
    Terri Webster Schrandt

    You have the gift of turning any plot into sci-fi, Hugh! Love how your brain works. Once I scrolled and saw the image, I then imagined Buttercup to be a mean, fighting machine ;)

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

      Sci-fi is my favourite genre, Terri, so I always feel safe and happy when writing it. This was a tough challenge, given we had to rewrite an 800-word short story using no more than 99 words. Great fun, though.

      Reply
      1. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar
        Terri Webster Schrandt

        Fun indeed, Hugh!

        Reply
  9. Marsha avatar
    Marsha

    Your story was so real, I felt like I could have been there listening to this conversation. I was confused about him being Buttercup’s victim. Did Buttercup bite off his arm and leg, or what happened? Loved the story. No horror, though. What’s up with that?

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

      Thanks, Marsha. I enjoy writing dialogue stories.

      Buttercup was the name James gave to the weapon he trained while in prison. Not necessary a dog, but a weapon that won his race the 100-year war they’d been involved in. They had to test the weapon out on somebody, hence the volunteer. This was more of a sci-fi story than a horror story.

      Reply
      1. Marsha avatar
        Marsha

        How did I miss that? Wow, that puts a whole new spin on your story and makes it much more Hugh-like. :)

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

          Given we had to write an 800-word story in 99 words, I’m not surprised you missed it, Marsha. My partner didn’t understand the story, but he never read Charli’s story either.

          Reply
          1. Marsha avatar
            Marsha

            I don’t think someone would necessarily have to read Charli’s story but yours was more complex than some. :) I would expect that from you, though, Hugh. :)

            Reply
  10. Colleen Chesebro: WordCraftPoetry avatar
    Colleen Chesebro: WordCraftPoetry

    This was excellent, Hugh! I loved how you used the facts but changed the scene that Charli set. I had a much harder time changing the scene. <3

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

      It was a tough challenge, Colleen, but I enjoyed having a go. Well done for giving it a try. It really makes you cut back on all those redundant words.

      Reply
      1. Colleen Chesebro: WordCraftPoetry avatar
        Colleen Chesebro: WordCraftPoetry

        And, it was difficult to change the story a bit to make it your own… You did fabulous!

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

          Thank you, Colleen. I wanted to put a bit of me in the story, so I took the bones of Charli’s story and added a little bit of me into the mix.

          Reply
  11. KL Caley avatar
    KL Caley

    Oooh interesting take, Hugh! I didn’t see that coming. KL ❤️

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

      Thanks, KL. Turning Charli’s story into a sci-fi adventure was fun.

      Reply

Leave a reply to KL Caley Cancel reply

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