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 Credit: Charli Mills
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.
January 16, 2023, prompt: Write a story about a lady shadow in 99 words (no more, no less). Who is this person, and why do they lurk in the shadows. What is the tone and setting for your story? Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.
Shadow Talk – by Hugh W. Roberts
I followed the lady’s shadow on her journey. She took me around the house and waited for me when I fell behind.
If rooms were dark, I’d flick on the light to see her. She talked to me on our journey and reassured me that everything would be okay.
When I heard the key in the front door, she had to leave, but another shadow took her place.
As I quickly took off my mother’s dress, pearl necklace and high-heeled shoes, my father’s voice called out.
“Are you ready, William? Time for you to hit the under-elevens football pitch.”
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.
Image credit: Charli Mills
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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘More Glimpses.’
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32 short stories and flash fiction pieces take the reader to the edge of their imagination.
September 12, 2022, prompt: Write a story about balloons on a bumper in 99 words (no more, no less). Is it a spectacle, an occasion, an eccentricity? Why are the balloons there? Who is involved? Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.
Future Things – by Hugh W. Roberts
“Why pink balloons?”
“I feel that in 50 or so years, pink will be the colour for people like us,” replied Giles.
“I hope they don’t damage the bumper of my new Ford Model C Ten,” responded Roger.
“Damaging the bumper of your new car is the least of our worries. What happens when we get there matters more.”
“Yes, you’re quite right. We may not be married in law, but the reaction of our parents when we tell them we married each other is something I dread. I wonder if same-sex marriage is a thing of the future?”
***
Future Things
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.
September 5, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the word “swimmingly.” which means “smoothly or satisfactorily.” What is the situation? Who is involved? Let the word take you into a story. Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.
Kate’s Date – by Hugh W. Roberts
Kate couldn’t believe how swimmingly her date with Vera had gone.
They may have both been in their eighties, but sixty years ago, when they first started dating people of the same sex, life was more difficult. You could hold hands without drawing much attention, but a passionate kiss on the lips was a no-go area. Murdering someone was easier.
Looking at Vera’s lifeless body, Kate carefully removed the poisonous lipstick from her lips and took a swig of the antidote to be on the safe side.
Murdering someone was still as swimmingly as it was sixty years ago.
***
Kate’s Date
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.
August 1, 2022, prompt: Write a story that features someplace remote in 99 words (no more, no less). It can be a wild sort of terrain or the distance between people. What is the impact of a remote place? Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.
FromDarkness To Light – by Hugh W. Roberts
Although Fatima knew this remote, off-the-radar place had existed for many years, she’d never plucked up the courage to visit it.
But instead of the darkness, isolation and dread she’d heard existed inside; she found her true self when stepping through the door.
Throwing off the shackles of a life lived as a lie, she swapped it for one she knew she wanted. Gliding toward the lights, she danced while being watched by rainbow-coloured faces.
As happiness finally filled her life and laughter filled her lungs, she decided she would tell her husband she was gay in the morning.
***
Image Credit: Charli Mills
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 ‘More Glimpses.’
***
32 short stories and flash fiction pieces take the reader to the edge of their imagination.
July 18, 2022, prompt: Write a story about floating in 99 words (no more, no less). Who is floating, where, and in what? Is the floating real or felt internally? Whatever floats your boat, go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.
Circle Of Love – by Hugh W. Roberts
Vikki floated on cloud nine for years while dating two men who had no idea the other existed.
As soon as she knew which one to propose and marry, she’d divorce her husband and end the relationship with the other man she was secretly seeing.
But Vikki couldn’t make up her mind.
Eventually, her bubble burst, and she was bought down from cloud nine with a bump when her husband made up her mind for her when she found him in bed with one of her lovers.
It wasn’t long before all four were floating on cloud nine again.
***
Image Credit: Charli Mills
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 ‘More Glimpses.’
***
32 short stories and flash fiction pieces take the reader to the edge of their imagination.
July 11, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story inspired by the idea, “for a day.” It doesn’t need to be never-ending, like me forgetting to update a prompt. What is so special about the action, person, or object experienced for a day? Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.
The Other-side Of A Day – by Hugh W. Roberts
He couldn’t believe he’d slept for a day.
The world was still there when he drew back the curtains. He watched as people went about their business.
After making himself a coffee, he sat down and thought about what he’d done.
He’d just as well try again because nobody had missed him.
Picking up the empty pill bottle, he realised he’d need to get more sleeping tablets and another bottle of vodka.
In the pharmacy, he met David, working there for a day. He married him a year later.
