October 14, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that embraces the mud. What is the mud, real or metaphor? How does it transform a character or place? What happens? Go where the prompt leads!
Buried – by Hugh W. Roberts
Time was running out.
It wouldn’t be long before he got found out.
Burying it, he quickly removed any signs of disturbance.
The heavy rain and thunder didn’t help.
With mud stuck to his hair, his clothes, and over his hands, even his fingernails would give the game away.
Although the mud had swallowed up the object, he couldn’t relax.
“Adrian!” exclaimed Richard. “I’m home.”
Just in time, thought Adrian, as he lay a fork next to a tea plate.
When Richard cut into a slice of chocolate mud cake with the fork and discovered the ring, he’d propose.
***
Richard and Adrian first appeared in Edge Of Summer – another piece of flash fiction written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge.
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.
***
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.
Warning: It’s not a good idea to respond to calls for help coming from behind doors that were made specially for the Halloween season.
Why? Well, when you read what happened to me recently upon responding to calls for help coming from behind the rather scruffy door in the image below, you’ll believe me.
The October Door
“HELP! GET ME OUT OF HERE. HELP!”
Those were the words I could hear coming from the other side of the October door.
With its light blue paint having almost peeled away and signs of having been kicked from the scuff marks along its bottom, the door looked unloved and old. People passed me and the door by without taking any notice. Was I the only one who could hear the calls for help?
I watched as the flap of the letterbox lifted and two eyes appeared. They looked shocked when they saw me.
“I’m trapped. Please, you need to get me out. Just turn the knob to the left, then to the right, and once more to the left, and the door will open. I’ll be truly grateful for your help. It’s jammed. I’ve been stuck in here for over forty years.”
As the flap closed, I questioned what I had just heard. Forty years? That should have told me not to open the door, but the writer inside me said this would make a great story.
“Hold on. I’m coming in. Step away from the door,” I announced, as I approached it.
“Left, right, and left again,” I muttered under my breath, as I tried the door knob. The door opened without any problems, but I hesitated before stepping into the black void that now faced me.
“Hello,” I called out, as I took my first step inside.
Nothing but silence met my ears. Even the world behind me seemed to go to sleep. I hesitated and wondered if I should take a step back; to maybe get some help?
“In here,” came a voice, “please help me.”
On my fifth step in, the door slammed behind me.
Turning, I ran towards it, but it wouldn’t open. I told myself not to panic and to feel for the door knob, but there wasn’t one. Then, I heard a terrifying sound from something behind me. I banged on the door hard with both hands, hoping that somebody on the other side would hear me.
“HELP! GET ME OUT OF HERE. HELP!”
As the sound behind me got nearer, I had a strange feeling that somebody on the other side of the door had heard me. Then I remembered that the door had a letterbox. I bent down and pulled open the flap. My eyes opened wide with shock.
I hadn’t expected to see myself staring back.
***
This week’s door is located in Llandeilo, South Wales, in the United Kingdom.
Have you ever come across a door that isn’t all it seems?
Linking to the weekly photography challenge ‘Thursday Doors,’ hosted by Dan Antion who blogs at No Facilities. Click here to join hundreds of other participants with your Thursday Doors.
If you’re enjoying the pieces of flash fiction I’m including with my Thursday Doors posts then you may like Glimpses, my first book of flash fiction and short stories.
The above piece of flash fiction features in Glimpses.
Glimpses
28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.
October 7, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that includes whispers. It can be beautiful or creepy and any genre. Where are the whispers, who are they from, and what do they say if they say anything at all. Go where the prompt leads!
Sardines – by Hugh W. Roberts
“I hope he doesn’t find us,”
“So do I,” whispered Richard. “We’re in big trouble if he does.”
“Why? What’ll he do?”
“God knows,” murmured Richard, “but it won’t be nice. Now, be quiet; I hear footsteps approaching.”
“Richard!” yelled Adrian as he entered the empty bedroom.
Creaking sounds from the wardrobe grabbed his attention.
“Oh no, I think he’s going to find us,” whispered Richard just before the two doors of the wardrobe opened. “Quickly, hide.”
“Richard! Found you. But who are you talking to?” challenged Adrian.
What is Sardines? It’s a reversal of the game Hide and Seek. Instead of everyone hiding all at once and one person doing all the seeking, the game starts with one person hiding and everyone else counting to a predetermined number.
***
Richard and Adrian first appeared in Edge Of Summer – another piece of flash fiction written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge.
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.
***
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.
September 30, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story uses the phrase, “across the water.” It can be any body of water distant or close. Who (or what) is crossing the water and why? Go where the prompt leads!
A Matter Of Life And Death – by Hugh W. Roberts
Holding on to Richard, Adrian looked out across the water.
“I told you I’d come back as a cat,” laughed Richard, “so I’m not keen being by the water.”
