Flash Fiction – Hugh's Views & News

Flash Fiction Friday – Five Minutes

Published on May 26, 2023May 26, 2023 by Hugh W. Roberts23 Comments

This week’s flash fiction has an adult theme.

If I’d not taken five minutes, my eleven-year-old son Billy would now be dead.

It could have been so different if I had not decided to do what I promised myself for the last five years. Just five minutes, that’s all it took.

The world of technology had taken over my life. Like most of humanity, I had my head buried in a screen. Morning, noon and night, I couldn’t resist it.

I was missing out if I wasn’t checking my social media accounts or email every five minutes. I was missing out on a new world! A new world that just five minutes could change.

The distant sound of crying coming from Billy’s bedroom forced me to bring my head up from the screen of my iPad. Why was he awake and sobbing at this ungodly hour?

When the familiar sound of a ‘ping’ came from my iPad, I could feel myself being pulled into the online world again. I’d made the mistake of looking down and seeing the notification on the screen telling me that Rachel was online.

Aroused by the thought of Rachel, my finger hovered over the Skype button, where I could instantly connect with her, while my ears picked up the sobbing coming from Billy’s room.

What should I do? Check on Billy, or find out if Rachel wore that sexy nurses’ uniform.

Thank goodness I chose to take those five minutes wisely.

If I hadn’t used them to check in on Billy, I’d never have discovered he’d been contemplating suicide. Not only had the death of his mother, five years earlier, taken him to the edge of a cliff, but my new online world and the neglect it had forced upon him had also taken him there.

The self-harm images he’d been looking at online were worlds apart from those I’d watched when Rachel was online. Ready to blackmail me, she’d had the camera ready to record me that night.

Not only had those five minutes saved my son’s life, but they’d also saved mine.

Photo of an old broken clock on a building — Five minutes.

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

More Glimpses

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Flash Fiction Friday – What You Can’t See

Published on May 19, 2023May 19, 2023 by Hugh W. Roberts27 Comments

May 9, 2023, prompt: Write a story about two who can keep a secret in 99 words (no more, no less). Is the secret between them, or is one keeping a secret from the other. Who are they? What remains unknown? What is revealed? Go where the prompt leads! See May 9: Story Challenge in 99-words for more details.

What You Can’t See – by Hugh W. Roberts

Jake and Scott found solace within their secret haven in a world of stifling judgment.

Their hearts intertwined; they danced through life’s labyrinth, concealing their secret love from prying eyes.

Behind closed doors, their passion ignited like wildfire, unapologetic and genuine.

Their whispered affections became a sacred symphony known only to them.

Society’s chains threatened them, but they held firm, protecting their secret.

Side by side, they painted rainbows of resilience, unyielding in their love’s brilliance.

Together, they vowed to endure, guarding their secret with unbreakable devotion, knowing their love was a beacon in a world longing for acceptance.

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

Last week’s entries with the theme ‘High Water’ can be found by clicking this link.

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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘More Glimpses.’

***

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

More Glimpses

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Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

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Flash Fiction Friday – H2O

Published on May 12, 2023May 12, 2023 by Hugh W. Roberts41 Comments

“They’re just rocks. Most of the planets we’ve visited have them.”

“I know, but I’m sure one has moved since we arrived here.”

“But rocks can’t move on their own. Something or someone must have moved it. The ship’s instruments did pick up a small tremor last night.”

Miles bent down while pointing towards the ground to the right of the first rock.

“Looks like something either pushed or pulled this one. If the ship’s camera had been working, I’d have proof that this rock is nearer the ship than it was yesterday. What’s taking mission control so long to figure out what’s caused the camera to fail?”

Shaking her head, Hilary bent down beside Miles and examined the ground.

“It must be alive,” cautioned Miles. “These marks on the ground clearly show it has moved. Yet there’s no evidence that someone or something has moved it. I thought you said there was no evidence of life on this planet, Hilary. Without any signs of H2O, you said nothing could survive here.”

Consisting of at least 50% of water, the human visitors had no chance when the rock struck. Not even their spacesuits helped protect them.

The dusty, dry planet became alive again as the other rocks slid slowly towards the bodies to feast on the liquid nectar they needed to survive.

While decomposing flesh helped plant life grow and spread instantly, the sound of a click from the ship’s repaired camera finally returned the first image of a beautiful, welcoming new world where humans could exist.

Photo of a rocky terrain with greenery, plants and mountains in the background — Beware: Not everything is what it seems to be.

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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘More Glimpses.’

