June 6, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that features stone-stacking. How does the activity fit into a story? Who is involved? What is the tone? Do the stones have special meaning? Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.
Secret Of The Stones – by Hugh W. Roberts
“These stacked stones are where I buried Fluffy.
When I cried, Fluffy comforted me.
When I had nobody to talk to, Fluffy would always listen.
He was a big part of my life, but he shouldn’t have told me to keep our secret.
Things got a bit out of hand when I told my teacher, Mrs Price, the secret.
Fluffy got angry, so I had to kill him.
Now I come to the stacked stones and talk to him every day.
It’s a good job. Fluffy is only an imaginary friend; otherwise, we’d both be in lots of trouble.”
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Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.
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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘Glimpses.’
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Glimpses
28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.
Paperback – £4.99
Kindle – £0.99
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Hugh's Views & News 
Brilliant story, love the darkness to it, leaves the mind wondering. KL ♥️
I’m glad you saw the darkness in this piece of flash, KL. That’s what I was hoping readers would pick up on.
Oh, interesting. I wonder what the secret was? I’ve probably watched to many horror movies, but part of me suspects Fluffy was actually real, in some sense.
That was precisely where my line of thought was going when I wrote this piece, Natasha. We’re on the same wavelength.
That’s so funny, Hugh. I laughed out loud at your suprise ending. I was trying to predict, but definitely didn’t go there. 😂
Thanks, Norah. It’s interesting to hear the different takes on this flash fiction piece. While writing it, it wanted to go off in several different directions.
Writing the different endings could make an interesting compilation.
Well done, Hugh!
This is brilliant!
You have the most incredible and uncanny way of saying so much in these 99 words. Talk about a string of opposite emotions within the turn of a few words! Stellar, dear Hugh!
Cher xoxoxo
Thank you, Cher. And what lovely feedback on my 99-word stories. The more I do them, the better I get (I think).
Time for the looney bin, Hugh. Ha ha. So twisted! Hard to tell what’s real and what’s imaginary.
I’m so pleased that’s how you saw the story, Diana. What’s real and imaginary is what I had in mind when I wrote it. And twisted? Absolutely.
Always a delight to read your flash pieces, Hugh. 🙂
I wonder if your imaginary friend will come back to haunt you for killing him!
I never had an imaginary friend, but the real storyteller certainly did.
Cool story.
Thanks!
Your story reminds me and inspires….
As the oldest child, I spent several years alone before my sister was able to do anything more than drool. During this time my friend Franklin kept me company. Franklin was rather tall. He would sit comfortably in the reclining chair in our living room, but his legs stuck out rather far. I warned my mother not to sit on Franklin but I said nothing of his legs. When she tripped over them she yelled that Franklin must go! That’s when Franklin got up and walked out. I never saw my imaginary friend again.
That’s a great piece of flash fiction based on a true story, Will. I’m glad my piece of flash inspired you to share it. That’s a wicked twist at the end.
btw, I’m reading your tags to make mine better. Hope you don’t mind.
Not at all, Will. I’m always happy to help.
Just bought Glimpses. Looking forward to a collection of your stories!!
Will, thank you so much for buying my first book of a collection of flash fiction and short stories. I hope you enjoy it, especially the story about the group of bloggers who discover a killer app. Happy reading.
Fun twist… I hope you don’t end up in imaginary prison for a fake murder 🙂
Imaginary prisons can be awful places.
https://hughsviewsandnews.com/2022/04/29/flash-fiction-friday-the-prison-cell/
Really must try this exercise,Hugh.Unfortunately this story brought back a memory,both sad and silly,in equal measures. I had a rabbit who died when I was ten.My father said it was because I’d given her wet dandelion leaves.Unbelievably, I believed him, and felt guilty for years – until David, husband ,pointed out the obvious…wild rabbits eat wet dandelion leaves….
What a horrible thing your father told you, Judith. I had a pet rabbit too, but I can’t remember what happened to it. My biggest claim to fame, though, is a goldfish called Syliva. I had her for 26 years. It was like the end of the world for me when she passed away.
The 99-word flash fiction challenge at the Carrot Ranch is something I enjoy a lot. It’s my favourite writing challenge. Because you only have 99 words to tell a story, it makes you think about all the words you’re using. I hope you’ll be able to join sometime. There is a lovely bunch of writers who participate every week.
I suppose dead imaginary friends should have a stone memorial, Hugh! I thought Fluffy was a furbaby of some kind. Fun read with your usual twist!
It’s interesting hearing what readers think Fluffy is, Terri and what they feel about the story as a whole.
I really like this one, Hugh. Truly a nice twist, as I thought you were on the murder path again. 🙂 You must be getting good at keeping it at 99 words with all this practice. Is it getting easier? Do you have a good feel of how long the flash fiction stories can/should be?
Thanks, Liesbet.
The 99-word flash fiction challenge has become my favourite writing challenge. Flash fiction has grown on me, although I wouldn’t say it has gotten easier to write. But it is something I always enjoy writing. Sometimes, I’m at a loss for what to write. It all depends on the prompt.
From what I have been told, flash fiction can be a story of up to 1,000 words. However, I have also heard some people say anything up to 2,500 words. It depends on who is telling you. I think once a piece of fiction exceeds 1,000 words, it becomes a short story.
I love this Hugh…. Though sometimes I worry about you 😜😜😜
Glad you liked it, Willow. The dark side of my creative mind won again.
Lol it often does God loves you💜💜💜
LOLOLOLOL . . . .
Good grief, Hugh, I was thinking Fluffy was a cat!
I’m glad you thought fluffy was an animal, Noelle. I wonder how many people have the nickname Fluffy?
Let’s hope he was an imaginary friend 😱
Exactly, Erika. And if Fluffy was not imaginary, I wonder what secret he had with the storyteller?
Which way ever, there would be “corpses in the cellar.”
Such a sweet story.
That’s interesting how you say you found this story sweet. I’m interested to see what other readers say.