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Flash Fiction Friday – The Duvet, The Thread And The Wardrobe

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Hugh W. Roberts

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June 27, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about swarms. What could swarm? How does the swarm impact the people or place in your story? Is there something unusual about the swarm? Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.

The Duvet, The Thread And The Wardrobe – by Hugh W. Roberts

It was hardly a swarm, but they kept coming. A trickle at first, but the more Pauline pulled at the thread on the duvet cover she’d found in the attic, the more they swarmed.

Eventually, Pauline killed them with the hardcover book she grabbed from the bedside table before vacuuming them up with the battery-operated handheld hoover she’d found in the box hidden at the back of the old wardrobe the previous owner had left.

The following morning, there was no sign of Pauline or the swarm of whatever had eaten her. Not even the handheld hoover needed emptying.

***

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.

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25 responses to “Flash Fiction Friday – The Duvet, The Thread And The Wardrobe”

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

    […] Flash Fiction Friday – The Duvet, The Thread And The Wardrobe […]

    Reply
  2. Liz H avatar
    Liz H

    Soooooo creepy. Well done, Hugh!

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

      Thank you, Liz. Glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  3. Gary A Wilson avatar
    Gary A Wilson

    Yikes Hugh.
    Guys like you should not be trusted near an attic.
    Fun but creepy stuff.

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

      I never go in the attic, Gary. Nor does my partner. We have this rule that we don’t put anything up there because it’ll never come out again.

      Glad you enjoyed my creepy tale.

      Reply
  4. Swarms Collection « Carrot Ranch Literary Community avatar
    Swarms Collection « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

    […] The Duvet, the Thread and the Wardrobe by Hugh W. Roberts […]

    Reply
  5. Charli Mills avatar
    Charli Mills

    That gives me chills, Hugh! Great detail about the Hoover containing no trace of evidence.

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

      Thank you, Charli. I wonder if Pauline was indeed eaten alive?

      Reply
  6. Mabel Kwong avatar
    Mabel Kwong

    Brilliant story-telling. Seems like Pauline didn’t kill them all. Something was out hunting overnight and seems like the swarm eats anything and everything. Personally I am not a fan of bugs especially swarms of bugs at home. I really do like my place neat and tidy. Don’t like nasty surprises and creepy crawlies. Hope you are well and enjoying summer, Hugh :)

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

      Thank you, Mabel.

      I’m not a fan of bugs either, but after writing this flash piece, I try to show them the door rather than end their lives. And, of course, summer is the time for lots of bugs. One of the reasons why I’m not a big fan of summer. Give me spring or autumn, and I’m much less grumpy because of the heat and humidity.

      Reply
  7. dgkaye avatar
    dgkaye

    Oh no! Hoovered by the swarm? Lol :)

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

      She obviously didn’t get all of them when using the hoover, Debby.

      Reply
      1. dgkaye avatar
        dgkaye

        Uh oh! :)

        Reply
  8. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar
    Terri Webster Schrandt

    Ka-reepy, Hugh! Great take on the prompt…swarm just lends itself to bugs! Like you, I try to show certain insects to the door, but when it comes to ants and those little fruit flies, I kill ’em 🐜

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

      Whatever you do, don’t try vacuuming those dead insects up, Terri.

      Reply
      1. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar
        Terri Webster Schrandt

        I won’t….do you remember an episode about cockroaches being swept down the kitchen sink drain in either a Twilight zone or Outer Limits TV show in the 80s? that really creeped me out…those cockroaches took their revenge much like your description. Eww.

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

          I remember a movie called Creepshow, with five scary stories, one featuring cockroaches, Terri. I haven’t seen them on the original Twilight Zone, so maybe the episode you’re referring to is from a later version of the show or The Outer Limits? I’ve yet to see The Outer Limits, but it sounds like a good show.

          Reply
          1. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar
            Terri Webster Schrandt

            Hmmm, Creepshow might be the one. I was referring to later TZ and Outer limits. But Creepshow sounds right. I’m not surprised that you know it!

            Reply
  9. JT Twissel avatar
    JT Twissel

    The swarm evidently didn’t like the vacuum cleaner!

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

      I wonder why they didn’t eat it? Perhaps too full from eating Pauline?

      Reply
  10. Miss Judy avatar
    Miss Judy

    Creepy! Good use of two prompts.

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

      Thank you. I’m glad you think so.

      Reply
  11. willowdot21 avatar
    willowdot21

    Oh! So scary … Thank goodness hubby never kills insect or for that matter anything!

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

      Same here, Willow. I show them the door (or window) and hope they will take the hint.

      Reply
      1. willowdot21 avatar
        willowdot21

        That’s the best way 🙂

        Reply

Leave a reply to willowdot21 Cancel reply

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