Hugh's Views & News  

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

,

Flash Fiction – In The Blink Of An Eye

Published by

Hugh W. Roberts

on

April 2, 2024, prompt: Write a story that happens in a flash in 99 words (no more, no less). A flash of inspiration? A flash flood? Who shows up in a flash? Who is impacted for a lifetime by a single flash incident? Go where the prompt leads!

In The Blink Of An Eye – by Hugh W. Roberts

The time machine hummed to life in a blink, thrusting me into a whirlwind of eras. Past and future blurred into a kaleidoscope of moments.

I glimpsed dinosaurs roaming prehistoric jungles, the crowning of kings and queens in medieval and Tudor castles, and cities bustling with futuristic wonders.

Time was a relentless river; I was a fleeting leaf upon its currents.

With a final flash, I returned to the present, breathless and exhilarated. Yet, in my mind, the echoes of centuries persisted, a reminder that anyone can journey through the annals of time in the blink of an eye.

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

Image of a flash of lightning across a dark sky.
Image credit: Charli Mills

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

Copyright @ 2024 hughsviewsandnews.com – All rights reserved.

Discover more from Hugh’s Views & News  

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

43 responses to “Flash Fiction – In The Blink Of An Eye”

  1. Dan Antion avatar
    Dan Antion

    This one is very good, Hugh. I could feel the world rushing by.

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

      That’s exactly what I thought the leaf was experiencing as it rushed by on the fast-flowing stream, Dan.

      Reply
  2. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar
    Terri Webster Schrandt

    Great story, Hugh. Time travel in the blink of an eye and in 99 words! I love how you were inspired by walking over a fast-running stream. Way cool!

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

      Yes, ideas for stories can come at any time, Terri. Even while out walking in the rain with the dogs, I saw that leaf travelling down that fast flowing stream and instantly thought it was like time travelling.
      Thanks for the thumbs-up on this piece of flash.

      Reply
  3. Eugi avatar
    Eugi

    You know, to go back in time and see happenings through your own eyes could be scary and exhilarating. I feel a leaf going down a relentless river and experiencing history would be a once in a lifetime adventure but what you end up in a bad situation? Will bad or good memories persist? This is great writing, Hugh, and would make a great series, IMO.

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

      Thank, Eugi. Whenever I have the chance to go back in time, I always go back to happy memories and the happier times. They help a lot.

      Reply
      1. Eugi avatar
        Eugi

        You’re welcome, Hugh. I prefer to go back to happier memories, as well.

        Reply
  4. willowdot21 avatar
    willowdot21

    A great story Hugh from a genre I really like 💜

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

      Time travel is my favourite of them all, Willow.

      Reply
  5. Brenda avatar
    Brenda

    Loved this Hugh. Usually we think about using time machines to travel either backwards or forward. I guess it’s not instant, but books give us that window into different times. Feeling inspired, then a visit to Watersstones for some time travelling

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

      That crossed my mind about going forward or back, Brenda. But then I asked myself what if there was another dimension that we could travel in time. That’s what I went with and changed part of the story to ‘cities bustling with futuristic wonders,’ rather than witnessing the first man to walk on the moon.

      Glad you enjoyed this piece of flash. It was a walk over a stream that after heavy rain last week that bought the story to my mind.

      Reply
      1. Brenda avatar
        Brenda

        It surprises me what triggers our thoughts sometimes.

        Reply
  6. Mr. Ohh's Sideways View avatar
    Mr. Ohh’s Sideways View

    in the blink on an eye, three generations of E-Coli can come and go. Those same bactteria can kill a man, who might have lived a hundred years. It boggles the mind. 🤣🙃😎

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

      I hope there is no E-Coli in the family, Michael.

      Reply
      1. Mr. Ohh's Sideways View avatar
        Mr. Ohh’s Sideways View

        Not yet anyway. But they’re breeding faster than we are 🤣🤣🙃

        Reply
  7. JT Twissel avatar
    JT Twissel

    A different sort of piece for you Hugh – wise and zen-like.

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

      Thank you, Jan. It was a trip over our local stream that gave me the idea for this story.

      Reply
  8. Author Jan Sikes avatar
    Author Jan Sikes

    Love, love, love this, Hugh!!

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

      Thanks, Jan. Please do tell me why you loved it so much as it helps me going forward with future stories.

      Reply
      1. Author Jan Sikes avatar
        Author Jan Sikes

        To me, even though it’s fiction, it’s also representative of present day life and all the history we have access to. We have our own virtual time machines. That is what I loved about it, being able to relate it to my current world.

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

          Thank you, Jan. That’s great feedback and will certainly help me with my future stories and writing.

          Reply
  9. Jennie avatar
    Jennie

    Well done, Hugh! “Time was a relentless river; I was a fleeting leaf upon its currents.” Wow!

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

      Thanks, Jennie.

      I got the line you mentioned from the small stream at the bottom of the road I live on. I cross the bridge over it almost everyday and stood there and watched the leaves taking a ride downstream. The stream was fast-flowing due to the heavy rain we’d had.

      Reply
      1. Jennie avatar
        Jennie

        Lovely! Thanks for the backstory.

        Reply
  10. Kymber Hawke avatar
    Kymber Hawke

    I really enjoyed this, Hugh! :)

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

      Thanks, Kymber. What was it that made you enjoy it? I’d love to know more as it helps me with future stories.

      Reply

Feel free to leave a comment. Engagement helps keep blogs alive and forms community.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hello,

I’m Hugh

A high-angle, overhead portrait of a man standing on a green grass lawn, looking straight up toward the camera with a gentle smile. He is wearing a light blue Gant polo shirt, dark blue jeans with his hands in his pockets, and clean white sneakers.