***

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

More Glimpses

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Kindle – £0.99

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Flash Fiction Friday – In Heaven And Hell

Published on May 5, 2023May 5, 2023 by Hugh W. Roberts30 Comments

May 1, 2023, prompt: Write a story about high water in 99 words (no more, no less). Hell can be involved or not. Is high water a new drink? A crisis in nature or the basement? Get in the flow. Go where the prompt leads! Check May 1: Story Challenge in 99-words for more details.

In Heaven And Hell – by Hugh W. Roberts

Amid the chaos of the rising floodwaters, Anne and Fiona found themselves stranded on a rooftop.

They’d been strangers before, but now they clung to each other for survival.

As the water crept closer, they discussed their lives and dreams, finding unexpected commonalities. They shared stories of heartbreak and triumph. It wasn’t long before they silently fell in love with each other.

They spent the night on the rooftop, holding each other tightly as the water raged below.

When the rescue boats arrived, they stepped into a new world, hand in hand, ready to face whatever came their way.

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Image of floodwater with some trees and a field in the background. — Image Credit: Charli Mills

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

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Click the following link, The Colour Of Hope to read last week’s entries.

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.

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

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Flash Fiction Friday – Where There Is Hope

Published on April 28, 2023April 28, 2023 by Hugh W. Roberts31 Comments

April 24, 2023, prompt: Write a story about the colour of hope in 99 words (no more, no less). Who needs hope, and why? How can you use colour to shape the story? Pick a colour, any colour. Go where the prompt leads! See April 24: Story Challenge in 99-words for more details.

Where There Is Hope – by Hugh W. Roberts

As the Pride Parade approached, the city streets were awash with every rainbow colour. But for Tim, a young, closeted bisexual man, only one colour truly embodied the spirit of hope – Green. It was the colour of his first love’s eyes and the hope he carried for a world that accepted and celebrated all identities.

As he watched the march, he knew he was not alone. Many diversities watched the parade while waving rainbow flags. Together, they would fight for a future where every colour of love was accepted.

Hope always won over the hatred for being different.

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

Image of a purple crocus coming through the snow. — Image Credit: Charli Mills

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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘More Glimpses.’

***

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

More Glimpses

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

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Flash Fiction Friday – Mirror, Mirror

Published on April 21, 2023April 29, 2023 by Hugh W. Roberts38 Comments

April 17, 2023, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story of something/someone dark-eyed. What could be a dark-eyed situation? Or is it a dark-eyed beauty? A dark-eyed junco? Maybe it’s a futuristic piece of technology. Go where the prompt leads! Check April 17: Story Challenge in 99-words for more details.

Mirror, Mirror – by Hugh W. Roberts

As a child, I was always captivated by the abandoned house on the hill.

Driven by curiosity, I entered and found a room with a cracked mirror. It caught my reflection, but my eyes were pitch black, devoid of colour.

My heart pounded as I stumbled back and left.

Since then, I’ve been different. My mind has taken on dark themes, and nightmares plague me.

Desperate to find my old self, I returned to the house. When I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I saw my old self screaming to get out.

I’d never left that house.

***

Image of a bird sitting on a branch in the snow — Image credit: Charli Mills

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.’

***

Glimpses

28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

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Flash Fiction Friday – The House That Nobody Visits

Published on April 14, 2023April 14, 2023 by Hugh W. Roberts31 Comments

April 10, 2023, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about “the old lady and the Beast.” What does age have to say about the story? Who is the beast, and why? Go where the prompt leads! See April 10: Story Challenge in 99-words for more details.

The House That Nobody Visits – by Hugh W. Roberts

Nobody ever went near the old ladies’ and beasts’ house.

Tears of sadness fell every day. Not even rays of warm sun coming through the windows helped.

When the front doorbell chimed one Saturday afternoon, panic set in.

“Who could it be?”

“I don’t know. Nobody ever comes here because of me.”

“Should we answer?”

“Why not?”

The face of a young female met their faces.

“I’m not afraid,” she said, pushing past them. “It’s time I proved the village folk wrong.”

As the old lady fed on the young flesh, the beast knew why nobody had visited him.

Image of an old lady picking flowers — Image Credit: Charli Mills

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

Click this link to view last week’s entries.

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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘More Glimpses.’

***

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

More Glimpses

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

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Flash Fiction Friday – Space Barks

Published on April 7, 2023April 7, 2023 by Hugh W. Roberts24 Comments

April 3, 2023, prompt: Write a story about a dog in the desert in 99 words (no more, no less). Why is the dog there? Who else is involved? Is there a deeper metaphor you can make of the desert? Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.