June 13, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a danger zone. It can be an exciting plot-driven story (think “story spine”) or a situation a character must confront. Play with different genres, and use craft elements like tension, tone, and pacing. Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.
Dilemma – by Hugh W. Roberts
Red lights flashed before his eyes, yet he felt the need to enter the building. He had an idea of what he would find once inside, but the danger would still be lurking. He had to be careful and ensure nothing or nobody threatened his life.
The fact that he was over 25 miles away from home helped release some of his anxiety. As he pushed open the door, adrenalin pumped through his body before danger stared back at him.
“Dad! What? I can explain. Did you follow me? Or did you know this place is a gay bar?”
At 17-years-old, I had no idea if I’d ever encountered another gay person. I probably had, but I lived during times when being out and gay could put your life in danger.
Gay Memories
I had my suspicions about who I thought was gay, such as the bus driver who lived on the next street. Even though his bus wasn’t going in the direction I wanted, I’d ride around on it so I could see him and hoped he’d notice me.
There was one way I thought would guarantee me meeting gay people, but it meant breaking the law – a law I thought was stupid. What was wrong with a 17-year-old lad answering an advert in Gay News?
South Wales area – a genuine, nice guy in his early 40s, looking to meet other guys who haven’t come out yet. Maybe we could help each other? Write to Richard at Box 223D, Gay News, London…
Richard remained on my mind for a few weeks after reading the advert. Like me, he hadn’t ‘come out’ as gay. But unlike me, he was over the age of consent, 21, when sleeping with someone of the same sex was not illegal.
The constant bragging about which girls he had slept with from Michael, my best friend, eventually persuaded me to put pen to paper and respond to Richard’s advert. While Michael could sleep with as many girls as he wanted, I thought it unfair that it was illegal for me to meet and sleep with other guys.
I can’t remember what I said in my letter to Richard, but I lied about my age. I had to; otherwise, he may not respond. Or he could have reported me to the police. Fortunately, his advert did not mention sending a photo, so I didn’t have to prove I was 21.
It took me a week to post my reply. Every time I approached the postbox at the bottom of the street, police sirens would sound in my head.
The thought of Richard having my home address and turning up unannounced also terrified me. But the more Michael bragged about who he had slept with and questioned why I was still a virgin, the more courage I got. Finally, I posted the letter after convincing myself that I’d run away to London if Richard turned up. I’d be safe with so many other gay people living there.
A month later, not only had I not had a reply from Richard, but I’d also placed an advert in the lonelyhearts column of Gay News.
21-year-old gay guy looking to make new friends and meet his first boyfriend. Currently living in South Wales, but looking to live and work in London. Age/looks unimportant, but please send a photo. Write to Rob at Box D867, Gay News, London…
Two weeks after my advert appeared, I came home from work to find my mother holding an envelope.
“It’s for you. Whose handwriting is this? I don’t recognise it,” she examined.
Terrified that she was about to tear the letter open, I snatched it off her and ran upstairs, shouting that I’d got a new pen-pal. Fortunately, my mother knew that I had pen-pals and liked to write letters, although she had failed to notice that the stamp on the envelope was British, not foreign.
I was trembling at the thought that my mother could have forced me to come out of the closet had she opened the letter. I’d convinced myself that if the family found out I was gay, I’d be homeless.
Studying the envelope closely, I was too scared to open it and placed it in the same place I’d hid my copies of Gay News – under the carpet under my bed.
Two weeks later, as I climbed into the passenger seat of a car, I was greeted with the words ‘Hi, I’m Richard. I’m a little nervous, but it’s finally good to meet you, Hugh.”
I was meeting who I thought was the first gay person in my life.
But the following day, I would be threatened again with coming out of the closet.
“Who’s car did I see you getting into yesterday?” asked Michael.
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April 25, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the phrase “up and away.” You can imagine a story from the photo of hot air balloons, a flying superhero, a natural wonder, or any other direction your inspiration goes. Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.
The Prison Cell – by Hugh W. Roberts
Karl compared his life to a prison cell.
He’d done nothing wrong but fall in love, yet he couldn’t escape. Some people believed he belonged in hell. He was a threat to society and should never be allowed freedom.
“What’s the matter?” asked the uniformed prison guard.
“I need help escaping from this prison cell,” replied Karl.
“Come with me,” demanded the guard.
After a short walk to a large, stuffy sitting room, Karl got introduced.
“Mum, Dad. This is Karl, my boyfriend.”
Instantly, Karl’s life was up and away. He’d escaped the prison cell lodged in his head.
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