“But we promised we’d come to Brighton beach, ride the carousel and look out across the water on this date every year. Why wouldn’t we come this year?”
“Because it’s still too soon. Grief left empty-handed when you opened the door and let me in, but the answer to your future lays across the water.”
“But I can’t swim.”
“Who said anything about swimming to your future?” echoed Richards’s voice.
***
Richard and Adrian first appeared in Edge Of Summer – another piece of flash fiction written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge.
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.
***
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.
September 23, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about an author’s chair. It can belong to any author. Where is it located and why? Does it have special meaning? Go where the prompt leads!
Seat Of Horror – by Hugh W. Roberts
“Happy Birthday.”
“What is it?” squealed Richard as he tore off wrapping paper while Adrian took photos.
“You’ll soon find out.”
“A chair?”
“Not just any chair. Stephen King’s chair.”
“Stephen King?” You’re kidding me?”
“Nope. I got all the paperwork of authenticity.”
“I love it.”
“Get writing that first novel you keep telling us you have inside you.”
“Horror! It’ll be a horror story. It has to be horror, what with it being Stephen King’s chair.”
“Don’t let it go to your head. I’ve hidden all the knives and sharp objects but left you a pen,” giggled Adrian.
***
Richard and Adrian first appeared in Edge Of Summer – another piece of flash fiction written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge.
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.
***
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.
September 16, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a Big Black Horse. It can be a horse, a metaphor or an interpretation of KT Tunstall’s “Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree.” Go where the prompt leads!
Blizzards Of The Mind – by Hugh W. Roberts
“Do you remember the day we first met?”
“Why do you ask?”
“No reason. I’m curious.”
Adrian watched Richard go into deep thought.
“Did it involve a big, black horse?”
“It did, yes!”
You were riding it through a snow-covered field during a blizzard one Christmas. You and that horse stood out so much,” laughed Richard.
Smiling to himself, Adrian closed his eyes and recalled their first meeting. On Brighton beach, he watched Richard riding a big, black horse on the carousel one summer.
The early stages of Alzheimer’s were causing another blizzard in the mind of his husband.
***
Richard and Adrian first appeared in Edge Of Summer – another piece of flash fiction written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge.
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.
***
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.
August 19, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the phrase, “stars in the sand.” Your story can be any genre (or poem) and can use realism or fantasy. It’s a dreamy prompt. Go where the it leads!
The Collector – by Hugh W. Roberts
One hundred and twenty million years had passed since its last visit.
It didn’t like the feel of the granular material, but the stars that had fallen into what humans named ‘sand’ needed replenishing to keep the planet alive.
Picking up an item the waves washed ashore, the Collector studied it. It smelt and tasted good. For every one of these items it took away, it left a star.
As beaches around the planet shone, humans wondered where all the plastic in the seas had gone.
It would only be another twenty years before the Collector returned.
***
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.
***
Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you may also like…
August 5, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about an open door. It can be literal or metaphorical. What is behind the door? Who is seeking and why? As the writer, how will you manage the discovery? Go where the prompt leads!
What If? – by Hugh W. Roberts
As I watched figures going through the open door, not even the pattering of rain on the roof of the car took away the fear I felt.
“What if…”
As my hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, anxiety began to snowball out of control.
“What if..?”
The thoughts of home and a warm bed were welcoming and safe.
“What if..?”
As I drove away, the LGBT community, who I feared, would have to wait another two years before joining them behind the open door that led to non-judgmental new friends, a new life and being who I really was.
***
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.
***
Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you may also like…
July 22, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a hometown. It can be your hometown or a fictional one. Who is there? When is it set? What is happening? Go where the prompt leads!
When Death Comes Quickly – by Hugh W. Roberts
Finding herself abandoned by her parents, Annabelle settled down for the night. This was the first time she’d be alone in her hometown, and it was dark, damp and smelly.
Squeezing into a tiny corner, she sobbed. Why had her parents decided now was the time to leave their hometown without her? She was too vulnerable to be left alone.
It was a bright light that woke her before she and her hometown were covered in a minty mouthwash that instantly killed them.
Not even a germ was safe when its hometown was the mouth of a human being.
***
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.
Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you may also like…
July 15, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the word meltdown. You can use it to describe an event or emotional reaction. You can create a new meaning or explore the word origin. You can Go where the prompt leads!
Nightmare In Spring – by Hugh W. Roberts
For the last four weeks, George was in meltdown.
Not only had somebody given him two new black eyes, but a stranger had swapped his favourite yellow scarf for an orange one. George hated the colour orange; it didn’t suit him.
Last week, Judy, who he thought was his best friend, had given him a floppy, wide-brimmed summer hat. What on earth was she thinking? What next? Sunglasses?
Now, this week, he was in total meltdown and having a nightmare time of it all. The beginning of spring was not the best time of the year for a snowman.
***
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.
Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you may also like…
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