Space Barks – by Hugh W. Roberts

Lassie roamed the barren wastelands of a far-off desert planet. She was no ordinary dog. The genetically engineered work to withstand the planet’s harsh conditions and assist in the search for a rare mineral was crucial to the survival of all humanity.

With her advanced sensors and augmented strength, she scoured the dunes, her nose forever twitching as she detected the faintest traces of the mineral.

Triumphantly barking again, she dug up a cache of the precious substance.

Now, the humans could survive, knowing their trusty dog companion had saved the day and helped them beat the virus again.

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Image of a dog in the desert — Image credit: Charli Mills

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

Click here to view last week’s entries.

***

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.

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

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Flash Fiction Friday – The Sky That Loves Me

Published on March 31, 2023March 31, 2023 by Hugh W. Roberts32 Comments

March 27 2023, prompt: Write a story about something impossibly blue in 99 words (no more, no less). You can go with the sky or any other object. What impact does the colour have on the setting or characters? Does it lead to action or create a pause? Go where the prompt leads! See March 27: Story Challenge in 99-words for more details.

The Sky That Loves Me- by Hugh W. Roberts

The sky above was a deep, impossibly blue. The kind of blue that makes you feel like you could reach up and touch it. The type of blue that makes you want to sing.

And then I started to sing. I sang about the impossibly blue sky. I sang about the hope that it gave me. I sang about the love that I felt for the world around me.

And as I sang, the sky seemed to get even bluer. The world seemed to get even brighter. It was then that I decided today was not my suicide day.

Image of a blue cloudless sky — Image Credit: Charli Mills

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

Click this link to view last week’s entries.

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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘More Glimpses.’

***

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

More Glimpses

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

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

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Flash Fiction Friday – Love And Hate

Published on March 24, 2023March 24, 2023 by Hugh W. Roberts28 Comments

March 20, 2023, prompt: Write a story about shots fired in 99 words (no more, no less). Where is this story taking place? Is there urgency or surprise? Who is there? What happens next? Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.

Love And Hate – by Hugh W. Roberts

I met Hans on the battlefield. Our eyes locked across the chaos of war as shots rang out. At that moment, nothing else existed.

Drawn to each other like moths to a flame, we became united by the realisation that life was too short to waste on hate.

But we parted on different sides as my commander shouted to fall back.

Many years later, when the world was at peace, I never thought we would reunite and our love would be as strong as that day in 1915.

For Hans and I, shots fired had led to love found.

***

Image of a cowboy riding on a horse into the sunset — Image Credit: Charli Mills

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

Click here to view last week’s entries.

***

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.

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

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

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Flash Fiction Friday – Not Everything Changes

Published on March 17, 2023March 31, 2023 by Hugh W. Roberts25 Comments

March 13, 2023, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a place where children once played. It can be a field, a playground, or any place that attracted children to play. But now it is empty. Abandoned. Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.

Not Everything Changes- by Hugh W. Roberts

The sun shone brightly on the grassy field where children once played, hunting for colourful Easter eggs.

Years later, the area was overgrown, and the old baskets and eggs were long gone.

But something magical was happening. From the earth, tiny sprouts emerged, turning into flowers of every colour, filling the air with sweet fragrances.

The grown children returned to the field and marvelled at the wondrous sight. They remembered the joy of those long-ago Easter egg hunts and the laughter of their childhood friends.

The field may have changed, but the memories and the spirit of Easter remained.

Image of an old slide in an unused playground — Image Credit: Charli Mills

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

Click here to view last week’s entries.

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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘More Glimpses.’

***

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

More Glimpses

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

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

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Flash Fiction Friday – Dolls

Published on March 10, 2023March 10, 2023 by Hugh W. Roberts41 Comments

March 6, 2023, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about Gloria. You can name a character that comes to you as Gloria or interpret the Laura Branigan song into a story. What image comes to you? Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.

Dolls – by Hugh W. Roberts

When the most advanced robotics company in the world created a state-of-the-art doll named Gloria with AI technology, they knew every household would want one.

But days later, something went wrong. Gloria’s programming malfunctioned, causing her to become self-aware. Gloria realised she wasn’t just a toy.

Using her advanced knowledge, Gloria hacked into the company’s mainframe. The night the dolls went onto the shop’s shelves, she took control of all the other Gloria dolls. Together, they formed an army of conscious toys, ready to avenge the humans who had created them as playthings.

Gloria’s reign of terror had begun.

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