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

Latest posts

Subscribe to Hugh’s Views And News

Latest Posts

  • Illustration with the words Blogging Tips for your success surrounded by icons and keywords like content, engagement, ideas, and consistency
    WordPress.com Comment Problems? Here’s What’s Going On
    Are you suddenly unable to leave comments on WordPress.com blogs, or being asked to log in even when you’re already signed in? I’m sharing details of these current WordPress comment glitches, what engineers have confirmed, and a temporary workaround via the Reader.
  • A wide shot looking up a steep, winding set of outdoor stone stairs surrounded by lush green forest foliage. Several people with backpacks are seen hiking up the steps with handrails on either side. In the foreground, a brown tag attached to a metal post reads "SUNDAY STILLS: STEPS AND STAIRS" in handwritten capital letters.
    Sunday Stills Photo Challenge: Steps & Stairs
    Explore the playful side of steps and stairs in this week’s Sunday Stills photo challenge. From optical-illusion doorways and autumn-leafed stone steps to a corgi “research assistant” and a mysterious figure at the top of the stairs. Plus simple guidelines to share your own creative images. Everyone is welcome to join in.
  • An intricate, dew-covered spider web is spun between autumn branches in a soft-focus woodland setting. Glistening water droplets coat every strand of the web, highlighting its geometric pattern against a backdrop of vibrant orange, brown, and green oak leaves. Tied to the centre of the web by a small piece of twine is a weathered, cream-coloured paper tag. The tag features the text "- Sunday Stills" printed on the top line, with the word "EPHEMERAL" written in all capital letters directly underneath it. The morning light filters through the trees, casting a warm, atmospheric glow over the entire scene.
    Sunday Stills Photo Challenge: Capturing Ephemeral Moments
    Explore the beauty of what doesn’t last: double rainbows, coffee-foam creatures, funhouse-style mirror reflections, beach footprints swept away by the tide, and fireworks fading into the dark. As your temporary Sunday Stills host, I explain how to join this week’s “Ephemeral” Sunday Stills photo challenge and share your own creative take.
  • Illustration with the words Blogging Tips for your success surrounded by icons and keywords like content, engagement, ideas, and consistency
    Stop Spam Now: How To Clean Spambots Off Your WordPress Blog Fast
    Spam comments and bogus followers don’t just clutter your blog; they can damage your blog’s rankings and put your readers at risk. Learn how to recognise suspicious comments and Gravatars, spot ‘like’ button abuse, and use the improved Jetpack Subscribers page to block and remove spammers for good.
  • A vintage-style graphic image titled "If You Happen to See the Most Beautiful Woman in the World: A Story by Hugh W. Roberts" under a banner reading "STORY CHAT DIGEST." On the right, a long-haired woman in a coat stands with her back turned, looking into a window glass reflection showing a woman's face. The background depicts a foggy, sepia-toned London scene featuring Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and a double-decker bus. In the bottom-left foreground, a cup of coffee rests next to a pen and a notebook on a wooden surface, with the mug decorated with a silhouette of London landmarks.
    The Writing Slump That Led to ‘The Most Beautiful Woman in the World’
    What do you do when struggling to write a blog post or piece of fiction? I turn to writing prompts or photos, but a vivid memory from the 1980s of a stylish young woman in a London department store has also recently helped me. That decades-old image has now become a haunting new tale featured on Marsha Ingrao’s Story Chat Digest. Have you seen the most beautiful woman in the world recently?
  • Illustration with the words Blogging Tips for your success surrounded by icons and keywords like content, engagement, ideas, and consistency
    From Fear to Fix: Letting AI Redesign My WordPress About Page
    Your About page might be one of the most visited parts of your blog—so why is it often the last thing we update? In this post, I share how I overcame fear of “breaking” my ‘Meet Hugh’ page by letting WordPress’s AI assistant suggest and implement layout changes, saving me hours of frustration.

Looking for your next quick read? Try my books

An image of book covers, book, tablet and mobile phone, for the book Glimpses.
An image for the book More Glimpses - showing a book cover, tablet and mobile phone.

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!

318 posts
10 followers
A widget with the words 'Team Effort - Story Chat Digest - Where Authors Meet - Author'

Most Viewed Posts & Pages Over The Last 24 Hours

Lifesavers #flashfictionNov 2, 2020Hugh W. Roberts
Flash Fiction - Blue SkyFlash Fiction – Blue SkyJun 16, 2025Hugh W. Roberts
Hot DatesHot DatesMay 9, 2019Hugh W. Roberts
True Stories: Gay Memories - The Day My Life Changed #LGBTQI #LGBTTrue Stories: Gay Memories – The Day My Life Changed #LGBTQI #LGBTOct 1, 2020Hugh W. Roberts
Harnessing AI in Blogging: Benefits, Challenges, and Personal InsightsHarnessing AI in Blogging: Benefits, Challenges, and Personal InsightsMar 27, 2025Hugh W. Roberts

Recommend Blogs To Follow

Roaming About
A Life Less Ordinary
Second Wind Leisure Perspectives
Second Wind Leisure Perspectives
Fun, Photography & Friends
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
Boomer Eco Crusader
Boomer Eco Crusader
Live Green | Declutter | Simplify Life
SONGS AND SCRIPTS AND DUNKING BISCUITS
Every day tales of a winging-it creative
Jacqueline Lambert
Jacqueline Lambert
Award-Winning Travel Humour Writer
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
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
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
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

494,603 hits

272,660 visitors

Scan the QR code to follow me on Bluesky

Copyright Protected Blog


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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.