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Flash Fiction – Special Places

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Hugh W. Roberts

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Flash Fiction – Special Places

In her final moments, she clung to the happy memories this special place held for her—the vibrant parties, the infectious laughter, the shared joy, and the wonderful people she had connected with. Their smiling faces flickered in her mind, a bittersweet reminder of the past.

She remembered the day she’d lost the ring her parents had gifted her on her 21st birthday. Her future husband had found it and, at first, declined the reward her father had offered for its return. She was speechless that he had never proposed, but she’d been given away.

As she lay on the floor, her happy, special place slipping away, the recent memory of losing her tongue, a punishment for the incessant accusations, was excruciating. This place hadn’t been happy or special for all of the time, just most of the time. She needed to find her next happy, special place again.

Soon, a new special place will bring her happiness and peace.

Written for Esther Chilton’s writing prompt – Special Places

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35 responses to “Flash Fiction – Special Places”

  1. Story Chat Digest: The Shrew of Termagant Court by Gary A. Wilson – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write avatar
    Story Chat Digest: The Shrew of Termagant Court by Gary A. Wilson – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

    […] Hugh’s Views and News […]

    Reply
  2. Marsha avatar
    Marsha

    Did I read this right, Hugh? She literally lost her tongue, had it cut out, and now she is lying on the floor dying, trying to think happy thoughts? I’m queasy, if I am reading it all right. I’m assuming by this wonderful man who returned her ring, and later became her husband is the surgeon who removed her tongue? A man with whom she had spent mostly happy times until she started making accusations? Wow. No, I didn’t see it coming.

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

      Yes, her tongue was cut out by her husband for the accusations she was making, Marsha. There are no hints of if these accusations are true, but she was never happy in the arranged marriage she was forced into by her parents. There may have been some happy moments, but love did not live there after the marriage.

      Reply
      1. Marsha avatar
        Marsha

        Yikes! OMG! What a story. I hope there was no truth in it!!!

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

          All fiction, but I’m sure it’s also true, Marsha.

          Reply
          1. Marsha avatar
            Marsha

            Let’s hope not!! Abuse is permanent, but that is irreparable! Great story, though!

            Reply
  3. Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up - May 2025 avatar
    Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up – May 2025

    […] Flash Fiction – Special Places […]

    Reply
  4. Norah avatar
    Norah

    It’s good to read some of your twisted flash fiction again, Hugh. I’m pleased her final moments took her to a special place.

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

      Thank you, Norah. I’m glad you enjoyed this one. More coming soon.
      I hope you are well.

      Reply
  5. Author Jan Sikes avatar
    Author Jan Sikes

    Oh my! I didn’t see that ending coming. A chilling tale, Hugh!

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

      Glad you thought so, Jan. And glad you didn’t see the ending coming.

      Reply
  6. Eugi avatar
    Eugi

    Wow! You are a master of twisty endings. Brilliantly written dark story, Hugh.

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

      Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the twist, Eugi.

      Reply
      1. Eugi avatar
        Eugi

        You’re welcome, Hugh.

        Reply
  7. Paul Ariss avatar
    Paul Ariss

    I like dark things when done well; I’m a big reader of Stephen King. And this is surprisingly dark Hugh, well done. I think it’s fine to dip into that side of yourself in this way, and good that you’re back into the flash fiction, it’s quite a discipline.

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

      My creative side took a bit of a backseat recently, Paul. I’ve been more interested in the blogging and social media information I’ve been writing about. Those posts get me much more engagement, which I crave.

      I was once compared to Stephen King, which blew my mind. He’s the king of horror, but Rod Serling (him of the Twilight Zone) is still my all time hero when it comes to writing styles.

      This piece of flash came to me instantly when I read the prompt. Now I need to find out if my creative cogs need oiling.

      Reply
      1. Paul Ariss avatar
        Paul Ariss

        Just a little each day can be beneficial, good things can come of it. That’s how I see it anyway..

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

          That’s a great way of looking at it, Paul.

          Reply
  8. willowdot21 avatar
    willowdot21

    Hi Hugh it’s so good to see you back here .. it’s so good to see your style of writing again I have really missed your strange and twisty stories. Welcome back I have missed you 💜💜

    The story is great and piequed my interey.💜

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

      Hi Willow, thank you.

      I’ve been concentrating more on blogging and social media in my posts as they seem to get the most engagement and seem very popular. Writing fiction took a backseat for a while, but Esther’s writing prompt got my creative cogs whirling again. I hope there will be lots more down the road.

      Reply
      1. willowdot21 avatar
        willowdot21

        So do I Hugh I miss your flash fiction 💜

        Reply
  9. Cathy avatar
    Cathy

    You do dark well, Hugh. I also wanted to know more of the back story but I appreciate it’s flash fiction.

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

      The main character in this piece of flash certainly has a backstory, but I didn’t want to delve into it given it’s a piece of flash. I could see her clearly in my head when writing. If I expand it into a short story I’ll certainly tell you more about her.

      Reply
  10. Erika avatar
    Erika

    What started like a romantic story turned into a tragedy. You are a master in creating twists like that. Fantastically done again, Hugh!

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

      I’m glad you enjoyed the twist, Erika. One day, I may write a happy ending twist.

      Reply
      1. Erika avatar
        Erika

        That would be an interesting experience. You would surprise all of us AGAIN…haha.

        Reply
  11. Esther Chilton avatar
    Esther Chilton

    I like the dark twist. It wasn’t what I was expecting. I think there’s scope for a longer story there, too, as it made me want to know about the central character and all that’s brought her up to this point.

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

      Thanks, Esther. I agree, there is a lot more to tell, but I wanted to cut this piece of flash to the bone. I have gone down the road of a character being abused before, but never with the victim being a woman.
      Thank you for the feedback. It goes a long way in helping me with my writing, especially given that I’ve not written any flash fiction since December last year.

      Reply
      1. Esther Chilton avatar
        Esther Chilton

        I’m so glad you’ve written some now. It really is a strength of yours.

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

          Thank you, Esther. I’ve just seen your new writing prompt, so may give it another go.

          Reply
          1. Esther Chilton avatar
            Esther Chilton

            Super 😊

            Reply
  12. patc44 avatar
    patc44

    That was a bit dark! I appreciate not everything you read is full of joy and happiness. But if this was on the dust cover of a book, I wouldn’t read it.

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

      I appreciate you being honest with your feedback, Pat. It helps me with my writing. I tend to go down the dark path with my flash fiction.

      Reply
      1. patc44 avatar
        patc44

        I think it’s important to get feedback from others. How else do we know if our writing isn’t worth continuing 🤣

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

          Absolutely, Pat. What use is feedback like ‘Great story’ or ‘I enjoyed reading this story?’ That tells the author very little. I try and encourage readers to tell me why they thought it was great or why they enjoyed it, but sometimes it’s like trying to get blood out of a stone when asking. I rather them saying nothing (which I have no problem with) if they can’t provide feedback that helps.

          Reply

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